The Ball's in Your Court, The Michael Russell Story, A GM Dynasty on NBA 2k14 (360)

[BraedenG33]

Hello everybody. This is my NBA 2k14 GM Dynasty. It will follow the life and career of Michael Russell, a young scout with an eye for talent. I will be doing this in Association mode. I will be using vtcrb's trifecta project roster, draft class, and slider sets. I will control one team, the Milwaukee Bucks, which was selected by the people who voted for the team in the selection thread. I will only control one team but to counteract 2k's weird trade logic I will turn off CPU trades and control the trade deadline myself.

These are the settings:

Roster: Trifecta
Sliders: Trifecta
Draft Class: Trifecta:
Quarter Length: 12 Minutes
Sim Quarter Length: 12 Minutes
Season Length: 82 Games
Playoff Format: 7-7-7-7
Injuries: On
Progressive Fatigue: On
Player Roles: On
Team Chemistry: On
CPU Trades: Off
Trade Override: On (to control the deadline)
Tread Deadline: On

I will be doing this in GM dynasty format, similar to my older, now defunct, series, Cold As Ice: The Tony Winter Story. It will focus on the life of our main character, on and off the court, inside and out of the front office. The NBA is the setting, but the plot is his life and career. I will play 2 or three of the big games every month of the season and have 'news report' style posts as add-ins explaining on-field story-lines and games and such, while the character-based posts will be focused on his perspective of the situations and a lot of off the field drama mixed in. I do want to stay with the same team as many people who do this type of thing struggle to do.

I will be posting the month-by-month schedule after I get the story going and introduced and let you choose the games you want to see.

[zwolf1224]

Re: The Ball's in Your Court, The Michael Russell Story, A GM Dynasty on NBA 2k14 (36

Oh. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. The awaited dynasty has started. Time to pull out the popcorn. Gwt the drinks. Pull up a chair and enjoy the show. Good luck to your career and i will be following.

[BraedenG33]

Re: The Ball's in Your Court, The Michael Russell Story, A GM Dynasty on NBA 2k14 (36

Oh. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. The awaited dynasty has started. Time to pull out the popcorn. Gwt the drinks. Pull up a chair and enjoy the show. Good luck to your career and i will be following.

Yeah, I figured you'd be excited. I hope to get some posting out tonight after SNF.

[zwolf1224]

Re: The Ball's in Your Court, The Michael Russell Story, A GM Dynasty on NBA 2k14 (36

Yeah, I figured you'd be excited. I hope to get some posting out tonight after SNF.

Haha. SNF or not im on here if i'm not training. XD people should be posting soon. Especially if they know your work. It's nice to have stories like this also. Just pull up a glass (most of the time just water) sometimes mix some stuff up in your drink and read or game on nba. haha. probably not the best idea for me but what the hell right. everybody deserves a break.

[BraedenG33]

Re: The Ball's in Your Court, The Michael Russell Story, A GM Dynasty on NBA 2k14 (36

Shoutout to Tazer19 for the awesome banner

September 10th, 2013

Just another day in the office.

Or, that's what it seemed like.

"Alright, so who's on tap today..." I mumbled to myself as I looked over the sheet of paper with the players I'm supposed to watch tape on. I was a scout, a minor one, for the Milwaukee Bucks. Today we began to look over draft prospects, to make our initial board and I would be making visits around the country to scout players and revise that board. I was living my dream, or I was on the way.

Little did I know my dream was about to get bigger.

Prospects:

Forwards
Jabari Parker, Duke
Andrew Wiggins, Kansas
Glen Robinson Jr, Michigan
Aaron Gordon, Arizona
Alex Poythress, Kentucky
Noah Vonleh, Indiana
Julius Randle, Kentucky
Jerami Grant, Syracuse
Isaiah Austin, Baylor
James McAdoo, North Carolina

Wow, I got some big names, cool... I thought.

I clicked on the Jabari Parker tape I was eMailed and began to watch.

"Hmm, smooth Jumper, above average athlete, ooh, a post game too, looking good looking good..." I said as I reviewed the tape.

"Excuse me, Mr. Russell, a word." I heard a voice say as more office door was opened.

"And who might you be, miss" I asked the woman.

"I might be someone who has a close connection to your boss, and I also might be someone you should listen too." She said back condescendingly.

"Okay then."

I followed her out the door and to an elevator. We walked in and she pushed the button to the top floor.

"What's this all about?" I asked her.

"This is about your job." She said.

"Am I being fired?" I asked, horrified. "Please, do not fire me, I'll do anything, this is my dream job."

