X's T'wolves (NBA 2K11)

2011/12 3rd TRIMESTER UPDATE (PART THREE)


Looking back at the 2011/12 NCAA season there were really four standout performers who all seem set to put their mark at the next level in the NBA. The irony is that they are all frontcourt players. It has been a long time since the college game wasn't dominated by guards so it's refreshing to see the big men on campus getting the recognition.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH

Franklin Fleming, Colorado, Jr
PF, 6'9", 217lbs, 22 years old
Season Stats: 23ppg, 10rpg

Franklin Fleming is an All-American forward whose game has grown immensely throughout his years in Boulder, Colorado but he has been off the radar of NBA scouts until this season's explosion. He entered college a year late after spending a year at a prep school to get eligible academically. He proceeded to make a name for himself in the Big 12 playing for the often underwhelming Colorado Buffaloes. After leading his team to his a NCAA Tournament berth this season and seeing his averages jump from 16 and 8 to 23 and 10, Fleming believes he is ready for the next step.

NBA scouts are enamored with Fleming's game. Fleming is an excellent offensive player inside, a maestro in the post, he rebounds the ball very well, has an improving perimeter shot and many compare him to a more athletic Zach Randolph. The only real knock on Fleming is his body. You see, he's skinny and lacks the strength needed to go up against the NBA's big boys. Whilst he's already 22, his upside is still immense and as his body continues to fill out, he could easily develop into an All-Star for years to come.

Draft Stock: Top 5


HIGH IQ GUY

Gordon Burks, Penn, Jr
PF, 6’8", 236lbs, 21 years old
Season Stats: 16ppg, 9rpg

Unlike Fleming, there is nothing slight about Penn's Gordon Burks. The junior forward combined with Brandon Payton to lead the surprising Penn to the Sweet 16 this season. It's not often you see the Ivy League create many NBA calibre players, especially two lottery talents in one year at the one school. The truth is that Burks could've played at any power conference school he wanted to but elected to go to an academic school that his father attended. Burks will finish his final units in summer schools and graduate early, such is his work ethic on and off the court.

These traits haven't been missed by scouts, who rate the high character, high IQ Burks near the top of their draft boards. It helps that he is a great defender and rebounder and has very good potential. Whilst he is bound to make an impact on the defensive end, scouts are worried about his transition to the NBA at the offensive end as the defenses he faced in the Ivy League just didn't test him at all. With his IQ, I think teams are willing to take the risk.

Draft Stock: Top 5


NO DOUBTERS NOW

Jaime Buford, Vanderbilt, Sr
SF, 6'8", 230lbs, 23 years old
Season Stats: 19ppg, 7rpg, 2spg

After a disappointing NCAA Tournament last year and the haters coming out en masse, you wouldn't have blamed junior forward Jaime Buford on bolting to the pros for a guaranteed contract that goes with being a 1st Round pick. But he didn't, Buford worked hard over the off-season and came back in 2011/12 and ran the table on the awards scene, winning National Player of the Year honors. More importantly, he led the Commodores to its first ever national title. The argument for young starts with Floyd Bradley, the dazzling freshman point guard who has taken the ACC by storm, like Stephon Marbury did many years before.

Scouts rave about Buford's ability to play both ways. He's a super athlete, takes pride at the defensive end shutting down his opponent and has potential to get even better. Comparisons for Buford range somewhere between Rudy Gay and Andre Iguodala. He's the best of both of those players so it should be no surprise that he is a lock in the top five come draft day.

Draft Stock: Top 5


MOUNTAIN OF A MAN

Jesse Brown, Arkansas, Jr
C, 6'10", 234lbs, 21 years old
Season Stats: 18ppg, 10apg, 3bpg

It took him until his junior season to put it all together, but once he did, Jesse Brown took the college basketball scene by storm. Good potential, great post game, great defender, great rebound, very high IQ. Did I mention he's got great size (6'10" with some wingspan to boot). He projects as an NBA centre, albeit slightly undersized, so he will probably also spend some time at power forward. Brown is most comfortable close to the hoop so I can see him playing more at the 5 than the 4.

