(63-19) First Round Wraps Up [4-0]

[karlsanada10]

I would like to get T-Mac but I think I need a big man as a duo.)

[shadowgrin]

My god, it the tournament of losers again.

[Lamrock]

Brings back bad memories of my baffling decision to pick John Wall to team up with as a 3pt specialist PG. Good to see you rolling to start this season though.

[Axel The Great]

George7 - Your run in the tournament is done. This tournament only for the 2012 draftees.

shadowgrin - You will be in it next year.

Lamrock - You'd have done better picking a big man, maybe LaMarcus Aldridge or Zach Randolph, especially since John Wall was such a ball hog every game.

Four out of the eight players competing have chosen their teammates. Still waiting for Mavs4Life, Badger, puddnheadwilson, and Stress Fracture to pick their teammates. Just a reminder that you guys have until next Friday to pick your teammates, if you can't make it until then you will be replaced by someone in the 2013 draft.

I'm hoping to get a recap posted by this Monday. God it's been a long time.

[George7]

Axel., Oh ok...
Τhe one who'll pick LaMarcus is the winner!!

[Stress Fracture]

Give me Scola. Get ready, Badger.

[Mavs4Life]

Am I allowed to pick Allen? If not then Arenas.

[Axel The Great]

Mavs4Life, are you referring to Ray Allen? Yeah. He's on the list and hasn't been taken, so of course.

[9-3] Houston Rockets 134-96 Phoenix Suns [2-11]

Key Performers:
Rockets:
Kevin Martin - 38 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 13/21 FG, 5/9 3P, 7/9 FT
Kyle Lowry - 21 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 7/10 FG, 3/4 3P
Shane Battier - 17 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 5/10 FG, 3/6 3P
Aaron Brooks - 12 points, 6 assists, 1 rebound, 6/8 FG
Luis Scola - 12 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 4/8 FG

Suns:
Josh Childress - 22 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 steal, 9/19 FG
Robin Lopez - 13 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 6/12 FG
Nolan Smith - 11 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 5/12 FG
Marcin Gortat - 9 points, 14 rebounds, 1 block, 3/5 FG
Steve Nash - 9 points, 11 assists, 1 rebound, 3/13 FG

35 30 37 32 134
21 30 21 24 96

[10-3] Houston Rockets 111-91 Los Angeles Lakers [8-6]



It was atrocious from the start. Los Angeles was shooting well below 30% to start the game, and Houston was running loose with over 50% shooting from the field. The Rockets bench outplayed the Lakers bench, edging them 26-11 in the scoring department. Aaron Brooks led the bench charge with 10 points and four assists.

Despite the Lakers' struggles, Kobe Bryant was the one hustling to try and keep his team competitive. The help required did not arrive; Kobe shot 15/33 from the field, good for a game high 36 points to go along with five boards. Rookie Xavier Nelson had a rough game shooting 6/17 from the field scoring 15 points. He was taking all the shots early on, but they just weren't falling.

Kevin Martin and Luis Scola looked unguardable. Martin notched a double-double of 31 points and 11 boards, accompanied by his six assists, while Scola dominated down low scoring 20 on 10/13 shooting and also grabbing seven boards and dishing out five dimes.

"We've got miles to go before our offense is as good as Houston's. I thought we settled on too many outside shots and had very stagnant ball movement, so next time it would be best to get it inside. That's what they were doing after all," Lakers head coach Phil Jackson said.

Houston had great ball movement on the other hand, getting a combined 28 assists, and shooting 49% from the field. "Great ball movement leads to great shots, and a great field goal percentage. That's exactly what we did here tonight, and it made all the difference, 20 points' worth of difference to be exact," Rockets coach Rick Adelman said.

Key Performers:
Rockets:
Kevin Martin - 31 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 11/21 FG, 2/4 3P
Luis Scola - 20 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 10/13 FG
Kyle Lowry - 16 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 7/14 FG, 2/2 3P
Yao Ming - 15 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals, 7/13 FG
Aaron Brooks - 10 points, 4 assists, 1 rebound, 3/7 FG, 4/4 FT

:
Kobe Bryant - 36 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 15/33 FG, 5/5 FT
Xavier Nelson - 15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 6/17 FG, 3/5 3P
Pau Gasol - 12 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 5/8 FG
Andrew Bynum - 9 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal, 4/7 FG
Lamar Odom - 9 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, 4/6 FG

29 26 34 22 111
16 29 23 23 91

[11-3] Houston Rockets 95-93 Atlanta Hawks [6-9]


Kevin Martin with another monster game. | An unlikely hero scored the game-winner for Houston.

But once again, Houston struggled to slow down another star two-guard. | But he was unfortunately accompanied by no one come crunch time.

