Stupid NBA 2k9 Addiction

TravTex

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The Spurs offseason work got me all inspired, again.

(I tried a Jefferson Spurs franchise for a bit... The guy significantly changes the game for the team. Trying to double-team Duncan is suicide. Not double-teaming Duncan is suicide. Uh...?)

I started up a franchise with the idea of just deconstructing and building up a team. The obvious candidate was the Stolen Sonics. I simmed the first season, just working trades... I could prattle off the long boring story, but suffice to say I worked one blockbuster trade, one huge free agent signing, and drafted a stud starter over the first sim-season and offseason.

2009/10 Thunder Roster:

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PG:

Russell Westbrook: (One of the few players I ended up keeping. He isn't Nash, but he can still be a gamechanger at times. He's also young and has a ton of potential for development.)

Smush Parker

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SG:

Gheorghe Bacu: (First draft pick at #4 for the Thunder. The guy is absurdly versatile. For example, he's averaging 22ppg in the first two games... playing out of position. By far. This is a drafted SG starting at PF and excelling. Major ROTY chances, I'd say.)

Quinton Ross: (He's starting at SG at the moment, due to injury, but don't see him as more than a role player.)

Simon Arthur

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SF:

Danny Granger: (Awesome. Just a phenomenal player in our game.)

Kyle Korver: (This slot was initially filled by Jason Kapono. A straight trade for Korver accomplished... well, absolutely nothing, really. They're role players with a deadly outside shot. Korver happened to be cheaper and more nimble.)

Jeff Green: (I like Green's potential, but don't see as how I'll have the time to develop him.)

--------------------------

PF:

Pau Gasol: (I was stoked when I worked this trade. Gasol is the reason Durant isn't on the roster, and it's a trade-off I can live with. Unfortunately, Pau broke his ankle in preseason and it'll be 4-6 weeks until we actually get to see what he does for the team.)

DJ White

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C:

Brendan Haywood: (Most of the time, he's just kinda 'there'. When defenses start to ignore him, though, he can hurt you for double digits in a hurry.)

Yunlong Wang: (Second-round draft pick we used to follow the trend of improbably gigantic Chinese guys. 7'1" and a rebound vacuum.)

---------------------------------------------------------

The team is actually set for a few years... I'd like to improve at Center, but otherwise all of the pieces are in place for the next four years or so. I'm not sold on resigning Carlisimo next year when his contract expires, but for the moment it seems to be a good blend.

I thought it was going to be utter horror tragedy with Gasol injured. I tried to build my team around him, after all -- and the gimp goes and breaks his ankle in preseason.

BUT... we started 2-0 with wins versus the Pacers and the Mavs in Dallas.

Granger seems able to do it all. The first game against Indy had him logging 43 points. Offseason work with Westbrook's passing has him with 20 assists for the first pair of games. The biggest surprise is the rookie. Bacu, our drafted SG, has been filling in at PF for Gasol.

Obviously, he's tall and has good elevation for a SG... he's averaging over 20ppg at PF, and logged four blocks against Dallas... while guarding Dirk. I'm almost scared to see what happens to our chemistry when Pau comes back, and he's our 'Star Player'.

The team has issues -- We went into the fourth against Indiana up by 20... and jacked around enough to let them make a game of it. BUT, beating Dallas handily in Dallas boosted everyone's confidence.

Meanwhile, I'm fairly amused by the frequent shots of Pau Gasol looking rather irritable sitting on the bench.
 

Snohomie

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Granger is a BEAST. There's not one flaw to his offensive game. I've posted with him pretty effective, used him as an athlete and drove for the shot, and his jumper is nice and quick with range everywhere.

Funny, Trav, I am playing NBA2K9 (what replay value, huh?) now while I let my brisket BBQ for a while before turning over duties to mi madre.

Not sure about the Durant/Gasol deal... But Gasol is one of my least favorite players to play AGAINST, so it can't be that bad. That Gasol/Haywood duo is a defensive wall, even with Gasol being soft irl his length in this game is maddening.

