The Riverwalk: Quest for Four (San Antonio Spurs)

[kobe4thewinbang]

Hello, everyone! I just joined the site and thiught I ccould get some advice, comments or whatever about my Spurs dynasty. I already have a blog devoted to the team's story, but I could add the rest as it happens since people seem to make some cool narratives on here. I don't know if I'm allowed to link to my blog, but like I said, I might update here if I get interest. For what it is worth I also have 2 blogs about my two Celtics championship seasons.

Some background information: First b-ball game I played was NBA 2k2. I didn't play it much, and yes, I did become "an NBA Live fan," going on to play 2005-2010 (the latter of which I was very fond of and only recently retired), to finally experience 2k14 (which is uh-mazing) and I can only imagine how awesome 15 & 16 are.

My favorite team is the Lakers and I've been watching NBA since the Kobe/Shaq dynasty, and first I played a season with the Lakers on 2k14 (won the championship), but on NBA Live 10 my favorite experience was my 3 out of 4 championship seasons with Popovich's Spurs. With Live becoming too outdated, I wanted to bring my old team to 2K and it's been a lot of fun so far. I've added a couple players and really only have minor alterations to the actual team now after respecting some real life moves and wanting to shake things up.

So, would anyone be interested in my team's progress? I will probably keep on with this team, win or lose, because I've become fond of the Spurs. Somewhere in between I will probably play a 2nd season with the Lakers, with or without Kobe.

Taking my settings from Live, I play on PRO with simulation/9-min quarters. I will add a second posting to describe my roster and vision for the team, then add some questions that maybe someone can help me answer.

[kobe4thewinbang]

Roster and Team Identity

These Spurs could be from a similar yet slightly different universe, retaining the same values as Popovich's actual team and believing that teamwork, passing, shooting and DEFENSE is key to success. Kawhi Leonard is shaping up to be the face of future San Antonio, with the old guard still in charge and rightfully so.

Stars:
Tim Duncan, Tony Parker

Starters:
Kawhi Leonard, Ray Allen, Tiago Splitter

Sixth Man: Manu Ginobili


Role Players:
Andrei Kirilenko, Danny Green, Boris Diaw, Tyrus Thomas, Shawn Marion

Bench Warmers/Prospects/Reserves:
Ray Mccallum/Austin Daye/Glen Davis

Depth Chart (Question One):
C/Splitter - Diaw - Davis
PF/Duncan - Marion - Thomas
SF/Leonard - AK47 - Daye
SG/Allen - Green
PG/Parker - Ginobili - Mccallum

Leading Scorers:
Leonard, Parker, Duncan

New Additions (not on past teams)
Allen, Splitter (got him back), Green (Got him back), Marion (chasing a ring, e.g. why Marion said he held off retiring a year earlier with Cavs), Mccallum (RL acquistion, decent prospect so far), Diaw (got him back).

Losses: Luis Scola (let go, w/Raptors), Kevin Garnett (let him "go home", i.e. like in RL)

Current Record: 45-8 (1st Place - All Star Weekend)
Home Record: Only 2 losses

Concerns I have:
Despite the criticism, I enjoy using the player morale/team chemistry feature. My team is at 80% chemistry, a dip lately, but I've been confused with ehat lineup to go with. I know that OVR rating affects player moodiness, but everybody is mostly okay. Marion is whining, but I just signed him and not many minutes for him, understandably so. Manu is off most nights, and has a good game every 5, so he can whine all he wants. Tony is usually balling and Allen has earned a starting spot over Green. Green however is playing well lately, and I'm giving him more action both at SG and SF, in case Kawhi gets hurt from playing too much. (I had Kobe get hurt against OKC in the playoffs, making a 7-game series, so rather avoid that!)

My main problem is a snowball effect if I don't pick the right lineup. Duncan is whining and since I have RL contracts, he says he won't resign. (uh-huh) I'm giving him 20-25 minutes a game (remember, games are 36mins on mine), so those are starter minutes. Any more and his fatigue bar starts flashing. He's also easily "sluggish" from these minutes, but delivering scoring-wise. So, I'd like to keep him happy. I know that you can trade players and trade them back to reboost morale but they get pissy quickly afterward.

The problem with Duncan starting at PF is Kirilenko wanting a starting role, which I tried for a while to decent success (with Duncan at C), but that upset Splitter and Diaw, ha. Obviously Kawhi starts at SF so AK47 is now backing him up per the original plan when I signed him. Rebounding is better with Duncan-Splitter/Duncan-Diaw and Duncan plays better wth this setup. But AK is "close to being upset." Now, I had him really upset earlier (he got mad because I dsn't play him while he had an injury, uh, lol) and he still played well on the court. So, should I even worry about it too much?

