NBA SIMS LEAGUE
Here's a little article to share some positivity and
light for those who haven't been having fun of late
Fun is inevitable when you're involved in the NSL but it can
become a grind and a chore, especially at this time of the season.
Winning is usually a by-product of a lot of time spent
invested in the league, whether that be running sims, building excellent
relationships with the amazing gm community, contributing to admin
responsibilities or simply 'being involved' - which is key. But make no
mistake, people stay here for fun, not for winning alone.
There's a feeling of instability at the moment in the NSL, and
to be honest, it's a feeling in the world everywhere. This week has been a week
of perspective in SA after some pretty crazy stuff outside of the league really
made this GM ponder many of life's questions.
It got this GM thinking about the engagement and enjoyment
element of the league. Chats I've had with longstanding GMs have mentioned a
feeling of frustration, boredom and chore towards NSL life. Supporting this were
sentiments from GM Jase of as he stepped down from GM duties of the Utah Jazz. The
overall feeling is somewhat down.
Is this league still fun? No doubt. The trades over the
last month have been genuinely exciting to follow. Individual success stories from
fellow GMs both in the real world and in the league makes this fun. Getting to spend
an hour to watch your creation perform STILL is genuinely fun. A little
infuriating at times too.
What could change to further encourage enjoyment? Instead of
an atmosphere of ill-will and threatening, perhaps there could be more celebration
of others?
So, I made a list of stuff I find cool that I'd like to dedicate
the rest of the article towards:
1.
Miami Heat are rolling and looking a genuine
powerhouse in the EAST finally! Well done Pistol, enjoy and savour the success
you've steadily worked towards.
2.
GM Laddas has turned around the ship with next
to no draft capital and minimal assets after awful fortune- as bad as anyone
has had. Awesome
3.
GM Daz is all class and nearly has a rag tag
team clearly in the playoff picture. Maybe the best ever with the sticks!
4.
GM Ethan has gone all in (FINALLY!). Kawhi, SGA,
Mobley could be the best ever big 3
5.
GM Justin has Wemby putting up the best numbers
ever seen in NSL history, in my opinion. This GM is one of the few who has
multiple time champion DNA
6.
Despite all the criticism and self doubt, GM Yeet
has assembled a sick team! Huge wings everywhere, a young big man with star
upside who he is getting 110% out of and Cunningham a blossoming rose
7.
Klemm is still giving us all the entertainment
and heart expected as one of the best personalities of the league
8.
The Defending Champs are getting Jrue back soon,
their run home is must-watch TV
9.
Portland Trailblazers have one of the deepest and
most talented young rosters ever, well done JMAC, can't wait to see them in
action in playoffs
10.Digga's
team has an identity, they're young and fun
11.The
new GMs are fitting in incredibly well around the place and making some cool trades
12.GM
Nenjamin is STILL the most approachable guy in the world
13.The
Pelicans are making moves to make life fun for themselves which means we get to
keep Leeroy with us for the long term (hopefully)
14.Smokey
is up to his old tricks. I love this man.
15.Craig's
team has a real identity; at full strength I believe he can win it all. I also
genuinely like the chats we have and how he checks-in every now and then. Just
a top bloke.
16.Shams
is winning as per usual and hasn't offered me a Giannis deal in 2 weeks. But I
do look forward to the by-weekly declining. One of the great people in the
league.
17.Mailo
continues to be reliable, polite and capable
18. Sheed's memes are still unrivalled. I
genuinely laughed at the Moussa Diabetes joke for a week
19.BREECE
IS WINNING! BREECE IS WINNING! Couldn't be happier for the reward for effort
and for the guy in general in life
20.Vitti
and Jokic are getting some 2k love. About time. Watch out!
21.The
Bulls are great, injured, but still great somehow. Underappreciated GM alert
22.Tatum
will come back soon! Good and bad news for Tobes all in one
23.Rootsy
is one of the best in the league, all-time
24.LJ
is still LJ! Love it. Dallas are good now though, please don't finish above the
Spurs for the pick's sake
25. Dylan is dancing in the wind seeing what value
falls from the tree, what he does next has everyone's attention
26.The
admin team are legends
27.The
simmers are legends
The pros of the NSL as a social outlet/ support network still
outweigh the negatives that come with it, from my point of view and hopefully a
little love in this article might help the other GMs to push on who are in the mid-season
rut and struggling to stay invested. While the character playing facades can be
fun, they can quickly drown the fun as a repetitive or smothering narrative, which
often overshadow some of the little wins we should celebrate more. Keep up the good
work everyone. You're all needed here.
