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

[kibaxx7]

All those tiebreakers would be interesting

[Justine.]

Don't care about the loss, I do have care in winning the last game

[Bucket]

4-2 Nice. I always liked Chauncey.
5-20 by Rockets is very good record. I hope you will make 2nd round

[hova-]

Good to see some revenge on the Suns. K-Mart played well in all three games, but the Cs outplayed you with their depth. Still, your teams looking good.

[Axel The Great]

Another win!!!That's really nice!!

Yep. And your next opponent is Lamrock, as you two will battle to see who remains the cellar dwellar.

Tiebreaker hell will break loose Right Thierry?

Nice passing by me, but nice finishing by Josh

You and J-Smoove make a good athletically defensive combo.

All those tiebreakers would be interesting

They would, but it'd probably have to come down to me making a tough decision after looking at all of the results from other rounds.

Don't care about the loss, I do have care in winning the last game

The most important game of the tournament for you and Mike.

4-2 Nice. I always liked Chauncey.
5-20 by Rockets is very good record. I hope you will make 2nd round

I'm assuming the 5-20 is a typo. But yeah, we're on the right path to maybe even get past the second round.
And as much credit as Chauncey deserves, it's been all you. With the shot-blocking and rebounding and dunks, it's unbelievable how you're not undefeated.

Good to see some revenge on the Suns. K-Mart played well in all three games, but the Cs outplayed you with their depth. Still, your teams looking good.

Yeah, we shut down the Suns, revenge from last game. And yeah, I noticed K-Mart posting all-around stats this week, hopefully that'll keep up for the rest of the season and in the playoffs.

To add some flavor to this, I'll be making a 'made-up' NCAA Tournament (I don't have any NCAA Basketball game to play) just for fun. I'm hoping you guys will like it.

[rise]

So you don't have to win by 2 in the tournament? DAMN IT IGGY!!!

[Houndy]

So you don't have to win by 2 in the tournament? DAMN IT IGGY!!!

I think that's a typo, because Martin's + your scores equals 22

[rise]

You mean Iggy and Thierry's scores equal 22? Yeah, I see what you mean.

[Houndy]

Yeah you and Iggy

[rise]

I'm not Thierry. Me and Iggy aren't on the same team.

[Houndy]

I feel like an idiot..... You and K-Mart got 20 and Iggy and Thierry got 22

[rise]

[shadowgrin]

I wish this NLSC Tournament would be over as soon as possible. Why bother with a bunch of D-Leaguers?

[George7]

Well lets get ready for another victory then! Let's hope we're going to deliver and why not taking another spot because of the tie breakers if possible!

[Stress Fracture]

Gah, I haven't visited in here for a long time. Good thing that you're still rolling.

[Axel The Great]

z02, Houndy, when the game is tied at 20, I think one team has to make two consecutive baskets in order to really define the winner, hence why Thierry and Iguodala's points add up to 22.

shadowgrin, lol, one more round. Do you think you'd be able to go 7-0 if you were in the tournament?

George7, it's not really possible anymore for you and Boozer to win best record in the tournament; you're two games behind Justine. and Valdis with just one more game left to play. Two wins is satisfying enough imo with the way you started the tournament.

Stress Fracture, thanks man. Nice to see you back on here, too. Just 12 more games left until the playoffs!

NCAA March Madness preview is next.

[George7]

I know that it's impossible to get first, but I won't mind taking a spot or two. Anything than last place will be ok...

[Axel The Great]

Note to the Reader: Brad Halstead is NOT an NLSC Draftee, just a Live-generated player from my HOF Rockets Dynasty.






With Selection Sunday out of the way, here's a preview of the 2011 edition of the NCAA Basketball Tournament, featuring the first seeds, and the NLSC Draftees involved:

The First Seeds

Duke: First seed in the East region. All season, Duke has had a great point guard running its offense. Kyrie Irving has had an excellent freshmen season so far, leading Duke to the number one seed and a record of 32-5. Irving missed 10 games due to injury during the regular season, but backup point guard Nolan Smith was able to step up as Duke went 8-2 during Irving's absence. Still contributing is senior forward Kyle Singler who is looking to follow up on his great performance last season in which he won Most Outstanding Player and in which Duke won the NCAA Championship. Coming off a two-point win against North Carolina for the ACC Conference championship, Duke will look to re-peat and earn Coach K his fifth NCAA Championship.


