00s Tournament: North Region

[IceMan2]

Game 1: at Knicks 100, Jazz 99

Box Score: http://whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore...u=1&teamfee=-1

Player of the Game: A.Houston 16pts and GW

Recap: In a very tight Game 1 the Knicks survive it with an Allan Houston buzzer-beater game winner. The Knicks were up by 1 but Boozer

[JimmyMcAdocious]

Looks like the East getting their ass kicked in West vs East matchups.

[KG215]

2008 Jazz vs. 2000 Knicks


Deron Williams: 39.2 MPG, 20.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 11.3 APG, 0.2 BPG, 1.0 SPG, 2.8 TOV, .489 FG%, .421 3P%, .844 FT%

Carlos Boozer: 34.3 MPG, 19.0 PPG, 14.2 RPG, 2.0 APG, 0.0 BPG, 1.3 SPG, 3.0 TOV, .521 FG%, .640 FT%

Mehmet Okur: 37.7 MPG, 17.0 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 2.7 APG, 0.7 BPG, 1.0 SPG, 2.0 TOV, .507 FG%, .500 3P%, .750 FT%

Andrei Kirilenko: 32.8 MPG, 10.8 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 5.7 APG, 1.8 BPG, 0.8 SPG, 1.8 TOV, .448 FG%, .100 3P%, .923 FT%

Ronnie Brewer: 26.0 MPG, 12.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.5 APG, 0.8 BPG, 1.3 SPG, 1.5 TOV, .582 FG%, .333 3P%, .909 FT%


Latrell Sprewell: 42.2 MPG, 18.8 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 3.0 APG, 0.3 BPG, 3.0 SPG, 3.0 TOV, .388 FG%, .625 3P%, .933 FT%

Allan Houston: 41.5 MPG, 18.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 4.2 APG, 0.0 BPG, 1.2 SPG, 2.3 TOV, .420 FG%, .400 3P%, .906 FT%

Patrick Ewing: 34.5 MPG, 16.2 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 0.8 APG, 2.3 BPG, 1.0 SPG, 2.2 TOV, .414 FG%, .833 FT%

Larry Johnson: 34.2 MPG, 13.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 2.8 APG, 0.0 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 1.2 TOV, .492 FG%, .333 3P%, .818 FT%

Marcus Camby: 21.2 MPG, 9.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 0.8 APG, 2.2 BPG, 1.7 SPG, 1.5 TOV, .564 FG%, .875 FT%

[IceMan2]

1 2000 Los Angeles Lakers


vs.




9 2008 Utah Jazz

Preview: The 2000 Lakers finished with a 67-15 record, the best seen in the entire decade. Definitely making them worthy of a #1 seed in this tournament. The playoffs weren't as easy, but they made it through eventually winning the championship. O'Neal was at his peak and maybe the best player in this entire tournament. Kobe was an all-star but not quite in his prime yet. Nonetheless, they had Rice who was probably the best role-player they had in their 1st 3-peat and could make up for Kobe not being at in his prime yet.


The 2008 Utah Jazz went 54-28 before losing to the Lakers in the 2nd round. This team was led by the all-star duo of Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer. This was the new Stockton-Malone in Utah, though of course not as good. Nonetheless they got the job done and had some help with AK-47 and Okur.


The Lakers advanced past the Grizzlies in Round 1 with O’Neal leading the way. O’Neal averaged 29/14 on 59% shooting as he was dominant in this series. The Jazz were led by the Combo of Deron/Boozer who both had a strong series for this Utah team. The Jazz matchup actually pretty well against the Lakers, Deron and Boozer may be tough to defend for LA. Ron Harper will be the primary defender on Deron but he maybe too slow to keep up, Deron averaged 20.2ppg and 11.3apg in Round 1 and Lakers better hope to slow him down a bit more. The Jazz also have players to throw at Kobe and Rice with Brewer and Ak-47. This worked well in Round 1 as Sprewell shot just 38.8% while Houston at 42%. The Jazz have to hope to contain Rice and Kobe, because there is going to be no stopping O’Neal. Shaq might need a monster series to get his Laker team over Utah in this one.

[IceMan2]

Game 1: at Lakers 102, Jazz 96

Box Score: http://whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore...u=1&teamfee=-1

Player of the Game: S.O’Neal 32pts/13reb/8ast on 13/21 FG

Recap: After a struggling 1st half with just 37 points at halftime, the Lakers found their offensive touch in the 2nd half to take the game. The Jazz had no answer for Shaq as they double-teamed him constantly but he still found a way to dominate the game. Kobe 19/9/7 as he took the challenge to play defense on Deron and held Williams to 6/14 shooting. Glen Rice added 23 for the Lakers.

