New Orleans Hornets Franchise

[Small Ball2k3]

I thought i'd post my Hornets Franchise that i've played the first season of.I 'll start the next season soon, any comments welcome.
Started off 5-8 with my small ball experiment of starting B.Davis at Small forward, Stephon Marbrury at shooting guard and myself (6’2” 81Overall) at point guard. My front court combo are two 6’9” players in Ben Wallace and Stromile Swift. With an avg. height of just 6’5” I would say my team would be the shortest starting line up in the league but I thought that this would play to my advantage with a speedy lineup. But when I have to match Baron Davis up against Garnett and Nowitzki having a 6’3” small forward isn’t so great. The biggest disappointment of the season was when N.Tskitishvili of the Nuggets dropping 29 points 9 rebounds 7 assists 8 blocks 5 steals on me when Baron had 4 points on 1/13 FG’s. so on the trade deadline I traded away Stephon Marbrury, Jamal Magliore and Bryce Drew for Jermaine O’Neil, Al Harrington and John Starks. With a new line-up of C-Ben Wallace, PF-Jermaine O’Neal, SF-Al Harrington, SG-Baron Davis, PG-ME. With this new line up I finished the season 12-3 good enough for fourth in the eastern conference.

C-Ben Wallace
PF-Jermaine O’Neal
SF-Al Harrington
SG-Baron Davis
PG-ME
6th C.Atkins
7th S.Swift
8th J.Starks
9th D.Gooden
10th A.Stoudemire
11th C.Alexander
12th S.Augmon
IR E.Watson
IR K.Haston
IR M.Bullard

MVP
T.Duncan 22ppg 10.7rpg 3apg 2.1bpg 0.6spg
6th Man and most improved*
C.Atkins 6.7ppg 0.3rpg 2.4apg 0.5bpg 1.1spg
Defensive*
B.Davis 24.5ppg 2.9rpg 1.8apg 3.2bpg 2.8spg
Rookie*
“ME” 13.9ppg 1.8rpg 8.0apg 2.8bpg 2.6spg

All NBA
Shaq
T.Duncan
S.Marion
Tmac
B.Davis*

All D
B.Wallace*
C.Webb
K.Garnett
E.Jones
B.Davis*

Rookie
“ME”*
C.Butler
N.Tskitishvili
D.Dickau
D.Wagner

*=New Orleans Hornet player

Game 1
4 NO 87 Vs 5 CHI 68

POG “ME” 18 points 9 assists
B.Davis 18 points 4 steals
B.Wallace 12 points 9 rebounds 3 blocks
J.O’Neal 13 points 7 rebounds 6 blocks
C.Atkins 12 points Off Bench


Round 2
Game 1
1 Orlando 84 VS 4 NO 90

POG “ME” 15 points 14 assists

J.Oneal 18 points 8 rebounds 9 blocks
B.Diddy 20 points 4 assists
b.wallace 8 points 10 rebounds

Tmac 22 points
P.Garrity 20 points 6 rebounds
G.Hill 14 points
Armstrong 12 points 8 assists.


Game 2
Orl 61 VS NO 81

POG B.Davis 22 points 8 assists

“ME” 12 points 5 steals
J.O’neal 10 points 5 blocks 3 steals
B.Wallace 6 rebounds

Tmac 14 points
M. Miller 11 points


Eatern Conference Finals
game 1
Boston 94 VS NO 84
Just noticed Jefferson playing for nets Celtics traded Roshen McCloed for him (Live AI screws up again its got to remember that the celtics make the crap trades and the nets will make a decent trade but then again they did trade for Dekembe.)
POG P.Peirce 20 points 4 steals 4 blocks

J.O’Neal 22 points 4 rebounds 6 blocks
B.Davis 19 points 4 assists 4 steals
“ME” 14 points 9 assists 4 steals 4 blocks
B.Wallace 4 points 7 rebounds

R.Jefferson 15 points 6 rebounds
E.Strickland 14 points 5 assists
T.Delk 13 points 6 assists
W.Mcartney 12 points
A.Walker 10 points 5 rebounds

