AF1: 2014 NBA FINALS GAME 7 PREVIEW (Heat vs. Kings)

[Nutellar]

Now you have a really great team

Good Luck

[Justine.]

Ooohh, love it

[kibaxx7]

Superb deal. Hopefully you won't get bored playing with Danny and CP3, but I doubt it, because the rest of the team sucks

[mpac]

great deal! looking forward and excited how your season will turn out!

[Grandmama Johnson]

Nice acquisitions in CP3 and Granger. Surprised that two superstars would want to play in Cleveland. With such a dynamic duo in town, I'll start following.

Thanks, Axel. Really glad to hear you'll be following this season. I'll try to keep it entertaining!

WOOOOOW
Awesome, can't wait to see some games

Definitely, Valdis. I'll try to include more individual games in the trimester updates. Do you think that would be a good step in the right direction?

Now you have a really great team

Good Luck

Thanks! I know you've been following, even when we sucked, Osaki. I'll try to reward your loyalty with a good performance this year.

Ooohh, love it

''

Granger and Paul--what's not to love?

Superb deal. Hopefully you won't get bored playing with Danny and CP3, but I doubt it, because the rest of the team sucks

Well Stribling is an 81 now, so he hardly sucks I don't play the games actually. I only watch them and team build, as a real-life GM would do. That said, I highly doubt I'll get bored watching these guys.

great deal! looking forward and excited how your season will turn out!

Thanks, mpac. Definitely a time for optimism in the Cavs organization

[Grandmama Johnson]

2012/13 SEASON PREVIEW
WILL THUNDER STRIKE TWICE?
Oklahoma City Set To Defend Title


READY TO DEFEND: Durant and OKC will be on the defense in 2013. LeBron and the rest of the NBA will be on the attack.

In 2012, the Oklahoma City Thunder left no doubt who the best team was in the NBA. Kevin Durant put on arguably the greatest Finals series performance in history (47.5 PPG, 8.5 RPG) as the Thunder swept the Bulls, 4-0. This year, the pack will be hungry as Oklahoma defends its crown against new and old rivals, seeking to stop a potential dynasty in its tracks.

In the East, the Miami Heat will be at the top of the list of challengers, beginning “Year 3” of the “Big 3” experiment. LeBron, Bosh, and Wade won the title in 2011, but a strong regular season was washed away by Derrick Rose and the Bulls, who upset Miami In the quarterfinals. The Bulls will also be out for revenge against the Thunder, who embarrassed them in an NBA Finals sweep.

Other Eastern teams to watch include the Hawks, Celtics, and new-look Cavs. The Hawks surprised many by locking up the second seed last year, only to crash out in the first round. The Celtics will still be competitive, but are very much in decline after Kevin Garnett’s retirement and the aging of Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. Meanwhile, the Cavs are the East’s potential darkhorse, having acquired Danny Granger and Chris Paul in the offseason.

Out West, Los Angeles is the clear competitor standing in the Thunder’s path to the Finals. Kobe (34 this season) is still playing world-class basketball, while Pau Gasol, an improved Andrew Bynum, and a re-signed Lamar Odom make the Lake Show a contender once more. However, like their rivals in Boston, their window for a title is rapidly closing.

If the Lakers do stumble, some analysts expect the Grizzlies and Rockets to pick up the pieces and join the West’s elite. Memphis will attempt to shed their label of perennial lottery participants by having Rudy Gay, Marc Gasol, and O.J. Mayo come of age. Similarly, the Rockets will be looking for Yao Ming, Aaron Brooks, and a now-healthy Kevin Martin (missed entire 2012 season) to lead Houston back to prominence.

It’s NBA basketball at its finest. The 2012-13 season is underway.

[Grandmama Johnson]

DYNAMIC DUO
Paul and Granger Have the NBA Talking about the New-Look Cavs



The Cleveland Cavaliers enter the 2012-13 campaign with two newly-acquired All-Stars and considerable buzz around the organization. After offseason pick-ups of Chris Paul and Danny Granger, fans and analysts project the Cavs’ first playoff appearance since 2010.

“We’ve been rebuilding the past couple years,” said head coach Byron Scott, heading into his third year at the helm after 30 and 35-win seasons. “With our moves during the offseason, we know we should be a playoff team this season.”

Scott was considered a big reason for attracting such top-class talent to the Q this summer. His extremely close relationship with Chris Paul helped convince the perennial All-Star to join the Cavs.

