Bless my palm with SILVER baby..<Summer break...>

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

I loved the J. Magloire trade.

That was a pretty realistic deal, covering both teams' needs...

Not sure about the Fisher trade.

You know what? Neither am I... At least I got rid of JYD...

And what the f***? with the Marbury trade?

Hehe, I expected you to say that the minute I saw your name on the main forum screen...

I would prefered to move Jay Cee for some defense and ofense like Corey Maggette, I don´t like Crawford, he is to soft and not a team player.

Naaah... JC is younger than Starbury and has a nice contract starting at around 6m a year... IRL, he's not that good, but in this dynasty I can use him better than I could use Stephon... Plus I got Odom back home to NY...

Also moving Tim Thomas and somebody else for D. Miles and Nick the Quick could´ve been cool.

Sounds good in retrospect, although Tim Thomas is pretty good in Live, especially when I use him as a PF. The frontcourt of Thomas and Odom at 6' 10" along with Magloire at 6' 11" is pretty good...

I loved that you trade for A. Davis, he is a very good defensive player.

Indeed. The only problem is that he makes too much money and he's 36, so it's rather likely that he will retire this off-season...

keep it up

nice dinasty

Thanks,buddy, good to see someone other than the X, John and Mafia actually reading this... j/k

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

April 20, 2005


New York 110 – Washington 98 (Record:44-38)
The New York Knicks secured the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference playoff tree with this relatively easy win over the eventual 8th seed, the Washington Wizards. After a 27-15 first quarter, we had no trouble keeping the lead in check above 10 points, with the offense being spearheaded by Magloire’s 23 pts – 13 rebounds and Odom’s 21 points. The Wiz attempted a comeback in the 4th reducing the deficit to 5, but Allan Houston punished them for it with 4 straight 3 pointers to give him 26 points total and New York the win.




We are now officially going to face Shaq and D-Wade’s Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs. This should reheat the rivalry between the two teams, provided we can elevate our game and stand up to Shaq , of course. The Heat finished the regular season with a moderate 48-34 record. The good thing is, we won the regular season series against them 3-1, including taking two games in Miami, so this will be a confidence-booster.

[Mark.]

Nice job making the Playoffs. Im really liking ht enew look of the knicks.

This has become one of my must read dynasties (you know the ones that you always read before the others just incase you run out of time) Nice job dude keep it up.

[pHLo]

Thanks,buddy, good to see someone other than the X, John and Mafia actually reading this... j/k

i was reading since the beginning

but i never posted before....
maybe it's because i got very little time in the last week, but u can be sure to hear from me

i really like this one, it's very interesting
...and the management moves make it even more exciting

keep it up

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

Thanks,buddy, good to see someone other than the X, John and Mafia actually reading this... j/k

i was reading since the beginning

but i never posted before....
maybe it's because i got very little time in the last week, but u can be sure to hear from me

i really like this one, it's very interesting
...and the management moves make it even more exciting

keep it up

Hey, whaddaya know, I've got a whole crowd lined up here... hehe, thanks guys, glad you like this one... Even if you seem to like it more than my main Warriors dynasty

[The X]

haha....it's probably because it moves a little quicker....and I think deep-down, as much as some of us despise the Knicks, we still want to see them return to their glory days so we have someone to hate again

glad you got that No. 7 seed....it would have been all over if you had to face the Pacers....

[-BHZMAFIA-]

I have a feeling you win this series against the Heat since you did take the season series and you know how to play them. Good win over the Wizards to end the season.

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

glad you got that No. 7 seed....it would have been all over if you had to face the Pacers....

It would have been a bad blood series either way. Neither the Heat nor the Pacers react well when mixed together with the Knicks...

I'm going to do a seasonal review thingy first and then get on with the playoffs. Let's hope th epost-season is exciting in order to get my viewing ratings up

[Fresh8]

I see a sweep coming up!

[The X]

I see a sweep coming up!

oh ye of little faith....I'm sure the Knicks will steal at least 1 game off the Heat

[Fresh8]

Nah... i'm against the Kincks... sorry Dweaver lol

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

I have a feeling you win this series against the Heat since you did take the season series and you know how to play them.

I heard the bookies have me down as 6 to 1... Not good

I see a sweep coming up

You mean us sweeping them? Take note, playoffs games are still going to be simmed or intervened in the 4th, so I won't do any post-season heroics myself. CPU has to be in a good mood for me to advance...

oh ye of little faith....I'm sure the Knicks will steal at least 1 game off the Heat

Thou dost nay believeth, infidels... May thee gods smith thee...



