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This is just the framework for a story about at least the second disastrous season in a row for the Springfield Fusion of the FBA.
I'm hanging on. I'm coasting along. And I'm not entirely sure I want to give up on managing the Fusion after this season (and it's not because of their bad performance; one should be patient when looking for a team to do better), but if I did step down, I'd want applications from candidates about their vision for the team and then my choice from them, and then s/he'd still have to ask me before doing anything. I might even only be just asking for a consultant.
Nothing is final. Don't report anything. I just want to bounce a few ideas off some folks in the community. I enjoy participating in the project (although not as actively as I thought), and I hope to continue doing so, even if I'm not a basketball expert, or I'm not on the Internet as much as the others involved.
Damn, I sound depressed (although I don't think I am).
I'm hanging on. I'm coasting along. And I'm not entirely sure I want to give up on managing the Fusion after this season (and it's not because of their bad performance; one should be patient when looking for a team to do better), but if I did step down, I'd want applications from candidates about their vision for the team and then my choice from them, and then s/he'd still have to ask me before doing anything. I might even only be just asking for a consultant.
Nothing is final. Don't report anything. I just want to bounce a few ideas off some folks in the community. I enjoy participating in the project (although not as actively as I thought), and I hope to continue doing so, even if I'm not a basketball expert, or I'm not on the Internet as much as the others involved.
Damn, I sound depressed (although I don't think I am).
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File Size 5.4 kB
It's been a very tough year for the Fusion, to be sure. I think a big mistake the team made was depending so heavily on their rookies. Putting up 3 rookies on the starting line was a recipe for disaster, no matter how talented those rookies are.
Being a Sacramento Kings fan, I know this well. The Kings had Tyreke Evans, the season's Rookie of the Year, and one of only 4 players to have ever gone 20 PPG, 5 APG and 5 RPG in his rookie year (like Michael Jordan and LeBron James). They also had Omri Casspi, who is an outstanding player and, like 'Reke, was selected to play in the Rookie Challenge, a game the Rookies won. And even with two spectacular rookies, the Kings never came close to making the playoffs. The truth is just there-- rookies aren't veterans. No matter how good a rookie is, there's something that's only gained by years of professional athletic experience.
But next year could be very different. With a year of pro experience, Sweetser, Murphy and Strider should all improve, and maybe that little bit of improvement over 3/5ths of the team's starting line will be enough to give them a shot at the playoffs. This time around-- it simply wasn't going to happen.
As for the team's location, I intend to allow people to move the teams in the following season if they want to. There's nothing wrong with moving the teams, but I will remind you that you did choose Springfield when I asked where you wanted the team to be located. I'm not sure why you're already wanting to move the club, but I won't stop you if you really don't want the team there any more.
Being a Sacramento Kings fan, I know this well. The Kings had Tyreke Evans, the season's Rookie of the Year, and one of only 4 players to have ever gone 20 PPG, 5 APG and 5 RPG in his rookie year (like Michael Jordan and LeBron James). They also had Omri Casspi, who is an outstanding player and, like 'Reke, was selected to play in the Rookie Challenge, a game the Rookies won. And even with two spectacular rookies, the Kings never came close to making the playoffs. The truth is just there-- rookies aren't veterans. No matter how good a rookie is, there's something that's only gained by years of professional athletic experience.
But next year could be very different. With a year of pro experience, Sweetser, Murphy and Strider should all improve, and maybe that little bit of improvement over 3/5ths of the team's starting line will be enough to give them a shot at the playoffs. This time around-- it simply wasn't going to happen.
As for the team's location, I intend to allow people to move the teams in the following season if they want to. There's nothing wrong with moving the teams, but I will remind you that you did choose Springfield when I asked where you wanted the team to be located. I'm not sure why you're already wanting to move the club, but I won't stop you if you really don't want the team there any more.
I should know not to be impatient. I know results don't come instantly. I'm still proud of the players I have. Sorta.
