The Association (2K10)

[Buckeye]

Re: The Association (2K10)

I'm so rooting for the Nets. Only because I think they have the best chance to beat the Lakers

This.

[DeathCrossMS]

Re: The Association (2K10)

im going for Knicks they seem like solid contenders

[blakjak12]

Re: The Association (2K10)

I hate the Lakers haha. Interesting matchup with NY and NJ, however.

[MrChainsaw]

Re: The Association (2K10)

Can't believe the first two Knicks/Nets game were even that close since New York seems to be overmatched in just about every aspect.

[Buckeye]

Re: The Association (2K10)

True

[RayAllen20]

Re: The Association (2K10)

Draft

Top 10 Board

Note: NBA Comparisons do not necessarily pertain to the skill level of the player but more of the play style.

1. SF Harrison Barnes, 6-8, 209, UNC

Barnes is the consensus #1 pick in this year's draft, unless a team has an obvious need at a different position. Barnes is an extremely athletic small forward who is strong, plays solid defense, and even has a good mid-range game. He oozes with potential, and his only troubles may be that he is not completely ready for the NBA, as say John Wall was, and his ball handling needs a little work. Still who ever wins the lottery, should pick Barnes as their future franchise player.

NBA Comparison: Luol Deng


2. PF Enes Kanter, 6-10, 245, Kentucky

Kanter has a strong and built for the NBA, as he is already 6'10 but could become taller. He is a great rebounder, and won MVP at the 2009 U18 European Championships. Not even a player such as Ricky Rubio dominated as he did. Kanter also has a nice mid-range game to go with his size, and has some of the best potential in this draft.

NBA Comparison: Luis Scola

3. SF Perry Jones, 6-11, 230, Baylor

Jones has an amazing wingspan, and some athleticism that will certainly allow him to make some highlights. He has all the potential in the world due to his athleticism, but he is not quite so NBA ready. His defense struggles, as so does his passing and shooting at times. Luckily for 6'11 he is a pretty good ball handler which will throw some teams off. Jones sounds like a stud, but if there is anyone with the possibility of being a bust in the top 5, it's Jones.

NBA Comparison: Anthony Randolph

4. PG Kyrie Irving, 6-2, 172, Duke

Irving barely passes Brandon Knight as the top point guard in this year's class meaning that he will be projected to go very high. Irving is one of the best scorers in this draft, as he is quick, and a great ball handler that can finish at the rim. He has amazing court vision, especially off the pick and roll, but he does have problems with control. He is too aggressive at times, and may jack up shots, or try a dumb pass that will turn into a turnover. Still, Irving's upside far outweighs his downside.

NBA Comparison: Chris Paul

5. PG Brandon Knight, 6-3, 185, Kentucky

Knight is one of the best scoring guards in the draft, but not necessarily a true point guard. He looks for his shot more than anything, but is a streaky shooter. Luckily he is very quick, and finishes well at the rim. Knight is a decent passer, but unfortunately doesn't use that weapon too much. He is fairly athletic also, and is another player with high potential. His competitiveness cannot be undervalued as he sacrifices his body a lot while getting to the rim.

NBA Comparison: Dwyane Wade

6. SG Alec Burks, 6-6, 185, Colorado

Burks can definitely jump out of a gym but needs help with his fundamentals and could be a project. His jumper is inconsistent and his passing need help, but he is a solid ball handler which he uses to get himself open. He is weak and gets pushed around a lot, which will need to change for the NBA. He is not necessarily NBA ready but still a good bet if a team is looking for a future star.

NBA Comparison: Demar Derozan

7. C Hassan Whiteside, 7-0, 235, Marshall

Whiteside has great size and a lot of athleticism to go with it, however this pick is purely based off of potential. He is a good defender but on offense he is a work in progress. His post skills lack and he gets pushed around down low. However, size is big in the NBA, and while he not completely ready for the NBA, he could be a special player in a couple years.

NBA Comparison: Marcus Camby

8. SG William Buford, 6-5, 190, Ohio State

Buford is an athletic guard who also uses his fantastic jumper to spread the floor. His ball handling lacks however, which holds him back from being an elite 2 guard. Another problem for Buford is that he is weak, and stronger guards will push him around on offense. Still, Buford has some skills that are already solid for the NBA which makes him a valuable pick.

NBA Comparison: Eric Gordon

9. PF Ekpe Udoh, 6-10, 235, Baylor

Another athletic Baylor player is in the top 10. He has the best wingspan in the draft, and is nicknamed 'The Nightmare' for his amazing shot blocking. He is already NBA ready with his defense, but his offense needs work. He is weak, and some forwards will overpower him inside. One thing on offense that Udoh does have on offense is a nice jumper. He even hit a decent amount of 3's in a Baylor uniform. Also, Udoh struggles in the post on offense, but his defense can be game changing.

