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

[marshdaddy]

Quote: Originally Posted by trekfan

Shocked to see the Magic leading the East -- early season fluke or are they for real? Dallas being world-beaters with Luka and Giannis is expected. Between those two and the Beard, they should be the favorites to make it at least to the WCF.

Funny you'd say that, was thinking the same thing about Orlando so they are the topic of the next monthly update. Really interesting to see them playing at the level and pace they are. Trading for Carter has been a great deal for them.

[marshdaddy]

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When do we take the Magic seriously?

Ryen Simons
January 1, 2025

With the calendar flipping to 2026, the Orlando Magic are off to a historic start to the season. Sitting at 26-3 and already seven games up on Miami and Atlanta, the Magic are on pace for a record-setting season. With an 89.6% winning percentage, Orlando is on pace for 73.5 wins, better than both the 1996-97 Chicago Bulls and 2015-16 Golden State Warriors. The 26-win start is better than every team in NBA history except for the Warriors, who didn’t lose their third game until they had 36 wins.

But yet, for whatever reason, the NBA doesn’t seem to be taking the Magic seriously. They have an NBA-best 16.0 point differential and are led by a trio of young, unproven yet extremely talented players. In fact, Orlando bears a striking resemblance to the team whose 73-win record they are chasing, albeit the version from a year before their record-setting season.

In the 2014-15 season, the Warriors were led by Stephen Curry, a talented yet injury-prone shooter who arrived at the forefront of the NBA and changed the landscape of the league moving forward. Surrounding Curry was the smooth-shooting Klay Thompson and, when he was unleashed upon the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, a playmaking big in Draymond Green. Anchoring the defense was Andre Iguodala.

This iteration of the Magic boasts a similar roster construction. Jalen Green fills in the shoes of Curry, averaging a career-best 29 points per game. Next to Green in the back court is Tre Hunter, one the NBA’s best young point guards and shooters. Underneath is Wendell Carter Jr., whom the Magic acquired last summer, and who is averaging a career-best in rebounding. On the wing, Jonathan Isaac provides lockdown defense and rim-running threat.

The largest difference between the title-winning Warriors and the Magic comes from the fact that the Warriors had been dabbling in the playoffs, upsetting the Denver Nuggets and pushing the San Antonio Spurs in previous years. This Magic team has made the playoffs just once in the last four years, and has otherwise only finished as close as seven games from the eighth seed.

But at some point, what’s in front of us deserves respect and recognition. And what we are seeing is a dominant, potentially historic season by the Magic. If they keep this pace and are able to navigate a suddenly crowded Eastern Conference, we may remember this Magic team for much more than just a historic start, but a championship finish.

Warriors Corner
Golden State has drifted to the top of the West on the back of improved play by Jonathan Kuminga and Athony Edwards, along with Ben Simmons near triple-double pace. Simmons leads the league with 9.4 assists to go with 9.3 rebounds and 13.4 points. For the second year in a row, his scoring has stayed below his career average, but his playmaking has opened up the floor for those around him.

Jevon Rolle, as expected, is growing into his role. No doubt he'd be more likely to shine and put up more impressive numbers elsewhere, but he's embraced his role on a title contender. The Bay Area native is averaging 12.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists in just around 20 minutes per game. He's shown a consistent ability to beat defenders off the bounce and get to the rim at will. As his jumper comes along, Rolle is showing the signs of stardom.

The West remains deep, with many analysts, myself included, who feel the path to the NBA Finals goes through Dallas or New Orleans, regardless of if they end up with the top seed. But the Warriors are making their case. They've got the best point differential in the conference and the second best offense, averaging 118 points per game. When they fell to the Spurs last year we considered their dynasty to be done. They're proving it was just on hold.


