twhittle2308's NBA2K Challenges

[twhittle2308]

I've decided to bring what I believe to be a new form of dynasty to Operation Sports; not a traditional dynasty by definition but rather a series of mini-dynasties combined to form one big dynasty. This is an idea that I am bringing from my days as a FIFA Manager player. I hope all of you guys will read, follow, contribute to and enjoy this new dynasty. It would actually be awesome if other people followed with a similar concept to mine.

The idea is simple in nature - a series of short to medium-term challenges suggested by YOU designed to test the game and my abilities as a GM. Examples include:

• 3-Peat with the Miami Heat in 2013-14
• Make the playoffs with the 2013-14 76ers
• Win the MVP in 2013-14 with Paul George

5 challenge suggestions will go to the poll at any one time. Apart from the first challenge, the poll will also consist of the 2 challenges from the previous poll with the 2nd and 3rd highest number of votes. This will then clear the floor for 3 extra suggestions by you.

When I commence a challenge, I will create an introductory post where all of the rules, requirements and processes will be laid out. It is my intention to make the challenges as difficult as possible without making them impossible. As a result, in addition to the regular rules that I set out for myself, I will include one 'conditional rule' that will make the challenge more difficult if I exceed expectations.

Challenge #1 is currently active!

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NBA 2K14 (PS4)
Roster: Cam's Ultimate Roster
Sliders: KayOtic723's Post Patch Sliders

CHALLENGE #1: Make the playoffs with a team of rookies
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
Summary: Currently 11-9 (1st in Southwest, 4th in West); Next Game vs Golden State Warriors (7-12)

[twhittle2308]

Re: twhittle2308's NBA2K Challenges

Alright guys, let's get some suggestions coming for my 1st Challenge!

[JazzMan]

Re: twhittle2308's NBA2K Challenges

- In a fantasy draft, draft a team full of rookies and make the playoffs

- In a fantasy draft, draft a team full of veterans (32+ year olds) and win a championship

- In a fantasy draft, draft a team full of foreign players and win a championship

- Using any team, trade away your leading scorer at the all-star break and win a championship

- Have a single player win the MVP and either the Defensive Player of the Year or Most Improved Player of the Year awards in a single year

- Using the Mavericks, trade for Steve Nash, have Nash and Nowitzki make the All-Star game, and make it to the Western Conference Finals

[twhittle2308]

Re: twhittle2308's NBA2K Challenges

- In a fantasy draft, draft a team full of rookies and make the playoffs

- In a fantasy draft, draft a team full of veterans (32+ year olds) and win a championship

- In a fantasy draft, draft a team full of foreign players and win a championship

- Using any team, trade away your leading scorer at the all-star break and win a championship

- Have a single player win the MVP and either the Defensive Player of the Year or Most Improved Player of the Year awards in a single year

- Using the Mavericks, trade for Steve Nash, have Nash and Nowitzki make the All-Star game, and make it to the Western Conference Finals

These are some very good suggestions and I would be keen to do all of them at some stage. As much as you would love to see all of them done, I'm gonna put them all to a poll and see what everyone wants me to start off with.

[twhittle2308]

Challenge #1 Poll

CHALLENGE #1 POLL RESULTS

1. Make the playoffs with a team of rookies - 6 votes
2. Win a championship with a team of foreign players - 2 votes
3. Win a championship with any team after trading the top scorer after the All-Star Break - 1 vote
4. Win the MVP and either the DPOY or MIP in a single year with any player - 1 vote
5. Win a championship with a team of veterans - 0 votes

[twhittle2308]

Challenge #1

CHALLENGE #1

Make the playoffs with a team of rookies

RULES

• A fantasy draft must be undertaken at the start of the season.
• Only rookies can be selected in this draft.
• If at any stage, a rookie cannot be selected, the player selected must be traded immediately for a rookie.
• Trades are possible but only for rookies and/or draft picks.
• If home court advantage is secured in the playoffs, the first player drafted must be benched for the duration of the playoffs.

