The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story

[MuhMitchell]

Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story

Yeah, I love Bogut's game too but his injuries are a concern. It's why I signed Thompkins and Varejo, to operate as stop-gaps if Bogut goes down. Trading for Crash too was also part of the plan of limiting the negative effects of his absence (and getting that first rounder for the Nets, which I need since I traded mine to Nuggets for Chandler the year before).

I love Crash. How old are Crash and Varejao at this point?

[trekfan]

Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story

I love Crash. How old are Crash and Varejao at this point?

Crash is 32, Vareja is 31. Both are vets but are declining. Varejao may not be back next year but Crash is mine for the next two, getting paid 10M a year to be a bench guy (but I get that first round pick in all likelihood).

[gausec]

Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story

Gotta like the cavs signings too

[trekfan]

Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story


10-30-14

He held her hand and gave it a tender squeeze. “I know you hate talking basketball, but things are exciting here,” he said with a weak chuckle. “We’re locked and loaded.”


She didn’t respond. She hadn’t responded in months.


But she had made progress.


He tilted her head towards him and he stared into her eyes. They were open.


They were just … vacant.


Empty.


It was like staring at a reflection of his heart. He’d wake up. He’d go to work. He’d do all the usual things he normally would. He’d been doing it for months now.


He’d been forcing himself to make it to the next day. He’d come by and visit her here for a few hours before the hospital kicked him out. She was being taken care of. She had improved a little. Her eyes were open now. Her body was recovering some. She had movement.


But her higher brain functions were missing.


Still being repaired or … or …


He shook his head. He couldn’t think like that. She had made progress. She was fighting this.


It would just take a little longer.


He looked back into her eyes and felt his heart sink. “Liz, I know you can hear me. I know you can feel me.” He brushed her cheek gently with his free hand. “Stay strong. We’ll make it. When you get back, when you get healed up, I promise you we’ll be okay.”


She stared back at him but he saw nothing in her eyes. He felt nothing in her hand.


He gave her a light kiss on the cheek and left her hospital room. The walk from the room to his car seemed to take forever.


Once he reached it, he got in and sat down. He didn’t turn the car on. He didn’t buckle his seatbelt.


He reached over and opened the glove box, taking out a small box.


A jewelry box. It was red velvet.


He opened it and stared at the engagement ring in it. It was simple. A gold ring with a decently sized cut diamond sitting in the middle of it.


The two of them had discussed marriage a few times over the years. She had told him exactly what she wanted then. That was before he became a GM and before he was wealthier.


He should have married her then but he wanted to land that big job.


Now he had it.


But he was without her.


He closed the box tenderly and placed it back in his glove compartment.


She would get that ring. He would put it on her finger.


But that seemed forever a way.


Tomorrow was opening night. They were playing Phoenix. They were playing their old coach.


Basketball was going to provide him an escape tomorrow.


He closed his car door, buckled up, and started it. “An escape,” he mused, “is all I have left.”

[trekfan]

Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story

Rapid Reaction: Lakers 99, Suns 71


By Rachael Hansen |ESPNLosAngeles.com


October 31, 2014



PHOENIX -- The Los Angeles Lakers are officially over .500 and that’s something that hasn’t been said often in the last two years. For Lakers fans, these last two seasons have been rife with turmoil. The Lakers will start this season with their third head coach in three opening nights. Mike Brown. Mike D’Antoni. Now Alvin Gentry steps into the one of the hardest coaching gigs in sports.


Gentry’s first night did not disappoint and neither did these new-look Lakers. With familiar faces Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol leading the way, the Lakers went into Phoenix and played a tough, physical game, one you wouldn’t normally expect in an opening night tilt.


But this wasn’t any usual opening night. This was game filled with reunions. Mike D’Antoni was hired to guide the Suns back to prominence, a prominence he helped establish in the first place. With Brandon Jennings at the point, running his patented fast paced offense, D’Antoni is expected to elevate the Suns back to their previous lofty heights. Sure, D’Antoni failed to do that in New York and Los Angeles, but this is Phoenix. He knows these parts.


