NBA 2K23 - The Kobe Era Reimagined

[the_kevstaaa]

3/30/04

Around the League
• Tracy McGrady leads the league in scoring (31.1ppg), Tim Duncan leads in rebounding (14.4), Jason Williams leads in assists (10.6), Jason Kidd in steals (2.2), and Shaquille O’Neal in blocks (2.5).
• The Minnesota Timberwolves lead the West (50-20) and have clinched. The Spurs (47-24) and Clippers (41-28) follow suit. The Pistons (50-19) lead the East and have also clinched. New Jersey (47-24) and Orlando (44-26) are next.
• A 10 game losing streak has put the Knicks in last in the East.
• Memphis’ Pau Gasol (19.5ppg) has broken ankle; out 2-4 months. Memphis was 30-29 and half a game out of the 8th spot when this happened.
• Dallas’ Michael Finley (16.4ppg) dislocated his right patella; out 2-4 months.
• The Clippers’ Quentin Richardson (16.9ppg) has broken ankle; out 1-2 months.
• New Orleans’ David Wesley (15.5ppg) ruptured his achilles; out for season.
• Milwaukee’s Antonio Davis (8.7ppg) has knee tendinitis; out 4-6 weeks.
• Our first late season trade has been made as Washington shipped Christian Laettner (6.9ppg, 4.9apg) to Boston for Will Miles (7.1ppg, 5.1rpg) and a 2007 2nd round pick. Boston (33-35) is currently 1.0GB of the 8th seeded Bulls (35-35).

Players of the Week 3/1/04-3/7/04
NOH – Jamal Mashburn [1] (31.3ppg, 7.0rpg, 5.0apg, 1.6spg)
SAS – Tim Duncan [6] (26.6ppg, 17.0rpg, 5.6apg, 2.0spg, 1.3bpg)

Players of the Week 3/8/04-3/14/04
NJN – Jason Kidd [3] (23.0ppg, 8.7apg, 6.5rpg)
MIN – Kevin Garnett [6] (25.5ppg, 12.2rpg, 9.5apg, 3.2bpg)

Players of the Week 3/15/04-3/21/04
ORL – Tracy McGrady [7] (34.5ppg, 6.5apg, 5.5rpg, 1.0spg)
POR – LeBron James [2] (27.6ppg, 5.6apg, 4.0rpg, 1.6spg, 2.3bpg)

Players of the Week 3/22/04-3/28/04
IND – Jermaine O’Neal [3] (28.0ppg, 13.2rpg, 2.2spg, 2.2bpg)
LAL – Shaquille O’Neal [3] (27.2ppg, 14.7rpg, 5.2apg, 2.5bpg)

(19-50; 14th in West) Denver Nuggets @ (50-20; 1st in West) Minnesota Timberwolves
[7-26 on the road; Lost 3 straight] [25-9 at home; Won 3 straight]

Nuggets
Kenny Satterfield (9.7ppg, 5.1apg, 35FG%)
Corey Maggette (18.7ppg, 5.6rpg, 46FG%)
James Posey (12.0ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.1spg, 42FG%)
Hedo Turkoglu (13.7ppg, 4.3rpg, 43FG%)
Marcus Camby (9.2ppg, 11.0rpg, 1.0spg, 2.3bpg, 39FG%)
6th Man: Jarvis Hayes (9.9ppg, 40FG%)

Timberwolves
Terrell Brandon (11.9ppg, 8.2apg, 1.3spg, 45FG%)
Eddie Jones (16.3ppg, 4.5apg, 4.0rpg, 1.1spg, 47FG%)
Wally Szczerbiak (17.2ppg, 3.9apg, 3.7rpg, 1.0spg, 52FG%)
Kevin Garnett (23.5ppg, 13.1rpg, 7.5apg, 1.3spg, 1.4bpg, 58FG%)
Alonzo Mourning (10.8ppg, 8.5rpg, 1.8bpg, 44FG%)
6th Man: Kendall Gill (9.0ppg, 47FG%)

[the_kevstaaa]

For three quarters, Minnesota shockingly couldn’t hang with the Nuggets. In the 4th, they remembered they’re one of the league’s best teams. The Timberwolves rallied from down 10 to take the lead late. They committed a crucial turnover that allowed Corey Maggette (21 points) to put Denver up 103-102. Minnesota inbounded to Kevin Garnett (28 points, 16 rebounds, 9 assists) for a turnaround jumper to give them the lead with 1.4 left. Jarvis Hayes (14 points) had a chance at the buzzer but missed with Wally Szczerbiak (23 points) on him.

