The Association: Orlando Magic

[vtcha]

So after Dwight left Orlando, the franchise went from playoff bound to now potentially a bottom feeder. Currently the team does not have any true star player to build around and likely won't be able to compete for the next few years. That is, until I come along ...

So basically over the course of the year, I'll be updating on my progression of my Association and would really appreciate if you guys could help me along the way by providing feedbacks and suggestions on issues such as trade, FA signings, contract extensions, rotations, etc. I will be playing every single game and I want it to be as sim and realistic as possible!

Below are the settings that I will be playing (Playoff format will be similar to the UEFA Champions League).

Platform: PS3

Season Length: 29 Games
Conference Quarter-finals: Best of 3
Conference Semi-finals: Best of 3
Conference Finals: Best of 3
NBA Finals: 1 Game

Team Chemistry: On
Player Roles: On
Progressive Fatigue: On
Trade Deadline: On
Allow CPU Trades: On
Trade Override: Off
Preseason Games: Off
Customize League: Off

Difficulty: Pro
Game Style: Simulation
Quarter Length: 12 Minutes
Simulated Quarter Length: 12 Minutes
Shooting Type: Real Player %
FT Shooting Type: Real Player %


Rule of thumb

• Only one trade can be made during the regular season + an additional trade initiated only by the CPU.

• Only one big/major trade per season, including CPU initiated trades and the offseason.

• In summary, only one trade per offseason and one trade per regular season.

• Hedo Turkoglu CANNOT be traded unless on his final year of contract because lets be honest, this dude is literally impossible to move in real life :P

So without further adieu, leggo!

[vtcha]

Here is a breakdown of the player roles for the start of the 2012-13 season:

Starters


Role Players


Prospects

+ DeQuan Jones

Benchwarmers

Orlando Magic Depth Chart - 2012-13
	STARTER	2ND	3RD	4TH
PG	J. Nelson	E. Moore	I. Smith
SG	A. Afflalo	J.J. Redick
SF	H. Turkoglu	M. Harkless	D. Jones
PF	G. Davis	A. Harrington	A. Nicholson	J. McRoberts
C	N. Vucevic	G. Ayon	K. O'Quinn

[vtcha]

Season Opener

Orlando Magic @ New Orleans Hornets


Davis carries the Hornets as they pull away for the victory. Final score: 105 - 98

Recap

Anthony Davis' NBA debut came in style as he showed the world why he was the #1 pick. He finished the game with 29 PTS, 16 REB, 2 STLS & 3 BLKS.

As for the Magic, Glen Davis lead the way with 23 PTS & 6 REB while Arron Afflalo and Jameer Nelson both chipped in 16 points and 12 points respectively. Jameer had a game high 14 assists but both struggled with their shot, combining a total FG of 9-33. Rookie Mo Harkless however showed some early promises with a well rounded game posting 14 points, 7 boards and 4 dimes.

Orlando Magic at New Orleans Hornets
Nov 5, 2012	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Orlando (0-0)	20	27	24	27	98
New Orleans (0-0)	22	28	30	25	105

Orlando Magic
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
H. Turkoglu	22	2-7	1-3	0-0	5	0	1	1	0	5
G. Davis	33	9-16	0-0	5-9	6	1	1	1	0	23
N. Vucevic	25	1-3	0-0	1-2	9	0	1	0	1	3
A. Afflalo	38	6-17	2-4	2-2	5	1	1	0	1	16
J. Nelson	44	3-16	1-5	5-6	2	14	0	0	3	12
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
J.J. Redick	24	4-7	2-3	0-0	7	6	0	0	0	10
M. Harkless	25	5-10	0-0	4-4	7	4	0	0	0	14
A. Harrington	11	2-6	2-4	0-0	4	0	0	0	0	6
E. Moore	DNP
A. Nicholson	10	2-2	0-0	0-0	1	0	0	0	0	4
G. Ayon	8	2-4	0-0	1-2	0	1	0	0	0	5
D. Jones	6	0-0	0-0	0-0	1	3	0	0	0	0
TEAM TOTALS		36-88	8-19	18-25	47	30	4	2	5	98

