Fast Forward::Milwaukee Bucks **Season Opener vs. Hawks**

[Donatello]

Newest Update:http://forums.nba-live.com/viewtopic.php?f=92&t=66920&p=1062731#p1062731

I will update that link every time I make a new update, so that you can just straight past the comments to the official news.




Milwaukee Bucks: Fast Forward
An NBA 2k9 (PC) Association
Presented by Donatello


Introduction:
It's been a long time since I've really posted, let alone run a dynasty (ugh, I guess I'll break down and call it an association...), ahem... an 'association', on the site. But after learning (a bit late) that 2k9 had come out for PC, I couldn't resist. Hopefully some people remember the couple of dynasties I used to run, namely the NJ Nets one with the website, and then the Kansas City Knights storyline. Both were way shorter than I had intended or would have liked. I'm committing to keeping this one going. No promises, but I'm going to do my best to do frequent updates. Nothing out of this world, but hopefully at least somewhat graphically interesting that folks can follow.

This will all become a bit snazzier as I get the association set up, I'm just prepping things right now.


The Concept:
The story will start at the very beginning of the 2012-2013 NBA Season. I will sim to this point, controlling the Milwaukee Bucks and keeping the roster as intact as it will let me. I will attempt to resign every player if he is willing, and replace him with someone as similar as possible if he won't. As soon as we get to the '12-'13 season, though- all bets are off and I step in as GM. I'll be playing all games (set at a 29-game season), and making changes to the team as I see fit (I'll try to keep it mostly realistic).

Settings:
Settings/Sliders: My custom sliders set to make somewhat realistic results with my extremely unrealistic arcade playstyle.
29 game seasons
5-5-5-7 playoff setup

[Donatello]

Rewind: The History of Fast Forward


"The Lost Years"
2008/2009 through 2011/2012
These are the years I simmed through with minimal involvement. I rejected all trades, and resigned any player who was willing (even Malik Allen, ugh). Notable losses: Charlie V and Ramon Sessions wouldn't resign, and Coach Skiles retired. Here's how the seasons went:

08/09 season
Bucks record: 10 wins, 19 losses
NBA Finals: Lakers over Magic in 7 games
Bucks Draft: #5 Pick Lowell Ward, PG

09/10 season
Bucks record: 10 wins, 19 losses
NBA Finals: Pistons over Suns in 6 games
Bucks Draft: #5 Pick Dale Braxton, SG
2nd round pick Warren Vincent, PF

10/11 season
Bucks record: 11 wins, 18 losses
NBA Finals: Pistons (repeat) over Blazers in 6 games
Charlie Villenueva leaves via free agency
Coach Skiles retires from the league
Bucks Draft: #5 pick Wil McLoud, C
2nd round pick Jonathan Jenkins, SF

11/12 season
Bucks record: 13 wins, 16 losses
Awards: Wil McLoud, all rookie 1st team
NBA Finals: Bulls over Kings in 6 games
Draft: - Draft covered in normal dynasty coverage

[Donatello]

CURRENT ROSTER
2012-2013
Milwaukee Bucks
Opening Night Line-up
Point Guard:
Jason Kidd (85)
Lorell Ward (77)

Shooting Guard:
Ben Gordon (88)
Dale Braxton (80)

Small Forward:
Richard Jefferson (81)
Joe Alexander (80)
Jon Jenkins (70)

Power Forward:
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (79)
Darryl Garnett (79)
Warren Vincent (74)

Center:
Andrew Bogut (84)
Marcus Camby (81)
Walt McCloud (79)

[kibaxx7]

Great to have you back, and with 2K9! I remember your Nets

[hova-]

Ouwee .. Donatello back to business. Nice idea going way into future. Good Luck and hopefully a lot of fun !


P.S. dynasty sounds way better, youre right

[JaoSming]

*cough* subscribed *cough*

I'll be keeping an eye on this one


and F it, just call it a dynasty, this is the NLSC isn't it?

[Shabron]

following

gl

[Fresh8]

Welcome back Donatello

[Donatello]

Thanks, fellas. Unfortunately Amazon is being a bastard about shipping times, I was expecting to get the game today- but it looks like it might be a couple of days still. So until then... just masturbate in anticipation, I guess.

[H00PL0VE]

Can't wait for this one to start. I haven't had the privilege of reading your other dynasties but I'm sure this one will be great.

[Donatello]

Blech, now I'm told the estimated arrival time is the 16th-17th. We ordered 2k9 and a book for my wife in the same order- the book got here yesterday. Sorry for making the thread so early with no content. Soon!!

