New York, New York! Bringing a championship home

[zike_42]

2034 NBA Playoffs

Eastern Conference Second Round
#1 Atlanta defeats #4 Cleveland 4-2
#2 Indiana defeats #3 Washington 4-0

Western Conference Second Round
#4 Portland defeats #1 Dallas 4-2
#2 Milwaukee defeats #6 Denver 4-2

Looks like we’ll have a new champions as the Mavs get bounced by a magical display from Tobe Slaughter and Tiburcio Tommasini.

Eastern Conference Finals
#2 Indiana defeats #1 Atlanta 4-2

Western Conference Finals
#2 Milwaukee defeats #4 Portland 4-3


2034 NBA Finals

#2 Indiana vs. #2 Milwaukee

Point Guard
Michael Harmon vs. Michael Taylor
17.7 points, 7.0 assists, 3.3 rebounds vs. 33.4 points, 7.9 assists, 5.5 rebounds

Winner - Milwaukee

Shooting Guard
Kelly Pryor vs. Wes Barnes
7.9 points, 2.7 assists, 2.9 rebounds vs. 12.9 points, 5.6 assists, 5.5 rebounds

Winner - Milwaukee

Small Forward
Charles Means vs. Jeffrey Womack
12.8 points, 1.6 assists, 6.7 rebounds vs. 10.2 points, 1.7 assists, 4.4 rebounds

Winner - Indiana

Power Forward
Ishmael Faye vs. Ron Morgan
27.9 points, 1.5 assists, 8.8 rebounds vs. 13.6 points, 1.6 assists, 7.4 rebounds

Winner - Indiana

Centre
Josiah Williams vs. Kebu Clark
15.5 points, 1.2 assists, 9.5 rebounds vs. 16.8 points, 1.8 assists, 8.5 rebounds

Winner - Indiana

Bench
Curtis Anderson, Gerrod Phelan, Tom Phillips vs. Erik Morris, Charles Robinson, Dalron Holden

Winner – Indiana

Game One
Indiana 115 – Milwaukee 117 (MIL 1-0)
Player of the Game – Michael Taylor, MIL – 39 points

Game Two
Indiana 99 – Milwaukee 112 (MIL 2-0)
Player of the Game – Michael Taylor, MIL – 29 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds

Game Three
Milwaukee 108 – Indiana 115 (MIL 2-1)
Player of the Game – Ishmael Faye, IND – 23 points, 13 rebounds, 4 blocks

Game Four
Milwaukee 109 – Indiana 118 (Tied 2-2)
Player of the Game – Ishmael Faye, IND – 29 points, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks, 4 steals

Game Five
Milwaukee 114 – Indiana 130 (IND 3-2)
Player of the Game – Ishmael Faye, IND – 38 points, 7 rebounds

Game Six
Indiana 130 – Milwaukee 105 (IND 4-2)
Player of the Game – Ishmael Faye, IND – 27 points, 9 rebounds

After getting down early in the series the Pacers storm back to win the next four games. Ishmael Faye was obviously named the Finals MVP with averages of 28.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.7 blocks and 2.0 steals and gives the Pacers their first ever championship after coming into the league in 1976. So you could say the fans have been waiting long enough for a title.

[zike_42]

Somehow through my wheelings and dealings we end up with two picks in the lottery from Phoenix and Philly (I think). It doesn’t really help as we have the worst and third worst odds of moving up so I’m not expecting much.

16 – Brooklyn (0)
15 – Nevada (0)
14 – Brooklyn (0)

Oh well.

13 – Oklahoma City (0)
12 – Memphis (0)
11 – Sacramento (-1)

What? Orlando and their 1.2% chance of winning have moved up!

10 – Charlotte (-1)
9 – Utah (-1)
8 – Detroit (-1)
7 – Seattle (-1)
6 – Los Angeles (-1)
5 – Boston (-1)
4 – New York (-1)
3 – San Antonio (-1)
2 – Orlando (+9)
1 – Toronto (0)

Wow, if Orlando can re-sign Reggie Smith and pair him with the number two pick then look out. Huge steal for them.

Awards season and I have a feeling that Lou will make an All NBA team but Juia wouldn’t have played enough games to qualify for the All Rookie teams.

Most Valuable Player:
Mike Bickerstaf, Oklahoma City Thunder – 32.0 points, 7.0 assists, 4.3 rebounds, 1.0 steal, 0.0 blocks

I’m not sure about this one. Sure his numbers were great but the Thunder went 39-43 and didn’t make the playoffs. If he’s so valuable, his team would have been better.

Defensive Player of the Year:
Oskar Carlsson, Cleveland Cavaliers – 2.7 points, 6.5 assists, 8.6 rebounds, 1.9 steals, 2.4 blocks

Might be his last award as Father Time is quickly catching up on him.

Sixth Man of the Year:
Magnus Carlsson, Golden State Warriors – 20.4 points, 0.9 assists, 1.5 rebounds, 0.1 steals, 0.0 blocks

His brother is also looking slow as he now isn’t starting and even though he was averaging 20 points a game he is on the way out.

Rookie of the Year:
Apolinary Dembowski, Golden State Warriors – 14.0 points, 1.6 assists, 7.9 rebounds, 0.8 steals, 0.0 blocks

Great season by the guy with the horrible name and was the standout until Michael Harmon joined the NBA halfway through the season.

