Thunder Up! Rebuild in OKC [NBA 2k22]

[R1zzo23]

Re: Thunder Up! Rebuild in OKC [NBA 2k22]

New Year Trading Spree

At the beginning of the new calendar year, it seems like some teams are looking to make small tweaks to their rosters to give them a month or so before the trade deadline to figure out if there are more moves that need to be made. Nothing at this point would be considered a blockbuster but it would be interesting to see how the teams making deals now react in a few weeks.

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Trade #1: Dallas Mavericks send C Boban Marjanovic (73 OVR) to the Detroit Pistons for PG Carsen Edwards (70)

Interesting to see the Mavs move Boban as he is averaging 12.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game on 55% shooting from the floor. Dallas continues to start Dwight Powell (79) at the center spot with Marquese Chriss (75) and Maxi Kleber (74) off the bench. This team has completely leaned into small ball with their offensive universe revolving around Luke Doncic (96).

Carsen Edwards hasn’t played a single minute this season and is already down in the G-League for the Mavs and is not happy about it. This is clearly a salary dump as he’s an expiring $1.62m deal compared to Boban who has another $3.5m guaranteed next season.

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Trade #2: Miami Heat trade SG Duncan Robinson (76) to the Houston Rockets for SF Eric Gordon (75)

The Thunder poked around on Duncan Robinson after not seeing him play much at all this season, but the sharpshooter is a poor defender and has another four years on his contract that will see him make just south of $20m in 2025. While the Rockets are in a definite rebuild, the fit with Robinson going to Houston makes little-to-no-sense.

The Heat bring in a veteran in Gordon who has just two more years on his deal which clearly helps clear their books faster in the future. Not only does he have a better contract, he’s a minor downgrade in the shooting department but is a superior player everywhere else on the floor. This is a clear win for the Heat as they look to find their way back to the NBA Finals.

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Trade #3: Utah Jazz trade PG Trent Forrest (72) to the Denver Nuggets for SF Vlatko Cancar (71)

A low-level deal that sees the teams even out their benches with a player at a different position. Both guys are on expiring deals and neither should be seeing much floor time for their new team.

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Trade #4: Milwaukee Bucks trade C Brook Lopez (79) and a 2025 2nd Round Pick from Indiana to the Detroit Pistons for SF Hamidou Diallo (79)

The Pistons have a sneaky good lineup now with Cade Cunningham (82), Saddiq Bey (81) and Jerami Grant (82) now with Brook Lopez spreading the floor and defending the rim. They also have Isaiah Stewart (78) to play the center spot with Lopez. While Detroit is one of the worst teams in the league, they’ve got some pieces that should be able to play well together.

For the Bucks, they desperately needed a dynamic athlete on the wing and Diallo gives them just that. They still have Giannis Antetokounmpo (98), Khris Middleton (86) and Jrue Holiday (86) but are starting Grayson Allen (76) and only had Pat Connaughton (78) off the bench. Diallo should instantly see rotation minutes off the bench and possibly push Allen to the bench.

[R1zzo23]

Re: Thunder Up! Rebuild in OKC [NBA 2k22]

I'm curious about what your rotations look like. What are some pairings that see the most time together? Do you play RJ next to Shai a lot? I'd imagine Hampton would be most effective next to some shooters. He's doing well distributing and grabbing boards.

Right now most of my bench plays with the bench and starters with starters. I haven't quite figured out how to get the AI to stagger some of my starters with the bench players. Am I missing something or should I just be doing manual subs?

[R1zzo23]

Re: Thunder Up! Rebuild in OKC [NBA 2k22]

Barnes Sinking Triples as Kings Sink Thunder





The Thunder started the game cooking early as Josh Giddey (8 pts, 2 reb, 9 ast, 3 stl, 3 blk) finds Lu Dort (20 pts, 4-6 3PT) with this one-handed pocket pass to set #5 up for his first triple of the game.



