[46-36]History in the Making ※ Playoffs Preview!

[hova-]

Seventh pick is still good. Let's hope you can add some top talent to your roster.

[Martti.]

You need a good PG. Kemba Walker? Brandon Knight?

[George7]

Not that bad getting the seventh pick. I'll go with Marrti and suggest you take one of those two PGs. Maybe Kemba would be the best choice.

[Cruzerr]

Agree with the upper comments. Personally? Kemba.

[Valor]

Seventh pick is still good. Let's hope you can add some top talent to your roster.

Definitely pretty good, I'll see what I can do with it

You need a good PG. Kemba Walker? Brandon Knight?

They are definitely on my list, if they haven't been nabbed already

Not that bad getting the seventh pick. I'll go with Marrti and suggest you take one of those two PGs. Maybe Kemba would be the best choice.

Personally Kemba Walker is my preference out of Knight/Walker

Agree with the upper comments. Personally? Kemba.

Great minds think alike!

Thanks for the replies guys, sorry haven't been around to update. Had back to back shifts at my new job so I'm dead tired and haven't had time to do anything..maybe later on this week during my off-days

[Valor]

2011 Mock Draft
Posted May 18 2011 7:08AM

[µTorrent]

JIMMER FREDETTE! WOOO! Bring home the crown next season buddy!
Kemba Walker to play for Phoenix?

[Valor]

2011 Draft Cheat Sheet: New Zealand Panthers

2010/11 Finish: 30-52
2011 Draft Picks: 7th, 35th

Pre-Draft 2010/11 Projected Starters
PG. Smush Parker
SG. Marcus Thornton
SF. Shane Battier
PF. Yi Jianlian
C. Darko Milicic

Key Reserves
Kirk Penney
Peja Stojakovic (FA)
Eddy Curry (FA)
Anthony Carter (Retired)

What The Panthers Do Well

Led by Yi Jianlian and Darko Milicic, the Panthers front-court has sufficient young high-end talent to establish a solid post-presence. Assuming both players are able to maintain and sustain the results from their break-out season, this is probably the last area that needs to be addressed by New Zealand.

Another area that the Panthers excel in is on the perimeter where they were 8th in the league in three point percentages, connecting on .356 of their triples as a team for the season. They are led by hometown favorite sharpshooter Kirk Penney, whom the team wisely picked up his two year option; as well as free agent Peja Stojakovic. The Panthers will need to decide whether or not to resign Peja as he is getting up in age and Penney has established himself as a quality shooter off the bench.

What The Panthers Need

Strictly speaking, as a 30-52 expansion franchise, the Panthers need a lot of things. The glaring weakness in the backcourt is obviously one major concern, as Patrick Mills started for most of the season and was traded away before the deadline due to ineffectiveness at being the starting point. None of the Panthers averaged more than 2.0 assists per game aside from the now-retired Anthony Carter (2.3) and the Panthers really do not have a guy who can create a shot for himself or others at will. Marcus Thornton perhaps can become one, but only time will tell.

In addition, New Zealand's defense is still a miserable piece of work. Despite having defensive specialist Shane Battier on the roster doing a good job at locking down opposing perimeter star players and Darko Milicic showing signs of being a good shot blocker, the Panthers defense is mediocre at best. They ranked 25th in points allowed per game last season (99.6) and rarely won games with defense. It got better when Smush Parker was promoted to the starting poitn guard role after the departure of Mills, but it's still a sight for sore eyes.

Best Fit for New Zealand
Brandon Knight/Kemba Walker

[Valor]

JIMMER FREDETTE! WOOO! Bring home the crown next season buddy!
Kemba Walker to play for Phoenix?

Don't get too excited now, that was the mock draft and I highly doubt I can get the trophy in the second season of the franchise's existence. Lets make the playoffs first

[Valor]

Panthers Exercise Option On Kirk Penney



The New Zealand Panthers announced today the team has exercised it's team option for the 2012-13 season for guard Kirk Penney.

