Road to Glory II

[Valor]

Monthly Recaps: March 2012
Part Three: Rookie Rankings

1. Will Sit, PG, Portland Trailblazers
G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT%
76 | 76 | 30.7 | 17.0 | 0.9 | 4.1 | 0.9 | 0.0 | .422 | .405 | .775
Last Month: 2 | Drafted: 14

2. Liam Washburn, PG, Miami Heat
G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT%
75 | 75 | 30.2 | 12.9 | 3.8 | 6.7 | 0.2 | 0.2 | .438 | .461 | .738
Last Month: 1 | Drafted: 17

3. Harrison Barnes, SF, Milwaukee Bucks
G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT%
74 | 8 | 25.2 | 15.4 | 5.1 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | .472 | .429 | .892
Last Month: 3 | Drafted: 1

4. Perry Jones, PF, Indiana Pacers
G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT%
70 | 70 | 32.8 | 11.6 | 7.2 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.2 | .418 | .259 | .744
Last Month: 4 | Drafted: 5

5. Jonas Valanciunas, PF, Toronto Raptors
G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT%
75 | 7 | 23.9 | 7.9 | 6.3 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 1.6 | .509 | .000 | .688
Last Month: 5 | Drafted: 4

6. Octavius Ocho, C, San Antonio Spurs
G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT%
76 | 30 | 21.4 | 6.1 | 6.8 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 1.6 | .585 | .000 | .486
Last Month: 6 | Drafted: 13

7. Martti Must, PF, Houston Rockets
G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT%
74 | 0 | 16.0 | 7.6 | 4.1 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.9 | .466 | .446 | .767
Last Month: 7 | Drafted: 25

8. Tiny Gallon, PF, Memphis Grizzlies
G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT%
74 | 74 | 22.7 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.7 | .396 | .000 | .711
Last Month: 8 | Drafted: 12

9. Howard Thompkins, PF, Cleveland Cavaliers
G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT%
74 | 0 | 11.5 | 5.7 | 2.6 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.4 | .442 | .359 | .839
Last Month: N/A | Drafted: 31

10. Robbie Hummel, SF, Utah Jazz
G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT%
75 | 0 | 9.6 | 4.8 | 2.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.3 | .440 | .285 | .850
Last Month: N/A | Drafted: 11

[Valor]

Monthly Recaps: March 2012
Part Four: Race to the MVP

Entering the latter stretch of the season, Kobe Bryant is all business

1. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers (62-13)

Stats: PPG -- 30.6; RPG -- 4.7; APG -- 4.8; SPG -- 2.2; BPG -- 0.5; FG% -- .530; 3P% -- .452; FT% -- .879
Last Month's Rank: 1
Comment: Bryant's Lakers went 14-2 in the month of march, which included quality wins over worthy adversaries such as Dwyane Wade's Heat and LeBron James' Sacramento Kings; but none of them was as important as the Lakers' 96-93 victory over Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets. Kobe and the Lakers have now finally streaked past New Orleans for the top seed in the West and holds the best record in the league at 62-13. They are one game ahead of the Hornets with 7 games left to play for both clubs. Barring anything unexpected, the defending MVP should be able to take home his second straight, and third overall Maurice Podoloff trophy.


2. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets (61-14)

Stats: PPG -- 21.1; RPG -- 4.5; APG -- 10.0; SPG -- 2.6; BPG -- 0.2; FG% -- .538; 3P% -- .410; FT% -- .884
Last Month's Rank: 2
Comment: CP3 and the Hornets went just 11-4 this month, including heartbreaking one point losses to the struggling Jazz and Cavaliers. Hard to drop Paul down a spot here though, because his Hornets still possess an unbelieveable 61-14 record for the season.


3. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls (54-21)

Stats: PPG -- 26.5; RPG -- 3.1; APG -- 8.2; SPG -- 1.7; BPG -- 0.7; FG% -- .539; 3P% -- .368; FT% -- .822
Last Month's Rank: 3
Comment: The numbers speak for themselves and D-Rose just had a spectular month to say the least. His Bulls went on a 14 game winning streak to go 14-2 for the month, and during that stretch Poohdini mustered averages of 28.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 9.4 assists, including a game in which he went off for a career high 45 points alongside 12 assists and 5 steals.


4. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat (53-22)

Stats: PPG -- 27.1; RPG -- 3.7; APG -- 6.8; SPG -- 2.3; BPG -- 1.7; FG% -- .514; 3P% -- .352; FT% -- .766
Last Month's Rank: 4
Comment: With the Washington Wizards struggling a bit this month, the Miami Heat took advantage. Led by Dwyane Wade, the Heat have won their last 10 games and have jumped up the standings to hold the 3rd seed in the East. They are now just 1 game behind Chicago for the second seed and 2.5 games behind the Magic for the best record in the East; and of course, Wade has been right in the middle of things.


5. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic (55-19)

Stats: PPG -- 19.2; RPG -- 11.2; APG -- 0.9; SPG -- 0.6; BPG -- 2.9; FG% -- .548; 3P% -- .500; FT% -- .549
Last Month's Rank: 5
Comment: The Magic had a mediocre month of march with a 10-6 record, but to say it's Superman's fault will be completely stupid as he has been producing at a consistant rate. The Magic are still on top of the East but they will need to get their act together fast to avoid another disappointing postseason.


6. LeBron James, Sacramento Kings (41-35)

Stats: PPG -- 25.4; RPG -- 10.1; APG -- 6.5; SPG -- 2.0; BPG -- 2.4; FG% -- .466; 3P% -- .303; FT% -- .738
Last Month's Rank: 8
Comment: LeBron has stepped it up on both sides of the floor this month and has willed the Kings to some impressive victories, including snapping the Bulls' 14 game winning streak at the United Center with a 97-93 victory. They still had a mediocre 10-7 month but a majority of the losses came against quality teams such as the Lakers, Hornets, Thunder, and the Rockets.


7. Yao Ming, Houston Rockets (57-12)

Stats: PPG -- 19.4; RPG -- 9.8; APG -- 1.2; SPG -- 0.2; BPG -- 2.8; FG% -- .529; 3P% -- .267; FT% -- .903
Last Month's Rank: N/A
Comment: Just as we've almost forgotten him, Yao Ming leads his Houston Rockets to a 12 game winning streak and a 13-2 month to get his name back into the MVP conversation. His Rockets now sit comfortably in the third seed with a 6 game advantage over the fourth seeded Thunder.


8. Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics (41-33)

Stats: PPG -- 17.4; RPG -- 8.0; APG -- 8.9; SPG -- 2.4; BPG -- 0.3; FG% -- .500; 3P% -- .198; FT% -- .560
Last Month's Rank: 7
Comment: The Celtics should be thankful that a divison champ gets at least the fourth seed in the conference, because otherwise their mediocre record of 41-33 will have them limping into the playoffs with no homecourt advantage. That aside, Rondo has been a lone bright spot for the aging and deteriorating Cs, as he mustered up two more big triple doubles (17-11-18 and 26-13-14) in this month to add to his league leading total of 9.


9. Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers (62-13)

Stats: PPG -- 21.7; RPG -- 9.7; APG -- 2.2; SPG -- 0.3; BPG -- 2.4; FG% -- .546; 3P% -- .143; FT% -- .721
Last Month's Rank: 10
Comment: In the past 4 seasons that Pau Gasol has played for the Lakers since being gift-wrapped and sent to the City of Angels by the Grizzlies, he has done nothing but winning. 4 Straight Finals appearances and 3 straight titles in hand, Gasol will look to aid Kobe Bryant in capturing their 4th straight title this June, a feat that wasn't even accomplished by the legendary duo of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.


10. Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns (34-40)

Stats: PPG -- 26.2; RPG -- 9.8; APG -- 1.2; SPG -- 0.5; BPG -- 1.7; FG% -- .542; 3P% -- .000; FT% -- .790
Last Month's Rank: 9
Comment: Despite Amare's efforts, the Suns are now dangerously close to missing the postseason. At 34-40, they are 2 games behind the 8th seeded Portland Trailblazers with 8 games to play. Those in Arizona will need to pray for the Blazers to suck and them to go on a great stretch if they don't want to watch the first round on TV.

[mp3]

Huge numbers by Rondo , good stuff

[kibaxx7]

Lets pretend he's a long lost uncle of the same name or something

Yep that's what I was gonna say

Rondo is killing!

