NBA 2K23 - The Kobe Era Reimagined

[the_kevstaaa]

I really like to get creative in NBA 2K's MyLeague mode. The new MyNBA mode lets you take over different eras of the NBA and relive/change things. Thankfully, they put in the Kobe Era, which starts in 2002-2003, when I first truly became hooked on the sport. I'm going to start there, controlling all 30 teams, and see what the future holds. Do the Cavs never get the top pick in the 2003 Draft? Do Kobe and Shaq stay together? Hopefully, I can keep this going for several in-game years.

I'll choose 10 regular season games to play this year and then play more per year as history evolves and changes.

Major Storylines For The Season

Four-Peat?
The Los Angeles Lakers just swept the New Jersey Nets to earn their third straight NBA Championship. They look to do what no team has done in decades and win four in a row but the Nets, Kings, Pistons, Spurs, and more are hot on their heels.

The King Awaits
The upcoming 2003 Draft Class is sure to be one of the most loaded ever. Still, everyone knows that LeBron James sits atop the throne. The race to the bottom is on to see who lands him. The Bulls, his hometown Cavaliers, the Nuggets, and several other teams are the expected squads to get the #1 pick.

The Ming Dynasty
The top pick in the draft, Yao Ming, is slated to make his debut alongside Steve Francis. The plan is to have them usher in a new dynasty for the Houston Rockets, who hope to get back to the top of the mountain like in the mid-'90s. How will Yao Ming fare in his first official NBA season?

The Admiral's Farewell?
Rumor has it that all-time great NBA legend David Robinson might hang up his sneakers at the end of the season. The 37-year-old has a chance to go out with a championship as he teams with Tim Duncan to lead a strong Spurs squad.

New Jersey Rises
Last year, the Nets came from out of nowhere to surprise everyone and make it to the NBA Finals. Although they were promptly swept, the Nets retooled in the offseason, adding Dikembe Mutombo to potentially combat Shaq if they meet again in the Finals.

His Airness
After returning last season, Michael Jordan could be ready to retire once more. He looks to lead the Washington Wizards to a special season alongside recent acquisition Jerry Stackhouse. It doesn't look good for Washington but the Jordan story will be on everyone's mind.

[the_kevstaaa]

Re: NBA 2K23 - The Kobe Era Reimagined

10/29/02
(0-0) San Antonio Spurs @ (0-0) Los Angeles Lakers

Spurs (01-02 Stats)
Tony Parker (9.2ppg, 4.3apg, 1.2spg, 42FG%)
Stephen Jackson (3.9ppg, 37FG%)
Bruce Bowen (7.0ppg, 1.1spg, 39FG%)
Tim Duncan (25.5ppg, 12.7rpg, 3.7apg, 3.5bpg, 51FG%)
David Robinson (12.2ppg, 8.3rpg, 1.1spg, 1.8bpg, 51FG%)
6th Man: Manu Ginobili (Rookie)

Lakers
Derek Fisher (11.2ppg, 41FG%)
Kobe Bryant (25.2ppg, 5.5apg, 5.5rpg, 1.5spg, 47FG%)
Rick Fox (7.9ppg, 4.7rpg, 3.5apg, 42FG%)
Robert Horry (6.8ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.0spg, 1.1bpg, 39FG%)
Shaquille O’Neal (27.2ppg, 10.7rpg, 3.0apg, 2.0bpg, 58FG%)
6th Man: Devean George (7.1ppg, 3.7rpg, 41FG%)

The banner hanging for the Lakers was spoiled by the Spurs, who bested them 98-93 to open the season. In the first, third, and fourth quarters, there was only a two point difference between the teams but the Spurs used a 29-16 second quarter fueled by the debuting Manu Ginobili (11 points) to pull away. The Lakers closed in a few times thanks to Kobe Bryant (34 points, 8 assists) and Shaquille O’Neal (24 points, 17 rebounds) but Tim Duncan’s steady play (31 points, 16 rebounds, 5 assists) kept them at bay.

