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

[Tyler]

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

[Cartar]

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

[deihatein]

@ Sixers W
@ Heat W
@ Wizards W
Vs. Warriors L
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 W

[Martti.]

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

[Lamrock]

All-Star Friday, Saturday Participants Announced!

Phoenix, AZ - The NBA has released the participants in the 2009 All-Star Weekend events. Several players from the Atlanta Hawks will represent this year. Additionally, the Playstation Skills Challenge and Shooting Stars Competition have been cancelled indefinitely.

The Slam Dunk Contest will not have the Rising Stars moniker this year. instead, the past four contest winners will participate. However, because Gerald Green and Trevor Ariza are no longer in the NBA, they will be replaced by runners-up Dwight Howard (3rd, 2007) and Thaddeus Young (2nd, 2008). The field for the 2009 Slam Dunk Contest will be as follows:

Josh Smith (ATL)
Nate Robinson (NYK)
Dwight Howard (ORL)
Thaddeus Young (PHI)

The Foot Locker Three Point Shootout will have defending champion Gilbert Arenas defending his title, against 5 other participants, including Andrea Bargnani of the Hawks and former champion Dirk Nowitzki. The 2009 Three Point Shootout field is as follows:

Andrea Bargnani (ATL)
Gilbert Arenas (WAS)
Daniel Gibson (CLE)
Kyle Korver (PHI)
Antoine Walker (MIN)
Dirk Nowitzki (DAL)

Al Horford of the Hawks and Kevin Durant and the Sonics will lead the Sophomores against Sly Vick and the 2008 Rookie Class. The Sophomores had won five consecutive years before the 2007 rookie class prevailed last year. Can this new batch of Rookies preventing the 2007 class from winning both years?

Sophomores:

C - Al Horford (ATL)
PF - Luis Scola (HOU)
SF - Kevin Durant (SEA)
SG - Daequan Cook (IND)
PG - Michael Conley (MEM)
--------------------
C - Joakim Hoah (CHI)
F - Thaddeus Young (PHI)
F - Al Thornton (LAC)
G - Juan Carlos Navarro (MEM)

Rookies:

C - Erwin Harrison (WAS)
PF - Josh Buck (MIA)
SF - Andres Carlos (WAS)
SG - Bruno Bird (TOR)
PG - Sly Vick (CLE)
--------------------
G - Vladimir Chernov (CHI)
F - Pedro Carlos (PHX)
F - Cyril Costa (WAS)
F - Glen Brett (SAC)

Last edited by Lamrock on Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:58 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Chabalaba]

haha Oh ya I remember Pedro Carlos.Did any of your players make it on the All-Star Team?But you're probably going to make a post for All-Star Sunday so that should answer my question.

[Cartar]

Fatoine at the 3-point contest?????!!!!!! Maybe he´ll shoot some 4s there... Bargnani is also a surprise, since he´s not great 3-point shooter, if somebody from your team would´ve been, I´d thought it would be Joe or Mike or even Wally.

[Lamrock]

Chabalaba, You'll see if any of them make it soon. You could be surprised who.

ratrac, That killed me also, seeing how his actual 3pt rating is pretty low. Must be that 99 3pt shooting likelihood rating. Bargnani is a great 3pt shooter actually. That is pretty much his whole game in real life.

[Chaser7]

Yeah as Lamrock has said, Bargnani's shooting touch is basically his only skill.....

Also not to mention, earlier you said the TJ ford allows Bibby to shift to his natural position as a 2. He has never really played that position before, I mean what's done is done, but Bibby is not a 2..

EDIT: As Lamrock pointed out I am a complete idiot. I forgot about Johnson, sorry Ratrac.

Last edited by Chaser7 on Wed Jul 23, 2008 9:54 am, edited 2 times in total.

[Lamrock]

Ratrac you thought Joe Smith would make the 3-point contest over Bargnani??!?!? HAHHAHA wow.. Bargnani's shooting touch is basically his only skill.....

Also not to mention, earlier you said the TJ ford allows Bibby to shift to his natural position as a 2. He has never really played that position before, I mean what's done is done, but Bibby is not a 2..

I think he meant Joe Johnson... And Bargnani has skillz! He is tall and... can make pasta!

