New York, New York! Bringing a championship home

[zike_42]

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

Cort's killing it, averaging 21.3 points, 9.0 assists and 3.5 rebounds and good enough for 9th in efficiency for the league at 24.7. He may be 33 years old but he's still going strong.

[zike_42]

Mid Season Report of Rookie Six – Year Fourteen

I haven’t done this for a long time so I thought I’d just give a quick run down.

#17 PG Cort Majishun, Brooklyn Nets
Season Averages – 21.3 points, 9.0 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 0.2 blocks
Career Averages – 20.0 points, 9.2 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 0.3 blocks

Rookie Game Starter – 2025, 2026
All Rookie First Team – 2025
Long Distance Shootout Participant – 2034
Long Distance Shootout Participant - 2038
All Star Game Reserve – 2029, 2034, 2036, 2038
All Star Game Starter – 2030, 2031, 2033
All Star Game MVP – 2029, 2030, 2033
All NBA Second Team – 2030, 2032, 2033
All NBA Third Team – 2031, 2035
Titles – 2034, 2035, 2036

#41 SF Jack Dawkins, Dallas Mavericks
Season Stats – 15.5 points, 7.2 assists, 5.4 rebounds, 0.6 steals, 0.2 blocks
Career Stats – 21.4 points, 6.2 assists, 6.2 rebounds, 0.7 steals, 0.3 blocks

Rookie Game Starter – 2025, 2026
All Star Game Reserve – 2026, 2027, 2030, 2032, 2033, 2034, 2035, 2036, 2037
All Star Game Starter – 2028
All NBA First Team - 2032
All NBA Second Team – 2027, 2028, 2033, 2034, 2036, 2037
All NBA Third Team – 2030
Titles – 2028, 2030, 2031, 2032

#43 PF Terry McKenzie, Dallas Mavericks
Season Stats – 10.8 points, 1.1 assists, 6.2 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 0.4 blocks
Career Stats – 17.1 points, 1.2 assists, 8.8 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 0.9 blocks

Rookie Game Starter – 2025, 2026
All Rookie First Team - 2025
All Star Game Reserve – 2028, 2031, 2033, 2034, 2035
All Star Game Starter – 2029, 2032
All NBA First Team – 2027, 2028, 2031, 2033
All NBA Second Team – 2029, 2030, 2032
All NBA Third Team - 2034
Titles – 2030, 2031, 2032

#44 C Art Stevenson, New Orleans Hornets
Season Stats – 10.8 points, 1.0 assist, 4.5 rebounds, 0.5 steals, 1.2 blocks
Career Stats – 14.7 points, 1.0 assist, 7.1 rebounds, 0.5 steals, 1.5 blocks

All Rookie Second Team – 2025
All Star Game Reserve – 2033, 2036
All Star Game Starter – 2035
All NBA First Team – 2035
All NBA Third Team - 2036

#11 SG Kenneth Long, Orlando Magic
Season Stats – 13.5 points, 7.4 assists, 4.1 rebounds, 0.8 steals, 0.6 blocks
Career Stats – 17.1 points, 5.7 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 1.0 block

Rookie Game Starter – 2026
All Star Game Reserve – 2027, 2028, 2032, 2035
All Star Game Starter – 2030, 2031
All Star Game MVP – 2027
All NBA Second Team – 2027, 2028
All NBA Third Team – 2031, 2032
All Defense Second Team – 2028, 2030, 2031, 2032, 2035
Titles – 2027, 2034, 2035, 2036

#2 SG Chris Jones, Phoenix Suns
Season Stats – 3.3 points, 1.8 assists, 1.4 rebounds, 0.1 steals, 0.0 blocks
Career Stats – 13.8 points, 7.0 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 0.0 blocks

Rookie Game Reserve – 2025, 2026
All Rookie Second Team – 2025
All Star Game Reserve - 2029

[zike_42]

February Player of the Month – Jamie McMillian, Detroit Pistons – 28.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.0 steal and 2.5 blocks per game.

February Rookie of the Month – Steve Howard, Cleveland Cavaliers – 14.6 points, 12.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.5 steals and 1.0 block per game.

Massive, massive, massive trades at the deadline.

San Diego trade:
SG Jason London

Cleveland trade:
PF Torraye Driggers
2039 2nd round pick

Winner – San Diego. You know the deal, whoever trades London wins the trade. The Riders didn’t even get a decent deal out of him as Driggers is average on an All Star salary.

Portland trade:
C Kevin Morrison
C Matt Piatowski (cut)

Chicago trade:
SF Patrick Blizzard

Winner – Portland, for now. Blizzard is a perennial All Star and brings another level of ‘oomph’ to the already talent laden Blazers. Morrison is no slouch though as he has all the potential to be an All NBA player in the future. And at only 20 years old he still has three years left on his rookie contract.

Indiana trade:
C Josiah Williams

Philadelphia trade:
SG Chris Canal
2039 2nd round pick

Winner – Indiana. The Pacers have their SG. They have needed a quality SG for so many years it’s not funny and after putting out only barely decent two guards they get a great one. Giving up on Williams wasn’t that hard as they have plenty of big man depth and now they are the favourites for the title.

We hold Nathaniel Jackson to only 8/21 shooting yet we still lose, going down to Utah 107-93. The reason was that we couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn from two feet away, shooting 35%. Cornell was our only decent player with 19 points and 9 rebounds while Kenroy McPherson had a great game with 21 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists.

Phoenix Suns 21-37

It takes a great effort for us to win a game these days and that effort was from Chris who had 39 points to lead us to a 127-113 win over Orlando. The rest of the guys were good with Ipol having 24 points and 11 rebounds while Keith and Cornell combine for 29 points, 17 rebounds and 12 assists. Juia Henchoz tried to match Chris with 37 points but we were just too strong. Correction, Chris Horvath was just too strong.

Phoenix Suns 22-37

Woo! That’s two in a row. And we beat the elite Nets 124-105 in their turf no less. Ipol and Keith were fantastic with 54 points and 26 rebounds while Chris nearly had a triple double with 18 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists. Luigi Cannavaro has really come into his own this season and had 26 points and 8 rebounds on the night.

Phoenix Suns 23-37

Aaaaand we’re back down. Darnell Kimbrough had no mercy for his old team with 25 points and 7 rebounds as the Warriors smash us 128-96. Anthony Coley also did well with 25 points and 11 rebounds as they shot 54% to our 47%. Cornell can hold his head high with 19 points on 7/11 shooting.

Phoenix Suns 23-38

Well this sucks, as we lose to the freaking 11-57 Sixers AGAIN, this time a 116-108 defeat. I don’t know why they are sucking so bad as on paper they don’t look too bad with Jit wei Fong leading them with 27 points and 10 rebounds. Ipol was our best with 24 points while Keith added 13 points and 13 rebounds.

Phoenix Suns 23-39

This team is such a yo-yo as we take care of Arthimus Smallwood and the Grizzlies 123-101 behind Chris’ 29 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Cornell is making me excited for next season as he’s really putting together great games and not just here and there either and tonight had 18 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists. Nathan McNeill had 29 points in 24 minutes off the bench for Memphis as Smallwood was held to 8 points.

Phoenix Suns 24-39

No worries guys, let’s just make the terrible teams of the league feel better about themselves but letting them beat us. This time it was the Lakers 109-98 as Nathan Gordon had 25 points. Don’t sleep on Gordon, he’s a future All Star player at only 22 years old. Ipol had 22 points and 12 rebounds but this team is looking for the off season already. There’s going to be some moves alright.

Phoenix Suns 24-40

The Grizzlies get their revenge on their home court as Arthimus Smallwood played well for 15 points and 19 rebounds. 19 rebounds for a SF is crazy. Jeremy Ondera had a great all around game with 20 points, 9 rebounds, 4 blocks and 4 steals. Cornell was our best on ground with 14 points and 10 assists.