I've actually downloaded some "post draft" roster's that aren't have bad, for being wildly optimistic. I REALLY dig Terrance Williams (Nets SG/SF) in real life (from Seattle, defensive stopper, weird dude) and in the game with his athleticism and scoring he's very versatile. But Memphis is the scary team - Conley (speed kills), Mayo (killer player himself), Gay (turning into Granger on offense), Randolph (I can't use him, but someone should be able to... rebounds and scores very well) and Thabeet, the 7'3 shot-blocker. The depth isn't killer in the backcourt, but they're damn solid. Fun to play with.

My roommate and I made a T-Wolves franchise where we created a PG and a SF (with our names, though his PG looks like a 70s pornstar and mine looks like a stoner with corn-rows... he's white, btw, though for the playoffs he is going to go reverse-michael-jackson on us) and based the teams offense around us... We've traded a few guys because they took shots, and thus "aren't team players". So we're averaging something like 40 and 44 points a game, with double-digit assist totals (hard to do when you only pass to eachother) and the like. Not generally the way I play (I'm like you, Trav... I try to play somewhat realistically), but it's quite fun with a friend.

Anyways, about to do a 2009-roster (no 2009 draftees) with a created player. I'm thinking someone like T-Mac, I haven't spent enough time creating shooters. Usually I do post guys (I'm a 5'10 post player IRL... I just don't have the ball skills or shot to do much more than muscle my way deep against skinny college kids... I like the post action) or guys who drive with the ball. Might be fun to do someone a little more perimeter-oriented.
 
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TravTex

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Yeah, the replay value has been pretty insane for me. I need to just stop buying other games, the only things that spend any time in the 360 are sports titles. (I rented GoW2 and spent about an hour with it before getting burned out, heh.)

I'm hoping the Gasol/Haywood combo will be defensive death inside -- frustrating that Pau broke his ankle before I even got a chance to test-drive him. No telling how well he'll work with my game, but I'm so used to playing Duncan I'm thinking there won't be a huge learning curve to the next tall skinny dude. At the moment, the inside D has a pretty large hole. As admirably as he's performing, I still have a rookie SG playing the PF position.

Seems to be a -real- versatile team to start out. Game 1 was basically a 3-point fest, Game 2 was overpowering them inside. D was solid enough to keep us in both games (Current pre-game rankings sans Gasol have us listed at about 6/10 on Defense and 2/10 on Offense.)
 
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TravTex

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Okay, so 2k9 is beginning to give me fits.

Kyle, have this problem?

Usually happens a season or so into a franchise, lately. I'll get a few games in, and something just goes wrong with the save file -- Out of the blue, I can't play games. It'll just go to black and the console will freeze. No matter how many times I try to reload, or sim to a different game, same thing... that franchise is kaput if I want to actually play any of the games. Load, get little trivia question, black screen freeze-up.
 

Snohomie

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Nope. No problem there. Occasionally things freeze up at some point, but nothing like that. Something wrong with the disk, maybe?

(Could've sworn I posted my franchise... about to enter the playoffs tonight. I have the following:

PG - Randy Foye (Marksman from 3 (PGs get a ton of open 3s in my offense), great isolation move, strong player with good size and good speed)
SG - Created Player (6'8 SF, but he plays like a SG with a nice shooting game, good post game, mediocre defense, great dribbling and so-so driving)
SF - Julian Wright (6'8 SF, athletic and sometimes moves to PF. Defense is good and he can drive to the rim. I like his potential)
PF - Al Jefferson (Dunks, Post moves, open midrange shots, rebounding... guy is a beast)
C - Tyson Chandler (Dunks, defense, rebounding, size... I felt like Love/Jefferson was too weak inside)
6 - Ryan Gomes (SF/PF with good outside shooting and rebounding... horrible at dribbling, though, so he struggles to create his own shots)

Those are the guys I actually like. Brewer and Telfair drive me crazy, honestly. My created guy averaged 20-5-6.5 as a rookie, so I was pleased there.
 