The first half had a scoring duel between Kevin Martin and Joe Johnson. Both players were shooting lights out to begin the game, but Houston managed to get a six-point edge after the first period. "They both had it going, and it became one spectacular one-on-one show. They were the sole reasons for such a competitive game," said Josh Smith.

The second and third quarters consisted of nothing but bucket-trading on both sides, although Martin and Johnson would cool off a bit. Johnson had a game high 34 points on 15/27 shooting, but the support he needed for his team to secure the victory did not show up. Martin meanwhile had better support, getting a near triple-double of 32 points, eight assists and seven boards to go along with four steals. Things would get suspenseful in the fourth quarter.

There was a huge turnaround to start the fourth quarter as Atlanta rampaged for a 19-6 run led by none other than Johnson himself. Atlanta would acquire a seven-point lead with just a handful of minutes left in the game, a lead that appeared to be very difficult to erase given Atlanta's hot streak. What was more, as the Rockets began to mount a run of their own, Shane Battier suffered a lower back strain after converting on a jumpshot. He left the game with four minutes to go and had 10 points and six boards.

Martin, this week's Western Conference Player of the Week, got himself and his teammates involved to bring the Rockets within three, down 91-88. A three-point play by Yao Ming tied the game, but then a quick two by Johnson put the Hawks back up 93-91. Martin was able to hit a mid-range jumper to tie the game once again. "I preached defense. Defense was what was gonna make the difference down the stretch, but our defense collapsed in the last few minutes which allowed them room for catching up," Hawks head coach Larry Drew said.

After failing to convert on their possession, the Hawks double-teamed Martin on the low block. Terrence Williams, Battier's substitute, was found open on the left baseline. Martin seized the opportunity, and Williams knocked down an easy 13-foot jumpshot with 21 seconds left in the game to put the Rockets up 95-93.

"I dunno about you, but with Shane (Battier) down for a couple of games, I think we know who our temporary starter will be," Kevin Martin said, not being able to suppress a grin.

Atlanta fed the ball down low to Al Horford to try and tie the game, but his layup drive attempt was blocked by Luis Scola, and Houston escaped Atlanta with a hard-fought win.

Both teams were evenly matched in terms of shooting, with Houston just edging Atlanta 47-46 in field goal percentage. The Hawks won the battle of the boards 42-36.

Key Performers:
Rockets:
Kevin Martin - 32 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, 4 steals, 11/21 FG, 9/10 FT
Yao Ming - 13 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 4 blocks, 6/10 FG
Kyle Lowry - 12 points, 5 assists, 1 steal, 3/9 FG, 5/5 FT
Shane Battier - 10 points, 6 rebounds, 1 block, 4/5 FG
Luis Scola - 8 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, 3/7 FG

Hawks:
Joe Johnson - 34 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 15/27 FG
Al Horford - 11 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 3/12 FG, 5/8 FT
Josh Smith - 11 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals, 1 block, 4/9 FG
Jamal Crawford - 9 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, 4/11 FG

27 25 21 22 95
21 25 21 26 93

[karlsanada10]

Good thing Josh Smith is not there to pick it up and dunk it. Nice wins!

[shadowgrin]

Kill off Yao Ming or something for realism sake.

[rise]

T-Will!

[kibaxx7]

Lowry

[KidJustin]

Lowry

[karlsanada10]

How bitter.

[Cruzerr]

Like always, Johnson is impossible to stop. Good wins.

[kibaxx7]

Lowry

(against Phoenix)

[Murat]

John Wall

[Axel The Great]

Good thing Josh Smith is not there to pick it up and dunk it. Nice wins!

Timely block by Scola.

Kill off Yao Ming or something for realism sake.

No. I'm all for realism, but there comes a point when one wants to make their own story too much like real life. I'm fine the way it is right now.

T-Will!

Yep, and those were his only points of the game.

Like always, Johnson is impossible to stop. Good wins.

I had Battier on him all game, but JJ just had it going.

Lowry

(against Phoenix)

Lowry has been doing a great job with the starting role, much better than Brooks did last season. He's taking good shots, passing the ball really well, and his overall toughness makes him an upgrade from Brooks.

John Wall

Done. Just in the nick of time too.

It's Friday partyin'! , and one person (pudnheadwilson) did not show up to pick their teammate. I hereby promote shadowgrin to the 2012 NLSC Tournament, and quite possibly the 2012 draft class.

Will look to get another recap up this weekend.

[shadowgrin]

Kill off Yao Ming or something for realism sake.

No. I'm all for realism, but there comes a point when one wants to make their own story too much like real life. I'm fine the way it is right now.

Edit his stamina to the lowest value (25). You can still play him but his lack of stamina will be a welcome challenge in handling your rotation.


I pick the greatness that is Joel Anthony for my teammate. Him or Darko the Konqueror.

I can sense the fear from the rest of the NLSC losers.