"You're not being fired, quite the contrary, actually."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You'll see. Now stop asking questions, or I WILL have you fired."

"Sorry."

"When the elevator opened, she ushered me out and we walked to a large set of glass double-doors, labeled 'Kohl' and instantly I knew where I was. That's the owners office! I thought.

"You may enter when you are ready, Mr. Russell."

"Okay."

I opened the glass door into a large office, with an overview of the city from the large floor-to-ceilling windows. There was a modern looking desk in the center, with a man in a large cushioned chair waiting for me.

"Michael Russell, I've been expecting you." Herb Kohl said.

"Mr. Kohl."

"Sit down." He said, pointing to a chair on the other side of the desk.

"Now Michael, you know that we've been a middling team the last few years, yes?" He asked.

"Yes, sir."


"Well, I've had enough of that. I've decided that a change needed to be made."

"Okay, sir."

"I've fired John Hammond, and I want to interview you for the GM position."

"What? Me?"

"Yes."

"Well, sir, I'd be honored, its my dream to be the head of a team.

"Yes, yes, I know. But lets just get on with it."

"Okay."

"If you had the choice, without my impact on your decisions, how would you get the team to be a competitor as fast as possible."

"Well, I would think we would need to trade some of our young assets for a star to pair with OJ Mayo."

"Like what?"

"Maybe we could package Ersan and Larry for Rondo. They need a center, and are a team looking to solidify the long term, they may decide to tank and send off Rondo, we could take advantage of that and grab a star point guard. We could also send Caron Butler and out 2015 first rounder to Toronto or Houston for Rudy Gay or Omer Asik, though I'd rather get Asik. Then we'd have Rondo, OJ, and Asik, which is a formidable top 3. After that we'd just have to keep finding the pieces to put around them. And we have some nice pieces now in Brandon, Giannis, and Henson."

"Hmm, interesting, but then who would we start at 3?"

"That would be a position we get to in free agency. I think Deng is available."

"But what about this year?"

"Delfino can hold his own, I guess. Coach would have to figure that out."

"Is Rondo-Mayo-Deng-Henson-Asik a title contending lineup to you."

"Well, It has the potential to be. Don't forget Giannis could be a star down the road, too."

"Alright, next question. Would you ever tank?"

"If push came to shove and we were already struggling, I'd consider it, if It was OK'd by you."

"Ok, then."

The interview continued for a while, maybe an hour.

"Okay, Michael, I'll let you know if you get the job, return to you office."

"O-Okay." I stammered.

[beast10]

Re: The Ball's in Your Court, The Michael Russell Story, A GM Dynasty on NBA 2k14 (36



Lmao following.

[BraedenG33]

Re: The Ball's in Your Court, The Michael Russell Story, A GM Dynasty on NBA 2k14 (36

Lmao following.

Lol, I can't even respond to that. Thanks for the follow, but I'm still waiting on the Mike v. Malik showdown. #BattleForTheRank

[LemonTea3260]

Re: The Ball's in Your Court, The Michael Russell Story, A GM Dynasty on NBA 2k14 (36

Following, good idea

[BraedenG33]

Re: The Ball's in Your Court, The Michael Russell Story, A GM Dynasty on NBA 2k14 (36

(This post is from the perspective of the owner, Herb Kohl)

Herb sighed in relief as Michael left the room.

Glad that's over... He thought. Then he heard a tap on the glass door, as a tall, skinny man with a devious smile slipped into the large, expansive office.

"You again." Herb said.

"Yes, me." He said, snickering at the older owner. "Did you do as I asked?"

"I did, now will you leave me and this organization alone."

"Oh, how you must wish it was that simple." The man said. "The low level scout I requested, how was he?"

"He is, unsuspecting, and happy."

"Of course, the naivety of youth. And Hammond? He's... out of the picture?"

"Well...."

"Don't you dare cross me, old man." The man said, suddenly become much darker and more serious.

"He's no longer with the team. I fired him. Is that not what you asked?" Herb said coolly.

"Old man," He began angrily, before calming himself down. "It's quite alright," He continued, back to his cool, sinister sounding self, "I'll see to it he's... taken care of." He stalked out of the room with a snicker before Herb could protest. He left a note on the owner's desk.

It's time.... you know what to do....

Herb felt himself gulp. He was terrified.

"Ms. Watson, please come here." He buzzed his assistant, Ms. Watson.

Seconds later, a woman in a velvet red suit walked through the door.

"What is it, Mr. Kohl?"

"Agh. He's back, and he's not done."

