Brick By Brick | Epilogue - Retired

[Solaris Phase Two]

Aww man a sweep, we played well axel. Maybe in the offseason we can celebrate a good rookie year. Hope ya get a better role on the team

[newc]

The big question of this off-season will be: When will Magic trade Howard and Kalnins to Lakers?

[Justine.]

Sucks to see James winning MVP again. Hope Thunder will win this time.

[Axel The Great]

Amazing the Jazz got that far. Would've been awesome to upset OKC and make the finals, but we would've been squashed by Miami anyways.

[megarover]

I thought the Jazz had a little bit more magic left in the tank. Impressive how far they made it though.

[Fresh8]

Sit is going to lead Phoenix next season to playoffs. Just you watch Leo Lai!

[Lamrock]

THUNDER WIN 2014 NBA FINALS



There will not be a three-peat for South Beach. Oklahoma City flipped the script on the 2012 Finals, getting revenge with a 5 game series win over the Heat to win their first championship as the Oklahoma City Thunder. OKC made a statement in the first game, blowing out Miami at their arena by 23. Miami escaped with a narrow win in game 2, but the Thunder would take all three games in Oklahoma City to celebrate on their home floor. Kevin Durant led the way with 25.4 points per contest, and was named the Finals Most Valuable Player.

Game 1: Thunder 108 @ Heat 85 (OKC leads 1-0)
Game 2: Thunder 85 @ Heat 86 (Series tied 1-1)
Game 3: Heat 109 @ Thunder 114 (OKC leads 2-1)
Game 4: Heat 85 @ Thunder 94 (OKC leads 3-1)
Game 5: Heat 95 @ Thunder 113 (OKC wins series 4-1)

(Russell Westbrook: 19.6 PPG, 7.3 APG, 4.5 RPG; LeBron James: 28.9 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 5.5 APG)

Finals MVP: Kevin Durant (25.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 4.8 RPG)

2013-14 NBA Champions: Oklahoma City Thunder

OKC Roster:
R. Westbrook (90^2)
J. Harden (83^1)
K. Durant (97^3)
S. Ibaka (84^2)
K. Perkins (76^3)
----------
E. Brand (68-6)
E. Maynor (72^2)
C. Douglas-Roberts (72^2)
A. Moultrie (70^2)
Ja. Crawford (69)
R. Jackson (68^1)
N. Mohammed (63^3)

[Its_asdf]

Glad to see a small market team bring the championship. Hopefully this mirrors how it will play out in real life since I really want KD to get a ring in the next few years.

[Valor]

Sit is going to lead Phoenix next season to playoffs. Just you watch Leo Lai!

I'm waiting

Good to see the Thunder take it against Miami, but I don't like Westbrick winning...sigh

[Justine.]

Congrats to the Thunder. Happy to see Durant winning a ring, and that cap

[deihatein]

Nice for the Thunder to win the championship. Sucks that I'm still backing up Jameer Nelson.

[Lamrock]

Closing the Book on 2013-14

Retirees



Players:
G Andre Miller (CHA) | 15 years pro | Age 38
C/F Tim Duncan (SA) | 17 years pro | Age 38 (HOF - 19.6 PPG, 11 RPG, 2.7 APG, 2.1 BPG, .7 SPG, 1275 games)
C/F Kevin Garnett (BOS) | 19 years pro | Age 38 (HOF - 18 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.5 BPG, 1.4 SPG, 1416 games)
G/F Mike Miller (MIA) | 14 years pro | Age 34
G/F Tracy McGrady (LAL) | 17 years pro | Age 35
G Vince Carter (DAL) | 16 years pro | Age 37

Coaches:
Flip Saunders (CHA) | 19 years | OFF: D | DEF: C | TCH: C | POT: C
Alvin Gentry (PHX) | 14 years | OFF: B | DEF: B | TCH: B | POT: B

2014 NLSC Player Averages

Leo Lai (GS): 19.8 PPG, 2.9 APG, 2.8 RPG
Andrew Watson (HOU): 18.7 PPG, 5.3 APG, 4.4 RPG
William Sit (PHX): 18.4 PPG, 2.2 APG, 2.2 RPG
Martti Must (MIL-SA): 18 PPG, 8.1 RPG
Kenny Young (DEN): 14.3 PPG, 3.6 APG
Julian Martin (DAL): 12.6 PPG, 5.7 APG, 3.1 RPG
Axel Gomez (PHI-UTA): 9.8 PPG, 2.6 APG, 2.4 RPG
Justine Crewhead (DET): 9.4 PPG, 3.4 RPG
Ray Cer (TOR): 8.2 PPG, 2 RPG, 1.4 APG
Janis Kalnins (ORL): 6.7 PPG, 1.3 APG, 9.9 MPG
Vinson Duroy (ORL): 6.5 PPG, 2.1 APG, 11.3 MPG
Shad O'Greene (MIN): 3.4 PPG, 3.9 APG, 2.8 RPG, .221% FG, .031% 3pt

Da'Vonte Hughes (UTA): 9.3 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 18.5 MPG
Dan Podolski (SAC): 1.4 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 13.6 MPG

[dare]

Players who I watch growing up retires, as of now I don't have a certain player to follow in today's generation.

