From the Ashes: A Phoenix Tale

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  • trekfan
    Designated Red Shirt
    • Sep 2009
    • 5817

    #46
    Re: From the Ashes: A Phoenix Tale

    Team Preview: Nuggets
    By Sam Gray



    The Nuggets just barely made the playoffs last season and were easily swept out of the postseason in four quick games by Houston. Still, the playoff experience was enough to get Jokic to sign a lucrative new contract.

    Over the summer, the Nuggets let Will Barton go and banked on development of their youth to make up for the lost production. Lyles, Lydon, and Beasley will be expected to step up to help the Nuggets keep up with the arms race out West.

    The Nuggets goal: get back into the playoffs. If Denver can prove itself as a consistent postseason threat, they can prove to Jokic that his next contract should be with them too — the Nuggets are likely to punt on Millsap next summer if the price isn’t right.
    Any comments are welcome.
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    • RMJH4
      Retro NBA Nut
      • Jul 2008
      • 1611

      #47
      Re: From the Ashes: A Phoenix Tale

      Knicks look legit now. Can really challenge Celtics and 76ers. Lakers are going to be a tough out. You've got to face them 4 times, ouch. Nuggets are going to be going to be really tough too. Look at all those guys in the 80s...
      Nowhere to Hide - Mike Hobbs Story.

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      • georgiafan
        Hall Of Fame
        • Jul 2002
        • 11099

        #48
        Re: From the Ashes: A Phoenix Tale

        Hawks are my real life team so I like the fit of Randal with them. I am higher on schroder then most but I understand the trade. just need to take on a bad contract with all that cap space and dedman should have a little value also. The faried trade to Atlanta is just such a perfect fit for both side as it gets Denver under the tax.

        Parks in magic will get thrown into the fire with all those big men

        Lakers will be fascinating they are top heavy so will need to go bargain shopping

        Noah and Lee’s contracts just kills the knicks cap sheet
        Retro Redemption - Starting over with a oldschool PowerBone Offense

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        • trekfan
          Designated Red Shirt
          • Sep 2009
          • 5817

          #49
          Re: From the Ashes: A Phoenix Tale

          Originally posted by georgiafan
          Hawks are my real life team so I like the fit of Randal with them. I am higher on schroder then most but I understand the trade. just need to take on a bad contract with all that cap space and dedman should have a little value also. The faried trade to Atlanta is just such a perfect fit for both side as it gets Denver under the tax.

          Parks in magic will get thrown into the fire with all those big men

          Lakers will be fascinating they are top heavy so will need to go bargain shopping

          Noah and Lee’s contracts just kills the knicks cap sheet

          Faried may end up getting to the Hawks -- I did that in my last dynasty but might repeat it here as Denver needs cap relief and might dump Faried/Plumlee for it depending on where they sit at the deadline. I liked Randle a lot and thought about getting him myself, but I think he's got a good shot to be a Draymond-lite in the ATL.



          The Lakers are top-heavy for sure, and the Magic need to get something going and hope Parks can do it.



          The Knicks Phil Jackson era (or error) continues to haunt them, but those contracts of Noah and Lee are massive -- Noah will at least be useful, but Lee is definitely not at this stage. New York could use another draft pick to unload them, but I imagine they'll just suck it up for this season and next -- they'll need the cheap labor to replace them down the line.
          Any comments are welcome.
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          • trekfan
            Designated Red Shirt
            • Sep 2009
            • 5817

            #50
            Re: From the Ashes: A Phoenix Tale

            Team Preview: Pacers
            By Sam Gray



            The Pacers had one of the surprise seasons in the league last year, getting to the playoffs and making a show of it against the Bucks. But Indiana was swept and had questions to address in the offseason … and now those questions have answers.

            Over the summer, the Pacers went out and added two big pieces who have seen their market value take a ht in recent years. Isiah Thomas was added in to be another big-time scorer next to Oladipo, while Greg Monroe was brought in to assume the starter/bench big role.

