::: MOTOWN TALE: HUSTLE & HEART ::: 2013-14 Season Preview

[Like A Boss]

Who is Michael Smith? - A young college player who was known as Mr. tactics, as he acts as a playing coach for his team in college. A serious injury though similar to the injury of Brandon Roy caused him to break his promise to his father to become an NBA Player. He then went on to take a career as a coach, coaching for 3 years in his former team, in which he led the team to a three-peat. The Detroit Pistons has seen the large potential of Michael Smith in bringing Detroit Pistons from a lottery team to a contender.

[Flower Chick]

Who is Michael Smith? He's a former player and ex-convict who was framed for the killing of his own wife.
After his release he decided to take a job as an NBA coach because he had some experience. Many teams didn't want to hire Smith, but then the Pistons decided to give him a chance. Now he's the new coach of Detroit and he will do everything to make this team a contender for the championship.

Wut.

[Fresh8]

Nice chapter. Can't wait to see you make a run for the playoffs next season.

Thanks L-Train!

I am really looking forward to the new season. Valor was right - the Pistons are a little boring but it's going to get a lot better with Bobby helping Joe out!

(And picking Darko v2.0)

[mpac]

Who is Michael Smith?
Michael Smith is the former team mascot who got his break as the Pistons desperately needs a big man who can defend.
At first he only knows how to dunk and defend but eventually be the main defensive stopper of Detroit under Bobby.

About the story above? He is just daydreaming and is still the team mascot rooting for his team to win

[Sasaki17]

Who is Michael Smith? - A former college star at Central Michigan who suffered a gruesome leg injury on what would have been the game-winning play of the MAC championship, which would have sent the Chippewas to their first NCAA tournament in 10 years. The injury was so severe that it derailed any chances of an NBA career for Smith, causing him to eventually become the head coach at Central Michigan. After leading Central Michigan to the final four, he accepted the Pistons' offer to become head coach in order to usher in a new era of success.

[dare]

Who is Michael Smith?

Michael Smith was Robert "Bob" Jones ex-teammate when they played together at the Euroleague. They both lead the team to 3 titles. Smith was best remembered as the guy who clinch their 3rd title when he received a pass from Jones to nail a buzzer beater three pointer. Jones was the captain of the team.

[Solaris Phase Two]

Who is michael smith

I think it is Sits alter ego

[Martti.]

Smith is a bad-ass motherfucker, who doesn't take shit from no one. Fed on meat and beer since the age of 8, he is the toughest man imaginable and the best fit to coach the sorry-ass Pistons.

[Fresh8]

Cleveland’s Second Number One Pick In Three Years
1 June 2013
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The Orlando Magic, Charlotte Bobcats and Sacramento Kings all missed out on the grand prize as the Cleveland Cavaliers nabbed the first overall NBA draft pick for the second time in three years. The Boston Celtics and Portland Trailblazers snuck into top three draft positions with the Magic and Bobcats rounding out the top five.

In 2011, the Cavaliers selected Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving who also became an All-Star in his second season. The franchise now has a chance to draft the best college player of the past year JJ Theus from University of Connecticut. Sources state that Cleveland cannot wait to pair Irving and Theus up but will also work out at freshman Kentucky Wildcat Malcolm Cole.

2013 Draft Lottery Result

1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Boston Celtics
3. Portland Trailblazers
4. Orlando Magic
5. Charlotte Bobcats
6. Sacramento Kings
7. Oklahoma City Thunder
8. Dallas Mavericks
9. Phoenix Suns
10. Atlanta Hawks
11. New Orleans Hornets
12. Toronto Raptors
13. Detroit Pistons (via Warriors)
14. Detroit Pistons

Top International Prospects: Vladamir Toroman, Martti Must
10 June 2013
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Most observers only expected one future NBA prospect to be involved in the Euroleague semi-final matchup between Barcelona and Siena. That player was Vladamir Toroman, the long-time Barca pro forward who has been there for 4 years now.

Toroman excelled in this game by putting up a team high 19 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals and scored on an array of shots. For one night, Toroman looked the entire lottery prospect that he is said to be.

Then there was a skinny kid coming off of the Siena bench who knocked three pointer after three pointer to get Sienna back into the game halfway through the final quarter. Martti Must hit four three point shots in a row to cut the Barcelona lead in half. Unfortunately, Must’s team didn’t get any closer and went down by 20 points.

Must finished the game with 17 points off of the bench (1-1 for 2 point shots, 5-7 for 3 point shots) and became more prominent on the radars of international scouts. Said one Western Conference scout, “Must has always been a target of ours. We’ve been watching his progress. He’s got a great stroke but really needs to add some bulk or he will be ineffective in the NBA.”

