NBA 2K23 - The Kobe Era Reimagined

[the_kevstaaa]

All-NBA 1st Team
NJN – Jason Kidd – 18.7ppg, 10.3apg, 6.3rpg, 2.2spg, 48FG%
LAL – Kobe Bryant – 23.3ppg, 6.2apg, 5.6rpg, 1.8spg, 1.0bpg, 56FG%
ORL – Tracy McGrady – 30.7ppg, 6.5apg, 5.5rpg, 1.4spg, 1.1bpg, 59FG%
MIN – Kevin Garnett – 23.5ppg, 13.1rpg, 7.4apg, 1.3spg, 1.5bpg, 58FG%
SAS – Tim Duncan – 26.8ppg, 14.6rpg, 4.4apg, 1.0spg, 2.3bpg, 57FG%

All-NBA 2nd Team
PHI – Allen Iverson – 22.0ppg, 7.5apg, 5.3rpg, 2.1spg, 59FG%
DET – Richard Hamilton – 24.1ppg, 4.3apg, 4.0rpg, 50FG%
LAC – Elton Brand – 19.4ppg, 11.7rpg, 3.2apg, 1.0spg, 1.8bpg, 54FG%
DAL – Dirk Nowitzki – 22.7ppg, 10.4rpg, 3.5apg, 1.0spg, 1.2bpg, 51FG%
LAL – Shaquille O’Neal – 21.6ppg, 13.3rpg, 4.3apg, 1.0spg, 2.6bpg, 57FG%

All-NBA 3rd Team
DET – Chauncey Billups – 19.0ppg, 7.8apg, 4.0rpg, 1.1spg, 47FG%
DAL – Steve Nash - 17.2ppg, 9.5apg, 1.2spg, 51FG%, 42 3PT%, 92FT%
ATL – Carmelo Anthony - 25.3ppg, 7.0rpg, 4.0apg, 1.4spg, 1.2bpg, 54FG%
POR – LeBron James – 24.2ppg, 6.1apg, 5.5rpg, 1.7spg, 1.8bpg, 56FG%
MEM – Pau Gasol – 19.0ppg, 10.1rpg, 3.5apg, 1.5bpg, 52FG%

All-Defensive 1st Team
NJN – Jason Kidd
PHI – Allen Iverson
UTA – Andrei Kirilenko – 13.2ppg, 7.1rpg, 1.8spg, 1.9bpg, 37FG%
SAS – Tim Duncan
DET – Ben Wallace

All-Defensive 2nd Team
CLE – Dwyane Wade – 17.9ppg, 6.4apg, 1.8spg, 1.1bpg, 53FG%
LAL – Kobe Bryant
MIN – Kevin Garnett
PHX – Shawn Marion – 19.5ppg, 9.5rpg, 3.3apg, 1.7spg, 1.2bpg, 54FG%
DEN – Marcus Camby – 9.4ppg, 11.0rpg, 2.4bpg, 40FG%

All-Rookie 1st Team
POR – LeBron James
ATL – Carmelo Anthony
CLE – Dwyane Wade
DET – Chris Bosh – 14.2ppg, 6.6rpg, 1.1bpg, 45FG%
BOS – Chris Kamen – 10.0ppg, 7.2rpg, 4.6apg, 1.1spg, 1.0bpg, 47FG%

All-Rookie 2nd Team
UTA – Kirk Hinrich – 13.7ppg, 4.3apg, 1.1spg, 47FG%
TOR – David West – 10.4ppg, 5.2rpg, 3.9apg, 1.0spg, 43FG%
NYK – Luke Ridnour – 9.4ppg, 3.9apg, 4.0rpg, 1.1spg, 41FG%
ORL – Mo Williams – 8.5ppg, 4.2apg, 1.0spg, 44FG%
DEN – Jarvis Hayes – 9.9ppg, 40FG%

[the_kevstaaa]

2004 NBA Playoff Preview

(6) 43-39 Cleveland Cavaliers @ (3) 51-31 Orlando Magic
Orlando feels like a threat to go far this year, while the Cavaliers are an upstart squad making the playoffs after rebounding from a bad previous season. This feels like Orlando’s series to lose but don’t be surprised if Dwyane Wade helps his guys at least pull off one win. Regardless, Wade vs. McGrady is going to be fun.

