From Sactown to the Emerald City

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Let me start off by saying that this was originally a Sacramento Kings franchise. I had already played 15 games of the season, before deciding to move the team to Seattle. I’ve always hated that the Sonics moved away (though I do appreciate the Thunder), and felt the need to bring them back. However, I didn’t know that rebranding them mid-season would change the team and move them immediately. I thought it was more like in Madden where everything would take effect the following season.

I only play a 29 game season, playing every team only once. This allows me to be able to play every game and get the most out of the franchise. The playoffs are shortened as well, with a 3-3-3-5 format. I imported the 2016 draft class as well, and plan to do so for every year I get to in this franchise.

Since I just got reintroduced to OS I will not be starting from the beginning in this franchise. I have already played 22 of the 29 games so far, and am at the All-Star break. I will do a first half recap of all my teams wheelings and dealings. From then on out I plan to do brief game recaps, potentially multiple in the same post. I have a hard time just playing one at a time!

This is also my first post in awhile, and my first foray back into wiring about my video games. Was a long time member of Dynasty Manager, so this has always been something that has interested me. Hope some of you will follow along with me, and I will get everything up and running today.

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FIRST HALF RECAP

Alright everyone, sorry for the delay on getting this active. Wanted to make sure that everything was up to par, and I had my graphics and tables completed. As previously mentioned, this is a 29 game season, one in which I’ve played 22 games so far I’m at the All-Star break, so it sort of and sort of isn’t the half way point.

So far I have made a few transactions, but nothing too major. Mainly I’ve built my team to get younger and better and shooting (one of the big things I look for in players). Here is what I’ve done so far:

SuperSonics trade Marco Belinelli to Washington Wizards for Garrett Temple
Trade Analysis: I really couldn’t stand playing with Belinelli. He was slow, turned the ball over a lot and didn’t hit shots when I needed him to. After about a month, and his playing time very limited, I shopped him around and was able to bring in Garrett Temple. Basically a better, younger all-around player. His contract is much cheaper too.

SuperSonics trade Rajon Rondo, Omri Casspi, Duje Dukan ’18 1st & 2nd rd picks to Philadelphia 76ers for 2016 1st rd (from LAL), Carl Landry, T.J. McConnell, Kendall Marshall
Trade Analysis: This is definitely the biggest move I’ve made. Rondo had been playing great for me (3rd in NBA in assists at the time of the trade), but with his expiring contract I decided to get something in return. I really wanted a top ten pick so I figured I could sneak one from Philly. I now have a potential top two pick. I’m very high on Kris Dunn so keep that in mind.

McConnell has been a huge surprise for me and is still a rookie, and Landry has been the power forward off the bench I’ve needed with Quincy Acy hurt.

SuperSonics trade Ben McLemore, Eric Moreland to Oklahoma City Thunder for Mitch McGary, Andre Roberson
Trade Analysis: This was a proposed trade to me from OKC, and I was very happy to get rid of McLemore, who was my least favorite player. He was instantly benched for Seth Curry and saw very little playing time after that. Though his minutes are limited, Roberson has become a solid bench player.

Notable League Transactons
Los Angeles Clippers trade DeAndre Jordan to Boston Celtics for Jared Sullener
Chicago Bulls trade Mike Dunleavy to Golden State Warriors for Marreese Speights
Kevin Durant signs 2 yr $57.23M contract extension

Team Statistics, Standings and League Leaguers coming later today..

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TEAM SCHEDULE/STATISTICS

After a slow start to the season, I’ve been able to get a good feel for this team. I’ve made some roster moves to get the type of players I like, but overall have kept the core together. Up until trading Rondo my starting lineup has pretty much remained the same. Seth Curry (14.1 PPG, 3.8 APG) has taken over as the two guard, while Willie Cauley-Stein has averaged 12.0 PPG and 6.9 RPG since taking over for the injured Quincy Acy. Darren Collison was my sixth-man, but has averaged 8.5 assists since becoming the starter.

