The Golden Era | A Golden State Warriors Dynasty (NBA 2K20)

[marshdaddy]

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Tar Heels down Red Raiders for NCAA Crown

James Bowman

Elite 8

(1) Gonzaga 75 – (6) Texas 71
Gonzaga takes out Texas to advance to the Final Four, center Mario Zoric had 19 points and SF Ian Bledsoe scored 16 points in the win. For Texas, SF C.J. Blackwell had a game high 23 points in the loss.

(1) Texas Tech 75 – (2) Michigan State 70
Another #1 seed advances with Texas Techs win over #2 seed Michigan State. SG Jameer Bennett had a team high 20 points in the win.

(1) UNC 78 – (2) Illinois 68
#1 seeded UNC ends the National Championship hopes for the #F4. UNC SG Antonio Jeffries had a team high 21 points in the win. For Illinois, SG Louis Morgan struggled shooting the ball against UNC’s defense that was determined to shut him down. He scored 12 points on 4-15 shooting.

(2) Kentucky 77 – (1) Michigan 68
#2 Kentucky knocks out #1 seeded Michigan—so we won’t see a final four consisting of all #1 seeded teams. Kentucky PG Brighton Reed led all scorers with 27 points.

Final Four

(1) Texas Tech 76 – (1) Gonzaga 64
Texas Tech’s depth is too much for Gonzaga’s 2-man scoring duo. Gonzaga’s Mario Zoric and Ian Bledsoe combined for 44 points in the loss.

(1) UNC 71 – (2) Kentucky 61
UNC beats Kentucky to advance to the National Championship game. PG Anton Forte did a good job defending Kentucky PG Brighton Reed, holding him to 17 points on 6-16 shooting.

National Championship Game

(1) UNC 70 – (1) Texas Tech 62
UNC beats Texas Tech 70-62 after trailing by 10 points at halftime. Texas Tech Sophomore center Emmanuel Beard sprained his knee right before half time and didn’t return to the game in the second half which made them vulnerable inside and UNC took advantage. UNC SG Antonio Jeffries had a slow start to the game with just 5 points at the half, but ended up as the team’s leading scorer with an outstanding 2nd half—scoring 19 points, of a team high 24 in the second half. SF Bobby Anderson was huge off the bench for the Tar Heels with 16 points while hitting 4-6 3pt shots.

NCAA Tournament MVP – Antonio Jeffries, SG – UNC

Awards

NCAA Award Winners
Award	Player	Pos	Team
John R. Wooden Award	Brighton Reed	PG	Kentucky, Fr
Bob Cousey Award (Top PG)	Brighton Reed	PG	Kentucky, Fr
Jerry West Award (Top SG)	Louis Morgan	SG	Illinois, Fr
Julius Erving Award (Top SF)	Ian Bledsoe	SF	Gonzaga, Sr
Karl Malone Award (Top PF)	Ezekial Morrow	PF	Arkansas, Jr
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award (Top C)	Cameron Sullivan	C	Purdue, Sr
Defensive Player of the Year	Cameron Sullivan	C	Purdue, Sr
Freshman of the Year	Brighton Reed	PG	Kentucky, Fr

Conference Players of the Year

Conference Players of the Year
Award	Player	Pos	Team
ACC Player of the Year	Antonio Jeffries	SG	UNC, Sr
AAC Player of the Year	Cyrus Saunders	PG	Cincinnati, Jr
Big 12 Player of the Year	C.J. Blackwell	SF	Texas, Fr
Big East Player of the Year	Noah Macvan		Marquette, So
Big 10 Player of the Year	Louis Morgan	SG	Illinois, Fr
PAC 12 Player of the Year	Jevon Rolle	PG	Cal, So
SEC Player of the Year	Brighton Reed	PG	Kentucky, Fr
WCC Player of the Year	Mario Zoric	C	Gonzaga, So

