BuzzerBeater Forums

Yes I couldn't beat Silverbacks on the road if thats what you are referring to, but thats Division I talk, a little over your head sorry.

My turn. In your speech you said this:

I was Canadas U21 manager for 4 seasons, with results that were passable.

Your opinion of your own job performance is "passable". My opinion of your job performance involves a syrup covered moose. Lets say the truth is somewhere in between. If elected, how do you plan on overcoming the main obstacle you would face in your term as NT manager...that obstacle being yourself?

Canada's World Ranking 7th. USA's World ranking 11th.

Sweet victory!(22770)

Ah thats what he was referring to I just came here to make a funny speech and some lighthearted jokes at bballin's expense. So let me steer the debate in a constructive way before I go.

World rank? The real numbers - # of Worlds Golds: USA 0, Canada 0. Do you get a gold trophy for beating the US once? I don't mean this in a negative way, but your run to the second round of the Worlds was meaningless in terms of determining whether the last NT term was a success or not. In my term as US NT manager we made it to the Worlds Semi, entertaining, but also totally meaningless.

Bballin you stated that your goal is to "do better than beanerz", beat the US again and win 2 games in the second round of the Worlds. If you pull that off does that mean your term was a success, or that you are "closer" somehow to winning Worlds Gold? Or the in the scenario that you make repechage again, get a more difficult draw and wind up in consolation does that mean your term was a failure?

I know what you are thinking. 'But jfarb the US userbase is so big (3000 users), ours so small etc etc' and as beanerz said 'US underachieves, Canada overachieves'. The large US userbase does give us a significant advantage in U21 play, because our player pool is so large. In NT play, userbase advantage nearly completely disappears. If you follow NT/U21 play you know that. Colombia has 60 users and their NT is very competitive. On that note lets talk about other small countries as a model for Canada.

Chile (250 users) has less users than Canada (400 users), and they won Worlds Gold. Slovakia just won Silver with less users than Canada. Czech Republic has about the same number of users as Canada, they also won Worlds Gold. Those countries "overachieved". How did they do this? In what way did they build their NT programs so they could win Worlds Gold?

BBallin you are about to be elected Canada NT manager unless another real candidate shows up. Your odds of winning the Worlds in Season 24? 0%. Since no one else is debating, I'll ask, what do you plan to do to build the Canada NT program so that in future terms you can contend for a Worlds Gold?




Last edited by jfarb at 3/5/2013 12:48:58 PM

Well said and great question.

This isn't really a revelation. We're certainly not talented enough to win championships. We can still measure success and qualify Beanerz/Bballin's results by saying they've done well with what they've been handed.

Our problem is easily identified as our community not being very strong or united to become strong, we're more individualistic like an America Jr. Only with way less resources (extending from players to people to what people do). Past managers and personnel have tried reaching out to the community but the community isn't receptive to it. We have managers who are dying to acquire Canadian talent, managers who would overpay by millions, but there's never talent available. It dies on bottom teams. That's a crucial problem that hasn't been solved that could really change our fortunes.

totally meaningless.

I disagree. Canada made it to the second round of the World Championships for the first time ever. That is not meaningless that shows improvements and a step in the right direction. In the end the ultimate goal is to win gold and thats the closest Canada has ever gotten to it. That is success.

If I am able to take Canada further than beanerz did in his term, then yes I consider that a success. If Canada manages to contend for a semifinal spot or claim a semifinal spot then we have once again gotten closer to the elusive gold trophy everyone wants. That is success.

Canada showed that we are good enough to compete with the second tier of teams in BB. Those teams ranked in the 6-20 range. Canada is one the best teams in that range. We are the highest ranked team from the Americas in that range, but the USA closely follows. Our run last season included wins over Italy, USA and a CT win over Spain. I think with our roster improving, and the current state of America teams that if we do not get a direct bid to the worlds, it would indeed be a failure. Whether or not we make it to the worlds through the repechage or not. My goal for next season is a silver or gold trophy in the continentals as we have the capabilities to do so as we proved last season.

