X's T'wolves (NBA 2K11)

[Lamrock]

Where did you get this from?

[Fresh8]

I very much enjpyed your first Trimester recap. Looks like you will be getting through the seasons pretty quick. I am hoping that Rubio does come over for you. He's got haterz (Martti included) to silence.

[kibaxx7]

Great Wesley pic How Love's shooting 3s?

[The X]

Where did you get this from?

From the 2k profile, you just go through Edit Account options, go to blog options & you can find it there. For some reason it doesn't seem to update to latest game. Maybe something to do with cache. I see game win against Bulls as last game played on sig when it should be loss to Wizards. What does everybody else see?

I very much enjpyed your first Trimester recap. Looks like you will be getting through the seasons pretty quick. I am hoping that Rubio does come over for you. He's got haterz (Martti included) to silence.

I was getting through seasons pretty quick until this week. Haven't had a chance to play due to the family stuff going on. Don't mind if it slows down a little between now & end of first season, since I want to download patch before offseason which will hopefully fix up some of the Association glitches & bugs that I've heard about.

Undecided on Rubio's fate, he did demand a trade because I had him as my 15th man & never played him (obviously). So only thing I could do was send him to D-League to get him off my back. I might use his D-League stats as his ACB stats But yes, undecided on him. I obviously like his game a lot, but like to keep a realm of realism to my dynasties/Associations so something might have to happen. We shall see And yes, we must always prove Mr. Must wrong.

Great Wesley pic How Love's shooting 3s?

Cheers. I was actually going to use that pic earlier but since it was in a loss, it didn't make the pic of the day over the Gay pic (career high 44 points, how could I deny him?).

As for Kevin Love, if he's wide open, Love is pretty good at 3's. His % should be higher but I've forced a few too many with him. He actually spots himself up which is great to see. So yep, if you are ever using him, if he spots himself up & is wide open, it's worth firing away. I hope to get his 3pt clip closer to 30% by year end.


And to everyone, I have recently dropped the simmed stat quarter length from 12 minutes to 11 minutes. I wasn't happy with high scoring games on sim 12 minutes. Maybe it's due to the home court advantage glitch in Association mode, & hopefully it is fixed with patch. You will notice that league leaders are a little higher in most categories than they should be. This is partial home court advantage thing, touches tendencies (which I can't be bothered editing) & the fact I'm playing a short 29 game season, so law of averages hasn't applied as much so far.

[Fresh8]

I like realism too as you know. At least you have the option to have him in the story later on... I don't think he's coming over for another 2 NBA seasons though right? 2012-13 is the first season he will be in Minny?

[hova-]

Actually I doubt that he will ever come to Minny since the team is simply not to his liking (although this guy is pretty professional for his age, everybody will tell him "don't go to Minny".

If he ever comes over, I'd rather see him on a team intelligent enough to trade for his draft rights (Spurs, Rockets, maybe LA with Pau )

[The X]

I like realism too as you know. At least you have the option to have him in the story later on... I don't think he's coming over for another 2 NBA seasons though right? 2012-13 is the first season he will be in Minny?

I think likely 2012/13 season IRL. As for this Association, who knows.

Actually I doubt that he will ever come to Minny since the team is simply not to his liking (although this guy is pretty professional for his age, everybody will tell him "don't go to Minny".

If he ever comes over, I'd rather see him on a team intelligent enough to trade for his draft rights (Spurs, Rockets, maybe LA with Pau )

Never say never, but you could be right

[The X]

2010/11 1st TRIMESTER UPDATE (PART TWO)


NEW YORK, NEW YORK

The biggest story of the season-to-date has to be the unexpected revival of New York Knickerbockers' basketball. After opening the season 3-3 (pro rata), Amar'e Stoudemire and new floor general Raymond Felton led the Knicks on one of the most improbable winning streaks in NBA history. The Knicks reeled off 28 straight wins (pro rata) before being blown out by the 2nd place Celtics.

