ASSOCIATION PROGRESS

[-Boss-]

Re: ASSOCIATION PROGRESS

Amare returned from his injury just in time to play Dwight and the Magic. I was down by 20 in the first half but came back slowly. Amare ended up hitting the game winning jump shot as time expired. He finished with 45pts and 12rbs.

Dwight killed me. 31pts, 16rbs. As expected, I continue to struggle with Barbosa horribly. I may need to trade him if it continues.

Currently 15-9 (3rd in Western Conference).

[phazed out]

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.

hey im the grizz playing in association and im just wondering how fast does mayo grow ratings wise.cause although im 1-5 he is lighting it up?

[phazed out]

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.

yah im the grizz and i started 0 and 5.finally won against golden state...mayo and rudy are just a dynamic 1-2 punch

[JBH3]

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.

Damn...talk about a roster fire-sale. I like Joe Johnson's game. I wouldn't of traded him.

As expected, I continue to struggle with Barbosa horribly. I may need to trade him if it continues.

Man...I've really found my stroke w/ Barbosa, and he's so quick...He can take anybody off the dribble, so I run a lot of Iso's w/ him. He's getting major minutes for me, and has been my leading scorer over the last 4 gms. I'd stick it out w/ him...He's really good once you've found his stroke, and when you utilize his quickness.

I lost a heartbreaker to Dallas a couple nights ago. It was the typical gm where we exchanged the lead in the 1st half, but in the 3rd I pulled away BIG time...Only to see Dallas come back in the 4th scoring nearly 40 points to win the gm by 4. So again I got shafted from unlocking one of the two Suns rivalry achievements.

I've got to temper my play w/ Phoenix...Offensively this team is amazing to play w/, but on defense its a major headache.

After that loss I was a little dejected w/ playing in my Suns association, so I went ahead and started my annual Sixers association. I played Toronto well, but lost by 2. I had the opportunity to tie or win it w/ 2.4 seconds left. I inbounded to Iggy, but missed a fadeaway jumper about 15 ft out.

I should've went to Thaddeus Young on that play since he had the hot hand pretty much all gm. I finished w/ 35 for him. I had 3 players in double figures...Brand (24), Iggy (27), and Young (35). My next top scorer was Sammy D w/ 9. I played good D in the 2nd and 3rd qtrs, but lost a 10 pt lead in the 4th. The Raptors were then up by 1 w/ about 5 minutes left to play. The next 4 and a half minutes played out unlike any game I've played to date (w/ the Suns or otherwise).

Both teams played solid D, stifling the middle, and we both played about 4 minutes w/ neither team scoring...it was a battle up and down the court in the 4th. Anthony Parker ended up hitting a 3 w/ me playing off the ball on Bosh, and that gave Toronto a 4 pt lead. I got it down court and scored w/ about 50 seconds left. Got the ball back...missed w/ Brand, and had to foul Jermaine Oneal w/ a few seconds left. He missed both free throws, I got the ball back, called timeout, and like I said earlier...inbounded to Iggy who missed the game tying shot.

[sports774]

Re: ASSOCIATION PROGRESS

I am using Boston on superstar mode with 8 min qt. I adjust slider to make realistic same as user so I don't cheese. here my lineup some trade.

PG Ray Allen
SG Rudy Gay
SF P.Pearce
PF powe
C K.Garnet

bench
H.warrick
Criition PG
J.Cha(I created player of me) SG/PG 80 overall
T.Allen
P.O bryant C
J.gibbon SG


I just beat raptor 2 times first one by 30 points and secound one they adjust but I still beat them by 6. Rudy is nice. currtly I am 26-14

[eyes of hazel]

Re: ASSOCIATION PROGRESS

I'm now 5-8 with the Grizz.

Lost @ Orlando, as Mr. Howard Had 28/22/5 on me. Couldn't stop him, and he found Turk for 3 crushing 3 points in the 4th quarter (as I doubled him) to seal the deal. Rudy Gay got cold in the 4th, and like the idiot I am, I kept letting him shoot, and I caused the L.

I beat the Knicks and got my revenge @ home though, 117-97. No mercy for how the console did me dirty in NYC -- I left my starters in the entire 4th quarter. Marc Gasol returned and man, what a difference he makes.

I'm starting to learn how to use Conley better scoring wise, but he's a general on this team and that's his role.

Arthur is better than I gave him credit for (although he missed close shots here and there).