Phoenix Suns 24-41

Julius Hobbs has had a resurgence in Minnesota, averaging much better numbers from the last couple of years. Tonight’s 29 points and 20 rebounds doesn’t hurt as the Wolves beat us 116-104. They did that even without Enrique Mendez who has a sprained ankle. Ipol as our best with 25 points and 9 rebounds but we just couldn’t stop Minny from scoring which was very frustrating.

Phoenix Suns 24-42

To makes matters worse, Cornell has badly sprained his toe and will be down for a week or so and Russell Haymon will fill in for him. In good news JJ has been cleared to play from the bench which is great news.

Wow. This is pretty much our biggest scalp by knocking off the Pistons 94-86. Keith was a monster with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 5 blocks while Muck went 8/10 for 20 points in 23 minutes off the bench. I’m drooling to see what he can do in a few years. JJ had a shocker in his first game back which is to be expected with 14 minutes, 0 points and 5 fouls. Jamie McMillian led Detroit with 22 points.

Phoenix Suns 25-42

That’s two wins in a row as we outlast the Wizards 105-103. Chris had 21 points but it was our big guys who won it for us as Keith and Ipol had 30 points and 25 rebounds. LaZelle Brown had 29 points for the losers but they are getting too old to be real threats to the best teams. Best news, JJ is fully fit (finally).

Phoenix Suns 26-42

Now that’s three wins in a row as we smash the Kings even with a great performance from Diego Acosta 106-89 and it’s looking really nice. Keith was our star with 19 points and 12 rebounds while Russell had 17 points and 5 assists in 22 minutes off the bench. Acosta had 22 points and 11 rebounds but the rest of the starters went 14/49 from the field.

Phoenix Suns 27-42

Wow. Wow, wow, wow. The team goes 53% from the field with Keith leading the way with 34 points and 9 rebounds as we slaughter the Warriors 132-101. Did I say wow? Chris had 23 points and 10 assists while JJ had a great game with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Carl Willis had 26 points for the losers but they were just hit with a freight train.

Phoenix Suns 28-42

Damn, no five game winning streak as we go down to the Sonics at home 108-94. Chris did well with 24 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists but they hit 12 threes and we had 15 turnovers to their seven. Alfons Dietz had 26 points but it was a good, all around game from Seattle.

Phoenix Suns 28-43

It’s odd that we have a record of .394 but if the season finished now we would only have the eighth worst odds as there are heaps of terrible teams this season. Portland would hava to have a complete meltdown to lose WCF HCA at 57-15 as OKC is at 46-25 and Utah at 25-26. LA are still down the bottom at 20-53.

The Pacers aren’t out of the hunt entirely for HCA for the entire post season but it’s get close at 50-22 while Detroit are close to 50 wins with 49-26. The Sixers are atrocious at 14-60 while New York aren’t much better at 16-55.

Phoenix Top Points
Chris Horvath – 19.6
Ipolitas Margolis – 15.4
Keith Chapman – 14.7

Phoenix Top Assists
Ryan Cornell – 5.3
Chris Horvath – 5.3
Russell Haymon – 3.6

Phoenix Top Rebounds
Keith Chapman – 8.1
Ipolitas Margolis – 7.0
Jeffrey Johnson – 6.7

League Leaders
Points – Tiburcio Tommasini (MIL) – 28.6
Assists – Axel Rancik (OKC) – 11.4
Rebounds – Julius Hobbs (MIN) – 12.5
Blocks – Ish Faye (IND) – 2.6
Steals – Justin Smith (MIA) – 2.7
Efficiency – Ish Faye (IND) – 30.0

Rookie Leaders
Points – Victor Hoiberg (CHI) – 13.8
Assists – Slavi Drnovsek (NYK) – 5.7
Rebounds – Steve Howard (CLE) – 9.8
Blocks – Adam Bell (MEM) – 2.0
Steals – Slavi Drnovsek (NYK) – 1.2
Efficiency – Steve Howard (CLE) – 17.5

Last Round of NBA Draft Prospects
1. PF Deon Fox (Florida), Junior, 6’11”, 251lbs
2. PF Tim Williams (Texas A&M), Junior, 6’10”, 244lbs
3. C Jordan Williamson (UC Irvine), Sophomore, 6’9”, 259lbs
4. C Aaron DeManby (Oregon), Freshman, 6’11”, 255lbs
5. SF Travis Morant (Marquette), Freshman, 6’9”, 233lbs

Thoughts – This just goes to show that this draft is all up in the air. Williams and Morant haven’t been around the top five yet here we are and they are right there. Fox is a good pick for number one and will battle it out with Williamson and DeManby for the top spot.

[zike_42]

April Player of the Month – Tobe Slaughter, Dallas Mavericks – 30.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.0 blocks per game.

April Rookie of the Month – Victor Hoiberg, Chicago Bulls – 18.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.0 blocks per game.

With eleven games left it’s just best if we get this over and done with and move onto the off season. In our first game for April we get a win, beating out the Raptors 112-98. Chris was electric with 23 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds while JJ added 13 points, 14 rebounds and 6 blocks in a very impressive game. Daniel Brazzle led Toronto with 27 points and 8 rebounds but BJ Watson was held to only 6 points.

Phoenix Suns 29-43

You know, why couldn’t we play this good at the start of the season as we knock of Indiana of all teams 122-117. We did it with an all around performance with eight players in double figures but none more than Ryan Cornell with 19 points. Michael Harmon was the best for the Pacers with 24 points and 13 assists but fouled out down the stretch to hand us the win.

Phoenix Suns 30-43

Son of a BITCH! Guess who just broke his toe? That’s right, Jeffrey freaking Johnson. I was told that he was durable before I traded him but obviously that’s a lie and I’ll try and trade him in the off season. Mack Haston had 28 points and 7 assists as the Spurs beat us up 104-87 but after JJ broke another part of his body it’s hard to be too annoyed with another loss. Chris had 25 points and 10 rebounds.

Phoenix Suns 30-44

Chris Bailey had 22 points for the Hornets who shot 52% from the field to blank us 113-91. Keith had 24 points and 9 rebounds but honestly, I’m looking for the future.

Phoenix Suns 30-45

The Cavs got out to a 21 point lead at the half before we stormed back to lose by a point 119-118. Ugh, Frank Slaughter had 17 points and 13 assists but his most important stat was his two steals as one of those was the game winner as he stole the ball from Keith Chapman who was going for the win. Keith had 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead another five Suns in double figures but we just couldn’t run it out at the end.

Phoenix Suns 30-46

We had a whopping four players with double doubles in our 116-112 win over Nevada as Cornell (25 points, 10 assists), Keith (19 points, 10 rebounds), Chris (18 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists) and Ipol (17 points, 12 rebounds) all doubled up. What a game! Phillip Rude must have leather poisoning as he went 9/27 for 21 points to lead Nevada.

Phoenix Suns 31-46

Ah! Another one point loss after racing back in the fourth term. We get down by 14 points at some stage during the game against the Wolves only to outscore the 28-19 in the last to lose 91-90. Julius Hobbs was again our rival with 13 points and 15 rebounds but it’s weird to see Enrique Mendez come off the bench in his 16th season. He had 4 points in 15 minutes. Roman was our best with 18 points.

Phoenix Suns 31-47

Let’s see if we can miss the 50 loss mark this season, which means that we need at least two wins in the next four games. It doesn’t help that we play the Wolves again. What does help is that we hold them to 38% (Paul Cunningham was especially heinous at 1/13) to take the win 93-86. Cornell was our best with 21 points and went to the foul line twelve times and our bigs ripped down 26 rebounds between them. Isiah Ryan had 18 points and 7 rebounds to pace Minny but they just shot horribly.

Phoenix Suns 32-47

A win here will give us a non 50 loss season which would be great for morale and it wasn’t even close. Cornell and Chris combined for 46 points as we smash the Warriors on their home court 115-97. They were simply outplayed, as Darnell Kimbrough was held to 10 points but Roman.

Phoenix Suns 33-47

Of course the Warriors get their revenge the next night as Apolinary Dembowski had 27 points and 8 rebounds to beat us 114-102. We had seven players in double figures with Cornell having 19 points but we just didn’t shoot well enough down the stretch when we could have made a fightback. Russell may have had 15 points and 11 assists but he shot 21 attempts in only 25 minutes.