NBA Standings

NBA Standings - Updated: Jan 1, 2026
EAST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB
1 Orlando	26	3	--
2 Miami	20	11	7.0
3 New York	19	10	7.0
4 Philadelphia	19	12	8.0
5 Detroit	19	12	8.0
6 Cleveland	19	13	8.5
7 Milwaukee	17	13	9.5
8 Atlanta	15	15	11.5
Boston	15	18	1.5
Charlotte	13	17	2.0
Brooklyn	11	17	3.0
Indiana	11	20	4.5
Washington	10	23	6.5
Toronto	8	23	7.5
Chicago	8	24	8.0
WEST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB
1 Golden State	22	9	--
2 Dallas	21	11	1.5
3 Memphis	20	11	2.0
4 New Orleans	20	11	2.0
5 Utah	18	12	3.5
6 Oklahoma City	16	13	5.0
7 Los Angeles Lakers	17	16	6.0
8 Portland	16	15	6.0
San Antonio	15	14	--
Minnesota	13	16	2.0
Houston	12	17	3.0
Sacramento	12	18	3.5
Phoenix	11	21	5.5
Denver	9	21	6.5
Los Angeles Clippers	7	23	8.5

Notable Injuries
Philadelphia: Devonte Graham, high ankle sprain, 1-2 weeks
Milwaukee: Donte Divincenzo, torn left hamstring, 6-8 weeks
Boston: Spencer Dinwiddie, right knee tendonitis, 1-2 weeks
Atlanta: Thomas Bryant, left hand fracture, 1-2 weeks
Sacramento: Jayson Strong, torn left achilles, 4-6 months
Not only does this hurt the Kings now, but Strong’s reliance on his athleticism may be hampered by the injury. Strong needed this season to improve on many parts of his game, now he won’t have that opportunity.
New York: Emmanuel Mudiay, broken right hand, 2-4 weeks
Denver: Kristaps Porzingis, right hand fracture, 2-4 weeks
Nikola Jokic is expected to return from a left hand fracture that sidelined him for all but one game in December. Without Jokic they were 4-10 during the month.Porzingis left the Nuggets’ December 16 game against Boston. The team was 2-6 without him.
Detroit: Bol Bol, sprained toe, 1-2 weeks
Toronto: Fred VanVleet, twisted knee, 1-2 weeks
Phoenix: C.J. Blackwell, sprained right knee, 1-2 weeks
Minnesota: Karl-Anthony Towns, spinal injury, 2-4 months
Towns was injured on November 10 against Chicago after posting four double-doubles, including three in a row, in the team’s first five games (3-2). Despite his health, his return this season and productivity in years to come is in question, and with it the Timberwolves' playoff hopes.

[dfsJunkie]

Giannis to Dallas

Also, Isaac just seems like the perfect fit in Miami to me for some reason.

[marshdaddy]

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Rolle outshines Reed as Warriors down Pacers

Isaiah Charles
January 11, 2026

Round one goes to Rolle. Jevon Rolle poured in a career-high 30 points in 21 minutes to outduel Brighton Reed (25 points, nine rebounds, six assists) and the Warriors downed the Pacers 126-117 in primetime on Saturday night.

The first and third picks in the 2025 NBA Draft, Rolle and Reed were compared to one another as not only the best point guard, but as potentially the next best player to enter the NBA. In the first NBA meeting (the two squared off during the 2025 NBA Summer League with Reed’s Pacers winning), Rolle made the first argument in what figures to be a decade-plus-long debate.

“It wasn’t about me or him tonight, it was about us and them,” said Rolle, who went 14-for-15 from the free throw line. “We’re competitors, and obviously after all we’ve been through, going up against him will also bring this type of attention, but for me the win was what mattered. 30 points is great, but I’ll take a victory over anything.”

Rolle was the driving force for a Warrior offense that attacked the rim with reckless abandon, outshooting Indiana 45-10 from the free throw line. Ben Simmons, Anthony Edwards and Stephen Curry all added six made free throws of their own, as the Warriors shot 52% (13-for-25) from deep.

But the Pacers, led by Reed and fifth-year guard Caleb Love, kept the game close thanks to 24 made three pointers on 41 attempts (59%). Love finished the night with a game-high 33 points, including 9-for-14 shooting deep.

The win was the Warriors 15th in the last 17 games since they lost three of four to begin December, including a 32-point loss to the NBA-leading Orlando Magic on December 5, when they were without Klay Thompson for the second straight game due to a twisted ankle.

“Right now we’re trying to get into a groove and string together good performances,” said Rolle, who has scored in double figures in five of the last seven games. “We’re a deep group, and any night any one of us can go off. Tonight it was me, but tomorrow could be Steph, or Ant or Ben. This is a good win, but we’ve got bigger aspirations than a win in January.”

Up Next: the Warriors host the 23-13 Philadelphia 76ers on January 13.