Did I also mention that he's a bad, bad man inside? He's the type of guy you want in the trenches with you, not on the opposing team. Where does he project, probably top three, no lower than five. Let's just say this, if he was a legit 7 footer then he'd be a lock at number one.

Draft Stock: Top 5

Looking to repeat as NBA champions, the Miami Heat reeled off an improabable 31 game winning streak (this being the second longest such streak in NBA history behind the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers' 33 game winning streak. The Heat will have a chance to break the Lakers' long standing record next season) to end the season 62-20 and pass the Boston Celtics (59-23) in the final week of the regular season for home court advantage throughout the playoffs.

Wait, doesn't the winning streak carry over to the playoffs so if they win 3 consecutive games in the playoffs they break the record?

Looking to repeat as NBA champions, the Miami Heat reeled off an improabable 31 game winning streak (this being the second longest such streak in NBA history behind the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers' 33 game winning streak. The Heat will have a chance to break the Lakers' long standing record next season) to end the season 62-20 and pass the Boston Celtics (59-23) in the final week of the regular season for home court advantage throughout the playoffs.

Wait, doesn't the winning streak carry over to the playoffs so if they win 3 consecutive games in the playoffs they break the record?

Not sure, maybe we need an expert in to answer this.

Does a streak continue from regular season to regular season or does it include playoffs? I think the former, shadow thinks the latter. I don't mind which one it is.

Based on the pro-rata nature of my Association, if it is the former then the Heat just need to win their 2012/13 season opener, whereas if it is the latter then they need to win the opening two games of their first round series against the Bucks.

2011/12 3rd TRIMESTER UPDATE (PART FOUR)


In the multiverse that this Association is set, some NLSC members are actually legit ballers, believe it or not. Let me introduce the next crop of prospects.

TIME TO FEAST ON A TEXAS T-BONE

Maxwell Gomez, Texas, Sr
PG, 6'3", 190lbs, 22 years old
Season Stats: 16ppg, 6apg, 2spg

Big 12 All-1st Teamer Maxwell Gomez didn't get the national title he so desperately coveted, but he wasn't all on him. Whilst talented, the Longhorns just couldn't put that promise together and the team exited in the early rounds of the Tournament each year. Gomez has good size at the point guard and does everything well that you want from a lead guard, he's got good speed, finds the open man, is a good man defender and you don't want to leave him open on the perimeter. The knock on him is he is injury prone and is not a good finisher around the hole. However, in a draft devoid of top quality point guards Gomez has found himself rise up the boards and looks to go anywhere in the five to eight range.

Draft Stock: Top 5

Interesting Fact: Gomez roomed last season with Clark Cheeks, who was picked 52nd in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls.


JUST DESSERTS IN BAVARIA FOR THE HOV

Christophe Hasselhoff, Germany
PG, 6'4", 175lbs, 22 years old
Season Stats: 11ppg, 4rpg, 4apg, 2spg

Christophe Hasselhoff, or The Hov as he is fondly known, is another draft prospect that is taking advantage of a weak crop of point guards, as he is rising up NBA team's draft boards. This is despite the fact he is very injury prone (broken arm and ongoing hip problems) and is outside shot comparable to Ricky Rubio's. Hasselhoff also is playing in Germany's second tier professional league for Bayern Munich, after being spotted whilst playing for the University of Augsburg. Christophe does have his positives and plenty of them. He has been compared to Tony Parker, with his ability to get to the hoop and finish, but he's a better distributor and defender than the Spurs' star. The injury problems are a concern though and how high he goes on draft night will depend highly on his upcoming pre-draft medical tests.

Draft Stock: Lottery

Interesting Fact #1: The Hov has a fondness for Oktoberfest.

