::: A Legend Is Born ::: (NBA Live 06)

[Fresh8]

December Recap | Part Three

1 Jan AP - This is the third part of a special feature NBA monthly recap. These articles will be posted at the conclusion of every NBA month. Our third installment comes to you, informing you of the NBA’s League Leaders as of Dec 31.

League Leaders

Points Per Game



Kobe Bryant is the only player averaging over 30 ppg this season. At 34.4 ppg, he is averaging the most points since Jordan last averaged 37.1 in the 86-87 season. The Lakers are losing half and winning half and staying afloat in the tough Western Conference; all thanks to Kobe’s scoring prowess.

Other surprising scorers are Paul Pierce who has seemed to resurrect his career as he’s averaging 28 ppg which is definitely his best for a long time. KG is having a breakout scoring year as he averages 27.7 ppg. Kirk Hinrich and Carmelo Anthony are both doing exceptionally well too. Melo, in particular, is proving why he was picked so high up in the NBA draft. LeBron James is nowhere to be seen in the top 10 so far and that must be the biggest disappointment so far in this stat category.

Rebounds Per Game



Dwight Howard has exploded in his sophomore season as he leads all players in rebounds per game. The prep-to-pro forward has made the most of his time on the court to provide Orlando with a tough inside presence on the boards.

Tyson Chandler is also surprising coaches and players around the league as it seems that Eddy Curry’s departure from Chi-town has allowed him to clean the glass with ease for the bulls. Former Bull Curry is also doing well in New York as he ranks at number 7 in rebounding. The surprise player on the top 10 has to be Shawn Marion of the Phoenix Suns as the SF had to play a lot of PF in the absence of team mate Amare Stoudamire.

Assists Per Game



Brevin Knight is getting things done with the rock in Charlotte right now, leading the young team and acting as a mentor for rookie Raymond Felton. The veteran PG has been a fine example of how a point guard should play like as he handles the ball with precision in his choices and also playing as physically as he possibly can on defence.

The fight for the top spot on this Top 10 list is very tight though with the next five guys only within half an assist per game off of Knight. Steve Nash is having an ‘off’ season after last year’s mind-boggling final season stats. Kobe Bryant is having a career year not just in scoring but also in assists as he is nearly averaging 7 per game.

Steals Per Game



When everyone thought D Wade would dominate this season, he thought he would too. But it hasn’t been too easy for him as Shaq’s injury has clearly hindered the team’s performance including Wade’s. The young fellow is having a hard time getting his own shots and leading the team. Looks like he will need a bit more time to work on this but his stealing ability is still tops in the league!

Surprising performances come from KG and Emeka Okafor. These two bigs really must be helping the players at the forward position evolve or something… noone knew biog men would be so versatile!

Blocks Per Game



Sheed and Big Ben dominate on the interior but this season, Sheed is actually swatting more shots than his front court partner. This is probably because teams are more inclined to drive and take a gamble against Sheed than Big Ben.

KG is listed in another Top 10 list and this is the reason why he’s a perennial MVP candidate. No other player has the same all-around game as he does. Yao Ming is having a career year in the blocking department and Nets’ Nenard Krstic and Blazers’ Darius Miles are having quiet seasons down on the low block!

Minutes Per Game



NBA leading scorer Kobe Bryant is playing too much. Phil Jackson had better watch him and let him rest up by All-star break. Lakers’ fans have got to be worried whether Kobe will either burn out or get injured. Sixer’s Allen Iverson is right up there too and his minutes aren’t producing much down in Philly. Kirk Hinrich once again surprising most people as to how he’s playing as if the main guy in Chicago despite the Bulls calling themselves a ‘team.’

Coming Up Next: Players of the Month Recap

[Jing]

hm.. brevin knight leading in assists, i seriously didnt see that coming.
and with you playing, why shouldnt kobe lead the league in scoring

[Bosh4]

Nice Dember recap man keep it up

[The X]

nice recaps man

as for Ultimate Frisbee, in NFL I would be a tight end I'd say, so in UF I'm the guy that cuts & slants in end goal for the TD

[Fresh8]

December Recap | Part Four

1 Jan AP - This is the fourth part of a special feature NBA monthly recap. These articles will be posted at the conclusion of every NBA month. Our fourth installment brings you a review of the recipients of the league’s player of the month awards.

