The Bulgarian Brothers – A College Hoops 2K8 & NBA 2K20 Dynasty

[JoshNormanMane]

Re: The Bulgarian Brothers – A College Hoops 2K8 & NBA 2K20 Dynasty

First, awesome touch at the beginning of the article with linking Braswell's draft class and the SGA-Luka article. Helps give context behind the magnitude of the storyline.

Sucks to see Trevor Merchant knocked out for a couple months, he's become one of my favorite guys in your universe. Is he going to be able to qualify for All-NBA?

Is Dunnington in his 3rd season now? I'm always intrigued with tracking how Naismith Player of the Years (and heisman winners in football) do in the pros. Selfishly I hope Jarrell Brantley takes home Most Improved honors, he was always a favorite of mine in my 2K20 file.

Good highlight video, it reminded me that Lebron & KD are teaming up in OKC. Despite their record, do you think they have a shot at a deep playoff run?

[studbucket]

Re: The Bulgarian Brothers – A College Hoops 2K8 & NBA 2K20 Dynasty

First, awesome touch at the beginning of the article with linking Braswell's draft class and the SGA-Luka article. Helps give context behind the magnitude of the storyline.

Sucks to see Trevor Merchant knocked out for a couple months, he's become one of my favorite guys in your universe. Is he going to be able to qualify for All-NBA?

Is Dunnington in his 3rd season now? I'm always intrigued with tracking how Naismith Player of the Years (and heisman winners in football) do in the pros. Selfishly I hope Jarrell Brantley takes home Most Improved honors, he was always a favorite of mine in my 2K20 file.

Good highlight video, it reminded me that Lebron & KD are teaming up in OKC. Despite their record, do you think they have a shot at a deep playoff run?

Thanks man, appreciate it.

What's the cut off for All-NBA, is it 55 games? I can't remember if 2K23 has that logic or not. It seems unlikely that SGA qualifies even though he's been the second best player in the league when healthy.

Yes, this is Dunnington's 3rd season. He was the 20th pick of the Thunder in the 2022 NBA draft. IRL he's Luke Harangody lol.

Brantley is definitely in the running, but it's a really tight race and I put them, in the approximate order of strength. I tend to over-ride 2K's award choices, so I'm going to monitor this one very closely.

I'm skeptical of OKC's chances in the playoffs. They haven't consistently won any games and if they are going to be a 6-8 seed, they'll just get destroyed by Denver, New Orleans, or Golden State.

They should be so much better, but this has been a disappointing season given all the talent, athleticism, and experience on their roster.

[studbucket]

Trade Deadline Moves

The mega deals happened 5 weeks ago, but there were still moves to be made in this NBA season as teams prepped for the future or tried to make playoff runs.

The Jazz add Mikal Bridges
If Utah doesn’t make a playoff run this season, there’s a very strong sense that Donovan Mitchell is going to make drastic demands. Utah doesn’t have much in the way of assets but they unloaded an unprotected first, Guerschon Yabusele, and a second to get Mikal Bridges from the floundering Bulls. Bridges will immediately slot in as the starting 3 for the Jazz, who hope to work their way into a top 6 playoff spot in the West.

This may be brilliant and just what the Jazz needs, but ultimately seems like lipstick on a pig and Mitchell, Gobert, or both will likely be gone this offseason.

Minnesota snags OG
Minnesota is currently sitting 6^th in a very competitive Western Conference and wants to put the best team possible around KAT, McNurlin, and D-Lo. With Hachimura and Tyler Dorsey as the other 2 current starters, they need a bit more defense and athleticism in their starting 5 and they grabbed exactly that by trading for OG Anunoby from the Clippers. They sent Dorsey and an unprotected first to Los Angeles. While this may seem like pennies for OG, he is on an expiring deal and the Clippers are content with the deal.

Seattle swindles their Southern neighbors
For whatever reason, coach Melvin Hunt and the Trail Blazers have not valued 4^th year Syracuse wing Gordon Cousinard. The defensive specialist had a fantastic rookie season along with Frenchman Christophe Perben but both are now just playing spot minutes or out of the rotation altogether. The Sonics’ season is lost and they are on track for a high lottery pick but they saw an opportunity to grab a talented young player for cheap. They sent 2 picks and some salary matching to Portland for Cousinard.

While some feel he’s hit his ceiling – or has even regressed – after scoring 20 ppg last season and dropping all the way to 9 this year, the Seattle brass are thrilled with his addition and hope he can form a great partnership with Bobby Drake.

