[22-5] Chicago Sharks - Boxing Day Beatdown

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Re: [33-49] Alternate Reality - Regular Season Recap + Awards

Postby Andrew on Sun Sep 24, 2017 11:12 am

A challenging first season, but 33 wins was still respectable. Tied the Bulls' efforts from all those years ago...I guess technically, the rejuvenated Sonics broke the record, though!
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Re: [33-49] Alternate Reality - Regular Season Recap + Awards

Postby Valor on Mon Sep 25, 2017 3:16 pm

Andrew wrote:A challenging first season, but 33 wins was still respectable. Tied the Bulls' efforts from all those years ago...I guess technically, the rejuvenated Sonics broke the record, though!

Yeah I probably could've sneaked in the playoffs if I won out April but odds of that were slim so I decided to tank it and get a better shot at a top 5 pick :lol:
Sonics faltered down the stretch, think they lost 8 of their last 9 games to end the season and so the Lakers sneaked in for the ticket to be destroyed by the Warriors :wink:
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Postby Valor on Sat Oct 07, 2017 6:11 pm

2017 NBA Finals Preview

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It feels as though it is meant to be.

With all due respect to the 30 other teams in the NBA, and the 14 other teams that participated in the playoffs, Warriors-Cavaliers III was the inevitable Finals rematch that was always going to happen.

Just like two prime time heavyweight boxers going against each other for a third time after taking one victory apiece, it is only right that the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers meet again to settle their differences in the NBA Finals one more time. Will LeBron and the Cavs make it two straight on the Warriors? Or will Golden State, after adding superstar Kevin Durant in free agency after last year’s finals meltdown, get their revenge and reclaim their crown?

How the Warriors got here
For the third straight season, the Warriors easily earned the best record in the NBA at 64-18 and entered the playoffs as the top seed in the Western Conference. Stephen Curry won the scoring title despite the addition of Kevin Durant and Steve Kerr received Coach of the Year honours for the second consecutive season.

After easily dispatching the woeful Lakers - who reluctantly (as they will now lose their draft pick to the Sixers) squeak into the postseason after the Sonics bottled away their playoff spot - in a 4 game sweep, they faced off against Kawhi Leonard and the 4th seed San Antonio Spurs. After winning the first 3 games of the series and taking a 3-0 lead, including a nail-biting game 3 victory where Steph Curry hit a game winning 3 for a one point victory, fans were concerned as the Spurs came back to take both games 4 and 5 in dominating fashion. However, the Warriors were not going to blow a 3-0 series lead, and made sure to handle their business in game 6, with Curry and Durant combining for 69 points, Golden State eliminated the Spurs in dominating fashion, winning by a margin of 33 points as they advanced to the Conference Finals.

In what was billed as a dramatic grudge series between Kevin Durant and his old team, the league MVP Russell Westbrook-led Oklahoma City Thunder, Durant made sure to show the world just exactly why he made the decision to join Golden State, as the Warriors made light work of the 55 win, second seed Thunder, winning the series in a 4 game sweep despite Westbrook averaging 27 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, and 3 steals per game in the series, including a spectacular 47 point, 5 rebound, 8 assist, 4 steals performance in game 4; thus advancing to the NBA Finals for the third straight season.

How the Cavaliers got here
Similarly to the Warriors, the Cavs made light work of the Eastern Conference in the regular season, easily clinching the top seed in the East with 59 wins, and a staggering 14 game margin between themselves and the second seeded Celtics.

Cleveland made light work of the 8th seeded Knicks in the first round of the playoffs, winning in 5 games against the 37 win team who only made the postseason thanks to winning a tie-breaker via having a better conference record than the Charlotte Hornets. With Lebron getting nearly a triple double every game and Kyrie averaging 28 points in the series, there was nothing Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks could do to stop the juggernaut that is the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The next round saw them going up against a Detroit Pistons team that is led by All-Star guard Reggie Jackson, and while Detroit shocked the world by taking home court advantage away in game 2 of the series, Cleveland quickly made amends by blowing out the Pistons in Detroit in both game 3 and 4, eventually finishing the series off in game 6 behind Kyrie’s 34 points and Kevin Love’s 20 point, 19 rebound performance.

Cleveland then advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they went up against a the diminutive star point guard Isaiah Thomas and the second seeded Celtics, who had gone to the wire in their second round matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Cavs and Celtics split the first four games of the series, each winning both of their games at home, and with Boston taking a 3-2 series lead after a 20 point victory in Cleveland in game 5, the Cavs season was on the line. In response, LeBron James showcased his all-round skillset, as he put on a complete performance in game 6, putting up 24 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals and 5 blocks in the 116-106 victory to force game 7, where Cleveland’s home court advantage helped the defending champions towards a 106-99 victory to advance to the NBA Finals for the third straight time.

X-Factors
After grabbing a 3-1 series lead in last year’s finals, the Warriors relaxed and could not come up with an answer against LeBron James, as the Cavs pulled off the biggest upset in Finals history and taking the title from under the Warriors’ noses. Of course, this team is still predicated around great team effort defensively and Steve Kerr’s ball movement schemes on offense, but it’s hard to ignore the 6-11 former MVP superstar addition that is Kevin Durant. Coming into the finals averaging 28 points and 7 rebounds on an incredibly efficient 60% clip from the field, Durant will not only be a mismatch nightmare for Cleveland defenders to deal with, but his length will also help the Warriors out tremendously on the defensive side of the floor and allow LeBron’s primary defender - 33 year old former Finals MVP Andre Iguodala - to stay fresh for the entire series.

