New York, New York! Bringing a championship home

[zike_42]

Just got an unhandled exception that doesn't let me open the dynasty file so this might be out of action for a little while. I've started a thread in the technical support forum and I'm about to send through an email so I'm just giving everyone a heads up.

[zike_42]

Got it working again thanks to redfox, so I'll be back into it in the next couple of days! Thanks redfox!

[zike_42]

For the first time in a long time I pick up a team option, as Chris Horvath will stay here for at least one more year at $13.9 million. I renounce Bernard Crispin, David Rolle, Syniker Acani, John Kelly, Jason Sears, Brad Stokes and Anthony Williams while making Adam Rosen a restricted free agent. That puts us at $6 million under the salary, but as you know that’s not going to help me much as I can’t sign anyone over three stars.

Summer league has rolled around and I invite Winston Shannon, Romanos Demosthenous, Rich Muckle, Jeffrey Johnson and Tavorris Hancock and it should be good to see how this young brigade handle NBA basketball.

Game one was very impressive as we hold the Bucks to a crazy low score as we win 88-66. Roman (Romanos Demosthenous) led us with 22 points while his partner in crime Muck (Rich Muckle) chipped in 17 points.

That’s two from two as Roman again starred with 26 points and 11 rebounds as we take care of the Jazz 108-94. It was Jeff’s (Jeffrey Johnson) turn to help him out with 20 points while Muck had 17 points again.

This team is playing well as Muck finally got his Player of the Game award with 16 points and 7 rebounds as we outlast the Warriors with a 101-93 win. Jeff had another double double with 11 points and 12 rebounds while Winston (Winston Shannon) had his best game with 14 points.

There were 21 lead changes and nine ties but we came out on top, eventually. Charlotte shot a whopping 61% from the field and we still won as we forced 24 turnovers to our 14 to win 130-121 in overtime. Roman seems to have this scoring thing down, going 15/21 FG, 6/7 3P and 7/9 FT for 43 points to obviously lead all scorers. Winston had 18 points and 8 assists while Clarence Lilly added 24 points off the bench. Marcelle Ransom went 15/16 from the field for 34 points and 8 assists for the Bobcats.

Our last summer league game was a good one as we go undefeated with a 97-77 win over Detroit. Roman finished his summer league with grand style with 21 points as Jeff, Muck and Shannon combined for 40 points as we shot 55%.

What a summer league from Roman who averaged 25.2 points and 5.2 rebounds on 60% shooting. I know it’s early but he could be a stud.

The free agent crop this year is simply fantastic, with plenty of great players to poach. Not for us though. Here is the top ten –

PF Reggie Smith
SF Marshod Anderson*
PG Axel Rancik*
SG Kenneth Long
SG Pete Edgerson*
PF Julius Hobbs
SF Patrick Blizzard
SF David Baxley*
PG Jamil Fleming
PG Cort Majishun

And that doesn’t include Alan Patton, Abel Williams and Art Stevenson.

After about a week, Axel Rancik shocks no-one and goes back to OKC for the maximum and I don’t blame him. He’s young and the Thunder have been to the NBA Finals for the past two years so he’s onto a good thing.

I offer Adam Rosen a 3 year, $9 million contract which is underpaying but seeing as he’s a restricted free agent if he doesn’t like it he can just take the tender offer.

On a day where Pete Edgerson re-ups with Orlando the biggest news of all drops: Reggie Smith signs with New York. He’s a superstar talent but again the Knicks are throwing everything and seeing what sticks as Smith will want to get out of NYC very soon.

The next day a lot of people re-sign with their teams for a hell of a lot of money, with Danny Perez getting mad paid by the Blazers which is good for him.

There must have been a few teams with the cash to try and pry Marshod Anderson away from Brooklyn because it’s taken a long time for him to re-sign with the Nets but he finally does for a five year maximum. Money talks after all and that fifth year probably sealed it for him.

Yay! Adam Rosen likes it here enough to sign the contract offer I sent him, so he’ll be a good bench guard who can come in a score when needed. He’s not the most efficient scorer but he’s still good. Jamil Fleming, Cort Majishun and Jaymes Kincaid, three elder point guards go back to their respective teams.

Two massive signings today as Kenneth Long didn’t like the way he was treated last season so he jumps ship and goes to Orlando for three years while Julius Hobbs did his time in Seattle and wants to play with some stars in Minnesota. There is still loads of talent out there but unfortunately I can’t sign it.

I offer Chris “The Wizard” Jones, Ipolitas Margolis and Clifton Scholl one year deals and they take them while Denver gets an absolute steal in 22.3 ppg scorer Gustavo Fonseca for a three year MLE contract. Talk about cheap as chips. Lars Ray is getting old but can still contribute and is going to Seattle.

To round off the team I sign Russell Haymon and Ryan Obrien and at 15 players and $1,799,928 I’m done.

Training camp comes and goes and I’m quite excited. Roman and Muck will have great battles for the SF position (Roman won this round and is slotted to start) while Winston has really shown things that I didn’t know he had. Tavorris has oodles of potential but right now he’s a raw as blue steak and will be in the D-League for this year and probably the next. This team is exciting.

Eastern Conference Pre-Season Rankings
1 – Indiana Pacers
2 – Orlando Magic
3 – Brooklyn Nets
4 – Atlanta Hawks
5 – Toronto Raptors
Last – New York Knicks

Yikes, there is a massive gulf between the top three and the rest of the league. Like Grand Canyon size. The Magic and their addition of Kenneth Long should go great guns this season so putting them #2 over Brooklyn isn’t a stretch. Reggie Smith is really kicking himself for signing with New York as it’s going to be a looooooooooooong season for him.

