New York, New York! Bringing a championship home

[zike_42]

2035 NBA Finals

#1 Dallas vs. #1 Brooklyn

Only two games were played between these two teams but we won both of them comfortably. I’m more confident about this team than I was for the other two NBA Finals we lost in as we are gunning on all cylinders after struggling in the first round.

Point Guard
Ledaryl McMillian vs. Cort Majishun
24.9 points, 5.8 assists, 4.9 rebounds vs. 17.9 points, 11.7 assists, 3.7 rebounds

Two completely different players but still both very deadly. McMillian loves to score the ball and is one of the best and even though he is able to hand out the odd assist, he’s an out and out scorer. On the other hand, Majishun is a passing genius, finally having a team to pass to. He can score like McMillian can pass but he loves nothing more than to hand out that sweet dish.

Winner - Draw

Shooting Guard
Adarrial Faye vs. Kenneth Long
11.1 points, 4.1 assists, 3.7 rebounds vs. 15.5 points, 4.4 assists, 5.9 rebounds

This is the one match-up where Brooklyn has the huge advantage. Long is one of the best at his position while Faye is a team cancer and only a good player. If Faye can slow down Long then the title is in Dallas’ hands.

Winner - Brooklyn

Small Forward
Jack Dawkins vs. Tiburcio Tommasini
21.3 points, 5.9 assists, 6.2 rebounds vs. 28.8 points, 1.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds

Do you remember when the three way battle between Dawkins, Tommasini and Enrique Mendez for the best SF in the league was all anyone could talk about? It’s cooled off now that Minnesota are irrelevant again but the tussle between Dawkins and Tommasini is alive and well.

Winner - Draw

Power Forward
Terry McKenzie vs. Reggie Smith
14.3 points, 1.2 assists, 8.5 rebounds vs. 16.6 points, 0.6 assists, 11.5 rebounds

Another stalemate as McKenzie and Smith are both very, very, very good players. Smith is a more talented player but his attitude at times plain stinks while McKenzie is everything you want out of a teammate. Don’t think of him as a pushover as he has been known to take to guys on occasions. This battle could get fiery.

Winner - Draw

Centre
Kresimir Balas vs. Marlin Bain
18.7 points, 0.9 assists, 7.6 rebounds vs. 13.9 points, 0.6 assists, 9.9 rebounds

The battle of the two draft day steals (both taken by Nets’ GM Yaxley MacMillan). Balas is a better scorer and has really come into his own this post season while Bain is a better defender and rebounder. Who knows with this one, will one break away from the other or will it be another draw?

Winner - Draw

Bench
Eddie Harris, Joey Polite, Justin Smith vs. John Brown, Robert Jackson, Mitch Wolthers

Harris is a very underrated player and is playing more minutes these playoffs than Adarrial Faye. He’s not a very good defender but he’s one of those players who can come off the bench and pour in 8-10 points and then go back when the opposition catches on. Polite is a decent defender and rebounder but after that it drops off a cliff. On Brooklyn’s side, Brown, Jackson and Wolthers are important members of the team that could hurt Dallas’ second unit.

Winner – Brooklyn

Prediction – Brooklyn in seven. It’s not going to be easy, in fact it’ll be the hardest thing this team has ever done but with home court advantage Brooklyn looks to redeem themselves from the two NBA Finals defeats.

This is it. This is what we’ve been waiting for, toiling all season not only to win the first championship in team history but to also beat the Dallas Mavericks on the way. We started slowly as Kresimir Balas had his way with Marlin Bain for 20 points and 12 rebounds in the game as the Mavericks took an early lead. Good news is that Jack Dawkins didn’t play much because of foul trouble. That could also be seen as bad news with Dallas leading without Jack just means they will be so much more potent when he comes back into the game. The second quarter was a bit better as we took a slim three point lead going into the break.

