Real Deal

Two have been submitted already. Let's make this interesting!

Well, if anything, I would rather just go with nominations over everything else...or the staff just making the decision (or even me). The rep/post idea can't happen, because there are numerous guys that have gotten older over the years and have been less active AFTER the rep system was installed. ALCS is one of them. It shows he has 25,800 posts...with just 36 rep. Same with my brother, who racked up over 10,000 posts all before rep was even used, and he has zero rep. -------- So what I would be faced with would be putting SOME in there for what they did pre-rep, and then others using the rep/post idea...and it has to stay consistent. Plus, the reputation handed out on OTR...a lot of it isn't given for the best posts. Plenty has been added for smart remarks to other people. The bad thing about leaning towards nominations is that...some of you have no idea who Erin is (just an example), or you weren't around when Jammin was posting as much as I was. Quite frankly, I don't really care much for the 10k post requirement, either...but what it does do is it promotes longevity (because nobody will be spamming OTR to get to 10k that quickly) and actual contribution. I realize what Blasco did while he was here (he's probably done posting for good, I talked to him the other day), but he really did everything in a matter of two years, which I'm grateful for, but what does it say if I stick him in the HOF and ignore Dee, who has been here since 2005? I just don't want to make this a popularity contest, and I don't want 40 members in there within the next two years. Considering we already have 20+ going in (and really, I could argue for all of them deserving it), it's going to be tough to apply a filter and leave them out, sticking others in there because they supposedly know the game more than others.

Not many...just two. They were all on the old board (pre-hack). We've only had two SOTM contests here. Guru won the first one (three participants), and the second one was...well, not a contest...just one entry. http://www.otrbasketball.com/forums/topic/5515-september-2009-sotm http://www.otrbasketball.com/forums/topic/8952-january-sotm-voting

http://www.otrbasketball.com/images/jerseys/theanswerisai3.jpg http://www.otrbasketball.com/forums/user/3-theanswerisai3 Most of the older members will remember my brother. Many don't know that he was my first administrator on OTR. What people will remember, though, is him taking advantage of plenty of GM's in our mock offseason contests, never making a deal that didn't benefit his team and, usually, taking a team of two stars and decent role players and turning them into three superstars and a couple of all-stars. Terry was always a fan of Allen Iverson, and that one player was the reason he loved watching basketball. Once Iverson was traded to Detroit, Terry's love for the game (specifically the NBA) diminished a bit, and eventually, that (and his heavy work schedule) led to his departure from the site. He started posting over at JBB when he was pretty young, came over the first day I put the site up (forced him to, lol), and he was just 14 years old. Now he's a few months from being 22. http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/3835/terry35.jpg http://img803.imageshack.us/img803/7769/cutpichalloween.jpg http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/552836_3613936185485_2111224916_n.jpg While he was here, he was the first to create all 1,230 gameday topics, as it was his idea (he did this manually, by the way). He also created many signatures and avatars for others to use, and became pretty damn good at it, eventually having his own website to showcase his artwork. http://i43.tinypic.com/30v0pyv.jpg What do you remember the most about TheAnswerIsAi3? I'm assuming everyone will say the mock, haha...I can't recall any other member tearing through them like he did. Quite a while ago, huh? Congrats, Terry. You're an OTR Hall of Famer.

Hahaha, that shot by Gasol had me rolling. I've seen Pau do that shit over and over again, trying to put the ball on the floor, then takes that awkward sideways-fadeaway hook-jumper.

This is where Rudy Gay pisses me off. I know he just drew the foul, but he didn't look at a single teammate back down the court...and only a few guys in the NBA can get away with doing that. Gay is not a superstar.

...nevermind. Crossed him.

Grizz still in this one. Allen on CP3...uh oh.

I think he retired, lol...not sure.

Haddadi looks like he'd fit better in a sitcom than on a basketball court. No idea why this just came to mind.

Why is this team called "Lob City" again? Why not something more accurate? OJ Mayo needs to know when to stop shooting the ball. Blake is hurt...hit in the face, so Foye clotheslines Selby at halfcourt, lol.

LMAO. Yeah, I wanted to kill (yes, kill) every Suns fan on this site.