Kansas: First seed in the Southeast region. The Morris brothers, Marcus and Markieff, have led Kansas to the number one seed, with Marcus Morris being named the Big 12 Conference Player of the Year. Their stellar play led Kansas to a 34-4 record. After a disappointing second round exit last season, the Jayhawks hope to go deeper in the tournament. If the Morris brothers continue to produce at the level they've been playing, a Final Four appearance is certainly plausible after edging out the University of Texas for the Big 12 Conference championship.


Kentucky: First seed in the Southwest region. The Kentucky Wildcats find themselves first-seeded for the second consecutive season, led by the high-powered offense of Brandon Knight and Justine Jones. Both players averaged over 15 points in the regular season, and their 1-2 punch led the Wildcats to a 33-5 record. After making an Elite Eight appearance last season with the group of future NBA stars John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins, Kentucky will look to make an even bigger push this tournament to get themselves to the Final Four.


Michigan State: First seed in the West region. After a Final Four appearance last season, the Spartans are now riding frenchman Thierry Tirieux's shoulders. Tirieux, an import from France who won MVP there for two consecutive seasons, led Michigan State to a stellar 29-5 record. He averaged 23 points and 8 assists in the regular season, and also led his Spartans to the Big Ten Conference championship, overpowering Ohio State in a close 72-68 battle. With a conference title under his belt, Tirieux now wants to lead his team to an NCAA title.

NLSCers

Liam Washburn: Washburn, senior point guard, has led his Washington Huskies to a 22-13 record, leading the Pacific 10 conference in assists at 8.6 apg. His team goes into the NCAA Tournament as an eighth seed in the West region, facing the ninth seeded Memphis Tigers.


Zee Otoo: Otoo has led the University of South Carolina to a 12 seed in the East region and an 18-12 record in the regular season. He led the nation in three-point shots made at 135 overall, while shooting an efficient 43%. He averaged 15 points and 7 rebounds in the regular season. He will look to lead USC towards an upset over the dangerous fifth seeded Arizona Wildcats, whom are led by breakout star Derrick Williams' versatility and also sharp three-point shooting. It will be a tough one for USC.


Willie Lewis: Also in his final year at Louisiana State University, Lewis's gritty defense and toughness has led the Tigers to a 24-8 record, averaging 18 points, 7 assists and 4 rebounds in the regular season. LSU goes into the tournament with confidence having upset the Kentucky Wildcats for the SEC Conference title, and as a sixth seed in the West region, facing the eleventh-seeded Texas A&M.


Xavier Nelson: The star freshman has led the Clemson Tigers to a 23-11 record in the ACC, and a Southeast 10 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Nelson averaged 19 points and 8 assists in the regular season, impressing NBA scouts with his highlight passing plays and mid-range game. Clemson will face the seventh seeded West Virginia Mountaineers in the first round.


Valdis Iesalnieks: Iesalnieks led the Pac-10 conference in rebounding, averaging a double-double of 10 points and 10 boards. UCLA goes into the tournament as the fourth seed in the East region, having notched a record of 25-9 in the regular season. Leading the way for the Bruins are Tyler Honeycutt and Malcolm Lee, and are looking to lead their team in the first round against the 13 seed Indiana State.


Brad Halstead: The sophomore forward has led Fresno State to a stellar record of 25-6 in the WAC, becoming a well-known defensive presence all around. Halstead averaged 13 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block in the regular season. He led the Bulldogs to the WAC conference title, and was the WAC Player of the Year. With all the attention on his defense, Halstead will look to lead Fresno State (14 seed) to an upset over the third-seeded Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

[Martti.]

The fuck? Duncan looks like 5'5 on this.

[rise]

Derrick Williams is going DOWN along with everyone else who meets "the other USC" along the way.

[kibaxx7]

GO SPARTANSSSSSSSSS!!!!!1!!!!11!!!!!!!