In his first season with his hometown expansion franchise, Penney (6-5, 220) has appeared in all 82 games coming off the bench for
New Zealand, and averaged 11.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.1 apg in 20.5 mpg; He has shot .417 from the field, .872 from the free throw line and
a team leading .427 from beyond the arc.

In related news, a number of other team/player options have been exercised or declined in recent days. Below are a list of the
notable options that were exercised/declined.

Team Options
- Vince Carter (Phoenix) Declined $18.00M
- Chauncey Billups (New York) Declined $14.20M
- Andre Miller (Portland) Declined $7.81M
- Courtney Lee (Houston) Accepted $2.22M
- Goran Dragic (Houston) Accepted 2.11M
- CJ Miles (Utah) Accepted $3.70M
- Chase Budinger (Houston) Accepted $884K
- Al Thornton (Washington) Accepted $3.91M
- Kirk Penney (New Zealand) Accepted $663K

Player Options
- Nene (Denver) Accepted $11.60M
- Leandro Barbosa (Toronto) Declined $7.60M
- Matt Barnes (LA Lakers) Accepted $1.90M
- Ronny Turiaf (New York) Accepted $4.36M
- Shannon Brown (LA Lakers) Declined $2.40M
- Mickael Pietrus (Phoenix) Declined $5.30M
- Eddie House (Miami) Declined $1.40M

[Valor]

Chapter 4

"So you are not going to come back?" Panthers Owner and General Manager Leo Lai was conducting the last of the team's end of season interviews.
"No, I'm going to test free agency" said Reggie Evans "I'm done here, don't even bother giving me an offer."
"Is it because Darko won't let you grab his balls?" Lai mused with a laugh and extended his hand "Well, good luck finding a team on the market"
"Piss off" retorted Evans as he stood up to leave the room, ignoring Lai completely.

Lai grinned a bit before sitting back down and exhaled, it had been a long day conducting interviews. He has already gotten verbal confirmation of his free agents' intentions - Yi, Parker, and Scalabrine are planning to resign, along with Kirk Penney's team option being picked up while Peja Stojakovic, Eddy Curry and Reggie Evans are going to test the Free Agency waters.

"Get me a cup of coffee" Lai pressed the intercom button and made the request to his secretary, Michelle
"Eh, sir?" Michelle sounded hesitant "You have a visitor"
"Visitor?" Lai was puzzled, he was sure Evans was the last guy on his schedule today "Who is it"
"It's Mr Cameron sir," Michelle replied "He's demanding to see you, shall I let him in?"
"Tell him I'll see him sometime later this week" Lai was annoyed "I'm busy right now"
"Sir...he says he's not leaving unless he sees you"
"Ahh shit, alright. Let him in" Lai let out a sigh "Just get me that coffee later"
"um...."
"What now?"
"We've ran out of coffee"
"....."
"Sorry Sir, I'll go order some more now"
"Fuck it"
"I'm sorry sir!" Michelle was still apologizing
"Stop saying sorry and tell Pero to get his ass in here!" Lai was getting boiled up

"So, what do you want?" Lai asked as Cameron comes into the room
"My contract" Cameron replied
"What about it?" Lai asked yet again
"I want to come back next season" Cameron stated "Lets get an extension hammered out"
"Look Pero, you did a great job with the roster" Lai began "but we're going to have to get someone who is more qualified for the job if we want to become winners"
"You saying I am not good enough for it?" Cameron was furious
"Yes, that is exactly what I'm saying" Lai retorted and stared straight into the eyes of his former coach "You can stay around as a scout or even an assistant coach, but there is no way you're coming back as the head man"
"Forget it, I don't take no demotions" Cameron yelled as he slammed the table and stood up "You will regret this!"
Cameron then proceeded to walk out of the room, slamming the door on the way.

