The "How is your Association going" Thread

[shadowgrin]

my one attempt lasted three games before I got a job and lost time/interest.

It's for the better. Bad things will probably happen in the forums if any constant interest with the Clippers are made.
The spirits must have given Lamrock a free pass. Seattlelites already have their team taken away from them.

[kibaxx7]

You're stay in rehab isn't over yet. Stop talking anything related to having an association story

Will keep a list in my computer then! As I said I had the Spurs already chosen, but some teams are really nice for playing...

[The X]

Wade should be the one in color and in front of the others, it's his team. LeBron's his bitch.

I am willing to bet it will be different player every time.

I can't see Joel Anthony or Mike Miller being options though, otherwise I'd just get Heat to sign Marks & start him to see him being the man of the moment

[Patr1ck]

Right. I didn't mean a completely different player, but more random. Between the big three, I assume. If that is the case, a nice addition during a season would be to have the hot player at the time be the "frontman." So, if Mike Miller had a string of good games, he would be the feature frontman.

[The X]

Right. I didn't mean a completely different player, but more random. Between the big three, I assume. If that is the case, a nice addition during a season would be to have the hot player at the time be the "frontman." So, if Mike Miller had a string of good games, he would be the feature frontman.

I actually really like that idea. Especially if the commentators state that he's been on a hot stretch, give those stats & a quick line or two

[hova-]

Right. I didn't mean a completely different player, but more random. Between the big three, I assume. If that is the case, a nice addition during a season would be to have the hot player at the time be the "frontman." So, if Mike Miller had a string of good games, he would be the feature frontman.

I actually really like that idea. Especially if the commentators state that he's been on a hot stretch, give those stats & a quick line or two

That would be decent and is not really hard to implement I guess. I remember when I played NHL 2007 or 2008 and I had Eric Daze out with an injury. As he was my best player, they showed him in a suit on my team's bench and mentioned that he was injured. What's so hard about implementing such things? They make it definitely more enjoyable.

[Jeffx]

Started a new Knicks season with updated rosters from OS. Finally, we have a superstar on our squad. Haven't had that since Patrick left.

Starters:
PG-----------R.Felton
SG/SF-------W.Chandler
SF/SG/PF---D.Gallinari
PF-----------A.Stoudemire
C-------------R.Turiaf

Bench:
PF--------A.Randolf
SG/SF----K.Azubuike
PG--------T.Douglas
SG/SF----B.Walker
C----------E.Curry
SG---------A.Rautins
C----------T.Mozgov

Reserves:
SF----L.Fields
C-----J.Jordan

Scoring leaders after a few games;
Stoudemire----32.0 ppg
Azubuike-------20.0 ppg
Gallinari-------18.0 ppg
Chandler-------14.0 ppg
Turiaf-----------10.0 ppg
Walker----------8.5 ppg

[Lamrock]

Was bored and decided to sim a few seasons with Detroit. (By the way, a Pistons dynasty would be a great idea! After two turrible seasons in wish I gradually rebuilt the team for the 2012 Summer (of Randolph), and through the draft in which I won 24 and 31 games, I came out with a fairly stacked young roster. Right now, my rotation looks like:

PG - Kyrie Irving (taken 3rd in 2011 with the Cavs pick I got with Jamison for Stuckey, Gordon, some second rounders and Jerebko, all-rookie 1st)
SG - Harrison Barnes (taken 1st in 2011 with my own pick. Won 10-11 ROY and was all-star in 2012)
SF - Shane Battier (signed to vet minimum in 2012 offseason)
PF - Anthony Randolph (signed to max offer sheet in 2012 offseason, 10-11 MIP)
C - Ben Wallace (one of four original players! Still averaging 12 RPG)
----------
6th - Michael Gilchrist (3rd pick in 2012 draft, which I got for the 6th and 12 picks, the latter of which I dealt Knee-Mac and Terrico White for)
7th - Jonas Valanciunas (10th pick in 2011 draft, who I dealt Samardo Samuels, Stanley Robinson (got him in a Rip/VC for Carter deal) and a second, all-rookie 1st)
8th - Will Bynum (another holdover. somehow averaged 20 PPG last season, but now backs up Irving)
9th - Greg Monroe (won't re-sign. Has been abust)
10th - Thabo Sefolosha (Backup to Barnes, seldom plays)
11th - Ekpe Udoh (My backup PF of the future...)
12th - Jamal Crawford (signed him to vet minimum, extremely washed up at 32)
----------
IR1 - Austin Daye (Backup SF of the future, still developing)
IR2 - Antonio McDyess (took him off the Spurs with a late first in salary dump for Delonte West, who I signed at the beginning)
IR3 - Isaiah Thomas (drafted 24th in 2011 with Spurs' pick)

Entering the upcoming season expecting to make the playoffs at least. Heat won the title in 2011 after a 67 (!) win season, but fell in 7 to the Lakers in 2012.

