NBA 2k11 Franchise - Season #1

So a few days ago i came up with an idea that Ryan and i could each do separately. The idea was that we both create a franchise in "The Association" mode. The idea came to me because i had been talking with a fellow twitter friend about what i would do as Raptors gm. Now obviously, the moves made on NBA 2k11 aren't going to be as realistic. Despite having a "no force trades" setting in the game, at least 75% of moves you make there, would not happen in real life. I remember playing older 2k sports and EA games and creating this amazing team from scratch through trades which increasingly got more valuable. Then this year i did fantasy sports online for the first time with others and i was shocked at how hard it was to get a deal done.

Anyways, today you will see what happened in my first season as Raptors gm. Ryan will most likely post his season tomorrow. This will probably be an every second week (most likely friday) sort of thing. We will give you everything that went on from pre-season information and trades, all of the way to the end of the playoffs. The next blog for me about my 2k11 franchise will be about off season stuff, as in where i got in the draft lottery, who i picked, who i signed/re-sign and so on. Then the next one will be about the next year. So all in all a full season (from beginning to the beginning of the next one) will be spread over two blogs.

Things to Note:

• We simulate every game, we don't play them
• Quarter/Sim quarter length is 12 minutes
• Subs are based on fatigue
• downloaded top rated "2011 ESPN draft class"
• Beside the month will be the team record for that month

Here We Go:

Last Years Statistics:

Last years record ~ (40-42)                                                   Overall ~ 29th
Average age ~ 32                                                                   Offense ~ 26th
Team salary ~ 54.36 m                                                           Defense ~ 29th
Cap Room ~ 3.64 m


*Before Season*

• Raptors trade Andrea Bargnani to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Kevin Love
• Raptors trade Reggie Evans, Linas Kleiza and 2011 second round pick to the Chicago Bulls for C.J Watson and Kyle Korver

*Season Begins*

October (0-2)

*Nothing Happens*

 November (4-11)

November 10th 2010 - Demar Derozan broken back - Out 6-8 weeks

December (5-10)

December 10th 2010 - Raptors trade Leandro Barbosa & Amir Johnson to the Orlando Magic for Jason Richardson & 2011 second round pick.

December 23rd 2010 - Demar Derozan Returns

December 30th 2010 - Raptors trade Ed Davis, Julian Wright & Demar Derozan to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Antawn Jamison, J.J Hickson & Cavaliers 2011 1st round pick

January (7-9)

*Nothing Happens*

February (4-7)

February 17th 2011 - Raptors trade Antawn Jamison to the Golden State Warriors for Reggie Williams

March (4-10)

*Nothing Happens*

April (2-6)

*Nothing Happens*

Playoffs: The Miami Heat win the 2011 NBA championship
  

*End Of Season*

• Finished 27-55 (15th in Eastern Conference)
• Budget ~ 58.00 m
• Cap Room ~ 12.57 m
• Poised for 1st and 6th overall pick (lottery has not been done)

Home	Road	Division	Conference	PF	PA	Difference
(15-26)	(12-29)	(8-8)	(17-35)	97.3	104.4	-7.1

Conclusion:

When it comes to win-loss record we had a pretty tough season, but i like where we're heading. I was dissapointed to have to trade Demar Derozan but J.J Hickson is around the same age and was a lot more developed when it came to scoring and rebounding. I was also dissapointed to have to trade Antawn Jamison so quickly but he wanted out, plus he didn't quiet fit into our future plans. By trading him we went from no cap space to about 12 million, which will give us a lot of options for free agency. I hope to be able to trade Jose Calderon in order to get a good backup SG for Jason Richardson. We have Kyle Korver but he isn't the best player in the game but would makes a solid addition to the bench. Korver can also play SF and that is where i plan on spending most of the 12 million we have in cap space. Currently our starting SF is Sonny Weems, who makes a good backup but if we want to compete we need to do better than that. By trading Calderon that will free-up the PG spot and we will most likely end up drafting either Brandon Knight, Kyrie Irving or Kemba Walker. We are also projected to get the 6th pick which we will probably end up using on a SF as well, just to be safe. 6th is a high pick and we would like that pick to be a starter. With Kevin Love and C and J.J Hickson at PF we can't take a guy who would be a backup. There's a good chance i will end up swinging a trade with the 6th pick, but we'll just see how the draft goes and what other teams offer us.

Anyways i hope you enjoyed reading this and will continue to follow along with my teams progression. Also, be sure to check out Ryan and what his team does when he posts tomorrow!

