Lakers Dynasty

[Power And Proud]

Having done a Wizards, Cavs, T'Wolves, Knicks, Pistons and Pacers dynasty, getting bored with them all, I decided to start a Lakers dynasty.

I didn't make any changes to the team as I simulated the regular season.

Phil Jackson won coach of the year as the Lakers finished with the top record in the NBA, and Shaquille O'Neal made the All-NBA First Team, Kobe Bryant made the second team.

[Power And Proud]

PLAYOFF TIME!

Round 1 vs. Houston Rockets.

Game 1-
I played this game a few days ago, so I'll tell ya what I remember.

Game 1 was a war. Shaq vs. Yao. Kobe vs. Franchise. The fans of The Staples Center couldn't wait for this series. The first half belonged to the Rockets, as Steve Francis carried his team. But late in the 3rd quarter and entire 4th, the Lakers were in complete control. Shaq was dominating the middle, Kobe was just being Kobe. Lakers took Game 1 108-99.

Game 2-
Steve Francis seemed determined to lead his team his victory but Kobe Bryant just couldn't be stopped. Although Shaq was quiet, he was very effective against Ming. Shaq went for 16/10 while Yao was held to 6/4. But it was Kobe Bryant all night, finishing with 45 points. Lakers took this 110-95.

Game 3-
The series moved to Houston, where the Lakers were expecting things to get very tough, and they did. Houston built a lead as big as 16 behind Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley, Francis going for 16 points and 8 assists in the first half, while Mobley added 19 points including 4 3 pointers. But in the 2nd half, Shaq turned it on, and the Lakers came storming back. Shaq scored 18 points in the 3rd quarter alone and Kobe Bryant hit a buzzer beating shot over Yao Ming to give the Lakers a 4 point lead entering the 4th quater. The 4th was very very tough, with Yao turning it on down one end, Shaq dunking on him with authority at the other. But it was Kobe Bryant taking advantage of Mobley that gave the Lakers this win. Shaq finishing with 38 points and 18 rebounds while Kobe added 27 points and 7 assists.

Game 4-
Yao Ming had it going from the start, as the Lakers seemed a little too anxiece to end this series in Game 4. It took the Lakers a while to get started, and when they did, they found themselves down by 16 points late in the half. But in true champion fashion, the Lakers refused to go down without a fight. Karl Malone started the comeback, hitting several key shots late in the half, while Shaq got a few dunks in. In the second half, Shaq simply took control. But he got help from Bryant and Malone, as the Lakers sweeped the Houston Rockets with a 108-99 win.

NEXT UP- Dallas Mavericks.

[Power And Proud]

OK guys, has anyone mastered how to beat the Mavs? I had a look at their roster, and it's the same as real life. Any tips on how to beat them and slow them down?

[Boyk]

Wow Troy, your taking the Lakers!.

About the Mavs lineup, its very hard to say, play them full court man to man, dont let em run, and dont play zone, coz they'll knock dow nevery shotm yer i'd go with a full court man to man.
dont worry about Finley and Nash, Kobe and GP should keep them in check.

[Ruff Ryder]

Man, where have you been all of this time? Welcome back and good luck with the lake show.

OK guys, has anyone mastered how to beat the Mavs? I had a look at their roster, and it's the same as real life. Any tips on how to beat them and slow them down?

They suck at Defense. When they play zone, see if you can put a 3pt shooter in the corner and draw the Defender out of the corner to guard you. Then pass it to your 3-pt shooter. He should be open.

[Power And Proud]

Thanks for the welcome back. Appreciated.

Thanks for the tips, so full court man to man and beat them at their own game.

[Power And Proud]

Round 2

Game 1-
Well, the Lakers played full court man 2 man, were getting wide open shots, and were doing all the right things to win this ball game, but Dallas kept making shots. Dirk Nowitzki was unstoppable, as was Michael Finley. Shaq kept dominating Shawn Bradley, while Karl Malone was having his problems with Dirk. But it was a back and forward battle, as the Lakers would build a good lead, then Dallas comes back and gets a good lead. But it didn't get any more tense than in the final minute with the Lakers down 4. Gary Payton drove to the basket, got fouled and made the shot, then hitting the bonus, putting the Lakers down by 1. Karl Malone stole the inbounds pass and layed it in to put LA up 1. Down the other end, Dirk spun to the middle and put up a floating jumper with 15 seconds remaining, Mavs up 1. Kobe missed an open jumper, Dirk got the boards, but was immediately doubled, he loses the ball to Kobe, Kobe for the win! He misses the lay-up, times expires, Lakers lose 104-105.

