Rewriting the Denver Nuggets in NBA2K24 Pt 2.
DISCLAIMER: THIS IS A MODE WHERE THE NBA’S HISTORY RESETS ITSELF AFTER THE 1983 — 84 SEASON. THIS ISN’T THE NBA OF REAL LIFE.
Jaiden Molina
Student Writer.
Feb 8th, 11:30 AM MDT
An inspiration from Secret Base
Welcome back, everyone; in this article, I’ll continue the series of my NBA2K24 simulation, where I attempt to rewrite the history of the Denver Nuggets by winning six championships in ten years. If you missed the last article, I played two seasons and failed to win a title; I now have eight seasons to achieve my goal. Here’s a link to the full article if you’re interested. https://medium.com/@themilehighscoop/rewriting-the-denver-nuggets-in-nba2k24-pt-1-775334c471f9
Before jumping in, let me give you some information about this simulation.
- I’ll be experiencing this from the perspective of a General Manager
- I’m giving myself a deadline of 1993 to win six championships
- The salary cap and dead cap are ON
- The higher the overall rating, the better
- Each season will be 82 games with 12 minutes quarter length
- Each playoff series is best of seven
- Difficulty is on Hall Of Fame (highest)
- Injuries are ON
- There are only 23 teams to start this series
- I’ll be using the 2K-made draft classes.
- This is a pure simulation I’m NOT playing on the court.
Off-season two:
We left off suffering a game six loss against the rival Utah Jazz in round two. For most of the series, the star players underperformed, which dug us into a deep hole. I’ll be looking for bench depth this offseason, so I have something to fall back on if all else fails. I’ll also be looking for a reliable three-point shooter; after all, Kiki VanDeWeghe can’t do it all by himself, and Alex English is more of an inside scoring threat.
To start the off-season, the team is getting a fresh rebrand!
With my only pick in this year’s draft, I selected PG Sam Vincent out of Michigan State — an excellent second option from the bench.
In what was my biggest offseason yet, I signed four new players to compliment the bench: Campy Russell (SF), Chuck Nevitt ( C ), Jeff Lamp (SG), and Jim Petersen (PF). I heavily scouted into these players’ strengths and weaknesses, Russell being an all-around playmaker; Nevit, a hard-nosed rebounder; Lamp, a perimeter defender; and Petersen, a paint protector. Each player has what the Nuggets lacked in the previous playoffs, and I expect them to do big things for the team.
With the offseason wrapped up, it’s time to simulate the regular season!
The Regular Season 1985–86
I expect nothing less this season than a deep playoff run; we desperately need to escape the recent second-round woes. This is a talented group of ball players, but from here on out, we need to step on the gas and win games.
To start the season, my starting lineup is the following:
- T.R. Dunn — PG
- Alex English — SG
- Kiki VanDeWeghe — SF
- Otis Thorpe — PF
- Bob Lanier — C
I won’t make any more moves the whole season as we’ve got a mind-boggling -$57K salary cap space.
With the regular season here, it’s time to start simulating!
Welp, that didn’t take long; we suffered a major blow five games into the season as center Bob Lanier sustained a lower right leg stress fracture that will sideline him for 2–4 months.
It’s injury galore so far as now small forward Campy Russell strains his left hip and will be out 4–6 weeks. It could be a better start.
At the all-star break, we sit in seventh place in the West with a 20–24 record.
On a higher note, Alex English was a starter in this year’s all-star game, while Kiki VanDeWeghe was a reserve.
As we prepare for the second half of the season, this team must find a way to maintain a playoff spot. At this point, we need to get in. I plan on making no trades now, so I’ll see you at the contract extension deadline!
By the deadline, Alex English is eligible for an extension, and of course, I’ll extend him!
It was an absolute payday for Mr. English as he is now a Nugget for the next five years.
With no more pit stops, it’s time to simulate the playoffs!
Against all odds, the Nuggets sneak into the playoffs after a rocky regular season, finishing eighth in the West with a 34–48 record. I have no idea how they snuck in, but I can’t complain.
Alex English was named All-NBA 2nd team yet again!
Playoffs 1985–86
After barely reaching the postseason, the Denver Nuggets will have quite the opponent to start their playoff journey. That opponent, you ask? The first-seeded 71–11 Los Angeles Lakers led by Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Since I started this series, Magic Johnson has won three straight MVPs and is the reigning finals MVP after their championship season last year. I am still determining how we’ll contain Magic or Kareem’s electricity, but I’ll certainly try. I anticipated a different matchup than this, but let’s do this!