However, the Cavs were not done after signing Paul to a five-year, $100 million deal. By sending starters Michael Conley and Jared Dudley to Indiana, Cleveland also acquired star forward Danny Granger.

The result is a team that has now gone from playoff outsider to a potentially formidable power in the Eastern Conference. If Paul and Granger can integrate well into the team, if sophomore standout Cameron Stribling can continue his precocious development, if elder stateman Antawn Jaimson can give the franchise one more good year, and if rookie center Clifford Hood can transition well into the NBA, the Cavs could be capable of a deep playoff run this spring.

“I’m looking forward to getting out there and playing,” Paul said, in anticipation of tonight’s season opener against the Celtics at the Q. “We still need to come together as a team, but we got the players and the determination, the desire to compete. “

[Bucket]

Let's go HOOD.
You have a very good and balanced lineup. Only one problem is C.

[Nutellar]

Yes i agree with Valdis, you have some room left on the Center and maybe on the Big Forward position, but Stribling , Paul and Granger will rock anyway.

It will be very hard against those Eastern teams though, especially Bulls and Heat

[Grandmama Johnson]

Let's go HOOD.
You have a very good and balanced lineup. Only one problem is C.

Yes i agree with Valdis, you have some room left on the Center and maybe on the Big Forward position, but Stribling , Paul and Granger will rock anyway.

It will be very hard against those Eastern teams though, especially Bulls and Heat

I definitely agree with you both--center and power forward are weak spots on this team. With Center, I'm not making a move yet, since I honestly believe Hood can develop into a decent player and will be the long-term answer once he adapts to the pro game. Power forward is a different story, but Jamison has been with this club through the entire rebuilding process and deserves a shot to keep his spot. Hopefully, he can retire gracefully or move to the bench by next season

[Grandmama Johnson]

2012/2013
NBA FIRST TRIMESTER REPORT

HEADLINES

*TORONTO’S YOUTH REVOLUTION: Raptors’ stellar rookie-sophomore duo has Team Canada flying high
Raptors were a league-worst 25-57 in 2012, but are already 19-8 in 2013
Rookie star Chester Horsley (20 PPG, 4 RPG, 3.3 APG) has lived up to the hype
Andrea Bargnani (19.2 PPG, 10.7) and 2012 ROY Clifford Oliver(17.1 PPG, 6.2 APG) also carrying the load

*LAKERS IN DECLINE?: Aging Lake Show is 12-15 to start season
Kobe, 34, still shredding defenses with league-leading 30.9 PPG
Is a season-saving trade on the horizon in Hollywood?


*BOSTON DEFIES AGE: The Celtics are sitting at the top of the East at 18-7
Celtics lost Kevin Garnett to retirement, but Andray Blatche (15.9 PPG, 7.5 RPG) has been a strong replacement


*NEW POWERS IN WEST?
Denver Nuggets hold league-leading 20-7 record, while Memphis (17-9) sits third in West
Oklahoma City still going strong at 19-7, second in conference.

STANDINGS

EAST
Celtics 18-7
Raptors 19-8
Heat 17-9
Bulls 16-9
Hawks 15-13
CAVS 14-13
Magic 15-14
76ers 15-14
-------------------
Nets 13-14
Pacers 12-13
Wizards 12-15
Bobcats 11-14
Pistons 11-16
Knicks 10-17
Bucks 8-17

WEST
Nuggets 20-7
Thunder 19-7
Grizzlies 17-9
Rockets 17-11
Kings 13-12
Suns 14-14
Jazz 14-14
Clippers 12-14
-------------------
Lakers 12-15
Spurs 11-15
T-Wolves 11-17
Mavericks 10-16
Trail Blazers 9-19
Hornets 8-18
Warriors 6-18

LEAGUE LEADERS

POINTS
Kobe Bryant (LAL) 30.9 PPG
Amar’e Stoudemire (NY) 29.3
Kevin Durant (OKC) 28.3
Derrick Rose (CHI) 28.2
LeBron James (MIA) 25.8

REBOUNDS
Dwight Howard (ORL) 13.5 RPG
Joakim Noah (DET) 11.9
Al Horford (ATL) 11.6
Al Jefferson (UTA) 11.4
Andrew Bogut (MIL) 11.2

ASSISTS
Rajon Rondo (BOS) 10.2 APG
Deron Williams (UTA) 8.7
Chris Paul (CLE) 8.6
Russell Westbrook (OKC) 8.3
Stephen Curry (GS) 7.7