And like I said, if Fat Cat were tired of Illinois, the team would've left years ago, so I'll just say he doesn't mind that much.
I didn't choose for the team to be in Springfield; it was picked for me. And if I had gotten to choose, I would've named them Illinois because there are so many other Springfields and the name applies broadly to the region. But I'll stick with Springfield; it's not bad.
And like I said, if Fat Cat were tired of Illinois, the team would've left years ago, so I'll just say he doesn't mind that much.
I didn't choose for the team to be in Springfield; it was picked for me. And if I had gotten to choose, I would've named them Illinois because there are so many other Springfields and the name applies broadly to the region. But I'll stick with Springfield; it's not bad.
Very nice backstory! I must say this helps me understand a team that I didn't understand much before, due to lack of information about what was going on within the organization. I think Mr. Craig was put in a very tough position, and Burchfield probably wasn't the fur for the job. The team has nowhere to go but up.
That said, Strider has made strides (no pun intended) in his first pro season, and will only learn from his mistakes. Murphy is a top-notch talent with a lot of raw potential (he's only 19) and even though the record didn't cross into winning territory after the trade, I do think that trade with Idaho made the team much better. It should show next year, when the squad has had a whole training camp to gel. Anthony Rios is a very good player and should get more used to his new team over time.
Also keep in mind, the Fusion are going to have another lottery pick, and possibly a top 5 pick in this upcoming draft. There is going to be quite a bit of talent available, and so the team will likely further improve. Hiring a better GM and a more dependable coach with player development experience will help things along. Maybe a trade or two will also shake things up, though going with a young unit provides possibilities for the future as well.
As for location, hopefully the fans will be patient, and when the team improves bit by bit, they will be in full support of their team.
And for you running the team, just the fact that you put enough thought into the team to make this story is a good sign. There are teams who get no management whatsoever, and if you do a bare minimum of changing the starting lineup here and there, or making a trade or scouting a good draft pick, I'm positive things will pick up for the Fusion. :)
That said, Strider has made strides (no pun intended) in his first pro season, and will only learn from his mistakes. Murphy is a top-notch talent with a lot of raw potential (he's only 19) and even though the record didn't cross into winning territory after the trade, I do think that trade with Idaho made the team much better. It should show next year, when the squad has had a whole training camp to gel. Anthony Rios is a very good player and should get more used to his new team over time.
Also keep in mind, the Fusion are going to have another lottery pick, and possibly a top 5 pick in this upcoming draft. There is going to be quite a bit of talent available, and so the team will likely further improve. Hiring a better GM and a more dependable coach with player development experience will help things along. Maybe a trade or two will also shake things up, though going with a young unit provides possibilities for the future as well.
As for location, hopefully the fans will be patient, and when the team improves bit by bit, they will be in full support of their team.
And for you running the team, just the fact that you put enough thought into the team to make this story is a good sign. There are teams who get no management whatsoever, and if you do a bare minimum of changing the starting lineup here and there, or making a trade or scouting a good draft pick, I'm positive things will pick up for the Fusion. :)
I like how it appears you're about to take into account Sandy Leaf's release.
'S about time someone acknowledged her. ^^
She's from the Underwood College class of...I think '07. So her talent isn't in doubt. But I remember she was cut in a roster move after her first or second season. I can't remember which at the moment.
The way I imagine it, she's probably either on some other team's training squad, or she's still trying to get back into the FBA. Either one.
It'd be cool if someone could flesh that bit of history out. ^^
'S about time someone acknowledged her. ^^
She's from the Underwood College class of...I think '07. So her talent isn't in doubt. But I remember she was cut in a roster move after her first or second season. I can't remember which at the moment.
The way I imagine it, she's probably either on some other team's training squad, or she's still trying to get back into the FBA. Either one.
It'd be cool if someone could flesh that bit of history out. ^^
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