Brick By Brick | Epilogue - Retired

Wow, you signed Henderson for 3/10? What a steal!

Bargs tore it up out there.

2013 Draft Lottery


Suns Star William Sit takes on Charlotte's Kemba Walker X, you're welcome

It's a big week for the NBA's lesser teams. No, they aren't playing in the playoffs, but if the ping pong balls bounce a certain way, they might get a guy who might be good. Without further adieu, the most exciting part of the season: the Draft Lottery!

14. Cleveland
13. Phoenix
12. Memphis
11. Denver
10. Boston
9. Brooklyn
8. Portland
7. Toronto
6. Utah
5. Sacramento
4. Charlotte
3. Orlando
2. Portland
1. San Antonio

2013 NBA Draft 1st Round Order

END OF SEASON AWARDS

MVP: LeBron James (MIA - 26.5 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 6.2 APG)
RotY: Andrew Watson (HOU - 17.3 PPG, 5.1 APG, 4.4 RPG)
6th: Anthony Randolph (MIN - 12.9 PPG, 5.3 RPG)
DPotY: Josh Smith (ATL - 15.1 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 2.2 SPG, 1.6 BPG)
MIP: Andrea Bargnani: (CHA - 24.8 PPG, 7.1 RPG)
CotY: Mike Brown (Lakers: 62-20)

All-NBA Teams:
1st: Rondo / Wade / James / Durant / A. Jefferson
2nd: Rose / Westbrook / C. Anthony / Griffin / Monroe
3rd: S. Curry / T. Evans / Nowitzki / Love / Horford

All-Defensive Teams:
1st: Rondo / Wade / J. Smith / Faried / Monroe
2nd: Lowry / W. Johnson / L. James / Durant / Garnett

All-Rookie Teams:
1st: A. Watson / Sullinger / Must / Kidd-Gilchrist / A. Davis
2nd: B. Beal / W. Sit / K. Young / T. Jones / P. Jones

MIAMI HEAT WIN 2013 NBA FINALS



The Hornets' Cinderella run was ended in 6 games by the dominant Miami Heat, who win their second consecutive title, and third all-time. The playoff bracket was more exciting on the western conference, with the Hornets being a 7 seed and the top seeded Laker's disappointing showing,

Finals MVP: LeBron James (26 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 7 APG, .469% FG)

The Hornets in the finals.

Even you did not get the 1st overall , i hope you can still get a decent Pick.

Do you still accept applications for the 2014 Draft Class?

Wow this is fast, Sit is not going to be happy for not being ROY. Good job on Bargs as MIP.

Quick question, do you even play a single game?

Radioman, Not much coverage for Anthony Davis in this story since he averages like 8/8 but I suppose he's gotta be given his due for getting his team to the finals out of nowhere. According to my scouts, there are three can't-miss stars, followed by middling players after that, so of course I pick fourth.

I do play seasons very quickly (working through 13-14 now) and I've just been adding rookies on the fly. dan. and Dmastawwe are 2 NLSC'ers among generics in the now closed 2013 class, but if you send me an application via PM using more or less this template, I'll squeeze you into 2014 if I have time. This goes for everyone: OPENING FOR 2014 DRAFT CLASS

dare, Guilty - I'm not sure I made it through one full game during my tanking season. Would have taken over after the all-star break if not for the 1-14 January, but I expect to play about one game per month, micromanage the hell out of the roster, and play all playoff games (if my team ever gets there...)

Looking forward to the mock draft.

NBA Off-Season Part 1

Retirees:

Ray Allen (BOS) | 17 years | age 37 (HOF)
Mike James (CHI) | 10 years | age 38
Earl Boykins (HOU) | 14 years | age 37
Doc Rivers (BOS) | 14 years | age 51

Charlotte Coaching Staff:

Scout Lamond Woodson (Level: D | Potential: B) extended 2 yr/100k
Scout Edward Christie (Level: F | Potential: B) extended 1 yr/100k
Assistant coach Brian Shaw (Off: C | Def: C | Tea: C | Pot: C) signed 1 yr, $750k

Player/Team Options / Player Re-signing

Bismack Biyombo (63) | 2 yr team | Accepted
Kemba Walker (76) | 2 yr team | Accepted
Kwame Brown, Jose Calderon, D.J. White, Matt Carroll released.
Reggie Williams to test free agency.

