OKC - 2011/12 - Thunder Three-peat

[Phil89]

5/12/09

Indiana trade Granger and Foster to Denver for Anthony



The Denver Nuggets today shocked everybody by trading superstar forward Carmelo Anthony to Indiana for forward Danny Granger and center Jeff Foster.
Anthony, 25, averaged 19.7 ppg for Denver so far this season. He has 3 years remaining on a $8.36m a year contract.
26 year old Granger has been in great form this season and is currently in the top 7 league leaders for scoring with 20.5 ppg. He is 5th in the MVP race.
Granger has 5 years remaining on a $2.33m a year contract, while Foster, who is 32, has 2 years left on his $6.18m per year contract.
It is unclear why Denver decided to make this deal. Time will tell whether or not it was a wise move.

[Andrew]

There's that bizarre trade logic kicking in. I guess it's not too bad, CPU teams have made more uneven swaps than that before but it's highly unlikely that Denver would even seriously consider trading Melo anytime soon.

[Phil89]

6/12/09

Oklahoma City Thunder [14-4] vs Denver Nuggets [9-7]

Disappointment as Thunder blow big lead late on



The Nuggets travelled to Oklahoma City to square off against the Thunder with new boy Danny Granger ready to play his first game for the team.
Both teams came out with aggressive mindsets, but the Thunder lead 34-25 at the break. Jeff Green hit a three at the buzzer to end the quarter with 19 points.
As has happened in previous games this season, the thunder couldn't take advantage of their good start and the game was tied at 49-49 at the half.
Oklahoma City looked to have gotten themselves the vital break in the third. They lead 72-63 with one to play and looked on course to win.
Unfortunately the Thunder missed 14 consecutive shots in the fourth which let Denver put on 16 unanswered points and steal the game.
It was a particularly hard loss as it was the second against their Northwest Division rivals this season and ended a five game winning streak.

Player of the Game: Kevin Durant

OKC - 34 15 23 11 83
DEN - 25 24 14 28 91

Top Scorers
Jeff Green - 29
Kevin Durant - 29
JR Smith - 21
Danny Granger - 20

Assists
Russell Westbrook - 10
Chauncy Billups - 8
Danny Granger - 5

Rebounds
Chris Andersen - 14
Nene - 12
Ben Wallace - 8
Kevin Durant - 8

[Kenny]

Shame you blew the lead, but Green had a great game

Looks like Denver is a trouble team for you... we all have them. For me it's generally OKC or Memphis

[Phil89]

Yeah, I don't know why I can't beat Denver. I should have really won that game though. Especially after they just traded Melo.

[Andrew]

Tough break, sounds like Denver became invincible while you turned cold. Not an unrealistic thing to happen of course, but an example of NBA Live 10's comeback logic, which is up there with NBA Live 06 in terms of ruthlessness.

[Phil89]

8/12/09

Oklahoma City Thunder [14-5] vs Utah Jazz [7-13]

Thunder bounce back against Jazz



Fans at the Ford Center were again treated to a great game of basketball tonight when the Utah Jazz came to town to take on the Thunder.
In a tight first half, neither team were getting easy baskets. The opposition defenders were making the offense earn each shot when they went to the hoop.
The Jazz lead 51-50 at half time and were really making a game of it, much to some peoples surprise, given their poor record so far this season.
In the third the Thunder came out and grabbed the game by the throat. Kevin Durant in particular knocked down 4 or 5 threes in the quarter. They lead 79-66.
Given the catastrophic collapse in the last quarter against Denver 2 nights ago, the Thunder were determined to see this game out and get the win.
Utah reduced the lead, but the Thunder were always in control. Russell Westbrook hit 2 clutch free throws with the score at 97-94 in the last 2 minutes.

Player of the Game: Kevin Durant

OKC - 21 29 29 21 100
UTA - 23 28 15 28 94

Top Scorers
Deron Williams - 32
Jeff Green - 25
Kevin Durant - 24
Mehmet Okur - 24

Assists
Ronnie Price - 9
Kevin Durant - 7
Russell Westbrook - 6
Deron Williams - 6

Rebounds
Mehmet Okur - 14
Jeff Green - 12
Ben Wallace - 11

[Andrew]

Good job withstanding a bit of a fourth quarter comeback there.

[Phil89]

Yeah I thought I'd blown another lead when they started coming back. But I managed to get a few shots to go and block a few of theirs too.

BJ Mullens is a bit of a gem on this game. He's 7 ft tall and the fastest guy on the roster. Gives me another fast break attacking option.

James Harden has been very good coming off the bench when I've needed a lift this season too.

[Andrew]

I've noticed Gay's scoring has dropped off a bit since moving to shooting guard. What's his current average?

[Phil89]

Gay is on about 29 ppg, Durant is on about 23 ppg and Green is now on about 20 ppg. Their all in the top 10 league leaders in scoring.

Will changing the simulation length to 10 or 12 minutes help make the cpu stats better and make the MVP race a bit more even?

[Martti.]

Sim length should always be 12.

[Kenny]

I have my sim quarter lengths at 10 minutes, but none of my players score in such volumes. Last time I played, Melo was my lead scorer with 20 a game. I'd recommend 12 for you as well... particularly if Gay is averaging 29.