GOALS

• Qualify for the playoffs
• BONUS 1: Have a player win Rookie of the Year
• BONUS 2: Qualify for the Conference Finals
• BONUS 3: Win the NBA Championship

PROCESS
I plan to use the Houston Rockets for this challenge as I believe them to have the most forgiving owner. I have set myself very ambitious targets but I am aware that things may not go my way with this.

Updates on the progress of the challenge will come as follows:

• Pre-Season Draft
• Key Games
  CHA @ HOU (October 30): Preview/Review
  TOR @ HOU (November 11): Preview/Review
  MIN @ HOU (November 23): Preview/Review
  PHX @ HOU (December 4): Preview/Review
• Major Developing Stories
  Rookie of the Year

  Oladipo, Burke early frontrunners (December 1)

  LeBron in Milwaukee

  Player of the Week for LeBron as Milwaukee struggle (November 9)

  Duncan's Quest for #5

  Duncan announces retirement (November 24)
• Monthly Reviews
  October/November: Results and Standings/League Leaders/Awards
• Playoff Race
• Any Playoff Games

This will be a CPU/CPU challenge using Cam's Ultimate Roster v2.5 and KayOtic723's Post Patch Sliders v2.0 (adapted). My current MyGM level at the start of this challenge is 5.

[JazzMan]

Re: twhittle2308's NBA2K Challenges

Interested in what your lineup will look like. Maybe start 3 guards in Burke, Oladipo, and Carter-Williams with MCW at the SF. Assuming you can draft all three, anyway.

[twhittle2308]

Re: twhittle2308's NBA2K Challenges

Interested in what your lineup will look like. Maybe start 3 guards in Burke, Oladipo, and Carter-Williams with MCW at the SF. Assuming you can draft all three, anyway.

I highly doubt I'd be successful in drafting all three. But we shall soon find out.

[twhittle2308]

Challenge #1 - Pre-Season Draft

PRE-SEASON DRAFT

Draft Results

Houston Rockets Draft
Pick	Player	Years in NBA	Pos	Ht	Wt
7	Victor Oladipo	Rookie	SG	6'4"	215
37	Michael Carter-Williams	Rookie	PG	6'6"	185
67	Giannis Antetokounmpo	Rookie	SF	6'10"	205
97	Tim Hardaway Jr.	Rookie	SG	6'6"	205
127	Kelly Olynyk	Rookie	PF	7'0"	238
157	Vitor Faverini	Rookie	C	6'11"	260
187	Royce White	Rookie	PF	6'8"	260
217	Tony Snell	Rookie	SF	6'7"	200
247	Lorenzo Brown	Rookie	PG	6'5"	186
277	Alessandro Gentile	Rookie	SG	6'5"	227
307	Gorgui Dieng	Rookie	C	6'11"	238
337	Tony Mitchell	Rookie	PF	6'8"	235

NBA Draft - Top 5
Pick	Team	Player	Pos	Ht	Wt
1	Milwaukee Bucks	LeBron James	SF	6'8"	250
2	Philadelphia 76ers	Kevin Durant	SF	6'9"	240
3	Indiana Pacers	Carmelo Anthony	SF	6'8"	235
4	Portland Trail Blazers	Anthony Davis	C	6'10"	220
5	Sacramento Kings	Paul George	SF	6'9"	220

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The backcourt and wing rotation will be difficult for me to fill appropriately. Victor Oladipo and Michael Carter-Williams will obviously assume the starting roles in the backcourt with Giannis Antekounmpo starting at small forward. Lorenzo Brown should be the backup point guard with no real competition for his place so game time should be guaranteed for him. The problem in this area of the rotation is who comes off the bench as backcourt rotation players. Tim Hardaway Jr. is expected to assume the sixth man role and will be joined by Alessandro Gentile and Tony Snell as spot-up shooters. This could well be a competition for one spot in the rotation as I look to simplify the rotation as the season progresses. The early goings of the season will be crucial in determining who gets the nod in that role.