[Cruzerr]

Re: The Riverwalk: Quest for Four (San Antonio Spurs)

I like the writeup, I think though AK has to go, since you play better with Duncan/Splitter or Diaw. How is his production?

[nbalvaroverdun]

Re: The Riverwalk: Quest for Four (San Antonio Spurs)

I would play Manu at 2. Move Allen or Green to 3, or find a trade for a good sf. Diaw is so good at strech- 4, if you play pick and pop.

[kobe4thewinbang]

Re: The Riverwalk: Quest for Four (San Antonio Spurs)

I like the writeup, I think though AK has to go, since you play better with Duncan/Splitter or Diaw. How is his production?

Thanks! The writing style I use when describing each game is as if it were a game recap, so not as story-like as some dynasties on here.

I appreciate the feedback. To answer your question, AK's averages are:

PPG: 9.5
RPG: 3.6
APG: 1.9
BPG: 1.0
SPG: 0.7
Minutes Per Game: 15.7 (with 9min quarters/36min games)

He has the 5th highest PPG on the team, having been backup SF and starting PF throughout the season so far. He's shooting .458% and .350% from 3. I don't recall 3s being in AK's actual repertoire and his outside shooting is a C-, but he is making a fair amount.

I have him back behind Kawhi at the moment. How do you feel about having two sixth-mans? I read that some people do that and after trying it out, AK is "content with his role but would like to see more minutes." I have his rotation minutes set at 23 (18 with 9min qtrs).

I don't think I need him to succeed since my team is pretty talented, but AK (under my control and CPU on court) has gotten some helpful blocks and steals leading to fast break points.

[kobe4thewinbang]

Re: The Riverwalk: Quest for Four (San Antonio Spurs)

I would play Manu at 2. Move Allen or Green to 3, or find a trade for a good sf. Diaw is so good at strech- 4, if you play pick and pop.

Starting lineup or second unit? Diaw has been better lately--do you know if Spurs run Duncan at C or PF when Diaw is on the court?

[kobe4thewinbang]

Prologue

The Quest for Four



Winning Game 4 of the NBA Finals would earn the San Antonio Spurs, led by Tony Parker and Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, a third championship through four consecutive seasons, as the battle-tested squad swept the resurgent Cleveland Cavaliers team that boasted a new 'big 3' led by its prodigal son LeBron James and Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. Although all four games were fierce, they culminated into a victory that once again reminded the rest of the NBA why the San Antonio Spurs are here to stay, in spite of Father Time and the rise of competition in the wild western conference.

Before celebrating a 3rd title win against the Cavaliers, the Spurs first suffered bitter defeat against longtime rival Miami Heat, then led by LeBron James, whose team stunned the Spurs with a 4-1 championship rout, winning both games in Miami and then 2 out of 3 in San Antonio. This heartbreak would drive the Spurs to improve the roster and deliver payback against the Heat the next season, sweeping them in 4 games--but not before surviving a 7 game series against the Dallas Mavericks.

The following season, the Spurs claimed a second championship against the New York Knicks after besting the OKC Thunder for the western conference crown, and then again versus the aforementioned Cavaliers--but not before nearly succumbing to the young 'n tough Portland Trailblazers in a 7 game series during the second round of the playoffs. Despite new acquisition Rajon Rondo, the Mavericks were unable to give the Spurs as much trouble as two years prior, neighing in defeat after just 5 games.

A new season in the NBA always brings change, but a winning tradition and culture is not going anywhere anytime soon for the San Antonio Spurs, as they seek to reach the mountaintop once again. What new players will join the cause and be worthy enough to play under Coach Greg Popovich's tutelage? What teams will make a stand against the resilient champions this time?

Will the Spurs succeed in the quest of winning 4 championships in 5 seasons?

[nbalvaroverdun]

Re: The Riverwalk: Quest for Four (San Antonio Spurs)

Starting lineup or second unit? Diaw has been better lately--do you know if Spurs run Duncan at C or PF when Diaw is on the court?

Dont think about what does the real Spurs do. I love Diaw in 2K. I have him on my Lakers team and he´s so good in the post (shooting or passing), and he´s a good 3pointer also. I would play Manu with the second unit allong with Diaw.

