How To Assemble Your Summer League Team
Posted by ListenToLeon on
April 13, 2006
Brothers, it’s that time of year. Spring is in the air, and ladies are wearing less clothes. It’s a great time to let the nice weather and good vibes that come along with it assist you in meeting lovely ladies. If you’re a one-woman man, that’s great. You may meet your soulmate wearing a cute little dress, reading a book in the park sitting on a blanket by herself. Or you may meet her at the gas station, putting $4.52 in the tank, because she’s already calculated that amount as being juuust enough gas to get her home and to work the next morning. Either way, try your hand. Walk over and say hello. If she engages you for more than a couple of minutes, go in for the kill.
If you’re more of the type that like options, well my friend, this post is for you. Assembling and managing a rotation of women this time of year is pretty similar to being the General Manager of an NBA team. There are things that you need to consider while setting up your summer league team. Since I’ve graduated to Jerry West-like level of success I’ll lay out a few of the basics. This should help you avoid being a Wes Unseld type of general manager. The type that makes bad decisions which lead to losing seasons.
You do not want a team with too many stars.
It’s great to have more than one superstar chick on your team. Life is good when you have more than one viable option to call for that last second game winning shot. That said, you need good role players. Chicks that do the dirty work. Charles Oakley type chicks. The ones who will get on the floor and chase loose balls for you. The ones who will sacrifice their body for the good of the team. Too many prima-donna superstars, and you’ll have nights where you’ll come up empty because you can’t effectively stroke all of those egos without one getting jealous or feeling neglected. Great role players know what they’re on the team to do, know their limitations, and play to the best of their ability. Good sense will tell you that a team full of nothing but role players like a bunch of Steve Kerrs and B.J. Armstrongs will not win any championships on their own. You need to have a Jordan, a Pippen, and maybe a Horace Grant to even things out. It has to be a good combination that fits.
Avoid signing too many high-priced free agents
I have nothing against high-maintenance women, but having too many on your squad will mess you up. You will end up going over the salary cap, and the team will suffer. Look at the New York Knicks right now. All those high priced players, and they aren’t even going to smell the playoffs this season. Go for some substance as opposed to all-style. Just the other day, a really pretty lady pretty much tried to order me to get her a drink. Now, had that not been the first words out of her mouth, I might have done it for her. She started out the conversation with “Buy me a Grey Goose with cranberry.” That got her cut before we even got to the interview phase of the free agent signing process.
Drafting young talent is a gamble
When you pick up new talent via the draft(in other words, meet women in the 18-20 year old age group), there are pros and cons. They are usually easy to groom and mold into the type of teammates that can take you to the top. Plus, you’re getting the talent much easier and cheaper. If you pick a Rookie Of The Year candidate, you’ll see immediate results. With the good, comes the bad, though. You’re going after unproven talent dealing with the draft, so you might think you’re picking up a Tracy McGrady lady, but end up getting a Kwame Brown broad. Plus, they’re more likely to fold under pressure and do something stupid or irrational. So always remember that chance is always involved.
Making cuts is a necessity
It’s inevitable…As the seaon progresses, some women will rise to the top, some will be demoted to the practice squad or the Developmental League, a few might get traded and others will get waived or released altogether. Nobody said being a General Manager is easy. Then again, on the good days, it is pretty easy, and quite fun as well.
There is no “I” in team
The key to keeping your players happy is to make them feel like you appreciate your contributions. Make sure they know that you are the GM making the decisons, but do not totally neglect the ones you want to keep around or they will get picked up by another team. If you find a real star that you wouldn’t mind putting the franchise player label on, definitely keep her happy. It’s true that all players can be replaced, but when you lose a good one, it leaves a void that cannot be immediately filled by a player of a lesser caliber. That’s like losing a LeBron James and trying to fill the void with Earl Boykins. It’s not going to be the same.
Remember thses tips fellas, and good luck this season.
23 Responses to “How To Assemble Your Summer League Team”
you leon.. are one crazy mofo –> see, i didnt curse either :)
By Stacy on Apr 13, 2006
LOL. Now why are you only directing this post to the guys. There are some women who like to have a steady rotation of men as well. Where are our tips? Oh yeah you probably got these tips from a very intelligent women who used these pointers this past winter. Ladies since Hustleman doesn’t want to share, make sure that your squad is tight as also. You are mess.
By Kris on Apr 13, 2006
This was Hilarious! But I love the insight as to how guys think… I especially like the part about how you recognize that losing a star player can be hard and she will not easily be replaced. So true!
B.J. Armstrong? I use to love him!
By Cool AC on Apr 13, 2006
Once again, good post. Though I (like most women) like being single in the summer, the winter months are when i need a good team. One player to stay bunned up with on snow days, someone to buy a good christmas/valentine’s day gift, the list goes on.
