I'm debuting a brand new series on the blog, to become a regular series alongside the Universe Mode, as I'm very uninterested in the Flyers GM mode. Note that I'm playing 2k15, not 2k16, as I don't own that game. It's not a big deal to me, and the older game works better for the series I'm running. Here is the introduction to the series:
July 13th, 2014
The King, LeBron James has just finalized his new contract to return home to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In a heartfelt letter written to Sports Illustrated, he outlines the reasons why he wanted to return to the team that drafted him first overall 12 years ago. Old wounds are healed as Cleveland natives rejoice in the return of their hometown hero, "The Decision" quickly becoming a thing of the past. All seems right in the world, but.......
I have to question the move from the Cavaliers perspective. On the outset, this was the correct signing, bringing a true home-grown superstar to the team in an attempt to finally bring glory to Cleveland. But this all went sour rather quickly. Not soon after, reports surface that number one overall pick Andrew Wiggins is on his way out, followed by reports that it was the King himself orchestrating the move. Wiggins was a sure-fire superstar, and the likely next evolution of LeBron, but James' dislike for the kid made it impossible to keep him.
August, 2014(not sure of the exact date)
Andrew Wiggins is sent to the Minnesota Timberwolves, along with Anthony Bennett, for Kevin Love. The Sixers get involved to make it a three team trade, but they're as irrelevant as always. The real swap is Wiggins for Love. On the outset, it appears the Cavaliers have won the trade, as Wiggins' potential is just that, potential. Love is a plug and play starter, and a fantastic player. The James signing is still working out for the Cavaliers.
Post-NBA Finals, June 2015
Days after losing a hard-fought series to the new champions, the Golden State Warriors, questions start to form. Despite his best effort, James dragged down the team in the end, as a one-dimensional offense was not up to the task. It was always going to be a losing effort, with both Irving and Love out injured by the finale. The playoffs saw the emergence of Matthew Dellavedova and Tristan Thompson, two young players with big potential. Even before he was injured, Kyrie Irving was not the player he used to be. Stuck playing second fiddle to LeBron, he was reported to be unhappy for most of the year.
Now, 2016
David Blatt is done in Cleveland, with LeBron once again poking his head. The locker room is topsy-turvy following the firing and a shocking loss to the Warriors at home. The James signing may have back-fired on the Cavs, and here's why.
In the 2011 NBA draft, Kyrie Irving was selected first overall to become the new king of Cleveland. It was a role he took to rather well, and the team seemed to be his for the future. By signing a 31-year old LeBron James, the Cavaliers jeopardized the development of their future star. James was the name of the past, Irving should have been the name of the present. Deeper than that though, the Cavaliers were forced to give up on Wiggins after LeBron forced him out, giving up on another future star for a 30+ year old player in Kevin Love. This jeopardized the development of Tristan Thompson, yet another future star, who is forced to play second fiddle to Love. With a focused Irving, a young Wiggins, and a fantastic role-player like Thompson, this team could have been great for years to come. Instead, they are now one fire cracker short of an explosion, with a brand new head coach in Tyronn Lue forced to contend with three different egos, two of whom are slowly passing their prime. In short, this could have been a dynasty. Now, it's not. It's time for a change.
(80's style montage)
It's 2014 again, and several things have changed. LeBron and Love never came to Cleveland, and Wiggins is here to stay. But where did those two land, you ask? In my alternate universe, LeBron James signed a similar deal to his real contract, but with the Los Angeles Lakers. Kobe is forced to put his ego aside to make one last title run, though the team will need some more role players to contend. Kevin Love was indeed traded, but has gone to the Phoenix Suns. The Suns acquired their star forward that they lack, giving up Eric Bledsoe and Gerald Green in exchange. The Suns have so many good guards, and now have a true big man to put inside. As for the Cavaliers, well, they've acquired the greatest gift of all......me. (I'm pretty self-centered)
Here's our roster(listed by position, with starters first):
PG Kyrie Irving, 22 years old, 88 overall
PG Matthew Dellavedova, 24 years old, 72 overall
SG Iman Shumpert, 24 years old, 76 overall
SG J.R. Smith, 29 years old, 77 overall
SG Joe Harris, 23 years old, 66 overall
SF Andrew Wiggins, 19 years old, 79 overall
SF Shawn Marion, 36 years old, 74 overall
SF Mike Miller, 34 years old, 71 overall
PF Tristan Thompson, 23 years old, 78 overall
C Timofey Mosgov, 28 years old, 80 overall
C Andreson Varejao, 32 years old, 78 overall
C Kendrick Perkins, 29 years old, 74 overall
Note that I released James Jones and Brendan Haywood, and signed Carlos Boozer(32 years old, 76 overall) to be the backup power forward. I removed Boozer from the Lakers, as James took his spot. I also kept J.R. Smith and Timofey Mozgov, who were not part of this experiment. Last of all, I traded Anderson Varejo and his ridiculous contract to the Pelicans for Omer Asik(28 years old, 76 overall) who only has one year left on his contract.
The first episode of the season will see us take on the New Orleans Pelicans, the first game of the series and the sixth game of the season. It's an opportunity to see the new team together, and Varejo to come for a visit. Note that anytime we play the Lakers, Timberwolves, Suns or Heat, the game will be played by me. I'll also play any other interesting games, and sim the rest. Hope you enjoy the new series.
