 |
GLOBAL SPORTS PROGRAMMING NETWORK
|
June 30th, 2004
What Is Wrong In Fury Land?
PART 2
The Management side of this organization is indecisive about the team's future in Birmingham. Ethan James Kight has talked with the city of Birmingham's city council and the new plans about building a new arena. The two sides have sat down and discussed the topic about building the arena, but to no result. The building pan has been placed on hold until after the season.
In the mean time EJK has began talks with the country of Finland. The community and the country as a whole are really excited about the possibility of the Fury coming to Finland. They even took the time to design some logos for the new team.
With these logos already in place I think that the move will happen before the season is even over. With the problems on the court and even more problems off the court the Fury franchise is in a lot of turmoil. What all of this going on and the only bright spot the Fury have playing for them on the court is Yuri Vilasny and he was hurt in the game on Day 39 between Boston & Birmingham. After dishing out 19 assists Vilansy is hurt and will miss 8 games. This franchise is doomed maybe a fresh start might help the team. They changed the mascot last season and made it to the playoffs. Who knows what will happen when the franchise moves toFinland.
June 30th, 2004
Budapest Report
By: Corey Daubanton
The Budapest Tigers are currently pests to many teams in the East, as their 23-15 record puts them at a tie with Albacete at the top of the Atlantic Division. Who is on this team, for non-fans? Here is my look at their roster as of Day 40:
PG:
Steve Peterson, a veteran PG of the WBA is the starting PG of the Tigers, averaging 41 minutes per game for them. He's a solid passer, averaging 9.6 apg, and is also contributing 11.9 ppg as well as 5.8 rpg and 2.8 spg. Likely to be considers as one of the better guards is the league, Peterson has the experience to help run the team's offense.
Bud Johnson is actually a pretty good player for a bencher. He rates well in passing, scoring and FG%. Currently he is only averaging 8 minutes per game, primarily behind Steve Peterson, even though he's naturally a SG. Currently he's averaging 4.0 ppg and 1.6 apg in the minutes he is playing.
SG:
Jalen Bell is currently the starting SG and leading scorer of Budapest with 23.0 ppg. He's relied mainly on his scoring, of course, and with his 53.8 FG%, he is always counted on to make the big shot.
Tyson Cooper is a backup, who gets a few minutes behind Jalen Bell each game. Although he has been injured for a few games so far, he is productive when he is on the court, averaging 5.2 points, 49.3 FG%, and 1.6 assists in 9 minutes per game.
SF:
Johhny Brose is the starting SF on the Tigers. He's a sold SF, putting up 14.4 ppg so far, with 48.6 FG%. I'm sure he also valued for his rebounding skills, averaging 10.2 per game, which is good for any small forward. He also might get a couple steals now and then, but that's really all he's known for.
Bob Kinsey is an odd player. He has been legendary for losing games of HORSE to nursing home residents, and his 9.3 FG% shows it. Luckily, he only averages 2 or 3 shots per game, and is pretty good at getting to the free throw line. Put that one weakness aside, Kinsey really is a good play, shown by his rebounding and defensive skills, and even passing ability. In the 13 minutes per game he is averaging as a backup, he's getting 4.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, as well as 1.6 steals.
Chance McCormick, a SG/SF hasn't played much at all this year as he's as reserve behind the other guys I have already mentioned. My scouting report says he's a pretty good rebound and shooter, but doesn't do too much else besides that. In the 8 games he has played he has averaged 1.5 rebounds and 0.9 points.
Andres Fernandez is a reserve SF who has spent most of the season so far on the bench. My scouting report says he's an okay shooter, and pretty good at rebounds and steals, but not much else. An okay player overall. In the 7 games he has played he averaged 4.0 points and 1.0 rebounds in 9 minutes
PF:
Roy Cader is naturally a center, but he's playing just fine as a PF. He's not exactly a great rebounder for his position, averaging only 4.7 boards per game in 29 minutes, but he has other strengths, such as blocks (2.4 bpg), and scoring (15.9 ppg). His FG% is a little low right now at 35.5%, but it's likely due to the fact that he gets fouled a lot, and luckily he's a pretty good free throw shooter as well.
Jon Morgenland, a SF/PF, is splitting time with Roy Cader at PF. He's just an average rebounder/passer, but he likes to shoot the ball, and he's pretty good at that, as well as drawing fouls. Of course, Morgenland is also injury-prone, and the 8 games he's missed so far this year are probably from injuries, if I'm correct.
K.D. Mobley is one of those guys who shoots whenever he gets the ball whenever he gets the ball, even though he has a bad FG%. At least he's good at drawing fouls, so he can get points at the line. Besides that, he's just an okay rebounder. So far, he's only played 4 games, averaging 19.0 ppg with 36.5 FG% and 3.3 rpg in 21 minutes. I suppose it's not worth risking to play him when your PFs are already good, until he learns to improve his shooting.
C:
T.J. McFarland, starting center for the Tigers is not a shooter by any stance, as he's averaging 5.6 ppg in 20 minutes, as well as 34.4 FG%, but he does have talent at grabbing boards (6.4 rpg), and blocks (1.9 bpg).
Larry Chapman is the backup center for Budapest, who also gets a few minutes at PF as well. He's a pretty good rebounder and shot blocker, and is getting his share of points per game, even though his FG% could be a little higher. In 29 minutes per game he is averaging 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks, but his 3.4 fouls per game may be a problem.
Ossie Gordon is only getting a few minutes now and then as a reserve center. He's not a bad player, as he has the ability to score, even though his rebounding rate is somewhat poor for a center. In the 23 games he has played, he's averaged 5.1 points and 1.7 rebounds in 10 minutes.
Overall, Budapest isn't looking too bad right now. They seem to be more of an offensive-based team, as their 106.3 ppg is 7th best in the league. Even though I'm not really familiar with the Eastern conference teams, it does seem that Budapest has a nice group of veteran players who know what it takes to win. Now if only Budapest would improve their 7-12 road record (they're 16-3 at home), they might be able to win their division.
June 29th, 2004
Coach Brad Bangerter of the SLC Fanatics
Antawn Perkins, a new writer for the Montana Daily News, recently had a chance to sit down with Coach/GM Brad Bangerter of the Salt Lake City Fanatics. The Fanatics are off to a great start and the fans in Montana are starting to take notice of their rival, especially after the horrible start by their hometown Montana Knights.
Antawn:
Coach Bangerter, last year your team won 34 games and missed the playoffs by one game. This year, you already have 20 wins and we're not even halfway through the season. What do you contribute to this great turnaround?
Coach Bangerter:
Primarily, the coaching has been solid, and our players have been able to avoid the injury bug. Let us not forget, that last season we had the best record of any team after the All-Star break. We came just 1 game short of overcoming a 10 game deficit to miss the playoffs by 1 room. The key player would have to be the acquisition of Arnold Eaton. He is the anchor.
Antawn:
Wouldn't you also have to say that your defense also has to contribute to your team's record?
Coach Bangerter:
Our team is built around defense, and that is always been something that we have strived for. When we drafted Cordell Parks with the 8th pick a couple seasons back, we knew he would be key to try to slow down some of the top scoring SF's in the league. Grabbing Wally Birkhead a year later with the 4th pick has also strengthened us. I think Eugene LaMaitre was also an important pickup to continue having a strong defense across the board.
Antawn:
Where do you see this team finishing up the season? Do you think they will be able to keep up the great start?
Coach Bangerter:
Barring any significant injuries, this team will be a playoff team. As it looks right now, with as strong as the West is, were looking at about a 6th seed. But we are already in works of increasing the talent level of this team, so much, that you may see something of a blockbuster trade in the nearby future.
Antawn:
There have been rumors flying around that you might be trying to upgrade at the PG position and maybe even at PF by trading for major stars in this league. Any truth to these rumors?
Coach Bangerter:
Well usually when it comes to rumors there is always some form of truth to it. We are always looking for ways to improve our team. Our fans expect the best, and for the first time in years, their long wait they can finally see some gold at the end of this long rainbow.
Antawn:
Can you tell us who these players are?
Coach Bangerter:
It is our policy no to reveal players names in trade talks until the trade is official. However, I will say this, there are 3 guards that are among the best in the league, and one of the top Power Forwards, that if all goes well, this team will be drastically different and improved before the trade deadline.
Antawn:
Is there any chance that you could trade for Cancun's Brad Bangerter? Everyone in the league knows of your love for this player's game.
Coach Bangerter:
Well there is no doubt that Bangerter is a highly sought after player. He is already starting to take the league by storm, and could very easily be the poster boy for excellence in the WBA.
I have known Pat for a few years now, in fact, I got to know his girlfriend quite well on a couple of occasions. Pat traded a lot to Albacete to bring Bangerter to his team. However, unless he is going to dismantle one of the best dynasties this league has ever seen, you will see Bangerter in a Fanatics uniform before the end of next season.
Antawn:
What are the reasons behind your current trade talks?
Coach Bangerter:
We always think about the future. When I first bought this team back at the end of season 3, and moved the team from Indiana to Salt Lake, this team had nothing. We then started planning 4 -6 years in advance when we felt we would be able to become a playoff team and an eventual title contender. Few teams have been able to manipulate the salary cap as we have. With that said, every trade we do has a myriad of purposes, which always considers the salary cap. Right now we're just a playoff team. We still need to get better to become a legitimate contender.
Antawn:
Your team is looking to have the toughest off-season out of any team. You could potentially lose two starters in Cordell Parks and Eric Manning. Have you come to any decisions about what is going to happen this off-season?
Coach Bangerter:
Rest assured that Cordell Parks is not going anywhere. And while I realize that Eric [Manning] might be difficult to maintain as well, we will do everything in our power to keep both of them.
I expect that this off-season will actually be rather uneventful. We have two 1st round picks for next season and while it is likely that we will move one or both of those. I don't expect a lot of activity in the free agent market, other then trying to resign our own players in Parks and Manning. It is entirely feasible that with Manning, if we can't come to terms with him, a Sign and Trade is very likely. Some teams have already approached me about that possibility.
Antawn:
Can you say which teams are interested in this sign and trade scenario?
Coach Bangerter: Again, it is our policy not to name teams until an official deal is done. However, both conferences are represented with their interest in Manning.
Antawn:
Your team is being dismissed this season by all other teams in the league. No one is talking about you as a true contender. Why do you think this is?
Coach Bangerter:
That is tough to speculate. Though I think over the years that people have taken a liking to beating us handily, as this league is for the most part an elitist league. People don't like to see a lower tier team become good. You almost get the feeling that the top teams in the league are like their own little club, and they don't want to allow anybody else in it.
We have seen this elitist attitude during the off-season talks concerning rule implementation. The owners of top teams typically vote in favor of rules that only benefit them and actually hurt lower teams.
Frankly, there are those who love to hate us, and that is ok. They don't want to see us do well and are often only looking to boast the accolades of their own players. All I care about is that we play the game with strong defense and play this as a team game. You don't win championships with just one great player. You win and lose as a team
Antawn:
What do you think it will take for the Fanatics to become one of those elite teams?
Coach Bangerter:
Right now we are right on the cusp. We are starting beat teams that we have never competed with in past years. For example, going up against Albacete both times saying, "Who's your daddy" and leaving the arena both times with a, "Yes, I AM!", stealing a game from Capetown. If some of our deals that we are working on go through, then you could very well see us move up to a 4th or even a 3rd seed. If that happens, you can bet teams will fear us when we meet them in the playoffs.
Antawn: It's been a pleasure, coach Bangerter. Thank you and good luck to your team for the rest of the season.
Coach Bangerter:
Thanks.
June 26th, 2004
Birmingham Post-Herald
What Is Wrong In Fury Land?
PART 1
The Birmingham Fury, losers of 5 basketball games in a roll. A once playoff conference final team, now just another team in the bottom of the Eastern Conference. After trading Frank Rose for Michael Kutak, the team has not found their games yet. The one bright spot on the Fury in Yuri Vilasny, he is averaging 14 assists since coming to the Fury. When asked Yuri reported, “Things are just easier for me here. I am surrounded by great players if we could just keep them on the court.”
There has been rumor of a league conspiracy that the referees where calling intentional fouls on the Fury every game. Face it the team is averaging 3.5 players a game fouling out. Not even in the NBA is there a team that comes close to that. When talking to Coach Kight he said, “This is B******T every night trying to find a lineup to work with. It doesn't matter even the players who are not foul prone are fouling out also. It is just freakin' contiguous around here. Yes the referees are out to get my team and make sure we don't repeat last year's performance. I don't care if they fine me they all can kiss where the sun don't shine. All 250lbs of it.” Nike Johnson is the main reason why this team is not performing. In the last five games he is averaging about 20 minutes per game before fouling out. He can play 40 minutes per game. When we asked Nike he replied, “Coach Kight covered everything I want to say. Both teams play hard my man, I just want dem' refs to let me play a lil' bit.”
Bob Delaney replied, “We just need to play better defense by moving our feet. Then maybe the refs can see that we are playing legitimate defense. Man what do we have to do?” It sounds like there is turmoil going on in Fury Land and it does seems like is it going to get better. There are a lot of anger people in this organization and the future doesn't look bright.
June 26th, 2004
Around the WBA
Austyn Williams will miss one game due to twisting his ankle while joking around on the Jay Leno show.
Cancun's Shawn McKick has a stomach virus that will cause him to miss the next game.
June 26th, 2004
Press Release
by The Brooklyn Rage PR department
Point Guard- Justin Krueger has gotten a lot of slack in his career but that is mostly because of the PG draft picks that I made before him. He has actually turned into a very solid point guard. He has amoung the best fg% is a decent rebounder on a very good rebounding team, He is averaging a career high 8.1 assists for one of the best passing teams in the league, he seldom fouls is tied for the most blicks of eastern point guards, and is averaging 2.2 steals. But, most importantly he is the floor general for the #2 team in the East. Also keep in mind that three of the pg's who are averaging more points than he is are also shooting from 19-33 percent from the floor.
Shooting Guard- Mario Bailey is still a long way from his prime but he is starting to make noise. With a 49.6 fg% he is one of the most effficient two guards in the east. With 5.1 rebounds a game he is averaging a full rebound more than any other two guard on the ballot. He is also second is assists amoung shooting guards on the ballot. He also averages two blocks a game which is far above the rest of the two guards. His 15.2 points does not stand out but he is sharing the ball with Strom and Perkins.
Small Forward- Some say Wayne Taylor is the best SF in the league. I don't agree. When a player is going to miss 30-50% of the games that is a huge knock against them. Shane Strom is now the best Small Forward. At 24.3 points a game only McCall with 21.5 can pretend to be in the same level offensively. His 7.3 assists is amoung the best at his possition and his 5.9 assists leads all other Small Forwards on the ballot. His 1.0 turnovers is also amazing for a player who so often has the ball in his hands. Strom is the clear choice for the Starting spot at Small Forward.
Power Forward- Tom Perkins has the best FG% on the Rage and the best percentage amoung power forwards. He is a solid rebounder at 7.4 on a team that is full of rebounders. he passes well with 3.1 and blocks shots, 1.6 a game. With 17.5 points he is alsot amoung the top scorers at this possition.
Center- Joe Siebert is one of the most under rated centers in the league. Whil ehe only scores 13 points a game he does that with such great scorers as Shane Strom, Tom Perkins and Mario Bailey on his team. But he does it very efficiently with a 51.o fg% and a 91.9 ft%. His 9.4 rebounds a game also leads Eastern centers, in fact he is one of the top rebounders of all time. He also gets 2.4 blocks a game which is second amoung Eastern Centers on the Ballot but anyone who follows the WBA know that he got off to a slow start in blocks and has really taken off the last week with an 8 block game and several 6 block games, including todays win over Gabon.
June 24th, 2004
New Magic in the Air?
Boston, MA (AP)- The Boston Massacre and Gabon Giants
are close to finalizing a big trade. Boston will send
Jim Wilson, Marty Feldman, their 1st round pick (S10),
plus 1 million in cash for Magic Toby.
"We know we gave up quite a bit to get Magic," said
Boston Coach, Cory Bowen. "But, we made this trade
because we're confident we'll improve with him. Magic
gives us another great scorer who can distribute the
ball. Losing Jim is a huge loss to our franchise. He
is probably the most efficient player on our team;
unfortunately, we cannot offer him quality minutes."
The Gabon Giants are also pleased with the result of
the trade. Jim Wilson will give Gabon an elite
center, who can take over a game. Wilson averaged
13.6 points per game, 4.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in
just 19 minutes of action. Marty Feldman, an
undeveloped rookie, could prove to be an important
asset for Gabon's future. "I think Marty could be a
starter in the future," exclaimed Boston point man,
Danny Hainge.
Magic Toby is a reigning all-star, who will give
Boston a more complete team. He has been putting up
close to 21 points, 4 assists and 2 blocks per
contest. The Boston staff mentioned that he will not
be backing up Dave Short or Bill Yeager. In result,
Boston will have to rely on Charlie Brown to steal
some minutes off the bench. Can Boston win with a
foul prone team, "Brooklyn did, why can't we?" said
Coach Bowen. Well, it may be an improvement for this
franchise, but I think they need a little more than
some magic to win.
June 24th, 2004
Around the WBA
Joe Jones was hoping for a second chance in Montana but he has only been receiving limited minutes as a reserve but now he will loose those as well. He was clipped today by a california taxi and has a broken leg. the driver said the fuzzy dice got in the way and he didn't see Jones.
Youngster Jarius Miles has violated Montana team rules and the press has been informed that he will miss the next two games. Montana did not say what the violation was.
Bruce Johnson is suspended for one game for spitting on a fan. the fan was a NY native who decided to go to a basketball game while he was on vacation in St Thomas. Apparently, the fan became very roudy and vulgar and finally Johnson couldn't take it any more.
Violence amoung professional athletes is an increasing problem. Today, Jim Peyton of Colorado was convicted of sexual assault. He continues to claim his innocence but the sentence has come down and he will spend the next nine months in jail...assuming he gets out at the earliest possible time.
There was a mojor car accident today. After Carolina's loss to Birmingham a drunken fan crossed over the line and plowed into the car driven by Simeon Hill. Simeon has had surgery and while he will miss the remainder of the season Doctor's expect him to make a full recovery. What is far more tragic is that Kevon Duke lives very near to Simeon and was driving behind him. He apparently was not paying close attention and went full speed into the accident. His Ferrari was hardly distinguishable from the back of Simeon's Escalade. Duke is currently in a comma. Whiiel he has survived the accident it is already clear that his career is over. The questions that matter now are if he will ever wake up and if he does will he walk. Team mate Stone Connel was the first person on the scene and is being heralded as a hero. He surely saved both both players lives.
