A LEGEND IS BORN II

[Fresh8]

9. Memphis Grizzlies (31-29)

What has happened???

Actually... on the 'nba.com' homepage thing in the game, there was an article titled: 'Erickson: All is not well around here'... He's your rookie SG/SF... so I'm guessing your team is fighting internally...

Damn the East is weak. You're looking pretty good now, and should be able to get a playoff spot. Here's hoping Portland stays in first place. Interesting seeing the Heat with the best record. I remember them losing a lot of their best players in the offseason a (game) year or two back. Who do they have now?

One small thing: the efficiency rating in 2K9 is not PER, it is NBA.com's stupid one. 2K10 has PER though. Really wish I knew how to calculate it for my dynasty. Keep it coming

Actually, good thing you asked because Miami were slated to be covered in my next team focus.

Hope I get picked by the Heat.

You wouldn't slide that far.

13th spot in the West could get a playoffs spot in the East? Wow, East teams need to lift! The last 7 games you've played at home you've all won, I bet the home crowd is really getting behind you now. How many home games do you have left to play throughout the season?

The Eastern Conference is really shit And yeah, my home record is decent but not great. I've got a fair few games at home though... all of my games next month except for a 5-game road trip are at home... so looking really really good right now!

[Fresh8]

Monthly Recap: February
Part Two: Around The League

Monthly Recaps are divided into several parts in order to give readers a quick and organized overview. Part Two of the Monthly Recap is the ‘Around the League’ recap, which features player awards, transactions, and other League news. Part Three will feature a Team Focus feature on the Miami Heat!

Player Awards

Eastern Conference Player Of The Month:
PF Jay Gray, Milwaukee – 18.9 ppg | 13.3 rpg | 4.8 apg
Western Conference Player Of The Month:
SF Moses Chara, Sacramento – 30.6 ppg | 8.3 rpg | 6.8 apg
Eastern Conference Rookie Of The Month:
PF Jay Gray, Milwaukee – 18.9 ppg | 13.3 rpg | 4.8 apg
Western Conference Rookie Of The Month:
PF Leo Chase, Phoenix – 9.0 ppg | 7.6 rpg | 0.4 apg

League Transactions

Two minor deals were struck in February as rumors of a blockbuster involving Toronto Raptor Chris Bosh died down. The main team attached to Bosh rumors, Seattle, made a play for veteran and proven NBA winner Rasheed Wallace. The Stealth gave up the young and talented Jeff Green in a bid to attain the services of Wallace. Detroit also gave up a future first round pick.

The Pistons gain a starter who has potential to become a 20 points a night scorer. Green is a versatile player who can play both forward positions and his youth really encouraged the Pistons to make the deal happen. Seattle, in the midst of a wild Western playoff race, acquires the services of a locker room leader and a centre who opens up the floor by drawing his defender out onto the perimeter. The Pistons weren’t playing any better this season and Seattle wanted to halt their slide and get back into the postseason; this was a good deal for both teams.

Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks finally got rid of their troubled SF Josh Howard. In exchange, they get Chicago’s Kirk Hinrich who will serve as a dependable starting PG for the side. The move opens up minutes for Hedo Turkoglu and rookie Kenneth Dela Cruz in what used to be a logjam at SF. Howard is most likely to become a Bulls’ starter.

February Trades:

5 Feb – Mavericks SF J Howard traded for Bulls PG K Hinrch
9 Feb – Stealth SF J Green, C A Foyle traded for Pistons C/PF R Wallace, 2012 First Round Pick

League News

Strange Twist: Bosh Contract Extension
What a weird season it has been for the Toronto Raptors and Chris Bosh. After actively shopping out Bosh to the rest of the League and then rescinding on their offers, the Raptors offered Bosh a contract extension. To the surprise of many observers, Bosh agreed and looks to stick around in Toronto for another 5 years.

Read More…

Erickson: All Is Not Well Here

Memphis Grizzlies rookie SF/SG Stan Erickson gave an indication into what may be the reason behind the Grizzlies’ sudden slide down the Western Conference standings. After a hot start to the season, Memphis look like they are on the outside looking in for a playoff position as they have been 3-7 in their last 10 games.

