Manager Strengths: The Fabric of the NSL

What a wonderful community we belong to. During discord discussions earlier in the week, a GM mentioned just how great it was to belong to a league such as this, citing quality people, discussions, articles and of course, competition. I absolutely have to agree.

The NSL has only been around for a short amount of time, but so much energy, time, enthusiasm, hurt, failure and success has been forced within its timeline, much like the density of a dying star. Except, our NSL universe has only just begun, and boy, are we cooking with gas.

Shoutout to the admin team – pistolpk, leeroy, laddas, wizkid and nenjabin, all the members of the community that sim games and any other helpful hands I haven’t mentioned by name. Without your care and commitment, we don’t have a league. Legends!



The league works so well because of the diversity – much like an ecosystem in nature. If every creature is competing for the same niche and resources, the strongest survive but the others will die out. I mentioned in a previous article the ambiguity of success, and the following analysis will tap back into that realm of pseudo-psychology and take a look at the following question: What is a key strength that each GM displays and how does it help their franchise?

 
Coombayah, my NSL fraternity. Coombayah.

I know some GMs more comprehensively than others, but I like to think I am perceptive due to spending way too much time lurking within the NSL realm.

bandrsn10 – likeability/patience

While I don’t agree with his Embiid trade, I have always loved negotiations and interactions with Ben over the journey. Always reasonable and respectful, he will now have to be patient, too, as he walks the path of the full rebuild.

Breece – likeability/scouting
Breece isn’t an overly vocal GM, but as someone who knows him, he has charm, poise and respect for all, something that makes a difference and an impact in a community like the NSL. He also has a terrific track record of making superb late first round picks, in the NLL and NSL.

Toby – patience/trading
Toby is ‘trusting the process’, and post-2021 rookie draft, he could very well have the best young core in the league. He is never hurried and never completes a trade that isn’t on his terms, something that bodes well for adding value.

CraigB – competitiveness

I was happy when I heard the news that Craig was joining the NSL; a boon for passion, knowledge and camaraderie. He knows no other way than trying to win at all costs, which was demonstrated with his trading this year. Thankfully for Craig and the Hornets, he has the pieces to give it a real go.

Merencio – charisma/competitiveness

I’ll never forget the collision course I was on with Merencio last season, culminating in an NSL Finals matchup. He is smooth, charismatic and persistent, and he is obsessed with winning (a man after my own heart). His Bulls have had a rough show of it, but they are a sleeping giant.

Dylan – scouting

Dylan is one of the more active GMs in terms of trading, and quite vocal, too. I find his insights on young players and prospects informative and credible, and convincing, and I think he will use the picks he has traded for well in the coming years.

Ljmaverick – humour

LJ might be a polarising figure in the NSL to some, but he loves his team and loves to have fun on the forums. I’m not sure if he trolls people with his trade discussions at times, but either way, it’s funny.

Digeze – patience

Digga doesn’t bob up too much unless it’s about Steph Curry or injustices towards the Nuggets. One thing the man does well is bide time, plot out a timeline and stick to it. He builds winning teams and with Klay back this team will be a true contender.

Sheed36 – passion/competitiveness

This is the best version of Sheed I have seen; this season he is more active, more informative and more reasonable, and I am happy for him that his team is winning. He loves his Pistons, hates to lose and I can relate to that. One of the competitors.

Titlesorbust – gratitude

Titles loves Zach Lavine and just loves his team, consistently spruiking his assets and celebrating his guys. I am all for the passion and the grateful displays of affection towards his crew. Plus, the ‘Zach Lavine’ drinking game gets you toasty.

Vitticus – gratitude

He is the kind of GM who looks at every player and sees the positives, no matter how big or small. Most GMs have heavy, careless hands and I like to think Vitt appreciates the NSL and all it’s beauty.

Spudspace – trading

He doesn’t talk much, doesn’t contribute a whole lot to the NSL culture, but when a good deal comes a’knocking, spud always seems to close the deal and look the goods. It’s happened multiple times, it’s a thing (see Bagley, Hunter for Embiid).