[Donatello]

Finally got it today. Installing the game now. I might get my first post up tonight, no promises. I'm way excited about posting one of these again. I want to stress that I'm not going to be doing anything mind-blowing, hopefully just a good, solid dynasty.

Also, I decided to not jump quite as far forward- going to start at the beginning of the 2012-2013 season instead of 15-16.

[33_ALLDAY_33]

Sounds great man. Can't wait to see how you fare with the Bucks.

[Fresh8]

Good to hear you got the game. Hopefulyl Andrew Bogut becomes a superstar for ya!

[Ty-Land]

I like reading how other people develop my team, so I'm looking forward to this. Hopefully you keep Sessions and develop LRMAM and Bogut. Alexander also becomes a good player with time. Reasonable outside shooter and above average slasher.

[Donatello]

"The Lost Years"
2008/2009 through 2011/2012
These are the years I simmed through with minimal involvement. I rejected all trades, and resigned any player who was willing (even Malik Allen, ugh). Notable losses: Charlie V wouldn't resign, neither would Ramon Sessions (which sucked- I really wanted to keep him) and Coach Skiles retired. Here's how the seasons went:

08/09 season
Bucks record: 10 wins, 19 losses
NBA Finals: Lakers over Magic in 7 games
Bucks Draft: #5 Pick Lowell Ward, PG

09/10 season
Bucks record: 10 wins, 19 losses
NBA Finals: Pistons over Suns in 6 games
Bucks Draft: #5 Pick Dale Braxton, SG
2nd round pick Warren Vincent, PF

10/11 season
Bucks record: 11 wins, 18 losses
NBA Finals: Pistons (repeat) over Blazers in 6 games
Coach Skiles retires from the league
Bucks Draft: #5 pick Wil McLoud, C
2nd round pick Jonathan Jenkins, SF

11/12 season
Bucks record: 13 wins, 16 losses
Awards: Wil McLoud, all rookie 1st team
NBA Finals: Bulls over Kings in 6 games
Draft: - Draft covered in normal dynasty coverage



COMING UP NEXT:

2012-2013 Pre-season news/updates, including the NBA Draft! Also, a look at the Bucks roster! (this will be the first official update, this post was just to catch up on what happened during the simmed years).

[The X]

Classic that Scott Skiles, who is still pretty young at that time, retired because he couldn't handle coaching another year with the shitty Bucks

Looks like you're building a team through the draft....I wonder if Bogut is McLoud's backup at C

will keep an eye on this one

[33_ALLDAY_33]

Looks like you're getting better each year. Maybe this year will be your chance to make some noise. Good luck. And i can't wait for your next update.

[Donatello]

2012-2013
Milwaukee Bucks
Pre-season Catch-up!
________________________________________________________


Michael Redd demands trade
After four tremendously difficult losing seasons, there was an air of tension surrounding the Milwakee Bucks leading up to the 2012-2013 season. Long-time Bucks star Michael Redd was quiet for much of the summer, but as the NBA Draft approached, rumors began to circulate of trade demands coming from the Redd camp. These rumors were proved true when the guard was traded to the Detroit Pistons along with center Dan Gadzuric, a 2012 2nd round pick, and the Bucks' first round selection in the 2013 draft. In return, the Bucks received all-star shooting guard Ben Gordon, who has one year left remaining on his contract. It is assumed that Milwaukee had to include the draft picks because Redd has three years and approximately $35 million left on his contract.



The NBA Draft
Ping-pong balls disappoint; but Luck prevails
A few days after the trade came the NBA draft. After three straight seasons of receiving the #5 selection via the lottery, the pingpong balls gave out on Milwaukee. They recieved the 10th selection in the draft. However, spirits didn't say short for long- as Miami (OH)'s Darryl Garnett, a 6'10" power forward, who was pegged as a possible top 2 pick but a lock for the top 5, fell all the way to #10. The Bucks were initially looking for a backup point guard at this spot, but could not leave Garnett on the board. Darryl is of no relation to NBA star Kevin Garnett.

"We were thrilled to see Darryl on the board.", Bucks manager Joshua Donatello said. "We have the utmost confidence in the big men already on the roster, but this is a chance you just can't pass up."

