2k13 Cleveland Cavaliers - Rise up and Rebuild

[BertmanT5]

Re: 2k13 Cleveland Cavaliers - Rise up and Rebuild

This is extremely well written! Reading this has made me pop the game back in. Can't wait to read more!

[cgalligan]

Re: 2k13 Cleveland Cavaliers - Rise up and Rebuild

2013/14 All Star Break

We've reached the All Star break here in the 2013-14 NBA Season... Its clear now that there has been a shift of Power in the NBA and the teams that you're accustomed to seeing near the top of the standings have fallen off a bit and some of the younger, deeper teams around the league have taken a step forward...

With that being said, lets take a look at how the 1st half of the Season has looked...

NBA Standings at the All Star Break

NBA Standings - Updated: Feb 17, 2014
ATLANTIC	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Philidelphia 76ers	40	11	--	10-2	23-5
Brooklyn Nets	27	25	13.5	4-6	17-16
New York Knicks	25	28	16.0	10-2	17-17
Toranto Raptors	21	32	20.0	2-8	13-15
Boston Celtics	17	33	22.5	1-9	10-20
CENTRAL	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Chicago Bulss	31	20	--	12-3	20-14
Cleveland Cavaliers	26	26	5.5	4-7	17-16
Indiana Pacers	27	27	5.5	6-5	20-14
Milwaukee Bucks	21	32	11.0	2-10	11-20
Detroit Pistons	17	36	15.0	5-4	14-18
SOUTHEAST	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Washington Wizards	29	23	--	6-3	19-14
Miami Heat	28	23	0.5	8-5	19-12
Atlanta Hawks	21	30	7.5	7-5	13-18
Charlotte Bobcats	19	33	10.0	2-8	10-19
Orlando Magic	16	34	12.0	3-5	10-15
EAST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
76ers	40	11	--
Bulls	31	20	9.0
Wizards	29	23	11.5
Heat	28	23	12
Nets	27	25	13.5
Pacers	27	27	14.5
Cavaliers	26	26	14.5
Knicks	25	28	16
Hawks	21	30	19
Raptors	21	32	20
Bucks	21	32	20
Bobcats	19	33	21.5
Celtics	17	33	22.5
Magic	16	34	23.5
Pistons	17	36	24
NORTHWEST	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Minnesota Timberwolves	33	21	--	6-3	20-15
Portland Trail Blazers	29	21	2.0	6-4	15-15
Oklahoma City Thunder	30	23	2.5	3-6	15-17
Denver Nuggets	29	25	4.0	6-4	17-16
Utah Jazz	27	26	5.5	2-6	16-18
PACIFIC	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Sacramento Kings	32	22	--	9-1	21-12
Los Angeles Clippers	21	22	0.5	6-4	19-12
Phoenix Suns	30	22	1.0	5-5	15-17
Golden State Warriors	21	25	2.0	3-9	17-18
Los Angeles Lakers	23	31	9.0	2-6	12-19
SOUTHWEST	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Houston Rockets	36	19	--	9-2	24-8
Memphis Grizzlies	25	26	9.0	5-4	16-16
New Orleans Hornets	25	28	10.0	5-6	12-21
San Antonio Spurs	23	31	12.5	5-8	13-17
Dallas Mavericks	19	33	15.5	2-6	11-22
WEST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Rockets	36	19	--
T-Wolves	33	21	2.5
Kings	32	22	3.5
Clippers	31	22	4.0
Suns	30	22	4.5
Blazers	29	21	4.5
Thunder	30	23	5.0
Warriors	31	25	5.5
Nuggets	29	25	6.5
Jazz	27	26	8.0
Grizzlies	25	26	9.0
Hornets	25	28	10
Spurs	23	31	12.5
Lakers	23	31	12.5
Mavericks	19	33	15.5

One of the first things that should jump out at you in the above standings is how the Celtics and the Lakers have apparently gotten "old" over night...



If you recall, the Lakers defeated the Bulls last year in Six Games to win the NBA Championship... This year however, they can't seem to get on the same page and they don't look like they'll even be making the post season... Kobe Bryant's scoring is down from 26 points per game last year to only 21.4 points per game this year... Dwight Howard's numbers are up from last year, however, he's not doing as much rebounding and overall his effort doesn't seem to be as high as it once was... Pau Gasol's numbers are down across the board, now only scoring 11.8 points per game and grabbing a pedestrian 6 rebounds per game... His name is among the many on the trade block as we approach the deadline...