Game 2: at Lakers 103, Jazz 87

Box Score: http://whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore...u=1&teamfee=-1

Player of the Game: S.O’Neal 37pts/18reb/6ast/6blk on 18/24 FG

Recap: Shaquille O’Neal dominated Game 2 as the Jazz had no answer for him again. Shaq shredded through Boozer and Okur in this game as the Jazz had no answer for O’Neal. Kobe added 21 for the Lakers and led the defensive effort on Deron Williams holding him to 4/17 shooting with good help defense by Shaq who had 6 blocks. A complete effort by the Lakers today as they take a 2-0 lead in the series.


Game 3: at Jazz 106, Lakers 103

Box Score: http://whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore...u=1&teamfee=-1

Player of the Game: M.Okur 24pts/12reb and GW

Recap: The Jazz comeback home where they are so great. And they showed the Lakers why they are so good at home winning a closer thriller. Okur hit a go-ahead 3 pointer with 2 seconds left in the game to give the Jazz a 3 point lead and the Game 1 win. Deron Williams had 21/11 while Boozer was a monster with 37/11. Shaq had another monster game but the Jazz did a good job limiting Kobe and Rice.


Jazz make adjustments to play Jarrod Collins more to help guard Shaq. Lakers make adjustments to play Horry over AC Green more to help guard Boozer.

Game 4: at Jazz 108, Lakers 89

Box Score: http://whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore...u=1&teamfee=-1

Player of the Game: C.Boozer 27pts/9reb on 13/22 FG

Recap: The Jazz even up the series at 2-2 with a dominating Game 2 win. The Jazz played great deny defense not allowing O’Neal to get into his rythm, while executing brilliantly on offense. Boozer continues to have a great series as the Jazz also controlled the glass. The Jazz are now 5-0 at home.

Both teams up the minutes of their star players

Game 5: at Lakers 98, Jazz 85

Box Score: http://whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore...u=1&teamfee=-1

Player of the Game: S.O’Neal 29pts/22reb/6blk

Recap: The Lakers take a 3-2 lead behind a great defensive effort. O’Neal led this defensive effort grabbing 22 rebounds, all defensive rebounds limiting any 2nd chance points by the Jazz. He also had 6 blocks overall exerting great effort on defense.

Game 6: at Jazz 106, Lakers 99

Box Score:http://whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore...u=1&teamfee=-1


Player of the Game: C.Boozer 26pts/12reb

Recap: The Lakers really wanted to finish the series but the Jazz deny them. Boozer had another good game as he has been the MVP of the Jazz this series attacking the weak PF spot of the Lakers. The Jazz also did a great job defending O’Neal holding him to under 20 points. Collins gets some credit as O’Neal has not played as well ever since Collins helped out on O’Neal more.

Both teams give all their key stars more minutes for Game 7.

Game 7: at Lakers 112, Jazz 103

Box Score:http://whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore...u=1&teamfee=-1
Player of the Game: K.Bryant 32pts/18reb/7ast on 14/26 FG

Recap: The Lakers win the series in a tough fought Game 7. The Jazz needed to come out strong and they did, taking a double digit lead in the 1st quarter and overall scoring 39 points. The Lakers however fought back and had a 7 point lead by the end of the 3rd. But the Jazz dit not quit, the game came down to the 4th. It was just a 2 point game with 3 minutes left after 2 buckets by Deron, but after that, the Lakers put the Jazz away. Kobe Bryant had his best game of the series with 32 points and 18 rebounds, playing with great intensity on both ends of the floor limiting Deron as well. O’Neal had another monster game with 38 points and 13 rebounds as he showed Utah that no one could stop him. All teams won their home games and that is what it all came down to.

2000 Lakers Win 4-3

[IceMan2]

That was a tough 7 game series. The 2000 Lakers are fortunate that they have homecourt advantage in all the series they play in this tournament, including the Final 4 where they maybe matched up against other 1 seeds. They still have home court because they had the best record in the decade.

