GMOTY Preview

 

GM Ethan- Minnesota Timberwolves

Sitting 3^rd in the West with a chance sneak into 2^nd, the Timberwolves franchise is on the cusp of a golden era. It seems a distant memory that the franchise was in disarray and fans were calling for a lynching, after the incoming Noob (it would seem) shipped off one of the best players in the league in Steph Curry for a �package including picks�. From an outside point of view, the Wolves looked destined for a long tenure at the bottom awaiting rookie development and hunting picks. Little did we know at the time that the dominos were being lined up for the NSL�s swiftest rebuild ever. Cap space was created, two complimentary stars were brought in (and cheaply), the largest international scouting mission on record was put into place and two rookie stars were drafted, LaMello Ball and Scotty Barnes. A team that can win now and for the next 10 years was manufactured from the scrap heap. All the while, GM Ethan was working the phone line, shaking hands, fine dining and creating opportunities for trades that brought improvement. There�s hardly a move he�s made we can fault, he has no enemies in the league, he contributes to the success and positive culture of the greatest league in the world (NSL) and he wins games. A stellar season.

GM Badges - Tireless Worker, Smooth Negotiator, All-Time Scout and Financial Wizard
Personality Badges- Friendly, Legendary Work Ethic and Pat My Back

 

 

GM Dazman- Milwaukee Bucks

GM Dazman has almost followed the exact blueprint left by GM Ethan of the Timberwolves. He inherited a young and talented roster with a bounty of assets including picks and cap space. Rather than playing the accumulation game for another decade (as was the direction of the franchise), GM Dazman pushed the chips in and turned a portfolio of potential into a winning roster striving to contend. He showed huge balls moving Zion Williamson for Miles Bridges and Mitchell Robinson and has clearly won the deal to date as Williamson is yet to suit up for the Raptors. After taking the plunge and trading the obese yet potentially transcendent Zion, GM Dazman got to work building a roster that will win now and linger in the upper echelon for the next decade with potential to one day win it all. He drafted ROTY favourite Evan Mobley and boasts a big 3 of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Mobley and Bridges which is as formidable of any young core in the competition. Finishing in 4^th place in the East locked Dazman�s spot on this list and the league will watch his Bucks carefully in their first round match up vs the Magic to see just how much work he has put in to get this franchise trending in the right direction. 

GM Badges- Big Balls, Smooth Negotiator, Veteran Free Agent Whisperer, Pro Scout.
Personality Badges- Focussed, High Work Ethic and Confident.

 

 

GM Rootsy- Memphis Grizzlies

Is there a trade GM Rootsy has lost? Ever? GM Rootsy finds himself in GMOTY discussions after a steady build over the past two years, culminating in a 61-win season with a playoff line up that looks locked and loaded. Ask any GM and they will tell you the Grizz are the real deal and their reign is just beginning. They have young talent that seem to trending towards their peak at the same time and really, really good veterans who will have plenty in the tank for multiple years. Perhaps the most exciting thing about it all for Grizz fans is that GM Rootsy has all key players signed and locked away for years, meaning this offseason they will be primed for another big push at a star either by trade or free agency. If you love a GM that never loses a trade and knows how to build a dynasty, you�ll be voting for Rootsy when the ballot paper arrives.

GM Badges- Smooth Negotiator, Breakout Maker, Defensive Coordinator and Control Room Specialist
Personality Badges- Ball breaker, High Work Ethic and GOAT Trader.

 

 

GM Jmac- Portland Trailblazers

Thanos has done it again, another near 70-win season, multiple pillaging-type trades, zero losing trades, now a proud owner of Kevin Durant and on the verge of another title to add to the collection. Though unconsciously, GM Jmac has done everything possible to retain his GMOTY trophy through a challenging year. He�s maintained one of the best records in the competition without Kawhi in the early season, with a steeply declining Westbrook throughout the season and in an engine that doesn�t particularly love one of his stars, James Harden. With all the adversity, the Blazers have continued to win at a rate the fans have become accustomed to (86% all-time) which is thanks to the tireless work behind the scenes of their GM. GM Jmac is not only a winner but a constant source of activity in the league, simming and creating unrivalled premium content. There�s absolutely no reason as to why it�s not his award again this season and it appears the only factor that could stand in his way is voter fatigue.

