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

[Andrew]

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

Yeah, ever since NBA Live 2000 the lower rated players are prone to getting pruned from the Free Agent pool; more recent games have just had an earlier cutoff. I like how you've worked it into the story though.

[Kenny]

Nice additions, but sucks you lost Maximillian.

Weird that all rookies look like 70s porn stars.

It's NBA Live's way of saying that the 2010s are going to be all about the 70s porn look

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

Yeah, ever since NBA Live 2000 the lower rated players are prone to getting pruned from the Free Agent pool; more recent games have just had an earlier cutoff. I like how you've worked it into the story though.

It's understandable I suppose, but it can be very annoying.

[Kenny]

Year 6: Season Results

52-30 (4th in the West)

Eliminated First Round by New Orleans

Team Leaders

PPG: Anthony 20.2, Billups 16.2, Aldridge 10.8
RPG: Aldridge 8.2, Andersen 6.8, Thabeet 5.1
APG: Billups 6.5, Mills 3.4, Livingston 3.4
BPG: Andersen 1.5, Aldridge 1.5, Thabeet 1.1
SPG: Brown 1.5, Anthony 1.3, Billups 1.1

Other noteworthy stats

Shannon Brown: 9.7ppg
Patrick Mills: 8.7ppg
Taylor MacKenzie: 4ppg, 37.6 3PT%
Jared Dudley: 6 games, 45.5 3PT%
Nicolas Batum: 5 games
JJ Hickson: 6 games
Robin Lopez: 4.5rpg

All-Star Weekend Results

Rookie Challenge

Sophomores: 89
Rookies: 56

MVP: Patrick Mills [SOP]: 26 points, 11 assists, 3 rebounds 1 block 5 steals

All-Star Game

WEST: 81
EAST: 70

MVP: Tyler Hansbrough [WEST]: 22 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block

Award Recipients

MVP: Stanley Alston (OKC)
Most Improved: Johnny Gibson (SAN)
Defensive Player of the Year: Stanley Alston (OKC)
ROY: Steven Hunt (WAS)
6th: Pat Sanders (CHI)
Coach: Alvin Gentry (PHX)

NBA Finals Matchup: Portland Vs Indiana
NBA Champion: Indiana Pacers
Finals MVP: Matthew Clement (16.6ppg, 4.3apg, 1.4spg)

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It was a rather unusual season this one... not only did the Denver Nuggets not have a player in the All-star game, but Tyler Hansbrough won the All-star game MVP award. The NBA world is being turned upside down. The season 7 prologue will be up next. Sorry if this seems rather rushed, I just want to get back into reporting about the games I'm playing.

[Kenny]

Prologue

This season will prove to be a pivotal year for the Nuggets' future. Three time Finals MVP Carmelo Anthony is in the last year of his current contract and with a team on the downward spiral, his decision to re-sign or leave might be based off how this season goes. Now on the wrong side of 30, he will have to make a big decision in the off-season.

Two of Melo's oldest team mates in Chris Andersen and Chauncey Billups once again signed an extension to stay on for an extra year, while backup point guard Patrick Mills signed a 4 year contract. The Nuggets also retained the services of Nicolas Batum and Robin Lopez.

This year marks the end of Arron Afflalo's tenure at Denver, as he opted for free agency during the off-season. He was apart of this dynasty from the very start. He essentially has been replaced by former Knick two-guard Wilson Chandler, who was signed to a 4 year deal.

Draft

Picks 27 and 57

Pick 27: Sam Conners (Kansas)
Centre
Age: 24
Height: 7'0
Weight: 246lbs
NBA Comparison: Brad Miller

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

Pick 57: Crawford Mitchell (High Point)
Small Forward
Age: 24
Height: 6'4
Weight: 233lbs
NBA Comparison: Ruben Patterson

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

Denver Nuggets 2015-2016


The Starters
| Chris Andersen | LaMarcus Aldridge | Carmelo Anthony | Wilson Chandler | Chauncey Billups |


The Bench
| Shannon Brown | Taylor MacKenzie | Patrick Mills | Robin Lopez | Nicolas Batum | JJ Hickson | Shaun Livingston |


IR
| Jared Dudley | Sam Conners | Ralph Patel |

In: Wilson Chandler (free agency), Sam Conners (first round pick)

Out: Hasheem Thabeet (free agency), Arron Afflalo (free agency), Crawford Mitchell (waived)

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

Season results will be up next.