Western Conference Pre-Season Rankings
1 – Oklahoma City Thunder
2 – Utah Jazz
3 – Houston Rockets
4 – Sacramento Kings
5 – Minnesota Timberwolves
Last – San Diego Riders

This is all over the shop, as Portland is down in 8th and we’ve been picked to come 10th! Hell, I’m gunning for the playoffs this season so 10th is insulting. The Lakers should be last as they have no talent and no-one to put the ball in the hoop.

Pre-Season All NBA First Team:
Michael Harmon, Indiana Pacers
Cameron Brown, Houston Rockets
Marshod Anderson, Brooklyn Nets
Michael McQuay, Atlanta Hawks
Schuyler Vanderwerken, Miami Heat

Pre-Season All NBA Second Team:
Joe Adras, Sacramento Kings
Cliff Havens, San Diego Riders
Juia Henchoz, Orlando Magic
Reggie Smith, New York Knicks
BJ Watson, Toronto Raptors

Pre-Season All NBA Third Team:
Axel Rancik, Oklahoma City Thunder
Tobe Slaughter, Dallas Mavericks
Jack Dawkins, Dallas Mavericks
Ishmael Faye, Indiana Pacers
Jerry Benton, New Orleans Hornets

Here goes, your 2038-2039 “This team is mine” Phoenix Suns –

PG – Tony Solverson
SG – Chris Horvath
SF – Romanos Demosthenous
PF – Keith Chapman
C – Jeffrey Johnson
6th – Chris Jones
7th – Rich Muckle
8th – Ipolitas Margolis
9th – Winston Shannon
10th – Russell Haymon
11th – Clifton Scholl
12th – Adam Rosen
13th – Willis Dench
IR – Ryan Obrien (torn ACL, back in 55 days)
D-League – Tavorris Hancock

[jcomey]

Phew!

[zike_42]

Phew!

I agree! I was freaking out that all this work wouldn't get a proper ending.

[zike_42]

Our first game is here already and it’s a visit to Denver. The game was close as both teams had double digit leads (just) but we held our nerve with a 124-121 win. Tony Solverson may have only gone 2/4 from the field but he got to the line at will for a total of 16 attempts (14 makes) for 20 points and 11 assists. Chris Horvath was also great, going 8/9 for 22 points. The guy no-one wanted showed how good he was as Gustavo Fonseca hit 8 three pointers on his way to 35 points.

Phoenix Suns 1-0

The Lakers aren’t very good this season and it showed in our 105-85 demolishing as Chris Horvath can do it all with 25 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. Russell Haymon filled in for Tony who is battling the flu and had 10 points and 10 assists. Matt Hackett was the best for LA with 17 points and 11 rebounds but it’s going to be a long season for them.

Phoenix Suns 2-0

That’s three on the trot for us and even though the teams we have beaten aren’t the best it’s a good sign. A 41-23 third term propelled us to a 125-101 win over Nevada as Chris was again our best with 35 points. Keith Chapman chipped in a lazy 21 points and 7 rebounds while JJ (Jeffrey Johnson) had 13 points and 16 rebounds. Phillip Rude is still doing his thing out in the desert after I traded him there all those years ago and had 27 points tonight.

Phoenix Suns 3-0

It was bound to happen eventually and when we go 38% from the field we aren’t winning many games. It was close and it took a 29-14 last term by the Bulls for them to break the game open and take it 107-96. DJ Forbes was a guy I targeted for this team and showed why with 24 points and 12 rebounds. Chris was our best with 24 points but only went 8/22. To make matters worse, Ipo (Ipolitas Margolis) who has been great off the bench so far has strained his hamstring and will be out for a week or so.

Phoenix Suns 3-1

We get revenge on the Bulls straight away as they come and visit us and we aren’t the best hosts as we win 109-103. Tony was fantastic with 18 points, 11 assists and 6 rebounds while Chris was the leading scorer with 21 points. DJ Forbes was again Chicago’s best with 20 points and 8 assists but we were just too good tonight.

Phoenix Suns 4-1

After five games Winston Shannon has played exactly zero minutes so far so I send him down to the D-League to get some court time.

We seem to be playing the same teams over and over as we see the Lakers again and again we beat them, this time 96-91. Keith was the best today with 34 points and 4 blocks while Tony was so close to a triple double with 19 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists. Jim Meeking played a lone hand with 26 points, 9 rebounds and 6 blocks for the Lakers.

Phoenix Suns 5-1

Our first big test of the season has the Thunder coming to our home court. Unfortunately we folded, shooting 35% to their 51% to lose 108-72. Yep, we got smashed. Axel Rancik was the best on ground with 15 points and 8 assists as we only had two players in double figures with Chris with 20 points and Keith with only a dozen.

Phoenix Suns 5-2

Good news and bad news. Good news is that we had seven players in double figures as we demolish the Bobcats 125-87. Bad news is that Chris strained his abdomen and will be out for at least two weeks. Keith was our best with 17 points and 8 rebounds but this was a real team effort. Aaron White was the best for Charlotte with 19 points and 12 rebounds.

Phoenix Suns 6-2

Rich Muckle is going to have a go at starting because Coach doesn’t think that Adam Rosen is playing well enough to start.

He doesn’t play that well, going 2/6 for 9 points and 6 rebounds as we lose to the very good Heat 106-93. Ipol had 18 points and it would be good if he started I think. Schuyler Vanderwerken and Mark Lyday took us to the cleaners, having 49 points and 22 rebounds compared to JJ and Keith who went 3/19 for 13 points and 12 rebounds.

Phoenix Suns 6-3

Roman slides to SG, Keith slides to SF and Ipol gets the start at PF.