Coach of the Year:
Jamison Brown, Milwaukee Bucks – 56-26 (.683)

Got a gimme with Michael Taylor falling in his lap but he was able to smooth out the egos to get to the NBA Finals.

All NBA First Team:
Ledaryl McMillian, Dallas Mavericks
Mike Bickerstaf, Oklahoma City Thunder
Enrique Mendez, Minnesota Timberwolves
Terry McKenzie, Dallas Mavericks
Rowan Taylor, Washington Wizards

All NBA Second Team:
Cort Majishun, Memphis Grizzlies
Jason London, Phoenix Suns
Jack Dawkins, Dallas Mavericks
Michael McQuay, Atlanta Hawks
Diego Acosta, Sacramento Kings

All NBA Third Team:
Michael Taylor, Milwaukee Bucks
Chris Canal, Philadelphia 76ers
Lars Ray, Los Angeles Lakers
Ish Faye, Indiana Pacers
Brian Benton, Washington Wizards

All Defence First Team:
Camah Williams, Minnesota Timberwolves
Oskar Carlsson, Cleveland Cavaliers
Jamaal Lewis, Philadelphia 76ers
Ish Faye, Indiana Pacers
Brian Benton, Washington Wizards

All Defence Second Team:
Dave Coulter, New York Knicks
Paul Cunningham, Chicago Bulls
John Brown, New York Knicks
Ron Morgan, Milwaukee Bucks
Josiah Williams, Indiana Pacers

All Rookie First Team:
Michael Harmon, Indiana Pacers
Anthony Williams, Los Angeles Lakers
Matt Bobbit, New Orleans Hornets
Apolinary Dembowski, Golden State Warriors
Jim Meeking, Los Angeles Lakers

All Rookie Second Team:
Rob Hearns, Seattle Supersonics
Gustavo Fonseca, Denver Nuggets
Eddie Jameson, Denver Nuggets
Zan Tepavac, Oklahoma City Thunder
Oliver Roe, Nevada Neon

Well that was disappointing, we get no-one.

I have a short conversation with Mr Wilkins and he told me that he’s happy with how the ship is sailing. Getting swept was frustrating but we made the playoffs and we have enough cap space for two maximum contracts so he’s expecting a deep playoff run.

And then he tells me he has sold the team to Mr Edward Hill.

What.

“Hello Yaxley, how’s things?” I get a call from Mr Hill the next day.

“Fine, fine the team is running in the right direction.” I respond.

“Excellent, I’ve heard great things about you from Mr Wilkins so I’ll be expecting those great things from now on. How’s the team going to go next season?”

“If all goes to play, we should be fighting for a championship, no doubt.” I respond, wanting to see how he will play this.

“Excellent! Better performance equals better revenue.”

****.

He continues. “I expect the team will be fairly cheap?”

Nooooooo.

“If we want to contend for a title I’m expecting the team to cost around $10-15 million over the salary cap.” I’m so full of dread I can feel it falling out my ears.

“Umm, that’s probably too much, try to keep it around the cap if you can. I’m not that interested in winning the lot I just want a functioning business that makes me money.”

Ugh. “Ok, I’ll try my best.” And with that the conversation was over.

I’ll try my best but if we don’t then whatever.

The official mock draft was released and it seems that this crop isn’t as good as last year and will only produce a handful of quality players in the first year.

1 – Toronto – SG Pete Edgerson
2 – Orlando – SF Marshod Anderson
3 – San Antonio – SG Jason Jones
4 – New York – C Renard Hawkins
5 – Boston – SF Alan Patton
6 – Los Angeles – PF Matt Hackett
7 – Seattle – PG Axel Rancik
8 – Detroit – SF Justin Robinson
9 – Utah – SG Chris Bailey
10 – Charlotte – SF David Baxley
11 – Sacramento – PF Ipolitas Margolis
12 – Memphis – PF Tarrell McMahon
13 – Oklahoma City – C Justin Wolff
14 – Brooklyn – PF Abel Williams
15 – Nevada – PF Scott Dwiggins
16 – Brooklyn – PF Carl Wilkins

If we end up with either/both Williams and/or Wilkins I’ll be happy.

[zike_42]

I wake up the day of the draft to see two headlines in the local newspaper that stopped me in my tracks –

“Majishun: I won’t re-sign with Memphis”

And

“Trade me or else: Schuyler Vanderwerken”

That last one made me fall out of my chair. I have not heard any rumblings about Shoo being unhappy so the first thing I do is pick the phone up.

“Hey Shoo, what gives?” I start.

“Look Mr MacMillan, it’s been fun and all but I’m not happy here. I don’t get enough touches and I get blamed for all of our short comings even though I was injured for most of the year. I didn’t get a fair go, I liked it in Denver better.”

Well that’s a kick in the pants.

“Is there anything I can say to make you change your mind?”

“No, my mind has been made up.”

Damn. “Fine, you won’t be in a Brooklyn uniform by next season.”

Damn, but I’ve got plenty of time to find a suitable trade partner. Onto the draft.

2034 NBA Draft

1 – Toronto – SF Marshod Anderson
What?!? This was a terrible pick! Sure Anderson will be a good player but Edgerson is far and away the best player in the draft.

2 – Orlando – SG Pete Edgerson
Much better. He’s will be a top flight scorer but will the rest of his game be good enough in the pros?

3 – San Antonio – PF Tarrell McMahon
This isn’t the best pick as McMahon could have been taken at least ten spots lower.