The real question is how did the New York Knicks, with a starting lineup of Turiaf (since traded), Stoudemire, Chandler, Azuibuike & Felton with Gallinari as sixth man come unbelievably close to breaking the LA Lakers' 31 year old record of 33 straight wins? Well Id put it down to a combination of factors. Firstly, the chemistry this team has shown under coach Mike D'Antoni in playing uptempo basketball. This team has been super hot since the season has started. Secondly, they not only held their home court admirably, but they went on the road and picked up a lot of close ball games that they probably should've lost. Thirdly, the East once again sucks, with only 5 teams (including themselves) sitting at over 0.500. Finally, the team's three key players are all having career seasons - Amar'e (25ppg, 55% FG, 12rpg), Felton (15ppg, 49% FG, 39% 3Pt, 8apg, 3spg) and Chandler (17ppg, 52% FG, 5rpg).

Whether they can keep this hot play seems highly unlikely. One thing you can't deny, people in NYC are finally buzzing about basketball and the Knicks once again, and you can't argue that, especially heading into the New Year holding a league-best 31-6 (pro-rata) record.

Rotation: R.Turiaf/A.Stoudemire/W.Chandler/K.Azubuike/R.Felton/D.Gallinari (6th)


Who could've predicted the sort of impact that re-uniting Amar'e & Coach D'Antoni would have? Certainly not me!


STANDINGS

All records are pro-rata over 82 game season. To view actual records, follow 2k blog link at bottom of this post.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

New York: 31-6 (0.846)
Boston: 23-8 (0.727)
Charlotte: 20-8 (0.700)
Indiana: 11-8 (0.571)
Miami: 17-11 (0.600)
Orlando: 17-20 (0.462)
Atlanta: 14-17 (0.455)
Milwaukee: 11-17 (0.400)
---------------------------------
Chicago: 11-17 (0.400)
Washington: 17-25 (0.400)
Cleveland: 8-17 (0.333)
Detroit: 8-17 (0.333)
New Jersey: 6-17 (0.250)
Toronto: 6-17 (0.250)
Philadelphia: 3-25 (0.100)

WESTERN CONFERENCE

LA Lakers: 20-6 (0.778)
Oklahoma City: 14-6 (0.714)
Phoenix: 20-8 (0.700)
New Orleans: 17-11 (0.600)
Denver: 25-14 (0.643)
Houston: 17-11 (0.600)
Portland: 17-11 (0.600)
Sacramento: 23-17 (0.571)
---------------------------------
San Antonio: 17-14 (0.545)
Memphis: 23-23 (0.500)
Dallas: 14-14 (0.500)
Golden State: 8-11 (0.429)
LA Clippers: 6-11 (0.333)
Minnesota: 6-20 (0.222)
Utah: 6-25 (0.182)

LEAGUE LEADERS

I started season on 12 minute simulation stats. As you will see, these have produced stats that are a little too high for my liking. I have now moved this back to 11 minute simulation stats, so hopefully all will look slightly better next trimester.

SCORING:

F- K.Durant (OKC): 32.9ppg
F- C.Anthony (Den): 31.8ppg
G- M.Ellis (GSW): 31.6ppg
G- B.Roy (Por): 28.2ppg
F- D.Nowitzki (Dal): 28.0ppg


REBOUNDS:

F- T.Duncan (SAS): 14.4rpg
C- A.Horford (Atl): 11.8rpg
F- M.Camby (Por): 11.8rpg
C- E.Okafor (NOH): 11.7rpg
F- A.Stoudemire (NYK): 11.7rpg


ASSISTS:

G- R.Rondo (Bos): 10.4apg
G- J.Kidd (Dal): 10.2apg
G- S.Nash (Pho): 8.3apg
G- M.Conley (Mem): 8.1apg
G- R.Felton (NYK): 8.0apg


STEALS:

G- R.Felton (NYK): 3.2spg
G- R.Rondo (Bos): 3.2spg
G- T.Evans (Sac): 2.8spg
G- D.Collison (Ind): 2.7spg
G- K.Bryant (LAL): 2.7spg


BLOCKS:

F- M.Camby (Por): 2.5bpg
C- D.Howard (Orl): 2.2bpg
C- J.McGee (Was): 2.1bpg
F- J.Smith (Atl): 2.1bpg
C- A.Horford (Atl): 1.8bpg


PLAYER EFFICIENCY RATING (PER):

F- K.Durant (OKC): 32.7
F- D.Lee (GSW-Hou): 29.6
F- D.Nowitzki (Dal): 29.5
F- C.Anthony (Den): 29.2
G- T.Evans (Sac): 29.1

[Fresh8]

Amare looks like he's wearing sunnies.

