SimWorld Presents: The Race to Greatness (A SimWorld NBA2K Dynasty)

[ronyell]

December 1st, 2016

KYLE LOWRY IS EXPECTED TO BE OUT UNTIL MARCH AS MRI SHOWS A BROKEN LEFT ANKLE OCCURRING IN LAST NIGHT'S GAME AGAINST THE HAWKS. COREY JOSPEH IS EXPECTED TO TAKE OVER AS THE STARTER.

[ronyell]

December 1st, 2016

Watch live video from SimWorldGaming on www.twitch.tv

[AdamJones113]

December 1st, 2016

Players like DeMarre Carroll will have to step up during Kyle Lowry's absence

The Case For... The Non-Extinct Raptors

Why Kyle Lowry's injury isn't a death knell for Toronto

by Aaron Jaworski


The Raptors are not extinct, were not extinct, and will not be extinct. Despite losing Kyle Lowry for at least 4 months to a devastating broken ankle, the team from north of the border is still a fearsome squad and a team that does not see itself as down and out. This is a Toronto team still very much capable of taking the division crown, and, with Lowry expected back before the playoffs, Toronto's season is hardly a lost one.

First of all, their division is hardly one foaming at the jaws to dispossess the Raptors of first place. The Toronto-led Atlantic division is the only one in the league without multiple teams above .500; the Raptors lead the division at 12-7, a two-and-a-half-game lead over the closest, 9-9 Boston Celtics. The 76ers, Knicks, and Nets are still in a clear rebuilding process and came into the season with little hope of the playoffs—a Lowry injury, while perhaps opening up the top spot somewhat, does not ensure improved play from any of those three rookie-dominated teams. The Celtics are an uneven team at best, and it's hard to expect Kevin Love to maintain his otherworldly levels for the duration of the season without getting some help.

That is a possibility that could see the Raptors dislodged—any help on its way to Boston, particularly some back court help, could make the men in green a challenge to those in red. Yet the worst threat to the Raptors comes from within. This season will be a test of the mettle of DeMar DeRozan, for now this team is well and truly his. The rest of team will need to improve, to cover the absence of Lowry—with him, the Raptors were the fifth-most potent offense in the league, and were tied for its third best point differential—and Cory Joseph, the man touted to step into Lowry's shoes, will undoubtedly prove an essential factor in determining the morale of Toronto's campaign. Joseph, though unexperienced in opening-tip duties, certainly has a wealth of overall experience from his time in San Antonio and from Toronto's playoff run last year. Succeed, and "Hometown Boy Makes Good" will be plastered on the CN Tower; fail, and "CoJo" (Toronto's basketball answer to "Cujo") and his future will be up in the air.

The prevailing example in considering Toronto's chances is the Derrick Rose-era Chicago Bulls. The Bulls went 45-37 in the regular season after their dynamic point guard tore his ACL in a first-round playoff game against the 76ers, with Rose not appearing in a single contest (though he was cleared to play in March). Rose returned the next year, almost making it through November before exiting for the year with a meniscus injury to his other knee. The Bulls finished the season 48-34, just three wins better than their full year sans Rose. Avoiding, hopefully, recurring injuries for Lowry, the emulation of the success of the Bulls is the goal for this year's Raptors. And, with a much easier division to do it in, there's little reason that Toronto's Jurassic Park shouldn't be open come playoff time.

Lowry's injury is a blow, certainly, to the cohesiveness of the Raptors. The mantle of stardom has now consolidated itself solely on the shoulder's of DeMar DeRozan; the burden of success has made its load heavier on the shoulders of each Raptor, particularly Cory Joseph. But the Raptors are up to the task. This is no lost world. This is no asteroid to wipe out the species.

And anyways, it's hockey season, the Leafs are on. Caring about the Raptors is on hiatus until the Leafs are eliminated, which should be nice and early, like March—perfect time to get Lowry back!



Aaron Jaworski contributed to this report. Aaron is a diehard sports guy who writes about sports and more sports. Sports, sports sports. His wife doesn't like it, but she also doesn't like Tim Horton's, therefore Aaron doesn't have to listen to her. Right? Right?!?

[ronyell]

December 1st, 2016

"It's great to see some of the come back stories so far this season. Embiid getting some starts in Milwaukee, Oden in Orlando & now Roy signing to the T'Wolves." Just really good stuff." said Charles Barkley on TNT's Inside Stuff.

Stan Van Gundy says Andre Drummond will be in starting lineup Saturday against Minnesota.

Reports out of Chicago are that the Bulls could be looking to trade Derrick Rose this season. The Bulls have been said to be interested in Blake Griffin.

"Deron Williams is a major reason for the Piston's success. His willingness to come off of the bench & his ability to lead" says SimWorld's Dreece.

Jae Crowder will not e suspended for his comments regarding the officiating thus far this season.

"I can't wait to get back out there on the court and help my team. Watching Laqua out there holding it down makes me excited to see just what w can accomplish together. And once we get Ante & Jabari back I think we it will all just click." said Greg Monroe about his upcoming return to the court.

Greg Anthony says Minnesota's 5-game winning streak should be a surprise to no one & that they will win their division after their latest trade.

Sixers Lou Williams has requested a buyout from the organization. Williams has yet to play a game for the Sixers this season.

"It definitely feels good to be home." says Hawks center Dwight Howard. "It's a much different motivation each night. More than I've had the past few years." added Howard.

Oklahoma City head coach Billy Donovan loving results of playing zone with Gasol & Adams starting in frontcourt.

