Here's another update at last! A big update this time, but I hope you enjoy it. Be sure to check out video section as well as the "On track with A-Train" blog post, where I get a little meta.
2012 Offseason: Key Names Changing AddressesHere is a round-up of all the key players who switched teams over the course of the 2012 offseason.
- Nikola Pekovic signed with the Charlotte Bobcats
- Corey Maggette, Richard Jefferson and Chris Andersen signed with the Chicago Bulls
- Chris Paul signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers
- Gilbert Arenas signed with the Los Angeles Clippers
- Ray Allen signed with the Memphis Grizzlies
- Vince Carter and Jermaine O'Neal signed with the Atlanta Hawks
- Dwight Howard signed with the New Orleans Hornets
- Nate Robinson signed with the Utah Jazz
- Kenyon Martin signed with the New York Knicks
- Stephen Jackson signed with the Los Angeles Lakers
- Jarrett Jack signed with the Denver Nuggets
- Aaron Brooks and Greg Oden signed with the Detroit Pistons
- Andre Iguodala and Elton Brand signed with the San Antonio Spurs
- Leandro Barbosa signed with the Portland Trail Blazers
Begley named Player of the Month as Nuggets dominate NovemberDENVER, CO -- Denver Nuggets sophomore sensation Andrew Begley has been named Western Conference Player of the Month for November, the first time in his career that he has received the award. Last year's Finals MVP is joined by the star he overcame in last year's championship series, the Miami Heat's LeBron James, who was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month. Owen Brock of the Orlando Magic was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month, while Adrian Francis of the Houston Rockets is November's Western Conference Rookie of the Month.
Begley has continued the fine form he displayed in last year's NBA Finals, averaging 19.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg and a league leading 15.4 apg, while raising his field goal percentage to 62.7%, his three point shooting to 43.8% and free throw shooting to 96.6%, notably making 28 straight free throws (48 in a row dating back to last year's Playoffs) before his first miss against the Oklahoma City Thunder on November 30th.
Nuggets fans weren't sure what to expect after the surprising departure of last year's regular season MVP Andre Iguodala, who signed with the San Antonio Spurs in the offseason. However, Denver has rallied off an NBA record 17 straight wins to begin the season thanks in no small part to Begley, who was also last season's Rookie of the Year. So far, he has racked up three 20+ assist games, a 20-20 game and five triple doubles. He had a perfect night shooting the ball against the Orlando Magic on November 26th, going 10/10 from the field including 6/6 from downtown and 5/5 at the free throw line. He has also registered a double-double in all 17 games.
It seems as though the sky is the limit for the man known as A-Train and the Denver Nuggets, as they are early favourites to repeat as NBA Champions. It remains to be seen just how dominant they can be with a little over three quarters of the regular season remaining.
On Track With A-TrainFollow the life of an NBA player with the 2013 Rookie of the Year & Finals MVP, Aussie Andrew "A-Train" Begley!November 30th, 2013A-Train and the Nuggets are flying high to begin the 2014 seasonNot to get too cocky, but I think it's fair to say we're taking care of business.
After last year's historic 73-9 season and our first championship - still feels like a dream, by the way - it starts to feel like anything is possible. Still, coach warned us about the dangers of getting complacent and overconfident, as well as trying to do too much early on in a season that's very much a marathon, not a sprint. However, we started out hot and we've been on a roll ever since, nabbing yet another NBA record with our 17-0 start. Amazing.
I've been seeing a lot of hate directed at Andre Iguodala lately. I understand where you're all coming from and I love your passion, but for the record I can't share in that. We loved having Iggy here last year; he was the MVP, played a huge role in getting us the Larry O'Brien trophy and he's still a good friend. He made a tough decision but one that he felt was best for him, which is why we all shook his hand when we played the Spurs the other week. Of course, we still wanted to take them down and we did. Sorry, Iggy!
I'm honoured to win my first Player of the Month award. This is absolutely a team effort but I'm proud of the way I've been able to play out of the gate this year and contribute to this outstanding start we've had. Some of you have asked if I'm gunning for MVP myself this year, to go with my NBA Finals MVP trophy. Not really, I'm just doing whatever I can to help our team win. It's always flattering to get personal accolades in a league filled with so many stars, but getting another ring is what it's all about. It's safe to say we've all got a taste for it.
Am I stoked to be on the cover of NBA 2K14? Of course! I've played a fair bit of NBA 2K over the years, so it's surreal but awesome. I'm a PC guy so check out the PC cover below. Thanks for everyone who's been Tweeting me about my overall rating. I'm going to try and stay humble here but yeah, I could probably stand to be higher than 80 overall. Tweet the Insider, let your voice be heard! Also, a shoutout to the guys over at the NLSC, I've been a fan of that site since I was a teenager playing NBA Live.