The Boston Celtics, who missed the playoffs last year, are one of the worst teams in the NBA this season... Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnet look to be on their last legs and rumors are aplenty that one, or both of them will be traded at the deadline for some younger pieces to help rebuild the Celtics... Both Pierce and Garnett are having their typical Seasons however, there just isn't much of anything else going on for the team... The once proud defensive beast of the eastern conference is giving up 102.7 points per game which ranks 20th in the league... Combined with their 99.3 points scored per game, ranking 24th in the league, and you can see why the Celtics have struggled all Season...



You can throw the Spurs into the same catagory as the Lakers and the Celtics as their long run of being a top team seems to be over... Tim Duncan and Tony Parker simply don't have enough to carry this team any more and players like Kawai Leonard and Djaun Blair are going to have to step up if this team is going to make a run here in the 2nd half of the Season... Tim Duncan's scoring average is down from 18 points per game to 14 per game this year... His minutes per game have dipped below 30 for the first time in recent memory.. Age seems to have finally caught up to this living legend...



The Timberwolves, who finished with with the best record in the NBA Last season, only to be upset in the 1st round by the veteran Spurs team, look to have things clicking once again this year... Sitting at 33-21 and in 1st place in the Northwest Division the Wolves look to be a serious contender this year... There are rumors around the league that say Minnesota is in Talks with Boston about bringing future hall of famer Kevin Garnet back to Minnesota to help make a deep run in the post season... Garnet would bring some much needed veteran leadership to a young exciting team...



The Sixers, who upset the #1 Seeded Miami Heat in last years Eastern Conference semi finals and lost in the East Finals to the Chicago Bulls, appear to have turned the corner this season... Center Andrew Bynum has become a legit Superstar in the League and fellow big man Thaddeus Young has grown into a very good player as well... Point Guard Jrue Holiday has become one of the better point gaurds in the NBA on Both sides of the floor and he is a true floor general for this team... The off-season addition of veteran SG Manu Ginobli has really given them something that they lacked last Season... Manu is a guy that's been through the battles with those great Spurs teams and he really brings some much needed leadership to the young Sixer team... This team is going to be scary in the Playoffs, and right now, they look to be the team to beat in the Eastern Conference...



This is year 3 of the LeBron, Wade, Bosh era in Miami and so far, its been the least impressive... Sitting at 28-23 and 4th in the Eastern Conference Playoffs is not acceptable for a team as talented as Miami... So whats the Problem? Well, there has been speculation that LeBron James may not be quite as "happy" playing in Miami as he thought he would be... People close to LeBron think that he's a little homesick and he misses his family (who still lives in Ohio)... LeBron will have the option to opt out of his contract with the Heat after this Season and its not known yet what he will decide to do... Despite the apparent distraction, LeBron himself hasn't let up one bit on the floor, averaging 26 / 9 / 6 along with 2 steals and 1 block per night, LeBron is doing what he does... Wade and Bosh on the other hand aren't really holding up their end of the bargin this year... Could it be that the Heat are simply "bored" with the Regular Season and are just waiting to "turn it on" in the post-season? who knows, but, time will tell...

2013-14 NBA All Stars

2013-14 NBA All-Star Game Rosters
Eastern Conference		Western Conference
Head Coach: Doug Collin (PHI)		Head Coach: Kevin McHale (HOU)
Pos	Starters	Pos	Starters
PG	Derrick Rose - CHI (5th)	PG	Chris Paul - LAC (7th)
SG	Dwayne Wade - MIA (10th)	SG	Kobe Bryant - LAL (16th)
SF	LeBron James - MIA (10th)	SF	Kevin Durant - OKC (5th)
SF	Carmelo Anthony - NYK (7th)	PF	Blake Griffin - LAC (4th)
C	Andrew Bynum - PHI (3rd)	C	Dwight Howard - LAL (8th)
Pos	Reserves	Pos	Reserves
PG	Kyrie Irving - CLE (2nd)	PG	Stephen Curry - GSW (1st)
SG	Shabazz Muhammad - CLE (1st)	SG	James Harden - HOU (2nd)
SF	Danny Granger - IND (2nd)	SF	Andre Iguodala - DAL (3rd)
PF	Josh Smith - ATL (2nd)	PF	Kevin Love - MIN (4th)
C	Cody Zeller - ORL (1st)	C	DeMarcus Cousins - SAC (1st)
PG	John Wall - WAS (1st)	PG	Goran Dragic - PHX (2nd)
PG	Kemba Walker - CHA (1st)	PG	Russell Westrbook - OKC (4th)

Thats all for now...