We just don’t have any scorers without Chris as we lose again, this time 101-92 to San Antonio. JJ had another shocker, going 0/3 for 3 points in 17 minutes before fouling out as Willis Dench comes alive for 19 points in 13 minutes off the bench. I guess his corpse can play every now and again. Shaheen Mason was the best on the court with 21 points, 9 rebounds and 7 turnovers.

Phoenix Suns 6-4

I just can’t see Tony Solverson as our point guard going forward so I make a trade which makes us worse at the moment but should be good for us in the future.

Phoenix trade:
PG Tony Solverson
2040 1st round pick

Boston trade:
PG Ryan Cornell
SG Dwayne Corner
2039 1st round pick

Winner – Boston. Cornell has the potential to be better than Solverson but that’s the main word: potential. Solverson is a good starting point guard who has had to do too much in Phoenix and should improve at the Celtics. The picks are about even while Corner is a bad contract for two more years.

I don’t mind, Cornell will be a good point guard bordering on very good which is worth the gamble. I trade Willis Dench and his $6.6 million contract to New York for a future second round pick because we had 16 players.

Russell Haymon gets the start at SG which is good now because he’s only 5’11”, 168lbs. I say it’s good now because Cornell is 6’4” and can guard the opposing SGs while we couldn’t do that before with 6’0” Tony Solverson. Oh yeah, Cornell is now starting.

Well, our first game was a disaster as we shoot 35% to get flogged by a just average Charlotte squad 106-85. We need Chris back. Cornell and Russell went 8/27 for 21 points and only 4 assists. Tim King is a budding All Star with his all around play and had 22 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals in their win.

Phoenix Suns 6-5

Tiburcio Tommasini, Tom Phillips and Tim Greenberg all got to the 20 point mark as we give up 45 points in the second quarter to lose to the Bucks 121-110. Tommasini led the way with 25 points but again we shot badly. JJ had his best game for a while with 15 points and 14 rebounds while Keith led us with 22 points and 9 rebounds.

Phoenix Suns 6-6

Rich Muckle isn’t getting any minutes lately as Dwayne Corner has been stealing the back up SF minutes so I send Muck down to the D-League as well.

Actually I can’t because I don’t have a spot to put him in as Ryan Obrien still has a month to go before he comes back from his torn ACL injury. Good luck on the pine Muck.

Muck isn’t enjoying getting one minute a game and after our 107-99 loss he decided to have a sook. I told him to act like a professional otherwise he’s in the wrong business. Russell had 24 points for us but for some reason we decided to foul every single time they had the ball (it felt like it anyway) as the Spurs went 39/48 from the foul line. Ugh.

Phoenix Suns 6-7

The battle of my new team and my old team as Portland comes to town. They are missing Shaun Tebbs who is battling a broken right arm. Ouch. We take advantage as Roman had his best game as a pro with 22 points and 7 steals as we beat them 114-98. Ipol had 18 points while Muck had 11 points off the bench. I had a talk with Coach and told him that 6’4” Dwayne Corner is not tall enough to play SF and those minutes should go back to Muck. He agreed. Derrick Culuko had 21 points and 8 rebounds for the losers.

Phoenix Suns 7-7

I’m gunning for the playoffs but we not even close to the best teams yet. The win against Portland was an upset and they didn’t have Shaun Tebbs. So when we lose 121-89 to Indiana I’m not that worried because they are an elite team. Ish Faye had 31 points and 15 rebounds to totally demolish us as they shoot 53%. We only shoot 38% but there is some good news as Chris is healthy enough to start again and had 13 points. He’s not 100% but he’s close.

Phoenix Suns 7-8

Tony Solverson is enjoying it in Boston as his first game was sensational, with 21 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for his fifth career triple double.

After the first month we are sitting at 7-8 and that’s ok. We’re young, inexperienced and haven’t been playing together very long. Portland are leading the West at 13-5 with San Diego and Utah only a game or two back. The Lakers are surprising no-one at 3-13 and down the bottom.

Detroit are the wildcard in the East as they have bolted out to a 14-1 record. If any team is seen as a textbook ‘team’ it’s the Pistons as everyone plays together and everyone has a role. Boston are at 13-5 while Miami are down at 11-5. Brooklyn have struggled so far and are at 8-8. Philadelphia are doing worse than LA at 1-12 while New York are also horrible at 2-10. Just think, three of the old powerhouse cities in Los Angeles, New York and Philadelphia are combined 6-35.

Phoenix Top Points
Chris Horvath – 17.0
Keith Chapman – 14.7
Romanos Demosthenous – 11.7

Phoenix Top Assists
Russell Haymon – 4.3
Chris Horvath – 3.3
Ryan Cornell – 2.4

Phoenix Top Rebounds
Jeffrey Johnson – 8.3
Keith Chapman – 7.1
Clifton Scholl – 4.9

If anyone is interested in how our two best players who were traded away are going, here are their stat line –

Darnell Kimbrough (GSW) – 24.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.6 blocks
Tony Solverson (BOS) – 12.2 points, 8.0 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 0.9 steals, 0.0 blocks

League Leaders
Points – Tiburcio Tommasini (MIL) – 33.1
Assists – Israel Payne (NEV) – 12.2
Rebounds – Julius Hobbs (MIN) – 12.4
Blocks – Dan Bonney (UTA) – 3.1
Steals – Curtis Mueller (NOH) – 3.0
Efficiency – Ish Faye (IND) – 30.3

Rookie Leaders
Points – Romanos Demosthenous (PHO) – 11.7
Assists – Slavi Drnovsek (NYK) – 2.9
Rebounds – Steve Howard (CLE) – 7.8
Blocks – Michael Williams (GSW) – 1.0
Steals – Romanos Demosthenous (PHO) – 1.5
Efficiency – Steve Howard (CLE) – 13.6

[zike_42]

November Player of the Month – Tiburcio Tommasini, Milwaukee Bucks – 33.1 points, 1.2 assists, 4.9 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 0.2 blocks per game.