Although one of the fastest players in the league, De’Aaron Fox (18 pts, 5 reb, 10 ast, 3 stl) finds himself left in the dust on this blow by on the wing by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (26 pts, 6 reb, 7 ast, 1 blk).



After a quick start, mistakes by the Thunder started piling up. There were plenty of live ball turnovers that led to easy transition buckets for the Kings. They also got out-worked on the glass as Domantas Sabonis (14 pts, 18 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl) grabs one of the 16 Sacramento offensive boards and finishes with authority over Darius Bazley (10 pts, 15 reb, 2 blk).



Another mistake here by two young Thunder players as both Bazley and Giddey go out to the corner to cover rookie Davion Mitchell (4 pts, 4 reb, 6 ast) in the corner instead of stopping Harrison Barnes (24 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast, 3 stl) who was full steam ahead down the lane for a 2-hand slam.



After a series of assists, SGA took completely fooled the Kings’ defense and found himself uncovered for a thunderous finish at the rim. Staring down Fox and Mitchell, the OKC star pounded his chest letting them know he wasn’t backing down.



A momentum changing block here by Richaun Holmes (8 pts, 13 reb, 2 blk) on Derrick Favors (12 pts, 5 reb, 1 blk) saved the Kings two points and saw them knock down one of their eight three-pointers down the other end for a 5-point swing.



Frustrated on a no-call in the paint, Gilgeous-Alexander was slow to get back on defense. As the Kings pushed the pace, Donte DiVincenzo (16 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast, 3 stl) was left wide open at the top of the key just five seconds into the shot clock and banged down a triple, forcing a Thunder timeout.



While Fox struggled with his jumper throughout the night, he made sure to use his wheels and get to the rim as much as possible. After getting a switch on to the bigger, slower Giddey, Fox accelerated past the Aussie rookie for a smooth two-hand flush.



This loss squandered an incredible offensive performance by Lu Dort. His 20 points was a season-high and second on the team behind Shai’s 26. He was 7-12 from the floor, including four of six from deep, and connecting on both of his free throws. On this play, he got out on the wing for a fast break, used his size and strength to muscle Mitchell off of him and finished with authority.



Harrison Barnes finished the game with authority with one of many highlight dunks on the night, this one over Lu Dort. This was the exclamation point on a runaway win for the Kings in Oklahoma City.

[studbucket]

Re: Thunder Up! Rebuild in OKC [NBA 2k22]

Your screenshots and captions tell the story of the game very well. A lot of people add screenshots, but I don't think they tell a story - you are doing a great job with that.

Also interesting to see SGA get 26 points without taking a three.

[R1zzo23]

Re: Thunder Up! Rebuild in OKC [NBA 2k22]

I'm curious about what your rotations look like. What are some pairings that see the most time together? Do you play RJ next to Shai a lot? I'd imagine Hampton would be most effective next to some shooters. He's doing well distributing and grabbing boards.

I actually found what you are talking about and trying to stagger my bench into the lineup with at least 2 starters at all times. Hopefully this can change our droughts that we have experienced throughout the season.

Your screenshots and captions tell the story of the game very well. A lot of people add screenshots, but I don't think they tell a story - you are doing a great job with that.

Also interesting to see SGA get 26 points without taking a three.

Appreciate it, Stud! I've thought about going to full written articles with the screenshots sprinkled in since our season is shortened to 29 games but I like where I'm at now and think, like you said, I'm able to describe the game and how it plays out as is.

SGA is so hard to stop from getting to his spots that I try not to settle for threes with him if I don't have to. The Hot Zone Hunter badge has me trying to attack his hot spots so that means we are pulling up from the mid-range if we can't get to the rack.