K. Walker (76) | D. Lillard (66)
B. Beal (77)
G. Henderson (72)
A. Bargnani (76) | T. Thomas (75) | B. Biyombo (63)
G. Oden (69) | O. Asik (68)



Charlotte to pick #4, #31

1. SAS - SF Bradley Rice (79) | Age 21
Just over a year ago, the Spurs were on a 20 game winning streak and possibly headed to a title. One year later, they are rebuilding their roster. Rice is a scoring SF who could usher in another era of greatness in San Antonio
2. POR - PG Abraham Huffman (80) | Age 21
Portland hopes to finally have their point guard of the future in the talented Abraham Huffman.
3. ORL - SF Elton Fleming (82) | Age 23
The defending National Player of the Year may be a "finished product", which shouldn't be a problem for the aging Dwight Howard.

Bobcats trade Greg Oden, #4 pick, Tyrus Thomas to Bulls, for Luol Deng, John Jenkins

After missing out on the "big three" of the 2013 draft in the lottery, Charlotte looked to move their pick, and did so while clearing up their Center rotation. Chicago acquired the fourth overall pick in the draft, former Bull Tyrus Thomas, as well as promising but injury prone center Greg Oden. In return, 2012 all-star SF Luol Deng and second year guard John Jenkins head to the Bobcats.

Chicago reinforces their Center rotation, and acquires a high-upside prospect that could potentially get them to the next level. They take on Thomas's rich 2 year deal and will hope to gel better in his second tenure with the team. They lose a franchise stalwart and borderline all-star on an expiring contract but acquire a top 5 pick and add a pair of solid defensive big men.

Charlotte trades a pick they didn't see much value in, a nice but overpaid player in Thomas, along with a constant question mark in Oden for Deng, who might become the team's best player. More importantly, Deng's contract is expiring, so he will either be a trade-able asset, or perhaps the guy that gets Charlotte back to the playoffs. The deal also gives them more cap flexibility.

Chicago Trade Grade: B+ | Charlotte Trade Grade: B (you decide!)

4. CHI (via CHA) - SG Shane Padgett (72) | Age 20
Chicago hopes they finally have their SG problems solved, but it cost them cap flexibility and one of their longest tenured players. Padgett is a promising young PG, who will likely start next to Rose in his rookie year.
5. SAC - PF Dan Pololski (69) | Age 20
Podolski joins a Kings team where he will likely back up Jason Thompson at first. Podolski is a bit of a project, but could make a formidable frontcourt with Cousins in a couple years.
6. UTA - SF Da'Vonte Hughes (70) | Age 19
Hughes joins a team shallow at the 3, and could get a plenty of minutes with Gordon Hayward putting in minutes at the 2. He'll hope to provide a scoring punch off the bench in the meantime.
7. TOR - SF Gerald Fletcher (66) | Age 20
8. POR - SG Karl Cage (66) | Age 21
9. BRK - SG D.J. Reeves (60) | Age 23
10. BOS - SF Philip Person (66) | Age 22

31. CHA - PF/C Andre Caffee | 7'1", 251 lbs | Age 20 (Purdue)
Signed to 2 yr, $1.7M deal

Current Roster

K. Walker (76) | D. Lillard (66)
B. Beal (77) | G. Henderson (72) | J. Jenkins (66)
L. Deng (81)
A. Bargnani (76) | B. Biyombo (63) | A. Caffee (53)
O. Asik (69)

Cap Room: $14.94M (Team Salary: $44.81M / $59.75M)
Total Players: 10/12

Top Free Agents:

