Rewriting History of 04 : Pistons, 6-0: Warriors next

[Yougi]

Finally, my end of the year post!

The Standings

Western Conference

LA Lakers 24-4
Dallas 18-10
Portland 20-8
Memphis 17-11
Utah 17-11
Minnesota 16-12
LA Clippers 15-13
San Antonio 15-13

Phoenix 14-14
Denver 13-15
Golden State 13-15
Sacramento 12-16
Houston 11-17
Seattle 10-18

Eastern Conference

New Orleans 16-12
New Jersey 16-12
Indiana 16-12
Boston 15-13
Miami 15-13
New York 14-14
Orlando 13-15
Toronto 13-15

Milwaukee 12-16
Washington 12-16
Chicago 10-18
Atlanta 10-18
Detroit 10-18
Philadelphia 10-18
Cleveland 9-19

The hottest finish was a 14 game winning streak to end the season, by the Los Angeles Lakers.
The coldest finish was a 5 game losing streak to end the season, by the Detroit Pistons.

The Awards

MVP:
Official: Shaquille O’neal, LAL

MIP:
Official: Damone Brown, NJN

6th Man of the Year:
Official: Stromile Swift, MEM

Defensive Player of the Year:
Official: Ben Wallace, DET

Rookie of the Year:
Official: TJ Ford, MIL

All-NBA Team 1st team:
Shaquille O’neal, LAL
Kevin Garnett, MIN
Vince Carter, TOR
Tracy McGrady, ORL
Allen Iverson, PHI

All-NBA 2nd team:
Kenyon Martin, NJN
Tim Duncan, UTAH
Lamar Odom, LAC/CLE
Kobe Bryant, LAL
Jason Kidd, GSW

All-Defensive 1st team
Ben Wallace, DET
Kevin Garnett, MIN
Andreï Kirilenko, Utah
Paul Pierce, BOS
Jason Kidd, GSW

All-Defensive 2nd team
Kenyon Martin, NJN
Chris Webber, SAC
Shawn Marion, PHO
Tracy McGrady, ORL
Allen Iverson, POR

All-Rookie 1st team:
TJ Ford, MIL
LeBron James, CLE
Dwayne Wade, MIA
Carmelo Anthony, DEN
Chris Bosh, TOR

All-Rookie 2nd team:
Chris Kaman, LAC
Zarko Cabarkapa, DET
Nick Collison, SEA
Darko Milicic, ATL
Josh Howard, DAL

[Yougi]

The Leaders

Leading Scorer:
Kobe Bryant, LAL, 31.8
Tracy McGrady, ORL, 29.0
Shaquille O'neal, LAL, 26.7
Dirk Nowitzki, DAL, 25.7
Paul Pierce, BOS, 25.2
Allen Iverson, PHI, 25.1
Tim Duncan, Utah, 24.6
Baron Davis, SEA, 24.0
Jermaine O'neal, WAS, 23.6
Chris Webber, SAC, 23.1

Rebounding King:
Kevin Garnett, MIN, 13.3
Shaquille O'neal, LAC, 12.8
Tim Duncan, Utah, 11.6
Jermaine O'neal, WAS, 10.6
Ben Wallace, DET, 10.6
Kenyon Martin, NJN, 10.0

Assist Leader:
Jason Kidd, GSW, 8.5
Jason Williams, MEM, 8.2
Gary Payton, NJN, 7.8
Marc Jackson, Utah, 7.1
Allen Iverson, PHI, 7.1
Jamal Tinsley, IND, 7.1

Block Leader: Ben Wallace, DET, 4.5
Steal Leader: Allen Iverson, PHI, 2.6

THE PLAYOFFS

1st round:
In the East, the New Orleans Hornets faced the 8th seeded Toronto Raptors in the first round. The Hornets won in 5

The Boston Celtics faced the Miami Heat, and the series went to seven games, as expected, with the C's showing more maturity in Game 7.

The Indiana Pacers face the 6th seed New York Knicks, and the impossible happened; not only did the Knicks won, but they did so in four games, sweeping the Pacers.

The 2nd seed, the Nets, also got their butt handed to them by the Magic, in 5 games.

In the West, the first round saw an awful lot of surprises. The biggest one was in the Lakers/Spurs match-up. The Lakers, after winning their last 14 games of the season, were unable to win a single one against Elton Brand and Brad Miller, and the Spurs swept the league best Lakers.

The Mavericks, who were, thanks to winning hteir division, the 2nd seed, beat the Clippers in an awfully long 7 games series.

The Portland Blazers, who were one of only 2 teams to record 20 wins this season (the other being, of course, the Lakers), got beaten in 5 games by Keving Garnett and the Timberwolves.

Finally, Tim Duncan and the Utah Jazz beat the Memphis Grizzlies, allowing them to move to hte second round after a 6 game series.

2nd round
In the East, Ray Allen's Hornet faced Paul Pierce's Celtics, and it was soon over, as the Hornet swept the C's in 4 games.

The two urprises of the East, New York and Orlando, went on to a marathon of 7 games, with Orlando ultimately finishing first.

In the West, the Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki was incredible, and too much to handle for Kevin Garnett and his Wolves, as Dallas cruised to the Conference Finals in 6 games.

The much heralded match-up between Tim Duncan, now of the Utah Jazz, and his former team, the San Antonio Spurs, was one for the age, yet Tim Duncan reminded San Antonio how good he is, by winning the series almost single handedly in 6 games.

Conference Finals
The Hornets faced the 7th seed Orlando Magic, and as expected, it was Ray Allen that got the best out of the superstar match-up, getting to the finals for his first time, after 5 games.

In the Westm it seemed a little easier, as the Jazz' Tim Duncan sprained his ankle, allowing the Mavericks to get to the Finals in 4 games.

THE FINALS

In the Finals, Dirk Nowitzki and his peers were too much to handle for the Hornets, and the MAVERICKS got crowned World Champion, after a 5 game series. Dirk Nowitzki was named Finals MVP.

[Yougi]

The Lottery

Atlanta got the first pick, despite only 6.4% odds.
Chicago got the second pick, despite finishing 4th worst this season.
Cleveland got the third pick, despite finishing worst for the second straight year.
Houston's pick, the 7th, will be Orlando's after the Grant Hill trade.