Johnny Brose of Budapest has a torn muscle in his left arm. Doctors say he will miss most of the rest of the season. Though they do expect he will be back for teh play-offs.
June 24th, 2004
Too Much of a Burden
Kelvin Davidson has always been one of the best point guards in the league. Several years ago London was one of the premier teams in the league. Unfortunately, London is not the team tehy once were. These days they try to cover up the weaknesses in their roster by relying on their stars a great deal. But, this is really taking a toll on Davidson. He will miss the next week of games and the fatige is really getting to him.
June 21st, 2004
Xtra Life in Roswell
Roswell, New Mexico
The XT have been playing well this season, or above expectations at least. But, that is not what's bringing the crowds in, after new management bought the team in off-season and aborted the move to Sacramento -- the fans have flocked by too watch the XT play their hearts out.
But, this year the team has a new look -- Franchise Stalwart was traded to New York for Tyler Durden, in a move that shocked Roswell.
The reins were handed to Christobal Dasher this year, and he seems to have flourished for it, up in almost all statistical categories, Dasher has alos brought a new lease of life to the team, with morale higher that ever under the Hasho Management, barring the WBA Finals runs a few seasons back.
Greg Blaxland hasn't made any major moves barring the Greene trade, but is slowly assembling a team capable of causing trouble, just like the Californian team he built in Season 5.
He has acquired roleplayers to fit around this his stars, and seems to be working with the team in the midst of a four game win-streak.
Player Review
Starting Five
C - Keyon Brown - a pleasant suprise this season averaging 13.3 pts and 6.5 boards in 29 minutes
PF - Christobal Dasher the star of the team. 14.7 pts on 57.8% and 10.3 boards in 32 minutes.
SF - Tyler Durden - John Greene's replacement, yet to really settle into the Roswell system, but his attitude is great.13.0 pts in 26 minutes
SG - Maury Coleman - the 3pt magician, has been given the starting spot with an eye to the future. 11.5 pts, 42.4% 3P% in 26 minutes
PG - Wesley Phillips - The Ironman. 13.3 pts and 7.3 asts in 41 minutes.
Key Reserves
Jamie Moore - Has accepted the bench spot well, and realises that Maury Coleman has bigger future and is teaching him well.
Sage Walker - A key backup to rest Keyon, and is loving in Roswell
The New Comers
Tre Freeman, Bud Bock & Lou Boone have joined Roswell into the season and are showing why they were pick up as free agents.
The Rest
Paul Hoskins, Andy Davis, Andruw Williams & Glen Chandler all serve their purpose in the Roswell franchise
June 16th, 2004
Budapest excerpt
Article taken from a local magazine in Budapest. The writer is a respective sport commentator:
Well I have to say that the start of the season has a few suprises for me. Teams that should do well are strugling.
Teams like London, Rochester, Montana, Texas should have a better record. I'm also suprised how good Washington is. In my mind they are the early favorites to win it all this year.
Our team, Budapest, is still leading their division, but not for long I'm affraid. 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.
In the east it looks like the division winners are already set:
Albacete will win the Atlantic and Washington will win the Mid-Atlantic. But its very hard to guess who will win the western ones. Some very good and even teams will battle it out until the end. Some years ago we were discussing that the east is much better overall, but now this I think has changed and now west is also very competitive.
All in all I think we will have a very good and interesting season ahead of us.We will see for how long can our favorite team, Budapest hold off the rest. Would be nice to see them win their division for the first time in WBA history but the chances we know are very slim.
June 14th, 2004
Van Brandt Laying Bricks?
Heiko Van Brandt one of the leagues premier players and consistent shooters is the subject of the biggest mystery in the WBA. Stemming from pre-season and continuing onto the regular season Heiko finds himself in the worst shooting slump of his career. Through thirteen games Heiko has gone 55 for 219 that's 25% shooting the same number of percentage points his shooting has dropped from last season as a 50% shooter. No one is immune to slumps but how does a player who has been so consistent throughout his career go from a 50% shooter to a 25% shooter?
The term slump traces itself to the Norwegian word slumpa which means "to fall." However, Heiko is certainly not a fallen player were it not for his horrendous shooting Heiko may have well been the talk of the league as an early MVP candidate. It is known fact that a person who loses one of his senses becomes more keen in the others. This is also true of Heiko as a basketball player. Although his shooting has escaped him, Heiko has elevated the other facets of his game to new levels. He currently holds a comfortable among the leagues leading rebounders with a 14.23 average and leads all non point guards in assists with 7.8. Even so, as Montana's elite player Heiko's shooting has been detrimental to the team and while all fingers should not point to Heiko, Montana's 5-8 record is not what the hopeful franchise had in mind when acquiring Heiko in efforts to bring the team to the next level.
Shooting is often thought of as an art with karmic overtones. Cold streaks are charged by the static of many disjointed thoughts. Hot streaks are marked by the absence of thought. What could be going through Heiko's mind? Perhaps Heiko is still recovering from Colorado's playoff loss to Cancun after amassing the best record in the league. Perhaps he still hasn't adjusted to the change in venue. Montana and Colorado share vivid scenery but are very different places nonetheless. Perhaps Heiko feels the weight on his shoulders in carrying Montana to the playoffs and appeasing Coach/GM Michael Esposito. Trying to do too much and feeling you have to carry the team would certainly have a detrimental effect on the player. Or perhaps it is the insecurity of being on a team led by Esposito that is the reason for the slump? With a GM that isn't afraid to make changes the knowledge that every moment could be his last in Montana certainly would have an ill effect on the psyche of the players. No one really knows the reason for Heiko's slump, perhaps not even Heiko himself. One thing is for certain Heiko knows how to play the game and while it is hard to imagine a player of his caliber to go through this kind of slump it only helps us realize that no player is immune to the infamous slump.
My advice to Heiko: Look, your wife will still be with you when you get home, your dog will still love you and you'll still drive the same car. Just relax and shoot the ball.
June 12th, 2004
Report: Wes Ford to Coach in the WBA?
Andorra (AP) - Nobody expected Andorra to be good this year, but after a 1-11 start, some fans are getting tired of the losing streak, which at this rate, will help propel them to the worst WBA team in history since they were the 7-73 Sydney Machine Techs in Season 4. Some people think the losing is because of the team's lack of a solid veteran guard after the off-season move of Alvin Simpson, but most fans are blaming Coach Corey Daubanton for this losing streak. He's credentials include starting PG Roger Mayer at Center and C Marques Feldman at Point Guard on Day 9 vs. Oregon, as well as telling PG Nikos Atirides to shoot the ball, even when he's tripled teamed with Devonta Corrigan and Mark Miller under the basket and nobody near them. Therefore, the fans are calling for Daubanton's immediate resignation. Since the team will be out of money if Salt Lake allows the team to buy out their lease at Bangerter Arena to avoid lawsuits, the fans have determined that GSPN reject and former All-WBA guard Wes Ford would make the best replacement coach.
"Wes Ford is a real class guy. He never played for the money." said a fan, not realizing that Wes Ford never played even if he was paid, only if his six or seven supermodel girlfriends had seats next to the team's bench. And of course, they all dumped him by the end of Season 2, and his career was never the same since.
Coach Daubanton is trying to defend himself, by saying that he's trying to figure out how to make a lineup that works. To temporarily appease the fans, as well as Ron Chambers, he has persuaded Wes Ford to resign from his controversial job at GSPN to become the assistant coach of the Andorra Highlanders.
Even though Wes Ford doesn't know how to coach (he had stopped listening to them when his Phy Ed teacher in 4th grade told him he was a show-off), it is hoped that he can improve morale on the team. He also feels secure knowing that he's one assassin's bullet away from being head coach.
So if you hear on the evening news on Day 13 about riots in Montana, either Wes Ford told Knights Coach Michael Esposito how ugly his girlfriend is, or the Andorra Highlanders lost another game. And if neither happens, Highlander fans will be thankful.
June 12th, 2004
VI finally Over the Hump!
St. Thomas, Jamaica:
In recent events, Virgin Islands has made the move that Management, Community, and actually players themselves, think that will put VI over the hump and finally guarantee them a winning season. It’s not going to be this season, but next Season. You can bet cha golly while. With the recent trade between Washington, Virgin Islands was able to snatch Veteran Point Guard, Ed Kane and their own Season 10-1st Round Pick. This trade is good for VI in several ways: 1. They have what could be ideally a lottery pick. 2. They have a nice PG rotation with young Umberto DiTullio and Veteran Ed Kane. 3. VI could possibly be the owner of two possible lottery picks, depending on the success of California this season.
Ramon Phelan will play for Washington, where he may get a lil more attention. Phelan isn’t a bad player, he just wasn’t given the minutes. Umberto DiTullio is very happy about this trade and he is looking forward to working with Kane. This is the first trade that the community has stood behind 100%! Coach Williams can now do a lil more focusing on his SF and SG rotation. Harry Applegate has been a surprised for VI this season. Many didn’t think he had what it took to play on this level.
Now Virgin Islands feels as if they are set, only TIME will tell… Project starters are the same, but look for VI to switch lineups all season long!
June 8th, 2004
Colorado Team Preview
The Colorado Pioneers had an outstanding regular season last year finishing with a league-best record of 64-16 and the #1 seed in the West. However, the celebration was short-lived as they were unable to claim there dream of winning the WBA title, falling in the Western Conference Finals to eventual champion Cancun. With this leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of the Pioneers, they have refocussed in hopes of building a dynasty for the future. The team did not make a lot of changes this off-season, however, they did make a couple of major moves, the biggest of which trading their superstar Heiko Van Brandt to Montana for draft picks including the #5 overall in this past draft. They will certainly miss his presence and are probably looking at taking one step backwards this season. But by making this trade, they were able free up some cash to ink their two young stars, Samir Sheth and Greg Lacy, to long-term deals.
Position Outlook:
PG
Austyn Williams - He will once again start for the Pioneers at the point, playing some minutes at SG as well. Austyn is one if the best passers and stealers in the game. As long as he limits his shooting and stays within his designated role with the team, he should be able to make a significant impact this season.
Charlie Daidone - Colorado feels they got a steal with this guy in free agency, as he certainly adds a scoring punch that this team desperately needs. More of a shooter than a passer, he's not a true point guard. But neither was Joe Watts last season, who did an excellent job of scoring off the bench for this team.
Ray Estrada - They love this pick late in the 1st round of this past draft. Apparently Colorado management weren't the only people excited about this guy as they were immediately appoached by a couple of teams with offers on this kid. He's not likely to see the court much this season, but he is envisioned to have a more significant role with this club in the future. He's not the greatest passer in the world, but he has an uncanny ability to rebound as a point guard and shows great possibilities for development into a very solid player.
SG:
Samir Sheth - Sheth was signed to a long-term deal this past off-season as the team expects him to be a Top 5 scorer in this league for many seasons to come. This guy provides a great scoring touch to the Pioneers, the majority of it coming from the foul line. He definitely has other areas of his game that could use some work, but he is as big a reason for last year's success as Van Brandt was for this sqaud.
SF:
Edgar Kamara - Despite the criticism over his inability to score, this guy does so many other things on the court to make up for it. As the 3rd overall pick in this past draft, he will not become an instant superstar. But he will become a very good player in this league as he knows how to play the role he was brought into Colorado to play. His future looks very bright despite the growing pains on the way. Filling Heiko's shoes this season will be a very tall task for this young man.
Mike Farrell - Despite the Pioneers success last season, they feel that losing Farrell for most of last season (including the playoffs) definitely hurt this team's depth. He's an excellent 6th man with great all-around skills. He will play SF primarily with some minutes at SG as well. Colorado is happy to have him back and need him step it up to the next level this season in order to compete with the best in the West.
Dickie Cotter - Brought in as a free agent, Cotter is unlikely to see many minutes. He has the ability to play PF as well and could be called upon for his strong team defense and ability to rebound.
PF:
Greg Lacy - Lacy was also signed to a long-term extension in the offseason. This guy can do it all and WILL become a Superstar in this league some day. He can score, rebound, pass, steal, and block shots with the best of them, making him one of the most well-rounded players in this league. His future is definitely bright!
Isaac Rice - Rice was a 2nd rd pick in the last draft. Colorado really likes this kid, however, he is pretty raw and will remain a project for the future. He may see some minutes, but nothing signifcant.
Quentin Christensen - Probably the best rebounder in the draft, Christiansen doesn't bring a whole lot else to the table. However, he could take a more active role with this team as the season goes on if they are struggling to rebound. Serviceable in a rebounding capacity, but nothing more.
C:
Sean Ashman - Colorado needs Ashman to break out this season in order to compete with the top teams. He should have plenty of incentive to do so being in the final season of his contract. He rebounds very well and shows the ability to block shots and steal as well. Now he must continue to expand his role as a scorer for this team.
Jim Peyton - The old man on the team at 29 (3 years older than anyone else), Peyton still posesses the skills necessary to earn some minutes at this position. He rebounds extremely well and has shown great offensive instinct that he has developed over the years.
Paul Spagnoli - Spagnoli was the 5th overall pick in the draft as he was arguably the best player in the GCBA last season. He will play limited minutes this season due to Colorado's depth at this position. But you can rest assured his role will expand rapidly in future seasons.
Harvey Dwyer - Somewhat of a lost man on this roster, he certainly has the skills necessary to play some minutes at C. His playing time will be determined greatly by Spagnoli's performance, injuries (knock on wood!), or thinning at this position through trade. Only time will tell. As for now though, the bench looks to be his nesting spot.
Outlook:
Colorado has a bright future, however, championship aspirations are probably at least a season away. Without the leadership of Heiko Van Brandt, they will need someone else to step up and assume that role. The team should make the playoffs (and would be extremely disappointed if they didn't), but their main goal is to build a dynasty for the future. As a young squad, Colorado will cetainly face some growing pains. However, they do feel that they have the talent base to build for great success for years to come.
June 7th, 2004
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
Pacific Division:
Montana Knights:
The Knights went 5-6 during the preseason.
Leaders:
Points: Oliver Doherty: 20.1
Rebounds: Heiko Van Brandt: 13.6
Assists: Heiko Van Brandt: 6.4
The Good:
Montana has had a lot of sucess in the preseason on the defensive end, allowing only 94.3 ppg (fourth in the league). Also, the team has shown the ability to clean the glass, with Heiko Van Brandt's 13.6 rpg, which led the league, and Pat Stephenson adding another 8.5 rpg.
Potential Problems:
Even with Montana's defensive presense, they, at the same time, had the fifth worst offense in the league at 95.7 ppg. To win more games, Montana needs to find a way to drive to the basket, especially Heiko Van Brandt, who's unimpressive 22.6% FG isn't what the team needed.
Andorra Highlanders:
The Highlanders went 5-6 during the preseason.
Leaders:
Points: Nikos Atirides: 20.9
Rebounds: Devonta Corrigan: 12.5
Assists: Roger Mayer: 4.5
The Good:
The Highlanders, have also had a strong defensive presense, allowing only 92.6 ppg (second in the league). John Van Horne's 3.5 blocks per game have been a big factor in showing his opponents that their not getting to the basketball that easily. The addition of Tristen Collins and Mike Sewell during the regular season might help the team with its depth problems at SG and SF.
Potential Problems:
Without a solid passer on the team, it is unclear how successful the team will be at running its offense. As of now, the team has shot 37.2% as a team, including only 40.5% by Devonta Corrigan and 37.6% by Mark Miller. New starting PG Nikos Atirides has the ability to get 20 ppg, but his poor shot selection and sub-par assist rate in the preseason probably aren't helping the team's cause.
Nebraska Sun Warriors
The Sun Warriors went 7-4 during the preseason.
Leaders:
Points: Dave Williams: 34.9
Rebounds: Paul Wilson: 9.0
Assists: Drake Bacheman: 7.3
The Good:
The Sun Warriors are a dangerous team offensively, scoring 112.0 ppg (first overall) as Dave Williams and Wayne can just about score at will on any night. While not stellar, Nebraska's has had some defense pressure during the preseason, especially at steals, where Dexter Kodak's 3.5 per game was fourth in the league, and Dave Williams and Drake Bacheman added another 2.0 per game.
Potential Problems:
With Wayne Taylor's injury problems, it will have to be seen if Dave Williams, Dexter Kodak, and co. can pick up the slack every day like they have been doing for most of the preseason.
California Hellcats
The Hellcats went 3-6 during the preseason.
Leaders:
Points: Pete Merritt: 17.1
Reboudns: Brody Liang: 7.4
Assists: Pete Merritt: 4.9
The Good:
The Hellcats have solid shot blocking abilities, averaging 9.8 per game during the preseason, which was best in the league.
Potential Problems:
Even with their block shots, the Hellcats still allowed 106.2 ppg in the preseason, and besides Angel Rojas, Pierre Warren, and Brody Liang, nobody else has contributed much for boards. With 36.7 rpg, the Hellcats had the fewest boards during the preseason.
Colorado Pioneers
The Pioneers went 6-5 during the preseason.
Leaders:
Points: Samir Sheth: 28.6
Rebounds: Sean Ashman: 9.2
Assists: Austyn Williams: 7.6
The Good:
The Pioneers posses one of the league's top scorers in Samir Sheth, whose 28.6 ppg was second best in the league. He also possesses the ability to draw fouls, as shown by his 16 free throw attempts per game.
Potential Problems:
While rookie Edgar Kamara has had decent stats at passing and reboudning, he only shot 21.7% from the floor. Also, it will be interesting to see if Colorado keeps their surplus of centers in addition to starter Sean Ashman, as they also have Jim Peyton, Paul Spangoli and Harvey Dwyer, and Sean Ashman, who are all good, and capable players.
Roswell XT
The XT went 5-6 during the preseason.
Leaders:
Points: Tyler Durden: 16.0
Rebounds: Cristobal Dasher: 10.8
Assists: Wesley Phillips: 5.8
The Good:
The XT have had some solid defensive outings, holding their opponents to 37.6 FG%. Also, Wesley Phillips has done well on the defensive end by averaging 3.8 steals per game (second best in the league).
Potential Problems:
The XT only have one decent passer, in Wesley Phillips, but he only averages 5.8 assists per game in 41 minutes. Having the league worst 18.5 assists during the preseason probably was a contributer to having the second worst offense with 91.8 ppg.
Oregon Golden Bears
The Godlen Bears went 8-0 during the preseason.
