So we bid farewell to 2016 and all the stuff it held. We saw Lakers back up to win its second consecutive NLL championship. We saw Ben Simmons drafted number 1 overall in the draft. We saw pick trading nearly not work out. We saw GMs quit and come back. We saw GMs get fired, then unfired, then quit. We saw many players traded and even a few GMs traded teams. We saw trades made, then rescinded. We've seen the end of 2k14 and heralded in the new world of 2k16.  We've seen the start of twitching every glorious game. Lets all agree that we've seen alot. Now 2017 is upon us and we've already seen teams adjusting and moving to cope with the new engine and regular player ratings updates, but what will be the big storylines of 2017.

We potentially have a problem.

There are many differing philosophies on how to build a championship calibre team in the league, some like to try stay relevant, trading whatever needs to be traded to stay at the top. Some use experience to spot a weak link and cut it loose or exploit it. Some blow it up and pray to the lottery gods (more on that later). While others just like young men. But not just any young men, young men with potentional. There are 3 teams that come to mind that are potential focussed the Clips, Hornets, and Bucks. Now each of the teams are all using what could be argued as having a similar strategy. The Bucks holding the advantage as they've been at it longer than the others, the Bucks are now at a stage where they hold 3 players in the top 15 ESPN ranking in their starting line up, with 80 rated Zach Lavine coming off the bench. The potential problem is for the league. The Hornets sit in the middle, by hitting on a few draft picks and holding Ingram and Murray as high potential rookies. Maybe a trade away from making a move up the ladder, or maybe a player rotation issue is holding them back. They probably aren't far away from competing in the East depending on how quickly that potential hits. The Clips though, while holding some solid players, are still a superstar away from competing. Lucky they have 6 first rounders for the deep 2017 draft. Both Clips and Hornets are just wanting the next two years to roll by so they can compete. Potentially an issue for them both.

Picks?! We're talkin bout picks?!

As mentioned, the Clips hold picks a plenty, I think I'll refer to them now as the Ckips. Between the Ckips, OKC, and Mavericks at least 12 first rounders are already taken care of, so what does that leave the rest of us to do on draft day? I guess overpay for first rounders from this lot or just hope there is some magic in the second round. The magic of this pickapolooza is that OKC and Ckips will have the vultures circling them prior to and after the draft, while each team may keep its draftee, some one is going to have to be moved. The contracts on each team don't leave much room to sneak an extra player in. Pending announcements on the NLL interpretation of the two way player spots in the newest CBA.

She'll be right. Why I didnt plan for the new CBA.

Did someone say new CBA? That's right the cap will go up in 2017, and the CBA will change. The NLL has already flagged changes in how it will implement a full cap hold system to account for, well everything in your cap before Free Agency hits. The warning was made to get your house in order to prepare for the new rule. Some will take note and start planning away, while others will take the aforementioned approach. Perhaps the change to the system wont make too many waves, but just in case I'll pack my boardshorts.

Have we seen the changing of the guards? Has the Point Guard lost its potency?

Ode to the point guard. 

How quick ye be, 

let thy shot fly straight, 

let thouest overdribble and heave to thy hearts content and dominate post haste. 

Yet thou's time has passed, 

Doth Lebron run ye no more, 

Naye! I say Naye!

Hark! A Large man Cometh.

Thou's name be....

Anthony Davis - the real deal

Well its about time. 2k14 did not treat the Brow with the respect he deserves, 2k16 does. 3rd as per ESPN rankings and 1st per NLL rankings. Finally the Big man cometh! whoops, slipped back. So AD is dominating everyone and everything, and we will hear a lot more of his name throughout the year. Currently chalking up POTM and POTW like he has the MVP wrapped up already. Leading his team to the best record in the League. I hope my team can find a way to beat him in a 7 game series, but its not going to be easy. Davis also highlights the return of the front court to relevance in 2017. As at writing Steph Curry is the only backcourt player to win a POTW award. In comparison to last year out of the 40 POTW, only 12 were awarded to the front court, and thats including Durant, who played a lot of SG last season (from memory). 

Will we see a changing of the guard? Will LA release its hold on the NLL Championship?

While face of the franchise Andre Iguodala may not play guard, he surely highlights the change the Lakers are making. While Greenmig has written Iggy obituary seperately, we all recognise what this change means to the league. The Lakers are rebuilt since the last title run. Now they form up behind Wade, Hill, and Vuc. The only "Laker" left is Manu. Will we see him pack his bags too? Will all these trades lead the veteran GM back into the promised land? It'll be tough, but Greenmig always finds a way to get the most out of his team, even when it doesn't have the biggest names.

Who will be the trading king?

"Welcome everyone to Traders Anon and we are proud to welcome some new faces, Smokey, Klemm, nice to meet you. I'm sure you know Laddas already. Jmac nice to see you return, we haven't seen you in a while. Has anyone seen javijoe? Haven't seen him at a meeting for a while. If you run into him, encourage him to return to share his story of success in beating this. Its a really nice turnout we have today. Now who would like to start us off???......."

More new GMs as plans fall apart

With every season we see GMs come and go. Currently there isn't a market open for the first GM fired this season, so no odds are available. Perhaps we'll have another GM quit, as grand schemes are hatched yet don't live up to expectations, or life just gets in the way. Hoping we don't see any change as currently each GM onboard seems to bring something to the table, whether it be optimism for a hopeless franchise, or just plain big balls to go all in with what they've got and hope the fullhouse they hold isn't beaten by a royal flush.

Who's number #1

And does it matter. With the next draft touted as being an extremely deep draft, will the number one pick matter that much? Of course it does, having your choice of all the players in the market lets you use your keen sense of talent spotting to draft the next KAT or Brow. Or perhaps you are so savvy that you don't need that number one pick, and you'll find your Damian Lillard or Giannis Antetokounmpo. Draft day is one of the best days on the calendar and maybe the most important for your franchise?

Being EEEEEVIIILLLLL
Do you enjoy watching others suffer? Do you laugh when someone falls over before trying to help them? Did you push them? What am I talking about? Currently Miami and Portland the teams with the worst records in the league do not hold their own 2017 pick. No prizes for guessing who does, Ckips and OKC. I know from first hand experience that watching a team lose when you hold their pick is kinda fun, in an evil way. Watching them deliver a lottery pick, kinda gets a bit exciting. Watching them give you a possible top 2 pick, Yeah Baby! Even though its absolutely evil to enjoy others suffering, I can't blame them.

So that's 2017, some big changes coming and some strategies taking hold. Happy New Year everyone! Enjoy this fantastic year in NLL!!