Game 2
Boston 135 VS NO 133 OT2

POG P.Pierce 41 points 3 rebounds 3 assists 10 blocks

B.Davis 33 points 5 rebounds 4 assists 6 blocks 8 steals
“ME” 30 points^ 3 rebounds 18 assists^ 4 blocks 4 steals
j.starks 15 points 5 steals
J.Oneal 13 points 6 rebounds 6 assists 6 blocks 7 steals
B.Wallace 12 points 11 rebounds 5 blocks
C.Atkins 12 points 4 assists
A.Harrington 10 points 3 rebounds 2 assists
^=Career High

A.Walker 26 points 12 rebounds 4 assists 10b 3 steals
T.Battie 16 points 16 rebounds 3 blocks 2 steals
E.Strickland 15 points 8 assists
T.Delk 14 points 8 assists
R.Jefferson 8 points 4 rebounds 3assists 4 blocks 2 steals

Finals Celtics 2 Kings 1
2003champions: Boston Celtics
Play-off MVP: Paul Pierce

[Small Ball2k3]

major Retiree's-
MJ
Stockton
Malone
Ewing
(look as if david Robinson has changed his mind and contiued to play on)

Resigned Jermaine ONeal for 1.737million over 7 years which equates to 248200 points a year.

New Orleans front office decided not to resign veterens Matt Bullard and John Starks.

The Hornets have the 21st pick in the draft. Toronto got the number 1 pick followed by Denver, Cleveland and Miami.

For the 21st pick New Orleans picks 7 foot 2 inch 270 pound Donovan Ellis of Syracuse. he is scouted as having good shot swatting skills who finishes well inside and has good upper body strength. His weaknesses is that he is not commited to defence, his J needs work and that he wont beat anyone in a sprint. He has an average development potential.
The Hornets GM said that he selected Donovan Mainly due to his size and his shot swatting skills plus that he is only 19 years old

For the round two pick New Orleans selected 6 foot 7 inch 231 pound Trevor Oxford of UMass. He has Average development potential.
The Hornets GM said that Trevor would come off the bench and compliment the team with his hussle play.

Traded Drew Gooden, Earl Watson and Stacey Augmon for Clevelands Ricky Davis, Antonio Daniels and H.Jamison.

Projected line up
Center- Ben Wallace
Power Forward- Jermaine ONeal
Small Forward- Ricky Davis
Shooting Guard- Baron Davis
Point Guard- ME

6th A.Harrington
7th S.Swift
8th C.Atkins
9th D.Ellis (R)
10th A.Daniels
11th A.Stoudamire
12th T.Oxford

IR C.Alexander
IR K.Haston
IR H.Jamison

[Small Ball2k3]

Played the first two games of the season and won both against Two teams that failed to make the playoffs last season and drafted two point guards that are both starters. Maybe a Rivalry could start up against myself in the game and these rookie point guards.

Game 1- B.Diddy goes nuts and Hornets win Opener.
Raptors 100 @ Hornets 113
POG Baron Davis 42 points
Jermaine Oneal 18points 13 rebounds 3assists
ME 18 points 7 rebounds 13 assists
Ricky Davis 10 points 5 rebounds 5assists
Ben Wallace 6 points 8 rebounds 2 assists

Rookie Watch
D.Ellis 7 points 2 rebounds 1assists
T.Oxford 4 points 3rebounds 2 assists

Vince Carter 26 points 6rebounds
M.Petterson 27 points
1st overall pick P.Griggs 12 points 12 assists 5TO

Recap- had a strong performance against the raptors up by 20 points at one stage, only to have Toronto make a late run. Baron davis dominated Toronto’s Defence and Ricky Davis had a strong Debut with 10 points 5 rebounds 5assists. The number one pick in the draft P.Griggs faced off against last years ROY ME in his first pro game and showed that he could run the offence with 12 assists, but he was probably out played by the reigning ROY who had 18 points 7 rebounds 13 assists.


