X's T'wolves (NBA 2K11)

[Fresh8]

Doesn't matter, let Wilt slide to LA and they will stay at top of league.

[The X]

To everybody, feel free to sign up to my Bracket picking contest on Yahoo:

Group ID: 24364
Password: bracketbusters101

Doesn't matter, let Wilt slide to LA and they will stay at top of league.

Frankly I don't like how Lakers sit after off-season, but hey, that's just me. I think their reign in my Association is about over.

[Fresh8]

Doesn't matter, let Wilt slide to LA and they will stay at top of league.

Frankly I don't like how Lakers sit after off-season, but hey, that's just me. I think their reign in my Association is about over.

2K is never kind to the Lakers.

EDIT: When can we expect Draft?

[The X]

Doesn't matter, let Wilt slide to LA and they will stay at top of league.

Frankly I don't like how Lakers sit after off-season, but hey, that's just me. I think their reign in my Association is about over.

2K is never kind to the Lakers.

EDIT: When can we expect Draft?

My computer is screwed, so won't be on NLSC until sorted.

EDIT: And let me just say this, Draft Day was full of drama & excitement

[Fresh8]

Ah that sucks, that's prompted me to do a scan of my laptop

[hova-]

Too bad, hope you get that fixed soon.

[The X]

Computer issues seem to being resolved a bit more as I've cleaned it up a little, but will try not to be online too much until completely sorted.

Will probably draft up off-season articles off line & have ready to roll

[Houndy]

Can't wait to see the Rubio news. I predict him being stupid and staying

[shadowgrin]

Nice Draft Lottery coverage X. Even better than ESPN's
Heat winning it all in this one too like hova's? I shouldn't have done some back reading.

[Axel The Great]

Heat winning it all in this one too like hova's? I shouldn't have done some back reading.

Actually, the Lakers won it in hova's iirc, which is even worse.

[shadowgrin]

Hmmm, I have my stories mixed up then. Doesn't matter, Heat winning it all - bleeech.

[The X]

Can't wait to see the Rubio news. I predict him being stupid and staying

Not sure yet, it'll either be this season or next.

Nice Draft Lottery coverage X. Even better than ESPN's
Heat winning it all in this one too like hova's? I shouldn't have done some back reading.

Cheers, glad ppl like the draft lottery coverage. As for heat, why do you think I didn't have much playoff coverage?

Heat winning it all in this one too like hova's? I shouldn't have done some back reading.

Actually, the Lakers won it in hova's iirc, which is even worse.

Lakers are so-so off-season so I don't know if they will be top of West in 2011/12 season. I'm thinking maybe mid-level West team within a season or two.

Hmmm, I have my stories mixed up then. Doesn't matter, Heat winning it all - bleeech.

Agreed, I didn't like Heat winning either. Hopefully their knee jerk reactions will prevent them from taking it further. My early pick for 2011/12 is Hawks, they are tough now, but we will get to that in time.

[hova-]

I think people didn't like the Lakers winning it in mine because they were facing the Cs. In this one, it was pretty ugly because you couldn't root for any team in the Finals. (expect your name was Sit)

[The X]

2011 OFF-SEASON RECAP - PRE-DRAFT NOTES/RUMOURS

HAWKS NOT NECESSARILY DRAFTING BY NEED

Most mock drafts that have surfaced across the Web since the Atlanta Hawks shocked the league and won the draft lottery seem to suggest they are destined to pick ACC sophomore point guard Floyd Bradley, since that is the position that this playoff-calibre team is in most dire need of with Mike Bibby reign in Georgia being over. The Hawks' General Manager Rick Sund seems to disagree with this sentiment. "We will pick who we believe is the best available player, regardless of position. If we happen to fill an immediate need then all the better."

Atlanta brought in only three players for interviews and light workouts. Those players are the aformentioned Floyd Bradley (Maryland), sophomore shooting guard Perry Buchanan (UCLA) and junior shooting guard Chuck Smith (Oregon State).

WARRIORS MAY TRADE DOWN OR OUT OF DRAFT

The Golden State Warriors are keeping their cards close to their chest, but an insider has indicated to me that if the player they covet is not available at their pick (#2 overall), then they will trade down or out of the draft. As the Warriors are already stacked at point guard with Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis (who is starting SG but can also run the point), they have no desire to add to that logjam and draft Maryland point guard Floyd Bradley. That likely leaves them likely coveting one of the two top swingmen in the draft, UCLA's Perry Buchanan or Oregon State's Chuck Smith.

RAPTORS HOPING THAT BRADLEY DROPS TO THREE

Since trading last season’s starting point guard Jose Calderon to the Portland Trailblazers for centre Joel Pryzbilla and point guard Patrick Mills in what was essentially a salary dump since the Raptors don’t plan to keep either player, the Raptors are short at point guard, with Jarrett Jack being the team’s starter.

There is only one elite level point guard in this draft and that is Maryland’s Floyd Bradley, and if Atlanta were to pass on him then odds look good that he might last until the Raptors number three pick.

PHILLY AND NETS LOOKING ABROAD AT THEIR SPOTS

The Philadelphia 76ers have gotten Swedish big man Johan Svensson back for a second look. It is possible that they will make him the first foreign born player selected in this year’s draft.

Meanwhile, the Nets are looking for a starting shooting guard and they’re in the right draft. Argentina’s Ciro Nunez has peaked their interest and is as close as you’ll get to a Manu Ginobili clone. Nunez might be the best shooting guard left on board by the time the Nets come to pick.

T’WOLVES LOOKING AT VARIOUS OPTIONS AFTER RUBIO DECISION

After a so-so European campaign with Regal Barcelona, Spanish prodigy Ricky Rubio has committed to coming over to the NBA for the 2011/12 season. Rubio won’t be available for summer league due to commitments he has with the Spanish National Team.

