With only one team in the playoffs, we will be covering the Barons entire postseason run in this post, in addition to the offseason for all six teams. How will Baltimore fare against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks? It's time to find out.
First Round
Game 1 was pretty close, but hinged on key turnovers. Giannis had 7 steals, while bench mates David Nwaba and Tyler Johnson for Baltimore each turned the ball over 4 times, leading to a 15 point Milwaukee win. Game 2 was even more competitive, with Tyreke Evans posting 27 points for Baltimore and Jeremy Lin chipped in 19. But unfortunately for the Barons, Eric Bledsoe exploded for 19 points and hit 5 threes, as the Bucks narrowly edged out a Game 2 victory.
Game 3 was defined by offensive struggles for the Barons, as big man Eric Moreland turned the ball over 5 times and Tyreke Evans went 4-12 from the floor and fouled out. Giannis and Khris Middleton combined for 36, and the Bucks took a 9 point win in Baltimore. With their backs against the wall, the Barons hung tough in Game 4. DeMarre Carroll had a double-double, and Baltimore trailed by just 2 heading into the 4th quarter. But Tyreke Evans was hounded all quarter by Malcolm Brogdon and Bledsoe, who forced 4 more turnovers, and Giannis just kept getting fouled and making free throws, as Milwaukee pulled away in a 10 point win to send Baltimore packing. The Barons fans gave their bitterly disappointed squad a standing ovation on the way out, confident that they had seen what was just the beginning for this promising new franchise.
Rest of the Playoffs
The Bucks took down the Celtics in 6, then beat the 76ers in just 5 games to make their way to the NBA Finals. There, they ran into the Houston Rockets, who just had a little too much firepower to handle. Houston picked up their third title in 6 games, with James Harden declared Finals MVP after averaging 29 points and 7 assists in the series.
Player Retirements
I only intend on spotlighting players on these teams in retirements, and former players if I can remember it. Former Cincinnati Lion Vince Carter was the only relevant retirement, and he was subsequently inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Draft Lottery
The Knicks held the top odds in the lottery, with our Surf second highest. But in a complete shocker, it was the Vancouver Ravens who struck gold, jumping all the way up to first! The Surf go the fifth pick, the Lions will pick seventh, the Aces in eight, Storm in tenth and the Barons will pick twenty-first.
2019 NBA Draft
1. PF Zion Williamson, Vancouver Ravens
5. SG R.J. Barrett, San Diego Surf
7. SF Rui Hachimura, Cincinnati Lions
8. PG Coby White, Las Vegas Aces
10. SF De'Andre Hunter, Virginia Storm
21. SG Tyler Herro, Baltimore Barons
38. PG Justin Wright-Foreman, San Diego Surf
42. PF Nicolas Claxton, Las Vegas Aces
43. SG Kyle Guy, Cincinnati Lions
44. SF Eric Paschall, Vancouver Ravens
47. SG Talen Horton-Tucker, Virginia Storm
53. PF Isaiah Roby, Baltimore Barons
Wow, basketball is back in Vancouver, and they've got Zion and a solid role player in Paschall, what a way to start a franchise. We've got another of the Duke boys with R.J. in San Diego, and I think Cincy did well in getting Hachimura. He doesn't have the greatest potential, but he's a perfect fit with how many guards they have. White is a very intriguing prospect for the Aces, and Hunter gets to stay in Virginia, pretty cool storyline there. I also thought Baltimore getting Herro was great value, Jeremy Lin and Tyreke Evans are scheduled to hit free agency and he provides solid depth should they leave.
Team/Player Options
This is a new thing for me to be tracking, but I think it would be nice to know what's happening with each roster. I will only be notifying you if any player is leaving his current team.
Eric Moreland had his team option declined by the Barons and the same went for J.R. Smith with the Lions. The Surf declined two team options, letting go of Avery Bradley and George Hill.
Free Agency
The Aces signed SG Jordan Poole(71 OVR) and SG Jared Terrell(71 OVR). Surprisingly quiet for Floyd Goldworthy's team.
The Barons signed PF Cheick Diallo(78 OVR), C Dwight Howard(77 OVR), undrafted C Alen Smailagic(70 OVR), undrafted PG Shamorie Ponds(68 OVR) and undrafted SF Louis King(67 OVR). Busy period for them, completely overhauling their frontcourt, though now their guard positions are running a little lean with the departures of Lin and Evans.
The Lions signed PF Al-Farouq Aminu(77 OVR) and undrafted PG Ty Jerome(73 OVR). Again, the Lions needed help inside and Aminu can certainly provide it.
The Ravens signed C Ivica Zubac(79 OVR), C Kenneth Faried(77 OVR), SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope(76 OVR), undrafted PG Kerwin Roach(67 OVR) and undrafted PG Josh Magette(66 OVR). Zion's not a big dude, so Vancouver picks up some bruisers to pair up with him. Good call.
The Storm signed C Enes Kanter(81 OVR), PF Nikola Mirotic(80 OVR), SF Lance Stephenson(75 OVR) and undrafted PG Carsen Edwards(70 OVR). A complete refresh in the middle is a bit of a surprise considering Bismack Biyombo's quality year last season, but I guess Virginia weren't happy with what he offered.
The Surf signed PF JaMychal Green(79 OVR). This is the biggest surprise to me, coming off a 26 win campaign, San Diego completely refused to open up their wallet and actually make any significant changes to their roster. Let's hope Green and rookie R.J. Barrett can help this team look a little bit better going forward.
Well that's it for the offseason, some big surprises here or there but ultimately, these six teams are still likely to be some of the worst in the league. It will take many years to truly turn things around, but the building blocks are now in place for most of them, so next season should provide us with more of a look at what their futures hold. See you next Thursday for the 2019-2020 regular season.
