X's Bucks Dynasty *WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN*

[The X]

2010 PLAYOFF 2nd ROUND RESULTS
By The X
16 May 2010

Homecourt advantage meant everything in the 2nd Round series that went the distance. Let's take a quick look at the outcome of each series:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

(1) Atlanta defeat (5) Washington 2-0

Series Recap:
Game 1: Atlanta 97 (J.Johnson 32pts, 4rebs, 4asts) defeat Washington 63 (C.Butler 20pts, 7/22 FG, 1/5 3Pt, 9rebs, 4TO's)
Game 2: Atlanta 91 (J.Smith 22pts, 11rebs, 2stls) defeat Washington 86 (A.Jamison 20pts, 16rebs)

Once again the Atlanta Hawks proved themselves to be the championship favourites as they easily swept aside the Washington Wizards and are now the only undefeated team left in the 2010 NBA Playoffs. It was pretty bad from the start for the Wizards as they only scored 24 points in the 1st half of game one and only had a total of 35 points after three quarters were played. After that, the Hawks seized the advantage and finished Washington off away from home in game two.


(2) Orlando defeat (6) Philadelphia 2-1

Series Recap:
Game 1: Philadelphia 91 (L.Williams 24pts, 2stls) defeat Orlando 81 (D.Howard 23pts, 23rebs, 2blks)
Game 2: Orlando 100 (J.Nelson 28pts, 4rebs, 5asts, 3stls, 4TO's) defeat Philadelphia 95 (A.Iguodala 25pts, 6rebs, 7asts, 2stls)
Game 3: Orlando 118 (J.J.Redick 14pts, 6/6 FG, 2/2 3Pt) defeat Philadelphia 112 (A.Iverson 27pts, 4asts)

The Orlando Magic did it the hard way in this series, first losing home court advantage in game one, then having to dig themselves out of the 0-1 hole and hold on in the 4th quarters in both games two and three to once again advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Philadelphia 76ers can hold their heads high, first making the playoffs and then knocking off the highly fancied Cleveland Cavaliers, then almost getting by the Magic. The Iverson experiment seems to have reaped dividends for the club this season.


WESTERN CONFERENCE

(1) Denver defeat (4) Los Angeles Lakers 2-1

Series Recap:
Game 1: Denver 107 (C.Anthony 49pts, 8rebs) defeat Los Angeles Lakers 105 (K.Bryant 25pts, 4rebs, 6asts, 2stls, 2blks)
Game 2: Los Angeles Lakers 109 (K.Bryant 35pts, 4rebs, 10asts, 3stls, 4TO's) defeat Denver 101 (C.Anthony 21pts, 11rebs, 4asts, 2stls, 5TO's)
Game 3: Denver 129 (C.Anthony 31pts, 14rebs, 2stls) defeat Los Angeles Lakers 112 (K.Bryant 41pts, 1/7 3Pt, 4rebs, 6asts, 5TO's)

In the key moments of this great series, it was Melo and not Kobe who shone the brightest as he stepped up time and time again, with big 4th quarter performances in both games one and three, including a game winning baseline jumper over Ron Artest to give Denver the 1-0 lead in the series. The blame for the series loss definitely shouldn't be put on Kobe Bryant's shoulders as he played amazingly over the three game series. Unfortunately, he did not get the type of support you'd expect from his teammates, specifically Pau Gasol, who was a shell of his All-Star credentials as Nene and Kenyon Martin kept him in check. Billups also made a mockery out of the Lakers' dodgy starting point guard, Derek Fisher. In the end the Nuggets get revenge for last year's Conference Finals' loss to the Lakers as they once again move within a few games of their first ever trip to the NBA Finals.


(2) Houston defeat (6) Phoenix 2-0

Series Recap:
Game 1: Houston 102 (Yao 29pts, 10rebs, 3blks) defeat Phoenix 101 (A.Stoudemire 35pts, 14rebs)
Game 2: Houston 94 (Yao 26pts, 12rebs, 3blks, 5TO's) defeat Phoenix 81 (L.Barbosa 35pts, 3stls)

The loss of one of their emotional leaders in Grant Hill proved too much to overcome for the Phoenix Suns as they fell agonisingly close in game one before being over-matched by Yao and T-Mac in game two. The Suns did make a big rally late in the 4th quarter of the opening game, however Steve Nash back rimmed an off-balance three point attempt on the buzzer as they lost to the Rockets by a single point. In the second game the Rockets kept the gameplan simple, just fed Yao and let him do the rest. The Suns didn't have an answer inside defensively to contain the big man as Yao and T-Mac make their first ever Western Conference Finals.

