A LEGEND IS BORN III

Damn, another loss, hope the Stealth bounce back. And GO JAZZ!!

Leading the league in blocks and PER, put more importantly, we are 6th in the West. I hope things continue like this.

Damn,you have to bounce back Sit!Your team is really having a bad start and clearly don't have views for a high position in the future...
Yay!Chicago 5th!
Are you going to make a recap of NLSCers' November performance?

Is there any way to put the league standings in columns?

Team	Win-Loss
Cleveland	12-5
Indiana	11-5
Atlanta	12-6
New Jersey	10-6
Chicago	10-7
Milwaukee	11-8
Miami	8-6
Charlotte	8-9
Philadelphia	7-9
Orlando	7-11
Washington	6-10
New York	7-12
Toronto	6-12
Boston	5-11
Detroit	5-11

Team	Win-Loss
Sacramento	13-6
Portland	12-6
Utah	10-6
New Orleans	10-7
Golden State	9-7
Phoenix	10-8
Seattle	9-8
Houston	9-9
Minnesota	9-9
Dallas	8-8
LA Lakers	7-8
Denver	7-11
LA Clippers	7-11
San Antonio	5-11
Memphis	4-11

TABLE! For search purposes.
It's actually easy if you do it line by line. The only reason to do it as one continuous line is too avoid that huge space that is created if the entire code isn't in one line.

So is the flood still rising?

No, it's receding now. But the water reached the top stand in that photo apparently. No basketball for a while I think

what about indoor pool basketball?

Thanks Shadow! Although I've changed the layout... Will play around with it and see what's better... Either centred or in tables!

Thanks for the comments guys. League news and nlsc stats are coming up soon but won't be up for a while.

Also Martti, it's good to see you playing at such a high level. Mvp worthy.

Since it is end of the month and you have all this new info, I am accepting news article or opinion colum submissions!

I remember Moses from waaay back, can't believe he's better than Lebron James, oh boy. I think I remember him being quite arrogant as well, but I can't be totally clear on that.

I love your writing style Sit, I love how the different persona's really show in the writing style, depending on the said author of the article.

I find it strange how the Kings are the strongest team in the West (I'm guessing because Moses and Westbrook work really well together), but they only make two appearances in the league-leaders of individual stats (Moses PER and 'Brooks Steals), definitely assumed that they would have strong statistical leaders in most of the categories.

Also, love how Roy is a scoring superstar in this story, I love Roy.

Thanks Lightning Strike!

Yes, Moses is a cocky son of a bitch. It was not intended but Durant somehow transcended him.

The Kings are good because of Moses, Michael Redd and Al Jefferson. They are the big three. And then they have a pretty solid group around them including Westbrook, Rashard Lewis and others.

I reckon you've got to read ALIB II to appreciate the rise of the Kings and then ALIB III to see them at the top of the league. And don't forget, we are a few years in the future!

The Kings are good because of Moses, Michael Redd and Al Jefferson.

Kings are good cause they are damn stacked

And the Bulls suck because Rose is their best player

I appreciate that the Kings' GM made moves when he had too. Adding Shaq/Jefferson, ditching Kevin Martin. All trying to find the right balance around the league's best player whilst he's in his prime

For how good Sacramento have become, I can't help but be disappointed with how far teams like Portland & Denver fell so quickly. The Nuggets we know it was the egos (JR Smith - not happy backing me up & Melo - enjoy NJ biatch) bolting town & leaving Chauncey & I holding the fort before Nuggets shipped us to Houston. As for Portland, their team didn't fall apart, they just didn't reach the lofty heights I (& Mr L-Rock expected).

Biggest Disappointments

Portland - especially the first season they had Boozer/Nash alongside Greg Oden, Travis Outlaw, Brandon Roy and Lamarcus Aldridge and Martell Webster as their sixth men and a slew of great role players. Over the years, the team lost players but continued to fill the holes. For 3-4 seasons, they were very strong. The window fully closed after Nash left. The Blazers were the early 2000 Kings of this association so far.