GM Badges- All-Time Trader, Pleb Pillager, Superstar Attracter and Master at the Controls
Personality Badges- Media Ringmaster, Legendary Work Ethic, Championship DNA and Alpha Dog.

 

 

GM Sheed- Detroit Pistons

GM Sheed is one of the GMs who is always in the discussion but rarely in the spotlight. His case for GMOTY is as good as anyone�s and when you delve deep into his season, it�s remarkable what he�s achieved. Let�s start at item one, Pistons finish 2^nd in the East with 60 wins. This is a marvel considering Kyrie-gate dragged on all season meaning the Pistons only saw their best player in 29 regular season games. Throw in that Bam missed a ton of games, playing in 58 and Gobert played just 63. Despite this, all 3 players featured heavily in player of the week discussions when healthy and the team barely lost when all 3 suited up. Morale remained high in Detroit, the wins kept rolling in and Sheed kept the league smiling with his impeccable GIF work. They�re as good a chance as any team to take out the Eastern Conference and are, in fact, the NELSBET betting favourites. If a few dominos fall their way they could be hoisting the Larry O�Brien trophy come season�s end, going one step further than last season.

GM Badges- GIF Lord, Master at the Controls, Defensive Coordinator and Finance Savvy
Personality Badges- Alpha Dog, Legendary Work Ethic, Master Trader, Sell High/ Buy Low Specialist

 

 

GM Craig- Charlotte Hornets 

The Hornets have won the East for the second time running behind the leadership of GM Craig. He invented the move GM Ethan and Dazman are living right now, swinging a slow rebuild into action, and he�s hit contender status for the second year in a row. His regular season was incredibly steady as his established squad churned out 62 wins with minimal exertion. GM Craig continues to be a vocal GM who contributes greatly to positive culture in the league and his work as a simmer is greatly appreciated by the league. He will be in the mix on the voter�s cards especially for those who value sustained success, calculated decision making and professionalism.   

GM Badges- Master at the Controls, Elite Team Builder, Media Ringmaster and Buy-Low Specialist
Personality Badges- Alpha Dog, Master Trader, Sell High/ Buy Low Specialist, High Work Ethic

 

 

GM Joshua- Washington Wizards

An emerging star GM, Josh of the Wizards has perfected the slow build and accumulation method. His team gets better with every move he makes and he now holds the most exciting young duo in the league in Booker-Embiid. The Wizards finished with a record of 56-26 which is another improvement on previous years and his team looks set for a deep playoff run behind their MVP candidate Joel Embiid. The highlight of their season was turning Karl Anthony Towns into Joel Embiid which seems to have put this franchise over the top and in the window for the next 10 years. The front office is always busy, active in every facet of the league most notably as a simmer. He will receive votes but might not be the number 1 candidate due to so much opposition. Like his team, he is always a sleeper and his contributions to the season should not be overlooked.

GM Badges- Master at the Controls, Elite Team Builder, Media Ringmaster and Buy-Low Specialist
Personality Badges- Pleb Pillager,  Master Trader, Sell High/ Buy Low Specialist, High Work Ethic

 

 

Honourable Mentions:

GM Smokey- New York Knicks�
Big Smoke took a season off, flipping assets such as Brandon Ingram, D�Aaron Fox and picks into possibly the best duo in the league (next season) in Damian Lillard and Kawhi Leonard. His losing record will dissuade voters but his work in the trade office has been impeccable. He will be high on this list, if not, number 1, next season.

 

GM Mialo- Orlando Magic
The Magic were a sinking ship at the half way mark of the season until the arrival of GM Maillo who steadied the ship and turned a team heading for the lottery into a contender. Though minimal moves were required, the work in the control room to tidy-up a messy franchise with zero morale should not be overlooked.