All Americans

2024-25 NCAA All Americans
Award	Player	Pos	Team
1st Team All American
1st Team All American	Brighton Reed	PG	Kentucky, Fr
	Louis Morgan	SG	Illinois, Fr
	C.J. Blackwell	SF	Texas, Fr
	Ezekial Morrow	PF	Arkansas, Jr
	Cameron Sullivan	C	Purdue, Sr
2nd Team All American
2nd Team All American	Jevon Rolle	PG	Cal, So
	Stephen Goldsberry	SG	Oklahoma, Fr
	Ian Bledsoe	SF	Gonzaga, Sr
	V.J. Thibodeau	PF	Virginia, So
	Mario Zoric	C	Gonzaga, So
3rd Team All American
3rd Team All American	Hasaan Richardson	PG	Illinois, Fr
	Noah Macvan	SG	Marquette, So
	Layton Sparks	SF	Oregon State, Jr
	Shayne Porter	PF	Colorado, Sr
	Warren Izzet	C	Iowa State, Fr

[marshdaddy]

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Warriors limp into April; Nuggets surging

Anthony Nojkic
April 1, 2025

It’s April Fools’ Day, but the Warriors’ recent struggles are nothing to joke about. The four-time reigning NBA champions have lost five of their last seven games as they embark on a challenging close to the season in which all but two games will be against teams either in or competing for the playoffs.

The losses have been a mixture of close and embarrassing, including an 18-point loss to the Rockets and a 48-point drubbing by the Bucks at home. The Warriors’ once dynamic offense has struggled, averaging just 111 points over the last seven games, nine points below their season average of 120.4. Even that number is inflated by a 135-106 win over the Hornets, as Golden State has been held under 110 points in four of the seven games.

Those struggles come as the Thunder are hitting their stride. Oklahoma City burned through March, going 15-1 during the month, highlighted by a 13-game winning streak. That run gives the Thunder a decent cushion over the Jazz and Warriors as they look to lock up the top seed in the NBA.

Meanwhile, the Nuggets have finally found a grove. After sitting at 31-32 on March 8, Denver has gone 8-4 to close out the month and taken a half game lead over the Lakers for the West’s final playoff spot. Denver is considered one of the scariest teams if they were to make the playoffs, and those fears would be exacerbated if the Nuggets enter the postseason on a run. Giannis has been the driving force for the Nuggets, tallying a double-double in 10 of the last 12 games, including the last seven, in which Denver has gone 5-2.

The race for the final spot remains tight, with the Nuggets leading the Lakers (0.5 games), Clippers (2.0) and Timberwolves (2.0) with eight games left to play. Of those four, the Nuggets have the easiest remaining schedule, with two games against the Trail Blazers, and one game against the Rockets and Cavaliers, including the Rockets and Blazers on back-to-back nights to end the season.

In the East, the Hawks hold just a two-game edge over the Bucks, as Milwaukee continues to outperform expectations. Michael Porter continues to put up career-best numbers across the board, and the addition of Malcolm Brogdon has given the Bucks a reliable playmaker at the point.

Julius Walker has developed into the second best player on the Hawks, and should be in the conversation for a potential Third Team All-NBA selection. The third-year pro is fifth among centers with 19.6 points, sixth in assists with 2.8 and third with 2.0 blocks, all while pulling in 9.3 rebounds. His 15.8 attempts is fourth behind James Wiseman (21.4), Karl-Anthony Towns (19.4) and Joel Embid (15.9).

Wiseman has been the driving force for a Hornets team looking to snap a playoff drought and make noise in the East. The 23-year-old big has maintained his career-best pace, averaging 26.0 points and 10.4 rebounds, all while shooting 47.1% from the floor and 32.5% from deep. The Hornets sit in seventh place in a crowded East playoff race, just 1.5 games back of the Bulls in the five spot.

Detroit, meanwhile, is looking to make their first playoff berth with LaMelo Ball and Desmond Cooper. The young backcourt has the Pistons in the East’s final playoff spot and owning a two-game edge over the Sixers with eight games to play. The two teams are schedule to play on the second to last night of the NBA season.

