Budapest Tigers

History of the Budapest Tigers

The Budapest Tigers, once known as the Maine Mountaineers have been owned throughout by one of the WBA's original owners in Dugyik Tamas. Through season nine the franchise has compiled a cumulative record of 369 wins and 333 losses leading to six playoff appearances. The team is known for playing team basketball, stressing depth over star power, and for repeatedly going above and beyond expectations proving that their formula for success is no accident but a result from seasons of experience.

The tale of the Budapest Tigers is a tale of struggle, of growth, and of redemption but most of all it remains an unfinished story in the quest for greatness.

Having come into the league with the self admitted motive of being “just a business man looking for some profit,” Tamas was relatively inexperienced in the dealings of running a basketball franchise and this inexperience showed early on. The first two seasons were mediocre at best as the team lingered under .500 and as Tamas related, “we got lucky and got to the playoffs.” The next two seasons proved even more difficult as the team's performance deteriorated further resulting in an early vacation for the players, as the team would see nothing of the playoffs. As Tamas disclosed these two seasons were “very, very hard and full of disappointments.”

A dramatic change was necessary and for Tamas he needed to bring this basketball franchise closer to home to instill in him the drive to make this team a winner. And so Tamas literally did exactly that. The franchise was relocated to Tamas' hometown, the Central European Capital of Hungary, Budapest. What happened next was one of the most dramatic turnarounds in league history as the team skyrocketed to a 51 win season in claiming the seventh best defense in league history by holding their opponents to 88.9 points per game. Tamas stressed team play and depth as the team held no superstars and no one averaged more than thirty minutes a game. Budapest further expounded on this success in the playoffs defeating Brooklyn in the first round and going the distance with London. The ensuing season provided more of the same as the team improved to 57 wins while laying claim to another great defense but the season would be soured with an upset in the first round at the hands of the Gabon Giants.

After this great turnaround the team experienced a slight setback losing some key players and making big changes ultimately resulting in a .500 season, narrowly missing the playoffs. The defense that had shut down so many opponents was now giving up more than 11 points more than the season before. However, the team now possessed the greatest player in Budapest history, point guard Steve Peterson.

After acquiring more depth, the team's offense now became its trademark as it averaged more than 107 points a game. The team improved and secured a #4 seed in the playoffs but ultimately Brooklyn would avenge their playoff loss of two seasons before as they eliminated Budapest 4-1.

As the season's progressed, Tamas soaked up all the lessons he could as he related that “every year I'm learning something new,” these lessons seemed to compound themselves in Season 9. Although Budapest was written off by many early in the season for not possessing the talent to win on a regular basis, Tamas proved all the critics wrong and led Budapest to arguably its greatest season. With 51 wins in a league with increasing talent levels, Budapest won the division title for the first time in its history and also for the first time in its history managed to reach the conference finals.

Budapest has never gotten much publicity and is often written off early in the season only to prove the “experts” wrong over and over again. Through it all Budapest has earned a quiet distinction and an aura of respect around the league as they consistently win regardless of the perceived talent level that the team possesses. The team's steady improvement is a direct result of the steady improvement of ownership and proves that experience is an excellent teacher.

This is the history of the Budapest Tigers…

Season One

Leaders

Minutes: John Erickson (39)

Points: John Erickson (16.6)

Rebounds: John Erickson (10.5)

Assists: Matty Quinn (5.7)

Steals: Bill Milligan (1.5)

Blocks: Bill Burns (1.3)

Team Records

Overall Record: 26-36 (#6 Seed)

Offense: 97 Points per Game

Defense: 99.8 Points per Game

Playoff Result: Loss to Varese 3-0 in First Round

Inaugural Draft

Round One: John Greene

Round Two: Greg Lynn

Round Three: John Erickson

Round Four: Matty Quin

Round Five: Joe Gillespie

Round Six: Mike Morgan

Round Seven: Arnie Drake

Round Eight: Bill Milligan

Round Nine: Joe Brown

Round Ten: Bill Burns

Round Eleven: Jose Miller

Round Twelve: Frank Womack

Round Thirteen: Eddie Stuart

Round Fourteen: John Reyes

Trades

John Greene to Roswell for John Davis, Roswell's season 3 first and second round picks and Roswell's season 4 first round pick.

