ASSOCIATION PROGRESS

[eyes of hazel]

Re: ASSOCIATION PROGRESS

Hello fellas,

I'm back from my 5 days absence with an update (last posted on page 4 I think).

I'm using the Grizzlies in my 56 game association, and now I'm 4-7 after starting off 1-6.

After a 3 game win streak (@ Warriors, @ Wolves, and home against the Kings) the computer did "what it does best" and I lost to the Knicks in NY by 1 (I was up by 25 in the middle of the 3rd, and the computer shot 90% from the field from that point on). The rookie Gallinari scrotched me for like 29 points, as I "sagged off" him the entire game defensively.

After that lost -- although I feel that the "computer cheated", we've all used that term with video games, lol -- I've been playing more focused, like every possession counts, and I beat Philly (who traded Lou Williams for POSEY, so they are unstoppable now) 99-98 at home.

My next two games are @ Orlando, then at home against NY. I'm so hyped for my NY rematch you would think this is real life! (especially since Marbury is on my roster).

If I can win these next two games, I'll be at 6-7 after starting my season 1-6. My learning curve for using this undertalented team, in this game, on this level will be significant.

Wish me luck.

-------------------------
Key stats:

- Team is 1-6 when Rudy Gay scores 28 or more. 3-1 when between 18- 27.

- Kenyon Martin is looking like the "K-Mart" from the Jersey days with me. He's averaging 20.0 ppg at the center position.

- Mayo has been clever and a nice surprise (game reminds me of Wade's) but his 3-point shot is so inconsistent (like real life), so I try not to force it.

- Conley has only scored in double figures 3 times this season. I may need to change the way I play offense to get him better looks.

- Marc Gasol got hurt on an intentional foul @ Warriors, and won't be back until my 13th game of the season. So, I signed Scott Pollard to a 1 year deal.

- Warrick has played better since starting the last 4 games (in replace of David Lee), although his moral is still low and he is still saying he's leaving after this season.

- Arthur is now complaining about playing time. So, I traded David Lee and two 2nd round picks to ATL for Flip Murray, Soloman Jones and a 1st rounder.

- I then swapped 1st round picks with Chicago, and added Flip Murray, Marty Collins, and a 2nd round pick to that deal.

- Crittenton, Ross, and Penny Hardaway have been solid off the bench, when I can get them time. Marbury is starting to get cranky (big surprise right), but his rating alone give my team a boost.

[JBH3]

Re: ASSOCIATION PROGRESS

I used default. I run a 10 man rotation.

Nash
Bell
Barnes
Amare
Shaq

Barbosa
Diaw
Hill
Dragic
Lopez

I signed Robert Horry, but will release him once Amare returns, which should be soon. I just lost Barbosa for a 1-2 weeks. Sucks, but I was never really good with him anyways.

So since you signed Robert Horry you should still have two roster slots open. Pick up a big man, bench Shaq to get his stamina back up, and start Lopez...problem solved.

How is Horry getting along w/ Nash and Amare?

[dragon4ever]

Re: ASSOCIATION PROGRESS

How many games are all of you playing in your association? I have mine set to 29 games. I thought about playing 82 at first, but then realizied that it would take me forever to complete a season. I want play multiple seasons and there is no way that I can at 82 games. Basketball is a game of averages, so a shorter season shouldn't affect me in that regard. Whereas football and basketball are games based on numbers.

[JBH3]

Re: ASSOCIATION PROGRESS

How many games are all of you playing in your association? I have mine set to 29 games. I thought about playing 82 at first, but then realizied that it would take me forever to complete a season. I want play multiple seasons and there is no way that I can at 82 games. Basketball is a game of averages, so a shorter season shouldn't affect me in that regard. Whereas football and basketball are games based on numbers.

I can't do anything less than a regulation gm and a regulation season. Just can't. I still get thru multiple seasons because I sim, and I like to sim too...It offers a different challenge. Say you SIM a whole month and lose A LOT of games. Well now you have even more incentive to play, and try and put your team back into contention.

Do an 82 gm season, SIM the 1st month, and then see where you're at. Maybe the simming dug a hole for you, which now gives you a nice challenge to try and overcome.

[Nodima]

Re: ASSOCIATION PROGRESS

Right now I'm running a Sim association, until I can figure this game out. My first season Grizzlies finished 26 - 56, good enough for worst in the league and the #1 pick, which I spent on Boyd Webber, a 76 overall Center with a B- in Rebounds and B in potential, but he has Ds and Cs in everything else so he's going to take some work.

Currently at the top of my 2nd season, my Grizzlies are ranked 12th in the Power Rankings.