Players of the Month

PF Rasheed Wallace, DET



Rasheed took out Eastern Conference Player of the Month with his steady play on both sides of the ball. He helped contribute to the Pistons’ 5-0 tear through the middle of the month as he averaged 22 ppg, 9 rpg and 3 bpg. Along with Ben Wallace, Rasheed has helped cement the reputation that Detroit has the most imposing and intimidating last line of defence in the NBA. The Pistons went 6-2 for December.

Here is a recap of Rasheed’s highlights of the month:

- Recorded a career high 8 blocks in a 106-70 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. He also had 20 points and 8 rebounds
- Scored 29 points and added 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 blocked shots in a 99-68 blowout of the Utah Jazz
- Finished with 18, 10, 6 and 2 steals in a 97-95 win over the Boston Celtics
- 27 points, 18 rebounds and 4 blocks in 47 minutes of action in a 90-88 win over Seattle, including the game winning jumper with 7.1 seconds left

PF Elton Brand, LAC



The Clippers endured a 4-5 month, winning their only games of the year in December. However Elton Brand’s dominance made it just a little bit more bearable for the ‘other’ team in LA. Brand was solid on offence while playing his best defence in years en route to averages of 22 ppg, 13 rpg, 4 apg, 2 bpg and 1.5 spg for December.

Here is a recap of Elton’s highlights of the month:

- Scored 27 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists in a 109-97 win against the New York Knicks
- Matched his career high 44 points in a 122-103 thrashing of Seattle
- Despite an 8 point game, he compensated for that with 18 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 blocks and 2 steals in a 111-95 win against Memphis
- Beat his career high by one point, finishing on 45 points, 6 rebounds and 4 blocks in a 110-80 win over Minnesota. Also held Kevin Garnett in check, limiting him to 15 points on 5-18 shooting

Rookies of the Month

C/F Andrew Bogut, MIL



Despite the Bucks’ season’s continuing spiral down the drain, Andrew Bogut has continues to impress anybody and about everybody in the league. His great passing touch has helped him average 3 apg in December but the number should be much higher as his passing skills have helped earn fellow big men Joe Smith and Jamaal Magloire countless trips to the charity stripe.

Highlights of December for Bogut:

- The team’s only victory came against Western powerhouse Phoenix as Andrew scored a career high 19 points, including 9 in the decisive fourth quarter of a 96-84 win
- Missed a triple double after recording 11 points, 12 rebounds and a career high 8 assists against Atlanta in a 106-103 loss
- Career high 21 rebounds in a 107-95 loss to Detroit
- 15 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals in 108-79 loss to Memphis

G Martell Webster, POR



Webster helped improve Portland’s record by sparking a 3-2 run over the course of December. The young player who was called back up from the D-League has jumped right into the Blazers’ system and has transformed the young team into a black horse to contend for a playoff spot in the ever-challenging Western Conference. The youngster has surprised many by averaging 23 ppg and 5 apg.

Highlights of December for Webster:

- Scored 25 points, including 5 three pointers in a 100-89 win against Milwaukee
- 19 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists in 88-86 win against the Clippers
- Recorded career highs in points (33), rebounds (8), steals (4) and minutes (43) in a 104-82 win against Utah

Coming Up Next: MVP Summary

[Mark.]

Nice stuff dude, very informative, I love the layout

[Laxation]

I've never liked VC or JKidd or RJ much... and I didn't care that they all ended up in jersey together but for some reason, this trio really fascinates me... i look at them and wish they could make the ECF this season... I dunno why. Well, the Sit as GM thing is... on hold haha... how do u know he didnt murder?

Im hoping he didnt murder anyone because its a real anti-climax... losing his GM job and ending the story before anything even happens

[H Rock]

You have very good "on-court" recaps, plus you have good stuff about your "off-court" issues. Along with The X's, this is my favorite dynasty of the year.