So the draft order for the first 13 picks will be:

1. Atlanta
2. Chicago
3. Cleveland
4. Seattle
5. Philadelphia
6. Detroit
7. Orlando
8. Sacramento
9. Washington
10. Milwaukee
11. Golden State
12. Denver
13. Phoenix

RETIRING PLAYERS:

Jon Barry, DET
Marc Jackson, Utah
Tony Massenburg, SAC
Karl Malone, PHI
Avery Johnson, DAL (new Champion)

[Yougi]

THE DRAFT

Pick Team Position Name Overall
1 ATL SG T. Sharp 74
2 CHI SF B. Silver 73
3 CLE SG I. Connor 74
4 SEA PF M. Johnson 73
5 PHI SF A. Byrd 68
6 DET SG C. Shand 72
7 ORL (HOU) SG I. Douglas 72
8 SAC SG V. Pratt 62
9 WAS PF E. Mohammed 61
10 MIL PF D. Wheat 61
11 GSW PF K. Easton 60
12 DEN SG B. Brack 59
13 PHO SG M. Fielding 63
14 TOR C J. Cummings 55
15 ORL PG R. Oyekanmi 60
16 NYK PG M. James 58
17 MIA C E. Benzer 55
18 SAS SG P. Christian 53
19 LAC PG C. Fergusson 50
20 BOS SG N. Crisp 50
21 NJN SF S. Bradford 54
22 NOH SG John Armstrong 54
23 MIN SG A. Akindende 48
24 IND C J. Fallas 48
25 UTAH PG S. Janson 48
26 MEM SG L. McDyess 47
27 SEA (DAL) SF R. Wallace 47
28 POR SG E. Everett 49
29 LAL SG C. Westcott 48
30 CLE SF T. Harris 46
31 SEA PG F. Muller 45
32 PHI SF H. Childs 44
33 CHI SG D. Fisher 47
34 DET SF B. Beatty 43
35 ATL SG D. Sanders 41
36 HOU C C. Ross 41
37 DEN (SAC) SG C. Hagman 46
38 WAS PF R. Grodin 41
39 MIL PF D. Booth 40
40 GSW SF S. Wiggins 42
41 DEN SG T. Craft 39
42 PHO SG G. Manley 38
43 TOR SG J. Jackson 38
44 ORL PG D. Hampton 38
45 NYK PG James Armstrong 36
46 MIA C A. Garren 35
47 SAS SF D. Templeton 35
48 NYK (LAC) C R. Graham 38
49 BOS SG S. Gamble 35
50 NJN SG B. Massenburg 33
51 NOH SG E. Arthur 31
52 MIN C T. Valentine 34
53 IND PG S. Shields 31
54 UTAH PF M. Hasler 31
55 MEM SF J. Ryan 30
56 DAL PG N. Madera 30
57 POR C S. Smart 31
58 LAL PG A. Wolf 29

[Martti.]

Wow.. A 29 rated rookie.. You were lucky with your 72..

T.J Ford the ROY in a class with Wade, Melo, Lebron and Bosh.. That's hilarious..

Good luck in the next season..

[k-d]

Too bad dinasty.. only 5-6 pictures.. as 1st increase the quality of recaps, it's too low!

[Yougi]

To -km-: the draft class of '04 in this dynasty seems incredible, with 6 rookies in the 70s, and yeah, TJ being ROY is pretty funny, especially if we compare him with other rookies:

FORD: 14.2 ppg, 5.0 apg (team did not make playoffs, down 1 game)
JAMES: 20.8 ppg, 4.2 apg, 8.4 rpg (team was worst in NBA)
WADE: 18.1ppg, 4.4 apg (team did make playoffs)
ANTHONY: 15.7 ppg, 3.5 apg (team did not make playoffs, down 2 games)

Depending on the importance of team record in the choice of the RoY, it's either James or Wade.

To k-durant: you suck. If you're unhappy about the quality of this dynasty, realise I won't change anything for you, as I'm only doing it for my one own pleasure. If you're looking for another style of dynasty, go search for another one. On the sun.

[Yougi]

TRANSACTIONS

New champion and Finals MVP demands a trade
Three days after being crowned Finals MVP by NBA Commissionner, Dirk Nowitzki publicly asked for a trade. “I’m proud to have accomplished what I did, but I am sorry that it was not for another team. The Mavericks have done things to me that make them undeserving that moment of fame. The only thing that kept me here for this long was that I was playing with my best friend,” Dirk said. It is the second straight year the reigning Finals MVP will quit his team, just like Tim Duncan did last year. Almost every team will make a proposal.

Knicks believe Magloire the next Ewing
According to New York’s GM, their latest signing, Jamal Magloire, has “the potential to develop into a dominant center at the level of Patrick Ewing, and even beyond that.”

Darius Miles back as a Clipper
After leaving Los Angeles to play for the Cavaliers, Darius Miles decided that this summer, he would come back as a Clipper, for the greater good of the team. It is said that Miles could become their starting four.

Manu Ginobilli leaves San Antonio
Today, Spurs’ shooting guard announced he would not wear a Spurs jersey ever again, making it clear he would not re-sign with San Antonio. Main suitors for his skills are Phoenix, Indiana, Denver and Boston.

Toronto gets David Wesley, send Antonio Davis to Orlando

Complete roster shake-up for the Suns
After last year’s disappointing season, in which they barely missed the playoffs and saw their attendance cut by half, the Suns’ GM decided the summer would be pretty full of changements.

Kenyon Martin now a Magic
After enjoying his best season as a pro, getting career-highs in both scoring (17.4), shooting (48.8%) and rebounding (10.0) as a Net, center Kenyon Martin decided to team with Tracy McGrady and the team that knockedh im out of the playoffs to form one of the deadliest duo in the league.

Spree to replace Manu
After Manu Ginobilli decided to publicly announce he would not re-sign as a Spur, San Antonio decided to replace him with swingman Latrell Sprewell. Given their past stories, that move was followed by the departure of assistant coach Carlesimo. Sprewell will join ex-teammate Tim thomas on the Spurs' line-up.

Detroit, Memphis swap Rip and Swift

Cleveland get a point, NJ replace K-Mart
After K-Mart’s departure from New Jersey to go to Orlando, the Nets worked a deal with the Cavaliers which brought center Zydraunas Ilgauskas to Cleveland for point guard Gary Payton.

Phoenix acquire Paul Pierce, James Jones, gives up Amaré Stoudemire, Shawn Marion

Gary Trent joins the Rockets
After the two enormous trades that brought superstar Stephon Marbury and reigning Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki to Houston, the Rockets decided that the final piece for the Rockets to contend was Gary Trent, who will become the banger backing up Dirk when he needs a breather, just like he was last year in Dallas.

Arroyo, Fizer becoming Bucks

Lonny Baxter and Trenton Hassell shows new defense-oriented Nets

Seattle sends Raef to Atlanta for stopper Posey

Houston gets two huge superstars in the same day
Today was one hell of a big one for the Rockets. On the same day, the Rockets got their hand on reigning Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki by sending center Yao Ming and guard Adrian Griffin to Dallas, and got rid of Steve Francis, sending him to Golden State, getting guard Stephon Marbury in return. Antawn Jamison was sent to Phoenix in the process.

Phoenix happy with Tawn, STAT had to go

Atlanta get banger Eric Williams

Kings get Kirilenko, sends Jim Jackson and Peeler to Utah

Manu Ginobilli chooses Phoenix

Boston send Toine and Rasho to Detroit, get reigning DpoY

Indiana misses on Manu, goes with Brent Barry

Milwaukee and Cleveland swap Ollie and Gadzuric

Detroit gets Curry
In a last day trade, the Pistons got a much needed scorer in Eddy Curry in a three-way deal that sent swingman Morris Peterson to Chicago, and forwards Mike Dunleavy Jr and Cliff Robinson to Toronto.