[IceMan2]

But yeah nice 7 game series. As a side note, those who know WIF already know this, but in case you can't wait till I post all 7 games (or want to make sure I am not "fixing" anything lol), you can start following "GameIDs" from the WIF box score. Every boxscore link has a "GameID",

http://whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore...u=1&teamfee=-1

and since I sim sequentially, you can see the GameIDs of the ones I sim after (they are about 10-20 higher, you may have to go 1 by 1 some).
So to make it more clear, when I post the "preview", sim some random game on WIF NBA, get the box score link, see the GameID, change teh GameID for something around the one you have, and you will eventually find the series I am simming, and you can follow along (and see that I only sim each game once).

[KG215]

Did you pick the 2000 Lakers over the 2001 Lakers because of a better regular season record?

I think the 2001 Lakers were pretty clearly the better of the two teams. They coasted in the regular season, but flipped the switch in the playoffs and dominated. And Kobe was still basically just a really good role player in 2000, but was a full-blown superstar in 2001.

[IceMan2]

Did you pick the 2000 Lakers over the 2001 Lakers because of a better regular season record?

I think the 2001 Lakers were pretty clearly the better of the two teams. They coasted in the regular season, but flipped the switch in the playoffs and dominated. And Kobe was still basically just a really good role player in 2000, but was a full-blown superstar in 2001.

I usually seperate by record, but for "debatable" teams like 2000 Lakers vs. 2001 Lakers, I break it by simming a 7 games series between the 2. The 00 Lakers won 4-3. So I choose them. Maybe I should've simmed more games

Either way I think they are pretty close. Kobe may have not been as good in 2000 as he was in 2001, but they had Glen Rice who was a very good role player, better than anyone they had in their 3 peat, he I think more than makes up the difference.

[IceMan2]

Also another advantage for the Lakers, since you can't have more than 1 team in a 2 year span (so no consecutive year teams), the Lakers were able to enter the 2000 Lakers and the 2002 Lakers (who were similar to the 2001 Lakers). If they entered the 2001 Lakers, there would be only 1 Laker team from the 3 peat.

[IceMan2]

2 2004 Detroit Pistons


vs.




10 2001 Dallas Mavericks

Preview: The 2004 Detroit Pistons went 54-28 and stunned the world defeating the Lakers for the championship. They really improved as a team once they acquired Rasheed Wallace. The Pistons were a very dominant defensive team, arguably the best defensive team in this tournament. Anyone facing this team knows it will not be an easy series.


The 2001 Dallas Mavericks went 53-29 in the regular season before losing to the, guess who, 2001 Spurs in the western semi-finals. This was the 1st year where the

[IceMan2]

Game 1: at Pistons 91, Mavericks 82

Box Score: http://whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore...u=1&teamfee=-1

Player of the Game: B.Wallace 14pts/12reb

Recap: The Pistons take game 1 with their strong defense. Overall all 5 starters were in double figures and they held the Mavericks to 39% shooting. Finley had 10, while Nash just 5. Nowitzki came out playing aggressive finishing with 29pts/12reb but Dallas’s big 3 all need to play well to beat Detroit.

Game 2: at Pistons 103, Mavericks 91

Box Score: http://whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore...u=1&teamfee=-1

Player of the Game: B.Wallace 20pts/18reb/3stl

Recap: The Pistons take a 2-0 lead in the series with a strong performance from Ben Wallace. All 5 starters were once again in double figures led by Hamilton’s 24 and the Mavericks big 3 sturggled. They combined shooting just 18/56 from the field today as the Pistons defense has done a good job taking them out making it very difficult for Dallas to win a game.


Game 3: at Mavericks 113, Pistons 96

Box Score: http://whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore...u=1&teamfee=-1

Player of the Game: S.Nash 22pts/11ast on 8/15 FG

Recap: The Mavericks finally find their offensive groove showing why they were one of the top offensive teams of their day. Nash, Finley, and Juwan Howard all had over 20 points in this victory, reminding teams with the addition of Howard they are a Big 4 not 3. Detroit defended Dirk well again but Dallas just seemed to have too many offensive weapons last game.


Game 4: at Mavericks 106, Pistons 93

Box Score: http://whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore...u=1&teamfee=-1

Player of the Game: S.Nash 23pts/11ast on 8/12 FG

Recap: The Mavericks even up the series at 2-2 with another great home win. They played great offense again led by Nash and Howard both scoring over 20. The Pistons have focused more on stopping Dirk and Finley, this game Dirk just had 6 points. But Dallas has too many players who can step up on their offense.