Nice update man. Enjoying it. Thanks for the heads up bout this Sunday as well. We're playing the team we tied with a few weeks ago. That shot has kept us in top 4 up till now, time to get a W and seal a playoff spot.

[The X]

Amare looks like he's wearing sunnies.

Nice update man. Enjoying it. Thanks for the heads up bout this Sunday as well. We're playing the team we tied with a few weeks ago. That shot has kept us in top 4 up till now, time to get a W and seal a playoff spot.

He is wearing sunnies

That's cool about Sunday. I actually thought the exact same thing about that big 3 you hit. Funny thing is that one shot may end up saving your whole season.

[Fresh8]

Amare looks like he's wearing sunnies.

Nice update man. Enjoying it. Thanks for the heads up bout this Sunday as well. We're playing the team we tied with a few weeks ago. That shot has kept us in top 4 up till now, time to get a W and seal a playoff spot.

He is wearing sunnies

That's cool about Sunday. I actually thought the exact same thing about that big 3 you hit. Funny thing is that one shot may end up saving your whole season.

Funny that I've hit a slump since then though. I was in very very good form until Alco jarred my thumb on my shooting hand with a bullet pass in the second quarter in the next week against Sarus. But it's better now (finally) and I've been working on the J as I've missed way too many open ones. I should be ready for Raged this weekend. As for Irish, hopefully you guys can get some momentum heading into the finals too.

Enough off-topicness, let the Wolves story continue.

[hova-]

Durant is putting up some nasty PER. He's also doing in mine and I guess it's no coincidence. They have him grab too many boards and his shooting is just from another planet.

Spurs and Mavs are really underachieving and I hate to see this Knicks team playing well (I just don't like their roster, only one player - Mozgov -> go Euros, go!)

At least the Kings are playing well. But already 17 games (pro ratio) behind them, I doubt you will have a serious shot at the Playoffs.

Oh, and why do the Jazz suck that hard?

[George7]

Wow!
I'm so surprised to see New York playing that good!
Despite having a just OK lineup.I mean Amar'e is great.Gallo,Chandler and Felton ok and Turiaf and Azabuike mediocre players!
(Virtual) D'Antoni got the Job done well it seems!

[Martti.]

Didn't expect Brewer being your leading scorer, nice to see that of course, but at 14 a game it's nothing out of the world.

[Clutch]

holy hell stamp it now... Mike D - Coach of the Year!

so many great reads going on right now; will have to catch up on this as it's definitely one of them

[kibaxx7]

Wow, Knicks are unstoppable! Surprising to see Utah with that W/L, and Philly with all those L's...

[Lamrock]

Loving the pro-rata records. Fantastic start and winning streak for the Knicks. Will be interesting to see if they keep it up.

[The X]

Durant is putting up some nasty PER. He's also doing in mine and I guess it's no coincidence. They have him grab too many boards and his shooting is just from another planet.

Spurs and Mavs are really underachieving and I hate to see this Knicks team playing well (I just don't like their roster, only one player - Mozgov -> go Euros, go!)

At least the Kings are playing well. But already 17 games (pro ratio) behind them, I doubt you will have a serious shot at the Playoffs.

Oh, and why do the Jazz suck that hard?

Yep, Durant is dominating, but I don't mind that one bit

I actually don't think Mozgov is on the Knicks' roster. I used the second official 2k roster (the first one issued after the release of the game) so might not have him on there.