Kwame Brown now a Sun, Bobby Jackson now a Wizard

[Lamrock]

Wow, instead of LeBron being ROY, and the Pistons winning the title, TJ Ford wins ROY, and Detroit misses the playoffs!!! Wow.

[Chaser7]

Woah dude are you making all these trades or is hte computer, because the computer usually does not make this many trades....
but hella funny alternate universe... hahahaha nice!

[Clutch]

Jamal Magloire, has “the potential to develop into a dominant center at the level of Patrick Ewing, and even beyond that.”

man, that made my night!

[Yougi]

To Lamrock: Yeah, kind of weird.. and disappointing, for the missed playoffs part. But what you want! There's always next year. I won'T disappoint you guys!:P

To nbarulez: I'm doing them. On 04, the computer rarely trade players over 60 in overall, and never trade players over 70. And I like seeing different line-ups. That's why I like those games so much. And thanks for following it! And by the way, thanks to all you guys who follow more or less my dynasty. It's hard to get motivated, and to get the time, but I swear I will start updating regularly again!

To Bam: I find it funny too Hope you guys all realise I wasn't serious on that one! I just find it very Zeke-esque.

ATLANTA HAWKS:
PG: Gilbert Arenas (71)/ J. Forte (59)
SG: T. Sharp (74, R)/T. Hansen (52)
SF: Glenn Robinson (72)/E. Williams (55)/Lee Nailon (50)
PF: Shareef Abdur-Rahim (78)/Darko Milicic (63)/Hedo Turkoglu (55)
C: Raef LaFrentz (68)/Theo Ratliff (65)

Last year’s record: 10-18, did not make playoffs

Match-up battle: There might be an interesting battle between Raef and Theo about the starting job, and maybe Darko can have a shot also.

Players who got better: Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Glenn Robinson, Raef LaFrentz, Joe Forte, Theo Ratliff.

Expectation: The past season they ran drive and dish with Arenas, with him averaging 20.8 ppg, and the strategy will probably be even more interesting, with the additions of shooting big Raef LaFrentz and this year’s top rookie, off-guard Sharp. Expect Gilbert’s assist total to go up.

BOSTON CELTICS:
PG: E. Strickland (58)/M. Banks (56)
SG: T. Delk (61)/ N. Crisp (50, R)
SF: Shawn Marion (82)/K. Brown (52)/M. Claves (42)
PF: Amaré Stoudemire (67)/V. Baker (50)
C: Ben Wallace (78)/Tony Battie (60)/K. Perkins (51)

Last year’s record: 15-13, beat the Heat in 7 in round 1, lost to the Hornets in 4 in round 2

Match-up battle: The heat will be on the point guard duties, between Strickland and Banks. The battle is wide-open.

Players who got better: Ben Wallace.

Expectation: We can’t really base anything on last year’s team, as it was an offensive juggernaut, lead by Pierce and Walker, yet both were traded, and now it looks like a team lacking a leader on offense. Let’s hope Delk, Crisp or Banks will step up. The team looks loaded on defense (with Marion and Wallace), but none of them can create shots. If one of the guard turns into a Magic Johnson, or if the Matrix or STAT’s potential explode, they are a team to watch. If not, they will hope to get a point guard in the lottery next year.

CHICAGO BULLS:
PG: Jamal Crawford (66)/Jay Williams (60)/Eddie House (55)
SG: Morris Peterson (67)/Dajuan Wagner (59)
SF: B. Silver (73, R)/E. Robinson (60)/I. Newble (54)
PF: Antonio McDyess (69)/Al Harrington (65)
C: Tyson Chandler (72)/Eric Dampier (61)

Last year’s record: 10-18, did not make the playoffs

Match-up battles: A whole lot of them. The biggest ones will be between Robinson and Wagner as back-up off-guards, Between McDyess and Harrington as starting four, and between Crawford and Williams for the starting point duties.

Players who got better: Tyson Chandler, Jamal Crawford, Eric Dampier, Dajuan Wagner.

Expectation: The addition of rookie Bryan Silver with the 2nd pick will help the Bulls tremendously, and, they hope, turn out like their last top 3 pick. They are a deep team, with very good chances of making the playoffs, but very low chances of getting deep in them.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS:
PG: Gary Payton (72)/E. Watson (58)
SG: I. Connor (74, R)/M. Jaric (61)
SF: LeBron James (81)/A. Croshere (58)/M. Pietrus (49)
PF: Lamar Odom (76)/Carlos Boozer (67)
C: Jonathan Bender (67)/C. Mihm (51)/D. Gadzuric (49)

Last year’s record: 9-19, worst team in NBA

Match-up battles: An important one between Bender and Boozer.

Players who got better: LeBron James, Lamar Odom, Jonathan Bender.

Expectation: With an incredible starting line-up and great back-ups, the Cavaliers will not three-peat as worst team in the league. They are a lock for the playoffs. You can’t go wrong with that line-up.

DALLAS MAVERICKS:
PG: Steve Nash (79)/Eric Snow (66)
SG: Michael Finley (84)/A. Griffin (49)
SF: Josh Howard (68)/Aaron McKie (63)/Tariq Abdul-Wahad (48)
PF: Rashard Lewis (73)/E. Najera (53)
C: Yao Ming (75)/Michael Olowokandi (63)/Shawn Bradley (58)

Last year’s record: 18-10, beat the Clippers in 7, beat the Wolves in 6, beat the Spurs in 4, beat the Hornets in 5, became NBA Champions

Match-up battle: None

Players who got better: Steve Nash, Josh Howard

Expectation: With the departure of their best player, there is no way the Mavs will repeat. They got a very strong starting 5, yet their bench is paper thin. They will probably be a first round and out type of team.

DENVER NUGGETS:
PG: Jason Terry (67)/L. Harrington (55)/K. Anderson (54)
SG: B. Brack (59, R)/S. Parker (55)
SF: Carmelo Anthony (71)/ V. Yarbrough/K. Gill (51)
PF: Shane Battier (73)/S. Kemp (53)
C: V. Divac (59)/L. Woods (56)

Last years’s record: 13-15, did not make playoffs

Match-up battles: Brack and Yarbrough as starting off-guard, Woods and Divac as starting center.

Players who got better: Shane Battier, Carmelo Anthony, Loren Woods.

Expectation: With the improvement of Battier and Anthony, the Nuggets will make some damage. Don’t expect them to make the playoffs though, unless they make a move for a center or Woods explode.

DETROIT PISTONS:
PG: Chauncey Billups (71)/L. Barbosa (52)
SG: C. Shand (72, R)/D. Jones (53)
SF: Antoine Walker (74)/G. Wallace (58)
PF: Boris Diaw (65)/Stromile Swift (63)/D. Fortson (56)
C: Eddy Curry (64)/R. Nesterovic (58)/Z. Cabarkapa (49)

Last year’s record: 10-18, did not make playoffs

Match-up battles: None. Swift is way too good coming off the bench, and he is the only 6th man deserving a starting nod.

