(NBA 2K23) Changing the Landscape of the NBA.

[Deuce2223]

PLAYOFFS

Despite losing their last 3 games, the Portland Trail Blazers are playoff bound as they finish the regular season (38-44) grabbing the #10 seed over Utah who finished with the same record.

Portland will face the Houston Rockets who finished the year .500 going (41-41).

#7 San Antonio (43-39) will square off against #8 Las Vegas (42-40) in the other play in game.

Oklahoma City finished with the best record in the West claiming the #1 seed with a (55-27) record, well Seattle grabs the #2 seed with a (51-31) record.

Golden State (43-39) will be the #3 seed with Denver (49-33) as the #4, Memphis (48-34) as the #5 and Dallas (46-3 )

In the Eastern Division, Atlanta finished with the Best Record in the NBA going (59-33) as newly acquired Giannis Anteokounmpo (22.7 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 7.0 APG, 1.0 SPG, 2.0 BPG) takes home the regular season MVP honors

Boston (52-30) is the #2 seed well Cleveland and Lebron James finish (49-33) to claim the #3 seed.

Philly (49-33) is the #4 followed by New York (48-34) and Toronto (48-34) as the #5 and #6 seeds.

Miami (45-37) will take on Detroit (42-40) in the play in game as the #7 vs #8 well Indiana (41-41) will take on Charlotte (37-45) in the #9 vs #10 game.

[Deuce2223]

BUCKS/SONICS SECURE BEST CHANCE AT #1

The Milwaukee Bucks (25-57) finished with the worst record in the NBA by 1 game edging out Phoenix (26-56) and the Los Angeles Lakers (27-55) by 2 games. well the La Clippers and Orlando Magic tied at (29-53) for the 4th and 5th spots. Sacramento and Washington both finished (31-51) edging out Chicago (32-50) for the 6th, 7th and 8th, well Brooklyn (36-46) and Utah (38-44) round out the bottom 10 teams.

However do to trades right its Seattle who will take Milwaukee's and the Lakers spot inside the Lottery, well the Thunder own both the Clippers ,Wizards and Jazz's pick's giving them 3 potential Top-10 picks, as well as the Rockets pick which could still be a Lottery pick.

The Bucks do own the Kings pick getting them back in the Top-10, well Houston owns the the Nets pick.

The Spurs own both the Hornets and their own pick likely giving them 2 picks inside the Lottery,

[Deuce2223]

Several teams will be without vital members of their lineups going into the playoffs.

Lebron James has most likely played his last game. The King averaged 24.5 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 6.9 APG, 1.4 SPG, and 1.6 BPG in his 22nd year in the league, but a Bruised Hip (2-4 weeks) will most likely see him miss the playoffs.

Boston will be without Kristaps Porzingis who is out with a Broken Nose. KP averaged 19.0 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.8 SPG, and 1.4 BPG in his 2nd season with the Celtics.

Atlanta will be missing some depth in the backcourt as both Malik Monk and Kelly Oubre Jr are out for the remainder of the season. Both players were averaging around 10 PPG off the bench for the Hawks

Charlotte will be down 2 starters in the play in game with Lamelo Ball (23.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 10.3 APG, 1.8 SPG) and Jared Vanderbilt (6.4 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.3 SPG) are both gone for the season.

The Knicks will be without Julius Randle (21.0 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 5.4 APG). He has a torn MCL.

Las Vegas will be without leading scorer Anthony Edwards (31.4 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 5.2 APG, 1.9 SPG) who is out with a Broken Right Thigh (4-6 weeks)

Portland won't have SG A. Simmons (22.7 PPG, 4.4 APG) or Marvin Bagley III (9.5 PPG 5.6 RPG)

[Deuce2223]

ZION REPORTED OUT FOR PLAYOFFS

Zion Williamson managed to play in 78 games this season, but the Sonic's leading scorer will not be available for the playoffs as he is suffery from Tendinitis in his knees.

Zion averaged career high's this season with 23.6 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 3.7 APG and 1.0 SPG well shooting a career high 73% FG.

With Williamson out, expect, Trey Murphy to join the starting lineup. Murphy has 14 starts this season playing in all 82 games. He has averaged 12.3 PPG, 3.4 RPG, well shooting 40% from 3PT

[Deuce2223]

SEATTLE STRUGGLES AGAINST SPURS!!

San Antonio beat Las Vegas to earn the #7 seed of the playoffs well the Hustlers went on to lose against the #9 seed Rockets with Houston advancing to play #1 seed Oklahoma.

Well the Spurs are a very young team, they still have alot of talent including former #1 pick Victor Wembanyama. Victor followed up his rookie campaign which saw him when the ROY and Defensive POY with another solid season winning his 2nd Defensive POY averaging 23.8 PPG, 14.4 RPG, 2.0 APG, 2.0 SPG and 4.6 BPG.

