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ZSmit88 · 09-09-2022, 03:04 PM

Prologue

Dreamers & Believers
Introduction

A Moment In Time
I remember when earlier NBA 2K’s dropped. I was a kid. Kobe, Shaq… KG, Duncan.. Pierce, A.I., McGrady, Vince… Wow! These guys were superstars. I still remember getting my “The Answer” sneakers, and also my T-Mac’s. In school, we used to crumble up pieces of paper and “shoot” them into the garbage cans, shouting “KOBE!”. Half the time we missed. What a time…

And now, NBA 2K23 brings us back into that world. To say I’m pumped would be an understatement.

I would say I am a basketball purist. I love the sim game. And I loved when the mid-range jumper, hand-checks, and low scoring defensive battles ruled the NBA (Detroit holding teams to 65 points? Yes please!). Before analytics took over. I still love the game and appreciate how it’s evolved, but it was a lot more special back then to be a superstar because, to be honest, the talent levels of guys today are just absurd!

...Remember when you would get benched for a pull-up three on a fastbreak? Ha!...

Anyways, the way I intend to play is going to replicate the way the NBA was played back then. I’ll be tweaking settings and sliders as I go to make sure I’m challenged, without cheesing my way through games, and having fun along the way to create a sim experience.

Presentation
I’m going to try to use a style of presentation that really captures an atmosphere of just what it was like in the early 2000’s. From the graphics in layouts, to the analysis and write-ups, and an overall approach to depict the way the game was and how the culture was back in the “Kobe Era”.

This should hit the “nostalgia bug” in all of us if done right.

ZSmit88 · 09-09-2022, 03:04 PM

Save 1 for historical info

ZSmit88 · 09-09-2022, 03:05 PM

Save 2 for historical info

ZSmit88 · 09-09-2022, 03:06 PM

Save 3 for historical info

ZSmit88 · 09-09-2022, 03:06 PM

Save 4 for historical info

ZSmit88 · 09-09-2022, 03:09 PM

That should be enough saved posts. Wanted to get this up before the weekend, but next update probably won't be until Monday. Thanks for checking in!

EDIT: Decided to drop the roster breakdown in the post below after all.

ZSmit88 · 09-09-2022, 04:48 PM

By Zach Smith
NBA Writer | Magic Insider

What Exactly is Orlando Doing with It’s Roster?

Hey Shawn Kemp, we're just as confused as you!

No, but really... this year's rendition of the Orlando Magic presents a lot of confusion (err, questions?) and plenty of head scratching moments when scanning the makeup of this roster.

I’m expecting at least a few moves to be made before we reach the deadline.

We have an MVP candidate in T-Mac, a former potential MVP candidate trying to prove to the world that he still has it while also trying to overcome the injury bug that has plagued him throughout his career in Grant Hill, a young, promising scorer in Mike Miller (all of whom play the same position more or less), and about seven washed up bigs.

It’s going to have to take about 20 or so games of McGrady scoring 40, another 15 of Grant Hill showing flashes of his former self, and at least 10 games where Orlando’s shooters catch absolute FIRE from three if they want to see even a glimmer of playoff basketball.

Let’s break it down:

#1 Tracy McGrady - Starter
T-Mac is entering his age-23 season. It will be his third in Orlando. He finished last season with over 25 points, grabbed a smidge (and I mean a smidge) under eight boards, and around five dimes per game. Good enough to earn a fourth-place finish in the MVP voting and made the All-NBA Team. This guy is a superstar and the Magic can count on another similar season. Perhaps even better?

#33 Grant Hill - Starter
Grant was an All-Star from the moment he entered the league. At his best, he averaged 25 a game(!). But, since arriving to the magical city of Orlando, it’s been rocky at best due to constant injury woes. He’s still good. Like, really good. He’s almost T-Mac lite. Good scorer, rebounder, passer, really high IQ, and just a good guy to play with. But, injuries… we’ll see how it goes.