[ronyell]

December 1st, 2016

[ronyell]

December 2nd, 2016

[ronyell]

December 2nd, 2016

Significant Injuries Eying Return
Team	Player	Injury Notes
MIL	Giannis Antetokounmpo	right hamstring (out since November 8th)
LAC	DeAndre Jordan	left knee (out since November 20th)
MEM	Tony Allen	left ankle (out since November 11th)
MIA	Dwayne Wade	right shoulder (out since November 11th)
NY	Carmelo Anthony	left calf (out since November 1st)
DAL	Raymond Felton	back (out since November 19th)
SA	LaMarcus Aldridge	right ankle (out since November 2nd)
WAS	John Wall	left knee (out since November 5th)

* Bradley Beal to play in first game since November 12th, on Sunday
* Andre Drummond to play in first game since November 2nd, tomorrow

[ronyell]

December 3rd, 2016

[ronyell]

December 3rd, 2016

[ronyell]

December 4th, 2016

RESULTS FROM MRI SHOW A SIGNIFICANT FRACTURE IN RUSSELL WESTBROOK'S LEFT HAND. WESTBROOK IS EXPECTED TO BE OUT UNTIL MID JANUARY. COACH SCOTT HAS SAID THAT ROOKIE JADAMION DEVEAUX WILL START.

[ronyell]

December 4th, 2016

[ronyell]

December 5th, 2016

Could Blake Be a Prophet?

Doc Rivers and company are getting a lot of calls lately, inquiring about Blake Griffin and the organization is not so quick to hang up the phone reports Sekou Smith. Smith says the Clippers have gotten inquiries from the Bulls, Knicks, Heat & Lakers in the past few days.

The Clips are now sitting at .500 in what has been a dissappointing start to the season to say the least. They have battled through many early season injuries just as many other teams have and are currently without DeAndre Jordan but their uninspired performances has the Clipper faithful in fear of slipping back into the loss-riddled seasons that they had grown accustomed to until recently.

Blake has been great as of late and i'd dare say the true concern is Chris Paul who is looking a shell of his former self. Regardless, Blake Griffin still seems to be the talk of the town and not for his stellar play. Blake made a cryptic tweet after the Clippers unexpected exit from the playoffs saying "LA is home but you can't stress things that you are not in control of."

It is still worth mentioning, Blake had the public altercation with with a trainer last season who in turn sued the organization, The Clippers have yet to get it done with Blake & CP3 & Doc is clearly a "Chris Paul Guy" & there is not enough money to go around. Blake is a supreme talent that seems to made for the bright lights of L.A. but we will have to see just where he ends up.

[ronyell]

December 5th, 2016

[ronyell]

December 5th, 2016

[AdamJones113]

December 5th, 2016

KD has been in the zone recently, as his Thunder ripped off a 7-game win streak to get them back in the race

Around the Association

Capital Performances From Rubio; Rookies Making Their Presence Felt; The Interview, With KD


1. Capital Performances From Rubio
Ricky Rubio's transition to Washington D.C. has been effectively seamless. Since his arrival onto the capital's professional hardwood, Rubio has chaperoned the Wizards to their first consecutive wins of the season. His first game for the team was a 117-98 loss to the powerful Kings, but Rubio surprisingly led the team with 24 points and also added 3 rebounds and 5 assists. In the next game, the Wizards crushed the Spurs 100-75 on the strength of 31 and 28 points from Marcin Gortat and Bradley Beal, respectively... but mostly on Rubio's 11-point, 14-board, 13-assist triple double, the Wizards' first triple-double of the year. To complete the consecutive win set, Rubio led the Wizards into Miami and beat the Heat 114-107, scoring 11 points again and leading Washington with 8 assists. Rubio appears content and, though John Wall appears to be nearing a return, unperturbed—for once, perhaps, Rubio is happy enough to show off the talents he flashed not nearly enough in Minnesota.

2. Rookies Making Their Presence Felt
There has been no LeBron James this year, no Dwight Howard, no Patrick Ewing—no rookie whose entrance into the league was heralded in terms scouts reserve for something along the lines of the next Coming. Yet this year's crop has hardly been a poor one. Laqua Palmer has been a key part of the Milwaukee Bucks team since day one; his 19 points and 15 boards, epitomizing his consistent double-double threat, led the Bucks to a hotly contested 102-98 win over the Knicks. Che' King, new 76ers "The Man," has been a leader in Philly all year; for example, his 18/4/10 double-double led the 76ers to a mammoth, 40-points-in-the-fourth-quarter win over the Pelicans. Jadamion Deveaux is the newest rook to shine. He replaced Russell Westbrook in the Los Angeles back court when the star went down with an injury, and promptly led the team with 11 assists. In his first career start, later in the week, Deveaux scored 21 points and grabbed 5 rebounds.

3. The Interview, With KD
Q: What a run you guys went on there. What's the mentality to be so successful?
A: We just go out there trying to get wins, no matter the night, and we play hard enough to get them seven times straight.
Q: Some tough defense from Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks stopped that streak at 7. What changed, that you couldn't get the win that night?
A: Every team in the NBA is a tough team, no game is easy. They just played better than we did, and they got the win.
Q: Has Victor Oladipo been a good replacement for Russell Westbrook?
A: The two are very different players, but Victor's played great for us so far. Only the results at the end of the season will determine that, though.
Q: Is that criticism of Westbrook for not helping you to a championship?
A: It's not criticism. Everyone wants to win a title, but not every team, in fact 29 of 30 teams, aren't successful every year.