GM Ryan Derozan

Quote:

"I think everyone agreed that Victor would be good, but I don't think anyone thought he would be this good this fast. Having guy's like David Robinson and Tim Duncan helping him adjust the the NBA has been a huge blessing down in San Antonio"

Wembanyama hasn't done it alone though. Rookie PG Isiah Collier has played well starting 55 of his 80 games played this season averaging 8.4 PPG and 8.5 APG, well shooting 39% from 3PT and PF J. Sochan the #9 pick of the 2022 draft started 76/76 games putting up 10.9 PPG, 5.0 RPG and 3.4 APG.

Former Toronto Raptor OG Anunoby started 81/81 games at SG and put up 15.2 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.8 SPG well connecting on 40% from 3PT and SF Keldon Johnson has proved his belongs in this league with his 4th straight season in double digit points putting up 15.3 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.7 APG well connecting on 37% from 3PT.

GAME 1

Seattle led 33-25 at the end of the 1st Quarter and kept that 8 point lead going into the half (56-48), but the Spurs owned the 3rd Quarter outscoring the Sonics 40-29, to take a 3 point lead into the 4th.

Seattle came into the game averaging 123.7 PPG (2nd Best in the NBA, Dallas averaged 124), but the Sonics couldn't buy a bucket in the 4th as the Spurs go on to dominate with a (132-110) victory.

K. Johnson led the Spurs with 25 points but was just 3/10 from 3pt. Wembanyama had a double double of 24 pts and 13 rebounds well also blocking 6 shots. Tre Jones started at PG and finished with 17 pts, 6 rebs and 8 assists, well Rookie PG I. Collier came off the bench to finish with 9 pts and a team high 10 assists. Former Gonzaga star and Trail Blazer Zach Collins added 17 pts off the bench as well.

For Seattle, it was a tough night without Zion. CJ McCollum struggled going just 1/8 from 3PT finishing with 11 pts and 7 assists. Brandon Ingram led the Sonics with 23 pts 7 rebs and 5 assists well Jarrett Allen added a double double with 20 pts 14 rebs and 3 blocks.

Jordan Hawkins was a bright spot as he finishes with 22 points connecting on 5/10 3PT off the bench.

GAME 2

The Sonics drop to 0-2 in the Series as the Spurs pull off the 2 point victory (128-126).

McCollum bounced back to lead Seattle with 26 pts going 6/14 from 3PT. Hawkins had another huge night off the bench hitting 4/6 from 3pt to finish with 20 pts, well Dyson Daniels was also connecting from deep finishing 4/7 from 3PT to score 18 pts well adding 6 rebounds and 5 assists.

But it was another big night for Wemby as he finishes with 22 points 11 rebounds 3 assists and 4 steals. Collier added 20 pots going a perfect 4/4 from 3pt with 8 assists and Zach Collins had a double double of 15 pts and 10 rebs off the bench

GAME 3

It looked to be over as Seattle goes in to the half down 67-41, but the Sonics would hold the Spurs to just 18 points in the 3rd Quarter to cut the lead to 85-66 and then explode in the 4th scoring 44 points including a buzzer beater to keep the series alive (110-108).

McCollum led the team with 20 points hitting 4/11 from deep, Ingram added 16 pts 7 reb and 5 ast, well Allen added a double double of 14 pts and 10 rebs.

Wemby had 30 points 13 rebounds and 7 blocks in the loss. Sochan added 19 pts , well Collier was 1 assist shy of a double double with 10 pts and 9 assists.

GAME 4

Seattle dominated on Defense holding the Spurs to just 99 points as they win the game (122-99) to tie the series up 2-2.

Wemby scored just 15 points (6/16 FG, 0-6 3PT) but did manage to grab 18 rebounds and block 5 shots. K. Johnson led the team with 18 pts but was just 2/8 from 3pt.

For Seattle the win was a huge one but it also came at a cost. Star PG CJ McCollum played just 12 minutes as he left the game with a injury. With CJ out, Jordan Hawkins saw extended minutes and scored 19 pts hitting 4/12 from 3pt. Brandon Ingram led the team with 21 pts 5 reb and 6 assists and J. Allen added 18 pts and 8 rebounds.

GAME 5

With CJ out, John Wall got the start at PG, and made the most of it scoring a team high 24 points hitting 10/16 FG and 3/7 3PT. Rookie PG T. Proctor also got extended minutes and had one of his best nights with 13 pts off the bench.

Ingram was just 3/10 from the field and finished with 9 pts but the Sonics managed to pull off the (105-103) victory to survive the upset and head on to the next round.

Wemby had 28 pts 17 rebs, 3 ast, 3 stls, and 4 blks in the loss.

[Deuce2223]

Well Sonic Fans are excited to see their team advance to the next round, beating the #3 seed Golden State is going to be a tough task with 3 players on the I.R.


PG CJ McCollum and backup Center Aaron Bradshaw are both ruled out for the series against the Warriors. McCollum has Tendinitis in his left knee (Zion's is in the right) and Bradshaw broke his nose in Game 5.

McCollum averaged 15.2 PPG and 4.7 APG in the series against the Spurs well Bradshaw averaged 2.4 PPG and 3.0 RPG as the key backup to Jarret Allen.