Players who got better: Chauncey Billups, Boris Diaw.

Expectation: The team’s strength will be its bench. Despite what others would think, they will live and die by their subs.

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS:
PG: Jason Kidd (88)Kirk Hinrich (60)
SG: Steve Francis (78)/V. Lenard (59)/C. Cheaney (52)
SF: Jason Richardson (68)/B. Sura (58)/C. Mills (54)
PF: K. Easton (60, R)/T. Prince (54)
C: Troy Murphy (63)/C. Williamson (57)

Last year’s record: 13-15, did not make playoffs

Match-up battles: None.

Players who got better: Kirk Hinrich, Tayshaun Prince.

Expectation: Almost half of their rotation came to the training camp out of shape, and while the Kidd/Francis line-up seems impressive, it is in fact doomed. Francis came into camp destroyed by a divorce, and by all the bad publicity around him after he left Houston. Golden State will have to wait another year at the very least before going back to its glory days.

HOUSTON ROCKETS:
PG: Stephon Marbury (79)/M. Norris (56)
SG: Corey Maggette (73)/Cuttino Mobley (68)
SF: Grant Hill (70)/B. Nchbar (63)
PF: Dirk Nowitzki (89)/G. Trent (60)
C: L. Wright (65)/K. Cato (54)/J. Amaechi (46)/C. Ross (41)

Last year’s record: 11-17, did not make playoffs

Match-up battle: between Hill and Mobley, as who will start.

Players who got better: dirk Nowitzki, Gary Trent, Grant Hill

Expectation: Again, another team who has changed from head to toe in the off-season. The Rockets from last year had to deal with problems with Steve Francis, were waiting on Yao Ming to develop and for Maggette and Mobley to learn to live together. They now have a team that can put on some serious damage, and that is one stopper away from becoming a constant threat for the title.

INDIANA PACERS:
PG: Jamal Tinsley (64)/J. Bremer (59)/A. Johnson (50)
SG: Brent Barry (63)/R. Miller (49)
SF: Ricky Davis (73)/R. Mercer (57)/J. Jones (48)
PF: Donyell Marshall (71)/O. Harrington (51)
C: Juwan Howard (72)/J. Falla (48, R)

Last year’s record: 16-12, lost to the New York Knicks in 4 in the first round

Match-up battle: None

Players who got better: JR Bremer

Expectation: Will not make the playoffs this year with Reggie Miller aging so much. Ricky Davis, Donyell Marshall and Juwan Howard are their only legit players. Losing Jermaine O’neal and Brad Miller will hurt this year, even if it did not last year.

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
PG: Charlie Ward (62)/R. Alston (55)/Keyon Dooling (53)
SG: Ron Artest (68)/E. Piatowski (54)
SF: Peja Stojakovic (73)/W. Williams (54)
PF: Darius Miles (64)/W. McCarty (59)
C: Chris Kaman (59)/D. Diop (52)/W. Zhizhi (51)

Last year’s record: 15-13, lost to the Mavericks in 7 in the first round

Match-up battle: Keyon Dooling and Rafer Alston as back-up point.

Players who got better: Chris Kaman.

Expectation: We can expect a similar result to last year, as the team is very similar. It all depends on Darius; it is the turning point for him, the year he will be called a bust or a steal. After failing to make a name for himself as a three, he now has a shot as an athletic four.

LOS ANGELES LAKERS
PG: Derek Fisher (63)/M. James (59)
SG: Kobe Bryant (83)/K. Rush (50)/C.Westcott (48)
SF: Devean George (66)/Rick Fox (55)/Michael Curry (47)
PF: Robert Horry (63)/Brian Cook (52)
C: Shaquille O’neal (89)/Slava Medvenko (51)

Last year’s record: 24-4, best in the league, lost in 4 to the San Antonio Spurs in the first round

Match-up battle: None

Players who got better: Slava Medvenko

Expectation: A team on the decline. They should try to trade the Diesel before he runs out of fuel, and this season should be Kobe’s last chance. The team is getting old. They need some young, new pieces.

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES:
PG: Jason Williams (69)/D. Jones (57)
SG: Stephen Jackson (63)/M. Dickerson (59)/W. Person (56)
SF: Mike Miller (67)/R. Hamilton (60)
PF: Eddie Griffin (66)/K. Thomas (60)
C: Pau Gasol (74)/Bo Outlaw (58)

Last year’s record: 17-11, lost to Utah in the first round in 6 games

Match-up battle: Person, Hamilton and Dickerson, for minutes

Players who got better: None.

Expectation: Might reach the playoffs. Look for one of the starting perimeter players to explode this season.

MIAMI HEAT:
PG: Dwayne Wade (65)/E.Boykins (56)
SG: E. Jones (63)/D. Glover (54)
SF: Caron Butler (68)/R. Butler (59)/R. White (58)
PF: Nene (65)/J. Beasley (53)
C: B Grant (63)/E. Benzer (55, R)/V. Stepania (50)

Last year’s record: 15-14, lost in the first round to the Celtics in 7 games

Match-up battles: Between Rasual Butler and Rodney White for the main forward sub.

Players who got better: Nene Hilario, Rasual Butler

Expectation: They did not lose any major part, and even though Eddie Jones is getting older, Nene, Caron and Wade are all getting significantly better. This team was a surprise to everyone last year, and they sure will again.

MILWAUKEE BUCKS:
PG: TJ Ford (59)/Kevin Ollie (49)
SG: Michael Redd (70)/T. Kukoc (55)
SF: Desmond Mason (68)/Marcus Fizer (63)
PF: Joe Smith (64)/D. Wheat (61, R)/J. Caffey (58)/M. Haislip (54)
C: Kurt Thomas (67)/P. Drobnjak (57)

Last year’s record: 12-16, did not make playoffs

Match-up battles: Between Smith and Wheat for the starting 4 spot.

Players who got better: Michael Redd, Peja Drobnjak

Expectation: Really lacking depth in the backcourt. Redd is a threat with his shooting, and Ford with his speed, but Ollie is not good enough to be a second point guard, and Kukoc is not athletic enough to guard most swingman.

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
PG: Troy Hudson (61)/T. Brandon (57)
SG: Sam Cassell (64)/F. Hoiberg (53)/A. Akinwande (48, R)
SF: Wally Szczerbiak (70)/N. Ebi (56)/F. Lopez (51)
PF: Kevin Garnett (97)/M. Madsen (53)
C: M. Jackson (62)/E. Campbell (55)

Last year’s record: 16-12, beat the Blazers in 5, lost to the Mavericks in 6.

Match-up Battle: None.

Players who got better: Wally Szczerbiak.

Expectation: After last year, Wally Szczerbiak got significantly better, but Sam Cassell fot significantly older. We should see again the same type of team.

