Well this was certainly a different season, and the first in which I don't feel entirely comfortable about my team's chances. We finished 55-27, good enough for 3rd in the EC and 5th overall... Lots of good teams this year, headed by the Rockets who went 70-12 - all they did this offseason was sign Tyson Chandler, who is now a 3-time DPoY.
D-Wade is our only All-Star and we get shutout on the awards season. I can't believe Timmy wasn't an All-Star or on any Teams- his 29.5 PPG was a career high.
Code:
2005 NBA Standings
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ATLANTIC W L PCT HOME DIV CONF
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Nets 59 23 .720 33-8 13-3 38-14
Raptors 55 27 .671 29-12 8-8 35-17
Knicks 51 31 .622 31-10 9-7 34-18
Celtics 42 40 .512 26-15 7-9 30-22
76ers 31 51 .378 21-20 3-13 22-30
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SOUTHEAST W L PCT HOME DIV CONF
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Magic 44 38 .537 28-13 11-5 25-27
Hawks 35 47 .427 24-17 8-8 25-27
Wizards 35 47 .427 23-18 7-9 22-30
Heat 35 47 .427 22-19 8-8 25-27
Bobcats 23 59 .280 13-28 6-10 16-36
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CENTRAL W L PCT HOME DIV CONF
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Bulls 62 20 .756 34-7 14-2 41-11
Pistons 37 45 .451 27-14 8-8 25-27
Pacers 36 46 .439 24-17 8-8 24-28
Bucks 33 49 .402 20-21 7-9 20-32
Cavaliers 10 72 .122 7-34 3-13 8-44
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MIDWEST W L PCT HOME DIV CONF
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Rockets 70 12 .854 36-5 14-2 47-5
Hornets 55 27 .671 33-8 13-3 32-20
Grizzlies 41 41 .500 26-15 5-11 24-28
Mavericks 40 42 .488 23-18 3-13 22-30
Spurs 28 54 .341 22-19 5-11 18-34
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NORTHWEST W L PCT HOME DIV CONF
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Jazz 48 34 .585 28-13 12-4 27-25
Nuggets 47 35 .573 26-15 10-6 31-21
Trail Blazers 47 35 .573 28-13 6-10 28-24
Timberwolves 42 40 .512 26-15 5-11 26-26
SuperSonics 38 44 .463 22-19 7-9 23-29
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PACIFIC W L PCT HOME DIV CONF
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Clippers 59 23 .720 33-8 11-5 34-18
Warriors 37 45 .451 24-17 9-7 22-30
Suns 35 47 .427 21-20 8-8 20-32
Kings 31 51 .378 21-20 8-8 20-32
Lakers 24 58 .293 15-26 4-12 16-36
Code:
2005 NBA Season Summary Awards
Award Pos Name Team PPG RPG APG SPG BPG
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GM of the Year: James Jackson Clippers
Coach of the Year: Keneth Stephens Clippers
Most Valuable Player: SG Kobe Bryant Hornets 35.2 5.2 5.8 1.9 0.4
Rookie of the Year: PG Chris Paul Trail Blazers 16.5 4.1 12.0 1.3 0.1
Defender of the Year: C Tyson Chandler Rockets 12.2 10.7 2.3 0.3 3.7
6th Man of the Year: SF Danny Granger SuperSonics 11.7 4.2 1.6 0.5 0.5
Most Improved Player: PF Chris Wilcox Lakers 11.9 6.0 1.0 0.3 0.8
All-League 1st Team: C Yao Ming Timberwolves 26.4 8.8 2.0 0.3 1.8
All-League 1st Team: PF Amare Stoudemire Knicks 28.0 8.6 1.6 0.6 1.9
All-League 1st Team: SF Jerry Stackhouse Celtics 24.0 5.6 3.8 1.3 0.5
All-League 1st Team: SG Kobe Bryant Hornets 35.2 5.2 5.8 1.9 0.4
All-League 1st Team: PG Steve Francis Bucks 25.4 5.4 7.3 1.7 0.1
All-League 2nd Team: C Chris Bosh 76ers 21.7 8.1 2.2 0.5 0.9