- Henry
First Round
Game 1 was pretty close, but hinged on key turnovers. Giannis had 7 steals, while bench mates David Nwaba and Tyler Johnson for Baltimore each turned the ball over 4 times, leading to a 15 point Milwaukee win. Game 2 was even more competitive, with Tyreke Evans posting 27 points for Baltimore and Jeremy Lin chipped in 19. But unfortunately for the Barons, Eric Bledsoe exploded for 19 points and hit 5 threes, as the Bucks narrowly edged out a Game 2 victory.
Game 3 was defined by offensive struggles for the Barons, as big man Eric Moreland turned the ball over 5 times and Tyreke Evans went 4-12 from the floor and fouled out. Giannis and Khris Middleton combined for 36, and the Bucks took a 9 point win in Baltimore. With their backs against the wall, the Barons hung tough in Game 4. DeMarre Carroll had a double-double, and Baltimore trailed by just 2 heading into the 4th quarter. But Tyreke Evans was hounded all quarter by Malcolm Brogdon and Bledsoe, who forced 4 more turnovers, and Giannis just kept getting fouled and making free throws, as Milwaukee pulled away in a 10 point win to send Baltimore packing. The Barons fans gave their bitterly disappointed squad a standing ovation on the way out, confident that they had seen what was just the beginning for this promising new franchise.
Rest of the Playoffs
The Bucks took down the Celtics in 6, then beat the 76ers in just 5 games to make their way to the NBA Finals. There, they ran into the Houston Rockets, who just had a little too much firepower to handle. Houston picked up their third title in 6 games, with James Harden declared Finals MVP after averaging 29 points and 7 assists in the series.
Player Retirements
I only intend on spotlighting players on these teams in retirements, and former players if I can remember it. Former Cincinnati Lion Vince Carter was the only relevant retirement, and he was subsequently inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Draft Lottery
The Knicks held the top odds in the lottery, with our Surf second highest. But in a complete shocker, it was the Vancouver Ravens who struck gold, jumping all the way up to first! The Surf go the fifth pick, the Lions will pick seventh, the Aces in eight, Storm in tenth and the Barons will pick twenty-first.
2019 NBA Draft
1. PF Zion Williamson, Vancouver Ravens
5. SG R.J. Barrett, San Diego Surf
7. SF Rui Hachimura, Cincinnati Lions
8. PG Coby White, Las Vegas Aces
10. SF De'Andre Hunter, Virginia Storm
21. SG Tyler Herro, Baltimore Barons
38. PG Justin Wright-Foreman, San Diego Surf
42. PF Nicolas Claxton, Las Vegas Aces
43. SG Kyle Guy, Cincinnati Lions
44. SF Eric Paschall, Vancouver Ravens
47. SG Talen Horton-Tucker, Virginia Storm
53. PF Isaiah Roby, Baltimore Barons
Wow, basketball is back in Vancouver, and they've got Zion and a solid role player in Paschall, what a way to start a franchise. We've got another of the Duke boys with R.J. in San Diego, and I think Cincy did well in getting Hachimura. He doesn't have the greatest potential, but he's a perfect fit with how many guards they have. White is a very intriguing prospect for the Aces, and Hunter gets to stay in Virginia, pretty cool storyline there. I also thought Baltimore getting Herro was great value, Jeremy Lin and Tyreke Evans are scheduled to hit free agency and he provides solid depth should they leave.
Team/Player Options
This is a new thing for me to be tracking, but I think it would be nice to know what's happening with each roster. I will only be notifying you if any player is leaving his current team.
Eric Moreland had his team option declined by the Barons and the same went for J.R. Smith with the Lions. The Surf declined two team options, letting go of Avery Bradley and George Hill.
Free Agency
The Aces signed SG Jordan Poole(71 OVR) and SG Jared Terrell(71 OVR). Surprisingly quiet for Floyd Goldworthy's team.
The Barons signed PF Cheick Diallo(78 OVR), C Dwight Howard(77 OVR), undrafted C Alen Smailagic(70 OVR), undrafted PG Shamorie Ponds(68 OVR) and undrafted SF Louis King(67 OVR). Busy period for them, completely overhauling their frontcourt, though now their guard positions are running a little lean with the departures of Lin and Evans.
The Lions signed PF Al-Farouq Aminu(77 OVR) and undrafted PG Ty Jerome(73 OVR). Again, the Lions needed help inside and Aminu can certainly provide it.
The Ravens signed C Ivica Zubac(79 OVR), C Kenneth Faried(77 OVR), SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope(76 OVR), undrafted PG Kerwin Roach(67 OVR) and undrafted PG Josh Magette(66 OVR). Zion's not a big dude, so Vancouver picks up some bruisers to pair up with him. Good call.
The Storm signed C Enes Kanter(81 OVR), PF Nikola Mirotic(80 OVR), SF Lance Stephenson(75 OVR) and undrafted PG Carsen Edwards(70 OVR). A complete refresh in the middle is a bit of a surprise considering Bismack Biyombo's quality year last season, but I guess Virginia weren't happy with what he offered.
The Surf signed PF JaMychal Green(79 OVR). This is the biggest surprise to me, coming off a 26 win campaign, San Diego completely refused to open up their wallet and actually make any significant changes to their roster. Let's hope Green and rookie R.J. Barrett can help this team look a little bit better going forward.
Well that's it for the offseason, some big surprises here or there but ultimately, these six teams are still likely to be some of the worst in the league. It will take many years to truly turn things around, but the building blocks are now in place for most of them, so next season should provide us with more of a look at what their futures hold. See you next Thursday for the 2019-2020 regular season.
- Henry
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