His workouts in preparation for the draft have raised his draft stock and caught the interest of teams looking for a young shooter with potential. Teams that have been interested in him are reportedly the Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs.

Meanwhile, Toroman is the leading international prospect in the Draft and has been gathering a lot of interest from the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks and Detroit Pistons.

UCLA’s Second Big Man Moves Up Board
20 June 2013
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Stuart Gooden was the leader in rebounding around the nation and UCLA’s most popular player but it’s his frontcourt partner Julian Martin who is moving up NBA mock drafts as the draft quickly approaches. The Bruins Junior Martin averaged a team-leading 15.4 PPG but modest averages of 4.5 RPG, 2.4 APG and 1.3 BPG.

Martin complimented Gooden so well that he took a backseat behind him. Now teams have been working him out and discovering that they may have a hidden gem late in the first round. Martin’s playmaking skills for his size have been noted by NBA scouts and he has shown off a deft touch around the rim.

The 6’10” power forward has performed strongly in workouts with the LA Lakers and LA Clippers. He has stated that his dream would be to play for one of those two franchises. The laid back Martin showed off new tattoos to the media after a recent workout with the Orlando Magic.

[Mark.]

Well the Magic don't want Martin is his dream is to play for one of the LA teams. Where have we heard that before

[dare]

tattoos? lol love to see some of those. I don't even plan to get one.

[mpac]

Nice picks for the pistons! do you plan to use those two or trade both to get a higher pick?

[Valor]

Well the Magic don't want Martin is his dream is to play for one of the LA teams. Where have we heard that before

uh oh!

n wt the heck Brooklyn wins...

[Fresh8]

Well the Magic don't want Martin is his dream is to play for one of the LA teams. Where have we heard that before

The Magic seem to always want big men who want to play in LA.

tattoos? lol love to see some of those. I don't even plan to get one.

haha... you got a blue one on your arm!

Nice picks for the pistons! do you plan to use those two or trade both to get a higher pick?

We will see how we go. Right now, we have our shortlist of guys to go for. It all depends on who goes at the top... Bobby has his eyes set on one player and Joe has his eyes set on another...

Well the Magic don't want Martin is his dream is to play for one of the LA teams. Where have we heard that before

uh oh!

n wt the heck Brooklyn wins...

It's good. It's different!

[Fresh8]

NLSC PLAYERS

It’s your chance to participate in MOTOWN TALE: HUSTLE & HEART as an NLSC Player!

I have a new rewards and points system for this story. You will be able to spend your points that you earn from tipping contests, competitions, and other methods.

REWARDS AND POINTS SYSTEM

ENTER THE DRAFT

Deadline to declare for upcoming NBA Draft: Conclusion of first round of NBA Playoffs

Declare your intention to join an upcoming draft class: 1
Enter NBA Draft as a projected undrafted prospect: 2
Enter NBA Draft as a projected second round pick: 5
Enter NBA Draft as a projected first round pick: 8

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

To raise your player’s rating by 5 in a skill based attribute: 3
To raise your player’s rating by 5 in a physical based attribute: 5

PLAYER DEMANDS

Complain about the coach: 1
Complain about a teammate: 2
Demand a trade: 3
Demand a trade and provide a shortlist of destinations: 4
Demand a trade and choose your next destination: 5

DECLARING FOR THE DRAFT

WHEN?

You may declare any time before the conclusion of the first round of the Playoffs. You may also withdraw any time before then as well.

I will also allow you to report your intention to declare at any time. This means that I will start writing articles about your player.

HOW?

Post in this thread that you:

- intend to declare, and/or
- will declare

Declaring your intention to join an upcoming Draft class will cost you 1 point.

It will then cost you 2-8 points to enter the draft.

If you withdraw your intention to declare for the Draft, you do not get your 1 point back.

A CHANCE TO EARN POINTS

Every article written by you and PM’ed to me that gets posted will earn points. Give your draftee a backstory and a chance to improve his stock as well.

WHY DECLARE SOONER OR LATER

If you declare sooner, it means your player will make it into the L earlier. However, you may not be as good as a prospect as if you wait and accumulate points. If you declare later, you can have control over whether your player is a first or second round prospect.

Do not be disheartened about being drafted in the second round. The pros are that you can have some choice over your free agency destination/s after just one season! It also makes for a more interesting story.

UPCOMING DRAFT CLASSE

These are the NLSCers who have declared for the upcoming drafts – I will have a limit of six (6) per Draft.