John Davis to Brooklyn for Dennis Norton and Brooklyn's season 4 first and second round picks.

Greg Lynn to New York for Felipe Smith, Brooklyn's season 2 second round pick and New York's season 4 second round pick.

Ted Shulz and Jim Lopez to Washington for Roswell's season 3 first and second round picks and Brooklyn's season 2 and 4 second round picks.

Odell King and Vern Flaherty to Roswell for Eddie Stuart and Mike Morgan

Season Overview

As the Inaugural Draft commenced for the Maine Mountaineers it was decided the team would bestow its future on 19-year-old John Greene and so Greene became the first member of the Mountaineers. As it turned out Greene would also become the first member of the franchise to be traded as he was soon dealt for a plethora of draft picks. This trade only started what would become a full on fire sale in the quest to build for the future. When the smoke had settled, Maine was left with a talent-depleted team but also six first round and seven second round picks over the next three seasons.

Due to the lack of quality teams in the Eastern Conference Budapest still managed to make the playoffs and had the privilege of getting swept by Varese 3-0 in the first round.

Season Two

Leaders

Minutes: Bucky McCarty (41)

Points: Bucky McCarty (23.4)

Rebounds: Joe Devlin (9.1)

Assists: John Stewart (8.2)

Steals: John Stewart (1.3)

Blocks: Thurman Holt (0.9)

Team Records

Overall Record: 37-43 (#7 Seed)

Offense: 101.7 Points per Game*

Defense: 102.9 Points per Game

Playoff Result: Loss to Boston 3-1 in First Round

*Most points in league history: 156 versus Tokyo

Draft Selections

Round One, Pick 17: Bucky McCarty

Round Two, Pick 31: John Stewart

Round Two, Pick 45: Billy Lopez

Trades

John Erickson, Bill Alston and Jim Lopez to Roswell for Bill Mangano, Joe Devlin and Lou McNamara

Matty Quinn and Joe Gillepsie to Roswell for Pick #31, Charlie Young, Joe Mathews, Mitchell Phillips, and Baltimore's season 4 2nd round pick.

Maine's 1st round pick in season 4 and New York's season 4 second round pick to Cancun for Thurman Holt.

Season Overview

The team made a great draft selection with its 17th overall pick by choosing PG/SG Bucky McCarty. Draft experts praised the move:

“I must say I'm impressed, Maine found themselves a consistent 20+ point

per game scorer who also dishes out for 5 buckets a night. A great great

great great pick, I'm in love with Bucky.”

Bucky did not disappoint and led the team in minutes and scoring. However, the team did not improve substantially and once again concentrated on building for the future as exemplified by the trade of the most experienced player on the team, John Erickson. Owner/GM Dugyik Tamas has this to say about the deal:

“It was hard to trade our most experienced player, but Maine has to look into the future. The team is fairly young and has great potential, but we all know that you can't build a great team in 1 year. I'm afraid that Erickson, who is 34, will not waist his last years in a rebuilding team. He's too good for that. I think this was a deal that Maine couldn't refuse.”

Still a young and hopeful franchise, the team made progress in wins and attained their first playoff win against Boston in the first round. The team also made league history by scoring the most points in one game (156) against Tokyo. All was looking good.

Season Three

Leaders

Minutes: Bucky McCarty (47)

Points: Bucky McCarty (27.6)

Rebounds: Bennie Armstrong (9.6)

Assists: John Stewart (7.5)

Steals: John Stewart (1.5)

Blocks: Bennie Armstrong (1)

Team Records

Overall Record: Season Three: 28-52

Offense: 97.6 Points per Game

Defense: 105.6 Points per Game

Playoff Result: Missed Playoffs

Draft Selections

No Selections

Trades

Bill Mangano and Washington's season 4 second round pick to New York for Ryan Hatfield

Charlie Young to Roswell for Fred Bell, Midland's season 5 2nd round pick and 1.5 Million in cash

Ted Schultz and 2 Million in cash for season 4 to Colorado for Sean Clark

Maine's 1st and 2nd round picks in season 4 and Brooklyn's first round pick in season 4 to Albacete for Shawn Newman and Bennie Armstrong

Billy Lopez and Maine's season 6 1st round pick to New York for Roger Bradshaw

Maine's season 5 and 6 2nd round picks, Baltimore's season 4 2nd round pick, Midland's season 5 second and George Lawrence to Adelaide for Bruce Johnson

Season Overview

Although the history of the league was still relatively new, by qualifying for the playoffs both seasons Maine was only one of seven teams who could attest to this feat. Already signs of Tamas' distinctive coaching style began to become apparent as reporters commented, “I don't see the all-star levels of talent here, but they obviously can do something right!! They do have a pretty even all around team.”