Both teams up the minutes of their star players, Pistons higher Hunter to help out defending Nash more.

Game 5: at Pistons 109, Mavericks 87

Box Score: http://whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore...u=1&teamfee=-1

Player of the Game: C.Billups 23pts/8ast

Recap: The Pistons come back home and take a 3-2 lead in the series with a dominating performance on both ends of the floor. They returned to playing phenomenal defense doing a good job containing all of Dallas’s weapons while on offense made it look easy against Dallas’s not so strong defense. Billups led the way with 23 points.

Game 6: Pistons 106, at Mavericks 86

Box Score:http://whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore...u=1&teamfee=-1


Player of the Game: B.Wallace 13pts/18reb/7blk

Recap: The Pistons avoid a Game 7 as their defense prevailed winning this series against the Mavericks in 6 games. Ben and Rasheed Wallace dominated on defense, as these 2 combined for 13 blocks in this win. On offense they had 6 guys in double figures led by Hamilton’s 18 points. Nowitzki continued his struggles this series as the Pistons completely shut him down similar to how they shut down Carmelo last series.

2004 Pistons Win 4-2

[Doctor K]

I think the 2004 Pistons will beat the 2000 Lakers if they squared up. They can limit O'Neal a little with Ben Wallace, and if they take out Kobe/Rice (which I think they can and will) they will have enough to beat LA.

[KG215]

2000 Lakers vs. 2008 Jazz


Shaquille O'Neal: 42.3 MPG, 30.3 PPG, 14.4 RPG, 5.4 APG, 3.1 BPG, 1.0 SPG, 3.1 TOV, .595 FG%, .600 FT%

Kobe Bryant: 41.7 MPG, 21.0 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.7 BPG, 1.4 SPG, 4.3 TOV, .444 FG%, .250 3P%, .828 FT%

Glen Rice: 34.6 MPG, 18.0 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 4.1 APG, 0.0 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 1.9 TOV, .505 FG%, .464 3P%, .808 FT%


Deron Williams: 41.7 MPG, 16.9 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 9.9 APG, 0.1 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 3.3 TOV, .413 FG%, .238 3P%, .871 FT%

Carlos Boozer: 37.3 MPG, 23.1 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.0 BPG, 0.9 SPG, 3.4 TOV, .544 FG%, .813 FT%

Andrei Kirilenko: 29.7 MPG, 8.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.9 APG, 2.0 BPG, 1.9 SPG, 1.4 TOV, .451 FG%, .467 3P%, .615 FT%

Mehmet Okur: 31.0 MPG, 15.3 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.6 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 1.4 TOV, .411 FG%, .344 3P%, .846 FT%

Ronnie Brewer: 24.6 MPG, 9.4 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.3 BPG, 1.4 SPG, 0.7 TOV, .475 FG%, .375 3P%, .583 FT%

[Doctor K]

2000 Lakers vs. 2008 Jazz


Shaquille O'Neal: 42.3 MPG, 30.3 PPG, 14.4 RPG, 5.4 APG, 3.1 BPG, 1.0 SPG, 3.1 TOV, .595 FG%, .600 FT%

Kobe Bryant: 41.7 MPG, 21.0 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.7 BPG, 1.4 SPG, 4.3 TOV, .444 FG%, .250 3P%, .828 FT%

Glen Rice: 34.6 MPG, 18.0 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 4.1 APG, 0.0 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 1.9 TOV, .505 FG%, .464 3P%, .808 FT%


Deron Williams: 41.7 MPG, 16.9 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 9.9 APG, 0.1 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 3.3 TOV, .413 FG%, .238 3P%, .871 FT%

Carlos Boozer: 37.3 MPG, 23.1 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.0 BPG, 0.9 SPG, 3.4 TOV, .544 FG%, .813 FT%

Andrei Kirilenko: 29.7 MPG, 8.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.9 APG, 2.0 BPG, 1.9 SPG, 1.4 TOV, .451 FG%, .467 3P%, .615 FT%

Mehmet Okur: 31.0 MPG, 15.3 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.6 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 1.4 TOV, .411 FG%, .344 3P%, .846 FT%

Ronnie Brewer: 24.6 MPG, 9.4 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.3 BPG, 1.4 SPG, 0.7 TOV, .475 FG%, .375 3P%, .583 FT%

Shaq beasted. Kobe just inflated his stats with that strong Game 7 performance. But i give him props for defending Deron well.