            With the added firepower and the usual understated Indiana improvement, the Pacers expect to get back to the playoffs and advance to second round with their new players. With a starter five of Thomas, Oladipo, Young, Turner, and Monroe — along with the deepest bench in the NBA — Indiana has a good shot at accomplishing its task.
            Any comments are welcome.
            Texas Two-Step (2K20 Alt History)
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            You Don't Know Jack (2K18 Pacers Dynasty - Complete)
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            The Gold Standard (2K13 Dynasty - Complete)

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            • trekfan
              Designated Red Shirt
              • Sep 2009
              • 5817

              #51
              Re: From the Ashes: A Phoenix Tale

              Team Preview: Pelicans
              By Sam Gray



              The Pelicans nearly upset the favored Thunder in the playoff, but simply didn’t have the firepower to get by Westbrook and Co. That proved to be the first — and only — playoff experience of Boogie and the Brow as Cousins wanted out; insulted by the front office not offering him the full max, he found another suitor … in the Wizards.

              One big trade later and the Pelicans had turned a dissatisfied Cousins into Bradley Beal, Kelly Oubre, and Marcin Gortat — a few players who solve a few problems for NOLA. Beal will become the dedicated shooter of the squad as Oubre assumes the starting wing role and Gortat will be a spot starter (and away from Wall, who was very displeased with him).

              The goal of the Pelicans — keep Davis happy (goal accomplished, as he was very pleased with the summer moves) and make the playoffs again. Making the playoffs for a second-straight year, especially in the gauntlet that is the West, would be another sign to Davis that staying long-term with NOLA would be right career choice.
              Any comments are welcome.
              Texas Two-Step (2K20 Alt History)
              Orange And Blue Forever (NCAA 14 Dynasty)
              You Don't Know Jack (2K18 Pacers Dynasty - Complete)
              Second Coming (2K16 Sonics MyLeague - Complete)
              The Gold Standard (2K13 Dynasty - Complete)

              Comment

              • trekfan
                Designated Red Shirt
                • Sep 2009
                • 5817

                #52
                Re: From the Ashes: A Phoenix Tale

                Team Preview: Pistons
                By Sam Gray



                The Pistons made a giant trade at last year’s deadline for Blake Griffin and seemed to get the bad end of the deal; they didn’t make the playoffs, Stan Van Gundy was fired (and replaced by Dwayne Casey), and Blake Griffin is still there — making a ton of money as the “Clipper for Life.”

                In the summer, capped out and with only the MLE available, the Pistons went out and signed Seth Curry to shoot, shoot, and shoot; meanwhile, they added Tarik Black as a backup and otherwise the Pistons stood pat.

                The goal for the Pistons: make the playoffs in a (theoretically) weaker East. With the giant contracts of Blake Griffin, Reggie Jackson, and Andre Drummond, the Pistons are locked into this core until someone else takes one of those large contracts off their hands.
                Any comments are welcome.
                Texas Two-Step (2K20 Alt History)
                Orange And Blue Forever (NCAA 14 Dynasty)
                You Don't Know Jack (2K18 Pacers Dynasty - Complete)
                Second Coming (2K16 Sonics MyLeague - Complete)
                The Gold Standard (2K13 Dynasty - Complete)

                Comment

                • trekfan
                  Designated Red Shirt
                  • Sep 2009
                  • 5817

                  #53
                  Re: From the Ashes: A Phoenix Tale

                  Team Preview: Raptors
                  By Sam Gray



                  The Raptors made the biggest move they have in years after their failure in the playoffs, being swept by the 76ers.

                  During the summer, they fired Dwayne Casey, traded DeRozan, and have reassembled their team around a core of Lowry, Valanciunas, and Andrew Wiggins — the Raptors big catch from the DeRozan trade. Toronto hired Nick Nurse as their HC and brought back some of their elite bench.

                  The goal of the Raptors: reboot the franchise on the fly into a title contender around Wiggins and whomever lasts. Kyle Lowry might not last the season in a Toronto uniform if a good trade presents itself.
                  Any comments are welcome.
                  Texas Two-Step (2K20 Alt History)
                  Orange And Blue Forever (NCAA 14 Dynasty)
                  You Don't Know Jack (2K18 Pacers Dynasty - Complete)
                  Second Coming (2K16 Sonics MyLeague - Complete)
                  The Gold Standard (2K13 Dynasty - Complete)

                  Comment

                  • trekfan
                    Designated Red Shirt
                    • Sep 2009
                    • 5817

                    #54
                    Re: From the Ashes: A Phoenix Tale

                    Team Preview: Rockets
                    By Sam Gray



                    The Rockets made it all the way to the WCF before an untimely Chris Paul injury ended their chances. Houston was close — closer than it’s been in years — to getting back to the Finals.