“All is not well here in Memphis,” Erickson said, “I don’t want to get deeper into it. It will probably make things worse.”

Read More…

Wade, Heat Aim For Championship

Even though it is only February, Wade and his Heat are looking towards securing the best record in the NBA and then winning the NBA Championship. “We’ve been so close (to winning a championship) before,” Wade stated, “My team is hungry and I’m hungry. I want to win a second ring.” Michael Beasley said, “If we don’t win a championship, this season was all for nothing.”

The Miami Heat are currently first in the East with the best record in the League at 41-17.

Read More…

Blazers Looking To Repeat

The Portland Trailblazers believed they were regular season underachievers last season whereas many thought they overachieved as they went all the way to the NBA Finals as the West’s sixth seed and won it all. This season, they are proving that they were more of the former as they have a healthy lead at the top of the Western Conference standings.

“Everyone still writes us off, no one thinks we can win, we’re NBA champions and no one thinks we deserved it,” Steve Nash said, “Now I know what it feels like to be the Pistons five years ago.” Brandon Roy remains confident of the Blazers repeating their feat, “We may have lost Lamarcus Aldridge and Travis Outlaw but we still have a very solid squad. We’re playing great basketball right now.”

Read More…

Wild Wild West

The Western Conference has quite a battle on its hands as each and every single team has a mathematical chance of making the playoffs. Even last placed Utah has a chance to make the postseason if it can pull off an impressive end to their season with 23 games remaining. Another month should further separate the teams capable of getting into the postseason but for now, every team has as good a chance as the others to make it into postseason play.

Read More…

[dare]

Jay Gray is the next Chara

[kaiser_kobe]

Nice trade for Mavs, that will extend my playing time ...wow, can Moses Chara be stopped?

[Fresh8]

Monthly Recap: January
Part Three: Team Focus

Monthly Recaps are divided into several parts in order to give readers a quick and organized overview. Part Three of the Monthly Recap is the Team Focus. This gives readers an opportunity to see how certain teams are going and to give them an idea of what their rosters look like now. A new team is presented each month! Part Four will be the NLSC Rookie Focus.



TEAM RECORD 41-17 (1st Division, 1st Conference)
TEAM CHEMISTRY 98%

TEAM ROSTER

Player | Statistics (PPG, RPG, APG)

PG Mario Chalmers | 12.3, 3.8, 5.9
SG Dwyane Wade | 29.4, 4.7, 6.6
SF Dorell Wright | 11.6, 6.2, 2.2
PF Michael Beasley 20.8, 7.3, 0.8
C Kurt Thomas | 4.5, 6.9, 0.4

- - -

PG Marcus Williams | 10.2, 3.3, 4.1
SF James Jones | 7.4, 1.8, 0.2
PG Marcus Banks | 7.1, 0.8, 1.5
PG Shaun Livingston | 6.2, 2.6, 4.3

TEAM REPORT

Dwyane Wade has blossomed into an NBA superstar, one of the best guards in the World. He is the league’s most explosive scorer. Michael Beasley is young, complimentary star who could one day reach All-Star status. Together, the duo is surrounded by the perfect mix of players who provide solid defense, accurate shooting, and an infectious locker room atmosphere.

Wade knows that it’s his best shot at winning an NBA championship so far in his career; even better than when he won his first ring as he carried an old and ‘past their primes’ Miami Heat squad. “We have a real team here right now,” Wade states, “No disrespect to Shaq (O’Neal), Gary (Payton), Antoine (Walker), Zo (Mourning), Jason Williams, and all the others. We had a great team in 2006 but our team this season is probably the most balanced and best I’ve been a part of.”

He didn’t forget to thank the Heat front office, “I am blessed that the team built a roster around me and are giving me a great chance to win a second ring.”

The Heat have been in the last two Eastern Conference Finals and are looking to take the final two steps to take home the Larry O’Brien trophy. “We want to make the Finals and then win them,” Michael Beasley said in an interview, “We know we can do it. We have a lot of self-belief.”