For the Lakers, D’Antoni represented an experiment gone horribly awry. Steve Nash is retired. Dwight Howard is a Maverick. Metta World Peace is in Philadelphia. Only Gasol and Bryant remain as part of the “Dream Team” destined to win the title in two years ago.
But that team failed. Last year the Lakers limped about looking old and broken.


This night, the Lakers were fresh and new.


This night was an announcement that new blood had finally been injected into the Lakers, and that blood was Jabari Parker. Parker came out debuting Derek Fisher’s old number-- number two-- with the blessing of Bryant, who has taken an instant liking to Parker. Parker was flying around the court with energy galore.


The game started off as both teams exchanged early 3-pointers but soon it became a show for all fans as they watched Parker run over the Suns first quarter defense. Parker finished that first quarter with eight points and two assists.


The Lakers had jumped out to a 13-point lead that would be cut down to six by halftime. Brandon Jennings refused to let the poor shooting of his teammates doom the Suns.


But Brandon Jennings and the Suns had no answer for Kobe Bryant. Bryant, who went 1-for-7 in the first half, caught fire in the third quarter and could not be stopped. He got to the line. He shot 3-pointers in transition. He passed the ball to Gasol and new Laker (and former teammate of Jennings) Andrew Bogut.


The Suns were blotted out behind Kobe’s play and when he sat, Parker took over. When Parker sat, the new Lakers bench, filled with youth and savvy vets, took over. It was a clinic as the Suns tried to adjust but could not.


Parker finished the game with 25 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three blocks. Bryant finished the game with 24 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. Bogut brought in an impressive 15 boards and scored 15 points while Gasol also scored 15 points. Trey Burke scored only three points but dished out eight assists and brought in six rebounds.


For the Lakers, tonight was an exorcism of some demons.


For the Suns, tonight was something to forget.


Here are three takeaways from the game:



Peter Not Jabari



Jabari Parker, in his first regular season NBA game, already has a nickname. “His first name is Peter, not Jabari,” said old-school veteran Chauncey Billups. “I’m calling him Spider-Man and I think it’ll catch on. He was swinging around the arena tonight and cracking some jokes.” Parker was indeed flying high, hitting all three of his 3-pointers and going 10-of-13 from the floor. Parker, the second overall pick, is playing with a bit of a chip on his shoulder after being passed over by the Celtics for number one overall.


“Yeah, I didn’t like it … I respect Andrew and I really like his game, but I think I was number one overall,” said Parker in a recent interview. Parker will have to wait and see if Wiggins will answer the call in his game, but expect the Lakers-Celtics rivalry to get hotter as their first meeting, December 29^th, approaches.


Block Party


The Lakers played a type of defense unseen since the championship days tonight, blocking 16 shots from the Suns. The party was lead by Andrew Bogut, who had a team high four blocks. Bogut was brought in for his rebounding and defensive prowess and tonight he should he still had plenty to offer. “There wasn’t a lot of interest in me in free agency because of my injury history, but those were all flukes. The Lakers took a shot on me and I’m glad they did … the rest of the league won’t be,” Bogut said with amusement after the game.


A Capable Bench


The Lakers makeover is rife with youth but also savvy veterans. Chauncey Billups, Anderson Varejo, and Gerald Wallace are all decade-plus vets who have come to the Lakers to win that elusive title. The three combined for 18 points off the bench, providing a bulk of the benches 22 points.

[gausec]

Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story

Can't wait for the Celtic Laker rivalry to fire up!

[trekfan]

Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story

Rapid Reaction: Lakers 99, Spurs 86


By Rachael Hansen |ESPNLosAngeles.com


November 2, 2014



LOS ANGELES -- The Lakers (1-0) welcomed a familiar foe into Staples Center Sunday night, the Spurs (1-0), and the game didn’t disappoint. The Lakers, clad in their Sunday white, came out to a rare standing ovation from the crowd. After the surreal moment was over the game started.


What a game it was.