If the Cavs were to repeat as champions, they must play at a higher level on the defensive end of the floor. The 6th best defensive team in the league in the regular season, Cleveland has slipped a little in the playoffs, particularly in defending the three point line - a major reason why the Celtics were able to push them to 7 games in the Eastern Conference Finals. With the three being the Warriors’ deadliest weapons, first team all defensive player LeBron James - who also came third in defensive player of the year voting - must have help from his teammates if they were to come away with another title. With weapons such as James, Kyrie, Kevin Love, and JR Smith at their disposal, Cleveland should have no problems scoring, even against the league’s top defense in Golden State, but their defensive ability and consistency will be heavily tested in this series.

In the Clutch
Some might say that the Warriors are terrible in this area, as both the core of the team and Durant while he was on the Thunder “choked” in the clutch and relinquished a 3-1 series lead in last year’s finals and conference finals, respectively. However, they should have learned from their mistakes and just have too much talent on the roster capable of taking big shots to continue struggling in this area. Again, the addition of Kevin Durant is huge.

On the other hand, Kyrie Irving proved himself on the offensive end of the floor during clutch situations in last year’s finals, in particular, the three pointer to give the Cavaliers the lead late in the fourth quarter of game 7; and while LeBron James has historically struggled in these situations, he has somewhat redeemed himself as a clutch performer on the defensive end at the very least - nobody can forget that massive block on Andre Iguodala - and with clear roles defined in the Cavaliers lineup, they should be able to hold their own in tight contests.

Prediction
This series looks likely to go down the wire again, with both teams looking like title contenders from before the season had even begun, and had only proved as much on their respective roads back to this stage, 12 months after the last stunning Finals series. Ultimately, we believe that the addition of Durant will prove to be just a little too much for the Cavaliers to handle this year. Golden State is hungry for both redemption and revenge, and will likely take home the Larry O’Brien Trophy after a stunning 7 game series.
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Re: [33-49] Alternate Reality - Finals Preview

Postby Phil89 on Sun Oct 08, 2017 4:49 pm

Hopefully the Cavs find a way to get the job done. I don't even want virtual Durant to get any rings :wink:
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Postby Valor on Tue Oct 17, 2017 11:18 am

Warriors Close Out Cavs, Reclaim NBA Title

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Following an epic 7 game series that went the distance and did not fail to live up to expectations, or the hype, the Golden State Warriors became the 2016-17 NBA Champions after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 119-103 on Saturday night, finishing the series 4-3 and completing their redemption and revenge over the Cavaliers after losing the title last season despite holding a 3-1 series lead.

Two time NBA MVP Stephen Curry was named the 2017 Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP after averaging 29.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, including 30 points on 10-15 shooting in the clincher. For the Cavaliers, LeBron James became the first player in NBA history to average a triple double in the Finals, putting up an impressive 21.4 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 11.4 assists per game, James also averaged 2.1 steals and 1.7 blocks throughout the 7 game series.

Here is how it all unfolded.

Game 1: Cavaliers 129, Warriors 101 | Cavaliers lead series 1-0
LeBron and Kyrie combined for 26 assists - the total amount that Golden State finished with as a team - as the defending champions took first blood in the 2017 Finals, on the road, no less. Cleveland started the game strong, scoring a staggering 72 points by halftime, and never relented despite a small surge from the Warriors in the third quarter.

Kyrie Irving led the way with 24 points, 9 assists, and 5 steals; Kevin Love added 23 points and 13 rebounds; JR Smith chipped in with 22 points while Channing Frye contributed 19 points and 7 rebounds off the bench. But it was all made possible by the fantastic distribution from LeBron James, who ended the game with 17 points, 6 rebounds, and a game high 17 assists in the victory.

Steph Curry led the way for Golden State with 31 points and 4 steals, while Draymond Green added 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists in the losing effort. Kevin Durant scored 17 points but had just 12 shots as the Warriors failed to move the ball round in their usual manner.

Game 2: Warriors 125, Cavaliers 105 | Series even at 1-1
Led by Steph Curry’s Finals career high 46 points, the Golden State Warriors responded in a big way following their game 1 defeat at home and even up the series at one game apiece going into Cleveland for the next two games. Kevin Durant added 25 points while Klay Thompson had 22 of his own. With the exception of the first basket of the game - a three pointer made by Cleveland - the Warriors were thoroughly in control and never trailed in the contest, leading by as many as 22 points at one stage and shot over 52% from the field as a team.

Cleveland was led by LeBron James, who notched a triple double with 29 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists, and 4 steals in the contest. Kyrie Irving had 21 points, while Kevin Love finished with a modest double double of 13 points and 11 rebounds after going just 3 for 11 in the game.

Game 3: Cleveland 115, Warriors 100 | Cavaliers lead series 2-1
Behind Kyrie Irving’s 32 points and LeBron James’ second straight triple double - 19 points, 10 rebounds, 16 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocks - the Cleveland Cavaliers pull ahead once again in the series, starving off a furious fourth quarter comeback by the Warriors thanks in part to a fantastic 42 point first quarter. Cleveland led by as many as 33 points in the contest before taking their foot off the pedal a little, as Golden State was able to mount a small comeback that ultimately came up short due to the enormous difference from the onset.

Kevin Durant led the way with 22 points for Golden State, Steph Curry chipped in with 18-6-6, while Draymond Green put in an all-rounded performance of 11 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 blocks. However, the Warriors offense stuttered following a fantastic game 2 performance, managing just 8 of 22 from three and 38 field goals in total (43%) in the game, and was unable to capitalize on 17 turnovers committed by Cleveland.