Game One @Los Angeles :
It’s tough to swallow, as more than Alex English’s 42 points is needed to put the Nuggets on top. The Lakers are up 1–0 after the 107–100 game-one win — helluva fight.
Game Two @Los Angeles :
For the second straight time, the Lakers wiesel their way past the Nuggets in a 116–108 overtime thriller. Game three is a must-win to avoid a 3–0 series deficit. The Nuggs will look to gain momentum back home.
Game Three @Denver :
NUGGETS WIN!!! The Nuggies survive game three to win their first game of the series with a 107–105 victory led by Alex English’s 35 points. The good guys finally have something going their way.
Game Four @Denver:
Well folks… we’ve got ourselves a TIED SERIES! The Nuggets stuff the Lakers 110–102 thanks to a magical performance by Kiki VanDeWeghe as he scores 40 points! With the series tied 2–2, the Nuggs will look to take the lead as they head back to the city of angels.
Game Five @Los Angeles:
In a game dominated by the Lakeshow, the Nuggs fail to take the series lead and now will have to fight for their season back in Denver. Magic Johnson proved too much for Denver as he recorded a 33–11–11 triple-double to give LA the 119–103 win.
The team desperately needs to win this next game and avoid a first-round exit.
Game Six @Denver:
Once again, we failed to reach our season goal as the Lakers eliminated the Nuggets in six games. The team took a fat dump in the bed. When it mattered most, the guys failed to step up. Before the season, I considered this to be the best team I’d assembled yet, and here we are again, disappointed with how our season ended. The Lakers won this one 111–86 — a crushing defeat. I now have seven seasons to win six championships.
Off-season three :
After a crushing playoff exit, I’ve determined that something desperately needs to change. I’ll be looking to make a splash this off-season.
Our summer started by losing two vital players, Bob Lanier and Campy Russell, to retirement.
I will be picking at number nine overall in the upcoming draft!
I re-signed head coach Doug Moe to a two-year $200k deal.
I’ve traded away T.R. Dunn to the Utah Jazz in exchange for a 1987 1st and a 1989 2nd.
In the draft, I selected PG Ron Harper with the ninth overall pick and C Kevin Duckworth with the 21st pick!
I traded the 31st pick to the Utah Jazz for two future second-rounders.
At pick 45, I selected SG Anthony Bowie.
In free agency, I signed SG Darrell Griffith. He’ll likely be the only player I sign this summer, as I feel confident in my team.
It’s time to simulate the regular season!
The Regular Season 1986–87
To start the season, my starting lineup is the following.
Ron Harper — PG
Alex English — SG
Kiki VanDeWeghe — SF
Otis Thorpe — PF
Kevin Duckworth — C
Before the season officially started, I HAD to sign SF Larry Nance to a deal. He’s a solid piece for the bench.
To start the year, I’ve got -$106K to work with, so don’t expect much going forward.
It’s time to start simulating the trade deadline!
At the deadline, we sit at 23–16, good enough for sixth in the West; quite underachieving if you ask me. Unfortunately, I don’t have the cap space to make trades, so I’ll have to pass on the deadline this year.
At All-Star weekend, Kiki VanDeWeghe was the only Nugget to appear for the Western Conference.
This team really needs to hit the switch in this second half; there is too much talent to waste. I’m simulating the contract extension deadline!
We still stand at sixth in the West at the deadline with a 35–27 record. However, I’ve re-signed SF Kiki VanDeWeghe to a three-year deal worth $1.38 M.
With everything out of the way, it’s time to simulate to the playoffs! I hope we can get a decent seed.
To wrap up the regular season, Alex English made the All-NBA 3rd team, while Ron Harper made the All-Rookie 2nd team! A couple of nice accolades for the fellas.
Yikes, the team finished with a 50–32 record, which was good enough for sixth place in the Western Conference and will now be facing the Michael Jordan-led Houston Rockets in round one of the playoffs. It’s not a favorable matchup for the team, but you can never say never!
Playoffs 1986–87
Game One @Houston:
A heartbreaker for the Nuggs as Otis Thorpe misses a go-ahead mid-ranger to put the team on top. Rockets take game one 110–107.
Game Two @Houston:
The Nuggets starters disappear and shit the bed in a 97–92 loss to put them down two games in the series. Both Alex English and Kiki VanDeWeghe were outperformed by bench players Darrell Griffith and Larry Nance. Game three is now a must-win.