"Well, that went well" Lai rolled his eyes and packed up his things, it was time to call it a day.

✧✧✧✧✧

Kyrie Irving runs up the floor with the ball and passed it off to Derrick Williams, who slams in the easy dunk and flexes ala Ron Artest style as he runs back down the floor. However, Harrison Barnes already drilled a three within 5 seconds of the shot clock.
It was the 2011 NBA draft combine and the prospects are having a scrimmage; however, the squads are all lackluster as they more or less know where they were going to be drafted and who was going to draft them. The money was coming in, so why bother?

That is the mentality for these top prospects, and is why consensus top picks Kyrie Irving and Derrick Williams arrived at the combine with a body fat of over 10, and also why there is almost no defense or effort being shown during the scrimmages.

Lai watched all this quietly on the sidelines, disgusted at the lack of effort.

“Weak draft with a lack of effort, sucks to be you lottery teams” a voice suddenly appeared from behind him, Lai turned around. It was the GM of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Sam Presti.
“Yeah well, not like I had a choice of being a non-lottery team” Lai retorted “I don’t exactly have Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook on my roster, do I”
Presti gave a laugh “Hold your horses, I was merely joking with you”
“Look, I think you’ve got potential at being a good executive here. Look at the young talent and cap space that you have despite being an expansion team!” Presti continued “However, you are still inexperienced and this will be your first draft. I can teach you a thing or two in these areas I believe.”
Lai was intrigued “What’s in it for you?”
“Nothing in particular” replied Presti “It’s not fun when there’s no competition, is there?”
“So you are going to help raise a team that can beat yours?” Lai was amused
“Well, we’ll see about that” smiled Presti “Lets say we take some time to mull things over lunch”
“Alright, it won’t hurt to see what you’ve got to say” Lai replied “Barring in mind, I do have a deal that I want to discuss with you”
“You like someone on my roster?”
“Yes, I want to know what it’ll take to get him”
“One more topic to discuss then” Presti said as he waved the way “Shall we be off?”

✧✧✧✧✧

“With the first pick of the 2011 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers Select…” David Stern announces in a booming voice “Kyrie Irving of Duke University”
Lai watched this on his television screen in the Panthers draft room, he was waiting anxiously for the deal to strike through as the other GMs involved ponder the deal until the last possible hour. The wait goes on and on; it wasn’t until Lai had watched Derrick Williams, Alec Burks, and Harrison Barnes go to the Raptors, Timberwolves, and the Bobcats respectively did his phone ring.

“Hello? Leo Lai here”
“Leo? We got ourselves a deal” it was Presti, “The other teams have agreed to the terms, I’m connecting them to the conference call now”
“Pleasure working with you guys” Gar Forman of the Chicago Bulls said
“Same here” a voice that Lai quickly identified as Joe Dumars of the Pistons chimed in

“Well gentlemen, thanks for your time.” Lai replied “Good Luck with the rest of the evening.”

Upon hanging up, Lai couldn’t help but feel thrilled at the deal he just struck. For his 7th and 35th picks, he had acquired three very good rotation players and the 20th pick in the draft.

The Pistons would use the 7th pick from the Panthers to draft point guard Kemba Walker, and the Thunder obtained power forward Trey Thompkins with the 11th selection from the Pistons. Time flashed by and within moments the Panthers were on the clock.

Lai couldn’t believe his luck “This guy is still on the board at 20th?”
It was not in his original plan, but there is no way he can pass up on this kind of a steal. He pondered for a quick minute before making the call.

There will have to be another deal brokered tonight.

Meanwhile, at the Prudential Center in Newark; Commissioner David Stern headed towards the podium to announce the Panthers selection.

“With the 20th pick of the 2011 NBA Draft, the New Zealand Panthers Select….”

[Valor]

New Zealand Resigns Yi Jianlian


The New Zealand Panthers have successfully retained forward Yi Jianlian from entering Free Agency with a 5 year contract extension that is believed to be worth approximately $49.50 million.