[Bucket]

Wilson Chandler in Nuggets. He made right decision.

[cavs4872]

You still have a good team, despite the roster revamp. I wouldn't be too worried.

[dare]

WTF Hansbrough Allstar MVP? I thought your going till second round but you were knockout quickly.
I don't know if Wilson Chandler will be a difference maker though but still nice getting him.

BTW I just seconded your nomination, this truly a HOF material

[Andrew]

That sim was a bit kinder to you, looks like you're in a bit of a transition period following the threepeat but still remaining competitive...in other words, what Jerry Krause wanted to do with the Bulls back in the day but failed miserably where you're succeeding. Keep up the good work!

[Axel The Great]

The three lucky surviving Nuggets are: Chauncey Billups, Carmelo Anthony, and Chris Andersen. lol

[kibaxx7]

Backing up your HOF nomination as well.

Good pickup in Aldridge, shame that Dirk left...

[Andrew]

As I said in the nominations thread, it's going in as soon as you're officially done with it.

[Kenny]

Wilson Chandler in Nuggets. He made right decision.

Wilson Chandler is definitely an interesting one for me because I'm actually not too familiar with his game. Signing players like that can either come up as diamonds or rocks.

You still have a good team, despite the roster revamp. I wouldn't be too worried.

Thanks, I like to think I kept my roster competitive despite the first round exits.

WTF Hansbrough Allstar MVP? I thought your going till second round but you were knockout quickly.
I don't know if Wilson Chandler will be a difference maker though but still nice getting him.

BTW I just seconded your nomination, this truly a HOF material

I have to admit I might have rigged that all-star game a little and gave Tyler Hansbrough the ball more than he deserves... I wanted to throw in a nice monkey wrench

Thanks for your support dare, it's much appreciated

That sim was a bit kinder to you, looks like you're in a bit of a transition period following the threepeat but still remaining competitive...in other words, what Jerry Krause wanted to do with the Bulls back in the day but failed miserably where you're succeeding. Keep up the good work!

Thanks Andrew, I think the computer has a lot of respect for LaMarcus Aldridge. He seems to have exploded in this game, picking up all-defensive team honours and all-star selections previously.

The three lucky surviving Nuggets are: Chauncey Billups, Carmelo Anthony, and Chris Andersen. lol

I was considering making Arron Afflalo the last surviving member as a "lol factor" thing, but I decided that my big three was more important. I did like Arron's hustle though

Backing up your HOF nomination as well.

Good pickup in Aldridge, shame that Dirk left...

Thanks Thierry. It's been nice having your support from the very beginning of this dynasty

As much as it was a shame that Dirk retired, I think his time was well and truly up. Times like that, it's best to know when to give the game away. Aldridge is a nice addition to any team that would have him I think.

As I said in the nominations thread, it's going in as soon as you're officially done with it.

That's fantastic news

I aim to get atleast 10 seasons out of this one before I call it quits but it's nice to have the early nod

[Andrew]

It's not too often we get a Dynasty that runs this many years with as many games as you've played along with the simulation, plus it's been great to follow along with so I don't think anyone would dispute that it's worthy.

[Kenny]

It's not too often we get a Dynasty that runs this many years with as many games as you've played along with the simulation, plus it's been great to follow along with so I don't think anyone would dispute that it's worthy.

Denver's my favourite team, so longevity hasn't been a problem since it's been a labour of love. Next time I might go with an Eastern Conference team for something different

[Kenny]

Year 7 Season Results
43-39 (9th)
Missed the Playoffs

Note: After spending his whole career making the playoffs, Carmelo Anthony has for the first time experienced the disappointment of not making the post-season. On a personal note, he had a great season, making it back to the All-Star game. He would be joined on the West team by Lebron James, who made the move to Phoenix after walking out on Cleveland during the off-season. You will see the irony of this move as you scroll down.