Mayo hit this spin move then reverse layup for a 3-point play, man, he's going to be a beast sooner than later. I don't force things with him (he's avg. 16ppg, 4 rpg, 4apg, 2 spg) but he is smooth and as steady as they come.

Next games are @ Miami, then I got Cleveland and Detroit I think. I so focused to reach .500 with this team!

It's a 21-year old 7 footer from Ohio State projected in the top 5 of the draft (ath is a B+). I'm keeping my eye on him. The rest are 6'6" - 6'7" shooting guards/small forwards that I really don't need.

[FUBLU]

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!!!

Now see, I love reading stuf like this. Reminds me of how me and my brother use to kick it and bond.....Now all he plays is NCAA Football with Texas Tech and I play 2K. Oh well.
Good story! Can't wait to start my Association with HOUSTON!

[hammittheels]

Re: ASSOCIATION PROGRESS

I am currently 4-5 with the Hawks. When Joe Johnson gets cold shooting it kills my offense. I had a big win at Boston followed by back to back crushing defeats against NJ. I play with the real rosters, as I hate playing in fantasy world and making trades. Mo Evans is a beast off the bench for me.

I am looking to start another season up so that I dont get tired of playing with the Hawks but this time I have to find a team with a few shooters on it.

[t216]

Re: ASSOCIATION PROGRESS

Just started my first association, and I need help viewing the league

stats, team and league leader stats. 2k makes the fk'up interface

so hard to navigate. I'd appreciate anyone's help.

[SladeRider]

Re: ASSOCIATION PROGRESS

Started an Orlando Magic association to see what I could do with them. The first thing I did was put Rashard Lewis on the trading block, there was noway I could think of that would enable me to build around Dwight with Shard's huge contract on the books.

And not to my surprise, no offers were made, I put Hedo on the block aswell but I never got anything suitable. I know the Bobcats offered Wallace and a 2nd round pick but I didn't think it was worth it.

I also decided to put my 1st round pick on the block to see if I could trade it to a team that might fall into the lottery, the only teams that showed interest in swapping picks were the Suns, Spurs, Mavs and Rockets. Eventually, the Knicks decided to show an interest so I swapped with them, in real life, this would of been a great trade for Orlando, in the game, not so great because the Knicks normally make the playoffs in the games I've had but luckly, I traded the pick away.

During the season, the Clippers offered me Paul Davis and a 2nd round pick for Adonal Foyle. Foyle wasn't in the rotation and was behind Tony Battie in backing up Dwight so I made that trade.

The trade deadline came about and this was when I decided to move the Knicks pick. I was able to trade the Knicks 1st round pick, the Clippers 2nd round pick, my pick from next years draft and J.J. Redick to the Grizzlies for their first round pick, their first round pick in next years draft and a 2nd round pick, the Grizzlies were doomed so a lottery pick was assured.

I ended the season with a 50-32 record, matching the record from last season and was able to wrap up the division and the 3rd seed. Ended up playing the 76ers in the first round, gotten taken to 7 games but came through it thanks to a huge game from Turk in game 7. Next up was Detroit, I was thinking this would be a close battle that Detroit would win. Ended up with Orlando winning in 5 and advancing to the conference finals.

Made the conference finals and squared off against the Celtic's. Now, I thought we stood a chance but didn't expect to advance to the finals. This changed when Orlando went up 3-1 and one game away from the finals.

But lady luck ended there, Orlando lost 3 striaght and the Celtics advanced 4-3. They won the finals against the Lakers 4-3 aswell.

Devastating to get so far and so near in the first season but atleast I had the lottery and draft to look forward to.

Resigned Jameer Nelson, Turk picked up his player option and was down to give it another year.

Luck shined on Orlando in the lottery, we didn't get the first pick but ended up with the 2nd pick and selected a shooting guard called Cam Patton. Made him the starting shooting guard ahead of Keith Bogans and Courtney Lee. Kept Pietrus as my sixth man and still had Hedo and Shard in my starting lineup.

During the 2nd season, the regular season was hard. We got off to a bad start and were barely keeping our record above .500 while both the Miami Heat and Alanta Hawks started the season 8-0. And we lost what seemed like every game against Miami, we may of won one here and there but they had the best of us.

Somehow, Orlando got their record to 48-34 and this was good enough to win the division by a game or two. Also enabled us to get the 2nd seed in the playoffs aswell.

Cam Batton also won Rookie of the Year aswell as Dwight Howard winning defensive player of the year and getting on the All NBA First Team and All Defensive First Team.