                    With little cap room, the Rockets managed to bring CP3 back for less than the max (just a little less), re-signed Clint Capela to big deal, signed Mike Scott to start at the four, signed Norman Powell to start at the three, signed Yogi Ferrell to be CP3’s backup, and brought back Ariza for a minimum deal.

                    The goal of Houston: title or bust. With the arms race in the West, Houston still remains a heavy favorite to contend for the Finals, but will need to stay injury free and get some better play from their bench to have a chance.
                    Any comments are welcome.
                    Texas Two-Step (2K20 Alt History)
                    Orange And Blue Forever (NCAA 14 Dynasty)
                    You Don't Know Jack (2K18 Pacers Dynasty - Complete)
                    Second Coming (2K16 Sonics MyLeague - Complete)
                    The Gold Standard (2K13 Dynasty - Complete)

                    Comment

                    • trekfan
                      Designated Red Shirt
                      • Sep 2009
                      • 5817

                      #55
                      Re: From the Ashes: A Phoenix Tale

                      Team Preview: Spurs
                      By Sam Gray



                      The Spurs managed to make it into the playoffs as the eighth seed without Leonard, who sat out the season with an injury … and the recovery process from that injury soured him on the Spurs. That drama spilled over into the summer.

                      And that resulted in a massive three-team trade that sent Leonard to the Lakers as the Spurs got back youth and talent in Ingram, Hart, and Schroder. San Antonio isn’t rebuilding, so much as refreshing and with their youth and the experience of Popovich, they feel they can compete.

                      The goal of the Spurs: bounce back fast without Leonard and make the playoffs. With Ingram and Hart, the Spurs feel they have two cornerstones of their future — cornerstones with an ax to grind against the hated Lakers (a bonus).
                      Any comments are welcome.
                      Texas Two-Step (2K20 Alt History)
                      Orange And Blue Forever (NCAA 14 Dynasty)
                      You Don't Know Jack (2K18 Pacers Dynasty - Complete)
                      Second Coming (2K16 Sonics MyLeague - Complete)
                      The Gold Standard (2K13 Dynasty - Complete)

                      Comment

                      • trekfan
                        Designated Red Shirt
                        • Sep 2009
                        • 5817

                        #56
                        Re: From the Ashes: A Phoenix Tale

                        Team Preview: Suns
                        By Sam Gray



                        Last season’s Suns suffered through another losing year before suffering the greatest loss of all: The loss of human life. Despite that loss and tragedy, the business of basketball had to go on.

                        During the summer, Phoenix had the first overall pick and took the highly rated player in Omar Pope, the best basketball player in this draft and in many drafts according to multiple experts. Pope is joined by an interesting cast of young players who were given up on and veterans with expensive contracts. Add in the hiring of Jason Kidd as an HC and this Phoenix team will be one of the most fascinating in the league.

                        The goal of the Suns: compete every night, develop the youth, and rebuild the organization into a winning culture. It won’t be an easy path, but with Pope leading the way the future looks considerably brighter than it did only a few months ago.
                        Any comments are welcome.
                        Texas Two-Step (2K20 Alt History)
                        Orange And Blue Forever (NCAA 14 Dynasty)
                        You Don't Know Jack (2K18 Pacers Dynasty - Complete)
                        Second Coming (2K16 Sonics MyLeague - Complete)
                        The Gold Standard (2K13 Dynasty - Complete)

                        Comment

                        • trekfan
                          Designated Red Shirt
                          • Sep 2009
                          • 5817

                          #57
                          Re: From the Ashes: A Phoenix Tale

                          Team Preview: Thunder
                          By Sam Gray



                          The Thunder managed to get to the second round of the playoffs before being dispatched by the Rockets in six games.

                          Despite that loss, the Thunder have to consider this summer a success; they retained Paul George, traded Carmelo (and his terrible contract), got back Dion Waiters, and managed to lower their luxury tax payments.