Game 4: Warriors 115, Cavaliers 108 | Series even at 2-2
Once again, Golden State responds in a big way following a defeat, hitting 16 of 32 shots from deep and shot over 54% in the game (43/80), leading by as many as 23 points at one point despite committing 17 turnovers and giving up 20 offensive rebounds to the Cavaliers. Klay Thompson was the standout man with 26 points, as the Big 3 of Golden State all scored over 20 points in the contest, combining for 69 points on 26 of 48 shooting from the field.

LeBron notched his third straight triple double of the series with 17 points, 11 rebounds, 15 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks for Cleveland, but turned the ball over a staggering 7 times of the team’s 20 turnovers committed. Kyrie Irving made 12 of his 18 shots for a game high 32 points, while Channing Frye continues his big performances off the bench for the Cavaliers with 17 points. Tristian Thompson announces his presence in the series with 8 offensive rebounds (14 total), but only had 8 points in the losing effort.

Game 5: Warriors 121, Cavaliers 81 | Warriors lead series 3-2
Warriors break the trend of no consecutive wins by either team in the 2017 Finals in a big way at home, winning by a margin of 40 points and never trailed at any one point in the contest. Their Big 3 of Curry, Thompson, and Durant combined to outscore Cleveland by themselves with 90 total points, with Curry leading the way with 39 points and 8 rebounds. Golden State also rectified their weakness on the boards from the previous game, as Zaza Pachulia’s 15 rebounds led the way in the 59-47 advantage on the glass for the Warriors.

A lackluster performance from the Cavaliers was led by a dismal 5 of 21 shooting from Kyrie Irving, who finished as Cleveland’s leading scorer with 16 points. LeBron James also struggled despite still putting in an all-rounded performance of 15 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks, as he shot just 6 of 23 from the field, and made only 1 of his 7 three point attempts. Cleveland as a team made just 6 of 33 of their three pointers, a big reason in their demise in game 5.

Game 6: Cavaliers 120, Warriors 106 | Series even at 3-3
Facing elimination, the defending champions took care of business at home to force a game 7 as they did in last year’s Finals behind a strong second quarter that saw them lead by as many as 19 points at one point. Kyrie Irving more than made up for his shooting woes from game 5, as he went 14 of 23 from the field for a game high 31 points along with 10 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. LeBron James finished with 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 12 assists, while Kevin Love adds 19 points of his own in the victory.

Led by Kevin Durant’s 27 points (7 of 10 from three) and Steph Curry’s 21 point, 8 rebound, and 12 assists performance, the Golden State Warriors tried their hardest to finish off the Cavaliers, but ultimately came up short and will now host game 7 for the second straight season at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. Klay Thompson would have wished for a better outing, as his 4 of 14 shooting from the field stands out as a major reason as to why the Warriors lost this one.

Game 7: Warriors 119, Cavaliers 103 | Warriors win series 4-3
After being constantly reminded of their failures in last season’s Finals, the Warriors overcame a 16 points deficit and exacted revenge on LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Kevin Durant capped his hugely successful first season with Golden State by coveted NBA championship he joined Golden State last July so determined to get, leading the way with a game high 33 points and an incredible 15 rebound performance on just 17 field goal attempts, (9-17) and hit all 11 of his free throws in the title decider. Steph Curry hit 10 of 15 shots of his own for 30 points and was named Finals MVP for the first time in his career, while Klay Thompson more than made up for his lackluster game 6 performance, hitting 5 of 13 shots for a very respectable 21 points in the victory.

Perhaps feeling the pressure of the occasion and hearing the critics throughout his career with regards to deferring in clutch situations, LeBron James moved away from what he was doing all series long - or rather, what he’s been doing and does best throughout the season, and indeed, his entire career - by being very aggressive on the attack instead of being a distributor. He did score a team-high 27 points along with 12 rebounds for his efforts, but notched just 2 assists - by far his lowest total in these playoffs - and had 3 turnovers in the pivotal defeat. James' aggression didn’t just hurt him in that regard, as LeBron shockingly fouled out of the contest with over half of the fourth quarter still left to play, a fourth quarter where the Warriors outscored Cleveland 38 to 20 to finally take the lead and ultimately clinch the title. Kyrie Irving scored 24 points, while Kevin Love had 15, but the Cavaliers simply fell apart without James distributing the ball and dictating the tempo of play on both ends, and it proved to be the difference between being NBA Champions and finishing second place.


Warriors Win Series 4-3
Finals MVP: Stepehn Curry
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Re: [33-49] Alternate Reality - Finals Preview

Postby Valor on Tue Oct 17, 2017 11:19 am

Phil89 wrote:Hopefully the Cavs find a way to get the job done. I don't even want virtual Durant to get any rings :wink:

Yeah I felt the same way despite the obvious divisional rivalry sentiments both as a Bulls fan and as the Sharks in the game. Ah well, Golden State just too tough in the end, unfortunately.
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Re: [S1] Chicago Sharks - Finals Recap!

Postby Andrew on Tue Oct 17, 2017 5:30 pm

Bulls choked in the first round. #FireGarPax #NoMoreHoiball
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Postby Valor on Wed Oct 18, 2017 4:07 am

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2016/17 Chicago Sharks: Inaugural Season in Review
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Record: 33-49
Seed: 14th in East
Playoff Result: Did not make playoffs

Now that the 2016-17 NBA season has finally concluded, it is time for us to take a look back at the year that was for the Chicago Sharks in their inaugural season. (Thank goodness we won’t have to use that phrase again after this!)

After a rough start to the season, in no small part thanks to the incredibly difficult scheduling (Cavs three times, Spurs, Wizards, and Raptors in first ten games), the expansion franchise proved a lot of people wrong by being very competitive throughout the entire season.