NBA Finals Review: Photo Recap

Game 1

(Ronald Martinez/NBAE/Getty Images)

(Mike Ehrmann/NBAE/Getty Images)

(Marc Serota/NBAE/Getty Images)

(Mike Ehrmann/NBAE/Getty Images)

(Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Result: Heat win 92-84, take 1-0 series lead

Game 2

(Ronald Martinez/NBAE/Getty Images)

(Mike Ehrmann/NBAE/Getty Images)

(Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images)

(Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images)

(Mike Ehrmann/NBAE/Getty Images)

(Ronald Martinez/NBAE/Getty Images)

Result: Mavs rally to from 15 down to win 95-93, series tied at 1-1

Game 3

(Ronald Martinez/NBAE/Getty Images)

(Ronald Martinez/NBAE/Getty Images)

(Ronald Martinez/NBAE/Getty Images)

(Ronald Martinez/NBAE/Getty Images)

(Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images)

(Ronald Martinez/NBAE/Getty Images)

Result: Heat win 88-86, take 2-1 series lead

Game 4

(Ronald Martinez/NBAE/Getty Images)

(Glenn James/NBAE/Getty Images)

(Victor Baldizon/NBAE/Getty Images)

(Mike Ehrmann/NBAE/Getty Images)

(Mike Ehrmann/NBAE/Getty Images)

(Mike Ehrmann/NBAE/Getty Images)

(Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images)

(Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images)

(Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images)

(Noah Graham/NBAE/Getty Images)

Result: Mavs win 86-83, series tied at 2-2

Game 5

(Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

(Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

(Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

(Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

(Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)

(Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)

Result: Mavs win 112-103, take 3-2 series lead

Game 6

(Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

(Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

(Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

(Marc Serota/Getty Images)

(Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

(David J. Phillip-Pool/Getty Images)

(Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

(Chris Chambers/NBAE/Getty Images)

(Ronald Martinez/NBAE/Getty Images)

(Garrett Ellwood/NBAE/Getty Images)

(Garrett Ellwood/NBAE/Getty Images)

(Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images)

Result: Mavs win 105-95 and are your new NBA Champions

Topic Tuesday #2

It's that special day, Tuesday! and we have some very awesome questions lined up for you.

Once again since we are still an up and coming blog without consistant traffic we have trouble getting questions for topic tuesdays. This week we have 2 questions from others, and Ryan has come up with a couple of questions we will both be answering. Hope you enjoy!

Here We Go :

Do you think the suspension (in any sport) should be greater if its a better player? -@Blueyed7

Chris: This is a tough question, whether the "star" is the victim, or the instigator. I think if the star player is the one who does the damage, then yes it should be greater. That person is being watched more than these other guys, kids especially look up to them (for example Crosby). If the star player though is the victim, then no, I don't believe it would be appropriate to put a higher value on one human's body/brain over another.

Ryan: I don't think the severity of the punishment should be based on the type of player of not. Whether that player is of star caliber or not the punishment should be the same for all players, even if they are the face of the league or franchise.


Buster Posey collision. Should the MLB do something about it or is he (Posey) just being a (wimp)? -@Bobswan14

Chris: In terms us suspensions, nothing should be done. The collision was totally legal and is actually embraced as opposed to sliding which could hurt the base runner. I think the MLB figures that catchers know the risks of their position and if they are dumb enough to play it, then that is their choice. I do believe the MLB should change the rule about running into the catcher, and maybe avoid blocking the plate overall. However Posey's block was also not how it should technically be done. He put his whole body in front, whereas you are supposed to put one leg towards the plate and one towards the catcher, limiting the potential risk. So really, Posey just needs to accept it and learn from it, but so does the MLB.

Ryan: After watching it several times on Youtube it doesn't really look like he was blocking the plate at all. In fact he was about a foot in front of the plate, but as he turned towards the plate he put himself in harms way.I really don't think the league has to do anything since it was just a freak accident during a play and thats all it was.


Will Tiger Woods ever regain his pre-scandal form?

 
Chris: No. Everyone expects that at the next tournament he will regain is old form, and does it happen? No. People are getting tired of waiting for the "old Tiger" and soon have to start embracing the next generation of golfers. Tiger had his run, and it was great, but there are just some things you can't go back on. I do honestly hope he proves me wrong, but i just don't see that happening. He's already pulled out of this years US Open and people are starting to realize the Tiger era is done.

Ryan: Nope. He's already 35 and has had a nagging knee injury for quite some time now. His last majors win was way back in 2008 when he won the US Open, and since his off-court activities he hasn't seemed to be the same player. He even hired a new swing coach, but that hasn't really seemed to help as much as he would have expected. Though he'll probably get a few wins here and there when he does return and we'll see glimpses of his former self, he's just not gonna be that dominant force he once was.


Who Will Win Game 4 Of The NBA Finals Tonight?

Chris: The Dallas Mavericks. Each game has been a see-saw affair, and honestly anyone could win it. I just believe that in the end Dallas will win 96-89.