#50 Mike Miller - Key Role Player
Enter possible Sixth Man of the Year winner. Mike Miller is a legit scorer. This will be just his third season, but he’s already shown the capability to put the ball in the basket pretty effortlessly. He’s got a nice stroke from deep and can also put the ball on the floor. Miller will see plenty of time on the court, but there’s a ton of talent at the wing, so he could play his way into forcing a trade on himself or someone else on the team eventually…

#8 Pat Garrity - Spot Starter/Key Role Player
Queue up the classic white guy from Notre Dame who shoots threes! And, hey, that’s not a bad thing. Typically Garrity would line up at power forward, but he may end up sliding in at small forward a lot, too. He’s 6-foot-9, but might get tossed around in the paint by stronger bigs. Although he’s not as athletic as most wings and may be a liable defender against small forwards. He should be good for 10 points per game, though.

#10 Darrell Armstrong - Starter
Armstrong is a grinder in every sense of the word. He worked his way into the NBA through playing pro ball in other parts of the world first. Now, he enters his age-34 season as a tough-nosed defender, smart ball handler, and good leader of the young men surrounding him. Having said that… definitely upgradeable.

#11 Jacque Vaughn - Bench Player
Vaughn comes over from Atlanta with a reputation for knocking down the three. He shot over 44% from deep last season. He passes the rock and he knows his role as a setup guy. He’s a good backup guard. Not only that, he’s smart. I could even see him being a coach in the league one day (wink).

#55 Andrew DeClercq, #40 Shawn Kemp, #54 Horace Grant - Starters? Maybe? Sometimes?
These guys are big and/or on the verge of being washed up. BUT, they can still contribute on the boards, tip in a few putbacks, and who knows, maybe even knock down the mid-range jumper on occasion. Pretty interchangeable, but it’s what the Magic have at center (for now).

#34 Steven Hunter, #31 Pat Burke - More Centers? Jesus
See above. Only younger.

#2 Rolando Cunningham, #3 Ralph Westbrook, #25 Larry Chapman - Wait, are these guys fictional?
Yes they are. Cunningham may have to play some minutes because our depth is low at guard. Westbrook and Chapman (yep, you guessed it) are bigs. Bench!

I predict a final record of 38-44, good for ninth in the East.

ZSmit88 · 09-12-2022, 12:45 PM

NBA.com | Feature Story

NBA Season Tips Off on Oct. 29

Opening week features four consecutive nationally televised doubleheaders.

NEW YORK, October 18 -- The three-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers will tip off their mission for a fourth consecutive championship on Tuesday, Oct. 29, when they take on the San Antonio Spurs to begin the opening week of the NBA's 57th season.

The NBA's opening week marks a string of four consecutive days of nationally televised doubleheaders to start the 2002-03 season. Opening night begins on TNT with an Eastern Conference matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic at TD Waterhouse Centre at 8 p.m. ET followed by the Spurs and Lakers at STAPLES Center at 10:30 p.m ET.

The second night of the season, Oct. 30, features a slate of 14 games including a televised doubleheader on ESPN. The Washington Wizards face the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre at 7 p.m. ET and the Lakers meet the Portland Trail Blazers at Rose Garden at 9:30 p.m ET in ESPN's first televised NBA games since the 1983-84 season.

Thursday, Oct. 31, also presents a doubleheader on TNT with the Boston Celtics visiting the Wizards at MCI Center at 7:30 p.m ET and the Blazers and Sacramento Kings meeting at 10 p.m. ET. The four consecutive days of televised doubleheaders concludes on Friday, Nov. 1, with two games on ESPN. The New York Knicks travel to First Union Center to battle the 76ers at 8 p.m. ET, with the nightcap featuring the Seattle SuperSonics and Golden State Warriors from The Arena in Oakland at 10:30 p.m ET.