A deeper bench and improved shooting across the roster has the Heat with the League’s best record. They are also pegged as favorites to win it all, ahead of defending champions Portland and their Eastern Conference rivals, Cleveland.

The team is led by Wade and Beasley but the side has a slew of support players. Dorell Wright, who has been with the team since 2004 after coming straight out of high school, has repaid the Heat’s patience with him by having a career year. The young wing player has filled in as the starting SF very well by upping last season’s averages of 3 ppg and 2 rpg to 11.6 ppg and 6.2 rpg. Chalmers has followed up from where he left off last season in solid fashion while Kurt Thomas returned to the team that drafted him in 1994. The 38 year old was more than happy to return to Miami to finish off his career, "When D Wade called me himself and invited me to play, I was just so happy that he even wanted an old man like me to join his team. He is a true professional."

The team’s bench is led by Marcus Williams. He is surrounded by shooters Marcus Banks and James Jones (Incidentally, Jones had a season like Wright is currently having before being relegated to sixth man status this season). Shaun Livingston has finally shown signs of recovery from a terrible knee injury that threatened his career. Although there are three PGs on the bench, credit the coach Erik Spoelstra with finding playing time for each and everyone of them.

The head coach talked up his team’s championship chances, “I think we do have a terrific squad and this year could be our year.”

[The X]

Jay Gray is the next Chara

Not really. One is a big man & the other is a wing. One is a tireless hardworker & one lets his ego do the talking. Gray could go down as one of the great PF's to ever play the game. Chara may become the greatest SF to play the game but he has to win ball games first.

So there you have it, please leave Mr. Gray out of it

[Fresh8]

Jay Gray is the next Chara

Not really.

Nice trade for Mavs, that will extend my playing time ...wow, can Moses Chara be stopped?

Yeah man, I knew you would be happy. Time for them to get rid of Dirk or Hedo now! Or maybe both.

Jay Gray is the next Chara

Not really. One is a big man & the other is a wing. One is a tireless hardworker & one lets his ego do the talking. Gray could go down as one of the great PF's to ever play the game. Chara may become the greatest SF to play the game but he has to win ball games first.

So there you have it, please leave Mr. Gray out of it

Touche.

Happy that my characters have 'identities'

To Thierry

Wizards (34-25)

C: Lamarcus Aldridge
PF: Antawn Jamison
SF: Caron Butler
SG: GIlbert Arenas
PG: Klemen Pirc

Nick Young
Deshawn Stevenson
Jarvis Hayes
Andray Blatche
Gabe Pruitt
Josh Boone
Nicholas Batum

[Lamrock]

Damn, Miami has the weakest 58 win squad ever (On pace for 58 wins at least). Wade's really earning that MVP. Dunno how you got your rookies to do so well. Mine can never seem to score much.

[kibaxx7]

Yeah I'm think I'm gonna trade for Aldridge

or Amare

[Martti.]

Wade for MVP, Miami for Champs! (If Memphis falls out of the Playoffs.)

[puttincomputers]

checkin in here. dude keep up the great work!

[hova-]

Nice one-two punch by Miami. I guess that is what theyre hoping for in real life. Really nice to see Wade and Beasley blooming in your association at least. Chara is the most talented player in the league. Hell, hes even almost better than LeBron. But why the **** does he not demand a trade. Hes such a dickhead. Nobody likes him and he like nobody. But why is he still on that crappy Kings team.

[Fresh8]

Damn, Miami has the weakest 58 win squad ever (On pace for 58 wins at least). Wade's really earning that MVP. Dunno how you got your rookies to do so well. Mine can never seem to score much.

They ain't that weak. Compared to other teams in the L, you should see all of their benches. They're all shit. I was actually surprised by how good the Miami team was collectively... individually, I don't think many of their guys stand out. That's why I actually like this team, they play team basketball.

Yeah I'm think I'm gonna trade for Aldridge

or Amare

Either or. Amare and Lliach are leading Clippers atm. Aldridge, Butler, Jamison, Arenas, Pirc are one of my favorite starting fives in the association. Both are playoff teams

Wade for MVP, Miami for Champs! (If Memphis falls out of the Playoffs.)