GM Ryan Derozan

Quote:

"Losing both players is a huge blow to our offense and depth, but John showed he is capable of running the point and Hawkins and Dyson both showed they are ready for more minutes. We also didn't see alot of SF Christian Braun last series but I expect him to play more minutes with Trey Murphy allowing Ingram to man up down low against the Warriors undersized centers"

[Deuce2223]

1ST ROUND RESULTS

The 1st Round of the Playoffs was polar opposites for the Western and Eastern Conference.

In the East the brooms came out as the #1 seed Hawks beat #8 Detroit in 3 games, as did #3 seed Cleveland beating #6 seed Toronto 3-0.

The Sweeps didn't end there though either as Boston beat Miami 3-0 ending Lillard's dream of a title yet again. Maybe Lillard should've just stayed in Portland.

New York managed to take Game 1 against Philly but the 76er's went on to win the next 3 as all the top seed advance.

In the West we saw a completely different outcoming. #2 Seed Seattle wasn't the only team to struggle and have to take it all 5 games.

#1 Seed Oklahoma was upset by #8 seed Houston as Jalen Green (23 PPG) and former #1 Overall pick PG M. Fultz (16 PPG) help pull off the upset.

The Rockets will face #4 seed Denver who beat the Memphis Grizzlies in 5 games as well.

Golden State survived their upset beating Dallas in Game 5 after dropping Games 1 and 3

Steph Curry finished the year averaging 28.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 6.6 APG well shooting 42% from 3PT and stepped it up in the playoffs with a 29.2 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 9.0 APG and a amazing 48% from 3PT.

Fellow Splash Bro Klay Thompson added 22.8 PPG well shooting 39% from 3PT in the series as well

[Deuce2223]

SONICS ADVANCE TO WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

Despite missing 2 starters and a key reserve, the Seattle Sonics defeat the Golden State Warriors in 4 games in the Best of 5 to Advance to the Western Conference Finals in their 1st year back in Seattle.

Seattle opened up the series with a (122-112) victory in Game 1 getting double digits from 6 players led by Jarrett Allen's double double of 23 pts and 14 rebounds. Jordan Hawkins continues to shine in the playoffs adding 19 points and is now averaging over 15 PPG in the playoffs vs his 10.1 PPG during the regular season. John Wall making his 2nd start with CJ McCollum out had 18 points on 8/12 FG.

Steph Curry scored just 9 pts finishing 3/19 FG and 1/12 3PT but did have a team high 12 assists. Klay Thompson led all scorers with 26 points hitting 6/11 from 3PT well Andrew Wiggins had 25 points hiting 4/9 3PT.

GAME 2

Seattle dominates on offensive taking a early (41-33) lead in the 1st Quarter and extended the lead to (76-61) at the half and won easily (139-125) despite being outscored by 9 in the 4th.

Wiggins had 31 points in the loss hitting 6/9 from deep. Thompson had 26 and was 4/11, well Curry finished with a double double of 23 pts 14 assists hitting 4/13 from 3PT. As aa team Golden State was 20/45 from beyond the arc.

The Sonics got another double double from Allen who led all scorers with 34 pts and added 12 rebounds. Brandon Ingram was POG with 31 pts 8 rebs and a team high 7 assists hitting 10/15 FG and 3/4 3PT>

Wall (17 pts 6 asts 2/4 3PT), Murphy (17 pts 3/6 3PT) and Hawkins (15 pts 3/3 3PT) also scored in double digits.

GAME 3

The Warriors survived the sweep with a (129-125) win after trailing by 4 points at the half.

Curry had 35 pts 7 reb 7 asts and was 5/16 from 3PT, Wiggins had 28 pts 7 reb and 6 ast hitting 6/9 from 3PT, J. Kuminga had 26 pts and was 6/8 from deep well K. Thompson had 22 pts and was 4/8 from deep. As a team the Warriors were 23/51 from beyond the arc.

Seattle wasn't to far behind in made 3's as the Sonics hit 18/41 from beyond the arc. Jordan Hawkins finished with 16 points and was 4/5 from 3PT. Ingram had 20 pts 7 reb, Wall had 15 pts and Jarrett Allen finished with yet another double double with 12 pts and a team high 21 rebounds.

GAME 4

Seattle trailed (31-29) at the end of the 1st, and was down (72-54) at the half, but outscored the Warriors (36-13) in the 4th to pull off the (119-117) victory.

The Sonics out shot the Warriors from beyond the arc (14/28 50%) vs (19/46 41%).

Curry had 31 pts 9 reb 12 ast and was 7/17 3PT in the loss. Gary Payton II had his best game playing against his Dad's former team adding 15 pts on 3/4 from deep.

T. Murphy starting in place of Zion Williamson, had his best game of the playoffs leading the team with 22 points hitting 6/9 from 3PT. Allen missed out on 4 straight games with a double double as he finished with 20 pts but had just 9 rebounds. Ingram added 16 pts 5 reb and 5 ast well Wall had 13 pts and a team high 9 assists.