Hungry Like the Wolf

[brutusbrutus]

The team improved to 23-23. The Timberwolves have been the surprise of this early season. At the moment the Tiberwolves are in playoff contention, only two games out of the 8th seed.

[brutusbrutus]

I am not looking to trade anyone at the all-star break as I don't want to break up the team chemistry. Right now the team is 26-27, at the all-star break and they are already 2 games above where they were for the whole season last year.

Slam Dunk Contest won by Pape Sy(with a tremendous 360 degree dunk from the free throw line.

Mike Miller won the 3-point competition

The Rookies defeated the Sophmores 112-109 Marco Sharp won the MVP. McDermott scored 22 points in the victory.

The West beat the East with Yao Ming winning the MVP scoring 18 and grabbing 13 rebounds.

[brutusbrutus]

The team fell to 28-31 by the end of Febuary, Anthony Morrow is battling minor injuries and this is a big part of the recent decline. For this team to succeed everyone needs to be healthy.

[brutusbrutus]

The Timberwolves ended the year with an impressive 35-43 record an 11 game improvement. They did not make the playoffs but their future is bright.

[brutusbrutus]

BTW the team ended the year on a 36-46 record.

New Orleans(1) Vs. The Lakers(8)
Sacramento(4) Vs. Utah(5)
Portland(3) Vs. Oklahoma City(6)
Golden State(2) Vs. Memphis(7)

Miami(1) Vs. Milwaukee(8)
Chicago(4) Vs. New York (5)
New Jersey(3) Vs. Philadelphia(6)
Orlando(2) Vs. Indiana(7)

1st Round

New Orleans Vs. The Lakers: The Lakers had their worst record in years as their team ages, while a healthy Chris Paul led the Hornets to the best record in the West. In the end New Orleans came from a 3-1 deficit to win the series.

Sacramento Vs. Utah: Sacramento surged into the playoffs this year, this is disappointing to the Timberwolves who would have liked to have received a lottery pick in the Justin Henderson trade. Sacramento defeated the Jazz 4-2.

Portland Vs. Oklahoma City: Portland barely defeated Durant and friends in a 4-3 series victory.

Golden State Vs. Memphis: The surprise in the western conference this year has been the Warriors, who have been a marginal playoff team previously, suddenly realized all of their talent and surged to the second seed in the Western conference. Oakland who had been surging at the end of the season handily defeated Memphis 4-1 in the series.

Miami Vs. Milwaukee: Miami finished the year with a league best of 69-13, no one has gotten in their way and they are the absolute favorites to get their third championship in a row. Miami is being compared to the greatest teams of all time. They handily defeated Milwaukee 4-0.

Chicago Vs. New York: These two teams have been building up a rivalry in the last few years and this series was an absolute blast, ultimately Chicago pulled ahead 4-3.

New Jersey Vs. Philadelphia: New Jersey defeated Philadelphia in five games to go to the second round of the playoffs, this was a big accomplishment for this franchise.

Orlando Vs. Philadelphia: The biggest threat to the Heat repeating their championship is Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic, the Magic swept Philly and made a big statement to the Heat.

Round 2

New Orleans Vs. Sacramento: Chris Paul made a statement absolutely dominating in this series, Sacramento's championship hopes were crushed as New Orleans easily advanced scoring 4 victories to Sacramento's 1.

Portland Vs. Golden State: The Warriors continued their hot shooting handily defeating the Trailblazers 4-1. Stephen Curry has been making a name for himself in these playoffs.

Miami Vs. Chicago: Chicago brought their best game and at one point the series was tied at 2, but Miami beat out Rose and the rest of Chicago by winning two in a row to close out the series.

Orlando Vs. New Jersey: Orlando and New Jersey played a tough series, both teams wearing each other out. Ultimately Orlando was victorious in seven games.

Semi Finals

Golden State Vs. New Orleans: This series was a big surprise Golden State continued to play better than anyone expected knocking out New Orleans in five games. Oakland's star PG Stephen Curry even outshined a probably MVP candidate Chris Paul.

Miami Vs. Orlando: Orlando did not play their best series, they put their all into defeating Chicago and they were defeated by Miami in just five games.

Finals

Game 1: Golden State Vs. Miami: Golden State tried to run the floor and beat Miami in transition, but Miami came right back and beat Golden State at their own game. Lebron James scored 54 points absolutely no one could stop him. Many experts laughed about how one sided this finals would be.

Game 2: Golden State Vs. Miami: Golden State surprised the world by coming back and defeating Miami 104-97. Stephen Curry scored 29 and racked up 13 assists to lead the Warriors.

Game 3: Miami Vs. Golden State: Golden State was one of the best teams at home this year and have one of the loudest crowds in the league. This time it was Monta Ellis who got the player of the game, he scored 29 the final score was 113-95.

Game 4: Miami Vs. Golden State: The Heat now playing with the utmost urgency knew how important this game was. Ekpe Udoh had been guarding James well ever since his 54 point outburst this time the defensive Udoh was given the start just to guard James, the end result was a 108-89 victory, with Ekpe Udoh scoring 22 with 5 blocks to win the player of the game.

Game 5: Miami Vs. Golden State: Miami had to win, if they did win they would still be on the verge of elimination, but their final two games would be at home where they would have a great chance of winning. This game surprisingly wasn't even close. Udoh forced James to go 10-27 on shots, while Udoh himself shot 9-10. It was the brilliant play of Stephen Curry that really won the game for Golden State, Curry scored 20 points on 9 shots and dished out 11 assists in spectacular fashion.

