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]

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]

This is going to be great

[the_kevstaaa]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Not me envying you guys who have PS5's.