Prediction: Magic in 5

(5) 45-37 Milwaukee Bucks @ (4) 47-35 Philadelphia 76ers
Both teams were relative disappointments given how Milwaukee performed last year and the additions Philly made. Juwan Howard hasn’t totally worked out, though he is still solid. The injury to Keith Van Horn means Philly is missing their third scorer and though Antonio Davis has been lackluster this season, Milwaukee still has enough firepower to pull this off.

Prediction: Bucks in 7

(6) 45-37 Los Angeles Lakers @ (3) 51-31 Los Angeles Clippers
The battle for Los Angeles. The Lakers have been a shell of their former selves since losing in the first round last season and the addition of Glenn Robinson has been a failure. Kobe Bryant is rumored to be unhappy as well. The Clippers are young, hungry, and the kind of team who can surprise many. It’s just hard to bet on a Kobe and Shaq led team losing in the opening round two years in a row.

Prediction: Lakers in 7

(5) 46-36 Golden State Warriors @ (4) 47-35 Dallas Mavericks
Dallas was supposed to ride the wave of momentum from last season’s Finals appearance to a great season. They ultimately only won one more game than last time around. Meanwhile, Golden State lost two more despite adding Gary Payton. It’s a toss up but we think the experience gained last year gives Dallas the edge.

Prediction: Mavericks in 6

(7) 42-40 Chicago Bulls @ (2) 52-30 New Jersey Nets
The defending champions took a step back this season, yet Kenyon Martin and Richard Jefferson’s improvement makes them just as dangerous. Chicago has done well to turn their franchise around and have a bright future but they don’t feel like they have a chance here.

Prediction: Nets in 5

(8) 42-40 Toronto Raptors @ (1) 62-20 Detroit Pistons
The Pistons have been the toast of the NBA the past two seasons. The tough defensive team landed Chris Bosh in the Draft and he quickly became a valued starter. They feel like the favorites to win it all. Toronto surprised many by getting here and that’s where it ends.

Prediction: Pistons in 4

(7) 44-38 Houston Rockers @ (2) 56-26 San Antonio Spurs
Last year was a disappointment for the Spurs after not making the Finals. They look to get there this time around and there’s reason to believe it. Tony Parker is much improved and Tim Duncan had his best season ever. The Rockets put it together and have a lot of strong pieces but Yao Ming didn’t make the sophomore jump fans were hoping for and it’ll cost them here.

Prediction: Spurs in 4

(8) 43-39 Memphis Grizzlies @ (1) 56-26 Minnesota Timberwolves
The Grizzlies surprised everyone by being playoff contenders, especially after losing Pau Gasol late in the season. He returned and helped them clinch their first berth in history. Unfortunately for them, they’re running into a tough Wolves team that added Eddie Jones and Alonzo Mourning, making them a title contender.

Prediction: Timberwolves in 4

[dfsJunkie]

Bron shot 40% from three wow! Him and Melo really had near-MVP caliber years as rookies. Cool seeing how that last season played out. Playoffs should be interesting. Bosh has a chance to pull off something special in his career if he wins a championship here.