Phoenix Suns 33-48

Our last game of the season was a 101-93 win over Orlando to cap off a pretty decent month. Ipol had 24 points and 9 rebounds in only 30 minutes as we shot 100% from the foul line (23/23) and held the Magic to 36%. Kenneth Long is back at PG and had 12 points and 13 assists before fouling out.

Phoenix Suns 34-48

Western Conference Final Standings
1 – Portland Trailblazers – 63-19 (.768)
2 – Oklahoma City Thunder – 54-28 (.659)
3 – Minnesota Timberwolves – 52-30 (.634)
4 – Utah Jazz – 49-33 (.598)
5 – Dallas Mavericks – 49-33 (.598)
6 – San Diego Riders – 46-36 (.561)
7 – Sacramento Kings – 46-36 (.561)
8 – Denver Nuggets – 44-38 (.537)
Last – Los Angeles Lakers – 22-60 (.268)

Eastern Conference Final Standings
1 – Indiana Pacers – 57-25 (.695)
2 – Detroit Pistons – 55-27 (.671)
3 – Memphis Grizzlies – 51-31 (.622)
4 – Brooklyn Nets – 49-33 (.590)
5 – Orlando Magic – 48-34 (.585)
6 – Boston Celtics – 48-34 (.585)
7 – Toronto Raptors – 46-36 (.561)
8 – Washington Wizards – 44-38 (.537)
Last – Philadelphia 76ers – 15-67

Phoenix Top Points
Chris Horvath – 19.1
Ipolitas Margolis – 15.5
Keith Chapman – 14.3

Phoenix Top Assists
Ryan Cornell – 5.5
Chris Horvath – 5.3
Russell Haymon – 3.8

Phoenix Top Rebounds
Keith Chapman – 8.0
Ipolitas Margolis – 7.2
Jeffrey Johnson – 7.1

League Top Points
TIburcio Tommasini (MIL) – 28.2
Tobe Slaughter (DAL) – 28.0
Reggie Smith (NYK) – 27.6

League Top Assists
Axel Rancik (OKC) – 11.7
Israel Payne (NEV) – 11.2
Curtis Mueller (NOH) – 11.2

League Top Rebounds
Julius Hobbs (MIN) – 12.5
Reggie Smith (NYK) – 9.8
Steve Howard (CLE) – 9.7

League Top Blocks
Ish Faye (IND) – 2.7
BJ Watson (TOR) – 2.5
Keith Chapman (PHO) – 2.4

League Top Steals
Justin Smith (MIA) – 2.6
Earl Harris (DAL) – 2.5
Axel Rancik (OKC) – 2.5

League Top Efficiency
Ish Faye (IND) – 29.3
Michael Harmon (IND) – 27.5
Tobe Slaughter (DAL) – 25.8

Rookie Top Points
Victor Hoiberg (CHI) – 13.9
Glen Abrams (NEV) – 13.4
Kurt Sutton (NYK) – 11.7

Rookie Top Assists
Slavi Drnovsek (NYK) – 5.9
Glen Abrams (NEV) – 2.9
Romanos Demosthenous (PHO) – 1.5

Rookie Top Rebounds
Steve Howard (CLE) – 9.7
Victor Hoiberg (CHI) – 5.7
Chris Prater (DAL) – 5.1

Rookie Top Efficiency
Steve Howard (CLE) – 17.3
Victor Hoiberg (CHI) – 14.9
Glen Abrams (NEV) – 14.2

[zike_42]

2039 NBA Playoffs

Eastern Conference First Round
#8 Washington defeat #1 Indiana 4-2
#2 Detroit defeat #7 Toronto 4-1
#3 Memphis defeat #6 Boston 4-0
#4 Brooklyn defeat #5 Orlando 4-3

Western Conference First Round
#1 Portland defeat #8 Denver 4-0
#7 Sacramento defeat #2 Oklahoma City 4-2
#3 Minnesota defeat #6 San Diego 4-2
#5 Dallas defeat #4 Utah 4-2

Eastern Conference Semi-Finals
#8 Washington defeat #4 Brooklyn 4-0
#3 Memphis defeat #2 Detroit 4-1

Western Conference Semi-Finals
#1 Portland defeat #5 Dallas 4-0
#7 Sacramento defeat #3 Minnesota 4-2

Eastern Conference Finals
#3 Memphis defeat #8 Washington 4-1

Western Conference Finals
#1 Portland defeat #7 Sacramento 4-0

2039 NBA Finals - #3 Memphis vs. #1 Portland

Point Guard
Kenyatta Harvey vs. Lou Beck
14.4 points, 9.1 assists, 2.6 rebounds vs. 18.8 points, 12.6 assists, 5.1 rebounds

At 6’7”, Harvey is doing a pretty good job at the PG position, averaging 9.1 assists and only 2.8 turnovers a game for a spot he’s not used to. Unfortunately he’s going up against the best pure point guard in the league as Beck has been on a tear recently as he has increased his already regular season stats to these new lofty heights.

Winner – Portland

Shooting Guard
Nathan McNeill vs. Shaun Tebbs
18.8 points, 3.0 assists, 6.1 rebounds vs. 22.3 points, 6.9 assists, 4.8 rebounds

Another very tall guard (6’8”), McNeill has had a hell of a season. After coming off the bench for most of the season, he’s only starting because Rashon Tart has a broken wrist. He averaged 9.8 points a game during the season and then unveiled a completely new side to himself, going 22/28 and 13/16 from three for 59 points in an Eastern Conference Finals game. He’s been decent in the playoffs but to uncork that game is simply unheard of. Tebbs on the other hand is what everyone knows, he’s a great scorer who is also a very good passer for a 2-guard and can rebound the ball. He’s also the captain and leader of this Blazer juggernaut.

Winner - Portland

Small Forward
Arthimus Smallwood vs. Patrick Blizzard
15.4 points, 1.9 assists, 8.2 rebounds vs. 20.8 points, 2.1 assists, 6.2 rebounds

A phenomenal pick up at the trade deadline for the Blazers, Blizzard is a top player in this league. He brings another scoring option (like Portland needed another one of them) and is a decent defender to boot. He’ll need to be on guard as Arthimus Smallwood has announced himself to the world this post-season as a defensive force, averaging 3.1 steals and 2.4 blocks a game to go along with his great other statistics. This is probably the best match up in the Finals and should be a doozy.

Winner - Draw

Power Forward
Kennedy Bracey vs. Danny Perez
20.7 points, 1.1 assists, 7.7 rebounds vs. 15.6 points, 0.6 assists, 7.3 rebounds

This should be a Memphis win as quickly as the stats were shown but to add that Bracey is 6’8”, 241lbs while Perez is 6’6”, 197lbs should just make it automatic. But this is far from over as Perez has some of the strongest legs in the business (sounds weird but hear me out) and a lot of stronger forwards have trouble backing him down in the post. He’s also a great scorer and keeps opponents honest. Bracey is a jump shooting power forward that only sparingly goes into the post so this is closer that it seems.

Winner – Memphis

Centre
Jerry Benton vs. Derrick Culuko
15.4 points, 1.1 assists, 7.2 rebounds vs. 15.3 points, 1.4 assists, 6.1 rebounds

Benton has been a beacon for a change for Memphis as he was traded for superstar cancer Reggie Smith and has done wonders for this club. He’s all class and does his job the right way and that professionalism has rubbed off on his teammates. His numbers are down because he has much more help than he is used to so don’t let those stats fool you. He’ll eat up and spit out Culuko who is finally living up to at least a portion of his #1 pick status.

Winner - Memphis

Bench
Jeremy Ondera, Brian Burks, Dean Willis vs. Chris Waters, Fletcher Sears, Traves Parker

Ondera is the only Grizz who plays decent minutes for Memphis but he’s a good bench guy. He’ll bring scoring and rebounding to the table but is prone to turning the ball over (2nd on Memphis in turnovers in the playoffs). The rest of the bench is pretty quiet while Portland’s bench is fantastic, with Waters, Sears and Parker all playing significant minutes.