"Oh my, sir, what are you going to do?"

"I haven't even the slightest idea."

"What has he asked you to do now?"

"He says, 'its time'. As in time for the big deal."

"No."

"I'm afraid so."

"But then the organized crime in Milwaukee will skyrocket, and you will lose nearly all of your investment."

"I know, but what am I supposed to do, the biggest crime lord in the country has me hanging from his strings. It's that or I may lose everything, or worse..."

"Sir, are you sure there is no other way?"

"I'm sure. It's time... to pull the plug."


*****Meanwhile, why don't we check in on our friendly neighborhood mystery man...*****

He got in his black limo, and drove back to his headquarters, a skyscraper that is owned by a business that is really just a front for his real operation. He went up to the top floor.

"Hello, Mr. Moreau." One of the security guards said as he walked into his office.

"Victoria, I'm back."

I pale woman with dark red-brown hair, and green eyes., in a a long, revealing black dress appeared from a shadowed area in the large office.

"Hello, Alistair." Victoria said. "I expect your visit with that fool Herb went well?"

"Of course it did, my dear. But we need to send a few men out to take care of our friend Mr. Hammond."

"Is that so? Well then why don't we?"

"It's too early, it would look suspicious for a man to be taken care of this close to his firing from a major role in his field."

"True."

"We'll see, until then, Russell doesn't suspect a thing." Alistair said, sneering with a wicked smile and a wild look in his eyes.

[NewscasterNews4]

Re: The Ball's in Your Court, The Michael Russell Story, A GM Dynasty on NBA 2k14 (36

You know I'll be following. #KingofCliffhangers

[BraedenG33]

Re: The Ball's in Your Court, The Michael Russell Story, A GM Dynasty on NBA 2k14 (36

(Back to Michael...)

September 16th, 2013

I had off from work today, thankfully. It had been a stressful week this week, the team in shambles because the new GM has yet to be named. I liked Hammond, but Kohl had a point, this team was going nowhere fast the way he was running it. It was especially stressful because I haven't received any word as to whether I got the job or not.

But hey, today's my birthday, maybe I'll get lucky.

I had been bouncing from SportsCenter to my laptop for the past two hours, to keep myself busy and to see if I'd gotten any word from the team yet. It was maddening. I decided I'd had enough so I grabbed my basketball and did what came natural.

I headed down to the court at the gym down the street. I found a group of guys, some teens, some 40 something, and some in their late 20's like me.

We got a 5 v. 5 going, and I had point for my team. I played basketball in high school, and was lightly recruited. Got mostly small programs, but one team, one big name team, had their eyes on me. Duke wanted me to be the next great Duke point guard. It didn't happen. I tore my ACL in my senior year and that knocked me off a lot of teams recruiting lists. I ended up at UCF, majoring in Business Administration. I got my bachelors there, and got my MBA at the University of Michigan before getting a scout job for the Bucks. I played some college ball at UCF, but never got very far, so I left the team by my junior year, since I wasn't getting playing time, and it was just taking time away from my life.

So after about a half an hour of basketball, I sat down and checked my email from my phone.

(1 Unread Message)

Dear Mr. Russell,

We are glad to inform you that you have gotten the GM position for the Bucks. We would like to hold an executive meeting tomorrow, and expect you to be there. If you have any questions they will likely be answered there. Your introductory press conference will be held on wendesday, September 18th. Please keep this information confidential until after that Wednesday, and refrain from publishing the information or even telling loved ones.

Thank You,

Herb Kohl

After hearing the news, he drove home immediately, excited about his new job.

*****The Next Day*****

"Hello, Mr. Russell, please sit down, thank you for joining us." Mr. Kohl said.

"Hello." I said hoarsely as I took a seat at the conference room table.

"Now, obviously, with the introduction of our new GM, it is time to discuss the direction we want this team to go in., Mr. Russell, what is your first primary objective?"

"Well my first objective is to build a winner here in Milwaukee." I said.

"How?" He responded.

"Well, I'd like to see what we have working for us to start the year, and make moves after the December 15th deadline for summer acquisitions, then make moves to fill the holes in the roster."

"Okay. Now that we have the main goal layer out for everyone, let's talk the business end."

We discussed different things we could do and their potential business impacts for over 2 hours.

"Well, I'd say that went well, farewell everyone."

We filed out of the board room and to our offices to perform our jobs.

*****At the Press Conference...*****

"Mr. Russell, you do not have a lot of experience in the NBA, how prepared do you think you are to be a high level NBA Executive, after taking the GM position for the Bucks?" One reporter asked.