[KidJustin]

Lowry

(against Phoenix)

Lowry has been doing a great job with the starting role, much better than Brooks did last season. He's taking good shots, passing the ball really well, and his overall toughness makes him an upgrade from Brooks.

u mean his overall thuggishness makes him an upgrade from Brooks?

[karlsanada10]

Let's get the party rollin':))

[Axel The Great]

Double-posting so this next chapter doesn't get stuck at the bottom.

[Axel The Great]

Chapter 23 - Semi Atrocity

For the second time in a span of a few days, the door to Rockets GM Daryl Morey burst open with an angry man at the door. That man was Axel Gomez.

"What did you send Halstead down to the D-League for?" Axel asked.

Morey laughed. He kicked back in his rolling chair, stood up, stretched and yawned before saying, "He wasn't contributing anything to the team. He wasn't showing up to games, did not participate in practice, and just overall gave the team a bad image with the things he does. Smoking, keeping a terrible diet, showing up to strip clubs instead of practice, and he once showed up to practice with a hangover. Is this really what you want on the team? You said you were sure that this was the right pick when we, or should I say, you, drafted him."

"I was positive. Every player who comes from a tough childhood is going to behave like a thug. Many people know that, but Halstead is different because he has talent in basketball, and he has always been the one to dominate in every team of basketball he's been on. From his high school team to pick up games to college teams, he's just not used to taking a backseat. If he could just accept that fact, he'd succeed in this league. I wanted to give him the chance of playing for a team that's just one good move away from a championship," Axel replied.

"And you thought that one good move was drafting him? I still don't know why Les hired you in the first place. Just look at what you've done. Everything you've done for the franchise has gone against my wishes. You extended Yao's contract to three more years, a very bad move. You resigned Chuck Hayes and overpaid him; gave him a salary that's well beyond just a backup that plays 12 minutes a game. I just don't know why I haven't fired you," Morey replied.

"It's because those moves have paid off so far. Yao is moving without any injuries, Hayes brings a tough mentality off the bench and it ignites a fire in our young players. Not to mention I gave the team an excellent defensive stopper in Thabo Sefolosha this offseason," Axel replied.

Apparently, bringing out the positives in Axel's moves infuriated Morey. "I don't give a shit! I call the shots around here! I'm the General Manager of this franchise! It is my duty to oversee what's good and what's bad! I was getting along just fine until your unwanted presence came along!" Morey yelled at the top of his lungs.

"Don't talk to me like that! You were the vagina that obliged with what I said!" Axel also yelled, staring down Morey.

Morey backed off, grabbed a stapler from his desk, and chucked it across the room at Axel. He ducked just in time, as the stapler hit the wall with a sudden thud and fell to the floor. Just as it hit the floor, Axel heard the door of the office close; Morey was no longer in the office.

Axel went over to sit at his desk, and pounded both fists on it in anger. So the truth had finally came out. Axel had known that Morey disliked him, but he didn't know he was capable of throwing a stapler at him.

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

Morey got inside his car and slammed the door much harder than he intended to. His anger was higher than it had been for months now. He had the temptation to go back inside Rockets headquarters and inform Axel that he was fired, for he was virtually getting there.

Axel thinks he runs the franchise, he thinks he knows what he's doing, and he thinks he can get away with being an arrogant prick. He keeps that up, in the trashcan the franchise will go, just like the Minnesota Timberwolves, Morey thought to himself. He made up his mind that he would fire Axel first thing next morning.

As he was driving, he was thinking of ways to undo the bad moves Axel had done. For one, the franchise was stuck with Yao for three years, and Chuck Hayes is being overpaid for three more years as well. Not only that, Morey had had no plans of resigning Shane Battier, due to his age and the sub-par season he had had previously. He really wanted to make room for either Terrence Williams or Chase Budinger to inherit the starting role at small forward, but it wouldn't happen for a while now, thanks to Axel.

His thoughts were to maybe offer Yao and acquire a decent center and additional draft picks. He thought to trade Chuck Hayes and quite possibly Aaron Brooks for a real sixth man, someone who could anchor the offense when Kevin Martin was taking a breather. And finally, he really wanted to trade Shane Battier; it wouldn't be as hard as it looks seeing as how he's recovered well from last year's nightmare of a season and is a special locker room presence. So many options, so many deals, where can he begin the cleanup?

Then, it happened. As a streetlight turned green, and he pushed the gas, he saw a semi-truck running at breakneck speed coming from his left. Morey wasn't sure to stop and let it pass in front of him, or hit the gas hard to avoid it, and as he did a mixture of the two, the semi smashed into him with a terrifying sound of crunching steel and breaking glass. Morey's car rose up a few feet, spinning around a few times, and coming to rest next to a park. The semi-truck kept on going as if nothing had happened.

Morey however, did not see whether or not his car had spun or where it had landed, all he knew that a semi had hit him, for he was knocked out...

