[6-13] GRRRRR. | @ Hornets (We Stung Them!)

[J@3]

After 17 games the Claws were 2-15, you're only +2. That is pretty sad

[Fresh8]

Kerp tanking to that number 1 pick!

[hova-]

Not a bad game by Alando Tucker. It's always cool to see some potential from players that did not yet crack the rotation. As Sit said, get that number one pick.

[Martti.]

Nice losses. Hope you get the 1st/2nd pick to get Turner.

[Lamrock]

November 2009 Review

December 1, 2010 - After a 1-1 October in which the Wolves showed promise in a victory against the Nets and a narrow loss to the Cavs, they proceeded to play .200 ball in the month of November, and falling to last place in the Western Conference. However, the Wolves had a few close losses, and their point differential isn't quite as bad as their record. Still, the team is bad, and definitely not a title contender.

Al Jefferson has been having an off-season, but is still averaging a very solid 18 and 8. Kevin Love, his frontcourt partner, has enjoyed a stellar sophomore season, averaging 16.6 points and 9.4 boards. Rookie Jonny Flynn and offseason signing Ramon Sessions have formed a solid tandem at the PG position, being the other two players to average double figures. However, the swingmen leave something to be desired. Despite shooting a career high 94% from the charity stripe (is that a statistical anomaly or what?!), Corey Brewer has been pretty erratic in his play. The rest of the 2's and 3's simply aren't very talented. There is a good chance that rookie Wayne Ellington will replace Damien Wilkins in the starting 5, shifting Brewer to the 3.

Western Conference Standings:

Pacific---------------------Northwest-----------------Southwest
14-2------------------- 16-3------------------ 14-4
11-6------------------- 13-4------------------ 8-7
9-7-------------------- 10-6------------------- 6-11
7-9-------------------- 5-12------------------- 5-12
7-11------------------- 4-13------------------- 5-13

Eastern Conference Standings:

Atlantic-------------------Central--------------------Southeast
14-3------------------- 11-6------------------- 11-5
10-8------------------- 8-7-------------------- 11-7
7-11------------------- 7-10------------------- 9-8
4-13------------------- 6-10------------------- 6-10
3-14------------------- 5-10------------------- 5-10

Team Statistics:
Record: 4-13 (3-12) | Home: 3-6 (2-5) | Road: 1-7 (1-7) | 5th Northwest, 15th West | On Pace For: 19 wins | Win Pct.: .235%
Points For: 97.9 (15th); Points Against: 105.1 (26th); Differential: -7.1 (25th)


Players Of The Month
West Player: Kobe Bryant (30.3 PPG, 5.3 APG, 5.1 RPG, .609% TS, 27.4 PER, Lakers: 14-2)
Kobe is the league's leading scorer, and is the best player on the league's best team. Kobe has been superb for the defending champs, efficiently filling up the stat sheet with averages of 30-5-5 and leading them on pace for a record-tying 72 wins. The Lakers probably won't win 70+ this season but Kobe has them as sure-fire title favorites.
East Player: Dwyane Wade (27.8 PPG, 7.4 APG, 5.3 RPG, 3.3 SPG, .585% TS, 32.1 PER, Heat: 11-5)
Dwyane Wade has got to be the MVP favorite right now. The 27, going on 28 superstar is leading the league in PER and steals, and has led his marginally talented team to an 11-5 record, good for second in the conference. Flash is on fire, and has a result, the Heat are scorching. Whether he keeps this up remains to be seen, but this year, he has been slightly better than LeBron James.
West Rookie: Tyreke Evans (13.7 PPG, 6.6 APG, 5.6 RPG, .464% TS, 16.3 PER, Kings: 7-9)
Tyreke may not be scoring a lot, but he is filling up the stat sheet and is establishing himself as an unselfish rising star in the league. His Kings, who were the worst team in the league last season, are off to a fairly decent start, and he has been the catalyst. His shooting needs to be improved, but 'Reke has been great this year.
East Rookie: Brandon Jennings (17.1 PPG, 5.4 APG, 2.6 RPG, .518% TS, 19.3 PER, Bucks: 6-10)
The Bucks suck, but Jennings has been exceptional. Leading all rookies in scoring by a long shot, and doing so on efficient shooting, Young Money is the current ROY favorite, and is looking like a future all-star, if not one already. In other news, New York's Jordan Hill (8th pick) is averaging 2 points per game, while Toronto's DeMar DeRozan (9th pick) is averaging 4.