The Spurs came out firing, led by Kwahi Leonard who opened the game with a deep three. This would be the Spurs calling card throughout the first half as they continually hit from deep and the Lakers struggled to close out in time.


But those struggles on the defensive end didn’t affect the offense, which continued to flow uninterrupted. Trey Burke and Andrew Bogut both were hot in the first half, helping the Lakers keep the Spurs lead to a minimal. At the beginning of the third the Lakers were down 49-48.


That didn’t last long. Halftime adjustments were made and the Lakers went to an inside-out game, using Bogut and Gasol’s size to eat the Spurs alive in the paint. With the Spurs focusing on the big men Bryant and Parker were able to do their thing. The Lakers took a nine point lead into the fourth where they held on for the win despite a second-half revival of Tony Parker, who scored 12 of his 17 points in the second-half.


Parker was unable to bring the Spurs back by himself. Leonard fouled out early in the fourth and with him gone the Lakers were able to pull away for good.


Bryant and Parker finished with 19 points each. Bogut had a big game with 21 points and six boards, while Gasol quietly put together a solid night.


Here are three takeaways from the game:

Spider-Man Has Sticky Hands


Jabari Parker’s new nickname has gone viral and tonight he swung into action once more. Parker scored 19 points on 6-of-18 shooting, not the most efficient of nights, but more than made up for that with his eight rebounds and seven assists. Parker found the ball often in rebounding situations, putting his unique blend of height and athleticism to good use.

Mr. Big Shot


Chauncey Billups, former Clipper, is a veteran leader who can still play the game at a reasonably high level. Billups came off the bench for 11 points and four assists, helping guide the Lakers second unit to domination over the Spurs second unit, outscoring the Spurs bench 33-25. Billups hit a clutch 3-pointer at the end of the first half to close the Spurs lead to one point. He’s still got it.

Heart and Hustle


Anderson Varejo was a beast on the boards tonight, pulling in four rebounds and scoring 11 points in limited play. Varejo was an underrated acquisition for the Lakers this past offseason and, like fellow big man Andrew Bogut, had injury concerns heading into the season. “I feel good, better than I have in a few years … the sunny weather helps,” said Varejo after the game. Often cited as one of the league’s best “heart and hustle” players, Varejo’s efforts so far have translated into two Lakers’ wins.

[MuhMitchell]

Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story

So your second unit uses Burke at PG and Billups at SG?

[trekfan]

Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story

So your second unit uses Burke at PG and Billups at SG?

In one formation, yes. Burke and Billups commonly run the second unit at the two guard spots, but I've had Billups at point, with Redick at SG, Kobe at SF, Crash at PF, and Varejo/Thompins at center. My depth is pretty sweet and the combos are quite entertaining.

Deep benches win games in the postseason, in my opinion, at least with young teams, old teams, or teams in transition. The Lakers count as all three this season though hopefully by next we'll in position to make a deep run. This year could be tough to get past the second round with the way the West is going.

[cgalligan]

Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story

I just worked 14 hours and should be sleeping now, but I simply can't put this down... you have a great writing talent and a knack for developing characters... I'm on page 8 now and I'm not going to sleep until I'm fully caught up... I'd love it if you checked out my association (see Sig) and gave me some tips that I could use to draw in my readers like you have...

This is the best thread I've read here, keep up the great work man

[trekfan]

Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story

I just worked 14 hours and should be sleeping now, but I simply can't put this down... you have a great writing talent and a knack for developing characters... I'm on page 8 now and I'm not going to sleep until I'm fully caught up... I'd love it if you checked out my association (see Sig) and gave me some tips that I could use to draw in my readers like you have...

This is the best thread I've read here, keep up the great work man

Wow, thanks man!

Yeah, I'll be glad to read through your thread. I never noticed it here before (was it in another forum?) so I'll def catch up on it and PM you some feedback.

[cgalligan]

Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story

Wow, thanks man!

Yeah, I'll be glad to read through your thread. I never noticed it here before (was it in another forum?) so I'll def catch up on it and PM you some feedback.

Thanks man.