[Houndy]

Rajon is on fire

[Valor]

Huge numbers by Rondo , good stuff

Rondo is killing![/b]

Rajon is on fire

Thanks guys, as you all know I hate Rondo probably only second to Lebrick, but he is damn ballin....both here AND in real life

[Valor]

Monthly Recaps: March2012
Part Five: Miscellaneous Recaps

NLSC Player Watch
Will Sit, Portland Trailblazers
G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TOPG | FPG | FG% | 3P% | FT%
76 | 76 | 30.7 | 17.0 | 0.9 | 4.1 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 2.8 | 2.9 | .422 | .405 | .775

Game of the Month
March 20th vs San Antonio Spurs (Win 100-90)
34 points (career high), 3 assists, 3 steals, 5 turnovers, 11-22 FG, 2-4 3PT, 10-11 FT


Liam Washburn, Miami Heat
G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TOPG | FPG | FG% | 3P% | FT%
75 | 75 | 30.2 | 12.9 | 3.8 | 6.7 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1.7 | 2.3 | .438 | .461 | .738

Game of the Month
March 20th vs Charlotte Bobcats (Win 118-95)
21 points, 3 rebounds, 16 assists (career high), 2 turnovers, 8-15 FG, 3-4 3PT, 2-3 FT


Martti Must, Houston Rockets
G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TOPG | FPG | FG% | 3P% | FT%
74 | 0 | 16.0 | 7.6 | 4.1 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 1.9 | .466 | .446 | .767

Game of the Month
March 20th vs Phoenix Suns (Win 106-84)
10 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks, 4-8 FG, 0-2 3PT, 2-2 FT


Octavius Ocho, San Antonio Spurs
G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TOPG | FPG | FG% | 3P% | FT%
76 | 30 | 21.4 | 6.1 | 6.8 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 2.5 | .585 | .000 | .486

Game of the Month
March 29th vs Los Angeles Clippers (Win 115-83)
9 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks, 3-6 FG, 3-3 FT


Thierry Tirieux, Atlanta Hawks
G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TOPG | FPG | FG% | 3P% | FT%
74 | 0 | 6.0 | 3.4 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.9 | .570 | .166 | .708

Game of the Month
March 3rd vs Philadelphia 76ers (Loss 103-117)
10 points, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 5-5 FG

[Houndy]

I like your recaps, this is one of favorite associations

[hova-]

Totally forgot that the Hornets are killing it in this D. Cp3 for MVP.

[Axel The Great]

Kobe's still not old! Almost 30, 5, and 5 and shooting over 53% from the field! What place is he in TS%?

[Valor]

I like your recaps, this is one of favorite associations

Thanks Houndy! That's high praise

Totally forgot that the Hornets are killing it in this D. Cp3 for MVP.

I would like CP3 to win it too 'cause he really deserves it, but the recent loss to the Lakers in both the standings and in the game could cost him the trophy

Kobe's still not old! Almost 30, 5, and 5 and shooting over 53% from the field! What place is he in TS%?

5th at .614, and he's 4th in EFG%
CP3 leads that category at .634

[Valor]

Magic defeat Bulls, wins top seed in East

Rose did everything he could, but it wasn't enough to give the Bulls the win.

Orlando, Fl - If you didn't know any better, you might have thought it was game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals tonight.

Coming into their regular-season finale, both the Orlando Magic and the Chicago Bulls were tied atop the East with a record of 60-21. The Bulls hold the tiebreaker but it wouldn't have mattered if they lost anyways.

It was simple, winner gets home court in the East.

In what was a potential Conference Finals preview, the Magic and the Bulls both were in playoff mode from start to finish.

That means, scrappy play, aggressive on the boards, tremendous defense and of course, heated exchanges.

In the end, Dwight Howard and his Magic came away with it, as they held on in the final minute to beat the Bulls 81-77.

Vince Carter led the charge with 22 points and 5 rebounds, and while Dwight Howard only had 8 points, he made up for it with a season high 21 rebounds in the win.

"These games are all about effort, and I think Dwight showed how much effort he gives from this game" said Magic coach Stan Van Gundy

Rashard Lewis added 15 points and 9 rebounds while Jameer Nelson dropped in 8 points alongside a game high 14 assists.

