Lv06|ROCKETS-2| Officially Closed.

[Valor]

i like the three man deal over getting villaneuva, for some reason i dont like him

[Oskar]

I'd go for Biedrins myself. Really interesting read, anyways.

Biedrins would fit perfectly next to Yao, imo. Yao is a good defender, he's a wall, so Biedrins can use his strong side - offense, he's got a good touch as you said, and put some work in, he'll me a similar player to Camby. Not as good defender, but similar.

Up to you, good luck !

[Clutch]

appreciate the feedback guys; some great comments/insight across the board while i do want to win, i also want to keep trades as 'reasonable' as possible for all teams involved (i use 'reasonable' since 'realistic' doesn't seem to fit in the realm of virtual/fantasy bball dynasties); while i hate stripping a team of its 'star' just because the computer lets me, the Charlie V trade would fall under 'reasonable' for me since they are stacked with Forwards and definitely want Graham

unfortunately, the more i thought about it, i don't think i will go this route as i want the Artest trade to be the only 'blockbuster' move made, with maybe smaller trades to strengthen role players. The Charlie V addition would feel too much like a 'big 4' instead of 'big 3' so it's likely not going to happen anymore; that said, by association, the Biedrins trade most likely won't be happening either

anyway, busier week than i thought once again; the Rockets v Hornets game is done and recap is coming (before the weekend hopefully); thx again for the input and cast entries if you haven't already!

weechees, i think you voted twice for this next round; even though it's not specified in the rules, it is just one entry per viewer, per game so as a general rule, if viewers happen to vote more than once, i will automatically go with the last entry received before my recap post as your 'official' entry, k?

anyway, good luck all; will post results as soon as i can

[TheMC5]

I think that's a wise decision, Clutch. Charlie V and Biedrins both would have seemed out of place on that roster, I think. But I think looking at dealing Joey Graham is a wise course of action. You need a little more 3 point shooting in your starting lineup, and obviously some power forward depth. Graham plus a scrub could possibly net you both, and in a reasonable or realistic manner, as well.

[Clutch]

K. Bentley's Scouting Report - NEW ORLEANS HORNETS


STRENGTHS Multi-weapon attack from anywhere on the court led by floor General, Chris Paul; combined with sharpshooters, Redd and Peja, the Hornets have a lethal perimeter game and arguably the best fast-break offense in the league

WEAKNESSES Unfortunately not many; nit picking would be thin guard depth but Pargo and Brown seem to be capable reserves

TEAM RATING - STARTING LINEUPS HOU (93) - Center Ming (94), PF May (69), SF Artest (89), SG Graham (75), F McGrady (94); NOH (74) - Center Lewis (71), PF West (71), SF Stojakovic (76), SG Redd (79), PG Paul (85)

INJURIES D. MASON, Strained calf muscle 10/28/08; Status: Unplayable; Recovery 75%; Duration 11 days; Tracking - On Target

GAME RECAP

HOUSTON (AP) -- The battle between two Western Conference super powers lived up to all its billing, ending in the Houston Rockets' most thrilling victory of the young season so far - a 99-96 nail-biter win over the visiting New Orleans Hornets courtesy of All-Star, Tracy McGrady

But just getting into position for the improbable win proved a difficult task, as the Rockets played from behind the entire match and entered the 4th quarter 69-80, trailing the Hornets by 11.

Luckily, Yao Ming's blistering dominance so far this season continued tonight. Ming punished his defenders throughout the game but especially in the 4th, and together with McGrady, the Rockets would capture their first lead of the game by the 7:10 mark. From that point on, both teams seemed content to trade baskets and take their chances into the final stretch.

All seemed favorable for Houston in the closing seconds as they held to a 96-93 lead, Hornets' possession, with 10.7 on the clock; but New Orlean's rising-star point guard, Chris Paul, had other ideas.

With McGrady covering him, Paul drove hard to the left wing, then stopped on a dime and buried a clutch three-pointer to tie the score leaving 8.4 remaining and setting the stage for some epic heroics by one of Houston's resident superstars.

Phil Jackson would call timeout and, given the tremendous night Yao was having, it seemed likely a play would be run to give Yao a shot near the basket.

But as the ball was inbounded, it was quickly swung around the perimeter to McGrady who then pulled up and drilled the game winner right in the face of New Orleans' third-year reserve Center, 7-2, 306 lbs, Demetri Beranek.