[dare]

Damn and I said that the Nuggets are the underdogs Melo is a monster hope Houston can stop him

[kibaxx7]

NBA Finals: Orlando-Denver

[Lamrock]

You must be pleased all the favorites advanced. Go Denver!

[Martti.]

Yes, the Lakers are out! Go Magic!

[Azzdogs]

Go Nuggets.

[Fresh8]

I'm going for Yao Ming. I like both Nuggets/Rockets but gotta go for the nice dude Yao.

[Mark.]

Yeah Nuggets Magic finals would be cool, although I think Atlanta may have Orlando's number this time.

[The X]

Damn and I said that the Nuggets are the underdogs Melo is a monster hope Houston can stop him

Yep, when you made the comments I had to keep stringing you along

You must be pleased all the favorites advanced. Go Denver!

Yep, the Dynasty Gods must be shining down on me

I'm going for Yao Ming. I like both Nuggets/Rockets but gotta go for the nice dude Yao.

Yao's been good so he'll be hard for Nuggets to stop.

Yeah Nuggets Magic finals would be cool, although I think Atlanta may have Orlando's number this time.

Yep, Hawks have been great to date but can they contain Dwight?

Seems almost everybody else rates Denver-Magic final too.

[The X]

2010 PLAYOFF PREVIEW - CONFERENCE FINALS
By The X
24 May 2010

And then there were four! With the top four seeds still in play, the powers of the NBA will battle for a trip to the 2010 NBA Finals. Let's take a quick look at each of the Conference Finals and I'll once again weigh in with my predictions:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

(1) Atlanta v (2) Orlando

Projected Lineups:
Atlanta: A.Horford/J.Smith/J.Johnson/J.Crawford/M.Bibby/M.Williams (6th)
Orlando: D.Howard/B.Bass/R.Lewis/V.Carter/J.Nelson/M.Pietrus (6th)

Key Injuries:
Atlanta: SG-J.Johnson (Hurt - Sprained Wrist)
Orlando: N/A

There hasn't been a better team in the playoffs to date than the Atlanta Hawks, but frankly they haven't had much competition, having swept aside the New York Knicks and Washington Wizards in the first two rounds. Last year's NBA finalist Orlando Magic is the first real test for this hungry Atlanta Hawks' team. The Hawks have the league's best defender in Josh Smith, the Magic have one of its best in Dwight Howard. Both teams have some scoring punch from the perimeter, although the Magic have an edge there. Both teams have some solid pieces off the bench too. I can see this series coming down to matchups. Can Al Horford contain Dwight Howard? Will Rashard Lewis cause matchup nightmares for the Hawks' defense? Can Vince Carter break out of his season long funk? Can Mike Bibby continue on his amazing purple patch? The answers to these questions will likely determine the team that will represent the Eastern Conference in this year's Finals. This one could and should be epic, but I once again can't bet against the Atlanta Hawks.

Prediction: Atlanta win series 2-1


WESTERN CONFERENCE

(1) Denver v (2) Houston

Projected Lineups:
Denver: Nene/K.Martin/C.Anthony/J.R.Smith/C.Billups/T.Lawson (6th)
Houston: Yao/L.Scola/S.Battier/T.Ariza/A.Brooks/T.McGrady (6th)

Key Injuries:
Denver: N/A
Houston: N/A

Carmelo Anthony has been unbelievable this post-season, but so has Houston's Yao Ming. This is the furthest that he's ever made it into the playoffs during his strong, but often injury-riddled NBA career, and he won't want to let what could be his best opportunity to win it all slip away. Whilst the popular pick in this series is Denver, something keeps drawing me back to the Houston Rockets. They have a healthy Yao and T-Mac for what seems to be the first time ever. Furthermore, McGrady seems to have accepted his sixth man role this season and at times has really thrived in it. Scola and Carl Landry are one of the best double-headed power forward combinations in the league. Battier will make life difficult for Melo and who can forget Trevor Ariza and his playoff heroics against the Nuggets only a year ago for the Lakers. I'm sure Melo and Billups will no doubt have a big say in this series, but I think Yao will prove too much in what may become his finest hour.