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TravTex

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Ticks me off to have to start a new franchise -- The OKC combo that I had put together was looking set to dominate. The 2010 season had us in the Playoffs as the 7th seed, and we came within a late 4th quarter meltdown of beating the Nuggets in the first round... and that was with an injured Granger. Bacu walked away with the ROTY honors, averaging about 11ppg and 6rpg.

BUT, now I have to start over and I'm a bit hesitant to do so not knowing whether or not my damn franchise will freeze up at random. It's something odd to do with the data exchange, I think. I wouldn't think an issue with the disc could be quite that predictable and only with a certain type of saved game?

Jefferson/Chandler on the inside could be scary. The Gasol/Haywood combo was pretty wicked (My team's "Defense" went up to 8/10 once Gasol came back from injury. Four of my Five starters had the little 'Lock' icon on Defense by the end of the season... I -really- liked that team, heh).

I like Gomes... hell, I also like Brewer, but you're right about the frustrations/struggles. -- They both ooze talent and potential, but have huge holes in their game that may or may not be fixable.
 
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TravTex

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Tried installing the game to the hard drive, having read that's one of the potential fixes for the freeze glitches. If that fails, next possible fix is to delete and create a new profile.

Hopefully this sticks, current '09 roster has Rookie PG, Raja Bell, Danny Granger, and Michael Beasley.
 
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TravTex

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Repaired!

I think.

Anyway, if anyone is having freeze issues with the 360 version, install it to the hard drive and recreate your profile. It seems to have fixed the issue for me, though I did end up having to start over from scratch. Don't mind, though, as I ended up with a pretty solid mix of youngsters and veterans.

PG: Steve Nash (How can you beat that, really? He's 34, and I signed him in free agency for a couple years of absurd salary then drafted the best PG available early in the first round to start working to take over in a couple years. Win-win.)

SG: Sasha Vujacic (Erratic, but can rack up points in a hurry from deep. Not horrible at driving the lane, either.)

SF: Josh Smith (Beast on both ends of the court.)

PF: Marreese Speights (Falls into the 'Not Bad' range, though there's a good bit of potential to work with.)

C: Jamaal Magloire (Not a star by any means, but one could do worse for a warm body at center. Definitely a position to look at upgrading.)

Result: Out to a 3-1 start.
 

Snohomie

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Hmmm, no offense Trav but that doesn't look particularly intimidating. Must be another difference in our play style. Nash is pimping and Smith is real good (I'd keep him at PF, but I LOVE athletic PFs who can shoot... I can score 50 a game efficiently with Amare because I just sit at the elbow and drive or shoot, and then maybe post for fun), but I wouldn't love any of the other guys.

Glad you got your freeze problem fixed though!

Been playing a 2-man team franchise with my roommate. I'm a SF, he's a PG. We're the only guys allowed to take shots on our team... I'm averaging 60-8-8 with 5 steals, roommate is 52-2-12 with 6 steals a game. On five minute quarters. I've now become an EXPERT at on-ball steals when the PG is bringing it up the court. Have to be moving straight at them, get a decent shot at ripping it past them. Some guys are better than others - we absolutely ruined Russell Westbrook and Mike Bibby (this is the original-rosters version, btw, not the end-of-year one... just got internet here a couple hours ago).
 
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TravTex

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Snohomie":28bq8a6m said:
Hmmm, no offense Trav but that doesn't look particularly intimidating. Must be another difference in our play style. Nash is pimping and Smith is real good (I'd keep him at PF, but I LOVE athletic PFs who can shoot... I can score 50 a game efficiently with Amare because I just sit at the elbow and drive or shoot, and then maybe post for fun), but I wouldn't love any of the other guys.

Yeah, my franchises have often been subject to luck and circumstance -- I've been basically simming the first year with OKC, using it just to work on development and trades. Depending on who's willing to make what trade, who's injured, etc... Pretty surprising how one trade/injury can change the subsequent cascade of rebuilding in any given year.