"Just an incredible game," said last season's Coach of the Year, Byron Scott. "We came unglued defensively in the final quarter. Still, we had a chance to force overtime but McGrady just made one helluva shot."

"I didn't want to foul and send him to the line, so I just got a hand in his face," said Beranek. "I'm 7-foot-2 so you figure it would've threw off his shot, even just a little; instead? Nothing but net. Amazing." McGrady finished with 25 points and 7 assists while Yao led the Rockets with 30 points, 15 rebounds and 3 blocks.

Michael Redd led the Hornets with 22 points and dished 3 assists; Chris Paul had a tough shooting night guarded mostly by McGrady, and shot 5-of-15 from the field but still managed 13 points and dished a team-high 10 assists.

Houston won't have long to savor the thrilling win, however, as it's back to work on the road vs the premiere big man of the league, Tim Duncan, and his reigning NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs.

Notes

Near the end of the third, Speedy Claxton severly aggravated a sprained finger which he suffered earlier during practice; he would not return to the game, finishing a downright laughable 0-for-7 shooting night with zero points, 3 assists and a steal;

Rumors are buzzing about trade talks possibly involving the Houston Rockets, Miami Heat and Seattle Supersonics; no further details available at this time

BOXSCORES

CP3 for the tie...
T-MAC for the win! (aka "Bryon Scott's gonna have nightmares tonight")
___

The 'Jumbo Mutombo' Contest Results #5

[Valor]

nice win!!!

darn...i lost my 1st place...nice royal flush oskar...

Yao, T-Mac, 6

[TheMC5]

The Hornets need more power forwards.
For realz.

[kaiser_kobe]

Nice game winner by Tmac! and also, nicer Royal Flush by Oskar!

Go and beat the champs!

Yao, Artest
No 8

[Lamrock]

Stupid Oskar. T-Mac, Mutombo, 6. Good luck against the Spurms!

[Cartar]

McGrady, Artest
7

[-PeeBo]

T-Mac, Battier
jumbo nr 9

[OrlMagic]

nice win

McGrady , Yao #7

[Clutch]

Three-Team, Six-Player Trade

November 7, 2008 HOUSTON (AP) -- The Houston Rockets, Seattle Supersonics and Miami Heat were involved in a three-team, six-player trade deal today.

From the arrangement, the Rockets acquired tough Forwards Nick Collison (72) and Linas Kleiza (65); Houston's budding swingman, Joey Graham (75), and 2nd-round rookie forward, Malik Lawson (61), were sent to Seattle who look to boost a mediocre backcourt; while Miami lessened their forward-position surplus and strengthened their backcourt options with two rookies, Houston's 1st-rounder 3pt specialist, Aidan Galland (65), and Seattle's 2nd-rounder, Desi Moss (61).

The trade came amidst rumors of growing tensions between Graham and newly acquired Rocket, Ron Artest; but GM, Daryl Morey quickly dismissed the notion, "It had nothing to do with any altercations or differences between Graham or Artest; the trades were made strictly to strengthen in areas we felt were lacking."


Morey discussing the trade

All indicators earlier this week suggested a pending 1-to-1 trade between Houston and the Milwaukee Bucks which would've exchanged rising-star forward, Charlie Villanueva for the versatile swingman, Graham. Initially both parties showed much interest in the trade but as the days wore on, Bucks' GM, John Hammond, began to flip-flop then eventually balked, deciding to stick with his blossoming big man.

Morey and franchise owner, Les Alexander, were also unable to strike a deal with Golden State for talented center, Andris Biedrins, then opted to pursue a third option in Seattle's, Nick Collison.

A tough bruiser, defender and skilled rebounder capable of filling both PF-C positions, Collison joins the Rockets in order to beef up their frontcourt and provide much needed relief for May and the league's senior citizen, Mutombo.

Now in his 5th-pro year at age 28, the 6'9" 261 lbs big man also appealed to the Rockets in financial terms: Collison's 4-year 3.68M/year contract expires the same season as Yao, McGrady, Sato and Briggs providing affordable, long-term frontcourt security as well as much cap flexibility in the years ahead.


Collison and Kleiza will look to strengthen the Rockets' frontcourt

The additional of 6'8" 245 lbs Kleiza, a relative unknown from Lithuania, was seen as a relatively risk-free move for Houston. Now in his 3rd season and serving the final year of a 3-year 3.60M contract, the versatile Kleiza has shown good foot speed, fair defense as well as ability to post, finish in transition at the basket or nail an occasional trey. Kleiza should provide additional toughness and scoring options to the Rockets' defense-oriented style of play.