November Rookie of the Month – Romanos Demosthenous, Phoenix Suns – 11.7 points, 1.5 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 0.9 blocks per game.

What I love about Roman is that he picks up quite a few blocks and steals and he’s already a good defender.

Wonderful. We win 116-99 against Washington behind Keith’s 25 points and 10 rebounds but JJ breaks his leg in the second quarter and will be out for two months. As I said, wonderful. Ipol did well in his place with 17 points and he will start next game. The Wizards had six players in double figures with Hayletts Wilcox being the best with 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Phoenix Suns 8-8

Without JJ Diego Acosta ran riot over us as the Kings smash us 104-88. The perennial All Star had 23 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks and nullified Ipol who had 3 points and 6 fouls. Keith was again our best with 17 points and 15 rebounds while Cornell had his best game for us with 17 points.

Phoenix Suns 8-9

Even though we had 60 points from Chris and Cornell we just couldn’t stop the Mavericks, as they shot 57% to beat us 128-109. Kresimir Balas was fantastic with 34 points and 14 rebounds while Tobe Slaughter and Earl Harris added 39 points. The Mavs might be aging but they are still an elite team.

Phoenix Suns 8-10

Well that was embarrassing. We go into my old town and try and beat the Blazers again but it just wasn’t the case. The third quarter was especially painful as they outscored us 33-8 as we get humiliated 109-84 which doesn’t sound that bad but they did have a 40 point lead at one stage. Their centres did the job as Derrick Culuko and Kevin Morrison had 38 points and 12 rebounds between them. Chris was our best with 26 points as everyone else played horribly.

Phoenix Suns 8-11

Cornell has hurt his wrist as well so Russell Haymon will start for a little while.

It’s always good to get a win when we haven’t been playing well is always welcome as we breeze past the Sonics 127-103. Ipol finally had a game where he wasn’t pummeled and did some pummeling himself with 28 points and 9 rebounds while Adam Rosen had his best game of the season with 21 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds. Alfons Dietz was the best for Seattle with 17 points.

Phoenix Suns 9-11

I don’t know why but we are don’t really know how to stop the good teams even though we should be a great defensive team. The Bucks put up 129 points to our 103 behind Tiburcio Tommasini’s 31 points while Erik Morris has a great one with 21 points, 16 rebounds and 4 blocks. Keith was our best (yet again) with 25 points and 10 rebounds but we shot 37% which is never enough.

Phoenix Suns 9-12

Dear me, in a good way. I guess when we’re on we are well and truly on as we rout the Jazz 140-103. Keith, Ipol and Chris combine for a crazy 91 points as we shoot 42/55 from the foul line. After getting ran off the court last game this is a welcome change. David Forrest had 20 points for Utah but they have some great young talent off the bench that aren’t getting enough court time.

Phoenix Suns 10-12

Well damn, Chris Jones who has been played sparingly in his 13th season won’t be played again this year as he tore his Achilles in our 101-79 serving by the hands of Denver. The Nuggets were just too good as we shot 38% and 35% from the line. That’s right, we went 6/17 from the foul stripe with Clifton Scholl being the worst culprit with 0/6. Gustavo Fonseca had 34 points for the Nuggets and Chris Horvath had 15 points (and 7 turnovers) for us. This just shows which team was the best.

Phoenix Suns 10-13

We lose again as Art Stevenson put on a clinic for his new team with 29 points and 8 rebounds as the Hornets beat us 124-100. He had help from Quinton Scott with 21 points. Ipol was our best with 22 points with five other Suns in double figures. The reason we lost is that they shot 57% and we turned the ball over nine more times than them.

Phoenix Suns 10-14

Woo! We beat up on Tony Solverson to snatch an away 108-103 win over Boston. Solverson had 18 points but was matched by Cornell’s 19 points. Ipol and Chris were the difference as they combined for 39 points and 27 rebounds with Chris being the big man wth 13 rebounds at the SG position.

Phoenix Suns 11-14

And again the Nuggets bring us down to size again, this time outscoring us 28-10 in the last quarter to rub our noses in a 120-91 loss. Jason Harriman was a man among boys with 34 points and 10 rebounds on 15/19 shooting while Gustavo Fonseca had 20 points. Chris was our best with 19 points and I’m really worrying about Coach Maxwell’s rotations as he loves a deep bench and we just don’t have that.

Phoenix Suns 11-15

So I fire Quinn Maxwell and sign Jeremy Jones, a 55 year old coach who has had nine years experience as a head coach. He’s not as intense for defence as I would like but he’s great with developing the young guys which is what I want for the first 2-3 years.

The Celtics come to town and they want revenge but are denied by our great all around play as even though Chris had 32 points there were plenty of cameos in our 122-104 win. Clifton Scholl is becoming one of my favourite bench guys with 19 points and 10 rebounds while Russell Haymon had 12 points and 9 assists in only 19 minutes. Alan Patton had 21 points for Boston.

Phoenix Suns 12-15

Ugh, are you serious? We give up a double digit lead even with Ryan Cornell having his best game so far (20 points, 9 assists) to New York and lose 104-103. We lost to freaking 5-15 New York! Chris was close to a triple double with 21 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists but the Knicks went 16/28 from three point land and we had no answer, with Reggie Smith leading the way with 27 points and 13 rebounds.

Phoenix Suns 12-16

Mark Lyday had 28 points and we turn the ball over 16 more times than Miami equals a 111-101 loss. Cornell is becoming more comfortable with this team and had 25 points but turning the ball over 22 times to their 6 is just inexcusable.