Golden State WINS!!!

Finals MVP: Stephen Curry

[brutusbrutus]

14. Washington
13. Minnesota
12. Boston
11. Washington
10. Houston
9. Minnesota
8. San Antonio
7. Dallas
6. Atlanta
5. Charlotte
4. Phoenix
3. Toronto
2. Charlotte
1. Toronto

We also have some other higher picks in this draft, we will be getting a lot of talent coming in this year.

[brutusbrutus]

MVP: Dwight Howard(23.8 PPG. 15.0 RPG)
Defensive POTY: Dwight Howard
ROTY: John Towns(10 points and 8.5 rebounds, McDermott scored more points but Towns has an overall better game)
Coach of the Year: Erik Spoelstra(Despite not winning the championship)
David McDermott made it to the 1st rookie team and won runner up for ROTY.

[brutusbrutus]

1. SG, Kien Lung-Bien: A Chinese player who has been demolishing opponents in the ever improving Chinese league.
2. PG, Jesse Adtkins: A PG that who performed well down the line in the NCAA tournament, I am not a big fan of his upside but I admit he plays excellent defense.
3. SF, Larry Shyatt: An athletic project who has shown flashes that he could be a super star.
4. PG, Shawn Bradford: I like Bradford better than Adtkins he seems to be more of a distributor and has a nicer shooting touch.
5. SG. Ben Alexander: Put up monster numbers in college, but I don't think they will really translate to the NBA level.
6. C, Brandon Arden: Arden is the top ranked Center in the draft, he does have a fairly accurate Jumper but I am not a fan of finesse big men.
7. PG, Kieth Clieves: Clieves is 19 years old and was a top high school recruit, he was busted for breaking the NCAA rules so he barely played, I am not a big fan of his attitude although I cannot deny his talent.
8. PG, Ronald Sandler: The polar opposite of Clieves Sandler is not athletic but has a great stroke from downtown. Sandler is old at 23 but could probably fit right in as a spot up shooter for any NBA team.
9. C, Martin Metcalf: Metcalf I believe will be the steal of the draft, he is physical and has an amazing post presence. I hope that teams continue to overlook him.
10. PG, Francis Harris: For a team to draft Harris I think they would have to be pretty desperate for a PG, I don't see any upside to this selfish inefficient and lazy player.
11. C, Ernie Graves: To me the second best Center in the draft behind Metcalf, I would be pleased if I was able to acquire this player.
12. PF, Darin Taylor: A rare shooting PF who can stretch the floor, I would be surprised if he was still there at no. 12.
13. PF, Mark Johnson: A skilled PF, I don't know if he has the length to really defend NBA power forwards.
14. PF, Marshod Locklier: In my opinion the most NBA ready PF in the draft.

As you can tell I am not a huge fan of this draft class. I actually and working out a lot of players not on the top prospect list to try and find some diamonds in the rough. Here is who I like the best. I may change the order on draft day.

1. C, Martin Metcalf
2. C, Ernie Graves
3. PG, Ronald Sandler
4. PF, Jamie Lemeke
5. PF, Marshod Locklier
6. SF, Vaslaw Aleksashin(Really impressed by this Russian)
7. SG, Ben Alexander(I doubt I will have the opportunity to draft him)

[brutusbrutus]

1. Toronto-Ken Lung-Bien: They took the consensus no. 1 pick even though this year there was no run away no. 1
2. Charlotte-Brandon Arden: Charlotte was lots of young players who are raw but talented, Arden adds to this group.
3. Toronto-Ramsey Barnes: Barnes came out of nowhere and wowed everyone with his work ethic and athletic abilities, no one expected him to go this high though.
4. Phoenix-Marshod Locklier: Good pickup for Phoenix, I think Marshod will be a good player someday.
5. Charlotte-Martin Metcalf: I was hoping that Metcalf was going to fall to 9, but Charlotte made the smart move and grabbed him early.
6. Atlanta-Mark Johnson: Johnson might end up being a star, Atlanta hopes so.
7. Dallas-Darrin Taylor: Taylor was a smart pick at 7, he should be a capable player.
8. San Antonio-Vaslaw Alexsashkin: I really wanted this player, I can't believe San Antonio was high on this guy too, I really think this is the steal of the draft.
9. Ben Alexander-Minnesota: I have no intention of keeping Alexander I have a trade already in the works. After Vaslaw was drafted I really had no intention of keeping No. 9. Another team is high on this guy not me.
10. Houston-Shawn Bradford: Not my first choice at PG, but I guess Houston likes his upside.
11. Washington-Ernie Graves: I was hoping he would fall to 13 so I could grab him, but its no big deal Graves will be nothing more than a role player in the NBA.
12. Boston-Calvin Johnson: Johnson was the safe choice for Boston who is looking to establish a young core of players.
13. Minnesota-Ronald Sandler: If scouts are right Sandler has an epic shooting touch, I was surprised to find him at 13, but I will definitely take him. I am very happy with this pick.
14. Washington-Larry Shyatt: Washington got a talented young SF with this draft pick, Shyatt is projected to be a good NBA player if he can get his head on straight.

[brutusbrutus]

C Jevin Dixon was selected by myself at no. 18. Dixon has a good post game but he doesn't have good defense or presence for a center, I cannot expect a well rounded player this late in the draft.