Thanks as always for your support, you fans have been electric for the first month of the season, just as hyped as you were when we won the championship last year. We're looking to do it again, so don't tune out now! For now I'm off to Houston, but I'll be back soon with another blog.
- A-TrainAndrew's 2013/2014 Season Stats (November 30th, 2013)G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | TPG | FPG |
17 | 17 | 40.4 | 19.5 | 7.5 | 15.4 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 0.627 | 0.438 | 0.966 | 2.8 | 2.8 |
2013/2014 Regular Season Record: 17-0Andrew's 2012/2013 Season Stats (April 18th, 2013)G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | TPG | FPG |
82 | 67 | 34.7 | 10.8 | 4.7 | 10.4 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.517 | 0.322 | 0.793 | 3.5 | 2.2 |
Andrew's 2013 Playoff Stats (June 4th, 2013)G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | TPG | FPG |
18 | 18 | 41.3 | 17.7 | 7.3 | 16.1 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 0.651 | 0.436 | 0.929 | 4.0 | 3.0 |
2013 First RoundG | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | TPG | FPG |
4 | 4 | 40.8 | 14.0 | 4.5 | 19.0 | 3.0 | 0.8 | 0.642 | 0.250 | 1.000 | 3.8 | 2.3 |
2013 Second RoundG | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | TPG | FPG |
4 | 4 | 41.0 | 15.3 | 9.0 | 17.5 | 3.0 | 1.8 | 0.644 | 0.167 | 0.667 | 4.8 | 2.8 |
2013 Western Conference FinalsG | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | TPG | FPG |
5 | 5 | 41.0 | 13.4 | 8.2 | 14.2 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 0.645 | 0.333 | 0.800 | 3.0 | 2.4 |
2013 NBA FinalsG | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | TPG | FPG |
5 | 5 | 42.2 | 27.0 | 7.4 | 14.6 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 0.662 | 0.538 | 1.000 | 4.6 | 4.4 |
2013 Playoffs Record: 16-22012/2013 Regular Season Record: 73-92013/2014 Game LogNovember 30th, 2013: 41 minutes, 22 points, 9 rebounds, 21 assists, 4 steals, 9/13 FG, 3/5 3PT (117-96 win over the Thunder)
November 28th, 2013: 41 minutes, 24 points, 10 rebounds, 16 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 11/15 FG (127-102 win over the Mavericks)
November 26th, 2013: 41 minutes, 31 points, 9 rebounds, 14 assists, 3 steals, 10/10 FG, 6/6 3PT, 5/5 FT (145-94 win over the Magic)
November 24th, 2013: 40 minutes, 20 points, 4 rebounds, 18 assists, 8/10 FG, 4/4 3PT (128-113 win over the Knicks)
November 23rd, 2013: 39 minutes, 11 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists (134-89 win over the Nets)
November 21st, 2013: 41 minutes, 33 points, 10 rebounds, 13 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 14/23 FG (129-105 win over the Clippers)
November 18th, 2013: 41 minutes, 22 points, 7 rebounds, 18 assists, 1 steal, 1 block (125-108 win over the Lakers)
November 16th, 2013: 41 minutes, 22 points, 4 rebounds, 11 assists, 5 steals (131-88 win over the Rockets)
November 14th, 2013: 41 minutes, 13 points, 6 rebounds, 12 assists, 1 steal, 1 block (121-92 win over the Spurs)
November 12th, 2013: 41 minutes, 19 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals, 1 block (127-95 win over the Bulls)
November 11th, 2013: 41 minutes, 27 points, 5 rebounds, 17 assists (136-93 win over the Bucks)
November 9th, 2013: 41 minutes, 15 points, 7 rebounds, 19 assists, 1 steal, 1 block (122-94 win over the Bulls)
November 8th, 2013: 41 minutes, 14 points, 5 rebounds, 21 assists, 3 steals, 1 block (119-78 win over the Pistons)
November 6th, 2013: 41 minutes, 11 points, 6 rebounds, 21 assists, 4 steals (112-104 win over the Raptors)
November 4th, 2013: 41 minutes, 15 points, 11 rebounds, 14 assists (122-97 win over the Raptors)
