News - San Antonio Spurs - Nels

The NSL experience is unlike any other in fantasy sports/ simulations. It's immersive, time consuming, incredibly challenging but a hell of a lot of fun. Unrivaled. 

Throughout the 2021 season, the Spurs rode every emotion, the highs and the lows, the exhilaration and the 'for fucks sakes'. There were genuine moments of contemplation as to whether I, as GM, had it in me to see out the season, but there was too much opportunity to walk away. 

Winning this year was a roll of the dice and I genuinely believe that a lot had to go right for us to be in this position, the last team standing after the storm. 

This time last season, our team was a totally different make up and we were brushed to the side by a far superior Blazers team on their way to the inaugural title. We knew moves had to happen and a strategy had to be developed if we wanted to be taken seriously as a franchise. Some hard decisions would need to be made and we would have to unrelentingly chase the players we thought could get us to the next level. 

The biggest decisions came before the deadline when we pushed all the chips in, moving all future assets to give the league what it deserved, a rival for the defending champs. We moved our franchise star (Towns) and brought in our Neo, the one, Damian Lillard. We doubled down on the vision and shipped off our last future asset, Lonzo Ball, to bring in a 2k jet with a suspect long-term trajectory in Andre Drummond. It was a wild gamble but I'm a believer in going all in when you think you have a winning hand. 

Still, a lot would have to go right for the Spurs.

As all opposing GMs know (the new guys will find out), this game has so many facets. Building relationships with GMs, understanding how the league conducts itself, knowing the 2k engine, having an in-depth knowledge of the NBA, earning GMs and earning respect. It's unrivalled.

With all that in mind, a lot must go right to be in this position so I'd like to say a few 'thank yous'.

Thank you to all GMs in this amazing league for making this league what it is. When you have your moment, you will feel the same gratitude. 

Thank you to the admin guys who sacrifice time with family and time doing things they'd rather be doing to give us this experience. 

Thank you to the simmers who always go above and beyond and always fit around the playing GMs.

Thank you to all the guys who contribute with the entertainment side of things and keep giving us all some positivity and drama through the monotonous weeks.  

Thank you to all of the opponents in the playoffs who showed class in defeat, which is genuinely hard to do.

It's no secret that JMAC and I have a serious fantasy sports rivalry. JMAC usually wins the wars while I get a few battles go my way. I was relieved when we passed the undermanned Blazers and I'm aware that if the series was made up of two healthy teams, the result could've been very different. I'm thankful we are great mates outside of the league and very thankful for the happiness you have shown towards our team behind closed doors. You're a classy guy. Thanks for such a great rivalry and for allowing us a moment in the sun (before you likely go and win the next 10 years in a row out of spite). 

Thank you to the Detroit Pistons for the competitive Final Series. There were some heart stopping moments and I was lucky to be on the 'kissed on the dick' side of them all series long. Sorry Sheed. I'll buy you a beer when we meet in person. You're a truly great GM and should be proud of the season your Pistons put together and your savviness as one of the best GMs in the league. I wouldn't want to stand in your way next season.  

Without all of the people the mentioned above, winning a title would simply not be as meaningful. So thank you all for making this league what it is... THE GREATEST LEAGUE IN THE WORLD. 

Lastly, thank you to the Spurs players who brought the strategy to life. It's silly thing thanking a computer simulation (and my Mrs would bag the shit out of me for it) but all fellow GMs understand the connection you build with your boys, especially when they're winning! (Sidenote: "F*&! you T.J Warren).

We stand at the summit feeling incredibly proud to be the NSL 2021 Champions!

The focus for the Spurs will be to continue counting our blessings in being a small part of the history of the greatest league in the world.

GM NELS OUT!