[the_kevstaaa]

First Round So Far
(6) Cleveland Cavaliers 1 @ (3) Orlando Magic 2
Game 1: CLE 125 @ ORL 116 – D. Wade (31 points, 11 assists)
Game 2: CLE 107 @ ORL 109 – T. McGrady (23 points)
Game 3: ORL 107 @ CLE 105 – T. McGrady (37 points, 7 rebounds)

(5) Milwaukee Bucks 1 @ (4) Philadelphia 76ers 2
Game 1: MIL 104 @ PHI 110 – A. Iverson (19 points, 12 assists)
Game 2: MIL 101 @ PHI 111 – A. Iverson (28 points)
Game 3: PHI 105 @ MIL 106 – A. Davis (19 points, 11 rebounds)

(6) Los Angeles Lakers 2 @ (3) Los Angele Clippers 1
Game 1: LAL 113 @ LAC 112 – S. O’Neal (28 points, 16 rebounds)
Game 2: LAL 98 @ LAC 120 – E. Brand (28 points, 18 rebounds)
Game 3: LAC 112 @ LAL 124 – G. Robinson (30 points)

(5) Golden State Warriors 3 @ (4) Dallas Mavericks 0
Game 1: GSW 113 @ DAL 97 – G. Payton (21 points, 14 assists)
Game 2: GSW 116 @ DAL 105 – J. Richardson (20 points, 9 rebounds)
Game 3: DAL 114 @ GSW 138 – J. Richardson (30 points)

(7) Chicago Bulls 0 @ (2) New Jersey Nets 3
Game 1: CHI 103 @ NJN 111 – J. Kidd (24 points, 11 assists)
Game 2: CHI 115 @ NJN 116 – J. Kidd (23 points, 12 assists)
Game 3: NJN 119 @ CHI 118 – R. Jefferson (21 points, 7 rebounds)

(8) Toronto Raptors 0 @ (1) Detroit Pistons 3
Game 1: TOR 83 @ DET 95 – C. Billups (33 points)
Game 2: TOR 83 @ DET 100 – C. Billups (35 points)
Game 3: DET 98 @ TOR 97 – R. Hamilton (31 points)

(7) Houston Rockets 1 @ (2) San Antonio Spurs 2
Game 1: HOU 100 @ SAS 124 – S. Jackson (26 points, 7 rebounds)
Game 2: HOU 88 @ SAS 104 – T. Duncan (31 points, 13 rebounds)
Game 3: SAS 96 @ HOU 119 – S. Francis (21 points, 7 rebounds)

(8) Memphis Grizzlies 1 @ (1) Minnesota Timberwolves 2
Game 1: MEM 109 @ MIN 116 – T. Brandon (24 points)
Game 2: MEM 94 @ MIN 119 – W. Szczerbiak (24 points)
Game 3: MIN 104 @ MEM 108 – P. Gasol (33 points, 12 rebounds)

Game 4
(3) Orlando Magic 2 @ (6) Cleveland Cavaliers 1

Magic
Mo Williams (9.3ppg, 4.0apg, 1.0spg, 30FG%)
Tracy McGrady (31.7ppg, 6.3rpg, 4.3apg, 1.7spg, 1.0bpg, 59FG%)
Grant Hill (17.3ppg, 6.3apg, 6.0rpg, 55FG%)
Shareef Abdur-Rahim (16.0ppg, 6.7rpg, 3.3apg, 44FG%)
Kendrick Perkins (9.3ppg, 77.rpg, 1.0spg, 1.7bpg, 40FG%)
6th Man: Pat Garrity (6.3ppg, 1.0pg, 50FG%)

Cavaliers
Travis Best (14.3ppg, 6.0apg, 58FG%)
Dwyane Wade (23.3ppg, 8.3apg, 1.7spg, 1.7bpg, 50FG%)
Ricky Davis (10.7ppg, 4.7apg, 1.3spg, 38FG%)
Carlos Boozer (14.3ppg, 10.7rpg, 1.3bpg, 47FG%)
Zyndrunas Ilgauskas (16.0ppg, 8.3rpg, 2.3bpg, 44FG%)
6th Man: Darius Miles (4.0ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.7spg, 28FG%)

[the_kevstaaa]

During the regular season, Dwyane Wade’s scoring high was 39 points. He bested that on the big stage, scoring 45 points to lead the Cavaliers to a 111-104 Game 4 victory. Cleveland led wire to wire and even took an 18 point lead in the third but gave up a 13-0 run to put Orlando right back into things. Tracy McGrady poured in 28 points and Grant Hill had a strong all around game (17 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists) but Wade was too much. He also handed out 9 assists, got big buckets late from Zyndrunas Ilgauskas (19 points, 12 rebounds) and Carlos Boozer (14 points, 14 rebounds).