Hawks get Zhou
There’s no way around it: it’s been bad in Atlanta. They’ve added Harden and George, but they aren’t winning. In a last-ditch effort to get more role players around them, they send some bench players and a pick to Toronto to get Qi Zhou. Zhou is moderately talented but the Raptors have a glut of big men and needed to free up playing time for players with more upside.

Orlando takes a flier on Bigby
The Knicks aren’t having a good season, but they don’t have the benefit of having their own pick. Desperate for a pick and with 3^rd year Georgetown wing Vitor Bigby not breaking into the rotation, New York was happy to send him to Orlando for a top 10 protected pick in this year’s draft. Bigby will hope to revive his career in Orlando after being drafted 12^th overall in 2022. He’s seen his points, minutes, and games drop each year after averaging 9 points per game as a rookie.

[JoshNormanMane]

Re: The Bulgarian Brothers – A College Hoops 2K8 & NBA 2K20 Dynasty

Good trades across the board. A lot of intriguing but combustible situations across the league like Utah and Atlanta. I can't imagine that Atlanta team stays together (granted they could stay together due to the sole reason of another team unable to pay PG and Harden) if they can't piece things together.

Idk if I'd say Seattle swindled Portland unless if Cousinard becomes Year 1 Houston James Harden lol. Seems pricey to me to give up a 1st for a guy who needs to be paid at the end of the year. What money is Cousinard looking for in Free Agency?

[studbucket]

Re: The Bulgarian Brothers – A College Hoops 2K8 & NBA 2K20 Dynasty

Good trades across the board. A lot of intriguing but combustible situations across the league like Utah and Atlanta. I can't imagine that Atlanta team stays together (granted they could stay together due to the sole reason of another team unable to pay PG and Harden) if they can't piece things together.

Thanks! None of them were blockbusters, but it felt like the teams would feel they were mutually beneficial. Atlanta is a disaster...but maybe things turn around next season. I imagine they made this move hoping to make it last at least through 2026.

Idk if I'd say Seattle swindled Portland unless if Cousinard becomes Year 1 Houston James Harden lol. Seems pricey to me to give up a 1st for a guy who needs to be paid at the end of the year. What money is Cousinard looking for in Free Agency?

Fair point. The Seattle perspective is that Cousinard is still improving, is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, and has been a 20 ppg scorer on a team that had Malcolm Brogdon and Jaylen Brown. (Cousinard draft link for reference)

Portland would say that he's not even good enough to play right now, has seen his scoring drop to 9 ppg, and seems to have lost his shot.

Neutrals around the league feel like a pick 2 years from now (when Bobby Drake is in year 4) isn't much of a risk and they should be competing for the playoffs. Drake + Cousinard is a great set of wings, plus rookie Joey Robbins is there.

Seattle should have plenty of cap space, and I'd guess Cousinard will ask for something in the realm of $20m/year.

[studbucket]

Re: The Bulgarian Brothers – A College Hoops 2K8 & NBA 2K20 Dynasty

We saw the league’s best and brightest (minus the injured Bobby Drake) take the court in Milwaukee for the Rising Stars challenge. The game kicked off with a bang as Boston’s Bruno Radja (PG, 90 ovr) threw down a dunk off of a screen.

Later on, we saw first overall pick Kordel Cleaves (SF, 79 ovr) pull off a dunk-contest-worthy around-the-back slam on a breakaway:

Team USA jumped out to a big lead at first but the World team tied it up and it was a close one to the end. Kordel Cleaves was the player of the game with a 19, 8, and 9. However, Milwaukee’s Malcom Nahra (SG, 79 ovr) led all scorers with 23 points and we also saw a good game from Bruno Radja.

Moments from the game.

[studbucket]

2025 NBA All-Star Weekend: Three Point Contest

This year’s three point contest participants are:

• Jayson Tatum, PF, BOS, 90 ovr – 44%
• Luka Doncic, SG, DAL, 93 ovr – 44.5%
• Trae Young, PG, ATL, 93 ovr – 45.8%
• D’Angelo Russell, PG, MIN, 86 ovr – 46.2%
• Malcolm Brogdon, PG, POR, 86 ovr – 49%
• Tyler Herro, SG, HAW, 84 ovr – 43.7%

Jason Tatum and Malcolm Brogdon had miserable opening rounds, having multiple racks of 0 or 1 point. Luka Doncic and Tyler Herro both got 17 and went to a tiebreaker where Herro edged out Doncic 10-9 in a 30-second round.

Herro then started off round 2 and went cold, getting only 11 points in 60 seconds. Trae Young came out much better than Herro but still only got 17 points. However, De’Angelo Russell had a miserable 11 points and Trae Young won the second three point contest of his career (he also won 2021).