Stay tuned as I'll update you soon on my Cavaliers - ((you see we got 2 all stars )) and I'll also let you know who won the All Star Game MVP and any trades that happen over the next couple weeks...

Thanks again for all the comments... And suggestions... If you guys want to know something about a specific team that i haven't talked about much, just leave a reply and I'll bring you up to speed on how that team is doing.

Take care.

[cgalligan]

Re: 2k13 Cleveland Cavaliers - Rise up and Rebuild

Just read throught the whole thread in the past few hours and I'm loving it, still unsure as to why the Hornets went for Noel, already having Davis, but it means you got Muhammad which is good for you, keep up the great work, hope you can sort out your profile being hacked and whatnot.

The Hornets, while struggling again this year now have a great 1, 2 punch in the post... As Anthony Davis and Noel develop they will have 2 of the best frontcourt players in the league... Kinda reminds me of Tim Duncan and David Robinson back in the day... Eric Gordon, Noel, and Anthony Davis should be a force as they grow up together... I expect big things from the Nola moving forward...

[x10xNYGx91x]

Re: 2k13 Cleveland Cavaliers - Rise up and Rebuild

I just started one with the Cavs and started it at the current date, and then I simmed through the rest of the first season and now my roster is:
Kyrie Irving (93)
Dion Waiters (78)
Andre Iguodala (86)
Nerlens Noel (79)
Andy Varejao (76)
BENCH:
Trinston Thompson (74)
Michael Carter-Williams (71)

[cgalligan]

Re: 2k13 Cleveland Cavaliers - Rise up and Rebuild

I just started one with the Cavs and started it at the current date, and then I simmed through the rest of the first season and now my roster is:
Kyrie Irving (93)
Dion Waiters (78)
Andre Iguodala (86)
Nerlens Noel (79)
Andy Varejao (76)
BENCH:
Trinston Thompson (74)
Michael Carter-Williams (71)

Nice job man. Solid squad there... Iggy signed a FA deal with Dallas for me, and Noel is becoming a star in my association alongside Anthony Davis in New Orleans... I'm sure he'll be a stud for you.

[cgalligan]

Re: 2k13 Cleveland Cavaliers - Rise up and Rebuild

I just pulled off this trade for the Celtics and TWolves in my Association (see sig)...

If you read my Association posts, you'll see that the Celtics have pretty much fallen out of the class of NBA Elite because Pierce and KG are just getting too old... Boston has the 3rd worst record in the East... Meanwhile, the TWolves, who are now one of the better teams in the West look to be ready to take that next step and are in need of some veteran leadership... They finished as the #1 seed last year, and are in the mix for the #1 seed again this year...

With that in mind, here's the trade

Celtics Trade
SF Paul Pierce - 36yr old - 81ovr

Twolves Trade
SF Andre Kirilenko - 33yr 0ld - 71ovr
SF/PF Derrick Williams - 22yr old - 75ovr

Pierce is averaging about 18 points per game for the Celtics, and he's clearly got more left in the tank than KG (who is retiring after the season)... Pierce gives the TWolves that veteran presence and leadership that should make them a favorite to come out of the West...

Derrick Williams, former #2 overall pick of the TWolves hasn't really blossomed into what the Wolves were hoping he'd be when he was drafted... His play on the floor has led to less minutes for him off the bench and he was begging to voice his frustrations... AK47 was just a throw in for contract purposes...

I guess the real question is, how much is an NBA Title worth to you? Would you give up on a guy that has allot of upside (williams), for a shot to win a Title RIGHT NOW with a proven vet (pierce)... Or, do you think the TWolves gave up too much?

What are your thoughts?