However, it was clear that this team was still not where they wanted to be. One reporter paraphrased the season as, “Still building for future, but the team digressed and missed playoffs. McCarty carrying heavy burden is putting up numbers but not leading to wins.” McCarty was indeed carrying heavy burdens averaging more than 47 minutes a game and the wins did not come often resulting in staying home for the playoffs. The season would serve as a learning tool for the young team and the inexperienced owner.

Season Four

Leaders

Minutes: Jose Hayes (40)

Points: Bert Latham (14.9)

Rebounds: Bennie Armstrong (9)

Assists: Jose Hayes (9.4)

Steals: Bert Latham (2.1)

Blocks: Bennie Armstrong (1.4)

Team Records

Overall Record: Season Four: 31-49

Offense: 94 Points per Game

Defense: 99.4 Points per Game

Playoff Result: Missed Playoffs

Draft Selections

No Selections

Trades

The two best choices of Indiana's, London's and Maine's 1st and 2nd round picks and Fred Bell to Colorado for Garth Donahue, 1.1 million in salary, Colorado's season 7 first round pick and New York's season 6 first round pick

Garth Donahue to New York for Bert Latham, Brooklyn's season 5 2nd round pick, London's season 6 2nd round pick and 1 million in season 4

John Stewart, London's 2nd round pick in season 6 and 1 million in season 4 and 5 to New York for Dino Robbins

Season Overview

Disappointment lingered as the franchise suffered a severe setback losing Bucky McCarty to Salt Lake City in free agency. But what served as a temporary setback could very well be interpreted as a blessing in disguise as the team saved money and McCarty never attained the success he experienced while in Maine. For the time being the team stayed pretty much the same and hope did not appear to be near as reporters pointed out that there were “no stars and no big picks so expect any improvement to be slow.”

Missing the playoffs once again, the franchise was at one of its lowest point and it would take something big to bring about any changes.

Season Five

Leaders

Minutes: Bruce Johnson (28)

Points: John Riddle (14.7)

Rebounds: Bruce Johnson (9.4)

Assists: Bruce Johnson (5.9)

Steals: Frank Schneider (1.5)

Blocks: T.J. McFarland (2.6)

Team Records

Overall Record: 51-29 (#5 Seed)

Offense: 97 Points per Game

Defense: 88.9 Points per Game*

Playoff Result: Defeated Brooklyn 3-1 in First Round, Loss to London 4-3 in Second Round

*Seventh best defense in league history

Draft Selections

Round One, Pick 22: Gus Zeus

Trades

Budapest's season 7 first round pick to Carolina for Charlie Jones

Sean Clark and Budapest's season 8 2nd rounder to Washington for New York's season 7 2nd round pick

Shawn Newman to Virgin Island's for Jalen Bell and New York's season 6 second round pick

Jose Hayes, Budapest's season 8 first round pick and 1 million in season 6 to Salt Lake City for John Riddle, Rob Waite, Gomer Cummings and Oregon's first round pick in season 6

Gommer Cummings to Oregon for Ossie Gordon

Season Overview

A renowned hope spread across the franchise as the Maine Mountaineers relocated to Dugyik Tamas' hometown of Budapest, Hungary. A new drive to become the best overtook ownership and led Tamas to exclaim, “Now I simply LOVE this team and I want everybody in the team to be happy. If this is achieved by winning the ring, then I want to win the ring.”