PF Blake Griffin (91) | Age 24 | RFA (LAC)
PF Josh Smith (85) | Age 27 | UFA
PG Stephen Curry (84) | Age 25 | RFA (GSW)
SF Andre Iguodala (84) | Age 29 | UFA
PF Serge Ibaka (82) | Age 23 | RFA (OKC)
SG James Harden (81) | Age 23 | RFA (OKC)
PG Tyreke Evans (80) | Age 23 | RFA (SAC)
PG Brandon Jennings (80) | Age 23 | RFA (MIL)
PG Ty Lawson (79) | Age 25 | RFA (DEN)
PG Jrue Holiday (79) | Age 23 | RFA (PHI)

I don't know about the trade. Tyrus Thomas could seriously be the centerpiece of any team if you played with him. I would try to develop some sort of faceup game for Bismack. Deng solves the problem of having the undersized Henderson at the three, and Jenkins should be a solid backup, so not bad. I'm okay with the Kings. I'll get to be part of the new young squad; could be worse. Make some noise in free agency, but be smart. A center should be your top priority.

Tyrus didn't fit into my plans and he had about 2 yrs, $14 mil left. I already have a decent defensive big with middling offense in Asik, and Luol Deng's expiring deal will give me flexibility going forward.

Free agency period up next, and a check-up on the NLSC'ers.

I think its a pretty good trade for both groups involved. I am a big fan of Deng's game

Somewhere in Las Vegas a media pack mobs around Suns rookie Will Sit

Reporter: "How do you feel about not being ROY and not making the All-NBA first team?"

Sit: "It's a travesty."

Reporter: "What are you focusing on this off-season?"

Sit: "I'm going to practice not passing."

Glad the game appreciates well-rounded stats & leading your team to the playoffs unlike IRL. Melo > Lebron......Horford > Durant.....as rookies for ROY that is

Glad the game appreciates well-rounded stats & leading your team to the playoffs unlike IRL. Melo > Lebron......Horford > Durant.....as rookies for ROY that is

Lebron + Durant = Sit

2013 Off-Season Part 2

Bobcats Free Agency


DECLINED | ACCEPTED

Charlotte was unable to get their star as their bid for Hawks forward Josh Smith fell short. Smith, a first-time all-star in 2013, will return to a team that is reportedly working to acquire Andre Iguodala as well. With Smith off the table and other marquee free agents restricted, the Bobcats opted to round out the roster with solid players and push for a playoff run with a core of Deng, Beal, Bargnani and Walker. The first step was signing athletic swingman Wilson Chandler to a modest deal to play a sixth man role.


ACCEPTED | ACCEPTED

The next step was shoring up the front court. With Oden and Thomas being traded, Nikola Pekovic was signed to a steal of a contract to back up Omer Asik and at times Bargnani. Dalembert meanwhile was signed as frontcourt insurance, defense and a veteran role.


ACCEPTED | ACCEPTED

Andre Miller and Hasheem Thabeet round out the roster for now. Miller was signed to the vet minimum but could become the team's back-up point guard if Lillard disappoints this year. Thabeet meanwhile was signed to a much richer deal but with a team option on the second year in case he somehow pans out

Current Roster:

PG: Kemba Walker (76) | Age 23 | Starter
SG: Bradley Beal (78) | Age 21 | Starter
SF: Luol Deng (81) | Age 28 | Starter
PF: Andrea Bargnani (76) | Age 27 | Starter
C: Omer Asik (69) | Age 27 | Starter
-----------
F Wilson Chandler (75) | Age 26 | Sixth Man
C/F Nikola Pekovic (70) | Age 27 | Role Player
G/F Gerald Henderson (72) | Age 25 | Role Player
C Sam Dalembert (63) | Age 32 | Role Player
G Damian Lillard (66) | Age 23 | Prospect
G Andre Miller (67) | Age 37 | Bench Warmer
F/C Bismack Biyombo (63) | Age 20 | Prospect
----IR----
C Hasheem Thabeet (61) | Age 26 | Bench Warmer
G John Jenkins (64) | Age 22 | Prospect - D-League bound
F/C Andre Caffee (53) | Age 20 | Prospect - D-League bound