Indiana Pacers (13-24) at Golden State Warriors (26-10)
Jan 11, 2026 1 2 3 4 Final Indiana 26 30 33 28 117 Golden State 36 34 26 30 126 Top Performers Indiana Pacers Caleb Love - 33 PTS, 3 REB, 3 STL, 2 BLK, 9-14 3PT Brighton Reed - 25 PTS, 9 REB, 6 AST Golden State Warriors Javon Rolle - 30 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST, 14-15 FT Ben Simmons - 24 PTS, 9 REB, 8 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK	Team Stats Comparison IND GSW FG Made-Att 48-100 41-75 3PT Made-Att 24-41 13-25 FT Made-Att 9-10 36-45 Rebounds 50 56 Assists 23 29 Turnovers 16 10 Steals 10 11 Blocks 2 7
Indiana Pacers STARTERS MIN FG 3PT FT REB AST STL BLK TO PTS Brighton Reed 30 11-18 3-4 0-0 9 6 0 0 6 25 Caleb Love 32 12-23 9-14 0-0 3 0 3 2 3 33 Jace Redding 27 4-11 2-3 2-3 2 4 3 0 3 12 Domantas Sabonis 28 0-2 0-0 0-0 6 2 0 0 0 0 Elton Dawkins 32 5-11 2-2 0-0 13 2 0 0 0 12 BENCH MIN FG 3PT FT REB AST STL BLK TO PTS Andrew Wiggins 25 4-8 2-4 0-0 2 3 2 0 2 10
Golden State Warriors STARTERS MIN FG 3PT FT REB AST STL BLK TO PTS Stephen Curry 31 6-13 4-9 6-6 3 6 3 0 2 22 Anthony Edwards 34 7-18 3-4 6-6 4 0 2 0 2 23 Jonathan Kuminga 34 5-10 2-6 4-6 3 2 2 0 2 16 Ben Simmons 36 9-12 0-0 6-9 9 8 2 2 4 24 Kofi Toupane 14 0-0 0-0 0-0 6 4 0 3 0 0 BENCH MIN FG 3PT FT REB AST STL BLK TO PTS Javon Rolle 21 8-14 0-0 14-15 3 2 0 0 0 30

[marshdaddy]

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January NBA Update and Rapid Fire

Isaiah Charles
February 1, 2026

Author’s note: Since this is, after all, a Warriors dynasty and not just an NBA writeup, I’m making it a point to do a section in each post about the Warriors. In non-game writeups, we'll tend to kick things off with a Warriors Corner, regardless of character, with a few exceptions. Thanks as always for following along. If there are any teams or players or storylines you’d like explored, let me know and we’ll include them in our posts in the voice of the respective character.

Warriors Corner
Golden State has kept pace atop the West. They continue to stay healthy and have enjoyed another improving season from Anthony Edwards and Jonathan Kuminga. Kuminga is in the conversation for Most Improved Player, posting career-highs across the board, but it’s Edwards improvement that should have fans most intrigued.

He’s bumped his scoring up to 22.0 points per game, but has also improved his shooting, nailing 51.4% from the floor and 43.3% from deep. He’s also vastly improved from the free throw line, nailing 86.1% from the charity strike.

These improvements offer the greatest glimpse into the post-Splash Brothers era. Steph Curry (19.6 points per game) and Klay Thompson (17.0 points) are still showing they're reliable pieces to contender, but the Warriors know they need others to step up and become their go-to scorers.

Last playoffs, both Edwards and Kuminga showed flashes of their ability to carry a team, now they are stringing those flashes together. I, like many others, thought the Warriors’ dynasty was done, but it’s looking more and more alive.


Five Rapid Fire Storylines
Savion White
When Savion White was taken second overall by Portland, ahead of Jevon Rolle who many had as the second best, if not the best player on the board, people were up in arms. It was a recurrance of Portland’s draft night woes, from Sam Bowie to Greg Oden. But White has been nothing like that.

White is averaging 13.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists, with 2.3 steals, good for fourth-most in the NBA, while starting every game he’s appeared in for a Portland team fighting for a playoff spot.

Time will tell if White, or any of the other rookies for that matter, rise to elite status. But midway through the season, he’s certainly not looking like a bust.

Josh Christopher
Josh Christopher was on his way to being a bust two years into his NBA career, having played in just two games. Two years ago, however, he started to turn into what looked like a rotation player. Now, enjoying a breakout campaign, he’s leapt into All Star consideration.