A complete turnaround took shape as the team eclipsed the 50 win margin. Trademarks of Tamas' coaching style were perhaps most evident on this team as no one player averaged more than 30 minutes. A true team effort predicated on defense was the trademark of the team as it embarked on the playoffs for the first time since season 2. The proud franchise of Brooklyn proved to become the first round foe and experts predicted Brooklyn to come away with the victory as they stated that “Brooklyn has had their number all season long and they seem to be well suited to beat Budapest. This series will be a defensive war but Brooklyn also has a few offensive guns. Prediction: Brooklyn 3-1” However, Budapest had other plans and they themselves defeated Brooklyn 3-1, while going the distance in round two to London. By the looks of the franchise's first season in Budapest, the future looked very bright for these Central European WBA fanatics rooting their team on in the Stadium of Light.

Season Six

Leaders

Minutes: Jalen Bell (34)

Points: Jalen Bell (20.9)

Rebounds: T.J. McFarland (10.1)

Assists: Dexter Kodak (6.3)

Steals: Dexter Kodak (1.8)

Blocks: T.J. McFarland (2)

Team Records

Overall Record: 57-23 (#3 Seed)

Offense: 98.5 Points per Game

Defense: 90 Points per Game

Playoff Result: Season Six: Loss to Gabon 3-2 in First Round

Draft Selections

Round One, Pick 19: Mike Bennett

Round Two, Pick 36: Bob Towe

Trades

Mike Bennett and John Billings to Rochester for Alonzo Hatfield and Rochester's season 9 1st round pick

Season Overview

After a brilliant season the year before, Budapest entered season 6 with a lot of confidence and a lot of high expectations. Sam Plummer had this to say about Tamas' recent decisions:

“He quietly made exceptional moves this past season and took his team back to the playoffs after a 2 year hiatus and upset Brooklyn in the first round. This team is a defensive juggernaut and could be a contender in the new season if Dugyik can continue to make smart moves.”

During the season, rumors circled that the Tigers had changed ownership but a report offered by Dugyik Tamas himself rejected these rumors. However, he did maintain that he had sold 49% of the team's shares to the Hungarian Beer Drinkers Association. Other clauses to the deal included the players being allowed to drink beer before matches to boost their morale and the team name being unofficially changed to the Budapest Drunken Tigers. It is unclear whether these changes ever took place but the team coincidentally had its best regular season to date by racking up 57 wins.

As the playoffs rolled around the Tigers had secured the #3 seed and readied themselves to battle against the Gabon Giants. Early playoff previews by Sam Plummer exalted Budapest and predicted them to reach the finals. However, the Tigers had maybe partied a little to hard with the Hungarian Beer Drinkers Association as Gabon shocked everyone by taking the series three games to two and ending the best regular season in Budapest history.

Season Seven

Leaders

Minutes: Steve Peterson (41)

Points: Jalen Bell (23.5)

Rebounds: Bennie Armstrong (9.6)

Assists: Steve Peterson (8.1)

Steals: Steve Peterson (2.5)

Blocks: T.J. McFarland (2.3)

Team Records

Overall Record: 40-40

Offense: 100.3 Points per Game

Defense: 101.4 Points per Game

Playoff Result: Missed Playoffs

Draft Selections

No Selections

Trades

Jim Peyton, the #12 pick, Budapest's season 9 and 10 1st and 2nd round picks to Colorado for Steve Peterson

Pick #32 to Virgin Island's for 1.5 million in season 7

Rochester's season 9 1st round pick to Oregon for Bud Johnson

Alonzo Hatfield to London for London's season 8 and 9 second round picks.

Budapest's season 12 1st round pick to Cancun for Frank Constantini and Cancun and Miami's second round picks in season 8

Dexter Kodak, Keith Chambers and Dino Robbins to Capetown for Jack Spiegel, Capetown's season 9 and 11 2nd round picks and 1 million in season 8

Season Overview

After a devastating defeat to Gabon in the playoffs things did not go well for Budapest in the off-season. Reporters questioned whether Budapest still had it, one remarked “Will they continue with their team approach where everyone plays? I don't think they have the quality depth they had last season.” Even Dugyik Tamas was realistic about his team's expectations and questioned his own team. Regarding his newly acquired point guard and arguably the greatest player to suit up for the Budapest franchise, Steve Peterson, he wrote, “Peterson is this year only in the top 10 PG's, nothing more.” Regarding his prolific scorer, shooting guard Jalen Bell, he wrote, “a very nice SG who can score, but nothing else. There are a lot of players who can score in this league, and they are better talent then him. Not to mention he can only play around 30 minutes, not good.” His small forward Bruce Johnson possibly received the worst criticism as Tamas related, “ah yes, one of the few overrated, overpaid players on my team…his D sucks, his poor shooting (and he shoots a lot, taking away good baskets from other players) is ruining our teamplay.” Nothing good was to be said about his front-court either as he was not impressed with Bennie Armstrong relating that, “he will never stop a good player nor he will he excel if there is a bad PF on the other end. Plus he gets 4.3 mill a season, he is probably the most overpaid player in the league.” Regarding his center Jack Spiegel he regarded him as “nothing special, will never be an all-star caliber.” The lambasting continued on to the bench as several players were criticized for their lack of talent.