We got the Bulls in the first round, went 2-0 up, got pegged back 2-2 but finished them off to win 4-2. Faced the 76ers in the next round, easy win to advance 4-1. The other conference semi was between Detroit and Miami, I was praying for a Detroit win because I didn't fancy our chances against Miami. Detroit won 4-3 eventually.

Detroit then took a 3-1 lead over Orlando and we eventually fought back and won the series and advanced 4-3, I thought we had lost at the conference finals again.

Faced the New Orleans Hornets in the finals, went 2-0 up and yet again, they pulled back and tied it up at 2-2. Thought they had all the momentum and were going to finish us off in 6 or something, Orlando won game 5 and took it home and won game 6 to beat the Hornets 4-2. I thought the Hornets would of won it because David West should of killed Rashard Lewis at power forward.

Dwight Howard was named finals MVP averaging 13 points and 12 rebound, nothing special but he won it with those stats.

Resigned Stan Van Gundy in the offseason, resigned Hedo aswell. He signed with the role being set as the sixth man role so I thought I would make a change and because I had the Grizzlies pick in this draft, I would use it to draft a power forward to finally move Shard to small forward and have Hedo off the bench.

Because of all this, I decided to trade Mikael Pietrus and Courtney Lee to the Rockets for their first round pick and their second round pick (the Rockets had a bad season and had one of the worst records in the league), they wanted Tony Battie in the deal. I accepted it and it left me with Paul Davis as the only backup to Dwight.

Now that I had two first round picks, the lottery was kind to me again and I landed the first pick and the fifth pick, with the first pick, I choose a power forward named Jeremy Washington and with the fifth pick, I selected a point guard named Dillin Rollins to backup Jameer or takeover from him at some point.

Had to get some vet backups so signed Mark Blout to the vets min. and used the MLE on Cuttino Mobley to backup my shooting guard.

Now reached the preseason of my 3rd season and see where it goes and how my rookies develop. Sorry for the detailed story but I found it interesting when I was playing the game that I thought I would share.

[Ferrari997]

Re: ASSOCIATION PROGRESS

Started an Orlando Magic association to see what I could do with them. The first thing I did was put Rashard Lewis on the trading block, there was noway I could think of that would enable me to build around Dwight with Shard's huge contract on the books.

And not to my surprise, no offers were made, I put Hedo on the block aswell but I never got anything suitable. I know the Bobcats offered Wallace and a 2nd round pick but I didn't think it was worth it.

I also decided to put my 1st round pick on the block to see if I could trade it to a team that might fall into the lottery, the only teams that showed interest in swapping picks were the Suns, Spurs, Mavs and Rockets. Eventually, the Knicks decided to show an interest so I swapped with them, in real life, this would of been a great trade for Orlando, in the game, not so great because the Knicks normally make the playoffs in the games I've had but luckly, I traded the pick away.

During the season, the Clippers offered me Paul Davis and a 2nd round pick for Adonal Foyle. Foyle wasn't in the rotation and was behind Tony Battie in backing up Dwight so I made that trade.

The trade deadline came about and this was when I decided to move the Knicks pick. I was able to trade the Knicks 1st round pick, the Clippers 2nd round pick, my pick from next years draft and J.J. Redick to the Grizzlies for their first round pick, their first round pick in next years draft and a 2nd round pick, the Grizzlies were doomed so a lottery pick was assured.

I ended the season with a 50-32 record, matching the record from last season and was able to wrap up the division and the 3rd seed. Ended up playing the 76ers in the first round, gotten taken to 7 games but came through it thanks to a huge game from Turk in game 7. Next up was Detroit, I was thinking this would be a close battle that Detroit would win. Ended up with Orlando winning in 5 and advancing to the conference finals.

Made the conference finals and squared off against the Celtic's. Now, I thought we stood a chance but didn't expect to advance to the finals. This changed when Orlando went up 3-1 and one game away from the finals.

But lady luck ended there, Orlando lost 3 striaght and the Celtics advanced 4-3. They won the finals against the Lakers 4-3 aswell.

Devastating to get so far and so near in the first season but atleast I had the lottery and draft to look forward to.

Resigned Jameer Nelson, Turk picked up his player option and was down to give it another year.

Luck shined on Orlando in the lottery, we didn't get the first pick but ended up with the 2nd pick and selected a shooting guard called Cam Patton. Made him the starting shooting guard ahead of Keith Bogans and Courtney Lee. Kept Pietrus as my sixth man and still had Hedo and Shard in my starting lineup.