After that we put the afterburners on as TT had a game high 39 points and 6 steals as we outscore the Mavaericks 71-38 in the second half to show we mean business with a 127-91 victory. Cort was also great with 21 points but it was our defence that did it as we held them to 42% shooting and forced them into 21 turnovers compared to 14 on our end. Jack ended up playing only 16 minutes because of fouls while Ledaryl McMillian and Terry McKenzie combined for only 26 points.

Brooklyn leads 1-0

In game two it was exactly the opposite, we smashed them in the first half and then cruised in the second. Cort went 10/12 for 29 points and 8 assists and I’m not going to drag out the suspense on this one as we humiliate the once invulnerable Mavericks 125-95. TT had 30 points while Marlin and Reggie combined for 29 points and 26 rebounds. To say that the crowd was rocking and our guys were feeling it is a massive understatement. Ledaryl had 28 points and 8 rebounds but Terry McKenzie only had 9 points and 7 rebounds in another disappointing display.

Brooklyn leads 2-0

I heard that after game two Adarrial Faye ripped into everyone on the Dallas squad which is really not a good sign for their morale which is great news for us.

This is a really strange situation that the Mavericks have got themselves in as they aren’t used to being down 2-0 after the first two games of a series. It doesn’t help that in game three Kresimir Balas broke his hand, Jack, Adarrial Faye and Ledaryl McMillian combined to shoot 12/48 from the field. You know what that means? Yep, that’s right we push the Mavericks to the brink of a sweep with a 106-95 spanking. Cort has become our go to guy with 31 points while Ken nearly had a triple double with 16 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds and 5 blocks in the game. Oh yeah, Reggie Smith is stomping Terry McKenzie, this time with 18 points and 16 rebounds compared to 13 points and 8 rebounds. One more…

Brooklyn leads 3-0

Finally, finally Jack Dawkins wakes up from his slumber to have a game that everyone knows he can have, going 13/23 from the field for 39 points and 9 rebounds as the Mavericks get one back 121-111 with a noisy crowd behind them. Ledaryl had 21 points and 10 assists while Eddie Harris filled in for the sulking Adarrial Faye with 22 points in 30 minutes. Cort and Ken both had 23 points (Cort adding 14 assists) but when the Mavericks shoot 58% from the field and 48% from three we didn’t stand a chance. Is the start of the comeback?

Brooklyn leads 3-1

The Dallas crowd believes so and when Jack Dawkins had 20 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists in the game anything is possible. Or so they would think. TT had a game for the ages, going 16/29 for 44 points as by the end of the third I could hear the Brooklyn fans back home loud and clear all the way in Dallas as we took the game, the series, the title and more importantly our revenge with a 122-107 stunner! Cort had 24 points, Reggie added 16 points and 15 rebounds and I got my seventh title of my career. I race down to the court from my box into the waiting arms of Coach Lane as Assistant Coach LeBron James adding a coaching ring to his one ring as a player. It was great to see so many Dallas fans stay until the end and applaud us when the final siren sounded which just goes to show how much of a class act the Mavericks faithful is as they really know the pain we went through with those two defeats.

Brooklyn wins 4-1

The players are ecstatic as Cort Majishun is over the moon, going from uselessly carrying a poor Memphis squad to winning the championship in his first season with Brooklyn. The photo of the NBA Finals (which is framed on my study wall with all the other photos of my titles) is Cort Majishun, Kenneth Long and Jack Dawkins having a discussion at centre court as they are all a part of the documentary series, “The Rookie Six” with one having loads of success (Dawkins), one only a single taste of success before this season (Long) and one finally having a taste (Majishun). I really like the way Dawkins is handing the torch so to speak to the other two, for one season anyway.

To add to his already bulging trophy case, Cort Majishun was named Finals MVP with averages of 25.6 points, 8.2 assists and 1.4 steals over the five games. Halfway through his speech he had to stop because he was tearing up, but Tiburcio Tommasini stole the show by thanking… someone as no-one could understand his fast flowing Italian speech. Laughs were heard all around, especially from Cort who must feel like a huge weight has lifted off his shoulders after toiling away in Memphis for all those years.