Phoenix Suns 12-17

I should have expected this as we are going in a youth direction but Ryan Obrien has started complaining that he’s not getting enough court time. I can understand where he is coming from so I go to make a deal so he can get more playing time. I would love to play him more but I want Roman and Muck to get as much playing time as possible.

Phoenix trade:
SF Ryan Obrien
SG Adam Rosen
2041 1st round pick

Golden State trade:
2039 1st round pick
PF Adrian Harris

Winner – Phoenix. The Suns get their first round pick back for this season while they shave a year of Rosen’s contract with Harris’ contract. Pretty good deal here.

We sign SF JoVann Orvis to be our third string SF and with our first rounder back we can get another lottery pick to go with this developing team.

Cornell is really becoming a good starting point guard and had 25 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds as we wipe the floor with the Bucks 123-108. Keith had 22 points and 13 rebounds to help him out but Clifton Scholl strained his back and will be out for around a week or so. Tiburcio Tommasini was a lone hand with 23 points for the Bucks.

Phoenix Suns 13-17

We finish 2038 with a 115-106 win over Houston and another injury as Ipol has strained a calf and will be out for nearly two weeks. Great, we now have Ipol, JJ and Clifton injured and no big man depth. Our only healthy big man (knock on wood) in Keith Chapman had 18 points, 8 rebounds and 5 blocks but we are struggling as Adrian Harris had 5 fouls and no other stats in 16 minutes. Cameron Brown had 32 points, 10 assists and 5 rebounds in a valiant losing effort.

Phoenix Suns 14-17

It’s a league of haves and have nots as there are 14 teams at .550 or above but also 13 teams at .400 or lower. Not much in between except for us. Portland are definitely a ‘have’ at 25-5 with San Diego at 20-7 and Dallas behind at 18-7. The Lakers are still the worst team in the conference at 7-24.

The ‘have’ in the East is Indiana who, at 23-7, are roaring along. Detroit have fallen off a bit at 23-9 with Boston behind them at 21-12. Philadelphia are well and truly the worst team in the whole league at 3-22 and are looking to make it three number one picks in a row.

Phoenix Top Points
Chris Horvath – 18.8
Keith Chapman – 15.6
Ipolitas Margolis – 13.2

Phoenix Top Assists
Chris Horvath – 4.6
Ryan Cornell – 4.0
Russell Haymon – 3.8

Phoenix Top Rebounds
Keith Chapman – 7.8
Jeffrey Johnson – 7.1
Ipolitas Margolis – 5.9

League Leaders
Points – Tobe Slaughter (DAL) – 29.9
Assists – Israel Payne (NEV) – 11.7
Rebounds – Julius Hobbs (SEA) – 13.1
Blocks – Dan Bonney (UTA) – 3.0
Steals – Curtis Mueller (NOH) – 2.8
Efficiency – Ish Faye (IND) – 30.6

Rookie Leaders
Points – Victor Hoiberg (CHI) – 11.6
Assists – Slavi Drnovsek (NYK) – 4.1
Rebounds – Steve Howard (CLE) – 7.9
Steals – Romanos Demosthenous (PHO) – 0.9
Blocks – Slavi Drnovsek (NYK) – 1.4
Efficiency – Steve Howard (CLE) – 13.9

First Round of NBA Draft Prospects
1. C Jordan Williamson (UC Irvine), Sophomore, 6’9”, 259lbs
2. SG Will Campbell (High School), Senior, 6’5”, 220lbs
3. C Mike Lewis (Western Kentucky), Freshman, 6’9”, 263lbs
4. PF Deon Fox (Florida), Junior, 6’11”, 251lbs
5. C Aaron DeManby (Oregon), Freshman, 6’11”, 255lbs

Thoughts – I really think that this is a battle between Williamson and DeManby with Williamson coming out on top. Campbell is putting up great numbers in high school while Lewis is Tavorris Hancock all over again, a centre with oodles of potential that is rawer than blue steak and will drop come draft time.

[zike_42]

December Player of the Month – Ish Faye, Indiana Pacers – 28.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.8 steals and 2.9 blocks per game.

December Rookie of the Month – Victor Hoiberg, Chicago Bulls – 16.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.0 blocks per game.

Two trades last month with one massive one going down.

Sacramento trade:
PF Anthony Palmer
2039 2nd round pick

Indiana trade:
C Benjamin Capel

Winner – Draw. Both players are pretty average and neither will get heaps of court time so it’s a push.

New Orleans trade:
SG Quinton Scott
PG Colin Walker

Miami trade:
C Schuyler Vanderwerken
2039 2nd round pick

Winner – New Orleans. I have no idea what the Heat are doing. This was a salary dump of one of the best centres in the league and judging by the rest of their roster they aren’t looking for expirings. Walker was cut and this is highway robbery from the Hornets.

The Riders are doing well this season but for tonight we were better, getting out to a huge lead and never letting it go, winning 117-100. Chris was our best with 33 points while Roman had a great night against Jason London with 25 points and holding London to 16 points. Murray Cornette had 22 points and 10 rebounds to lead San Diego.

Phoenix Suns 15-17

Chris Horvath gets into foul trouble early, goes 4/16 in only 28 minutes and then mouths off that he didn’t play enough minutes? Idiot. I give him a serve and he promptly shuts up. We lose to the Jazz 113-96 as Nathaniel Jackson gets away from us with 25 points and 11 rebounds but it was encouraging to see Rich Muckle score 23 points in 23 minutes. If Chris mouths off some more and Muck plays this well we might see a new SG soon.

Phoenix Suns 15-18

It’s weird that coming from Portland/Brooklyn/Dallas where we hardly ever lose two in a row but in this first year with Phoenix with all of these young guys it’s a common occurrence. Oh well, it’ll be worth it. Chris shuts up and has 20 points and 9 assists as we lose to Cleveland 119-106. Jamil Fleming had 14 points, 14 assists and 8 rebounds as we shoot 40% to their 52% which is all people need to know about this game.