You are right we have little to no chance to win the worlds. It would take a BB miracle and many of them for us to get even to the finals, but we are moving in the right direction. Those countries you mentioned with similiar or smaller userbases than Canada have had one thing that really helped and that was, a large majority of their users committed to the success of their NT in the same way that USAs U21 has heaps and heaps of staff and involvement. Canada lacks that with only 5-10 managers active on forums and 5-7 who even take part in discussions. Its not easy, but one way that Canada is going to turn into a powerhouse is through heavy involvement from many people. The number of older generation Canadian BB managers is decreasing so hopefully this new generation can take over and I want to lead them.

Through involvement from Canadian managers we can mold our roster into the type of team we want through training. Something that I look to try and do from constant communication.

We need managers who are notified of what is necessary for success. This starts from the ground up and I think getting a very serious mentor program going, following our lower leagues to catch the new teams as they are created and lead them into success in the game, will boost our chances of success in the future. What I am looking at doing is:

- A depth chart so people can measure their players and see what skills to shoot for and beat.
- Attempts at gaining interest in the NT, the offsite and BB in general.
- Constant communication with managers to make sure players are being trained in a way that'll benefit Canada.
- A serious mentor program aimed at success in the future.

As for keeping Canadian talent in Canada, we are pretty good at that. 13 of the 18 players currently on the roster are in Canada. That is something I look to try and continue and improve if we can. 18 out of 18 would be perfect, but obviously difficult.

Canada is in a good position to improve and I plan on attempting to guide Canada to a silver or gold trophy in the Americas and then following that up with a successful Worlds run and yes that means getting to the second round again, but doing better than last season.

I hope I answered your question. I think I started rambling :P

Still think you are too focused on where you finish in the standings or world rank, and you are setting yourself up for a painful downfall. I don't think making the second round necessarily shows progress if you burn up your enthusiasm to get there. Suppose we CTd China instead of normaled and knocked you guys out of the second round. We would've advanced and thus our world ranks would've flip flopped. Would this have made the last term any less of a success for Canada? Chile is ranked #21 right now. Can you say for certain that you are better than them? The difference between Canada and Chile is that Chile drew Poland in their repechage group, and Canada drew Italy, thats it.

I think roster improvement shows progress, I think community development shows progress. I definitely saw roster progress last season with Canada, no doubt, in my mind your last term was a success. You guys know your pipeline of NT potential prospects better than I do, and I can't speak to the community involvement. I hope you all I realize I am pro-Canada. When I played Beanerz in the Worlds several seasons back I told him I hope we can eventually turn the Americas into the top region of BB instead of Europe.

You did answer my question, and the second half of your response was very good and should've been in your speech.

So Stajan made the problem very clear, its the same problem we have in the US, lack of involvment outside of a few managers, and top prospects dying in lower division teams. Am I wrong in speculating that at least your Division I has to be full of active managers? I'm guessing 80% of them don't care about the NT? There was a time when USA Division I was similar, no one cared, I was able to change that. That can be a place to start.

My other suggestion is more dramatic. I'm guessing you have a problem with some of your top rookies retiring on inactive teams. I know you are aware you can save them by using a NT or U21 roster spot, and they will hit the transfer list instead of retiring. Problem with this is you can only waste so many precious roster spots, plus you can't drop players after the enthusiasm reset. So is your U21 program going to win anything ever? I think we can agree on no thats never happening, due to the lack of userbase. So what purpose can the U21 team serve to help the NT, which could actually have a chance in the future? Abandon your U21 program is what I'm getting at, use it to save rookies from going bot all season.

I'm aware that this doesn't help with lower divisions managers who are active, but don't train properly.

Last edited by jfarb at 3/5/2013 4:33:01 PM

Hello! I have decided to enter my name into the throng of candidates. here is what I bring:

I have been playing this game since season 12- that is 10 seasons of experience.

I have commitment, dedication and enthusiasm to bring our national team to the top.

I will strive for excellence and be involved in the Canadian community with weekly reports, analysis etc.

If you approve of me as the manager of Canada's National team I would be honoured.

Sincerely,

Scorcher.

I think the current problem with the NT is a lack of depth, and in the near future the SF position will notably see a sharp decline. I don't doubt your ability to manage well, but how would you address the talent shortage?

To all candidates:

How will you address Canada's lack of interest in the Canadian NT? It is well know that only a handful of managers in Canada follow the NT and even less have a vested interest. This is a huge issue and has been ongoing for several season.