Winner – Portland

Prediction – Portland in five. They haven’t dropped a game yet in these playoffs (12-0) and even though they’ll probably lose one, it won’t be much else. They are just too good and too much of a cohesive unit.

Game One
Memphis 91 – Portland 131 (POR 1-0)
Player of the Game – Danny Perez (POR) – 31 points, 10 rebounds, 6 steals

Game Two
Memphis 116 – Portland 127 (POR 2-0)
Player of the Game – Shaun Tebbs (POR) – 31 points, 8 assists

Game Three
Portland 113 – Memphis 119 (POR 2-1)
Player of the Game – Arthimus Smallwood (MEM) – 22 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals

Game Four
Portland 120 – Memphis 107 (POR 3-1)
Player of the Game – Lou Beck (POR) – 18 points, 15 assists

Game Five
Portland 106 – Memphis 116 (POR 3-2)
Player of the Game – Arthimus Smallwood (MEM) – 21 points, 15 rebounds

Game Six
Memphis 92 – Portland 111 (POR 4-2)
Player of the Game – Chris Waters (POR) – 24 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals

After 23 years the Blazers are the best team in the world, and I can’t help feel like most of this was my doing. The trade for Blizzard was inspired but the vast majority of the players were mine. I’m not bitter, I’m ecstatic that I made this happen and I’m over the moon for these guys. It goes to show how deep this team is as every win by Portland had a different player of the game award winner. Shaun Tebbs was named Finals MVP with averages of 24.3 points, 6.7 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals but it could have easily gone to Lou Beck (17.7 points, 11.3 assists) or Danny Perez (24.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.0 steals). Congratulations again to this stellar team and they are automatically the favourites to back it up.

[zike_42]

With such a terrible season I thought we would have better odds than 8th but I guess that’s the way this season has gone.

16 – New Orleans (0)
15 – San Antonio (0)
14 – Houston (0)
13 – Cleveland (0)
12 – Seattle (0)
11 – Golden State (0)
10 – Miami (0)
9 – Nevada (0)
8 – Phoenix (0)
7 – Milwaukee (-2)

Dammit, the two teams in front of us, Charlotte and Atlanta have jumped. Why couldn’t it have been us?

6 – Chicago (-2)
5 – Los Angeles (-2)
4 – New York (-2)
3 – Atlanta (+3)
2 – Charlotte (+5)
1 – Philadelphia (0)

Ok this is getting ridiculous as the Sixers have won their THIRD CONSECUTIVE NUMBER ONE PICK. Who is rigging this and how do I get into that?

It’s awards time and I really don’t expect much, maybe Roman and/or Muck making an All Rookie team.

Most Valuable Player:
Michael Harmon, Indiana Pacers – 24.0 points, 10.8 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 1.8 steals, 0.5 blocks

Very worthy winner again after backing up from last season. Can he make it a threepeat?

Defensive Player of the Year:
Arthimus Smallwood, Memphis Grizzlies – 17.6 points, 2.1 assists, 8.9 rebounds, 2.2 steals, 2.3 blocks

If a guy averages 2+ steals and blocks to go with nearly 9 rebounds a night he’s pretty much a shoo-in. He’s only 22 years old so expect even more from this guy.

Sixth Man of the Year:
Jeremy Ondera, Memphis Grizzlies – 12.2 points, 4.1 assists, 5.5 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 1.3 blocks

I would be over the moon if my starting SF averaged these numbers but a bench guy? Definitely award worthy.

Rookie of the Year:
Steve Howard, Cleveland Cavaliers – 11.4 points, 1.0 assist, 9.7 rebounds, 0.4 steals, 1.0 block

Second in the league in rebounding already so he was picked a long time ago to win this.

Coach of the Year:
Gary Carlisle, Detroit Pistons – 55-27 (.671)

Not sure about this one as either Portland or Indiana were better but Carlisle did a lot with comparatively little.

All NBA First Team:
Michael Harmon, Indiana Pacers
Tobe Slaughter, Dallas Mavericks
Darnell Kimbrough, Golden State Warriors
Ish Faye, Indiana Pacers
Jamie McMillian, Detroit Pistons

Whoops, traded away a First Teamer.

All NBA Second Team:
Lou Beck, Portland Trailblazers
Cliff Havens, San Diego Riders
Marshod Anderson, Brooklyn Nets
Michael McQuay, Atlanta Hawks
Luigi Cannavaro, Brooklyn Nets

Woo, Luigi!

All NBA Third Team:
Axel Rancik, Oklahoma City Thunder
Jason London, Cleveland Cavaliers
Tiburcio Tommasini, Milwaukee Bucks
Julius Hobbs, Minnesota Timberwolves
BJ Watson, Toronto Raptors

Out of the 15 players selected in the All NBA teams I have had nine of those in my teams. Crazy.

All Defensive First Team:
Michael Harmon, Indiana Pacers
Williams Shine, Detroit Pistons
Arthimus Smallwood, Memphis Grizzlies
Ish Faye, Indiana Pacers
Brandon Bailey, Oklahoma City Thunder

All Defensive Second Team:
Axel Rancik, Oklahoma City Thunder
Paul Cunningham, Minnesota Timberwolves
Kenroy McPherson, Utah Jazz
Abel Williams, Brooklyn Nets
Darryl Abrams, Orlando Magic

All Rookie First Team:
Slavi Drnovsek, New York Knicks
Dave Smith, San Antonio Spurs
Glen Abrams, Nevada Neon
Victor Hoiberg, Chicago Bulls
Steve Howard, Cleveland Cavaliers

All Rookie Second Team:
Simon Mueller, Miami Heat
Brandon West, New York Knicks
Romanos Demosthenous, Phoenix Suns
Lewis Jones, New Orleans Hornets
Adam Bell, Memphis Grizzlies

Good news! Winston Shannon has been named Most Valuable Player of the D-League with averages of 21.4 points, 6.5 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 0.3 blocks. He will definitely be a player on this squad and I’m looking for great things from him.

The official mock draft has been announced and as usual, it’s all over the place.

1 – Philadelphia – C Jordan Williamson
2 – Charlotte – PG Jonathan Roland
3 – Atlanta – PG Anthony Miller
4 – New York – C Aaron DeManby
5 – Los Angeles – SF Travis Morant
6 – Chicago – PF Deon Fox
7 – Milwaukee – PF Tim Williams
8 – Phoenix – SF Gellies Haswell
9 – Nevada – PG Charles Trilli
10 – Miami – C Mike Lewis
11 – Golden State – SG Wil Campbell
12 – Seattle – SF Johannes Stankevicius
13 – Cleveland – PF Marques Martin
14 – Houston – PG Matt Winter
15 – San Antonio – PF Natan Neviazesky
16 – New Orleans – PG Lamont Williams

Well for one Deon Fox won’t slip to #6 and is in the running for the #1 pick while we won’t take Haswell because I have no idea who he is. Also, Mike Lewis is Tavorris Hancock all over again and will drop like a stone.

[zike_42]

2039 NBA Draft

1 – Philadelphia – PG Jonathan Roland
Hmm, not as bad as it seems. Roland was 0.9 assists away from averaging a triple double for the season out at New Mexico which is outstanding. I don’t think he’s a number one pick but he should still be a great player.

I look to trade Keith because he’s 30 years old now and I think that he should be at a team that at least has a chance at the playoffs. A lot of teams don’t want him and his three year contract but I do find someone.

Phoenix trade:
PF Keith Chapman
2041 2nd round pick

New Orleans trade:
C Justin Robinson
#16 pick

Winner – New Orleans. Chapman has been said to have asked to be traded to a team that isn’t rebuilding and even though the Hornets aren’t a superstar team they are better than the Suns. I thought that the Suns would be able to get more than just an expiring and the last lottery pick for him though.