Free Agency
Two Big Surprises Land in Wisconsin
Next up was the free agency period. Some huge names were in this year's class: Dwight Howard, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Kevin Garnett, and Jason Kidd, just to name a few. Milwaukee only had about $8m in cap space, plus the MLE avaialble, so signing a prime superstar was out of the question. The main concern heading into free agency was at the point guard position. The team was open to re-signing Luke Ridnour, but the veteran PG wanted at least 3 years and 6.5 million. The Bucks were not prepared to make that long term of a commitment with Luke, so the team decided to look elsewhere. There was a bit of buzz surrounding Jason Kidd, but most quickly dismissed the rumors, assuming Kidd would be seeking a championship contender. A huge shock came when Milwaukee held a press conference announcing that not only had the team signed Jason Kidd, but also defensive specialist Marcus Camby.

Both players shared similar sentiments towards signing with a team that has had limited success in the past few years. Kidd put it best:

"Marcus and I talked before signing these contracts. We're both almost 40, and I think we've both had our share of desires and disappointments concerning the NBA Championship. But I think that at this point, looking back... you see stories every year of those veterans demanding trades to contenders and what-not. How often does that translate into a championship for that player? Almost never, I sure can't think of any that did. In the end, we both decided that coming onto a young team and being able to help out some young guys- in a great atmosphere like they have here in Milwaukee- sounded like a great way to close out a career. But even beyond that, looking purely at winning- this team has obviously had it's troubles the past few years, but look at this roster. This is a talented roster. I think we can do great things this year."




2012-2013
Milwaukee Bucks
Opening Night Line-up
Point Guard:
Jason Kidd (85)
Lorell Ward (77)

Shooting Guard:
Ben Gordon (88)
Dale Braxton (80)

Small Forward:
Richard Jefferson (81)
Joe Alexander (80)
Jon Jenkins (70)

Power Forward:
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (79)
Darryl Garnett (79)
Warren Vincent (74)

Center:
Andrew Bogut (84)
Marcus Camby (81)
Walt McCloud (79)

[33_ALLDAY_33]

Hey man, this looks like a great rotation. Good job getting Kidd and Camby. This team looks pretty deep in my eyes. Good luck

[Fresh8]

Hopefully KIdd and Camby still have something left in the tank to help your team win!

[kibaxx7]

Kidd, Gordon, Camby, great acquisitions man.

[Martti.]

Nice additions in two old farts like Kidd and Camby! Amazing they're still playing at 38/39.

[33_ALLDAY_33]

Nice additions in two old farts like Kidd and Camby! Amazing they're still playing at 38/39.

[Donatello]

Bucks can't withstand late Hawks charge; fall at home in season opener

The Bucks opened the 2012-2013 season at home versus the Hawks. With a lineup featuring Joe Johnson, Tayshaun Prince, Ray Allen, and Josh Smith- most would have expected the young Bucks to lose. And they would be right. However, the path to the loss was paved with promise. Milwaukee busted out of the gates with an 8-0 run to start the game (six of those points came from Ben Gordon), eventually building toward a 27-15 lead at the end of the first. At halftime, Milwaukee still led Atlanta 46-34. The second half was a different story. The third quarter was very close, but in the fourth- the walls came down for Milwaukee. In the game's final quarter the Hawks outscored the Bucks 33-18, taking an 8 point lead to close out the game. 14 of Hawk Joe Johnson's 28 points came in the 4th. Johnson also had 10 assists in the game for Atlanta.

Marcus Camby did not play in the season opener due to flu-like symptoms. Jason Kidd played 17 minutes in the contest, but results were limited- 2 points (on 1-5 shooting), 2 assists, and 2 rebounds.

General Manager Joshua Donatello had this to say after the game:

"Of course we're disappointed that we lost the game, let's get that out of the way first. That fourth quarter collapse was not a pleasant thing to have to watch. We'll definitely be working on our focus, I'll leave it at that. However, I think if you look at the first half alone, this is a heck of a team. I didn't really expect our guys to gel this fast. We have a lot of new faces on the team this year. But Atlanta is a championship-caliber team, and we were making them look like a high school squad out there. Unfortunately they returned the favor to us in the fourth."

Bucks Highlights:
(note: There are 24 minutes per game due to 6 minute quarters)
Ben Gordon (20 pts, 2 ast, 3 stl, 19 minutes)
Richard Jefferson (13 pts, 4 reb, 7 ast, 17 minutes)
Andrew Bogut (10 pts, 3 reb, 4 ast, 2 blk, 14 minutes)
Jason Kidd (2 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast, 1-5 shooting, 17 minutes)

Box Scores:
Atlanta Hawks
Milwaukee Bucks