4 – New York – SG Jason Jones
Hmm, I’m not sure about this one either. Maybe the draft just isn’t very good?

5 – Boston – SF Alan Patton
Probably should have gone top three but his bad attitude might have scared a few teams off. His talent is undeniable but he needs to work on his people skills.

6 – Los Angeles – PF Matt Hackett
Good pick here as he can score and rebound which are the two main priorities for power forwards. Doesn’t have a huge upside but is good here.

7 – Seattle – C Renard Hawkins
The bolter as I didn’t even have him on my radar for the fourteenth pick. His workouts must have been epic and it seems that the Sonics fell in love with him. Could be good, could be bad I don’t know enough about him.

8 – Detroit – PF Ipolitas Margolis
Slips a little because of his rawness but if the Pistons can stay with him he should pay dividends. Steal at number eight.

9 – Utah – PG David Forrest
First point guard goes pretty low which is surprising. Even more surprising is that it isn’t Axel Rancik. Probably too high for Forrest but I’ve seen worse picks.

10 – Charlotte – SF Justin Robinson
Good pick here as he can do just about everything to a good enough standard. He won’t ever play in an All Star game but he’ll give you quality minutes.

11 – Sacramento – SF David Baxley
Nice half steal here by the Kings as Baxley should have gone around the #7-8 range. He’s long, has great hands and quick feet so a tick in my book.

12 – Memphis – PG Israel Payne
Who? Apparently he was 0.7 apg away from averaging a triple double at Arkansas which is surprising because I haven’t heard of him. The experts like the pick so who am I to judge?

13 – Oklahoma City – PG Axel Rancik
Dammit dammit dammit! How I wanted Rancik to drop one more spot so I can nab him. Stupid OKC.

14 – Brooklyn – PF Abel Williams
He’s rawer than sushi but I believe that eventually he’ll be a quality rotation player so at the end of the lottery I’m happy.

I then trade #16 and #25 to Nevada so I can move up to #15 as I want my silver medal after Rancik.

15 – Brooklyn – PG Ryan Lemeke
He’s no Rancik but he’ll do. Strong, offensive minded and an absolute gym rat which is what I love.

16 – Nevada – SF Darius Perry
To round out the lottery the Neon select someone who will probably play zero meaningful minutes for them. Well done.

17 – Detroit – PG Hassan McSwain
18 – Golden State – SF Ronald Barnes
19 – Miami – PG Mike Wade
20 – Denver – SF Scott Dwiggins
21 – Minnesota – PF Carl Wilkins
22 – Chicago – SF Victor Hunter
23 – New Orleans – SG Chris Bailey
24 – Boston – SG Andy Griffith
25 – Nevada – C David Anderer
26 – Cleveland – C Justin Wolff
27 – San Diego – PG Terrance Webb
28 – Boston – SG Jeff Brown
29 – Indiana – C Chris Dobbins
30 – Atlanta – PG Ben Clark
31 – Milwaukee – PF Chris Cage
32 – Milwaukee – SG Tony Allen

There were exactly two decent draft day trades and both included Indiana.

Indiana trade:
SG Kelly Pryor

Washington trade:
PG Jesse Smith
2034 2nd round pick

Winner – Washington. Pryor is much, much better than Smith and Smith doesn’t even have an expiring contract so I’m not sure what the Pacers were thinking.

Indiana trade:
SG Curtis Anderson

Toronto trade:
PF Marcus Sanders

Winner – Toronto. 0-2 from the Pacers on draft night as even though the talent being moved was equal, Sanders will be stuck behind (presumably) Ish Faye and Josiah Williams. They now don’t have any decent shooting guards after dealing Anderson and Pryor.

[zike_42]

After renouncing Isaac Holdan, Kevin Dixon, Raul Lopez, Donta Punt, Chris Jones, Traves Parker, Robert Jackson, Damone Gailey, Ryan Garris and Ben Herrion (I kept Antonio Henderson’s rights) we have $33.5 million in cap space which is just enough for two maximum deals which is stupidly exciting as this free agency crop is redonk.

Ryan Lemeke, Juia Henchoz and Abel Williams all get invites to the Summer League. I would have invited Marlin Bain but he’s still out for a long time with his injury.

I’m not sure I should have brought Juia along as he is a class above everyone else here and showed it in our 95-92 win over Chicago. Henchoz was everywhere with 32 points and 12 rebounds while Lemeke had 10 points and 8 assists in his first game. Abel didn’t do so well, going 1/5 for 2 points in 18 minutes.

Juia had 30 points in 33 minutes but we went down to Boston 105-90. Lemeke had 15 points and 6 assists and I’m really liking this kid. Alan Patton was the best for Celtics with 20 points and 6 rebounds as Abel had another poor night with 4 points and 6 rebounds but I’m really not expecting much from him for the first two or so years.

As if I was heard, Abel had his first good game in a Brooklyn uniform with 11 points and 6 rebounds but we lose again, this time by the Ipolitas Margolis led Pistons 109-94. Juia had 24 points and 6 rebounds while Margolis topped him with 27 points and 7 rebounds.

#3 pick from last season, Courtney Thorne, was magnificent with 33 points and 6 rebounds as the Hawks beat us 114-108. He was nearly equaled with 30 points from Juia. Lemeke had 12 points and 5 assists but turned the ball over five times.