--

PS: the Celtics have also been shopping Kevin Garnett, however, with him announcing that he will be retiring after this Season, there don't seem to be many teams interested in a 3 month rental of the future hall of famer... The Clippers, Kings, and Sixers are the front runners to land KG, but, It's not looking likely that he's moved...

Although, you never know... After the Pierce trade its clear that the Celtics in full rebuild mode... They'd probably be happy with anything in return for KG at this point.

-- Stay Tuned --

[BlueJays09]

Re: 2k13 Cleveland Cavaliers - Rise up and Rebuild

Finally caught up and its been a great read! Love the detail on all the teams and love the pick of Mohammad. Disappointed my Celtics suck but its all good...Officially following! Cant wait for more updates!

[cgalligan]

Re: 2k13 Cleveland Cavaliers - Rise up and Rebuild

Finally caught up and its been a great read! Love the detail on all the teams and love the pick of Mohammad. Disappointed my Celtics suck but its all good...Officially following! Cant wait for more updates!

Thanks man. Now that I know I've got a die hard Celtic fan following, I'll update them in more detail

Right now I think they've got a solid young core... Rondo, Bradley, Jeff Green, Alex Poythress, Sullenger and a few other young bucks... In 2k land they will probably progress quicker than they would in real life so I'm sure they'll turn it around here soon.

Thanks for the follow.

[rondodimes]

Re: 2k13 Cleveland Cavaliers - Rise up and Rebuild

Hey cgalligan, just wanna say this has been a GREAT association thread. Just wondering, do you play your association using bedwardsroy's 30 team guide (with his injury method, trade rules, etc.)?

[cgalligan]

Re: 2k13 Cleveland Cavaliers - Rise up and Rebuild

Hey cgalligan, just wanna say this has been a GREAT association thread. Just wondering, do you play your association using bedwardsroy's 30 team guide (with his injury method, trade rules, etc.)?

I really don't use any type of guide while I'm playing... I just make the roster moves and let them play out on the floor how they may.

I try to keep things as realistic as possible, while also throwing in some things to keep my interest, and the readers interest high... Some of the rotser moves and trades might not be ultra realistic like they might be in the real world NBA but I think I do a good job explaining the reasoning behind them (see pierce trade).

Thanks for the read. Glad you have enjoyed it so far.

[cgalligan]

Re: 2k13 Cleveland Cavaliers - Rise up and Rebuild

NBA TRADE DEADLINE

Its deadline day in the NBA and General Managers for contenders around the league are working the phones furiously trying to make a deal for their team's playoff push this year... GM's of other teams are working to set their franchises up for the future...


Rumors

The Atlanta Hawks are 21-30 and don't appear to be going anywhere any time soon...



They just commited a big 5 year contract to PF Josh Smith this past Off-Season, but, the teams poor performance has once again landed Smith in the thick of Trade rumors around the league...


The Cleveland Cavaliers have shown great improvement this year as they have a 26-26 record... Its clear that this team is talented and might be ready to take that next step next Season.. The question is, will Andy Varejo be taking that step with them?



Last Season, Andy led the league in rebounding averaging just over 11 boards per game... This year, he's right there in the Top 5 again in rebounding... His defensive effort and rebounding could be the missing piece to a team that is on the verge of a championship... With his age, now 31, and his expiring contract after this Season, I think the time is right for the Cavs to deal Andy to the highest bidder... The problem with that is, as we sit today, the Cavaliers would be the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs... Granted, they aren't a legit threat to compete for a championship, however, it might be difficult to sell a trade of a fan favorite like Andy just as the team is starting to show signs of improvement...


The New York Knicks are sitting at 25-28 and in the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference... They also have one of the highest payrolls in the NBA... Its no secret that Amare Stoudemire is basically a shell of his fomer self...



In his hay day in Phoenix, Amare was looked at as one of the best players in the game... Leg injuries and age seem to have caught up to him and now he's looked at as someone who is just above average with a monster contract... If Amare is on the move, who do you think would be interested in his services?


The Utah Jazz are having a solid, but frustrating Season... Sitting at 27-26 they are currently 10th in the Western Conference Playoff race... However, they are only 8 games out of the #1 Seed as the Conference is cluttered with solid to good teams from top to bottom...