Leaders:
Points: Lou Gonzalez: 21.0
Rebounds: Cory Mosley: 10.9
Assosts: Bishop Stein: 9.0
The Good:
The Golden Bears looked like on the league's elite teams during the preseason, by winning all of their games, including the preseason tournament. Perennial All-Star Lou Gonzalez has been sharp, shooting 71.4% from the floor, and averaging 3.8 blocks per game. Even with their sharp defense, their 12.9 fouls per game was fewest in the league. Also, the Bears have had much success passing the ball, with veteran Bill Andrews' 6.4 per game, and rookie Bishop Stein's 9.0 per game leading the team.
Potential Problems:
The Golden Bears don't have a player who plays SF as their natural position, but as long as Tony Dimateo and Anthoy Curis don't get affected too much from playing out of position, there shouldn't be too much to be worried about.
Midwest Division:
Texas Juggers
The Juggers went 6-4 during the preseason.
Leaders:
Points: Jay Vasquez: 19.0
Rebounds: Jay Vasquez: 8.1
Assosts: Aaron Gray: 5.2
The Good:
Jay Vasquz looks ready for another breakout season, as he led the team in scoring in rebounds during the preseason. Also, young stud Jarius Miles seems to have shown some improvements from the past season, but he still needs work on his foul troubles.
Potential Problems:
The Juggers need to improve their defense. Allowing 105.0 ppg, as they did in the preseason, isn't going to help, especially if this team is going to the playoffs.
Cincinnati Cyclones
The Cyclones went 2-9 during the preseason.
Leaders:
Points: Abeguanda Abasi: 18.8
Rebounds: Craig Bradshaw: 9.3
Assosts: Brandon Sandler: 10.3
The Good:
The Cyclones have a solid passer in Brandon Sandler, who's 10.3 assists per game was third best in the league during the preseason.
Potential Problems:
The Cyclones had the fewest PPG during the preseason with 91.5. Even though the team has a pretty good defense (holding opponents to 38.8 FG%), they probably will need to improve their own shooting percentage to get more points.
Cancun
The Outlaws went 7-4 during the preseason.
Leaders:
Points: Brad Bangerter: 17.4
Rebounds: Brad Bangerter: 6.7
Assists: Leon Berthelson: 4.2
The Good:
By allowing only 92.2 ppg, the Outlaws had the best defense in the preseason.
Potential Problems:
It's hard to tell what problems last year's WBA champions will encounter, as it appears the coach had stars Parker Mason and Scott Nicholoson sit out almost all of the games. Perhaps this is to see how the bench players will perform, but seeing how well the team has done without them, the Outlaws will probably have another solid team this year.
Omaha Wild
The Wild went 3-8 during the preseason.
Leaders:
Points: Ellis Law: 16.6
Rebounds: Donavan Jones: 6.5
Assists: Donavan Jones: 5.2
The Good:
Omaha has done well on the offensive end, scoring 105.2 ppg (eighth best in the league). Even though the team's PGs haven't shown much in passing ability, over guys, especially SF Donavan Jones have helped contributed so the team's isn't that bad.
Potential Problems:
While scoring 105.2 ppg, the Wild have given up 105.9 ppg during the preseason. The Wild will probably have to improve their defense, or at least limit their fouls, if they're going to win more games this season.
Salt Lake City Fanatics
The Fanatics went 8-3 during the preseason.
Leaders:
Points: Eugene LaMaitre: 20.6
Rebounds: Arnold Eaton: 9.1
Assists: Eric Manning: 8.0
The Good:
Eugene LaMitre has been doing well shooting the ball, scoring over 20 ppg. Eric Manning also looks like he will have a breakout year, as his assist rate has been well.
Potential Problems:
Even though the Fanatics went 8-3, they lost a couple blowouts including a 121-89 lost at Rochester, and 144-97 vs. Nebraska. The Fanatics need to prevent games like these from getting carried away, as they have already shown the ability this preseason to win many games by close margins.
Miami Xtreme
The Xtreme went 5-6 during the preseason.
Leaders:
Points: Dave Troychak: 19.7
Rebounds: John Davis: 9.8
Assists: Alvin Simpson: 7.7
The Good:
Dave Troychak and Marty Williams look to continue their scoring threat for the Xtreme. Also, with the offseason addition Alvin Simpson, they now a solid passer on their team, and well as a guy who can get 2 to 3 steals a game.
Potential Problems:
Opponents have been shooting above average against the Xtreme with a 44.4 FG%. Also, the Xtreme lack a premeire shot blocker to help intimidate the shooters on the other team.
Capetown Bandits
The Bandits went 8-3 during the preseason.
Leaders:
Points: Obafemi Mabruke: 24.3
Rebounds: Obafemi Mabruke: 10.6
Assists: Chuck Henderson: 9.6
The Good:
Star SF Obafemi Mabruke looks sharp, scoring 20+ ppg, along with 10+ rpg. The Bandits also have a solid passing team, with Chuck Henderson leading the point.
Potential Problems:
The Bandit don't seem to have any major problems, as long as the keep from getting blown up in big games, like they did 132-80 to Oregon in the preseason toruney finals.
June 6th, 2004
Season Preview
By Gustavo Fallana
West :
Montana : This is always a hard team to handle. If he does not trade at all, this team has a good potential. Especially because of Dutch wonder Van Brandt. He is, arguably, the best SF/PF on the league. I know that Brandon won't agree with this, but after the injury that's what I think.
Pro: Van Brandt
Against: The coach ;-), the trades, does anyone knows how to defend?
Andorra: I really didn't know what to say about them. I am going to say only this, one of the best frontcourts of the league meets one of the worse backcourts of the league. This team, if they could find a couple of nice cheap guys would improve in my ratings, but as they are I don't expect them to win more than 40 games.
Pro: Corrigan, Miller, Van Horne
Against: Atirides, Cuevas
Nebraska: I am not going to speak a lot about them. For me they have one of the best teams in the league. They have very nice depth and if well used they should run for the championship. Maybe they should thought about trading a little bit of their depth to have some cap for the future...
Pro: the whole team
Against: too many nice players, with big contracts that may not play. (Spiegel??)
California: Sorry, this is a rebuilding year for them. Expect them to be at the bottom of the barrel. They have some nice players, but nothing to compete. They will not get to the playoffs, not even close. Next year they will have quite a bit of money to expend nicely.
Pro: Brody Liang, Cole Bayo
Against: The rest of the team?
Colorado: Slowly and surely he is turning this team into his team. So far I can see it drop about 15 wins at least, if not more. Van Brandt is going to be sorely missed. Now they will drop to the lower middle of the playoff places.
Pro: Greg Lacy
Against: Edgar Kamara, Heiko Van Brandt
Roswell: This is one of the oldest team in the league. They have to start thinking how are they going to do to turn things around, because they are going to have cap space, but no as much as they would like!!! Sorry to say, but they are going to suffer…
Pro: Christobal Dasher
Against: 10 players aged 27 or more… where is the future?
Oregon: I do not think this team is going to be that dominant. They have a good team, they will be a top 4 team in the West, but I think that they are not going to win it all. And not having a SF at all in the team does not seem the best move ever. Expect Stein to run for rookie of the year.
Pro: Stein, Gonzales, Mosley
Against: lowly on the assists and rebounds department.
Texas: They have a nice young team. Expect them to improve a lot in 1 or 2 seasons, but right now they are going to have trouble shooting. The objectives are 40 wins for this season.
Pro: Vasquez, Meyers
Against: Miles, FG%
Cincinnati: They have some nice players at the C and PG position, but the rest of the team is going to suffer. They need more players able to do something in the future. Bottom of the barrel for them.
Pro: Sandler, Bradshaw
Against: McCarthy, where are you?
Cancun: I hate him
Pro: the best team around
Against: everybody else?
Omaha Wild: I had to spend a little bit of time to figure out this team. They have a nice combo with Kutak and Vilasny at the guard positions. And they have Donovan Jones. A great player. But with all and all, they are a team that has a bright future, but a hard present. In the west they may be close to the playoff, but nothing else.
Pro: Youth, the cap
Against: Rebounds, any team with a good SF or PF or C
Salt Lake City Fanatics: Here we have one of the best teams in the west, if Mister Bangerter is able to coach a team. They can easily get into the playoffs, but I don't expect them to go further than first or second round of the playoffs.
Pro: LaMaitre, Eaton (maybe the second most under rated center in the league)
Against: Schultz, a top notch Point Guard.
Miami Xtreme: They have some nice players, but I don't expect them to go too far. I don't see good bench players. Another team that is going to fall because of his bech play..
Pro: Troychack, Williams
Against: Bech
Capetown Bandits: Nice team but with some holes. Specially I don't like his SG or C positions, even if Holt is going to be really good at the C he is not the same he was before.
Pro: Mabruke, Holt
Against: SG and C play…
Prediction for the West:
The top of the hoops:
1 Cancun
2 Nebraska
3 Oregon
The middle-men:
4 Salt Lake
5 Colorado
6 Capetown
7 Andorra
Fighting for the Honor:
8 Texas
9 Omaha Wild
10 Montana
Bottom of the Barrel
11 Miami
12 California
13 Cincinnati
14 Rosswell
East:
Rochester Blaze: I like this team more than I liked the older (the one with Henderson and Williams). Only trouble is 7.10 m$ for Rondall Reynoso? What was he thinking of? ;-) If well coached expect a great season from Whalen and McCarthy.
Pro: Whalen, McCarthy
Against: Censured by the management
Boston Masacre: If they could get a nice Point Guard and put Hainge as a Shooting Guard, this team would go up like the bubbles on a Champagne bottle. I am not going to talk about his frontcourt, one of the best of the league, we all know. Maybe he has too much firepower in there.
Pro: Short & Yeaguer
Against: A real PG? Anyone?
Gabon Giants: As always we see the All-Stars' rookies again. They have the same problem they have had. Not a true Center in sight. And they will fall on the first round again. They should think about shaking things up a bit. This maybe their last chance…
Pro: All-Stars'oldies
Against: Better a bad thing from the house, than a good one from the neighbour.
London Disco: I heard the owner say his team stinks, I took a look and I saw quite a bit of nice players… they have good playes all around. Maybe the worse position now is the PG with Davidson not being as good as before, but better than many PG's out there. I expect them to play good.
Pro: Collins, Chanda, Colbert
Against: Maybe his assists and his cap
Sacramento Fighting Cocks: I like McCall. That's all. Sorry, but I don't like the rest of the team at all. Gil is going to help this team, but I expect them to have trouble from the beginning till the end. And they have won many matches, so they may prove me wrong. But I think this is one of those teams that plays well on the preseason and then they meet with the real teams out there…
Pro: McCall, Gil, Gallagher
Against: The rest of the team.
Budapest Tigers: I like their team. One of the best teams around. They could again be the surprise of the East and fight for the finals…
Pro: Peterson
Against: Age, Assists (if it wasn't for Peterson..)
Albacete Burning Hell: A great team. They are missing Gonzo, but great nevertheless. He could be `the team that came out of the east'. I like both of the rookies, Kane is as good as expected. He is the PG they needed.
Pro: Jarvis
Against: PF play, the cap
Baltimore Pirates: This team will use Anson Valente, Clarence Collins and Zane Rivers to try to take a place in the playoffs. But I don't think their play will be enough to hold their place in the mighty east. At least they will try.
Pro: Valesnte, Collins, Rivers
Against: SF play
Brooklyn Rage: This team will again be a powerhouse. They have the secret of eternal life. And they will try again to win the title. I don't think they have a chance against Cancun, but they will fight for the East crown. They have (for me) the best frountcourt of the league.
Pro: Perkins and Siebert
Against: PG play, fouls.
New York Firestorm: John Greene is a nice player. He could be much better. But anyway this New York team is going to need all the help they can get. They have some nice play here and there but on the balance they are not going to make it.
Pro: Greene
Against: Assists, fouls
Washington Monuments: This team should be a good one. He should battle with Brooklyn for the division, but in general terms they should be a good team. Boom-Boom is starting to loose power, but he is still a nice Center to have on your side. They have expent the Focus training moving players around to fit better with the team…
Pro: frontcourt play
Against: Age, cap
Carolina Storm: They have Kevon Duke and that's all. If they want to go to the playoffs they need to turn this team around. They should have a few millions to expend next season so better they start to get what they need to improve.
Pro: Kevon Duke
Against: Kevon Duke and the cap they are using
Birminghan Fury: I like this team. They have many good players around and they could surprise many people. At the end the biggest problem is the cap. They have a couple of players taking way more cap than they should. With just a little bit of help they could turn this around into a real playoffs team.
Pro: McCarty, Blackstone, Coles
Against: the cap
Virgin Islands JammiMons: They have a young nice team with 2 troubles. It may not be easy to coach. And after next season they will have to try to decide who they want to keep and for how much. This season I don't expect them to do much, even if I think they could.
Pro: Youth
Against: The same youth, and the management
Prediction for the East:
The top of the hoops:
1 Albacete
2 Brooklyn
3 Washington
The middle-men:
4 Budapest
5 Boston
6 London
7 Rochester
Fighting for the Honor:
8 Gabon
9 Baltimore
10 Birminghan
Bottom of the Barrel
11 Sacramento
12 Virgin Islands
13 New York
14 Carolina
June 6th, 2004
Road Trip WBA
By
Nick Mann
Montana Knights
Helena Memorial Arena
Salt Lake 98-Montana 88
Helena, Queen City of the Rockies!!! What an interesting start to our World Wind tour of all WBA Arenas!!
From our past playing days in the WBA Curtis Bridges and myself never really got the chance to see the
WBA Arenas, other than possibly looking at the score board!! So off we go!
Upon entering the box office area, the ticket man mentioned that since we were past WBA stars(haha),
if we waited 15 or so more minutes, he would "give us the best seats in the house" for 15 dollars.
Examining our options, and given that 15 dollars was what we were going to pay for nosebleed seats, we decided to wait. After the wait we got our tickets. While not the BEST seats in the house, they were pretty
close. They were 8 rows back from courtside. Given that we only paid 15 dollars for them, I have no complaints.
I would have hugged the ticket guy had he not been behind a bulletproof window.
We soon entered the arena, and not shockingly there were not many people there (this is a preseason
tourney, so as you can imagine there wasn't much of an audience for this one). We watched the shoot
around and soon after the game began.
As the game played on, we began to see some entertaining and hear some good fan taunts of the Salt
Lake players. For Example…
Arnold needs some Eatons!!
To Glenallen Castro…Fidel Castro plays better!!
Birkhead is a BRICKHEAD!!
The Montana home folk aren't too bright! The game was well played with Salt Lake winning to advance in
the Tourney. After the game we walked to down town Helena to grab a bite to eat and then get back on the
plane to our next destination (Portland Oregon)
Later!!!
June 5th, 2004
BROOKLYN - Today in a packed room of about 100 reporters, a contract was signed that will boost the media coverage of the WBA and GCBA. Rondall Reynoso, commisioner of the World Basketball Association, signed a multi-million dollar deal with Kevin Harper of Nivek Publishing and Prime-Time-Sports executive Will Davisdon. This deal will put a brand new, highly anticipated magazine on the shelves. "GSPN : The Magazine" is planning on releasing their first issue on June 11. The coverman is rumored to be Cancun Outlaw point guard Parker Mason.
June 5th, 2004
Nebraska Season Preview
By Herbie Herald
First off, GM/Coach Morfeld should get heavy consideration for GM of the Year honors. He drafted Clopp, signed Pitt, Wilson, Calhoun, and Bachemann, plus he set things up for this year by acquiring Williams and Kodak last year. I realize these players were acquired last season, but the true magnitude of that trade only shows now after seeing what happens to Taylor. Now that trade looks like sheer brilliance!! Now to the preview!!
So much doubt and wonder surround this team heading into the season. What I can't figure out is why? Last season there were SO many doubters who asked "Why? Why trade away Jim McCarthy for Dave Williams?
Why add another pure scorer to this squad and lose such a great Center?" Well folks, it was just another
brilliant strategic move by the leagues most dynamic deal maker. GM/Coach Brandon Morfeld saw the
opportunity to get the best SG in the game and also bring back a fan favorite and one of the leagues most
underrated players in Dexter Kodak all in one fell swoop. This team has to be the most dangerous offensive threat and rebounding threat ever assembled in the WBA's history and they can play a little defense also.
Starters:
PG--Dexter Kodak---Kodak is probably the most underrated starter in the league. He plays excellent defense as shown by making past All-WBA Defensive teams and he plays smart basketball. Not to mention the fact that he knows how to move the ball around an offense. Perhaps the best feature about Kodak is that when other scorers are in the lineup he has no problem stepping back and playing a secondary role, but when he has to step up he steps up huge. This preseason has been a shock even to Nebraska management. He is a true weapon.
SG--Dave Williams---What can we say? He is the best scoring SG in the WBA. He showed this preseason that
when Taylor is hurt he can easily step up and become the main scorer for this squad. It was a stroke of brilliance to acquire him last year and he got even better this year. He's a real weapon and he will be an All-WBA selection.
SF--Wayne Taylor---Now who's the IDIOT that says this guy isn't still the best player in the league? Taylor is hands down the best player in the WBA. He scores from every range, plays great defense, and rebounds
the ball well. His injury problem will undoubtedly slow him down, but when he is out there he is still the #1 attraction this league will EVER see. He has no peer in this league and he is still the best SF in either conference bar none. It is sick what he can do to anyone he plays. I'll be the first to admit that the injury is a setback, but at leas he hurt himself PRACTICING and didn't do something stupid. A warrior for the team to the very end. That's what makes him a special player.
PF--Roy Base---What a great two offseasons Base has had. This was another solid move by Coach Morfeld.
Morfeld convinced New York management that it was in their best interest to release Base a few years back
and quickly snatched him up. Nebraska had drafted Base and was forced to ship him for cap reasons only
to reacquire him. He has come into his own lately with a superb offensive game coupled with strong defense and rebounding. He'll be a real force to contend with this year.
C--Vance Clopp---Clopp was a guy that many people laughed at Nebraska for drafting at the #8 pick, but he's a guy that Coach Morfeld saw really mature in the GCBA. Clopp WAS the Jersey team last year and Coach
Morfeld knew he would adjust well to the pro game. He's such a strong rebounder and such a great shooter that he had to adjust well. Clopp will get some major consideration for rookie of the year thanks to his all around game and his solid amount of playing time. And just think, his stats will be even lower than they could be beacuse of who he has to share the ball with.
Bench:
PG--Drake Bachemann---I heard a lot of people ask why a team like Nebraska would spend 3 mill to signa
back-up PG like Drake Bachemann. Well, it was jsut another great move by the best GM around. Nebraska
knows that it has to compete with the likes of Parker Mason to get past the Western Conference so you have
to be 2 deep at the PG spot. And who better than Drake. Nebraska has 2 PG's that create major turnovers and get the ball around the court without making mistakes. This was the BEST signing Nebraska made this offseason. Also remember it is EASY to put Bachemann to starting PG in case of a Taylor injury.