With the first victory in franchise history coming against the defending champion Cavs, a team who had beaten them two straight times to start the season, Chicago had paved the path into what was going to be a season of upsets, and somewhat earned themselves a reputation of being giant-slayers throughout the campaign. The Sharks consistently picked up results against playoff, and sometimes even championship caliber teams such as Cleveland (1-3), Detroit (2-2), Chicago (3-1), and even swept the eventual Eastern Conference Finalists Boston Celtics (3-0) in their season series.

This string of performances against big teams was instrumental in helping the Sharks shake off their 5-14 start to end the season with a record of 33-49, matching the win total of their cross-town rival Bulls in their inaugural season as an expansion team in 1967. Though it must be said that that particular Bulls team made the postseason, something that has eluded the Sharks this season after trying so hard to do so all season long, until the final month where they opted to sit their regular rotation and tank the entirety of April. This was a calculated move on behalf of Team President Kevin Garnett and Head Coach David Blatt, as they would have had to win out in April in order to squeeze into the 8th spot. Instead, Chicago now possesses what should be a high lottery pick in a very deep draft.

Outside of draft prospects, the Sharks might have discovered some hidden gems of their own throughout the course of this season. Boban Marjanovic dominated the interior no matter who the opponent might have been, Gerald Green took over the scoring load once inserted into the starting lineup and took over games when needed, Yi Jianlian surprised everybody by proving he is a very capable contributor in the clutch, and midseason free agent signing JaVale McGee absolutely wowed when given the opportunity to play.

There were, of course, plenty of negatives, as you’d expect from a 33 win expansion team. While he impressed when he played, the team’s first pick in the expansion draft Patrick “Patty” Mills was hurt for more than half the season with reoccurring ankle issues, only playing 36 games in total and forced plenty of lineup changes from David Blatt, who at one point started defensive specialist Tony Allen at point guard to fill the void left behind by the former Spur. Jeff Green shined early, but his production went on a steady decline as the season progressed, eventually being relegated to the bench in a sixth, even seventh man role. The young prospects were also underwhelming, with players such as Shabazz Muhammad, R.J. Hunter, Briante Weber, and midseason acquisition Joseph Young all too often follows up flashes of brilliance with absolutely disastrous outings.

However, it isn’t all gloom and doom for the Sharks, as not only do they have the aforementioned high draft pick to work with, but they also have incredible flexibility with their roster in Free Agency, with a staggering number of players coming off the books.

“It was definitely a part of our strategy going into the [expansion] draft to pick players who gives us that flexibility to evaluate them and make a decision without being bound long term” said Kevin Garnett, “Now that the season’s over I will sit down with coach Blatt and we’ll see what the needs are in order to be a better team moving forward.”

One thing’s for sure; there will be a lot of movement in the offseason for the Chicago Sharks, and fans should be very excited to see what’s coming next after a season that had largely exceeded expectations.


Player Assessments

Point Guard
Patrick Mills
Patty Mills was very solid when he played, leading the team in assists, steals, and three point percentage; but was forced to sit out for most of the season. Chicago will have to make a decision on whether to keep him or not moving forward.

Note: Currently in the last year of his deal, Mills has indicated a desire to remain in Chicago.

Ty Lawson
Despite showing flashes of his former self, Lawson largely failed to deliver as he struggled shooting the ball. Replaced in the starting lineup for Tony Allen while filling in for the injured Patrick Mills, it’s hard to see Lawson coming back next season.

Note: Neither side are interested in each other, Lawson will most likely walk.

Briante Weber
Weber can definitely play defense at this level, as the former NCAA single season steals leader averaged nearly one steal per game despite only averaging 14.8 minutes on the floor in 53 appearances. However, his lack of shooting and sloppiness with the ball as a playmaker means he has very little to contribute for now.

Note: Weber has a team option for next season at $1.54M. Sharks will most likely decide between Young or Weber.

Joseph Young
Coming over in the Tony Allen trade just before the trade deadline, Young was able to provide spot minutes to a team that sorely lacked point guard production all season long, and even notched a career high 10 assists - and his first career double double - against Dallas in late March, where he averaged a solid 5.7 points and 3.9 assists per game. However, his inability to shoot with any consistency will mean that he’s at best filler for depth moving forward.

Note: Young has a two year team option at approximately $1.1M for each season. Sharks will most likely decide between Young or Weber.

Shooting Guard
Gerald Green
The team’s leading scorer in the 2016-17 campaign with 16 points per game, Green’s production really took off once he supplanted Tony Allen in the starting lineup in January, as he averaged 19.3 points on 45% shooting in his 38 games as a starter. Green set the Sharks’ team record for points scored in a single game multiple times this season, including a 40 point outburst against the Dallas Mavericks, which is just a point shy of his career high of 41.

Note: A bargain this season at just $980k, Green will be looking for a significant payday for what is likely to be the 31 year old’s final big contract in the league.

R.J. Hunter
Acquired in mid-December from the Boston Celtics, the second year guard worked his way into the lineup by February, and shown flashes of his potential as a solid scoring option in the league, including a career high 18 points on just 9 shots against the Charlotte Hornets in his fourth game played for the Sharks. However, as with all young players, Hunter struggled for consistency, ultimately ending the season with a 7.4 points per game average on just 36% shooting from the field. The most disappointing number is his three point shooting numbers, which dipped below 30% on the season. Hunter did, however, lead the team in free throw percentages with an incredible rate of 96%, indicating that he is indeed capable of being a great shooter moving forward.

Note: Has a two-year team option for $1.25M and $2.26M, respectively for the next two years.