Me? I’m over the moon. This what I said as I just took the job for Brooklyn, “If we can get a championship I’ll go down as a legend here as the first general manager to do that, ever for Brooklyn. This is my chance to really get my name in the history books.” That’s how I feel right now. I feel better than any other title because we took this team from nothing to everything in the space of four years.

[zike_42]

How the Mavericks Won the Title

#5 PG Nashon Smith (Miami (OH)), 5’11”, 156lbs, 15 year pro
Season Stats – 39 games, 4 starts, 8.2 minutes, 3.7 points, 2.9 assists, 0.9 rebounds, 0.5 steals, 0.0 blocks
Playoff Stats - DNP

#20 SG Jason Wilks (Oklahoma State), 6’2”, 210lbs, 8 year pro
Season Stats – 28 games, 1 start, 10.1 minutes, 4.1 points, 1.3 assists, 1.6 rebounds, 0.2 steals, 0.0 blocks
Playoff Stats - DNP

#49 C Jerome Brown (Ohio), 6’10”, 257lbs, 6 year pro
Season Stats – 60 games, 4 starts, 8.0 minutes, 2.8 points, 0.2 assists, 1.7 rebounds, 0.3 steals, 0.6 blocks
Playoff Stats – 1 game, 0 starts, 15.0 minutes, 4.0 points, 1.0 assist, 3.0 rebounds, 1.0 steal, 1.0 steal

#24 PG Ryan Lemeke (Wisconsin), 6’3”, 187lbs, rookie
NBA Season Stats – 4 games, 0 starts, 5.8 minutes, 1.5 points, 1.8 assists, 0.5 rebounds, 0.0 steals, 0.0 blocks
NBDL Season Stats – 47 games, 2 starts, 10.6 minutes, 5.7 points, 2.1 assists, 0.9 rebounds, 0.1 steals, 0.0 blocks
NBA Playoff Stats – 7 games, 0 starts, 5.1 minutes, 1.1 points, 1.3 assists, 0.6 rebounds, 0.0 steals, 0.0 blocks

#47 PF Abel Williams (High Point), 6’8”, 223lbs, rookie
NBA Season Stats – 4 games, 0 starts, 12.3 minutes, 6.0 points, 0.3 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 0.3 steals, 0.8 blocks
NBDL Season Stats – 44 games, 30 starts, 27.0 minutes, 9.8 points, 0.8 assists, 7.1 rebounds, 1.0 steal, 0.7 blocks
NBA Playoff Stats – 17 games, 0 starts, 4.5 minutes, 1.9 points, 0.3 assists, 0.1 steals, 0.1 blocks

#10 SG Tony Myers (Chicago State), 6’3”, 208lbs, 6 year pro
Season Stats – 67 games, 1 start, 11.2 minutes, 5.2 points, 2.2 assists, 1.1 rebounds, 0.2 steals, 0.0 blocks
Playoff Stats – 22 games, 0 starts, 9.2 minutes, 4.9 points, 2.2 assists, 0.9 rebounds, 0.2 steals, 0.0 blocks

#21 SF Ben Herrion (Army), 6’9”, 208lbs, 5 year pro
Season Stats – 75 games, 3 starts, 9.7 minutes, 5.7 points, 0.7 assists, 1.2 rebounds, 0.3 steals, 0.1 blocks
Playoff Stats – 22 games, 0 starts, 5.8 minutes, 3.4 points, 0.1 assists, 0.8 rebounds, 0.0 steals, .01 blocks

#43 C Mitch Wolthers (Mississippi State), 6’10”, 262lbs, 11 year pro
Season Stats – 79 games, 0 starts, 13.0 minutes, 6.1 points, 0.7 assists, 2.9 rebounds, 0.4 steals, 0.4 blocks
Playoff Stats – 17 games, 0 starts, 8.8 minutes, 2.8 points, 0.5 assists, 1.9 rebounds, 0.6 steals, 0.1 blocks

