(NBA 2K23) Changing the Landscape of the NBA.

[Deuce2223]

With Howie Carney signed on as the 12th man on the team, GM Ryne Derozan knew he wanted at least 1 more "Big" to help complete the roster and he quickly filled that hole with the signing of 6'8 PF/C Bismack Biyombo (75 OVR). Biyombo a 12 year vet who was drafted #7 Overall in the 2011 draft has never been a scorer in his career averaging just 5.2 PPG, but he has made a career of playing solid defense (1.3 BPG) and has averaged over 6 RPG in his career.

Last year he played in 56 games for the Suns making 3 starts and averaged 5.8 PPG, 4.6 RPG and just under 1 BPG but if you look at his 36 minute conversion those #'s jump to 14.9 PPG, 11.9 RPG and 1.8 BP as well 1.6 APG.

Derozan

Quote:

"After talking it over with Head Coach Willie Green, we felt like we have enough offensive already on the roster and felt like adding a guy willing to do the little things and provide some interior defensive presence would be a good thing. I have always been a fan of Bismark and even though he has been in the league since 2011, his birth certificate says he is still just 31 yrs old, so we feel like he still has some gas left in his tank"

[Deuce2223]

The 2023-2024 Season starts with a bang...

The Off-Season has been full of headline grabbing stories from the Minnesota T-Wolves and New Orleans Pelicans relocation moves to Las Vegas and Seattle to star players like James Harden and Damian Lillard demanding trades to questions surrounding the "King " Lebron James and the chances this could be his last season.

Tonight's story is the quick start down in New Orleans where the Pelican/Sonics are off to a quick start going a perfect 6-0 to kick off the month of October... Here is a look back at their 6 wins..

Season opener vs the Brooklyn Nets (Final Score 125-104)

The Pelicans jumped out to a early (33-22) in the 1st Quarter and extended the lead to (69-42) at the half. The Nets would make a run in the 4th outscoring their opponent (42-33) but by then it was to little to late.

Mikal Bridges led the Nets and actually all scorers with 26 points (3/8 3pt) well dishing out a team high 7 assists.

For New Orleans, it was Zion Williamson logging 30 minutes in the game and finishing with a double double of 24 points and 10 rebounds well also adding 5 assists.

CJ McCollum added 22 pts 7 rebs 9 ast well hitting 3/6 from 3pt.

H. Jones (19/7/4), B. Ingram (12/5/5) also had solid nights.

The Pelicans also got decent games from their 2 main newcomers. Jarrett Allen just missed out on a double double finishing with 10 points and 9 rebounds well Jae'sean Take scored 11 points in just 13 minutes off the bench.

VS CHARLOTTE (139-110)

Another hot start leading (38-21) after the 1st and (70-46) at the half

T. Rozier III had 21 points but was just 3/10 from 3pt in the loss. Lamelo Ball finished with a double double of 20 points and 15 assists but was also just 2/8 from 3pt.

Rookie Brandon Miller added 17 points and was 3/4 from 3pt.

For New Orleans, it was CJ McCollum leading all scorers with 28 points as he goes 4/6 from deep. He also added 6 assists.

Brandon Ingram added 22 pts 5 rebs and a team high 7 assists, well Ziion finished with 19 points and 7 rebounds.

Jarrett Allen had a double double with 13 ponits and 11 rebounds well also adding 3 blocks.

Trey Murphy had a solid night off the bench with 20 points going 3/4 from 3pt.

VS UTAH (128-88)

Utah hits a buzzer beater in the 1st Quarter to take a (31-28) lead but the Pelicans explode in the 2nd Quarter outscoring their opponent (41-26) to take a (69-56) lead into the half.

Colin Sexton led the Jazz with 24 points (3/5 3pt) well Lauri Markkanen added 23 points hitting 4/13 from deep.

For the Pelicans it was Jarrett Allen leading the way with another double double with a team high 21 points and 12 rebounds.

Brandon Ingram added 17 pts, 4 rebs and 5 ast and CJ McCollum added 15 pts 5 reb and a team high 6 ast hitting 2/5 from 3pt.

Zion Williamson played over 30 minutes for the 3rd straight game and finished also with a double double adding 14 points on 7/12 FG and tied Allen for the team high 12 rebounds.

Jae'sean Tate finished with just 3 points as he went 1/8 from 3pt but he did managed to grab 7 rebounds.

