So, as I prepare to lock myself in my house for weeks on end when I get NBA 2K13, I have rekindled my bromance with NBA 2K11.

I started an Association season managing the Raptors and have had a gloriously fun time trading away Andrea, acquiring picks for my own Draft Debut (I designed a prospect in my image, with spectacular abilities obviously), and have noticed some significant observations.

Firstly, even when you acquire guys you casually think are upgrades for your squad (ie. Linas Kleiza out, Lou Williams in) your team's ratings don't change. My squad regularly ranks at 29th or 30th in the league in overall rating.

Does anybody know if this is a product of my simulation running 5 minute quarters as opposed to the 12 minute quarters the rest of the league plays?

That's the only explanation I can come up with as to why the ratings haven't improved, despite multiple upgrades to the roster.

However, the other observation I made is that I can really, REALLY see the benefit of a two PG rotation. I traded for Lowry and as I said I had acquired Lou Williams and when DeMar got injured I picked up Mike James as PG reserve, upped Lowry's minutes and shifted Lou Williams over to SG. The results have been pretty nice. Losing DeMar's length and hops is noticeable, yes, but the increase in ball handling and ability to change direction quicker (recover after defensive rotations) has delivered very pleasant rewards.

My starting 5 currently consists of Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan (injured), James Johnson, Amir Johnson and Joel Prizbilla with a bench of Lou Williams, Randy Foye, Sonny Weems, Ed Davis and Brad Miller. My benchwarmers are Mike James, Jamario Moon, Jodie Meeks.

I realize this isn't a world beating roster, but I had to make some concessions to acquire draft picks as my NBA debut is set to be the second coming of Michael Jordan...

All in all, I am killer stoked for the new game to come out and glad I dusted off the old one.
Go Raptors!