2 – Charlotte – PF Deon Fox
Great pick here and I think he has a real shot at being the best player in this draft. He is already 21 years old which puts him a couple of years older than most of the rest but this is a great pick.

3 – Atlanta – C Jordan Williamson
A number one pick going at number three? It’s not that much of a slide but it’s still a steal. Williamson should be able to come in instantly and contribute.

4 – New York – SG Ezra Kidd
Damn, I was hoping Kidd would be there at number eight but his workouts showed that he has the potential to be a real baller. The Knicks might have jumped the gun at #4 but I still think he will be a great player in the future. The experts? Not so much.

5 – Los Angeles – C Aaron DeManby
Another quality pick here for the Lakers as even though DeManby doesn’t have the scoring ability of Williamson he is better at the other things, like rebounding and defence.

6 – Chicago – SF Travis Morant
Morant is one of those players who isn’t going to be the best at anything but he can do most things at an above average level. This pick is spot on.

7 – Milwaukee – PF Tim Williams
This guy has got clutch written all over him. Whenever Texas A&M needed a bucket there was no doubt who the ball was going to and he came up big at the death frequently.

There is no one left on the board that I have any interest in so I trade #8, #16 and #22 this year for New York’s first rounder next season and the season after that. I just feel that adding Ezra Kidd isn’t going to get them out of the cellar any time soon.

8 – New York – SG Will Campbell
Campbell has a great scoring arsenal but his attitude is pretty crappy. Taking another SG isn’t the wisest thing to do either but in a vacuum this is a decent pick.

9 – Nevada – SG Johannes Stankevicius
I think the Neon were hoping that Campbell would fall into their lap so they take the next SG on the board. Luckily for them, the next SG on the board is still pretty good and ‘Stanky’ should get some quality playing time next season.

10 – Miami – SF Gellies Haswell
Ugh, I don’t see why everyone loves this guy. He’s decent but there is no way I would have picked him in the lottery. The experts love the pick though.

11 – Golden State – PG Anthony Miller
This is another great pick. Miller is a guard that can flat out make any game his own with his ability to control every single piece of it. Most composed player in the draft.

12 – Seattle – PG Charles Trilli
Not a good pick. He’s small (5’11”, 156lbs), he’s got a terrible attitude and the only reason he got picked by the Sonics is because Miller was drafted one spot higher. Terrible pick.

13 – Cleveland – PF Natan Neviazesky
That’s a mouthful of a name but his game is smooth as scotch. He will have to have a period to get used to playing so many games and the physicality of the NBA but once he acclimatises he’ll be a quality player.

14 – Houston – SG Bryant Reeves
This is a pick to back up Cameron Brown, nothing more. He’ll most likely never be a starter but he should give quality minutes from the second unit.

15 – San Antonio – PF Marques Martin
Another good pick. Man, this draft has gone just the way it should have with no massive reaches or massive steals. This is a bit too high for Martin but it’s not out of the question.

16 – New York – PG Lamont Williams
Except for this pick. This is a bad pick. This is the worst pick of the draft or even the last couple of drafts. I’m feeling better about our first round pick next season now.

17 – Washington – PF Josh Gresham
18 – Denver – SF Tom Jordan
19 – Sacramento – C Cory Grannum
20 – San Diego – PF Jamie Steele
21 – Toronto – SF Mark Olsen
22 – New York – C Mike Lewis
23 – Milwaukee – PF Adam Stewart
24 – Orlando – SG Matt Winter
25 – Utah – SG Phil Magnum
26 – Dallas – SF Michael Emery
27 – Memphis – C Dancel Costar
28 – Minnesota – SF Nick Capel
29 – Oklahoma City – C Justin Heywood
30 – Detroit – SF Lionel Lepore
31 – Indiana – PF Lamar Traylor
32 – Miami – C Jerry Lewis

There were only two trades out of the 20 that were actually worthy of a write up and neither of them were earth shattering.

Milwaukee trade:
C Erik Morris

Atlanta trade:
SG Adonis Molnar
2039 2nd round pick

Winner – Atlanta. Even though they add another centre to the team after having young studs John Meliet and Jordan Williamson already there, Morris is that guy that they can learn so much from. He’s been around (nine year pro) and he is still a fantastic player in his own right. Molnar is also good but it seems that the Bucks are going to underutilize him by slotting him on the bench already.

Oklahoma City trade:
PG Jason Collins

Memphis trade:
SG Rashon Tart
2039 2nd round pick

Winner – Memphis*. The asterisk means that if Jason Collins actually starts for the Grizzlies they will have won this hands down. He is much better than Tart and even though he’s 32 years old, if he started he could lead the league in assists and steals again like he did a couple of years ago. Come on Memphis, free Jason Collins!

[zike_42]

I renounce Brad King, Justin Robinson, JoVann Orvis and regrettably Chris Horvath. Chris was great for us last season but he’s 31 years old and will be looking for a big, long term contract as it will probably be his last which I just don’t want to give to him. I keep the rights to Russell Haymon, Clifton Scholl and Ipolitas Margolis as I would love to have them back. Predictably Dwayne Corner picks up his player option because no-one in hell would pay him $6.3 million. Surprisingly, we now have $24 million in free salary which is just insane. Will I keep to my ‘only three star player’ pledge or will the temptation of signing a superstar be too strong?

Winston, Cornell, Roman, Muck, Tavorris and JJ are all invited into the summer league team so it will be good to see what they are made of after a year.

With so much young talent we were too good for the San Antonio, winning 103-81. Muck was fantastic with 17 points and 10 rebounds while Winston had 22 points on 11/14 shooting. I’ve hinted that Winston should start playing SG as he has the body for it (6’4”, 198lbs) and he will probably start next season next to Cornell. He seemed to like that idea.

Next up was the Nuggets and it was our defence that did the job, limiting them to 36% and 16 turnovers to win 80-69. Roman was the high man this time with 22 points in 19 minutes while Winston was again our second best with 15 points.

It’s a bit unfair to have all of this talent on a summer league squad as most of these guys will be playing serious minutes for us next season. We smash the Bulls 116-74 with Roman having 19 points in 16 minutes again. He’s coming off the bench because he started all last season so Coach is giving Muck a chance at starting. He had 10 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds but he’s not shooting too well so far. Summer league hopeful Lance Cooper did no damage against his chances of sticking with a team, going 10/10 for 20 points. My old crush, Kevin Morrison, had 3 points and 7 rebounds in 14 minutes.

Winston had 23 points, Cornell added 19 points and 10 assists and JJ put up 13 points, 9 rebounds and 6 blocks as we dominate the Bobcats 124-83 and I’m liking what I’m seeing. Deon Fox had 22 points for Charlotte.

Our last game of the summer league is also a win which gives us a clean sweep, beating Portland 89-68. JJ was again fantastic with 15 points, 11 rebounds and 5 blocks with Cornell giving support with 16 points and 8 rebounds. This is what I wanted from the summer league, domination. These guys will be playing the bulk of the time for the Phoenix Suns next season and I wanted to see that they can do it, even if it was just against summer league guys.

It’s free agency time and boy is it a doozy.

PF Ishmael Faye
SF Arthimus Smallwood*
PF Scott Oates*
SG Tobe Slaughter
PG Lou Beck
C Schuyler Vanderwerken
C Luigi Cannavaro*
PG Nick Hughes
SF Bob Benton*
C Eddie Walcutt*

And that’s not including guys like Alan Patton, Jack Dawkins, Abel Williams and Mike Bickerstaf. So I say screw it, I’m going for it. I always said that I would retire when the last Rookie Six player retired and they’re currently going into their 15th season so I don’t have long to get Phoenix a title.

So with that in mind I offer Ish Faye a 4 year maximum deal worth $70 million. It’s a lot of money but totally worth it.

Damn, Ish Faye goes back to Indiana for a five year max deal which I just can’t compete with. Fair enough. Even though we have Roman and Muck I offer Arthimus a 4 year, $52 million deal and Abel Williams a 4 year, $44 million contract.

And wouldn’t you know it, Arthimus signs the offer sheet! Now we play the waiting game.

