SimWorld presents: The NBA2K MyLeague Chronicle

[AdamJones113]

Around the League: Hall Of Fame Inductions, David Lee, and Keepin' The Offseason PG


1. Mr. Hall of Fame

Tim Duncan's entry into the Hall of Fame was a lock. Mr. Fundamentals was one of, if not the best, players in the 2000s and early 2010s. He won 5 championships in a 19-year career that was spent entirely with the San Antonio Spurs, a mark of loyal longevity that is very unlikely to be replicated. Duncan played 1330 games in black and silver, averaging a double-double, 19.0 PPG, 11.0 RPG, and 2.2 BPG throughout his career.

Jesus Shuttlesworth, we salute you. It is hardly surprising that the most prolific 3 point shooter of all time would reach the highest plateau of professional basketball. Allen set numerous shooting records throughout his career and won 2 NBA titles, once as a member of the Boston Celtics (incidentally playing with Kevin Garnett, whom Allen would have played with in Minnesota had the T-wolves not traded Allen for Stephon Marbury) and once, in dramatic fashion, with the Miami Heat. But his longevity is indubitable: 1300 games and 18.9 points per game.

Steve Nash, of course, is pure point guard and pure class. Nash played for the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Suns (for real this time), and Los Angeles Lakers during a spectacular professional career that started in Santa Clara and ended a few miles up the road in Los Angeles. Nash averaged 14.3 points and 8.5 assists per game throughout his career and won two MVP awards, in 2005 and again in 2006 as a member of the Suns. Whether he is Canadian, South African, or what, nobody really knows—but now we can all agree that he's in the Hall of Fame.


2. David Lee
To say that David Lee lost in the NBA Finals last season would, in a way, be correct. While Lee and the Golden State Warriors won the coveted Larry O'Brien Trophy, Lee missed most of the series and saw limited minutes in his return. The Finals pried his starting spot from Lee's hands and thrust it into the hands of Draymond Green, who snatched it then and snatched it now. Had Green not done the former, the Warriors would not have released Lee.


3. Keepin' The Offseason PG
With the news of Reggie Jackson's trade from Detroit to Philadelphia for a few role players, 2nd round picks, and Sam Bowie's kitchen sink, the NBA confirmed this offseason as one belonging to point guards. Starting with Deron Williams' trade to New York, traversing the path of top-5 pick Marcus Crier heading to Brooklyn, the path ascended the hill of the Darrell Smart to the Suns trade. It descended into the valley of 10th overall pick Jaydrick Nixon being moved to Houston for pretty much nothing, fought its way through the Rajon Rondo decision, and has finally arrived in Philly with Reggie Jackson. It's a crazy journey and one that isn't quite done yet.

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Milwaukee signed F/C Andrea Bargnani to a multi-year deal.

Atlanta signed C Larry Sanders to a 4-year, $20 million dollar deal.

New York signed PF Paul Millsap to a4-year, $50 million dollar deal.

Los Angeles (Lakers) signs PG Rajon Rondo to a 4-year, $50 million dollar deal & SF Wilson Chandler & SG Danny Green to multi-year deals.

Washington signed PF Luis Scola to a 1-year deal.

Atlanta signed C Andrew Bynum to a 1 year deal.

Dallas signed SG Gerald Henderson to a multi-year deal.

Chicago signed SG Marco Belineli & PG Jameer Nelson to multi-year deals.

Los Angeles (Clippers) signed PG Mo Williams to a multi-year deal.

Utah signed C Miles Plumlee to a multi-year deal.

Brooklyn signed SG Iman Shumpert & PF David Lee to multi-year deals.

Denver signed SG Dion Waiters to 3-year $18 million dollar deal.

Indiana signed SG Jamal Crawford to a 1-year deal.

[AdamJones113]

Back In Black

Tim Duncan Returns To San Antonio As Assistant

The San Antonio Spurs announced earlier that Tim Duncan, recent retiree and Hall of Fame inductee, had rejoined the team as an assistant coach. Duncan played his entire 19-year career in San Antonio, winning 5 championships, and was the face of the franchise for most of that tenure.

"I'm very excited. I know this organization, I love this organization, and I'm glad to be back," said Duncan at his introductory press conference.

Duncan said that coaching had always been at the back of his mind, but he hadn't considered it until after retirement.

"I asked Tony and Pop what they thought," Duncan said, "and they couldn't have been more encouraging. It's incredible to still be able to be a San Antonio Spur."

While higher-ups pondered whether the addition of Duncan to the coaching staff would be odd for the players, many of whom had played with him, the players were uniformly enthusiastic.

"He's a great person and a great player. That's what I know about him and that's why I respect him," said Kawhi Leonard.

Rookie center Andre Thornton, whom the Spurs took 19th overall in order to replace Duncan, said: "I'm awed by him. It'll be an incredible experience to learn from him."

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(2-6)

The combination of Lucas Bowe & Reggie Jackson in the backcourt looked very fluid offensively & Embiid looked good in limited minutes. Covington struggled with shooting touch & rookie Muckleroy struggled defensively.


(4-4)

Perimeter defense looked stifling with Antetokounmpo & MCW leading the way. Zaza Pachulia & rookie C Horace Lyon will battle for the starting spot. Interior defense & rebounding was severely lacking.


(7-1)

They seemed to be clicking on all cylinders offensively as well as defensively. Belinelli looked great paired with Jimmy Butler on the wings. Rookie G Keondra Hunter & Jameer Nelson look like they will contribute significantly.


(7-1)

Everyone looked to have defined roles & everyone looked comfortable. Coach Blatt played James, Love & Irving in 4 of the Cavs 8 games. Interior defense was bad without Mozgov & Varajao.