Based on Bibby's style of play, and his assist numbers, I believe that he is an SG in a PG's body. Just because he is barely 6'3" and hasn't played SG in his career does not mean it won't work. I am running a small-ball offense anyway, and *spoiler alert* he seems to be doing fine. I see where you are coming from though.

[Lamrock]

Blockbuster Trades Galore As Countdown to Trade Deadline Continues

Phoenix, AZ; February 10, 2009 - With the barrage of trades, and superstars moving all over the place, the All-Star rosters had to be delayed until just a week before the game, and the participants are still unknown. When it seemed like the Atlanta Hawks was the only team determined to revamp its roster, several huge trades were made.

The first trade, a minor one, sent Clippers guard Brevin Knight to the Memphis Grizzlies for promising young PG Javaris Crittenton and scrub Kris Humphries. The trade allows the Clippers to upgrade at the PG position. The Grizzlies meanwhile, further their logjam at the point guard position, as Crittenton could play the 2, while Knight could not.
Memphis Trade Grade: D, Clippers Trade Grade: B

The second trade sent Raptors swingman Joey Graham to the Orlando Magic for rookie Chuck Kelly and scrub Royal Ivey. The trade allows the Magic a better option at the starting 2 than Redick, but leaves them point guard-less. Meanwhile, Toronto continues to stockpile point guards of moderate to low value. Awful trade for both teams.
Toronto Trade Grade: D, Orlando Trade Grade: F

The third trade shocked the basketball world as superstar Tracy McGrady returned to the Orlando Magic to the Houston Rockets in exchange for one-time all-star and 3-point threat Rashard Lewis. The trade rids the Magic of Lewis' contract, gives Dwight Howard a much better number 2 option, and strengthens the frontcourt. Rumor is, T-Mac may play the PG position. This move could catapult the Magic into the elite of the East. Meanwhile, the Rockets will presumably continue to play small-ball with Lewis at the 4 and wanted to shed the injury prone McGrady.
Orlando Trade Grade: A, Houston Trade Grade: C+

The latest trade sent disgruntled Phoenix Suns Point Guard two-time MVP Steve Nash and veteran PF Brian Skinner to the LA Clippers for two-time all-star Elton Brand. The trade helps the Suns get rid of a disgruntled player, and gives them a formidable frontcourt, in hopes of improving upon the mediocre start, at the cost of their backcourt. Meanwhile, the Clippers gain a two-time MVP in Steve Nash and a great leader. Granted, with Elton Brand gone, Nash won't have a great frontcourt player to work with, but his presence should help improve the likes of Chris Kaman and Al Thornton, and help the Clippers become contenders.
Clippers Trade Grade: A-, Phoenix Trade Grade: C-

These trades have shocked the league, and with Tracy McGrady switching conferences, should most certainly affect All-Star voting and the balance of power in the league. Will there be any more moves this Spring? Time will tell.

Sorry for the bland update, and lack of updates recently. I was on vacation for the weekend, and one of my cats died. All-Star teams and Rookie Challenge coming soon.

[dansensei]

t-mac to orlando and nash to clippers!!! those are sick trades...
by the way, i'm sorry to hear about your cat...

[Jing]

Holy shit those are some big time trades.

[papa jack]

whoa! Tmac back to Orlando!!!
R.I.P. for your cat..

[Lamrock]

2009 NBA All-Star Teams Announced!

Phoenix, AZ; February 12, 2009 - At last, the All-Star teams have been announced. This year, just two players will make their first all-star appearance, and both are in their thirties.

Starting for the Western Conference are Yao Ming, Dirk Nowitzki, Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash. Starting for the Eastern Conference are Dwight Howard, Shawn Marion, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Gilbert Arenas. Yao Ming led with 3.1 million votes.

Coming off the bench for the West are Allen Iverson, Chris Paul, Jason Terry, Amare Stoudamire, Carlos Boozer, Elton Brand and Tim Duncan. The East reserves are Mike Bibby, Ray Allen, Tracy McGrady, Joe Johnson, Kevin Garnett, Chris Bosh and Jermaine O'Neal.

Western Conference All-Stars



--------------------



Eastern Conference All-Stars



--------------------



Jason Terry, 31 and Mike Bibby, 30 are both first-time all-stars. Both players have manned both guard positions and helped lead their respective teams to the top of their conferences. The Hawks, Magic, Nuggets, Celtics, Mavericks, Suns, Heat and Clippers have 2 all-stars.