SG--Quintin Pitt---Last years season opening starter is signed up to be this years sub. And a great one he
will be!! Pitt is a defensive machine wreaking havoc on ballhandlers with his stealing ability. He is a great changeup kind of guy to bring in after Dave Williams, forcing opponents to play two separate styles of guards in the game.
SF--Ron Avery---This kid is capable of giving his 8 solid minutes per game. And for those of you who think he can't handle being Taylor's sub, you're right. But luckily if Taylor gets hurt Williams will play the 3 (where he scored 55 points today) and Kodak will play the 2 (where he scored 38 I believe), and Bachemann will play the 1. Avery is a great project kind of player who has major potential and will give a great 8 minutes a night.
PF and C--Paul Wilson---Wilson will get the nod to back-up both positions. This is the greatest rebounder the league has ever seen and he'll be getting 30+ minutes a night for Nebraska off the bench. Like at SG he makes opponents play a totally different kind of player when he comes in as he is entirely different than Base or Clopp. Wilson will provide an essential rebounding boost for the Nebraska squad when he enters the game. No one in the business does it better and he may be the best bargain signing in all of free agency last year.
This leaves some leftovers that no one has heard of (cough, cough) such as Johnny Burns, Kris Calhoun, Brandon Morfeld, and Marc White. Burns is a solid backup in this league with some nice passing skills and smart decision making. Calhoun might be second only to Wilson in his pure rebounding ability. If he ever gets his FG% up a bit he will become a very dangerous weapon. Brandon Morfeld is a talent that is coming along slowly. He may never become what he was destined to be due to some poor coaching in college that slowed his development. Marc White is a stud 18 year old that will become a great player in the WBA once he physically matures. He is already a primetime rebounder and defensive presence even at his young age.
There is much reason for optimism this year in the Nebraska camp. They should be able to contend heavily
for the Western Conference Title. With or without Taylor this is an elite team that can put points up on anyone. Taylor's injury definitely will make things more challenging, but thanks to several brilliant moves this offseason Nebraska should be built to withstand it.
June 5th, 2004
Birmingham Star
Sport Report by: Elgin Fabbo
The Fury kept the same starting five that they ended season 8 with. A key
loss to the team is backup point guard Charlie Meyers, he was key in giving
McCarty relieve when needed. With the addition of Leonel Coles and Craig
King it should give the fury what was not there last season when they needed
the lift off the bench.
Projected Starting Five:
PG -- Oliver McCarty, he has worked really hard in the off season improving
his all-arounnd game he is now the leader of this team and they go as far as
he can take them.
SG -- Nike Johnson, His main hold up was his health, but with the great
trainer and training program the fury has that should not be a problem
anymore. This will be the first season that Nike is 100% healthy, so watch
out he just has a way of making everyone else better around him.
SF -- Bill Blackstone, This crafty old veteren is still here and trying to
get back to his high power offense and put up big numbers. In the off
season he work on his movement away from the ball and trying to create an
open shot.
PF -- Bob Delaney, This player does it all for this team, and every year he
gets left off of the all-star team. He should be a two time all-star maybe
this will be his year. He can score, rebound, and as a power forward get
you atleast 5 assist per game.
C -- Ramiro Watts, He work on his conditioning in the off season and now
hope to produce. He can just flat out shot the rock, and on this team that
is saying a lot. The Fury need a big year him Ram to try and duplicate what
they did last post season.
Key Bench Players:
SG/SF-- Frank Rose, he can score and can put up big number at any given
time. He also plays defense very well.
PF/C -- Leonel Coles, The Fury Coach, Ethan Kight was very excited about
this pick in the off season. During the post season last year their inside
players got in foul trouble a lot and didn't have a quality sub to replace
them. Coles brings Scoring , rebounds, and Toughness to a team that has
been known for being soft.
SF/PF -- Craig King, This player in free agency was problem the best pick up
that the Fury made. (They only made two) For Minumum salary he was a steal.
His stats are not going to be like David Williams or Wayne Taylors, but
who's are. The things he will do for this team is unmeasureable. Keyword
Toughness.
With all the fouls this team commits the pick-ups in the off season was key
will this be enough to get them over the hump? I do believe that B-ham (No
Name) Fury can make some new believers
June 4th, 2004
Season Preview
By Ron Chambers
I learned a couple of things doing this years season preview. First, I learned that no matter how many computer simulations Wes Ford runs he will never have have a real feel for the league unless he spend the time watching tape and talking with people in the know. Second I learned that the East is no longer dominate. Cancun is the best team in the league. It could be argued that Oregon is the second best team in the league. The Mid-Atlantic has more horible teams than I care to mention and the secodn tier teams in the East are falling off while the second tier in the West is improving. The power is shifting and it is fun to see.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
PACIFIC DIVISION
Oregon Golden Bears- Pacific Champion (2)
They have had a great preseason. Gonzales is great as always. Mosley has really stepped it up the last two years. Stein has game and once he learns to make better shot choices he will be an elite guard. Andrews is about as efficient as they get and Curtis is looking solid. Dimateo is also shooting the ball light out and is getting a lot of playing time partly because he has improved his rebounding. The question is- how far can this team go with two rookies playing key roles?
======================================================================================================================
NAME POS H S FG FT 3P R P B S F V A O T AGE INT/HAR OFF AB
======================================================================================================================
Bishop Stein 12--- B+ B- C / C+ B+/ C- B / C+ B B+ C- B- A- A A A B+ 22 -0.0025 -0.0116
Lou Gonzales ----5 A+ B+ C+/ A+ A-/ B B / C+ B+ C+ A+ A- B B A A+ A+ 28 -0.0047 -0.0252
Cory Mosley ---4- A+ C C / A- B-/ B+ B-/ E- A+ D E A+ B+ A+ C A+ B+ 27 -0.0019 -0.0142
Anthony Curtis ---4- A- B B+/ B- B / C B-/ C B E C D+ A+ B A B B+ 23 -0.0283 -0.0073
Bill Andrews 1---- A+ A- B-/ A+ C-/ D- B+/ B E+ B F C B- A- A A- A- 28 -0.0078 -0.0058
======================================================================================================================
Oryn Dasing ---45 B+ D+ A / A- A-/ C A+/ A C+ E A+ E D+ E- A A+ B- 24 -0.0060 -0.0076
Tony Dimateo ---4- C C C+/ B- D-/ C+ A+/ A+ B+ C- F C A B- A A- B- 24 0.0054 -0.0047
Joe Watts 1---- A+ C A+/ B+ C+/ A A+/ C F C- D+ A+ C- B A A- B- 24 -0.0134 -0.0114
======================================================================================================================
Nebraska Sun Warriors (3)
It has been a tough off-season for the Nebraska franchise. But, don't feel badly for them. They have one of the leagues top GM's and he has done a good job of preparing his team for the games Taylor will miss. The Rookie Clopp has a lot of holes in his game but he does one thing really well…rebound and he does that while keeping out of foul trouble which means he will have to do little to control his enthusiasm. Now, while he doesn't score much it is a different story for the rest of the starting line-up. Taylor and Williams are two of the best scorers in the league and they both are averaging 30 points or better in the preseason. I expect that will continue during the season as well. Base and Kodak are also excellent scorers and can help pick up the “slack” when Taylor is out. I don't actually feel right calling it slack. This may be one of the best scoring teams in the leagues history even with out Taylor. When he is healthy they could easily average 120 plus a game. What is even more impressive is that this is also agood rebounding team and they have the leagues best rebounder, Paul Wilson (I still can't believe he isn't starting somewhere), coming off the bench. Drake Baucheman is also one of the leagues best reserve point guards and enigma Jack Spiegel has the potential to be an elite center in this league. But, as last years Varese franchise discovered potential doesn't always means wins.
======================================================================================================================
NAME POS H S FG FT 3P R P B S F V A O T AGE INT/HAR OFF AB
======================================================================================================================
Vance Clopp ----5 B+ B- C-/ A- A / F D+/ C- A+ E+ B C- A+ B A B+ B 23 0.0033 -0.0078
Wayne Taylor --34- D- A+ A+/ A A+/ B+ B-/ A+ B+ D+ E- C B B+ B A+ A+ 24 -0.0051 -0.0204
Dave Williams -23-- A+ A- A+/ A A-/ B- B / B+ C+ C+ D C C- B- A A+ A+ 27 -0.0013 -0.0139
Dexter Kodak 12--- A+ B C+/ B B-/ C- A+/ B C+ B+ C- A B A- A A+ A- 27 -0.0007 -0.0205
Roy Base ---4- A+ A- A+/ A- B+/ E C / F A- E+ A- C D C A A+ A 25 -0.0042 -0.0119
======================================================================================================================
Paul Wilson ---4- B A+ E-/ B F / F E / F A+ E+ E- E+ C A A B A+ 27 -0.0115 0.0093
Jack Spiegel ----5 A+ A- B+/ A- A-/ B B / C A C+ C B+ E+ C- A A+ A+ 26 -0.0024 -0.0058
Drake Bacheman 1---- A+ B- F / F E / D B / C C+ A E+ A B- A- A B B 28 -0.0016 -0.0093
======================================================================================================================
Andorra Highlanders (5)
There are a lot of questions about this team. Okay let me change that. There are two questions about this team. Point Guard? Shooting Guard? Andorra has two unproven players starting for them Nikos Atirides and Roger Mayer. Both these players have talent but they also have issues. The first is their stamina, neither player is conditioned to the point that they should be which will mean a lot of minutes for the bench but Andorra doesn't have the depth to support that. But, to me the biggest issue is Atirides offensive game. The kid has talent but his shot selection is horrible and worse he shoots so much that he will be taking shots away from great players like Miller, Van Horne and Corrigan. Atirides does get to the line- a lot- but I don't think that will make up for all the missed shots. Plus Atidides is a shoot first pass second guard. There is too much talent inside on this team for that approach. On the good side, Miller, Van Horne and Corrigan form one of the best big man groups in the league. Miller is quickly developing into one of the best power forwards in the league on both sides of the court. Some people even think that he, not Corrigan, is now the team's best player.
======================================================================================================================
NAME POS H S FG FT 3P R P B S F V A O T AGE INT/HAR OFF AB
======================================================================================================================
Mark Miller ---4- A+ B- A / A- B-/ A- B-/ E- A B- A A+ C- C- F A+ A 25 -0.0010 -0.0108
John Van Horne ----5 B- B C-/ A- A+/ B- C-/ D A+ E- A+ C- C+ B+ B A+ A- 25 -0.0133 -0.0111
Roger Mayer 12--- A+ D A-/ B+ C / A+ D / E- E+ A- F C D- B A A C+ 27 -0.0035 -0.0112
Nikos Atirides 1---- A+ D A+/ D+ A+/ A A / D+ E- B E C- A+ B- A A+ B 25 -0.0107 -0.0049
Devonta Corrigan --34- A+ A A+/ A- B-/ C C-/ D+ A+ D- D D+ C B+ A A+ A+ 25 -0.0039 -0.0018
Oshodi Bombata ----5 A+ C B / A- F / D E-/ F B C A D C- B+ D A B 22 -0.0254 -0.0129
Zachariah Salera -23-- A+ D C+/ B+ A+/ B A+/ B- C- E- D+ B+ B A+ E B+ C+ 24 -0.0149 -0.0054
Ryan Cuevas 12--- B C+ B / D+ B-/ E D / E+ B B+ C A- C B+ A B+ B 23 -0.0109 -0.0055
Montana Knights
Montana is a team that has really been attacked by the media over the last year. The truth is that Montana has deserved it. They traded away one of the leagues elite power forwards in Tom Perkins for another elite player A.J. Schulz and a high draft pick. It seemed like a good move but then they turned around and traded away Schulz. At times this franchise has seemed to follow the early example of New York and Virgin Islands. Yet, even those franchises learned to slow down on the trading. Will Montana learn that lesson? The early evidence is no. There are already rumors circulating that they are trying to move shooting guard Dennis Evans. Evans is a player with a huge future in front of him who may be one of the leagues elite two guards when he hits his prime. This writer feels that with Stephenson, Van Brandt and Evans Montana has a nice core to build from. But, do they have the patience? As the roster stands now Montana is a fairly average team. But, it takes time to build a champion and Montana needs to be willing to wait their turn or they may never get their turn.
======================================================================================================================
NAME POS H S FG FT 3P R P B S F V A O T AGE INT/HAR OFF AB
======================================================================================================================
Buck Jones 1---- A+ A B-/ A- C+/ B- B-/ C- E+ A- E- C+ C+ B+ A A A+ 27 -0.0018 -0.0062
Dennis Evans -2--- A+ B A-/ C+ C-/ A- B / B- C+ B D- C B- B A A B+ 23 -0.0146 -0.0134
Pat Stephenson ----5 A+ B B+/ A- C / B- A / C- A- C- A+ E+ A+ C- A A+ A- 26 -0.0062 -0.0174
Heiko Van Brandt --34- A+ B A / A- C-/ B E+/ A+ A+ A- C D+ A+ A+ B A+ A+ 28 0.0018 -0.0144
Mike Taylor --34- A+ B+ A-/ B- B / D- E / F A- C D- D+ D+ B- A A- A- 27 0.0004 -0.0025
Oliver Doherty 1---- A+ B- A / B- A+/ B A+/ D+ C+ B- F B+ B- B+ C A+ A- 23 -0.0087 -0.0096
Michael Huryta ----5 A+ B- C / A- C-/ A- D / D- A- E B- C+ C+ B- B B+ B 23 -0.0125 0.0001
Toby McCree ---4- C B- A-/ B B+/ C C / D+ B+ E- C- C B- A+ B B+ B 23 -0.0145 -0.0075
Colorado Pioneers
Colorado has a good team, but that is not enough for this storied franchise. This team will struggle to make shots and grab rebounds and that means pain when playing against the leagues best. The good news is that they are very young with an average starting age of 23.6. Kamara will have a hard season with the fans who will think of this great rookie as a poor mans Van Brandt. This may be a team of tomorrow but unfortunately they still have to play today.
======================================================================================================================
NAME POS H S FG FT 3P R P B S F V A O T AGE INT/HAR OFF AB
======================================================================================================================
Greg Lacy ---4- A B B-/ B+ D+/ D- D+/ D A B- A+ A- B+ A+ C A+ A- 24 -0.0061 0.0061
Austyn Williams 12--- A+ B A-/ B- C+/ E+ C+/ B E- A+ F A+ E B C A+ A+ 25 -0.0060 -0.0117
Edgar Kamara -23-- B+ C+ C / D B / C- B / C- C+ A C+ A- B+ A A A B+ 22 -0.0068 -0.0124
Samir Sheth -2--- A+ B A / B A+/ A D-/ D B- E C B E+ B+ D A+ A+ 24 -0.0163 -0.0022
Sean Ashman ----5 A B C-/ A+ A / A B / C+ A+ D- A B+ C- B+ C A+ A- 23 0.0017 0.0187
======================================================================================================================
Jim Peyton ----5 A+ D+ A-/ B D / B+ B / C- A+ C C+ C+ B- A+ C A+ B 29 0.0053 -0.0355
Charlie Daidone 1---- A+ B- A+/ B A+/ C B-/ C+ D- B D+ B C- A A A+ A- 25 -0.0070 -0.0113
Mike Farrell -23-- A+ A- C+/ A- C / A+ E / A C+ D+ E+ B C+ B A B+ A- 26 -0.0251 0.0012
======================================================================================================================
Roswell XT
This is one of the better shooting teams in the league but they are also one of the worst at both rebounding and passing. The post Greene days will be hard but the last couple of seasons with Greene weren't that great either. Durden and Dasher both have star potential but they need a better core around them. It will be interesting to see if they can still shoot at the level they are capable of without the good ball movement that comes from skilled passing.
======================================================================================================================
NAME POS H S FG FT 3P R P B S F V A O T AGE INT/HAR OFF AB
======================================================================================================================
Tyler Durden -23-- A+ A- A-/ B+ B / B+ D / C+ D+ E C- C D B+ C B A- 28 0.0046 -0.0114
Jamie Moore -2--- A+ A- C+/ A+ D-/ C D+/ B- D- E E- C+ B- A A C+ B+ 29 -0.0027 -0.0130
Wesley Phillips 1---- A- A+ B-/ B- C-/ C D-/ D E+ B F B+ C A- A B- A- 29 -0.0154 -0.0279
Cristobal Dasher ---45 A+ B- B-/ A+ C+/ E D+/ F A+ C B- C+ D- B A A+ A 28 -0.0011 -0.0162
Glen Chandler ----5 A+ B- C-/ B+ D+/ F D+/ D A+ E+ A D+ E+ A A B+ B+ 25 -0.0031 -0.0043
======================================================================================================================
Andruw Williams 12--- A+ B C+/ C+ E / B- B / D+ E+ C F A C+ B+ A C- B- 29 -0.0360 -0.0100
Keyon Brown ----5 A+ B- A-/ B+ A / D C / C A- E- B E- A- A B A- B+ 27 -0.0014 -0.0042
Maury Coleman -2--- B B B+/ C D / C- A / B+ C+ D- D+ C+ B B+ A B- B 22 -0.0090 -0.0107
======================================================================================================================
California Hellcats
While I detest Wes Fords approach to writing about the WBA and don't condone him writing while intoxicated I have to agree with him that there just isn't much to write about the California franchise. I was a big fan of them a couple of seasons ago when they got Liang but they never took the next step and have even done backwards. I am still a fan of Liang and Merrit is a solid player but neither of them can carry a team. Burke is a solid point guard but who can he pass to? It is going to be a long season.