[R1zzo23]

Re: Thunder Up! Rebuild in OKC [NBA 2k22]

NBA Standings - Updated: Feb 1, 2022
ATLANTIC	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Brooklyn Nets	13	6	--	1-1	7-3
Philadelphia 76ers	13	7	0.5	3-1	6-2
New York Knicks	10	9	3.0	2-2	6-3
Boston Celtics	8	9	4.0	0-2	5-5
Toronto Raptors	7	11	5.5	1-1	1-6
CENTRAL	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Milwaukee Bucks	17	6	--	2-0	8-2
Indiana Pacers	8	7	5.0	0-1	3-5
Cleveland Cavaliers	9	8	5.0	1-0	5-2
Chicago Bulls	5	12	9.0	2-2	2-4
Detroit Pistons	4	13	10.0	0-2	1-7
SOUTHEAST	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Miami Heat	10	8	--	0-2	3-4
Atlanta Hawks	8	7	0.5	2-0	3-2
Charlotte Hornets	7	10	2.5	1-0	4-3
Washington Wizards	10	15	3.5	2-1	6-7
Orlando Magic	6	12	4.0	0-2	1-6
EAST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Milwaukee Bucks	17	6	--
Brooklyn Nets	13	6	2.0
Philadelphia 76ers	13	7	2.5
Miami Heat	10	8	4.5
New York Knicks	10	9	5.0
Cleveland Cavaliers	9	8	5.0
Indiana Pacers	8	7	5.0
Atlanta Hawks	8	7	5.0
Boston Celtics	8	9	6.0
Charlotte Hornets	7	10	7.0
Toronto Raptors	7	11	7.5
Washington Wizards	10	15	8.0
Orlando Magic	6	12	8.5
Chicago Bulls	5	12	9.0
Detroit Pistons	4	13	10.0
NORTHWEST	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Minnesota Timberwolves	11	8	--	2-1	6-2
Utah Jazz	9	9	1.5	2-1	5-3
Denver Nuggets	9	11	2.5	1-2	4-6
Portland Trail Blazers	9	12	3.0	2-1	5-5
Oklahoma City Thunder	2	13	7.0	0-2	0-6
PACIFIC	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Sacramento Kings	15	5	--	1-1	9-2
Los Angeles Lakers	14	6	1.0	1-2	7-4
Los Angeles Clippers	11	6	2.5	3-0	6-3
Golden State Warriors	11	7	3.0	2-2	5-3
Phoenix Suns	10	9	4.5	0-2	3-5
SOUTHWEST	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Memphis Grizzlies	13	8	--	2-0	4-5
New Orleans Pelicans	12	8	0.5	2-2	5-4
San Antonio Spurs	9	10	3.0	2-0	5-6
Dallas Mavericks	7	12	5.0	1-3	2-6
Houston Rockets	4	17	9.0	0-2	1-7
WEST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Sacramento Kings	15	5	--
Los Angeles Lakers	14	6	1.0
Memphis Grizzlies	13	8	2.5
Los Angeles Clippers	11	6	2.5
New Orlean Pelicans	12	8	3.0
Golden State Warriors	11	7	3.0
Minnesota Timberwolves	11	8	3.5
Phoenix Suns	10	9	4.5
Utah Jazz	9	9	5.0
San Antonio Spurs	9	10	5.5
Denver Nuggets	9	11	6.0
Portland Trail Blazers	9	12	6.5
Dallas Mavericks	7	12	7.5
Oklahoma City Thunder	2	13	10.5
Houston Rockets	4	17	11.5

[marshdaddy]

Re: Thunder Up! Rebuild in OKC [NBA 2k22]

Not totally surprised you guys are near the bottom, but at the very least you're getting a good idea of what SGA could be. Are you thinking you want to rebuild through the draft only or are there any young players in the league now that you'd like to get that you have a realistic shot at?

[R1zzo23]

Re: Thunder Up! Rebuild in OKC [NBA 2k22]

Not totally surprised you guys are near the bottom, but at the very least you're getting a good idea of what SGA could be. Are you thinking you want to rebuild through the draft only or are there any young players in the league now that you'd like to get that you have a realistic shot at?

