Play NBA GM Mode And We'll Guess Which Team Would Hire You
- by Dylan Jacob
- – on
- in Sports
If you've ever said to yourself that you could do a better job than your favorite NBA team's general manager, good luck with that. You want to fix your team? You really think you'd be a better general manager? Well, why not take a quiz to find out if you'd fit the bill?
Anyone can tell you that Stephen Curry and Russell Westbrook are elite point guards or that so-and-so likely shouldn't be in the league, but what about those in the middle of the pack or who play in smaller markets? Are you able to properly evaluate someone having a really strong year in a quiet market? Can you truly rate a player having a down year but who has a strong history to his name?
For this quiz, there's no true ground rules. Just go, take the quiz, laugh at what the NBA has become as you try to think about becoming a general manager one day. In today's statistics driven age, some random fan who worked at a basketball site is bound to hold that title in the coming years. Maybe it will wind up being you!
If you're ready to try your hand at learning just how smart you are when it comes to the game of basketball, let's get to work!
How would you handle LaVar Ball?
Depending on how LaMelo and LiAngelo fare in Lithuania, more and more NBA executives may have to deal with LaVar Ball. Some (myself included) find him to be amusing and someone that we should just ignore, while others claim he is sexist and a bad role model for his kids. How would you handle LaVar?
Which unemployed NBA coach do you want to hire?
It goes without saying that you're going to need a coach - and no, you can't run the team yourself. You have to pick from one of these four: the recently-fired Jason Kidd and David Fizdale or veterans Lionel Hollins and Monty Williams. All four have NBA head coaching experience, but who you will hire?
Who do you want as your point guard?
Even in 2018, the point guard is still considered by many teams as the face of your franchise and your on-court leader. We've picked four of the league's best current point guards (all four of whom could wind up in the Hall of Fame) to start your team with, so who are you choosing - warts, injury history, and everything in between?
Who do you want as your shooting guard?
Klay Thompson brings the ability to make shots from long-range, while Bradley Beal has emerged as a solid two-way player on the Wizards. DeMar DeRozan continues to grow into a star for the Washington Wizards and James Harden, beard and all, is an MVP frontrunner once again this season. Who are you taking?
Who do you want as your small forward?
Most of you will probably pick Kevin Durant or LeBron James, both of whom continue to play like MVPs (although LeBron's Cavaliers are starting to look old), but why not Giannis or Kawhi Leonard? It's hard to lose here, but given this player will be your franchise player, think wisely.
Who do you want as your power forward?
Today's power forward is much different than your father's four, what with the stretch four and more players focusing less on strictly grabbing rebounds. Below are four of the league's top power forwards, but who are you going to choose? And no, you can't go with LeBron James here as your four.
Who do you want as your center?
Like with power forwards, the role of an NBA center has changed to where more and more big men are expected to have better shooting skills than the centers of old. Oh, and you have to shoot free throws, which limits our options here...slightly. Which of these four would you rather have?
Who do you want as your sixth man?
Sixth man like Lou Will, as Drake would say, but is there someone else you'd rather have as opposed to the Clippers star? By the way, Williams not making the All-Star Game makes us want a "Fan Vote" for players like him who are having career year and likely won't ever make it. Who's your sixth man?
Would you rather have Andre Drummond or Joel Embiid?
Though Drummond can't shoot free throws, he's become a dominant force in the paint and should have really made this year's All-Star Game. Embiid is popular, but still is an injury risk and carries maturity issues even in his fourth season. Which of these two rivals would you rather have?
Would you rather have Carmelo Anthony or Paul George?
The duo that was supposed to help Russell Westbrook make the NBA Finals has been average at worst and adequate at best so far, but there's plenty of season left. We don't know how much longer these two will be playing together, but have hope! Which of these two would you rather have?
Would you rather have Andrew Wiggins or Jimmy Butler?
Unlike Paul George and Carmelo Anthony, this duo has been fantastic in their first season together. The trio of Wiggins, Butler, and Karl-Anthony Towns have the Timberwolves headed to the postseason for the first time in nearly 15 years, back when Wiggins was still in elementary school. Who would you rather have?