#37 PF Robert Jackson (Gonzaga), 6’11”, 226lbs, 12 year pro
Season Stats – 82 games, 29 starts, 22.1 minutes, 8.3 points, 0.9 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 0.6 steals, 0.7 blocks
Playoff Stats – 22 games, 0 starts, 18.2 minutes, 7.2 points, 0.5 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 0.6 steals, 0.5 blocks

#26 SF John Brown (Nevada), 6’9”, 225lbs, 10 year pro
Season Stats – 82 games, 9 starts, 18.5 minutes, 8.3 points, 1.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 0.5 blocks
Playoff Stats – 22 games, 0 starts, 17.5 minutes, 5.8 points, 1.4 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 0.8 steals, 0.5 blocks

#54 C Marlin Bain (CS-Northridge), 6’9”, 281lbs, 3 year pro
Season Stats – 58 games, 53 starts, 26.7 minutes, 13.2 points, 0.7 assists, 7.8 rebounds, 0.6 steals, 0.5 blocks
Playoff Stats – 22 games, 22 starts, 28.8 minutes, 13.1 points, 0.7 assists, 9.4 rebounds, 0.8 steals, 0.5 blocks

#30 PF Reggie Smith (Kent State), 6’8”, 252lbs, 5 year pro
Season Stats – 78 games, 78 starts, 36.2 minutes, 17.1 points, 1.3 assists, 10.4 rebounds, 0.5 steals, 0.7 blocks
Playoff Stats – 22 games, 22 starts, 36.5 minutes, 16.7 points, 0.8 assists, 11.5 rebounds, 0.9 steals, 0.5 blocks

#13 SG Kenneth Long (Texas), 6’5”, 205lbs, 10 year pro
Season Stats – 78 games, 75 starts, 36.8 minutes, 16.8 points, 4.5 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 1.3 blocks
Playoff Stats – 22 games, 22 starts, 39.0 minutes, 15.3 points, 5.0 assists, 5.8 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 1.7 blocks

#36 SF Tiburcio Tommasini (Italy), 6’5”, 228lbs, 12 year pro
Season Stats – 78 games, 78 stats, 34.2 minutes, 24.0 points, 1.5 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1.6 steals, 0.4 blocks
Playoff Stats – 22 games, 22 starts, 35.3 minutes, 28.4 points, 1.2 assists, 4.7 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 0.3 blocks

#17 PG Cort Majishun (CAPTAIN) (Washington), 6’3”, 187lbs, 10 year pro
Season Stats – 77 games, 75 starts, 36.7 minutes, 15.8 points, 9.9 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 1.0 steal, 0.3 blocks
Playoff Stats – 22 games, 22 starts, 39.4 minutes, 19.6 points, 10.9 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 0.8 steals, 0.2 blocks

Head Coach – Jeff Lane, 50 years old, 8 years experience, 4 years with Brooklyn, 1st championship
1st Assistant – LeBron James, 49 years old, 10 years experience, 4 years with Brooklyn, 1st championship
2nd Assistant – Doug Irvin, 52 years old, 7 years experience, 7 years with Brooklyn, 1st championship
3rd Assistant – Zamiro Lewis, 39 years old, 4 years experience, 4 years with Brooklyn, 1st championship
General Manager – Yaxley MacMillan, 55 years old, 23 years experience, 4 years with Brooklyn, 7th championship

[zike_42]

Strange as it is I’m ready for the next season as winning this championship has put some energy back into my life. I’m going to try and change history, whenever someone thinks of New York basketball they’re going to think of the Nets, not the Knicks when I’m finished.

The lottery is up and obviously we don’t have a pick but it would be good to see the horrible Lakers get some luck.

16 – Golden State (0)
15 – Orlando (0)
14 – Sacramento (0)
13 – San Diego (0)
12 – Orlando (0)
11 – Boston (0)
10 – Utah (0)
9 – Miami (0)
8 – Toronto (0)
7 – Houston (0)
6 – Charlotte (-1)

Detroit and their 6.3% chance have jumped.

5 – New York (-2)

San Antonio have also jumped, giving the lottery some suspense. Can LA hold on?