[pHLo]

damn Andrew..... this is not wrestling man !

[Sac-1]

Loving how you do your recaps! Kobe has been scoring like in real life but where is Lebron? The assists look good espically with Bibby in there.

[Keo]

Hey Sit, sorry it's been a while! I'm really liking the recaps, good job.

[KIG1]

damn Martell Webster is beastin it up

[Fresh8]

hm.. brevin knight leading in assists, i seriously didnt see that coming.
and with you playing, why shouldnt kobe lead the league in scoring

- Brevin is a champ! He's a great vet PG! And yes, Kobe just pwns all! We all know that!

Nice Dember recap man keep it up

- Ur dynasty is good too man, keep it up too!

nice recaps man

as for Ultimate Frisbee, in NFL I would be a tight end I'd say, so in UF I'm the guy that cuts & slants in end goal for the TD

- Hope you like them... I stole the style from you a bit... tell me if I'm infringing on your copyright rules! Also... maybe I could be a running back...

Nice stuff dude, very informative, I love the layout

- Thanks dude... wat happened to ur pistons?

Im hoping he didnt murder anyone because its a real anti-climax... losing his GM job and ending the story before anything even happens

- Wat an anticlimax it has been! Lets see wat happens then!

You have very good "on-court" recaps, plus you have good stuff about your "off-court" issues. Along with The X's, this is my favorite dynasty of the year.

- Thanks a lot man... The X.. that's elite company! Thanks for the props! I hope I can make this more enjoyable in the future! Any tips on how to?

damn Andrew..... this is not wrestling man !

- I bet he's showing his rugby side of him... or maybe AFL side... or even his gay side!

Nash: "Dont rape me Andrew..."

Loving how you do your recaps! Kobe has been scoring like in real life but where is Lebron? The assists look good espically with Bibby in there.

- LeBron sucks penis! I love it that he's done nothing! And Kobe.. . wow, first time he's lead the League in my game when I'm not playing and 34.4 is quite fucking close to his real life 35.1... good stuff by the Sim engine! And Bibby ... Kobe - Well, you know I'm a bit bias!

Hey Sit, sorry it's been a while! I'm really liking the recaps, good job.

- Thanks Sensation! Hope you caught my shoutout for u on the previous page! Looking forward to a mention in ur 3000 milestone thread!

damn Martell Webster is beastin it up

- One word... FREAK!

[kibaxx7]

A-W-E-S-O-M-E job Sit!

[Fresh8]

Thanks Henry! We should celebrate Arsenal beating Real!

Onto the Cup Final! haha

[Jing]

lol arsenal.
nice recap, bogut is really getting physical with nash

[H Rock]

- Thanks a lot man... The X.. that's elite company! Thanks for the props! I hope I can make this more enjoyable in the future! Any tips on how to?

Ask the man himself- The X. He should know, he has a great dynasty.

I'll forget you said that Negative One....I'm sensing negative overtones in your

You're known as quite the drinker.

[Mark.]

Dont worry dude, Pistons is coming, just been busy lately

[The_Flying_Tomato]

who are the MVPs? Right now Amare in my magic dynasty is leading the league in PPG, RPG, and BPG, and yet he's not in the top 5 for MVP? we're 8-0 with teh best record. how the hell do they figure that?

[Fresh8]

Dont worry dude, Pistons is coming, just been busy lately

- Hope it comes out soon.

who are the MVPs? Right now Amare in my magic dynasty is leading the league in PPG, RPG, and BPG, and yet he's not in the top 5 for MVP? we're 8-0 with teh best record. how the hell do they figure that?

- Yeh man... the system is flawed unless u got real outrageous stats! My Kobe who was got 35 ppg i think.. didnt make the list either. It's all stuffed up man! As for the MVP's... ur wish is my command!

[Fresh8]

December Recap | Part Five

1 Jan AP - This is the fifth of a special feature NBA monthly recap. These articles will be posted at the conclusion of every NBA month. Our final installment brings you special analysis of EA Sport’s Official MVP Candidates.