Ryan: As much all I'll like to see the Heat take a 3-1 series lead tonight Dirk and the Mavs aren't gonna let that happen. I still think Miami needs to win 2 games in Dallas to win the series though, but that second victory won't happen tonight. Also Jason Terry and Deshawn Stevenson have been running their mouths a bit lately so they'll have to put up or shut up tonight.

The Nadal-Federer Debate

Chris: Many people consider Roger Federer to be the best of all time, one of them being me. I think 16 grand slams would explain that pretty good. There has also been a lot of talk thought about if Rafael Nadal can one day be the best of all time, and to that I say no. Below is a table illustrating Roger's grand slam performances.

Tournament	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011
Grand Slam Tournaments
Australian Open	A	LQ	3R	3R	4R	4R	W	SF	W	W	SF	F	W	SF
French Open	A	1R	4R	QF	1R	1R	3R	SF	F	F	F	W	QF	F
Wimbledon	A	1R	1R	QF	1R	W	W	W	W	W	F	W	QF
US Open	A	LQ	3R	4R	4R	4R	W	W	W	W	W	F	SF
Win–Loss	0–0	0–2	7–4	13–4	6–4	13–3	22–1	24–2	27–1	26–1	24–3	26–2	20–3	11–2

As you can see he has dominated every tournament (by winning it) except for the french open. Instead of looking and saying "oh he didn't win the french open, there for he isn't an all-surface player" you first must look at where he finished. With exception to 2010 which (other than the Aussie open and the US Open) was an off year, he has constantly made the finals of the french open. Only problem is he has run into Nadal who is a clay court specialist. So it isn't a matter of he can't play on clay, he just can't match Nadal on clay.

Here is Nadal's grand slam performance chart.

Tournament	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	Career SR	Career W-L	Win %
Grand Slam Tournaments
Australian Open	A	3R	4R	A	QF	SF	W	QF	QF	1 / 7	29–6	82.85
French Open	A	A	W	W	W	W	4R	W	W	6 / 7	45–1	97.82
Wimbledon	3R	A	2R	F	F	W	A	W		2 / 6	29–4	87.87
US Open	2R	2R	3R	QF	4R	SF	SF	W		1 / 8	28–7	80.00
Win–Loss	3–2	3–2	13–3	17–2	20–3	24–2	15–2	25–1	11–1	10 / 28	131–18	87.92

As you can see he has won every grand slam, but has been very inconsistent between. Now I don't want to take anything away from Rafa, but in order to be known as the greatest of all time he will have to dominate on all courts and consistently. Until then I will continue to to believe that Roger Federer is and always will be the best of all time. If Rafa does become an all court player, and consistently proves it, then I will tip my hat to him. I just think that we need to embrace and remember what Roger has done and continues to do in tennis, his records and his legacy. People always talk about if they could have watched Babe Ruth, or Ted Williams or Michael Jordan, or Gordie Howe. We have missed out on seeing some of the best atheletes of all time, but we also get the chance to witness Federer who continues to make history and will probably retire with at least 20 grand slam titles, lets not lose sight of that. History is in the making, lets take advantage of it.


Ryan: In every sport there's always that debate as to who's the greatest of all time, whether itbe Lebron-Kobe, Crosby-Ovechkin, and in tennis it's Nadal-Federer. Now both players have done quite a bit in their careers and still have quite some time left before they hang up their boots, but keep in mind that Federer is 4 years older than Nadal, as he is 29 while Rafa recently turned 25, so the best way compare them will be based on what they have accomplished at age 25.

Player	Date	Age		ATP	Master	Majors	Weeks No 1
STATUS as of 6th June, 2011:
Rafael Nadal		25 years 3 days		46	19	10	99
Roger Federer		25 years 3 days		39	10	8	132

Source: http://www.nadalvsfederer.com/nadal-vs-federer-at-25-years-and-3-days/

As we can see there, Nadal is ahead of Federer in all categories except the total number of week in which they were ranked as #1. One thing to keep in mind though is whether Nadal will have the same longevity in his career as Federer will have and if he won't eventually run into injury issues. Also by age 25 Roger had 9, 8 of which he won, as seen above, while Nadal has 12 finals appearances and has won 10, also seen above.

Now both players could have been at different stages in their career at that age, so its not quite an accurate comparison, but if we were to compare the two at that age it's pretty clear that Nadal is that better player, but in four years time when he's 29 will he have accomplished what Roger has done, will he be able to dominate on other surfaces besides clay or will his production fall off a bit? Right now we can only speculate, but the debate as to who's the greatest of all time shall certainly continue.

NHL Finals Preview

Ryan and I haven't really gotten a chance to follow the NHL playoffs that much. This was shown last night when I asked him what his prediction was for the finals and he asked who was left. So in the best interest of your reading eyes we have decided to let our buddy guest blog. The whole introduction to the finals and obviously his opinions on key to the series, key players and prediction were written by @JReyzor. So enjoy the blog and be sure to follow him on twitter and give him a hand on his awesome job.

