Tarantism's NBA 2k10 Association

[tarantism]

NBA 2k10 Association Notes


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My goal for this blog is to realistically run a 30 team association while adding depth and detail to my playing experience. I will be only be playing the games for the Warriors, but I will be filling the role of General Manager for all of the other teams. I will also be reporting on GSW events using a few different fictional personalities, and reporting on the NBA using a few other fictional ESPN personalities. I will be starting this blog during preseason of the 2010-2011 season.

[tarantism]

[i]

ESPN's NBA 2010 Season Preview- Part 1
by Kevin Anderson


Philadelphia 76ers
Team Phase: Purgatory

Key Additions: Head Coach Murray Cooper, Wesley Johnson, Nenad Krstic
Key Subtractions: Andre Iguodala, Samuel Dalembart

The Lay of the Land: The Sixers have openly embarked on a rebuilding project after unloading their only star Andre Iguodala in a salary dump trade during the offseason. The loss of Iguodala hit many fans in Philadelphia hard, in the end the move had to me made if the team wanted to get a fresh start. That path to a fresh start included jettisoning another longtime 76ers staple, center Samuel Dalembart. As much as I like new head coach Murray Cooper for his defensive attitude and experience operating under the wing of Larry Brown in Charlotte, I still wouldn't expect much from Philly in the 2010-2011 season. However fans can take solace in seeing young athletes like Jrue Holiday, Thaddeus Young and third overall pick Wes Johnson out of Syracuse get a chance to blossom this season, hopefully en route to greater things down the road.

Anderson's Player to Watch: Last year's first round pick Jrue Holiday was impressive as a rookie and is perhaps the most interesting player on this 76ers squad. He will become a full time starter this season and his progression will be key and should be a barometer for Philadelphia's success both for this season and the future.

Charlotte Bobcats
Team Phase: Playoff Contender

Key Additions: Rudy Fernandez, Marquis Daniels
Key Subtractions: Raymond Felton, Tyrus Thomas

The Lay of the Land: Whether or not head coach Larry Brown would return to coaching was a big question mark heading into the offseason, and when he returned with a one year deal fans in Charlotte breathed a sign of relief. Left without cap space during the offseason, the Bobcats were forced to get crafty in order of address their need for depth. Trading for disgruntled Blazer Rudy Fernandez was probably one of the most underrated moves of the 2010 offseason, albeit the Bobcats were forced to give up lottery pick Gerald Henderson in the deal. The Bobcats also signed some extra depth in the form of former Pacer and Celtic Marquis Daniels using the MLE. Another big story around Charlotte is Larry Brown effectively giving D.J. Augustin the keys to the car by letting free agent Raymond Felton (and his FA counterpart Tyrus Thomas) walk in June.

Anderson's Player to Watch: Perhaps the most interesting storyline for the Bobcats heading into the new season is how well third year man D.J. Augustin will adjust to being the starter at PG for the first time in his young career. If he does not pan out the Bobcats will probably be forced to start making moves, as the only other true point guard that they have on the roster is second year man Patty Mills, who was filler in the Rudy Fernandez trade this offseason.

Milwaukee Bucks
Team Phase: Playoff Contender

Key Additions: Richard Hamilton, Erik Dampier
Key Subtractions: Charlie Bell, Dan Gadzuric

The Lay of the Land: The Bucks saw an unexpectedly magical season effectively come to a screeching halt when all-star center Andrew Bogut broke his arm against the Suns during the stretch run of the 2009-2010 season. General Manager and 2010 NBA Executive of the Year award winner John Hammond made a commitment to building the right way in Milwaukee at the end of the last season, and he stayed true to that statement by making moves to add a strong veteran presence with playoff experience in Rip Hamilton and a backup/insurance policy for Bogut in the form of Erick Dampier. Even more impressive was that Hammond was able to add talent and depth to his team without having to sacrifice any key pieces. He was also able to maintain perhaps the strongest 2010-2011 trade deadline chip in the from of Michael Redd and his 18 million dollar expiring contract. If the Bucks find themselves in contention around the all-star break, expect them to add some firepower by taking advantage of a team willing to give up talent in exchange for some salary cap relief.