The frontcourt rotation is worringly shallow in depth which could prove to be problematic as the season gains momentum. Thankfully, I have 3 roster spaces which can be filled with frontcourt players at any time. Kelly Olynyk and Vitor Faverani will take the starting roles for the season opener but as the season progresses, the similarities between the two players offensively, defensively and athletically could provide cause for change. Gorgui Dieng could be pivotal in determining what changes are made and his solid presence in the paint could be complementary to either Olynyk or Faverani in the starting frontcourt. Royce White is a mixed bag in terms of what he can provide to the team. I drafted him primarily as an alternative to the rotation bigs but he could play impact role as an all-around rebounder. Tony Mitchell was drafted purely as a 12th man and a potential alternative in the rotation in blowouts and games where rotation players are being rested or are injured; I don't expect him to put any pressure on the rotation players which is further evidence of the potential need for extra frontcourt options in the roster.

[JazzMan]

Re: twhittle2308's NBA2K Challenges

Looks you might have some problems with your frontcourt depth. After Olynyk and Faverini, you're pretty thin. You might have to look into starting Giannis as a stretch 4 and move either Olynyk or Faverini to the bench just so you'll have a little bit of depth.

[twhittle2308]

Re: twhittle2308's NBA2K Challenges

Looks you might have some problems with your frontcourt depth. After Olynyk and Faverini, you're pretty thin. You might have to look into starting Giannis as a stretch 4 and move either Olynyk or Faverini to the bench just so you'll have a little bit of depth.

I do agree I am pretty thin, especially if people like Royce White underperform in the squad. My plan is to play Giannis as a combo 3/4 to be able to play minutes under Olynyk. Dieng should also get some quality minutes down low.

[twhittle2308]

Challenge #1 - Stories to Watch

STORIES TO WATCH

Who will win Rookie of the Year?

The general consensus after the pre-season draft is that the 2013-14 Rookie of the Year will be from the Houston Rockets after the team drafted a squad comprised entirely of players without NBA experience. Leading the chase from Houston for the award are high-flyers Victor Oladipo and Michael Carter-Williams although Giannis Antetokounmpo and Tim Hardaway Jr. could also have ROTY seasons. The leading candidates outside of Houston are Toronto Raptors point guard Trey Burke who will be given the chance to run the floor alongside star power forward Kevin Love and Milwaukee Bucks power forward Cody Zeller who will no doubt get a lot of valuable experience alongside LeBron James. Will the Rockets' youthful squad produce the league's most valuable rookie or will the experiment capitulate to give rookies outside the project the chance to take our the title?

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Will LeBron flourish without the Big 3?

The pre-season draft would inevitably split up the Big 3 of the Miami Heat that had been so dominant in the NBA for the past 3 seasons with 2 Championships from 3 appearances in the NBA Finals. LeBron James would always fall to the team with the #1 pick and that pick fell to the Milwaukee Bucks. He was often questioned as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers and as he won championships with the Heat on his cerdentials to win championships without a star-studded support crew. Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh were his right hand men in Miami and now he will be flanked by Rajon Rondo and Marcin Gortat in Milwaukee. Will the Milwaukee Bucks be helped or hindered by LeBron's lack of a superstar cast similar to what he had in Miami?


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Will Tim Duncan retire a NBA Champion?

The San Antonio Spurs were, like any other team, heavily affected in the aftermath of the draft but there are two major glimmers of hope that remain in Texas: Tim Duncan is still a Spur and he leads one of the strongest squads in the league. He made a run to the Finals last season with Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili that ended in defeat to the Miami Heat in 7; this season, he will team up with Paul Pierce and Darren Collison aiming for another deep playoff run. This may well be Duncan's last season in the NBA and an illustrious career would well and truly be capped off in style with his 5th NBA Championship. Will Duncan succeed in his quest for ring #5?