[Ruff Ryder]

Round 2

Game 1-
Well, the Lakers played full court man 2 man, were getting wide open shots, and were doing all the right things to win this ball game, but Dallas kept making shots. Dirk Nowitzki was unstoppable, as was Michael Finley. Shaq kept dominating Shawn Bradley, while Karl Malone was having his problems with Dirk. But it was a back and forward battle, as the Lakers would build a good lead, then Dallas comes back and gets a good lead. But it didn't get any more tense than in the final minute with the Lakers down 4. Gary Payton drove to the basket, got fouled and made the shot, then hitting the bonus, putting the Lakers down by 1. Karl Malone stole the inbounds pass and layed it in to put LA up 1. Down the other end, Dirk spun to the middle and put up a floating jumper with 15 seconds remaining, Mavs up 1. Kobe missed an open jumper, Dirk got the boards, but was immediately doubled, he loses the ball to Kobe, Kobe for the win! He misses the lay-up, times expires, Lakers lose 104-105.

Ooohhhhh!!! Very un-Kobe like. Was it one of those adjusted layups or a regular one?

[Power And Proud]

Adjusted with Dirk all over him. But I made the mistake by not passing to Karl when I got dirk in the air coz he was waiting there for the lay-up.

[Power And Proud]

Game 2 vs. Mavs.

This one started exactly how I thought it would. Dallas playing their run n gun style. But Shaq and company kept them at bay, holding the lead for whole first half. But in the 2nd half, the Lakers took complete control, building the lead up to 13 points before the end of the 3rd. The Fab Four controling the game. At the start of the 4th, the Mavs made a run, but the Lakers just went on a even bigger run, getting the lead up to 20. Shaq dominated the 4th, scoring 16 of his 30. The lead got up to 23 points, with that being the final margin, 115-92. Shaq was POG with 30 points, 19 rebounds and 7 blocks.

Next Game- Game 3 @ Dallas

Up Coming Games:
Game 4 @ Dallas
Game 5 vs. Dallas
Game 6 @ Dallas (if required)
Game 7 vs. Dallas (if required)

[Andrew]

I've discovered that you really have to play an up-tempo game against the Mavericks. A full court press can be effective in slowing down their running game. Don't frantically double-team, as they have enough shooters to take advantage of the open man. However, I do suggest double teaming in the post. You might want to switch a lot on defense so that you can always ensure the outside shot is challenged or the drive is cut off, but remain in control; careless switching generally leads to getting beaten off the dribble.

[Mark.]

Yeah good to see you back man, i look foward to see how you go.

Are you gonna play the regular season, next season??

Any trade ideas for the off season

Good Luck(Y)

[Power And Proud]

Yeah, I'm gonna play the regular season. Depending on what Kobe, Gary and Karl decide to do, I'll try to get a little younger, but hopefully I'll contain myself from doing anything too drastic.

[Power And Proud]

Game 3 @ Dallas

As expected, the Mavericks came out firing, pushing the lead up to over 10 in the first quarter, but the Lakers started to assert themselves in the 2nd, and pushed the lead down to 3 at half time. There was one minute of play in the 3rd quarter that seemed destined to lose Dallas the ball game, with bad shot selections, sloppy passes and as usual, no defense. That stretch allowed the Lakers to get up by 7, and they never turned back, as Gary Payton lead the way with 23 points and 4 assists while Shaq and Kobe were quiet, with 10 and 14 points each respectively. The Lakers went on to take a 2-1 lead in the series with the 94-83 win.

[Macca]

Great dynasty mate!! A few people have used the Lakers, but no one has followed through, hopefully you'll go all the way with one. Great playoffs series too so far, against the Mavs, it looks like a 4-1 series??

Anyway, keep up the great work, hope to see Shaq do some major damage too. Peace,

Macca

P.S.

Any trade ideas for the off season

This I think would be a good idea if Malone retires and Kobe is set free, maybe you could use this in your advantage though, hence anyone in mind to fit in to you playing style???

[Power And Proud]

Game 4-
I let the computer play the 1st half of this one while I was attending to other things, so when I returned, the Lakers were down 51-37. I took control. I wasn't gonna let them go down without a fight. So I came out firing, bringing the lead down to as much as 2 late in the 4th quarter, but Dallas went a 6-0 run that sealed the win for them. I was pretty shitty after it coz I had this game.