After winning the first game we fell to four straight defeats as the Pacers beat us 100-97. Juia was just chucking everything going 7/25 for 24 points but Lemeke had a decent night with 13 points and 5 assists. Marlon Izzo was the best for the Pacers with 17 points, 9 assists and 5 rebounds.

After all that we come down to the main event, the free agency. To start things off, here is the top ten players looking for a new contract –

SG Kenneth Long
SF Jack Dawkins
PF Ish Faye*
PF Reggie Smith*
PG Cort Majishun
SG Mike Bickerstaf
SG Chris Canal
PF Terry McKenzie
C Josiah Williams
PG Jamil Fleming

Let me put how good this crop is in perspective. There are three players that aren’t free agents (aka contracted players) that are rated as five stars in the league today – Michael McQuay (ATL), Enrique Mendez (MIN) and Tiburcio Tommasini (POR). In this free agency crop there are four (Long, Dawkins, Faye and Smith). There are also two 4.5 star players here (Majishun, Bickerstaf) with only nine 4.5 players in the rest of the league – Schuyler Vanderwerken (BKL), Jason Harriman (DEN), Cameron Brown (HOU), Lars Ray (LAL), Michael Taylor (MIL), Camah Williams (MIN), Tobe Slaughter (POR), Alfons Dietz (SEA) and Nathaniel Jackson (UTA). So out of the 18 players that are rated either 4.5 or 5 stars, a third of them are in this free agency. Mind boggling.

I call up Jack to see if he is interested in jumping over to Brooklyn. He said (in the most diplomatic terms possible) that his home is in Dallas, his wife and his two kids (boy and girl) are growing up there and he has no interest whatsoever to move from the Mavericks. As much as I don’t like the answer I admire his honesty and loyalty. We chat for a while before I move on.

I can scratch Ish Faye and Reggie Smith off the list as even though I would love to steal Faye from the Pacers there is no way they don’t match whatever is given to him straight away. Same goes for Reggie Smith. So that leaves me with offering Kenneth Long and possibly Mike Bickerstaf our contracts. Then I get a phone call…

“Hello Mr MacMillan, you got a minute?”

“Sure, who’s speaking?” I respond, not having the foggiest who it was.

“It’s Marius, Marius White sir.”

Oh snap, Cort Majishun is on the phone to me. I remember the newspaper article that said that he would not re-sign with the Grizz.

“Hi Marius, what’s on your mind?”

He hesitated. “Look Mr MacMillan, I’m sick of Memphis. I’ve given nine years to this club and their losing ways. Since I’ve been here we’ve made it to the the playoffs twice and got bounced both times in the first round. I’m sick of losing and I’m sick of busting my gut to this team that doesn’t get any better.”

I’m floored, I’ve never heard a player speak so candidly about his team before.

He continued, “I know you have Lou Beck on your team and he’s a superstar in the making but I believe that I’ve got the goods to give you that championship. I’m willing to take a pay cut to join a team with a future and someone who is willing win it all at any cost. Just think about it, alright?”

With that he was off. Wow, that was unexpected. Now what do I do?

Well first I offer Kenneth Long a maximum four year deal.

And screw it, I give Majishun a four year deal that’s three million dollars less that Long’s one. I’ll cross the bridge of two star point guards when I get to it.

The first signing was a re-signing as Oskar Carlsson goes back to Cleveland for at least one more year.

I wait and wait a whole agonizing week until I get the news I’ve been waiting for – not only did Cort Majishun sign with us but so did Kenneth Long! This is just blowing my mind as both players are All NBA calibre players and with them we are well and truly title contenders. Not since I stole Andre Drummond and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist way back in Dallas has there been such a huge free agency double. Oh yeah, Ish Faye and Josiah Williams go back to Indiana while Mike Bickerstaf re-signs with OKC. Other big news is that New York sign Reggie Smith to an offer sheet but that seems pretty futile as I see Orlando matching pretty quickly.

Jack goes back to Dallas to no-one's surprise while Philly re-signs Chris Canal. In a pretty nice steal, Milwaukee re-sign Ron Morgan to a four year deal worth around $8 million a year. And of course Orlando match New York’s offer for Reggie Smith.

Terry McKenzie goes back to Dallas and apart from my two signings it’s been a pretty boring free agency. Everyone else has gone back with their previous teams. Boo.

The last of the top ten, Jamil Fleming, goes back to Cleveland making it a massive anticlimax. Also, Antonio Henderson gets paid as he goes to New York on a four year, $36 million contract which is insane. Not that he doesn’t deserve but that he was on a one year, minimum deal. Good for him.

The Knicks didn’t stop at Henderson as they sign Chris “The Wizard” Jones for a four year deal worth $30 million deal. A few bodies sign with us as Raul Lopez, Brad Largent, Charles Logan, Donta Punt and John Brown sign here for minimum deals. I’m pretty excited that Brown came here as he is a defensive expert and will definitely help us out.

I’m probably hearing you yell out about sign Largent as he was a cancer last season and you’re right he was. But I’ve got big plans and he’s just a pawn in my game.

Brooklyn trade:
C Schuyler Vanderwerken
PF Brad Largent
PF Michael Ellis
SG TJ Dabbert

Portland trade:
SF Tiburcio Tommasini

Winner – Both. The Blazers haven’t had a big name centre for a very, very long time and “Shoo” fits the bill to a t. He’s talented, strong and should have a fantastic inside/outside partnership with Tobe Slaughter. For Brooklyn, Tommasini completes one of the most talented PG/SG/SF combination in history. Seriously, these three players are all MVP candidates in their own right.