New Orleans Hornets
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
A. Aminu	38	4-14	0-0	0-1	11	1	0	0	1	8
R. Anderson	33	2-4	0-1	0-0	6	5	1	2	0	4
A. Davis	37	11-15	0-0	7-9	16	1	2	3	0	29
E. Gordon	38	8-24	1-2	1-1	2	3	0	2	1	18
G. Vasquez	34	2-7	0-0	2-2	5	12	1	1	1	6
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
A. Rivers	19	7-13	1-2	2-4	6	3	1	0	1	17
R. Lopez	10	4-5	0-0	1-1	4	0	0	1	1	9
H. Warrick	11	2-5	0-0	2-2	5	0	0	0	0	6
J. Smith	5	1-2	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	2
D. Miller	7	0-0	0-0	2-2	1	0	0	0	0	2
R. Mason	9	0-2	0-1	2-2	2	1	0	0	0	2
X. Henry	5	1-1	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	2
TEAM TOTALS		42-92	2-6	19-24	58	26	5	9	5	105

The Magic will now look to bounce back against the Bobcats with both teams projected to finish 1st and 2nd last according to analysts.

[vtcha]

Magic @ Bobcats


Magic come out on top after a nail-biting finish for the battle of the worst teams in the league. Magic win 104 - 102.

Recap

Jameer Nelson was named the player of the game posting 14 points & 10 AST. Afflalo contributed with 17 points, 5 REB, 6 AST while Gustavo Ayon had 16 points & 9 boards. Turkoglu was clutch down the stretch, nailing a crucial 3 pointer with a minute left to play. He finished with 13 points & 5 dimes. Rookie Mo Harkless was again impressive with 10 points & 5 REB.

As for the Bobcats, MKG picked up where he left off in Kentucky, posting a monstrous double-double with 29 points 16 REB.

Orlando Magic at Charlotte Bobcats
Nov 6, 2012	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Orlando ()	23	28	28	25	104
Charlotte ()	27	27	21	27	102

Orlando Magic
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
H. Turkoglu	30	5-11	3-4	0-0	3	5	0	0	1	13
G. Davis	26	4-11	0-0	0-0	9	2	1	1	1	8
N. Vucevic	32	6-11	0-1	1-4	8	1	0	0	0	13
A. Afflalo	43	6-15	1-3	4-5	5	6	0	2	1	17
J. Nelson	42	5-17	3-5	1-2	6	10	0	0	1	14
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
J.J. Redick	12	2-5	0-2	0-0	2	3	0	0	1	4
M. Harkless	20	4-8	0-1	2-2	5	2	1	1	0	10
A. Harrington	10	1-3	0-1	0-0	1	0	0	0	0	2
I. Smith	1	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0
A. Nicholson	9	2-2	0-0	1-2	0	0	0	0	0	5
G. Ayon	18	7-9	0-0	2-2	9	0	0	0	0	16
D. Jones	5	1-3	0-0	0-0	3	0	0	0	0	2
TEAM TOTALS		43-95	7-17	11-17	51	29	2	4	5	104

Charlotte Bobcats
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
M. Kidd-Gilchrist	37	12-23	0-0	5-6	16	0	0	1	2	29
T. Thomas	40	4-10	0-0	3-4	11	2	2	0	0	11
B. Mullens	32	2-9	0-0	0-0	6	4	1	0	0	4
B. Gordon	34	10-19	1-4	2-2	3	1	0	0	0	23
K. Walker	38	7-21	0-0	3-3	7	9	1	0	1	17
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
B. Biyombo	8	3-3	0-0	0-0	5	0	0	0	0	6
G. Henderson	9	2-5	0-0	0-0	3	1	0	0	0	4
R. Sessions	15	2-8	0-0	0-0	3	1	0	0	0	4
J. Taylor	10	0-0	0-0	2-4	1	0	0	0	0	2
B. Haywood	11	1-1	0-0	0-0	3	4	0	0	0	2
M. Carroll	5	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0
R. Williams	9	0-3	0-2	0-0	1	2	0	0	0	0
TEAM TOTALS		43-102	1-6	15-19	59	24	4	1	3	102

Up next, the Magic will open their season without Dwight at home as they host the Dallas Mavericks.