"It's a tough game for sure, they are gritty and determined" said Nelson "It really was anybody's game to take, I'm glad we got the W"

The hard work was worth it, as Orlando now finishes with the best record in the Eastern Conference and will hold home court advantage throughout the East playoffs. They also avoided a matchup with the savvy veteran Boston Celtics, who were overtaken by the Philadelphia 76ers in the Atlantic Division and thus has dropped to the 7th spot. The Magic will be facing off against the 8th seeded Atlanta Hawks in the opening round while Chicago will go against the Cs.

"We're ready. We know what we have to do," Howard said. "We know what we are striving for. And we know we want to be the team to win 16 games."

For the Bulls, it was a disappointing end to their marvelous season; in which they have attained 60+ wins for the first time since the second three peat was completed in 1998.

They gave it their all tonight, but just came up short.

Derrick Rose, of course, led the team with 33 points alongside 6 assists, but he was just 12-27 from the field and turned the ball over twice due to the swarming Magic defense.

"They collapsed on Derrick and took away his driving space" said coach Byron Scott "Give them credit, it was great defense"

Bulls All Star center Joakim Noah, like his Orlando Magic counterpart Dwight Howard, was also huge in tonight's game.

Noah had 10 points and 19 rebounds as he fought against the man known as Superman. More importantly, Noah edged out Howard with 4 blocks to Superman's lone rejection, which successfully secures the Bulls' center's first blocks title alongside rebounding title. Coming into tonight's game, Noah led Howard by just 3 total blocks.

"It's great that I achieve those feats, but it'll be meaningless if I can't get the job done in the playoffs" Noah said "I'm going to just forget it for now and focus on helping my team winning a championship."

While Noah was big in the game, his front court partner Carlos Boozer wasn't so hot.

Boozer was held to just 6 points and 7 rebounds by the Magic defensive front court players of Howard, Bass, and Blair. He shot just 3-11 from the field and struggled against the size the Magic threw at him. Likewise, the perimeter players of the Bulls also struggled offensively against the physical nature of Orlando's defense. Kirk Hinrich was 4-14, Luol Deng 2-13 and Sasha Vujacic connected on just 3 of his 7 shots.

One bright spot though, was backup center Shaquille O'Neal, who held his own against Howard in his 14 minutes off the bench. O'Neal had 4 points and 7 rebounds, and managed to deny two of Howard's attempts at the basket.

"40 year old or not, Shaq is still a big fella" said Scott "He can still hold his own against these kids and has tremendous knowledge of the game"

"We are going to need him in this next stretch" Scott added

The Playoffs will begin on April 18th, and if this game was any indication, we are in for a great two months worth of basketball.







Highlights

[hova-]

Tough loss. Boozer stood no chance down low. The Magic don't look better than you on paper imho though. You might meet in the Conference Finals.

[kibaxx7]

Both Deng and Boozer had no opportunity

[Axel The Great]

Scrappy game that was, sucks that you couldn't win it despite limiting Howard's attempts.

Iirc, the C's eliminated you last year didn't they? Hope you get revenge this time around.

[Valor]

Tough loss. Boozer stood no chance down low. The Magic don't look better than you on paper imho though. You might meet in the Conference Finals.

Yeah, we raped them in our last meeting but they brought their A game in this one Hopefully in the CF we can come out on top

Both Deng and Boozer had no opportunity

Deng has been up and down all season long, but Boozer really got shut down by the Magic bigs in this game

Iirc, the C's eliminated you last year didn't they? Hope you get revenge this time around.

Yup, it's all sorts of revenge for me this time. First IRL first round 09, and in this asso last year in the second round, both lost in game 7

[hova-]

Deng is the Bulls' key. He is in 2k11 and he is IRL. He's actually logging in the most minutes of the RL Bulls. No doubt, Rose is the MVP, but I think Deng is a clever player.

[Martti.]

Deng should def be All-Def, doesn't matter if 1st or 2nd.

[Houndy]

Dang, tough loss. Howard was killing it on the boards, but Noah practically neutralized him. Hopefully the Playoffs will be a different story.