Pick a player from the 2015 NBA Draft
It's early, but the 2015 NBA Draft class is starting to look really good. Karl-Anthony Towns is a star, Kristaps Porzingis is embracing his stardom in New York, Devin Booker is the face of the Phoenix Suns, and other players (i.e. Justise Winslow) are making major strides. Who do you want on your team?
Pick a player from the 2016 NBA Draft
Two years into the 2016 NBA Draft, more and more players are starting to show what they're capable of. Ben Simmons has turned into the star people were expecting and Jaylen Brown is doing the same, but you're seeing guys like Caris LeVert grow in their second year of NBA basketball. Who do you want?
Pick a player from the 2017 NBA Draft
It's the early months of seeing what the 2017 NBA Draft's players are capable of doing. LaVar Ball, please don't try to take over this question. We have to end this question early before LaVar tries to intervene and has everyone try to vote for Lonzo Ball. Please, vote for who you feel.
Would you sign Jabari Parker to a multi-year deal?
We should see Jabari Parker return to action in the coming weeks, but teams may be reluctant to try signing him this offseason after two ACL surgeries since entering the league in 2014. Even with the risk of his knees eventually breaking down, would you consider signing the former Duke star to a multi-year deal?
Would you sign Avery Bradley?
Detroit Pistons guard Avery Bradley can potentially hit free agency this offseason and, depending on how the team wants to handle things, very well may become a free agent. Bradley doesn't have the offensive talent of other available shooting guards, but his defense is more than valuable. Would you sign him?
Would you sign Rajon Rondo?
Rajon Rondo can still deal assists with the best of them, but he can't really score the way he once could. You'd think he'd be a valuable leader, but I think the past has shown that doesn't always work. Sorry, Dallas and Chicago. Would you think about signing Rondo to your team?
Would you sign Brook Lopez?
Lopez hasn't been the center that the Los Angeles Lakers thought they were getting when they traded D'Angelo Russell for the veteran center. Could things change wherever Lopez winds up next year? Possibly. Would you be the team willing to sign Lopez as your franchise center, or is he past his prime?
How would you handle Derrick Rose?
Believe it or not, I like Derrick Rose! But at some point, I think teams are going to get tired of him constantly leaving to sort out his personal issues. If you were a general manager, how would you handle things? Try to remember the consequences that come with each decision.
How would you have handled Ron Artest/Metta World Peace?
Ron Artest/Metta World Peace was certainly something in his playing days and now, as he begins an actual coaching career after serving as a veteran mentor for so long, is likely going to be something as a coach. I'm almost afraid to see the results. How would you have handled Artest as a player?
Which game is better: NBA Live 18 or NBA 2K18?
The rivalry between the NBA Live and NBA 2K series isn't what it once was, but both companies are putting out relatively solid products. 2K is a bit too dependent on micro-transactions for our liking (and that's putting it nicely) but things could be worse. Which game do you like more?
Who's better? Joel Embiid or Kristaps Porzingis?
I get the feeling this is going to be a common conversation in the coming years so long as Embiid stays healthy, which at this point is pretty uncertain. Embiid is probably going to be the next Derrick Rose, but we digress. Which of these two would you rather have as your franchise big man?
Which rising star coach would you hire?
We asked earlier about what proven NBA coaches you would hire, but you may not be able to lure those guys and might have to turn to a rising star. Stackhouse is coaching in the G League, Cassell is an asst. under Doc Rivers, Griffin works with the Thunder, and Mason wants to be a college coach. Who are you picking?
Where would you relocate a team to?
NBA 2K18 allows players to relocate their team to one of several cities, including Seattle and Las Vegas. Additionally, players can download custom team sets that can exist anywhere, so the relocation only means so much in theory. Of these four options, where are you moving your team if you have the chance?
Who's winning this year's NBA Finals?
At this point, you know it's going to be either of the two Western Conference teams and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Because I wrote that, we'll wind up seeing the Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs square off instead. Of the three teams listed below, who do you have winning? Feel free to click the other option too.
