Tier 1 - Long Form
Arizona man. 3 out of the last 4, and finalists in that one. Just imagine. My time in the league has seen a few absolute dominant teams. The Otters of old. The Hahalula (spelling?) after my time on the team (basically immediately after, and up until a few seasons ago). The Hawks. The Outlaws of right now. Each time we have seen a power team there has always been a fall. The teams try to hold on for dear life, selling their futures in an attempt to secure their now. To go for one more season. Maybe the thought it to hold on, that a run is still possible, all you need to do is make the playoffs and then just have to win the next game. We will see what father time has for the Outlaws, if they follow in these same footsteps, or if they are able to build up a stable new core, to replace this quickly aging fleet. Arizona definitely lucked out from some key free agents. Landing 3 essentially capped players the season of their first Ultimus of the run turned them instantly from a good team, to a favorite. A lot of things had to happen for this to happen. The situation in Orange County had to be dire for the Turtles to look outside and from this author's own opinion it was. They also had to put together the best pitch, because again there were several options of highly competitive teams, and some seemed to be in better positions, adding the Turtles would be a support move, where Arizona seemed to completely overhaul their defense in one single offseason. Names soon to hit the rafters would leave so that a new generation could take over.
Is this the same situation as they face themselves in now? Did they have a strong run and just not quite get enough out of the team? I think it is definitely similar. With experience I really do think the turtles are going to be top of the league competitive for another 2 seasons, but that second season is going to be a heck of a grind. What happens then. Do they fall out of favorite territory? Are they able to retool around a very strong upcoming running game? Is there going to be a sweet spot where they are pretty good at all aspects and is that good enough. If they aren't good enough for a championship run, but still good enough to compete for playoffs, do they try to trade away, or not sign their older aging players? Definitely a lot of questions for the good old GMs to ponder over.
Arizona has been really good for a long time. Until relatively recently they have not had much playoff luck to show for that regular season success. Now that they have had a run of good luck, will that luck run out or revert? I know I've only been adding a bunch of questions, but the short of it is they have started to replace some of their regressing players, but who knows how long those players can hold out. Regression is a cold hearted bitch, and they are getting the full brunt of it. I do think they will fall out of grace within the next few seasons. I imagine the league as a whole is tired of seeing their sexy banner, and everyone is going to be gunning for them. I'll leave this off with another question: Who is going to assume the seat once the Outlaws vacate their throne? How will they rule over the league, and how long will their reign last?
SHL Claim For Good Measure
Arizona man. 3 out of the last 4, and finalists in that one. Just imagine. My time in the league has seen a few absolute dominant teams. The Otters of old. The Hahalula (spelling?) after my time on the team (basically immediately after, and up until a few seasons ago). The Hawks. The Outlaws of right now. Each time we have seen a power team there has always been a fall. The teams try to hold on for dear life, selling their futures in an attempt to secure their now. To go for one more season. Maybe the thought it to hold on, that a run is still possible, all you need to do is make the playoffs and then just have to win the next game. We will see what father time has for the Outlaws, if they follow in these same footsteps, or if they are able to build up a stable new core, to replace this quickly aging fleet. Arizona definitely lucked out from some key free agents. Landing 3 essentially capped players the season of their first Ultimus of the run turned them instantly from a good team, to a favorite. A lot of things had to happen for this to happen. The situation in Orange County had to be dire for the Turtles to look outside and from this author's own opinion it was. They also had to put together the best pitch, because again there were several options of highly competitive teams, and some seemed to be in better positions, adding the Turtles would be a support move, where Arizona seemed to completely overhaul their defense in one single offseason. Names soon to hit the rafters would leave so that a new generation could take over.
Is this the same situation as they face themselves in now? Did they have a strong run and just not quite get enough out of the team? I think it is definitely similar. With experience I really do think the turtles are going to be top of the league competitive for another 2 seasons, but that second season is going to be a heck of a grind. What happens then. Do they fall out of favorite territory? Are they able to retool around a very strong upcoming running game? Is there going to be a sweet spot where they are pretty good at all aspects and is that good enough. If they aren't good enough for a championship run, but still good enough to compete for playoffs, do they try to trade away, or not sign their older aging players? Definitely a lot of questions for the good old GMs to ponder over.
Arizona has been really good for a long time. Until relatively recently they have not had much playoff luck to show for that regular season success. Now that they have had a run of good luck, will that luck run out or revert? I know I've only been adding a bunch of questions, but the short of it is they have started to replace some of their regressing players, but who knows how long those players can hold out. Regression is a cold hearted bitch, and they are getting the full brunt of it. I do think they will fall out of grace within the next few seasons. I imagine the league as a whole is tired of seeing their sexy banner, and everyone is going to be gunning for them. I'll leave this off with another question: Who is going to assume the seat once the Outlaws vacate their throne? How will they rule over the league, and how long will their reign last?
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