[the_kevstaaa]

4/8/04

Around the League
• Tracy McGrady leads the league in scoring (31.0ppg), Tim Duncan leads in rebounding (14.5), Jason Williams leads in assists (10.6), Jason Kidd in steals (2.2), and Shaquille O’Neal in blocks (2.5).
• Minnesota still leads the West (53-22), while San Antonio (50-25) has also clinched. Sacramento (39-35), Memphis (39-35), and Phoenix (39-36) are all battling for the 8th seed.
• The Pistons lead the East (55-19), while the Nets (49-26) and Magic (46-28) have clinched. Boston (34-39) sits in 9th, 2.5GB of Chicago (38-38).
• Despite no Michael Finley, Dallas has reeled off 7 straight wins, as have the Clippers.
• Indiana’s Jermaine O’Neal (22.8ppg) has broken leg; out 6-8 weeks.
• Minnesota’s Kevin Garnett (23.6ppg) has broken toe out 2-4 weeks.
• Seattle’s Brent Barry (10.4ppg) has broken leg; out 6-8 weeks.
• Sacramento’s Doug Christie (6.6ppg) has broken leg; out 6-9 weeks.

Players of the Month for March
IND – Jermaine O’Neal [1] (24.8ppg, 12.1rpg, 1.5spg, 2.3bpg, 56FG%)
SAS – Tim Duncan [2] (25.3ppg, 13.4rpg, 5.1apg, 1.9bpg, 59FG%)

Rookies of the Month for March
ATL – Carmelo Anthony [4] (25.8ppg, 7.2rpg, 4.1apg, 1.3spg, 58FG%)
POR – LeBron James [5] (25.8ppg, 6.1apg, 5.0rpg, 1.6spg, 1.8bpg, 57FG%)

Players of the Week 3/29/04-4/4/04
ATL – Carmelo Anthony [3] (34.6ppg, 9.0rpg, 5.0apg, 1.0spg, 1.3bpg)
SAS – Tim Duncan [7] (25.6ppg, 14.6rpg, 5.0apg, 2.0spg, 2.0bpg)

(41-33; 6th in West) Houston Rockets @ (26-48; 12th in West) Utah Jazz
[20-16 on the road; Won 1 straight] [11-28 on the road; Won 1 straight]

Rockets
Steve Francis (19.2ppg, 7.6apg, 4.8rpg, 1.4spg, 50FG%)
Cuttino Mobley (14.0ppg, 3.0apg, 1.0spg, 46FG%)
Glen Rice (8.9ppg, 47FG%)
Karl Malone (13.6ppg, 7.3rpg, 5.3apg, 1.4spg, 47FG%)
Yao Ming (14.1ppg, 12.0rpg, 1.9bpg, 50FG%)
6th Man: Deshawn Stevenson (9.4ppg, 44FG%)

Jazz
Kirk Hinrich (13.7ppg, 4.3apg, 1.2spg, 48FG%)
Calbert Cheaney (14.6ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.1spg, 48FG%)
Andrei Kirilenko (13.6ppg, 7.1rpg, 1.8spg, 1.b8pg, 38FG%)
Scott Padgett (10.3ppg, 7.0rpg, 35FG%)
Greg Ostertag (8.6ppg, 8.7rpg, 1.8bpg, 42FG%)
6th Man: Devean George (9.8ppg, 5.0rpg, 42FG%)

[the_kevstaaa]

Despite their position in the standings, the Utah Jazz aren’t laying down for anyone. They fought hard and pulled out a 93-86 victory over the Rockets, who have been mostly hot since the All-Star break. Utah was led by rookie Kirk Hinrich (career-high 30 points) and the all-around play of Andrei Kirilenko (14 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks) as they hit big shots late and stifled Steve Francis (7-20FG) and Karl Malone (6 points, 3-9FG). Yao Ming (21 points, 16 rebounds) was the hot hand for Houston but he wasn’t enough.

[the_kevstaaa]

4/17/04

Around the League
• Tracy McGrady remains the league’s leading scorer (30.6ppg), Tim Duncan holds the rebounding lead (14.6), Jason Williams leads in assists (10.6), Jason Kidd leads in steals (2.2), and Shaquille O’Neal leads in blocks (2.5).
• The Pistons remain atop the East (58-20) with the Nets (51-28), Magic (47-31), 76ers (46-33), and Bucks (44-35) also all clinching. One game separates the 6th through 9th spots as the Bulls, Cavaliers, Celtics, and Raptors battle it out.
• Due to Kevin Garnett’s injury, the Timberwolves (53-25) fell behind the Spurs (55-25) in the standings. The Clippers (48-31) and Warriors (46-32) also clinched. The Lakers and Mavericks battle for the 5th spot, while the Grizzlies, Suns, Kings, and Rockets are all within 2 games of each other and the final two playoff spots.
• The Clippers’ Andre Miller (10.3apg) has knee tendinitis; out 6-8 weeks.
• Detroit’s Corliss Williamson (13.6ppg) dislocated his left patella; out for season.

