It's time to start our first episode of The New Millennium, and this post will cover the entire 2000-2001 regular season. Obviously, I've never done anything like this before, so it could be rough starting off. Also, with 30 teams across an entire season, there's absolutely no chance for me to cover everything that's going on, but I'll try the best that I can. Hopefully you enjoy one of my most ambitious projects yet.
(Henry's Note- ppg=points per game, apg=assists per game, rpg=rebounds per game, blkpg=blocks per game)
Western Conference
We start out west, where for the second year in a row, Shaquille O'Neal(24.6 ppg, 14.1 rpg) was crowned MVP, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to the best record in the league, at 59-23. Second place went to the Portland Trail Blazers, who were led by their stellar defense, anchored by Rasheed Wallace. The Golden State Warriors fell just short of 50 wins and feature blossoming young star Antwan Jamison(18.2 ppg), while Defensive Player of the Year Kevin Garnett led his Timberwolves to the fourth spot. The aging duo of John Stockton and Karl Malone did enough to get the Jazz back into the playoffs, while the San Antonio Spurs under performed, finishing in sixth place. Breakout star Antonio McDyess(19.6 ppg, 13.4 rpg) led the way for the young Nuggets squad, while the veteran duo of Gary Payton and Patrick Ewing did just enough for Seattle to steal the final playoff spot from the Dallas Mavericks on a tiebreaker. The Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings both missed out, while the New Orleans Pelicans only managed a measly 7 wins. (Henry's Note- at the time, the NBA only had 29 teams, not 30. But the game requires 30 teams, so the Pelicans team was full of fake, terrible players)
Eastern Conference
In a bit of a surprise, the Miami Heat(56-26) took the top spot in the East, with the Philadelphia 76ers finishing just one game behind. The young Tracy McGrady(23.6 ppg, 1st Team All-NBA) starred for the Magic in third, while Baron Davis and Jamaal Mashburn led the Charlotte Hornets to fourth place. The Celtics have built around young star Paul Pierce, and he delivered a solid season, just ahead of fellow elite small forward Vince Carter and his Raptors. The Milwaukee Bucks struggled on the road throughout the season, and only finished in seventh place. The New York Knicks would claim the final playoff spot, and that meant that the Indiana Pacers, fresh off an NBA Finals appearance, were heading to the lottery. Also missing out were Jerry Stackhouse and the Pistons, #1 overall pick Kenyon Martin and his Nets, and rounding things out were the last place Cleveland Cavaliers.
Awards
MVP: Shaquille O'Neal, Los Angeles Lakers
Sixth Man: Aaron McKie, Philadelphia 76ers
Defensive Player: Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves
Most Improved: Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves
Coach of the Year: Phil Jackson, Los Angeles Lakers
(Henry's Note: Rookie of the Year on old rosters and historic draft classes is glitched, so the award won't be acknowledged)
Join me next time on The New Millennium as we breakdown the 2000-2001 NBA Playoffs. Who will win it all?
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