Yeah I had it on the main 2K board for awhile and It got moved here recently... I guess people were tired of seeing a "dynasty" thread not in the "dynasty" section of the site lol.

Any tips / feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[trekfan]

Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story

Rapid Reaction: Lakers 105, Clippers 78


By Rachael Hansen |ESPNLosAngeles.com


November 3, 2014



LOS ANGELES -- This was a game that seemed competitive early and then turned into a blowout. The Lakers (2-0) came into the game riding high while the Clippers (0-2) were very much looking like the same lost team from last year. Vinny Del Negro survived the offseason to coach the Clippers again but his job is not guaranteed to last the rest of the season.


At the rate the Clippers are going, he may not last the month.


The Lakers came out in a fighting mood and the game was filled with early, hard, fouls and trash talking. Neither team particular likes one another especially after the Clippers swept the Lakers in last year’s series despite both teams missing the playoffs. After the first quarter, the Lakers were up by five.


After the first half they were leading by 22 points. The Lakers completely dominated the Clippers in the second behind the outstanding play of J.J. Redick off the bench. Redick has been quiet in his first two games in the purple and gold but showed up tonight, lighting up the Clippers from beyond the arc.


Redick would help put the game out of reach in the second and the rest of the game was about the Lakers thrashing the Clippers for old time’s sake. Redick finished with 20 points on 4-of-6 from beyond the arc while Kobe had an efficient 14 points in 22 minutes of play. Jabari Parker scored 25 points, knocking down two deep balls.


For the Clippers, only Jamal Crawford was able to find his shot but it went cold in the second half. Crawford finished with 16 points on 6-of-18 shooting. Chris Paul only scored 10 points and dished out four assists. Blake Griffin fouled out midway through the third, scoring only three points and being roundly outplayed by the Lakers big men.


Here are three takeaways from the game.

Second Unit Domination


The Lakers bench, a problem for the last few seasons, has finally been stockpiled with solid players and this has led to a much more balanced effort by the Lakers starting five. “Yeah, it’s nice to have guys you can count on to spell you,” said Kobe Bryant after the game. “We’ve had our fair share of poor showings from the bench in the past so it’s nice to see them step up when the opportunity arises.” The Lakers bench scored 38 points tonight, the highest output of the young season.

Pass The Ball


The Lakers are also excelling as a team in assists, notching 27 of them in tonight’s win. Leading the way was Chauncey Billups and Trey Burke, each with seven assists each. Though neither player has established themselves as a consistent scoring threat, the point guard duo seems to be working well.

Versatility Wins the Day


The Lakers threw out some creative lineups tonight to confuse the Clippers, using Gerald Wallace at the four, Kobe at the three, Redick at the two, Billups at the one, and Gasol holding down the paint. This is one of six different lineups the Lakers played in this game. Coach Alvin Gentry was pleased with the way the team was handling the different lineups. “It gives our opponents a lot to worry about and gives us the ability to experiment, do some things other teams can’t. In this league it’s always important to have an edge and our versatility is an edge we have I think,” said Gentry.

[RaiNN]

Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story

trekfan I love your stories <3 Seriously you really have a knack for writing. The development of your characters just so believeable in the basketball setting and I can really imagine how Micheal acts the way he does

I can't wait for the next post with story progression

[trekfan]

Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story



11-4-14

He hated this restaurant. He hated being in this part of town. It wasn’t like it was sleazy or in poor taste … this was the part of town that took “being classy” to a level unheard of. He had come dressed casually, then had to rent a dinner jacket at the door to be seated, and now he waited for his friend.


He waited.


And waited.


He hated waiting. This wasn’t supposed to be how he was treated. He was Jim Buss, part owner of the best team in the NBA, but his image had been hurt thanks to the losing ways of Mike D’Antoni and that piece of crap Dwight Howard.


Jim wished his father had never traded Bynum away. Bynum was flourishing in Philly. He could have been that with the Lakers but, no, his father had to have Dwight. Well, he had him and then Dwight failed them all. He was the biggest mistake in Lakers history … there was no way to undo that, though.


Especially because Gold was standing in his way.