======================================================================================================================
NAME POS H S FG FT 3P R P B S F V A O T AGE INT/HAR OFF AB
======================================================================================================================
Hakeem Samir ----5 A+ B D-/ C+ A+/ C+ D / E+ B- C A- C+ C- A A B+ B+ 23 0.0070 -0.0042
George Burke 1---- A+ C B-/ B C / D- A+/ D+ D- A+ F A- E C- B A+ B+ 25 0.0005 0.0131
Angel Rojas ---4- C D B / A F / E+ E-/ F A D+ A C- C+ C- D A C+ 23 -0.0043 0.0085
Pete Merritt -23-- A+ C- A+/ A- A+/ E+ B+/ C- D+ A+ C+ D F C+ C A+ B+ 28 -0.0007 -0.0131
Brody Liang --3-- A+ B+ C-/ B+ B+/ E D+/ F B B B- D C- B+ A A- A- 28 -0.0013 0.0028
======================================================================================================================
Cole Bayo 1---- C B- D / A- A+/ A- E-/ C- E B D+ A+ B+ B+ C A B 24 -0.0004 0.0111
Alfred Hodge ---45 A- C+ C / D- B+/ A C-/ D+ B C+ B C A+ B- A B+ B 24 -0.0078 -0.0028
Jarrett Fox -23-- D A A-/ B B / B+ C-/ C D E+ E+ B+ C B- B B- B 24 -0.0016 -0.0051
======================================================================================================================
MIDWEST DIVISION
Cancun Outlaws- Midwest Champions (1)
Here is the gold standard. This is clearly the team to beat this year. They haven't even been playing their four best players and they are 6-2 in the preseason. I keep looking for a weakness on this team but so far I haven't found one. I have a feeling that every coach in the league will be filling that way all season long. They are the best rebounding team in the league and both shoot a good percentage and get to the line. They are not an outstanding passing team but with Parker Mason that can't exactly be called a weakness. Some say Cancun is the New Colorado. I think there is truth to that but I think we will never see three 70 win seasons in a row again. But, on the good side Cancun has already been the most dominate play-off team over the last three years and their core is secure for at least the next two years and probably longer.
======================================================================================================================
NAME POS H S FG FT 3P R P B S F V A O T AGE INT/HAR OFF AB
======================================================================================================================
Kent Mercer ---45 A+ B A+/ A B-/ A B-/ C- A+ D+ A+ C B A- A A+ A+ 27 -0.0017 -0.0073
Scott Nicholson ---45 C+ A+ B / A B-/ E+ C+/ D A- B- D- A+ B- B+ A A+ A+ 25 -0.0026 -0.0067
Scott Lio -2--- C C+ C+/ B+ A / B+ D+/ D B- C+ D- D+ A B+ A A B 23 0.0003 -0.0061
Parker Mason 1---- A+ A B+/ A- B+/ C B+/ A- B A+ D+ B A+ C A A+ A+ 28 -0.0002 -0.0146
Lonnie Gerson --3-- A+ C+ C+/ B A-/ A- D-/ E A- D+ F A+ B- A A A B+ 26 -0.0048 -0.0291
======================================================================================================================
Brad Bangerter ---45 A+ B B / A- A-/ B- E / E- B B- B+ D- C- B A A+ A- 24 -0.0096 -0.0111
Leon Berthelson 1---- A+ A D+/ C B / C B / C D B+ E+ A B- B+ A B+ A- 28 -0.0022 -0.0205
Jim Fox ---45 A A- D / A+ D / F E-/ F A- C- A- C+ D- B A A- A- 29 -0.0073 -0.0026
Capetown Bandits (4)
Shooting guard is the weak link on this team. Allen is a great defender but he doesn't have the natural ability that the other players on the court with him have. Mabruke is clearly becoming a superstar and will be the team leader and Henderson is arguable the best point guard in league history. Holt is being given a chance to revitalize his career but he was mismanaged for several seasons and as a result doesn't have the discipline in shot selection that he should. Lastly, Fatafehi is another good player who hasn't gotten the attention he deserves. This may be his year. He won't be a star but whenever a team reaches the level that I expect Capetown to this year other teams start to take notice of their role players and in a year or two Fatefehi could be much more than a role player. Capetown also has a really nice bench with the highly touted rookie Abdeil Gordon, veteran point guard Pat McDaniel and journeyman center Odell Bell.
======================================================================================================================
NAME POS H S FG FT 3P R P B S F V A O T AGE INT/HAR OFF AB
======================================================================================================================
Oman Fatafehi ---4- A+ B C / A C+/ B- B / C A+ E- A- B D+ A+ C A+ A- 24 -0.0141 -0.0135
Chuck Henderson 1---- A+ B+ C+/ B+ E / C B / B- D A+ E A+ B A- A A+ A 29 -0.0057 -0.0213
Obafemi Mabruke --3-- C+ B- A+/ A+ A-/ C- D+/ C- A+ B- E+ B+ C C- C A+ A+ 24 -0.0096 -0.0078
Gene Allen -23-- A+ A B-/ B C-/ D C-/ D+ D D+ E D+ C+ A C C+ B+ 27 -0.0346 -0.0105
George Holt ---45 A+ A+ A+/ B- A+/ A E / F B+ E+ C C- C B+ A A+ A+ 29 -0.0205 -0.0352
======================================================================================================================
Abdiel Gordon ---4- B C+ C+/ D+ A+/ E+ C+/ B- A+ B C C A- B A A B+ 22 -0.0152 0.0028
Pat McDaniel 1---- A+ C A-/ A- C / C B+/ C- D- B F D+ C B+ A A- B 30 -0.0036 -0.0221
Odell Bell ----5 A+ B+ C / A+ A+/ D C / D+ B+ E+ D- B- C+ B- A A A- 27 -0.0022 -0.0122
======================================================================================================================
Texas Juggers (6)
Vasquez is really stepping up this season as many have predicted. Miles is also playing really well in his limited minutes and Foster is making an incredible percentage of his shots for a guard. This team is also a great rebounding team which will help when their offensive game falters. But, as much of a Miles and Vasquez fan as I am this team will only go as far as they can go which isn't to the finals yet. But, give them a couple of years to refine their game and they will be a near unstoppable tandem. The nice thing is that neither Foster nor Lee will be over the hill at that point and Meyers who is also very talented can refine his game. As long as management can avoid killing this team they should continue improving for the next couple of years until they are a championship quality team.
======================================================================================================================
NAME POS H S FG FT 3P R P B S F V A O T AGE INT/HAR OFF AB
======================================================================================================================
Al Lee --34- A+ B D / B- A / B- B / C- B+ C C- B- B+ A+ A A- B+ 26 -0.0168 -0.0104
Charlie Meyers 1---- A+ C+ D / C- B+/ C- C-/ C+ C B+ C B+ B- A- B A- B 22 -0.0073 -0.0194
George Foster -23-- A+ B+ A / A- D / B+ C-/ C- C+ B+ C D D B D A+ A 27 -0.0002 0.0165
Jarius Miles ---4- A+ C- B+/ B+ B / B D+/ D A+ B- A+ A+ F E- F A+ B+ 19 -0.0068 -0.0143
Jay Vasquez ----5 A+ B+ A / B A-/ D C+/ D+ A+ B- A+ C- B A- B A+ A+ 23 -0.0136 -0.0163
======================================================================================================================
Peter Langstraat ----5 A+ C E / B+ C+/ B- C-/ D+ A+ C+ C- C- D B- A A+ B+ 28 -0.0023 -0.0181
Sam Plummer -2--- A+ B+ C-/ C- A+/ B- C-/ E- B- B D+ C B- A+ A A A- 23 -0.0011 -0.0026
Isaac Edmondson 1---- C+ C E+/ E A / C- C-/ D+ E A+ F A+ B- B+ B B C+ 22 -0.0096 0.0091
======================================================================================================================
Miami Xtreme (7)
Coaching on this team will mean a great deal. There is a lot of talent but there are also some weaknesses. The trick will be to see if the team can capitalize on their strengths. Williams was revitalized last season and Davis has always been solid. The weaknesses that stand out are the guards rebounding which may become an even bigger issue since the big men, who are all great rebounders, are also foul prone. Thankfully Jose Nobis is a solid big man off the bench. This team will probably be around .500. How much above or below will in large part depend on the coaching staff.
======================================================================================================================
NAME POS H S FG FT 3P R P B S F V A O T AGE INT/HAR OFF AB
======================================================================================================================
Dave Troychak 12--- A+ B A+/ A- A+/ C+ C / D D B D A+ A+ B A A+ A 25 -0.0058 -0.0134
Marty Williams ----5 A+ A+ B-/ A- B+/ B- E-/ A A+ E B- D C- B+ E A A+ 28 -0.0176 -0.0219
Alvin Simpson 1---- A+ A- C-/ C- C-/ B+ B / C- D- A F A+ C+ A A A- A- 28 -0.0009 0.0128
John Davis ---45 A+ A+ C / A+ C+/ A- E-/ F A+ E+ F C+ C- B C A A+ 28 -0.0213 -0.0109
Bill Rainwater --34- C- B A+/ A- C-/ B E / F A- E- C- C- F F A A B+ 27 -0.0016 -0.0103
======================================================================================================================
Pierce Shea -23-- A+ D+ A+/ C B-/ C D / E+ C B+ F A- A A A A B- 28 -0.0009 -0.0093
Tony Gaston --34- A+ B+ C-/ A C / B+ E / F A- E- D E+ D A A B B+ 29 -0.0027 -0.0080
Jose Nobis ----5 A+ B- A / C- C / A+ D / E A E A+ A+ D C A A B+ 25 -0.0115 0.0062
======================================================================================================================
Salt Lake City Fanatics (8)
This should be a fun team to watch. They are very emotional and will pay the price by giving free points to their opponents but they also have a lot of talent. Eaton is emerging as a very good center and LaMaitre has always been a top shooting guard. Parks will be a star as a small forward and Birkhead is become a huge force on the defensive end. Manning isn't talked about much as a point guard but he is among the best passers in the league. As a team they are very good on the defensive end with solid rebounding, great steals and good shot blocking. They may struggle to score at times but their defense should keep them in games. They are also a young team with three starters 25 or younger.
======================================================================================================================
NAME POS H S FG FT 3P R P B S F V A O T AGE INT/HAR OFF AB
======================================================================================================================
Cordell Parks --3-- A+ B B-/ B+ A / C- C / D A- C+ B A+ E+ B C A+ A- 22 0.0134 -0.0066
Eric Manning 12--- A+ B- B-/ C C+/ D+ D / D- C A+ C A- C- B+ B A+ B+ 25 -0.0118 -0.0105
Arnold Eaton ----5 A+ A- C+/ A+ C / B- E-/ F A F A D+ B+ B+ E A- A- 27 -0.0006 -0.0140
Eugene LaMaitre -23-- A+ B A / B+ C+/ A+ B-/ C+ B C- D A C+ B A A+ A- 28 -0.0030 -0.0215
Wally Birkhead ---45 A+ C+ B-/ D D-/ D+ E-/ F A+ E+ A+ A+ B A- B B+ B- 24 -0.0122 0.0120
======================================================================================================================
Cameron Sampson ---45 A+ A D / B A-/ C- D+/ E+ A+ D E B B- B- A B+ A- 26 -0.0035 -0.0108
Emillio Browne --3-- A+ C+ A-/ B- D+/ E+ A+/ A- C B- F C+ D C A B+ B 27 -0.0058 -0.0110
J.J. McCauley 123-- A C+ D+/ C+ F / F C+/ C C B E- A+ D A A B B 29 -0.0166 -0.0012
======================================================================================================================
Omaha Wild
Kutak is not the answer here. He may be an important key but fans shouldn't expect a turn around this year. This team needs better rebounding and a better offensive threat. Ellis Law may become the offensive threat they need with in a year or two. Bennett on the other hand is not the answer in the middle. Kramer may be the answer in a couple of seasons but he isn't ready either. Vilasny is the leagues best passer and when this team finally gets the players who can handle his feeds you can expect him to really light up the assists column.
======================================================================================================================
NAME POS H S FG FT 3P R P B S F V A O T AGE INT/HAR OFF AB
======================================================================================================================
Michael Kutak 12--- A+ C B / B+ C+/ D+ D+/ C- B- B- C+ A+ D+ C+ A A B 26 -0.0068 -0.0237
Yuri Vilasny 1---- D+ B E / C C-/ B- C+/ B E A+ D- A- E+ A E A+ B 21 -0.0000 -0.0120
Donavan Jones ---45 A+ B- B-/ A- C / E+ D+/ D+ A+ A- A+ F C+ C+ A A+ A 26 -0.0031 -0.0190
Roy Houle --34- A+ C+ A+/ C- A+/ C- B+/ C A+ D B A F A B A+ B+ 25 -0.0073 -0.0067
Mike Bennett ----5 B+ A B-/ A D / A- D-/ C C+ D- A- A B+ A A A A- 25 -0.0058 -0.0063
======================================================================================================================
Harry Kramer ---45 C+ B+ B-/ C- A / C+ C-/ D+ B- C+ B+ A+ B- A A A- B+ 23 -0.0086 -0.0038
Felipe Juarez 1---- A+ C+ C+/ A- A+/ B A+/ C C- B D+ D+ D+ B A A+ B+ 23 0.0106 -0.0152
Ellis Law --34- A- C A+/ A- A+/ D+ B+/ D B D A+ F C+ B B A+ B+ 25 -0.0071 -0.0043
======================================================================================================================
Cincinnati Cyclones
There are two big problems with this team- Passing and Rebounding. Sanders and Bradshaw are a nice young core and Abasi and Kryznetsov are solid young role players. But, this team is a long ways away from being a WBA force. This team also tends to foul a lot but they don't have the strength in other areas to overcome that or their other weaknesses.
======================================================================================================================
NAME POS H S FG FT 3P R P B S F V A O T AGE INT/HAR OFF AB
======================================================================================================================
Craig Bradshaw ----5 A B A-/ B+ B / E- C-/ D A+ D A- B+ C B- B A+ A- 23 0.0048 -0.0154
Brandon Sandler 1---- A+ B D / A- C / D D+/ E+ E+ A+ C- A+ C B- C A A- 24 -0.0097 -0.0003
Misha Kryznetsov --34- A+ C+ B / A- B / B C+/ C B- D+ C+ A- C B- A A B+ 25 -0.0163 -0.0072
Dontae Evans ---4- A+ B- B / C+ C / A- A / C- A+ E+ A+ C C- C- B A+ A- 25 -0.0070 0.0111
Webster Hewlett -23-- A+ B+ B-/ A+ C / D+ D / E- C- C D+ C+ B- B+ E B+ B+ 27 -0.0036 -0.0137
======================================================================================================================
Abegunda Abasi --34- A B+ B+/ B+ A+/ D+ B+/ D B E B- B- D B- A A- A- 25 -0.0157 -0.0133
Trent Jordan ---4- A+ B B / B- C-/ B+ A+/ C- A+ D B- E D- B A A B+ 25 -0.0059 -0.0263
Jim Glenn 1---- A+ B+ C / A- D-/ A- E+/ F E B- E- C+ C- A A B- B 29 -0.0023 -0.0209
EASTERN CONFERENCE
ATLANTIC DIVISION
Albecete Burning Hell- Atlantic Champions (1)
They aren't the dominating force they were when they won the championship but they are still a darn good team. They can do it all and the addition of Douglas means they now have a top point guard getting their players the ball. This team does love to play physical and that results in fouls but with the addition of Bixby they now have some nice depth. But, they also get to the line a lot, shoot a nice percentage from the field, pass extremely well, make steals and rebound. This could now be the team to beat in the East. I think they will still be close with Washington and Brooklyn but they handled Brooklyn fairly easily earlier this week. The only losses they have in the preseason are two losses to Oregon. I know they have to wish they still had Lou after some of those losses.
======================================================================================================================
NAME POS H S FG FT 3P R P B S F V A O T AGE INT/HAR OFF AB
======================================================================================================================
Gordon Whitehouse---4- A+ D+ A+/ A- C+/ D C-/ F A+ B A+ A E+ A+ A A+ B+ 28 -0.0031 -0.0119
Harry Jarvis -23-- A+ A A-/ A A-/ A A-/ C+ E+ C+ E- B+ C B A A A+ 27 -0.0099 -0.0161
Bobby Cress ----5 A+ B- A-/ A A+/ D B-/ B A+ C+ A+ A- E- A D A+ A+ 28 0.0010 -0.0034
Jim Donnelly --3-- A+ C+ D+/ C A+/ D D+/ D B+ A- B A- C+ B+ B A+ B+ 28 0.0008 -0.0005
Keith Douglas 1---- A+ B- C-/ B B+/ A B / D C- A+ F C- E- C- B A+ A 25 -0.0092 -0.0027
======================================================================================================================
Juwan Bixby ----5 B+ B- B+/ B+ B-/ D- E+/ F A- C- B D- B+ B+ A A- B+ 22 -0.0139 -0.0003
Tyler Kane 1---- B C D+/ C D+/ D- C-/ D+ C A F A+ A+ A A A B- 23 -0.0144 -0.0085
Reynaldo DeAngelo--3-- A+ C E-/ B D-/ B C-/ C- A- B+ C- C E+ B A A B 28 0.0027 -0.0133
======================================================================================================================
London Disco (4)
GM David Song wants us all to think this team will be horrible this year but when I look at them I still see a solid team. Championship material? No. But, solid. Their starting line-up is a little weak on rebounding but their bench should take up that slack. They shoot well, pass well and play solid defense. Actually, you could make an argument that this team could make a run at the title. I don't expect they will but this is a very competitive eight man rotation. If they tank the coaching staff will have to take full blame.
======================================================================================================================
NAME POS H S FG FT 3P R P B S F V A O T AGE INT/HAR OFF AB
======================================================================================================================
Nick Adams --3-- A C+ B / A- E+/ B B-/ C- B+ C+ C C+ C B+ A A B+ 24 -0.0160 -0.0166
Kelvin Davidson 1---- A+ A C / A+ B+/ B- E+/ F E B+ F B- B B+ A A A+ 29 -0.0065 -0.0242
Abdullah Chanda --34- A+ B+ C+/ B D / A+ C+/ B B+ C+ A- B- C B+ A A A- 28 0.0022 -0.0200
Horace Colbert ----5 A+ A+ B+/ A- B+/ B- E-/ E- A E- B+ D+ C- B A A A+ 29 -0.0208 -0.0390
Brian Collins -23-- A+ C+ A / A- B-/ D- E+/ F C+ B B F B- B+ A A+ B+ 24 -0.0008 -0.0069
======================================================================================================================
Rafael Mahaffey ----5 A+ D+ C / A+ B-/ D+ E / F A+ C B D- E A A A+ B 27 0.0038 -0.0139
Sergei Danilov ---45 B C C-/ C+ C / C- D-/ D+ A+ D- A+ A+ D- B- F A B 23 -0.0159 -0.0101
Johnny Meynardie 1---- A+ B C+/ B+ C+/ C- C / B C B- C E+ D B- A A- B+ 26 0.0004 -0.0207
======================================================================================================================
Rochester Blaze (5)
Some think McCarthy is the best player in the league. I don't agree. He is among the elite but not the best. As much as I want to blast this team for trading away Dave Williams they have put together a nice team. They shoot well, rebound and get to the line. Unfortunately, they also foul a lot which will be a huge problem against teams like Washington. The other weakness tat I see is a lack of passing ability. Still, this is a solid team and Williams is a good coach.