MVP Candidates



Paul Pierce – The Celtics SG is having his best individual playing season as he registers career highs in stats per game for points, rebounds, steals, blocks and ties his career high in assists. Some may think he’s undeserving due to Boston’s position in the standings but from a basketball fan’s point of view, he is exciting and is the closest thing to ‘a player people watch not called Kobe Bryant.’

Kobe Bryant – The Lakers’ star has just played phenomenally to begin the new season. He’s averaging Jordan-esque numbers in 35 ppg, 5 rpg, 7 apg and 2 spg. The Lakers are .500 and looking like a number seven or eight seed for the playoffs. And every team sends double and triple teams on him now. The only knock against him is that LA doesn’t win a few more. However, we do acknowledge that must be hard considering the players he ahs around him.

Ray Allen – Must be the year of the SG? Allen is averaging 25 ppg, 6 rpg and 6 apg. Definitely eliminating any doubts that he is too ‘one-dimensional’ of a player. As Rashard Lewis puts it best, “Ray ain’t only a shooter, he can beat you in many other ways you didn’t even think was possible.” Although his Sonics aren’t doing too well at 6-9, his stats are also too good to overlook.

Kevin Garnett – On the topic of stats, KG is all that is versatile. The monster PF is just unstoppable, even if his Wolves aren’t. And the big man must be on the verge of breaking down as his best years are going to waste with a very thin supporting cast. Kevin McHale had better find out why he can’t win with a 28 ppg, 12 rpg, 5 apg, 2 bpg and 2spg player on his team.

Chauncey Billups – Billups is always overlooked when MVP consideration is on top. We refuse to do so this year as the pistons are en route to taking out another league bets record. Despite the Pistons who get the Wallaces’ stifling defense and Rip’s jump shooting expertise and Tayshaun Price’s ‘standing there to look pretty,’ it has been Billup’s leadership and ability to keep his head cool in games that has made them a force to be reckoned with. We salute him for that.

Steve Kerr’s MVP Candidates

5. – Tim Duncan is the reason why the Spurs are 10-3 this season. He always finds a way to contribute to his team. This season, it’s a solid 21 ppg, 12 rpg, 4 apg, 2 bpg and 2 spg.

4. – The Rockets are beating the Spurs for a reason. Maybe it’s Yao Ming who averages 20 ppg, 9 rpg and 5 apg? No, it isn’t. It’s actually 21 ppg, 8 rpg, 6 apg, 2.7spg. One word. T-Mac.

3. – Again, Chi-town looks like a really good playoff team. Tyson Chandler is doing just fine after Eddy Curry got shipped out of town and Chris Duhon has been a pleasant surprise for this team. However, the most underrated player in the NBA resides on this squad. Kirk Hinrich is the reason why and how the Bulls are 9-4 as he averages 27 ppg, 7 apg and 2.3 spg.

2. – Kobe Bryant scores and scores and scores. He scores in bunches, he scores his points throughout entire games, he scores 35 a game and he scores when it matters. LA can always be confident that when that last shot is needed, Kobe will most likely make it. A definitely legit MVP contender although the win-loss record puts him at a disadvantage.

1. – Don’t worry about LeBron’s 20, 8 and 6. Don’t worry about Bosh’s 21 and 12. Don’t worry about Dwayne Wade; wherever he has disappeared to. (Same goes for Darko who never made it to America) Carmelo Anthony is for real and so are 8-1 Denver. The third year player is putting up an amazing 25 ppg, 10 rpg, 4 apg and roughly a steal per game. He’s also shooting at .500 and .400 from the field and three point line respectively. How’s that for silencing your critics?

Coming Next Month: January Recap

[Sac-1]

Nice job on the MVP candidates recap. I like the Steve Kerr thing! Wow, Ray Allen and Billups are surprises but their stats are off the charts so why shouldn't they be MVP candidates? But very disappionting to see that Carmelo isn't in there with those kind of stats.

[pHLo]

yeah nice effort on searching for your own MVP candidates

[Jugs]

Nice in-depth MVP report

[Fresh8]

Coming Up on A Legend Is Born...

There's something about Sit that nobody knows... Not even Albino knows the truth.

What's his secret?