Great deal yes, but I’m not finished.

I sign and trade Traves Parker as well as Donta Punt and Charles Logan to Golden State for PJ Fowler. Why PJ Fowler you say? For salary; for another massive trade that will put us in the stratosphere.

But not yet, this is not the time.

Training camp comes and goes and having Lou and Cort on the same team is getting harder and harder as Lou has become an unbelievable passer. He really is one of the best point guards in the league. But so is Cort who is better than Lou and probably always will be. Lemeke and Abel are coming along well but will be sent down to the D-League for the next season. Juia on the other hand is ready to explode, as he could average 20 points a game even with all this crazy talent on the squad. But that doesn’t matter, does it?

Brooklyn trade:
SF Juia Henchoz
PG Lou Beck
SF PJ Fowler
SF Raul Lopez

Orlando trade:
PF Reggie Smith

Winner – Brooklyn for now, Orlando down the track. It seems that the Magic have woken up that Smith really didn’t want to be in Orlando. They trade him for two massive potential superstars who could be the next big things. PJ Fowler has a massive $9.5 million expiring contract which also makes things look good for the Magic.

I’m wrapped with this trade as it makes this squad probably the most talented team I’ve ever had, on paper. Long, Tommasini and Smith are all five star players while Majishun is a 4.5 star guy. I’ll miss Beck and Henchoz and I’ll be watching their careers very closely. It also puts us way over the cap but I don’t care. On top of that, we still have to pick up three more players to give us the 15 players that I like to have at the start of the season.

I sign Mitch Wolthers, Jason Wilks and an ancient Nashon Smith to the team to round us out and at $20 million over the cap I don’t think that even Mr Wilkins and his relaxed attitude to the cap would allow this. Mr Hill, no way but I’m after another title. My pick for starting centre, Marlin Bain, still has two months to go on his torn knee tendon injury.

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

Woo, we’re first! I’m pretty happy with these rankings with Orlando not missing a beat losing Reggie Smith. Without Cort Majishun the Grizzlies are going to SUCK. Ouch.

Western Conference Pre-Season Rankings
1 – Minnesota Timberwolves
2 – Portland Trailblazers
3 – Dallas Mavericks
4 – Seattle Supersonics
5 – Oklahoma City Thunder
Last – San Antonio Spurs

Don’t count out the Riders as Cliff Havens is going to lead the league in scoring this year, book it. Shoo should keep the Blazers up there. Dallas should still be on top but that might be bias.

Pre-Season All NBA First Team:
Micheal Taylor, Milwaukee Bucks
Kenneth Long, Brooklyn Nets
Enrique Mendez, Minnesota Timberwolves
Michael McQuay, Atlanta Hawks
Schuyler Vanderwerken, Portland Trailblazers

Pre-Season All NBA Second Team:
Cort Majishun, Brooklyn Nets
Cameron Brown, Houston Rockets
Jack Dawkins, Dallas Mavericks
Reggie Smith, Brooklyn Nets
Jason Harriman, Denver Nuggets

Pre-Season All NBA Third Team:
Camah Williams, Minnesota Timberwolves
Mike Bickerstaf, Oklahoma City Thunder
Tiburcio Tommasini, Brooklyn Nets
Ish Faye, Indiana Pacers
Eryk Charnowski, Miami Heat

So yeah, four players in the pre-season best three teams. No pressure guys.

After a stressful, crazy, euphoric off season we’ve got the best team I’ve ever had. Here is your 2034-2035 “Please don’t get me fired” Brooklyn Nets –

PG – Cort Majishun
SG – Kenneth Long
SF – Tiburcio Tommasini
PF – Reggie Smith
C – Robert Jackson
6th – John Brown
7th – Ben Herrion
8th – Mitch Wolthers
9th – Tony Myers
10th – Jerome Brown
11th – Jason Wilks
12th – Nashon Smith
Injured – Marlin Bain
D-League – Abel Williams
D-League – Ryan Lemeke

[PointGuard]

I think Majishun just got handled by "The Magician".

Massive re-tooling!

[zike_42]

I think Majishun just got handled by "The Magician".

Massive re-tooling!

I couldn't help myself. Lou Beck was great (lead the league in efficiency) but Majishun is better. And it helped get Kenneth Long as well so I can't complain. The one guy I think will be the X-factor is Marlin Bain as he doesn't need the ball to be effective and his best attributes are rebounding and defence. Too bad he won't be back until the new year...

[zike_42]

Game one with the uberteam was a massive confidence boost as we destroy the Mavericks 120-112 as our biggest lead got out to 21 points. Kenneth Long was amazing with 22 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists while our other star recruits also did well as Cort Majishun and Reggie Smith had 22 points apiece (with Smith adding 12 rebounds) while Tiburcio Tommasini chipped in with 19 points. Jack Dawkins was the best for the Mavs with 24 points and 7 assists.

Brooklyn Nets 1-0

Our second game was a little closer but the end result was the same as we take care of the Cavs 109-103. This time it was Cort’s turn to shine with 25 points, 13 assists and 6 rebounds with help from TT’s 20 points. Frank Slaughter had 26 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists for Cleveland as the team is well ahead of its gelling process than I thought.