I typically always build through the draft, especially with this team so far away from contending. The thought process is this year and next year will be disastrous, grab some high picks and get some big name players (the dream is Chet Holmgren this year, Victor Wembanyama next) and then make a play for the playoffs with the young core intact. We should have plenty of cap space so after drafting high the next couple years, I wouldn't mind cashing in on some of our draft picks to bring in another legit star to play with SGA and the kids.

[R1zzo23]

Re: Thunder Up! Rebuild in OKC [NBA 2k22]

Booker, Paul and the Suns Survive OT Scare By Thunder





The game opened up with running Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (54 pts, 6 reb, 14 ast, 1 blk) off the ball to get him some open looks against this pesky Phoenix defense. After freeing himself, he found himself open in the lane where Josh Giddey (6 pts, 12 ast, 1 stl, 2 blk) found him for the easy finish to open the game. The scoring was just getting started for the Thunder guard.



Moments later with a 6-2 lead, SGA pulled the trigger on a triple from the left wing and stared it down all the way through the net. He scored the first nine points of the game for the Thunder and it was clear he was on one tonight and Chris Paul (12 pts, 14 ast) was in for a long night.



DeAndre Ayton (35 pts, 20 reb, 1 stl, 1 blk) was basically unstoppable all night with his athleticism on full display. He routinely freed himself from the Thunder big men as they struggled to keep up with his footspeed and he routinely found himself with easy flushes at the rim.



Josh Giddey chased Devin Booker (33 pts, 5 reb, 9 ast) all night long with limited success. Booker routinely found himself in the mid range, using a nifty step back to create some air space from Giddey, elevating and knocking down jumper after jumper.



Although playing a minor role in this one, R.J. Hampton (5 pts, 2 ast) knocks down a triple on a kick out from Gilgeous-Alexander. His ability to stretch the floor is sorely needed and if he can find his jumper he would make a great backcourt partner with Shai and Giddey.



Lu Dort (20 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast) silences the crowd after hitting a three as he trailed the break and nobody on the Suns picked him up. The defensive specialist connected on five of his ten threes en route to his 2nd straight game with 20 points scored.



A rare combination on any play this season, Tre Mann (9 pts, 5 ast, 1 blk) drove on Jae Crowder (6 pts, 6 reb) and was able to kick to the corner where Aleksej Pokusevski (5 pts, 5 reb, 1 blk) was waiting. He elevated over Landry Shamet (8 pts, 1 reb) and banged the corner three.



When DeAndre Ayton wasn’t dunking, he was blocking dunks as Isaiah Roby (2 pts, 5 reb) found out the hard way. The big man out of Nebraska thought he had an easy putback dunk until the Suns’ defensive stalwart swatted him before he could flush it home.



Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was in his bag all game long from three-pointers, dunks and even creating an incredible amount of space between he and Cameron Payne (1 reb, 6 ast) for this tough bucket. The Thunder guard seemingly floated 10 feet away from the basket, contorting his body mid-air and knocked down the mid range jumper.



Shai wasn’t done bullying Payne as on this drive he puts on another aerial show, absorbing the little contact from the diminutive defender, extending the ball away from danger and finger rolling it in for another two.



The defense didn’t give Ayton much resistance when it came to scoring buckets so he got his workout in my doing pull-ups on the rim all game long.



In the 4th quarter, it was the stars that were tasked with bringing this one home for their respective team. Up by just one, Booker drove the lane where Giddey moved his feet perfectly, seemingly getting a stop until the All-NBA shooting guard flipped in this circus shot, deflating the Thunder rookie in the process.



Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t just pick on the smaller guards from Phoenix. He also took Cameron Johnson (8 pts, 7 reb) off the dribble, dropped a shoulder into him and bodied him up at the rim for a strong two, putting the Thunder up one with just 45 seconds remaining.



A quick possession by Phoenix looking for a two-for-one saw a kick out to Chris Paul, standing all alone. He pump faked, collected himself and fired from three, knocking it down to give his squad a two-point lead.