[cavs4872]

Dan Podolski (SAC): 1.4 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 13.6 RPG

What should this be?

[Lamrock]

2014 OFF-SEASON PART 1

Team/Player Options:

All 7 of Charlotte's free agents had team options (excepting Dahntay Jones, who was let go), and the team opted to pick up 5 of them. The Hasheem Thabeet experiment was deemed a failure and not worth $2.3 million on the books, while the aging Dalembert will likely be replaced (even moreso) on the cheap. After four and a half seasons in New York with no Finals appearances, both Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire exercised their opt-out options and will be unrestricted free agents this summer.

Charlotte:

B. Beal (82) | $4.08 - 2 Year Team (Accepted)
K. Walker (77) | $3.45M - Team (Accepted)
J. Jenkins (67) | $1.01M - 2 Year Team (Accepted)
D. Lillard (68) | $946k - Team (Accepted)
B. Biyombo (65) | $4.09M - Team (Accepted)
S. Dalembert (61) | $800k - Team (Declined)
H. Thabeet (61) | $2.31M - Team (Declined)

Current Roster:
C - Pekovic / Asik [+]
PF - Bargnani / Biyombo / Caffee
SF - Deng / Chandler
SG - Beal / Henderson / Jenson
PG - Walker / Lillard

Shake Up On The Sidelines



The retirement of Flip Saunders left the Bobcats with a hole at the head coaching position. Fortunately, former Pacers coach Frank Vogel was available and agreed to a two year worth just over 3 million annually. Meanwhile, expensive NBA scout JuniorThomas was replaced by the younger (and much cheaper) Lowell Carr. Additionally, a very strong team of scouts were hired. Brian Shaw was extended to a modest 3 year deal and a solid staff was assembled for under 7 million a year.

Charlotte Bobcats 2014-15 Staff:

Coach: Frank Vogel
2 years, $3.15M
OFF: C | DEF: B | TCH: D | POT: C
Ast. Coach: Brian Shaw
3 years, $750k
OFF: C | DEF: C | TCH: C | POT: C
NBA Scout: Lowell Carr
2 years, $350k
LVL: D | POT: A
Prospect Scouts:
1. Chester Ford (LVL: A | POT: A) | 3 yrs, $1M
2. Andrew Justice (LVL: B | POT: A) | 2 yrs, $750k
3. Gerald Lindsey (LVL: B | POT: A) | 2 yrs, $750k
Trainer: Steve Stricker (LVL: B | POT: C) | 1 yr, $700k

Staff Total: $6.8 million/year


2014 NBA Draft:

Charlotte to pick 18th, 48th.

1. BRK - PG Jalen Kennedy (Age 22, ovr 78)
After rumors that they would trade down, the Brooklyn Nets bit the bullets and drafted a point guard. Kennedy was the consensus #1 prospect but the presence of Deron Williams on the roster makes one question the Nets' direction.
2. CLE - SF Gheorghe Bacu (age 20, ovr 80)
Cleveland may have gotten the best player in the draft in Romanian star Gheorghe Bacu. He will instantly help out on with scoring and rebounding.
3. MIN - C Melvin Torres (Age 20, ovr 70)
Minnesota hopes to solidify the interior and potentially form the best frontcourt duo in the league with Kevin- Wait a minute, we have a trade. Here's the commissioner....

"We have a trade to report. The Charlotte Bobcats will trade Gerald Henderson (73), Bismack Biyombo (67), the 18th pick in this draft and Andre Caffey (56) to
Minnesota for the Minnesota Timberwolves for Kevin Love (86) and a future 2nd round draft pick."



4. NO - SF Donald Peacock (Age 22, ovr 78)
The Hornets take the best player available and could have the best sixth man in the league in Donald Peacock. Peacock is an NBA-ready scorer who should make an instant impact.
5. PHX - PG Davor Alvenichev (Age 22, ovr 72)
The Suns hope Russian point guard can finally be their replacement for Steve Nash, and form a formidable (albeit small) backcourt with WIll Sit.
6. TOR - PF Tyler Rooks (Age 21, ovr 72)
Tyler Rooks joins Ray Cer and a very inexperienced Raptors squad. The perennially rebuilding Raps should offer plenty of playing time and possibly a starting spot for Rooks.
7. DEN - PG Chris Hov (Age 21, ovr 70)
If Ty Lawson was already on the outs, then Chris Hov must clinch it. The German point guard might be handed the keys to the underachieving Nuggets.
8. CHI - SF Ricky Collins (Age 20, ovr 67)
9. SAC - C Karl Malone Jr. (Age 21, ovr 70)
The son of Karl Malone was not happy to land on the Kings. The small market and presence of DeMarcus Cousins is not glamorous, but as Andrew Bynum once said, every city has a bank.
10. DEN - SF Tayfur Mansiz (Age 23, ovr 66)
11. MIL - PF Adam Conway (Age 23, ovr 70)
12. MIL - PG Ervin Moody (Age 21, ovr 67)
13. BOS - SG Taribo Afolabi (Age 20, ovr 65)
14. MIN - SG Stuart Winston (Age 22, ovr 63)

----------



This was an eventful draft night as far as trades went, headlined of course by Kevin Love to Charlotte. However, the Spurs acquisition of Nuggets guard Kenny Young to team up with their core of Bradley Rice and Martti Must could be one of those moves that gets them back to the top. Meanwhile, vets Jason Richardson and Andrei Kirilenko were swapped and Heat mainstay Udonis Haslem was traded to the Cavs for a pair of younger players.