He grabbed one of the breadsticks at the table and began to break it apart, bit by bit, into his napkin. Gold had come in and ruined everything. He fired D’Antoni, which was fine, Jim was going to do that … but he certainly wouldn’t have hired Gentry. Gentry had no clout. He had no attraction … he wasn’t right for the L.A. style.


But Gold hired him.


Then Gold drafted Parker. Parker was a scorer but he was basically a younger Kobe … one Kobe was more than enough. If Jim could have gotten rid of him, he would have, but the fans would riot if Kobe was traded away. He was a necessary evil but drafting a younger clone of him was just stupid. They should have taken Randle, a young big, not another scoring wing.


And yet, as he sat here, the Lakers were undefeated and looked like the Lakers of old. They were winners. They were successes.


Everyone in town credited Gold for the work he did. They credited his sister for having the smarts to give Gold control.


What did he get? He got laughed it.


He got the blame.


He crumbled another breadstick in his hand and watched it drop to the napkin in little pieces.


He hated this.


He was going to end this.


“Well, this is a surprise.” Jim looked up to see the very tall, dark skinned form of Greg Ngami. The taller man was easily 6’7 and towered over most in this town. Jim didn’t bother to get up as Greg lowered himself into the chair. Even while sitting he still seemed a tower. “This isn’t your usual dining place, Jim. What brings you by?”


Jim fidgeted with his dinner jacket, becoming more annoyed by the second. He hated dressing like this. A shirt, a ball cap, and jeans was perfectly acceptable anywhere else in L.A. but not in this part of town. “I wanted to talk to you about my situation.”


Greg’s face showed little interest, but his eyes flashed. “Yes … well, from a numbers standpoint, it’s quite fascinating.”


Jim glared at him. Greg “Numbers” Ngami was one of the most intelligent analytical minds on the west coast. He could calculate the odds of just about anything and be right most of the time. He loved numbers. His life was numbers. Jim had no doubt Greg was amused by the numbers of his situation.


Jim used to go to Greg for advice on his basketball moves. They had a bit of a falling out when Greg advised him to rehire Jackson, that SOB. “Look, you were right … I should have brought back Jackson.”


“Two years later and we agree,” Greg said with an amused smirk. He wasn’t even bothering to hide it. “But that’s in the past. The present is what concerns me and the present says Ronnie Gold is a very smart basketball man.”


Jim’s fist clenched. “So am I.”


Greg narrowed his eyes. “You were before you let personal vendettas cloud your judgment.”


“I didn’t come here to be lectured.”


“Someone has to do it since your father died, bless his soul,” Greg said without hesitation.


The words stung. Jim shook his head but stayed in place. This was too important to let an argument ruin it. “I need Gold gone.”


“You want to be back in control.”


“Yes.”


“You want to make all the decisions again.”


“Yes.”


Greg grabbed a breadstick and twirled it in his hand. “The numbers say that will be hard. I can manipulate them, of course. I can adjust them … change them … I can make them say whatever you want them to.” He pointed using the breadstick. “But why?”


Jim’s jaw went tight. “Why?” He barely managed to ask through clenched teeth. “Because it’s my damned team,” he whispered in a growl. “Jeanie can delegate all she wants, but we both know she doesn’t have the time to really run it. The Lakers require everything … they require all your heart.”


“And your sister has given that to Phil Jackson, yes?” Greg asked with a smirk.


Jim tried to take a deep breath but only managed to wheeze. He was going to have to meditate after this. “I can do better. I can do more.”


“The Lakers are winning, Jim. Why would I manipulate the numbers that removes one of the most important pieces to that winning formula?”


Jim took out a pen and wrote down a number on a napkin, then slid it over to Greg.


He watched as Greg’s eyes widened.


“You’re going to mess with that winning formula because that number says so.” Jim extended his hand. “Deal?”


Greg’s face had barely recovered from the figure. He folded the napkin and put it into his pocket. He accepted the extended hand. “I’ll start researching immediately.”


Jim smiled for the first time in months.


He was on his way back to where he rightfully belonged.