Denver Nuggets - The Next Level [Game 3 + 4]

[Bucket]

Dirk Nowitzki ? You have a good lineup.

[Axel The Great]

How do you find out your rookie's NBA comparison?

[cavs4872]

You get through the playoffs way too quickly man. The three-peat was not a big surprise by any means, but great job nonetheless. Very unrealistic trade with Dallas though. That's like the equivalent of trading George Hill and Brian Scalibrine for Kevin Garnett.

[dare]

Dirk? damn, the 4th consecutive is now a must get. Nice that you have Batum too give him some minutes

[Andrew]

Nice moves. I'd be tempted to play another season after putting that roster together, or at least the Playoffs to try for four in a row.

You get through the playoffs way too quickly man. The three-peat was not a big surprise by any means, but great job nonetheless. Very unrealistic trade with Dallas though. That's like the equivalent of trading George Hill and Brian Scalibrine for Kevin Garnett.

Consider that in this Dynasty, four years have passed and Dirk would be 36, so it's probably not quite as lopsided as it would be if we're thinking of it in today's terms.

[Martti.]

Even at 36, Dirk won't go for Bonner and Chalmers.

Don't really like it though, you have Ty. Although this will guarantee a 4th straight title. Nice FA pick-ups, although Mills looks funny as a gray-curly-haired white guy.

[Clutch]

'gratz on the 3-Peat - that's quiet an accomplishment

the Dirk addition is also huge... wouldn't say you're a definite lock (critical injuries at just the right time can cripple any team) but certainly the clear-cut favorite for #4... anyway GL

[kibaxx7]

All bets are on you to "four-peat" Great acquisition in Dirk.

[Andrew]

Even at 36, Dirk won't go for Bonner and Chalmers.

In real life, probably not. In the fictional reality of Dynasty Mode...who knows? And it's not as though superstars are traded for equal value, especially when they force a team's hand by demanding out. Scottie Pippen, Charles Barkley and Wilt Chamberlain are prime examples of superstar players and all-time greats who were traded for cents on the dollar.

[Kenny]

Dirk Nowitzki ? You have a good lineup.

Thanks, Dirk is a nice addition no matter what age he is

How do you find out your rookie's NBA comparison?

It comes up in the information when you draft them.

You get through the playoffs way too quickly man. The three-peat was not a big surprise by any means, but great job nonetheless. Very unrealistic trade with Dallas though. That's like the equivalent of trading George Hill and Brian Scalibrine for Kevin Garnett.

I agree, it's a lopsided trade in real life, but in the game age hasn't treated Dirk that well, which I think is crap because his skills aren't athletic based, so I think he actually has a larger window for his peak.

Nice moves. I'd be tempted to play another season after putting that roster together, or at least the Playoffs to try for four in a row.

You get through the playoffs way too quickly man. The three-peat was not a big surprise by any means, but great job nonetheless. Very unrealistic trade with Dallas though. That's like the equivalent of trading George Hill and Brian Scalibrine for Kevin Garnett.

Consider that in this Dynasty, four years have passed and Dirk would be 36, so it's probably not quite as lopsided as it would be if we're thinking of it in today's terms.

I tried playing around with my squad for a bit, but I decided it'd be best to simulate it still. Playing with Dirk isn't as fun as I thought it'd be since his decline.

Even at 36, Dirk won't go for Bonner and Chalmers.

Don't really like it though, you have Ty. Although this will guarantee a 4th straight title. Nice FA pick-ups, although Mills looks funny as a gray-curly-haired white guy.

Even at 36, Dirk won't go for Bonner and Chalmers.

In real life, probably not. In the fictional reality of Dynasty Mode...who knows? And it's not as though superstars are traded for equal value, especially when they force a team's hand by demanding out. Scottie Pippen, Charles Barkley and Wilt Chamberlain are prime examples of superstar players and all-time greats who were traded for cents on the dollar.

I think a 36 year old Dirk would still be rated considerably high in real life... however in the game he had a rating of 68. Mario Chalmers adds a piece to Dallas since Jason Kidd recently retired in the game, so I don't think it's a terrible trade. Chalmers and Barea make a pretty decent point guard pairing.

'gratz on the 3-Peat - that's quiet an accomplishment

the Dirk addition is also huge... wouldn't say you're a definite lock (critical injuries at just the right time can cripple any team) but certainly the clear-cut favorite for #4... anyway GL

Thanks Clutch, the Dirk trade was quite a blockbuster since I'm a big fan, but unfortunately his game has deteriorated a great deal. He still provides a good matchup problem though

All depends on how the simulation is going to treat me.

All bets are on you to "four-peat" Great acquisition in Dirk.

I like your confidence Thierry, but the simulation has screwed me over before. Let's hope you're right

----------------

Sorry about the lack of updates, work has been keeping me on my toes. The season will be up soon though

[Kenny]

Year 5: Season Results

43-39 (7th in the West)

Eliminated in the First Round by Memphis

Summary

The Dirk Lowdown

It was believed that Nowitzki would add potency to the Nuggets offense, but in the end all the aging legend provided was 8 points per game and a breakdown in team chemistry as Ty Maximilian lost out on a lot of minutes and production. With Ty coming off contract next year, it's believed that he is likely to receive more lucrative contracts coming from Europe. On top of all this, JJ Hickson received minimal playing time as well. He's still on contract for a couple more years, so Denver won't worry about his loyalties too soon.