======================================================================================================================
NAME POS H S FG FT 3P R P B S F V A O T AGE INT/HAR OFF AB
======================================================================================================================
Pedro Otis -2--- A+ C+ B / A- C-/ C- C / D+ C+ C+ C D+ B A+ A A- B 27 -0.0023 0.0033
Jimmy Whalen 1---- A+ B- D+/ A- A-/ D A+/ C- C+ A- D A- D+ B- B A+ A- 25 -0.0064 -0.0142
Jim McCarthy ----5 A+ A+ A+/ B B+/ B- E / D+ A+ C A+ C D+ B- C A+ A+ 27 -0.0141 -0.0278
Jerry Sims --345 A+ B B-/ A- B / B+ D+/ D- A- E- C- E+ C B+ A B+ B+ 33 -0.0095 -0.0310
Rondall Reynoso --34- A+ B+ B+/ A+ B+/ C+ E / D+ A E E+ B- E+ C+ A A+ A- 26 0.0010 -0.0123
======================================================================================================================
Joe Clark --34- A+ E+ A / B C / E+ A+/ C- A+ F F D+ F A A A+ C+ 30 -0.0082 -0.0189
Bert Haug -23-- A+ C A+/ B C / C- C+/ D+ C+ D C- A+ D+ B- A A B 26 -0.0087 -0.0153
Jack Berger ---4- A+ B+ A-/ B- B / B C-/ E+ A- C- D B+ C C+ A A A- 27 0.0007 -0.0178
======================================================================================================================
Boston Massacre (6)
Is Hainge the answers to their woes? The short answer is no. But to be honest I don't think Henderson would even fix the problem. The issue here is that every player on the roster thinks shoot first. There is no ball movement. Every player wants to isolate. This all equals slow and boring. And more importantly it means that this team's core will never win a championship. If you look at the best teams in the league they can all pass. It may not be that they have great passing point guards but they have passers in other positions. Brooklyn is the perfect example. The lack of a top point guard has always been a knock against them but they are still always among the best passing teams because they have other players who can pass and they are coached I a way that encourages them to pass. Break up the core and build a team that wants to work together… or suffer a life of mediocrity.
======================================================================================================================
NAME POS H S FG FT 3P R P B S F V A O T AGE INT/HAR OFF AB
======================================================================================================================
Camron Diaz --34- A+ A+ C+/ A- B / A- E-/ F B+ E- D+ A- D A+ A A- A+ 28 -0.0016 -0.0166
Danny Hainge 12--- C A- A-/ B+ B / A+ C-/ C D+ B- F A- B+ B+ A A A- 25 0.0108 -0.0070
Bill Yeager ----5 A+ A- A-/ A+ A-/ B E-/ F A- E- B+ D C B- A A+ A+ 29 -0.0213 -0.0341
Dave Short ---45 A+ A+ A+/ A- B+/ B- E+/ E+ A+ E- E D C+ B A A+ A+ 27 -0.0068 -0.0204
Sheldon Maloney -2--- A+ A C / A B-/ C D+/ E+ C+ E+ C- B C+ B- A B A- 28 -0.0002 -0.0175
======================================================================================================================
Jim Wilson ----5 A+ D A+/ A- D / D- D / F A+ E- A+ C B- B+ A A+ B 28 -0.0026 -0.0113
Art Campbell --3-- A+ C B-/ B D-/ E+ D-/ D A C+ F C- A A+ A A- B- 24 -0.0068 -0.0106
Hank Pynn 1---- B- C+ E / C- D-/ F C / E- B- B+ D+ C+ B A A B- C+ 23 -0.0138 0.0000
======================================================================================================================
Sacramento Fighting Cocks (7)
You can't tell anything about this team from preseason. Their coaching staff has just let them coast. The one thing you can be certain about from this team is their defense. Egan should lead the league in steals off the bench and Cushman is a top notch rebounder and shot blocker. Gaiser is another player who will be able to take the ball away from opposing point guards and Sandbeck and Gil are also good at taking the ball. McCall is one of the leagues best scorers and this year he should have the support from Gil and Sandbeck on those rare days that he struggles. This team can also get to the line. The main weakness I see is the lack of defensive disciple so they tend to foul a lot. This will be a big problem and will mean that the fate of this team will rest even more heavily on coaching than in the case for other teams. Can Coach Lawrence get his team to play defense under control and can he find a rotation that take the best advantage of his teams skills. Many people speak highly of Coach Lawrence but he is still a new WBA coach and this may be too much of a challenge for him.
======================================================================================================================
NAME POS H S FG FT 3P R P B S F V A O T AGE INT/HAR OFF AB
======================================================================================================================
Matthew Pitcher ---45 A D A+/ C- A-/ C C-/ E+ A+ B B+ E+ C A+ B A+ B 24 -0.0170 -0.0217
Harold Gil -23-- A+ B A+/ A- C / C- C+/ E- C B- E B B- B- F A+ A 25 -0.0061 -0.0093
John Gaiser 1---- A+ B- A-/ C A-/ D- B-/ D+ D- A+ F A+ E+ C+ B A+ B+ 25 -0.0083 -0.0102
Charles Cushman ----5 A+ B E / A- A / F D+/ F A+ D+ A+ D+ D- E+ B A A- 25 -0.0048 -0.0148
Jaxon McCall --3-- A+ A- A+/ A+ C-/ C- A+/ B A- D- C+ C+ D C B A+ A+ 27 -0.0033 -0.0112
======================================================================================================================
Jeff Sandbeck ---45 A+ D+ A+/ B+ A+/ E- B-/ D+ B F E B+ E- B B A B- 23 -0.0115 -0.0017
Bobby Egan 12--- C- C A / B A-/ C C+/ E- C+ B- F A+ F F A A+ B 26 0.0004 -0.0128
Paul Dilmore ---4- A+ A- C+/ C+ A+/ D- C+/ B+ A- E+ C A- B B- A B+ A- 27 -0.0061 -0.0224
======================================================================================================================
Gabon Giants
Search as the might Gabon has not been able to find the answer at Center. Toby is a great scorer but he will ruin almost any team that plays him at center. He may actually get the nod as starting small forward and have Vinyard back-up the three and four spots. Devine is a nice young rookie center who may be very good by the time he reaches 25 but will the rest of the team still be able to play? Nobody doubts the talent on this team but they don't seem to be constructed in a way that can win in today's highly competitive WBA.
======================================================================================================================
NAME POS H S FG FT 3P R P B S F V A O T AGE INT/HAR OFF AB
======================================================================================================================
Otto Hameleers 12--- A+ A- A-/ B- B / B C+/ C+ D- B- D A+ C A+ A A- A- 28 -0.0047 -0.0147
Jerry Bramson ---4- A+ A- C / A B+/ B+ C+/ C+ A C+ B- D+ A B- A A+ A 28 -0.0061 -0.0155
John Devine ----5 D+ C+ B-/ C- C+/ E D+/ C+ A+ E+ B C B B+ A B C+ 21 -0.0164 -0.0057
Derek Vinyard --34- A+ B+ B+/ B- B+/ B- D+/ C- A D+ C+ E+ C B+ A A A- 29 -0.0028 -0.0255
Ethan Hunt 1---- A+ A- D+/ B+ D / D- D / D E- B+ E- A C+ B+ A B- B+ 28 -0.0045 0.0054
======================================================================================================================
Magic Toby ---45 A+ A B / A+ C+/ A- C / D D- B B C- C- B A A+ A+ 28 -0.0036 -0.0217
Fernando Edwards --3-- A+ C+ B / B- A / D- E-/ F A+ C C- B- C- E+ A A B+ 24 -0.0071 0.0127
Ray Tango 1---- A+ C D+/ B- C+/ B C-/ E- C+ A- F D+ B- A+ B A- B- 24 0.0021 -0.0069
======================================================================================================================
Budapest Tigers
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 think they will struggle both defensively with poor rebounding and few blocks, but a decent amount of steals. But, more importantly in this case I think they will struggle offensively. Mobley will take most of their shots and he will miss most of them. He will get to the line a lot which means they can beat anybody. But, they can also loose to anybody. I expect more losing than winning.
======================================================================================================================
NAME POS H S FG FT 3P R P B S F V A O T AGE INT/HAR OFF AB
======================================================================================================================
Jalen Bell 12--- A B+ A-/ A+ B-/ B+ C-/ C E C+ E D+ B- A+ B A A- 27 -0.0014 -0.0185
Larry Chapman ----5 A+ A A-/ B+ A-/ B- E-/ F B+ E- A- D+ D- B+ A A A+ 31 -0.0152 -0.0463
K.D. Mobley ---4- A+ A- A+/ D+ A+/ B+ B+/ D C+ E- E+ C+ C+ B- A A+ A+ 24 -0.0073 -0.0025
Bob Kinsey --3-- A+ D+ E-/ E A / A- C / E+ A+ B- E A+ A+ C B A+ B- 25 -0.0014 0.0086
Steve Peterson 1---- A+ A C+/ A- E / E+ B+/ C- C+ A- E A- B A- A A A+ 29 -0.0044 -0.0174
======================================================================================================================
Johnny Brose --34- A+ B+ B / A- C / F E-/ F A+ E- E C+ C- A C B+ B+ 29 -0.0076 -0.0191
T. J. McFarland ----5 A+ B- C / C C-/ E+ D-/ F A+ E A+ C C- B+ A A B+ 28 -0.0033 0.0012
Bud Johnson -2--- A+ D+ A+/ A- D-/ D- B+/ D E- A- E B+ A- B+ A A+ B 28 -0.0006 -0.0103
======================================================================================================================
MID-ATLANTIC DIVISION
Washington Monuments- Mid-Atlantic Champions (2)
The entire strategy in Washington is to play tough and get to the line. They will really struggle to make shots at times but they will get the foul calls. Sure it will be boring to watch them take 40 free throws a game but they don't care. They want to win. As far as I can see they are about even with Brooklyn talent wise but their ability to get to the line will be huge in the physical East. I actually believe that the success of Washington this year has less to do with them than the opposing coaches. If they can be kept off the free throw line they are very vulnerable.
======================================================================================================================
NAME POS H S FG FT 3P R P B S F V A O T AGE INT/HAR OFF AB
======================================================================================================================
Boom-Boom Casey ----5 A+ A- A-/ B+ A+/ B+ E / E A- D A- C- B- B+ A A+ A+ 29 -0.0142 -0.0253
Emmett Yee -23-- A+ B+ A+/ A- A+/ A- C+/ D- D C+ F C+ C+ C A A+ A+ 25 -0.0082 -0.0137
Leo Rice ---45 A+ B- C / C+ B+/ C D / D- A+ B A B- A B+ E A+ A- 26 -0.0020 -0.0238
Kadeem Reed 1---- A+ B C / B- C+/ B- E-/ E C A- F C B B+ B A- B+ 23 -0.0177 -0.0094
A.J. Schulz --34- A+ A B-/ A+ A-/ D C+/ D+ A C E C B- A- A A+ A+ 29 -0.0065 -0.0439
======================================================================================================================
Reed Moses ----5 C+ C- D+/ B+ B-/ C- C+/ D- A+ B- A D+ B- B- A A+ B- 22 -0.0105 -0.0068
Frank Costantini --3-- A+ D A-/ A- B-/ B C+/ C- A E C+ E A+ A+ A A C+ 29 -0.0115 -0.0194
Tristen Collins -2--- A- D+ A+/ C+ A+/ C C / D- C- B- C F C- B- A A B- 23 -0.0277 -0.0121
======================================================================================================================
Brooklyn Rage (3)
There was a lot of talk about a youth movement in Brooklyn but you won't be able to tell unless you look at the bench. As always Brooklyn wants to win now. And when they say win they mean win it all. They have much the same team that went to the finals last year. The one major difference is the absence of Kutak which may be enough to keep them out of the finals. Bailey had a great off-season and is looking to be on track to be a super star in a couple of years but for now he is still a cog in the wheel. This team can shoot, pass and rebound which means a lot of wins. But, they also foul a lot which can cost them close games. A few years back Brooklyn was famous for their depth but the WBA has changed and very few teams can keep that kind of depth anymore. Instead, Brooklyn's bench today is full of projects. Player like Benson and Jefferson who may be huge in a couple of year but aren't there yet. But, the players who will see time off the bench are career subs like Henderson and Saunders who are both great players but won't run off to chase the dream of a starting position. If Brooklyn will compete for the championship comes down to two issues. Can Perkins, Strom and Siebert keep out of foul trouble and how high will Bailey elevate his game?
======================================================================================================================
NAME POS H S FG FT 3P R P B S F V A O T AGE INT/HAR OFF AB
======================================================================================================================
Joe Siebert ----5 B A+ D / A+ B+/ A- D+/ D+ A+ E- A+ D- C+ B B A A+ 28 -0.0111 -0.0028
Mario Bailey -23-- A+ B+ B / A- B+/ C- D / D B- C+ B+ C+ D+ C+ D A A- 22 -0.0097 -0.0020
Tom Perkins ---45 A+ A- B+/ A+ B / D E / F A+ C B+ C D+ B B A+ A+ 28 -0.0021 -0.0130
Justin Krueger 1---- A+ B+ C+/ A- B-/ D C-/ D+ D- B+ D+ B B+ B B A- A- 26 -0.0024 -0.0123
Shane Strom --3-- A+ B- A+/ A- C+/ C C+/ D- A B+ F A- E A A A+ A+ 28 -0.0011 -0.0117
======================================================================================================================
Bernie Henderson 1---- A C+ C+/ B+ D+/ A+ C+/ D+ B C E- A+ C C+ A A- B 25 -0.0049 -0.0118
Larry Saunders ----5 A+ D- B / A- A-/ A- A+/ D B B- D+ D C- A+ A A+ C+ 27 -0.0035 0.0005
Charlie Jones -2--- A+ C C+/ A- D-/ B- B / D+ D+ B F C+ D+ A+ A A- B 28 -0.0010 -0.0184
======================================================================================================================
Birmingham Fury (8)
I like to think of this team as the new Budapest. They have no stars but they are all talented. In the preseason so far they have seven players averaging in double figures and none over 18 and I expect it will be that way all season. They have to get more devoted to rebounding though. They have the skill but not the focus. If this team can either develop or trade for a star they could take the next step.
======================================================================================================================
NAME POS H S FG FT 3P R P B S F V A O T AGE INT/HAR OFF AB
======================================================================================================================
Bob Delaney --34- A+ B+ C+/ A C-/ B+ B-/ D+ A- B- D+ C C A+ A A+ A- 27 -0.0028 -0.0059
Oliver McCarty 1---- A+ B+ C / B+ A-/ B- B / B- B- B D- B+ C- B A A+ A 25 -0.0029 -0.0080
Bill Blackstone --34- A+ C A+/ A- D / D B / A- A E+ B- D+ D- A+ B A+ B+ 29 -0.0028 -0.0260
Nike Johnson -23-- A+ B+ B-/ A- C+/ A D-/ E- C B F F F B- A A A- 26 -0.0064 -0.0154
Ramiro Watts ----5 A+ C+ A+/ A+ C+/ D+ A / C A+ E B D- C B D A+ A- 25 -0.0113 -0.0191
======================================================================================================================
Frank Rose -23-- A+ A C / A+ C-/ A+ B / C D D+ E D+ C+ A A B A- 29 -0.0108 -0.0151
Leonel Coles ---45 A+ C A / B+ C+/ C+ C-/ F A- C A A D D+ A A+ B+ 26 -0.0022 -0.0111
Craig King --34- A+ B- D+/ A+ C+/ B- D / A- C+ E+ D+ B+ B- B- A B+ B 27 -0.0014 -0.0061
======================================================================================================================
Virgin Island JamminMons
There have been a lot of jokes about VI on late night TV lately. And who can blame the comedians? No other team has been so bad for so long. But, there are some bright spots on this team. DiTullio is a great passer. Boice could become a very good player. Johnson has as much heart as any player in the league. Zarra is tough as nails. Houston has a ton of potential and time to develop behind Johnson. And, most importantly they actually have draft picks for all but one of the upcoming seasons. I believe VI is proving that they are learning about running a team. The hard part is that this is a team that has potential if coached properly. Can VI take that step?
======================================================================================================================
NAME POS H S FG FT 3P R P B S F V A O T AGE INT/HAR OFF AB
======================================================================================================================
Kelvin Boice --34- A+ C+ D+/ B+ B+/ C C / D+ A- D+ B D+ B- B E A- B 23 -0.0081 0.0009
Scooter Jacobs -23-- A+ A C / A+ C-/ C C / C- D E+ E C B- B A B- B+ 32 -0.0140 -0.0408
Umberto DiTullio 1---- A A+ C+/ E- C-/ B+ C-/ E+ D A+ F A- D C+ A B+ A+ 24 0.0216 0.0150
Bruce Johnson --3-- A+ C A / B- D / C- E+/ F A+ A- C- E C- A+ A A+ B+ 29 0.0007 -0.0193
Al Zarra ----5 A+ C+ D+/ A+ A+/ C- D / F A E- A+ A- E- B A A B+ 29 0.0016 -0.0227
======================================================================================================================
Harry Applegate ---4- A B- A-/ B- B+/ C- E+/ E+ B+ F A- E- B B B B- B 23 -0.0125 0.0030
Marquez Houston --3-- A+ C D+/ C B-/ C+ D+/ D A+ C+ C- B- B- B B A B 22 -0.0122 -0.0022
Grady Olson ---45 A C B-/ C+ B / D+ D+/ D+ A- C+ D D- D+ B B B+ B- 23 0.0071 -0.0018
======================================================================================================================
New York Firestorm
It is ironic that Greene now plays for the friend of Bryan Hasho who ruined his career. Greene was one of the best but he seems to have lost a step. Wayne Taylor for example can't play every game because of his injury but when he plays he is in good form. Greene on the other hand is only a shadow even when he plays. He is a great shadow but not the dominating player he once was. Rizzolo is this teams other star but he has stamina issues. This all means trouble for NY. They will once again be in the long shadow of Brooklyn.