Small Forward
Thabo Sefolosha
Sefolosha was inserted into the starting lineup 28 games into the season, and produced in a big way since. His numbers aren’t anything spectacular, with averages of just 6.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists on 23.9 minutes per game. However, what Sefolosha brings to the table is his ever-consistent effort on both ends of the floor. His relentless energy hustling for loose balls and ability to knock down the occasional three ball provides the stability that David Blatt looks for in the team, and is essentially what team’s call a “glue guy” on the floor.

Note: At 33, Sefolosha will be interested in exploring his options on the open market, but the Sharks have expressed a desire to resign the Unrestricted Free Agent.

Jeff Green
Led the team in scoring at the start of the season, Green’s production steadily declined as the months wore on, and ultimately was relegated as the team’s Sixth man as a result of David Blatt’s lineup changes. Green still averaged a solid 11.5 points per game on 41.8% shooting and can play multiple positions, but it was ultimately a disappointing campaign for the 9th year forward.

Note: An Unrestricted Free Agent, Green will be a useful pickup for any team, but not at the $15M price tag that he was on this season.

Shabazz Muhammad
Muhammad has a ton of potential, but the fourth year pro is widely inconsistent - evident by his inability to hold down a spot in the Shark’s rotation despite given multiple chances to do so throughout the season. Ultimately Muhammad was able to appear in 50 of the Sharks’ inaugural campaign, and put up averages of 5.3 points per game on 40.5% shooting. There will always be a team to offer the 24 year old a chance in the league due to the promise, but it probably will not be the Sharks moving forward.

Note: Muhammad is an unrestricted free agent.

Metta World Peace
More of a coach than a player this season, World Peace appeared in just 18 games, but was granted the chance to start all 6 of the team’s fixtures in April as a final farewell. He was able to make the most of his opportunities, averaging 13.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game in that 6 game stretch, including a 26 point, 11 rebound performance in the Sharks’ season finale against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Note: World Peace has announced his retirement from the league.

Power Forward
Taj Gibson
A mainstay in the Sharks’ starting lineup throughout the season, Gibson was undoubtedly the most consistent player on the roster, leading the team in minutes played at 26.9 mpg while putting up a solid 10.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game on 52.7% shooting from the field while providing solid interior defense.

Note: Gibson signed a 3-year extension with the Sharks earlier in the season.

Yi Jianlian
Appeared in 81 of the team’s 82 games, Yi made the most of his second chance in the NBA, averaging 8.1 points and 5.0 rebounds per game and shot a career high 42.1% from the field and 37.5% from deep. He seems to have matured in his time abroad and looks like a solid contributor moving forward.

Note: An unrestricted Free Agent after making $8M this year, Yi will be looking at a multi-year deal in Free Agency.

Center
Boban Marjanovic
It’s safe to say that Boban exceeded all expectations in his first season with the Sharks, as the former Spurs giant dominated the paint for Chicago, finishing fourth in the league in blocks (2.2) while also leading the team in rebounding at 10.8 boards per game. An ankle injury late in the season forced Boban to be sidelined midway through March and ended his season prematurely, but he looks to be a mainstay in the Sharks’ lineup for years to come.

Note: Boban has two years, $14M remaining on his current deal.

JaVale McGee
Signed as a free agent in December after the Sharks traded away Alexis Ajinca to the Celtics in the R.J. Hunter deal, McGee was granted spot minutes near the end of January and supplanted Roy Hibbert as the primary backup by the end of February. McGee really shined in March after starter Boban Marjanovic went down with an injury, putting up career highs in rebounds at Detroit (19) and again the next night against the Pelicans at home (23), averaging 9.6 points and 14.8 rebounds per game in his 8 starts. Look for McGee to pressure Boban for the starting job in training camp next season.

Note: McGee has a team option at $1.02M for next season, and the Sharks would be stupid to not pick it up.

Roy Hibbert
Appearing in 81 games for the team this year but supplanted in the rotation by JaVale McGee in March, the former Pacers big had a very strange season for the Sharks. He shot the ball well, as his 48.8% from the field was the highest since the 2011-12 season, and he also rebounded the ball well, averaging just under 6 boards per game on 16 minutes, but just was not able to make himself stand out against strong competition for minutes at the center spot in the form of Marjanovic and McGee. The 30 year old definitely can still contribute to a team in need of a big, but will likely have to leave Chicago in order to get that opportunity.

Note: An unrestricted Free Agent, Hibbert will look to join a team that has holes to fill in the middle to maximize playing time.

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Last edited by Valor on Wed Oct 18, 2017 5:07 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: [S1] Chicago Sharks - Finals Recap!

Postby Valor on Wed Oct 18, 2017 4:09 am

Andrew wrote:Bulls choked in the first round. #FireGarPax #NoMoreHoiball

Yep, noticed that too. The only higher seeded team to lose their series. Absolutely pathetic :facepalm2:
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Re: [S1] Chicago Sharks - Finals Recap + Sharks Season Review!

Postby Andrew on Wed Oct 18, 2017 8:06 am

Overall, it was a respectable year for an expansion club. At the same time, I imagine it was a little tough to play through.
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Re: [S1] Chicago Sharks - Finals Recap + Sharks Season Review!

Postby Valor on Wed Oct 18, 2017 9:15 am

Andrew wrote:Overall, it was a respectable year for an expansion club. At the same time, I imagine it was a little tough to play through.

Correct, it's part of the reason why it took me so long to get through the season :lol:
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Re: [S1] Chicago Sharks - Finals Recap + Sharks Season Review!

Postby Andrew on Wed Oct 18, 2017 9:17 am

Understandable. I must admit I've never struggled all the way through a losing season, so hats off for persevering!
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Re: [S1] Chicago Sharks - Finals Recap + Sharks Season Review!