Players of the Week 4/5/04-4/11/04
NJN – Jason Kidd [4] (19.6ppg, 12.apg, 6.0rpg, 2.6spg, 1.3bpg)
SAS – Tim Duncan [8] (29.0ppg, 16.0rpg, 3.6apg, 2.0bpg)

(47-31; 3rd in East) Orlando Magic @ (41-38; T6 in East) Chicago Bulls
[21-18 on the road; Lost 3 straight] [17-22 at home; Won 6 straight]

Magic
Mo Williams (8.6ppg,4.2apg, 1.0spg, 45FG%)
Tracy McGrady (30.6ppg, 6.4apg, 5.5pg, 1.4spg, 1.1bpg, 59FG%)
Grant Hill (15.1ppg, 7.0rpg, 6.5apg, 49FG%)
Shareef Abdur-Rahim (20.3ppg, 7.0rpg, 4.1apg, 54FG%)
Kendrick Perkins (7.5ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.5bpg, 45FG%)
6th Man: Pat Garrity (8.7ppg, 43FG%)

Bulls
Jay Williams (13.9ppg, 7.8apg, 3.0rpg, 1.3spg, 46FG%)
Jamal Crawford (15.3ppg, 6.8apg, 1.1spg, 47FG%)
Jalen Rose (21.6ppg, 5.4apg, 3.2rpg, 51FG%)
Donyell Marshall (11.2ppg, 8.2rpg, 1.0bpg, 44FG%)
Tyson Chandler (10.0ppg, 8.5rpg, 1.5bpg, 55FG%)
6th Man: Eddy Curry (12.2ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.0bpg, 57FG%)

[the_kevstaaa]

Chicago is a good young team but their youth shined through in their 103-97 loss to Orlando. The Magic executed down the stretch while the Bulls missed key shots and committed a costly turnover. Tracy McGrady was his usual red hot self (38 points) while Pat Garrity (12 points) came off the bench with two big late threes. Chicago had a balanced attack led by Jamal Crawford and Jalen Rose (20 points each).

[the_kevstaaa]

4/22/04

Around the League
• On the final day of the season, there are still only five Eastern Conference teams who clinched (Pistons, Nets, Magic, 76ers, Bucks). The Cavaliers (42-39), Toronto Raptors (42-40), Chicago Bulls (42-40), and Boston Celtics (41-40) are vying for the final three playoff spots.
• Out West, the Lakers (45-36) and Rockets (44-37) have joined the clinching teams. Memphis (43-48) and Phoenix (42-39) are both up for the final playoff spot. The Wolves and Spurs (55-26 each) are also battling for the #1 seed.

Players of the Week 4/12/04-4/18/04
ORL – Tracy McGrady [8] (29.0ppg, 7.7apg, 5.7rpg, 1.2spg, 1.0bpg)
LAL – Shaquille O’Neal [4] (22.2ppg, 15.5rpg, 3.7apg, 1.7spg, 4.7bpg)

(50-31; 3rd in West) Los Angeles Clippers @ (45-36; 6th in West) Los Angeles Lakers
[22-18 on the road; Won 4 straight] [23-17 at home; Won 1 straight[

Clippers
Andre Miller (11.7ppg, 10.3apg, 1.1spg, 48FG%)
Quentin Richardson (17.2ppg, 5.5rpg, 47FG%)
Lamar Odom (17.6ppg, 5.8rpg, 5.2apg, 1.0spg, 51FG%)
Elton Brand (19.4ppg, 11.7rpg, 3.2apg, 1.0spg, 1.8bpg, 54FG%)
Michael Olowakandi (9.8ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.6bpg, 42FG%)
6th Man: Keyon Dooling (9.6ppg, 3.2apg, 48FG%)

Lakers
Derek Fisher (8.3ppg, 5.4apg, 46FG%)
Kobe Bryant (23.0ppg, 6.2apg, 5.6rpg, 1.8spg, 1.0bpg, 56FG%)
Desmond Mason (11.5ppg, 5.3rpg, 49FG%)
Glenn Robinson (16.5ppg, 4.4rpg, 3.5apg, 50FG%)
Shaquille O’Neal (21.5ppg, 13.3rpg, 4.4apg, 1.0spg, 2.6bpg, 57FG%)
6th Man: Rick Fox (7.3ppg, 3.2apg, 3.1rpg, 40FG%)

[the_kevstaaa]

Kobe Bryant put an NBA season-high in points (57), Shaquille O’Neal went 20/20 (20 points, 24 rebounds), and the Lakers led by double-digits for most of this game. Yet the Clippers still won 114-108.