Interesting Fact #2: The Hov's favourite NBA player is, unsurprisingly, Dirk Nowitzki. Dirk Nowitzki's favourite singer/entertainer is, you guessed it, David Hassellhoff or The Hoff as is otherwise known.


HOUNDING IT IN LOUISIANA

Willis Lewis, LSU, Jr
SG, 6'3", 210lbs, 21 years old
Season Stats: 15ppg, 7rpg

Willis plays a lot bigger than his size suggests. He's a beast who earns his lunch money at the defensive end and that's where he'll earn it to in the NBA. He's got a nice wingspan that allows him to cause problems on the defensive end and gobble up opportunistic rebounds. He works harder than everybody else on the court and finds a way to get it done. Given his size, many scouts have major concerns about Lewis and he must continue to improve on his outside shot before he gets consistent playng time at the next level. At the moment, based on his collegiate body of work in this weak draft class, he's looking like a borderline lottery selection.

Draft Stock: Lottery

Interesting Fact: Willis is not afraid to use his superior strength to inflict pain (and fouls) on his opponents.


IT'S TIME FOR ARMY TRAINING SIR

Tracy Lee, California, Redshirt Sr
SF/PF, 6'8", 220lbs, 25 years old
Season Stats: 9ppg, 9rpg, 3bpg

After wearing out his welcome at Army, Tracy Lee had to walk on with the California Golden Bears. Making the team, he played little as a freshman. After improved play throughout his sophomore and junior seasons, Lee torn his MCL in the off-season and missed what would have been his senior season to a medical redshirt. One he returned in his senior season, after working off the cobwebs and rust, Lee started to show the dynamic all-energy play that coaches, fans and scouts alike loved. Lee is a specialist weakside shot blocker and help defender. He crashes the glass and is an opportunist who uses his athleticism to get the job done. He may not be as explosive as he was pre-injury, but he could be a good role player at the next level. If he can prove to NBA teams that he is fully recovered from injury and interviews well (i.e. no emotional outbursts), he might catch on in the late lottery.

Draft Stock: Lottery

Interesting Fact: Lee is a volatile player with some misdemanours, most of which involve alcohol.


INDECISIVE FRENCHMEN FINALLY MAKES HIS DECISION

Thierry Trichet, France
PG, 6'3", 185lbs, 22 years old
Season Stats: 16ppg, 6rpg, 4apg

Thierry Trichet, a confused Argentinian who has made France his new home land, is anything but confused on the actual basketball court. His desire to succeed can not be doubted and if it wasn't for his emotional meltdowns, he could easily be confused for Spurs' Frenchmen Tony Parker. That would be a mistake though as Trichet is slightly more rounded than Parker and uses his athleticism to make an impact defensively and on the boards. He's very capable and comfortable working in the midrange at the offensive end but doesn't have the ability to attack the hoop as well as TP. Given his skill base one would expect he'd be in the top half of the lottery in such a weak draft class, but scouts question his attitude problems and whether he has the intestinal fortitude to make it in the NBA.

A lot of the concerns that NBA teams have about Thierry arose after he skipped out on the Argentinian U21 National Team just prior to the World Championships three years back and made headway to France and tried to lobby for a second go at playing national level for the French, of all people. Thierry has bounced around through a few teams since coming to France but finally seems to be finding his feet, that was until the topic of the NBA Draft came up and he couldn't decide if he wanted to stay in France or elect to ply his trade in the NBA. His agent has settled that dilemma for NBA scouts and GM's by saying that he is ready and willing to make the jump to the NBA with whichever team drafts him, but many are still wary of being burned. This has naturally hurt his draft stock, which has him all over the board but once all is said and done, he may yet creep back into the lottery.

Draft Stock: Lottery

Interesting Fact: After coming over to France and still feeling a bit jilted by the game of basketball, Thierry tried to make it as a footballer, a sport that was his first love. In the open tryout for PSG, Thierry was cut on the first day.