[|)e8*]

I think this Xavier Nelson kid will lead his team to victory

[Bucket]

Nice, Let's go BRUINS!!!

[Houndy]

Tigers gonna go all the way

[Axel The Great]

[50-20] Houston Rockets 104-91 Utah Jazz [42-27]


Devin Harris appears to fit well with the Utah offense, amounting 14 assists this game. | The role players are getting more burn as the season comes to a close.

Nothing was going right for Utah in the first half. They shot 36% from the field in the first half, and only scoring 37 first half points. Meanwhile, the Rockets were having their way, as they poured in 55 first half points, with Kevin Martin's game high 26 points leading the way. "They didn't show up in the first half, but when you're coached by someone like Jerry Sloan, a game like that isn't over yet," Martin said.

And right he was, as Utah rallied their way back into the game scoring 54 second half points and shot 58% from the field. Leading the way for Utah was Paul Millsap with a team high 25 points on a stunningly efficient 12/14 shooting. Unfortunately for the Jazz, the Rockets held their own to withstand rally after rally put together in the second half. "I told them straight up that they were playing high school teenage girl offense," Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan said, "It obviously got the message to them as the offense was a lot more fluid in the second half. The effort on defense just wasn't there, and that's why we lost."

The Rockets sweep the season series against Utah 3-0, as their potent offense was just too much for them this season.

Player of the Game-

Kevin Martin
26 points | 4 rebounds | 3 assists | 2 steals | 10/20 FG

Key Performers:
Rockets:
Aaron Brooks - 18 points, 3 assists, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 4/8 FG, 8/8 FT
Luis Scola - 13 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 6/13 FG
Yao Ming - 11 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 5/7 FG
Terrence Williams - 8 points, 5 rebounds, 4/6 FG

Jazz:
Paul Millsap - 25 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 12/14 FG
Raja Bell - 24 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 11/18 FG
Devin Harris - 18 points, 14 assists, 1 rebound, 7/20 FG
Andrei Kirilenko - 6 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals, 2 blocks, 3/6 FG

30 25 24 25 104
17 20 27 27 91

[51-20] Houston Rockets 113-88 Golden State Warriors [26-45]



This was a ball game in the first half. The Rockets began by playing gritty defense on Golden State holding them to 3/18 shooting in the first nine minutes. Then Monta Ellis began to develop a rhythm to cut down Houston's lead to two at the end of the first quarter. The Warriors acquired their first lead of the game a few minutes into the second quarter, but then here came the Rockets. They went on a 12-0 run to seemingly take control of the game, but Monta Ellis kept coming and coming to wind the lead down to seven at halftime.

Golden State, second best rebounding team in the league, was missing David Lee tonight, and as a result, were dominated 50-39 on the boards. In the second half, it was just a terrible shooting night for the Warriors all around. They shot 40% from the field, 21% (3/14) from beyond the arc, and 65% (13/20) from the free throw line. Houston's bench took control in the second half, as they torched the Warriors for 42 bench points, to cap off what was a relatively easy week for the Rockets.

Boston and Houston have been joined by Miami, Chicago, and Oklahoma City in the post season, as Miami clinched a spot earlier this week, while the latter two teams clinched a spot towards the end of the week. 10 games left in the regular season for the Rockets, but they are to keep going full force if they want to maintain that four-game lead on Oklahoma City for the first seed.

Player of the Game-

Kevin Martin
27 points | 4 rebounds | 2 assists | 1 steal | 10/21 FG | 6/7 FT

Key Performers:
Rockets:
Luis Scola - 14 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 5/11 FG
Aaron Brooks - 13 points, 4 assists, 1 steal, 3/8 FG
Kyle Lowry - 11 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, 3/7 FG
Yao Ming - 10 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 3 blocks, 5/6 FG

Warriors:
Monta Ellis - 30 points, 3 assists, 1 rebound, 2 steals, 12/31 FG, 6/11 FT
Stephen Curry - 25 points, 5 assists, 2 rebounds, 4 steals, 11/26 FG
Dorrell Wright - 9 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 4/11 FG

22 29 33 29 113
20 24 21 23 88