Bobcats are in the Game!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TRUball]

It depends on whether the expansion draft is a part of Dynasty Mode or also accessible when working with the default rosters. The expansion draft could simply be for the Bobcats - it doesn't necessarily mean there will be custom teams.

Don't get me wrong, I'd like custom teams too, but until someone from EA confirms their inclusion or the game is released and custom teams are clearly in the game, I'm inclined to think they won't be in NBA Live 2004.

I know, I know, look what I said:

I think this is a plus for having custom teams in too. Not 4 sure but i think it is a good sign towards having custom teams in the game.

I wasn't saying it means custom teams are in 4 sure, just that it might mean that custom teams are in the game.

[Andrew]

I understand that, but my point is that I don't think the chances are as good as you're suggesting.

[Metalheart]

Mayve a custom team option?!
I know I'm repeating myself...

[Metsis]

Can you move your team to a new city in Live? This has been said to be an option in Madden and NHL this year and thus it could be in Live too. Cause if you can move your team to a new city in franchise... That would be another thing that speaks for the custom team reinitiation. But I'm just guessing... This is not a flame.

Didn't I tell you people a while back that I believe EA is streamlining their sports games to be more alike and thus making it easier to make.

Another thing that would be cool with the custom teams... Is that if you had an empty roster with a custom team and you started a franchise with them, well you could have an expansion draft then.

And another thing about the expansion draft... They are locked for the first overall pick in the upcoming draft. I think this was one of the rules too. At least in NHL...

[Swoosh]

But what if u start a dynasty with a fantasy draft, the bobcats shouldnt get an expansion draft in that case i think, it would be cool to have 30 teams draft then, so if ur startin a fantasy dynasty its kinda dumb to always have that expansion draft i think

[Metsis]

But what if u start a dynasty with a fantasy draft, the bobcats shouldnt get an expansion draft in that case i think, it would be cool to have 30 teams draft then, so if ur startin a fantasy dynasty its kinda dumb to always have that expansion draft i think

It is not dumb if the bobcats become available only after the first season. But if it is done like in NHL that the expansion draft is a must then it could be dumb. But this was handled pretty well in the NHL when it was in it, and it went like this: The expansion teams had rosters already made as they were in real life, but one option was an expansion draft, along with original lines, current lines and fantasy draft. So that you couldn't do an expansion draft along with the fantasy draft. But your guess is as good as mine about the expansion draft in the upcoming Live game.

I don't think you can have a fantasy draft and an expansion draft at the start of a dynasty.

If you start with the bobcats, well do you start one year later or what? That would be another intresting option. And how would that work??? Well, we'll see soon enough...

[TRUball]

And another thing about the expansion draft... They are locked for the first overall pick in the upcoming draft. I think this was one of the rules too. At least in NHL...

no, they wouldn't be locked for the 1st pick, locked for the 4th pick. In real life anyway, cause they are entering the league in the 2005-2006 season right? so they would be a lock for the 4th pick at the 2005 draft. and before that draft they would have an expansion draft.

[Andrew]

The Bobcats are entering the league in 2004/2005. I forget which pick they'll receive in the 2004 draft, but I know they won't have any restrictions beyond that. If they win the lottery in 2005, they'll get the first pick in the 2005 draft. Vancouver and Toronto were both restricted from getting the top pick for the first 3 years of their existence.

[TRUball]

The Bobcats are entering the league in 2004/2005. I forget which pick they'll receive in the 2004 draft, but I know they won't have any restrictions beyond that. If they win the lottery in 2005, they'll get the first pick in the 2005 draft. Vancouver and Toronto were both restricted from getting the top pick for the first 3 years of their existence.

they get the 4th pick in the 2004 draft than. I read it some where but I am 100% sure they get the 4th pick...(dam almost 12 and school is starting should go to bed, but whatever... )

[Andrew]

That sounds familiar. 4th pick in 2004, unrestricted in the lottery from 2005 onwards.

[Metsis]

No wonder it's a little different... The draft in NHL is a two day affair and they draft something like 10 rounds. So giving up number one slot really isn't that big of a deal. In NBA it is though.

Weird that the raptors and vancouver were restricted in first three years into the draft. That is just something that will keep a low echelon team as a low echelon team if you can't get the best players from the draft. No wonder the Grizzlies and Raptors really struggled the whole 90's. I had no idea that the NBA had rules like this...

The inaugrial year the restriction is well deserved, so that a team that's been counting on the top pick doesn't get shafted, but the new team has already played a year and probably struggled so why shouldn't they get a number one, two or three pick... That is just dumb.

I guess the NBA is going into a six division system too. I remember something like this would happen when the NBA would have 30 teams. But we'll have to wait and see what happens next offseason with the Bobcats.

[Andrew]

The rule came into effect after the Magic won the lottery in 1992 (allowing them to take Shaq) and again in 1993 (allowing them to draft Webber, whom they traded for Anfernee Hardaway). Expansion teams also have a smaller salary cap, so the Bobcats will still have that restriction for their first few seasons.