                          The goal of the Thunder is to make it back to the Finals — whether they can do that with this roster is another question. With the amount of money committed to the starting five, the Thunder are likely to make more changes next summer to get out of the luxury tax, but if they can win a title it’ll all be worth it.
                          Any comments are welcome.
                          Texas Two-Step (2K20 Alt History)
                          Orange And Blue Forever (NCAA 14 Dynasty)
                          You Don't Know Jack (2K18 Pacers Dynasty - Complete)
                          Second Coming (2K16 Sonics MyLeague - Complete)
                          The Gold Standard (2K13 Dynasty - Complete)

                          Comment

                          • trekfan
                            Designated Red Shirt
                            • Sep 2009
                            • 5817

                            #58
                            Re: From the Ashes: A Phoenix Tale

                            Team Preview: T’Wolves
                            By Sam Gray



                            The T’Wolves just barely missed the playoffs and the offseason took a turn for the worst when Jimmy Butler informed the Minnesota front office that he was not coming back next summer, when he could opt out of his contract.

                            With dissension in the locker room between Butler, Towns, and Wiggins, the T’Wolves made a giant trade to send Butler to New York, send Wiggins to Toronto, and get back DeMar DeRozan. DeRozan looks to be the perfect veteran partner to KAT and with Thibs coaching them both, the Minnesota team should be more well-balanced than it was last season.

                            The goal for the T’Wolves: Make it back to the playoffs and win a series, something they haven’t accomplished since Kevin Garnett suited up for them in the mid-2000s.

                            Any comments are welcome.
                            Texas Two-Step (2K20 Alt History)
                            Orange And Blue Forever (NCAA 14 Dynasty)
                            You Don't Know Jack (2K18 Pacers Dynasty - Complete)
                            Second Coming (2K16 Sonics MyLeague - Complete)
                            The Gold Standard (2K13 Dynasty - Complete)

                            Comment

                            • trekfan
                              Designated Red Shirt
                              • Sep 2009
                              • 5817

                              #59
                              Re: From the Ashes: A Phoenix Tale

                              Team Preview: Trail Blazers
                              By Sam Gray



                              The Blazers made the playoffs last season as the fourth seed but disappointed in their showing, as they were beaten by the short-handed Clippers in five and spent the summer considering their options.

                              What they decided? Run it back. Portland re-signed Nurkic, brought in Bjelica to start at the four, and brought back Ed Davis and Shabazz Napier. Portland managed to trade the albatross contract of Evan Turner to Phoenix and the front office is betting that continuity will allow the Blazers to succeed in an ever-changing West.

                              The goal for the Blazers: Tangible progress in the postseason. A playoff berth is not enough any longer, it’s time for the Blazers to stake a claim as a power in the conference and make their way to the WCF — if not, expect the core of Lillard/McCollum/Nurkic to be split up sooner rather than later.
                              Any comments are welcome.
                              Texas Two-Step (2K20 Alt History)
                              Orange And Blue Forever (NCAA 14 Dynasty)
                              You Don't Know Jack (2K18 Pacers Dynasty - Complete)
                              Second Coming (2K16 Sonics MyLeague - Complete)
                              The Gold Standard (2K13 Dynasty - Complete)

                              Comment

                              • trekfan
                                Designated Red Shirt
                                • Sep 2009
                                • 5817

                                #60
                                Re: From the Ashes: A Phoenix Tale

                                Team Preview: Warriors
                                By Sam Gray



                                The Warriors were given the best shot of every team all season long and still managed to win the title, despite a seven-game series with the Rockets in the WCF and a surprising six-game series with the 76ers in the Finals.

                                Over the summer, as the entire NBA landscape changed, the Warriors remained the same — they brought back Kevin Durant on a 1+1 deal, they re-signed Pachullia and Cook, and are banking on their continuity plus their high-power core four to carry them to another title, their fourth in five years.

                                Their goal is a title, plain and simple. Anything less would constitute a failure and might lead to one of the core four to searching for better (paying) pastures, namely Draymond Green, who hasn’t been shy in expressing his desire for a lucrative new contract.
                                Any comments are welcome.
                                Texas Two-Step (2K20 Alt History)
                                Orange And Blue Forever (NCAA 14 Dynasty)
                                You Don't Know Jack (2K18 Pacers Dynasty - Complete)
                                Second Coming (2K16 Sonics MyLeague - Complete)
                                The Gold Standard (2K13 Dynasty - Complete)

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