Postby Valor on Wed Oct 18, 2017 9:22 am

Andrew wrote:Understandable. I must admit I've never struggled all the way through a losing season, so hats off for persevering!

Cheers, Gerald Green and JaVale McGee are pretty fun to use so that certainly helped. Also looking forward to the off-season where I can build it according to my wishes (I only have 2 players on the books if you discount the team options!) (Y)
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Re: [S1] Chicago Sharks - Finals Recap + Sharks Season Review!

Postby Phil89 on Wed Oct 18, 2017 7:28 pm

Nice write-up. You did really well to win 33 games with that team.

Looking forward to seeing how you improve the team now (Y)
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Re: [S1] Chicago Sharks - Finals Recap + Sharks Season Review!

Postby Valor on Wed Oct 18, 2017 8:42 pm

Phil89 wrote:Nice write-up. You did really well to win 33 games with that team.

Looking forward to seeing how you improve the team now (Y)

Cheers mate! It took a while but was really fun to write up in the end (Y)
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Postby Valor on Thu Oct 19, 2017 5:49 pm

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Paul Pierce Headlines list of 2017 Retirees

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Paul Pierce Retires as a member of the Boston Celtics after signing a one day contract

Paul Pierce is retiring as a member of the Boston Celtics.

The Celtics announced Monday that they have signed Pierce to a contract so the 10-time All-Star can retire with the team where he spent his first 15 seasons in the NBA. Pierce helped bring Boston a championship in 2008 as part the "Big Three" of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen.

Pierce had previously stated his desire to retire at the conclusion of this past season.

Drafted by Boston as the 10th overall pick in 1998, Pierce started a 15-season run that is second only to John Havlicek's 16 seasons for the most played in a Celtics uniform.

"It's an honor to have this opportunity to once again call myself a Boston Celtic," Pierce said in a statement. "The organization and city took me in and made me one of their own, and I couldn't imagine ending my career any other way. I'm a Celtic for life."

In his 19 year career, the one time NBA Champion and 2008 NBA Finals MVP held career averages of 19.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.6 blocks per game over 1,376 games played, and was also named to the All Star team in 10 of his 19 seasons. For his accomplishments, the Boston Celtics have announced their intentions to retire his #34 jersey.

Pierce is also expected to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

Aside from Pierce, a host of NBA veterans have also announced their retirements, including former NBA champions Jason Terry (18 seasons) and Tayshaun Prince (14 seasons).

Below is a complete list of all retirees of this season.


2017 Retirees
Paul Pierce, Celtics (19 seasons)
Nazr Mohammad, FA (18 seasons)
Jason Terry, Bucks (18 seasons)
Andre Miller, Wizards (18 seasons)
Mike Miller, Nuggets (17 seasons)
Metta World Peace, Sharks (17 seasons)
Elton Brand, FA (17 seasons)
Chris Andersen, Cavaliers (15 seasons)
Tayshaun Prince, FA (14 seasons)
Steve Blake, FA (13 seasons)
Anderson Varejao, Warriors (13 seasons)
Beno Udrih, Heat (13 seasons)
Matt Bonner, FA (12 seasons)
Pablo Prigioni, Rockets (5 seasons)
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Postby Valor on Thu Oct 19, 2017 6:16 pm

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NBA Approves Draft Lottery Reform, Effective Immediately

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NEW YORK -- The NBA Board of Governors today approved changes to the NBA Draft Lottery system that will reduce the odds so that the teams with the four worst records will share the same chance of receiving the No. 1 overall draft pick. These modifications will come into effect immediately, and will be implemented in the lottery for the upcoming 2017 NBA Draft.

The NBA draft lottery reform passed a 24-8 vote, which was just enough to meet the three-quarters majority threshold to pass the legislation.

Under the new rules, the four teams with the worst records will share a 11.1% chance of obtaining a top 3 pick, a drastic change to the current rules in an attempt to disincentivizing teams from losing games on purpose in order to get the best odds at winning the top picks.

“NBA Draft Lottery reform is a meaningful step in our continuous effort to enhance the quality of our games,” said NBA President, League Operations Byron Spruell. “These changes were necessary to improve the competitive incentives for our teams.”

The odds for the remaining participants in the 14-team lottery will be reduced gradually after the top 4. For instance, the difference in lottery odds between the first four seeds (11.1%) and the fifth seed (11.0%) will be just 0.1 percent, while the difference between the fifth and sixth seed (8.5%) will be 2.5 percent.

Other proposed rules in the Board of Governors meeting, including a change of the shot clock to 35 seconds, eliminating the 5 second back to the basket violation, having the trade deadline occur one week earlier, and having only the top 4 picks done by the lottery were all voted down.
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Re: [S1] Chicago Sharks - 2017 Retirees + Rule Change!

Postby Andrew on Thu Oct 19, 2017 7:16 pm

Nice. (Y)

And you know, before you sent me that video of Wade dunking on him from years ago, I'd forgotten all about Anderson Varejao.
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Re: [S1] Chicago Sharks - 2017 Retirees + Rule Change!

Postby Valor on Mon Oct 30, 2017 5:58 pm

Andrew wrote:Nice. (Y)

And you know, before you sent me that video of Wade dunking on him from years ago, I'd forgotten all about Anderson Varejao.

I forgot he existed until the year before when people were wondering about whether or not he was still gonna get a ring as he was on the Cavs roster at the start of the season and GS at the end. :lol:
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Re: [S1] Chicago Sharks - 2017 Retirees + Rule Change!