Christopher is averaging career-highs in scoring (22.8) rebounds (4.9) shooting (48.4%) and three point shooting (36.8%) and is looking like the second pillar of the Hornets’ future. Charlotte has regressed from last year’s playoff run, but Christopher has emerged as a favorite for Most Improved Player and potentially salvaged what was looking like a lost career.

Hawks struggles
Call it championship hangover, but the Hawks are struggling. After riding on redemption a year ago, the Hawks are 21-24 and 2.5 games back of the playoffs as we enter February. Averages are down for most every Hawks’ contributor, but none hurts worse than Kyrie scoring 20.5 per game (down from 23.3), getting 2.7 rebounds (4.1) and dishing out 6.4 assists (8.2). They also just lost Julius Walker to a hyperextended shoulder, but even his offensive production has dipped to 16.6 points from 19.5.

Atlanta believes they still have the core needed to make a run, but that core will need to step up if they are going to do it.

Pelicans historic offense
New Orleans has been an historic offense for four years. Last year, they scored 125.7 points per game, the second most in NBA history behind the 1982 Denver Nuggets (126.5) and the year before that they posted the, at the time, fifth best scoring offense with 124.3 points. The 2022-23 season they scored 121.6 points, 11th most points in NBA history but merely mortal by their standards.

This year, they’ve improved yet again, averaging an unprecedented 129.6 points per game, by far the most in NBA history, and are showing no signs of slowing down. With Mike D’Antoni calling shots and speedster De’Aaron Fox and Zion Williamson leading the show, they have a pace of 103.4 which is, laughably, second in the NBA behind the Nuggets 104.2, but they don’t have the personnel the Pelicans do. New Orleans is as athletic and fast as an NBA team that there has ever been, and they're playing like they’ll take that not only into the record books, but into a championship.

Trade Rumors - Leonard, George, Siakam, Sabonis, Wiggins
As teams struggle, the rumor mill heats up. Let’s start in L.A., where the Clippers are floundering in what was expected to be the last year of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in title contention. Both players’ production has fallen off as they are 34 and 35, respectively, but it’s their contracts that are tough to move. But I’ve heard rumors that the Grizzlies and Celtics are interested in acquiring Leonard. The Celtics may have the easier path, with Kemba Walker’s expiring $30 million contract, but they’d have to take on three years and $139 million in Leonard.

George is harder to move, not only because he’s owed $54 million next year, but because there isn’t a large market for a 35 year old wing who is looking like a shell of his former self.

Pascal Siakam is another name I’ve heard in the rumor mill, and the suitors could abound. The Hornets and Hawks have holes at the four and should have the contracts or space necessary to make a move. The Lakers have been interested in all three players already mentioned, but have so far been reluctant to part with either Buddy Hield or Kelly Oubre.

Lastly, the Pacers’ struggles have some wondering if Domantas Sabonis and Andrew Wiggins will be available. I’m not sold. Indiana is rebuilding, but do feel that they have a young core that is needed to contend. They shouldn’t be in a rush to trade their veteran leaders, as they don't have a legitimate hole in their young and improving roster.

Standings

NBA Standings - Updated: Jan 1, 2026
EAST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB
1 Orlando	39	5	--
2 Detroit	31	15	9.0
3 Miami	30	16	10.0
4 New York	28	16	11.0
5 Philadelphia	28	18	12.0
6 Cleveland	28	20	13.0
7 Boston (W6)	26	21	14.5
8 Milwaukee	24	20	16.0
Atlanta	21	24	2.5
Brooklyn	20	24	3.0
Washington	16	30	8.0
Charlotte (L10)	14	32	10.0
Indiana	14	33	10.5
Chicago	13	33	11.0
Toronto	10	35	13.5
WEST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB
1 Golden State	33	13	--
2 Memphis	31	14	1.5
3 Utah	29	16	3.5
4 New Orleans	28	16	4.0
5 Dallas (L5)	28	18	5.0
6 Oklahoma City	27	20	6.5
7 Los Angeles Lakers	25	21	8.0
8 San Antonio	23	21	9.0
Portland	22	24	2.0
Phoenix	22	25	2.5
Houston	18	27	5.5
Minnesota	18	28	6.0
Sacramento	17	28	6.5
Denver	11	34	12.5
Los Angeles Clippers	10	35	13.5

[marshdaddy]

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Sources: Celtics acquire Leonard; Hawks acquire Siakam

Anthony Nojkic
February 11, 2026

The Boston Celtics have acquired Kawhi Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Atlanta Hawks have traded for Pascal Siakam in separate deals, league sources tell The Ringer.

