Portland Trail Blazers - Redemption-NBA Draft Night

[Eversoul93]

NBA Live 08
SIM QUARTERS LENGTH: 12 mins
DIFFICULTY: SUPERSTAR
PLAY LENGTH: 7 MIN
PLAYOFFS: 7-7-7-7
*I might sim every 5-10 games and just play one, depending on my free time. And i like to develop new players so look forward to a young team!*

Portland Trail Blazers Season Review

A promising season fizzled out into disappointment. The Trail Blazers with multiple players missing large chucks of the season due to injuries ended with the fourth worst record in the 07-08 season, with a record of 22-60. They finished above Seattle SuperSonics, Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers. Uncertainty looms over the franchise as reports of a change in ownership and poor team chemistry threatens to de-rail the franchise. The Trail Blazers front office is under heavy fire after the 2007 no. 1 draft pick, Greg Oden played 10 games in the season before going down to a knee injury. Blazers picked Oden over Kevin Durant, the no. 2 overall draft pick who finished as the Rookie of the Season, with 18.8 ppg, 5 reb and 4.3 assists. Critics insisted that Durant is an excellent offensive weapon compared to the unpolished Oden. Oden in 10 games only averaged 10ppg, 6.5 rebs and 1 assist, hardly a stat worthy of a no. 1 pick. Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, Darius Miles, Channing Frye are among those who missed games. The four players played a total of 82 games in total. With a injury list as severe as that, it was commendable of Blazers not to finish last. Reports that billionaire Thomas Baker is interested in buying over the franchise. The upcoming draft is also very strong. Perhaps with a little luck, the Blazers can hope to turn their fortunes around.

[Breine524]

good intro. this is the type of dynasty i like to read. keep going, i'm following.

[Axel The Great]

This can turn out to be a great dynasty, I like the dynastys in which people turn franchises around.

[Andrew]

A good start, but you might also want to provide a little info about which NBA Live you're using, your settings and the like.

[Eversoul93]

NBA Season 07-08

A shocking season overall. The Phoenix Suns came storming out of the gates, finished with a 31-2 record before the All-Star Break. With leader Steve Nash missing 12 games due to a broken finger, the Suns cooled to a league best 68-14 record. Los Angeles Lakers pulled a coup by trading for Pau Gasol along with a 2010 second round draft pick for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, the rights to Marc Gasol (Pau's younger brother), and 2008 and 2010 first round draft picks. The controversial trade allowed Lakers to pull off an impressive 38-2 record after the All Star Break. These two teams would meet in the conference finals, with a late game winner by Steve Nash winning Game 7. The Suns went on to win the ultimate prize, battling with the Boston Celtics to clinch the claim of NBA Champions in 6 games. This marks the first time the franchise won the NBA Championship, coming up short in the past 4 decades. Another series that would go down in NBA history would be the Cleveland-Orlando series. Orlando coming into the series as huge underdogs against the top seed Cavaliers swept the King and his team in 4 games. Dominant performance from Dwight Howard and R.Lewis made it impossible for Lebron James to advance any further. Portland Trail Blazers’ front office are under heavy fire from their fan after seeing their franchise pass on Rookie of the Year, Kevin Durant to pick Greg Oden who spent huge chunks of the season on the bench.

Season Awards

Best Record: Phoenix Suns: 68-14
Season MVP – Steve Nash – 29.9 ppg, 9.0 assists, 1.2 reb, 2 steals
Best Coach of the Year – Jerry Sloan(Utah record : 53-29)
NBA Finals MVP – Amare Stoudemire – 30.2 ppg, 12.0 reb, 2 assists.
6th Man Award – Jason Terry – 18.8 ppg, 5.0 assists, 3 rebs.
Most Improved – Peja Stojakovic – 23.4 ppg, 3 assists, 5.6 rebs.
Rookie of the Year – Kevin Durant – 18.8 ppg, 5 rebs, 4.3 assists.

07-08 Playoffs

Western Conference:
1st round: (1) Phoenix Suns 4-0 New Orleans Hornets (6)
(5) San Antonio Spurs 4-3 Dallas Mavericks (4)
(6) Houston Rockets 2-4 Los Angeles Lakers (3)
(7)Denver Nuggets 3-4 Utah Jazz (2)

Conference Semi-Finals
Los Angeles Lakers 4-2 Utah Jazz
Phoenix Suns 4-0 San Antonio Spurs

Conference Finals:
Phoenix Suns 4-3 Los Angeles Lakers

Eastern Conference:
(1)Cleveland Cavaliers 0-4 Orlando Magic(8)
(2) Boston Celtics 4-1 Toronto Raptors (7)
(3) Washington Wizards 4-2 Philadelphia 76ers (6)
(4) Detroit Pistons 4-2 Atlanta Hawks (5)

Conference Semi-Finals
Orlando Magic 4-3 Detroit Pistons
Boston Celtics 4-3 Washington Wizards

Conference Finals
Boston Celtics 4-2 Orlando Magic

NBA Finals
Phoenix Suns 4-3 Boston Celtics
NBA Champions: Phoenix Suns.