[RolePlayer]

Re: NBA 2K23 - The Kobe Era Reimagined

This is going to be great

[the_kevstaaa]

Re: NBA 2K23 - The Kobe Era Reimagined

11/27/02
Players of the Week 10/28/02-11/3/02
ORL – Tracy McGrady (29.5ppg, 6.3apg, 6.0rpg, 2.0spg, 2.0bpg)
MIN – Kevin Garnett (28.0ppg, 13.3rpg, 10.7apg, 1.7spg, 1.0bpg)

Players of the Week 11/4/02-11/10/02
PHI – Allen Iverson (29.0ppg, 6.0apg, 5.0rpg, 3.0spg)
LAL – Shaquille O’Neal (25.0ppg, 16.3rpg, 4.6apg, 1.6spg, 1.6bpg)

Players of the Week 11/11/02-11/17/02
IND – Jermaine O’Neal (28.0ppg, 10.6rpg, 1.3spg, 3.3bpg)
SAS – Tim Duncan (25.0ppg, 15.7rpg, 6.0apg, 2.5bpg)

Players of the Week 11/18/02-11/24/02
BOS – Antoine Walker (29.0ppg, 8.0rpg, 4.3apg, 2.3spg)
LAL – Shaquille O’Neal [2] (31.7ppg, 16.5rpg, 3.7apg, 1.5spg, 2.7bpg)

League News
• Kobe Bryant leads the NBA in scoring (30.6ppg), Kevin Garnett leads in rebounding (14.7rpg), Andre Miller leads in assists (11.3apg), Doug Christie leads in steals (2.4), and Tim Duncan leads in blocks (2.5)
• The Pistons, Nets, and Hornets are tied atop the East with 9-5 records, while the Spurs leads the West at 12-3.
• The Lakers are off to a rocky 9-7 start, struggling to get any consistency
• The Atlanta Hawks started the year 0-10 and placed star player Shareef Abdur-Rahim (17.2ppg) on the trade block, as well as veteran Glenn Robinson (19.4ppg). The Wizards, Knicks, Magic, and SuperSonics are all interested

(9-4) Dallas Mavericks @ (9-5) Detroit Pistons
[4-2 on the road; Lost 1 straight] [3-3 at home; Won 2 straight]

Mavericks
Steve Nash (15.1ppg, 9.6apg, 50FG%)
Nick Van Exel (14.8ppg, 5.7apg, 50FG%)
Michael Finley (18.5ppg, 5.8rpg, 3.8apg, 1.2spg, 53FG%)
Dirk Nowitzki (22.2ppg, 10.1rpg, 4.5apg, 1.4spg, 1.3bpg, 51FG%)
Raef LaFrentz (10.3ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.0bpg, 45FG%)
6th Man: Adrian Griffin (6.5ppg, 1.3spg, 45FG%)

Pistons
Chauncey Billups (17.2ppg, 8.4apg, 4.6rpg, 1.6spg, 52FG%)
Richard Hamilton (18.1ppg, 3.6apg, 3.0rpg, 53FG%)
Corliss Williamson (11.4ppg, 5.2rpg, 44FG%)
Clifford Robinson (12.1ppg, 4.9apg, 3.5rpg, 1.2bpg, 46FG%)
Ben Wallace (11.2ppg, 13.9rpg, 2.5bpg, 46FG%)
6th Man: Jon Barry (13.4ppg, 53FG%)

[the_kevstaaa]

Re: NBA 2K23 - The Kobe Era Reimagined

The high scoring Mavericks battled the defensive-minded Pistons and the result was somewhere in the middle, with Detroit taking home a 97-95 victory. The game was close throughout and Dallas had a strong fourth quarter thanks to big shots by Dirk Nowitzki (31 points, 11 rebounds), including a three to tie it at 95 late. But with 1.8 remaining, Chauncey Billups (22 points, 7 assists) hit a jumper to go ahead. Steve Nash (16 points, 9 assists) missed at the buzzer while defended by Richard Hamilton (31 points, 15 in the 3rd).

[the_kevstaaa]

Re: NBA 2K23 - The Kobe Era Reimagined

12/4/02
November Players of the Month
PHI – Allen Iverson (25.8ppg, 7.4apg, 4.9rpg, 2.4spg, 61FG%)
MIN – Kevin Garnett (25.1ppg, 14.4rpg, 7.9apg, 1.0spg, 2.3bpg, 55FG%)

November Rookies of the Month
CHI – Jay Williams (14.3ppg, 5.6apg, 1.6spg, 50FG%)
HOU – Yao Ming (15.7ppg, 12.6rpg, 2.1bpg, 51FG%)