The next day more great news arrives as Abel Williams signs with us. It might be overpaying a little but he’s a great defensive and rebounding presence who can do a lot of good here. And he’s only 24 years old. Scott Oates finally gets out of Nathaniel Jackson’s shadow and signs an offer sheet with Dallas and it would be great for him if he goes there. Luigi Cannavaro gets mad paid from Brooklyn for 5 years worth $62 million.

In a move that might ruin our chances of a number one pick via New York, the Knicks sign Lou Beck for a four year, $48 million contract. It seems that Portland’s chances of backing up have taken a huge hit as Beck was definitely their most important player.

Yessssssssssssssssss. Memphis for some stupid reason don’t match Arthimus so he’s all ours. This team is unlike any other I’ve had because I’ve usually had one or two established stars that are 26 years or older but this one is really young. Here are our top eight players so far by age –

Rich Muckle – 19 years old, 1 year experience
Tavorris Hancock – 19 years old, 1 year experience
Winston Shannon – 20 years old, 1 year experience
Ryan Cornell – 23 years old, 3 years experience
Romanos Demosthenous – 23 years old, 1 year experience
Arthimus Smallwood – 23 years old, 4 years experience
Jeffrey Johnson – 23 years old, 2 years experience
Abel Williams – 24 years old, 5 years experience

This team has so much more growing to do, so we might not make much noise now but give us two years and look out!

Damn. Not for me but for Scott Oates as the Jazz match the Mavericks’ offer to keep him in Utah. So he’s going to rot on the bench for another four years. What a shame.

The Mavericks re-sign Tobe Slaughter to the exact contract that they gave Oates but I’m sure they would have wanted Oates over the 33 year old Slaughter. It’s tender offer sheet signing day so most of the young, big names go back for one more year. I offer Russell Haymon a two year MLE ($5 million total) contract to come back and back up both guard positions because he was invaluable last season.

He signs the next day which is great news. I offer Clifton Scholl a four year contract with the money probably too small but I hope he comes back. Ipol has probably played himself out of our price bracket which is good news for him but not really for us.

Some fairly big names are on the move today but first Clifton re-signs with us which was improbable but I’m not complaining. Jack Dawkins shocks the basketballing world and leaves Dallas, taking a 3 year deal with Memphis to fill in the hole that was left by Smallwood. I thought he would never leave Dallas but I guess their window has closed and he’s jumping on the NBA Finalist bandwagon. Chris Horvath goes to Sacramento for three years also. In great news for Ipolitas Margolis, Boston sign him to a 3 year, $20 million contract which just goes to show that perseverance and dedication can do for someone on the cusp. At only 24 years old he signed a one year minimum deal with us and played brilliantly, and now he’s getting his reward.

I sign Andrew Brown, Chris “The Wizard” Jones (again) and Art Stevenson to one year deals to back up various people and at 15 players I’m done. It also means that I’ve had all six of the Rookie Six players on one of my teams.

Dallas – Jack Dawkins, Terry McKenzie
Brooklyn – Cort Majishun, Kenneth Long, Chris Jones
Phoenix – Art Stevenson

Training camp comes and goes and I’m excited. Ryan Cornell might lead the league in assists (if he stays healthy), Winston Shannon might average 20 points a game, Roman and Arthimus might both be on All Defensive teams, Rich Muckle might also average 20 points a game while Abel and JJ could both average 10 rebounds a game. Or none of that might happen but whatever comes about it should be a crazy ride. Tavorris Hancock on the other hand has shown practically no growth and will be in the D-League next year, and possibly for the rest of his career.

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

We’re ranked ninth which is about right and if we can sneak into the playoffs I’ll call the season a success. The West is all over the place with no real leading team now that the Blazers lost Lou Beck so it could go plenty of different ways. I don’t think that the Riders are the worst team in the West as they have plenty of talent.

Eastern Conference Pre-Season Rankings
1 – Indiana Pacers
2 – Toronto Raptors
3 – Brooklyn Nets
4 – Atlanta Hawks
5 – Philadelphia 76ers
Last – Washington Wizards

No way in this world or any other world or universe are the Sixers a top five team in the East. Not even close. Whoever wrote this was either trolling for clicks or an idiot. The Pacers are on the money with the addition of Ratko Nedic while Toronto have built a real nice team up there. I like the Magic to be a top five team but I’d love even more for the Knicks to be down the bottom. Washington surprised a lot of people last season but age has caught up with them.

Pre-Season All NBA First Team:
Michael Harmon, Indiana Pacers
Cameron Brown, Houston Rockets
Marshod Anderson, Brooklyn Nets
Michael McQuay, Atlanta Hawks
BJ Watson, Toronto Raptors

Pre-Season All NBA Second Team:
Joe Adras, Sacramento Kings
Cliff Havens, San Diego Riders
Juia Henchoz, Orlando Magic
Reggie Smith, New York Knicks
Brandon Bailey, Oklahoma City Thunder

Pre-Season All NBA Third Team:
Axel Rancik, Oklahoma City Thunder
Tobe Slaughter, Dallas Mavericks
Darnell Kimbrough, Golden State Warriors
Ishmael Faye, Indiana Pacers
Schuyler Vanderwerken, New Orleans Hornets

It’s playoff time for your 2039-2040 “Young Guns” Phoenix Suns –

PG – Ryan Cornell
SG – Winston Shannon
SF – Arthimus Smallwood
PF – Abel Williams
C – Jeffrey Johnson
6th – Art Stevenson
7th – Romanos Demosthenous
8th – Chris Jones
9th – Russell Haymon
10th – Rich Muckle
11th – Andrew Brown
12th – Adrian Harris
13th – Clifton Scholl
14th – Dwayne Corner
D-League – Tavorris Hancock

[zike_42]

Not a good start to the year as we get stomped 104-83 against Denver. Brad Felts had 22 points and 8 rebounds for the Nugs as the game was all over at half time with the score of 58-32. Art Stevenson was our best with 17 points in 17 minutes as our other Art, Arthimus Smallwood had a shocker, going 6/22 for 12 points.

Phoenix Suns 0-1

That’s ok as we get our revenge against San Diego with a 103-86 behind Arthimus’ 25 points, 10 rebounds and 5 steals which is exactly what I want to see. Muck is starting at SG so far and had 13 points while Abel and JJ combined for 26 rebounds. Cliff Havens is all alone on this Riders’ squad but I never thought he would shoot so much. He we 9/40 from the field and 5/28 from three for 25 points which is the second most three point attempts in the last 30 years. Juia Henchoz shot 29 threes (hitting 15) in 2039.

Phoenix Suns 1-1

Great. Sigh. Anyway, the good news: we beat Utah 110-99 as Arthimus had 27 points and 10 rebounds while Cornell dished out 20 assists in the win. The bad news is that Abel Williams broke his arm ten minutes in the game and will be out for around two months. Super. Kenroy McPherson had 23 points in the loss.

Phoenix Suns 2-1

Muck moves from SG to PF as he’s 6’7”, 231lbs and Winston slides into the starting SG position. Muck might be a little undersized for PF but he has the strength to play there.

He did well with 19 points but did not grab a rebound as we lose to Detroit 112-96 as Jamie McMillian continued his excellent start to his career with 31 points and 9 rebounds. They shot 56% from the field which is just too high for us to win.

Phoenix Suns 2-2

I was told after the game that Arthimus has injured his leg and will be out for at least the next game. Wonderful, with Arthimus and Abel out that’s a lot of money in street clothes four games into the season. Roman will start at SF.

We get our revenge against the Pistons in the next game as they come to our house and get beaten easily 103-94. Winston was fantastic against one of the best defensive SGs in the league in Williams Shine with 20 points while Art is giving great effort off the bench with 18 points in 17 minutes before fouling out. Yep, fouled out in 17 minutes. LaZelle Milsap had 22 points to lead Detroit but we were ready for Jamie McMillian who only shot 4/14 for 13 points.