[Lamrock]

Its a good thing you can't get fired any more. My team was a failure. After a catastrophic start, that saw the team at 15-31 at one point despite a high team rating, I noticed the chemistry was turrible, and that most of the team was playing poorly. With the team mostly consisting of prospects, I stood pat, and the team made a late playoff push, before ultimately falling short at 37-45. Gilchrist made the All-NBA first team, but Barnes regressed, and Irving failed to improve. The Heat finished with an amazing 69-13 record, but were once again eliminated in the Finals, this time to MVP Kevin Durant and the OKC Thunder in 6 games.

I had no substantial draft picks, and while I had cap, I wanted to save it to re-sign my players next off-season. I opted to give Ray Allen and Dalembert one year deals to fill out the roster (Dice and Big Ben retired at 38), and hoped Irving - Gilchrist - Barnes - Randolph - Valanciunas would be like the 04 Pistons but more star-studded. I also added a now 35-rated Scal! This was going to be the year we made a playoff run.

Fast forward to the trade deadline, and we're 19-35. Irving is a bust, and Barnes/Gilchrist isn't really working. I then made a pair of bold moves, sending Barnes and Allen to the Hornets for Batum (who I was outbid for in the Summer I got Randolph), and a top-10 projected first rounder. I then dealt the also struggling Irving, along with Monroe and Udoh for the now expiring (but still rated 90) Arenas, a washed-up Kevin Garnett and a late lottery pick. Starting 5 is now Arenas | Gilchrist | Batum | Randolph | Valanciunas. Here's hoping for a successful off-season, and finally some cohesion next season.

[Hedonist]

Team chemnistry sucks, I always turn it off.

Did you download draft classes?

I'm preparing to start a new association, editing and stuff. Ideally I want a finished draft class finished before starting as well. In the meantime I sim a season sometimes too and then play the playoffs.

[Lamrock]

Yeah there are draft classes up to 2014 on 2Kshare. Players tend to be rated far too highly but its still a great feature.

Team ended up finishing the season 33-49. Heat once again made the finals, and got their revenge on the Thunder in 5 games. Duncan, Ray Allen and Shard headlined the retirees. I let Arenas walk (at 32, he was expecting Joe Johnson money...) and lucked into another #1 pick. I used it on this ridiculous 7'3" Indian Center, but with Valanciunas my C of the future, I flipped him and KG to the Warriors for Stephen Curry (now a perennial all-star) and Andris Biedrins. Used my other draft pick on Tony Wroten, because he's an acquaintance of mine in real life, and I needed a backup SG. Used the rest of my cap on Kirilenko and a couple vets, and now my roster looks like this:

2014-15 Detroit Pistons | Overall: 97
PG: Curry/Bynum/Tim Hardaway (!?)
SG: Gilchrist/Wroten/Crawford
SF: Batum/Battier/Daye
PF: Meal Ticket/Kirilenko/Scal (33 overall now)
C: Valanciunas/Biedrins/Dalembert

[antho]

You use PC Lamrock?

Btw, I like the team. Curry is sick, Gilchrist from the videos i've seen is pretty awesome and I'm also a huge Batum and Randolph fan. + you have Scal so instant 91019094019401940190419401+ Credit on that team.

Valanciunas I haven't really heard much about, I've had him on the draft board but usually skipped him and chose Motiejunas.

[Lamrock]

Nah, I play on 360. Finally made the playoffs. Finished with the 4th seed and 48 wins, but luckily Tony Parker's Bucks stunned the (65-17) Heat in the first round, and I managed to cruise into the ECF, where I lost to the Nets, who lost to Portland in the finals. Love the roster though. Played a match with them, and the pieces fit perfectly together.

Valanciunas I could see going as high as #2. Everyone looks a raw Euro big. I like Motiejunas, but I see him as more of a Bargnani type than a real Center.

[rise]

Tim Hardaway

You're joking! I found a CPU-generated Tim Hardaway in one of my Live franchises yesterday! Coincidence???