Game 2- I hit game winner to cool heat down.
Heat 99 @ Hornets 101
POG Me 20 points 9 rebounds 13 assists
Baron Davis 27 points 13/39FG 3 assists
Ricky Davis 16 points 2 rebounds
Jermaine Oneal 13 points 6 rebounds 3 assists
Ben Wallace 4 points 7 rebounds

Rookie Watch
D.Ellis 10 points 1 rebounds
T.Oxford 2 points 1 rebounds 3 assists

Heat
E.Jones 36 points 1 rebounds 1assists
C.Butler 17 points 3 rebounds
B.Grant 11 points 11rebounds 3 assists
4th pick A.Thompson 6points 3 rebounds 18 assists 7 TO

Recap- C.Butler hit a huge 3 to tie game at 99 with 3 seconds to go and it looked like we were going into OT but that was alright as we had been down by 10 points in the 4th Quarter. I used my last Time-out and made a plan to get the ball to Baron but that went out the window when I had my finger on the X button and it passed it to me, so I took two dribbles and hit a pull up J over Rookie PG Thompson with 0.7 seconds to win the game.


I think I will trade Amare Stoudemire because I dont want to be known as the person who ruined his career as he has not seen any Playing time because I have Stromile Swift and Rookie Ellis. I would probably look for a starting Small Forward with 3 points range and put Ricky D as Six man. Any Sugestions.

[The Big Racist]

why did you trade earl watson??ya know he makes all the small things...i just like him in live





wohooo my 200th post!

[Small Ball2k3]

why did you trade earl watson??ya know he makes all the small things...i just like him in live .

The main reason was to get the trade with the cavs to work but I also have Chucky Atkins, Who was MIP and 6 man last year and Earl didnt get any PT. But this season I'm not to happy with Atkins so he might not last the season.

[Small Ball2k3]

Played 2 more games and won both at home yet to play an away game. Current record 4-0

Game 3-
Portland 94 @ Hornets 107
POG Baron Davis 26 points 5 assists
Ricky D 23 points 4 rebounds 4assists
Jermaine Oneal 15 points 9rebounds
Ben Wallace 6 points 6 rebounds
ME 10 points 6 rebounds 7 assists
Rookie Watch
D.Ellis 10 points 2 rebounds
T.Oxford DNP-CD

B.Wells 18 points
D.Stoudamire 13 points 10 a
D.Anderson 14 points
D.Davis 11 points 7 rebounds
R.Patterson 10 points
J.Mcinnis 10 points 7 assists

Recap-close game untill the final four minutes when the Hornets went on a 19-3 run. Stoudamire scored the final 3 points for the trailblazers with a full court shot as time expired but when I looked on the instant replay after the game the shot was short. This would have really annoyed me if the game had been closer and it won them the game but beside that the teams running quite smooth with a 3-0 record.

Game 4
Philly 79 @ Hornets 86
POG Baron Davis 27 points 1 rebounds 1assists
Jermaine Oneal 16 points 11 rebounds 4 blocks 3 assists
Ricky D 14 points 2 rebounds 4 assists
Me 10 points 5rebounds 8 assists
Ben Wallace 2points 6 rebounds 2 blocks
Rookie Watch
D.Ellis 4 points 1rebounds 1 assists
Oxford 0 points in 2min

AI 27 points 1rebounds 1 assists
Snow 12 points 7 assists
T.Macculloch 6 points 5 rebounds 6assists

Recap- Defence won this game for us and a major factor it was Jermaine, Baron might have got POG but Jermaine was the heart of the team. He might not have scored a lot of points but he scored when we needed it, got some big blocks and 7 offensive rebounds. Didn’t really get a challenge I was hoping for from Philly because I knew AI was gonna get 30 or something but Van Horn and Coleman didn’t do anything.

[Colin]

Stoudamire scored the final 3 points for the trailblazers with a full court shot as time expired but when I looked on the instant replay after the game the shot was short. This would have really annoyed me if the game had been closer and it won them the game but beside that the teams running quite smooth with a 3-0 record.