Overall, Tamas related, “I would be lucky to get into the playoffs. A lot of talent came into the league this year, and I got none of them.”

Tamas was right on with his observations, as the once famed defense now gave up a whopping 101 points a game as compared to 90 the season before. After two great seasons the team would miss the playoffs for the third time in the history of the franchise. Once again a resurgence was needed to bring the team back to the level it held when Budapest was made the franchise's home.

Season Eight

Leaders

Minutes: Steve Peterson (42)

Points: Jalen Bell (21.9)

Rebounds: Bennie Armstrong (9.5)

Assists: Steve Peterson (9)

Steals: Steve Peterson (2.8)

Blocks: Larry Chapman (2.2)

Team Records

Overall Record: 48-32 (#4 Seed)

Offense: 107.1 Points per Game

Defense: 102 Points per Game

Playoff Result: Defeated London 3-2 in First Round, Loss to Brooklyn 4-1 in Second Round

Draft Selections

Second Round, Pick 40: Ancil Spafford

Second Round, Pick 48: Trevyan Marlow

Second Round, Pick 55: Skyler Sorenson

Trades

London's season 9 second round pick and 0.75 million in season 8 to New York for Roy Cader

Charlie Jones, Paul Dilmore and Capetown's season 9 second round pick to Varese for Larry Chapman and 2 million in season 8

Season Overview

After a mediocre season the year before the new season did not offer much hope initially as it immediately got off to a bad start with the news that key player, center T.J. McFarland had been arrested for not only taking drugs but for dealing them as well. This news shocked the Budapest community and served as a setback and another obstacle for Dugyik Tamas to overcome.

Although the defense suffered once again, the offensive power managed to provide a worthy counter balance as the team improved by eight games over the previous season with a total of 48 wins. By securing the #4 seed the team readied themselves to face London in the first round, the team that had eliminated them in season 5. With London winning the season series three games to one experts predicted London to come away with the series but Budapest once again proved the experts wrong and eliminated London three games to two. Next up was Brooklyn, but the talent talented Rage overwhelmed Budapest as they lost the series four games to one. Although season 8 showed improvement many questioned whether Budapest would ever return to the level of competition they once experienced.

Season Nine

Leaders

Minutes: Steve Peterson (41)

Points: Roy Cader (16.8)

Rebounds: Johnny Brose (8.9)

Assists: Steve Peterson (9.3)

Steals: Steve Peterson (3)

Blocks: T.J. McFarland (2.2)

Team Records

Overall Record: 51-29 (#2 Seed)*

Offense: 106.9 Points per Game

Defense: 100.1 Points per Game

Playoff Result: Defeated Baltimore 3-2 in First Round, Defeated Brooklyn 4-3 in Second Round, Loss to Washington 4-1 in Conference Finals

*Division Title

Draft Selections

Second Round, Pick 48: Al Harvey

Trades

Nikos Atirides to Utah for New York's season 10 second round pick, 2 million in season 9 and 1 million in season 10

Bennie Armstrong to Texas for Johnny Brose and Rochester's season 11 2nd round pick

Budapest's season 14 first round pick to Carolina for Floyd Acevedo

Jalen Bell to Capetown for Oman Fatafehi and Pedro Otis

Season Overview

As season 9 commenced it seemed like the start to any other season. Reporters commented, “as always Budapest will play a lot of players and win quite a few games.” By now Budapest's playing style was well known around the league and it was still clear that experts could not predict what kind of season Budapest was to have, but it didn't stop many from trying. Again experts predicted Budapest to finish low even though history had proven these predictions wrong season after season. One expert recognized the historical lesson but stubbornly asserted that this was the season Budapest will struggle by admitting that, “this team is always hard to read. Like many other prognosticators I look at this team each year and see nothing special. But, then at the end of the season they always seem to find a way to win. But, I can't see that happening this year. If Coach Tamas gets this team to win 45 or more games he should be coach of the year…I expect more losing than winning.”