VS DALLAS (136-109)

New Orleans led the entire way (36-30) 1st Q, (69-57) at the half, (106-88) at the end of the 3rd.

Tim Hardaway Jr led the Mav's with 21 points well Luka Doncic added 17 points 9 rebounds and 7 assists hitting 3/7 from 3pt in the loss.

For Jarret Allen it was the game Pelican fan's and future Sonic Fan's were hoping to see. Allen scored a season high 34 points to lead all scorers on 17/20 FG. He also added 9 rebounds.

Brandon Ingram added 20 points 10 rebounds and a tied CJ for a team high 7 assists and Zion finished with 19 pts 8 rebs and 5 ast.

CJ added 11 points despite just 2/8 from 3pt to go with his 7 assists.

J. Tate had 17 points and 5 rebounds off the bench.

VS PHOENIX (134-110)

The Pelicans 9 point lead at the end of the 1st Q (37-28) holds up as they go into the locker room up (69-60). The Suns score just 15 points in the 3rd trailing (102-75) going into the 4th.

Booker (24 pts) Beal (23 pts) and Durant (23 pts) all have solid nights but the rest of the team combines for 40 points in the loss.

Allen follows up his 34 point performance with 24 points on 10/13 FG well Trey Murphy ties him for the team high scoring 24 points in 22 minutes off the bench as he hits 6/9 from 3pt.

Zion adds 21 pts 8 rebs and 5 ast (8/12 FG). Ingram has 16 pts, CJ has 15 pts and 9 assists hitting 4/10 from 3pt.

VS LA CLIPPERS (120-110)

Led (30-29) at the end of the 1st, but extended the lead to (65-51) at the half. Clippers outscore us by 3 points in the 2nd half (29-28) in the 3rd and (29-27) in the 4th.

PG led the Clippers with 23 points a team high 8 assists and a team high 6 steals.

Kawhi Leonard added 21 points hitting 3/7 from 3pt, well Kenyon Martin Jr added 18 points and 9 rebounds.

Russel Westbrook finished with just 5 points (2/7 FG) but did manage to grab 7 rebounds and dish out 6 assists.

For New Orleans, it was B.I. (Brandon Ingram) leading he way with 27 points and 5 assists. Jarrett Allen added a double double of 20 points and 15 rebounds (9/13 FG) well Zion adds 19 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast and 2 blks.

CJ McCollum also has a great night scoring 17 pts despite hitting just 1/6 from 3pt, well added 7 rebounds and a team high season high 9 assists.

[Deuce2223]

HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF!!

After a hot start in October, the Pelicans/Sonics game back to earth going 8-7 over the course of November dropping to 5th in the Western Conference with a 14-7 Overall record and are 2nd in the Southwest 2 games back of the Memphis Grizzlies.

When the season started the question wasn't "IF" Zion Williamson would get hurt and miss games but when? Well that question was answered in a win over the Spurs on Nov 23rd.

Zion who had been averaging 27.1 MPG and was leading the team with a 18.7 PPG along with 8.3 RPG and 3.7 APG left the game with a ankle injury and it's been reported that it is broken and the PF will miss the next 4-6 weeks.

Derozan

Quote:

"There is no question when healthy and playing Zion is a force and one of the top talents in the NBA. Nobody has ever questioned that. The question we are asking ourselves is can he stay healthy enough to be the face of our franchise or would we be better off trying to recoup a player and some picks and just move on. Obviously we will have a chance to see what this roster can do for the next month without him"

MOVING FORWARD

With Zion out, Trey Murphy will get the first chance at stepping in and starting at PF. Murphy is averaging 11.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG and 1.0 APG so far in 23 MPG and is shooting 36% from 3pt.

Other roster looks we could see is Dyson Daniels or Jordan Hawkins at SG with Herbert Jones moving to SF and Brandon Ingram at PF, as well as Jae'Sean Tate starting at SF with B.I. moving to the 4 and Murphy and Daniels first off the bench.


WHO STEPS UP

Well Zion was leading the team at 18.7 PPG, Brandon Ingram wasn't to far behind finishing the month averaging 18.6 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 4.8 APG well shooting 40% from 3pt.

CJ McCollum also has been solid #'s averaging 17.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG and 5.7 APG well shooting a team high 46% from 3pt.

Most however will expect that it will be Jarrett Allen who will most likely see his PPG take a jump. Allen since coming over has put up very respectable #'s averaging 16.4 PPG a team high 11.4 RPG along with 1.1 SPG and 1.6 BPG playing hard on both ends of the court.