Prediction: Houston win series 2-1

[kibaxx7]

X's prediction: Rockets-Hawks?

[Lamrock]

I would probably lean towards a Rockets-Magic final prediction, but that's just me. Nuggets-Hawks sure would be something though.

[The X]

X's prediction: Rockets-Hawks?

Just a prediction, not what I hope for. I want to see Hawks-Nuggets gun it out. Last team I want to see in Finals is Rockets. Hopefully I'm wrong.

I would probably lean towards a Rockets-Magic final prediction, but that's just me. Nuggets-Hawks sure would be something though.

That it would

[dare]

Rockets VS Magics then finally Tmac will win his ring

[The X]

Rockets VS Magics then finally Tmac will win his ring

You are right with one team

Although atm I'm too annoyed by 2k's f**ken joke for a 2nd patch which seems to have screwed up simmed stats for 3pt shooting (so all big men take multiple 3pt attempts even though IRL they don't take any & tendency are at zero). F**ken ridiculous. Could be an Association killer, that's for sure, especially considering how enjoyable the game is after the 1st patch. Will have to wait & see. Maybe I can wind it back & just re-install the first patch. Unlikely though.

[Fresh8]

Rockets VS Magics then finally Tmac will win his ring

You are right with one team

Although atm I'm too annoyed by 2k's f**ken joke for a 2nd patch which seems to have screwed up simmed stats for 3pt shooting (so all big men take multiple 3pt attempts even though IRL they don't take any & tendency are at zero). F**ken ridiculous. Could be an Association killer, that's for sure, especially considering how enjoyable the game is after the 1st patch. Will have to wait & see. Maybe I can wind it back & just re-install the first patch. Unlikely though.

Yes... no way for the latter option? (Reinstall only first patch?)

[The X]

We shall see. I will see what others in community over at OS do & if others experience same feedback. Enough to dampen the spirits, that's for sure. Might be a good chance for me to get back into study though

[hova-]

Nuggets - Magic if you ask me. Kind of a new school final. (It just does not feel like the Magic have been to the Finals two times before)

[Valor]

damn, the new patch sucks that much? and here i am waiting to see what the long awaited PC patch will be like

rooting for a Rockets Magic finals, but that's not gonna happen according to you

[The X]

Whilst there is a 3pt sim bug present, I see no point in continuing this at this stage. I installed the 2nd 2k10 patch prior to simming Conference Finals. The 3pt shooting stats (Yao 4/5, Dwight 0/3, Pachuila 1/3 etc) were disturbing & across the board, not to mention that teams took between 20-35 three point attempts per game. Since my Association is about 60% sim, I can't honestly continue until they fix it. I have a save of the Association just prior to the Conference Finals sim so can return to that when needed.

Warning to everybody else, don't download new 2k patch when it comes out, unless you don't mind every big man in the league thinking they are Rasheed Wallace. Had I know the issues, I wouldn't have downloaded it, but such is life. I thought new patch was just dealing with online & My Player, so I thought no harm, but obviously not.

I guess this will work as a blessing in disguise as I need to put my head down & study hard over next month with one of my biggest exams of my life. I will be in the Association sections checking in though & if 2k fix this, then Bucks' Association will likely continue. Otherwise I'll take a look at starting a College Hoops 2k8 one. When shit like this happens, makes me wish I'd never traded in NBA 2k9 when getting 2k10. It is a shame, 2k10 plays a pretty good game but it's unacceptable that things like this can get through the cracks

Peace.

[hova-]

Yeah that sucks. Same goes for me then. I did not progress any further after I read it over at OS. Sucks to see this happen.

[Fresh8]

Sucks man. Good luck with the study though!

[Eirsej]

wow really? i downloaded the 2k patch yesterday but i didn't notice the simmed stats. that sucks. i tried not to download it but the game won't allow me to sign in. that's why i was forced to download. sucks really. seriously.

[kibaxx7]

Good luck with the studies X... hope 2k makes a better fix.

[dare]

Oh damn 2k patch I guess I will only read ALIBII and Thierry's dynasty when will a fixed or another patch will come? hopefully you can continue this soon.