To bring in Leonard, the Celtics are sending Los Angeles Kemba Walker, Lorenzo Basile, Alize Johnson, a top five protected 2026 first round pick and a top 10 protected 2028 first round pick. They are also acquiring Brandon Goodwin in the deal. The Clippers had reportedly been shopping Leonard throughout the season but had yet to find a team willing to take on the remaining three years of his contract.

In Boston, Leonard will further improve an already potent wing defense, sliding in next to Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Spencer Dinwiddie. Walker, who was signed in the summer of 2019, was in the last year of his contract and had been a rumored trade piece from Boston since last summer.

The Hawks, who are looking to move up the Eastern Conference standings, will acquire Siakam in exchange for De’Andre Hunter, Shake Milton and Quincy Everett, along with a top three 2026 first round pick. Toronto had anticipated contending this season, but an injury to Clint Capela and a lack of depth after losing OG Anunoby and Norman Powell derailed those plans. The Raptors hung onto Fred VanVleet and feel that the addition of Hunter and additional draft capital should allow them to compete next season, along with a top pick in the upcoming draft.

According to league sources, there is no market for Paul George in a potential trade this season. George, 34, is owed $54 million next year and few teams have the desire or necessary contracts to make such a move. The Hornets, who have $34 million in cap space, were once considered a potential trade partner but backed out in recent weeks, looking to develop their young pieces rather than force a trade.

All Star Teams Announced
Team Giannis and Team Jayson have both been decided, following the All Star Draft last night.

NBA All-Star Game Rosters
Team Jayson		Team Giannis
Head Coach: Nate McMillan, Atlanta		Head Coach: Quin Snyder, Utah
Pos	Starters	Pos	Starters
PG	Kyrie Irving (13x All Star)	PG	Ja Morant (4x All Star)
PG	Trae Young (7x All Star)	SG	Luka Doncic (7x All Star)
SF	Jayson Tatum (Captain) (8x All Star)	PF	Zion Williamson (7x All Star)
PF	Domantas Sabonis (4x All Star)	PF	Giannis Antetokounmpo (Captain) (11x All Star)
C	Bam Adebayo (7x All Star)	C	Deandre Ayton (4x All Star)
Pos	Reserves	Pos	Reserves
SG	Donovan Mitchell (4x All Star)	SF	Jason Sanders (2x All Star)
C	Joel Embiid (9x All Star)	SG	Bradley Beal (10x All Star)
SF	Kawhi Leonard (10x All Star)	PF	Anthony Davis (13x All Star)
PG	Stephen Curry (12x All Star)	PF	Ben Simmons (8x All Star)
PF	Michael Porter Jr. (3x All Star)	SG	Jaylen Brown (3x All Star)
PG	LaMeo Ball (2x All Star)	PG	De'Aaron Fox (4x All Star)
PF	Pascal Siakam (5x All Star)	SG	Devin Booker (2x All Star)

[trekfan]

The Warriors definitely don't look dead yet -- interesting to see Atlanta shake things up after their title, they must be worried about missing the playoffs altogether at the rate their season is going.


Boston makes a big swing but is Leonard really worth it at this point in his career? I'm looking forward to an active deadline, I think a lot of teams will be making moves.

[marshdaddy]

Quote: Originally Posted by trekfan

The Warriors definitely don't look dead yet -- interesting to see Atlanta shake things up after their title, they must be worried about missing the playoffs altogether at the rate their season is going. Boston makes a big swing but is Leonard really worth it at this point in his career? I'm looking forward to an active deadline, I think a lot of teams will be making moves.

It ended up being relatively quiet. Clint Capela was hurt with a months-long injury so no market for him. Trading Wiggins or Sabonis didn't seem likely for Indiana, considering they already have their pick and their four young players. I've tried moving middle of the pack players, but found that too often they don't end up getting a ton of playing time. I'd expect to see George moved next summer/season, as long as he doesn't regress too much from his current state.