The Dynamic Duo Back

Denver managed to have a solid season without being brilliant. Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups were the two standout performers as Denver. It was somewhat a flashback season for Denver in that sense.

A New Centre Rotation

The previous year, Denver only had a two centre rotation with Chris Andersen taking the bulk of minutes over the 40 year old Shaquille O'Neal. This year, Roster Player decided to get youthful backup for the Birdman, signing Robin Lopez and Javale McGee. Size was often a bit of a weakness in the Denver front court, but this season that wasn't an issue at all, with both McGee and Lopez over the seven-foot mark, along with Power Forward Dirk Nowitzki.

With additional big men to the rotation, the Birdman's production also decreased. He still managed to lead his team in rebounds and blocks, but he wasn't pulling down the phenomenal numbers he was in 2012-2013.

While Robin Lopez proved he has a massive upside to him, Javale McGee found it hard to get any momentum through the season. Only signed for this season, it would be surprising if McGee got another contract from Denver.

Backing Up a Big Shot

One of the real surprise packets of this season was Australian Olympian Patrick Mills. He was drafted 4 years ago by the Blazers, however his rookie year only started this season. He did basically everything a rookie could do except for win the top honour. He provided an explosive bench presense with his blinding speed and ability to find open team mates.

On the other side of the coin, comeback kid Shaun Livingston was inactive for most of the season. For the opportunities he did get though, he proved he could still be a matchup problem with his size. He might have lost a lot of his quickness, but he still has the skill to make it in this league and he's a project that Denver look like they're willing to stick with.

The Two

Entering his sophomore year, there was plenty of expectation on reigning ROY and 6th man Taylor MacKenzie... however the year ended up being a big fall from grace. His struggles along with the fact that Shannon Brown has proven to be quite a useful 3rd scoring option, MacKenzie found himself losing minutes and production. He averaged an abysmal 3 points per game, as towards the end of the year, new recruit Nicolas Batum found his way ahead of him in the rotation.

The Hanger On

After what seemed like years of neglect, Arron Afflalo once again spent another year filling out the Injury Reserve. Afflalo will probably outlast Melo at this rate as far as being the only player from the inaugeral season of this dynasty, but he probably would have played less over his tenure than Melo did all last season.

2014 All-Star Weekend Results

Rookies 81
Sophomores 73

MVP: Patrick Mills [Rookies]: 28 points, 7 assists 2 steals

West 92
East 79

MVP: Stanley Alston [West]: 35 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists

Notes: While Denver had no representation in this game, Nene (West) and Michael Beasley (East) both made it in.

Award Recipients

MVP: Stanley Alston (OKC)
Most Improved: Sawandi Fitzgerald (BOS)
Defensive Player of the Year: Stanley Alston (OKC)
Rookie of the Year: Demetrius Charles (PHI)
6th Man: Nach Carlos (PHI)
Coach: Scott Brooks (OKC) [go figure]

Denver's Representation: Patrick Mills - All Rookie First Team, Second in the ROY ballot.

NBA Finals Matchup: Portland Vs Cleveland

NBA Champion: Portland

Finals MVP: Brandon Roy (22.3ppg, 4.8apg, 1.7spg)

-----------------------------------

So that was the first season under "Roster Player" (AKA simulation). Quite underwhelming, however I sort of expected that. It would have been nice for the whole Dirk fairytale, but the NBA Live 10 simulation has no soul

A preview of year 6 will be up next.

[kibaxx7]

Wow, very unexpected... Only 8 points per game for Dirk????

[Bucket]

And again King miss chance get ring.
AMAZING DIRK ONLY 8 points ? In my NBA live 08 dynasty Dirk scores average 30 ppg.

[Axel The Great]

Amazing, all the awards went out to the game-generated players. A new generation is rising in your dynasty.

[Andrew]

Not quite as impressive as the previous years...perhaps it would've been better to give it a break and pick it up again rather than simulate but I suppose that's also set you up with an interesting scenario moving forward. Your call though.

[dare]

Don't sim it anymore man, Ty and Dirk not producing numbers that they should produce

[Kenny]

Wow, very unexpected... Only 8 points per game for Dirk????

And again King miss chance get ring.
AMAZING DIRK ONLY 8 points ? In my NBA live 08 dynasty Dirk scores average 30 ppg.

Dirk's decline is heavily exaggerated in this game... as is Tim Duncan's for that fact.

Amazing, all the awards went out to the game-generated players. A new generation is rising in your dynasty.

Yeah, I thought it was pretty cool. Controlling Stanley Alston, I can definitely say he's something special.

Not quite as impressive as the previous years...perhaps it would've been better to give it a break and pick it up again rather than simulate but I suppose that's also set you up with an interesting scenario moving forward. Your call though.