4 – Los Angeles (-3)

Nope, that’s the worst possible outcome for the Lakers as this draft is kiddie pool deep.

3 – San Antonio (+1)
2 – Detroit (+4)
1 – Memphis (+1)

Awards time and I really think that Cort, TT and Reggie can make it to an All NBA team.

Most Valuable Player:
Michael Taylor, Milwaukee Bucks – 28.7 points, 9.2 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 0.7 blocks

Congrats to him, he’s a hell of a player but I’d rather have Cort and Ken.

Defensive Player of the Year:
Oskar Carlsson, Cleveland Cavaliers – 2.3 points, 6.5 assists, 7.3 rebounds, 1.6 steals, 2.4 blocks

His fourth DPoY award in a row and definitely the better Carlsson brother.

Sixth Man of the Year:
Tarrell Gates, Nevada Neon – 13.6 points, 1.0 assist, 4.8 rebounds, 0.4 steals, 0.1 blocks

I’m not quite sure who this guy is, so congrats?

Rookie of the Year:
Marshod Anderson, Toronto Raptors – 17.6 points, 1.2 assists, 5.3 rebounds, 0.6 steals, 0.4 blocks

This is what I wrote about Anderson on draft day, “What?!? This was a terrible pick!” Whoops.

Coach of the Year:
Jamison Brown, Milwaukee Bucks – 58-24 (.707)

Coach Lane got robbed here, plain and simple.

All NBA First Team:
Michael Taylor, Milwaukee Bucks
Tobe Slaughter, Portland Trailblazers
Alfons Dietz, Seattle Supersonics
Michael McQuay, Atlanta Hawks
Diego Acosta, Sacramento Kings

All NBA Second Team:
Lou Beck, Orlando Magic
Jason London, Phoenix Suns
Jack Dawkins, Dallas Mavericks
Nathaniel Jackson, Utah Jazz
Rowan Taylor, Washington Wizards

All NBA Third Team:
Ledaryl McMillian, Dallas Mavericks
Cameron Brown, Houston Rockets
Tiburcio Tommasini, Brooklyn Nets
Terry McKenzie, Dallas Mavericks
Jerry Benton, New Orleans Hornets

All Defence First Team:
Camah Williams, Minnesota Timberwolves
Oskar Carlsson, Cleveland Cavaliers
Jamaal Lewis, Phiadelphia 76ers
Keith Chapman, Seattle Supersonics
Schuyler Vanderwerken, Portland Trailblazers

All Defence Second Team:
Michael Harmon, Indiana Pacers
Fletcher Sears, Utah Jazz
Hayletts Wilcox, Seattle Supersonics
Chris Barnes, Phoenix Suns
Darryl Abrams, Orlando Magic

All Rookie First Team:
Axel Rancik, Oklahoma City Thunder
Jason Jones, New York Knicks
Marshod Anderson, Toronto Raptors
Scott Dwiggins, Denver Nuggets
Renard Hawkins, Seattle Supersonics

All Rookie Second Team:
David Forrest, Utah Jazz
Pete Edgerson, Orlando Magic
Alan Patton, Boston Celtics
Matt Hackett, Los Angeles Lakers
David Anderer, Nevada Neon

I get a visit from Mr Hill in my office a few days later to recap the season and I was going in like I had just won a championship. That quickly deflated.

“Hi Mr Hill, how about those guys huh?” I start like a little kid.

“Yes yes, all well and good. I’m worried that you spent too much money this season.”

What. He goes straight to money, that’s not good.

“I want to run this basketball organization like any other organization that I own and spending this much money in 2035 is just not feasible. Yes the title is nice and should bring in some more crowds but you need to cut down the salary starting as soon as possible.”

I can’t believe what I’m hearing. I say, “With all due respect Mr Hill, this team is 16th in the league in team spending, we’re not going overboard. We’re $18 million over the cap but in this day and age it’s normal. I have to disagree with you, this is a nicely run ship that is the best in the game at what they do.”

That wasn’t good. I don’t think many people disagree with him very often.