All-League 2nd Team: PF Rashard Lewis Jazz 27.6 8.0 2.8 1.7 0.9
All-League 2nd Team: SF LeBron James Clippers 19.7 6.0 5.4 2.1 0.4
All-League 2nd Team: SG Tracy McGrady Bulls 25.0 7.5 4.8 1.7 0.9
All-League 2nd Team: PG Chris Paul Trail Blazers 16.5 4.1 12.0 1.3 0.1
All-League 3rd Team: C Tyson Chandler Rockets 12.2 10.7 2.3 0.3 3.7
All-League 3rd Team: PF Pau Gasol Nets 26.9 11.7 3.7 0.5 3.5
All-League 3rd Team: SF Keith Van Horn Rockets 22.8 7.1 2.2 0.9 0.2
All-League 3rd Team: SG Michael Redd Nets 23.3 5.0 3.0 1.0 0.3
All-League 3rd Team: PG Chauncey Billups Nuggets 19.0 3.7 8.6 1.4 0.3
All-Defense 1st Team: C Tyson Chandler Rockets 12.2 10.7 2.3 0.3 3.7
All-Defense 1st Team: PF Pau Gasol Nets 26.9 11.7 3.7 0.5 3.5
All-Defense 1st Team: SF Andrei Kirilenko Magic 13.8 6.2 3.1 1.5 1.2
All-Defense 1st Team: SG Tracy McGrady Bulls 25.0 7.5 4.8 1.7 0.9
All-Defense 1st Team: PG Steve Francis Bucks 25.4 5.4 7.3 1.7 0.1
All-Defense 2nd Team: C Marcus Camby Trail Blazers 10.5 9.8 2.0 0.8 2.9
All-Defense 2nd Team: PF Chris Andersen Warriors 10.9 7.9 1.4 0.7 2.3
All-Defense 2nd Team: SF LeBron James Clippers 19.7 6.0 5.4 2.1 0.4
All-Defense 2nd Team: SG Kobe Bryant Hornets 35.2 5.2 5.8 1.9 0.4
All-Defense 2nd Team: PG Brevin Knight Knicks 9.8 3.7 8.2 2.0 0.1
All-Rookie 1st Team: C Andrew Bynum Cavaliers 6.2 6.3 1.1 0.1 1.7
All-Rookie 1st Team: PF David Lee Celtics 13.5 9.0 1.6 0.5 0.3
All-Rookie 1st Team: SF Danny Granger SuperSonics 11.7 4.2 1.6 0.5 0.5
All-Rookie 1st Team: SG Francisco Garcia Bobcats 12.1 4.4 2.1 0.7 0.5
All-Rookie 1st Team: PG Chris Paul Trail Blazers 16.5 4.1 12.0 1.3 0.1
All-Rookie 2nd Team: C Andrew Bogut Knicks 1.9 1.8 0.4 0.2 0.5
All-Rookie 2nd Team: PF Hakim Warrick Pacers 7.3 3.4 0.9 0.3 0.3
All-Rookie 2nd Team: SF Gerald Green Flame 4.4 1.7 0.6 0.3 0.1
All-Rookie 2nd Team: SG Jarrett Jack Mavericks 4.2 1.2 1.2 0.2 0.1
All-Rookie 2nd Team: PG Jose Calderon Timberwolves 15.6 3.2 7.6 0.9 0.2
Code:
Toronto Raptors Averages
Player Pos Gm Gs Min Pts Orb Reb Ast Stl Blk To Fls +/-test test test test test
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Tim Duncan PF 73 73 39.0 29.5 2.5 10.6 2.2 0.4 1.7 3.0 1.8 8.8
Dwyane Wade SG 77 77 35.5 20.8 1.2 4.5 5.2 1.8 0.6 2.4 2.4 7.7
Metta World Peace SF 82 82 34.7 12.6 1.3 5.6 2.8 1.8 0.3 1.4 3.2 8.7
Steve Nash PG 82 82 34.5 12.5 0.9 3.3 7.6 0.6 0.2 2.8 1.0 6.5
Anderson Varejao C 64 64 29.7 7.4 2.6 7.7 1.2 1.2 1.0 1.7 2.5 6.2
Jonathan Bender PF 82 20 24.7 7.8 1.1 4.9 0.8 0.2 0.9 1.7 3.0 4.0
Leandro Barbosa SG 82 5 14.1 5.6 0.3 1.2 1.0 0.5 0.1 0.8 1.3 0.6
Jason Kapono SF 82 0 13.7 4.9 0.4 1.7 0.7 0.3 0.1 0.5 1.3 -0.6
Eddie House SG 52 0 12.8 6.1 0.3 1.1 1.0 0.6 0.1 1.1 1.7 -0.1
Derek Anderson SF 53 0 12.6 4.0 0.4 1.9 1.1 0.7 0.1 0.7 0.9 2.1
Mike Sweetney PF 51 7 12.3 2.6 0.7 2.7 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.8 1.7 -0.5
Adonal Foyle C 33 0 11.4 2.4 1.0 2.9 0.6 0.1 1.1 0.6 0.6 -1.4
Louis Williams SG 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
So we enter the playoffs a little differently this time, as not the favorites, but as the grizzled veteran team looking to make another run. As the 3-seed, we get the Celtics first, who signed Jerry Stackhouse and drafted David Lee and turned the franchise around. Still, Stack is aging and Lee is raw. We should be fine.
