CSL Tonite - Party in Brooklyn

by Dennis (BOS) Sat Apr 19, 2014 5:41 am

Kevin Durant disappointed after last SIMs game.

Welcome to another episode of CSL Tonite!
Again some suprising matchups and today we got a little Interview with New Orleans Pe.. Oh OKC GM Marcos. We hope he now figured out for which team he is working. But lets first start to take a look around to get an overview how the league goes so far. Still 5 teams without a loss. It was expected Utah will start 3-0 because their schedules is pretty easy but take a look at New York! No, not the team, the town. Brooklyn is just in good shape!
Looking at the standings there are no suprises so far. Sacramento, Phoenix, Toronto and Boston just suck and teams like Houston and the LAL are on their way to the top.

Matchup of the SIM
Brooklyn 115 @ 113 Miami
Golden State 95 @ 105 Orlando

Two eye-catching games. At first Brooklyn beats Miami at home behind great performances by Brook Lopez ( 36/8 ) and Rudy Gay ( 35/7 ). Again a suprising DC by the Heat. While Isaiah Thomas and Monta Ellis both played 48 minutes Kevin Durant had to leave the game after 9 minutes due to an injury, but he's expected to be back on the court for Miamis next game in Dallas. Another amazing fact is Marquis Teague didnt play any minutes and Iman Shupert only played 10 minutes. "If my situation doesnt change Ive to sit down with Wiseman and Coach Mike. Im a starter, I want to play more.." Shumpert said right after the game.
A second great game down in Florida, Jeffs Orlando Magic just beat Golden State. Wiggins struggled, scoring only 12 points on 3/17 shooting but Ricky Ledo put up a show off the bench scoring 26 points hitting 5 of nine from downtown.

Player of the SIM
Brook Lopez 36 points, 8 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 0 turnover
This was a difficult decision. A lot great performances but no extraordinary ones. Brook was Brooklyns key for the win @ Miami, so I took him. Lopez just dominated the paint and fouled Hawes out. Without Durant and Hawes Miami just wasnt able to get the win at home.

Top 5
PG - Derrick Rose 34 points, 7 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks
SG - James Harden 40 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists
SF Rudy Gay 35 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 0 turnover
PF - Derrick Favors 36 points, 13 rebounds, 2 steals, 3 blocks
C - Brook Lopez 36 points, 8 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 0 turnover

Interview
After Oklahomas disappointing start we asked Marcos for a little statement.

Q: Hey Marcos, so far we just know you are from Brazil. Maybe some few words about yourself?
A: Of course! I've just turned 20yo, I'm currently studying civil engineering, which is way harder than managing a team LOL. I've played basketball a lot when I was younger, but now I'm currently working part-time also, so there's not much time to practice sports.

Q: So you traded away LeBron, I dont want to discuss the trade again, but some believe your team is weaker now. Im too, to be honest, on top you now got raped by Denver. Do you already regret the trade?
A: In 5 years playing sim leagues, trading James was, hands down, the most difficult decision to make. But I never regret it.
Think OKC as a unfinished product. And me as an inexperienced coach. When I finish what I'm planning to do, and I understand the tactical aspects of the game, we're going to win some ball games. No worries until then.

Q: Looking at your game against Denver in detail, it was eye-catching that Roy fouled out again. He already averaged only 27 minutes due to his foultrouble last year. Any plans how to manage his foultrouble/low DI?
A: Well, when Hibbert is not playing, Howard is, so I really don't see a big problem here haha.
Talking seriously now, we can't judge a player by one game when the regular season has 82. Still, we want Roy to play and produce the maximum he can, so we'll keep this in mind. Let's see how many minutes he'll play next game before fouling out LOL

Rookie Watch
Wiggins - 21.7 points, 1 assist, 4 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, 37%FG
Len - 15 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1 assist, 3.5 blocks, 67%FG

Injurie report

Kyrie Irving - 5 Days
Lance Stephenson - 8 Days
Danny Granger - 3 Days
Noel - 8 Days
Bennett - 7 Days

by Jamal (CHA) Sat Apr 19, 2014 7:31 am

Nice read!
Some surprises this sim. Looks like we're starting to remember how good Brook Lopez is when he's healthy. Although to me the key to that team starts from Rondo. I'm looking for a nice season from that duo if healthy, although obviously they have nothing to do against us! Razz

The Magic also surprised Golden State, and I wasn't expecting that at all. Looks like Orlando is better than I first though. I love the players, but didn't think they'll be that ready so soon, but it's a pleasant surprise! Event with Wiggins having an off night they managed to get the win against an excellent Warriors team, so this young kids deserve all the credit!

As for OKC, looks like both in results and in words of his GM they went from contending to some kind of building a new team. They've got some quality, but I really thought it was their time in the West to keep making some noise.
Anyway we'll see, still very early into the season.

Also, is Harden going to average +40ppg this season? I told Willy before the start of the season, but I have to admit I was half joking. But looking at how the season has started for him I don't think it's a joke anymore! It's strange not seeing Harden take a single three point attempt though, but only driving to the basket is making him very efficient, and that's the key to his success last season and this coming one. I guess zoning him should help slowing him down, or putting a nice drive stopper in front of him... Well, we'll meet next sim in Houston, so let's see what I figure out tongue