All-Star Weekend Results
Rookie Challenge

Sophomores: 70
Rookies: 61

MVP: Theodore Hadsen (SOP) 27 points, 2 steals, 1 block

All-Star Game



WEST: 82
EAST: 69

MVP: Lebron James (WEST) 24 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 steals

Carmelo Anthony's performance: 31 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist

The King and Melo teaming up

phpBB [video]

Award Recipients

MVP: Stanley Alston (OKC) {3rd MVP award in a row}
Most Improved: Clem Richard (BOS)
Defensive Player: Crawford Muller (PHI)
ROY: Zach Pearson (WAS)
6th Man: Cody Duffy (OKC)
Coach: Alvin Gentry (PHX) {second consecutive award}

NBA Finals Matchup: New Orleans Vs Cleveland
NBA Champion: Cleveland Cavaliers
Finals MVP: Jason Gardiner (18.4ppg 6apg 1.5spg)

The Year that was

It was a disappointing year for Denver, who despite being over the .500 mark, missed out on the playoffs by finishing 9th in the West. Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups provided the scoring once again, while Aldridge was the 3rd option. Despite a return to the All-Star game, it'll go down as the most disappointing season for Melo yet. Coming off contract this free agency, the Denver Nuggets will have to pull out the stops to retain him. As the heart and soul of this team, he will be a number one priority.

On another note, the Wilson Chandler experiment didn't quite go as one would hope. The way Denver's offense is set up, it's very reliant on scoring from it's wing players, and Chandler wasn't up to the task as a starter. It is suspected that if he stays with the team, he will do so in a reserve role. This leaves Taylor MacKenzie's job with the team uncertain as he has suffered a big fall from grace since his rookie year and many are questioning whether it was a fluke.

Where will Denver go from here? Will they have a fire sale? Will they try and assemble a team for another championship run? And most important of all: will Carmelo Anthony be apart of this future?

-------

3 simmed seasons and 3 early exits from the competition... signing Wilson Chandler was probably not a great idea in hindsight, but atleast he provides a piece that could be possibly traded in the coming off-season.

[Kenny]

Announcement: GM returns

After a 3 year hiatus, Denver Nuggets GM Kenny Young has returned to the helm. He replaces caretaker GM Roster Player, who controlled the team for three seasons.

Young's initial priority on returning will be negotiating a new contract for Carmelo Anthony.

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

So after 3 seasons of cruise control, I'm going to be playing my seasons again. Although I might not play every game in the remaining seasons of this dynasty, I will play a good majority of them if I get an MVP run or someone else whose eligible for an award. Next up will be season 8.

[Kenny]

Prologue

Last season was the most disappointing one for the Nuggets in recent years, finishing just outside playoff contention. It was feared that star player Carmelo Anthony would walk out on the club after 3 years of disappointment, however after much negotiating, the Denver Nuggets signed Carmelo Anthony to a 4 year deal. This deal however came with some verbal conditions: Melo wanted not only for Chris Andersen and Chauncey Billups to play on for another shot, but he wanted his old friend to come back to the franchise. This of course being JR Smith (or Earl Smith III as he's been referred to in this dynasty).

Wanting to keep their marquee player, but knowing they'd have to give up a big piece to appease him, Denver's management scratched their heads contemplating a solution. It came after they drafted power forward Borislav Perko from Kazakhstan. Not needing a second round pick and having drafted a power forward with major potential, the Denver Nuggets sent LaMarcus Aldridge, Shaun Livingston and their second round pick to Memphis for JR Smith and Basil Richter. Consequently, seldom used swingman Jared Dudley would leave for free agency. The dealing wouldn't end there though...

With a now 4 man shooting guard rotation, Denver were stacked in that one position, so they traded Wilson Chandler along with Ralph Patel to the Orlando Magic for power forward Brandon Bass. With JJ Hickson leaving for free agency and Livingston being traded away, Denver needed a power forward and a point guard from free agency. Former Chicago Bull Taj Gibson would sign a 4 year deal with the Denver Nuggets to bolster their bench rebounding, while former Denver Nugget foe Mardy Collins would also sign a deal with the club... let's hope he's forgiven Melo.