Your dynasty story is very well written though. Keep it up and I'll keep reading

[Andrew]

Will changing the simulation length to 10 or 12 minutes help make the cpu stats better and make the MVP race a bit more even?

I'd definitely recommend 12 minutes for sim length, though given the issues with NBA Live 10's sim engine and awards selection logic some of the results are still bound to be less than pleasing. Having said that, a sim length of 12 minutes is probably going to give you the best chance of having some half-decent results.

[Phil89]

I have my sim quarter lengths at 10 minutes, but none of my players score in such volumes. Last time I played, Melo was my lead scorer with 20 a game. I'd recommend 12 for you as well... particularly if Gay is averaging 29.

Your dynasty story is very well written though. Keep it up and I'll keep reading

Thanks. I'm only playing 8 minute quarters. Imagine how much Gay would be averaging if I was playing 12 minute quarters

I'd definitely recommend 12 minutes for sim length, though given the issues with NBA Live 10's sim engine and awards selection logic some of the results are still bound to be less than pleasing. Having said that, a sim length of 12 minutes is probably going to give you the best chance of having some half-decent results.

I just thought if I changed the sim length, then the stats would even out and make for better reading here.

Plus I'm not risking dodgy scores by simming any games. I want to play all 82 this season (plus a few more hopefully).

[Andrew]

The simulated results probably will be a little better, I'm just saying that given the quirks of NBA Live 10's sim engine it might not make a huge difference but I would agree that it's worth a try all the same.

[Phil89]

I hope it makes the stats a bit more realistic.

I mean, for example, LeBron is nowhere this season. The only thing he is a top 5 league leader in is minutes per game.

I think writing this Dynasty up on here is making it easier for me to play all the games. Usually by this point in a season I'm all focussed on the play-offs or the upcoming off-season and just simulate all the remaining games. I'm enjoying it

[Andrew]

Good to hear. And thanks again for sharing it, it's been fun to follow.

[Phil89]

10/12/09

Oklahoma City Thunder [15-5] vs Atlanta Hawks [7-14]

Thunder grab the win in tight game



Oklahoma City tonight welcomed the Atlanta Hawks to the Ford Center. Atlanta have been struggling so far this season, with a 7-14 record.
It was a close game for the first three quarters, but the Thunder managed to get out to a 10 point lead after three, 74-64.
The Hawks threatened in the last but Oklahoma City did enough to record an 8 point win at home. Rookie BJ Mullens came off the bench and scored 13 points.
Josh Smith lead the scoring for the Hawks, but it was the team effort from the Thunder that proved too much in the end.

Player of the Game: Mike Bibby

OKC - 20 25 29 27 101
ATL - 20 19 25 29 93

Top Scorers
Josh Smith - 27
Jeff Green - 25
Rudy Gay - 23
Joe Johnson - 21

Assists
Mike Bibby - 12
Russell Westbrook - 6
Joe Johnson - 5

Rebounds
Marvin Williams - 11
Josh Smith - 10
Al Horford - 8
Ben Wallace - 6
Jeff Green - 6

[Phil89]

13/12/09

Oklahoma City Thunder [16-5] vs Charlotte Bobcats [13-10]

Thunder withstand late charge to grab deserved win



Oklahoma City faced off against the Charlotte Bobcats for the first time this season at the Ford Center.
The Bobcats are currently in play-off contention in the Eastern Conference and this game was expected to be a cracker.
Charlotte came out strong in the first quarter and were leading 17-9 early on. After a stoppage rookie center BJ Mullens came on for Ben Wallace.
He helped get the Thunder back into the game with 8 points in a 14-0 run. He ended the game with 16 points, his best game of the season.
The Thunder came out on fire offensively in the second and lead 50-37 at the half. The crowd sensed a blow-out on the cards.
The third quarter was a tight affair, but Oklahoma City still managed to outscore the Bobcats and lead 75-61 with one to play.
As has been the case lately for the Thunder, they let their lead slip in the fourth. Luckily though Jeff Green was on hand to sink a three and secure the win.
Kevin Durant hit free throws late on to make sure of the victory.


Player of the Game: Tyson Chandler

OKC - 23 27 25 24 99
CHA - 19 18 24 28 89

Top Scorers
Kevin Durant - 23
Jeff Green - 21
Stephen Jackson - 20
Raymond Felton - 20

Assists
Raymond Felton - 8
Gerald Wallace - 5

Rebounds
Tyson Chandler - 18
Jeff Green - 7

[kibaxx7]

I see none of your players are getting POTG's on your wins. Is that some Live 10 glitch?

[Andrew]

I'm guessing it has more to do with a CPU playing handing out a bunch of assists or grabbing a lot of rebounds for a better overall performance, but one couldn't rule out the game making a suspect decision. Good wins in any case.

[Phil89]

I think it's actually because although my players scored a few more points then the opposition's, they had more rebounds/assists.

From memory Bibby scored 19 points in that game. So I guess 19 points + 12 assists beats 25 points + 6 rebounds from Green.

In almost every game I've won though, one of my players has been POTG.

[Andrew]

That's what I meant, a better all around performance by the CPU gives them the POTG honours even though you've got the victory.

[Phil89]

It's silly really. If 2 players have similar games, it should go to the player on the winning side because he helped his team get a win.

I guess nothing is perfect in games. Plus, they can win all the POTG awards they want as long as I win the games