Wade won't win MVP even though he should. But Lebron ain't too far back with Cleveland and trumps Wade individually...

checkin in here. dude keep up the great work!

Thanks Nissley!

Nice one-two punch by Miami. I guess that is what theyre hoping for in real life. Really nice to see Wade and Beasley blooming in your association at least. Chara is the most talented player in the league. Hell, hes even almost better than LeBron. But why the **** does he not demand a trade. Hes such a dickhead. Nobody likes him and he like nobody. But why is he still on that crappy Kings team.

Chara loves being the man. He wants to lead the Kings to championship. He wants to write his own legend.

[Fresh8]

Monthly Recap: February
Part Four: NLSC Rookie Focus

Monthly Recaps are divided into several parts in order to give readers a quick and organized overview. Part Four of the Monthly Recap is the NLSC Rookie Focus where one NLSC rookie is chosen to be presented to you, the reader, in order for you to get to know them better. Part Five will feature the NLSC Player Focus.

Player Focus: Chris Hova

# 7 | PG | Toronto Raptors (21-38) |
6’1” | 207 lbs | Age: 23 | Germany |
2010 Draft | Round: 1 |Pick: 4 |

Position Rank: 26th
Overall Rank: 99th
Role: Sixth Man
Agent: "Right now, Chris’ only complaint is a slight lack of minutes. Increase his minutes and we’ve got no problems.”
10-11 Statistics: 8.2 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 4.1 apg, 0.9 spg, .403 FG%, .320 3PT%, .815 FT%, 22.9 mpg

He was at one stage considered the best prospect or at the very least; the best point guard prospect. However, Chris Hova was not picked first. And even worse was the fact that the PG picked 3 spots after him is a star in Los Angeles while he is stuck on the bench in Toronto. Everyone is saying ‘I told you so’ about Hova being a flop.

Try telling that to the German and he will just laugh. He is learning from one of the NBA’s most efficient PGs, in Jose Calderon, and is putting up respectable numbers while playing half a game, every game. “I can’t complain right now,” Hova states, “Sure, I was expecting to be starting and leading my own team but learning from Jose is a great experience. We (Germany) don’t like Spain but in NBA, we are friends.”

Hova failed to impress scouts last summer in draft workouts and his stock took a massive hit. He could have been picked up by the Milwaukee Bucks or New Jersey Nets but both teams passed on him. You could hardly argue with the Bucks picking Jay Gray but the Nets had the first and third picks and chose two other players ahead of Hova; Jeremy Mason and DJ Schmidt. It’s arguable whether those two are better than Hova but then again, Ray Lliach went at seven to the Clippers so perhaps he should have been chosen ahead of Hova.

Hova remains modest and respectful of his opponents though. His thoughts on Lliach are, “He’s a great player. NCAA champion, helps Estonia, and right now he play good for the Clippers.” Then Hova adds, “The NBA is about opportunities. Ray and I both have different opportunities. Maybe one day I will win a championship first because I am on a better team, which is why I am on the bench.”

Hova does a little bit of everything and if he learnt anything from Dirk Nowitzki and Chris Kaman during his time with the German national team last Summer, it was that he had to become an all-around player. Hova had always been a great talent in European basketball but making the transition to play in the NBA was a bit tough. The pace sometimes seems to overwhelm him, the ‘European John Stockton’ is still a work in progress.

But Hova is coming along nicely and plays an important role on a Toronto team that has some of the pieces to one day contend in the East. When that day comes, Hova will probably be leading them. And when that day does come, Hova will be the one saying, “I told you so!”

NLSC Rookie Statistics

James Carter 12.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 4.3 apg
Kenneth Dela Cruz 5.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.5 apg
Chris Hova 8.2 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 4.1 apg
Ray Lliach 14.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 6.9 apg
Jeremy Mason 15.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.2 apg
Manfred Nissley 4.4 ppg, 0.6 rpg, 1.1 apg

[Fresh8]

Monthly Recap: February
Part Five: NLSC Player Focus

Monthly Recaps are divided into several parts in order to give readers a quick and organized overview. Part Five of the Monthly Recap is the NLSC Player Focus where news and stats about NLSCers will be posted. A feature article will also be posted every once in a while!