[Eversoul93]

Chapter 0

Rod Damon took in a deep breath. The Rose Garden Arena was silent, the polished hardwood court sparkled under the spotlights. Rod couldn’t imagine the place when it was packed. Thomas, his boss stood beside him.

"Beautiful isnt it, Coach?" Thomas whispered, like a little kid in a candy shop.

"It certainly is!" Rod couldn’t believe his luck. One day he was scrubbing the dirt off the exhaust pipe somewhere in Detroit and now made the Head Coach of a NBA franchise. A sudden change was in the air when billionaire Thomas Baker brought the franchise, promising investments and whatever it takes to make the Trail Blazers good again.

"Here let me introduce you to Jack!" Thomas gestured to a slightly balding guy in a suit. “He will be the person in charge of the daily running of the franchise, advertisements etc. Both of you will be in charge of the trades and free agent signings.”
Rod excitedly shook Jack hands but noticed the older man’s reluctance to even look him in the eye.

“Okay gentlemen, I shall leave you to your jobs, see you at the Draft Lottery!” Thomas practically hopped away; evidently happy at his newest purchase and the personnel he had put in place. Rod wanted to follow suit but was held back by Jack

“You just do your coaching, leave the trades and signings to me!” Jack hissed, pushing Rod away to exit the building. Rod shook his head.

“This is going to be a tough job, better get started then” Rod whispered to himself, pulling out a stack of notes from his briefcase which read NBA DRAFT REPORT 2008

[Eversoul93]

NBA Draft 2008 Estimated Top 5 picks(Gary Stanford)
This year draft probably has it all! From big man to talented guards, the 2008 draft is set to be one of the best draft in NBA history! I’m very excited to see the growth of these talented young men!

Dan Jerrell Age: 19 Height: 6’10 Weight: 240 pounds
Position: Small Forward
Current NBA Comparison: Lebron James
Strength: This kid is probably the most NBA-ready out of his draft class. Possessing a inhumane strength and surprising speed, this kid can get to the rim with ease. Probably one of the best combinations of speed, power and strength in recent years. A great finisher at the rim. If allowed to developed properly, this kid would be unstoppable in a few years. It doesn't hurt being compared to King James. This kid will most probably go as the first pick, no matter what team is picking. A franchise-turning player.
Weakness: A suspect jump shooter but it probably wouldn't matter as he is a great finisher at the rim. Poor free throw shooter.
Estimated Overall Pick: 1st

Paul T. Farley Age: 20 Height : 6’12 Weight: 250 pounds
Position: Power Forward
Current NBA Comparison: Amare Stoudemire
Strength: An offensive weapon, completed with an array of hook shots, and a great finisher at the rim. Athletic and quick as power forwards get… A good mid range shooter which gives him an advantage over other bigs… Decent passing skills out of double team… Impressive in the open court … Decent ball handling skills for a big man…
Weakness: A burden on defense and doesn't have the mentality of playing defense. Might need another defensive big to play along to aid him to avoid opponents exploiting him on defense… Has done a good job adding bulk to his frame, but needs to continue to get stronger ...Continued advancement of his footwork and comfort level in the post…


Estimated Overall Pick: 2nd

Timothy M. Medley Age: 19 Height: 6’0 Weight: 188 pounds
Position: Shooting Guard
Current NBA Comparison: Ray Allen
Strengths: Give this kid an open shot and he will knock it down for you... Potential to become a pure shooter… Good at creating his own shot off the dribble and working off screens. Quick release and a decent jump height to get his shots off… Textbook jump shot with high release… Extremely effective in catch-and-shoot situations, with his feet set and ready to fire ... Always squares his body to the rim with great balance and elevation on his jumper. Shoots well off the dribble when driving to his left… Good vertical jump to ensure his shots are hard to block…
Weakness: At 188 pounds and 6’0, Medley would hardly a nightmare matchup for any opposing shooting guards… Can be forced physically into making turnovers or missing shots… Needs to bulk up to survive the rigors of the NBA schedules and defense…
Estimated Pick: 3rd

Anthony G. Streicher Age: 21 Height: 6’3 Weight: 230 pounds
Position: Small Forward
Current NBA Comparison: Luke Jackson/Mike Dunleavy Jr.
Strength: The 6-9 Sophomore forward is an outstanding shooter as evidenced by his 84% free throw percentage ... He has a high, quick release on his jumper enabling him to get his shot off when he wants.
Weakness: A player prone to injury having spent lengthy spells on the bench. The biggest knock on Hayward's game is his lack of aggression ... He shows it from time to time, but we would like to see him make a more concerted effort to dominate games when his team needs him ... He's a match up problem for many teams at the college level, but his lack of a post game has allowed opponents to guard him with smaller defenders
Estimated Draft Pick: 4th

