NSL Insider - GM Survey Part 2: Opinions

by Nels, updated on Monday, October 25 2021, 12:24 am EST

NSL GM Survey 2021-22- Opinions

Off the back of the serious article - NSL GM Survey- Predictions, it�s time to get a bit less competitive, a little more philosophical and a lot more light-hearted, as we review the opinion responses from the GM Survey. When reviewing this data, outside of the silly stuff, I found there was actually a lot of insight given into the perspectives, beliefs and values of the GMs which shape the league. Take this information how you like, but I feel it gives valuable insight into assets, commodities and attributes held currently in the NSL.

The People�s Team
Other than your team, who do you WANT to win the 2021-22 title?

Being likeable is an important attribute in the league. It�s opens avenues for communication, swapping ideas, negotiation and general support in one of the most competitive leagues in the world. There�s no doubt there are some GMs who are oozing charisma and others that are just loved because of who they are. Who do the GMs of the league barrack for when their team is out of contention?

Player	76ers (1^st)	Spurs	New Orleans	Minnesota	Denver	Charlotte	Chicago	Totonto
Total Votes	4	3	2	2	2	2	2	2
Percentage %	16.00	12.00	1	29.17	4.17	20.83	4.17	4.17

With 16% of the vote, the Philadelphia 76ers are officially the league�s number two, though it should be put on the record that Lakers GM JustinG actually prefers the 76ers roster to his at this point in time (jk). Most GMs were happy to nominate at least one other franchise they would barrack for, if not their own, however there was one outlier that questioned the legitimacy of the survey�s second question (1 gm point for first to correctly guess).

�Is this a legitimate question?�- Guess the GM

Congratulations to the league�s 1^st preference for 2^nd preference, the Philadelphia 76ers!

Teams also receiving a vote:
Warriors, Blazers, Knicks, Wizards, Sacramento, Pacers and �is this a legitimate question�.

If you were starting a franchise from scratch, who would you take first?

Player	Giannis	Doncic (1^st)	Lamelo	Lillard	KD	Embiid
Total Votes	8	13	1	1	1	1
Percentage %	32.00	52.00	4.00	4.00	4.00	4.00

Many GMs are still around from the inaugural draft in 2018, which is always a fun moment to refer back to. �With the first pick in 2018, the LA Clippers select� Giannis Antetokounmpo!� At the time the pick made a great deal of sense, Giannis had multiple years on his deal, was the MVP and was in his early twenties with a bright future ahead. Fast forward 3 years and the GMs were asked who they would take in the exact same position now. Giannis was still in the picture, receiving 32% of the total vote, while the new sheriff arrived in town. Luka Doncic received 13 votes or 52% of total selections. Multiple responses mentioned taking either of the two stars, which put these two on a clear pedestal above the rest of the pack.

Interesting mentions were additions of LaMelo Ball with one vote (not from Minny) and Dame Lillard also got a vote from a GM who has a supreme understanding of the upcoming 2k engine. This makes me regret trading him and I will be emailing Nenjamin for a refund after completing. KD and Embiid were well deserving of a vote each as well.

What do you think is the most important position in NSL?

We all have positional preferences, however most of us just tend to end up getting bent-over by the Portland Blazers. This question however, gave a great insight as to what the league perceives to be most vital when building a successful roster in the current engine.

Position	PG (1^st)	SF	The #1 position	SG	C/Big men	Scoring guards
Total Votes	9	3	1	5	3	2
Percentage %	39.13	13.04	4.35	21.74	13.04	8.70

Having a quality point guard appeared to be the number one option with nearly 40% focussing on that position. The discussion indicated that it doesn�t necessarily matter whether it�s a �point guard� running the offence, but it needs to be a talented playmaker/ with high basketball IQ. There were quite a few mentions for scoring guards in this discussion. Interestingly, the big man only received 13% of the vote which is likely due to the fact that the last engine struggled to get the big man involved in the offense as well as it did scoring guards.

�The #1 position� reference is no doubt in regards to the position on the standings and makes for a nice little jibe in an otherwise scientific discussion.

What skill/ attribute do you think is most important on a team?

Off the back of positional importance, team identity seems a good category to evaluate. Some teams have a clear formula and player-type they target, others mix skill sets to form a symphony of talents in their rotations.

Skill/

Attribute

Athleticism

Offense/

Shooting (1^st)

Size/Length

Bball IQ

Defence

Playmaking

Rebounding

Total Votes

Percentage

4.00

40.00

16.00

4.00

24.00

8.00

4.00

It seems the tribe has spoken and the most important skill/attribute for a team to have is offensive firepower. Not surprisingly defence was second on the list with size/length coming in 3^rd place. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder in this question, some skills seem easier to attain on the market than others. Quality defence and unstoppable scoring both seem a rare commodity in the game and if trading for it, you�re likely to have to pay well. If you were to build a roster based around only one of these skills, you�d probably still be missing an important part of the equation.