Washington - when Lamarcus Aldridge joined the Wizards, the team had, arguably, the best SG in the NBA (Arenas) and two star forwards (Jamison and Butler). Stevenson went to the bench to play behind the promising Klemen Pirc. Unfortunately, Pirc was injured in Aldridge's first season I believe and when he came back, his stats as a starter were not much of an improvement on his rookie numbers off the bench. Lamarcus never experienced the development into an All-Star that many thought he would be. I, for one, was very excited to see the Wizards' roster because they had a pretty solid bench behind good players at each position. Too bad it never eventuated. I don't think they've made the playoffs... ONCE.

Denver - Watson was the best rookie in his class - even better than Moses Chara because he was a starter on a winning team. The Nuggets were outstanding but a first round flame out in Watson's rookie year was a huge setback for the team. (I think that was the case). The next season, most of the players' numbers were down across the board... Denver still hung near the top of the West but again didn't do well in the playoffs. The season after that, JR Smith jumped ship and a year later, Melo did the same.

Philadelphia - The Sixers had the same roster for pretty much 4-5 seasons but it took them that long to get it all working together. And in the offseason, Byron Brock, Zoilo, Brand all leave in free agency. Talk about being greedy! I guess Brock went to a better situation with the Cavs but Zoilo went to sit behind Rondo on a shitty Celtics team while Brand is in Washington... of all places.

Cleveland - I love how the Cavs have failed. They have had a horrid history of losing long playoff series against the Heat... one year when they were really cruising, Lebron got injured and his team got beaten by the Hawks who were eventual champions... and then last season they lost to the Kings in 7... a 2 point loss in game 7... Lebron has kept winning MVPs but he never wins that ring!

Charlotte - I don't know how these guys never made it to the playoffs with their three headed monster of G Wallace, D Harris and M Moore. It really baffled me. Especially since you compare them to a team like the Western Conference leading Hornets who have such a crap team compared to the Bobcats.

Stealth - I must admit these guys are disappointing. We spent a few years being unable to beat Portland. I can tell you that they were so tough to beat. Suddenly, we are able to beat the Blazers and every other team in the West... and too bad it coincides with the rise of the Kings. We were going well last season and then Kidd goes down with injury...

Do you guys have any teams you would term as big disappointments in this alternate timeline?

Portland was the first to come in mind for me. I remember, when they got Nash and Boozer from FA, if I'm correct, I thought, that they will definitely get at least one championship, but they didn't even get to the Finals, didn't they?

Biggest Disappointments

Denver - Watson was the best rookie in his class - even better than Moses Chara because he was a starter on a winning team. The Nuggets were outstanding but a first round flame out in Watson's rookie year was a huge setback for the team. (I think that was the case). The next season, most of the players' numbers were down across the board... Denver still hung near the top of the West but again didn't do well in the playoffs. The season after that, JR Smith jumped ship and a year later, Melo did the same.

In my rookie year we did get out of the 1st round (barely, beating Jazz 4-3. We got knocked out in Conference Semis by those darn Blazers 4-2. I believe Blazers beat you guys too, not sure. I think if Nuggets would've beaten Blazers, Stealth would've beaten Nuggets & Celtics for title

Nuggets got knocked out in 1st round in my sophomore year. But there has to be an asterisk put next to it as Watson strained his Achilles just prior to playoffs & missed the whole 1st Round.

Monthly Recap: April
Part Five: NLSC Player Focus

Monthly Recaps are divided into several parts in order to give readers a quick and organized overview. Part Five of the Monthly Recap is the NLSC Player Focus where news and stats about NLSCers will be posted. A feature article will also be posted every once in a while!

NLSC Player Statistics

Byron Brock 7.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 0.3 apg
Mark Moore 16.9 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 4.8 apg
Martti Must 17.1 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 4.7 apg
Klemen Pirc 9.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 6.6 apg
Zoilo Resurreccion 13.1 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 8.5 apg
Andrew Watson 18.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.2 apg

NLSC Player News

Memphis Grizzlies All-Star Sorry

Martti Must has made a tearful apology to fans and media after the Memphis Grizzlies’ slide out of the playoffs came to a close with just that result. The Grizzlies’ were strong starters to the season but helplessly watched their season spiral out of control from the start of the new year.

Must took the podium and answered questions before becoming inconsolable as a number of journalists took a swipe at his leadership credentials and capabilities. One of them berated him for being ‘soft’ and living in the shadow of Reshawn Tyson, the player whom all of them said was the only reason why Must was drafted in the lottery. One journalist said, “You are not a leader and you are not an All-Star. You are an imposter who is only here because of Tyson who helped win you a title with the Tar Heels.”