As the games started, Budapest got off to a hot start by leading their division but even media within the Budapest organization did not think this hot streak would last. One reporter wrote, “Our team, Budapest, is still leading their division, but not for long I'm afraid. Albacete should be number 1 in the Atlantic division and they will be, they just had a hard schedule, playing 11 games on the road and only 7 at home.” However, expectations for the season were optimistic as the same reporter wrote, “all in all I think we will have a very good and interesting season ahead of us. Would be nice to see them win their division for the first time in WBA history but the chances we know are very slim.”

As things came to be Budapest was still in the hunt for the division title with Albacete as the halfway point of the season came and went. During the season a trade for Johnny Brose further solidified the team but the major trade came with a late season deal sending longtime starting shooting guard, Jalen Bell, to Capetown in return for Oman Fatafehi and Pedro Otis. By this time it was clear that Budapest was well on its way to its first division title in team history, it was a risky move to trade a centerpiece of the team that achieved this feat but as the playoffs proved it was a risk worth taking.

With the #2 seed the highest seed ever attained by the franchise the team squared off against the Baltimore Pirates. The series was very close but ultimately it was the inside play of Budapest's Oman Fatafehi and Larry Chapman that won out by outrebounding their opponent by six rebounds a game. After winning the series three games to two, the team looked to face off against one of their biggest playoff nemesis in the Brooklyn Rage. The series proved to become one of the greatest in Budapest history as Budapest came away with the victory in the deciding game seven, reaching the Conference Finals for the first time in team history. However, Budapest was now to square off against the beast of the east in the Washington Monuments who had dominated the regular season by winning 63 games. While Budapest was riding a wave of making history, Washington had its own story as it was to become the last season for esteemed owner Sam Plummer. Washington won the series four games to one but the loss in the Conference Finals only brought Budapest one step closer to attaining the goal that Tamas wrote about in season 5, “We will win the ring, and then never let it go!!!”

Season Ten

Leaders

Minutes: Steve Peterson (44)

Points: Roy Cader (16.6)

Rebounds: Mathew Gill (7.3)

Assists: Steve Peterson (7.7)

Steals: Steve Peterson (2.8)

Blocks: Roy Cader (2.3)

Team Records

Overall Record: 48-32 (#3 Seed)

Offense: 98.2 Points per Game

Defense: 95.3 Points per Game

Playoff Result: Defeated Sacramento 3-2 in First Round, Defeated Washington 4-1 in Second Round, Defeated Rochester 4-1 in Conference Finals, Loss to Oregon 4-0 in Finals

Draft Selections

Second Round, Pick 32: Jeremy Aarons

Trades

No Trades

Season Overview

There seemed to have been something special floating in the air as Budapest began preparations for season ten. A second round pick in the rookie draft managed to wield a good prospect in Jeremy Aarons. Analysts wrote that Aarons “has all the tools to get the job done and Budapest is a great place for him to learn with little pressure.” Free agency proved equally successful, even if the team did not manage to re-sign Fatafehi. The team managed to sign an assortment of key contributors in Bob Kinsey, Frank Constantini, Mathew Gill, Walter Callaway, Roy Cader and Marques Feldman. Analysts noted that “these guys are exactly the kind of class that I would expect Budapest to bring in.” Indeed, each of these players would play key roles in the upcoming season.

As the season began experts began the usual routine in labeling Budapest “an unknown quantity,” but recognizing that they always manage to field a competitive team. The frustration in predicting the success of the team was evident. One analyst noted that “every year they finish among the east's best and every year it doesn't make sense!” Ultimately the team was predicted to finish 5th but remarked that one should not be surprised if they win the division.

In a tight race with Albacete the team did not win the division but was sure close. However, the playoff race would take a toll on the team's star, point guard Steve Peterson. With Peterson not being the youthful energizer he once was the 44 minute a game average certainly affected him. Still Peterson was touted as a guard “head and shoulders above the rest” and was named all-star starter for the Eastern conference. Peterson not only racked up recognition but also managed to turn Budapest into one of the hottest teams ending the season.

