OKC - Five-peat! Final summary

[Phil89]

Looks like another dogfight. Another triple double for Griffin, I see.

The teams I think will be easy to beat always tend to produce the most exciting games.

[Andrew]

Ouch...tough night for Blake, too.

[Phil89]

30/1/13

Oklahoma City Thunder [35-8] vs Chicago Bulls [24-19]

Chandler dominates as Bulls hand Thunder their first road loss of the season



OKC - 27 38 29 35 129
CHI - 29 35 38 32 134

Player of the Game: Tyson Chandler




Video Highlights
Rose weaves his way through the Bulls defense before laying it in.


Mayer hits a sweet floater over Chandler.


Young gives the Thunder the lead at the half.

[Andrew]

Close one, hard luck. Udrih once again shows up Rose, something I doubt we'll see too often in real life.

[Phil89]

1/2/13

January 2013 Summary



January didn't see much change at the top of both conferences. Oklahoma City, Miami and even Detroit remain well clear of the competition.
The biggest climbers were Phoenix. In the last month they've gone from 11th spot to 4th are are looking like challenging the Lakers for 2nd seed.
Charlotte also moved themselves up towards the playoff places during January. They stand poised to push on for a potential post-season campaign.
Portland were the team that suffered the biggest slide in form. They dropped out of the playoff spots completely, falling from 4th seed to 11th.
Oklahoma City made a surprise trade with Minnesota. They sent DeJuan Blair to the Timberwolves and received a potential top 5 pick in return.
A lot of teams decided to bolster their rosters by signing free agents too. Those signed included Chauncey Billups, Ray Allen and Manu Ginobili.

Conference Standings

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League Leaders

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Monthly Awards

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MVP Candidates

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Transactions

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Injuries

[Phil89]

1/2/13

Oklahoma City Thunder [35-9] vs Philadelphia 76ers [14-30]

Big second half by Thunder hands 76ers their 14th straight loss



OKC - 29 18 41 39 127
PHI - 35 24 29 29 117

Player of the Game: Kevin Durant




Video Highlights
Young knocks down a three.


Mayer's nice pass finds Young, who dunks.


3 vs 1 but Rose still makes the difficult shot.

-----
I was down by 15 at one point early in the third quarter.

[Andrew]

Nice second half rally there. Still looks like it's going to be another clash with the Heat in the Finals, which is only appropriate. Sounds like Bosh is going to get that MVP trophy, too.

[Phil89]

It'd be ironic if he did given that he is supposed to be the lesser of Miami''s trio. He'd definitely deserve it though with the way he's playing.

Although you never know when Durant will go on a run of 50+ point games.

[Andrew]

I'd be in favour of a late MVP push.

[Phil89]

2/2/13

Trade rumours gather pace as deadline approaches



With the trade deadline only two weeks away, rumours about possible deals are heating up. Here are some of the more interesting stories:

Teams

• New York Knicks - Looking for a rebounding big man.
With Amare Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony and Michael Conley the Knicks have one of the best offensive line-ups in the league but are struggling defensively.
They are in a logjam of teams between 3rd and 13th seed, fighting for playoff action. What they need is a big rebounding forward or center to anchor them.
Ronny Turiaf is doing a decent job at present, but the Knicks could use his big expiring contract as a centerpiece in any deal for a bigger name player.
Could Pau Gasol be an option? Would Chicago part with Tyson Chandler after only a few months? Is Andrew Bogut committed to helping the Bucks?

Possible targets: Tyson Chandler, Emeka Okafor, Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer, Pau Gasol, Zach Randolph, Nene, Al Jefferson, Andrew Bogut, Kendrick Perkins.

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• Cleveland - Possibly looking to do some salary dumping in preparation for next off-season.
Cleveland currently are in an interesting position. They have their big three of Chris Paul, Vincenzo Carlos and Kevin Martin, but look likely to miss the playoffs.
What should they do? Make some flashy half thought through deadline trades to keep their stars happy like Orlando did with Dwight Howard...?
Or do they write this season off and get rid of everyone except their stars and use the cap room to re-invigorate their roster during the next off-season?
The extra cap room would actually be welcome considering both Paul and Martin are on expiring contracts and will likely be looking for big pay rises.
If Dan Gilbert is really serious about winning a title before LeBron does then this may be his best option. The Heat have been to the finals 3 times already.
Cleveland fans will hope that current star Vincenzo Carlos (also a number one pick and small forward) will be more patient with this team than LeBron was.

