BuzzerBeater Forums

His comparison to a high school team only came after your flippant response about random factor. In his eyes, his loss equated to something that should never happen, but instead of trying to explain to him why it could, like 1) divisions don't matter right now b/c the game is so new 2) you had a lot of turnovers 3) did you TIE?, etc, you just said "it's random, that's part of the game."

I'd be frustrated too if I was him. To be a new user and come to the global conf looking for help and get continued dismissive responses from a GM had to be very frustrating for him, so I understand why he made his "potshot based on flawed logic." But it never would have come about had you taken the time to give him a proper answer in the first place. My point is, you never went out of your way to explain yourself properly. I know you have more BB knowledge than "random factor" so why not use it to help people?

You want to know why I responded why I responded?

There seem to be a million "how did I loose?!?!??!" threads around, it gets frustrating. The easiest (not the best in some cases) answer is to remind people that there is indeed a random factor.

Could I have given a more in-depth answer? Sure. Should I have? Yes.

I'm only human, though, and every post I make isn't going to be 100% the best I can do, although that is definitely the goal.

When it comes down to it, "random factor" IS the correct answer. It's just not, in this case, probably the best answer/

For what its worth, what I've learned about BuzzerBeater in the one month I've been playing is that the variance in team quality right now is narrow. That is, compared to say, Hattrick where team quality runs the full spectrum of talent from A to F, BuzzerBeater currently runs from D- to D+, a very narrow band.

As the seasons progress, BB teams will progress up the scale, filling in C, B, and finally A.

This means that currently the narrow band of talent, when combined with random numbers, pretty much guarantees that the D+ teams in DII will lose to D- teams from DIV quite often.

Also, the talent level of the players on the current National Teams is very poor compared to the planned level of talent that will evolve over time. Comparing NBA talent to the talent currently on the rosters of National Teams is not right. Indeed, it so flawed its not even a good enough theory to be wrong.

Put another way, putting a Pistons jersey on the Longwood College team does not make them the Pistons. They will still have only a better than even chance to beat VMI or Radford. And no one should be shocked if VMI or Radford wins.

It will be several seasons (I don't know how many, of course) before BB reaches Final Four talent levels, and a few more before it reaches a consistent level of producing NBA quality players.

I feel your frustration, and I'm not trying to beat on you for not being perfect, I just think in this case your half response did more harm than good. I know it must get old having to answer a million of those threads, but that's part of being a GM, no?

Of course.

I've said that my response could have been better.

If nothing else, you're going to get complete honesty from me (unless I'm asked something that I cannot divulge, of course).

Edited by GM-JuicePats (11/29/2007 3:37:47 PM CET)

Last edited by Edju at 11/29/2007 3:37:47 PM

Fair enough, and thank you for listening.

Excellent post.

And this is why the BBs want to speed up some of the differentiation in the game I assume.

Thanks. I think that is their goal right now.

There seem to be a million "how did I loose?!?!??!" threads around, it gets frustrating. The easiest (not the best in some cases) answer is to remind people that there is indeed a random factor.

As a moderator on multiple sites and lists I empathize - getting bombarded with multiple threads on the same subject can be tiresome - but it also, usually, highlights a problem.

To be honest, I would not have posted this thread in the first place if all of the pieces added up in my mind. Losing is not a problem for me - it was the specific circumstances that perplexed me - a bot 2 levels lower, a Cup game in mid-rounds, an obvious team rating and talent discrepancy, etc.

I'm a fairly new player here (end of last season) - and on Hattrick the idea of a decent-strength team losing to a bot from two levels lower is nigh-impossible.

Of course this is a different game - and as a new game it has its own idiosyncrasies and growing pains.

Anyhow - a more detailed response would definitely have helped. Especially since even though YOU may have read a zillion, seemingly identical threads, I haven't unfortunately ;)

But all is good - I've refocused myself on opening up my team, and that individual game is history. Might as well consider this issue closed and we can all move on :)

I have the same problem with understanding that I lost my game..

skillers (oponent)

Offensive Strategy: Base Offense
Defensive Strategy: Man to Man

Outside Scoring: awful (medium)
Inside Scoring: inept (low)
Perimeter Defense: pitiful (high)
Inside Defense: awful (low)
Rebounding: awful (medium)
Offensive Flow: awful (medium)


Wix twix (me)

Offensive Strategy: Base Offense
Defensive Strategy: 2-3 Zone

Outside Scoring: awful (high)
Inside Scoring: inept (medium)
Perimeter Defense: inept (low)
Inside Defense: inept (high)
Rebounding: mediocre (low)
Offensive Flow: inept (low)

... can enyone tell me why?... okay, maybe he is somehow better in FT and a little bit in 3PTs, but I had much MORE better ratings...

the ratings arent that much better, sure on paper you appear to be the better team, but you are both still evenly matched.

to say you had MORE better ratings implies that you were better on paper a minimum 3+ levels, this game your def was 1 level better than his off, and your off just a level better than his def.

maybe playing a faster paced offence to take advantage of the rebounding edge might have helped you more.