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

The news of Morey's crash had hit everyone on the Rockets roster and at Rockets headquarters hard, but not as much as Axel. With Morey gone and in a coma, it was the responsibility of Axel to run the franchise, it was up to him to help give it a push for the championship. Wherever he went at headquarters, it was "Axel, do this please. Axel, do that." What was worse, Leslie Alexander didn't even give him a raise.

"You'll be fine, you know what you're doing," Adriana, the secretary assured him. "I think you've done great as an assistant, but I think this is the promotion you've dreamed of."

"Not necessarily. I'm still young, I will probably make dumb mistakes, and I don't know how to do some of the things Morey did; he didn't exactly teach me all of his tricks because of his dislike towards me," Axel replied.

Now that he was Rockets GM, Axel had received insulting trade offers from many teams, hoping to take advantage of him being a rookie and young. The Atlanta Hawks offered him Joe Johnson for Kevin Martin and Yao Ming, while the Orlando Magic offered him Hedo Turkoglu for Luis Scola and Kyle Lowry.

"Even David Kahn isn't that dim-witted enough to take on those hideous contracts, what a fucking insult," Axel told Adriana, who was with him in the office at the time. He emphatically rejected both offers, and many others that were just as insulting.

Adriana laughed as she left the office, leaving Axel by himself. He leaned back on his rolling chair, taking a sip of his Monster energy drink, before looking at Daryl Morey's empty and untouched desk. What had happened? What had smashed into him so hard his car look like an atrocious hunk of steel? He had never once thought about how it happened, but now that he did, he wanted to find out not just how it happened, but why. He knew that whoever hit him didn't want the world to know, because it was planned.

He wanted to investigate further, but he couldn't do it himself. He needed help, and he knew just who to call.

Within days, a friend of his, Jerome, whom was a former member of the New York Mafia, had shown up to Houston. They met at the airport, but Jerome was not alone. Next to him was a short, Asian man, no taller than 5'5" perhaps, with short, flat hair, a wide nose and a square jaw.

After Axel and Jerome exchanged greetings, Jerome said, "I've found a replacement for our deceased friend, Luigi. This is Dao Van, just as tough and witty as Luigi."

"Hi, nice to meet you," Dao said, holding out his hand. His voice had a heavy Vietnamese accent.

After Axel shook Dao's hand, he told Jerome of everything that had happened in their time away from each other. He told him about how things went after they took down David Stern, his arguments with Daryl Morey, and finally, about the crash.

"And you want me to investigate what happened?" Jerome asked. "Who do I look like, Sherlock Holmes? Why does it matter? If you and him weren't getting along, then I think it's best that he's out of action for a few months. You can live peacefully now."

"But you don't understand, this isn't something that was done on accident. The person who hit Morey was either drunk or actually planned it out. Considering it was a Wednesday night though, we can rule out the drunk part. I mean, who the hell gets drunk on a Wednesday night?" asked Axel.

"Hmm. You seem to have put in a bit of thought into this, Axel. How do I know it wasn't you who planned it? How do I know you didn't pay someone to do it? You weren't getting along, and I'm pretty sure you were after the main Rockets GM job, weren't you?" Jerome asked, stroking his chin and squinting at Axel.

"How can you suspect me? I was in the office at the time it happened, and additionally, I would never have done anything like that!" Axel said in a defensive tone.

"Just trying to think like a detective that's all," Jerome said, laughing.

"Can I have a say in this?" asked Dao. When both Jerome and Axel nodded, Dao said, "Well first, we need to find out what hit him. Was it a mini-van, or was it a eighteen-wheeler. Second, I think we should interrogate Morey, he might have been able to see the driver."

After a long pause, Axel asked, "What did he just say?"

Dao and Jerome burst out laughing. When they settled down, Jerome repeated what Dao had just explained.

"Morey's in no state to be reliving that moment right now, so the interrogation will have to wait. However, I think that, by looking at the pictures of his wrecked car, we can safely assume that it was indeed a semi that hit him. Only a semi would have been able to send him flying that far, and also leave heavy damage on his car," Axel said.

"Well said, man. Now, before we get to work, let me invite you guys to a few shots at the bar," Jerome said, pulling a stack of money out of his pocket. "It's gonna be a long and tough mystery to solve."

"Jerome, you haven't changed a bit," Axel said.

[rise]

I was trying to figure out what made this only a semi-atrocity- then it hit me.

[Axel The Great]

Well shit, it's been almost two weeks since the last update, almost three since the last recap. A lot of it has to do with my laziness; I've had time the past few days to play, but I throw it all away by doing other unnecessary things (like lurking on this forum ). Good thing is that I'm halfway done with the upcoming game recap. I won't be making promises, but next opportunity I get to play 2K11, I'm taking it.