Warriors Schedule

Golden State Warriors March 2020 Schedule
DATE	OPPONENT	RESULT
Mar 16	vs Brooklyn Nets	Won, 102-91
Mar 18	vs Houston Rockets	Lost, 120-102
Mar 20	at Dallas Mavericks	Lost, 107-101
Mar 22	at Washington Wizards	Won, 115-107
Mar 23	at San Antonio Spurs	Lost, 126-108
Mar 25	at Chicago Bulls	Lost, 117-116
Mar 27	vs Charlotte Hornets	Won, 135-106
Mar 30	vs Milwaukee Bucks	Lost, 149-101

Standings

NBA Standings - Updated: Apr 1, 2025
EAST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB
1 Atlanta	49	25	--
2 Milwaukee	47	27	2.0
3 Miami	43	31	6.0
4 Boston	41	33	8.0
5 Chicago	39	35	10.0
6 New York	38	35	10.5
7 Charlotte	38	37	11.5
8 Detroit	36	38	13.0
Philadelphia	34	40	2.0
Orlando	30	44	6.0
Toronto	30	44	6.0
Cleveland	29	46	7.5
Indiana	22	52	14.0
Washington	19	55	17.0
Brooklyn	12	62	24.0
WEST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB
1 Oklahoma City	49	17	--
2 Utah	54	20	4.0
3 Golden State	53	20	4.5
4 New Orleans	50	25	8.5
5 Dallas	45	28	12.5
6 Memphis	44	29	13.5
7 San Antonio	42	32	16.0
8 Denver	39	35	19.0
Los Angeles Lakers	39	36	0.5
Los Angeles Clippers	37	37	2.0
Minnesota	37	37	2.0
Phoenix	35	39	4.0
Sacramento	26	48	13.0
Portland	25	50	14.5
Houston	20	55	19.5

Notable Injuries
Los Angeles Lakers: Anthony Davis, right hand fracture, 1-2 weeks
Dallas: Luka Doncic, pinched nerve in back, day-to-day

Award Races
MVP
Zion Williamson is considered the front-runner for MVP, averaging 33.3 points with 14.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists for a 50-win Pelicans team that is looking to exorcise previous postseason demons.

Cade Cunningham is making a case of his own, averaging 24.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.3 assists for the league-leading Thunder.

Ben Simmons has also played at an MVP level for Golden State, scoring 14.0 points per game with 9.0 rebounds and 9.3 assists, along with 2.3 steals.

Sixth Man of the Year
Buddy Hield has all but locked up the Sixth Man of the Year honors. The Laker is averaging 27.0 points off the bench and has been the driving force for a Lakers’ roster that has had to play stretches without Anthony Davis.

Jalen Suggs deserves a mention as well, as the Knicks’ backup point guard is putting up 18.8 points off the bench with 3.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists. Suggs is also considered a finalist for the Most Improved Player.

Defensive Player of the Year
Giannis is widely expected to repeat as DPOY, as he has averaged 2.1 blocks and 1.0 steal per game, along with 12.9 rebounds.

Simmons is making a case of his own, with his gaudy steal and rebound numbers and his reliability in taking on opposing teams’ best offensive weapon.

Most Improved Player
Wiseman is making a case to be MIP with massive leaps across the board. But so too does Ball, who is averaging 21.6 points and 11.1 assists.

Suggs has blossomed off the bench in New York, upping his scoring totals by 8.0 points per game and setting career-bests in efficiency and true shooting.

Though he may not make the ballot, Tre Hunter deserves a mention as well. The Orlando guard is averaging 21.5 points, 4.2 rebound and 4.7 assists on 44.7% and 41.7% shooting from the floor and from deep. The former eighth-overall pick is succeeding alongside Jalen Green for a Magic team that still has holes to fill on their roster before they can become legitimate contenders in the East.

[dfsJunkie]

Zion is killing it..