[RolePlayer]

Love seeing Tracy having some playoff sucess

[the_kevstaaa]

First Round
(6) Cleveland Cavaliers 2 @ (3) Orlando Magic 4
Game 1: CLE 125 @ ORL 116 – D. Wade (31 points, 11 assists)
Game 2: CLE 107 @ ORL 109 – T. McGrady (23 points)
Game 3: ORL 107 @ CLE 105 – T. McGrady (37 points, 7 rebounds)
Game 4: ORL 104 @ CLE 111 – D. Wade (45 points, 9 assists)
Game 5: CLE 100 @ ORL 125 – S. Abdur-Rahim (27 points, 11 rebounds)
Game 6: ORL 130 @ CLE 124 – T. McGrady (24 points, 12 assists)

(5) Milwaukee Bucks 4 @ (4) Philadelphia 76ers 3
Game 1: MIL 104 @ PHI 110 – A. Iverson (19 points, 12 assists)
Game 2: MIL 101 @ PHI 111 – A. Iverson (28 points)
Game 3: PHI 105 @ MIL 106 – A. Davis (19 points, 11 rebounds)
Game 4: PHI 94 @ MIL 105 – R. Allen (26 points, 10 assists)
Game 5: MIL 133 @ PHI 99 – M. Redd (27 points)
Game 6: PHI 130 @ MIL 89 – A. Iverson (22 points, 10 assists)
Game 7: MIL 113 @ PHI 111 – M. Redd (28 points)

(6) Los Angeles Lakers 3 @ (3) Los Angele Clippers 4
Game 1: LAL 113 @ LAC 112 – S. O’Neal (28 points, 16 rebounds)
Game 2: LAL 98 @ LAC 120 – E. Brand (28 points, 18 rebounds)
Game 3: LAC 112 @ LAL 124 – G. Robinson (30 points)
Game 4: LAC 104 @ LAL 102 – E. Brand (25 points, 11 rebounds)
Game 5: LAL 92 @ LAC 112 – Q. Richardson (38 points)
Game 6: LAC 111 @ LAL 113 – S. O’Neal (25 points, 17 rebounds)
Game 7: LAL 100 @ LAC 101 – A. Miller (21 points, 12 assists)

(5) Golden State Warriors 4 @ (4) Dallas Mavericks 0
Game 1: GSW 113 @ DAL 97 – G. Payton (21 points, 14 assists)
Game 2: GSW 116 @ DAL 105 – J. Richardson (20 points, 9 rebounds)
Game 3: DAL 114 @ GSW 138 – J. Richardson (30 points)
Game 4: DAL 100 @ GSW 111 – A. Jamison (21 points, 8 rebounds)

(7) Chicago Bulls 0 @ (2) New Jersey Nets 4
Game 1: CHI 103 @ NJN 111 – J. Kidd (24 points, 11 assists)
Game 2: CHI 115 @ NJN 116 – J. Kidd (23 points, 12 assists)
Game 3: NJN 119 @ CHI 118 – R. Jefferson (21 points, 7 rebounds)
Game 4: NJN 86 @ CHI 85 – K. Kittles (22 points)

(8) Toronto Raptors 0 @ (1) Detroit Pistons 4
Game 1: TOR 83 @ DET 95 – C. Billups (33 points)
Game 2: TOR 83 @ DET 100 – C. Billups (35 points)
Game 3: DET 98 @ TOR 97 – R. Hamilton (31 points)
Game 4: DET 101 @ TOR 98 – B. Wallace (28 points, 15 rebounds)