Feature Article

Memphis Grizzlies PF Martti Must was selected for his first ever All-Star Game appearance. The player from Estonia took some time out to talk about his debut with the Western Conference All-Stars, the Grizzlies’ winning season, recent slide from the top, Coach Gary Payton, as well as his days a UNC Tar Heel.

NBA.com: What was playing in the All-Star Game like?

Must: It was awesome. I got to play with top guys like Yao, Kobe, Tim Duncan, and Chris Paul. Wow, it was a dream come true. Meeting and practicing with Moses Chara was not very good. He doesn’t like Tar Heels.

NBA.com: Did you feel like you did a good job in the All-Star Game? (Must had 4 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists)

Must: I had a lot of fun. Just cheering for my team mates and watching all of the great players go to work, it was a great experience. Individually, I tried to just help the team win. All the other guys are better than me so it was just awesome to come in and sit back and help them. The game isn’t designed for slow guys like me so I guess I did my best and at least I scored.

NBA.com: You had that one really nice basket over LeBron James? How did you feel and what did he say to you as you guys went back down the court?

Must: It was great to shoot over him. James asked me what team I played for and I said ‘Memphis’ and he told me to watch out when he came to play against us. I guess I made him mad.

NBA.com: Were you surprised he didn't know who you were?

Must: I will forgive him since I look like any other ordinary guy!

NBA.com: The Grizzlies were doing great at the start of the season but you guys have hit a bit of a slump in the last month or two. Do you think you guys can fix it before it’s too late?

Must: We had an easy schedule at the start and when we started losing, I think the morale has really dropped off. It’s sad because we were having such a great year. Without the team success, I don’t think I would have made the All-Star team. I do hope we fix it because I really want to play playoff basketball.

NBA.com: What do you think of Coach Gary Payton?

Must: He’s really tough on us in trainings. Really tough. We’re lucky and unlucky to have him. (Laughs)

NBA.com: Does he still talk trash?

Must: Oh yes. He loves to talk trash. Always challenging Mike Conley to one on one games. He stays away from Stan (Erickson) because he can play defense really well. Gary actually challenged me once.

NBA.com: And what happened? Did you play against him?

Must: Yeah, I dunked on him.

NBA.com: You’re a winner with North Carolina and we heard you were training with Reshawn Tyson and Rocky Akonnor during the Summer. Did those guys help you improve?

Must: We’re all fairly close. Reshawn and Rocky are great people. When we were all at UNC, it used to be us three and another two guys who both play in Europe now. All five of us had a great time. Over the Summer, the three of us trained really hard and Reshawn actually went through game footage and advised me on things to improve on. You know my step back jumper? That was actually Reshawn’s idea.

NBA.com: One last thing, your team mate on the Estonian national team is Ray Lliach. He’s having a great rookie year. Does he ever rub it in?

Must: (Laughs) Yeah! He’s always calling me and telling me how he outscored me or handed out more assists. Sometimes he grabs more rebounds. He also likes to remind me of how slow I am. And if the Clippers make the playoffs, I’m sure he’s going to rub it in all Summer!

NLSC Player Statistics

Byron Brock 7.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 0.3 apg
Mark Moore 16.5 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 4.7 apg
Martti Must 17.4 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 5.2 apg
Klemen Pirc 10.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 6.3 apg
Zoilo Resurreccion 14.2 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 8.9 apg
Andrew Watson 18.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 4.0 apg

NLSC Player News

Nuggets Struggling To Keep Up

In a very tight battle in the Western Conference, it seems that the Denver Nuggets are struggling to keep up with the first placed Portland Trailblazers. The NBA season is a long one and stars Carmelo Anthony and Andrew Watson are feeling the signs of fatigue worse than anyone else. Watson is struggling especially as all his numbers are down across the board from his rookie season. His shooting percentages are terrible.

“It’s just not like him,” one of the team’s coaches said, “He’s a great great shooter but it’s just not going for him at the moment.” Watson has struggled mightily all year and many have called for him to have a rest in order to be fit for the playoffs. However, the team can’t afford to lose because any slight slipup could lose them home court advantage in the playoffs.