[Grandmama Johnson]

2012/2013
CAVS FIRST TRIMESTER REPORT

Overall Record: 14-13 (sixth in East)


COMING TOGETHER: New signings Danny Granger and Chris Paul are still adjusting to their new surroundings, making the Cavs a work in progress

NOTABLE GAMES

(10/27) Paul and Granger Underwhelming Debuts
Boston defeats Cavs, 116-113 at Q
Blatche (BOS) 26 pts, 8 reb
Granger (CLE) 19 pts
Paul (CLE) 17 pts, 4 reb, 5 ast, 8 TO

(10/29) CP3 Breaks Out
Paul puts down triple-double at MSG, defeating NY, 111-89
Paul (CLE) 21 pts, 11 reb, 14 ast
Granger (CLE) 28 pts

(11/20) CP3 Returns to New Orleans, Cavs roll by 40
Cavs win, 112-72
Granger (CLE) 26 pts
Paul (CLE) 13 pts, 13 ast in homecoming

(11/30) Cavs Rally Past One-Loss Celtics
Cleveland puts dent in Boston’s red-hot start , 80-75 (OT)
11-point fourth quarter comeback for Cavs at Q
Defensive battle, 68-68 at end of regulation
Jamison (CLE) 11 pts, 12 reb

(12/2) Orlando Wins OT Thriller
Home Cavs can’t stop Magic, losing at home, 108-107 (OT)
Howard (ORL) 34 pts, 10 reb
Stribling (CLE) 28 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast

(12/15) Cavs Drop 5 of 6
Howard-less Orlando wins 106-103, Cavs lose again on road
R. Lewis (ORL): 35 pts, 5 reb
Granger (CLE): 34 pts, 5 reb


TEAM LEADERS

Danny Granger (SF) 24.7 PPG (8th in NBA), 3.9 RPG
Chris Paul (PG) 17.4 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 8.6 APG (3rd in NBA)
Cameron Stribling (SG) 16.6 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.7 APG
Antawn Jamison (PF) 12.1 PPG, 7.6 RPG
Ramon Sessions (6th) 11.7 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 4.1 APG
Clifford Hood (C) 4.3 PPG, 7.9 RPG (2nd among rookies)

[Bucket]

Nice to see Lakers struggling and Celtics no.
Nice updates, your team now is a Central division powerhouse and Raptors 2nd? You kidding?

[Houndy]

You should play some of these games

[Grandmama Johnson]

Nice to see Lakers struggling and Celtics no.
Nice updates, your team now is a Central division powerhouse and Raptors 2nd? You kidding?

Not kidding, it's crazy. Horsely and Oliver are 84 and 85 (I think), so it makes sense that they're doing so well. Once you factor Bargnani into the mix, they're pretty formidable. I'm also eating my words for writing the Celtics off a bit before the season

You should play some of these games

I would, but I barely have enough time to even sim and write. Besides, I'm mostly doing this story as a GM, so influencing the team's performance on the court might lead to an undue advantage/disadvantage. I'd like to win because the best team was built, not necessarily because of skill actually playing games. The best comparison I can give is that I'm playing NBA2k11 more like Football Manager

[Houndy]

What about Playoff games?

[Nutellar]

Some very interesting developements in the League. Now you really look like you can come back to the playoffs after the years ob absence. It is still early we will see if the Raptors can continue that success, i am disappointed from the Knicks they really suck in your league

The Pacers with Anthony and without Granger still seem to struggle in midfield. Good Luck for the next trimester and i hope all stay healthy on your team

[Grandmama Johnson]

What about Playoff games?

That might work, but it would still run into the same issues. It'd still be hard to play a seven-game series when I'm working 60 (sometimes 70) hours a week at school. Also, the story is kind of through the eyes of a GM and a GM can only make personnel decisions. He can't control each player on the court

What I will try to do is post the playoff series game-by-game. Was that more what you had in mind? Thanks for the feedback, Houndy. I really appreciate it

Some very interesting developements in the League. Now you really look like you can come back to the playoffs after the years ob absence. It is still early we will see if the Raptors can continue that success, i am disappointed from the Knicks they really suck in your league

The Pacers with Anthony and without Granger still seem to struggle in midfield. Good Luck for the next trimester and i hope all stay healthy on your team

Thanks, Osaki. You've been following in the rebuilding years, so hopefully this will be the season where everything comes together. The Raptors have been very impressive so far and their two best players are both generated. That's pretty amazing when you consider there have only been two draft classes and they have to best player from each one. If they continue to play this well, I'll have to do a feature on them, since it seems to help when the generated players are profiled/given some personality.

