(S22) - Ultimus Week

[scorycory]

3. The thing that I like and appreciate the most about the league is the interpersonal relationship between different players, coaches, GMs and general people in leadership roles. THeir interactions with one another, the way their opinions of each other can evolve and change over time is fascinating. There is a clear delineation in the way that people in this league treat each other based off of their relationship with one another. This is one of the biggest factors that drive things such as how free agency, the draft and trades pan out, not to mention it is probably the biggest factor in league drama. Of course there are other things that factor into a players choice of where to play when they hit free agency, or if they demand to be drafted to a particular destination. BUt we all know that if player A played in the DSFL for player/DSFL GM B there is a much higher likelihood that player A is going to only want to go to player B's team. A couple of great examples of this would be last draft when Tesla said she didn't want to go anywhere but New Orleans. Her GM Scorp played for New Orleans as well as multiple Norfolk Alumni and members of the war room there. This is just one example, things like this happen for every team. SlolthFaceKilla was another example last draft where he told NSFL teams that he only wanted to play for New Orleans. I am not trying to point New Orleans out in particular, DrunkenTeddy is another example from last draft. While he didn't tell teams that he only wanted to play for Orange County, he is an OCO alumni and I am 99 percent the Otters were far and away his first choice of where he wanted to play. Like I said, stuff like this happens every draft for every team. These interpersonal relationships drive free agency in a very similar way as most people want to play with people they enjoy being around and players/teams they have a history with. There will always be the draw of winning or money or just making a big freaking stink in free agency and just wanting every team to want you (player options exist for a reason rookies). This affets the DSFL as well as the NSFL. Oftentimes a player will come into the league on a specific DSFL team and then refuse to play anywhere else when they recreate. They will threaten to hold out, stop earning TPE, be a nuisance in the locker room, just about anything to play for the team that they want to. I will in no way condone some of these actions as I do think a lot of them are bad for teams and the league as a whole. This is why the whole don't be a dick rule is a thing in the first place. This whole interpersonal relationship thing swings another way however. It is also how rivalries form. It's why certain teams will sometimes really not like other teams. It's not always about the winning team, sometimes it's about the attitude of one of the teams conflicting with another. It's why some players will refuse to play for certain teams or with certain players, looking at you @Frostbite. In an ideal world these rivalries are of a friendly nature as the just makes the league a more enjoyable experience for me as a whole. Unfortunately that is just not how the world always works. Interpersonal relationships in this league are fascinating and are indicative of the interpersonal relationships we have in the real world. We're just more willing to be extreme on the internet most of the time. Sadly these relationships can be downright nasty at times. Still fascinating to observe and think about but also a distinctive low point for the league. But this is what I think is the coolest part of these relationships. They always always always evolve over time. Positive relationships can get stronger as the seasons pass or good friends can grow distant. League friendships can even devolve into a rivalry or even genuine dislike, which is very unfortunate. Trust can be broken but it can also be earned. I have seen people in this league who seem to actually hate each other. I have also seen cases like this where they managed to put their differences aside and tolerate each other. Work together. REspect each other. Hell sometimes that hatred turns into genuine like and affection. It's genuinely awesome to see people grow in this manner. As great as it is to see people come into the league and get along with all and be liked by all, I am far more impressed by those who come in with friction and are able to put that behind them and make a positive name for themselves. #free@jeffie43