Raymond M. Davis Age: 19 Height: 7’2 Weight: 280pounds
Position: Center
Current NBA comparison: Eddy Curry
Strength: Impressive quickness for a player his size. Extremely athletic and will dunk on people all night. Nice arm span to block shots. An underrated athlete, despite lacking great explosiveness, he's extremely nimble and dexterous for such a huge man. A physical mismatch in almost every sense
Weakness: Needs a go-to-move to be successful in the NBA. Davies' lack of maturity and mental focus is evident in his negative body language and lack of composure ... He tends to lose his head, looking disinterested or frustrated if things don't go his way
Estimated Draft Pick: 5th

[Axel The Great]

Looks like a strong rookie class is coming, what pick # do you have?

[Eversoul93]

I've just entered the draft lottery...Its pretty good=) Will update abt which pick i landed on! Yup the rookie class is very strong this year! Excited=)

[Eversoul93]

News article
The Trail Blazers strikes gold

Fans of Portland Trail Blazers will have plenty to cheer about. The Trail Blazers won the Top Pick of the 2008 NBA Draft despite having .119 chance of winning it. Memphis Grizzlies were left cursing their luck after seeing them dropped down to picking third, after the Minnesota Timberwolves, despite finishing last in the previous season. Seattle Supersonics and Milwaukee Bucks completed the Top 5. The talent in this year’s draft is expected to be very deep. As long as you finished in the top 5, you pretty much guaranteed a top player. Dan Jerrell, “The Next Lebron” is the consensus top pick, which is what the Trail Blazers want to turn their franchise around, following a horrible 07-08 season. Greg Oden represented the Trail Blazers, this perhaps the most significant contribution the 2007 No 1 pick did all season.

“We certainly weren’t expecting to get the top pick. Sure there were chances of getting it but the odds were quite large. This would definitely change our plans for the off-season. Dan is an exceptional player whom we are very interested in. He is the type of player we can build around with and fits well with what we have currently.” said Jack Finley, newly appointed GM of the Trail Blazers

Draft Order
1) Portland Trail Blazers
2) Minnesota Timberwolves
3) Memphis Grizzlies
4) Seattle Supersonics
5) Milwaukee Bucks
6) Charlotte Bobcats
7) Indiana Pacers
8) Sacramento Kings
9) Philadelphia 76ers
10) Orlando Magic

[Cleveland wins]

I wish you had a winning team but its great that you got the 1st pick in the draft, i hope you get a great rookie.

[Axel The Great]

Advice: Take either Jerell or Medley.

[Eversoul93]

NBA Draft Top 10 Estimated Pick


Maurice B. Wolters Age: 22 Height: 5’11 Weight: 180 pounds
Position: Point Guard
Current NBA Comparison: Monta Ellis
Strength: Lightning quick and good shooting form. A scorer in every sense of the word, he looks to attack at all times and does not let up … Possesses a natural feel for the game and has a knack for putting the ball in the hole from every angle
Weakness: Too weak physically and known to disappear in big games, preferring to go with the flow. He gets tunnel vision and becomes focused strictly on getting his own shot … As a distributor he is subpar, since his decision making and passing skills are limited. A bit of a streaky shooter, as he can go through some woeful shooting stretches, but that won’t discourage him from hoisting them up … Tends to settle for the outside game too much, instead getting in the lane and drawing contact …
Estimated Draft Pick: 6th

Zach Hill Age: 18 Height: 6’5 Weight: 220 pounds
Position: Point Guard
Current NBA Comparison: Rajon Rondo
Strength: A unnaturally good defensive player and probably the player with the highest IQ in this draft. His size also makes him a nightmare matchup for other point guards. Not many players at his position have the combination of speed and athleticism that he possesses. He is able to consistently finish above the rim, both in transition and in traffic
Weakness: Similar to Derrick Rose entering the league, Hill's jump shot is a work in progress. It will require some tweaking and hard work (repetition) in the gym to become a real strength to his game ... Hill is not a good set shooter, preferring to create a rhythm using the bounce. His shot lacks great lift and is a little slow to get off. His form and release are decent, but should look to get a little more trajectory...
Estimated Draft Pick: 7th

Rod L. Walker Age: 22 Height: 5’12 Weight: 160 pounds
Position: Point Guard
Current NBA Comparison: Nate Robinson
Strength: An insane jumping ability which makes him a highlight regular. A potential Dunk Contest Champion with his vertical leap. Good at creating his own shot off the dribble
Weakness: Too small and too light to compete with bigger guards, even with his vertical leap, it would be difficult to fly as long as the opponents keep a body on him.
Estimated Draft Pick: 8th