This decision will mean that Minnesota likely won’t look at drafting a point guard (Nebraska senior Mo Bosh likely being the best available), but with GM David Kahn’s history, you can never say never. Minnesota has brought in a host of players, including international prospects PF Johan Svensson (Sweden), SG Ciro Nunez (Argentina) and SF Jin Lam (China).

Strangely enough they also had SG Chuck Smith (Oregon State) in for a workout, despite him likely being gone well before the Timberwolves pick at six. Meanwhile SG Perry Buchanan (UCLA) and PG Floyd Bradley (Maryland) were the only players to deny workout offers with the Timberwolves.

CBA WANTS GUARANTEED STARTING SPOT FOR JIN LAM

In what NBA league officials feared when Lam entered the draft, a repeat of the Yi Jianlian draft/power broking fiasco. Hopefully this won’t be the case for talented forward Jin Lam, who hopes to be the third Chinese player drafted in the NBA lottery. Lam figures to fall somewhere from mid-to-late lottery.

BAYLOR’S RICHIE STRICKLAND IMPRESSIVE IN WORKOUTS, VANDY’S ART BURKS NOT SO

Word on the street is that Baylor forward Richie Strickland has been shooting the lights out in workouts and is climbing up the draft boards, with some pundits predicting he could go as seven to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Meanwhile Vanderbilt freshman forward Art Burks, who for most of the season has been pegged as a top five talent, has had mediocre workouts and is in danger of sliding in such a deep draft with such parity in the lottery.

BUCKS MAKE A PROMISE TO LAMBROS WASHBURN?

Point guard Lambros Washburn seems bound for the lottery after only one collegiate season with the Washington Huskies, as the Milwaukee Bucks have apparently made a promise to Washburn’s agent. The Bucks are looking for a young, solid backup point guard for Brandon Jennings.

WITT IMPRESSIVE IN WORKOUTS BUT HAS NO IDEA WHERE HE WILL GO

Saint Mary’s lead guard William Witt has probably clocked up the most frequent flyer miles during pre-draft workouts, having worked out for twelve different times across the country. Most feedback on Witt’s performance has been positive, yet nobody can peg where he will go nor will anybody commit to the 5’8” Asian Australian. Some scouts suggest he could go late lottery whilst others struggle to see him as a first round pick due to his size. It could be a nervous night for the Witt family come June 23.

WISCONSIN BACKCOURT TANDEM STRUGGLE TO MAKE MARK IN WORKOUTS

Wisconsin teammates from New Zealand, shooting guard Andy Woodson and point guard Marcel Moore, have reportedly struggle to make their mark in workouts and are both in danger of sliding out of the first round. Woodson has surprisingly struggled with his shot, which is one of his major assets, meanwhile Moore has been passive and deferring to teammates, which is not the best way to shine the best light on yourself.

DRAGIC DESTINED FOR SECOND ROUND

Miami (Ohio) power forward Benjamin Dragic had high hopes of cracking the first round, but has failed to build on his up-and-down college career in pre-draft workouts. Dragic has shown the same strengths and weaknesses that he showed throughout his four year college career, so what you see is really what you get.

[Fresh8]

I think people didn't like the Lakers winning it in mine because they were facing the Cs. In this one, it was pretty ugly because you couldn't root for any team in the Finals. (expect your name was Sit)

And I wasn't even here for it!

RUBIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[hova-]

Hell yeah, with Rubio coming over, your draft choice should be the best SG available, or rather the best SG in your eyes. Do you prefer more of a shooter or the slashing type?

[Fresh8]

Hell yeah, with Rubio coming over, your draft choice should be the best SG available (Witt), or rather the best SG in your eyes (Witt). Do you prefer more of a shooter (Witt) or the slashing type (Witt)?

I agree with Hova

[Houndy]

Rocky Rubio owns!

[shadowgrin]

I see that Sit needs to be slapped in this one.

[Fresh8]

I see that Sit needs to be slapped in this one.

Since when does that not happen anywhere else?

[The X]

Hell yeah, with Rubio coming over, your draft choice should be the best SG available, or rather the best SG in your eyes. Do you prefer more of a shooter or the slashing type?

Yep, I think you've keyed into my number one want in this Draft, a starting SG. I see Wes Johnson as more of a starting SF (I guess Beas Knees is the odd one out). Problem there are only two SG's that are probably good to start right from day one, Perry Buchanan and Chuck Smith. After pre-draft workouts I like both for different reasons. Buchanan has that pedigree, is a good athlete & a good shooter. I have no doubt he will be an All-Star in this Association sooner rather than later. As for Chuck Smith, he's a great athlete, probably a bit better defender than Perry, & he's more of a slasher. If I had to choose between the two of them, I'd probably lean towards Buchanan as my team needs more of a shooter than a slasher since Wes & Corey Brewer are slashers.

But those guys are both pegged as top 5 picks so probably gone. Then you've got Ciro Nunez of Argentina. I don't think he's ready to start, but he'd be a good player off bench for a season or two until he's ready to take the reigns of a starting spot. As for Leslie Berry and Dillon Stevens, who are probably the sorts of 2 guards that will be available at 6, I'm not overly impressed with them and don't know if either would help that much

[kibaxx7]

I like that idea someone said, of trading Flynn with maybe another player for a higher pick.

[The X]

I like that idea someone said, of trading Flynn with maybe another player for a higher pick.

I won't be offering any trades, seems cheese. If CPU makes offers for him then completely different story.

[kibaxx7]

Use the Trade Finder to see what the CPU offers for him.

[The X]

Use the Trade Finder to see what the CPU offers for him.

I don't use Trade Finder in off-seasons.