Noteworthy Transactions:

76ers sign Lou Williams (79) to 5 yr, $50M extension

Bucks sign Evan Turner (76) to 4 yr, $31M deal (76ers do not match)

Cavaliers sign J.J. Redick (65) to 3 yr, $4.2M deal
Cavaliers sign Elton Brand (74) to 1 yr, $2.4M deal

Celtics sign Paul Pierce (79) to 4 yr, $23M extension
Celtics sign Stephen Jackson (70) to 1 yr, $934k deal

Grizzlies sign Gilbert Arenas (74) to 6 yr, $32.2M extension

Hawks sign Andre Iguodala (84) to 4 yr, $27M deal (MLE)

Jazz sign Devin Harris (75) to 5 yr, $38M extension
Jazz sign Anthony Randolph (73) to 3 yr, $16M deal

Kings sign Tyreke Evans (79) to 4 yr, $40M extension

Lakers sign Martell Webster (69) to 1 yr, $1.9M deal
Lakers sign Andrew Bynum (87) to 6 yr, $125M extension

Magic sign Jameer Nelson (70) to 3 yr, $11M extension

Mavericks sign Jason Terry (73) to 3 yr, $4.4M extension

Pistons sign Rodney Stuckey (77) to 5 yr, $34M extension

Pacers sign Patrick Mills (69) to 1 yr, 487k deal
Pacers sign Danny Granger (82) to 5 yr, $60M extension

Pistons sign David West (77) to 2 yr, $13M deal
Pistons sign Mario Chalmers (72) to 4 yr, $14.2M deal

Raptors sign DeMar DeRozan (75) to 5 yr, $25M extension

Rockets sign Kyle Lowry (82) to 5 yr, $55M extension
Rockets sign Andrew Bogut (80) to 5, $70M extension

Suns sign Dorell Wright (74) to 4 yr, $21M deal

Thunder sign James Harden (81) to 5 yr, $40M extension

Timberwolves sign Luke Ridnour (66) to 4 yr, $6M extension

Warriors sign Andris Biedrins (66) to 4 yr, $10M extension

Very solid team you have now. I like it, especially your backcourt. The only thing is that you could lack some inside scoring as Bargs is no post scorer. He's also not the best defender in the post, Asik is collecting fouls quickly, but I guess getting Dalembert was a great move in that case.

Thanks for checking in -hova. I have a very old draftee prospect for you that I can easily put in 2K12, and I can easily make you a new one for the 2014 draft class. Any interest to get in on this?

To quote Otis Smith, I like this team. Not elite, but I'm hoping to make the playoffs this year. The development of Beal will be huge.

Coming up next, NLSC player previews for the 2013-14 season!

Twitter:

@DHughesJazz: Oh yeah i like that jazz vibe #6 draftee. Dream come true!

Iguodala for the MLE? Damn, that's cheap... And the Bucks, we now have Jennings and Turner in the backcourt, things looking bright.

Yes, a universe where we keep Terry,lmao at Arenas extension. A real nice roster for you, I think you're playoff bound.

At first glance, I thought Dre Miller was signed as a Bench Warrior.

Didn't notice this until now. Not bad being drafted by the Magic and averaging below average stats on my rookie year but they just have to resign Jameer Nelson

Why not start Pekovic instead of Asik?

hova-, Yeah, I think Pekovic and Deng will help a lot as far as post scoring goes. They'll also help cover Bargnani and Kemba on D. With Chandler playing spot minutes at the 4, the front court is fairly deep. BTW, last call on the draftee?

Martti., That shocked me. I had no idea Iggy was in my price range. Atlanta looks great now with a 5 of Aaron Brooks, Joe Johnson, Iguodala, Josh Smith and Al Horford.