NEW JERSEY NETS:
PG: D. Armstrong (55)/T. Hassell (55)/Z. Planicic (49)
SG: K. Kittles (63)/T. Slay (49)/T. Murray (49)
SF: Richard Jefferson (72)/S. Braford (57, R)
PF: Rodney Rodgers (65)/L. Baxter (57)
C: Zydraunas Ilgauskas (72)/Aaron Williams (51)

Last year’s record: 16-12, lost in the first round to the Orlando Magic.

Match-up battle: Anything about the point guard duties. Armstrong, Hassell and Kittles will probably all have a shot.

Players who got better: Richard Jefferson.

Expectation: They will not get the success they had last year after the departure of Martin. They tried to erase that gap with the Z trade, yet they now face a huge hole at the point guard position. They will live and die by the RJ n’ Z duo.

NEW ORLEANS HORNETS:
PG: Nick Van Exel (66)/A. Daniels (52)/R. Strickland (46)
SG: Ray Allen (82)/J. Armstrong (54, R)/B. Drew (46)
SF: Jamal Mashburn (74)/D. West (54)
PF: Drew Gooden (70)/R. Traylor (62)
C: J. James (56)/Brendan Haywood(55)

Last year’s record : 16-12, East’s best, beat Toronto in 5, Boston in 4, Orlando in 5, and then lost to the Mavericks in the NBA Finals, in 5 games.

Match-up battle: It will be between James and Haywood for starting center. Traylor might also get a shot.

Players who got better: Jamal Mashburn, Drew Gooden.

Expectation: With the success they had last year after a though start, everybody expects them to repeat. The loss of Jamal Magloire will probably be forgotten behind the improvement of Gooden and Mashburn, and the pick of John Armstrong.

NEW YORK KNICKS:
PG: Tony Parker (66)/H. Eisley (62)
SG: A. Houston (66)/S. Andersen (61)
SF: Jalen Rose (76)/L. Ellis (54)/F. Williams (50)
PF : C. Weatherspoon (59)/M. James (58, R)/M. Lampe (56)
C: Jamal Magloire (60)/M. Sweetney (53)

Last year’s record : 14-14, beat the Indiana Pacers in the first round in 4 games, lost to Orlando in 7.

Match-up battle: Everyone looking for minutes down low will have to earn it.

Players who got better: None.

Expectation: They will probably have a tough time repeating their success. Their team is getting older, they lost their top offensive weapon in Spree, and now are left with a donut team who is not even good on the perimeter.

ORLANDO MAGIC:
PG: R. Oyekanmi (60, R)/S. Claxton (56)
SG: I. Douglas (72, R)/K. Bogans (56)/D. Harvey (55)
SF:Tracy McGrady (90)/G. Giricek (60)
PF: P. Garrity (62)/M. Taylor (61)
C: Kenyon Martin (74)/A. Davis (62)/D. Coleman (54)

Last year’s record : 13-15, beat the Nets in 5, the Knicks in 7, then lost to the Hornets in 5 in the Conference Finals.

Match-up battle: Between Davis, Taylor and Garrity for starting 4 spot.

Players who got better: Maurice Taylor, Gordan Diricek.

Expectation: Sky is the limit for the Magic. After getting the the Conference Finals last year, they only got better, with the biggest Free Agent signing in Kenyon Martin, and the addition of two top-15 picks in one of the deepest drafts in history. A team that can now only go forward.

PHILADELPHIA SIXERS:
PG: Allen Iverson (90)/S. Williams (60)/J. Sasser (49)
SG: A. Byrd (68, R)/W. Green (54)/M. Williams (50)
SF: G. Lynch (59)/G. Buckner (56)
PF: Keith Van Horn (67)/B. Skinner (51)
C: Sam Dalembert (61)/T. MacCulloch (51)

Last year’s record: 10-18, did not make playoffs

Match-up battles: None

Players who got better: Sam Dalembert, Shammond Williams

Expectation: Not much. They were poor last year, and lost their two starting bigs without getting anything back. Let’s hope Byrd is the next Larry Legend, or they will enter a long streak of lottery-bound season (which will probably make them have to part ways with AI).

PHOENIX SUNS
PG: M. Fielding (63, R)/B. Knight (51)
SG: Emanuel Ginobilli (72)/P. Hardaway (60)
SF: Paul Pierce (86)/James Jones (66)
PF : Antawn Jamison (75)/PJ Brown (63)/T. Gugliotta (49)
C: Kwame Brown (68)/N. Mohammed (58)/C. Trybanski (47)

Last year’s record: 14-14, did not make playoffs

Match-up battle: None.

Players who got better: Manu Ginobilli, James Jones, Kwame Brown, Nazr Mohammed

Expectation: This season is probably their best chance. They are now a stacked offensive team, with a roof-less potential, and with such court vision that he could lead a team with his eyes closed. This team is going through the roof, barring a major injury to Fielding.

PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS
PG: Damon Stoudamire (66)/L. Hunter (58)
SG: Bonzi Wells (73)/S. Pippen (58)/Q. Woods (53)
SF: Scott Padgett (60)/Ruben Patterson (60)/T. Outlaw (52)
PF: Rasheed Wallace (83)/J. Williams (60)
C: Z. Randolph (59)/D.Davis (58)

Last year’s record: 20-8, lost to Minnesota in 5 games in the first round.

Match-up battle: Between Randolph and Davis for the starting C spot, and between Padgett, Patterson, JYD and Pippen for the starting small spot.

Players who got better: Damon Stoudamire

Expectation: A whole lot. They were incredible last year, and the team stayed pretty much the same. They hope to avenge their loss to Minnesota.

SACRAMENTO KINGS:
PG: Mike Bibby (71)/D. Dickau (51)
SG: Quentin Richardson (67)/D. Christie (62)/J. Johnson (58)
SF: Andreï Kirilenko (66)/V. Pratt (62, R)
PF: Chris Webber (87)/Mehmet Okur (61)
C: Marcus Camby (62)/S. Pollard (61)

Last year’s record: 12-16, did not make playoffs

Match-up battle: Okur, Camby and Pollard for the starting center spot.

Players who got better: Mike Bibby, Quentin Richardson, Scot Pollard, Mehmet Okur.

Expectation: A bit of an upgrade from last year. They changed a bit, but overall, they got better, both offensively and defensively.

SAN ANTONIO SPURS
PG: Andre Miller (66)/C. Atkins (51)
SG: Latrell Sprewell (71)/P. Christian (53, R)/B. Bowen (51)
SF: Tim Thomas (70)/D. Brown (52)
PF: Elton Brand (80)/M. Rose (62)
C: Brad Miller (74)/C. Wilcox (51)

Last year’s record: 15-13, beat the Lakers in 4, then lost to Utah in 6 in the second round.

Match-up battle: Christian, Brown and Bowen for minutes.

Players who got better: None.

Expectation: A home-court advantage team. The addition of Sprewell is adding more than the cut of Manu, and Thomas is a versatile player who ill help the team. Could, and will, make some noise.