Possible targets: Anyone with big expiring contracts.

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• LA Lakers - Apparently shopping Gasol. Looking to start a new era with younger players around Bynum and Jennings.
The Lakers are coming towards a crossroads in their franchise's history. Star veterans Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol are both coming to the end of their deals.
Combined they are currently earning almost $47m. With a combined age of 66 is seems a stretch to believe that the Lakers will offer them big money to stay.
They don't want to end up like the Celtics who have let Garnett and Allen leave in recent years, but haven't bothered to inject any youth into their roster.
Not forgetting that they re-signed Paul Pierce to a big money deal and now he just sits on the bench and Rondo is left running things by himself.
Luckily for them they have some quality young guys ready to take over the team. Andrew Bynum, Brandon Jennings and Jrue Holiday are all 25 or younger.
Gasol seems the more likely player to be traded merely because of Kobe's stature in Los Angeles and the fact that his contract has a 'no trade' clause.
Kobe might end his playing days signing one-year deals on contenders in search of another ring. A scary thought if he joins either the Heat or Thunder.

Possible targets: LaMarcus Aldridge, Rudy Gay, Amir Johnson, DeMarcus Cousins, Nicolas Batum, James Harden, Omri Casspi.

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• Minnesota - Season seemingly over. Could move valuable pieces for younger players or draft picks.
As another season passes the half-way mark the Timberwolves find themselves in an unpleasantly familiar position; bottom of the western conference.
On paper they should be one of the hardest teams to score against given that they have Nene, Zach Randolph and Ron Artest in their starting line-up.
Though Artest has missed most of the season with a torn Achilles tendon. Offensively though they are relying on Ridnour and Flynn to win them games.
In recent seasons they've had trouble retaining their star players when their contracts have ended. Kevin Love, Michael Beasley and Martell Webster all walked.
Ominously for them Nene, Ron Artest and Luke Ridnour all come out of contract at the end of the current season. Who knows what will happen.
Maybe if David Kahn spent money on positions other than point guard they would be able to improve and convince their best players to stay put.
In the last couple of years he's given his point guards some big money; Sergio Rodriguez ($35m/4 yr), Curtis Jerrells ($33m/4yr) and Jonny Flynn ($42m/4yr).
Given that draft experts are calling next year a weak draft class, they decided to trade their first round pick to Oklahoma City for center DeJuan Blair.
So if Nene decides to leave after one season, like he did in Boston, the Timberwolves now have a solid young replacement ready to take over.


Possible targets: Thaddeus Young, DJ Augustin, Roy Hibbert, Eric Gordon, OJ Mayo, Marvin Williams, Ryan Anderson, JaVale McGee.

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• New Orleans - May want to add a dominant big man to help their playoff aspirations.
The Hornets are looking good to have a real go at achieving a playoff spot in the western conference this year, but lack any kind of traditional big man.
Currently undersized forward Trevor Ariza is filling in at power forward and grabbing over 11 rebounds per game. But he isn't a permanent solution for them.
Having traded away big men like Emeka Okafor and David West in the last few seasons they are left with a distinct lack of height on their roster.
Al Thornton and Trevor Ariza are on expiring contracts and could possibly be used to get someone of value from a team that is in a rebuilding phase.
They could go after Pau Gasol. Even at 32 he could still be a dominant low post option for them and if he doesn't work out, he's expiring anyway.
He might be open to the idea of being a team's second scoring option again. Plus playing alongside his countryman Fernandez would be a bonus.

Opinion is divided on who actually won the Chris Paul trade of a couple seasons ago. Paul himself left the Blazers after only 18 months in Portland.
Jerryd Bayless didn't stick with the Hornets for very long. He spent half a season with them before leaving to join the Raptors as a free agent.
Marcus Camby and Andre Miller didn't spend long in New Orleans before retiring and Luke Babbit isn't much more than a role player on their bench.
Emeka Okafor is still at the Blazers, but his deal ends this season. Seemingly the only player to come out of the trade well was Rudy Fernandez.
He re-signed for four years last season and is in the form of his life. He's averaging almost 28 points a game and is a top ten scorer in the league.

Possible Targets: Pau Gasol, Al Jefferson, Roy Hibbert, JaVale McGee, Ronny Turiaf, Carlos Boozer, Nene, Andrew Bogut, Marc Gasol.