“You look here you punk, I’ve made billions of dollars and everything I’ve invested in has made me money, except for this. Either you cut the salary by next season to near the salary cap or you’re gone. Have I made myself clear?”

I grimace, swallow my rage and agree.

“One last thing, if you can win the championship this season, I don’t see why we can’t win it again next season. With salary around the cap of course.” With that he left.

I was left standing in my empty office absolutely gobsmacked.

After what seems like an age, I get back to work and re-sign all four of our coaches to a three year extension. If I’m gone next season I at least want them to have some job security.

A few days later the official mock draft is released and there are some big surprises.

1 – Memphis – SF Arthimus Smallwood
2 – Detroit – C Salvador Rios
3 – San Antonio – SF Brandon Meade
4 – Los Angeles – PG Ehrhart Albertz
5 – New York – C Jamie McMillian
6 – Charlotte – SF Paul Gilbert
7 – Houston – PG Flavian Pesmazoglou
8 – Toronto – C Luigi Cannavaro
9 – Miami – C Bernard Leis
10 – Utah – C Rick Erickson
11 – Boston – PF Ratko Nedic
12 – Orlando – C Dan Bonney
13 – San Diego – SF Derek Whitworth
14 – Sacramento – PF Anthony Coley
15 – Orlando – PF Carl Willis
16 – Golden State – C Ruben Sheffer

Remember how Luigi Cannavaro and Ratko Nedic were at the top of most lists during the season? Well throw those out because apparently they were rubbish. Albertz and Rios have steamrolled up the rankings, especially Rios who could be a star in the league. We have picks #22, #23 and #25.

[zike_42]

Looking Back 10 Years Ago

The 2025 draft was, simply put, amazing. It has given the league so many superstar players that’s it’s hard to keep track so in this special I will recap everyone on the draft and the players now known as the Rookie Six.

1 – Oklahoma City – SG Mike Bickerstaf (Illinois)
Career Averages – 25.7 points, 5.2 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 1.0 steal, 0.0 blocks
Teams Represented – Oklahoma City

Very worthy of the number one draft pick, Bickerstaf is the premier shooting guard in the league and the heir apparent of Kobe Bryant. He’s so much like Kobe it’s scary: his scoring is off the charts and he can rebound, pass and defend.

2 – New York – PF Terry McKenzie (UCLA)
Career Averages – 18.4 points, 1.2 assists, 9.0 rebounds, 1.0 block, 1.6 steals
Teams Represented – New York, Dallas

See write up below.

3 – Atlanta – SG Chris Jones (England)
Career Averages – 14.0 points, 7.2 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 0.0 blocks
Teams Represented – Atlanta, Phoenix, Brooklyn, New York

See write up below.

4 – Memphis – PG Cort Majishun (Washington)
Career Averages – 19.4 points, 9.4 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.0 steal, 0.3 blocks
Teams Represented – Memphis, Brooklyn

See write up below.

5 – Denver – SF Thomas Perkins (Illinois)
Career Averages – 10.4 points, 1.0 assist, 2.7 rebounds, 0.4 steals, 0.0 blocks
Teams Represented – Denver, Boston, Charlotte, New York, Portland

The black sheep of the top ten (apart from John Flanigan), Perkins has been just decent in his career so far. His first two seasons in Denver were his best (14ppg and 17.2ppg respectively) and after that it’s been hard going. He’s had trouble getting starts for teams with 2031 in Charlotte the only time where he started more games than not.

6 – San Diego – SF John Brown (Nevada)
Career Averages – 12.1 points, 1.9 assists, 5.3 rebounds, 1.8 steals, 0.7 blocks
Teams Represented – San Diego, New York, Brooklyn

The ball sneak of the draft, Brown has just won his first title after jumping from New York to Brooklyn. He’s been named to an All Star team and an All Defence team in his career and averaged 16 points, 7 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 1.3 blocks in 2029 for the Riders.