[Deuce2223]

INGRAM LOOKS TO TAKE OVER STAR ROLE!!

Seattle Super Sonic fans are looking to embrace Brandon "B.I." Ingram as their team's face of the franchise after it was announced that GM Ryne Derozan has extended B.I. to a 5 year deal worth 191 million. The 26 yr old former #2 Pick in the 2016 draft #'s are down this season compared to his All-Star #'s from 2020, but the future is bright for this young man.

Derozan

Quote:

"We feel like B.I. is he guy we want to build this team around. Obviously it would be amazing to keep Williamson and Allen in that mix as well but only time will tell if Zion is able to stay healthy enough to make that happen"

[Deuce2223]

PELICANS ATOP THE SOUTHWEST!!

After a rough November, the Pelicans/Sonics, started out hot in December winning 7 of their first 8 games but closed out the month going just 2-5 in the final 2 weeks to finish 9-6 on the month raising their yearly win total to 23-13 Overall which is good for 3rd place in the Western Conference and gives them a 1 game lead over the Memphis Grizzlies at (22-14).

ZION RETURNS
Zion Williamson's broken ankle healed quicker then expected as he missed just 6 games over 3 weeks. In his first 3 games back Zion averaged over 25 PPG resulting in 3 wins.. He is now tied for the team lead at 19.3 PPG



IS DEROZAN DONE MAKING MOVES?
With the team currently in 1st place, fan's are starting to wonder if this is finally the year the Pelicans break the 5 year playoff drought. Derozan has the month of January to decide if this roster has what it takes to make a strong playoff run.

Derozan

Quote:

"Right now we actually have problem with our roster in the fact we have to many guy's we want to try and get minutes to. Trey showed well Zion was out that he is more then capable of giving us more minutes. We got several guy's like Howie Carney (8.0 PPG), Dyson Daniels (6.2 PPG), Jordan Hawkins (5.9 PPG) and recently signed Trent Franklin (6.7 PPG) who we believe could be averaging double digits if they were playing 20+ MPG"

FRANKLIN MAKING A CASE

When Zion Williamson hit the IR, the Pelicans added a 14th member to the team signing 6'8 Forward Trent Franklin (74 Ovr). Franklin a undrafted F.A. out of Sonoma State is 27 years old and has bounced around Europe and the G League for the past 5 years. However after posting a 6.7 PPG well hitting a unbelievable 54% of his 3pt attempts (21/39), Franklin is making a strong case to replace Jae'sean Tate as the teams main SF off the bench.

[Deuce2223]

5 TEAM TRADE RUMOR IS HEATING UP!!

In 2005 the Miami Heat were involved in a 5 team trade that brought them All-Star Antoine Walker and Jason Williams to the Heat, leading the team to their first championship later that same season.

Now the Heat are at it again trying to secure Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers. For months discussion has been swirling, but Portland GM Joe Cronin has been unimpressed with what the Heat has to offer.

So now Miami and Pat Riley are busy at work on a deal that will include multiple All-Stars with the 76's and Clippers as well as a 5th team.

Reports are the 76's are looking to move both James Harden and Tobias Harris. The Clippers are willing to part with a draft pick, Robert Covington, Terrance Mann, and Norm Powell, and the Heat are still dangling a combination of K. Lowery, T. Herro and N. Jovic, saying Caleb Martin and Triple J are off limits.

Only time will tell if this deal does go down and if it sets a new record for the # of teams and players involved.

[Deuce2223]

It's official, Damian Lillard is a member of the Miami Heat, James Harden is heading to L.A., Tobias Harris is going to the Windy City, Embriid has almost a whole new starting lineup joining him and Portland is going young with J. Nurkic headed to Boston.

The Clippers are in "Win Now" mode as they are 24-14 and are 1.5 GB of the Suns in the Pacific fighting for the #1 Overall seed in the Western Conference. Adding Harden is a head scratcher personally, but they are going to score alot of points, only problem is there is only 1 ball.


Miami get's their man but gives up alot of youth but needed to make a move as they are 1.5 GB of the Hawks in the Southeast and currently 4th in the Eastern Conference. Will the move payoff and will they win another Championship and finally get Lillard his ring.