At least in my experience, all long bombs at the buzzer that go in appear to be short on the replay. GP made one for me today that looked very short in the replay.

[Small Ball2k3]

Played first away game for the season at the Palace and it was the tightest game so far and I was lucky to pull away with the win. I know Stack should be playing with Wizards but Im playing on the PS2 and im to slack to make all the trades.

Game 5
Hornets 96 @ Pistons 94
POG Jermaine Oneal 23 points 10 rebounds 6 blocks
Baron Davis 25 points 5 assists
Ricky D 16 points 3 rebounds 2 assists
ME 8 points 4 rebounds 10 assists
Ben Wallace 2 points 6 rebounds
Rookie Watch
D.Ellis 2 points 1 block 1 steal
T.Oxford DNP-CD

Pistons
C.Billups 24 p11assists –Fouled Out-
E.Campbell 19points 9rebounds
Stackhouse 19 points 3 assists
G.Mccloed 17 points
C.Robinson 13 points 4 rebounds 9 steals

Recap- I have to wonder about NBA Lives AI because I don’t think Joe Dumars would get GM of the Year with this line up, because the bench was a complete joke it went C, C, PF, C, PF, PF and finally SF. When Billups fouled out they had to use G.Mccloed (SF) at point and he got 7 T.O. But what worse was when Stack got into foul trouble they had to use Robert Traylor (PF) to defend Baron Davis. I think Baron scored 12 points on him in 4 minutes before they put Stack back in. Oneal came up big again grabbing a huge offensive rebound and tipping it back in with less than a second to go.

-GM note
The Hawks offered Center N.Mohammed (76) for Center Ben Wallace. (85)
I declined the Offer.

BTW did any one watch watch sixty minutes(Australia) about the adult Video games. it was pretty sweet when they had the guy from BBS or CBS and they motion captured him and he was in Live. That shot he did should be in the game.

[Small Ball2k3]

Game 6
Hornets 110 @ Kings 114
POG Jermaine Oneal 32 points 8 rebounds 9 assists 2 blocks
Baron Davis 39 points 8/13 3ptrs 3 rebounds 2 assists
ME 16 points 2 rebounds 7 assists FOULED OUT
Ricky D 10 points 5 rebounds 4 assists
Ben Wallace 0 points 6 rebounds 5 blocks
Rookie Watch
D.Ellis 6 points 3 rebounds 1 assists 1 steal
T.Oxford DNP-CD

Kings
P.Stojakovic 19 points 1 Rebounds 3 assists
CWEBB 17 points 2 rebounds 6 assists
D.Christ 14 points 2 assists
B.Jackson 13 points 1 rebounds 4 assists
K.Clark 11 points 2 rebounds
M.Bibby 11 points 2 rebounds 12 assists
G.Wallace 10 points 1 assists

Recap- Well we finally lost and it wasn’t if I played a bad game it was just that SAC are such a well balanced side and every one is a threat, where on my side a lot of the Offensive comes through Baron and Jermaine. There was a couple of huge pluses though, Baron had his best shooting game 14/20 FG and 8/13 behind the line and Jermaine seems to be MVP material after the last few games. Actually he was a main reason for getting this game as close as it was because at three Quarter time we were by 14 points and in the last quarter Jermaine scored 16 points grabbed 6 rebounds blocked 2 shot and handed out 3 assists that resulted in three 3 pointers. Only problem, got the 8-1 Lakers at LA next.Bugger

[Drex]

Good Franchise! Keep it up! It's not hard to beat the Lakers. Hope you win the game.