Phoenix Suns 3-2

Winston and Russell Haymon had 24 points each as we run roughshod over the Riders again 123-107. It wasn’t really a game as San Diego only have Cliff Havens it seems, who went 12/23 for 35 points and 8 rebounds.

Phoenix Suns 4-2

It’s weird to play a Dallas team that doesn’t have Jack Dawkins, Ledaryl McMillian and Terry McKenzie but that’s what we are faced with as Jack is at Memphis while the other two are still waiting for a team. Without those three we win 119-100 behind a whole team effort, led by Winston’s 22 points and Cornell’s 13 points and 14 assists. We had seven players in double figures while Clifton Scholl had 10 rebounds off the bench. Tobe Slaughter had 31 points for the Mavs while Earl Harris is playing out of his mind so far and had 23 points and 11 assists.

Phoenix Suns 5-2

We’re not quite good enough to battle with the really good teams and even though Orlando aren’t an elite team they are still better than us. It doesn’t help that Muck went 3/18, squandering a 24 point, 12 rebound performance from Art who is now starting as we lose 107-94. Pete Edgerson is playing really well and tonight had 26 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds.

Phoenix Suns 5-3

I just don’t know what to make of the Wizards but they are making everyone’s prediction look pretty silly at the moment and beating us 113-100 just helps their case. Brian Benton had 15 points, 11 rebounds and 6 blocks to lead six other Wizards in double figures as they shot 56% to our 37%. Cornell was our best with 21 points and 7 assists.

Phoenix Suns 5-4

That’s three losses in a row as the Thunder blank us 98-84 behind Mike Bickerstaf’s 26 points in 24 minutes off the bench. That’s right, Mike Bickerstaf is now 34 years old and coming off the bench. Doesn’t that make you feel old? I hate to say it but seeing JJ have 24 points and 11 rebounds isn’t what I really want as he isn’t out there to score the ball, that’s for our other guys. Arthimus had only 6 points but he’s still getting fully fit.

Phoenix Suns 5-5

What did I say about not staying with teams like the Magic? Well! Wasn’t I wrong? Juia Henchoz, Kenneth Long and Pete Edgerson combined to shoot 12/46 as we suffocate them 97-69. Clifton was our best with 19 points and 9 rebounds after Art got into foul trouble but it was our defensive prowess that won the game for us tonight.

Phoenix Suns 6-5

Michael Taylor and Tiburcio Tommasini are still going strong at 35 years and 34 years old respectively as our young whipper snappers got a taste of good old experience as we lose to Milwaukee 122-114. Taylor and Tommasini combined for 46 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists but were helped out by Lee Hatter’s 21 points off the bench. Art was our best with 22 points and 8 rebounds whie Muck had 20 points as well.

Phoenix Suns 6-6

It seems that both our bench point guards aren’t happy with their playing time as Russell Haymon and Andrew Brown have a go to the press about minutes. I tell them to pull their heads in or they’re gone.

Well, well, well. It seems that we are pretty good at defence as we hold the Thunder to an anemic 27% from the field to win 101-64. They also shot 5/32 from three as there was only one OKC player who shot at least 50% and that was Chris Benjamin who went 1/1 in four minutes. Arthimus had 21 points and 6 rebounds to lead us while Clifton had 10 points and 12 rebounds off the bench.

Phoenix Suns 7-6

Cornell has a sore hand and will come off the bench in our game against Minnesota. Luckily he had Winston to back him up as our young scoring dynamo had 23 points and 9 assists to lead us to a 119-115 overtime win over the Wolves. Muck had 24 points while Art went 8/11 for 22 points as we had 27 more free throw attempts than our opponents. Julius Hobbs is still doing great things out there with 22 points and 15 rebounds.

Phoenix Suns 8-6

We finish the month with a 101-97 win over Arthimus’ old squad Memphis. And even though Arthimus only had 10 points he had a fabled 5x5 game with 10 points, 7 steals, 6 blocks, 5 rebounds and 5 assists which is probably the first one I’ve seen live ever. Cornell, JJ and Art all had double doubles. Jack Dawkins is taking up the mantle for the Grizz and had 27 points and 8 rebounds but they shot 39% from the field.

Phoenix Suns 9-6

This team is still getting used to the new system and new teammates. The team is especially going through some growing pains as we are such a young team so be 9-6 and sixth in the West is fantastic. Portland of course are at the top at 13-3 while San Antonio (6-2) and Denver (11-5) are behind them. Maybe San Diego are the worst team in the West and going off their record it’s pretty easy to accept at 3-13.

I don’t know how the Wizards are doing it at 11-5 and leading the East but good on them. Cleveland and Charlotte are also on five losses but have ten wins each. Philadelphia should be out of the league because at 1-12 after getting three number one picks in a row is a travesty and joke on this league. Boo to them and get your **** together.

Phoenix Top Points
Arthimus Smallwood – 15.2 (42% FG)
Rich Muckle – 14.3 (37% FG)
Art Stevenson – 13.9

Phoenix Top Assists
Ryan Cornell – 8.7
Winston Shannon – 3.7
Russell Haymon – 2.9

Phoenix Top Rebounds
Jeffrey Johnson – 9.2
Art Stevenson – 6.1
Arthimus Smallwood – 5.8
Abel Williams is averaging 8.3 rebounds but has only played three games.

League Leaders
Points – Marshod Anderson (BKL) – 28.5
Assists – Earl Harris DAL) – 13.7
Rebounds – Julius Hobbs (MIN) – 12.3
Blocks – Adam Bell (MEM) – 3.4
Steals – Gamal Hicks (UTA) – 2.8
Efficiency – Michael Harmon (IND) – 34.0

Rookie Leaders
Points – Deon Fox (CHA) – 13.5
Assists – Ezra Kidd (NYK) – 4.2
Rebounds – Tim Williams (MIL) – 6.8
Blocks – Gellies Haswell (MIA) – 1.6
Steals – Aaron DeManby (LAL) – 2.1
Efficiency – Aaron DeManby (LAL) – 14.2

[zike_42]

November Player of the Month – Michael Harmon, Indiana Pacers – 25.6 points, 12.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 0.9 blocks per game.

November Rookie of the Month – Aaron DeManby, Los Angeles Lakers – 11.2 points, 0.9 assists, 5.3 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 0.7 blocks per game.

Muck had his best game of his young career, going 9/15 and 6/6 from three for 31 points as we hold off the Bobcats 118-114. Art has become a steal for us so far and had 19 points and 10 rebounds. Tim King is Charlotte’s best player and showed it with 21 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds from the SF position.

Phoenix Suns 10-6

Another win and another outstanding performance by one of our guys as we beat the Kings 120-101 behind Winston’s 25 points in 21 minutes. This game was done pretty early as we got out to a 28 point lead at half time before they brought it back in garbage time. No-one played more than 30 minutes for us which was good news. Joe Adras was a lone highlight for Sac-Town with 25 points but our old leader, Chris Horvath, went 5/16 for 14 points.

Phoenix Suns 11-6

How the hell was Art Stevenson looked over in free agency? He’s proving his doubters wrong this season, going 13/17 tonight for 30 points and 8 rebounds as we beat up the Rockets 114-107. We did this all while withstanding a triple double from Cameron Brown who had 29 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds. Arthimus isn’t shooting that well this season, going 7/23 tonight but he did force James Carroll into one of the worst shooting displays ever with a 1/16 night.

Phoenix Suns 12-6

Neither Camah Williams nor Enrique Medez played in our game against Minnesota but it didn’t matter, they still won. Another one of my old troops had a great game as Isiah Ryan had 21 points on 7/9 shooting. Our best was Cornell with 14 points and 11 assists but Arthimus went 2/14 for another shocking game.

Phoenix Suns 12-7

I’m really down on Arthimus actually, he’s just not shooting well or doing what he was doing last season. Maybe he was fool’s gold and I was suckered. Maybe. I’m not saying I’m going to do anything, but I’m going to look. Because if I remember correctly, there is a superstar that is fed up with his team losing and is looking to get out.