The 2002 NBA Finalists, the Lakers and Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Nets, will meet twice during the regular season -- on Dec. 19 in New Jersey on TNT at 7:30 p.m ET and on Jan. 24 in Los Angeles at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

The first pick of the 2002 NBA Draft, Yao Ming, will make his first nationally televised appearance when he leads the Houston Rockets into America West Arena to face the Phoenix Suns on Nov. 15 at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Now that we know what to watch for, let's get into a quick preview of the league's top teams:

CONTENDERS:
EAST: New Jersey, Detroit, Washington, New Orleans

New Jersey Nets
Kenyon Martin, PF: A tough guy rep, but only 5.3 rpg? Go figure
Richard Jefferson, SF: Solid D + good O (9.4 ppg, 46 FG%) = promotion
Dikembe Mutombo, C: Two-season dip in boards, blocks. Hey, he's 36
Kerry Kittles, SG: Healthy at last: 13.4 points, 1.59 steals per game
Jason Kidd, PG: Forget the 39.1% shooting -- he's the league's No.1 PG

Detroit Pistons
Ben Wallace, PF: Count on it: 13 boards a game, two years running
Michael Curry, SF: Brings energy on D, but better off the bench
Zeljko Rebraca, C: Add a point for Robinson, who'll see quality minutes
Richard Hamilton, SG: Second in NBA last year in FT shooting (88.5%)
Chauncey Billups, PG: Should just stick to shooting threes (39.4%)

Washington Wizards
Kwame Brown (maybe Jared Jeffries), PF: 4.5 ppg lowest for top pick since 1972-73 (LaRue Martin)
Michael Jordan, SF: The GOAT is still kickin'
Brendan Haywood, C: Shares time with coach Patrick Ewing by March
Jerry Stackhouse, SG: Can he co-exist with MJ late in games? With one ball?
Larry Hughes, PG: PG experiment failed miserably in Golden State

New Orleans Hornets
P.J. Brown, PF: Never fancy, always dependable: 8.4 ppg, 9.8 rpg in 2001-02
Jamal Mashburn, SF: Has played 50 games just twice in the past 8 years
Elden Campbell, C: Magloire starts until he recovers from left knee surgery
David Wesley, SG: Shooting percentage dropped to 40% last season
Baron Davis, PG: Yeah, but why can't he shoot free throws (58%)?

WEST: Lakers, San Antonio, Sacramento, Dallas

Los Angeles Lakers
Robert Horry, PF: Always a clutch performer on the big stage
Rick Fox, SF: Wife's a clutch performer on the big stage
Shaquille O'Neal, C: Most dominant player on any stage
Kobe Bryant, SG: 15 pounds of added muscle shows he won't be upstaged
Derek Fisher, PG: 2002 playoffs should have gotten him booted off stage

San Antonio Spurs
Tim Duncan, PF: Superstar that can do it all, but it would be nice to see him hit a three every now and again
Bruce Bowen, SF: Does dirty work on D and, as a bonus, hits the occasional three
David Robinson, C: The league's class act, from start to finish
Steve Smith, SG: 11.6 ppg was lowest of his career; AWOL in playoffs
Tony Parker, PG: The Statue of Liberty, and now this. Merci, France

Sacramento Kings
Chris Webber, PF: Kings hope his legal troubles won't distract him
Peja Stojakovic, SF: Career highs of 21.2 ppg, 48% FG, 42% 3PT last season
Vlade Divac, C: Three words of advice: Grab the ball!!!
Doug Christie, SG: The Turk lurks: Hedo will push for his job
Mike Bibby, PG: Claims, with a straight face, the Kings can win 70 games

Dallas Mavericks
Raef LaFrentz, PF: Has never averaged 8 rebounds in a pro season
Dirk Nowitzki, SF: Could there be more?
Shawn Bradley, C: Size usually matters. Usually, not always
Michael Finley, SG: Detroit took Randolph Childress instead
Steve Nash, PG: 45.5% from three-point range? Are you kidding?

09-09-2022, 03:09 PM	#6
ZSmit88 Rookie OVR: 0 Join Date: Dec 2011	Re: Dreamers & Believers \| Orlando Magic That should be enough saved posts. Wanted to get this up before the weekend, but next update probably won't be until Monday. Thanks for checking in! EDIT: Decided to drop the roster breakdown in the post below after all. Last edited by ZSmit88; 09-09-2022 at 04:49 PM.