Someone who's name has been on the block for awhile and someone who could probably garner a nice package in return is PF Paul Millsap... He is your every day double-double machine and could really help a legit Title Contender down the stretch... Its no secret in Utah that the Jazz LOVE 23yr old PF Derrick Favors, and I think they are going to jump at the chance to unload Millsap and his large contract and insert Favors into their everyday starting lineup...


The once proud Los Angeles Lakers have the 2nd worst record in the West, 23-31, and they are 7 games out of the 8th and final playoff spot... Kobe Bryant is aging fast, and overall this team lacks youth and depth...



PF Pau Gasol is one of the most skilled big men in the game... His contract expires after this Season and I think the Lakers are going to look to move him for some young talent... I'm not sure who would be willing to give up premium young talent for an aging vet, but, we'll see...

[rondodimes]

Re: 2k13 Cleveland Cavaliers - Rise up and Rebuild

In response to the Celtics/Wolves trade you've brought forth, I'd like to comment on it a little. Having been a die-hard Celtics fan my entire life, I KNOW for a fact that GM Danny Ainge would NEVER trade away Paul Pierce, even if the team had a bad record. I know he says he is open to offers, but they simply never pass. Don't get me wrong, the trade would be amazing for the Celtics in your association, but it just wouldn't happen in real life. With that being said, Ainge IS willing to trade guys like Rondo, most of their backcourt, frontcourt guys Bass and Sullinger, and even Kevin Garnett.

[BlueJays09]

Re: 2k13 Cleveland Cavaliers - Rise up and Rebuild

In response to the Celtics/Wolves trade you've brought forth, I'd like to comment on it a little. Having been a die-hard Celtics fan my entire life, I KNOW for a fact that GM Danny Ainge would NEVER trade away Paul Pierce, even if the team had a bad record. I know he says he is open to offers, but they simply never pass. Don't get me wrong, the trade would be amazing for the Celtics in your association, but it just wouldn't happen in real life. With that being said, Ainge IS willing to trade guys like Rondo, most of their backcourt, frontcourt guys Bass and Sullinger, and even Kevin Garnett.

Agreed. I dealt him in mine, but only because I have done about a million Celtics associations and always kept Pierce and wanted this to be very different. In your association though with Celtics being last and in year 2, I would say It would be OK to deal Paul as long as the Celtics get paid for him, and only if Garnett is also moved

[cgalligan]

Re: 2k13 Cleveland Cavaliers - Rise up and Rebuild

Thanks for the comments guys... It means more knowing that you guys are hardcore Celts fans.

I totally agree with you too... Paul Pierce, in real life, will retire a Celtic... Without question... When I first thought about making a trade with the T-Wolves I was going to send KG "home" for one last Title run with the Wolves... However, I couldn't get a trade worked out that fit under the cap, and, I also felt like I was ripping off the T-Wolves a bit since KG has announced he will be retiring after this year...

My thought process was... T-Wolves need that one last piece to put them over the top in the West... They need "that guy" that can get one bucket in a clutch moment at the end of a game... A guy that's done it before and had at least 1, maybe 2 more years left in the tank... For me, Pierce fit that need and the fact that Derrick Williams couldn't break into the starting lineup made it a little easier for me to justify it...

Again though, I totally agree with you two... No way Pierce is traded in real life... The C's will "go down with the ship" so to speak with Pierce until he's ready to walk away.

Thank you for the insight... I'm going to make it a point to keep you guys more updated with how the Celtics are doing and how their rebuilding project is going...

--

PS: you said Ainge isn't opposed to trading the likes of Rondo, and Bass? Let me know a little more about that as, I was under the impression that Rondo is in fact the new "face of the franchise"... I don't live in Boston nor do I follow them closely so I don't hear that much here in Cleveland...

Thanks again.

[rondodimes]

Re: 2k13 Cleveland Cavaliers - Rise up and Rebuild

Thanks for responding to our insights! And on the subject of Rondo, yes, he IS the face of the franchise, but Ainge has already brought up talks of possibly trading a healthy Rondo next year (since he's out the rest of this season). While he's great, he has been known for his cocky attitude, selfish play (he basically TRIED to keep his streak of assists going at the start of this season), and lack of leadership. The Celtics could move him by next year for a strong big man like Greg Monroe, Josh Smith, or even Dwight Howard.