NBA Comparison: Tyson Chandler

10. SF Gordon Hayward, 6-8, 210, Butler

Hayward is a tough match-up at the small forward position due to his size and outstanding jump shot. Plus his ball handling skills can easily get by bad defensive forwards. However, he isn't too athletic and his defense is below-average. He is one of those players that when he is on the floor, that an NBA team will design a play for whoever he is guarding. Teams still look past the defense, and see his offensive skills which are good for a 6-8 forward.

NBA Comparison: Mike Dunleavy Jr.

[blakjak12]

Re: The Association (2K10)

Cool coverage of the draft prospects

[RayAllen20]

Re: The Association (2K10)

@

Series Preview

All the way back in the month of November the Nets crushed the Lakers by 39 points at Staples Center, and forced the Laker crowd to boo. The Lakers haven't forgotten and now is their time for revenge; at the greatest stage of them all, The NBA Finals.

The Lakers know they can win this as they were 1-1 in the season series against the Nets (although the Nets were resting players near the end of the season), and the Nets have shown vulnerability against many teams such as the Pacers. However, the Lakers run into a horrible match-up problem, as does every team against the Nets, which is why they are so unstoppable.

When asked what he would do to defend this Net team, Phil Jackson chuckled and said, "Sorry to Pau, but he's gotta guard Douglas-Roberts. I see no other way of defending this team. Ron's gonna have to guard LeBron, and Kobe will be put on Wade. So we will just need to be all aware when Roberts touches the ball, to be ready for help. Then again, it's not like we're too scared of him, I mean what has he ever done in his career?"

As typical Jackson, he decided to spur a little bit of controversy before the tip-off of this 7 game series. Chris Douglas-Roberts had no comment other than that he will just play, and let his game speak for itself. Now Gasol, isn't the only match-up problem for the Lakers. Steve Blake will have to guard Devin Harris, who exploited Steve Nash last series with a tremendous bunch of games. Then, you have to mention that Kobe and Artest have their hands full with the best duo in the game; LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

The Lakers will try and create match-up problems on offense as Pau Gasol will be guarded by LeBron James. James is strong and tall, so Gasol won't have too much of an advantage, even with his stellar post-game. The Lakers also plan to utilize Lamar Odom as much as possible, as he is a player who can defend a quick guard or even a big man.

At the center position, a marquee battle will ensue. Brook Lopez and Andrew Bynum are two good young centers, and are both quietly doing their work for their respective teams. Jackson also chatted on this subject, as he thought, "this is the key to the series. Lopez and Andrew. Who ever wins will give a huge advantage to their team."

For the fans, most believe this series will show who the best player alive is. LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Dwyane Wade are widely considered the best in the bussiness. One L.A. fan said, "If Kobe can pull this off, he is the best. Period." This may seem strange after Bryant didn't have a very productive year, as decline was visible, but this playoffs Bryant has dominated the competition and lead his 4th seed Lakers team to the championship. ESPN columnist Bill Simmons even had this to say, "Bryant was just resting, trying to stay healthy for the playoffs. Just like last year's Celtics, he tricked every one in the regular season to thinking he was washed up and...boom! He's back and as good as ever."

LeBron has always been critical off his supporting cast, but if he can't win the big one, there will be no one to blame, but himself. Kobe Bryant will go for his 5th one this series, and LeBron tries to capture that 1st one.

Prediction: Nets 4, Lakers 2

[blakjak12]

Re: The Association (2K10)

Kobe vs. LeBron. What we've all been waiting for right?

[WalkMan99]

Re: The Association (2K10)

Any teams still available? I am interested.

[RayAllen20]

Re: The Association (2K10)

Any teams still available? I am interested.

this isnt an online franchise...its just my 30 team offline association

[RayAllen20]

Re: The Association (2K10)

Game 1

@

100-75

Bryant Lights Up Nets; Lakers Take Game 1

Kobe Bryant might just be the best basketball player in this series, as he dropped 41 points, almost single-handedly dominating the Nets, taking Game 1 of the NBA Finals.