Arthimus proves me wrong with 22 points and 7 rebounds and holds Patrick Blizzard to a 1/8 night as we beat the elite Blazers 118-90 to cool me off a little. There were six other Suns in double digits with Art going 10/11 for 20 points. He’s not going anywhere. Shaun Tebbs was a lone hand, going 15/20 for 38 points but the rest were average. In case you were wondering, Curtis Mueller is now starting for Portland now Lou Beck has gone to the Big Apple.

Phoenix Suns 13-7

Ok this team needs a shake up. We lose to a Milwaukee team that didn’t have Tiburcio Tommasini and had Michael Taylor shooting 6/20, 101-89. Darryl Abrams had 17 points, 12 rebounds, 4 blocks and 3 steals for the Bucks while Arthimus had 16 points. We just don’t have that go to scorer who can put this team on his back when needed and carry us over the line. Arthimus is a great player but he’s not a top flight scorer and that’s what we need so I make the deal.

Phoenix Suns 13-8

Phoenix trade:
SF Arthimus Smallwood
SG Chris Jones
C Tavorris Hancock
2042 1st round pick
2042 2nd round pick

Houston trade:
SG Cameron Brown
2040 1st round pick
2041 1st round pick
2042 1st round pick

Winner – Phoenix. It’s a fairly close trade but the addition of the three first round picks by the Rockets was a bit of an overpay but that’s what you get when you have a superstar wanting out. Without them it’s pretty level and hopefully they can have more patience in Hancock than the Suns did.

I’m betting that without Brown the Rockets will be in the lottery which should give us another high draft pick to go with the New York one we got before. I sign Matt Bobbit and Paul Wilder who have been tearing it up in the D-League so they a call up. Muck slides to the SF position which is where he should be. Anyway, I’m over the moon about this trade as it gives us that bonafide superstar scorer that we have been yearning for.

Well, don’t I look like a genius? In Cam’s first game in the purple he goes 15/20 for a whopping 40 points as we obliterate the Neon 123-85. Our other two recruits also do well with 15 points and 7 rebounds between them. I’m feeling pretty chuffed with myself right now.

Phoenix Suns 14-8

I send Roman down to the D-League to get him some court time because he’s not getting any now with the emergence of Muck and Winston. He’ll get his time again, don’t worry.

Cam goes for 34 points but we just couldn’t slow down the Nuggets who shot 54% and had a 16 point quarter time lead as they ran over the top of us 117-106. I know I say it a lot but the teams that overlooked Gustavo Fonseca are idiots and had 24 points tonight. Paul Wilder was great with 7 points and 12 rebounds filling in for Art’s foul troubled body.

Phoenix Suns 14-9

That’s more like it. Cam had another blinder with 35 points as we clip Atlanta’s wings with a 111-95 win. JJ, Art and Paul combined for 33 rebounds as those three were only four rebounds away from the Hawks’ total rebounding number. John Meliet had 28 points but only grabbed 3 rebounds and for a 6’11” centre that’s not good enough.

Phoenix Suns 15-9

It’s our first challenge with Cam going into Brooklyn and even though he had 26 points and 10 assists, he also strained his calf and couldn’t finish the game. That meant that the Nets burst out at the end and took the game 133-122. Marlin Bain is finally starting again and had a whopping 27 points and 17 rebounds and showed why he should still be in the starting five. Cort Majishun also did well with 25 points and foulin Cornell out.

Phoenix Suns 15-10

We just can’t beat the Nuggets it seems as they get up early (again) and cruise to an easy (again) 109-104 victory with the scoreline flattering us immensely. Jehiel DeSantis was the star this time with 25 points and 8 assists as even though we shot better than them (49% to 46%) they used the ball more efficiently and hit more threes. We had six players in double figures but with Cam having a sore leg he only had 20 points. Yeah, ‘only’.

Phoenix Suns 15-11

The Nets come into town and we get our revenge behind six Phoenix players with 15 points or more to beat them in another barn burner 130-126. JJ had a blinder with 18 points and 16 rebounds while Paul Wilder and Matt Bobbit had 32 points between them and I’ve really liked having them on the team. Marshod Anderson was the leader for Brooklyn with 28 points and Cort Majishun had 24 points and 9 assists.

Phoenix Suns 16-11

Grr, we don’t get a shot off in our last possession of the game so that means we lose to Boston 108-106. Ooh, it would have been nice to beat Tony Solverson, who had 9 points, 11 assists and 9 rebounds in the win. JJ was our best again with 20 points and 12 rebounds but when we shoot 11% less than the Celtics it’s never going to happen.

Phoenix Suns 16-12

It was a Christmas Day miracle as we beat the evergreens in Washington 116-88 to show that sometimes, youth beats experience. Art was electric with 18 points and 8 rebounds while Matt Bobbit is becoming a fan favourite with 17 points off the bench. The Wizards’ top scorer was Joe Morgan with all of 13 points with the two Brians, Benton and Stackhouse, combining for 2/19 shooting.

Phoenix Suns 17-12

It seems like half our team goes down injured in our 123-115 loss to Milwaukee as Tiburcio Tommasini picks up from where he left off with 37 points and 7 rebounds. Muck tries to match him with 28 points but we are walking wounded.

Phoenix Suns 17-13

Here is the injury list –

Ryan Cornell – broken toe, two months
Abel Williams – broken arm, two weeks
Paul Wilder – sprained finger, two weeks
Russell Haymon – strained hamstring, two weeks
Dwayne Corner – sore calf, day to day
Cameron Brown – strained calf, day to day

So I won’t be upset if we lose a few games for a while.

Lose? Did someone say lose? Preposterous as we beat the rampaging Spurs 115-105 behind three people: Winston, Art and Muck. They combined for 76 points to truly carry us home. Tarrell McMahon had 24 points and 11 rebounds and surprisingly enough Mack Haston had a tough game with ‘only’ 16 points and 10 assists.

Phoenix Suns 18-13

So ends the roaring ‘30s and even though we are sixth in the West I’m still pretty excited about this team. Portland are still on top at 22-9 with Sacramento right behind them at 17-9. The Riders are still bottom at 9-22 and Houston have dropped like I thought they would and are at 8-17.

Detroit have taken over the lead in the East at 23-7 with Indiana slipping a little that month to 23-10. Philadelphia shouldn’t be as bad as they are at 4-21 while New York are sitting at 9-19. All in all, good records for the Phoenix Suns.

Phoenix Top Points
Cameron Brown – 24.2
Rich Muckle – 14.9
Art Stevenson – 14.3

Phoenix Top Assists
Ryan Cornell – 8.6
Cameron Brown – 6.0
Winston Shannon – 3.1

Phoenix Top Rebounds
Jeffrey Johnson – 9.3
Art Stevenson – 6.3
Paul Wilder – 6.3

League Leaders
Points – Marshod Anderson (BKL) – 29.5
Assists – Earl Harris (DAL) – 14.4
Rebounds – Julius Hobbs (MIN) – 12.1
Blocks – Dan Bonney (UTA) – 3.0
Steals – Gamal Hicks (UTA) – 2.7
Efficiency – Michael Harmon (IND) – 30.6

Rookie Leaders
Points – Deon Fox (CHA) – 14.0
Assists – Ezra Kidd (NYK) – 4.0
Rebounds – Tim Williams (MIL) – 6.8
Blocks – Gellies Haswell (MIA) – 1.2
Steals – Aaron DeManby (LAL) – 1.9
Efficiency – Aaron DeManby (LAL) – 13.9

First Round of NBA Draft Prospects –
1. PF Jon Przybilla (High School), Senior, 6’11”, 238lbs
2. C Pin-zhen Yuan (China), 18 years old, 6’10”, 266bs
3. C Tip Rice (High School), Senior, 6’11”, 283lbs
4. C Mark Burton (High School), Senior, 6’9”, 251lbs
5. SF Denny Lawson (Oklahoma), Freshman, 6’6”, 228lbs

Thoughts – This is a battle between Yuan and Rice in my opinion with Przybilla being in the next tier down. It’s not a good draft (so far) for guards as there are only two shooting guards and no points in the top 15.