J-Pav wrote:To TLD,
I once read a quote regarding mastering the piano. I can’t find it exactly now, but to paraphrase:
“You can either play, or you can’t.”
In your opinion, out of the field of BS managers, how many “can play”?
Well here is an anecdotal answer...for instance, speaking as one of those who is not (ever) in the top 12, it was a different tour at the top tier without TLD in the mix. And assuredly, if he wouldn't have checked out, he would have been in the hunt for that top 9, as he typically is. Truthfully, I felt like a "slot" was set free.
And hopefully whatever is done, he plays in the next one.
In fact more generally, I'd posit it makes the game more fun when there are giants to chase--whether they are emulated, disparaged, or anything in between, the competition elicited by that benchmark of the handful of perennially elite players, is a positive thing. Even more fun is they don't all have identical play styles, or personalities, so from someone out in the cheap seats who doesn't play much, but plays these consistently:
1. I enjoy having a pinnacle to aspire to--it is a big deal to be near the top, so it should be an elite final group. A line always has to be drawn somewhere and a 12 team set is somewhat of a standard fare with schedule and play style. 24 team leagues have a different schedule balance and also lessen the importance of analyzing/adapting to opponents. It is much more random and less interactive in that sense. I don't matter, but I don't find them enjoyable. If there were only 24 team SOM leagues, I'd never play.
2. I also enjoy that even when missing that pinnacle tier, there is still a chance, necessarily slim, that a few of us clawing around outside that elite group, could compete with them.
I still agree that playoff results--that is short-run results--are statistically much less reliable than long-run results, ie multiple regular seasons in different parks/caps, in determining skill. This is unequivocal. Especially now that there is the invite feature this year.
At any rate, am glad the community comes out for these discussions in a way that shows how much passion and interest there is for this game. To competition...