Phoenix Suns 15-19

Wow, I’ve just heard that Houston’s superstar Cameron Brown has asked for a trade on the same day we beat the Rockets 111-101. Brown does his thing with 30 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds which is very professional of him but I can see his point. Chris’ outburst seems to be the best thing for him as he had 23 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists in the win. Keith Chapman had 20 points and 12 rebounds but sprained his finger and will be injured for around a week.

Phoenix Suns 16-19

I called up the Rockets to see if we could get a dialog going for Cameron Brown and Garrett Jakeway, their GM, just said thanks but no thanks. Fair enough.

In a low scoring game we outlast the Kings with a 96-83 win. Chris was again our best with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists while Ipol had 24 points and 8 rebounds and he’s finally 100% healthy. Joe Adras had 16 points and 10 assists but he went 7/22 from the field and 2/13 from three which kind of tempers it a little.

Phoenix Suns 17-19

The Riders had enough of our guff after last game as they take care of business 100-92. Cliff Havens had a much better game than last time with 26 points and 12 rebounds but Brennen Perdue nearly undid all of that, going 2/11 for 8 points and 9 turnovers. Chris was our best with 29 points and 7 rebounds.

Phoenix Suns 17-20

Sigh. We might be young but we just can’t lose to a terrible team like Seattle, but that’s what we did, going down 114-99. Renard Hawkins is still plugging along up there with 27 points and 10 rebounds on 11/13 shooting as we shoot 38% from the field. Russell Haymon filled in for Cornell’s foul trouble with 17 points and 7 rebounds.

Phoenix Suns 17-21

Double sigh. We play San Diego again and again we lose, this time 101-91. Jason London had a better shooting night with 30 points while Cliff Havens nearly had a triple double with 24 points, 11 assists and 8 rebounds. Again Brennen Perdue nearly stuffed it up going 2/16. Talk about déjà vu. Chris had a rough shooting night at 8/20 but still ended up with 20 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds.

Phoenix Suns 17-22

It’s good to see BJ Watson doing well in Toronto as I was worried that he wouldn’t do well as the primary scorer. There were no doubts in Toronto’s 118-107 win as he had 21 points and 7 rebounds to continue his All Star worthy form. Ipol tried to stay with him with 20 points while Chris had 23 points and 8 assists.

Phoenix Suns 17-23

We need to get away from San Diego and Utah because we always seem to play them this month and we always seem to lose, this time against Utah and this time the score was 111-94. Russell’s cousin, Ray Haymon, led the Jazz with 21 points and 10 rebounds with Nathaniel Jackson backing him up with 23 points and 15 rebounds. We had an atrocious 27 turnovers in the game compared to their 12 which just isn’t good enough. Ipol was the worst with six to go with his 2/14 shooting night.

Phoenix Suns 17-24

Brooklyn aren’t the league leaders like they used to be but they are much better than we are as Marshod Anderson had 29 points and the Nets breezed past us 105-81. Luigi Cannavaro is having an All Star season (21.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.2 blocks) and put it on display tonight with 23 points and 9 rebounds. Cornell was our best with 15 points, 9 assists and 5 rebounds but we are struggling.

Phoenix Suns 17-25

That’s seven losses in a row as we go down to an equally bad Nevada side 113-101. Philip Rude had 30 points as we shoot 41%. Talk about a draining month. Roman was a highlight with 13 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 blocks.

Phoenix Suns 17-26

I’m so glad I got our first round pick back.

Woo! We snapped our losing streak with a 36-23 last quarter binge to steal the game from Denver’s grasp 112-109. Cornell was our best with 29 points as a furious fightback was just what I wanted to see. We could have just dropped our heads and taken our eighth loss in a row but to their credit they didn’t give up. Gustavo Fonseca is making every other GM smack themselves for not picking him up with 30 points tonight.

Phoenix Suns 18-26

We finished the month with a win but other than that it was not a good month. We’re down to fifth last in the conference and that’s because the other four are really bad. Portland are still in the lead at 36-7 and have opened up a gap between them and the 26-10 Mavericks and 27-12 Riders. The Lakers are at 10-31.

Indiana are the best team in the East at 32-12 but have some company in Detroit at 34-13 and Brooklyn at 26-15 so it’s a close race so far. Philadelphia are staring down the worst record ever at 6-39 while New York aren’t much better at 9-34.

Phoenix Top Points
Chris Horvath – 19.6
Keith Chapman – 14.7
Ipolitas Margolis – 13.5

Phoenix Top Assists
Chris Horvath – 5.1
Ryan Cornell – 4.5
Russell Haymon – 3.4

Phoenix Top Rebounds
Keith Chapman – 7.8
Jeffrey Johnson – 7.1
Ipolitas Margolis – 6.2

JJ has only 10 more days to go until he is cleared to play which is a godsend.

League Leaders
Points – Tiburcio Tommasini (MIL) – 30.7
Assists – Israel Payne (NEV) – 11.4
Rebounds – Julius Hobbs (MIN) – 12.7
Blocks – Ish Faye (IND) – 2.8
Steals – Jehiel DeSantis (DEN) – 2.8
Efficiency – Ish Faye (IND) – 30.5

Rookie Leaders
Points – Victor Hoiberg (CHI) – 12.4
Assists – Slavi Drnovsek (NYK) – 4.5
Rebounds – Steve Howard (CLE) – 9.0
Blocks – Adam Bell (MEM) – 2.0
Steals – Slavi Drnovsek (NYK) – 1.4
Efficiency – Steve Howard (CLE) – 16.2

Second Round of NBA Draft Prospects
1. PF Deon Fox (Florida), Junior, 6’11”, 251lbs
2. C Jordan Williamson (UC Irvine), Sophomore, 6’9”, 259lbs
3. C Mike Lewis (Western Kentucky), Freshman, 6’9”, 264lbs
4. C Aaron DeManby (Oregon), Freshman, 6’11”, 255lbs
5. SG Phil Magnum (High School), Senior, 6’6”, 222lbs

Thoughts – Decent looking top five there and just like last year there will be a lot of movement during the season. Keep a look out for #8 Jonathan Roland, a PG out of New Mexico who is putting up numbers of 22 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds a game.