It's hard to explain the Knicks in the story. They had two years where the were decent, but fell apart in the first round both times. Amar'e is still excellent for them, but he's not getting any help.

Thanks for the well wishes. If we can stay healthy and gel as a unit, the second trimester could be very good.

[kibaxx7]

Never thought you'd have this record. Gotta bounce back, man.

[Grandmama Johnson]

2012/2013
NBA SECOND TRIMESTER REPORT

HEADLINES

CELTICS STILL GOING STRONG
NBA-best 40-14 record has Boston thinking title run
Celtics are 5 games ahead of nearest East rival Miami (36-20)
Rajon Rondo (17.4 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 10.0 APG) garnering MVP consideration



GRIZZLIES TOP THE WEST
Perennial cellar-dweller goes into All-Star break with 38-18 record
Memphis battling Thunder (38-19) and Nuggets (34-20) for West’s top spot
Rudy Gay (23.1 PPG, 8.6 RPG) enjoying career year



D-WADE OUT 6-8 WEEKS
Feb. 4 injury (hand ligament damage) jeopardizes Heat’s chances of catching Boston for top spot in East
Injury will force Wade out of All-Star Game
Heat star due back between mid-March and early April



WEST SELECTS NEW CROP OF ALL-STARS
Russell Westbrook, Tyreke Evans, Trevor Ariza, and Aaron Brooks make squad for first time
Veterans Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki combine for 26 All-Star appearances
Rest of squad (10 players) combine for only 23 appearances



STANDINGS

EAST
Celtics 40-14
Heat 36-20
Hawks 33-23
Bulls 31-25
CAVS 30-26
Raptors 30-27
Nets 29-27
Sixers 28-27
--------------------
Pacers 27-27
Bobcats 25-29
Knicks 25-31
Magic 23-33
Wizards 23-35
Bucks 21-33
Pistons 18-39

WEST
Grizzlies 38-18
Thunder 38-19
Nuggets 34-20
Jazz 33-23
Rockets 33-24
Spurs 32-25
Lakers 31-26
Kings 29-25
--------------------
Suns 29-27
T-Wolves 24-33
Clippers 22-33
Mavericks 22-36
Blazers 20-36
Hornets 18-38
Warriors 15-38


ALL-STARS

EAST
Starters
G Chris Paul (Cavs) 6th appearance
G Rajon Rondo (Celtics) 4th appearance
F LeBron James (Heat) 9th appearance
F Carmelo Anthony (Pacers) 5th appearance
C Dwight Howard (Magic) 7th appearance

Reserves
Derrick Rose (Bulls) 4th appearance
Joe Johnson (Hawks) 6th appearance
Danny Granger (Cavs) 4th appearance
Josh Smith (Hawks) 3rd appearance
Brook Lopez (Nets) 3rd appearance
John Wall (Wizards) 2nd appearance
Amar’e Stoudemire (Knicks) 7th appearance

WEST
Starters
G Kobe Bryant (Lakers) 15th appearance
G Deron Williams (Jazz) 4th appearance
F Kevin Durant (Thunder) 4th appearance
F Rudy Gay (Grizzlies) 3rd appearance
C Andrew Bynum (Lakers) 2nd appearance

Reserves
Russell Westbrook (Thunder) 1st appearance
Tyreke Evans (Kings) 1st appearance
Trevor Ariza (Hornets) 1st appearance
Dirk Nowitzki (Mavericks) 11th appearance
Al Jefferson (Jazz) 2nd appearance
Manu Ginobli (Spurs) 4th appearance
Aaron Brooks (Rockets) 1st appearance

MVP RACE
LeBron James (SF—Miami Heat—age 28) 27.1 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 6.5 APG
Kevin Durant (SF—Oklahoma City Thunder—age 24) 29.8 PPG, 9.7 RPG
Rajon Rondo (PG—Boston Celtics—age 26) 17.4 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 10.0 APG
Josh Smith (PF—Atlanta Hawks—age 27) 14.7 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 5.7 APG
Dwyane Wade (SG—Miami Heat—age 31) 22.6 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 5.4 APG