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• Chicago - Could cash in on aging Boozer or expiring Deng to add another scorer to help JR Smith.
Although Chicago are currently in 3rd spot in the east and looking good for a post-season berth, they may make a deadline move to boost their chances.
Their frontcourt of Tyson Chandler and Carlos Boozer is absolutely dominating opponents, but Boozer is 31 and could be cashed in for a younger star.
He is averaging almost 20 points and 14 rebounds per game. With only 2 years left on his current deal he could be seen as an ideal target for other teams.
Luol Deng has a ~$15m expiring contract and could attract interest from teams looking to shed wages. He is playing well though and may stay a Bull.

Possible targets: Danny Granger, Carl Landry, Rudy Gay, Monta Ellis, Brandon Roy, Rajon Rondo, Tyreke Evans,

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Players

_______________
• Pau Gasol - 32 - PF - Los Angeles Lakers
-Lakers supposedly shopping Gasol
-Want a younger forward next to Bynum
-On a large expiring contract
(16.2 ppg - 13.5 rpg - 2.3 bpg)


_______________________________________________________
________________________________________• DeMarcus Cousins - 22 - PF - Sacramento Kings
________________________________________-Kings are sick of his off-court antics
________________________________________-His personality is bigger than the team
________________________________________-They have Yao, Odom & Davis already
________________________________________(4.3 ppg - 6.7 rpg)


_______________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________• Zach Randolph - 31 - PF - Minnesota Timberwolves
________________________________________________________________________________-Minnesota season looks over already
________________________________________________________________________________-Veterans could be traded for young talent
________________________________________________________________________________(15.1 ppg - 11.5 rpg)


_______________________________________________________
________________________________________• Ben Gordon - 29 - SG - Detroit Pistons
________________________________________-Having a really good season with surprise packet Pistons
________________________________________-One of the bigger name potential free agents next season
________________________________________-Pistons may trade him so they don't lose him for nothing
________________________________________(27.3 ppg - 3.5 rpg - 6.1apg)


_______________
• Monta Ellis - 27 - SG - Golden State Warriors
-Warriors struggling to replicate last year's form
-Ellis is on an expiring contract and could leave
-They may trade him for a proper shooting guard
(26.4 ppg - 3.8 rpg - 5.9apg - 2.1 spg)


_______________________________________________________
________________________________________• Andrew Bogut - 28 - C - Milwaukee Bucks
________________________________________-He's expiring and not committed to returning yet
________________________________________-He could attract a good offer from contender
________________________________________(10.8 ppg - 12.3 rpg - 2.7 bpg)


_______________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________• Gilbert Arenas - 31 - PG - Oklahoma City Thunder
________________________________________________________________________________-Long-term injury but huge expiring contract
________________________________________________________________________________-Contract could be useful for rebuilding team
________________________________________________________________________________-He could still be back for playoffs
________________________________________________________________________________(7.0 ppg - 1.6 apg)


_______________________________________________________
________________________________________• Rudy Fernandez - 27 - SG - New Orleans Hornets
________________________________________-Playing great but team not doing too well
________________________________________-He or Thornton could be traded for a center
________________________________________(27.8 ppg - 3.6 rpg - 6.9 apg)


_______________
• DJ Augustin - 25 - PG - Charlotte Bobcats
-Frustrated at losing starting spot to Louis Williams
-Started first 18 games before Williams was moved to PG
-Wants to be a starter and main guy on a team
(12.1 ppg - 7.7 apg)

[Andrew]

Sounds like it's going to be another busy deadline day.

[Phil89]

I'd say it's more of a deadline week. Figured I'd space them out during the all-star game week, rather than have them all occur on deadline day.

Not going overboard like I did during the off-season and they should all fit with the story.

[Phil89]

3/2/13

Oklahoma City Thunder [36-9] vs Washington Wizards [14-31]

Griffin dominates in Washington



OKC - 27 21 38 39 125
WAS - 19 30 26 32 107

Player of the Game: Blake Griffin




Video Highlights
Rose gets around Wall and dunks hard.


Young spins past two defenders before dunking.

[Andrew]

Huge game for Griffin in a convincing win. Nicely done.