Anderson's Player to Watch: All eyes will be on second year point guard Brandon Jennings, who opened some eyes last year and was a key part in last season's turnaround and surprising playoff berth. Still, Jennings has a lot to work on, including a glaring need to work up is efficiency and shot percentages. With some nice pieces around him now, including all-star Andrew Bogut, offseason addition Richard Hamilton and returning starter Carlos Delfino, Jennings needs to remember that getting the guys around him involved can be key in lasting success.

Chicago Bulls
Team Phase: Playoff Contender

Key Additions: Troy Murphy, Mike Miller, Ryan Gomes, Toney Douglas
Key Subtractions: Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich, Taj Gibson

The Lay of the Land: After LeBron James elected to re-sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Chicago Bulls shifted their focus onto surrounding key pieces Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah with enough talent to make a playoff run. Whether or not they did this could be debatable. There is no doubt that the addition of Troy Murphy, who is practically the perfect big man to pair with Noah and Rose, was very strong, there is thought in some NBA circles that the price of both Kirk Hinrich and all-rookie Taj Gibson may have been too high. Still, the Bulls were able to shed some future salary (i.e. getting rid of Luol Deng's bloated contract) and add real talent such as Murphy, sharp shooter and strong defensive swingman Mike Miller and even a replacement backup PG for Rose in second year man Toney Douglas. Play at the 3 spot, whether it be the progression of 2009 lottery pick James Johnson or under-the-radar acquisition Ryan Gomes (part of the Deng three team deal) will be key if the Bulls wish to improve upon an 8th seed playoff berth and first round playoff exit at the hands of the Cavaliers.

Anderson's Player to Watch: How well Troy Murphy meshes with Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and the rest of the Chicago Bulls will be the indicator for how much success this team will have in 2010. We all know that Murphy is a stat sheet stuffer, and his spreading the floor should allow Rose to get into the lane and go to work like never before, but if the chemistry isn't there then this team will be headed for disappointment this season.

Cleveland Cavaliers
Team Phase: Title Contender

Key Additions: Larry Hughes
Key Subtractions: Shaquille O'Neal, Jawad Williams

The Lay of the Land: Easily the biggest story heading into the 2010 offseason was the status of LeBron James. After testing the free agency waters, which included intense courting from the New York Knicks and heavy speculation that he may be headed to the Chicago Bulls, King James in the end elected to return to his hometown team for the long haul. With all questions answered, James said during a press conference after the signing that feels that with all of the confusion of free agency over he can now focus on winning his first NBA title. Lets hope so, for his sake, because the immense speculation about LeBrons true ability and drive would only be heightened if he were to once again fall short of the title similar to the way the Cavaliers were upset by the Boston Celtics in the playoffs last year. The problem? The Cavaliers, who are inching towards luxury tax territory even after the retirement of Shaquille O'Neal, were handcuffed during the offseason and therefore they are returning nearly the same team (including coach Mike Brown) for the 2010-2011 season. They will have to rely on last season's trade deadline acquisition Antwan Jamison and free agent signee Larry Hughes getting acclimated quickly to take some of the load off LeBron, otherwise this team may be headed for more disappointment when the playoffs roll around.

Anderson's Player to Watch: Everybody knows that when it comes to Cleveland all eyes will always be on Lebron James, but allow me to shift the focus a little bit. Antwan Jamison was somewhat of a disappointment for the Cavaliers during the playoffs last season and he ability to take some of the load off of Lebron will likely be the deciding factor when if comes down to Cleveland finally winning a title or not this season. James has the ability to work in the paint, hit threes and do all the dirty work for the Cavaliers and he will have to step up his games or else his time with the Cavaliers could be over before it ever got started.

Boston Celtics
Team Phase: Title Contender

Key Additions: Mario Chalmers
Key Subtractions: Marquis Daniels

The Lay of the Land: The Boston Celtics are returning practically the same team, and the same starting lineup, for the third straight season. Something has to be said for the benefits of continuity and how much having players who know each other and can rely on each other's knowledge of the system in place can help a team's chemistry. The big three continue to age, however, and one has to wonder if guys like Kevin Garnett (34) and Paul Pierce (33) have much left in the tank, especially given their injury history. The Celtics have a godsend however, and it comes in the form of Rajon Rondo, who emerged as the best player and facilitator for this Celtics squad that pushed mega star LeBron James out of the playoffs last season. One addition that the Celtics made was to add a backup for Rondo by signing Mario Chalmers in free agency, and the Celtics are hoping that the addition of a reliable backup will take some of the load off of Rondo and help to keep him fresh both during games and as the long regular season goes on.