Collison and Kleiza will have little time for lengthy introductions as they are welcomed to the Rockets in a baptism by fire against Parker, Ginobili, Duncan and the reigning NBA champion, San Antonio Spurs.

__

all entries so far for Spurs game acceptable and definitely props to Oskar for that epic grand slam to take a commanding lead! i honestly thought it wouldn't happen not even once this season; good luck now that you're the "Fox"... but i hear the Hounds coming

[-PeeBo]

I would say that, I'm lovin' this dynasty eaven more and more. With adding Kleiza, I would say, this was a pretty damn good move
I have a dynasty on right now that's NBA2007 and I'm on the year 2010/11 Kleiza has doing great and his overall is now up to 78. I'm training him as much as I can

[Jemesouviens]

Things have changed around here...
I have to catch up on some reading.

TMac, Yao
#4

[Lamrock]

I love the trade. Would rather see Villanueva, but this one is realistic and should be affective. Could you please post your updated depth chart though?

[TheMC5]

Nice trade. Super realistic, and beneficial for all parties.

Plus, I'm way more down with Collison than Joey freaking Graham.

[weechees]

Oops.

Anyway, great trade, I'm looking forward to seeing how the Rockets play with this team.

Artest, Yao, 7

[Martti.]

Good pick-up in Collison!

Yao, T-Mac, #6

[Valor]

very nice trade, i like the biedrins one more, but then this one is much more realistic. good luck with your new guys

[The X]

interesting dynasty....it seems like you have incorporated quite a few different ideas from yesteryear & incorporated your own spin....

[Clutch]

Thx for the comments guys and all new entries valid i chose to go this route since it did seem the most reasonable for all parties involved; now i'm hoping Collison & Kleiza work out; hopefully get to the game sometime this weekend with a recap by early/mid week;

PeeBo, yah Kleiza's definitely cool and i'm glad to add him; he's not quite the force he is in your dynasty but he should add some toughness to the Rockets' bench;

JMS, great to hear from ya! i know you've been crazy busy; yah, you've some catching up to do both in reading and in the 'Jumbo' contest

Lamrock, i've updated on the 1st pg but here it is again just for you:

strangest thing though is that Claxton's rating has totally dropped out from 67 when i first traded for him to his current 63 in only a few games now i know he got injured with a sore thumb or something like that but i don't ever remember someone's ratings suddenly bottoming out like this; i think Speedy's got 3 more days before he's 'fully recovered' and he'd better damn well be fully recovered! a slacker is definitely not what we paid for, especially at the 3.75M/year, 3 years remaining contract he's got us for

EDIT: i figured it out... i went to 'roster management' > 'edit player' and selected Claxton because i wanted to put a fingerstrap on him (in 'arm gear') to simulate his in-game injury; as soon as i click 'done'... BLAM! he's re-rated a '63' overall! anyone else have this happen to a player?!?
frekkin' Atlanta Hawks. they sold me a lemon lol

[Oli]

Very realistic trade.
My predictions: Yao, Webster, 8

By the way, are you planning to play T-MAC at PG all season?

[Clutch]

oli, good question; even though TMAC is defined/listed in-game technically as a 'SF-SG' i plan to start/play him at PG barring major injury; not so realistic but the only way i can keep his assists up closer to 'real life' since he tends to gun it a lot more at the 2-3 spots

game vs Spurs is now completed and recap is pending; ETA recap post - late today at earliest/mid-week at the latest; post any contest entries if you got'em

in the meantime, here's something i forgot to list during the off-season just in case you were wondering how much folks were making or who went where; aside from the moves i made, no real 'blockbuster' trades

NBA REWIND: OFF-SEASON RE-SIGNINGS AND TRADE MOVES

7/10/08
Mavericks sign D. Nowitzki, 110.29M - 5 yrs
Mavericks sign D. Harris, 52.61M - 6 yrs
Rockets sign B. Knight, 12.39M - 3 yrs
Rockets sign A. Sato, 6.87M - 4 yrs

7/11/08
Bobcats sign E. Okafor, 61.86M - 6 yrs
Bobcats sign G. Wallace, 46.24M - 4 yrs
T'Wolves sign R. Davis, 58.37 - 6 yrs