Yi, 23, is coming off a career year with averages of 18.3 points (leads team), and 8.4 rebounds per game. The 7 foot power forward from China appeared in, and started all 82 games this season, leading the expansion franchise Panthers to a 30-52 record in their inaugural season.

Yi notched a career high 50 points back on the 9th of November to lead the Panthers to their first ever victory in franchise history; he then proceeded to average 26 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.3 steals, and 2.0 blocks in the final week of February to take home his first career Western Conference Player of the Week honors.

"Yi is a large part of why we were able to win as many games as we did last season" Owner and General Manager Leo Lai said "We are very happy and fortunate to have retained his services for the next five seasons"

In addition to Yi, the Panthers have also resigned guard Smush Parker to a 2 year, $1.64M contract with a team option attached to the third season; veteran forward Brian Scalabrine will also be staying, signing a 1 year deal for the league minimum $480K.

[hova-]

I don't like Yi's contract, but that's just because he's ... Yi. Dunno, you may want to give him a true character so that his oncourt performance matches with his swagger.

About the deal, can't say anything about it, but rotation players sounds good.

[Mavs4Life]

I see you trading Yi in the future, you gave him a big contract though, & he's gonna have to step up porve he deserved it, which he was great last season, but he's gonna have to stay consistent. Nice job keeping Penney, he gives strength offf the bench.

[George7]

Well have to agree with hov on the extension, too much money...

As for the deal, it seems intriguing. Rotation players should be good for the team. A guess: one of the veterans from Chicago and maybe a player like Maynor or Cook from the thunder. From the pistons, you could take Daye or Bynum( he's a point guard that you need)

[Larvae]

You actually resigned your Franchise Player!

[Valor]

I don't like Yi's contract, but that's just because he's ... Yi. Dunno, you may want to give him a true character so that his oncourt performance matches with his swagger.)

Good idea, I've been trying to decide on what to mold him as We'll see if I can think of a good character type to fit him as

I see you trading Yi in the future, you gave him a big contract though, & he's gonna have to step up porve he deserved it, which he was great last season, but he's gonna have to stay consistent. Nice job keeping Penney, he gives strength offf the bench.

Well, it's not an 8-figure contract until the final 2 seasons so that's still plenty of time for him to improve. As for Penney, he might or might not see as much court time this season, depending on what kind of roster changes I make; that being said, it's always good to have a sharpshooter of his caliber on the squad

Well have to agree with hov on the extension, too much money...

As for the deal, it seems intriguing. Rotation players should be good for the team. A guess: one of the veterans from Chicago and maybe a player like Maynor or Cook from the thunder. From the pistons, you could take Daye or Bynum( he's a point guard that you need)

Cheers George, it might seem like it's a lot of money but I believe it's worth it. Plus, I have so much cap space and not much good free agents so why not retain my leading scorer? The deal and other things are coming in Chapter 5, stay tuned!!

You actually resigned your Franchise Player!

Hell yes, resigning B-Scal has always been on top of my priority list!

[Larvae]

Valor, White Mamba

[Valor]

Valor, White Mamba

Yup, White Mamba domination

[Martti.]

Over-payed.

[kibaxx7]

You know I don't like Yi, but he has been great for you this year

[Valor]

Over-payed.

You know I don't like Yi, but he has been great for you this year

Everybody hates Yi for some reason! Ah well as long as he's producing 18-8 for me I'm good with giving him 8, 9 mill a season

[Martti.]

I hated him ever since he came to the league. First his age thing, who knows, he might still be 27, then him not wanting to work out for the Bucks.

[Valor]

I hated him ever since he came to the league. First his age thing, who knows, he might still be 27, then him not wanting to work out for the Bucks.

Well both things are really the Chinese government's problem, not his so hate the communists, not the player

[Cruzerr]

I really dont have a lot against him, I hate that B-Scal aint leading your team