[JoshNormanMane]

Re: The Bulgarian Brothers – A College Hoops 2K8 & NBA 2K20 Dynasty

Geez, first the guys phone it in for the All-Star game and now they're phoning it in for the 3PT Competition. Silver needs to do something!

[studbucket]

Re: The Bulgarian Brothers – A College Hoops 2K8 & NBA 2K20 Dynasty

Geez, first the guys phone it in for the All-Star game and now they're phoning it in for the 3PT Competition. Silver needs to do something!

It was soooooo bad.

I also think I needed to up the sliders. The game was playing a bit slow and players were missing open shots. I've made changes and I think it's positive. I went too far one direction and Houston shot like 10-13 from 3 in the first half, but have settled somewhere good

[studbucket]

Coaches’ Corner Episode 11 – February 20, 2025

It is KDKA Channel 2’s distinct privilege to present Coaches’ Corner with Pittsburgh’s adopted son, Ognyan Dragomirov. Live from Los Angeles, California, here is the head coach of Loyola Marymount University.

-----

Oggy:
Welcome and ‘zdraveyte’ to our 11^th episode of Coaches’ Corner. I’m your host, Oggy Dragomirov, and guess what Dinko – we’re almost middle schoolers now. 11 episodes!

Dinko:
Seems fitting for your level of maturity.

Oggy:
That it does…which is why today is a show that’s all about you little brother. I’m no longer of interest to the general populace, all they want to do is ask about you, some folks are even here to criticize you. It’s gonna be a juicy one.

Dinko:
How do I know the questions aren’t just submitted by you so you can make me uncomfortable on air?

Oggy:
These questions are way too smart to be from me. I just get the joy of asking them to you. However, I will definitely have some opinions on these and may supplement your answers. Just so the audience knows, I chose to keep the questions secret from you because it’s more fun that way.

Dinko:
Can’t wait.

Oggy:
Question 1 comes from Jason in Chicago: “realistically Dinko, will you leave St. Francis at some point? You’re giving off real Mark Few vibes but you haven’t won at a high-enough level to warrant that yet.”

Wooo Jason. Shots fired. So Mark Few Jr, what do you say?

Dinko:
Mark Few Jr? That would be an honor, no joke. I’m also assuming you are referring to Mark Few as if he stayed at Gonzaga and didn’t move to become the coach of Arizona a few years ago.

If I’m still in Loretto 10 years from now and we’re regularly making Sweet 16s and Elite 8s, that would be amazing. That’s a truly successful career and the Western PA countryside is beautiful and this region deserves an elite basketball program. It’s been a long time since the area has tasted success in sports outside of football and hockey.

If I come across as arrogant – I think that’s what the viewer is saying – not my intention. I love coaching and I’d love to be able to coach at a bigger program if the right one comes calling. But St. Francis knows how committed I am to them: I’ve turned down a lot of offers to stay there and I think our program’s success speaks for itself.

Oggy:
I wanted to be snarky, but I have nothing else to add. Good answer.

Question 2 from Quincy in Mechanicsburg, PA: “Pittsburgh and Philadelphia have a great historic rivalry in many sports but Philly probably has the better basketball schools. Would you consider a move out East if a school like Villanova offered you a job?”

So Dinko, are you ready to get Jay Wright canned so you can take his job?

Dinko:
Anyone who isn’t interested in the Villanova job would be crazy. The program that Jay has built there, the national championship he won, and the pedigree and history of the Big East make ‘Nova a top 10 job in the country, easily. Jay is showing no signs of slowing down, so I don’t expect that job to open up anytime soon. However, there are a number of jobs across the country that Stephanie and my parents agree are worth packing up and moving for. We’re very picky about what those are, but Villanova is easily on that list. Plus a move to Philly is much easier than a move to somewhere like Los Angeles.

Oggy:
Absolutely. ‘Nova is a great school, which is why it’s too bad that I’ll get that job before you can have it. Jay Wright: I’m coming for you.

Dinko:
You need to stop before you get us into even more trouble. I’m not sure how much longer we can keep this show going with your loose cannon of a mouth.

Oggy:
Oh stop it. You like to act all buttoned up, but I know you love the drama and you keep coming back to help feed it. Which is why you are going to answer our final question. This one comes from a real *****. It’s our first one, which means we’ve really made it.

Mikey from Pittsburgh writes in: “Hey, I’ve been a fan of Duquesne for 20 years and I’m hearing all this trash about how you should have been hired instead of Mark Pope. Pope was a legend in high school hoops in the Seattle area, played for Washington and Kentucky, and won a national title with the Wildcats. He then went on to play 8 years of professional ball. I didn’t even know Dinko was on the Duquesne roster when he was here.”