[Valor]

Deng is the Bulls' key. He is in 2k11 and he is IRL. He's actually logging in the most minutes of the RL Bulls. No doubt, Rose is the MVP, but I think Deng is a clever player.

Agreed, Deng is the versatile X factor that every great team needs. He can defend multiple positions well, he can drop 15-20 points a night, and he does all the little intangible stuff that's helpful to the team

Deng should def be All-Def, doesn't matter if 1st or 2nd.

For real life, definitely Him and Ronnie Brewer are the Bulls' best defenders. Best defender on best defensive team really needs to be on first team, I'll be pissed if they put Lebron there over Deng just cause he can go on daily top 10s with chasedown blocks on midgets

Dang, tough loss. Howard was killing it on the boards, but Noah practically neutralized him. Hopefully the Playoffs will be a different story.

Noah is definitely matching up with Howard well on both ends of the floor and on the glass, taking away both the rebounding title and blocks title away from Dwight is huge

[Valor]

Monthly Recap: April 2012
Part One: Chicago Bulls Monthly Recap

April Results - 6W 1L


April 2nd vs Miami Heat
Win 96-67
Outstanding Players:
Miami: Dwyane Wade26 pts 5 ast, Michael Beasley 8 pts 10 reb, Liam Washburn 6 pts 6 ast
Chicago: Derrick Rose 30 pts 7 reb 10 ast, Joakim Noah 11 pts 17 reb 7 blk, Carlos Boozer 14 pts 10 reb

April 4th vs Memphis Grizzlies
Win 99-70
Outstanding Players:
Memphis: OJ Mayo 19 pts, Ricky Rubio 10 pts 5 reb 6 ast, Tiny Gallon 11 pts 5 reb (off the bench)
Chicago: Derrick Rose 24 pts 10 ast, Kyle Korver 17 pts (off the bench), Shaquille O'Neal 8 pts 6 reb (off the bench)

April 7th vs Boston Celtics
Win 107-74
Outstanding Players:
Boston: Rajon Rondo 10 pts 10 reb 5 ast, Kevin Garnett 16 pts 6 reb, Ray Allen 14 pts
Chicago: Derrick Rose 21 pts 6 reb 11 ast, Carlos Boozer 22 pts 12 reb, Kirk Hinrich 17 pts 6 ast

April 9th @ Milwaukee Bucks
Win 83-82
Outstanding Players:
Milwaukee: Carmelo Anthony 22 pts 17 reb (career high reb), Derrick Favors 7 pts 7 reb 7 blk (career high blk), Andrew Bogut 9 pts 7 reb
Chicago: Derrick Rose 18 pts 7 ast, Joakim Noah 9 pts 10 reb 4 blk, Carlos Boozer 8 pts 12 reb

April 10th vs Toronto Raptors
Win 100-77
Outstanding Players:
Toronto: Randy Foye 6 pts 12 reb 7 ast, Patrick Patterson 14 pts 12 reb, Rodney Stuckey 14 pts
Chicago: Derrick Rose 23 pts 8 ast, Joakim Noah 7 pts 10 reb 7 blk, Sasha Vujacic 16 pts (off the bench), Kyle Korver 16 pts (off the bench)

April 12th vs Washington Wizards
Win 112-87
Outstanding Players:
Washington: Chris Bosh 26 pts 8 reb, Gilbert Arenas 25 pts 8 ast, Mike Miller 12 pts 4 ast
Chicago: Derrick Rose 20 pts 7 reb 12 ast, Kyle Korver 25 pts (off the bench), Joakim Noah 14 pts 8 reb 5 ast 3 stl 3 blk, Carlos Boozer 16 pts 9 reb

April 14th @ Orlando Magic
Loss 77-81 Game Recap




Chicago Bulls Player Stats

- Bold Indicates Team Leader


Chicago Bulls Metric Stats

- Bold Indicates Team Leader

[hova-]

Really a great way to finish the month (except the Magic loss) and a great season by Rose. Playoff-time with the RL Playoffs - good timing

[Martti.]

Your defense has been great,no more then 87 points allowed this month.

[Justine.]

^That, hope you can get revenge against the Magic, in the Playoffs when you two meet up.

[Houndy]

Great month, with the exception of the Magic loss, you have some confidence going into the playoffs