Keran Patterson Age: 21 Height: 6’8 Weight: 232 pounds
Position: Point Guard
Current NBA Comparison: Buck Williams
Strength: Patterson has an excellent build for an NBA forward, and uses that to his advantage down low ... Good feel for the basket, soft hands, seems to convert at a high rate with fundamental post moves, in particular a baby hook shot, when establishing solid position down low ... Shows good toughness and a power forward's demeanor ...
Weakness: If there is one thing Patterson is missing, it's a face-up part of his game... It's difficult to remember a time where he ever tried to beat his man or take a jump shot off the dribble this past year... For his build and strength, he is not the greatest rebounder, and at the next level when going up against taller and equally strong forwards, he could be a liability on the defensive glass...
Estimated Draft Pick: 9th

Abraham Wilfred Age: 22 Height: 6’5 Weight: 200 pounds
Position: Shooting Guard
Current NBA Comparison: Nick Anderson
Strength: Has no conscious, even in the face of repeated misses ... Extremely effective in catch-and-shoot situations, with his feet set and ready to fire ... Always squares his body to the rim with great balance and elevation on his jumper…Has the skill set of a lockdown defender with his lateral quickness, length and dedication to the defensive side of the ball ... Was asked to take on an enhanced leadership role by coach Ford, and has responded commendably.
Weakness: Lack of ball handling skills really constricts his game ... He is not comfortable creating offense for himself or teammates ... Appears hesitant with the ball in his hands with a lack of ingenuity ... Despite his athletic gifts, does not look "smooth" when forced to make a basketball move ... Drives to the basket are predominantly to his left ... Unable to change directions with the rock ... Dribbles with his head down ... Turnovers (2 per game for his career) and offensive fouls have been a problem ...
Estimated Draft Pick: 10th

[Eversoul93]

Chapter 1.1
“Welcome to Madison Square Garden for the 2008 NBA Draft. I’m David Aldridge, here with the sharpshooter Reggie Miller and Mike (Fratello) Thank you for tuning in to catch this, potentially franchise turning moment. I’m sure you viewers are as nervous as we are now. Tell us how you felt when you were sitting down there along with 70 other talented young man Reggie.”

“Well, let me tell you, it’s certainly nerve wrecking down there. There are so many players with talent and sometimes you wonder if you are going to get picked at all. All the hard work you put in the years before will be rewarded at this moment.”

“Well thank you Reggie. A question for you Mike, do you think these young men mind which franchise or city they will end up in or what systems they will be playing under?”

“Well DA, you see these are probably the last things at the back of your mind when you get drafted. It’s really a matter of luck if you really do end up playing in a system which suits your style. As any draft, teams will be faced with the dilemma of picking either talent or need. Your views on this, DA?”

“Well, in this particular draft I expect Dan Jerrell to get picked first. It really is sort of a no-brainer like the year Lebron entered the league, you sort of know he is going to Cleveland. Besides, the Portland Trail Blazers need some help at the 3 spot so it fits the bill perfectly.”

“Thank you DA. Really brave of you to stick your neck out and proclaim Dan as the Top pick. Do you see any chances Portland will pass on Dan, Reggie?”

“Well, not really. Portland already have a very deep front court and a playmaker in Brandon Roy, Dan would probably be the only one who fits their criteria the most right now. But as you know, things can go in anyway. Portland could pull off a trade and get a decent player in exchange as well. Oh this is just in! Portland Trail Blazers, Milwaukee Bucks and the Phoenix Suns have made a trade."

Portland Trail Blazers received Raja Bell and Mo Williams, sending Channing Frye to Phoenix Suns, Josh MacRoberts , J.Przybilla and 2008 second round pick to the Bucks. Bucks received L.Barbosa and their 20th overall draft pick, sending J.Vashukl and their 5th overall pick to Phoenix Suns

“Looks like an attempt by Phoenix to move up in draft order. Bucks looks like the biggest winner, gaining talented bigs like Josh and Przybilla and a veteran like Barbosa, as they probably do not need another center as they already have Bogut. This will probably the first of many off-season moves, check out NBA.com for more details of the trade. Here comes David Stern.”

David Stern, NBA commissioner, stood on stage, clearing his throat. “With the 1st pick of the draft, Portland Trail Blazers select…” David Stern stood stunned at the choice of the selection made by the Trail Blazers. “I apologize for that, with the first overall pick, the trail blazers select….”

[dare]

You got nice story in here, I always like a story based dynasty
Good read man, I'm assuming you didn't pick the Lebron James caliber rookie. It might be the 7'2 center

[Axel The Great]

Oh, the suspense!

[Eversoul93]

Thx for all the positive feedbacks! Im going to try to dish out more articles but i have a test tmr so the next update should be two days later! Im not saying who i will pick=)

[Houndy]

Drama.. who will they choose?