Postby Lamrock on Sat Nov 04, 2017 5:27 am

Can't wait to see what you do in the draft! (Y)
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Postby Valor on Wed Nov 15, 2017 10:57 am

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Magic defy odds to win 2017 NBA Draft Lottery
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NEW YORK -- The Orlando Magic have landed the No. 1 pick for next month’s NBA Draft.

In the first draft lottery under the new rules designed to curb tanking - four teams with worst records sharing same chance of receiving the No. 1 overall pick - the NBA wins big as the Orlando Magic, the team that was 11th in their Conference with a record of 36-46 and held just the 8th best odds to win the lottery at 4.5%, has come away with the biggest prize of the night.

It’ll be the first time since 2004 - and only the fourth time in franchise history - that the Orlando Magic will be picking first overall. The Magic last picked center Dwight Howard with the number one selection in 2004.

Orlando isn’t the only team to make big jumps, as the Chicago Sharks (8.5%) moved up four spots and will be picking second overall. The expansion franchise ended the season with a record of 33-49 and finished 14th in the Eastern Conference. Coming up with the third overall pick are the Sacramento Kings, who had the 5th best odds at 11% but would’ve lost their pick to the Chicago Bulls if they fell outside the top 10.

The four teams with the best odds (11.1% each), however, will be bitterly disappointed at the results, as the Celtics (via Brooklyn) fall to the fourth spot, the Nuggets fifth, while both the Hawks (6th) and Suns (7th) fell out of the top 5 altogether.

These results snap the previous streak of two straight seasons where the team with the best odds has won the lottery, having previously gone to Philadelphia in 2016 (Ben Simmons) and Minnesota in 2015 (Karl-Anthony Towns).

The draft is considered a strong one, loaded with point guards such as Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball and De'Aaron Fox. Though the Magic already has an established starting point guard in former lottery pick Elfrid Payton, General Manager John Hammond said that they would probably make the pick.
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Re: [S1] Chicago Sharks - 2017 Retirees + Rule Change!

Postby Valor on Wed Nov 15, 2017 10:58 am

Lamrock wrote:Can't wait to see what you do in the draft! (Y)

Mock draft and pre-draft analysis coming soon now that exams are over for the year (Y)
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Postby Valor on Wed Nov 15, 2017 1:48 pm

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2017 NBA Lottery Mock Draft
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Fultz and Ball are just two of the many talented prospects in this stacked draft class

May 26th, 2017 -- With the lottery now complete and the draft order set, it is time to take a look at how this year’s draft could possibly go.

Highly touted as one of the deepest draft classes in recent memory, particularly at the point guard spot, the class of 2017 is loaded with talent, ranging from the likes of consensus number one pick Markelle Fultz, to the controversial Lonzo Ball, game changing athletes in De’Aaron Fox and Dennis Smith Jr.; top quality wings in Jason Tatum, Josh Jackson, and Jonathan Isaac; as well as sweet shooters with Lauri Markkanen, Luke Kennard, and Malik Monk; and that’s not mentioning the intriguing talents of a guy like Harry Giles, who might just turn out to be the best player from this draft class if he manages to stay healthy.

1. Orlando Magic: Markelle Fultz, PG, Washington
Fultz is a franchise lead guard, future All-Star, and a player any organization can build around; and while the Magic already has a young point guard in Elfrid Payton, Fultz (6’4”, 180) has the length and is a more than capable enough scorer to co-exist alongside Payton in the backcourt, and is definitely a more than capable replacement should Orlando decide to commit fully to building around Fultz.

2. Chicago Sharks: De’Aaron Fox, PG, Kentucky
As an expansion franchise devoid of real talent, the Sharks need a lot of things, but nothing was as glaring as their lack of production at the point guard position last season when Patty Mills was sidelined with injury. Like his fellow Kentucky alum John Wall, Fox possesses the kind of game changing pace that the Sharks desperately need to jumpstart their offense, which was one of the worst in the league last season. With Fultz presumably off the board, De’Aaron Fox is the next best thing for Chicago.

3. Sacramento Kings: Lonzo Ball, PG, UCLA
Controversial as he may be with his loudmouth father, their insanely overpriced signature sneakers, and awkward looking jump shot, Lonzo Ball is still undeniably a very promising prospect for any teams in need of a lead guard, and make no mistake, the Kings need a franchise changing point guard for the future. Ball possesses Chris Paul-like court vision in his 6’6” body, and is a fantastic passer that some have compared to Jason Kidd on the high end and Ricky Rubio on the low end - both fantastic passers in their own right.

4. Boston Celtics: Jason Tatum, SF, Duke
Coming off a fantastic run in the NBA playoffs where they were just one game away from the NBA Finals, the Celtics don’t really have a lot of critical holes to fill in; but thanks to former Brooklyn Nets general manager Billy King, the Celtics have a top 5 pick to play with as they look to challenge for the title again next season, and Duke product Jason Tatum’s fantastic offensive skillset looks to be a perfect addition to a very defensive oriented wing rotation of Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, and Jaylen Brown. He’s the most polished scorer in the class of 2017 and it will show from day 1.

5. Denver Nuggets: Malik Monk, SG, Kentucky
An explosive scorer who can get buckets in a variety of ways, Malik Monk could be the perfect backcourt partner to Nuggets point guard Emmanuel Mudiay, and his perimeter scoring abilities will only serve to aid the team’s main offensive focus in Nikola Jokic. He won’t do a lot of defending, which is where Mudiay will come in, but he can get points in bunches and that’s what the struggling Nuggets team needs the most right now.

6. Atlanta Hawks: Lauri Markkanen, PF, Arizona
One of the best pure shooters in this draft class, the 7 foot Finnish product not only has great size and length at the power forward position, but is a very nimble and coordinated athlete who is already very polished on the offensive end of the floor and can play both inside and outside. Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer needs versatile and smart players in his offense and Markkanen fits the bill perfectly.