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR RACE
Chester Horsley (SG—Toronto Raptors—age 20) 19.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.1 APG
Lonny Haynes (SG—Los Angeles Clippers—age 22) 10.0 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 5.4 APG
Darrell King (C—Charlotte Bobcats—age 23) 6.6 PPG, 9.8 RPG
Quinn Buckner (SG—Washington Wizards—age 21) 9.0 PPG, 5.1 RPG
Clifford Hood (C—Cleveland Cavaliers—age 25)4.3 PPG, 8.5 RPG

[Grandmama Johnson]

2012/2013
CAVS SECOND TRIMESTER REPORT

Record: 30-26 (5th in East)


TURNING THE CORNER?: Danny Granger and Chris Paul both made the All-Star team this season, but the bigger challenge will be continuing the recent progress in Cleveland

TEAM HEADLINES

(1/14) Jamison Injured
Veteran forward out 6-8 weeks with broken arm

(2/20) Cavs make pair of deadline-day deals
7-year Cav Daniel Gibson traded to Spurs for PF Tiago Splitter (66 OVR)
SG Brandon Rush (OVR 66) signed 1 yr/2M

(2/20) CP3 and Granger Make All-Star Team
The pair make East squad, first Cavs representatives since Antawn Jamison (2011)
Paul receives spot as starting guard, Granger makes reserves
Cameron Stribling, Senso Garibaldi, and Clifford Hood participate in Rookie-Sophomore game

Sessions Receiving Award Consideration
Talented G (11.3 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 4.5 APG) receiving consideration for Sixth Man Award

(1/2) Zydrunas Ilgauskas Jersey Retirement
Lithuanian center gets his #11 jersey raised to the Quicken Loans Arena rafters
Ilgauskas remains the franchise’s leader in rebounds, blocks, and games played
“Z” was drafted and played twelve seasons for the Cavs
Ilgauskas played final season with Miami (2010-11), where he won an NBA title



NOTABLE GAMES

(12/26) CP3 Delivers on Boxing Day
CP3 shows holiday spirit, delivering 15 assists in win vs. Utah
Paul (CLE): 36 pts, 5 reb, 15 ast
Cleveland wins fourth of last five

(1/1) Granger Returns to Indy on New Year’s Day
Cleveland wins, 98-94, after outscoring Pacers in 4th, 32-19
Granger (CLE) 16 pts, 8 reb

(1/5) Cleveland Clamps Down NY
Cavs holds Knicks to 18 first half points, win, 87-70

(1/14) Jamison Breaks Arm
Cavs hold on to beat T-Wolves, 100-90, but Jamison out 6-8 weeks

(1/28) Cavs Comeback on Thunder
Raucous atmosphere at Q, as Cavs stage 4th quarter comeback to win
Cleveland erases 8-point deficit in final period
Paul (CLE) 30 pts, 4 reb, 9 ast, 5 stl
Durant (OKC) 41 pts, 9 reb, 3 blk


TOP PERFORMERS

Chris Paul (PG) 17.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 8.6 APG
Danny Granger (SF) 24.7 PPG, 4.4 RPG
Cameron Stribling (SG) 17.8 PPG, 3.8 RPG
Antawn Jamison (PF) 12.1 PPG, 6.9 RPG
Ramon Sessions (6th man) 11.3 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 4.5 APG
Clifford Hood (C) 4.3 PPG, 8.5 RPG

[hova-]

30-26 is really not that good given your roster is peppered with the best PG in the NBA and a solid scorer in Granger. Stribling's doing well, same for Hood (8.5 boards), but it doesn't look like your team is a Championship calibre team.

[Grandmama Johnson]

30-26 is really not that good given your roster is peppered with the best PG in the NBA and a solid scorer in Granger. Stribling's doing well, same for Hood (8.5 boards), but it doesn't look like your team is a Championship calibre team.

I'm with you, Hova. No excuses here--we have to do better. We're the 9th/10th best team ratings-wise, but I think there's still plenty of room for improvement. The good news is this team can only get better with Stribing and Hood developing, while Jamison will probably be upgraded in the offseason. Here's hoping for a good finish to the season.

[Nutellar]

I think you are on your way, step for step

GZ Paul and Granger making the All Star team.

btw i like that GM Style- so you have the opportunity to play over some years and see developement and changes.

[karlsanada10]

I love your style dude. I have thought of this before, but becomes lazy. haha. I'm always thierry-ing my associations.-.-

Good Luck with this and get some rings.