7/12/08
Hornets sign D. Mason, 15.42M - 2 yrs
Hornets sign J. Pargo, 3.37M - 1 yr
Blazers sign Q. Ross, 3.34M - 1 yr

7/13/08
Magic sign K. Dooling, 24.44M - 6 yrs
Magic sign D. Howard, 58.62M - 5 yrs
Hawks sign K. Snyder, 58.33M - 5 yrs

7/14/08
Nuggets sign J. Smith, 42.68M - 5 yrs
Clippers sign S. Livingston, 51.96M - 6 yrs

7/15/08
Celtics sign A. Jefferson, 54.26M - 6 yrs
Warriors sign M. Pietrus, 4.76M - 1 yr
Warriors sign A. Biedrins, 3.60M - 1 yr
Lakers sign K. Brown, 44.63M - 5 yrs

7/16/08
Heat sign D. Wright, 17.47M - 5 yrs
Wizards sign E. Fagan, 13.54M - 3 yrs

7/17/08
Sixers sign A. Iguodala, 72.09M - 6 yrs
Pistons sign C. Billups 53.25M - 4 yrs

7/18/08
Nets sign N. Krstic, 14.05M - 3 yrs
Bucks sign J. Hodge, 14.54M - 4 yrs

7/19/08
Bulls sign S. Hardy, 4.32M - 2 yrs
Bulls sign C. Duhon, 50.76M - 6 yrs
Bulls sign B. Gordon, 52.71M - 5 yrs
Bulls sign L. Deng, 60.81M - 6 yrs

7/25/08
Spurs sign K. Cato, 4.01M - 4 yrs
Grizzlies sign D. Taylor, 720K - 1 yr
Raptors sign R. White, 15.99M - 4 yrs
Raptors sign R. Kocur, 385K - 1 yr
Mavericks sign J. Sampson, 870K - 1 yr
Pacers sign G. Hayashi, 3.32M - 3 yrs
Magic sign D. Glover, 6.45M - 4 yrs
Rockets sign H. Grand, 385K - 1 yr
Nets sign C. Booth 1.00M - 1 yr
Suns sign J. Tsakalidis, 932K - 1 yr
Grizzlies sign B. Skinner, 9.10M - 2 yrs

7/28/08
Hawks sign J. Cheung, 385K - 1 yr
Sixers sign L. Jackson, 7.22M - 3 yrs
Spurs sign M. Doleac, 1.10M - 1 yr
Bobcats sign A. Varejao, 7.09M - 2 yrs

7/30/08
Cavaliers sign W. Janson, 385K - 1 yr
Magic sign J. Eastland, 4.62M - 3 yrs
Cavaliers sign J. Prkacin, 385K - 1 yr

8/01/08
Magic sign R. Swift, 9.41M - 4 yrs

8/13/08
Sixers sign L. Williams, 9.03M - 3 yrs
Celtics sign D. West, 7.00M - 2 yrs
Bucks sign E. Boykins, 12.49M - 2 yrs
Lakers sign S. Vujacic, 10.67M - 3 yrs
Magic sign J. Nelson, 4.82M - 1 yr
Celtics sign S. Telfair, 49.16M - 6 yrs
Raptors sign J. Dixon, 24.05M - 6 yrs
Kings sign K. Martin, 32.74M - 6 yrs
Bobcats sign D. Wagner, 13.48M - 4 yrs
Celtics sign T. Allen, 21.60M - 4 yrs
Hawks sign J. Childress, 6.54M - 1 yr
Bobcats sign E. Griffin, 47.30M - 6 yrs
T'Wolves sign B. Johnnson, 3.40M - 1 yr

8/15/08
Hawks trade S. Claxton, S. Battier, J. Cheung to Rockets
Rockets trade D. Williams, H. Grand, M. James to Hawks

8/17/08
Nets trade J. Demitra to Mavericks for U. Aitkin
Grizzlies trade H. Barlow to Lakers for S. Hasek

9/01/08
Kings trade R. Artest to Rockets for M. Williams, B. Knight, J. Cheung

11/06/08
Sonics trade N. Collison, D. Moss to Rockets
Rockets trade J. Graham, M. Lawson to Sonics

11/07/08
Rockets trade A. Galland, D. Moss to Heat for L. Kleiza

[Oskar]

Good trades.

Yao, Artest

#6