09-09-2022, 04:48 PM	#7
ZSmit88 Rookie OVR: 0 Join Date: Dec 2011	Blog Entry: What Exactly is Orlando Doing with It’s Roster? By Zach Smith NBA Writer \| Magic Insider What Exactly is Orlando Doing with It’s Roster? Hey Shawn Kemp, we're just as confused as you! No, but really... this year's rendition of the Orlando Magic presents a lot of confusion (err, questions?) and plenty of head scratching moments when scanning the makeup of this roster. I’m expecting at least a few moves to be made before we reach the deadline. We have an MVP candidate in T-Mac, a former potential MVP candidate trying to prove to the world that he still has it while also trying to overcome the injury bug that has plagued him throughout his career in Grant Hill, a young, promising scorer in Mike Miller (all of whom play the same position more or less), and about seven washed up bigs. It’s going to have to take about 20 or so games of McGrady scoring 40, another 15 of Grant Hill showing flashes of his former self, and at least 10 games where Orlando’s shooters catch absolute FIRE from three if they want to see even a glimmer of playoff basketball. Let’s break it down: #1 Tracy McGrady - Starter T-Mac is entering his age-23 season. It will be his third in Orlando. He finished last season with over 25 points, grabbed a smidge (and I mean a smidge) under eight boards, and around five dimes per game. Good enough to earn a fourth-place finish in the MVP voting and made the All-NBA Team. This guy is a superstar and the Magic can count on another similar season. Perhaps even better? #33 Grant Hill - Starter Grant was an All-Star from the moment he entered the league. At his best, he averaged 25 a game(!). But, since arriving to the magical city of Orlando, it’s been rocky at best due to constant injury woes. He’s still good. Like, really good. He’s almost T-Mac lite. Good scorer, rebounder, passer, really high IQ, and just a good guy to play with. But, injuries… we’ll see how it goes. #50 Mike Miller - Key Role Player Enter possible Sixth Man of the Year winner. Mike Miller is a legit scorer. This will be just his third season, but he’s already shown the capability to put the ball in the basket pretty effortlessly. He’s got a nice stroke from deep and can also put the ball on the floor. Miller will see plenty of time on the court, but there’s a ton of talent at the wing, so he could play his way into forcing a trade on himself or someone else on the team eventually… #8 Pat Garrity - Spot Starter/Key Role Player Queue up the classic white guy from Notre Dame who shoots threes! And, hey, that’s not a bad thing. Typically Garrity would line up at power forward, but he may end up sliding in at small forward a lot, too. He’s 6-foot-9, but might get tossed around in the paint by stronger bigs. Although he’s not as athletic as most wings and may be a liable defender against small forwards. He should be good for 10 points per game, though. #10 Darrell Armstrong - Starter Armstrong is a grinder in every sense of the word. He worked his way into the NBA through playing pro ball in other parts of the world first. Now, he enters his age-34 season as a tough-nosed defender, smart ball handler, and good leader of the young men surrounding him. Having said that… definitely upgradeable. #11 Jacque Vaughn - Bench Player Vaughn comes over from Atlanta with a reputation for knocking down the three. He shot over 44% from deep last season. He passes the rock and he knows his role as a setup guy. He’s a good backup guard. Not only that, he’s smart. I could even see him being a coach in the league one day (wink). #55 Andrew DeClercq, #40 Shawn Kemp, #54 Horace Grant - Starters? Maybe? Sometimes? These guys are big and/or on the verge of being washed up. BUT, they can still contribute on the boards, tip in a few putbacks, and who knows, maybe even knock down the mid-range jumper on occasion. Pretty interchangeable, but it’s what the Magic have at center (for now). #34 Steven Hunter, #31 Pat Burke - More Centers? Jesus See above. Only younger. #2 Rolando Cunningham, #3 Ralph Westbrook, #25 Larry Chapman - Wait, are these guys fictional? Yes they are. Cunningham may have to play some minutes because our depth is low at guard. Westbrook and Chapman (yep, you guessed it) are bigs. Bench! I predict a final record of 38-44, good for ninth in the East. marshdaddy, JoshNormanMane, JurassicPuck and 1 others like this.