Always have loved Hield. Cool to see him thriving here.

[marshdaddy]

Quote: Originally Posted by dfsJunkie

Zion is killing it.. Always have loved Hield. Cool to see him thriving here.

I'm shocked by Hield's play but it's a cool storyline that I was not expecting. Without AD they've really asked a lot of him.

Zion is a borderline cheat code. He's been putting up gaudy numbers for the last few years, no one can stop him.

[marshdaddy]

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Simmons expected to miss time with groin injury

Isaiah Charles
April 5, 2025

The Warriors announced that Ben Simmons is expected to miss multiple weeks with a strained groin suffered in the Warriors 110-89 win over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night. Simmons suffered the injury in the fourth quarter, leaving the game with 19 points, seven rebounds, nine assists and four steals.

“It’s a tough loss, but at this point it’s about getting him back to full strength,” said Golden State head coach Steve Kerr. “We feel confident in the rest of this group, and obviously replacing a guy like Ben will be tough, but it’s next man up for the stretch run here.”

While the Warriors wouldn’t put a timeline on Simmons’ return, the injury is similar to what LeBron James suffered on Christmas Day in 2018 that impacted him the remainder of the season.

The timing could not be worse for the Warriors, who are 4-6 over their last 10 games and trail the Jazz by just one game for the two seed. Golden State should be able to hold off the Pelicans, who they lead by 4.5 games, but a first round matchup with any of the Grizzlies, Mavericks and Spurs would be made exponentially harder if Simmons is unavailable.

The loss of Simmons could also carry ramifications for the Warriors’ offseason. Simmons is set to be an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career and has indicated he plans to test the market in July. If he is unable to play down the stretch and into the playoffs and the Warriors are eliminated earlier than they expected, a reason for returning that the team hoped they’d be able to point to, a championship run, would be off the table.

With six games to play, the remaining schedule will be difficult to navigate for Golden State as well. After hosting the Bulls on Sunday night in the second game of a back-to-back, Golden State travels to Memphis, who they lost to 118-106 on April 1, before visiting Minnesota, Denver (winners of 11 of their last 13) and the Suns before ending the season at home against the Clippers.

[marshdaddy]

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Playoff Push: Daily notes on the NBA Playoff race

Author’s Note: Trying something new out with this to try to provide a bit more color to what was an exciting end to the season, but hopefully it’s not too long. Open to your thoughts on how it felt and if you like this format. We’ll get back to normal reporter posts after this one.

April 8
Western Conference
The Nuggets enter the night with a three-game edge over the Timberwolves and Lakers and a four-game lead over the Clippers. San Antonio has yet to clinch a playoff spot and lead the Nuggets by two games.

Miami @ San Antonio
New Orleans @ Denver
Sacramento @ Minnesota
Los Angeles Lakers @ Portland
Los Angeles Clippers - Off

Eastern Conference
Chicago needs just one win or a Philadelphia loss to clinch a playoff spot and visit the Thunder. Charlotte enters play in seventh and a 0.5 game lead over Detroit. The Pistons lead the Sixers by two games, and the Magic and Raptors by four games.

Chicago @ Oklahoma City
Detroit @ Charlotte
Milwaukee @ Orlando
Indiana @ Toronto
Philadelphia - Off


Results
Denver gets 19 points from Frank Mason to down Pelicans; Spurs, Timberwolves and Lakers all fall
Miami 103, San Antonio 95
Denver 113, New Orleans 108
Sacramento 141, Minnesota 123
Portland 124, Los Angeles Lakers 115

Chicago’s playoff berth will have to wait a day as they fall to OKC; Detroit jumps into seventh with win over Charlotte; Orlando eliminated in loss and Toronto is just one game away from elimination.