[Small Ball2k3]

Game 7
Hornets 113 @ Lakers 115 OT
POG SHAQ 32 points 9 rebounds
D.Fisher 25 points 12 assists
Kobe 18 points 4 rebounds 3 assists
R.Horry 15 points 5 rebounds

Hornets
Jermaine Oneal 36 points 17 rebounds 5 assists 7 blocks
Ricky D 28 points 1 rebounds 4 assists
Baron Davis 18 points 2 rebounds 7 assists FOULED OUT
Stro Swift 14 points 4 rebounds 4 assists
ME 12 points 3 rebounds 5 assists
Ben Wallace 3 points 8 rebounds

Recap- started off the game with a different starting line up to combat the Lakers consisting of C B.Wallace, PF J.Oneal, SF A.Harrington, SG Ricky D, PG B.Davis. But was really Different is that I only used a 7 man rotation with Stro and me coming off the bench, (yes I benched myself.)
But this line-up didnt go to plan and I was down by 15 at half time. Our challenge was made more difficult when Baron Davis fouled out in the fourth quarter but but I (computer version) hit two free throws to tie the game with 10 seconds to go, Fisher missed a 15 foot game winner as time expired. In over time it was neck and neck untill I thought I had the win when I (computer version again) hit two more free throws to give us a one point lead and then I went down the other end and blocked a shot by Shaq (im 6 foot 2.) but my dreams of beating lakers was short lived as Fisher hit a three pointer as time expired. One thing did come from this game though Al Harington will have to go because he scored 2 points on 1 of 8 shooting and iu have given him a lot of opportunity but he cant seem to produce and another thing I didn’t use rookie D.Ellis because Shaq scored 32 points on Ben Wallace just imagine what he would do on a 68 overall rookie. lol
two loses in a row looks like ill have to turn it around next game against the 1win and 5 losses wizards in washington.

Good Franchise! Keep it up! It's not hard to beat the Lakers. Hope you win the game.

thanks for the compliment DR3X_14 and about the Lakers in my previous games against them i think i have beat them every time and Shaq and Kobe score about 10 points each. but this time I changed there strategy in true Phil Jackson fashion, sideline triangle. This time they seemed to go through Shaq a lot more and Kobe played alright instead of D.George scoring 20+ points and Derek Fisher going nuts, even though in this game fisher scored 25 points and had 12 assists Ive had games where he has swapped identities with superman and scored 40 points and 20 assists.

[Small Ball2k3]

GM Statement

Today the New Orleans Hornets and the Miami Heat have reached an agreement of which New Orleans will send Vetren point guard Chucky Atkins who was last years MIP and 6th man, second year player Amare Stoudemire and Courtney Alexander who has been on the IR list so far this year to the Miami Heat. To fulfill the trade Miami will send Flashy point guard Rafer Alston, Vetren Small Forward Laphonso Ellis and second year small forward Rasual Buttler.

Hornets GM: I feel that this trade works well for both teams as Miami get a starting Center in Stoudemire who replaces Alonzo Mourning who signed with Seattle in the off season and 2 quality back ups in Atkins and Alexande, and we get a street ball legend in Rafer Alston and expirenced small forward Laphonso Ellis who will provide Low post scoring. Both Rafer and Laphonso will suit up against Washington.

[Power And Proud]

Arg! You traded Amare??? You traded Amare???

[Colin]

You actually accepted Laphonso!!! Are you crazy??? Instead of Amare. That was quite a dumb trade.

[Small Ball2k3]

the only reason I made this trade was to get skip 2 my lou, and Amare has only played 5 minutes in 7 games, I know this is my fault but Ive got Jermaine ONeal who has been playing huge lately, Ben Wallace, Stromile Swift and rookie 7 foot 2 inch Donovan Ellis bwho im going to try and develop.
Plus Laphonso only has one year left on his contract and Im planning on signing one of the upcoming free agents, eg Tim Duncan, Jason Kidd and Rasheed Wallace plus many more.