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09-09-2022, 03:04 PM	#1
ZSmit88 Rookie OVR: 0 Join Date: Dec 2011	Dreamers & Believers \| Orlando Magic Prologue Dreamers & Believers Introduction A Moment In Time I remember when earlier NBA 2K’s dropped. I was a kid. Kobe, Shaq… KG, Duncan.. Pierce, A.I., McGrady, Vince… Wow! These guys were superstars. I still remember getting my “The Answer” sneakers, and also my T-Mac’s. In school, we used to crumble up pieces of paper and “shoot” them into the garbage cans, shouting “KOBE!”. Half the time we missed. What a time… And now, NBA 2K23 brings us back into that world. To say I’m pumped would be an understatement. I would say I am a basketball purist. I love the sim game. And I loved when the mid-range jumper, hand-checks, and low scoring defensive battles ruled the NBA (Detroit holding teams to 65 points? Yes please!). Before analytics took over. I still love the game and appreciate how it’s evolved, but it was a lot more special back then to be a superstar because, to be honest, the talent levels of guys today are just absurd! ...Remember when you would get benched for a pull-up three on a fastbreak? Ha!... Anyways, the way I intend to play is going to replicate the way the NBA was played back then. I’ll be tweaking settings and sliders as I go to make sure I’m challenged, without cheesing my way through games, and having fun along the way to create a sim experience. Presentation I’m going to try to use a style of presentation that really captures an atmosphere of just what it was like in the early 2000’s. From the graphics in layouts, to the analysis and write-ups, and an overall approach to depict the way the game was and how the culture was back in the “Kobe Era”. This should hit the “nostalgia bug” in all of us if done right. djp73, marshdaddy, RMJH4 and 1 others like this. Last edited by ZSmit88; 09-09-2022 at 03:07 PM.

09-09-2022, 03:05 PM	#3
ZSmit88 Rookie OVR: 0 Join Date: Dec 2011	Re: Dreamers & Believers \| Orlando Magic Save 2 for historical info

09-09-2022, 03:06 PM	#4
ZSmit88 Rookie OVR: 0 Join Date: Dec 2011	Re: Dreamers & Believers \| Orlando Magic Save 3 for historical info