Sit, It's just him and Lillard backing up Kemba, so we'll see.

dei., You guys are definitely in a shitty situation. Still probably a season away from Jameer's overall falling enough. I have Asik starting since I've had him longer and Pekovic can play the 4.

2013-14 NLSC Preview:

Andrew Watson (Houston) | 2nd year
Career averages: 17.3 PPG, 5.1 APG, 4.4 RPG
K. Lowry / G. Dragic
K. Martin / C. Lee / W. Buford
A. Watson / C. Parsons / V. Lokovski
L. Scola / P. Patterson / D. Motiejunas
A. Bogut / J. Withey

Watson won rookie of the year last year and his Rockets pushed the Mavs to a 7 game first round series, falling short but ending three consecutive 9th place finishes. The Rockets stood pat with their roster, and it'll take another big season from The X to keep them out of 9th place purgatory.

WIlliam Sit (Phoenix) | 2nd year
Career Averages: 22.4 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 1.9 APG
T. Holloway / S. Telfair / K. McCarty
W. Sit / J. Dudley
D. Wright / B. Walker / J. Graham / C. Morgan
Markieff Morris / C. Frye
M. Gortat / R. Lopez

Among the league's scoring leaders in his rookie season, Sit finished third to Watson and Harrison Barnes in rookie of the year voting, and with the Suns roster not having improved much at all, Sit will have a great opportunity to maintain his 20+ PPG player status on a lottery team.

Martti Must (Milwaukee) | 2nd year
Career Averages: 14.1 PPG, 7.2 RPG
B. Jennings / A. Cage
M. Ellis / M. Harris / D. Lamb
T. Harris / R. Williams
M. Must / L. Mbah a Moute / E. Udoh / Leuer
L. Sanders / D. Gooden / D. Musli

Must is a bit disappointed in the roster the Bucks have put together, but Bucks fans have to be excited about his rookie season, in which he averaged 21 points and 10.5 rebounds per 36 minutes on reasonable efficiency.

Leo Lai (Golden State) | 2nd year
Career Averages: 6.6 PPG, .497% FG
S. Curry / N. Robinson
Leo Lai / A. Rivers / K. Thompson / T. Satoransky
R. Jefferson / N. Mfune / H. Swift
D. Lee / Marcus Morris
F. Ezeli / A. Biedrins

Lai has been promoted to starter on the SG heavy Warriors. Lai will hope to prove himself and form a formidable backcourt duo with Stephen Curry

Axel Gomez (Philadelphia) | 2nd year
Career Averages: 5.5 PPG, 1.5 APG
J. Holiday / A. Gomez / E. Barber
L. Williams / B. Gordon
L. Kleiza / S. Young / C. Thompson
T. Young / P. Jones / K. Jones / C. Brackins
S. Hawes / N. Vucevic

Despite (narrowly) making the post-season last year, the Sixers are in a bit of disarray. Axel Gomez has had enough. Despite reasonable minutes in his rookie season, he, along with teammates Sam Young and Nikola Vucevic have requested trades. With Iguodala now a Hawk and team chemistry seemingly down the drain, expected a rebuilding year for Philly, with or without Gomez.

Vinson Duroy & Janis Kalnins (Orlando) | 2nd year
Duroy Career Averages: 8.0 PPG, 2.0 APG | Kalnins Career Averages: 6.8 PPG, 1.3 APG
J. Nelson / V. Duroy / J. Kalnins
J. Richardson / V. Wafer / E. Fournier
E. Fleming / H. Turkoglu
G. Davis / R. Anderson / C. Leslie
D. Howard / D. Orton

After missing the playoffs last season, Orlando lucked into the #3 pick in the draft and got Connecticut star Elton Fleming. With Dwight Howard in tow, Orlando looks to return to their status of second-tier contender. Unfortunately for Duroy and Kalnins, they still have to share minutes behind franchise stalwart Jameer Nelson

Julian Martin (Dallas) | 2nd year
Career Averages: 2.6 PPG, 1.5 APG
J. Martin | I. Smith
J. Terry | L. Fields | R. Beaubois | V. Carter | D. Green
S. Marion | A. Gee
D. Nowitzki | B. Wright
B. Haywood | J. Madison

The Mavericks made some very questionable moves in the season, going a bit overboard on shooting guards. All the better for Julian Martin though, who has nobody but Ish Smith challenging for minutes at the point. Expect a big season from the big PG.