Don't know if Spurs are underachieving. They lost their first few games so now they are recovering from the slow start. Mavs have been inconsistent though (except for Dirk, who's been stellar as usual).

Yep, Kings are playing well for one reason & one reason only, Tyreke Evans. He's absolutely killing it & seems a shoe-in to make the All-Star team, maybe even as a starter

As for Jazz sucking, I don't know why. I know they haven't had AK47 most of season due to injury & Al Jefferson hasn't done as well as Boozer did. Deron Williams is playing superbly, but that's about it for them I guess.

Wow!
I'm so surprised to see New York playing that good!
Despite having a just OK lineup.I mean Amar'e is great.Gallo,Chandler and Felton ok and Turiaf and Azabuike mediocre players!
(Virtual) D'Antoni got the Job done well it seems!

As I said in article, they've picked up a lot of close wins they could've gone either way. They have also had their big 3 all playing above themselves. But their win streak was broken by the Celtics, who spanked them by nearly 40 points, so I've got a feeling they'll come back down to Earth. I think they'll definitely make the playoffs, but probably end up 5th or 6th in the East once they cool off.

Btw, Turiaf has been traded. Eddy Curry is now their starting centre. Only possible in 2k11

Didn't expect Brewer being your leading scorer, nice to see that of course, but at 14 a game it's nothing out of the world.

I think the amazing thing about it is his shooting %'s. Then compare that to Jonny Flynn, who's shooting about 30% from the floor & leading the league in turnovers with almost four per game

holy hell stamp it now... Mike D - Coach of the Year!

so many great reads going on right now; will have to catch up on this as it's definitely one of them

Cheers, yep there's definitely a lot of good ones around. I know I don't seem to have enough time to check them all out & follow them. Unfortunate, but such is life.

But yep, Mike D's gotta be feeling pretty smug right now

Wow, Knicks are unstoppable! Surprising to see Utah with that W/L, and Philly with all those L's...

Philly stink & wear pink, which means they lack balls, so I can see why they've lost so much. As I said above, Jazz have had AK47 injured, but apart from that, I think they've dropped a lot of close ball games. Not sure why, bad sushi I guess.

Loving the pro-rata records. Fantastic start and winning streak for the Knicks. Will be interesting to see if they keep it up.

Cheers, glad you like. I thought pro-rata might give it a slightly more realistic feel, even if some teams have played nearly 40 games & some have only played about 20 (damn Stern, get your scheduling right ). I got a feeling the schedule lopsidedness will cause a few unusual All-Star picks due to the game doing it votes, which are only cumulative stats. Ah well, glad my Association will have some shockers & snubs

I haven't played any further than where I'm at now (Boxing Day), so I couldn't say how well the Knicks will do. As I said above, I expect them to lose a few, still end up with a winning record & finish around 5th in Conference. Talking about records, look how shite the East is

[The X]

2010/11 1st TRIMESTER UPDATE (PART THREE)


WARRIORS DEAL DAVID LEE TO ROCKETS FOR BATTIER AND LOWRY

Golden State receives: F/G Shane Battier, G Kyle Lowry
Houston receives: F/C David Lee

Analysis:

With Don Nelson out, how quickly the worm has turned. As soon as they were able to trade him, the Warriors sent newly signed rebounding machine David Lee to the Houston Rockets in exchange for defensive stalwart Shane Battier and backup point guard Kyle Lowry.

This deal seems a bit befuddling for both teams, but more so for the Warriors. If you put aside the fact that Battier will slot straight into the starting SF spot and provide this Warriors team with much needed defense and Kyle Lowry will make a great backup point guard in Oakland to Stephen Curry, you have to wonder why the Warriors would shell out in the off-season for a big contract for David Lee only to trade him a month into the new season. Inside word is that Keith Smart didn't like that Lee was a defensive sieve and wanted to run with everybody's favourite lanky rookie, Ekpe Udoh.

As for the Rockets, although they grab another talent in David Lee, they give up some defense and depth, and will now play Luis Scola off the bench. Fortunately for the Rockets, Scola is a pro's pro, has a new contract in hand and will play the sixth man role to perfection, much like Manu does in San Antonio.