THE GM AWARDS

The GM Awards is dedicated to acknowledging the best of the best GMs in NSL. These guys are �the real owners� who exemplify �exceptional� in one (or many) facets of the world�s most amazing game.

The Low-Baller Award

It sounds like a negative award but one of the most popular responses to the question, �which GM will likely slide into your messages and low-ball you for a star?� was �the good GMs�. So, take this however you see fit.

Amazingly, this award was a tie for first place. Two active traders who love to slither their way through Discord with sweet nothings and ear turds for the recipient on the other end of the line. These two GMs are brothers and possibly learned and honed their craft on each other during the formative years. I�ve heard folktales of belly button lint being exchanged for the collector�s edition Paul Pierce Skylights Basketball Card and principals contacting home after pokemon cards were swindled. It�s with great pleasure to announce the co-winners, with 20% of the vote each:

Congratulations GM Toby and GM Jmac

Also receiving votes:
Rootsy (3), LJ (2), �The good ones� (2), �No one talks to me� (1), Nels (1), Wolf (1), Vitt (1), �Dave lol� (1), Merencio (1), None (1)

The Premium Prince

There�s an art to composing an article that stands out from the pack. One that GMs don�t just skim through to read the part about themselves and then comment �great write-up� afterwards (we all do it). To some, the quill is a foreign tool and it requires huge effort to get articles in on time. For others, they were born with a poem to recite and a witty one-liner for every scenario. There�s really only one GM that eclipses all others in this area by quite some amount so anyone who got a look-in should be proud. The Premium Prince, with an amazing 52% of the vote is�.

Congratulations GM Jmac

Also receiving votes:
Nenjamin (4), All (2), Klemm (1), Vitty (1), Merencio (1), Ethan (1), Nels (1), Gav (1)

The Culture King

The league is full of guys who make life better and are a key cogs in making the greatest league in the world exactly that. The Culture King makes the league better whether through hard work or being a positive influence. Without this person, the league doesn�t exist, period. With 23% of the vote�

Congratulations GM PistolPK

Also receiving votes:
Klemm (5), Laddas (4), the Admin Team (2), Nenjamin (2), Jmac (2), Nels (2), All (1), Vitty (1), Craig (1), Ethan (1), Rootsy (1), LJ (1).

Is Afraid of the Dark

The next GM was voted by his peers to likely sleep with a nightlight on. Many nominations came because some members of the league are nocturnal and simply do not sleep. This GM, I can vouch, isn�t scared of much but he always carries a lighter� Suspicious. The winner of the GM who sleeps with the lights on, with 33% of the vote is�

Congratulations GM Klemm

Also receiving votes:
Toby (3), AndrewM (2), Vitty (1), JustinG (1), Laddas (1), Leeroy (1), Smokey (1), Jmac (1), JoshV (1), Ethan (1), LJ (1).

The Rising Star

The Rising Star goes to a GM who opposing GMs expect will someday (likely soon) be a champion of the league. They�re valued highly amongst their peers for the way they build and patiently edge closer to the ultimate prize. This star GM narrowly beat a number of close contenders with 16% of the total vote�

Congratulations GM Digga

Also receiving votes:
Wolf (3), Ethan (3), Leeroy (3), PistolPK (2), Rootsy (2), Nenjamin (2), JustinG (1), Smokey (1), LJ (1), Merencio (1), Dylan (1), JoshV (1).

N.S.L- No Supplementary Life

These guys are the NSL lyfers. They live it, spend too much time on it and get told off by the Mrs for always being logged onto it. Miraculously, they are fully functional members of society and have the money to pay for good enough WIFI to sim and stream for the plebs of the league, who aren�t good enough to kiss the ground their muddy crocs walk on. The winner of the �spends most time on NSL� Award, narrowly winning the vote with 36% is�

Congratulations GM Jmac

Also receiving votes:
PistolPK (7 or 28%), Klemm (3), Sheed (2), Nenjamin (2), Laddas (1), Wizkid (1).

Congratulations to all the award winners. Though the writing is satire, the awards are a genuine compliment to you as GMs and figures in the league. It�s a great achievement to stand-out in a league as competitive as this one. Well done and thank you to you all!

It�s time to finish up here and why not go out with a warm and fuzzy. If you want to see the full results to the survey, GM Nels will publish as soon as possible and make available to all members of the league. I genuinely believe there is some value in reading some of the responses to the opinions survey and they might assist you to become a better GM in the future. So feel free to give them a look at your convenience.

Community/ Brotherhood	Authenticity	Dynasty	Realism	Shit talk	The genius of it	Team Building	Friendships	Escape Reality	Being a GM	Competition
11	2	1	1	1	1	2	1	1	1	1

WHAT DO YOU LOVE THE MOST ABOUT THE NSL?

HOW GOOD IS IT!?

	MEM	91
	MIN	98

	DAL	95
	PHO	102

	WAS	117
	MIA	95

	TOR	127
	NY	101

	PHO	125
	DEN	121

NSL Insider - GM Survey Part 2: Opinions

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