[vtcha]

GM Discussion

I'm thinking of trading for Patrick Mills (SAS), what do you guys think?
Currently I have no backup PG, Jameer is averaging 44 minutes per game and Ishmael Smith is in the doghouse

[oOlak]

What about letting Hedo or Afflalo bring the ball up the court and look for a good Bigman/Center ?
Think that is what i would do.

But if you want to have a PG, i would look for Delonte West. Maybe he's still a free agent in your Association.

Good Luck!

[acolbert]

Great Association, only one suggestion good brotha.

Bump up the difficulty to Allstar, Pro is too easy once you get everyone's shot down. Just saying, always winning by 15-20pts gets boring after a while.

[vtcha]

Mavericks @ Magic


The Magic put up a convincing win as they pull away in the second half with a 106-96 win over the Mavs.

Recap

Yet again Jameer Nelson was named Player of the Game scoring 20 points, 7 REB & 9 AST. Afflalo posted a solid double-double with 21 points & 10 REB. Rookie Maurice Harkless continues to impress with 20 points despite playing only 24 minutes in the game.

As for the Mavs, Dirk Nowitzki posted a respectable 24 points but only managed to grab 4 rebounds. The Mavs SG had a night to forget as Vince Carter and O.J, Mayo combined for 11-34 from the field.

Dallas Mavericks at Orlando Magic
Nov 9, 2012	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Dallas ()	28	26	18	24	96
Orlando ()	28	30	19	29	106

Dallas Mavericks
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
S. Marion	36	3-6	0-0	1-2	12	4	0	0	0	7
D. Nowitzki	31	9-20	0-1	6-7	4	0	1	2	0	24
C. Kaman	35	10-17	0-0	2-3	8	1	0	0	0	22
V. Carter	34	5-19	0-6	0-0	8	4	0	0	0	10
D. Collison	36	6-12	0-0	1-2	6	15	0	0	3	13
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
O.J. Mayo	20	6-15	2-5	0-0	5	2	0	0	1	14
R. Beaubois	9	0-1	0-1	2-2	1	1	0	0	0	2
D. Jones	11	0-1	0-0	2-2	1	0	0	0	1	2
E. Brand	11	1-2	0-0	0-0	5	1	1	0	0	2
J. Cunningham	6	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	1	2	0	0	0
J. Crowder	8	0-1	0-0	0-0	1	0	0	0	0	0
B. Wright	10	0-3	0-0	0-0	4	0	0	0	0	0
TEAM TOTALS		40-97	2-13	14-18	55	29	4	2	5	96

Orlando Magic
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
H. Turkoglu	32	4-12	2-7	2-2	5	3	0	1	1	12
G. Davis	29	7-18	0-0	2-2	8	4	0	0	0	16
N. Vucevic	24	2-4	0-0	1-2	4	4	1	1	0	5
A. Afflalo	41	8-13	2-3	3-3	10	3	0	0	1	21
J. Nelson	40	8-19	1-4	3-4	7	9	2	0	0	20
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
J.J. Redick	14	3-6	1-2	0-0	0	3	1	0	0	7
M. Harkless	24	8-12	1-1	3-5	6	3	0	0	2	20
A. Harrington	11	2-5	1-2	0-0	3	0	0	0	0	5
I. Smith	DNP
A. Nicholson	13	0-2	0-0	0-0	3	1	0	1	0	0
G. Ayon	8	0-1	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0
D. Jones	10	0-0	0-0	0-0	4	0	0	2	0	0
TEAM TOTALS		42-92	8-19	14-18	50	30	4	5	4	106

Next game is what Magic fans have been long waiting for these past few months. Dwight Howard returns to Orlando as the Magic face the powerhouse Lakers. It is without a doubt that this game will definitely have some sense of a playoff atmosphere.