[shadowgrin]

Not a coincidence. You and Lamrock are soul mates.

[antho]

I'm having fun in my association (currently a story about it) the Pacers are a bit hard to play with though, my teams not that buffed on stats so it's a challenge, I like it. Love is a beast in the post!

[Murat]

I was playing NBA 2K7 (PS2), when I was playing Association I saw Larry Bird and Magic Johnson as assistant coach.

[Cartar]

For the first time, I'm having a blast with 2k10 (I've had it for 2 months, partial credit to Lamrock).

Started a Charlotte association yesterday (with updated rosters + 11' draft class), was planning to only sim, not play at all, similar to Lamrock Detroit's (thus the credit). Here's the current lineup (did a bunch of unrealistic trades):

C - Marc Gasol (got him and Jeff Green for Gerald Wallace, IIRC they offered me this deal)
PF - Jamison (don't remember the exact deal, but it was something with Diaw)
SF - Jeff Green (read Gasol)
SG - OJ Mayo (got him from the Knicks for Ty Thomas, plain out ridiculous deal, somehow he is rated lower than him tho')
PG - Jason Kidd (got him for DJ Augustin + Nazr from Portland)

PF/C - Varejao (traded Stephen Jackson first for Ray Allen (they offered), then traded Ray for Varejao and Hickson as I didn't need him anymore with Mayo)
C - Damp
PG - Livingston
SG - Delonte West
PF - JJ Hickson (4 former Cavs players, lol)
SF - Stackhouse (signed at the end of the season)
PF/SF - Radmanovic
SF - DeMarre Carroll (got him in the Gasol deal) (and 3 former Grizzly)

Was doing surprisingly well for November-December, had a winning record, but don't remember the exact one. Then all the trades came along, got some losing streaks, went below .500. Played first game against Miami sometime in January, wanted to see how the Big 3 play in the game (here's the explanation to the blast part, when I first got 2k9 for Xbox, it was basically the first game I played with it, didn't have any previous experience playing with controller etc (I'm not really a hardcore player, as for basketball games, even more of a simmer), didn't have any problems with playing Pro from the start, tryed to level up even more, then it wasn't unbeatable either, now fast-forward year, got the 2k10, tryed to play it on Pro, but don't know the reason, but I didn't know how to play at all, I flat out sucked. Didn't have this problem with the demo nor 2k9 as mentioned, got frustrated a lot with it, then just decided to save my nerves and not play it, rather played 2k9, now for the first time tryed Rookie difficulty, despite not it being that competitive, got tons of more enjoyment out of it and so far loving to play this dynasty).

Won the game against the Heat by point or two, LeBron pretty much sucked, had way too many turnovers, made bad decisions and also missed the buzzer, Wade on the other hand played great. Bosh didn't have a chance to do anything as he didn't get the ball. Then played another game in January, against Boston, lost that by couple of points, had the chance to win it, but blew it in the end (Allen played for us, Jackson for them). 3rd game was again against EC team, Philly, won it by around 15-20 points, but it was a lot closer for most of the game, but managed to pull away in the 3rd (Jamison had been a beast for all 3 first games, also did well in the next one). Then March was a past and I was still dwindling slightly below the .500 mark, but still was a playoff team, then played an important game (which ended up deciding who was better of the two teams) against Chicago in April, we had the same record (36-38 I believe, I was coming from a 5 game winning streak), they had made some stupid moves, their backcourt was crowded with the addition of Kevin Martin and Eric Gordon, but their frontcourt was not that great anymore (they traded Deng and Noah away to get those 2), James Johnson and Kurt Thomas started for them. The game was close for the entire game, then they started using very bizarre lineup of CJ Watson - Rose - Eric Gordon - Kevin Martin - Boozer (4 guards, lol). Still ended up as close game, was down by 1 with me having the last possession, Jamison missed a jumper with couple of seconds left, Green fortunately recovered it, made a somekind of hook shot with him, made it, got in front with 1.0 second left. They didn't manage to get a shot before the buzzer, so my win.