PG: Mike Conley (80); Kyle Lowry (73)
SG: Rudy Gay (87); O.J. Mayo (86); Greg Buckner (72)
SF: Bruce Bowen (77); Rudy Gay (87)
PF: Kenyon Martin (74); Darrell Arthur (74)
C: Carlos Boozer (90); Webber (76); DeAndre Jordan (65)

Picking up Boozer in the off-season was a real struggle, I had his interest with a player option for about 20 days and then a team, I forget who, swooped in with a MASSIVE $100millon contract (I could only offer about 80) that he valued over my player option, so I did the only thing a Grizzlies owner would never do - I gave him a No Trade Clause. I might feel stupid about that in 3 or 4 years, but he IS still relatively young and in his prime. If I can keep him, Rudy and Mayo together...

Hopefully we do excellent this season with a defense oriented team that can kill you on the perimeter and pound you with athleticism on the inside; Bowen's on a one year deal but K-Mart has a player option, and I really don't want to be way over the salary cap next year after re-signing Rudy. Thank God they added Bird Rights this year so I can over pay my man.

O.J. Mayo was the Rookie of the Year and is poised for a breakout year. I'm pretty proud of him, when I moved him from starting SG to Sixth Man after I took up the Spurs on their offer of Bruce Bowen for Marc Gasol his morale didn't adjust one bit despite being the second best player on the team and arguably already the guy we turn to in the clutch.

[dragon4ever]

Re: ASSOCIATION PROGRESS

I can't do anything less than a regulation gm and a regulation season. Just can't. I still get thru multiple seasons because I sim, and I like to sim too...It offers a different challenge. Say you SIM a whole month and lose A LOT of games. Well now you have even more incentive to play, and try and put your team back into contention.

Do an 82 gm season, SIM the 1st month, and then see where you're at. Maybe the simming dug a hole for you, which now gives you a nice challenge to try and overcome.

This is a problem that I have with all sports games. I feel that by simming my games, the franchise that I'm playing feels tainted. I would like for the stats to be mine, not some random CPU generated stats. Besides, it makes the game feel more authentic and in that sense it makes it your own.

But I'm glad that you are able to find a happy medium. The more power to you.

[Nodima]

Re: ASSOCIATION PROGRESS

I look at a Sim game as a test of my team; even in a short season like football sometimes I will sim a week or two just to see if my team can perform as well without me.

[JBH3]

Re: ASSOCIATION PROGRESS

This is a problem that I have with all sports games. I feel that by simming my games, the franchise that I'm playing feels tainted. I would like for the stats to be mine, not some random CPU generated stats. Besides, it makes the game feel more authentic and in that sense it makes it your own.

But I'm glad that you are able to find a happy medium. The more power to you.

If you want to play 82 gms, you've got to sim some, and you've got to sim to get thru multiple seasons; which is my main goal and the best way (IMO) to enjoy association mode.

The stats will even themselves out the more gms you actually play, but sim a month or two to get a jump start and you'll be able to enjoy more of the game; and the joy of building a dynasty.

If I've got a good team that can win most gms w/o me playing then I'll sim. I NEVER sim playoff gms, and if I'm simming in the reg season to the point that I start losing and get a sub .500 record then I'll play as many gms as I can to get back to .500 and in contention for a playoff spot.

My main goal is to make the playoffs, but situations where my team might be way too far out, or that goal is unattainable...I'll just pack it in, sim to the end of the season, and get ready for the next off-season and try and get back into contention. If my team is going thru a re-build however, I might take a slightly different approach.

I look at a Sim game as a test of my team; even in a short season like football sometimes I will sim a week or two just to see if my team can perform as well without me.

I completely agree...I use it as a test too. If I sim an entire month and end up losing then that means that I've got some problems, and some holes in my team. I'll look at the boxscores, and assess what might be the problem and if there is a solution (realisticly) then I will make a move. If its that my team just sucks, then simming gms and having them lose gives me a great challenge to play good and win w/ a lesser team.

[BCJMU99]

Re: ASSOCIATION PROGRESS

I'm currently 11-7 with the Sixers and getting ready to play the Lakers. Iggy started out averaging 25, 6, and 5 but has been in kind of a slump the last few games. I'm just a half game of the Celtics in the division as they stand at 12-7 (started out 1-5!)

Season Averages
Starters:
Andre Miller 11 pts 7 ast (thinking about trading away but in last year of his contract)
Andre Iguodala 21 pts 5 reb 5 ast
Thaddeus Young 9 pts 5 reb
Elton Brand 18 pts 7 reb 3 ast
Sam Dalembert 7 pts 9 reb

Bench:
Lou Williams 11 pts 5 ast
Willie Green 8 pts
Mareese Speights 6 pts 6 reb

I'm loving this game!

[hova-]

Re: ASSOCIATION PROGRESS

Started a 58 games association with the Twolves today. I thought the team is quite gifted and furthermore has some expiring contracts to change some things in offseason if needed.
So far my rotation looks like this:

C Al Jefferson/Jason Collins
PF Kevin Love/Craig Smith/Brian Cardinal
SF Ryan Gomes/Rodney Carney/Corey Brewer
SG Mike Miller/Rashad McCants
PG Randy Foye/Sebastian Telfair
IR: Mark Madsen, Calvin Booth

I decided to play McCants as a sixth man since he can really give me a lil bit of everything with his versatility.