All-Star Voting

Western Conference:

Guard: Kobe Bryant (LAL): 736555; Chris Paul (NO): 709643; Deron Williams (UTA): 581403; Brandon Roy (POR): 440622; Baron Davis (LAC): 426326
Forward: Tim Duncan (SA): 620742; Dirk Nowitzki (DAL): 520703; Carmelo Anthony (DEN): 499636; Pau Gasol (LAL): 404354; Kevin Durant (OKC): 369901
Center: Amar'e Stoudemire: 439450; Al Jefferson (MIN) 314443; Chris Kaman (LAC): 277983

Eastern Conference:

Guard: Dwyane Wade (MIA): 715897; Vince Carter (ORL): 479816; Joe Johnson (ATL): 434850; Rajon Rondo (BOS): 409784; Devin Harris (NJ): 324877
Forward: LeBron James (CLE): 942665; Chris Bosh (TOR): 597211; Kevin Garnett (BOS): 479380; Josh Smith (ATL): 400663; Rashard Lewis (ORL): 366042
Center: Dwight Howard (ORL): 799807; Shaquille O'Neal (CLE): 424919; David Lee (NY): 367932

League Leaders
Points Per Game: Kobe Bryant: 30.3; Carmelo Anthony: 28.4; Dwyane Wade: 27.8; LeBron James: 26.5; Dirk Nowitzki: 25.5
Rebounds Per Game: David Lee: 14.4; Dwight Howard: 13.8; Carlos Boozer: 12.6; Troy Murphy: 12.3; Andris Biedrins: 11.8
Assists Per Game: Jason Kidd: 11.4; Deron Williams: 10.5; Chris Paul: 9.7; Steve Nash: 9.4; Rajon Rando: 8.8
Steals Per Game: Dwyane Wade: 3.3; Chris Paul: 3.2; Rajon Rondo: 2.9; Josh Smith: 2.7; Andre Iguodala: 2.6
Blocks Per Game: Josh Smith: 3.5; Dwight Howard: 3.3; Kendrick Perkins: 3.2; Ronnie Turiaf: 2.9; Brendan Haywood: 2.7
Field Goal %: Andrew Bynum: .642%; Paul Millsap: .628%; Dwight Howard: .611%; Andris Biedrins: .600%; Kevin Love: .584%
Three Point %: Rudy Fernandez: .500%; Brandon Jennings: .461%; Mario Chalmers: .447%; JJ Redick: .440%; Eddie House: .432%
Free Throw %: Jose Calderon: .966%; Steve Nash: .955%; Chauncey Billups: .951%; Corey Brewer: .939%; Peja Stojakovic: .931%
Player Efficiency Rating: Dwyane Wade: 32.1; LeBron James: 29.3; Dwight Howard: 27.6; Kobe Bryant: 27.4; Carmelo Anthony: 26.5
True Shooting %: Andrew Bynum: .685%; Kirk Hinrich: .658%; Kevin Love: .653%; Steve Nash: .641%; Paul Millsap: .638

[J@3]

Good update how many minutes are you giving Hollins? He'd have some nice per36 numbers.

[Rip32]

Good to see Al Jeff in range to maybe steal that starting All-Star spot from Amar'e.

[Fresh8]

I think we all figured out your guys aren't title contenders... however, the real question is can they contend for a playoff spot?

[kibaxx7]

Flynn only 4 assists per game, not good.

[The X]

Flynn only 4 assists per game, not good.

Isn't that about what he averages IRL anyways? If so, good work

[Mark.]

Would be cool if Al got all start, that way you could really milk his trade value

[hova-]

Wow, Kobe's playing a monster season. LeBrons scoring is a bit low though. But I guess you had some sim luck so far, especially in the Atlantic Division which is always fucked up when I play.
Your team reminds me a bit of my Bobcats, kind of mediocrity everywhere. Flynn is like Felton, Brewer a poor man's Wallace and Love and Jefferson where exactly two guys I was missing.

[dare]

I hope Jefferson become an All-star if you decide to trade him you will have a big hole in your big man.

[Martti.]

Wade's awesome. He's gonna be MVP. Jennings also doing good, great to see that.

[Valor]

I think we all figured out your guys aren't title contenders... however, the real question is can they contend for a playoff spot?

They would have higher chances of succeeding if they start to seriously contend for the #1 pick instead

On a more serious note, I think it's much better then blow it up, trade Jefferson away and just rebuild from scratch again, literally from scratch

[Lamrock]

Only one simmed game this time, since I played the Hornets game after this. The sim engine seems to have been improved slightly by the patch. (when you aren't using player roles that is)

Flynn Game-Winner Pushes Wolves Past Grizzlies

December 1, 2009 - Jonny Flynn had 13 points and 4 assists, which is basically his averages, but if he had just two points less, his team wouldn't have one. After Flynn sunk a fade-away jumper with 4.4 seconds remaining, the Wolves defeated the visiting Memphis Grizzlies 88-87, improving to 5-14, and ridding themselves of worst team in the conference status. The game was close throughout. Marc Gasol and Al Jefferson had standout nights on the boards with 19 and 17 respectively. Ultimately, it came down to late-game production, and the Wolves converted down the stretch.