Brooklyn Nets 2-0

Our biggest test, yes even bigger than Dallas, was going into the Milwaukee Bucks’ home court. I admire that team as they have Michael Taylor (because of me) and a whole lot of good but not great guys that just click. They clicked tonight behind Taylor’s 33 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists as they beat us 121-112. Erik Morris and Ron Morgan were also good with 43 points between them. TT was our best with 26 points as Long and Majishun combined for 42 points and 15 assists but Reggie was held to a 1/7 night (with 14 rebounds).

Brooklyn Nets 2-1

It’s two losses in a row as the Sixers rattle off a 38-11 third term to smoke us 104-98. Justin Robinson was fantastic with 23 points and 7 rebounds while Chris Canal added 16 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. Reggie and Rob Jackson were in foul trouble all night and negated a 22 point, 9 rebound outing from Ken.

Brooklyn Nets 2-2

That’s more like it. We win every quarter easily to dust off the Pistons 125-86. Cort and Reggie each had 24 points as every Net player scored at least once. Brian Holmes was a lone hand for Detroit with 30 points but no-one else turned up.

Brooklyn Nets 3-2

The Raptors beat us this time, quite handsomely 112-99 and it seems that the team isn’t quite a unit yet. Chris Barber had 20 points and 13 rebounds for Toronto, blasting Reggie Smith who went 1/13. I’m starting to have massive doubts about Reggie Smith as he’s a diva and a .403 career field goal shooter. He’s shooting .346 so far through six games and if it doesn’t improve then I’ll have a massive trade chip. Ken was our best with 23 points and 10 rebounds and seems to be working well with Cort.

Brooklyn Nets 3-3

Phew, maybe he’s just not comfortable yet. He was in Nevada with 27 points and 18 rebounds and more importantly going 11/22 from the field as we torch the Neon 130-109. Ken and TT were also over the 20 point barrier. Clifton Collier was the best for the losers with 20 points and 11 rebounds and I’m not sure what direction they’re taking out in Las Vegas.

Brooklyn Nets 4-3

Reggie Smith has another good game with 21 points and 8 rebounds as we stomp the Spurs 125-87. All of our starters contributed while John Brown added 11 points in 10 minutes off the bench. Brandon Morris had 20 points for San Antonio. Talk about a generic write up but this game was over at half time.

Brooklyn Nets 5-3

It’s Hell Week so you know what that means! Yep, a team full of tired players who call off at the end. Of well, at least we start well with a 106-104 away win over New York as TT has his best game as a Net with 31 points while Reggie adds 20 points and 13 rebounds. Ken hurts his ankle but should only be hobbling for a game. My old favourite, Antonio Henderson, was fantastic with 21 points while another of our old guys in Chris Jones had 13 points and 12 assists.

Brooklyn Nets 6-3

Well that was unexpected. In Kenneth Long’s return to Miami the Heat punish us with 48 third quarter points to cruise home 144-109. Eryk Charnowski is taking up Long’s slack with 28 points on 12/14 shooting as the Heat shot 65% from the field. Reggie Smith was our best with 25 points as Ken was held to only 10 points on his return.

Brooklyn Nets 6-4

Ken, TT and Reggie combined for 79 points and 27 rebounds as we squash the Hornets 123-106. The team didn’t shoot too well but we shot more than enough to make up the different. You know what they say, “quantity over quality”. Jerry Benton had 30 points but only 6 rebounds for New Orleans.

Brooklyn Nets 7-4

Jason London is being hated in Phoenix (like everywhere else) but he’s still shooting well, averaging 28 points a game. In our game he didn’t shoot at all, scoring only 8 points as we smash the Suns 125-87. Ken had 25 points and 12 rebounds but it was Cort who made the game with 8 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds to just miss out on a triple double. TT led the game with 27 points as well so it was a good game all around.

Brooklyn Nets 8-4

After getting down by 16 points to New York at home we rally back behind Reggie to get to within one point. That’s where the game stayed as we lose to the disappointing Knicks 99-98. Julius Hobbs was amazing with 30 points and 15 rebounds as Chris Jones has a sore back and didn’t play. Reggie led us with 19 points and 16 rebounds and he’s starting to get used to this team.

Brooklyn Nets 8-5

The Raptors aren’t going to get past us twice as we smash them 121-82 behind TT’s 39 points. Ken had another great game with 27 points and Reggie finally came down from his high with only 4 points (and 14 rebounds). He might sometimes not shoot well but he’ll always be a great rebounder. Courtney Boykin had 19 points and 12 rebounds for Toronto.

Brooklyn Nets 9-5

With so many stars on this team we always have at least one person who can go off in any game and this time we had two – TT and Cort. TT had 28 points while our floor general had 23 points and 12 assists in our 128-97 flooring of Phoenix. Jason London had a good game against us with 25 points but couldn’t get his team past us.

Brookyln Nets 10-5

Our last game of a long month was a smooth 121-101 win over San Antonio. Cort was our star this time with 22 points while Mitch Wolthers of all people had 10 rebounds off the bench after Robert Jackson had foul trouble. The Spurs had seven players with double figures but none of them over 16 points.

Brooklyn Nets 11-5

The Pacers might have had seven games at home but they are still the real deal with a 9-0 record. Atlanta are also doing well at 13-3. We’re fourth which is pretty good in my books as this team is practically all brand new so there are still some kinks to work out so fourth is fine.

More good news, Marlin Bain has less than a month to go until the doctors give him the all clear so we’ll be even more powerful.

