[08] Flying High In The ATL-NBA Finals - Complete!

[Lamrock]

What is Knight's last name? Again, everything I write has a purpose in the story.

I have known Psychoblue from another forum for a few years. He is an excellent writer, both fan and original fiction.

[Skills]

Damn, lamrock. You've got a thing for writing! The part with the chess piece was truly well written. At first, I was like huh? But evantually, after going through the other chapters a couple of times, I got it. Haha, anyway IMO, this is much better than 99% of the dynasty storylines on the forum. (including most/all of the ones I wrote) Can't wait to see who's involved in the trade now.

EDIT: My post count isn't so satanic anymore.

[B-BaLL_KiLLer]

Hi i am new here and i would like to say that i love your dynasty lamrock
I been reading for long time without being registered and good luck on trade lol.

EDIT: Bad Trade Mother Sucker (lol i dont think its good)

[Lamrock]

How The Hawks Players Fared

Atlanta was a top-tier team in the league, holding a 21-7 record coming into the month. They then made a major trade that essentially swapped out bench players for older, expiring bench players. They finished the month of January going 11-5, just under their .750 win ratio. The month saw forward Josh Smith become the team's focal point, rebounding from a slow start to lead the team in scoring for the month, and amassing several player of the game honors. Meanwhile, his backup Marvin Williams suffered a drop in his stats, as has Center Jamaal Magloire, who has seen his role deteriorate by the day.



Player Report Cards:

Honor Roll

Joe Johnson: Though his stats fell slightly with the emergence of Josh Smith, Johnson is still the leader of the team and continues to put up big numbers, and does so while shooting over 50% as a shooting guard. Grade: A

Josh Smith: Improving his stats in nearly every category this month, Smith has upped his scoring average over 3 points, and led the Hawks in scoring this month. His stats could possibly warrant an All-Star appearance if he keeps this up. Shooting percentage could improve. Grade: A-

Al Horford: Horford has been a consistent force for the Hawks, continuing to improve his defense, shooting and rebounding. Though his scoring has gone down a bit, Horford inches closer and closer to a double-double. Grade: A-

Passing:

Mike Bibby: The mini-me lookalike has had a decent January, maintaining his status as a top guard in the league. Bibby is excited at the prospect of playing the two. As it stands, Bibby averages under 7 assists per game. Grade: B

Josh Childress: Childress has seen his minutes go up as of late, and he has been making the most of them, improving his scoring and shooting averages. Grade: B

Marvin Williams: Has seen a slight dip in his stats, but is still the best sixth man in the league. It is rumored that he could be traded before deadline. Grade: C+

Acie Law: Has seen slightly improved minutes, and with them is slightly improved stats. Decent backup PG, nothing more. Grade: C

Jamaal Magloire: Has only started in half the games this past month. Still is relatively efficient, but stats continue to decline. Grade: C-

Struggling:

Joe Smith: Not a bad backup at the PF and C positions, but shoots a poor field goal percentage, for a big man. Grade: D+

Wally Szczerbiak: Puts points on the board, but does so in an Antoine Walker manner, as he shoots an abysmal percentage. He even sucks at free throws! Grade: D

Ellery Cochrane: Doesn't play very often, as he usually gets yanked after missing another inside shot. Unspectacular backup Center with little promise. At least he rebounds better than Eddy Curry. Grade: D-

Keith McLeod: Has yet to play a full minute of a game. Has yet to do a single thing with his meager garbage time. Grade: Incomplete

[Celtica]

Just read through the Dynasty, its very solid! I too don't like the trade, personally I think Joe Johnson might get dominated by SFs like LeBron and Melo, but then again, everyone does!

I'm following!

[Chabalaba]

Yaaa go Smith.Is he still in the starting line-up?

[Chaser7]

Nice review. Marvin Williams is putting up similiar numbers to what he actually averaged last season I think, haha. Good luck in February..

[Lamrock]

Ford, Bargnani, Williams, Others Change Teams

Atlanta, GA - It has been reported that the Atlanta Hawks will send Forward Marvin Williams, Guard Acie Law, Center Jamaal Magloire and the Bucks' second round draft pick to the Toronto Raptors for Forward/Center Andrea Bargnani, Guard TJ Ford and Guard Anthony Johnson.

The Hawks (32-12) have been the Cinderella story of the season. Behind new coach/GM Liam Washburn, the Hawks have the top record in the East. With their salary cap position, it appears that they can only resign either Mike Bibby or Marvin Williams this Summer. Not to mention expiring backups Joe Smith and Wally Szczerbiak. Washburn wanted something for Williams, and being infatuated with TJ Ford decided to trade for him. He also swapped Center Jamaal Magloire for the younger Bargnani. This trade also allows Mike Bibby to play his natural position of Shooting Guard, and with Horford-Smith-Johnson forming their frontcourt, they have a young small-ball lineup.

Meanwhile, the Raptors (19-28) have had a disappointing season, and hope to make a playoff push while they still can. despite putting up strong numbers, TJ Ford has been on the outs with the Raptors organization. Also, with Bosh gone, Andrea Bargnani started at Center with a rookie, forming the weakest frontcourt in the league. Magloire and Williams will help them significantly. Acie Law can be a decent replacement for Ford as he continues to develop.