Lakers trade #25 pick to San Antonio for C/F Tiago Splitter
Spurs trade #25 pick, L.R. Mbah a Moute to Denver for G K. Young, F C. Brewer
Knicks trade #28 pick to Denver for F Jordan Hamilton
Heat trade F/C U. Haslem, #39 pick to Cleveland for Edmund Rush, F Omri Casspi
Knicks trade F A. Kirilenko, #58 pick to Orlando for G Jason Richardson

----------

48. CHA - PG Travis Nichols (Age 20, ovr 52)

Travis Nichols signed to 2 yr, $1.3M deal.

Grading The Deal: Bobcats Acquire Kevin Love



The Bobcats managed to overshadow a strong draft class by acquiring perennial all-star Kevin Love and a future second rounder from the Timberwolves in exchange for guard Gerald Henderson, project big man Bismack Biyombo (67), the 18th pick in the draft (who became point guard Bryant Fletcher) and D-League all-star Andre Caffee. The big question everyone is asking is why the Timberwolves did it.

With one year remaining on his contract and no playoff appearances after six seasons with the Wolves, Love was expected to walk in the summer of 2015. With a starting 4 waiting in the wings in Derrick Williams, Minnesota opted to trade its franchise player for a hodge-podge of prospects and role players. Biyombo has yet to see significant NBA burn after three seasons, but is still a highly regarded prospect as his game continues to come around. Gerald Henderson can start at the 2 and Caffee will provide further frontcourt insurance. Still, with eight months until the trade deadline, surely they could have gotten more for one of the best players in the league.

Charlotte meanwhile gets another star to put next to Brad Beal, and sell high on expendable assets in Henderson and Biyombo. Some might say they made out like bandits, but Kevin Love has not opened contract extension negotiations. The deal nonetheless vaults them into the upper echelon in the West - perhaps a 2 seed, should they stay healthy.

Bobcats Grade: A
Wolves Grade: D

Current Bobcats Lineup:

PG: K. Walker (78^1) / D. Lillard (68^1) / T. Nichols (52)
SG: B. Beal (82) / J. Jenkins (67)
SF: L. Deng (82) / W. Chandler (75)
PF: K. Love (86) / A. Bargnani (77)
C: N. Pekovic (71^1) / O. Asik (58-11)

[Kenny]

Great additional to your lineup. You could have quite a unique lineup with Love and Bargs on the floor at the same time. Hopefully Love will have his best years in Charlotte (like he did in my dynasty).

As for my trade, I move from my favourite team to arguably my second favourite team. It's a shame it's sans Tim Duncan, but I still like the trade nonetheless. Denver was definitely a sinking ship.

[Ourumow]

Hi, I haven`t followed before, will try to catch up, but, I noticed that you have Beal instead of Kidd-Gilchrist. Did you draft it like that?

Also, good pickup on Love, he will prob. provide a better rebounding game inside.

EDIT: Ah, already checked that you drafted Beal, my bad.

[dare]

Love on the Bobcats? Did you propose that deal or did the CPU offered that to you?

[Lamrock]

badreligionau, Bargnani will be a super sixth man backing up at both the 4 and the 5. Offensively, the Love/Bargnani tandem should be amazing, but not so much on the other end. Your guy's a good fit on the Spurs. Nuggets got ripped off.

Ourumow, Thanks for checking this out. I'll keep tabs on your Bobcats one as well.

dare, Trade finder. Some might call the deal cheap, but they offered it (and I negotiated in that second rounder) and would have probably lost Love for nothing after another 35 win season. Go Bobcats!

[dare]

For some reason the CPU always offer me Kevin Love on trade finder. I think it was Seraphin, Vesely and 1st for Love.

[KidJustin]

from LOLcats to LOVEcats


side note...draftee Tyler Rooks might starts while ray cer still with min minutes of the bench.... craptors still suck

[Valor]

Damn man, that's straight robbery with Kevin Love, good job Love and Bargs down low ain't gonna stop anyone, but at least you got some more rebounds now and very good on the offensive end

On another note, really happy at my numbers, averaging just below 20-3-3 and leading all NLSCers in scoring Hope my Warriors can have a deeper playoff run next season

[Woogie98]

FINALLY!! I caught up..nice pick-up with LOVE FOLLOWING

[Justine.]

I certainly love it.

[rise]

You destroyed the Wolves. Congrats.