SEATTLE SUPERSONICS
PG: Baron Davis (85)/L. Ridnour (53)
SG: J. Posey (66)/C. Alexander (52)
SF: B. Russell (61)/V. Radmanovic (59)
PF: M. Johnson (73, R)/N. Collison (59)/A. Sesay (46)
C: A. Mourning (69)/F. Muller (45, R)/V. Potapenko (45)

Last year’s record: 10-18, worst in the West

Match-up battle: Hopefully none. If they get any, that means either Muller, Sesay or Potapenko will have to get minutes.

Players who got better: None.

Expectation: Making the playoffs. The addition of Johnson brings a whole new asset to that team. Do not forget also that Davis had to play through injury the whole year, making it very tough for the team. They now can only go forward.

TORONTO RAPTORS:
PG: Derek Andersen (65)/A. Williams (57)
SG: DerMarr Johnson (64)/David Wesley (64)
SF: Vince Carter (87)/L. Murray (63)
PF: Chris Bosh (65)/M. Dunleavy Jr. (59)/M. Bradley (54)
C: J. Moiso (58)/C. Robinson (57)/J. Cummings (55, R)

Last year’s record : 13-15, lost to the Hornets in 5 in the first round.

Match-up battle: for the starting five spot between Moiso, Robinson and Cummings, and for the starting two spot between Johnson and Wesley.

Players who got better: DerMarr Johnson

Expectation: An even better season. Bosh and DerMarr got better, Vince got back in shape, and they got some interesting vets in Dunleavy, Robinson and Wesley. They will make some noise. Also expect Cummings to developp into a solid hard-nosed blue collar guy, a la Laimbeer.

UTAH JAZZ:
PG: T. Lue (58)/M. Williams (49)
SG: Jim Jackson (62)/S. Janson (48, R)/A. Peeler (48)
SF : Matt Harpring (67)/D. Stevenson (51)
PF: Tim Duncan (88)/C. Andersen (51)
C: Keon Clark (68)/C. Borchardt (50)/J. Collins (45)

Last year’s record: 17-11, beat the Grizzlies in 6, beat the Spurs in 6, lost to the Mavericks in 6 in the conference finals.

Match-up battle: Janson and Peeler for minutes.

Players who got better: Keon Clark.

Expectation: I still can’t get how they made it into the Conference Finals. They should have been a lottery team, heck! The injury to Tim seems to be still bothering him, so we will only see a limited TD on a limited Jazz team. Where is the Stockton to Duncan’s Malone?

WASHINGTON WIZARDS:
PG: L. Hughes (58)/J. Dixon (55)/S. Blake (51)
SG: J. Stackhouse (78)/B. Jackson (68)
SF: M. Daniels (59)/J. Hayes (52)/J. Jeffries (50)
PF: E. Mohammed (61, R)/C. Laettner (53)
C: Jermaine O’neal (80)/J. White (52)

Last year’s record: 12-16, did not make playoffs

Match-up battle: The point guard by committee might be replaced by a Bobby Jackson/Juan Dixon duo.

Players who got better: Marquis Daniels

Expectation: After starting the season 1-11, the Wizards last year acquired Marquis Daniels, and then went on to win 11 of their next 16 games. This team will have a lot of problems this year though, as they do not have enough scorers to be an elite scoring team, nor do they have a good enough defensive team to be labelled as such. They need to find themselves before competing.

[k-d]

Too bad dinasty.. only 5-6 pictures.. as 1st increase the quality of recaps, it's too low!

To k-durant: you suck. If you're unhappy about the quality of this dynasty, realise I won't change anything for you, as I'm only doing it for my one own pleasure. If you're looking for another style of dynasty, go search for another one. On the sun.

Man, only a word: RESPECT. Did I insult you? I don't think so. I made only a little notice, and up to now I'm sure I won't visit your thread permanently.
Maybe you'll be happy, but you know no one taught you what politeness is.

[Yougi]

Too bad dinasty.. only 5-6 pictures.. as 1st increase the quality of recaps, it's too low!

To k-durant: you suck. If you're unhappy about the quality of this dynasty, realise I won't change anything for you, as I'm only doing it for my one own pleasure. If you're looking for another style of dynasty, go search for another one. On the sun.

Man, only a word: RESPECT. Did I insult you? I don't think so. I made only a little notice, and up to now I'm sure I won't visit your thread permanently.
Maybe you'll be happy, but you know no one taught you what politeness is.

In fact, you did insult me. And I already asked you not to visit my thread again. Maybe you should look back at what politeness is.

Wow... my 200th post... wasted.

[Yougi]

First game: vs NETS

Depth Chart:
PG: D. Armstrong (55)/T. Hassell (55)
SG: K. Kittles (63)/T. Slay (49)/T. Murray (49)
SF: Richard Jefferson (72)/S. Braford (57, R)/Z. Planicic (49)
PF: Rodney Rodgers (65)/L. Baxter (57)
C: Zydraunas Ilgauskas (72)/Aaron Williams (51)

Objectives:
-Not let any player outside of RJ n' Z get hot
-Not let Big Z dominate the paint on D
-Abuse their paper thin point guard position
-Run a lot; they are old, they will tire easily
-Force their point guard by commitee to make turnovers

Final Score: 99-79 DETROIT

Objectives results:
-Not let any player outside of RJ n' Z get hot: Missed. Armstrong got hot as hell, scoring 18 points.

-Not let Big Z dominate the paint on D: Made. We limited Z to only 9 boards and 1 block. The paint was ours.

-Abuse their paper thin point guard position: Missed. Bilups had a hard day, scoring only 12.

-Run a lot: Made. Most of the game, we were running back on Offense, and only a few of them could follow. There were an awful lot of 2 or 3 on 1.

-Force their point into turnovers: Missed. Despite playing 22 of 28 minutes at the PG slot, Armstrong netted 8 assists with only 3 turnovers.

Overall, the game was good. The team seems promising. Chuck Shand seems like a dominant scorer, and Curry is owning the paint. Billups and toine also can light it up from most spot, and Diaw had such a good game, scoring our first 6 points.

Stats:
Eddy Curry was named PotG, with 8 points on 4-6, 13 boards, 4 dimes, 4 blocks and a steal. He also played incredible on Z.
Chuck Shand scored 21 on 7-19 shooting.
Antoine Walker scored 13 on 5-16, with 7 boards and 2 dimes
Chancey Billups scored 12 points on 5-11, with 8 boards, 4 dimes and 2 thefts
Boris Diaw scored 10, on 5-7, with 2 dimes and 7 boards
Gerald Wallace scored 11 points, had 5 boards, 3 dimes and 2 rejections
Stromile Swift scored 8 on 4-4, with 4 boards, 2 blocks and 2 dimes
Rhino Barbosa scored 8 on 4-4 shooting

Richard Jefferson scored 21 on 8-16, had 3 steals aand as many assists
Darell Armstrong scored 18 points, 12 of them in the first half, with 8 dimes
Kerry Kittles netted 11 points, on 5-20 (including 1-11 from 3)
Zydraunas Ilgauskas got 6 points on 3-6, with 9 boards and a block and steal

NEXT GAME: vs. SIXERS

PHILADELPHIA SIXERS:
PG: Allen Iverson (90)/S. Williams (60)/J. Sasser (49)
SG: A. Byrd (68, R)/W. Green (54)/M. Williams (50)
SF: G. Lynch (59)/G. Buckner (56)
PF: Keith Van Horn (67)/B. Skinner (51)
C: Sam Dalembert (61)/T. MacCulloch (51)

Keys to that game:
-Not let AI get fast break lay-ups
-Not let Dalembert own the paint
-Not let AI drive and dish as he please

[k-d]

Too bad dinasty.. only 5-6 pictures.. as 1st increase the quality of recaps, it's too low!