Players of the Week 11/25/02-12/1/02
NJN – Jason Kidd [1] (29.0ppg, 8.5apg, 5.7rpg, 1.7spg)
MIN – Kevin Garnett [2] (30.6ppg, 13.6rpg, 8.3apg, 1.0spg, 1.3bpg)

League News
• Kobe Bryant leads the NBA in scoring (29.1ppg), Kevin Garnett leads in rebounding (14.8rpg), Andre Miller leads in assists (11.1apg), Doug Christie leads in steals (2.3), and Tim Duncan leads in blocks (2.5)
• The Spurs still lead the West at 14-5, while the New Jersey Nets have taken over first in the East at 14-5 thanks to nine straight wins.
• Struggling from deep this season, the Wizards shipped Bobby Simmons and a 2004 2nd round pick to Memphis in exchange for Wesley Person (40 3P%).

(6-11) Miami Heat @ (11-7) Los Angeles Clippers
[4-4 on the road; Lost 2 straight] [7-3 at home; Lost 1 straight]

Heat
Travis Best (12.5ppg, 6.1apg, 45FG%)
Eddie Jones (16.0ppg, 4.5apg, 4.2rpg, 1.5spg, 48FG%)
Caron Butler (13.3ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.5apg, 1.0spg, 39FG%)
Brian Grant (9.5ppg, 10.1rpg, 47FG%)
Alonzo Mourning (11.3ppg, 9.6rpg, 1.9bpg, 45FG%)
6th Man: Eddie House (13.2ppg, 48FG%)

Clippers
Andre Miller (11.4ppg, 11.1apg, 46FG%)
Corey Maggette (14.2ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.0spg, 43FG%)
Lamar Odom (13.3ppg, 5.6rpg, 4.8apg, 1.1bpg, 44FG%)
Elton Brand (17.8ppg, 10.4rpg, 1.1spg, 2.1bpg, 54FG%)
Michael Olowakandi (10.4ppg, 7.9rpg, 1.8bpg, 53FG%)
6th Man: Quentin Richardson (14.8ppg, 4.8rpg, 47FG%)

[HarkTheSound]

Re: NBA 2K23 - The Kobe Era Reimagined

So much nostalgia reading a lot of these names. This was the era of basketball I grew up with. Good luck with this Association! I'll be following along.

[jj248]

Re: NBA 2K23 - The Kobe Era Reimagined

Not me envying you guys who have PS5's.

[the_kevstaaa]

Re: NBA 2K23 - The Kobe Era Reimagined

Not me envying you guys who have PS5's.

I literally only just got mine and it was perfectly timed as I found it two days after my PS4 died.

[the_kevstaaa]

Re: NBA 2K23 - The Kobe Era Reimagined

The Clippers are making a case for being the league’s most exciting team. They moved to five games over .500 with a 109-103 win over the Miami Heat at home. Down by six entering the fourth, the Clippers used a 14-3 run to open the quarter and rode that to victory. The sprint was fueled by Lamar Odom (24 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists) who showed off impressive versatility. He was helped by Elton Brand’s strong play (25 points, 13 rebounds). On the Miami side of things, Eddie Jones was hot (28 points) and rookie Caron Butler played well (17 points, 5 assists).

[Pharcyde82]

Re: NBA 2K23 - The Kobe Era Reimagined

This looks really good and is giving me an idea on how to detail my upcoming season. Really looking forward to future posts.


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[the_kevstaaa]

Re: NBA 2K23 - The Kobe Era Reimagined

History was made in New Jersey on Christmas night as Jason Kidd broke the all-time single game assists record. He racked up a whopping 32 dimes leading the Nets to a 110-98 victory over the struggling Celtics. Paul Pierce put in the points and had some help from Antoine Walker but as has been the case all year, there’s not much else on the team. Kidd helped Kenyon Martin, Richard Jefferson, and Kerry Kittles all get into double figure scoring, along with some others.

[the_kevstaaa]

Re: NBA 2K23 - The Kobe Era Reimagined

1/1/2003

Here is where the league sits entering the new year.