7 – Sacramento – PG Jaymes Kincaid (Ohio State)
Career Averages – 18.6 points, 6.6 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 1.6 steals, 0.3 blocks
Teams Represented – Sacramento

If it wasn’t for Cort Majishun, Kincaid would be the best point guard in this draft. His averages speak for themselves and he a top score of 57 points in a game. He’s been to six All Star games and has been named to an All NBA team twice. He averaged 21 points and 10 assists in 2031 for his best statistical season.

8 – Miami – SG Kenneth Long (Texas)
Career Averages – 17.5 points, 6.0 assists, 4.7 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 1.0 block
Teams Represented – Miami, Brooklyn

See write up below.

9 – Brooklyn – SG Chris Canal (North Carolina)
Career Averages – 18.1 points, 6.2 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 0.8 steals, 1.0 block
Teams Represented – Brooklyn, Philadelphia

A standout player for both teams he has played for, he can do most things. Unfortunately that includes turning the ball over as he averages 3.6 turnovers a game. He was named to the All Star team and the All NBA team in 2033 for Philadelphia with averages of 21 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds (and 4.1 turnovers).

10 – San Antonio – SG John Flanigan (Indiana)
Career Averages – 9.9 points, 1.2 assists, 2.7 rebounds, 0.8 steals, 0.4 blocks
Teams Represented – San Antonio, Sacramento, Charlotte, New York, Orlando, Golden State, Dallas, Toronto

Currently not in the league, it seems that Flanigan’s best days are behind him. He’s averaged 17 points or more for a whole season three times during his career with 2030 being the standout in Charlotte with 17.5ppg.

11 – Los Angeles – PF Daniel Roma (Boston College)
Career Averages – 6.9 points, 0.8 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 0.5 steals, 0.7 blocks
Teams Represented – Los Angeles, Memphis, Phoenix, New York, Charlotte, Milwaukee

A defensive specialist who has bounced around the league, he’s only been a bench warmer for most of his career. However in 2031 with Phoenix he started 73 games and averaged 13 points and 6 rebounds.

12 – Washington – PG Detric Jones (Pittsburgh)
Career Averages – 14.1 points, 7.2 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 0.5 blocks
Teams Represented – Washington, Detroit

A fantastic guard who is still going strong in his sixth year at the Pistons after being hampered in his first two seasons in the league, he nearly led the league in assists last season with 15 points and 11.1 assists per encounter. He was named to two All Star games in 2028 and 2029.

13 – Indiana – SF Jack Dawkins (Fairfield)
Career Averages – 22.1 points, 5.9 assists, 6.1 rebounds, 0.7 steals, 0.3 blocks
Teams Represented – Indiana, Dallas

See write up below.

14 – Phoenix – PG BB King (Missouri)
Career Averages – 9.3 points, 5.0 assists, 2.6 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 0.0 blocks
Teams Represented – Phoenix, Orlando, Atlanta

A decent enough point guard that was let down by his defence. His best season was in 2030 for Orlando with 14 points and 8 assists a night.

15 – Boston – C Art Stevenson (Houston)
Career Averages – 14.1 points, 1.0 assist, 6.7 rebounds, 0.5 steals, 1.5 blocks
Teams Represented – Boston, San Diego, Cleveland

See write up below.

16 – Minnesota – PG Colin Walker (Georgia Tech)
Career Averages – 9.9 points, 4.4 assists, 2.7 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 0.3 blocks
Teams Represented – Minnesota, New Orleans

A tall guard (6’6”) who was a important piece in Minnesota’s title win in 2026, his best individual season was only last season in New Orleans where he averaged 14 points and 7 assists.

Notable mentions - #17 John Kelly (Brooklyn), #21 Tim Greenberg (Miami)

Coming up next – an in depth write up of each of the Rookie Six players.

[PointGuard]

[B]9 – Brooklyn – SG Chris Canal (North Carolina)
Career Averages – 18.1 points, 6.2 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 0.8 steals, 1.0 block
Teams Represented – Brooklyn, Philadelphia

A standout player for both teams he has played for, he can do most things. Unfortunately that includes turning the ball over as he averages 36 turnovers a game. He was named to the All Star team and the All NBA team in 2033 for Philadelphia with averages of 21 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds (and 4.1 turnovers).

