First Off D**K..... I wrote that forum post really late at night sooo the "Y" instead of "H" was just a standard grammar error by a man extremely tired from being on the recruiting trails for weeks and weeks. But i am glad you're having fun with it.
Secondly Hooper doesn't have enough money to add Tommy to his team. I would happily take 3.8 Million for Tommy no less. but the reality is he will be a BucsBlue staple long after his years of prime are gone. Even as a declining star the franchise is willing to still cover his salary as a tribute to him being the First drafted player by Bucs, and the FACE of this team and franchise for years. He will have more of a Tim Duncan like retirement where he will just quietly call it quits while still being a cog (off the bench) for our team even in the ripe ages of 36-38. It is on us to find a way to replace what he's meant with youth.. Guil has slowly began to take the mantel of face as he is a National team player and young and growing player. the question is do i have enough $$$ and flexibility to be like the Spurs and Retool but not rebuild. We did the small rebuild window and it gave us what we have now. And thats a solid team, who will compete this year (probably not promote) but bring in enough revenue to make 1-2 small tinkers to be ready in the year to follow. If we do promote we will use year 1 of D2 as strictly $$$$$$ with a plan to demote back to D3 for 1 year to then return to D2 younger, with tommy being a role player not a star and ready to give D2 hell.
THIRD.... Yes we get playoff previews... More importantly for the Great 8 than the Big 8. The winner of Hoopers and myself really doesn't mean anything besides a chance at home court if you feel that carries lots of weight. My gut says that the remainder of our league will compete in order to avoid relegation but i DOUBT anyone really tries to stick it to us down the stretch because there's no point in wasting enthusiasm in a game that you could still potentially lose. I will strictly focus on game shape and enthusiasm. In the Great 8 matches Saturday could see lots of positioning. The question is if you are those teams who do you want to play and not want to play in the playoffs. I feel like this wont be the only occasion where we see 1v2 & 3v4 in the second half of the Great 8 season. these teams could be jocking for position ALL second half of the season. With Sparta hoping to sneak in there himself!!!!