Read More…

Pirc Is Most Improved: Arenas

Gilbert Arenas still remembers Klemen Pirc when he walked into training camp. He was the skinny Slovenian guard who did not have a good grasp of English at all. Everyone made jokes about Sasha Vujacic to him and everyone called him Sasha too. No one actually cared that he was Klemen, everyone just decided to associate him with Sasha. Boy, were they all wrong?

In the last playoffs, the Wizards faced the Pistons in the first round. Pirc was finally able to show his team mates how much different of a player and person he was compared to the Pistons’ Vujacic. “I am nowhere near the same as Sasha. We are countrymen but we are very different people,” Pirc argues, “On the basketball court, I am not as dirty as him.” He also joked, “I don’t look like a woman either.”

Arenas and the Wizards have been duly impressed by the improvement of the second year guard as he continues to up his averages. His numbers have risen to 10.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg, and 6.3 apg. For a player who struggled to get time off the bench, it’s a huge improvement, and his play as the starting PG has helped the Wizards to a 34-25 record.

Read More…

Moore Leading Bobcats To Playoffs

New Zealander Mark Moore is often seen as the heart and soul of the Charlotte Bobcats. Playing alongside Devin Harris and Gerald Wallace, the swingman has averaged 16.5 ppg and 4.7 apg but it is his defense and knack for hitting key shots that has got him much praise. The Cats are looking for their first ever playoff berth and are agonizingly close to it.

“We really want the team to get in the playoffs,” Moore recently stated, “We’re performing very well. We just need to finish off the season consistently and with a couple of good wins.” Moore, however, did not rate his team’s chances if they did make the postseason, “To be fair to us, we’d struggle to make the second round but it would be an awesome experience and we can build on it next season.”

Read More…

[Lamrock]

Loving the interview article. Very nice addition to the format.

[Fresh8]

Loving the interview article. Very nice addition to the format.

It's been there since start of the season. I did one for The X.

[Lamrock]

I see. Well, keep it up.

[Lightning Strike]

Creating NLSC rookies and actually having them play in your league is a great aspect, well done implementing it. Enjoyable read so far too.

[The X]

Might have Nuggets more if I come off the bench & Earl Smith starts. I'll the to the Nuggets what Manu is to the Spurs

[Fresh8]

Creating NLSC rookies and actually having them play in your league is a great aspect, well done implementing it. Enjoyable read so far too.

I HATE the CELTICS. And I HATE Pierce. But... I do love you sig.

Question: Have you read my whole thread?

Might have Nuggets more if I come off the bench & Earl Smith starts. I'll the to the Nuggets what Manu is to the Spurs

Are you drunk?

[Valor]

I HATE the CELTICS. And I HATE Pierce.

amen to that

nice monthly recaps once again, but what i am really hoping for is chapter 28
when is it coming!?

[Martti.]

Must: Yeah, I dunked on him.

Take that, the Glove!

[Lightning Strike]

I HATE the CELTICS. And I HATE Pierce. But... I do love you sig.

Question: Have you read my whole thread?

You're a LA Lakers fan right? I guess it would make sense! Thank you!

Haven't had the time to yet mate, it's exams week for me, I've been hitting the textbooks mostly. Why do you ask, have I clumsily looked over something?

[Fresh8]

I HATE the CELTICS. And I HATE Pierce.

amen to that

nice monthly recaps once again, but what i am really hoping for is chapter 28
when is it coming!?

The Chapter will come out soon enough

Must: Yeah, I dunked on him.

Take that, the Glove!

You love it!

I HATE the CELTICS. And I HATE Pierce. But... I do love you sig.

Question: Have you read my whole thread?

You're a LA Lakers fan right? I guess it would make sense! Thank you!

Haven't had the time to yet mate, it's exams week for me, I've been hitting the textbooks mostly. Why do you ask, have I clumsily looked over something?

My favorite player ever is Kobe. My favorite team is the Lakers.

Nah, was just curious. When you do read it, tell me what you think. If it gets boring in some parts!

Anywho, good luck with your exams. I finished mines last Saturday. You in high school/uni?