Brooklyn Top Points
Tiburcio Tommasini – 22.8
Kenneth Long – 18.8
Reggie Smith – 17.9 (on .413 shooting so getting better)

Brooklyn Top Assists
Cort Majishun – 11.2
Kenneth Long – 3.3
Nashon Smith – 3.2

Brooklyn Top Rebounds
Reggie Smith – 11.8
Kenneth Long – 6.0
Robert Jackson – 5.3

League Leaders
Points – Mike Bickerstaf (OKC) – 32.9
Assists – Cort Majishun (BKL) – 11.2
Rebounds – Julius Hobbs (NYK) – 12.3
Blocks – Schuyler Vanderwerken (POR) – 3.1
Steals – Tom Phillips (IND) – 3.3
Efficiency – Ish Faye (IND) – 32.3

Rookie Leaders
Points – Tarrell McMahon (SAS) – 13.5
Assists – Jason Jones (NYK) – 3.0
Rebounds – Renard Hawkins (SEA) – 6.8
Blocks – Renard Hawkins (SEA) – 1.7
Steals – Tarrell McMahon (SAS) – 1.3
Efficiency – Tarrell McMahon (SAS) – 13.1

[PointGuard]

FINALLY Cort is the league leader in assists!

[zike_42]

FINALLY Cort is the league leader in assists!

Just goes to show what he can do with some talent around him for once.

[zike_42]

November Player of the Month – Michael Taylor, Milwaukee Bucks – 32.5 points, 8.2 assists, 5.7 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 0.5 blocks per game.

November Rookie of the Month – Tarrell McMahon, San Antonio Spurs – 13.5 points, 0.5 assists, 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 0.6 blocks per game.

There were actually some decent trades last month which one being particularly good.

Dallas trade:
2035 1st round pick

Charlotte trade:
SG Adarrial Faye

Winner – Charlotte. Faye won’t be starting for the Mavs so he’ll start to get frustrated with a bench role and start annoying his teammates. He has a terrible attitude at the best of times so expect the Mavs to be a lesser team. The pick will be very low but getting rid of Faye the Bobcats win out.

San Antonio trade:
C Corey Anderson

New Orleans trade:
C Mark Lewis
2035 2nd round pick

Winner – San Antonio. Even though Mark Lewis is now 37 years old and a shell of his former dominant self, he’s still better than Anderson and is actually starting for the Spurs which just goes to show how bad that team is.

San Antonio trade:
PF Momcilo Mandaric
C Kurt Minahan

Washington trade:
C Sadurni Montolio
2035 2nd round pick

Winner – San Antonio. It’s a little sad that Montolio didn’t get a good go when he first came into the league, being overshadowed by both Rowan Taylor and Brian Benton. He’s now just a decent player but at least he’s better than both Madaric and Minahan.

It was a battle of defence in our first game of December as we shoot 43% compared to Philly’s 40% as we run out with a 102-90 win. Cort had enough of passing and had 24 points while TT added 22 points of his own. Robert Williams had 23 points and 9 rebounds to lead the Sixers but when you shoot 40% from the field you aren’t going to win much.

Brooklyn Nets 12-5

When Rowan Taylor and Brian Benton combine for 54 points and the Wizards shoot 51% from the field at home you expect them to win? Wrong, as we shoot 12 more free throws to eke out a 123-120 confidence boosting win. Cort had 22 points and 11 assists while TT and Ken added 43 points between them. Jerome Brown off the bench had 11 points, 5 rebounds and 4 blocks as Robert Jackson fouled out early.

Brooklyn Nets 13-5

The Grizzlies are downright sucking, pretty much doing what everyone thought they would do without Majishun because he was the only thing keeping them afloat. And we didn’t disappoint, routing them in the first by 20 points, 41-21, to cruise from there 127-107. Cort had a night in his return to Memphis with 31 points and 11 assists as he was ably assisted by TT’s 33 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Joe Curry led the Grizz with 26 points but they got basted here.

Brooklyn Nets 14-5

We seem to be winning but only by small margins (excluding last game) as we steal a 116-113 win over Sacramento in California. TT is really solidifying himself as our go to scorer with 30 points while Ken added 26 points and Cort helped everyone out with 18 assists. Jaymes Kincaid had 34 points and 8 assists but there is rumours that he’s on the way out to make way for superstar in the making Joe Adras. Both are point guards that can’t play off the ball.

Brooklyn Nets 15-5

Ah ha! We stomp the Bucks to get some dignity back 139-123. We shoot 57% from the field, 53% from three and shot 43 free throws to well and truly blast them out of our home. TT was everywhere with 41 points while Reggie added 23 points and 11 rebounds and Ben Herrion hit 6/9 from the field for 16 points in only 7 minutes. It was no fault of Michael Taylor who went 25/36 for 58 points in the loss as we simply outscored them. That 58 point game by Taylor slots in as the 14th highest scoring game in the last 20 years.

Brooklyn Nets 16-5

Did I say that TT is our number one option? Well his 38 points against San Diego has cemented it. He went 14/24 and was helped out by Cort’s 20 points and 11 assists as we win again, this time 127-105 over the Riders. Cliff Havens is having to fill in at PG with Kevin Epps injured and he really isn’t suited to the ball distributing role with only 16 points and 2 assists and really crippling the Riders. Mark Frazier led them with 22 points in 21 minutes off the bench.