[twhittle2308]

Challenge #1 - Key Game (CHA @ HOU)

KEY GAME - Preview

Charlotte Bobcats (0-0) @ Houston Rockets (0-0)

Matchup Preview | October 30, 2013
	@
Charlotte Bobcats (0-0, 0-0 Away)		Houston Rockets (0-0, 0-0 Home)
Projected Starters Ty Lawson Point Guard Michael Carter-Williams Jeremy Lamb Shooting Guard Victor Oladipo Nicholas Batum Small Forward Giannis Antetokounmpo Kevin Garnett Power Forward Kelly Olynyk Dwight Howard Center Vitor Faverani Game Notes Last Season - Houston won series 2-0 Last Game - CHA 95-109 HOU (February 2, 2013) Player to Watch - Dwight Howard (CHA) Key Matchup - Power Forward: Kevin Garnett (CHA) vs Kelly Olynyk (HOU) Other Notes Dwight Howard facing 3rd straight season with new team All 12 Rockets on NBA debut

[twhittle2308]

Challenge #1 - Key Game Review (CHA @ HOU)

KEY GAME - Review

CHA 108-85 HOU: Howard the difference as Bobcats thrash Rockets

Many Houston Rockets fans would have expected or at least wanted a much better result tonight against the Charlotte Bobcats. Instead, they got a 23 point thrashing at the hands of Dwight Howard and his new team. The Rockets were never really in the game and were roundly outplayed in all four quarters. The rookie squad in Houston has a long way to go if they are to have any hope of competing for playoff places in the West towards the end of the season.

Dwight Howard was phenomenal on his Bobcats debut with 23 points, 12 rebounds and 2 steals. He was supported by Ty Lawson and Kevin Garnett who picked up 16 points each. For the Rockets, it went from bad to worse as the game drew to a close. Victor Oladipo could only manage 17 points to top score for the Rockets while Michael Carter-Williams scored 12 points with 2 steals before being knocked out cold late in the 4th. He is expected to miss the next 2-4 weeks as he recovers from concussion.

Despite the heavy loss in the first game of the season, Rockets GM Tim Whittle had a surprisingly positive view on the game. "Yes, it'll go down as a loss. No, it wasn't the start that fans, players and coaches alike would have wanted. But it is very early days, there are still 81 games left in the season and I saw a lot of potential in the play tonight. This is by no means a closed case yet." The faith that he is showing in his team that he constructed personally may have a major impact in how the team performs during the season.

Tonight's win moves Charlotte to 1-0 for the season ahead of their return home to play the Cleveland Cavaliers; they will want to build on tonight's result and secure early positioning in the East playoff race. Houston host the Dallas Mavericks with a record of 0-1 against their name; they will be looking to turn around tonight's result and potentially look for the home win against the Mavericks.