During the 2nd season, the regular season was hard. We got off to a bad start and were barely keeping our record above .500 while both the Miami Heat and Alanta Hawks started the season 8-0. And we lost what seemed like every game against Miami, we may of won one here and there but they had the best of us.

Somehow, Orlando got their record to 48-34 and this was good enough to win the division by a game or two. Also enabled us to get the 2nd seed in the playoffs aswell.

Cam Batton also won Rookie of the Year aswell as Dwight Howard winning defensive player of the year and getting on the All NBA First Team and All Defensive First Team.

We got the Bulls in the first round, went 2-0 up, got pegged back 2-2 but finished them off to win 4-2. Faced the 76ers in the next round, easy win to advance 4-1. The other conference semi was between Detroit and Miami, I was praying for a Detroit win because I didn't fancy our chances against Miami. Detroit won 4-3 eventually.

Detroit then took a 3-1 lead over Orlando and we eventually fought back and won the series and advanced 4-3, I thought we had lost at the conference finals again.

Faced the New Orleans Hornets in the finals, went 2-0 up and yet again, they pulled back and tied it up at 2-2. Thought they had all the momentum and were going to finish us off in 6 or something, Orlando won game 5 and took it home and won game 6 to beat the Hornets 4-2. I thought the Hornets would of won it because David West should of killed Rashard Lewis at power forward.

Dwight Howard was named finals MVP averaging 13 points and 12 rebound, nothing special but he won it with those stats.

Resigned Stan Van Gundy in the offseason, resigned Hedo aswell. He signed with the role being set as the sixth man role so I thought I would make a change and because I had the Grizzlies pick in this draft, I would use it to draft a power forward to finally move Shard to small forward and have Hedo off the bench.

Because of all this, I decided to trade Mikael Pietrus and Courtney Lee to the Rockets for their first round pick and their second round pick (the Rockets had a bad season and had one of the worst records in the league), they wanted Tony Battie in the deal. I accepted it and it left me with Paul Davis as the only backup to Dwight.

Now that I had two first round picks, the lottery was kind to me again and I landed the first pick and the fifth pick, with the first pick, I choose a power forward named Jeremy Washington and with the fifth pick, I selected a point guard named Dillin Rollins to backup Jameer or takeover from him at some point.

Had to get some vet backups so signed Mark Blout to the vets min. and used the MLE on Cuttino Mobley to backup my shooting guard.

Now reached the preseason of my 3rd season and see where it goes and how my rookies develop. Sorry for the detailed story but I found it interesting when I was playing the game that I thought I would share.

Interesting stuff keep it going! What difficulty level are you playing on? And also any sliders or default?

[SladeRider]

Re: ASSOCIATION PROGRESS

I'm not playing any games, I'm simming my way through the season. Feels unfair if I play any of the regular season games but do play some of the preseason games.

If I played, I think I would win too many games and it would be like doing the development drills that improve your player stats when I only really want to improve stats by success/potential/training camps.

[kingsalex]

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.

you call picking up an old guy in antoine, a struggling -just got back from an injury for a while- darius miles rebuilding? the thunder trade is nice, but the hawks need no rebuilding...

[spydaman4]

Re: ASSOCIATION PROGRESS

i just got through beating the jazz to go to 8-5 with the grizzles. i cant be happy about the win cause late in the 4th quarter, i lost conley for the season with a torn achilles. major bummer...f-u deron williams. but anyways i dont know whether to start mayo as pg or move lowry to the starting position and change crittenton role as prospect to role player..

well during the season i put marco jaric on the trading block. so after the jazz game i checked my offers and i seen ronnie brewer so of course i was willing to accept it. went to the main trading screen and seen they wanted to add c.j. miles. when i was about to accept it, they countered there own offer and wanted me to add greg buckner, so i accepted it. i felt marco jaric wasnt giving me the spark i needed from my bench. so i feel that brewer can do a much better job being my 6th man.

my rotation looks something like this now...

pg - lowry/crittenton
sg - mayo/brewer/miles
sf - gay/ross
pf - warrick/arthur/walker
c - gasol/milicic

ir - conley (11.8 ppg, 3.5 rbg, 8.8 apg, 1.3 spg)

[hova-]

Re: ASSOCIATION PROGRESS

Tough loss in Conley. I find it challenging to loose a player to injury though. Especially those season ending injuries which happen every now and then in real life. (like Brands achilles tendon injury)

The trade is lovely, Jaric is overpaid and cannot give you much except shooting (in which he isnt the best either). Brewer brings athleticism to the table as well as some D.

Keep it going.