Suffice to say, I wasn't impressed with what I ended up with -- Which is why I spent Oh My God money on Nash when his option wasn't extended in FA. Even then, I had to wheedle a Preseason trade of D.J. White and my 2011 first-rounder to snag Speights.

So far, though, the whole seems to exceed the sum of parts. Bench depth is helping: I have Jeff Green, Adam Morrison, and Brent Barry contributing solidly from the bench. Now that I think of it, a better scoring mix might push Smith to PF and start Green.

The team plays slightly different than I've had before, but quite a bit more consistent (If such a thing can be said for a handful of games). The defense tends to keep us in every game, and when it comes close/late Nash is disgustingly clutch.

(The first game win, we were down by what seemed to be a relatively hopeless margin. Nash put up back-to-back-to-back quick three-pointers for a buzzer-beater win. Insanity.)
 

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Haha nice ending. And your bench depth looks very good - nobody spectacular (actually, Green could be a good starter for you) but that's a solid bunch of guys. Morrison is a guy I'd love to make a reclamation project.

I'd probably move Green to the lineup and put Speights as a 6th-man type. I like Speights, too, but you have 3 good wing players on your bench, might help to spread it out a bit. You actually have outstanding versatility, with Green, Smith, Speights (...sorta), Vujacic, and Barry able to play multiple positions reasonably well. You'd get a lot more athletic and probably just as good defensively (seems Smith's blocking would work better at PF, more chances... could be wrong), while extending your shooting range and driving capabilities.

Your bench does make a big difference, here. Starting lineup isn't awesome (and your C is pretty bad), but the bench depth is good enough that instead of losing a lead when the role players come in (like I usually do in the 2nd quarter) you keep strong.

So, I've decided to make a franchise based simply on what players I like for odd reasons, whether or not they are effective. My roommate is hogging the PS3 so here goes:

PG - Chris Paul (I can't use him terribly well, but he's my favorite player)
SG - Rudy Fernandez (fun to watch)
SF - Martell Webster (sweet J... not a 3, but this team is going to be small and athletic. Plus local)
PF - Lamar Odom (versatility and he's a goof)
C - Joakim Noah (another goof)
6 - Michael Beasley (I will probably trade Odom at some point to get Beasley in the starting lineup)
7 - Keyon Dooling (I wanted Bayless, but a depth with that many rookie lottery picks seems absurd)
8 - Danilo Gallinari (Italian Pride and I can turn him into a stud with time...)
9- Renaldo Balkman (athletic defender with cool hair... my style of player)
10 - Adam Morrison (reclamation project)
Couple other guys after that.
 
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TravTex

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Snohomie":35leqzvs said:
Haha nice ending. And your bench depth looks very good - nobody spectacular (actually, Green could be a good starter for you) but that's a solid bunch of guys. Morrison is a guy I'd love to make a reclamation project.

I'd like to get them both more minutes. It's a good problem to have, though, wanting more guys to spend more time on the floor rather than, "Oh crap, not HIM again." Currently have Morrison as 'Prospect', I think. I'm tempted to just oust Magloire and move Speights over to Center. Then it could be Nash/Vujacic/Green/Smith/Speights.

I'd probably move Green to the lineup and put Speights as a 6th-man type. I like Speights, too, but you have 3 good wing players on your bench, might help to spread it out a bit.

The rookie is a solid combo guard, as well (Think he's rated in the high 70's).

You actually have outstanding versatility, with Green, Smith, Speights (...sorta), Vujacic, and Barry able to play multiple positions reasonably well. You'd get a lot more athletic and probably just as good defensively (seems Smith's blocking would work better at PF, more chances... could be wrong), while extending your shooting range and driving capabilities.

Giving me quite a few good ideas. Thinking over the lineup, I'm starting to think I have the luxory of gameplanning my starting lineup. I could easily tweak the SF/PF/C alignments to look for/avoid mismatches.

Your bench does make a big difference, here. Starting lineup isn't awesome (and your C is pretty bad), but the bench depth is good enough that instead of losing a lead when the role players come in (like I usually do in the 2nd quarter) you keep strong.