DATE	OPPONENT	RESULT
Nov 2	at Dallas Mavericks	W 80-73
Nov 6	at Houston Rockets	L 70-67
Nov 9	vs Toronto Raptors	L 80-75
Nov 14	vs Denver Nuggets	W 82-66
Nov 16	vs Chicago Bulls	W 80-70
Nov 21	vs Milwaukee Bucks	W 96-88
Nov 26	at Los Angeles Lakers	W 100-91
Nov 30	at Memphis Grizzlies	W 86-65
Dec 3	vs Indiana Pacers	W 94-72
Dec 7	vs Charlotte Hornets	W 83-76
Dec 10	at Minnesota Timberwolves	L 91-71
Dec 19	vs New Orleans Pelicans	L 111-78
Dec 21	vs Washington Wizards	W 88-66
Dec 23	vs Miami Heat	L 91-71
Jan 7	at Atlanta Hawks	L 86-77
Jan 18	vs Portland Trail Blazers	W 94-77
Jan 23	vs San Antonio Spurs	W 84-77
Feb 2	at Golden State Warriors	W 85-75
Feb 4	vs New York Knicks	W 81-73
Feb 10	at Oklahoma City Thunder	W 92-76
Feb 13	at Boston Celtics	L 81-59
Feb 16	at Brooklyn Nets	W 86-72

Seattle SuperSonics Statistics 2015-2016
Player	GP	MIN	PPG	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	TPG	FPG
DeMarcus Cousins	22	20.4	19.9	6.9	1.5	0.7	2.0	0.9	1.5
Seth Curry	22	16.5	14.1	1.9	3.8	0.5	0.3	0.9	0.7
Rudy Gay	22	19.5	13.8	4.2	2.7	0.5	0.7	0.7	1.0
Carl Landry*	23	21.0	9.5	6.0	0.9	0.9	0.4	1.5	2.3
T.J. McConnell*	23	21.9	8.2	3.5	5.1	1.0	0.7	2.5	1.0
Willie Cauley-Stein	22	12.0	7.0	5.0	1.4	0.6	1.0	0.4	0.7
Darren Collison	21	12.3	5.9	1.3	5.0	0.6	0.1	1.4	0.6
Andre Roberson*	17	18.6	4.5	3.0	0.7	0.6	0.7	1.4	1.4
Kendall Marshall*	4	9.5	4.0	0.5	2.8	0.5	0.0	1.0	0.3
Quincy Acy	14	16.0	3.7	5.1	0.9	0.4	0.7	0.3	1.0
Kosta Koufos	22	7.6	3.6	3.0	1.0	0.2	0.9	0.2	0.5
Garrett Temple*	22	7.5	2.6	0.7	0.6	0.3	0.2	0.2	0.5
Caron Butler	19	3.9	1.3	0.7	0.6	0.1	0.1	1.4	0.6
Mitch McGary	3	2.3	0.0	0.7	0.3	0.0	0.3	0.0	0.3
* - Combined stats

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LEAGUE STANDINGS

The Sonics are currently in fourth place in the Western Conference, and barring a huge collapse, should host a first round series in the playoffs. It should be noted that I own the tie-breaker over both the Warriors and Thunder. However, the Rockets beat me early in the season should it come down to that.

NBA Standings - Updated: Feb 18, 2016
ATLANTIC	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Boston Celtics	10	9	-	2-0	5-5
Toronto Raptors	10	9	-	1-1	4-3
New York Knicks	8	12	2.5	1-3	5-5
Philadelphia 76ers	5	15	5.5	2-2	3-5
Brooklyn Nets	3	19	8.5	1-1	2-8
CENTRAL	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Cleveland Cavaliers	14	5	-	1-0	7-1
Indiana Pacers	11	5	1.5	0-1	6-2
Milwaukee Bucks	14	9	2.0	1-1	6-4
Detroit Pistons	11	6	2.0	2-0	6-2
Chicago Bulls	7	10	6.0	1-3	2-4
SOUTHEAST	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Miami Heat	12	8	-	3-0	5-3
Atlanta Hawks	8	8	2.0	1-1	2-4
Orlando Magic	6	12	5.0	1-1	3-4
Washington Wizards	9	18	6.5	0-3	6-7
Charlotte Hornets	4	16	8.0	1-1	2-7
NORTHWEST	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Oklahoma City Thunder	13	4	-	1-1	6-2
Denver Nuggets	14	8	1.5	2-1	7-3
Portland Trail Blazers	12	11	4.0	1-2	6-6
Minnesota Timberwolves	11	11	4.5	2-2	5-4
Utah Jazz	8	11	6.0	2-2	5-4
PACIFIC	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Golden State Warriors	16	3	-	3-1	6-3
Seattle SuperSonics	15	7	2.5	2-0	8-3
Phoenix Suns	14	7	3.0	0-2	6-4
Los Angeles Clippers	12	7	4.0	2-1	5-4
Los Angeles Lakers	3	17	13.5	0-3	1-10
SOUTHWEST	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Houston Rockets	18	5	-	0-2	5-3
New Orleans Pelicans	12	9	5.0	3-1	5-5
San Antonio Spurs	7	13	9.5	1-1	3-8
Dallas Mavericks	7	13	9.5	2-2	3-6
Memphis Grizzlies	8	15	10.0	1-1	2-8

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ALL-STAR WEEKEND

Here are the All-Star rosters for each league. DeMarcus Cousins was the only SuperSonics player invited to participate in the game. However, T.J. McConnell will be suiting up for the Elites in the Elites vs. Stars Challenge, while Seth Curry will represent Seattle in the Three-Point Contest.