One play I do a lot with Diaw: I use him for the pick and pop, and when he´s open you can pass him the ball and shot, or pass him the ball and let him direct the play, ordering another pick or moving the ball to the C in the post. That´s how I run the ofense of my second unit, you could say that Diaw is my PG

[Cruzerr]

Re: The Riverwalk: Quest for Four (San Antonio Spurs)

AK is the perfect stat-stuffer usually, just like Batum. Does everything. I don't know about how the two sixth-man thing works out, but you can defo try.

[kobe4thewinbang]

Opening Night: Spurs rout Grizzlies,



The Spurs kicked off the new season by flirting with a familiar foe in the first half before charging forward with the lead. The defending champions, with a few new faces, walloped the gritty opposition 16-25 and 23-34 in the second half.

Not helping Memphis, star point guard Mike Conley struggled in contrast to budding Spurs star, Kawhi Leonard (22 points). New attraction, Ray Allen, made it look easy (and perfect) not missing a shot for 11 points. Tony Parker had 11 points and a remarkable 12 assists in the impressive debut.

[kobe4thewinbang]

Spurs ink Ray Allen and "AK-47" to deals, finalize roster.



After taking a look at available free agents, the San Antonio Spurs have agreed with veteran sharpshooter Ray Allen on a one-year contract.

Allen previously played for the Miami Heat during both NBA Finals encounters between the two teams. The clutch marksman should fit in nicely with the defending champions and will hopefully knock down big shots for the Spurs, instead of against them.

In need of an adequate backup small forward, the Spurs also reached a deal with Andrei Kirilenko, whose best years were with the Utah Jazz. The versatile Russian, nickname "AK-47", will keep defense a priority whenever Kawhi Leonard is off the floor, something that the Spurs have needed. After bouncing around to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers, "AK-47" voiced a desire to end his career in his native Russia--until the offer came along from the defending NBA Champions.

These two acquisitions bring the Spurs roster to 14, after bringing back Tiago Splitter (C) after obliging Kevin Garnett's (PF) request to "return home" to the Timberwolves and Boris Diaw (PF) after losing Luis Scola (PF) and Marco Belinelli (SG) to free agency. Here are the players.

An interesting change comes with Manu Ginobili, who will try a new role as the backup point guard, having previously won Sixth Man of the Year as the best bench player on the team. A good ball handler and pick-and-roll leader, Ginobili should be able to thrive in this new role, which became available once the Spurs decided to not seek a backup point guard in free agency.

[kobe4thewinbang]

Spurs outlast Kobe's Lakers, 102-95, in Tinseltown.



Kawhi Leonard (19 points) pestered the Lakers captain (6-21) into tough shot attempts all game long, despite a pair that bounced in to keep his Lakers alive late in this close contest.

Spurs began the final period on an 8-0 run and Tony Parker (20 points) nailed a late 3-PTer via a stellar pass from Tim Duncan and then made two free throws to seal the victory. Big man Roy Hibbert slammed in 22 points for his new Lakers team and promising rookie D'Angelo Russell fared decently with 11pts/7asts, though he missed some go-ahead shots in crunch time.

Sixth Man-u Ginobili chipped in 12&7 and Tim Duncan had 11.

[kobe4thewinbang]

Spurs edge post-Aldridge Blazers, 94-90.



Portland now has but one star, and Damian Lillard glowed faintly (5-16) in his lonesomeness. New Blazer Gerald Henderson added 15pts but Spurs were too strong with Kawhi Leonard (23pts).

[kobe4thewinbang]

Spurs ward off Nuggets, 104-99.



Kenneth Faried fought like a warrior (24pts/10rbs) but it wasn't enough to top San Antonio.

Denver got help from JJ Hickson (14pts/15rbs) but was hurt by Jameer Nelson (1-11 shooting). The Spurs recuperated after a slow start (32-21) and despite a frustrated Tim Duncan others played well, including Ray Allen and his superb long ball skill.

Manu Ginobili had 18 points.

[kobe4thewinbang]

Spurs blitz past Bledsoe's Suns, 107-93.



It seemed like a cruise for the always-hot Suns led by fearless Eric Bledsoe as Phoenix led early against a struggling Spurs unit. But Suns relaxed too soon.

The Spurs persevered, ebbing away at PHX's lead, and outscored them 31-18 in the 4th quarter. Phoenix tried to hold, but just couldn't stop San Antonio's resilient team effort.

Kawhi Leonard had 16 points.