So Dinko – what do you have to say?

Dinko:
Well, Mikey didn’t ask a question, so I’m not sure I actually have to respond. I will acknowledge that Coach Pope was a better and more decorated basketball player than I was.

Oggy:
Oh come on.

Dinko:
Any trash Mikey is hearing isn’t coming from me. I was hurt that Duquesne didn’t even reach out, but I do not begrudge them for choosing Coach Pope. I’m sure he’s a great basketball mind and coach.

Also, we’ve whooped them 4 straight years, so I’ll just point to the scoreboard.

Oggy:
That’s fair. Part of the trash came straight from my mouth. And you know what, I stand by most of it. Absolutely braindead work from the Duquesne AD on this one. Much of the local and national media agreed with me too. It’s nonsensical and stupid.

But there is a sliver of truth in Mikey’s statement: Pope doesn’t deserve any slander. This isn’t his fault.

Dinko:
Absolutely not.

Oggy:
But it was still braindead.

And before you all get even more braindead, we’ll call this a show. Dinko – keep winning games and we’ll see you all next time!

[JoshNormanMane]

Re: The Bulgarian Brothers – A College Hoops 2K8 & NBA 2K20 Dynasty

Love the brotherly banter! I like the slow burn of the brothers burning it out at smaller programs, but I must admit, I'm excited for one of them to eventually make the jump to either a D1 powerhouse or the NBA.

[studbucket]

Re: The Bulgarian Brothers – A College Hoops 2K8 & NBA 2K20 Dynasty

Love the brotherly banter! I like the slow burn of the brothers burning it out at smaller programs, but I must admit, I'm excited for one of them to eventually make the jump to either a D1 powerhouse or the NBA.

I feel you there. CFB25 was a big distraction over the summer, so I definitely am not progressing very fast. But we're nearing the end of season 6 and hopefully I can get a whole lot done in November - December and maybe even get to the end of season 7 by Feb or March of next year.

Every now and then I entertain moving a brother to the NBA, but I don't think either of them has reached the point where they'd be hired. But Lord knows that teams like Sacramento, Washington, and maybe even Seattle, Atlanta, New York, and Charlotte need better coaching.

My guess (and I can't fully control this in CHoops) is that Oggy will be in LA through season 8 (so 3 seasons). Dinko is a big TBD. Unsure what opportunities will open up for him and if they'll be worth it.

[JoshNormanMane]

Re: The Bulgarian Brothers – A College Hoops 2K8 & NBA 2K20 Dynasty

I feel you there. CFB25 was a big distraction over the summer, so I definitely am not progressing very fast. But we're nearing the end of season 6 and hopefully I can get a whole lot done in November - December and maybe even get to the end of season 7 by Feb or March of next year.

Every now and then I entertain moving a brother to the NBA, but I don't think either of them has reached the point where they'd be hired. But Lord knows that teams like Sacramento, Washington, and maybe even Seattle, Atlanta, New York, and Charlotte need better coaching.

My guess (and I can't fully control this in CHoops) is that Oggy will be in LA through season 8 (so 3 seasons). Dinko is a big TBD. Unsure what opportunities will open up for him and if they'll be worth it.

Yeah I'd imagine they'd have to go the Assistant Coach route if they make the NBA jump and that'd be a 10-15 year grind alone.

That seems like the fun part about CHoops unlike 2k where you actually get to play the game versus manipulate the game (aka what I do with 2K). It'll be exciting to see where they go next.

[BlindSideNZ]

Re: The Bulgarian Brothers – A College Hoops 2K8 & NBA 2K20 Dynasty

How good to come to a plethora of updates!
I’ll be completely honest, I got caught up reading an old trekfan thread.

Shane to hear about Merchant’s injury. That dude is on an absolute tear this season! Hopefully that form continues once he’s back.

Always enjoyed the coaches corner episodes and they are at their best when both brothers feature.

[studbucket]

Re: The Bulgarian Brothers – A College Hoops 2K8 & NBA 2K20 Dynasty

How good to come to a plethora of updates!
I’ll be completely honest, I got caught up reading an old trekfan thread.

Shane to hear about Merchant’s injury. That dude is on an absolute tear this season! Hopefully that form continues once he’s back.

Always enjoyed the coaches corner episodes and they are at their best when both brothers feature.

Those trek threads are great. That's how I got hooked on these dynasties: his Sonics thread from ~2015.

This is the first year Merchant has really been hurt for any amount of time. The Pistons have barely gotten to see him and Kawhi together, so I hope they can spend the final month meshing and be strong in the playoffs.