Don't sim it anymore man, Ty and Dirk not producing numbers that they should produce

I've actually already simmed 3 seasons of it already. I enjoy trying to build my team via free agency and draft, so simming seasons is very interesting for me. Underwhelming seasons don't bother me because it gives me more to play for when I do get back into it. But yeah, I'm going to start playing again after the 3 simmed seasons... maybe play 5 then sim 5.

[Axel The Great]

You simmed 3? How old is Melo now(in your dynasty)?

[Andrew]

Fair enough, sounds like it could be an interesting experiment and certainly a way of getting further through a Dynasty game than most probably do.

[Kenny]

You simmed 3? How old is Melo now(in your dynasty)?

The start of the season will be 2016... so I believe Melo is 32.

Fair enough, sounds like it could be an interesting experiment and certainly a way of getting further through a Dynasty game than most probably do.

It's really interesting to see how the computer generates players and how players peak and decline. I think they got it completely wrong with Dirk and Timmy D, but it also makes a bunch of players I really like attainable towards the end of their careers.

[Kenny]

Prologue

Season 5 was a big fall for Denver. Despite acquiring future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki, there was major problems with team cohesion and the damages that came about from the lack-lustre year have hit the team hard. After having a season where his role was unclear due to Nowitzki's addition, Ty Maximilian decided to leave the Denver Nuggets for European team Olympiacos BC. Added to this, Dirk decided to call it quits as well, leaving the power forward position looking rather bare with JJ Hickson they only true power forward left in the team. The evergreen Grant Hill decided to call it a day after a successful resurgence in his career, while Javale McGee opted for free agency only a year after joining the club.

With some depth needed in the power forward position, the Denver Nuggets drafted Ralph Patel from Kentucky with the 19th pick of the draft. With his NBA comparison Kenyon Martin, it was hard to resist this prospect. The biggest signing for this position would come later in the off-season with the Nuggets signing former Portland Trail Blazer LaMarcus Aldridge. Aldridge is a former All-Star and All Defensive First Team player and gives Denver much needed size on the front court while being able to hit mid-range jumpshots.

Adding even more size through free agency, Denver signed Hasheem Thabeet to a one year deal. In an off-season of signing bigs though, there needed to be a perimeter player added, so the Nuggets signed former Phoenix Suns sharp shooter Jared Dudley.

Draft

Picks 19 and 49

Pick 19: Ralph Patel (Kentucky)
Power Forward
Age: 20
Height: 6'10
Weight: 244lbs
NBA Comparison: Kenyon Martin

Inside: B-
Outside: C-
Defense: B
Teamwork: D-
Athleticism: B-

Pick 49: MacKenzie Roberts (LSU)
Centre
Age: 20
Height: 6'11
Weight: 277lbs
NBA Comparison: Desagna Diop

Inside: B
Outside: D
Defense: B
Teamwork: D-
Athleticism: B-


Denver Nuggets 2014-2015


The Starters
| Chris Andersen | LaMarcus Aldridge | Carmelo Anthony | Shannon Brown | Chauncey Billups |


The Bench
| Taylor MacKenzie | Patrick Mills | Robin Lopez | Hasheem Thabeet | Nicolas Batum | JJ Hickson | Jared Dudley |


IR
| Ralph Patel | Arron Afflalo | Shaun Livingston |

In: LaMarcus Aldridge (free agency), Hasheem Thabeet (free agency), Jared Dudley (free agency), Ralph Patel (first round pick)

Out: Ty Maximilian (Olympiacos BC), Dirk Nowitzki (retired), Grant Hill (retired), Javale McGee (free agency), MacKenzie Roberts (waived)

------------------

Results from this season will be up soon.

[dare]

Wow nice pick up on Aldridge, sad to see Dirk without a ring. Are you still going to sim this season? if so then I think you will make it till second round.

[Andrew]

Shame you lost Ty, looks like it's going to be a challenge moving forward. Interested to see what happens next.

[Kenny]

Wow nice pick up on Aldridge, sad to see Dirk without a ring. Are you still going to sim this season? if so then I think you will make it till second round.

I've already simmed this season and the results of it should be up shortly. I thought Aldridge was a nice fit because he can basically do what Ty did for me, except he has almost 1/2 a foot in height advantage.

Shame you lost Ty, looks like it's going to be a challenge moving forward. Interested to see what happens next.

It was one of those instances where the computer simulation really dealt Ty a raw deal. He started last season as a 63 player, which by all standards is very average, but I could deal with it. He came into the off-season with an overall of 59.

One thing I noticed with NBA live is players tend to disappear from the free agency if they're under a certain rating. In the second season of this dynasty, I wanted to sign either Nathan Jawai or Yakhouba Diawara as IR players, but they had completely disappeared from the game. Same thing happened with Ty unfortunately... so I thought I'd take the liberty to say he went to Europe for the big bucks... a player of his caliber deserves that

[Martti.]

Nice additions, but sucks you lost Maximillian.

Weird that all rookies look like 70s porn stars.