09-12-2022, 12:45 PM	#8
ZSmit88 Rookie OVR: 0 Join Date: Dec 2011	NBA League Stories & News NBA.com \| Feature Story NBA Season Tips Off on Oct. 29 Opening week features four consecutive nationally televised doubleheaders. NEW YORK, October 18 -- The three-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers will tip off their mission for a fourth consecutive championship on Tuesday, Oct. 29, when they take on the San Antonio Spurs to begin the opening week of the NBA's 57th season. The NBA's opening week marks a string of four consecutive days of nationally televised doubleheaders to start the 2002-03 season. Opening night begins on TNT with an Eastern Conference matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic at TD Waterhouse Centre at 8 p.m. ET followed by the Spurs and Lakers at STAPLES Center at 10:30 p.m ET. The second night of the season, Oct. 30, features a slate of 14 games including a televised doubleheader on ESPN. The Washington Wizards face the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre at 7 p.m. ET and the Lakers meet the Portland Trail Blazers at Rose Garden at 9:30 p.m ET in ESPN's first televised NBA games since the 1983-84 season. Thursday, Oct. 31, also presents a doubleheader on TNT with the Boston Celtics visiting the Wizards at MCI Center at 7:30 p.m ET and the Blazers and Sacramento Kings meeting at 10 p.m. ET. The four consecutive days of televised doubleheaders concludes on Friday, Nov. 1, with two games on ESPN. The New York Knicks travel to First Union Center to battle the 76ers at 8 p.m. ET, with the nightcap featuring the Seattle SuperSonics and Golden State Warriors from The Arena in Oakland at 10:30 p.m ET. The 2002 NBA Finalists, the Lakers and Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Nets, will meet twice during the regular season -- on Dec. 19 in New Jersey on TNT at 7:30 p.m ET and on Jan. 24 in Los Angeles at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2. The first pick of the 2002 NBA Draft, Yao Ming, will make his first nationally televised appearance when he leads the Houston Rockets into America West Arena to face the Phoenix Suns on Nov. 15 at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. Now that we know what to watch for, let's get into a quick preview of the league's top teams: CONTENDERS: EAST: New Jersey, Detroit, Washington, New Orleans New Jersey Nets Kenyon Martin, PF: A tough guy rep, but only 5.3 rpg? Go figure Richard Jefferson, SF: Solid D + good O (9.4 ppg, 46 FG%) = promotion Dikembe Mutombo, C: Two-season dip in boards, blocks. Hey, he's 36 Kerry Kittles, SG: Healthy at last: 13.4 points, 1.59 steals per game Jason Kidd, PG: Forget the 39.1% shooting -- he's the league's No.1 PG Detroit Pistons Ben Wallace, PF: Count on it: 13 boards a game, two years running Michael Curry, SF: Brings energy on D, but better off the bench Zeljko Rebraca, C: Add a point for Robinson, who'll see quality minutes Richard Hamilton, SG: Second in NBA last year in FT shooting (88.5%) Chauncey Billups, PG: Should just stick to shooting threes (39.4%) Washington Wizards Kwame Brown (maybe Jared Jeffries), PF: 4.5 ppg lowest for top pick since 1972-73 (LaRue Martin) Michael Jordan, SF: The GOAT is still kickin' Brendan Haywood, C: Shares time with coach Patrick Ewing by March Jerry Stackhouse, SG: Can he co-exist with MJ late in games? With one ball? Larry Hughes, PG: PG experiment failed miserably in Golden State New Orleans Hornets P.J. Brown, PF: Never fancy, always dependable: 8.4 ppg, 9.8 rpg in 2001-02 Jamal Mashburn, SF: Has played 50 games just twice in the past 8 years Elden Campbell, C: Magloire starts until he recovers from left knee surgery David Wesley, SG: Shooting percentage dropped to 40% last season Baron Davis, PG: Yeah, but why can't he shoot free throws (58%)? WEST: Lakers, San Antonio, Sacramento, Dallas Los Angeles Lakers Robert Horry, PF: Always a clutch performer on the big stage Rick Fox, SF: Wife's a clutch performer on the big stage Shaquille O'Neal, C: Most dominant player on any stage Kobe Bryant, SG: 15 pounds of added muscle shows he won't be upstaged Derek Fisher, PG: 2002 playoffs should have gotten him booted off stage San Antonio Spurs Tim Duncan, PF: Superstar that can do it all, but it would be nice to see him hit a three every now and again Bruce Bowen, SF: Does dirty work on D and, as a bonus, hits the occasional three David Robinson, C: The league's class act, from start to finish Steve Smith, SG: 11.6 ppg was lowest of his career; AWOL in playoffs Tony Parker, PG: The Statue of Liberty, and now this. Merci, France Sacramento Kings Chris Webber, PF: Kings hope his legal troubles won't distract him Peja Stojakovic, SF: Career highs of 21.2 ppg, 48% FG, 42% 3PT last season Vlade Divac, C: Three words of advice: Grab the ball!!! Doug Christie, SG: The Turk lurks: Hedo will push for his job Mike Bibby, PG: Claims, with a straight face, the Kings can win 70 games Dallas Mavericks Raef LaFrentz, PF: Has never averaged 8 rebounds in a pro season Dirk Nowitzki, SF: Could there be more? Shawn Bradley, C: Size usually matters. Usually, not always Michael Finley, SG: Detroit took Randolph Childress instead Steve Nash, PG: 45.5% from three-point range? Are you kidding? marshdaddy likes this.

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