7. Phoenix Suns: Josh Jackson, SF, Kansas
An explosive prospect with an erratic jumper and a mentality that straddles the border of intensity and instability, Jackson is a bit of an enigma. When he's at his best, Jackson looks like a potential #1 pick, a star in the making. Jackson is explosive, has positional size, can handle in the open floor, has impressive vision on the move, and is the ultimate competitor defensively and on the glass. If coached right, Jackson would be a perfect fit alongside explosive scorer Devin Booker for years to come.

8. Philadelphia 76ers: Dennis Smith Jr., PG, North Carolina St.
A strong, explosive guard who can score anywhere, anytime, Dennis Smith Jr. could very well be the most athletic guard prospect since reigning league MVP Russell Westbrook, and can add another dimension to the core group of young talent in Philadelphia, a group that includes Rookie of the Year Ben Simmons, runner up Dario Saric, and All-Rookie second team Joel Embiid.

9. Miami Heat: Jonathan Isaac, SF, Florida St.
Since the departure of LeBron James, Erik Spoelstra has not had the kind of versatile defender that he would like to have when Hassan Whiteside gets into foul trouble and the team goes to a small-ball lineup. At 6’11” with the reach of many centers and quick feet of a guard on defense, Isaac can guard four different positions on the floor and maybe even centers once he puts on a bit of weight at the next level. He’s no Lebron-level talent, obviously, but he could turnout to be a better defender than Lebron ever was, and that alone is more than enough for Spoelstra’s scheme.

10. Charlotte Hornets: Donovan Mitchell, SG, Louisville
A good shooter who has fantastic length (6’10” wingspan) and ability to defend either guard spot, Mitchell could be a great compliment to Kemba Walker in Charlotte as a 3 and D style two guard who could occasionally serve as a secondary ball handler.

11. Utah Jazz: Frank Ntilikina, PG, France
Dante Exum has largely underwhelmed so far in his two seasons in Utah, and the Jazz may look to take a potential replacement going forward. Ntilikina checks off all the boxes that Quin Snyder is looking for in his defense-first system, and possesses all the tools that Exum was projected to have when they picked him 5th overall in the 2014 draft. A 6’5” point guard with a 6’11” wingspan, The French international is a versatile, two-way player who possesses phenomenal basketball IQ for a player of his young age, and is already a consummate professional, having spent two seasons playing for SIG Strasbourg.

12. Washington Wizards: Bam Adebayo, PF, Kentucky
A high energy big with fantastic length and nose for the offensive boards, Adebayo will be a great addition to a Wizards team that is built around the dynamic backcourt duo of John Wall and Bradley Beal. While he is raw offensively, his defensive ability and offensive rebounding will make immediate impacts for a franchise that is hoping to return once again to the postseason after missing out last season via a three-way tiebreaker.

13. Dallas Mavericks: Isaiah Hartenstein, PF, Germany
Although Dirk Nowitzki continues to produce at a high level and is showing no indications that he wishes to hang it up anytime soon, it is important to note that he is ever so close to 40 years of age and the Mavericks will eventually have to prepare for life after the big German. What better way to replace him than with another 7-foot power forward from Germany? The lefty has terrific size and length 7’0”, 250 lbs, and has continued to show potential and development to grow into a very offensively versatile big man down the road, and what better mentor could he get other than his fellow countryman who just happens to be one of the greatest ever at that position? Make it happen, Dallas.

14. Minnesota Timberwolves: Zach Collins, PF, Gonzaga
A versatile stretch four with great potential on the defensive side of the floor, Collins will make a great partner to Karl-Anthony Towns in Minnesota. The 7 foot, 230 pound Gonzaga product covers ground seamlessly rotating towards the ball, has a quick twitch getting off the ground, and an advanced understanding of verticality that will serve him well moving towards the NBA, and with the guidance of one of the best defensive minds in the world in Tom Thibodeau, Collins could blossom into a taller version of Draymond Green for the Wolves.

15. Denver Nuggets: Harry Giles, C, Duke
Their second pick in the lottery courtesy of the Memphis Grizzlies, it would not hurt the Nuggets at all to take a punt on one of the most highly touted prospects before his devastating knee injuries in Harry Giles. As we stated earlier, when he’s healthy, Giles has the potential to be the best player from this draft class due to his outstanding physical traits, both in measurables as well as athletic ability.

16. Seattle Supersonics: John Collins, PF, Wake Forest
The Sonics made history as the winningest expansion franchise last season thanks largely to the contributions to veterans Joe Johnson and Sixth Man of the Year Deron Williams. Seattle, however, lacked the frontcourt contribution that was necessary for them to take the next step into the postseason, and that’s where John Collins could potentially be the difference in. A slightly undersized PF/C at 6’10”, Collins has an impressive array of post moves as well as a solid mid range jumper that should translate immediately to the next level, and is a relentless worker on the offensive glass. For a team that was starting the likes of Festus Ezeli up front, Collins would be a welcoming addition to the lineup.
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Re: [S1] Chicago Sharks - Draft Lottery Results!

Postby Phil89 on Wed Nov 15, 2017 2:23 pm

That was a good lottery draw for you.

It certainly is a great draft to have high-end pick in. Lots of good point guards, quality wing guys like Tatum and Jackson and the unique prospect of Lauri Markkanen. Good luck (Y)
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Re: [S1] Chicago Sharks - Draft Lottery+Mock Draft!

Postby Andrew on Wed Nov 15, 2017 2:28 pm

I'm waiting for the shocking twist where you pick Lonzo. :crazy:
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