Must apologized profusely for not leading the Grizzlies to the playoffs before being escorted out of the room.

Read More…

Andrew Watson Injured

The Denver Nuggets’ Andrew Watson will miss the start of the playoffs as he is nursing a strained Achilles. The Nuggets’ starting SG should be easily replaced as sixth man JR Smith fills the void created in the starting five. Watson finished his second NBA campaign on a tear as he found his shooting touch.

Read More…

Zoilo Can’t Wait For Playoff Debut

Philadelphia 76ers PG Zoilo Resurreccion cannot wait to make his playoff debut as the Sixers line up against the Eastern Conference leading Miami Heat. Resurreccion will have challenge of holding down Heat PG Mario Chalmers and limiting the Heat playmaker’s effectiveness. He hopes it will have a flow-on effect onto MVP candidate Dwyane Wade’s game.

“If I can stop Chalmers, that hopefully means less touches for Wade,” the Sixers’ top assists getter says, “My job is to stop Chalmers and that will hopefully help our team stop Wade.” He also mentioned a priority of his was to get the ball to PF Elton Brand, “Elton has not played well all season and we need him a lot if we want to get to the second round.”

Read More…

Moore: Trade For A Star

New Zealand SG Mark Moore has pleaded with the Charlotte Bobcats’ front office to trade for a star player. Moore even decided to play GM at a team press conference to close the season, “We have so many point guards, maybe we could trade a few of them away and some point scorers.”

PG Russell Westbrook didn’t take Moore’s comments well, “If Mark wants to be the manager, maybe he should trade himself first.” Moore later claimed that his comments were taken out of context.”

Read More…

Without Watson Nuggets ending up flaming out in big upset to a scary Golden State Warriors team. Then JR Smith left, then Melo a year later. Was bitter sweet. I actually though Nuggets would win the title in my second year, but that injury was just the death of a great squad

Ah yeah, I do remember now. Sucks to be a Nuggets fan I guess.

However, if you think about it - the Warriors have been a pretty solid team in this story. So on hindsight, doesn't seem ridiculous that they beat the Nugs in the first round. The X would have helped a lot though, if healthy. At the time though, it must have been a pretty big upset.

League News

Lopez Unhappy And Demanding Deal

PHOENIX, Dec 1 (AP) – Robin Lopez is disgruntled in Phoenix. Playing behind Kevin Love (13 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 3.1 apg), Lopez struggles to get onto the court as he averages 1.2 ppg, 1.0 rpg in 9.2 mpg this season. Although he played over 20 mpg over the last three seasons, the arrival of Martti Must has resulted in limited minutes for Lopez.

The 25 year old, 6 year pro has 3 seasons left on his contract. Love, a 7 foot former Stanford centre, now wants to switch teams. “I believe that we have run our course and it’s time for me to move on,” Lopez stated, “I can contribute to a team better than I can here for the Suns. I want to play for a team that could use me.” It is uncertain whether the Suns are willing to trade him but reports suggest that there are plenty that are lining up to make offers for him including the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat.

Read More…

Turkoglu On The Trading Block

DALLAS, Dec 1 (AP) – Hedo Turkoglu has been put on the trading block by the Dallas Mavericks after a slow start to the season. His scoring average has dipped to 8 ppg, down from the 13.5 averaged last season. Although keeping his shooting percentages up at .480 from the field and .468 from the three point line, Turkoglu has looked only a shade of his old self with his mobility restricting him to being a spot up shooter.

Turkoglu is not what Dallas needs and the team is looking to move him to bring in a centre after Samuel Dalambert left in the Summer. The Mavs have also played poorly due to Dirk Nowitzki being slowed down by injury. Mark Cuban stated that his decision to allow the franchise to put Hedo on the trading block is a reflection on where he wants his team to be headed, “We signed Andrew Watson and Aaron Brooks because we want this team to be a playoff team. Hedo is a good player but his style doesn’t fit the makeup of our team. We have enough shooters – we just need some big bodies now.”

Read More…

Best Point Guard Is Jason Kidd?