Anyways, here's a little appetizer befort the playoffs start:











April 23, 2005


About a week before the tip off of the first playoff game for the 04/05 season, here is the regular season review:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:


- Atlantic Division:



The Sixers, after a miserable 4-12 start, got their motor running at full rpm, and blasted through the standings to finally clinch the divisional title and the 3rd seed in the East going into the playoffs. Team MVP: Chris Webber – 21.1 PPG – 9.8 RPG – 4.6 APG – 1.56 SPG – 1.16 BPG.
Allen Iverson had his worst scoring season ever since he joined the league at 17.9 PPG, but despite that his team did remarkably well. Only thing is, it’s Webber’s team now.

- Central Division:



Indiana started off just good enough to stay above .500 during the first 20 games, but then exploded and easily overtook the Pistons for the Central crown and for homecourt in the East. Team MVP: Ron Artest – 19.6 PPG – 7.5 RPG – 4.2 APG – 2.01 SPG – 1.22 BPG. Artest had an MVP-type season, helping on both ends of the court, and making his teammates look better in the process. Jermaine O’Neal put up his usual 20.0 PPG and 10.1 RPG, but the real surprise have been 39 year old Reggie Miller’s numbers of 19.7 PPG, in what could possibly be his last year as a pro. Looks like old Reggie really wants a title to go…


- Southeast Division:



Shaq’s move to Miami turned the Florida franchise into a winner and an immediate contender. The Heat were playing good , fast basketball all season long relying on Shaq’s brute force and impressive footwork to create scoring chances both for him and his teammates. Team MVP: Shaquille O’Neal – 21.5 PPG – 12.1 RPG – 4.3 APG – 0.84 SPG – 2.29 BPG. Shaq’s new sidekick seems to be sophomore guard Dwyane wade, who improved substantially over his rookie season, putting up 17.1 PPG – 5.1 RPG – 6.8 APG. The surprise has been Damon Jones, the sharp shooting guard who had a career year scoring 15.3 PPG.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:


- Pacific Division:



Phoenix can thank Canadian point guard Steve Nash for turning around its fate and bringing them back to the playoffs. Nash has been making his teammates better all season long, organizing the team like a true general from the PG position. Team MVP: Steve Nash – 18.8 PPG – 3.6 RPG – 7.1 APG – 1.66 SPG – 0.26 BPG. Amare Stoudemire’s scoring numbers may have dipped at 18.8 PPG , comparing to last season’s over 20, but the young F/C has finally become the rebounding machine that his size permits, bringing down 11.2 RPG. Shawn Marion had a great all-round season with 18.0 PPG – 10.3 RPG too, while backcourt duo of Joe Johnson and Quentin Richardson did very well , with 16.2 and 14.2 PPG respectively.


- Northwest Division:



The Timberwolves started off at full throttle and never let the pedal leave the medal up until the final day of the regular season. Their record of 66-16 is one of the best ever recorded, and makes Minnesota the great favorite to win the trophy in the playoffs. Team MVP: Kevin Garnett – 22.2 PPG – 11.8 RPG – 4.0 APG – 1.51 SPG – 1.71 BPG. KG did it all for the Wolves, and is again one of the favorites for the MVP award, hoping to make them two in a row. He had much help from Sprewell’s 17.5 PPG, Cassell’s 17.1 PPG and Wally Szczerbiak’s valuable contribution off the bench with 11.2 PPG.


- Southwest Division:



The Mavericks were chasing Minnesota all along from the start, and finally managed to finish second in the Western Conference with relative ease. It was a real team, in every sense of the word, which Dallas put on the court this year, with great depth and actually playing good defense. Team MVP: Dirk Nowitzki 21.3 PPG – 9.1 RPG – 2.6 APG – 1.2 SPG – 1.24 BPG. Dirk had help from the usual suspect, Michael Finley and his 16.8 PPG, but the real heart of this team was sophomore G/F Josh Howard, who did all the dirty job and contributed everywhere with 13.4 PPG – 6.2 RPG – 3.8 APG. Of great help was new addition Erick Dampier, who gave the Mavs a big defensive man they always needed, providing 8.8 PPG – 10.8 RPG.




MVP CANDIDATES:






LEAGUE LEADERS:

[Fresh8]

T-mac won MVP... noooo!

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

T-mac won MVP... noooo!

Not yet man, he's only the leading candidate... The award may wind up anywhere among the top 3 guys, as NBA live 2005 experience has proven


EDIT: Although, if you take a look at T-Mac's numbers, he's definitely worth it...

[Fresh8]

I'd rather TD win it!

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

I'd rather TD win it!

Me too, but the odds (and the numbers) are against him...

MVP odds:

1- T-Mac 2.5 to 1

2- KG 4 to 1

3- TD 4 to 1

4 - Shaq 5 to 1

5 - LBJ 7 to 1

[Fresh8]

so true!

[The X]

I'll put all my money on Garnett to win....you don't win 66 games and not win MVP....all the other top guys' teams didn't even break the 50 game plateau....