======================================================================================================================
NAME POS H S FG FT 3P R P B S F V A O T AGE INT/HAR OFF AB
======================================================================================================================
John Greene --34- D A+ B+/ B B / D B / D B+ B- D A+ D+ B- B A+ A+ 27 -0.0155 -0.0276
Jimmy Foster 1---- A+ A+ D+/ B D+/ C+ C / D- D+ A F B+ B B- A B+ A+ 27 -0.0084 -0.0094
Gus Rizzolo --34- A C A+/ B+ A / D C / C- A+ E B- C+ F B- B A+ B+ 29 -0.0036 -0.0038
Gary Agey ---45 A+ B C+/ C C+/ C- C-/ D A- B A+ D+ F C- A A A- 26 -0.0058 -0.0205
Bill Magenheimer 12--- A+ B A / A- E+/ D+ C-/ D C+ B- F A- E C A A A- 26 0.0003 -0.0017
======================================================================================================================
Jevon Carter --34- A+ B B+/ B- A+/ C B / C+ A D- F B+ B- B- B A A- 26 -0.0038 -0.0014
Jerry Kumanchik -2--- A+ C+ A+/ A- F / B- D+/ E+ B+ E- C+ C+ D+ C- A A B+ 25 -0.0039 0.0014
Chuck O'Rourke ---45 A+ C B-/ A+ E+/ F E / F A+ E- D C+ E B+ A A B 27 -0.0039 -0.0056
======================================================================================================================
Baltimore Pirates
I've long believed that rebounding is one of the main keys to winning in the WBA. The other main key is field goal percentage. Going by those theories Baltimore is in trouble. Rivers is becoming a very respectable center and Valente is a great passer but the praise ends there. Fortunately for them after Washington and Brooklyn there is always a big drop off in the Mid-Atlantic Division so they may still be able to keep a respectable showing in the standings. However, anything worse than third in the division means no play-offs and it is possible that only the top two will go.
======================================================================================================================
NAME POS H S FG FT 3P R P B S F V A O T AGE INT/HAR OFF AB
======================================================================================================================
Zane Rivers ----5 A+ B- D+/ A B+/ B- B / C- A+ D+ A- D- D- D+ C A+ A- 24 -0.0099 -0.0071
Walter Callaway ---4- A- D+ B-/ C+ C+/ D+ C / B B+ C+ B C- B+ A A A B- 23 -0.0020 -0.0016
Anson Valente 1---- A+ A- F / C+ A+/ E+ D+/ E- B- A+ F B B A+ A A- A- 24 -0.0188 -0.0094
Mike Ivey --34- A+ C- B-/ B- C-/ B- A / B A- C B F B A A A B- 24 -0.0062 -0.0131
Steve Vernie 12--- A+ B+ A-/ A- B-/ D+ C / D+ E+ C+ D- A B- B A B+ B+ 25 -0.0033 -0.0080
======================================================================================================================
George Lush ---45 A+ A- C+/ A+ B / D E+/ F B E- E D B- A+ A B+ A- 29 -0.0050 -0.0181
Johnny Tatum -2--- A+ A B / B+ D+/ D+ C-/ D+ D+ C E- B B- A A B- B+ 27 -0.0025 -0.0146
Odibe King --34- A+ B+ B+/ B C / D+ C+/ C- B- C- E C- B- A+ A B+ B+ 25 -0.0040 -0.0003
======================================================================================================================
Carolina Storm
Duke is a professional. He won't complain about playing in Carolina but he sure isn't finding any joy there. He is a great player on a poor team. There are some teams who really need shooting guards I would be surprised if there wasn't a strong push for him. Carolina is a long way from winning and he deserves some victories.
======================================================================================================================
NAME POS H S FG FT 3P R P B S F V A O T AGE INT/HAR OFF AB
======================================================================================================================
Russ Chase 12--- A+ B- C-/ D+ C+/ C- D / E D A D+ B+ D B+ A B+ B+ 27 -0.0003 0.0148
Kevon Duke -2--- A+ B+ A+/ A- B / B+ B+/ C+ B- C+ F F C+ B A A+ A+ 27 -0.0003 -0.0216
Keyshawn Eosso ----5 A+ A- B / B A-/ F D-/ D- A+ E- B B- C- A A A- A- 26 0.0039 -0.0045
Floyd Acevedo --34- A+ B+ A+/ B- C / C+ A+/ D B C- C- D+ B+ A A A A- 26 -0.0039 -0.0029
Luke Benner --3-- A+ B+ A-/ B+ E+/ A+ C / C D C C D A A- A B B+ 28 -0.0010 -0.0054
======================================================================================================================
Roy Golden ----5 A+ B- D+/ D+ A-/ A- D+/ F A+ D- B E- C+ C+ A B+ B+ 25 -0.0062 -0.0351
Scott Jacoby -2--- A+ A- A+/ B- B-/ D C-/ F E- B- C+ B- B B A B A- 26 -0.0037 -0.0139
Chris Scott 1---- C+ C+ D-/ E+ B+/ C B-/ D+ E+ B+ E+ B- C+ A A C+ C+ 23 0.0045 0.0011
======================================================================================================================
June 4th, 2004
Cancun Camp Report
6-2 record, the two losses were one-point game against Texas and London. Top defense in preseason. Things are going good in Cancun during this season's camp. The decision by the coaching staff to rest their top 4 players (Mason, Nicholson, Mercer and Gerson) has allowed some other players to shine and earn playing time for the season. "Im happy with the depth we have. We have a couple of players that have histories of getting injured, so its nice to know someone will be able to step in and we wont loose a beat" GM Pat Fulum
said. A look at these players:
Brad Bangerter, PF/C:
-----------------------------
After being acquired late last season for a bunch of draft picks, Bangerter played great in Cancun and was an integral part of the championship run. He isnt the best rebounder, but has a knack at getting to the line and is a
good passer from the post. So far in the preseason, he has been the leader with the absence of the stars and will be a strong candidate for 6th man of the year.
Storm Schmid, PG/SG:
-------------------------------
The surprise of this season's camp. Cancun management tried to draft him when he was coming out of college (Cancun U.) but werent succesful. Now after he missed season 7 and played on the bench for lowly VI the following season, there was little interest in him. He was signed to a minimum contract and is trying to grab what may be his last opportunity to be in the WBA. He is playing great so far, averaging 16 points, 6 rebounds 2 steals and 2 assists per game. Plus he has emerged as the Outlaws best three point shooter after Parker Mason. It will be a hard decision for Cancun's coach to decide who will play the two remaining backourt position between Shawn Mckick, Scott Lio and Schmid.
Jim Fox, PF/C:
-------------------
A personnal favorite of Pat Fullum since season 1. Cancun made numerous attempt to acquire him before he signed his big contract, he was brought as insurance in case Nicholson went down and will provide quality minutes should it happen. He struggled in preseason with an injury and some foul problems but has playing very well the last couple of games. probably has stolen young Wong-Wei Wang's spot in the rotation. But there are still some games left in preseason.
Shawn McKick. PG/SG:
-------------------------------
After suffering from a serious injury last season that made him miss the majority of the seaosn and the playoffs, Mckick worked extremely hard to recover in the offseason. His hardwork paid off as he did fully recover, but
he struggled a little with his shot in preseason and missed a game because his foot (achilles) felt sore. He his the best passer of the three guards pushing for a spot in the rotation (Lio and Schmid the others) and his
unselfish play could earn him a spot.
Scott Lio, SG:
------------------
Another rookie that played an integral part of the championship last seaosn, Lio is a great rebounder from the SG position and can get to the line. But management isnt happy about his offseason and expected him to work more on is shot. He had some strong games in preseason and some bad ones. But overall, because of his rebounding, contract and youth, he is predicted to get a spot in the rotation.
Treyvon Marlow. PG:
----------------------------
A good team player that was mainly signed because of his good attitude and hard working habits, Marlow is turning heads in preseason since getting some playing time. He doesnt shoot the ball often, but does get to the free throw line, he is a good passer and rebounder and will get some steals. Rumours are Fullum likes him and might look to deal either Lio, McKick or Schmid to get him some playing time to develop.
June 3rd, 2004
WBA Season Outlook
Presented by GSPN
Team Rankings
WEST
Cancun (64-16)
Nebraska (59-21)
Oregon (54-26)
Capetown (46-34)
Colorado (44-36)
Texas (41-39)
Montana (39-41)
Miami (37-43)
EAST
Brooklyn (60-20)
Albacete (56-24)
Washington (51-29)
London (49-31)
Boston (43-37)
Birmingham (43-37)
Sacremento (40-40)
Budapest (38-42)
Players To Watch
Wayne Taylor, NEB - His recent injury has sent shockwaves around the league. The team needs him to be able to contend for a title.
John Greene, NY- Greene gets a fresh start in the big city. He is a great player and hopefully the change of ownership will not overplay him and save him for a playoff run.
Ramiro Watts, BIR- This player has always had a ton of potential, and it is looking like he is ready to bust out. Birmingham has 2 or 3 good centers, so his playing time is suffering. When Watts gets an opportunity to play 40 minutes, he will be a 20-10 player.
Tony Dimateo, ORE- Already it's obvious he is the best 3-point shooter in league history. He will get his share of playing times and expect to see some huge scoring bursts in limited playing time.
Jay Vasquez, TEX- Has the all-around game similar to Lou Gonzales. Once Vasquez is able consistently hit close to 50% of his shots, he will be near unstoppable.
Dave Troychack, MIA- Starting to show more life this preseason. He is really showing a better offensive game and it looks as if he is a true leader. Will take Miami to the playoffs.
Harold Gil / Jaxon McCall, SAC- This duo provides a huge scoring punch. When Gil is able to control his temper, these two can keep Sacramento in any game.
AWARDS PREDICTIONS
WBA Most Valuable Player
Dave Williams, NEB - With Taylor missing time, Williams will benefit and could see the most success of his career.
Defensive MVP
Lou Gonzales, ORE - Surprise, Surprise…
WBA Rookie Of The Year
Bishop Stein, ORE - Even as struggling shooter (About 35%), Stein brings more to the table than any player. A Triple-Double threat any day of the week. Will be a Jason Kidd in a couple seasons.
Most Improved
Ramiro Watts, BIR - Like I said, he's ready to get some all-star votes if he can get 35 minutes a game.
June 3rd, 2004
Team Outlooks
Andorra: 
Projected Starting 5:
PG: Nikos Atirides: It's weird to think that a player with such bad stamina could start, but this team's guard depth isn't where it needs to be. Atirides has his positives and negatives. He can probably put in around 20 ppg as he shoots a lot and gets to the free throw line a lot, but he will get that 20 ppg while shooting 35% from the field. For the PG spot, he's below average at passing and doesn't do anything else too well.
SG: Ryan Cuevas: This combo guard turned out to be better than expected. For being a shooting guard, he can't shoot a lick, but he makes up for it in other areas. For a SG, he's above average in rebounding, passing, and steals. He could hurt them at times with his shooting, but these other areas give him some value and a reason to play him, especially with the weak guard depth of this team.
SF: Devonta Corrigan: Resigning Mark Miller has allowed Andorra to keep Corrigan at the SF position, which is huge. Corrigan overmatches most other SF's in the league with his tremendous rebounding and this guy just knows how to put the ball in the basket. He doesn't do much else, but what he does do, he does great.
PF: Mark Miller: Andorra is expecting a huge season out of Miller, as they gave him a gigantic contract over the offseason. Miller is one of the best all-around players in the game, as he can score, rebound, pass, block, and steal. Miller could easily turn into one of the best players in the league this year.
C: John Van Horne: With the acquisition of Bombata, this looks to be Van Horne's last season in Andorra. He completes what is one of the best frontcourts in the WBA. His defensive ability is great, as is his rebounding. He can score when he needs to, but I wouldn't look to him to put in 20 a game. Van Horne is probably a 15 ppg, 10.5 rpg player on this team.
6th Man: Oshodi Bombata: Young and talented, Bombata will be a good 6th man for this team. He can come in and play either the Center position or the PF position whenever needed. His lack of rebounding doesn't hurt this team too much because they have 3 other players who are potential 10 rpg guys. Bombata can score a little and he brings great defense to this team off of the bench. This season is the grooming period for him, as he will probably be starting at Center next year in Andorra.
Team Outlook: Andorra is actually looking pretty decent this year. The frontcourt is one of the best in the league and there's no doubt that they will do what they have to do to win. The huge question here is guard play. If they can get decent play out of their guards, this team should be around 6-8 seed in the West.
Nebraska: 
Projected Starting 5:
PG: Dexter Kodak: The only thing this guy does exceptionally well is steal the ball, but it doesn't really matter because he's solid everywhere else. He can put the ball in the basket, pass the ball decently, rebounds well for a guard, and plays great defense. He also doesn't foul much or make many mistakes by turning the ball over, which are two extremely important things in this league. Expect this guy to have something like a 16 ppg, 4 rpg, 6.5 apg season.
SG: Dave Williams: This guy is a scoring machine. With Wayne Taylor's injury problems, Nebraska might have to rely heavily on the ability for Williams to give them 30 a night and around 40 a night when Taylor's not in the lineup. The crazy thing is that he can do it, as he's one of the best, if not the best, shooter in the league. For a shooting guard, Williams has also always put up good rebounding numbers and decent assists numbers. Expect him to be All-WBA.
SF: Wayne Taylor: John Greene Jr. might be in trouble for the rest of his career. It's a good thing that Nebraska has a nice team without Taylor or they'd have some problems. Taylor and Williams make up the scariest scoring duo in the league, as they can drop in 60-65 points easily between the two of them. Taylor's rebounding has also improved in recent years as well. This guy is one big question mark though. If he can give Nebraska 60 games or so, they could challenge Cancun for the #1 spot in the West. This team will easily make the playoffs, but the big question is whether or not Wayne Taylor will be injured for them or not.
PF: Roy Base: After being cut by New York, Coach Morfeld jumped at the opportunity to get his old Midwest State Player Of The Year. While in New York, base was a decent player, but nothing special. Then, last year, Base trained hard and he became a great starter. His scoring ability could come up huge when Taylor is injured. His rebounding ability is average and he plays pretty good defense. Base has his problems though, as his poor free-throw shooting ability and fouls, along with not so great turnovers, could hurt this franchise at times.
C: Vance Clopp: I hear rookie of the year rumblings out of Nebraska already. Clopp gives this team another player who can score (like they need it). His rebounding ability look to be great and his blocking ability looks average. The biggest reason that Clopp is a huge asset to this team is his foul rating. With Taylor likely to be out numerous games in the season and Base possibly running into foul trouble once in a while, they will need Clopp to stay in these games. He can't shoot free throws for the life of him, but look for him to put in a very solid season and hear some ROY chants from the Nebraska fans.
6th Man: Paul Wilson: What can you say, he's the best rebounder ever. Too bad that's all he does. He's the WBA's version of Ben Wallace, without the block shots. He can be valuable coming off the bench and grabbing around 8 or 9 boards in 25 mins. Wilson can't score, but Nebraska doesn't need him to at all.
Team Outlook: Nebraska is definitely one of the favorites to win the title, as long as Taylor stays healthy. They have a good balance of scoring (a ton of it), rebounding, defense, and passing. This team could let up 120 points and win! That's why I expect them to be the 1 or 2 seed in the West, depending on how many games Taylor plays.
June 3rd, 2004
Breaking News
Wes Ford released a statement today, in response to the anger of some WBA players and coaches over his writing, that shocked all those who knew him:
"I am Wes Ford, and I have a drinking problem. I would like to apologize to any of the players I may have offended in my last drunken tirade. I was under pressure to release a juicy article about the WBA and its' players and I resorted to making things up. 90% of the things I said were completely untrue and were my attempt to lash out against talented players. In fact the harsher I was on a player the better they probably are. If I didn't mention a guy it probably means he wasn't worth the effort. Also my league predictions are entirely based on an alternate reality called severe drunkenness. So again I want to apologize to the league offices and ask that I be allowed to continue writing articles for the WBA. I am seeking help for this issue and hope that one day I can become a normal person. And lastly--Jack Spiegel you still suck!! I'm sorry....you don't suck, you just play like you suck a lot."
Wes Ford
June 1st, 2004
The Ford Report
By Wes Ford
While, it is very sad for me to have my WBA career come to an end I realize that the magnitude of my presence is a distraction to most teams. Therefore I have decided to move on and work with GSPN where my charisma and magnetism can be truly appreciated. This opportunity also gives me a chance to work with the legendary Ron Chambers who though brilliant is a little dry. My presence will help to balance GSPN and bring it to new heights.
Now for my predictions! Unfortunately, my editor thought my last comments were not enough to justify my salry.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Pacific Division
Oregon 61-19 Pacific Champion- 2nd Seed
Once upon a time Oregon thought they could win without Gonzales. Man they feel dumb now! He is the best player in the league and throws the best parties…so I hear. I can't believe he still hasn't invited me… oh well I guess he isn't interested in hanging with the Hilton sisters… They and I go way back. What is great for Oregon is that Mosley is now a serious rebounder which helps make up for the one thing that Gonzo doesn't do well. Keep an eye on Stein he is a rookie of the year contender. This team is easily the best in the Pacific.
Colorado 56-24 Play-off- 3rd Seed
The name that fans in Colorado least like to hear is Heiko. Trading him away automatically took them out of Championship contention. Kamara is a good rookie and may become a great player but he neither plays or parties as well and Heiko. Plus Heiko's wife is hot and the fans…at least the guys… loved being able to take a gander at her. Samir Sheth is also a good player but he shoots like a girl and he won't lead a team to the championship ever.
Nebraska 42-38 Play-offs- 7th Seed
I always thought Wayne Taylor was a wimp. And this season will prove it. One little injury and he is a has been. That gimper legged punk wont even play half the games this season and with out him Nebraska is just another average team. Dave Williams went from nowhere in the Northeast to nowhere in the Midwest. With his type of game he could have a raging life in a big city. He may not be as pretty as me but if he were to play in New York, Brooklyn or Miami he would love the attention he would get at the clubs. Hey, I'm hooked. I'll admit the chance to be back in the Big Apple full time is why I am now writing this article…and you should see the party I am going to when I am done with this. I have one more thing to say to a particular player on this team… Jack you suck!!!
Andorra 37-43
I love Nikos. This little punk isn't afraid to mix it up and get beat around. It probably helps that he was born ugly so doesn't have to worry about getting his face trashed. But still, the boy has big ones. The bad thing is that he takes shots away from skill players like Corrigan, Miller and Van Horne. All in all Nikos hurts this team… but I'll still party with him. I still remember that time I went out with him during his rookie season in Brooklyn… that can't have been legal.
Montana 33-47
There are some skill players on this team. But Oliver Doherty, who is this guy?!? I think he'll lead this team in scoring and steals but he won't lead them to the play-offs. This team needs 10-20 more trades before they are what they want to be…an average team!