For The Hawks: This is a very controversial trade for them, as the Hawks remain the top team in the East, and a young one. However, with this trade, they get younger and save money in the long run. However, they are 32-12, and if it ain't broke, don't fix it. The new small-ball lineup will make defense difficult, especially with Joe Johnson going up against bigger small forwards such as LeBron James, or Mike Bibby guarding Kobe Bryant. Still, they have a deep enough bench to adjust to these situations, and a good enough coach. If this fails, then Washburn's head will be on the chopping block, but on paper, the team only improves, and so far his track record has been pretty good to say the least.
Trade Grade: B+

For the Raptors: An obvious downgrade at the point guard position for them, but Acie Law is young and talented (although if that YouTube video of him losing to his coach is legit...) enough to lead a rebuilding effort. He is also much bigger than Ford. Magloire and Williams give them much needed size in the frontcourt. Though Williams is a combo forward, it is still an improvement over the Mihm-Bargnani reign. When they trade Richard Jefferson (and why did those fools trade Bosh for him in the first place?), the rebuilding process becomes official, because this team isn't winning now.
Trade Grade: B

Damn, looks like I will have to update the roster page now. There is the trade. Hate on it all you want, what's done is done. Prediction game update coming soon.

[handler94]

Wow.. This is awesome.. Just joined a few days ago and I've spent most of my time just following your dynasty. I'm still not finished reading up but you've done some good deals. Way to go on making the Hawks good again!

[deihatein]

Not a bad trade I guess. You can now play Horford at the 5. Now who will be your backup PG? Mcleod?

[Lamrock]

handler94, Thanks for the praise. I'm glad you are following. Just because they are a joke (well, not quite as much now, but...) in real life, doesn't mean they can't dominate in Live.

dei., I also acquired Anthony Johnson, so he and McLeod will share minutes at the point, and on occasion, Bibby will play the 1.

Keep the comments coming!

[Celtica]

I'm starting to like the trade now, hopefully TJ can really excel. Chris Bosh for Richard Jefferson? wtf!

[deihatein]

Didn't see that you get Johnson. You now have a young lineup but a weak bench. Hope you still continue the winning streak

[Lamrock]

Really? My bench weak? A. Johnson-Childress-Wally-J. Smith-Bargs in better than some team's starting five. Keep following!

[deihatein]

I just found your bench weak though it's just my opinion. Only Childress and Wally I found decent there. Yeah I would still be following. Waiting for the next update.some team's starting five? i dont get that

[Lamrock]

I would take my bench 5 over the real life T-Wolves or Grizzlies starting lineups.

[Celtica]

Weak bench? Childress is an energy man and I reckon Joe Smit hwas solid for Cleveland of the bench last season. Wally is just Wally, he'll be fine.

[GoHornets]

Yeah, nice trade... didn't know Bibby was actually a SG.
Do you have something in mind for the offseason? Another move to clear up some cap space? I read that you will only be able to re-sign a few players.

[Jing]

Yea thought he was strictly a PG. Nice even trade though

[Clutch]

it'll be interesting to see how the new lineup and rotations handle some of the bigger teams; i do like the addition of Ford and am glad Bibby wasn't shipped in exchange as well; nice work man

[Lamrock]

Flying High in the ATL Prediction Game: Feb. 2009

Thanks to all who played in the prediction game last time. Hope you return with predictions for this month. It is too bad I didn't get many submissions this time around. ratrac won the second straight round and is now the clear frontrunner. Please participate everybody. Pretty much the same rules. This time, you also predict Rookie/Sophomore and All-Star Games. Here is the template.

Code:

[b]@ Sixers[/b]
[b]@ Heat[/b]
[b]@ Wizards[/b]
[b]Vs. Warriors[/b]
[b]Vs. Blazers[/b]
[b]Vs. Jazz[/b]
[b]@ Pacers[/b]
[b]@ Pacers[/b]
[b]@ Knicks[/b]
[b]Rookies vs. Sophomores[/b]
[b]Eastern All Stars vs. Western All Stars[/b]
[b]@ Rockets[/b]

10 Games. 3 Home. 7 Road. Two special all-star weekend games.

Leaderboard:

1. ratrac: 16 Points (10)
T2. airBerlin: 10 Points (7)
T2. dei.: 10 Points (9)
4. Dustball: 9 Points (9)
5. Ipsofire: 6 Points (6)
T6. Chaser7: 3 Points (0)
T6. Martti: 3 Points (0)
8. balozunite: 1 Point (0)

Everybody, please continue to follow, post predictions and tell me if I messed up the tally.

[Chaser7]

@ Sixers: win
@ Heat: win
@ Wizards: win
Vs. Warriors: win
Vs. Blazers: win
Vs. Jazz: loss
@ Pacers: win
@ Pacers: loss
@ Knicks: win
Rookies vs. Sophomores: sohp
Eastern All Stars vs. Western All Stars; east (jsut becuz ur playing as them)
@ Rockets: loss

[Skills]

Hmm, haven't gotten the chance to play the prediction game yet. I'll be doing so now.

@ Sixers W
@ Heat L
@ Wizards W
Vs. Warriors W
Vs. Blazers W
Vs. Jazz L
@ Pacers W
@ Pacers L
@ Knicks W
Rookies vs. Sophomores - Sophomores
Eastern All Stars vs. Western All Stars - East
@ Rockets L

Oh, and I forgot to mention, good job pulling off the Ford trade.

[homicide1550]

Hmm.. Why not try the prediction game myself.. Here it goes..

@ Sixers W
@ Heat W
@ Wizards W
Vs. Warriors L
Vs. Blazers W
Vs. Jazz W
@ Pacers L
@ Pacers W
@ Knicks W
Rookies vs. Sophomores Sophomores
Eastern All Stars vs. Western All Stars East
@ Rockets L

[airBerlin]

@ Sixers W
@ Heat L
@ Wizards W
Vs. Warriors W
Vs. Blazers W
Vs. Jazz L
@ Pacers L
@ Pacers L
@ Knicks W
Rookies vs. Sophomores Soph
Eastern All Stars vs. Western All Stars West
@ Rockets L