Andrew – developing talent

In both leagues now, Andrew has gone/drafted youth and sticks to his guns, possessing a high strike rate for developing high draft picks into great players. He hasn’t made any big moves and the Clippers continue to get better, organically.

JustinG – TBD

Hey, Justin. Welcome to the NSL. You’re likely already better than the previous GMs, so, good job.

Rootsey – commitment

If he isn’t sending you unders in a trade offer, Rootsey is making subtle trades and tinkering to his roster, which I really like. Young, complementary pieces have been mainstays in Memphis and I can’t see anyone offering enough for him to trade any. Committed to his guys!

pistolpk – 2k savvy

A scorned pistol is a pistol we should all be scared of, and his early season injury woes and 2k disappointments appear to be a thing of the past. He is a multiple-time champion and arguably the best 2k mind when it comes to creative 2k thinking and team building and he is sassing everyone on discord. He must have figured it out.

badwolf – building/selling

A champion in his own right in the NLL and owner of the best roster I have ever seen. Badwolf just broods and plays golf and knits and does whatever hobbies he enjoys until his roster is ripe for either contending or selling; I have never seen a GM with a better handle on when to sell and when to buy young player stock. A master of accruing picks, the NSL won’t know what hit it in 24-25.

EthanC21 – scouting/drafting

When Ethan traded Stephen Curry, I was bemused, to put it politely. However, with the draft capital he received from the deal, he has crushed the previous rookie draft. LaMelo Ball, Saddiq Bey, Immanuel Quickley and Isaiah Stewart have all had great rookie seasons and have even brighter futures. 4/4 is impressive.

Leeroy – team building

Leeroy isn’t overly vocal in terms of his own team, but he is a calming and informative voice of the admin team. In terms of his Pels, he hit warp-speed on the conversion from building to contending, and his team probably has the best balance of win-now/future ability out of any team. A past champion with champion practises.

smokey – trading

One of the best team builders in the league, when Smokey wants to accelerate the rebuild, he performs magic. He adds talent for peanuts and turns a pretender into a contender as quickly and efficiently as anyone (see 2021 season).

wizkid – team building
Would we have a league without the wizkid’s prowess with the code? Unlikely. On the home front, his Thunder are building into something really nice, even if it doesn’t arrive this season. He added lots of value with his downgrade of Fox.

gc6 – perceptiveness/voice

Is there a stronger voice in the league? I don’t think so. Gavin has great perception when it comes to topical issues in the NSL and often has a voice of reason even if it’s the unpopular opinion. If he posts, I listen. Even when he ‘bantz’, it’s always on point.

Nenjabin – scouting

Ben is the best in the biz at the Euro scouting, uncovering Jokic in the NLL and consistently adding guys with six-syllable names and striking fear into all other GMs as to which future star he just landed. Be scared, he has 17 2^nd rounders.

laddas – team-building/conviction

The only GM I’ve ever known to successfully tear apart, rebuild and contend within a season’s span. His latest attempt hasn’t gone smoothly, but he reset his reset and it’s looking much better. He has total faith in his vision and sticks to his guns.

jmac – trading/team building

I won’t wax lyrical too much about this guy. He loves the league, he loves the community, he loves his Portland team, he loves to trade and above else he loves to win.

Nels – trading/ team building

A masterful trader, and a good guy around the traps, Nelso is arguably the best trader in the league and consistently (always) gets deals done all season to add value and talent to his roster. The Spurs have never looked better.

KLEMMELO – confidence/passion

The great man himself, Glenn, loves the league as much anyone and loves his Kings team just the same. He craves tactile interactions with the league, wanting to analyse, critique and view the NSL world and constantly tinker with his team. So much heart.

jessedunne – passion/competitiveness

Is there a more passionate GM in the league? It’s doubtful. Whether its passion about the Raptors, showering praise on the league or others or provocative behaviour, or lamenting any loss with threats of self-harm, the man cares. A lot.

Jasonpitts – composure
Jason is new on the scene but he hasn’t been fleeced at all like some rookie GMS have a tendency to. He’s asked a lot for his assets and he’s standing firm until the trade deadline. Steady hand on the wheel in Utah.

Joshua – trading