Kenny Young (Denver) | 2nd year
Career Averages: 8.8 PPG, 1.7 RPG
T. Lawson | L. Townsend
A. Afflalo | K. Young | R. Russell
D. Gallinari | C. Brewer | J. Hamilton
K. Faried | A. Harrington
J. McGee | T. Mozgov

The Nuggets project to be one of the worst teams in the league next season and Kenny Young isn't happy about it. "I've always been a Nuggets fan, my whole life, but this is ridiculous. We lost all of our depth and then we use our lottery pick on a shooting guard. I'm not sure how much longer I can play here," said Young on the situation.

Justine Crewhead (Detroit) | 2nd year
Career Averages: 6.3 PPG, 2.2 RPG
B. Knight | M. Morrison
R. Stuckey | G. Faulk
E. Turner | J. Crewhead | A. Daye | J. Shurna
Da. West | A. Lima | Q. Miller
G. Monroe | R. Johnson

Crewhead is happy to be the sixth man on a Pistons reloading for a return to the playoffs. Whether the signings of Evan Turner and David West will be enough, it's a great situation for Crewhead.

Shad O'Greene (Minnesota) | 2nd year
Career Averages: 0.8 PPG, 0.8 RPG, 1.6 APG
R. Rubio / J. Barea / R. Collier
W. Johnson / L. Ridnour / M. Lee
M. Beasley / S. O'Greene / J. Taylor / R. Hummel
K. Love / D. Williams
D. Milicic

Minnesota ended its league-leading playoff drought of eight years and forced a game 7 against the top seeded Lakers last season. Though the future looks promising, Darko is their only Center with Pekovic being poached by Charlotte. O'Greene was reportedly guaranteed a bigger role this season and his defensive and playmaking abilities could be a difference making wild card.

Ray Cer (Toronto) | 2nd year
Career Averages: 6.7 PPG, 1.4 RPG, 1.3 APG
D. Augustin | J. Bayless
D. DeRozan | D. West | R. Cer
G. Fletcher | J. Johnson | K. Walton
Y. Jianlian | J. Lauveregne
J. Valanciunas | L. Nogueira | B. Mullens

Ray Cer plays on an incredibly bad Raptors team as the third string shooting guard. Cer is unlikely to see a lot of playing time despite the fact that there will be a lot of garbage time in Toronto this season.

Da'Vonte Hughes (Utah) | 1st year
D. Harris / J. Selby
A. Burks / Johnson-Odom
G. Hayward / D. Hughes D. Carroll / D. Collins
P. Millsap / D. Favors / A. Randolph
A. Jefferson / E. Kanter

The Georgia star joins a potential sleeper team in the deep Utah Jazz. He will likely push Gordon Hayward for the starting spot on what could be a playoff team.

Dan Podolski (Sacramento) | 1st year
T. Evans / J. Fredette
M. Thornton / T. Williams
T. Jones / J. Salmons / D. Green / T. Outlaw
J. Thompson / D. Podolski | N. Mirotic
D. Cousins / C. Hayes

Podolski joins the perennially rebuilding Kings, splitting backup minutes with Nicola Mirotic. The Kings recently extended Jason Thompson, so Podolski may need a teammate's injury to get PT in his rookie year.

Remember that you can always check up on your NLSC player on Page 1 with NLSC WATCH.

Well your roster isn't actually filled with superstars but you got quite a bit of depth especially in the front court. You might snatch an 8th seed if the quality of teams out east look pretty bad.