lol
Firstly, I like the compassion in your response, thank you.
No, it isn't the "general manager" aspect of the game I do not like. It is the "trading" aspect of the general manger aspect of the game that I don't necessarily dislike, I just don't think it is any kind of simulation of Basketball Strategy or Basketball team Management.
Those type of players only pop up on the TL once every couple of weeks and they're usually listed for an obscene amount of money.
To begin with, how does a player make an obscene amount of money? Is the best way through the TL or from Arena revenue, honestly? Even if a good deal of money can be made through Arena revenue, if two players are pitted together and have the same Arena and similar league standings etc, if either one trades and the other doesn't thennn...... You get where I'm going with that. That's the first point.
The second point is that, as you say, because they only pop up on the TL once every couple of weeks, it is the manager who is constantly on the lookout on the TL who will be the one to reap the rewards. Again, TL expert (or TL hangerouterer) wins out.
Hey, this is a fair game to play. It's exciting and interesting and even intelligence (actual over potential) building to some degree. But, as I've said, and it simply cannot be refuted, it is not basketball simulation.
Interesting side note in response to the concept you brought forward: Teams that get to that level where money means less and strategy means more... They get there through making lots of money and purchasing players to be able to compete. This is made a lot easier by being an expert TLer.
Anyway, real basketball simulation would have teams doing trades with other teams, sometimes multiple trades with multiple teams. Some teams would lose out, others would win big. Sometimes both teams would win and sometimes both teams would lose out. The ones doing the best deals, the best coaching, the best marketing, the best training, all in all making the best Basketball Management and coaching decisions would move up to better leagues.
I could imagine the forum activity and levels of communication between players.... It would be huge.
This would be basketball simulation.