Then, right before the end of regular season, decided to play against Hornets (with Ariza), for the first time, I thought that I didn't have a chance against them, managed to survive the 1st quarter, somehow I was up with a point. Then, LeBron's stepfather happened, he scored 11 points in a row (3 3's) and we were up by double digits. Managed to hold on to it, Delonte also scored couple more points and also got the POTG award (btw, I'm playing 5 min per Q). Simmed to the end of the season (1 more game), got the 6th seed. To my surprise, every team I expect to make it to the EC playoffs, made it. Mia (around 54 wins), Orl and Bos as the top seeds, NY came 5th (had better record than Chi, had around 45 wins), Chi 4th (thanks to division title, had the same amount of wins as I did, 40-42), then I came 6th, Mil 7th and Atl 8th. Not the same order as I expect to, but still. Philly just barely missed the playoffs, had the same amount of wins as Atl (37), just about the same I expect them to do this year. There were no major surprises in WC as well, Lakers had the best record, Den and SA were next, then also Hou, OKC, Dal, Por and Uta made the playoffs (don't remember the order). Min had the worst record, then Ind, Cle and Tor (actually, they easily could end up this way). LeBron got the MVP, R.Lopez MIP, Howard DPOY, Richardson 6th (18 points and 8 rebounds, not bad), Phil COY.


Went against the Orlando in the first round (they did a trade with NJ before, which was terrible for both sides, Terrence Williams for Jameer Nelson, so Williams and Duhon shared the PG duties), simmed through the 3 first games, lost all of them, then wanted to just get one game back and decided to play it (It was the first home game that I've played with them). Kidd was terrific and pulled it through, rest of the group played well as well, except Jamison, somehow he manages to disappear in virtual life as well, he was awsome during regular season). Simmed the 5th game in the hoopcast, barely won it, Mayo scored something like 31 points or so and forced a Game 6. Then the Jeff Green show started, he was plane out awsome in Game 6, scored 19 points (5 min quarters, so that translates to about 40 points in a regular game) and did it with efficient manner, all that with about 9 shots. The game ended out as a blowout, it was decided rather quickly, scored tons of 3's against them. Then, final, Game 7, was a lot different compared to G6, had a lot of problems with them, but still managed to hold it together and not let them away with the lead. Then again, sometime in the 3rd, The Jeff Green Show happened, he did it all, made some key defensive plays, dunked over people and shot some clutch 3s. He ended up with IIRC 22 points. Had no problem finishing them and managed to overcome the 0-3 deficit and advanced to the 2nd round against the Bucks. Carter, to no surprise, choked for the most of the series, shot like 25% from the field during the last game. Dwight dominated for most of the series, but had some trouble in the last one (was 2-9).

As for my team, I have to re-sign both Green and Gasol this offseason, but most likely right after I re-sign Gasol, I'll try to ship him off to the Bucks for Bogut. Not that I have anything against him, I just like Bogut more. Depending on the matchup, one of the Green/Jamison/Varejao will be the 6th man for me next year. Right now don't see trading anyone else in the near future. Underrated move of the season was probably getting Kidd, love playing with him, probably will retire a Bobcat. Mayo was a rather disappointment to be fair, showed a lot of flashes, but failed to deliver on consistent basis (also shot rather poorly). Not sure yet if I'll re-sign West, I'll try to make things clear with Green/Gasol before, then see the cap situation if I have room for him. Livingston has been a pleasant surprise as well, he has done especially well handing out alley-oops. As for the draft, I have around 15-20 pick, probably will aim for a swingman, but also Motiejunas is an option (the draft class I'm using didn't have neither him nor Vesely, had to create them, Motiejunas is projected around my range, while Vesely will be a top 5 pick. IRL it could easily be the opposite.


Wow, this ended up as a long post. (I almost accidentally deleted it all)

[shadowgrin]

then they started using very bizarre lineup of CJ Watson - Rose - Eric Gordon - Kevin Martin - Boozer (4 guards, lol)

Shiteheads had a big lineup lineup of Darko-Jefferson-Love-Gomes-Flynn

I love it when the cpu AI does that intentionally. By 'intentionally' meaning the lineup they just used isn't part of their situational lineups (bench, quick, defense, etc.) or due to lack of well-rested replacements (like seeing Duncan play SG).

[kibaxx7]

With one month left on rehab, came down to:

[|)e8*]

Celtics and Lakers and Heat are no no. So I say Wizards

[Bucket]

Pacers

[Hedonist]

Pacers

+1

[Lamrock]

Well, the Lakers are the only one of those teams you haven't done (and subsequently tired of) in the past year, but do you really want to do a Lakers association? Wouldn't be surprised to see you make threads (and the obligatory reserved posts) for each of the six teams (reserved for when you are off "rehab").

[Hedonist]

Whatever you do don't take the T-pups, I'm gonna do an Asso on them.