The Bulls are currently 6.5 GB of the Cav's in the Central but are fighting to hold on to 6th place in the East, with the Knicks, Bucks and Nets right on their heals. Lavine is currently hurt so Harris will help DeRozan provide some offense until he is back. Losing Vucevic in the post will hurt, but Drummond is actually playing pretty good.

The 76er's have a 3.5 game lead on the Celtics in the Atlantic but only a 1 game lead on the Cav's and Heat for 2nd place in the East. They add 3 new starters and will have some cap relief next season in order to resign Maxey to a Max deal.

Portland cleared way for their 3 young stars to start as they are currently 14-22 going into January. With their draft pick back in the upcoming draft look for them to tank as they look grab a young center. Don't be surprised to see them try and move J. Grant at the trade deadline.

Boston grabs Nurkic as a upgrade over Williams III moving him to a 6th man role behind Nurk and Porzingis, but now the Celtics need to find some shooters to back up Brown and Tatum.


Here is a look at the entire transaction report

Trail Blazers
Out-D. Lillard, J.Nurkic, N. Little, J. Walker, Rayan Rupert, Keon Johnson
In-K. Lowery, N. Jovic, Jamie Jacquez Jr, Derrick White, Paul Reed, Richaun Holmes, 3 1st Round picks, via Boston 2025 Miam 2027 and their pick back they owed the Bulls in next year's draft, a 2025 2nd Round Pick va Dallas
**N. Little went to the Mavricks for R. Holmes and the 2nd Round Pick
Celtics- Out D. White and a 1st round pick in 2025
In-J. Nurick and a 2nd Round pick via the Knicks in 2024
*Computer actually made this trade, I just let it go through

Heat
Out-Lowery, Jovic, Jacquez Jr, Duncan Robinson, Tyler Herro, O. Robinson, 1st Round Pick in 2027
In-Lillard, Ryan Rupert, PJ Tucker, Patrick Bevery, Cody Martin, 2nd Round Pick in 2023 (Jazz) and 2nd Round pick in 24 (their own back from the Hornets.
**Duncan Robinson and O. Robinson went to the Hornets for Martin and the 2-2nd round picks to clear salary to take on Lillard, Tucker and Beverly.

Bulls
Out- J. Carter, N. Vucevic, A. Dosunmu, 1st Round pick from Portland
In-Tobias Harris, 1st Round Pick in 2024 via Philly, and J. Walker via Portland
**Bulls made seperate trade that sent A. Caruso to the Knicks for I. Hartenstein

Clippers
Out-N. Powell, R. Covington, their own 2023 2nd Round Pick and a 2027 2nd Round pick from the Grizzlies.
In-James Harden and M. Harrell

76er's
Out-J. Hardin, T. Harris, M. Harrell, P Reed, P. Bererley, PJ Tucker
In-T. Herro (Miami), Keon Johnson (Portland), N. Powell and Covington (via Clippers), A. Dosunma, J. Carter and N. Vuceic (via Bulls) and a 2023 2nd Round pick and a 2027 2nd Round pick vis Grizzlies through the Clippers.


Outlooks for each team.

Portland-The Trail Blazers will have a starting 5 of Scott Henderson, A. Simmons, S. Sharpe, J. Grant and a rotation at center of N. Jovic and P. Reed.
Lowery and White give them veteran guards off the bench, M. Thybulle will backup Sharpe at SF and K. Murray and J. Jacquez Jr will fight for minutes at both SF/PF. R. Holmes is a veteran backup C behind Jovic and Reed.

Philly- The 76's have a massive over build. Maxey moves to PG, with Herro in the starting lineup at SG, Norman Powell at SF, and N. Vulevic at PF with Embiid.
D. Melton, M. Bamba, R. Covington and J. Carter/A. Dosunma are coming off the bench

Chicago-The Bulls add T. Harris to the starting lineup at SF, with Z. La Vine going to SG, and Derozan at PF with A. Drummond as their starting C and Lonzo Ball at PG.
They have John Wall coming off the bench, along with P. Williams, Coby White, D. Terry and I. Hartenstein

La Clippers- J. Harden replaces Westbrook as the starting PG, P. George at SG, K. Leonard at SF, with Kenyon Martin Jr at PF and I. Zubac at Center.
Westrook becomes the 6th man, with M. Plumlee the backup Center, T. Mann/N.Hyland fighting for minutes at SG and M. Harrell and M. Morris SR at PF, they still got N. Batum as well as a SF/PF depth.