THE PLAYOFFS - 3 SEED - 55-27
Round 1 - vs. #6 Boston (42-40)
Code:
Toronto Raptors Schedule
Date Opponent Result Score Record Attendance Type
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04/22/06 Celtics W 116-87 1-0 19,463 Playoffs
04/23/06 Celtics W 118-80 2-0 19,391 Playoffs
04/25/06 at Celtics W 114-92 3-0 18,621 Playoffs
04/26/06 at Celtics L 88-90 3-1 18,621 Playoffs
04/28/06 Celtics W 98-89 4-1 19,475 Playoffs
Off to Round 2 where we've already relinquished home court- to the Nets, who feature stud Pau Gasol (but he's out for 9 days), Michael Redd, Mike Dunleavy, and Nick Van Exel.
Round 2 - vs. #2 New Jersey (59-23)
Code:
05/04/06 at Nets W 101-92 1-0 20,048 Playoffs
05/05/06 at Nets L 98-117 1-1 20,048 Playoffs
05/07/06 Nets W 125-111 2-1 19,787 Playoffs
05/08/06 Nets W 111-94 3-1 19,751 Playoffs
05/10/06 at Nets L 98-106 3-2 20,048 Playoffs
05/12/06 Nets W 98-90 4-2 19,799 Playoffs
We catch a break as Gasol sits the entire series and we prevail at home in Game 6... he was D2D for the last 4 games and should have played IMO... Duncan puts up a 49-15 in Game 3.
On to the Semi Finals where we face an old story, the Bulls. The winner of the East Finals has won the title each of the last 3 years, with the Bulls getting one over on us last year. They're the favorites here, at 62-20 and they have their same core.
Conference Finals - vs. #1 Chicago (62-20)
Code:
05/16/06 at Bulls L 117-118 0-1 21,766 Playoffs
05/17/06 at Bulls L 81-102 0-2 21,623 Playoffs
05/19/06 Bulls W 124-113 1-2 19,799 Playoffs
05/20/06 Bulls L 107-114 1-3 19,799 Playoffs
05/22/06 at Bulls W 93-75 2-3 21,671 Playoffs
05/24/06 Bulls W 93-82 3-3 19,667 Playoffs
05/26/06 at Bulls W 115-90 4-3 21,615 Playoffs
We rally down 3 games to 1 to dominate the rest of the series and return to the Finals.
We've got our work cut out for us against the Rockets, who have gone Fo Fo Fo so far in these playoffs. They're led by DPoY Tyson Chandler, Keith Van Horn, Manu Ginobili, Jason Richardson and Andre Miller.
The Finals - vs. #1 Houston (70-12)
Code:
05/28/06 at Rockets W 115-113 1-0 18,997 Playoffs
05/29/06 at Rockets W 91-75 2-0 18,997 Playoffs
05/31/06 Rockets L 74-92 2-1 19,679 Playoffs
06/01/06 Rockets W 108-99 3-1 19,799 Playoffs
06/02/06 Rockets W 95-81 4-1 19,799 Playoffs
But don't underestimate the power of champions! Wade completely outclasses Ginobili at the 2, and Duncan has a hell of a series as we upset the team with the third best record of All-Time in 5 games!
3 championships in 4 years as Steve Nash will hit the market this summer.
Code:
Toronto Raptors Playoff Averages
Player Pos Gm Gs Min Pts Orb Reb Ast Stl Blk To Fls +/-test test test test test
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Tim Duncan PF 23 23 37.7 27.8 2.7 10.2 2.5 0.2 2.1 3.2 1.8 7.7
Dwyane Wade SG 23 23 36.8 22.7 1.3 4.7 5.9 1.8 0.6 3.2 2.0 6.7
Metta World Peace SF 23 23 34.5 11.8 1.7 5.2 2.4 2.0 0.3 1.7 3.5 7.2
Steve Nash PG 23 23 35.0 11.1 0.8 3.6 6.8 0.8 0.2 2.0 0.8 5.8
Anderson Varejao C 23 23 33.4 7.2 2.4 8.3 1.2 1.1 1.2 2.3 2.9 4.9
Jonathan Bender PF 23 0 20.9 7.9 1.0 4.0 0.7 0.3 1.0 1.1 2.7 3.4
Leandro Barbosa SG 23 0 16.2 5.5 0.5 1.3 1.0 0.6 0.1 0.9 2.0 2.1
Jason Kapono SF 23 0 13.8 5.0 0.3 1.3 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.6 1.0 1.0
Eddie House SG 17 0 10.4 3.9 0.5 1.2 1.2 0.4 0.0 0.6 1.0 2.1
Derek Anderson SF 8 0 2.0 1.3 0.1 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 -0.5
Mike Sweetney PF 16 0 4.5 1.1 0.6 1.4 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.6 0.7 0.0
Adonal Foyle C 7 0 4.1 0.9 0.3 0.9 0.1 0.0 0.6 0.0 0.1 -0.4
Louis Williams SG 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Timmy wins his 3rd Playoff MVP.