Remember when Kobe was pronounced washed up? We were wrong

LeBron James only scored 13 points, and Dwyane Wade joined him with 9. Meanwhile, Kobe had 13 points in the 3rd quarter, and he helped the Lakers demolish the Nets on their home floor. Devin Harris and Brook Lopez did most of the work for the Nets as they scored 17 and 14, respectively. The big mismatch for the Nets, was taken out of the equation with only six points. Pau Gasol and solid help defense made him a non-factor, just like most of his teammates. Kobe did get some scoring help from Steve Blake, with 11 and a pair of 3s, and Andrew Bynum with 10, and some ferocious put-back dunks. Gasol, Artest, nor Odom were productive during this game offensively, yet the Nets still received a beat down at the Izod Center. The main reason was the Laker D holding the Nets to 75. Kobe's defense was superb in holding Wade to 9 points, forcing him to shoot jumpers, and when they didn't fall Wade abandoned his offense, only shooting 4 times in the second half. The Ron Artest made LeBron James disappear when the game was getting out of hand. Harris couldn't even get the ball to James, as Artest was denying the ball to perfection, and limited him to a few touches in the late 3rd quarter, and early 4th as the Lakers stretched their lead from 12 to 27, at one point.


Maybe Phil Jackson was right about CDR. He's got nothing.

The reaction in New Jersey is not so pretty currently. Radios have received numerous calls bashing LeBron and Wade, for not trying. Once again, LeBron receives criticism for his effort, something which became controversial when it seemed as though LeBron did not care when his team was eliminated in the first round by the 8 seed Bobcats last year. Meanwhile, the debate of Kobe vs. LeBron rages on, as Kobe demolishes a team lead by two franchise players. Game 2 in New Jersey will be astronomical to the Nets, as they cannot afford to lose both their games at home, then go on a 3 game road trip in L.A. The Nets must get a much better effort from Wade and James, and force the issue with CDR, trying to exploit the Lakers defensively.



His killer instinct is really coming into question

Series Recap

100@75
Lakers lead NBA Finals 1-0

[RayAllen20]

Re: The Association (2K10)

Game 2

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101 - 103

LeBron Responds; Scores 43 and Ties Series

Kobe scored 41. What did LeBron do to top that? Score 43 and lead his Nets team to a dramatic victory over the Lakers.


He's won back Nets fans' heart with his Game 2 performance. But why couldn't he have done this the first game?

The Nets seemed to have the game in the bag, as they held a 11 point lead with 6 minutes left, but a Kobe-lead Laker team stormed back. Kobe had 8 in those final minutes, of his 32, and he got the Lakers within 3 with 30 seconds left, after a huge 3 from him. LeBron James was fouled, but calmly hit both, and put the pressure back on the Lakers. Still, Kobe found Pau Gasol inside for a quick hook shot, and the lead was trimmed down to 3 again. This time Dwyane Wade was fouled, and he would only hit one, and the Lakers had a small window of oppurtunity. Kobe came off a screen and thought about a contested 3 over Wade, but dribbled by him and nailed a quick 15 footer. Now with 7 seconds left, Devin Harris caught the inbounds the pass and proceeded to dance away from Steve Blake, wasting 4 seconds before the foul was called. Harris then to the dismay of Nets fans, missed the first free throw. He drilled the second one, and the Lakers with no timeouts left, rolled the ball to Kobe at half-court who had boxed Wade out, in order to let the ball roll more and gain position. Finally, the Black Mamba picked it up at half court, spun, and passed by a double team of Wade and James. Kobe was 8 feet behind the 3 point line when he launched what would've been the game-winner. The ball met the back iron, and bounced out, allowing the Nets to escape and tie the series.



Kobe walked off the floor in dissapointment; just inches seperated the Lakers from victory

LeBron lead all scorers with his dominant 43, but he received lots of help. Dwyane Wade also responded with 27, as he shrugged off Kobe's defense this game and got to the rim. Brook Lopez was a monster inside, as he had 16 and 16, outplaying Andrew Bynum. Devin Harris also had 14, as he hit two perimeter shots to help stretch the D, and take some off the pressure off of the Nets' superstars. Chris Douglas Roberts continued to struggle with only 4 points, and came down with a rough tailbone injury in the 3rd. The Lakers were lead by Kobe's 32 and Gasol's 30 as they helped the Lakers come back in the 4th. Blake, Bynum, and Artest didn't do much but Lamar Odom had a productive 11. The Nets and Lakers are all tied up, heading back to L.A. for 3 straight games. The games at L.A. will definitely set the pace for the rest of the series, as the Nets need to steal at least one, and then protect their home court if they want to win this series.


CDR's tailbone could bother him, making the Nets choose whether or not to stay small with Courtney Lee or go big with rookie Patrick Patterson


Series Recap

100 @75

103 vs.101

NBA Finals is tied at 1-1

[blakjak12]

Re: The Association (2K10)

Series tied. I have to say I'm pulling for the Nets.

[RayAllen20]

Re: The Association (2K10)

Series tied. I have to say I'm pulling for the Nets.

With the 2-3-2 series format I think its gonna be the Lakers. All they gotta do is win 2 of 3 on the road, if not all 3, then steal 1 of 2 games in NJ, and they get a championship. Plus LBJ and Wade are like night and day lately.