(7) Houston Rockets 1 @ (2) San Antonio Spurs 4
Game 1: HOU 100 @ SAS 124 – S. Jackson (26 points, 7 rebounds)
Game 2: HOU 88 @ SAS 104 – T. Duncan (31 points, 13 rebounds)
Game 3: SAS 96 @ HOU 119 – S. Francis (21 points, 7 rebounds)
Game 4: SAS 120 @ HOU 96 – T. Duncan (27 points, 13 rebounds)
Game 5: HOU 91 @ SAS 109 – T. Duncan (28 points, 11 rebounds)

(8) Memphis Grizzlies 1 @ (1) Minnesota Timberwolves 2
Game 1: MEM 109 @ MIN 116 – T. Brandon (24 points)
Game 2: MEM 94 @ MIN 119 – W. Szczerbiak (24 points)
Game 3: MIN 104 @ MEM 108 – P. Gasol (33 points, 12 rebounds)
Game 4: MIN 120 @ MEM 98 – K. Garnett (31 points, 21 rebounds, 10 assists)
Game 5: MEM 81 @ MIN 106 – K. Garnett (22 points, 19 rebounds, 9 assists)

Around the League
• The biggest news coming out of the opening round is that Tony Parker broke his leg in Game 5. He averaged 21.0ppg and 7.8apg during the series and will not be back for the Playoffs. This could be a huge blow to the title hopes of the Spurs.
• For the second straight year, the Lakers couldn’t make it past the first round. It should be noted that Kobe Bryant looked disinterested and unhappy with the offense, which saw him take less shots than Glenn Robinson. In fact, Bryant only averaged 16.9ppg, a far cry from his 22.9 season average and the 30.1 he put up last season. There is major talk that he wants out of LA.
• Chauncey Billups and Tracy McGrady led the first round in scoring (28.8ppg), with Jalen Rose (27.3), Dwyane Wade (25.5), and Tim Duncan (24.4) rounding out the top five.
• Kevin Garnett led in rebounding (16.6), Gary Payton led in assists (12.0), Richard Jefferson has the steals lead (2.8), and Garnett leads in blocks (3.0).

[the_kevstaaa]

Conference Semifinals Predictions

(3) Los Angeles Clippers @ (2) San Antonio Spurs
No offense to the Clippers but this felt like a sure thing for the Spurs. There was too much talent and experience for LA to match up with. The injury to Tony Parker changes everything though. The Spurs are not only without their second leading scorer but the starter in his place is Steve Kerr, who isn’t likely to handle the young, fast Clippers well. It’s shocking but the Clippers are likely headed to the Conference Finals.

Prediction: Clippers in 6

(3) Orlando Magic @ (2) New Jersey Nets
A rematch from this round last year, the defending champion Nets take on the hungry Magic. It is still obviously difficult to bet against the champs and their strong defensive play but there’s something about Orlando that feels different. McGrady is the MVP for a reason and we think this is when he gets them over the hump.

Prediction: Magic in 7

(5) Golden State Warriors @ (1) Minnesota Timberwolves
Adding Gary Payton proved wise for the Warriors who shocked many by sweeping the defending Western Conference champion Mavericks. The three-headed monster of Payton, Jamison, and Richardson is hard to stop but Minnesota is loaded. Garnett is playing like a man possessed so far in the playoffs and he’s getting help from everywhere. That’ll be enough.

Prediction: Timberwolves in 6

(5) Milwaukee Bucks @ (1) Detroit Pistons
There are only one or two teams that feel like they’re in the same class as the Pistons. The Bucks aren’t one of them. Their comeback from down 0-2 against Philadelphia was spirited, yet the Pistons aren’t the 76ers. They’re going to shut down the Bucks.

Prediction: Pistons in 4