Ew, such a tedious article to write. Needed to break out the size 14 font for it to look right. ASG, rookie challenge, Saturday and maybe an update to my Warriors association coming soon. Keep following!

[Chabalaba]

Wow, Jason Terry and Gilbert Arenas surprise me the most. Yaaa, you got two players in ..i dont think i've ever done that.

[Lamrock]

Why does Gilbert Arenas surprise you? His overall rating is in the nineties, he is a three-time all-star and is on the cover of the game.

Rookie Challenge coming soon!

[dansensei]

why is dirk starting over TD??

[Jing]

Take a wild guess genius.

Lam, one of the more accurate ASG rosters and realistically every one of those players would make it in real life. Though it's odd to see T-Mac in the East again, and coming off the bench.

[Lamrock]

MVP Horford Leads Sophomores Past Rookies In Blowout

Sophomores 153, Rookies 116

After being the first Rookie team in six years to defeat the Sophomores in the Rookie Challenge, the 2007 draft class didn't let the current batch of rookies do the same to them. With Kevin Durant and Al Horford both playing all twenty minutes of the first half, the Sophomores jumped out to an insurmountable 32 point lead at the half.

Led by Sly Vick, the rookies briefly attempted a run at a comeback, but the Sophomore reserves would not let them. Horford and Durant were briefly let back in the game, and helped push the lead to forty, before cruising to a 37 point victory. The duo of Kevin Durant and Al Horford combined for 66 points, 21 rebounds, 9 assists, 7 blocks and 4 steals. Horford took home the MVP award, with his 32 points, 15 rebounds, 5 blocks and 4 assists.

Sly Vick, and Erwin Harrison were big for the rookies, combining for 54, 16 and 12, but it was not enough. Cyril Costa was abysmal on the floor, scoring just 4 points, while missing 6 shots and turning it over 5 times. Al Thornton led the reserves with 17, 5 and 5, while Mike Conley has 15 points and a team high 11 assists.

Rookie Challenge MVP: Al Horford: 32 points, 15 Rebounds, 5 Blocks, 4 Assists, 2 Steals, 13-21 FG (29 minutes)
MCDWYANE Shitass of the Game: Cyril Costa: 4 Points, 2 Rebounds, 1-7FG, 5 turnovers (17 minutes)

Top 5 Performers:

Al Horford (SOPH): 32/15/4/5/2
Kevin Durant (SOPH): 34/6/5/2/3
Sly Vick (ROOK): 29/5/10/0/4
Erwin Harrison (ROOK): 25/11/2/3/2
Mike Conley (SOPH): 15/4/11/0/4

Rooks: 52 64 116
Sophs: 84 69 153

Notes:

- Juan Carlos Navarro was the only Sophomore not to score in double digits.
- The real Rookie/Sophomore game has two 20 minute halves.
- No pics for the All-Star Weekend because I can't stand the fact that the Hornets court is used for All-Star Weekends in following years. Come on EA, at least have a generic All-Star arena like in past games!

[Chaser7]

You were playing as the Sophomores right? Nice job leading AL to MVP, he really did some work. I actually like the fact that 08 uses the Hornets court because that at least looks nice, the generic courts look like shit. Anyways nice update!

[homicide1550]

Al Horford with a beast of a game.. He and Durant really carried the Sophies...

[Cool Cat]

Nice game for Horford...

but just a question though...
Why do you always put quote when you post a recap..
Thanks..

Good Luck

[Lamrock]

Chaser7, Yeah, I used the Sophomores, but I just let the computer play the second half. The Hornets court doesn't look bad, but it makes no sense that New Orleans will host the ASG every single year from now on.

homicide1550, Yeah. I wish he would explode like that in the regular season.

Cool Cat, I always have the quote because A) it looks better IMO, and B) it separates itself from the rest of the posts in the thread as a recap.

[Clutch]

way underrated read my man; freakin' love ATLs real-life roster/potential; your 'virtual' one may be even better provided Bibby can handle the bigger 2-gaurds of the league; JJ definitely can play SF maybe only having probs with the elites of the league but who doesn't

Horford pulling off D-Ho numbers in the Fresh/Soph game - craaazy; but honestly i'm ready for ASW to be over; really want to see how the new lineup will fair closing out the reg season; this D's going strong