[the_kevstaaa]

Re: NBA 2K23 - The Kobe Era Reimagined

1/20/03

Around The League
• Kobe Bryant leads the league in scoring (29.4ppg), Ben Wallace has taken over the rebounding lead (14.3rpg), Andre Miller leads in assists (10.7apg), Allen Iverson leads in steals (2.3spg), and Theo Ratliff leads in blocks (2.8bpg).
• The Nets (27-12) and Spurs (26-13) still lead their conferences.
• The struggling Boston Celtics are looking to blow it all up. The team reportedly wants to keep Paul Pierce as the centerpiece but names like Antoine Walker and Vin Baker will likely be moved before the trade deadline or in the offseason if things don’t turn around.
• Scottie Pippen (11.9ppg) is returning to Houston after Portland shipped him to the Rockets for Maurice Taylor (12.1ppg) and a 2004 2nd round pick.
• Courtney Alexander (11.9ppg) agreed to a 3yr/$5.25M extension with New Orleans.
• Minnesota extended Terrell Brandon (11.8ppg, 8.1apg) for 3yr/$6.97M.
• The Philadelphia 76ers signed Rafer Alston to a 1yr/$1.53M deal.

Players of the Week 12/23/02-12/29/02
MIA – Eddie Jones [1] (30.5ppg, 3.0apg, 2.0spg, 1.0bpg)
DEN – Juwan Howard [1] (38.0ppg, 9.0rpg, 1.0spg, 1.0bpg)

Players of the Month for December
BOS – Paul Pierce [1] (27.3ppg, 7.0rpg, 4.3apg, 1.6spg, 1.9bpg, 56FG%)
LAL – Shaquielle O’Neal [1] (28.2ppg, 12.5rpg, 3.6apg, 2.2bpg, 58FG%)

Rookies of the Month for December
DET – Tayshaun Prince [1] (13.4ppg, 4.8rpg, 4.8apg, 1.0bpg, 51FG%)
MEM – Drew Gooden [1] (14.6ppg, 7.7rpg, 1.3spg, 1.5bpg, 42FG%)

Players of the Week 12/30/02-1/5/03
ORL – Tracy McGrady [2] (31.6ppg, 9.0apg, 6.3rpg, 2.0spg, 1.0bpg)
SAS – Tim Duncan [2] (29.0ppg, 14.2rpg, 5.0apg, 1.2bpg)

Players of the Week 1/6/03-1/12/03
NJN – Jason Kidd [2] (28.6ppg, 13.0apg, 5.3rpg, 1.6spg)
MIN – Kevin Garnett [4] (24.7ppg, 10.5rpg, 7.2apg, 2.7bpg)

Players of the Week 1/13/03-1/19/03
WSH – Michael Jordan [1] (27.0ppg, 9.3rpg, 5.0apg, 1.6spg, 1.3bpg)
LAL – Shaquille O’Neal [4] (31.0ppg, 19.5rpg, 1.5spg, 1.0bpg)

(23-17; 2nd in West) Sacramento Kings @ (22-17; 7th in West) Golden State Warriors
[13-8 on the road; Lost 2 straight] [14-7 at home; Won 3 straight]

Kings
Mike Bibby (16.9ppg, 5.9apg, 1.1spg, 52FG%)
Doug Christie (7.2ppg, 5.9apg, 3.1rpg, 2.0spg, 48FG%)
Peja Stojakovic (22.4ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.1spg, 51FG%)
Hedo Turkoglu (8.6ppg, 3.1rpg, 42FG%)
Vlade Divac (10.1ppg, 8.2rpg, 5.6apg, 2.1bpg, 48FG%)
6th Man: Bobby Jackson (17.2ppg, 3.5apg, 50FG%)

Warriors
Gilbert Arenas (15.8ppg, 7.8apg, 4.5rpg, 1.4spg, 49FG%)
Jason Richardson (17.5ppg, 4.6rpg, 4.3apg, 1.1spg, 49FG%)
Mike Dunleavy (9.9ppg, 4.1rpg, 3.4apg, 44FG%)
Antawn Jamison (22.1ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.3spg, 52FG%)
Erick Dampier (8.0ppg, 8.5rpg, 1.9bpg, 44FG%)
6th Man: Bob Sura (11.8ppg, 4.2apg, 3.0rpg, 45FG%)

[the_kevstaaa]

Re: NBA 2K23 - The Kobe Era Reimagined

The Golden State Warriors continue to be one of the league’s best surprises, besting the Sacramento Kings 101-92. The game was close throughout but the Warriors started the fourth hot behind Antawn Jamison’s big game (43 points, 10 rebounds). They outscored Sacramento 30-18 in the final frame to pull away. The Kings were led by Peja Stojakovic (24 points).