(5-3)

The Celtics looked free & played very hard. Their open court game was their bread & butter. Turnovers & playmaking were quite an issue & Sullinger did not play particularly well.


(4-4)

Williams & Middleton looked very comfortable in the offense but struggled in Coach Rivers' defensive scheme. Austin Rivers & Spencer Hawes also looked good playing major minutes.


(4-4)

We did not get to see much of the Grizzlies' starters at all. C.J. McCollum looked good offensively & rookie C Rahim Hill looked as though he may see some minutes backing up Gasol.


(3-5)

Teague & Bynum did not play the entire preseason. Sanders looked solid in limited minutes. Anthony Bennett looked in shape & played well & rookie F Eman Gilmore struggled when playing the SF position.


(5-2)

Thomas Robinson looked extremely good this preseason averaging 14 ppg & 8 rpg. Dragic also looked very comfortable at the helm. Whiteside showed flashes of what he exhibited last season.


(3-5)

We got a good look at the Hornets' starting core with the exception of Al Jefferson & they looked pretty even all the way around. Joe Johnson did at times look lost with the ball in Walkers' hands.


(4-4)

The Jazz's preseason looked like the Jurgas Burysas show. Burysas averaged 19.3 ppg in his 5 games played. Exum, Burks & Burk all struggled significantly & Favors looked good with Miles Plumlee on the court with him.


(3-4)

There again seemed to be some unrest during the Kings' preseason in regard to Coach Malone's future with the team. Malone & Gay had an on-court confrontation & Gay did not have a good preseason. This situation consumed the Kings preseason.


(4-4)

Although Melo & Millsap didn't play much during the Knicks preseason; by the way the Knicks played you'd have to assume that once they are added to the mix. The Knicks will be one of the league's top teams. Deron averaged 22 ppg & 9 apg & Redd averaged 17 ppg & 12 rpg.


(3-4)

We didn't get a clear picture of what this team will look like during the regular season as Rondo, Monroe & Chandler barely played & of course Kobe is still out with his shoulder injury. We did however see solid play from Julius Randle & rookie PG Nathan Garner.


(2-6)

Coach Vaughn played around with many different lineups & although many of them were unsuccessful in the win column, the combination of rookie PG Calvin Aruna, Oladipo, Harris, newcomer Terrence Jones & Vucevic looked surprisingly good.


(7-1)

Monta Ellis played a lot of PG this preseason & played it well. Rookie PG Keaton Keenum & Gerald Henderson also played very well. Parsons struggled offensively & Devin Harris played a lot off of the ball.


(1-6)

Rookies Marcus Crier & Chris Valentine played well in the backcourt together & look like they will secure the starting G spots. Thaddeus Young struggled with David Lee on the floor. We have not seen Lopez & Shumpert as they did not play in the preseason.


(3-4)

Dion Waiters had a spectacular preseason scoring 28 ppg as did Gallinari who averaged 21 ppg. The Nuggets looked free and their athleticism looked superior at times but their defense looked abysmal.


3-5)

Rookie PG Rashard Wallace played solid defense & showed good range & may have stolen the starting PG role from George Hill. We did not see George, Crawford, Stephenson, West or Hibbert but did get a good look at their other potential role players & they look as if they are going to be a very formidable team.


(0-8)

The Pelicans were win-less in the preseason but showed tenacious defensive prowess. We didn't get a look at an actual rotational lineup other than their last game in which they lost on a last second shot.


(6-2)

The Pistons looked great this preseason with Drummond leading the way. Jennings looked committed to playing an inside-out game & Caldwell-Pope was lights out. Brash rookie Tashawn Sullivan struggled mightily.


(2-5)

The Raptors did not play any of their projected starters this preseason. Terrence Ross continued his struggles from last season as did Patrick Patterson. There was a bright spot in the form of rookie PF Marvin Bolden.


(5-3)

The Rockets looked like... the Rockets this preseason. Threes-a-plenty & offense-a-plenty. Dwight Howard played more than expected & looks to be getting back into shape & rookie Jaydrick Nixon looked good playing alongside Harden.


(6-1)

The Spurs looked like they may once again sneak their way into the post-season. Coach Popovich seems to get the most out of everyone & this new Duncan & Ginobili-less group looks to be the same with contributions all the way around.


(4-3)

Offense was the name of the game for the Suns this preseason. Knight & Bledsoe looked good sharing the backcourt as well as the Morris bothers when the Suns went small playing Markieff at the 5 & Marcus at the 4.


(4-4)

No Westbrook or Durant for the duration of the preseason but the rest of the Thunder looked great playing as the focal points. Kanter & Augustin looked particularly good running the pick & roll to perfection.


(1-7)

The T'Wolves played solid in the preseason despite only going 1-7. Crosby showed promise in the starting role & Wiggins & Gordon look like they may be a tough duo for teams to compete with on a nightly basis.


(7-1)

Coach Stotts may have the surprise team of the year on his hands. The Blazers played some great team ball in the preseason but played even better defense. Batum may be back to being the Nic Batum that was given that handsome contract.


(3-4)

The NBA Champion Warriors' role players will be just as good as last year if this preseason was any indication. Marreese Speights averaged 19 ppg & 7 rpg & Calderon ran the team to perfection. And lets not forget who is sure to become a fan favorite; rookie Nesim Pasovic who shot the ball extremely well.


(2-6)

We won't know what the Wizards will be until the season starts as we didn't get a chance to see nearly any of their rotational players. We did see a bit of their future in Levi Clark & Deon Ridgeway & they played well.

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