NBA All-Star Game Rosters
Eastern Conference		Western Conference
Head Coach: Tyronn Lue		Head Coach: John-Blair Bickerstaff
Pos	Starters	Pos	Starters
G	John Wall (WAS)	G	James Harden (HOU)
G	Kyle Lowry (TOR)	G	Stephen Curry (GS)
F	LeBron James (CLE)	F	Kevin Durant (OKC)
F	Carmelo Anthony (NY)	F	Kawhi Leonard (SA)
C	Andre Drummond (DET)	F	Anthony Davis (NO)
Pos	Reserves	Pos	Reserves
G	Michael Carter-Williams (MIL)	G	Damian Lillard (POR)
G	Dwyane Wade (MIA)	G	C.J. McCollum (POR)
F	Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL)	F	Gordon Heyward (UTA)
F	Chris Bosh (MIA)	F	Zach Randolph (MEM)
C	Greg Monroe (MIL)	F	DeMarcus Cousins (SEA)
G	DeMar DeRozan (TOR)	G	Russell Westbrook (OKC)
G	Bradley Beal (WAS)	F	Tyreke Evans (NO)
C	Marcin Gortat (WAS)	G	Mike Conley (MEM)

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ALL-STAR WEEKEND

Seth Curry Wins Three-Point Contest

Seth Curry waves to the crowd following his upset win in Toronto.


He was the most surprising selection for the Three-Point Contest, yet when it was all said and done Seth Curry was able to take down some of the best shooters in the league, including his MVP and Championship winning older brother.

After breaking into his first starting lineup two games into the season, Curry has shown that a strong shooting stroke definitely runs in the family. Entering the break he was shooting 46% from behind the arc, and further solidified himself as one of the best pure shooters the league has to offer.

Finishing the first round with 22 points, Curry was able to claim the final of the three spots to advance to the final round. Stephen Curry led the way with 25, followed by Kevin Durant with 23. James Harden (19), Klay Thompson (17) and Isiah Thomas (15) were all eliminated.


Curry is the sixth player since 2000 to win the Three-Point Contest in their debut.

Once again starting off the round, the younger Curry brother put up 19 points, and had to watch two of the best players in the league battle it out to beat him. Fortunately both Curry and Durant had mediocre final rounds, finishing with 18 and 13 respectively.

“I knew if I got into this contest I could win it” said Curry, who is now a back-to-back winner with his brother.

“I was able to be consistent with my shots, and hit the money balls which is huge help. I knew what I was up against, but also have the confidence in myself, and my shot. This was a special night for me, and I hope I can ride this momentum into a strong stretch run.”

Stephen Curry had nothing but praise for the SuperSonics guard:

“He’s such a dangerous shooter, I’m really not surprised by the outcome. So proud of him and the steps forward he has taken this season.”

Curry is just the second SuperSonics player to win the competition, following Dale Ellis who took home the title in 1989.

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Cousins, Curry Lead Sonics Past Sixers

Seth Curry drains a three-pointer late in the game.

Not even a month removed from making possibly the biggest trade of the season, the SuperSonics and 76ers squared off for their first games since the All-Star break. Seattle was able to come away with the 71-68 win, a game that was a back-and-forth battle throughout.

Philadelphia came out hot to start the game, and forced the Sonics to play catch up for most of the first half. They seemed to embody the demeanor of Rajon Rondo, who has been playing with a chip on his shoulder since being dealt out of Seattle. He has expressed displeasure in being traded, but has said he will give the Sixers serious consideration in the off-season.

Rondo finished with just 6 PTS on 3-of-7 shooting, and only 5 assists, well below his season average. Rookie of the Year front-runner Jahlil Okafor was able to keep Philadelphia in the game the best he could, giving Seattle’s big men trouble throughout. He finished with 16 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL and 2 BLK.

In the end Seattle was able to rally for the win, thanks in large part to DeMarcus Cousins. Coming off another All-Star appearance, Boogie finished the game with 22 points and 15 rebounds. A slow first quarter, and a little foul trouble weren’t able to keep the former Kentucky big man down. He also blocked two shots as well.