Boston- Add Nurkic to a starting linup with Tatum, Brown, Prorzingas and M. Brogdon.
R. Williams Jr moves to the bench along with A. Horford. D. Banton is the backup guard, so they will need to make another move to try and replace D. White.

Miami- Lillard take over at PG, J. Richardson will join the starting lineup at SG, Butler at SF, Caleb Martin at PF and Bam at Center.
Kevin Love, P. Beverly, Thomas Bryant PJ Tucker, Cody Martin and V. Micic make up the bench. They will most likely need to look at a potential SG. They did sign veteran W. Barton for now he was the best SG in FA

Charlotte-
They add Duncan Robinson who will backup Brandon Miller and Rozier at SG/SF as G. Hayward is injuired. They most likely need to make a trade for a PG to backup Ball.

[Deuce2223]

STANDINGS AS OF FEB 1ST

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1. L.A. Clippers (37-10) Overall, 19-6 at Home
2. Phoenix Suns (33-19) Overall, 20-7 at Home
3. Memphis Grizzlies (32-18) Overall, 17-9 on the Road
4. New Orleans/Seattle (32-20) Overall, 18-8 at Home
5. Golden State Warriors (30-20) Overall, 18-7 at Home
6. Minnesota/Las Vegas (26-27)
7. Sacramento Kings (24-25) Won their last 5
8. Oklahoma City Thunder (22-28)
9. L.A. Lakers (22-30)
10. Utah Jazz (21-31)
11. Dallas Mav's (21-31) Lost their last 7.
12. Houston Rockets (20-30)
13. Denver Nuggets (20-31)
14. Portland Trail Blazers (18-32)
15. San Antonio Spurs (16-35)

Memphis and New Orleans/Seattle continue to battle it out for the Southwest Division with the Pelicans/Sonics just 1 GB.

Minnesota/Las Vegas have a 2.5 game lead over the Thunder despite losing their last 3 games but honestly the Northwest could still be won by anyone who gets hot this next month.

Laker fans are jumping ship as the Clippers all in move to get Harden seems to be paying off The Big 3 are all averaging over 20 PPG with Westbrook proving 13 PPG off the bench. The Suns however also have a Big 3 with Booker (27.1), Durrant (22.4) and Beal (25.7) PPG are showing they are not ready to give up on their quest for the #1 seed.


EASTERN CONFERNCE

1. Cleveland Cav's (38-15) Overall, 20-7 at Home
2. Philadelphia 76er's (35-14) Overall, 21-6 at Home
3. Atlanta Hawks (34-17) Overall, 18-9 on the Road
4. Miami Heat (34-18) Overall 18-8 at Home
5. Boston Celtics (33-18) Overall, 18-8 on the Road
6. Milwaukee Bucks (28-23) Overall, Won their last 5.
7. New York Knicks (26-26) Overall
8. Chicago Bulls (24-26) Overall, Won their last 5
9. Detroit Pistons (24-28) Overall
10. Brooklyn Nets (23-27) Overall
11. Toronto Raptors (22-30) Overall just 7-18 on the road.
12. Orlando Magic (21-30) Overall, 8-17 on the road
13. Indiana Pacers (19-33) Overall, 9-17 on the road
14. Charlotte Hornets (17-35) Overall, lost their last 7
15. Washington Wizards (16-34) Overall, 7-21 on the road

The Cav's early trade of J. Allen to the Pelicans for J. Valanciuans so far has paid off with Cleveland in 1st place in the Central, but the real hero of this season has been D-Mitchell averaging over 30 PPG

The Bucks and Bulls both have won 5 in a row as they look to keep pace and at least secure a playoff bid.

The 76ers added 3 new starters to the lineup, and so far it's paying off. T. Herro is averaging over 20 PPG and is shooting almost 43% from 3pt., Maxey isn't far behind also scoring 20 PPG well shooting 38% from deep. Embriid PPG is down (25.5) but he is still averaging 12.1 RPG, 4.1 APG and 2.1 BPG.

Boston's Big 3 Brown-(24.8), Tatum-(29.5) and K.P. (21.8 PPG) look to keep the pace well J. Nurkic is averaging over a double double each night (12.6 PPG, 10.4 RPG).

The Hawks and Heat are battling it out in the Southeast, Damian Lillard is playing at a All-star level scoring 25.2 PPG with 6.9 APG well shooting over 41% from 3pt. J. Butler's # are up as well at 25.2 PPG and 6.6 APG well hitting 30% from deep.