Lighting up Las Vegas!
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June 20th, 2011
The NBA announced last week that it would be adding two new franchises and vowing that the total number of 32 would be the end of the leagues’ expansion efforts.
One team would return to Seattle, the biggest untamed market where fans saw their beloved team leave just years ago. The newly formed Sonics would play in the beautiful new Sonics Arena, a sparkling 20,000 seat arena on the grounds where Key Arena used to sit.
The other team – would be in Las Vegas.
It was an experiment many where not comfortable with, and the league warned the new owner and Las Vegas’ board that if problems arose, the NBA would have no issue forcing a relocation. But that’s where I come in.
My name is Leo Ridjugi. I’m the new general manager of the Las Vegas Aces, who will play in the Aces Arena as part of the Vegas strips newest high rise Casino. I see the entertainment capital of the world out there, certainly a distraction and a vice to many of the rich and famous athletes in this world. But this in an untapped market. No big league team will play here. I will make this world.
(A few notes –
1. I’m using a default file that my buddy made from the basic, updating player potential. I’ve also done extensive work on this file, so many players will not play as they would in the default game.
2. I’m using a 2011 draft file I made myself, which is available in the mod section.
I didn’t want to take on a bunch of huge contracts and ruin our future FA chances, so I took primarily young guys with a hope of building up after the 2011 Draft and 2012/2013 FA.
Post-Expansion Draft Roster
We’ll start that by finding a coach who can both command the respect of players, has a history of taming wild guys and holds a strong winning percentage.
Rudy T, Jeff van Gundy, Mike Fertello all interview well, but there is one name that catches my eye. I have no idea why Rick Adelman doesn’t have a job. Houston apparently fired him after a decent season… But, good for us, since he’s a history of working with problem players and getting the best out of them with respect. That is what we need.
We sign Rick Adelman, 4 years 4 million a year, while Minnesota hires Mike Fratello, Seattle signs Jeff Van Gundy and Houston recovers by hiring local legend Rudy Tomjanovich. Two days later, we hire Kevin McHale as 1st assistant, Brent Barry as 2nd assistant, and T.R. Dunn as 3rd assistant.
The mock comes out and is listed as follows –
I really, REALLY wish we weren’t #5. The guy I want most is the projected #1 pick, Kyrie Irving, out of Duke. Why Josh Selby is #2 is out of here. Terrance Jones, Derrick Williams, Harrison Barnes all look solid but we’d need to work them out first.
But first is first. I want to find a star before the draft to anchor my team around. I call up teams, letting them know that our 2013 1st is available for a youngster with potential I like. If we suck by 2013, I’m out of here anyways with a pink slip. I need to find my star. And after about 29 calls, I find one.
Las Vegas trades –
2013 1st Round pick
Hakim Warrick
Byron Mullens
Wayne Ellington
New Jersey trades –
Derrick Favors
Why for us:
NJ gives up on Favors after a disappointing 6/6 rookie year, but I see untapped and unlimited potential. I’m risking a pick that’s only two years removed from a team starting at scratch, but as I said I realllllyyyy don’t think with an owner with low patience I’ll be here if we haven’t won decently in two years.
For NJ, they get a first, a viable PF in Warrick and two young guys.
Immediate effect – got a future PF, a decent win now center, and no talent at guard. So, there goes taking a PF… can basically cross out Derrick Williams, but Jones, Barnes, and Irving all still look promising.
Some of the guys – Singleton, Jordan Hamilton, Taylor are written off immediately. My staff recommends we look at Perry Jones, even with our bigs, so while we only invite a few bigs, we’ll try them out.
After workouts –
1. If we didn’t have Favors, Jones could be the pick. Guy shouldn’t go 20, as the mock has him.
2. Kyrie Irving is the best player by far, and I’d love to get him, but I doubt it could happen.
3. If we can’t get the #1 pick from Toronto, I’ll call up Minny, because Terrance Jones is pretty damn good and could play SF easily. He should go #2.
4. Josh Selby, Hamilton, Taylor shouldn’t be in the top 15.
5. John Henson (Mock 16), Brandon Knight (Mock 13), Tobias Harris (Mock 17), Jarred Sullinger (Mock 22) should all go in the top 10.
We so desperately need a PG that if Kyrie and Terrance Jones are gone, I’d trade down and discuss Kemba Walker or Brandon Knight. Both are shadows of Irving but they’re both gonna be solid NBA players.
The NBA announced last week that it would be adding two new franchises and vowing that the total number of 32 would be the end of the leagues’ expansion efforts.
One team would return to Seattle, the biggest untamed market where fans saw their beloved team leave just years ago. The newly formed Sonics would play in the beautiful new Sonics Arena, a sparkling 20,000 seat arena on the grounds where Key Arena used to sit.
The other team – would be in Las Vegas.
It was an experiment many where not comfortable with, and the league warned the new owner and Las Vegas’ board that if problems arose, the NBA would have no issue forcing a relocation. But that’s where I come in.
My name is Leo Ridjugi. I’m the new general manager of the Las Vegas Aces, who will play in the Aces Arena as part of the Vegas strips newest high rise Casino. I see the entertainment capital of the world out there, certainly a distraction and a vice to many of the rich and famous athletes in this world. But this in an untapped market. No big league team will play here. I will make this world.