Early returns are good for the Rockets as Lee has been averaging more than 20-10 since joining them last week. Meanwhile it hasn't been so rosy for the Warriors who have only won one game since making this trade.


Rumour has it that David Lee was dealt because he didn't like the colour scheme of the Warriors' new jerseys

And to think, David Lee use to be such a happy young man

Post-Trade Lineups:

Golden State: A.Biedrins/E.Udoh(R)/S.Battier/M.Ellis/S.Curry/R.Williams (6th)
Houston: Yao/D.Lee/C.Budinger/K.Martin/A.Brooks/L.Scola (6th)

Grades:

Golden State: C
Houston: B

IVERSON TURNS GREEN WITH ENVY

The Celtics rolled the dice again, much like they did with Stephon Marbury two seasons back. This time around, future Hall of Fame guard Allen Iverson was the target, as he signed a 1 year deal for the full mid-level exemption ($5.76 million). Seems like a lot of money to pay considering his past issues of being able to play team basketball, which doesn't hold him in good stead with the current Celtics' team. Ahh well, roll the dice on Shaq, may as well roll the dice on every former washed up MVP. All that being said, the early results have been positive. Iverson has slotted into a sixth man role and providing instant offense off the bench for the 23-8 Celtics. Iverson seems to have bought into the team concept and has even made every team practice so far. I say for now, because it is just practice after all.


Iverson seems surprised the offense no longer goes through him


MIAMI THRICE WILL HAVE TO DO IT ALONE

You think the Miami Heat are championship worthy? How about now? Key forward Udonis Haslem out for season with torn patella tendon. That happened only three days after starting point guard Mario Chalmers broke his back and will likely miss up to six weeks of action and probably take a bit longer before fully healthy. Don't worry though, Heat recalled guard Patrick Beverley from the D-League and he is now the team's first player off the bench. Good times.

In other injury news around the league, the Denver Nuggets' championship hopes took a big hit after they lost J.R. Smith for the season with a torn MCL. A real shame for Smith, who is in a contract year, and you would expect he will struggle to find many eager suitors this offseason for a troubled swingman, with a quick trigger and a dodgy knee.

For all other notable trades, free agency signings and injuries, please follow this link. Comments on them are always appreciated, especially the Pistons adding another SF (because Tayshaun and Daye just don't cut it) and only giving up a likely lottery pick and Will Bynum to boot Good old Joe D

Any questions on team rotations moving forward, please ask.

[dare]

It seems like in all associations the Heat is always unlucky Nice updates on the signings and trades so many ring chasers in the Celtics squad.

[kibaxx7]

Just in the start of the article it says "Philadelphia receives", not Houston

Liking the moves. AI in Boston!

[The X]

It seems like in all associations the Heat is always unlucky Nice updates on the signings and trades so many ring chasers in the Celtics squad.

Cheers. Yep, the way it should be

Just in the start of the article it says "Philadelphia receives", not Houston

Liking the moves. AI in Boston!

Cheers, fix that. Must've inadvertently did that after reading your comment about 76ers with all their losses.

[Clutch]

Inside word is that Keith Smart didn't like that Lee was a defensive sieve

Ouch!

poor nomadic Lee, although sounds like he's on the good end of that deal... Lowry backing Curry/Ellis sounds good for GS but I doubt Brokepe Udoh will fair much better at PF... AI? Needs to retire already

[The X]

Inside word is that Keith Smart didn't like that Lee was a defensive sieve

Ouch!

poor nomadic Lee, although sounds like he's on the good end of that deal... Lowry backing Curry/Ellis sounds good for GS but I doubt Brokepe Udoh will fair much better at PF... AI? Needs to retire already

Don't know if I would call if nomadic After all, before signing with Warriors he'd played his first 5 seasons with the Knicks. Hopefully he can continue his All-Star calibre play with the Rockets

[Clutch]

true dat. he got nothin' on Drew Gooden yet