Brooklyn Nets 17-5

Good news! I just got word from the team doctor that Marlin Bain will be ready to return to the line up at the start of next year! Seeing as it’s December 13th, that’s not very far away indeed.

This time it’s off the TT’s old team, The Blazers. It was close throughout the game until the final term where we outscore them 40-23 to win our 10th game in a row 116-107. TT had 25 points but it was Cort’s time to shine with 24 points (10/14 FG) and 9 assists. Shoo is enjoying being a bigger part of the team with 22 points and 7 rebounds.

Brooklyn Nets 18-5

For some reason Juia Henchoz isn’t starting for the Magic, and on second look he’s not even on the squad as he’s been sent down to the D-League for some stupid reason. That didn’t stop Orlando from halting our streak 110-101 as the other guy in that trade went on a tear. Lou Beck didn’t like getting traded and showed his anger with 26 points, 11 assists and 5 rebounds. Benjamin Capel finally showed some of his talent with 15 points and 12 rebounds but has been a bust for a #1 pick. Cort tried to keep up with Beck with 21 points and 10 assists but the rest of the starters went 17/53 from the field.

Brooklyn Nets 18-6

In the eight games for the Mammoths in the D-League, Juia Henchoz is averaging 26.0 points and 9.4 rebounds. I have no idea why he’s not playing with Orlando.

Good news! Marlin Bain has been released by the doctors a week early so is able to play again! He’s not 100% but good enough to start for us. And in a nice form of symmetry he’s up against the guy he replaced, Schuyler Vanderwerken and Portland. Shoo had 16 points and 9 rebounds while Marlin put up 6 points and 8 rebounds in only 29 minutes as we blast the Blazers 129-114. TT had 20 points against his old team and was helped by Cort (23 points, 11 assists, 6 rebounds), Reggie (25 points, 10 rebounds) and Ben Herrion (19 points in 22 minutes). It seems that every team has someone I used to have and this time Mark Lyday (remember him?) led the Blazers with 22 points.

Brooklyn Nets 19-6

A Christmas Day battle with Cleveland ended in a blowout as we give our fans a 131-110 present. Cort and TT combined for 64 points while Reggie had 21 points and 16 rebounds as the team went 21/36 from three point land which is phenomenal. Marlin had a tough game against Art Stevenson who had 22 points while Jesse Rucker and Frank Slaughter also had 22 points each.

Brooklyn Nets 20-6

We must have had too much turkey and eggnog as the Bulls stun us 35-17 in the last quarter to beat us 100-93. DJ Forbes is enjoying his time in the Windy City and had 25 points and 8 rebounds as we shoot 38% from the field in a very sluggish display.

Brooklyn Nets 20-7

Our last game of 2034 was another blowout, this time in Detroit 132-113 over the Pistons. Ken had his best game in a while with 33 points while our other big players combined for 62 points, 19 rebounds and 14 assists. The Pistons had seven players in double figures with rookie Ipolitas Margolis leading the way with 21 points and 7 rebounds.

Brooklyn Nets 21-7

With such a great month that included a ten game winning streak we’re up into second place in the East, behind the 24-6 Hawks and ahead of the 18-7 Pacers. The Majishun-less Grizzlies are obviously at the bottom but there are six teams with a winning percentage of less than .400 so far.

Dallas are still at top of the West at 21-11 but right now it seems that the cream of the East is better than the cream of the West. The rest of the West is close with ten teams (including Dallas) with a record of at least .500. The Lakers are nowhere near .500 at 5-22.

Brooklyn Top Points
Tiburcio Tommasini – 24.2
Cort Majishun – 18.9
Kenneth Long – 17.9

Brooklyn Top Assists
Cort Majishun – 10.9
Kenneth Long – 3.8
Nashon Smith – 2.4

Brooklyn Top Rebounds
Reggie Smith – 11.9
Marlin Bain – 6.8
Kenneth Long – 5.7

League Leaders
Points – Mike Bickerstaf (OKC) – 31.6
Assists – Earl Harris (PHO) – 11.3
Rebounds – Julius Hobbs (NYK) – 12.4
Blocks – Antonio Henderson (NYK) – 3.0
Steals – Jamaal Lewis (PHI) – 2.7
Efficiency – Michael Taylor (MIL) – 29.7

Rookie Leaders
Points – Marshod Anderson (TOR) – 14.7
Assists – Jason Jones (NYK) – 3.6
Rebounds – Renard Hawkins (SEA) – 6.8
Blocks – Renard Hawkins (SEA) – 1.6
Steals – Tarrell McMahon (SAS) – 1.3
Efficiency – Marshod Anderson (TOR) – 14.0

First Round of NBA Draft Prospects
1. C Luigi Cannavaro (Italy), 19 years old, 6’10”, 251lbs
2. PF Ratko Nedic (Serbia-Montenegro), 19 years old, 6’11”, 239lbs
3. SF Paul Gilbert (Ohio State), Junior, 6’5”, 218lb
4. C Jamie McMillian (Hartford), Junior, 7’3”, 267lbs
5. SF Arthimus Smallwood (High School), Senior, 6’6”, 195lbs

Thoughts – In the first year since 2006 that high school players are able to declare for the draft, it’s strange that there are only two in the top ten. I guess it’s going to take a few years for them to really start testing the waters. Cannavaro is extremely raw and most likely won’t go number one but right now there isn’t a clear cut first pick player.