[zike_42]

January Player of the Month – Ish Faye, Indiana Pacers – 29.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 1.6 steals and 2.9 blocks per game.

January Rookie of the Month – Steve Howard, Cleveland Cavaliers – 13.3 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.

No significant trades in January but I feel that there are going to be some doozies at the dead line.

One day we’ll be as good as OKC but right now we are nowhere near, as they stomp us 114-98. Brandon Bailey of all people was the best with 20 points, 9 rebounds and 6 steals but was helped by many, many other teammates. Ipol was our best with 27 points and 10 rebounds and ever since Chris had that tantrum he’s been playing well and had 24 points tonight.

Phoenix Suns 18-27

I haven’t had a season like this for a very long time which is good I guess but on the score sheet it’s anything but, as we lose to Sacramento 103-97 with David Baxley leading the way with 31 points. Chris had 29 points while Cornell put up 23 points and 13 assists. The downside? We shot 40%.

Phoenix Suns 18-28

Chris had 31 points and 8 rebounds as we steamroll the Neon 40-20 in the last quarter to take the game 120-103 for a morale booster. Keith and Ipol combined for 25 points and 23 rebounds to take it to Nevada. Tarrell Gates was a one man army with 27 points but faltered at the end.

Phoenix Suns 19-28

And we’re back down again as the Thunder ride Mike Bickerstaf’s 27 points to deflate our balloon 106-96. Ipol had 23 points and 8 rebounds but went 7/21 for a very inefficient game. Next.

Phoenix Suns 19-29

Groan, we play another super team in Dallas and just like last game, we get beaten easily. Mark Frazier filled in for the injured Terry McKenzie with 27 points while Earl Harris was so close to a triple double with 17 points, 10 assists and 9 rebounds as the Mavs beat us 128-115 and it wasn’t even that close. Chris had 28 points but when a team like Dallas shoots 56% then it’s struggle town for the Suns.

Phoenix Suns 19-30

With fourteen seconds to go Chris had the ball and it was all tied against Houston. Two dribbles and he picks the rock up and somehow, some way he slides a bounce pass to Ipol to seal the 115-113 win with three seconds to go. Heart pounding stuff especially when we had a baker’s dozen point lead. Ipol was the best with 31 points while Keith and Chris had 20 points each. Cameron Brown is still in Houston and still playing well, tonight having 27 points and 7 assists.

Phoenix Suns 20-30

Two things – 1) I don’t want to lose to the 12-36 Knicks even if we aren’t playing well and 2) JJ is back! He slides into the starting five because Keith is nursing a sore leg. JJ had 12 points and 8 rebounds but goddamn it we lose. And not only did we lose but we lost by one freaking point as we couldn’t get a shot off at the end of the game. Reggie Smith had 24 points and 9 rebounds while Tony Brown added 23 points off the bench for New York. Chris had 17 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists and I’m furious that we lost this game even if we are sucking.

Phoenix Suns 20-31

Are you freaking serious! Not only did we lose by another freaking shot, going down to Atlanta 114-111 but after breaking his leg a few months ago JJ broke his arm in the second quarter! That’s right, he’s out for another two or so months. Groan. We had seven players in double figures but we couldn’t stop Michael McQuay who had 30 points and 16 rebounds. This season just keeps getting better.

Phoenix Suns 20-32

I feel like just fast forwarding until next season because right now we’re just giving our young guys as much court time as possible, and if we keep playing great teams we should get a good pick. Earl Harris had 16 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds to lead the Mavericks to a 114-109 win. Roman was our best with 21 points and 7 rebounds while Rich Muckle had 15 points off the bench. I really like that Cornell is becoming more of a distributor with 8 assists as he isn’t just thinking of himself now.

Phoenix Suns 20-33

Another game, another loss to a top tier team as the Blazers have their turn in a 117-93 win. Portland had a whopping eight players in double figures led by Danny Perez’s 18 points. Ipol had 21 points but we shot 36% from the field to doom us.

Phoenix Suns 20-34

Our last game before the All Star break was another loss this time to Atlanta again as Michael McQuay made up for going 6/20 from the field with 21 free throw attempts for 24 points and 10 rebounds to take the win 127-119. He had plenty of help with six other players in double figures. Ryan was our best, going 10/13 for 26 points and 9 assists but he fouled out too early. He’s still young though, he’ll work those things out.

Phoenix Suns 20-35

We have a break from our trudging season to take in the highlights of the All Star Weekend. OKC’s James Hansen leads from start to finish to beat Milwaukee’s Andy Bowman to take the Slam Dunk Contest crown while my old friend Cort Majishun hangs on for the title of Long Distance Shootout winner, beating Detroit’s Ben LaLane and New Orleans’ Curtis Mueller.

The Rookie/Sophomore game was anything but close as the second year guys got out to a 13 point first quarter lead and continued from there, winning handsomely 159-124. They shot 51% from the field and hit 22 three pointers thanks to MVP Mack Haston with 34 points and 12 assists (and 6 threes) Daniel Brazzle did his best with 30 points as well for the sophs. Slavi Drnovsek might be 26 years old and a second rounder but he’s still a rookie and had 18 points and 17 assists in a losing effort. We had Roman as our only participant with 8 minutes and 1 foul.