Anderson's Player to Watch: The big question mark for the Celtics is the same as last season: how much does the big ticket have left in the tank. Last season Kevin Garnett was able to fully get healthy and was a key part in the Celtics playoff run that ended in the finals against the LA Lakers, and this season expect guys like Rasheed Wallace and Glen Davis to get some extra run during the long regular season in a effort to keep KG healthy and fresh for the postseason. Though Rajon Rondo has emerged as a star and has the potential to be a team leader for the Celtics down the road, Garnett is still the key guy for this team, and saving him for the playoffs a la what the Spurs attempt to do with Tim Duncan proves that Doc Rivers knows how important he is.

Los Angeles Clippers
Team Phase: Purgatory

Key Additions: Nate Robinson, Vladimir Radmanovic
Key Subtractions: Steve Blake

The Lay of the Land: After yet another disappointing season, which (depending on your opinion) ended right around training camp when first overall pick Blake Griffin went down with an injury that kept him out of action for the entirety of the 2009-2010 season. Now at the start of the 2010 season Blake Griffin has finally returned and his addition makes the Clippers lineup look at least fairly intimidating with guys like Baron Davis (who looked rejuvenated during the 2009-2010 season), young athlete Eric Gordon and all-star center Chris Kaman. Though the signing of spark plug sixth man Nate Robinson may not have been the impact signing that Donald Sterling and the Clippers fan base had hoped for, the team was also able to add another high lottery pick in guard Xavier Henry and were able to re-sign a young potential guy in Travis Outlaw, who they traded for during last season. Though they may not go far this season, I like some of the young pieces here, and getting rid of Dunleavy was addition by subtraction. Definitely a team to watch down the road.

Anderson's Player to Watch: All eyes in Clipperland will be on second year forward Blake Griffin, who missed all of last season to injury. Griffin will be out to prove that as the first overall pick in the 2009 draft he is no bust, and new coach Rasheed White will likely play him pretty big minutes in hopes that he will emerge as the team leader and productive player that the Clippers hoped he would be. Stay tuned.

Memphis Grizzlies
Team Phase: Purgatory

Key Additions: Steve Blake
Key Subtractions: Rudy Gay

The Lay of the Land: After making a lot of noise about wanting to retain Rudy Gay heading into the 2010 offseason, the Grizzlies eventually elected to allow Gay to walk during free agency after they found out Gay's asking price and couldn't find any team willing to give an acceptable deal in a sign-and-trade. Still, the Grizzlies are in a fairly good position to continue the found money they had last year when they were out-of-nowhere playoff contenders and showed signs of being one of the up and coming teams in the NBA. Though Gay was a big part of that team, the Grizzlies are still returning much of their key core, including starters O.J. Mayo, Marc Gasol and a reborn Zach Randolph. Memphis is also hoping that last year's lottery pick Sam Young, or at least some combination of Young, Ronnie Brewer and first round pick Paul George can fill the void at the 3 spot left by the departure of Rudy Gay.

Anderson's Player to Watch: With the departure of Rudy Gay, second year man Sam Young will be asked to take on more responsibility for Memphis this season. There is no question that he has the talent to succeed in the NBA, but head coach Lionel Collins has made it clear that he would prefer to platoon both Young and Ronnie Brewer at the three. Still, the Grizzlies staff is hoping that Young will emerge this season and eventually bloom into a full time starter that the team can rely on to bring scoring and defense to this young but talented squad.

[Deuce2223]

I like it so far. I am getting ready to start a NBA2k9 Association where I am controlling 3 teams that I relocated (Bucks in San Diego, Wizards in Seattle and T-Wolves in Las Vegas), but I like your recap of each team. I might have to borrow that..

Good luck turning the Warriors around.

[blakjak12]

I'll second the support for the team recaps. Nice touch.