SEATTLE, Dec 1 (AP) – Seattle Stealth PG Jason Kidd has topped the ‘pure point guard’ rating so far this season and remains the best point guard statistically in the NBA. The veteran has done a remarkable job in widening the difference between himself and his rivals in his 20th year in the NBA. Kidd’s season so far has people asking out aloud whether he is the best point guard in the league and the best that the NBA has ever seen?

Read More…

McGrady: Nuggets Can Turn It Around

DENVER, Dec 1 (AP) – Denver Nuggets star Tracy McGrady is confident that he and his team can turn their season around. His side is near the bottom of the league standing but the swingman states that he believes that all hope is not lost. “We have the talent to compete with the best of the league,” McGrady says.

The talent that McGrady was referring to includes his team mates Zach Randolph, Chris Kaman and Mario Chalmers. All three agree that Denver can make a run for the playoffs. Veteran PG Stephon Marbury believes that the Nuggets could even make some noise in the playoffs, “Why not? If we could make the playoffs, I think we could easily get out of the first round and even make the Western Conference Finals!”

Read More…

Mayo Doesn’t Miss Must

MEMPHIS, Dec 1 (AP) – OJ Mayo is having a breakout season and that is directly consequential to the exiting of All-Star and ex-teammate Marrti Must. Mayo is averaging 25 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5 assist and 2 steals a game.

His minutes are up to a career high 37 per game and his three point shooting percentage has sky rocketed from the .359 he shot at last year. This season, he is shooting at .425 from behind the arc. It is another career high mark but even more impressive because he shot sub-400 over the last two seasons. It didn’t take long for Mayo to announce the taking over of the team’s rein to leadership. He scored 37 points to open the season against Must and the Suns.

Three games into the season, the Grizzlies finally won their first game of the season. In a 111-95 victory against the Chicago Bulls, Mayo played great and finished with 32 points, 10 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 steals. The game was also his first 30 point game of the season. Mayo had had his downs as well, including a foul plagued match where he scored just 3 points in a 111-83 blowout loss to the Hawks. Mayo had a bittersweet redemption game the following night with a career high 48 points in a 114-104 loss to the Lakers.

Memphis is at 4-11 after one month of play and even though the team has taken a considerable amount of steps backwards from their near playoff campaigns of the past two years, Mayo is excited at the prospect of leading the young Grizzlies and being out of the shadow of Must. “Martti meant a lot to this team but he was the one who left us,” Mayo says, “We’re going to get better with time. I love being the leader of this team. I don’t miss the old days one bit!”

Read More…

Player Awards

Player of the Month

East: Jay Gray (20 ppg, 11 rpg, 4 apg, 1.5 spg, 2.4 bpg)
West: Martti Must (19.2 ppg, 3.2 orpg, 11.6 rpg, 6.9 apg, 3.3 bpg)

Rookie of the Month

East: Coby Clark (14.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.6 bpg)
West: Lynn Gregory (4 ppg, 5 apg, 2 rpg, .250FG%)

All-Star Voting

N/A

Race 2 MVP

1. Brandon Roy, SF, Portland Blazers
26.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 8.7 apg, 1.6 spg, .481 FG%, .287 3PT%, .695 FT%, 39.7 mpg

Roy is finally showing what he is capable of. It’s taken a while but Blazers fans are probably rejoicing that their star player is finally playing like one. He has always been solid but this season, Roy has been out of this world. If he was shooting a little better from behind the arc and the charity stripe, he could be averaging 30 points a game. Who would have ever thought Roy would lead the league in scoring?

2. Moses Chara, SF, Sacramento Kings
22.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 7.3 apg, 1.7 spg, .481 FG%, .329 3PT%, .928 FT%, 34.2 mpg

The reigning MVP is solid as ever. He is the league’s best player down the stretch as long as you can get the ball in his hands. Chara works well under pressure and although he is not the best at creating his own shot, his focus is first rate and that means he makes the best decisions. He will either take the shot or he will pass up for a better shot.

3. Lebron James, SF, Cleveland Cavaliers
23.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 6.1 apg, 1.4 spg, 0.7 bpg, .483 FG%, .301 3PT%, .742 FT%, 35.6 mpg

The King has struggled out of the gate but he is still a handful to say the least. The Cavs are playing great basketball and James has accommodated his new teammates with energetic play all around the court. His stats may be falling but this team may be the best one he has had in Cleveland. Cavs fans are getting giddy.