This hot streak would continue into the playoffs in a way that Budapest had never experienced. Perhaps Peterson knew something others did not-perhaps he knew this would be his last season. Whatever it was, this would not be a playoffs easily forgotten. The first foe up was Sacramento and in an exciting series Budapest managed to squeeze by three games to one. The second round saw a rematch from last season's showdown with Sam Plummer and his Monuments, but without Plummer, Budapest took advantage and exacted payback winning the series decisively four games to one. The season ended up becoming a repeat from last season's Conference Finals appearance. This time the foe was Rochester but with experience on the side of Budapest they managed to overcome Rochester four games to one and make team history by reaching the finals for the first time. The playoff victories came at a price, however. Peterson was undoubtedly fatigued by the heavy play during the season and the playoffs. As Budapest squared up against Oregon in the finals, the team could not last and was consequently swept.

With the team's first finals appearance, the season was a historical feat for the franchise. Dugyik Tames was deservedly voted coach of the year and Peterson was named to the all-league 2nd team behind Parker Mason. The big shock came after as Steve Peterson announced his retirement. After rumors of fighting through a lot of pain the last couple of years Peterson remarked, “I'm tired. My body is giving out on me. I can feel it coming. I want to go out while I can still play the way I want” Taking his team to the finals must have certainly been the way Peterson wanted.

Season Eleven

Leaders

Minutes: Horace Colbert (37)

Points: Horace Colbert (17.7)

Rebounds: Paul Wilson (11.5)

Assists: Felipe Juarez (5.0)

Steals: Michael Kutak (1.6)

Blocks: Horace Colbert (1.9)

Team Records

Overall Record: 40-40 (#7 Seed)

Offense: 101.1 Points per Game

Defense: 100.2 Points per Game

Playoff Result: Defeated Long Island 3-1 in First Round, Loss to Rochester 4-3 in Second Round

Draft Selections

First Round, Pick 20: Bob Wright

Second Round, Pick 46: Brice Bell

Second Round, Pick 52: Stephan Sides

Trades

Season 13 & 14 2nd round picks to Cancun for Jeremy Aarons

Walter Callaway & Season 15 2nd round pick to Charlottes for Capetown's season 13 2nd round pick and 1.25 million in season 11

Jeremy Aarons and 0.75 million in seasons 11 and 12 to London for Bob Bodnar

Kelvin Boice and Capetown's season 13 2nd to Toronto for Remi Jeay, Bill Blackstone and 2.5 million in season 11

Bob Delaney and 0.7 million in season 11 to Frankfurt for Raphael Park

Season 12 2nd round pick and 0.25 million in season 12 to Brooklyn for Joe Clark

Season Overview

With the sudden retirement of Steve Peterson and the resulting cap room made available, great changes were in store for Budapest as they entered season eleven. The emergence of a new leader became top priority and the answer came via free agency with the signing of veteran center, Horace Colbert.

It was not necessarily that Colbert was not a good signing but he sure was no Steve Peterson. It took a while for this realization to set in. Fresh off their trip to the finals some prognosticators probably gave Budapest too much respect in predicting that they would give Paris “hell all season.” Another noted that “conventional wisdom is that this team will take a step back…but this franchise has a history of surprising people so don't expect that large a fall off.”

This prediction basically came true. The team certainly took a step back with the departure of Peterson, but not that far back. Finishing exactly at .500 and managing to secure the 7th seed the team proved that it still had bite in its bark. As the team squared against Long Island which had been experiencing its best season under Michael Esposito's tenure most expected Budapest to roll over for this 62 win team. Esposito wasn't one of those, however. Knowing his team possessed weaknesses he was not surprised to see his team fall three games to one to “BudaPEST.” The next matchup saw Budapest squaring off against Rochester and while they gave Rochester a run for their money extending the series to seven games, the talent of Rochester won out in the end. Nevertheless, Tamas was 2nd runner up for coach of the year and managed to prove that the success of Budapest did not lie on the shoulders of one player but was a complete team effort. But the truth is that for the team to regain its top form it must find a new Steve Peterson.