Current 2013 Draft (LOCKED IN)

Dmastawwe
Martti
Dare
Lamrock
mrmoves20

Next: 2014 Draft (CLOSED)

Mark
Valor
Mattan
Mpac
Khanwarrior
Hova

Next: 2015 Draft (OPEN)

Vacant
Vacant
Vacant
Vacant
Vacant
Vacant

POINTS LEADERBOARD

These points have been calculated as at 27 March 2013:

mpac – 14.5
Martti – 13.5
Valor – 11.5
newc – 10.5
Justine. – 10
dare – 12
Mark – 10.5
Axel. – 7.5
hova – 7.5
mrmoves20 – 7.5
Khanwarrior – 7.5
Mattan – 7
Durant35 – 5.5
Superhueynewton – 4.5
Thierry – 4
Woogie98 – 4
Andrew_wiggins – 3.5
Houndy – 3
Sasaki17 – 3.5
Agent420 – 2
Skith – 2
Phil89 – 2
The X -2
Lamrock – 1.5
Flower Chick – 2
King Mellow – 1
badreligionau – 1
megarover – 1
Kurotsugi – 1
Dmastawwe – 1

WHO GOT MORE POINTS? Well - check out the past challenge and how everyone fared!

PAST CHALLENGE

Dare won the 2 point bonus question.

The majority think that Michael Smith is a future head coach of the Pistons. Well – you are all wrong. But thanks for trying. I awarded 1 point for everyone who tried.

Stay tuned for the next chapter to find out... who is Michael Smith!

NEW CHALLENGE

None at this stage

[hova-]

Draft will be very interesting. Toroman sounds like the bust of the new decade, but somehow Euros are always intriguing I guess.

[Fresh8]

Durability Hurts Theus’ Stock
25 June 2013
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The verdict is out that JJ Theus might be viewed as too ‘injury-prone’ to be selected as the number one overall pick of the 2013 NBA Draft. The best college player from last season suffered a sprained wrist during a workout with the Portland Trailblazers. Theus joked that there must be a ‘Greg Oden curse’.

Theus was in high spirits as he met the Boston Celtics for a second time and then had a phone call with the Cleveland Cavaliers – owners of the number one pick. Theus wasn’t too concerned about his draft stock despite the fact that he missed a year of basketball in 2011/12. “I’m confident that these guys will make the right decisions. I’m happy to go to whichever team chooses me,” he said.

All mock drafts have Theus positioned in the top 3 but that is down from three months ago when he was the consensus projected number one pick. Many believe that exciting shooter Malcolm Cole has the best chance of going first because he would be a brilliant sidekick next to Irving and the Cavaliers want to continue developing Tristan Thompson.

If Cole goes first, Theus may not even go second as Dorrell Blackwell has shot up to the top of the Draft order after leading Syracuse to the national title. The 6’8” swingman had scouts salivating after plenty of electric performances during the NCAA tournament. The Celtics are reportedly excited about the chance to add either player.

Pistons ‘Very Interested’ In Michigan’s Connor
26 June 2013
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Jay Connor became a legend in the state of Michigan has he led a team of underdogs to the NCAA tournament. Now Connor is on the cusp of making the NBA and it is the Detroit Pistons who are most interested in him. Connor has trialled with the team twice and it appears that the Pistons are more than likely to select him with one of their two draft picks in the middle of the first round.

“I would love to play for the Pistons. I remember when they won in 2004,” he said. When asked who his favourite player was on the Pistons, he replied, “Rodney Stuckey would have been my favourite Piston.” He then quietly noted, “But my favourite NBA player growing up was Allen Iverson.”

[Fresh8]

Draft will be very interesting. Toroman sounds like the bust of the new decade, but somehow Euros are always intriguing I guess.

Well, if he is available - Joe really wants him.

[SuperHueyNewton]

"Oden curse" Better stop before it becomes real! rofl

[Mark.]

Theus is beginning to sound a bit like Neol this year in terms of the injury concerns.

[Fresh8]

"Oden curse" Better stop before it becomes real! rofl

I hope Oden didn't bring the curse with him to Detroit.

Theus is beginning to sound a bit like Neol this year in terms of the injury concerns.

Theus is the best player in the Draft - no doubt about it. I did a 5 on 5 scrimmage with him and he was a gun.

[Martti.]

Theus = Jay Gray reborn?

[Fresh8]

Theus = Jay Gray reborn?

That had not actually occurred to me...

Perhaps. Time will tell.

[Valor]

Theus is the best player in the Draft - no doubt about it. I did a 5 on 5 scrimmage with him and he was a gun.

Theus will be a star...if he plays for any team OTHER than this Pistons

[Durant35]

Theus is the best player in the Draft - no doubt about it. I did a 5 on 5 scrimmage with him and he was a gun.

Theus will be a star...if he plays for any team OTHER than this Pistons

Harsh joke. Looking forward into what Theus has in store for us!