The next possession saw the Thunder race the ball up the floor, leaving the Suns scrambling on defense. Someone, Phoenix forgot to pick up SGA immediately and found Booker scrambling to chase him down to the left wing. The mid range assassin raised up and knocked down a game-tying jumper and, in turn, giving him 50 points on the night…and counting.



After a Javale McGee finish down the other end, the Thunder pushed the pace yet again with just 15 seconds remaining and found Shai finishing at the rim with an off-hand flush. A quick flex for the crowd saw the game pushed to overtime.



Early in overtime, Chris Paul found himself in the corner. A late close out from SGA wouldn’t get the job done as another triple gave the Suns a 5-point lead and the Thunder were wilting down the stretch.



A final bucket for the game, Devin Booker puts the exclamation point on this one as he pours in his 33rd point of the game and gives the Suns the 8-point overtime win.

[studbucket]

Re: Thunder Up! Rebuild in OKC [NBA 2k22]

What a fun and fantastic game. It's cool to see the team grow with you, and this is an exciting sign for your team.

[R1zzo23]

Re: Thunder Up! Rebuild in OKC [NBA 2k22]

What a fun and fantastic game. It's cool to see the team grow with you, and this is an exciting sign for your team.

That game was so intense! Typically whenever SGA has had huge scoring games for us we haven’t been all that competitive or end up losing. That was the same story in this game but his 14 assists proved he was still moving the ball and getting others involved. That OT period showed we were gassed and I knew early on that we wouldn’t have what it took to finish the job.

It has been fun to build my skills with this team. Going to grab a very high draft pick this year to add to the talent on this roster and continue to develop our young studs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Scuzz]

Re: Thunder Up! Rebuild in OKC [NBA 2k22]

Games like that – when you have a star completely zoned in and are running everything through them like that – are incredible. SGA's rise is inevitable.

Surprised to see Chicago struggling so bad.. I'm sure you could pick a guy or two from that roster. Otherwise, (I'm just going to plant this seed in your head) Bradley Beal would be the perfect (realistic) running mate for SGA (and Giddey) I think.

[R1zzo23]

Re: Thunder Up! Rebuild in OKC [NBA 2k22]

Games like that – when you have a star completely zoned in and are running everything through them like that – are incredible. SGA's rise is inevitable.

Surprised to see Chicago struggling so bad.. I'm sure you could pick a guy or two from that roster. Otherwise, (I'm just going to plant this seed in your head) Bradley Beal would be the perfect (realistic) running mate for SGA (and Giddey) I think.

Man, I have NEVER had a player in any basketball game in the zone like SGA was in this one. He could not be stopped anywhere on the court and he was getting teammates involved as well. Really was a spectacle to behold, even in an OT loss. He will be a superstar in this league if I have anything to say about it!

Chicago has really been struggling and I actually just got a trade offer that was basically Nikola Vucevic for Tre Mann. Typically, in the 1st season of any franchise I like to play it out with minor moves around the fringes so even though this deal made sense for both teams, I didn't pull the trigger. I also am dead set on bringing Chet Holmgren to OKC so having Vucevic there would block him from playing time as well.

Bradley Beal would definitely be an interesting option to pair with SGA and making Giddey the backup to play both the 1 and the 2. I may have to keep an eye on the Wizards' situation...

[R1zzo23]

Re: Thunder Up! Rebuild in OKC [NBA 2k22]

[R1zzo23]

Re: Thunder Up! Rebuild in OKC [NBA 2k22]



The 2022 NBA All-Star Game Draft was concluded with Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo selected as the game's captains! Looking at the solections, there's no denying that Jokic decided to go with size as he has himself, Anthony Davis, Joel Embiid, Karl-Anthony Towns, Kristaps Porzingis and Zion Williamson that all play either PF or C.

For Team Giannis, a much more balanced roster has been assembled with players that may have great size but can do a lot of different things on the court. Our prediction is that Team Giannis runs away with this All-Star game by 10+ points.

Shout out to Ja Morant and LaMelo Ball, both receiving their first all-star nod this year. We are certain that this will not be their last trip to this game in their careers'!