The All Star game was in fact very close, with both teams having a double digit lead before the East held on to a 128-122 victory after the West rattled off ten straight points at the end. Frank Slaughter was named All Star MVP with 35 points while Michael Harmon did most of the heavy lifting with 16 points and 17 assists. Over in the West, Cliff Havens didn’t want to share the ball with anyone, going 12/30 for 34 points with Julius Hobbs adding 17 rebounds. Unsurprising we didn’t have any All Stars but Darnell Kimbrough was named and had 7 points in 12 minutes.

Eastern Conference All Star Starters
Michael Harmon, Indiana Pacers (5th selection)
Frank Slaughter, Cleveland Cavaliers (4th selection)
Marshod Anderson, Brooklyn Nets (4th selection)
Ishmael Faye, Indiana Pacers (4th selection)
Jamie McMillian, Detroit Pistons (3rd selection)

Eastern Conference All Star Reserves
Cort Majishun, Brooklyn Nets (7th selection)
Arthimus Smallwood, Memphis Grizzlies (1st selection)
Pete Edgerson, Orlando Magic (2nd selection)
Mark Lyday, Miami Heat (2nd selection)
Michael McQuay, Atlanta Hawks (8th selection)
Reggie Smith, New York Knicks (7th selection)
BJ Watson, Toronto Raptors (1st selection)

A little note about Smallwood. You know I’ve been frothing over Smallwood for a while now and all throughout this season I have been trying to trade for him and now you all know why: he’s a defensive nightmare. Here are his stats – 17.9 points, 2.2 assists, 8.4 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 2.2 blocks. At age 22! This kid is crazy good and I’m debating whether to make an exception to my free agency rule for this kid as he will be a RFA this off season.

Western Conference All Star Starters
Joe Adras, Sacramento Kings (4th selection)
Cliff Havens, San Diego Riders (4th selection)
Tiburcio Tommasini, Milwaukee Bucks (8th selection)
Julius Hobbs, Minnesota Timberwolves (4th selection)
Diego Acosta, Sacramento Kings (6th selection)

Western Conference All Star Reserves
Axel Rancik, Oklahoma City Thunder (2nd selection)
Jason London, San Diego Riders (8th selection)
Nathaniel Jackson, Utah Jazz (7th selection)
Mack Haston, San Antonio Spurs (1st selection)
Darnell Kimbrough, Golden State Warriors (1st selection)
Cameron Brown, Houston Rockets (2nd selection)
Jason Harriman, Denver Nuggets (3rd selection)

Cornell got a hard knock on the sternum in training and will be out for at least one game which just adds to our lovely, injury free season.

The Pistons are a crazy good team, not just good players but they play the right way as some people might say. So it comes as no surprise that they spank us 113-88 behind Jamie McMillian’s 34 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks. Chris was our best with 19 points while Clifton School made up for Ipol’s foul trouble with 16 points and 15 rebounds.

Phoenix Suns 20-36

If we lose to the 8-51 Sixers then I might has well just give up now. Ipol and Keith have other ideas as they put on 57 points and 16 rebounds as we are spared embarrassment by winning 120-108. Chris added 22 points which is all we needed. Padorin Ivelitsch has made a name for himself in Philly and had 19 points.

Ouch, after a horrible couple of months we are sitting second last in the West with only the terrible Lakers propping us up. At least we have our pick back! Hahaha, urgh. The Blazers have opened up a huge lead at 47-10 with OKC falling behind at 37-19 and Utah at 32-18.

The Pacers and Pistons are in a dogfight for the number one seed in the East with Indiana at 43-16 and Detroit at 41-17. It’s anyone’s at the moment. Philadelphia can’t even see that high at 8-53 and have luckily beaten the 2019 Nevada Neon’s record of 8-74 which is the worst ever. Wow, it’s the 20th years since the expansion that brought in Nevada and Seattle, how time flies.

Phoenix Top Points
Chris Horvath – 19.7
Ipolitas Margolis – 14.9
Keith Chapman – 14.2

Phoenix Top Assists
Chris Horvath – 5.2
Ryan Cornell – 5.1
Russell Haymon – 3.5

Phoenix Top Rebounds
Keith Chapman – 7.9
Ipolitas Margolis – 6.4
Chris Horvath – 5.7

League Leaders
Points – Tiburcio Tommasini (MIL) – 29.7
Assists – Israel Payne (NEV) – 11.3
Rebounds – Julius Hobbs (MIN) – 13.0
Blocks – Ish Faye (IND) – 2.6
Steals – Jehiel DeSantis (DEN) – 2.8
Efficiency – Ish Faye (IND) – 30.0

Rookie Leaders
Points – Victor Hoiberg (CHI) – 12.7
Assists – Slavi Drnovsek (NYK) – 5.4
Rebounds – Steve Howard (CLE) – 9.6
Blocks – Adam Bell (MEM) – 2.0
Steals – Slavi Drnovsek (NYK) – 1.4
Efficiency – Steve Howard (CLE) -17.4

Third Round of NBA Draft Prospects
1. C Aaron DeManby (Oregon), Freshman, 6’11”, 255lbs
2. SG Will Campbell (High School), Senior, 6’5”, 220lbs
3. C Jordan Williamson (UC Irvine), Sophomore, 6’9”, 259lbs
4. PF Deon Fox (Florida), Junior, 6’11”, 251lbs
5. SF Tom Jordan (Nevada), Junior, 6’8, 228lbs

Thoughts – This draft is so up in the air. And there’s not a stand out superstar in the making either so the bad teams will probably stay bad for a little while longer.

[PointGuard]

Hey! Cort Majishun is still playing well enough to get onto the all-star team. Cool!