By diva527 on Apr 13, 2006
Hell…you think WOMEN don’t think like this….time to let y’all go…thanks for the winter months though but umma, I’m shedding more than just my coat these warm months…I’m shedding…the ONE, the Reliable, the Reserve and even old winter Potential….time for some new ass yo! lol
Jazz fest in Aruba, Capitol Jazz fest, Essence Jazz fest…..not gonna hold me back..no no. LOL
By Blah Blah Blah on Apr 13, 2006
lol…. that was good, guess I need to go out and scout “talent”
-Moodydodds aka Uncle Mikie
By Anonymous on Apr 14, 2006
Did I ever tell you, you are crazy?! Come to think of it…I did….just yesterday!!!!
How’s the city embracing your new chucks?
* throwing up the “W” *
By Tamara on Apr 14, 2006
isn’t it simpler to draft that one player and not have to bounce around the court with your energies focused on what the different players come with and what you have to do to keep them?
hmmm….
btw… if I’ma make that trip… u got one more day… I’ma need some refrigerant money. I ain’t driving all the way to MD cooking like a dern slave in Egypt. *wink*
What kinda player am I
By Miss A on Apr 14, 2006
I guess it’s ideal to have a Pistons type of team…roleplayers who could arguably be stars that know how to do their job and don’t try overreach.
By Amadeo on Apr 14, 2006
LMAO.. and this goes for women too with some modifications LOL
you are a nut! and were missed!
By Bklyn Diva on Apr 14, 2006
Good job @ Stacy…just one more day until I can say four-letter words again!
@ Kris, I am directing this towards the guys because women don’t need help in this area. Most women are just naturally smooth with it. Us guys on the other hand are the ones that have to try and figure out what works.
@ Cool AC, I wonder if B.J. Armstrong still looks like he’s 13 years old? That guy never seemed to age.
@ Diva527, Thanks.
@ Blah Blah Blah, make sure you include a trip to DC for the Leon’s Playboy Mansion East Coast Jazzfest. I’ll put you on the V.I.P. list :)
Miss A, you sound like a disgruntled veteran, looking for a team that’s going to win a championship. Someone who does not want to play on a team that’s going through a “rebuilding” season
@ Tamara, yes, you did call me that less than 24 hours ago. DC is embracing the chucks, but I’m taking your advice next time and getting either the “blood” red or “crip” blue…LOL. I can already see the white ones not lasting more than a month or so.
@ MoodyDodds, ’tis the season brother. Talent is definitely out there waiting to be scouted.
@ Amadeo, that would be ideal. And real pimpish, my brother.
@Bklyndiva, I missed you and everybody else, too. How was everything last weekend?
By Hustleman on Apr 14, 2006
L, that was the Creme De La Creme of posts. You are finally ready to be called up to join P Didy and the Bad Boys of Comedy. Now that was some funny sh_t. The Charles Oakley line is still killing me.
By Desert Gigolo on Apr 14, 2006
Thanks @ Desert Gigolo. You know they quoted this in today’s Express newspaper on the “Blog Log” section. On page 41 for those of you wh haven’t already snuck out of work yet…lol
If you see today’s “Express”, pick it up and tell whoever is near you “I read that guy’s site every day!” LOL
By Hustleman on Apr 14, 2006
“Charles Oakley type chicks”
“Kwame Brown broad”
You’re killing me! I think I’m a Chauncey Billups chick. Hella underrated, but you can build a franchise around me, and my court vision is bananas. I make everyone around me better. ;) MVP!
By So...Wise...Sista on Apr 15, 2006
@ So…Wise, I’m feeling that comparison. Chauncey doesn’t get the credit he deserves, but EVERYBODY respects his game. Plus, he’s a proven winner. Great person to compare yourself to ;)
By Hustleman on Apr 15, 2006
This was right on time yo. Me and my girlfriend just broke up this past Wednesday. I am definately not willing to build another expansion team right now, but the info you provided will help me when I am ready to start my own “Bobcats”. Funny funny stuff.
By J-Bigg on Apr 16, 2006
I’ve never been much of a team player…
By DJ Diva on Apr 17, 2006
LOL @ J-Bigg
So DJ Diva, you’re a ball-hog, huh? LOL
By Hustleman on Apr 17, 2006
no doubt…I don’t pass..or double dribble…Str8 to the hole!
By DJ Diva on Apr 18, 2006
Man, consider this the blueprint for the summer of 2006! *lol*
By Silva on Apr 20, 2006
See f*ck that! This is why I keep my free agent status — throughout the year….
won’t have my ass on the practice squad while you trying out other players… do you and let me do me….
By Anonymous on Apr 22, 2006
LOL @ Silva. Hope you had fun on your birthday.
@ Anonymous, hopefully, the “general manager” that you’re dealing with would be honest with you if he’s got a team, or if you’re his one and only superstar. Then again, most people on Earth are full of it, so go figure.
By Hustleman on Apr 22, 2006