Next Game- Game 5 in LA.

[Power And Proud]

Great dynasty mate!! A few people have used the Lakers, but no one has followed through, hopefully you'll go all the way with one. Great playoffs series too so far, against the Mavs, it looks like a 4-1 series??

Anyway, keep up the great work, hope to see Shaq do some major damage too. Peace,

Macca

P.S.

Any trade ideas for the off season

This I think would be a good idea if Malone retires and Kobe is set free, maybe you could use this in your advantage though, hence anyone in mind to fit in to you playing style???

Actually, I'll re-sign Malone if he wants to come back, and I'm definitely bring Kobe back, coz he fits my style of play, being a shooting guard myself.

[Power And Proud]

Shaq, Kobe, Gary, Karl. Nuff said. Lakers whoop the Mavs ass on retro night 128-101. Shaq 28 points, 18 rebounds, 6 assists. Kobe 36 points. Payton, 16 points, 6 steals 9 assists. Malone, 8 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists.

Next Game- Game 6 @ Dallas.

[Power And Proud]

Bugger it. I'm gonna try to end this series now! Wish me luck.

[Power And Proud]

Game 6- It was on from start to finish. The Lakers jumping out to a 16 point lead at quarter time. The lead only grew, at one stage, with it being as high as 30 half way through the 3rd. The Lakers played their 12tm man line-up for the entire 4th quarter as the Mavs had it down to 16. But even the Lakers bench players were too good, ending with a 132-110 victory to move onto the NBA Western Conference Finals!

POG- Gary Payton, 29 points, 2 rebounds, 10 steals, 9 assists.

If I could Player of the Series, it would go to Payton, he was HUGE for me defensively. While Shaq and Kobe were just being Shaq and Kobe.

Next Game- Game 1, NBA WCF vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (Eliminated Spurs 4-1)

Schedule-
Game 1 vs T'Wolves
Game 2 vs T'Wolves
Game 3 @ T'Wolves
Game 4 @ T'Wolves
Game 5 vs T'Wolves
Game 6 @ T'Wolves
Game 7 vs T'Wolves

The Orlando Magic (led by McGrady's 30.2ppg) are hosting the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.

[Macca]

Whoa great series so far mate. Hopefully it will be an easy matchup for you, the Wolves have some key players, if you shut them down early, you'll be right. Just wondering, who are your picks for the Eastern Conference champs (ORL or NYN)?? This will be a great series. What is Shaq avering in points & rebounds and what are Kobe's stats??
Keep up the good work,

Macca

[Power And Proud]

I think it'll go to 7 games between the Lakers and Wolves. As for the Magic-Knicks series, I pick the Magic 4-2.

I'll post Shaq and Kobe's stats a bit later on.

[Power And Proud]

OK here they are, the stats you asked for:

Shaq- 23.7ppg, 13.6rpg, 2.3apg
Kobe- 26.7ppg, 3.5rpg, 4.1apg

[Power And Proud]

Game 1-

The start of it wasn't really any different from when the Lakers where dominating the Mavs. The Lakers jumped out to an early 23-8 advantage. And the Lakers domination would just continue, even though the lead got smaller as the game wore on. Kevin Garnett couldn't get anything his way, as Karl Malone held him to just 8 points and 8 rebounds. Kudos to Malone!

The Lakers went on to take Game 1 with a 84-73 victory.

Shaq was named POG with 19 points, 14 rebounds and 5 blocks, while Kobe added 20 points, Payton had 10 and Malone chipped in with 8.

[Power And Proud]

Game 2-

Game 2 started differently than Game 1, with Minnesota jumping out to an early 7-2 lead. But the Lakers defense kicked in, and took a 34-18 advantage at quarter time, lead by Kobe Bryant's 12 points. The lead got no bigger than 18 points after that, as Minnesota made a late charge in the 4th quarter, but Shaq, Kobe and Payton returned to the court to steady the ship, and lead the Lakers to a 111-98 Game 2 victory.

Shaq was named POG with 19 points, 18 rebounds, 5 blocks and 4 assists. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers in scoring with 29. Karl Malone added 16 points and 9 rebounds, while KG went for 26 points, but only managed to get 1 rebound.

The series now moves to Minnesota for game 3 and 4, and game 5 if required.