Andrew Andrew

Sucks that the Heat has the best record again and my Bulls are only a 48 win team. Heres hoping Miami chokes in the postseason and doesn't repeat

Loving the return of all those awesome photos (Lets hope PSN doesn't screw up again anytime soon!) and a nice trimester update as usual

I need to catch up on this fully but reading the latest updates, seems like you're doing as awesome a job as ever with it. I too will have support behind that fine up and coming young player, Andrew Andrew. I'd say you can't make this stuff up, but apparently a random name generator will.

Hell yeah, Chris Jovanovic. Pretty good description I have to say. Loving the Oktoberfest side fact Sweet updates, I like the assists numbers in your D, three guys over 9 is pretty uncommon in 2k11.

Andrew Andrew

Sucks that the Heat has the best record again and my Bulls are only a 48 win team. Heres hoping Miami chokes in the postseason and doesn't repeat

Loving the return of all those awesome photos (Lets hope PSN doesn't screw up again anytime soon!) and a nice trimester update as usual

Yes, it is a great name. You can't deny that

I hope Miami chokes too Sucks about Bulls, but not Rose's fault since he's having a MVP calibre season.

I need to catch up on this fully but reading the latest updates, seems like you're doing as awesome a job as ever with it. I too will have support behind that fine up and coming young player, Andrew Andrew. I'd say you can't make this stuff up, but apparently a random name generator will.

Glad to see you pop in If you look at first few posts of this thread you'll see directory links etc. Might save you some time.

If you want a brief recap, goes a little something like this:
- T-wolves suck
- So bad that Marbury re-united unsuccessfully in Minnesota. He even gets a chance to play with his cousin Sebastian Telfair. Both refused to re-sign at season's end, which suited me fine.
- T-wolves so dismal that Darko Challenge arises to keep things interesting
- Triangle horrible for T-wolves' personnel, Rambis fired & replaced by Triano who was fired by Raptors during 2010/11.
- T-wolves don't luck out in lottery but make a few unusual Kahn-like moves, bringing Rubio over & drafting another two point guards (Bradley & Moore) in the draft to add to Flynn.
- T-wolves surprisingly mediocre in year 2. Trade Flynn in deal to Clippers & steal Gordon & 1st Rounder (kinda like the B-Diddy & 1st Rounder for Mo Williams. They offered it too, I'm not that cruel )
- T-wolves cruelly miss playoffs based on a tiebreak.

As for Andrew Andrew, he'll be hard to pass on in the lottery, that's for sure

Hell yeah, Chris Jovanovic. Pretty good description I have to say. Loving the Oktoberfest side fact Sweet updates, I like the assists numbers in your D, three guys over 9 is pretty uncommon in 2k11.

I stick to database names in game so that was the closest match

I'm happy with assist numbers, just wish scoring for stars was down & up for role players & PER's down for stars.

Thanks, I'll be sure to check out those links.

2011/12 SEASON AWARDS


MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

SF- Lebron James, Miami
Season Stats: 24.4ppg, 7.8rpg, 7.2apg, 1.9bpg, 1.6spg

At All-Star break this award was a two man race - Kevin Durant versus Kobe Bryant. What ensued was the Heat reeling off 31 straight wins (and still counting) to close the season with the best record in the NBA. Voters couldn't look past this despite all of Lebron's numbers being down across the board (with exception of assists, which were up from 5.8apg in 2010/11). This award makes his fourth consecutive MVP trophy, but this one seems a lot more arguable since Lakers' guard Kobe Bryant and Thunder forward Kevin Durant had a lot better years individually, but in the end, you can't argue team performance.


DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

PF- Josh Smith, Atlanta
Season Stats: 16.6ppg, 8.3rpg, 4.0apg, 2.0bpg, 2.0spg

Back-to-back DPOY awards for the do everything Hawks' forward Josh Smith, despite him being slightly less dominant than he was a season ago. Team success was there though, with the Hawks going from lottery land last season to the third best record in the East this season, with a greatly retooled roster after it lucked out winning the top pick in the draft. J-Smoove narrowly beat out Dwight Howard (Orl) and Tim Duncan (SAS) for the honour.


ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

SG- Perry Buchanan, Atlanta
Season Stats: 14.1ppg, 3.8rpg, 3.4apg, 1.7spg

Which brings us to Perry Buchanan, the Hawks' number one overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. His numbers didn't set the World on fire, but frankly if he had been drafted by a real cellar dweller rather than the loaded Hawks, where he had to share a backcourt with and defer to Joe Johnson, then he would've had those gaudy numbers you'd expect from a top pick in the draft. In the end, the race wasn't even that close after Cavs' Chinese rookie forward Jin Lam went to the bench after the Danny Granger trade. Buchanan has many good years ahead of him and it should be fun to see how his career pans out.


SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR

SG- Jason Richardson, Phoenix
Season Stats: 17.6ppg, 7.2rpg, 1.3spg

J-Rich could start for many teams but he is now plying his trade as Ben Gordon's backup. He seems to have taken well to the role and had a great year, so can't really argue with the award. This was the lone bright spot for the dismal Suns, who finished with the worst record in the league.


MOST IMPROVED PLAYER OF THE YEAR

PF- Thaddeus Young, Detroit
Season Stats: 18.1ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.8spg

Can't argue with this selection as Thaddeus has been great in his time with the Pistons. I'd like to see him rebounding the ball better since he's having to play the 4 even though he's more a 3. Along with Greg Monroe, the Pistons are building a nice young nucleus with Young and Stuckey.


COACH OF THE YEAR

Larry Drew, Atlanta
Season Record: 54-28

Drew couldn't afford to have another disappointing season as he did in 2010-11, not after the Hawks lucked out getting Buchanan in the draft, then adding a few nice free agency pieces. Larry Drew did a great job meshing the talents of the Hawks and now has them on the brink of making a run for the NBA Finals. They will have to get by some very tough opponents (Miami, Boston, Chicago) but they are now more than capable thanks to the maturation of their roster and their strong 2011 off-season.

SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR

SG- Jason Richardson, Phoenix
Season Stats: 10.6ppg, 6.5rpg

This award says a huge amount about the ability and personality of Luis Scola. When the Rockets traded for one-time All-Star forward David Lee and immediately slotted him into the starting lineup, one could've forgiven Scola for being a bit miffed. Instead he put his own playing ambitions aside and put the team first, paving the way for the Rockets to have the equal best record in the Western Conference. This award reflects as much for Scola's sacrifice as his strong play.

lol wut X.

Damn it, I got snubbed...

SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR

SG- Jason Richardson, Phoenix
Season Stats: 10.6ppg, 6.5rpg

This award says a huge amount about the ability and personality of Luis Scola. When the Rockets traded for one-time All-Star forward David Lee and immediately slotted him into the starting lineup, one could've forgiven Scola for being a bit miffed. Instead he put his own playing ambitions aside and put the team first, paving the way for the Rockets to have the equal best record in the Western Conference. This award reflects as much for Scola's sacrifice as his strong play.

lol wut X.

Crazy, I edited that. Obviously must've accidentally pushed back or used wrong draft

Fixed now, I had written more originally but just fudged it to get it fixed.

Damn it, I got snubbed...

Not even

2011/12 SEASON PLAYER ACCOLADES

ALL-NBA 1st TEAM

C- D.Howard (Orl)
F- L.James (Mia)
F- K.Durant (OKC)
G- K.Bryant (LAL)
G- T.Evans (Sac)


ALL-NBA 2nd TEAM

C- T.Duncan (SAS)
F- A.Stoudemire (NYK)
F- D.Nowitzki (Dal)
G- D.Wade (Mia)
G- D.Rose (Chi)


ALL-NBA 3rd TEAM

C- B.Lopez (NJN)
F- D.Granger (Ind)
F- A.Iguodala (Phi)
G- M.Ellis (GSW)
G- R.Rondo (Bos)