Can't believe this happened. I turned this game off and went grocery shopping because the Celtics lost...

Very underrated, although I do know a few people that have considered him better than Pau at this point...I guess it all depends on what you need out of your big man. Marc doesn't mind playing physical basketball, though, and he still has a high IQ on both ends of the court...takes great shots, makes all the right decisions on defense...and I would consider him the most valuable player on this Grizzlies team, by miles. In fact, I know Randolph was huge last season, especially in that playoff run, but Gasol, Battier and Allen were the three guys doing the dirty work, and they did it so well, it landed them the huge first-round upset (that, really, none of us were shocked to see) and nearly a place in the WCF.

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2012-01-26/lebron-james-pat-riley-miami-heat-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-free-agency Now, before anyone says anything, yes...this is from Fox Sports Ohio. However, does it make sense? In two years, Wade will most definitely be showing more decline in his game, 32 years old, and with the new heavy luxury tax penalties and possible future salary decreases (due to that), the Heat may not have a big three by then (may have to let Bosh go, who knows). What are the chances LeBron explores free agency in 2014, and strongly considers leaving Miami? Do the amount of championships matter, or is it inevitable? And, what are the chances he would ever return to Cleveland?

Well, this was unexpected (at least in my eyes). I really thought the Celtics would hang in there, play hard, and at least make it tough for the Magic to get a bucket. Dwight isn't doing a damn thing, statistically, but Orlando is running away with it. The Celtics just can't stop turning the ball over...having a floor-spacer like Allen, who is one of the best off-ball players in NBA history, and a true PG in Rondo...it's just vital for an offense that is struggling to begin with.

I love you guys! I know we've been inactive, and everyone will start pointing fingers at themselves (for being at work, or school, etc)...but all of that stuff is actually more important than a message board, and I've never been angry at anyone for posting less. I completely understand. I went through a ton with my eye issues, and when I was gone for a few months, everyone stepped their game up and kept the site going. The activity is down for many reasons that we've talked about before, but it's honestly my job to take initiative and turn up the heat a bit, so that's what you'll see from me. I'll try and participate more, get the ball rolling on a few contests and such (like the Sig of the Month), things like that...even the little things count.

Well, right now, we'd have 20-21 people at 10k or more, and that's quite a few.

I have your original registration date, oddly enough...just never found the post count for you (pre-hack).

What all have you posted under (display names)? I'll see what I can find. I really only remember you as Shark.

Sure, let's do it.

Figured I'd put it in our feedback section...if you know of anyone who would want to post here, please tell them to sign up. They can also like our Facebook page, and follow us on Twitter (the Facebook page isn't as active, but Twitter provides followers with a pretty active topic feed. Just don't spam other message boards (ex. using their PM system). You can jump on your AIM list, to see who all you have added over the years (from sim leagues, for instance, I have a ton of you from old mock seasons I ran), and just see if they want to join. I realize it's hard to dive in and become one of our dedicated guys here, since you're either active and well-known, or a rookie (it seems)...but almost everyone started from the ground up, and it just takes participation. Thanks everyone.

The January Sig of the Month will start today, and you have six days to turn in your entry. Please read everything carefully. Theme: The Future Description: A future star in the NBA Size: 468 x 140 or smaller (OTR signature restrictions) Due date: Monday, January 30th All signatures must have one of the following visible: OTRBasketball OTR OTRBasketball.com Entries are due on Monday, the 30th of THIS MONTH. Voting will leak into the first week of February. All participants must PM me their entry, and cannot use their signature anywhere else (on any site) until the contest is over, due to the requirement that each entry's owner will be anonymous while the community determines a winner. Winning signatures will be displayed in a pinned topic, keeping track of each. Good luck!

Boston seems to be playing with a sense of urgency, more of a "need" than just wanting it, after what Danny Ainge reportedly said about the big three. Orlando will look to spread the floor, as they always do, but their scoring is so inconsistent, it makes me wonder if Boston could hold them to under 90 tonight. Are Rondo and Allen still out?

Curious to see how Marc Gasol will play against Jordan and Griffin. I saw that he won Western Conference Player of the Week (lol), and I haven't watched much from Memphis this season, so I'll have to tune in tonight.