[Small Ball2k3]

Game 8
Hornets 92 @ wahington 93
POG Jermaine Oneal 36 points 20rebounds 3 assists 3 blocks
Rip. Hamilton 28 points 2 rebounds 2 assists
Haywood 15 points 2 rebounds 1 assists
Lue 12 points 2 rebounds 13 assists
Kwame Brown 11 points 5 rebounds 2 assists
Hornets
B.Davis 17 points 5 assists
Me 14 points 2 rebounds 7 assists

Recap- well looks like I underestimated the young wizards as I lost by 1 point as my losing streak continues to 3 games, to make my record 5-3. I thought I had this game at half time as everything was going my way even Jermaine ONeal hit a three pointer. I had the lead all game untill half way through the fourth quarter. with 35 seconds to go we were down 4 points Baron Davis hit his first three pointer for the match and at the other end Larry Highs turned the ba over and Jermane ONeal called a time out. Baron Davis got the ball with about 10 seconds to go and launched a 15 foot Jump shot to win but it was short and Kwame Brown grabbed the rebound. Rafer Alston had 7 points and 1 assist in 9 minutes.

[Small Ball2k3]

this has nothing to do with my franchise, but does any one know why in the game they call Rip Hamilton, Rip instead of Richard and the same thing with Popeye Jones instead of Ronald (I think thats his real name)

[Colin]

they're nicknames that are used every single time when talking about a player. Nobody says Richard Hamilton, they all say Rip. Same with Popeye. A player like Muggsy Bogues (real name Tyronne or something I believe) would get this too.

[Small Ball2k3]

thanks Colin, I just thought in all the other NBA Lives they put them under there real names

[Small Ball2k3]

thinking of making a trade with the dallas Mavricks, where I send them Ben Wallace, Al Harrington and Skip (I know I just traded for him but its the only way to get this trade to work) for Rasheed Wallace, Nick Van Exel and a second rond pick.

[Colin]

second round pick??? Are you playing 2K3? Anyways, looks like a good trade.

[Small Ball2k3]

second round pick??? Are you playing 2K3? Anyways, looks like a good trade.

Im playing NBA Live 2003 on PS2 and its someone Dallas drafted in the second round that I couldnt bother getting his name as he probably will be put on IR for the rest of the season, till his contract runs at the end of the season.

[Bill Russell]

Man, I didn't like this trade... You got nothing out of them.

[Small Ball2k3]

Played 2 more games and went 1-1. The main highlight though was beating the defending Champs. (still cant believe the Celtics won it)
Game 9
Hornets 122 @ Boston 114
POG Jermaine Oneal 20 points 16 rebounds 3 assists 3 blocks
Baron Davis 34 points 3 rebounds 4 assists
Ricky D 28 points 5 rebounds 3 assists
ME 12 points 8 assists 1 rebound
Ben Wallace 4 points 10 rebounds 1 assists
Rookie Watch
D.Ellis 6 points 6 rebounds 3 blocks
T.Oxford 2 assists

Celtics
A.Walker 22 points 8 rebounds 4 assists
P.Pierce 28 points 3rebounds 3 assists
T.Delk 24 points 8 assists

Recap- Eastern Conference Finals rematch was always going to be good with both teams pair of stars performing excellent with Baron Davis and Jermaine Oneal combing for 54 points 19 rebounds and 7 assists compared to Walker and Pierce 50 points 11 rebounds and 7 assists. But the game would be won at the small Forward position with Ricky D scoring 28 points to Richard Jeffersons 2 points 3 rebounds and 1 assists.

Game 10
Hornets 95 @ Indiana 96
POG S.Marbury 10 points 14 assists
Indiana
R.Mercer 16 points
A.Chroshere 15 points
Bender 14 points 5 rebounds
Artest 13 points
B.Miller 7 points 11 rebound 7 assists

Hornets
Baron Davis 32 points 2 rebounds 5assists
Jermaine Oneal 19 points 17 rebounds 8 blocks 2 assists
Stro 16 points 3 rebounds 3 assists
Ricky D 12 points 4 rebounds 3 assists
Ben Wallace 3 points 8 rebounds 2 assists 3 steals
Rookie Watch
D.Ellis 6 points 3 rebounds 3 assists

Recap- Pissed off I lost this one, as Baron Davis hit a three pointer to tie the game at 96 but they only counted it as a 2 pointer. Even in shot display it looked about 1 or 2 feet behind the arc. Not happy