Post by Majic on Aug 15, 2018 20:14:54 GMT
Big news out of Portland yesterday as GM Majic took the podium to hold the first ever GM Address of the Portland Trailblazers. According the release, it was a chance for the GM to clear the air on some leagues issues as well as speak his mind. The Blazers media team also informed us that this will likely become a regular occurring platform and ability to connect with the media. Below you can find a transcript of the press conference.
GM Majic – First off I want to thank everyone for attending. As the media team explained in the press release, I am looking forward to taking this opportunity to clear the air, speak my mind on some of the recent Sim League issues and generally connect with everyone. I will not open the floor to questions pertaining to anything and everything….
Jermaine from the Sim League Gazette: You have been very outspoken regarding some activities in the league, most notably the Unweighted lotto. Can you speak a little bit about that?
GM Majic: I wont go too much into this as I have discussed it plenty already. But here’s the thing. I absolutely hate it and will continue to fight about it at any and all chances I get. There seems to be a notion among a small subset of GMs that think we had a tanking problem. I am here to tell you we never had a tanking problem, we had a lack of GM along with a lack of quality GM problem. I never really felt like there was majority support for it, but here we are. But you know, I get it, we got lucky as an organization and came away with the top pick when we finished in the 8th seed. But that only fuels my anger. At the end of the day I don’t like it, I wont defend it but I have said my thoughts numerous times and wont get angry over it anymore. It is what it is.
Kerry Eggers from the Portland Tribune: just recently you had a major blow up after a supposed trade fell through. Care to discuss that a little more?
GM Majic: I have no comment on that.. but here’s thing, I was very angry about the way that negotiations were handled between me and the Spurs GM. Never in my life have I had a GM seemingly accept a deal and then back out that way another big offer came in. I don’t blame him for taking the other offer, its more so in the way it was handled. And I get it, I didn’t have a firm “Yes”, but there was a handshake made and had I just posted the trade right away, we would have gotten our guy. I can say without hesitation the Blazers organization will be extra careful when getting confirmation on a future trade. Even with my disappointment, I was able to come to a smaller agreement with the Spurs GM, so bridges weren’t totally burned.
Skip Bayless, FS1: You have been on record recently discussing the changes to article payout and the amounts being paid. Can you discuss that a little bit more.
GM Majic; Listen, I am not against anyone making more for when they do the work. And yes, I would generally agree there has been a shortage of articles. I am all for creating a better system to reward those who take the time to write them. With that said, I fully support the inflation of the pig penny. I truly think that so many GMs take the time to put good effort and time into writing a solid article. Those people should be rewarded with more than 5k, and I like the idea of people giving out more money, its not really hurting me. The only thing I will say on the topic: the new system is a bit convoluted and, in my mind, harder than it needs to be. Why not just increase the number of poll options and let people continue the same polling method we were used to? I am not the one tallying it up, but just seems like an unnecessary inclusion. Ultimately if it means myself, or any GM, can earn more than 5k then I am all for it. I will say, I did enjoy turning full "Ank” and having some fun at the expense of Tim.
Zach Lowe from ESPN.Com: What are your thoughts on the new DC Macro and the free +8?
GM Majic: I think its amazing and a long time coming. Fill out your DC, enter full names, spell correctly and do it in a timely manner, boom free +8. Simple, clean and effective. The only downside is it eliminates my need to post pad on the draft prospects, which I think bothers Timpig more than me.
Blazer Media Member: One more question….
Chris Ryan from TheRinger.com: Dirk Nowitzki, care to explain your disappointment.
GM Majic: I have no comment on current players. But I will say this, we took Dirk because we fully believed he would become a scoring machine. He has yet to live up to that, and personally we are disappointed in his efforts. He has been made aware of that fact, and his recent play time shows it. We have a core of players that are willing work hard and get better, he needs to learn from them. That’s all I will say. Have a good day to everyone and BLAZE ON!