"I feel like I'm well prepared. I have a good understanding of business, as evidenced by my MBA from Michigan, and the last two years have been a great learning experience for me about the NBA."

"Mr. Russell, what do you plan on doing to build this team up from the middling team it is now into an NBA competitor?" Another reporter asked

"I feel like I need to do what best for the organization and try to acquire as much talent as possible for coach to work with, however the acquisition occurs."

"With your team not looking like a contender right now, what is your policy for tanking?"

"We are not tanking. Period."

Then another Mr. Kohl came up and said that we were out of time, then they took some pictures, and that was that.

[zwolf1224]

Re: The Ball's in Your Court, The Michael Russell Story, A GM Dynasty on NBA 2k14 (36

Man. This is almost a story in heaven for me. My bucks are you team. You got an MBA in one of the best business schools and my personal favorite and i get to see hammond ran out of town. I love this already. Good job man. Great story starting

[BraedenG33]

Re: The Ball's in Your Court, The Michael Russell Story, A GM Dynasty on NBA 2k14 (36



Bucks name new GM, Says he is 'Not Tanking, Period.'

By Devin Anderson, @DevinA_BrewHoop, September 18th, 2013

The Bucks, after going a full week without a GM, have named the new exec. Michael Russell, a low-level scout, will be making the jump to the GM position. He will be the youngest general manager in NBA history, as he just turned 28 on Wednesday. He replaces John Hammond, who was in the position since 2008. He hadn't done much with the team, as they are still a middling team with know real direction. Owner Herb Kohl is hoping that a new face in power can provide that direction for the team. While it seems a man with just two years in the NBA as a scout who did not play basketball competitively in the pros or in college (although as an undergrad at UCF, he tried out but never saw the court) would be an odd and under qualified choice, let's put some perspective on it. Who have the Bucks drafted or acquired the last two years.

(2011 draft; Jimmer Fredette, who was traded for Beno Udrih and Shaun Livingston, and John Leuer, also not on the team. So 2011 wwasnt a good draft, but '12 and '13...

'12: John Henson, a core piece, potentially, for our future, and Doron Lamb, who was a second round flyer that wasn't expected to do anything.

'13: The Greek Freak! who has limitless potential, and Ricky Ledo, who was flipped for Nate Wolters, who could be a nice backup guard in the NBA because he has experience and can score off the bench, expect him to see more minutes as the year goes on)

So who we still have from his drafts are Giannis Antetokounmpo, a key prospect with a lot of potential, John Henson, a key rotation guy who we hope can be a starter some day, and a potential third guard in Nate Wolters. There young pieces who could be an important part of the future of the team. They were all brought in in the drafts that Russell was a part of for the team.

Also, he has a good background in the business side of things. He has an MBA from the University of Michigan, one of the best business schools in the Nation. He earned his degree with a 3.99 GPA and was 13th in his class. He also graduated 3 semesters early. The man is one of the brightest young business minds in the NBA.

Yes, he may be young. Yes, he may be inexperienced, but he also has a great background outside of the NBA and has been successful in his short time in it. I feel optimistic about our new GM.

Also, at the introductory press conference, he was very adamant about not tanking for draft picks, and plans to try and build the team up by acquiring talent 'by any means necessary', as he put it. While that doesn't reveal much, if they're not tanking, I would have to assume he has something in the works already as a means to acquire talent, though nobody can be sure.

As of right now, we are a middling team in a weak conference that is likely to squeak into the playoffs again. Russell is going to have to find a way to improve that if he is so bent on not tanking. A mid-season trade could be an option, as we have the necessary assets, cap flexibility, and expiring contracts to make a deal.

[BraedenG33]

Re: The Ball's in Your Court, The Michael Russell Story, A GM Dynasty on NBA 2k14 (36

Man. This is almost a story in heaven for me. My bucks are you team. You got an MBA in one of the best business schools and my personal favorite and i get to see hammond ran out of town. I love this already. Good job man. Great story starting

Hmm, we do have a few Michigan fans in here it looks like. And Hammond has a little more than being run out of town in store for him if Alistair gets his way.

glad you like it.

[BraedenG33]

Re: The Ball's in Your Court, The Michael Russell Story, A GM Dynasty on NBA 2k14 (36

Gonna get an update out in the super early morning (sometime b/w 3:30 and 4:30 a.m. et) if I don't fall asleep. Wrtiting up a defying the odds post first, then I'll get to this one. I'm going that order because I did't get to Defying the Odds yesterday.