To k-durant: you suck. If you're unhappy about the quality of this dynasty, realise I won't change anything for you, as I'm only doing it for my one own pleasure. If you're looking for another style of dynasty, go search for another one. On the sun.

Man, only a word: RESPECT. Did I insult you? I don't think so. I made only a little notice, and up to now I'm sure I won't visit your thread permanently.
Maybe you'll be happy, but you know no one taught you what politeness is.

In fact, you did insult me. And I already asked you not to visit my thread again. Maybe you should look back at what politeness is.

Wow... my 200th post... wasted.

No, no, no man. I have never insulted you. My post was a notice! You're so touchy..
You wrote "you suck" ; I wrote "Too bad dinasty"
Not the same thing..
Yougi, open the dictionary, and search "Politeness". Man, you're seriously wrong.

[Yougi]

@k-durant: Please, just stop it.

Just for you information:

NBA TRANSACTIONS:

Raja Bell signed a one year contract with the Sacramento Kings.

To others: I will post update for the Sixers game today, and also for the next game, which i also played, which was against Dirk, Starbury and the Rockets

[Yougi]

So first up, the Sixers game.

DETROIT vs PHILADELPHIA

In the first quarter, everything was all right. Eddy Curry was dominant (10 points and 5 boards in the first), and Allen Iverson was the only threat for the Sixers.

A Sixer possession can be played two ways: either AI brings the ball upcourt, and he drives in/goes for a jumper, or AI never touch the ball and someone else eventually decides to shoot. In fact, whenever AI was on the floor, he was the only one scoring. That is not a figure of speech guys, that is a fact. When AI was on the floor, the Sixers scored 32 points, which weirdly is equal to the number of points scored by Iverson.

In the end, when all was said and done, the score of it was 95-57 DETROIT. Iverson finished with 32 points, no assists and 7 turnovers, and was held scoreless in the fourth. Only 5 of his made field goal came from the paint. The second best Sixer was Van Horn, who scored 6 points.

For the Pistons, Curry scored 24 points on perfect 11/11 shooting, to go with 10 boards, 4 rejections and 2 assists, without touching the floor in the fourth quarter. The rookie Chuck Shan scored 23 points and recorded 4 steals.

DETROIT vs HOUSTON

It was a pretty interesting game tonight. The Detroit Pistons, who are currently the most surprising team in the league, lead by rookie phenom Chuck Shand, who averages 22 points per game, and young center Eddy Curry, who is coming up a legendary game, in which he did not miss any of his 11 shots, for a total of 24 points, to go along with 10 boards, 4 blocks and 2 assists, while sitting the whole final quarter.

Houston is entering their first contest this year, after getting, this summer, their hands on reigning Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki, and superstar Stephon Marbury. When you add that to the Cutino Mobley, Corey Maggette, Grant Hill and Lorenzen Wright the team already had, that makes up for some impressive firepower. The Rockets are primed this year, and are among the favorites to win it all.

The game was not over before the end, and the nail bitter ended with the score of 97-91 DETROIT. That was in huge part due to the excellent defensive pressure put on superstar Dirk Nowitzki by Pistons' forward Boris Diaw. The defensive minded Diaw kept Nowitzki within the post, keeping him to only 6 shots, none of them from behind the arc. Overall, while the offensive power of the Rockets seems limitless, it seems the Pistons found an interesting way to hold it back. Who could believe, with all the pressure put on Chuck Shand and Eddy Curry that the win would have been thanks to Boris Diaw.

Even if he was not the star of the night, Chuck Shand had 23 points on his best shooting display of his short NBA career, making 10 of his 13 field goals. he also showed impressive defense, recording 3 thefts and 2 rejections. Chauncey Billups also recorded 18 points on 6-9, and Eddy Curry had 17 points and 8 boards, with 4 dimes. Diaw[/], in addition to playing incredible defense, scored 15 points and got his hands on 8 boards.

On Houston's side, swingman [b]Corey Maggette scored 33 on 14-20 shooting, being Houston's biggest contributors on offense. Nowitzki was held to 16 points and 3 boards, and Stephon Marbury scored 15 (on 5-14 shooting) to go with 9 dimes.


Starting a bit later today, I will post reports of the top rookies of this year's draft; every single lottery rookie, and the biggest steal/bust probabilities while be scouted, and will have their profiles posted on here. I will try to get one of them done for each games played, with therefore the first one being a triple one (or maybe quadruple if ÉI decide to play the next game, which, by the way, is against ex-Piston Ben Wallace and his new team, the Boston Celtics.

[Yougi]

I just changed my mind. Instead of making a profile for a rookie on each game, I decided to make a few of them about other players. There are gonna be four classes of players who will be profiled:

-Rookies (rookies who have either been drafted high or are of impressive interest)
-New superstars (players who are now rated over 70, and improved impressively from before)
-Former superstars (players you all love, and how they are doing in my dynasty)
-Your suggestions (players you would like to be updated on)

I will try to make at least one profile per game I play, and I will also try to do something special around that idea for the playoffs. Stay tuned to know what!

Today, we are going to profile two rookies (the top ones) and a new star!


Tyler Sharp, 6'5'', 190lbs
Shooting Guard for the Atlanta Hawks
Born on 10/21/1983, in W Des Moines, IA
Michigan, Drafted 1st overall in 2004 by ATL
Is a point guard gifted with a shooting guard body
Awesomely quick and fast
Very solid from stripe
Lacking range


Bryant Silver, 6'8'', 211 lbs
Small Forward for the Chicago Bulls
Born on 08/18/1982, in Murray, UT
Georgetown, Drafted 2nd overall in 2004 by CHI
Solid shooter with range
Awesome finisher
Scoring machine, with the will to dominate
Quick on his feet
Not fast enough to keep on with other elite swingmen
Poor defender


Shane Battier, 6'8'', 220 lbs
Power Forward for the Denver Nuggets
Born on 09/08/1978, in Birmingham, AL
Duke, Drafter 6th overall in 2001 by MEM
Excellent shooter from anywhere, up to three point land
Automatic from the stripe
Poor passer
Poor rebounder
Excellent ball thieve and good defender
Lacking body strength
History:
In 2001, started at SF for the Grizzlies, scored 14.4ppg, with 5.4rpg, 2.8apg, 1.0bpg and 1.6spg in 39.7 minutes
In 2002, started part time for the Grizzlies, scored 9.7ppg, with 4.4 rpg, 1.3apg, 1.1bpg and 1.3spg in 30.6 minutes
He was traded to the Denver Nuggets in a five team deal over the course of the 2003-04 season, in which he started every game, for either the Grizzlies or Nuggets, as a SF in Memphia and a PF in Denver, scoring 9.2ppg with 4.0rpg, 1.8apg, 0.9bpg and 1.5 spg, in 30.4 minutes

The next players who will be starred on the profiles will be Tyson Chandler, of the Chicago Bulls, Ian Connor, of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Donyell Marshall, of the Indiana Pacers, Michael Redd, of the Milwaukee Bucks, Wally Szczerbiak, of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Mike Bibby, of the Sacramento Kings, Tim Thomas, of the San Antonio Spurs, and Max Johnson, of the Seattle Supersonics.