Played my first game against the Knicks at home and had a tough loss, 97-93. I pretty much dominated in the first half with Foye slashing through the lane quite often and Gomes and Jefferson doing some damage inside. Miller often had a mismatch against lil Nate so I drained some shots over him and led by as many as 8 points. After that Crawford got really hot and the Knicks managed to turn the tables due to their nice running game. I fouled them too often because I was to slow in transition D. They went to the line 30 times. Crawford was 11/12 from FT and had 29 points.

On my team I was really satisfied with Mike Miller who led all Wolves with 23 points. Foye added 20 and 6 assists and Jefferson had 16/10. Kevin Love did not really convince in his debut by only scoring 6 points but grabbing 10 rebounds.

[Area 51]

Re: ASSOCIATION PROGRESS

Im 4-3 ( 82 games ) @ the moment iv been on a streak last few games..

Im looking to move Bobby Simmons but i really have no idea who for, anyone got any ideas?

Sean Williams is baallllin out.. averaging 14.8 and 12 boards a game.. 35 rebounds in the last 2 games..

Josh Boone has been playin awful so i benched him ( his morale took a dive ) & i started Brook Lopez who has been really contributing.

[the_future420]

Re: ASSOCIATION PROGRESS

Haven't started my association yet, but does anybody plan to league pass it this year? I'm gonna play with my Bulls and I'll probably play about 50-60% of my games, but I will probably play the best matchup of the week that doesn't involve my team. I think it will be a good way to see how other teams are coming along. I'll never control any teams in my division or teams that are battling me for a playoff spot however.

[lkasprzak]

Re: ASSOCIATION PROGRESS

I`m currently 2-2 in my Jazz chise. I lost first two games with Lakers and Nuggets on All-Star, then i changed my sliders to theenemy`s and using his defensive tips and I easilly won. I increased a lvl to Superstar. Next game vs Rocket - will see how it gonna be

PG: D. Williams\R. Price
SG: R. Brewer\M. Almond\CJ Miles
SF: Kirilenko\Korver\Harpring - on trading block - looking for good second SG, cause Almond and Miles struggling :/
PF: Boozer\ Millsap - maybe trade him, it`s hard to do something with him in the paint
C: Okur\Koufos
Bench:
Knight - on trading block
Collins - he will never play unless injuries
Fesenko - same as Collins

I have a chance to get Conley from Grizzles, but Pistons were first :/

[BlaqJaq]

Re: ASSOCIATION PROGRESS

I'm running a rebuilding 'Chise with the Hawks. Traded Joe J. and Law to the Thunder for Westbrook, DJ White and Kyle Weaver and Desmond Mason. Also traded for Darius Miles and Antoine Walker, hoping to revive their careers as role players (Miles is actually playing very, very well and I might try to resign him as a back-up swing forward). Unloaded much of the bench to FA. Signed Penny, Mutombo (who is STILL a best on D) and some backup-type players. J-Smoove and Horford are the go-to players on my defensive-oriented team and with almost 16 million in cap room and, I'm hoping to make a run at a quality SF in FA (Hopefully LB23) or another franchise-type player.

Still on the hunt for another shooter as this team struggles mightily from deep.

[4everYoung]

Re: ASSOCIATION PROGRESS

So I just moved back to Cali from AZ and am staying with my little brother for a few months until I get my own place. We went and got the game the night it came out, messed around with it for like a day or two and tehn decided to start an Association with me as my Lakers and he took the Rockets, even though he is a diehard Kings fan.

Long story short we made it to about the first week of January and I was 22-11 and he was 19-13. We have gotten better over the last week and two days for sure as it is pretty much all we have been doing after work and hitting the gym. We were sitting there last night and I had just started a Jan game against Portland when he says; "I kinda wish I would have taken the Kings instead" (I think it had something to do with the preseason games he has been watching) to which I said; "We can start this over man, it's no problem for me" and then we did.

I had gotten Bizcanos sliders yesterday and we were using them on All-Star and began anew last night. My first game was against Portland at Staples, dont have the stats but it was a close game at the end. They hit two big three's to pull to within one point with 4 secs left. I inbounded the ball and they fouled Fish... he hit both to go ahead by three with just under 3 secs left. They missed and I won 98-95.

His game was not as good... since he was using Houston all along he now has to learn to play with SacTown since he has no Yao or T-Mac he is having to learn to play primarily outside now which is hard to do at first.

As an aside, I love the way this game plays, you actually have to play to your teams strengths or you will get blown out!

He ended up losing his first game at Minnesota by about 13 points, Foye lit his a$$ up and then some. Needless to say we both love this game and I cannot wait to get deeper into this new season!!!