November 2nd, 2013: 41 minutes, 17 points, 8 rebounds, 16 assists, 5 steals (143-93 win over the Trail Blazers)
November 1st, 2013: 40 minutes, 16 points, 4 rebounds, 11 assists, 1 steal (112-94 win over the Hornets)
Video HighlightsKenneth Faried gets the lucky bounce, so A-Train gets the assistPlayer of the Game Highlight Reel vs the Los Angeles ClippersHighlight Reel vs the Los Angeles ClippersPlayer of the Game Highlight Reel vs the Orlando MagicHighlight Reel vs the Orlando MagicPlayer of the Game Highlight Reel vs the Dallas MavericksHighlight Reel vs the Dallas MavericksPlayer of the Game Highlight Reel vs the Oklahoma City ThunderHighlight Reel vs the Oklahoma City ThunderAround the NBAStandings through November 30th, 2013WEST1. Denver Nuggets (17-0)
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (12-5)
3. Houston Rockets (10-4)
4. Utah Jazz (8-7)
5. Minnesota Timberwolves (9-8)
6. Portland Trail Blazers (8-8)
7. Phoenix Suns (7-9)
8. Memphis Grizzlies (7-9)
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9. San Antonio Spurs (6-8)
10. New Orleans Hornets (7-10)
11. Sacramento Kings (6-9)
12. Los Angeles Lakers (6-9)
13. Los Angeles Clippers (6-9)
14. Golden State Warriors (5-12)
15. Dallas Mavericks (4-11)
EAST1. Philadelphia 76ers (12-3)
2. Cleveland Cavaliers (9-5)
3. Washington Wizards (9-5)
4. Miami Heat (9-6)
5. Detroit Pistons (8-6)
6. Atlanta Hawks (8-6)
7. Milwaukee Bucks (9-7)
8. Brooklyn Nets (8-8)
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9. Toronto Raptors (8-9)
10. Chicago Bulls (8-9)
11. Indiana Pacers (7-9)
12. New York Knicks (7-9)
13. Charlotte Bobcats (6-8)
14. Boston Celtics (4-11)
15. Orlando Magic (2-13)
Leaders through November 30th, 2013POINTS1. Dwyane Wade, MIA (28.6 ppg)
2. Kevin Durant, OKC (27.1 ppg)
3. LeBron James, MIA (27.0 ppg)
4. Carmelo Anthony, NYK (26.6 ppg)
5. Kobe Bryant, LAL (26.3 ppg)
REBOUNDS1. Kevin Love, MIN (11.4 rpg)
2. Kevin Garnett, BOS (11.3 rpg)
3. Kenneth Faried, DEN (10.8 rpg)
4. Dwight Howard, NO (10.5 rpg)
5. Jamaal Mullin, CLE (10.4 rpg)
ASSISTS1. Andrew Begley, DEN (15.4 apg)
2. Kyle Lowry, TOR (11.4 apg)
3. Goran Dragic, PHO (11.0 apg)
4. Chris Paul, CLE (9.3 apg)
5. Ricky Rubio, MIN (8.9 apg)
STEALS1. Stephen Curry, GSW (2.4 spg)
2. Ricky Rubio, MIN (2.4 spg)
3. Andrew Begley, DEN (2.4 spg)
4. Kyle Lowry, TOR (2.1 spg)
5. Tyreke Evans, SAC (2.0 spg)
BLOCKS1. Al Jefferson, UTA (2.5 bpg)
2. Brook Lopez, BKN (2.4 bpg)
3. Greg Oden, DET (2.2 bpg)
4. Dwight Howard, NO (2.1 bpg)
5. DeAndre Jordan, LAC (2.0 bpg)
FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE1. Kenneth Faried, DEN (0.709)
2. JaVale McGee, DEN (0.688)
3. Andrew Begley, DEN (0.627)
4. Ty Lawson, DEN (0.615)
5. Dwight Howard, NO (0.614)
THREE POINT PERCENTAGE1. Jordan Hamilton, DEN (0.613)
2. Randy Foye, UTA (0.607)
3. Danilo Gallinari, DEN (0.600)
4. Chandler Parsons, HOU (0.587)
5. Devin Harris, ATL (0.571)
FREE THROW PERCENTAGE1. Jamal Crawford, LAC (0.981)
2. Stephen Curry, GS (0.979)
3. Andrew Begley, DEN (0.966)
4. Jodie Meeks, LAL (0.957)
5. Drew Gooden, MIL (0.939)
Noteworthy InjuriesJrue Holiday, PHI (Broken Wrist, 6-8 Weeks)
Ben Gordon, DET (Torn MCL, Season)
Marquie Teague, CHI (Broken Hand, 2-4 Weeks)
Dion Waiters, CLE (Sprained Neck, 1-2 Weeks)
Ray Allen, MEM (Broken Ankle, 4-6 Weeks)
Hakim Warrick, NO (Broken Ankle, 4-6 Weeks)
Marcus Thornton, SAC (Torn MCL, Season)
Stephen Jackson, LAL (Broken Jaw, 2-4 Weeks)
Chris Kaman, DAL (Broken Back, 4-6 Weeks)
Danilo Gallinari, DEN (Broken Hand, 1-2 Weeks)
Tayshaun Prince, DET (Broken Foot, 6-8 Weeks)
2013/2014 TransactionsPacers trade: George Hill, '14 Second Round Pick
Hawks trade: Jeff Teague