ALL-DEFENSIVE 1st TEAM

C- D.Howard (Orl)
F- J.Smith (Atl)
F- L.James (Mia)
G- D.Wade (Mia)
G- T.Evans (Sac)


ALL-DEFENSIVE 2nd TEAM

C- T.Duncan (SAS)
F- T.Thomas (Cha)
F- K.Durant (OKC)
G- M.Ginobili (SAS)
G- M.Ellis (GSW)


ALL-ROOKIE 1st TEAM

G- P.Buchanan (Atl)
F- D.Baylor (Mem)
G- F.Bradley (Min)
F- J.Lam (Cle)
G- L.Berry (NJN)


ALL-ROOKIE 2nd TEAM

G- R.Rubio (Min)
C- G.Knight (Cha)
F- J.Svensson (Min)
F- A.Burks (Uta)
G- C.Smith (Tor)

Regular season done, onto playoffs. I'll start coverage of that late in the week at earliest I'd say as a lot to catch up on at work.

Hoping Atlanta Hawks can win it all. Just don't want Miami running the table again. They got lucky last year with Gasol injured and this year Lakers just aren't as formidable. From East it's a toss up between Heat, Celtics & Hawks & in the West I'd say Thunder.

Damn it, snubbed again!

Evans, Ginobili, and Ellis in All-Defensive Team

Damn it, snubbed again!

At least you had a better season than Woodson. You went from being a 3rd string PG to a 2nd stringer once Blazers traded away Dre Miller & Rudy Fernandez. Whereas my guy is getting no time and is unhappy. He requested a trade mid-season but Magic didn't deal him. Could be worse, you could be Lamrock who was the starting PG for Kings then got traded in a deal for Patty Mills (now a NBA starting PG ) & a draft pick. Now Lamrock plays no minutes behind John Wall & never will.

Evans, Ginobili, and Ellis in All-Defensive Team

All have high defensive statistics with steals per game. Until such time as NBA video games track other defensive statistics we'll get great All-Defensive Teams every year

Did I have a NLSCer here? Can't remember at all

I ditto Theirry's question.

Kind of cool that a CPU team ran up a big winning streak like that, does that happen often in 2K? In Live it's usually on the user to do something historically noteworthy.

Did I have a NLSCer here? Can't remember at all

I ditto Theirry's question.

If you're both wondering then the answer must be no

Kind of cool that a CPU team ran up a big winning streak like that, does that happen often in 2K? In Live it's usually on the user to do something historically noteworthy.

Sorry if you were misled, but I only play 29 game seasons. The 31 game winning streak for the Heat is actually pro rata, so in reality in game terms it is only 11 game winning streak. A 10 or 11 game winning streak is not uncommon, seems to happen for one team per season in shortened seasons. I think it's actually harder for a team to put together a long winning streak in shorter seasons due to injuries and scheduling.

As for the reason why I use pro rata records, I just like the look & feel of it more. I think if I were to post 14-15, people would think yeah, you've got ages to go in the season. Whereas 40-42 tells a much better story to the reader.

In an ideal world I'd play 82 (or at least 58) game seasons, but this is the compromise I make so that I can get through seasons. I wish I could pull off a badreligion or phil89. I know I could play one game and sim 3 but I don't find that as fun since mostly out of my hands. I like simming part and playing part so my CPU team has to be as capable as my human team if that makes sense.

Anyways, I probably stepped off the beaten track. So 10/11 game win streaks do happen but are not the norm. Last season Knicks got 10 (28 games pro rata) in a row. This season Heat have won 11 (31 games pro rata) in a row counting and Kings lost 14 in a row (40 games pro rata).

Haha, Maxwell. I'd have thought you went with Alex or changed my last name to Gomes but Maxwell is close enough. Surprised to find myself as a lottery pick, but with the lack of PG's I guess that's not very far-fetched.

I'd like a NLSCer for next year then! What do I have to do?

ew...Lebron James MVP yet again