-Henry
July 13th, 2014
The King, LeBron James has just finalized his new contract to return home to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In a heartfelt letter written to Sports Illustrated, he outlines the reasons why he wanted to return to the team that drafted him first overall 12 years ago. Old wounds are healed as Cleveland natives rejoice in the return of their hometown hero, "The Decision" quickly becoming a thing of the past. All seems right in the world, but.......
I have to question the move from the Cavaliers perspective. On the outset, this was the correct signing, bringing a true home-grown superstar to the team in an attempt to finally bring glory to Cleveland. But this all went sour rather quickly. Not soon after, reports surface that number one overall pick Andrew Wiggins is on his way out, followed by reports that it was the King himself orchestrating the move. Wiggins was a sure-fire superstar, and the likely next evolution of LeBron, but James' dislike for the kid made it impossible to keep him.
August, 2014(not sure of the exact date)
Andrew Wiggins is sent to the Minnesota Timberwolves, along with Anthony Bennett, for Kevin Love. The Sixers get involved to make it a three team trade, but they're as irrelevant as always. The real swap is Wiggins for Love. On the outset, it appears the Cavaliers have won the trade, as Wiggins' potential is just that, potential. Love is a plug and play starter, and a fantastic player. The James signing is still working out for the Cavaliers.
Post-NBA Finals, June 2015
Days after losing a hard-fought series to the new champions, the Golden State Warriors, questions start to form. Despite his best effort, James dragged down the team in the end, as a one-dimensional offense was not up to the task. It was always going to be a losing effort, with both Irving and Love out injured by the finale. The playoffs saw the emergence of Matthew Dellavedova and Tristan Thompson, two young players with big potential. Even before he was injured, Kyrie Irving was not the player he used to be. Stuck playing second fiddle to LeBron, he was reported to be unhappy for most of the year.
Now, 2016
David Blatt is done in Cleveland, with LeBron once again poking his head. The locker room is topsy-turvy following the firing and a shocking loss to the Warriors at home. The James signing may have back-fired on the Cavs, and here's why.
In the 2011 NBA draft, Kyrie Irving was selected first overall to become the new king of Cleveland. It was a role he took to rather well, and the team seemed to be his for the future. By signing a 31-year old LeBron James, the Cavaliers jeopardized the development of their future star. James was the name of the past, Irving should have been the name of the present. Deeper than that though, the Cavaliers were forced to give up on Wiggins after LeBron forced him out, giving up on another future star for a 30+ year old player in Kevin Love. This jeopardized the development of Tristan Thompson, yet another future star, who is forced to play second fiddle to Love. With a focused Irving, a young Wiggins, and a fantastic role-player like Thompson, this team could have been great for years to come. Instead, they are now one fire cracker short of an explosion, with a brand new head coach in Tyronn Lue forced to contend with three different egos, two of whom are slowly passing their prime. In short, this could have been a dynasty. Now, it's not. It's time for a change.
(80's style montage)
It's 2014 again, and several things have changed. LeBron and Love never came to Cleveland, and Wiggins is here to stay. But where did those two land, you ask? In my alternate universe, LeBron James signed a similar deal to his real contract, but with the Los Angeles Lakers. Kobe is forced to put his ego aside to make one last title run, though the team will need some more role players to contend. Kevin Love was indeed traded, but has gone to the Phoenix Suns. The Suns acquired their star forward that they lack, giving up Eric Bledsoe and Gerald Green in exchange. The Suns have so many good guards, and now have a true big man to put inside. As for the Cavaliers, well, they've acquired the greatest gift of all......me. (I'm pretty self-centered)
Here's our roster(listed by position, with starters first):
PG Kyrie Irving, 22 years old, 88 overall
PG Matthew Dellavedova, 24 years old, 72 overall
SG Iman Shumpert, 24 years old, 76 overall
SG J.R. Smith, 29 years old, 77 overall
SG Joe Harris, 23 years old, 66 overall
SF Andrew Wiggins, 19 years old, 79 overall
SF Shawn Marion, 36 years old, 74 overall
SF Mike Miller, 34 years old, 71 overall
PF Tristan Thompson, 23 years old, 78 overall
C Timofey Mosgov, 28 years old, 80 overall
C Andreson Varejao, 32 years old, 78 overall
C Kendrick Perkins, 29 years old, 74 overall
Note that I released James Jones and Brendan Haywood, and signed Carlos Boozer(32 years old, 76 overall) to be the backup power forward. I removed Boozer from the Lakers, as James took his spot. I also kept J.R. Smith and Timofey Mozgov, who were not part of this experiment. Last of all, I traded Anderson Varejo and his ridiculous contract to the Pelicans for Omer Asik(28 years old, 76 overall) who only has one year left on his contract.
The first episode of the season will see us take on the New Orleans Pelicans, the first game of the series and the sixth game of the season. It's an opportunity to see the new team together, and Varejo to come for a visit. Note that anytime we play the Lakers, Timberwolves, Suns or Heat, the game will be played by me. I'll also play any other interesting games, and sim the rest. Hope you enjoy the new series.
-Henry
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