[Phil89]

3/2/13

2013 NBA All-Star weekend rosters announced

All-Star Game

The selections for the 2013 NBA all-star game have been announced today. Unsurprisingly the Heat and Thunder have 5 players between them.
No other team have more than one representative on the western team, but Boston and Detroit both have two players selected for the eastern team.
There were hard luck stories of players missing out on selection. Notably Carmelo Anthony, Deron Williams, Brandon Roy, Kevin Love and Carlos Boozer.
Rudy Fernandez, Von Wafer, Al Jefferson, Travis Outlaw and Jarrett Jack made it into the game on the back of their impressive form this season.
For the second year in a row there is no place for Bryant, Nowitzki, Nash, Pierce or Duncan. It seems their generation are in the twilight of their careers.

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Rookies vs Sophomores Game

Oklahoma City also were rewarded for their excellent form this season with Young and Mayer named starters in the rookie vs sophomore game.
The rookie pair have been impressive off the bench for the Thunder this season. They've turned out to be real draft steals given they were both late picks.
This game will also see the last two top picks Jan Richards and Vincenzo Carlos face off. Richards has been a class above the rookie field this season.

[kibaxx7]

at Von Wafer making it, but it looks like he's been a beast. Also Jarrett and Rudy.

[Andrew]

Good to see you're well-represented at the event. Some unexpected names making the cut there for the All-Star Game, but not inappropriate given their numbers in this reality.

[Phil89]

4/2/13

Timberwolves offer frustrated Augustin his ticket out of Charlotte



Charlotte today decided to pull the trigger on a deal that sent unsettled point guard DJ Augustin to Minnesota in exchange for Jonny Flynn.
Augustin had been seeking a move since he lost his starting spot this season. The Bobcats finally agreed to his request once Minnesota came knocking.
Given the lopsided nature of their roster, the Bobcats are probably going to stick with their current starting line-up and have Flynn come off the bench.
With their season all but over already, the Timberwolves are in the process of freshening up their roster, having traded for center DeJuan Blair last month.
With rumours going around that David Kahn is looking to rebuild around Augustin, Blair and Johnson, this might not be the last deal they make this week.

Charlotte receive
Jonny Flynn - 23 - PG - $41.92m - 4 years (83)

Projected line-up:
Tiago Splitter - Carl Landry - Abdullah Aswad - Leandro Barbosa - Louis Williams
Bench options:
Jonny Flynn, Jodie Meeks, Tim Duncan, Shaun Livingston, Aaron Miles, Ike Diogu, Earl Clark





Minnesota receive
DJ Augustin - 25 - PG - $31.66m - 3 years (85)

Projected line-up:
Nene - Zach Randolph - Ron Artest - Luke Ridnour - DJ Augustin
Bench options:
Wesley Johnson, DeJuan Blair, Nenad Krstic, Wayne Ellington, Curtis Jerrells

[Phil89]

at Von Wafer making it, but it looks like he's been a beast. Also Jarrett and Rudy.

Good to see you're well-represented at the event. Some unexpected names making the cut there for the All-Star Game, but not inappropriate given their numbers in this reality.

They are pretty surprising selections I guess. I'm glad that players are selected for form rather than popularity on this game though.

[Andrew]

Seems like a decent swap for both sides.

[Phil89]

5/2/13

Oklahoma City Thunder [37-9] vs Orlando Magic [24-23]

Griffin continues good form in Orlando



OKC - 32 18 34 31 115
ORL - 19 34 25 26 104

Player of the Game: Blake Griffin




Video Highlights
Maynor throws an alley-oop to Humphries just before the buzzer sounds.

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I ended the first quarter on a 15-0 run.

[Andrew]

Perhaps it'll be Griffin who makes a late run at MVP?

[Phil89]

Or maybe Rose. It really sucks having 3 stars on my team.

Honestly though I don't think I'm going to go into games with a specific stat number in my head for certain players. I'm more concentrated on the final goal of another championship.

[Phil89]

6/2/13

Oklahoma City Thunder [38-9] vs Los Angeles Clippers [24-23]

Young scores career high 40 off bench in Thunder win



OKC - 34 36 29 41 140
LAC - 30 30 37 30 127

Player of the Game: Rolf Young




Video Highlights
Rose spins past Williams then finishes over Love.

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Griffin, Love and Ibaka missed a lot of the first half with foul trouble.

[Andrew]

Talk about unexpected heroes! It's always cool when something like that happens.