Here We Go:

In the 90’s both the Bruins and the Canucks made their last Stanley Cup Final appearance watching the Oilers and Rangers raise the cup over their heads and celebrating. While one of them will still have that feeling the other will take the monkey off their back. The Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins will be facing off in what should be a very solid series. History has shown that both Boston and Vancouver have had rocky roads to get to this point.

Both have similarities in the fact that they both possess very deep rosters which got them to this point and goaltenders who both have put their respective team on their backs at times. That is especially true through their 1st round scares, as both teams were on the brink of elimination in Overtime in game 7 of their respective quarterfinal matchups versus the Blackhawks and Habs, but were able to get through.

What’s amazing about the Boston Bruins is that as deep as their roster is on D and on offense they do not have the services of Marc Savard, remember him? How about the Vancouver Canucks their roster has suffered through a lot of injuries on their blueline but have still managed to perform at a high level. But with everyone pretty much at full health the Canucks went from 7 to 6 to 5 games in consecutive rounds becoming much more lethal. While the Bruins after their 1st round scare looked perfect versus the Philly Flyers sweeping them in 4 they once again went 7 games this time against the young upstart Tampa Bay Lightning. Will the long layoff for the Canucks be an advantage in the end or will the momentum of the Bruins win it for them.

Key to the Series:

Jonathan: There are several keys to these series: 
 Bruins Powerplay – To me this is THE KEY to the series. At 8.2% the Bruins possess a PP that is only better than 2 teams that have already been eliminated. Having a deep roster like they do but not being able to capitalize on man advantages has been really mind boggling hence why two of their series went 7 games. And with a tough Canucks D to contend with, it won’t get any easier.

Roberto Luongo vs Tim Thomas
Both are Vezina trophy candidates, both are A+ goaltenders and have saved their teams from extinction during the 1st round. It’ll basically come down to who will blink first as both are as sharp as a knife.

Zdeno Chara vs Roberto Luongo
Remember when the Canucks were eliminated by the Blackhawks twice in a row in 2009 and 2010, Luongo faced a brick wall that he couldn’t go over in the form of 6’6 Dustin Byfuglien. The Bruins need to take note of that and use 6’9 Zdeno Chara to park big frame in front of Roberto Luongo so that the Bruins can set up their offense easily which would help them on the PP as well.

Chris:
The Sedin Twins
You know the saying twin telepathy? I think the Sedin's might need it to get past Tim Thomas. If they aren't on there game, that just puts a lot more pressure on the rest of the Canuck's offense, and while they are good, I think Tim Thomas can be even better. Not only will the Sedin's have to be offense leaders, but they will have to be team leaders overall. Guys can get discouraged when you played great hockey and consistently get robbed by a goalie. Daniel and Henrik with have to keep their team enlightened and positive if they want to beat Thomas.

 Key Player:

Jonathan: 
 Bruins: Patrice Bergeron – Mr everything is having a solid playoff and is using the experience he gained from the Olympics in 2010 to produce at the level he is doing today. However he has to contend with solid faceoff centers in Henrik Sedin, Ryan Kesler and a possible return of Manny Maholtra. Also it won’t be easy for him to get through the suffocating D of the Canucks so he’ll have to take his game up a notch in order for the Bruins to win the Cup.

Canucks: Ryan Kesler – Mr everything (sound familiar) is coming back from an injury suffered in the game 5 clincher of the Western Conference finals versus the Sharks. Question is did the layoff help him gain his strength back? As well he’s got several things to contend with number 1 being Zdeno Chara hovering around him and Tim Thomas who at times has seem to be unstoppable.


Chris: Roberto Luongo. Roberto will be key for both teams, obviously on one end not letting pucks in, and on the other end, the Bruins want him to let pucks in. Luongo has been very hit or miss this off season and people have come to question him. Now there is no better place to prove himself than in the Stanley Cup Finals.

 Predictions:

Jonathan: Canucks in 6
It’s a fact that Tim Thomas will steal games because well he’s just unreal. And although the Bruins have a solid core the Canucks are playing at an amazing level. As I stated before if the Bruins do not capitalize on their man advantages then Canucks will be winning by 3 or 4 goals every game. With the motivation of seeing Canada’s Gold Medal victory in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics the Vancouver Canucks want to have that feeling. With 41 years of existence the Canucks have not won a Stanley Cup, honestly I think that drought will be over.

Chris: Canucks in 7
This series could really go either way. Nonetheless i believe someone will win it in a 7 game series, nothing more (obviously) nothing less. If Tim Thomas has a bad game, that is about 4 goals against, which you could easily win with. Whereas Luongo has been shaky, but the Canucks have still battled through and are not going to go down without a fight. Both teams have experienced game 7's in this years playoffs, but in the end I believe the Canucks will grind one out.