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

NEW YORK KNICKS REGULAR SEASON RECAP:




- Lamar Odom had 20ppg – 9.5 rpg – 4.5 apg when he was traded to his home in New York, and he actually managed to improve upon them during his 29 games playing for the Knicks. Lamar was the leader of the team for the second half of the season, and seemed rejuvenated playing in his home state. With him being only 25 years old, we expect him to be the face of the franchise for years to come. Props go to me for shipping away an average Marbury and getting the best talent to play in the Garden since Pat Ewing.

- Jamal Crawford responded well to his transition back to the PG spot after the Marbury trade, and organized the team very well as the floor general. His 5.3 APG may not seem much, but his choices and shot selection were very mature for his age, letting me to believe that he can go through the playoffs and the next season as the team’s true PG.

- Tim Thomas was the link between the guards and the frontcourt, sharing a part of both duties. His 15ppg – 7.5 apg proved to be more than anyone expected from him when he joined the team. In games that Timmy plays extremely well, the Knicks statistically almost never lose, that making him the key for a successful playoff run.

- Jamal Magloire may not have put up monster numbers to finish the regular season, but he was a coach’s guy and a true center who can play exceptionally good defense when he put his mind to it. His being voted for the All-Star Game by the coaches says it all about his commitment on the court. He’s only 25 too, and is expected to serve the Knicks for years to come.

- Allan Houston started off the season as the team’s sixth man, and was doing a pretty good job coming off the bench, without ever complaining bout not being in the starting five. When Marbury got traded and Crawford moved to PG, it was time for the usual Allan Houston of old, with performances near 20 points night in and night out. Allan may be 33 and with a huge contract, but he seems to still have love for the franchise. Let’s see how long he can last playing at his level…

- As far as the reserves are concerned, the one standing out as a future prospect is 19 year old Trevor Ariza. He’s athletic, can defend, block and drive, and seems to have developed a rapport with the Garden fans. He will almost certainly be signed to a long term deal in th summer and may challenge Tim Thomas for the starting SF job next season. From the others, credit has to go to veterans Davis, Grant and Fisher who bring their best with them every time they are being called upon by Lenny Wilkens

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

April 30, 2005


I received another memo from the owner this morning: “ I’m really impressed with how you are running this team. Look on top of your office, there’s a new PDA in there. My gift to you. Nice job getting into the playoffs. Now the real season is about to begin. Go get ‘em!”

It’s always nice to play into your boss’ good books, don’t you think dear diary?



May 1, 2005

Tonight is the night the playoffs begin . Here are the matchups for round one:

-

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

Okay,here's how the playoff betting game works:

2 points for predicting a series winner, 3 points for predicting the winner as well as the games each team wins, 0 points for missing out on the winner.

I am going to start posting the playoff recaps late tonight or early tomorrow (GMT), so better make you rpredictions fast.

The winner gets to be an rookie NLSC baller draftee in the 06 draft class... Yes, there's only going to be one... so make your predictions count.

Let the games begin!!!

[The X]

ahh, I see that you've added a playoff picking competition like I did....but I like yours more as there is more at stake, a coveted spot as an NLSC player in your dynasty....

X's PREDICTIONS:

WEST
Round 1:
Minnesota defeats Lakers 4-2
Houston defeats Denver 4-1
San Antonio defeats Phoenix 4-3
Dallas defeats Sacramento 4-2

Round 2:

Minnesota defeats Houston 4-1
San Antonio defeats Dallas 4-2

Conference Finals:
Minnesota defeats San Antonio 4-1

EAST
Round 1:
Indiana defeats Washington 4-0
Boston defeats Detroit 4-3
Orlando defeats Philadelphia 4-1
Miami defeats New York 4-1

Round 2:
Boston defeats Indiana 4-3
Miami defeats Orlando 4-1

Conference Finals:
Miami defeats Boston 4-2

NBA FINALS
Miami defeats Minnesota 4-3


let me know when you want my cyberface

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

Hehe, nice. I'm only going to take your first round predictions into consideration though, as you would be handicapped in the next rounds if you missed out on most predictions now... You can bet again when it's time for the second round.

Oh, and as I said, the winner will enter in the 06/07 SEASON as I have already finished the 05 offseason...

Now let's see if anyone else votes...


And just so that people do not type in vain:


POST PREDICTIONS ONLY FOR THE FIRST ROUND NOW...

[The X]

okay, cool....just disregard my predictions after Round 1....hopefully you'll have playoffs done in a few days, as I will be headed down to Surfers Paradise with my mate, who's over from NZ, for half a week at the end of the week....we got a couple of German backpacking girls staying with us down there

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

hopefully you'll have playoffs done in a few days

I will, 3 days tops... It's already played and half the recaps are completed in a Word document, so it should be pretty straightforward

we got a couple of German backpacking girls staying with us

with the key word here being "staying" Ahh, the joys of being single...