36 TO/G ...give that guy some velcro! (OK, OK, so that was a typo).

[zike_42]

36 TO/G ...give that guy some velcro! (OK, OK, so that was a typo).

Ah whoops. I heard that he doesn't have a thumb or fore finger on each hand which is the reason he turns the ball over so much. I've corrected it so no one will ever know...

The only solace is that at least you're reading the dynasty which makes me happy.

[zike_42]

Part One of the Decade Recap of the Rookie Six





SEASON


PLAYOFFS


The eldest of the six and at 32 years old he’s unfortunately on his downward slide. He’s still a great player who can bring the noise but either next year or the one after he won’t be an All Star any more. His clutch performances are stuff of legends and his three titles pretty much guarantee his place in the NBA Hall of Fame. Out of his ten years in the league he has made the All Star team six times and an All NBA team seven times. That’s right, in 2027 he was an All NBA First Teamer but didn’t make the All Star game if you can believe that.

2x Rookie/Sophomore Game Starter (2025, 2026)
1x All Rookie First Team (2025)
4x All Star Game Reserve (2028, 2031, 2033, 2034)
2x All Star Game Starter (2029, 2032)
4x All NBA First Team (2027, 2028, 2031, 2033)
3x All NBA Second Team (2029, 2030, 2032)
1x All NBA Third Team (2034)

[zike_42]

Part Two of the Decade Recap of the Rookie Six





SEASON


PLAYOFFS


Some have said that Jones has been a bust at pick number three but when you go back and look at those numbers he’s had a pretty damn good career so far. He hasn’t ever been a good shooter (career 40.6% from the field) but the rest is top notch. He can score when needed, pass very well and has 10 triple doubles. His defence is great and is a great ball sneak and doesn’t turn the ball over too much. His chances of making the NBA Hall of Fame are 50/50 and will need to either win a title or increase his numbers a little to get in.

2x Rookie/Sophomore Game Reserve (2025, 2026)
1x All Rookie Second Team (2025)
1x All Star Game Reserve (2029)

[zike_42]

Part Three of the Decade Recap of the Rookie Six





SEASON


PLAYOFFS


For the past ten years there has been two superstar point guards in the league – Ledaryl McMillian and Cort Majishun. The player formerly known as Marius White, Majishun was the Mayor of Struggletown in Memphis, only making the playoffs twice in nine years for the Grizzlies as he was the only good player for most of his tenure there but he has found instant success in Brooklyn, winning his first title after slaving away. If he continues his form for the next four/five years he will be a lock for the NBA Hall of Fame.

1x Rookie/Sophomore Game Starter (2025, 2026)
1x All Rookie First Team (2025)
1x Long Distance Shootout Participant (2034)
1x All Star Game Reserve (2029, 2034)
1x All Star Game Starter (2030, 2031, 2033)
1x All Star Game MVP (2029, 2030, 2033)
1x All NBA Second Team (2030, 2032, 2033)
1x All NBA Third Team (2031)

[zike_42]

Part Four of the Decade Recap of the Rookie Six





SEASON


PLAYOFFS


The first Rookie Six player to win a title in 2027, his career has been a mix of light and dark. On one hard he averages 17.5 points, 6.0 assists and 4.7 rebounds on his career with excellent defence. On the other hand he had run ins with coaching staff early in his career with Miami which saw him banished to the D-League for a season. After that he was dogged by ‘experts’ who said that he was misused as a point guard when he is definitely a shooting guard. That didn’t matter in Brooklyn when he paired up with fellow Rookie Sixer Cort Majishun to win the title last season.

1x Rookie/Sophomore Game Starter (2026)
3x All Star Game Reserve (2027, 2028, 2032)
2x All Star Game Starter (2030, 2031)
1x ALL Star MVP (2027)
3x All Defence Second Team (2028, 2030, 2032)
3x All NBA Second Team (2027, 2028, 2031)
2x All NBA Third Team (2031, 2032)