[Yougi]

I chose not to watch the Cavs get swept in the Finals, and I decided to keep you updated on what happened in my own league, in this early season.

New Orleans' first game, a win versus the Denver Nuggets, saw 2 players score 32 points each: Nick Van Exel and Ray Allen. They combined for 64 of the team's 96 points, which is the two third of the team's score.

Phoenix' summer acquisition Manu Ginobili got injured to his hand in his first game as a Sun, againt the Indiana Pacers. He is scheduled to miss 2 other games, and he already missed 2 of them. Phoenix seems fine starting Penny Hardaway though, as they are stil 3-0.

Orlando's first game, a 91-71 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, saw superstar Tracy McGrady score only a single point, and biggest summer acquisition, Kenyon Martin, get 4. It is Antonio Davis, acquired via a trade that sent David Wesley to the Toronto Raptors, that held the reins of the offense, scoring 14. Ironically, Wesley was also Toronto's top scorer (tied with sophomore Chris Bosh) in their first game, scoring 18. Toronto's Vince Carter, McGrady's cousin, also failed to reach double figure, scoring only 9 points in his first contest of the season.

Atlanta's first game, a 102-94 win over the reigning champion Dallas Mavericks saw Glenn Robinson score 21 points and get his hands on 11 rebounds. Atlanta's former Maverick, center Raef LaFrentz, scored 26 points.

Denver will likely stop the experiment of using Shane Battier as their starting power forward. He is said to be still part of the plans in Denver, sharing the swingman positions with sophomore Carmelo Anthony. Rookie Blake Brack will likely return to a sixth man spot, with natural center Loren Woods starting in his place.

The results for the Boston game will be up between Saturday and Monday, and Ian Connor's profile will also.

[3PK]

WOW man looks like you have been working really hard with lengthy posts and good deatail keep working hard mine and some nice transactions, keep it up man and good luck

Also great work it's good to see your not doing the "same thing" it's all different and i like it a lot

[Yougi]

Thanks a lot man I'm trying hard to make you guys feel like this league was a real world one.

[Yougi]

I'm sorry guys, but my fiancée got sick this week, and I passed the whole week with her at the hospital. Therefore, I cannot bring you the recap before tomorrow morning. I know that's a week late, but to get forgiven, I will post a triple recap, and a trade!

To those of you who are interested, she's doing real better. We were only really worried because she's leaving for a month long trip to Toronto on July 1st, and she didn't want to make it worse.

[Yougi]

Detroit faces the Boston Celtics

Today, the undefeated Detroit Pistons faces its former All-Star, Ben Wallace. The game seems easy to the Pistons, as Boston is seriously lacking offensive power. However, the Pistons are focused when they enter the court.

In the first quarter, both of Pistons' new stars, Chuck Shand and Eddy Curry, were experiencing foul trouble, but Shand was still able to net 14 points, and Curry 8 with 6 boards. The foul trouble was enough to keep the game close, a 28-25 score in Detroit's favor. Every Celtics who touched the floor ascored, showing that even without an offensive go-to guy. the C's are a pretty potent scoring team.

Curry experienced foul problems in the 2nd quarter also, and Shand was limited to 2 points. it was Stromile Swift's 8 points, 8 rebounds, 4 block quarter that kept them in the game.

In the third, Shand was back at full strength, scoring 10 points, helped by Diaw's 5 dimes.

After all was said and done, the score of it was 105-78 Detroit. Boston never led, and Chuck Shand scored 35 points on 14-18 shooting, with 2 blocks and as many thefts. Eddy Curry had 18 points, on 7-10, 8 boards and 2 rejections, despite foul trouble. For the Celtics, Shawn Marion had 20 points, on 8-13, but was limited to 2 boards.

Antoine Walker had 6 points on 3-5 shooting, with 4 boards, a block and a steal against his former team, while former Piston Ben Wallace scored 9 points on 2-8, had 2 blocks, but was somehow limited to a single rebound.

Pictures:

Damon Jones with an incredible lay-up


Gerald Wallace with a monster jam a la MJ


Chuck Shand posting up for two of his 35 points


Benji still knows how to rock the Palace

[Yougi]

Detroit vs WASHINGTON WIZARDS

Today, Jermaine O'neal, Jerry Stackhouse and the Washington Wizads faced the undefeated Detroit Pistons and stars Chuck Shand and Eddy Curry.

Odds: 4:1 Detroit

Final score: 120-82 Detroit

The first quarter wa some real ownage. It ended on a 37-14 score in Detroit's advantage, and Boris Diaw got 12 points and 7 boards, with 2 thefts. Jemaine O'neal was held to 4 points,. and Jerry Stackhouse to 2.

The second quarter saw Antoine Walker explode: he scored 12 points on 5-6 shooting, and helped Eddy Curry be defended by only a single man, making him go 4-4 for 10 points. At halftime, the score was 65-35 Detroit.

The third was more of the same story, but led by Chuck Shand's 21 points in the quarter. In the end, the score was 102-61 Detroit.

For the whole fourth quarter, the Pistons played only their back-ups, and despite that, they still rolled to a 120-82 victory. Washington's bench scored 48 of the team's 82 points, while Detroit's scored only 31 of the team's 120 points, despite playing the whole fourth quarter. Detroit also shot 59% from the field.

Box scores:
Detroit
Washington

That game was followed by a trade between the Detroit Pistons and the New York Knicks. Detroit sent big mans Danny Fortson, Jeff Foster and Rasho Nesterovic to New York for centers Jamaal Magloire and Zeljko Rebraca and rookie point guard Marcel James.

Comments will be up after Chicago game, with a general interview.

A little comparaison for you guys. Rookie Chuck Shand vs. Kobe Bryant.

Kobe is known as a bona fide scorer. He scores 16.3 points per game so far, good for third on his team. Chuck Shand is averaging 26.8ppg, good for fourth in the league. Both star are shooting 60% from the field, and 40% from 3 point range. Kobe is also known as an unguardable player, but only went to the line 1.3 times per game, while Chuck's average 5.4 free throws per. Both average disgraciously 2.2 rpg. Kobe is also known as a great defender: while he averaged 0.7 steals per and has yet to block a shot this year, Shand is averaging 2.4 steals and 1.8 rejections per game. And if Kobe is known as a winner, while a 2-1 record is worth respect, a 5-0 record is by far better.