4.Chris Paul, PG, New Orleans Hornets
21.9 ppg, 3.8 apg, 7.7 apg, 2.5 spg, .438 FG%, .394 3PT%, .842 FT%, 35.9 mpg

Always a favorite to win the MVP. Paul has the least talent to work with when compared to the others who comprise the top 5 of this list. His assists have dipped this season as have his shooting percentages but that is only a reflection of his teammates not helping him out as much as in the past. The most important stat though are team wins and the Hornets are doing well in that department – thanks to their leader Paul.

5.Carmelo Anthony, SF, New Jersey Nets
25.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.6 spg, .498 FG%, .202 3PT%, .808 FT%, 36.8 mpg

No matter how well Barney Steele is playing (12 ppg, 10 apg, 6.6 rpg), Melo is the star if this team. He has been quietly consistent and other teams cannot find an answer for him. No player has shut him down all season. If he wants to move up this list, the one thing he could do is hit the outside shot.

On the bubble: Deron Williams, PG Utah Jazz; Ricky Rubio, PG, Indiana Pacers; Jay Gray, PF, Milwaukee Bucks; Martti Must, PF, Phoenix Suns

Rookie Rankings

1. Coby Clark, C, Toronto Raptors
14.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.6 bpg, 34.6 mpg
(Drafted 1 by Toronto)

Clark had 23 points and 10 rebounds in his NBA debut… Has failed to score in double digits in just 3 games so far this season… Looking very impressive next to Chris Bosh… The team just needs a solid backcourt in order to make a bid for the playoffs…

2. Julian Martin, SG, Charlotte Bobcats
12.9 ppg, 20.4 mpg
(Drafted 4 by Charlotte)

Has been injured since mid-November with a separated shoulder… Scoreless in NBA debut, then 2 points in second ever NBA game… Sparked a 5 game winning streak (scoring 20, 25, 15, 20, 19 in each game)… Bobcats would win 6 in a row but lose Martin in that sixth game. Martin played just 3 minutes in an impressive 135-92 win v Portland…

3. Lynn Gregory, SG, Los Angeles Clippers
4.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 5.0 apg
(Drafted 24 by Philadelphia)

Surprisingly solid contributor from off the Clippers bench… Seeing extra minutes because Richard Jefferson (out for season) and Ray Lliach (up to a month) are sidelined with injuries… Does a little bit of everything and is a true team player…

4. Dee Gilmore, SG, Portland Blazers
5.2 ppg, .528 FG%, .458 3PT%
(Drafted 17 by Portland)

19 year old from Lithuania… Shooting the rock very well… Blazers need his accuracy to space the floor further for Ben Gordon, Brandon Roy… Blazers thinking about utilizing Gilmore at point guard to see if he can handle it better than starter Ramon Sessions…

5. Christian Oliver, PG, Houston Rockets
3.6 ppg, 2.0 apg
(Drafted 6 by Houston)

Houston are at surprising .500… Has shown steady leadership on the court… Outperformed more heralded Rockets prospect Lucius Santos…

Last edited by Fresh8 on Sun Jan 16, 2011 3:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Draft class looks weak, with the exception of Clark and Martin. I hope I can crack Top 5 in the MVP race soon.

Draft class looks weak, with the exception of Clark and Martin. I hope I can crack Top 5 in the MVP race soon.

Martin is not very impressive. Wait for his full stats.

And I reckon you will make the top 5 later on in season. I was gonna do a top 10 but too time consuming. Sorry guys!

Hope the recap ain't boring!

It isn't boring, it gets me informed

I'd be happy if Roy wins MVP , he would deserve it this year

Hey man, let me make one thing clear: we already have a solid backcourt, it's the rookie and the wannabe MVP not showing up.

Pretty weak rookie class if you ask me.

Martti Must for player of the month must be a joke.

So, I'm done with moaning

Julian Martin can suck it.

Nice to see Mayo like that... 25-5-5!

Roy is playing out of this world right now. I thought the Blazers were done for but he is proving me wrong.

What's Rocky Rubio's stats?