(A few notes –
1. I’m using a default file that my buddy made from the basic, updating player potential. I’ve also done extensive work on this file, so many players will not play as they would in the default game.
2. I’m using a 2011 draft file I made myself, which is available in the mod section.
I didn’t want to take on a bunch of huge contracts and ruin our future FA chances, so I took primarily young guys with a hope of building up after the 2011 Draft and 2012/2013 FA.
Post-Expansion Draft Roster
- Code: Select all
6 Keith Bogans SG 6-5 215 31 Kentucky 8 $1,600,000
50 Emeka Okafor C 6-10 255 28 Connecticut 7 $12,541,812
21 Daniel Orton C 6-10 269 21 Kentucky 1 $1,105,560
19 Wayne Ellington SG 6-5 190 23 North Carolina 2 $1,154,040
7 Kyle Lowry PG 6-0 205 25 Villanova 5 $5,750,000
22 A.J. Price PG 6-2 190 24 Connecticut 2 $884,293
23 Byron Mullens C 7-0 260 22 Ohio State 2 $1,288,200
32 Renaldo Balkman PF 6-8 208 26 South Carolina 5 $1,675,000
9 Tony Allen SG 6-4 213 29 Oklahoma State 7 $3,150,000
12 Hakim Warrick PF 6-9 219 28 Syracuse 6 $4,320,000
We’ll start that by finding a coach who can both command the respect of players, has a history of taming wild guys and holds a strong winning percentage.
Rudy T, Jeff van Gundy, Mike Fertello all interview well, but there is one name that catches my eye. I have no idea why Rick Adelman doesn’t have a job. Houston apparently fired him after a decent season… But, good for us, since he’s a history of working with problem players and getting the best out of them with respect. That is what we need.
We sign Rick Adelman, 4 years 4 million a year, while Minnesota hires Mike Fratello, Seattle signs Jeff Van Gundy and Houston recovers by hiring local legend Rudy Tomjanovich. Two days later, we hire Kevin McHale as 1st assistant, Brent Barry as 2nd assistant, and T.R. Dunn as 3rd assistant.
The mock comes out and is listed as follows –
- Code: Select all
1. Toronto Raptors – PG Kyrie Irving
2. Minnesota Timberwolves – SG Josh Selby
3. Indiana Pacers – PF Derrick Williams
4. Seattle Supersonics – SF Terrance Jones
5. [b]Las Vegas Aces – SF Harrison Barnes[/b]
6. Washington Wizards – C Jonas Valanciunas
7. Memphis Grizzlies – C Enes Kanter
8. Detroit Pistons – C Donatas Motiejunas
9. Charlotte Bobcats – SF Chris Singleton
10. Philadelphia 76ers – SG Jordan Hamilton
11. Phoenix Suns – C Lucas Nogueria
12. Cleveland Cavaliers – PG Kemba Walker
13. Los Angeles Clippers – PG Brandon Knight
14. Golden State Warriors – C Mason Plumtree
15. Houston Rockets – SF Jeff Taylor
16. Sacramento Kings –PF John Henson
I really, REALLY wish we weren’t #5. The guy I want most is the projected #1 pick, Kyrie Irving, out of Duke. Why Josh Selby is #2 is out of here. Terrance Jones, Derrick Williams, Harrison Barnes all look solid but we’d need to work them out first.
But first is first. I want to find a star before the draft to anchor my team around. I call up teams, letting them know that our 2013 1st is available for a youngster with potential I like. If we suck by 2013, I’m out of here anyways with a pink slip. I need to find my star. And after about 29 calls, I find one.
Las Vegas trades –
2013 1st Round pick
Hakim Warrick
Byron Mullens
Wayne Ellington
New Jersey trades –
Derrick Favors
Why for us:
NJ gives up on Favors after a disappointing 6/6 rookie year, but I see untapped and unlimited potential. I’m risking a pick that’s only two years removed from a team starting at scratch, but as I said I realllllyyyy don’t think with an owner with low patience I’ll be here if we haven’t won decently in two years.
For NJ, they get a first, a viable PF in Warrick and two young guys.
Immediate effect – got a future PF, a decent win now center, and no talent at guard. So, there goes taking a PF… can basically cross out Derrick Williams, but Jones, Barnes, and Irving all still look promising.
Some of the guys – Singleton, Jordan Hamilton, Taylor are written off immediately. My staff recommends we look at Perry Jones, even with our bigs, so while we only invite a few bigs, we’ll try them out.
After workouts –
1. If we didn’t have Favors, Jones could be the pick. Guy shouldn’t go 20, as the mock has him.
2. Kyrie Irving is the best player by far, and I’d love to get him, but I doubt it could happen.
3. If we can’t get the #1 pick from Toronto, I’ll call up Minny, because Terrance Jones is pretty damn good and could play SF easily. He should go #2.
4. Josh Selby, Hamilton, Taylor shouldn’t be in the top 15.
5. John Henson (Mock 16), Brandon Knight (Mock 13), Tobias Harris (Mock 17), Jarred Sullinger (Mock 22) should all go in the top 10.
We so desperately need a PG that if Kyrie and Terrance Jones are gone, I’d trade down and discuss Kemba Walker or Brandon Knight. Both are shadows of Irving but they’re both gonna be solid NBA players.