Charlotte Bobcats (1-0) at Houston Rockets (0-1)
Oct 30, 2013 1 2 3 4 Final Charlotte 32 30 23 23 108 Houston 17 28 20 20 85 Top Performers Charlotte Bobcats Dwight Howard - 23 PTS, 12 REB, 2 STL Ty Lawson - 16 PTS, 5 AST, 2 STL Houston Rockets Victor Oladipo - 17 PTS Michael Carter-Williams - 12 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL	Team Stats Comparison CHA HOU FG Made-Att 43-90 33-93 3PT Made-Att 6-19 9-39 FT Made-Att 16-21 10-16 Rebounds 66 43 Assists 20 19 Turnovers 13 9 Steals 7 11 Blocks 2 3
Charlotte Bobcats STARTERS MIN FG 3PT FT REB AST STL BLK TO PTS Ty Lawson 31 5-11 0-2 6-6 2 5 2 0 5 16 Jeremy Lamb 30 3-7 2-2 4-4 5 2 0 2 2 12 Nicholas Batum 34 3-7 1-3 0-0 12 1 1 0 1 7 Kevin Garnett 25 8-15 0-0 0-0 8 1 1 0 0 16 Dwight Howard 30 10-11 0-0 3-5 12 2 2 0 1 23 BENCH MIN FG 3PT FT REB AST STL BLK TO PTS Willie Green 17 6-13 2-4 0-0 0 1 0 0 0 14 Omer Asik 15 2-3 0-0 0-0 8 0 0 0 0 4 Shaun Livingston 14 1-6 0-1 0-0 6 6 0 0 1 2 Keyon Dooling 14 3-11 1-5 0-0 1 1 0 0 1 7 Ryan Kelly 13 0-2 0-2 1-2 3 0 0 0 0 1 Ryan Hollins 13 1-3 0-0 2-2 5 0 1 0 1 4 Maurice Harkless 11 1-1 0-0 0-2 4 1 0 0 1 2
Houston Rockets STARTERS MIN FG 3PT FT REB AST STL BLK TO PTS Michael Carter-Williams 29 5-17 2-11 0-1 4 4 2 0 3 12 Victor Oladipo 30 6-18 3-13 2-2 1 2 1 0 2 17 Giannis Antetokounmpo 31 2-3 1-2 0-0 6 5 1 1 0 5 Kelly Olynyk 27 3-7 1-2 2-2 7 0 1 1 2 9 Vitor Faverani 23 4-10 0-0 2-4 2 0 2 0 2 10 BENCH MIN FG 3PT FT REB AST STL BLK TO PTS Gorgui Dieng 19 2-4 0-0 1-2 2 1 2 0 0 5 Royce White 19 2-2 0-0 0-0 11 0 0 0 0 4 Tony Snell 18 3-7 2-3 1-2 2 1 1 0 0 9 Lorenzo Brown 18 2-4 0-1 1-2 3 4 0 0 0 5 Tim Hardaway Jr. 17 0-12 0-7 0-0 4 2 1 0 0 0 Alessandro Gentile 15 3-8 0-0 1-1 0 0 0 1 0 7 Tony Mitchell 1 1-1 0-0 0-0 1 0 0 0 0 2

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Post-Game Injury Report
Pos	Player	Injury Note
PG	Michael Carter-Williams	Concussion (2-4 weeks)

[twhittle2308]

Challenge #1 - Developing Story (LeBron in Milwaukee: Update 1)

DEVELOPING STORY

Bucks indifferent as LeBron nabs Player of the Week

LeBron James is once again the best player; at least in the Eastern Conference for this week as he was named the East's Player of the Week for November 3-9. It seems as though LeBron has gained the ability to thrive personally without the superstar cast that he had in Miami; he currently averages 32.0 PPG, 9.2 RPG and 6.2 APG. If it were not for his partnership with one of the premier point guards in the game in Rajon Rondo, his numbers (especially his assist numbers) could be much higher.

Despite the hot start to the season from LeBron, the Milwaukee Bucks still continue to be indifferent. After 5 games, they are 2-3 and their sub .500 record has them in the lower reaches of the Eastern Conference standings. After an opening night victory over the Knicks, losses to Boston and Toronto and a 20-point mauling by Dallas have threatened to derail the Bucks' season before it's had a chance to get up and running. Milwaukee were one of the favourites heading into the season but if results stay the way they are, that will change very soon.

Asked for his take on the current situation in Milwaukee, LeBron said that "obviously it is always nice to have that recognition for the work that I put in for my team in order to give them the best chance of winning every night. But this is a team game and right now, we aren't in the best of positions after the start of the season. I'm sure that as we get to know the team better that the results will come and we can be competitive in the Eastern Conference." With a trip to Miami coming up next for the Bucks, LeBron has a great chance to start to pull Milwaukee's season in the right direction with a win over a team that gave so much to him in the past few seasons.