The depth has been huge for staying in games. If anything, we gain ground with the role players -- Most teams have a bigger drop-off in talent from first to second string. Tough Decision Time when it comes development points time... have a handful of guys with excessive potential to work with.

PG - Chris Paul (I can't use him terribly well, but he's my favorite player)
SG - Rudy Fernandez (fun to watch)
SF - Martell Webster (sweet J... not a 3, but this team is going to be small and athletic. Plus local)
PF - Lamar Odom (versatility and he's a goof)
C - Joakim Noah (another goof)
6 - Michael Beasley (I will probably trade Odom at some point to get Beasley in the starting lineup)
7 - Keyon Dooling (I wanted Bayless, but a depth with that many rookie lottery picks seems absurd)
8 - Danilo Gallinari (Italian Pride and I can turn him into a stud with time...)
9- Renaldo Balkman (athletic defender with cool hair... my style of player)
10 - Adam Morrison (reclamation project)
Couple other guys after that.

Interesting batch of guys. I had Beasley on one of my teams and he could go off on a team with little provocation. Gallinari I haven't had, though he always seems to give me fits when I play against him.
 
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TravTex

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4-1

Tried out the switch, running Nash/Vuj/Green/Smith/Speights.

Unfortunately, couldn't really tell how much of a difference it made as Smith was in foul trouble in the first three minutes. On the plus side, it reminded me that I still had options reaching even DEEPER into the bench: Blatche and McDyess. They combined for 14 bench rebounds while Smith logged 32 points in limited play.

Magloire does about 8 and 8 no matter when he plays. Only difference being that if he doesn't start, his agent whines more.
 

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I think that lineup gives you a ton more offense and doesn't hurt your defense much, personally.

Keep me posted on how it goes, though. I'm curious.

I played some with Chris Paul and I just can't use him at all. Ugggggh. The jumper is rough, the layups are hard (size)... Uggh.

When you lay up, do you use the stick or the button? I've always shot-stick on jumpers, button on layins... but my Roomie does the opposite, and I admit the lay-ins can be cool if used differently. Going to try working on lay-ins with a different player, someone who is a little... taller =P.
 
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TravTex

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I'm half-tempted to bump Blatche up the depth chart. Magloire might not be long for the roster -- I wouldn't say he's -bad- so much as redundant. I have three other guys who can do the same or better for cheaper, though unfortunately none of the rookie big men seem to be the Future.

The only thing I use the button for is for pump-fakes in the post. Everything else is the stick. One of the coolest-looking shots on the team is Nash's no-jump running underhand lay-in.
 
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TravTex

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So, speeding things up to get through the first month... Was a great start to the season. We went 8-1 before a minor injury to Nash sent us spiraling into idiocy for the remainder. Finished up November 10-8. Traded Magloire for Paul Millsap, moving Speights to C and playing with Nash/Vuj/Green/Smith/Speights.

Defense has been brutal. #2 in the league in blocked shots. Leading the league in FG percentage. 109/108 in PF/PA. Josh Smith is the #6 player in the league according to efficiency ratings with Nash a distant second for the team.

As it stands, I'm seeing Playoffs with an outside shot at progressing to the second round. Anything past that is overachieving. Don't see many changes in the near future beyond peddling McDeyess. Have five decent to better starters, four of which are going to get better with time.
 

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You got Millsap for Magloire? Nice steal! Though a 6'8 PF is harder to use in this game than a 6'10 PF with the same stats.
 
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TravTex

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Snohomie":31ff6h5h said:
You got Millsap for Magloire? Nice steal! Though a 6'8 PF is harder to use in this game than a 6'10 PF with the same stats.

I was surprised they offered the trade. Looks like a stud PF had been picked up in the offseason and Philly was looking to unload his 4y/20m contract in favor of Magloire's 2y/10m. (At least that's what it looked like at first glance -- I'm not sure how much foresight the trade/manager AI has going for it.)

Bulk and height in the middle is a problem on paper, but you wouldn't know it to see the shots blocked stat. We do seem to suffer a bit on the offensive glass.
 
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