23 22 24 18 87 (5-14) | Gasol: 9/19/2 | Gay: 20/5/1 | Conley: 13/0/8
26 24 21 17 88 (5-13) | Jefferson: 19/17/3 blocks | Flynn: 13/1/4 | Sessions: 9/7/5

[Fresh8]

Don't trade Jefferson and wait for Rubio to come.

[Lamrock]

Two seasons is a long wait. Honestly, I'm considering dealing his rights.

[J@3]

Deal his rights for a pick

[hova-]

I'd just wait and see how Flynn will improve and then decide what to do by the end of the season. You should definitely use your coaching sessions on Flynn. Getting him a better shot and maybe better scoring or defense could make him an all-star. I could imagine Flynn averaging about 20 and 8 or something like that.

[Lamrock]

December 3, 2009 | Minnesota Timberwolves (6-13) @ New Orleans Hornets (6-13) | Season Series: Timberwolves lead 1-0 | Team Stats
Brewer Drops Career-High 29 as Wolves Blow Out Hornets
Timberwolves 89, Hornets 74

Long story short: Corey Brewer had a career high 29 points, and more importantly, we blew out the Hornets in New Orleans for our second straight victory. Chris Paul was containing to single figures, and the game was never close, as we opened a 25 point lead in the second quarter. With the win, we moved into a four-way tie for 11-14th place.

The Rundown: We opened the game with a 14-4 run and never looked back. Despite David West getting it going early on, we controlled the entire first quarter. Corey Brewer had 12 of his eventual career high 29 as the Wolves won the period, 27-17, out-shooting the home team 57% to 37%. That momentum carried on into the second half, as Brewer and Al Jefferson formed a potent offensive duo. We also saw some of the Wolves' best defense this season, as they scored just four points in the first half of the second period.

After falling behind 46-21, the Hornets took a timeout. We cooled down, and they managed to go into the second half trailing by "just" 16 points. They opened the second half with a 10-4 run, giving us a minor scare. Fortunately, we got it together, tightening our D, and getting solid production from rookie Jonny Flynn. We closed the low scoring third quarter on a 16-3 run, as we entered the garbage time fourth quarter with an insurmountable 26 point advantage. Our second unit closed out the game as we cruised to a 89-74 win. New Orleans' 74 is our best defensive effort and their worst offensive effort of the season.

Individual observations: Corey Brewer. He had 29 points, 20 in the first half. Al Jeff had an equally good game, with 20 points and 9 boards, but that's not much better than his averages. Kevin Love quietly had 10 and 9, while Jonny Flynn had a 14 points, 5 assist affair (damn he's consistent). David West was the Hornets' leading scorer with 22, but did so on 8-21 shooting and with just 5 boards. Chris Paul had a poor game, getting 8 points, 7 dimes and 4 turnovers. We also shot far better than them and dominated on the boards.

Final thoughts: A great win. The Hornets may be a poor team this year, but road wins are a rarity for this team, let alone blowout ones. Here, the team showed some potential to be a playoff team next year. If Brewer has more games like this, he might have a future in this league after all. 6-13 is an ugly record, but it is nice to string together our first winning streak. We will have our hands full next game however, as we face the 13-4 Jazz.


Jonny Flynn was Flynn-esque. | Corey Brewer was in the zone!


Chris Paul needs better teammates. | Al Jefferson crashed the boards.
25 28 22 14 89 | Corey Brewer: 29/2/2 | Al Jefferson: 20/9/0 | Kevin Love: 10/9/2
17 20 14 23 74 | David West: 22/5/1 | Emeka Okafor: 12/9/0 | Chris Paul: 8/3/7

JORDAN Player of the Game: Corey Brewer (Timberwolves) 29 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists
MCDWYANE Shitass of the Game: Peja Stojakovic (Hornets) 6 points, 1 rebounds, 2 turnovers, 1-9 FG

[dare]

Nice game by Brewer I don't know how you score with his ugly jumpshot

[|)e8*]

Nice 2nd straight win!

[Lamrock]

Yeah. I didn't expect to get that win. New Orleans sucked.

I feel a bit handcuffed by this team. I'm indifferent to the franchise, hate the jerseys, court and roster, and picked them because of Love, Sessions and the fact that it feels like an X team. I have no ideas on how to further refine the presentation, Jae made me a bad ass sig, and I have a great follower base right now, so I'm reluctant, but its very tempting to have Taylor fire me due to my confrontations with Kahn.

I hate to be like Thierry, but I feel like simming out the season, and switching teams. Unfortunately, the team I have in mind doesn't seem to be as popular here as it is on RealGM...

[Oznogrd]

I hate to be like Thierry, but I feel like simming out the season, and switching teams. Unfortunately, the team I have in mind doesn't seem to be as popular here as it is on RealGM...

Who gives a shit if they're popular: play with who YOU want to play with. Its not about who you play with, its about the story and the style..which you have. Change teams and people will follow..just don't get 5 games in, then bail etc.