Oklahoma City 122, Chicago 97
Detroit 117, Charlotte 104
Milwaukee 123, Orlando 116
Toronto 107, Indiana 93

NBA Standings - Updated: Apr 8, 2025
EAST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB
6 Chicago	40	38	--
7 Detroit	38	40	--
8 Charlotte	38	41	--
9 Philadelphia	35	42	2.0
10 Toronto	34	44	4.0
WEST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB
7 San Antonio	44	34	--
8 Denver	43	35	--
9 Los Angeles Lakers	39	39	4.0
10 Minnesota	39	39	4.0
11 Los Angeles Clippers	38	39	4.5

April 9
Western Conference
The Lakers and Clippers are both home, albeit on other sides of the city, in must-win games. The Lakers are back by four games with four to play, and the Clippers are back 4.5 with five games left on their schedule. San Antonio has clinched, but their lead for the seventh seed has shrunk to one game.

Chicago @ Los Angeles Clippers
Cleveland @ Los Angeles Lakers
San Antonio - Off
Denver - Off
Minnesota - Off

Eastern Conference
Chicago has a chance to clinch in Los Angeles, while the Sixers are looking to make up ground on the dormant Hornets and Pistons.

Chicago @ Los Angeles Clippers
Washington @ Philadelphia
Detroit - Off
Charlotte - Off
Toronto - Off


Results
Chicago books their ticket to the playoffs with a one-point win over the Clippers, eliminating L.A. in the process; The Lakers pull within 3.5 of the Nuggets, but will need the Nuggets to lose-out in order to sneak in as the eight seed; Philadelphia sits just 1.5 back of Charlotte for the eight seed with their win over Washington.

Chicago 119, Los Angeles Clippers 118
Los Angeles Lakers 108, Cleveland 93
Philadelphia 144, Washington 92

NBA Standings - Updated: Apr 9, 2025
EAST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB
6 Chicago	41	38	--
7 Detroit	38	40	--
8 Charlotte	38	41	--
9 Philadelphia	36	42	2.0
10 Toronto	34	44	4.0
WEST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB
7 San Antonio	44	34	--
8 Denver	43	35	--
9 Los Angeles Lakers	40	39	4.0
10 Minnesota	39	39	4.0
11 Los Angeles Clippers	38	40	4.5

April 10
Western Conference
The Timberwolves, like the Lakers, need to win their remaining games and hope for Denver to drop all of them to get into the playoffs and will start that by hosting the Warriors; Denver heads to the league-leading Thunder to clinch a playoff spot and try to chase down San Antonio for seventh

Golden State @ Minnesota
Denver @ Oklahoma City
Sacramento @ San Antonio
Los Angeles Lakers - Off

Eastern Conference
Detroit is the lone playoff contender in action, travelling to Orlando looking to gain a full game advantage over the Hornets.

Detroit @ Orlando
Charlotte - Off
Philadelphia - Off


Results
Minnesota keeps their playoff hopes alive by thrashing the Simmons-less Warriors; Denver overwhelmed by Oklahoma City and fall two games back of San Antonio for the seven seed; Detroit drops their magic number to one with a win in Orlando.

Minnesota 123, Golden State 83
San Antonio 137, Sacramento 96
Oklahoma City 130, Denver 112
Detroit 105, Orlando 103

NBA Standings - Updated: Apr 10, 2025
EAST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB
6 Chicago	41	38	--
7 Detroit	39	40	--
8 Charlotte	38	41	--
9 Philadelphia	36	42	1.5
WEST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB
7 San Antonio	45	34	--
8 Denver	43	36	--
9 Los Angeles Lakers	40	39	3.0
10 Minnesota	40	39	3.0

[dfsJunkie]

Cool format. Not too long at all. I think you broke it down into digestible pieces that was fun to read.

[marshdaddy]

Quote: Originally Posted by dfsJunkie

Cool format. Not too long at all. I think you broke it down into digestible pieces that was fun to read.

Happy to hear that. I'll be breaking up the next 6 game days into two posts, so hopefully it stays light. The bottom seed playoff races are always my favorite part of the season and most dramatic, but don't want a Warriors dynasty full of too much non-Warriors content.