Game Three @Denver:
Devastation strikes the Mile High as Kiki VanDeWeghe’s 30 points aren’t enough to defeat the Rockets. The Nuggets are now down 3–0 after a 108–101 loss. Barring something miraculous, the Nuggets season is likely over.
Game Four @Denver:
WOMP! The Nuggets fail to delay Houston’s liftoff and are the victims of a 4–0 sweep as they drop game four in overtime to the Rockets 128–119. This is the first time my team has been swept since the start of this series. So much went wrong this season, and being swept is a massive slap in the face. There’s not much I can do about it now, so we’re on to the off-season.
I’m now left with six seasons to win as many championships. Some significant changes are coming.
Off-season Four :
I’m starting the summer with an absolute bang and relieving head coach Doug Moe of his duties. This move comes after he severely underperformed with the provided talent. I wish Doug the best in his future endeavors.
BOOM! I’ve hired the legendary KC. Jones to be my new head coach. Jones and I agreed on a four-year deal worth $501K. So happy to have him!
After the draft lottery, I learned I’ll pick at 19 and 20 in the upcoming draft; however, I may try to move up.
I decided it was too expensive to move up in the draft, so I selected SF Kevin Gamble out of Iowa with my back-to-back picks and PF Greg Anderson from Houston. I will likely trade my two remaining second-round picks for a future pick (s).
Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, I had little to no money to spend in free agency, so I fear I’ll be working with those already on my current roster to start the season. Hopefully, the new coaching change can get us right. If it matters, I brought back Larry Nance on another one-year deal, but he was on the roster last season, so it doesn’t count as a free-agent signing.
The Regular Season 1987–88
This upcoming season will determine my fate for the rest of this series. It’s championship or bust from here on out if I want to reach my goal. I have no idea what to expect this season, but I’m excited.
To start the season, my starting lineup is the following.
- Ron Harper — PG
- Alex English — SG
- Kiki VanDeWeghe — SF
- Otis Thorpe — PF
- Kevin Duckworth — C
At the start of January, the team surprisingly plays excellently with a 24–9 record and sits third in the West. It’s a pretty surprising start to the season. See you at the trade deadline!
WOWZZA! Heading into the trade deadline, the Nuggets have won 12 games in a row and are second in the West!!! This is easily the best basketball they’ve played this entire simulation. As for trades, I will step back and allow this team to cook! Time to sim to the All-Star break, see ya there!
Heading into the break, the Nuggs are the BEST TEAM IN THE LEAGUE!! The good guys sit first in the NBA and are riding a 16-game winning streak. I cannot believe this. Shoutout to coach K.C. Jones; he’s turned this team around!
In the all-star game, who else but the fabulous Alex English will represent the team?!
The win streak has ended after a 139–106 loss against the rival Utah Jazz. Despite that, it’s time to simulate to the contract extension deadline!
At the deadline, nobody on the roster qualified for an extension; however, the team again went on a massive heater, winning 14 straight games.
BLOODY HELL DISASTER STRIKES
Literally, the worst possible thing has happened as superstar Alex English dislocated his right patella and will miss the remainder of the season — -a crushing blow for such an aspiring team.
On the brighter side, Alex English was named to the All-NBA 2nd team, while Ron Harper made the All-Defensive 2nd team. The team also finished with a fantastic 65–17 record and was the second seed in the West.
With the regular season ending, so will part two of this article. I hope you all enjoyed and are looking forward to part three because I know I am. This second part was a grind and took a little longer than I wanted, but I’m glad I pulled through.
It became a lot more fun when the team started to win. I’ll see you all very soon when my second-seeded Nuggets take on the seventh-seeded Golden State Warriors in round one of the 1988 playoffs! PEACE!
- Jaiden :)
Part Two Recap :
- Finished eighth in the West (85–86)
- Lost in round one to Lakers (85–86)
- Finished sixth in the West (86–87)
- Swept by Rockets (86–87)
- Fired head coach Doug Moe
- Hired KC. Jones, as head coach
- Four total All-Star selections 2x Alex English, 2x Kiki VanDeWeghe
- Alex English 2x All-NBA 2nd team, 1x All-NBA 3rd team
- Ron Harper 1x All-Rookie 2nd team, 1x All-Defensive team
- Extended English and VanDeWeghe
- Drafted Ron Harper and Kevin Duckworth
- Signed Larry Nance
Credits