Seth Curry came in clutch for the Sonics down the stretch, hitting a couple big shots to help seal the win. Hot off winning the Three-Point Contest, Curry was about as efficient from the floor as you could get. He finished the game hitting 10 of his 13 shots he took, including 1-of-2 from downtown.

The Sixers didn’t quit however, and played tough until the end. The loss dropped them to 5-16, while Seattle improved to 16-7.

Game Notes: Garrett Temple had his best game since coming over from Washington. In limited minutes, the guard scored 10 points, and dished out 4 assists. He was 4-of-4 from the field. Darren Collison missed his second straight game due to back spasms, with T.J. McConnell (0 PTS, 5 AST) starting in his absence.

Feb 26, 2016	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Seattle SuperSonics (16-7)	18	17	20	16	71
Philadelphia 76ers (5-16)	19	24	13	12	68

Seattle SuperSonics
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
TJ. McConnell	19	0-1	0-1	0-0	2	5	1	1	1	0
Seth Curry	18	10-13	1-2	0-0	0	1	0	0	2	21
Rudy Gay	22	1-7	1-2	1-2	2	7	1	0	1	4
Willie Cauley-Stein	19	1-4	0-0	0-0	6	3	2	4	2	2
DeMarcus Cousins	20	10-16	0-0	2-3	15	1	0	2	5	22
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Garrett Temple	6	4-5	0-0	2-3	1	4	0	0	0	10
Andre Roberson	13	3-4	0-0	0-0	0	2	1	0	1	6
Carl Landry	9	2-6	0-0	0-0	3	1	1	0	0	4
Kosta Koufos	8	1-2	0-0	0-0	3	0	1	1	0	2
Kendall Marshall	6	0-0	0-0	0-0	1	4	0	0	0	0
TEAM TOTALS		32-58	2-5	5-8	35	28	6	10	11	71

Philadelphia 76ers
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Rajon Rondo	22	3-7	0-0	0-0	3	4	2	0	3	6
Isaiah Canaan	22	3-14	2-6	2-6	2	5	1	0	1	9
Jerami Grant	18	3-9	0-2	0-2	5	0	1	0	0	6
Richaun Holmes	19	3-3	0-0	0-0	5	1	2	0	0	6
Jahlil Okafor	18	7-11	0-0	1-2	4	4	2	2	0	15
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Nerlens Noel	11	0-2	0-0	2-2	2	1	1	1	2	2
Ish Smith	9	1-6	1-3	0-0	0	3	0	0	1	3
Joel Embiid	8	4-6	0-0	3-3	4	0	0	0	0	11
Robert Covington	8	3-6	1-2	1-2	3	1	1	0	0	8
Omri Casspi	5	1-1	0-0	0-0	2	1	0	0	0	2
TEAM TOTALS		28-65	4-13	8-11	34	22	10	3	8	68

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Hot Shooting Sonics Take Down Magic, 88-78

DeMarcus Cousins was too much to handle for the Magic.

When Seth Curry said he hoped to take some momentum from his All-Star Weekend performance, he wasn’t kidding. For the second straight game the slick shooting guard scored 20 or more points, and hit 9 of the 12 shots he took on the night.

As a team the Sonics came out firing on all cylinders, jumping out to an early lead over the Magic, en route to an 88-78 win in Orlando. Seattle relied on the perimeter shooting of Curry and Rudy Gay early on, each hitting a three-pointer on the team’s first two possessions. Curry ended with 21 points, while Gay totaled 15 points, and pulled down 7 rebounds.

After yet another slow start, DeMarcus Cousins was able to pick it up in the second half. He was an efficient 7-of-9 from the field, with 17 points and 11 rebounds. It was his second straight double-double. He was also able to wreck havoc on Orlando’s front court on defense, blocking Nikola Vucevic three times on the night.

After Orlando had a strong third quarter, the Sonics were able to pull away in the fourth with a strong shooting performance as a team. Hitting on 38-of-62 attempts, Seattle shot a staggering 61% from the field.

Rookie Report: Willie Cauley-Stein continues to improve on both ends of the court as the season progresses, scoring 9 points and hauling in 8 rebounds in the contest. His interior defense was stellar all night with five blocks. T.J. McConnell dished out 16 assists, the most for a rookie this season.

Mar 2, 2016	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Seattle SuperSonics (17-7)	25	22	15	26	88
Orlando Magic (7-13)	17	23	21	12	78