Draft

Picks 14 and 48

Pick 14: Borislav Perko (Kazakhstan)

Age: 21
Height: 6'10
Weight: 275lbs
NBA Comparison: Luis Scola

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

Pick 48: traded to Memphis

Denver Nuggets 2016-2017


The Starters
| Chris Andersen | Brandon Bass | Carmelo Anthony | JR Smith | Chauncey Billups |


The Bench
| Shannon Brown | Borislav Perko | Patrick Mills | Robin Lopez | Taylor MacKenzie | Nicolas Batum | Taj Gibson |


IR
| Mardy Collins | Sam Conners | Basil Richter |

In: JR Smith (acquired from Memphis), Brandon Bass (acquired from Orlando), Basil Richter (acquired from Memphis), Borislav Perko (first round pick), Taj Gibson (free agency), Mardy Collins (free agency)

Out: LaMarcus Aldridge (sent to Memphis), Shaun Livingston (sent to Memphis), Wilson Chandler (sent to Orlando), Ralph Patel (sent to Orlando), JJ Hickson (free agency), Jared Dudley (free agency)

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Well, I'll be back playing this one. Not sure what will be up next... possibly a general interest article of the first five games. Thanks for baring with the simulation

[Phil89]

You're in the 2016-17 season and you still have Andersen and Billups. What are the ages of all your players?

[Dee.]

Seriously.
How old is Billups?

[Andrew]

I'd say your return was about due, your team isn't looking too bad (how is everyone rated these days?) but might need your intervention to fulfil its potential. Funny that LeBron left the Cavs the year before they won the championship, somehow I don't think that would happen if he walked this offseason in real life.

[Kenny]

You're in the 2016-17 season and you still have Andersen and Billups. What are the ages of all your players?

I couldn't tell you the exact age right now, but I know that the youngest players on my starting lineup are both 31
My team is old, but old teams have been known to get it done

Seriously.
How old is Billups?

Mr Big Shot is now 40 years old. Not quite in Grant Hill territory yet (he retired at 41) but he's getting there.

I'd say your return was about due, your team isn't looking too bad (how is everyone rated these days?) but might need your intervention to fulfil its potential. Funny that LeBron left the Cavs the year before they won the championship, somehow I don't think that would happen if he walked this offseason in real life.

I can't tell you any exact numbers at the moment, but Billups is still rated in the mid 80s at age 40, which I think is something that NBA Live 10 got right. JR Smith is 79, Melo is about 90, Birdman 78 and Brandon Bass is 74. Basically all my bench players are in between 65-70, while my IR guys are between 60-65, with the exception of Mardy Collins whose rated at 68.

I might write an article about the age of my team and their player ratings a bit later.

And yeah, Cleveland without Lebron would never do that... not the year after he leaves anyway.

[Andrew]

That's not too bad at all, still a good roster to work and it should remain fun to play with too. An article sounds good, looking forward to it and/or any other previews you've got in store before the game recaps start coming in again.

[kibaxx7]

I aim to get atleast 10 seasons out of this one before I call it quits

Impressive man. My record is 3 months.

[Martti.]

This definitely deserves a Hall of Fame spot, just because how long you've kept it going - in real time and in dynasty time.

Some nice moves, although your starters are gettin old, especially your All-Stars Andersen, Billups and Melo. Your bench is pretty young though, so you have some future there. You need more guys like Maximillian and T-Mac 2.0 from the draft.

My record is 1 and 3/4 of a season, so way to go.

[Kenny]

That's not too bad at all, still a good roster to work and it should remain fun to play with too. An article sounds good, looking forward to it and/or any other previews you've got in store before the game recaps start coming in again.

They are still very fun to play with, particularly since JR Smith is back. For some reason he's pretty much everything I need in a two-guard. And if I get bored with my wing players, I can always run pick and rolls with Chauncey Billups... these guys have definitely kept me interested.

An article will be up very shortly.

I aim to get atleast 10 seasons out of this one before I call it quits

Impressive man. My record is 3 months.

You're just waiting to find the right one Thierry

This definitely deserves a Hall of Fame spot, just because how long you've kept it going - in real time and in dynasty time.

Some nice moves, although your starters are gettin old, especially your All-Stars Andersen, Billups and Melo. Your bench is pretty young though, so you have some future there. You need more guys like Maximillian and T-Mac 2.0 from the draft.

My record is 1 and 3/4 of a season, so way to go.

Thanks Martti, it's kind of confronting the age of my team, because I know at some point I'm going to have to completely rebuild (ALA Boston Celtics now, only less douchey ), but each of my old players are still very much capable and a blast to control.