California 28-52
I love sunny California but I am glad I never played for this team. There is nothing that excites me about this team. Liang is the best player they have but he hardly ever parties and I don't like that in a professional athlete. Merritt is solid also but can't suck it up enough to play more than 30 minutes a game……zzzzzz……… sorry what team was I talking about again? Oh yeah- The Hellcats. Come on there is nothing dangerous about this team other than the over sized fake chachas on Jarrett Fox's new girl friend. At least there is one reason to watch a California game.
Roswell 23-57
Durden can score. Dasher can rebound. Phillips is a good steals man. Moore can shoot. And the team sucks. Next!
Midwest Division
Cancun 72-8 Midwest Champion- 1st Seed
I hope this team enjoys their third Championship. This is the best team since the Colorado glory days. They are one of the best rebounding teams. Gerson all by himself makes them a great steals team but Nicholson and Mason. OUCH! Mason may turn the ball over but nobody else does so it's okay. And when you have the type of flash that Parker has you can forgive a couple of miscues. The only problem I see with this team is that tea toddling Bangerter. But, even then he can play ball. Nicholson also seems to be getting his health back. He isn't going to play all 80 games but he should play 70 or more.
Omaha 47-33 Play-offs- 4th Seed
Kutak is a moron. He isn't star material. He is one of the best role players in the league but he can't carry a team. I expect every stat of his to go down this season and he won't even get close to the Championship series. But other than Kutak this is a boring team. The only other name on this team that most fans will recognize is Harry Kramer from his college days with Appleby. But, like every one else on this team Kramer is a role player. Law, Bennett, Houle, Parker, yawn. But, I had a coach tell me once that there is no I in team and while I never bought into that philosophy this team has and boring as they may be they will be a good enough team to have home court advantage in the first round of the play-offs.
Capetown 46-34 Play-offs- 5th Seed
Mabruke is a stud. His English sucks but he can play. He may be the only 20-10 player in the West this year. Holt should also get revitalized this year and earn some respect from the younger players. Henderson is always one of the top points. Fatafehi is also developing nicely and Allen will always be a defensive wonder.
Salt Lake 43-37 Play-offs- 6th Seed
This is the team everyone loves to hate. But, it finally looks like they are putting something together in one of the nations most boring states. I hate ice and snow sports. LaMaitre and Eaton are studs and I think Eaton is finally going to get the appreciation due him. Unfortunately, the kids in white shirts and black ties will never leave him alone. I used to like those kids. They always wanted to talk to me but they would never get drunk with me so I moved on.
Texas 41-39 Play-offs- 8th Seed
They hype for this team has come far too early. Vasquez will be an MVP at some point and Miles may also. But, that is still at least a couple of seasons away for both of them. Miles is still totally raw but his talent is huge. Foster is the refined player on the team but those three are the only offensive punch on this team and since two of them are still young they will struggle at times and this team needs another scorer to help fill the hole plus they need a bench player who knows what the hoop looks like.
Cincinnati 27-53
I didn't even want to write about this team but my editor said I had to. I was shocked to learn that there are people in Cincinnati who actually read. Not that I read much but I can when my editor tells me I have to. Is that enough yet or do I actually have to say something about this team? Fine! Abegunda Abasi will do better as a small forward. More? Fine! This team needs to rebound much better and find someone who can average more than 15 points a game.
Miami 26-54
This team actually has some talent at each position. Troychak is a stud. Williams and Davis are good hard nosed inside players. Simpson can pass and Rainwater is decent. But their bench blows. With the exception of Williams and Davis the rest of the teams hasn't even heard of a rebound and as a team they just don't shoot all that well. Spending too much time at South Beach I think… how do I know? Because, I am also. But, I'm retired so it's okay.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlantic Division
Boston 54-26 Atlantic Champions- 1st Seed
I think they have found their point guard. Danny Hainge is becoming what they need. He will lead the team is assists, steals and be second in scoring. Short will be one of the leagues few 20-10 players and the rest of the team will fill their roles. They are a great rebounding team and they control the ball. There is still no flash to their game but they hardly have a weakness.
Albacete 44-36 Play-offs- 4th Seed
I love Harry but he is no Gonzo. `Cete thought they could get rid of the leagues best player and not loose a step. WRONG! Bixby is a solid rookie but he is not now and never will be Gonzo. Getting Douglas was a good move. Whitehouse has nads as does Cress but only Jarvis can take over a game and an elite team needs more than that. Oh yea and Kane sucks.
Gabon 42-38 Play-offs- 5th Seed
Toby is the lankiest most bizarre player in the league but he has game. If only he had the lateral movement to play small forward or the speed to be a shooting guard. But, the guy is a center or at least he kind of is. Still, he is the best offensive player on this roster and the second best defensive player behind Hameleers. John Devine is a solid true Center but his health is in question. I personally think he is fine but just will get tired of being in Africa. Riding elephants gets boring after a while.
Budapest 41-39 Play-offs- 6th Seed
Mobley parties like a man but shoots like a girl. If he can ever calm his jitters and wait for good shots then he could be one of the best players in the league. As he is he will still be one of the leagues top scorers but his shot selection will hurt his team. But, as always Budapest will play a lot of players and win quite a few games. But, they need to shoot a better percentage and grab more rebounds if they want to become one of the leagues best.
London 38-42 Play-offs- 8th Seed
Colbert and Davidson will always make this team competitive but management needs to do something more if they actually want to be good again. Chanda is solid but the rest of this team is made up of VI type players.
Sacramento 35-45
I feel sorry for McCall. He already had to deal with the schleps on this team but now he has to deal with Gil the leagues most famous malcontent. At least he gets to team up again with Egan the leagues best pick pocket. Sandbeck and Pitcher both have talent but no heart. Cushman has heart but no talent. Gaiser and Dilmore like to just skate through life, but don't have the looks or family name to get away with it. What a sorry bunch. Maybe next year McCall.
Rochester 34-46
A once proud franchise! Once, but not anymore. McCarthy was the former pride of Cincinnati but now is just another player on this go nowhere team. Reynoso and Simms are also fine players as are Otis and Whalen but none are great enough to raise this team out of the Atlantic's cellar.
Mid-Atlantic Division
Washington 51-29 Mid-Atlantic Champion- 2nd Seed
Yee was a college icon and now as a shooting guard he has a chance to do the same in the pro's. I personally think Schulz is the best all around talent on this team. He can do it all. Unlike Casey Schulz actually makes his shots. Unlike Yee he rebounds. Rice is a solid rebounding power forward and Reed is a pathetic point guard. This team is really only three players deep but those three can carry a load. Any of the three can take a game over and they all get to the line which is where this team wins games.
Brooklyn 49-31 Play-offs- 3rd Seed
Like I said, Kutak is an idiot. I wish I had spent my entire career here- a great franchise and some of the best night life around. Not to mention those endorsements. Kutak isn't going to get anywhere near the same type of endorsements in Omaha. Kutak's departure really hurts this team. They have it happen every year but this year was big. They signed Jefferson to help out but he really is a project, as are youngsters Benson and Everidge. This team is still a great rebounding team and an offensive force but without Kutak they are not as tough defensively. Strom is now, with the injury to Taylor, the best small forward in the league, Perkins is an elite power forward, Bailey is a future stud, Krueger has become a very solid point guard and Siebert is still the heart of this team. The question on this team is the bench. The famous Brooklyn depth is gone and the bench is now filled with role players not player who could start on most teams. Saunders, Dickenson, Jones, Henderson, and Barrett will get most of the minutes but can they get the job done if Strom, Perkins and/or Siebert get in foul trouble.
Birmingham 40-40 Play-offs- 7th Seed
Birmingham has taken the Budapest model of building a team with no name players and it has worked. But, like Budapest they will find that you need stars to get to the next level. Who will this team rely on in a close game?
Baltimore 34-46
Anson Valente is a great passer and he will lead the league in assists which I find amazing considering who he has to pass to. Come on when the team's best offensive player is Steve Vernie you're in trouble. Zane Rivers is a hard working player who will either have to learn to be happy as a starter for a bad team or a sub on a good team.
Carolina 27-53
I guarantee that if Kevon Didn't hate the south when he went to Carolina that he does now. He is one of the best shooting guards in the league but has never has any talent around him.
New York 26-54
Such a great city and such a bad team. Greene is washed up. Carter is over rated. Kumanchik is a role player. Magenheimer shouldn't be a starter. Foster should retire.
Virgin Isl. 23-57
Scooter Jacobs is this team's best offensive player and yes that is a problem. There is actually a lot of talent on this team but it will take great coaching to get a good season out of them. Have we ever seen great coaching in VI?
MVP Talk:
Some of the tried and true names will be tossed around in the MVP talk this year- Gonzo, Mason, Mercer, Williams, Short, Jarvis, Strom and Duke. I also expect to hear some new names- Mabruke, Vasquez, Toby, Mobley and Yee. But when all is said and done no player means more to their team than Gonzo.
ROOKIE Talk:
This is a good year for rookies. Clopp, Curtis, Bixby, Kamara, Stein, Devine and Coleman will all play large roles with their teams. But, no rookie will get as much playing time as Stein but his shooting may make voters not want to vote for him, no matter how well he plays in other areas. If that is the case expect Bixby to get the award.
May 31st, 2004
GSPN Editor's Note
We at GSPN are pleased to have recently hired Wes Ford as a columnist for GSPN magazine. His experience as a WBA player should be crucial in building our credibility. Here is his first report:
The rumors are true, I quit the WBA to become a full-time pimp. Okay, only a part-time pimp, I got a job at GSPN to do analyzations. I'm scared, analyzations are the reason I never made it past Pre-Algebra in high school. Well, I'm supposed to write an article about all the teams in the league, so here it is:
Western Conference:
Pacific Division:
Montana: In Montana's two preseason games, they have had the best defense in the league. But the only thing they can defend now is the rumors that their coach wants to go out with all my girlfriends in the music videos on MTV.
Nebraska: I don't think Wayne Taylor really got injured. He wants to go to the beach, or someplace that doesn't rival Iowa in terms of corn fields. Heck, I faked injuries all the time when I was in South Carolina. You really think that I got food poisoning from a home cooked meal that one Thanksgiving?
Oregon: I personally hate Lou Gonzalez. They always say he has block parties, but I never was invited to any of them.
Califronia: I was personally hoping that Mickey Mouse was going to be on this team. That's why I never cared for this team.
Colorado: If Montana makes the playoff this year, I'm blaming it on Colorado for trading Heiko Van Brandt to them. Hopefully they'll have some defense so they'll actually win when Samir Sheth scores 100 points.
Andorra: Haha, the guy who ditched me in Season 2 worse than my 16 year old girlfriend hasn't won a game in the preason yet. I think it's because the team is drunk because the fans always say "It's Miller Time" during the games.
Roswell: People belived me when I said that I saw UFOs here, but they didn't when I said that I once saw a winning season here. I guess Roswell has a lot to prove this year.
Midwest Division
Cancun: If they keep winning championships, people will think they're gangstas with all their diamond rings. Maybe there's still a chance they can sign me so I don't have to keep stealing rings from the dollar store in town.
Salt Lake: Rumor has it that Brad has figured out a way to program his players to win the WBA championship. Or was that just in his Coast to Coast basketball simulator?
Miami: Well, they have my former teammate, Marty Williams, and one of Homer Simpson's cousin in PG Alvin Simpson, so they might have an entertaining team this year.
Texas: Jarius Miles ranks the only player who was a bigger player in High School than me. Hopefully Jay Vazquez plays better than he has in the pre-season. I personally want Texas to win the championship this year (for undisclosed reasons).
Capetown: If they still need a SG, they should sign me! Okay, I only wanted to sneak into the jungle and night to go riding elephants, but I don't except anybody to care.
Cincinnati: I don't know anybody who is on this team, and that might be a good thing.
Omaha: I can't wait to see Peter Parker in Spider Man 2. Otherwise I'm not sure who I'll be cheering for on their team.
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Divison:
Sacramento: For a bunch of rooster, the actually have a decent team. Of course, with all the steals that John Gaiser, Booby Egan, and company have had so far this pre-season, the entire team might be charged with theft.
Rochester: Experience tells me not to diss Dave Williams, so I'll just say that Jim McCarthy is the best player in the league, and run. Of course, it makes sense that Rondall Reynoso is one of the stars on this team.
Boston: Ever since they refused to re-sign me last season, even with my superstar star status, they need a Point Guard. I'm so amazed.
London: This team has so many good veterans, they named that holiday in November in the United States in honor of them. Of course, I'm not sure if the Queen is a big fan of Disco music.
Albacete: Any team called the Burning Hell must be hot, especailly with Harry Jarvis, who is always fun to watch. I want to see if Juwan Bixby and Tyler Kane are any good.
Gabon: What a misnomer. They call themselves the giants, and the barely have any big men to back it up. John Devine will be okay, but who else is there at center?
Budapest: K.D. Mobley, Larry Chapman, and Steve Peterson all are good players, so I don't see them being that bad.
Mid-Atlantic Division
Brooklyn: I figured out that the reason Brooklyn has been jinxed in the playoffs recently is because there coach isn't as good looking as he could be. When your games are internationally broadcasted on GSPN, don't you think all the ignorant female fans would rather be cheering for a team with a good looking coach, like Pat Fullum?
Washington: I don't think they would be as good as the team if they didn't have support from the Federal Government. It's so bad, that even during the games their players have Secret Service agents with them to protect them.
Birmingham: Oliver McCarty is almost as good as a PG as I was in my glory days. Of course, almost everybody on the team has foul problems, so I'm going to see if there wait to see if they'll be my team in the East or not.
New York: John Greene is the main man on this team. If he's injured, the Firestorm are just a bunch of sparks.
Carolina: Wasn't this the team I was on Seasons 1-2 with the annoying coach Corey Daubanton? Well, they have Kevon Duke, so I'm going to be afraid of this team for the time being.
Virgin Islands: Their tourist industry was doing fine until this team came around. I really don't see this team doing anything until they retain one of their first own first round picks, instead of an elite team owning them.
May 29th, 2004
Plummer Rankings
As we all know, GSPN has weekly Power Rankings throughout the season. Since that is a computer generated report, I thought it might be interesting to have Power Rankings in the eyes of one of the owners. I will try to do one every Wednesday and Saturday since we will be playing 2-a-days. I will now give my Pre-preseason Power Rankings. In this first edition, I will give my division/conference projections as well.
Western Conference
Pacific Division
1. Nebraska (2)
2. Colorado (3)
3. Oregon (4)
4. Andorra
5. Montana
6. California
7. Roswell
Midwest Division
1. Cancun (1)
2. Texas (5)
3. Capetown (6)
4. Miami (7)
5. Salt Lake (8)
6. Omaha
7. Cincinnati
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
1. Albacete (2)
2. London (4)
3. Sacramento (6)
4. Boston (7)
5. Gabon
6. Rochester
7. Budapest
Mid-Atlantic Division
1. Washington (1)
2. Brooklyn (3)
3. Birmingham (5)
4. New York (8)
5. Carolina
6. Virgin Islands
7. Baltimore
Plummer Rankings
THE BEST OF THE BEST
1. Cancun--Two WBA titles and 3 conference crowns over last 3 years have earned them this top spot. They aren't showing any signs of slowing down.
2. Washington--The addition of Emmett Yee and finally moving him to SG could prove to be the biggest off-season move.
3. Brooklyn--Would be #2, but won't be able to stay out of foul trouble against Washington. Whoever wins the Mid-Atlantic will play in the Finals.
4. Nebraska--On paper, this is the most talented team in the league. Take away Wayne Taylor for 15-20 games and they're not as scary. The addition of Paul Wilson was HUGE!!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COULD WIN IT ALL
5. Albacete--Won't be as dominant like in years past, but still good enough to go real far. Jarvis + Rookies = 1st Place
6. Colorado--BJ will soon realize why many veteran WBA owners felt Van Brandt was the key to their success. Kamara can't fill his shoes!!
7. Oregon--If it weren't for Lou, this would just be a mediocre team. This team has caught the Boston sydrome as they are now a poor passing team.
8. Texas--This is a VERY young and talented team, but still has some holes to fill. Expect to see Vasquez have an MVP type season. This kid is the real deal.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BARELY NOT ENOUGH
9. London--Colbert, Davidson, and Chanda still have another year left in the tank, but they are really starting to age. Could contend with Albacete for 1st.
10. Birmingham--Last year's Cinderella team can still shoot with the best of them and they don't turn the ball over. They need a stud to get into elite status.
11. Capetown--Henderson, Mabruke, and Holt give them the trio they need. If they can get some depth at guard, they can sneak up on some teams.
12. Miami--This is the best Bangerter (Brent or Brad) team ever assembled. Simpson ranks up there as one of the top acquistions.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIRST ROUND EXITS
13. Sacramento--New city and new player (Harold Gil) will finally put this team out of last place and will be my Cinderella team. Should be fun to watch this year.
14. Boston--Get a POINT GUARD!!!
15. Salt Lake--I'm one of the few that predicts Brad's teams to do well every year. I'm wrong ever year too. I guess it'll be another 30 win season, huh?
16. New York--I put them in the playoffs because I actually think John Greene can still play. Greene, when healthy, seems to take his teams to a higher level.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COULD BE 7 or 8 SEED
17. Gabon--Get a CENTER!!!
**Boston and Gabon should merge**
18. Rochester--Bert Haug was a nice pick up, but this team is still lacking something. I used to think Dave was the greatest thing that ever happened. Remember Dave? Boy was I wrong. :)
19. Andorra--They have a very nice frontcourt and a decent backcourt, but they have no depth. If they can get depth, they're a playoff team for sure.
20. Montana--I didn't even look at their roster. For one, it'll be completely different tomorrow. And two, no matter what they do they are always around 35 wins.
21. Budapest--I pick them to stink every year and they're always good. Subtract 10 from this ranking and that's where they'll probably finish.
22. Omaha--I always root for them, but they never do good. They have a nice starting 5, but no depth. They need a go-to-guy to put them on the map.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WE WANT THE #1 PICK
23. Carolina--Kevon Duke
24. California--Sergio did such a great job coaching last year that I wouldn't be shocked if they made the playoffs. It's fun watching scrubs win.
25. Cincinnati--They stunk last year and lost their best player in Yee. What else is there to say?
26. Virgin Islands--This is the first year where I didn't pick them to finish last. They can pull off some upsets this year, but don't count on finishing higher than 5th.
27. Baltimore--I know they're not this bad, but I kind of want a reaction out of Robby. (I like when he uses those funny faces).
28. Roswell--When 11 out of the 14 players on your roster have a D- or less rating for passing, you know it's going to be a long year. This team makes Boston look like the Harlem Globetrotters. Don't worry Greg, I'm not going after you because I know it's not your fault.
May 28th, 2004
More Players Give Up the Dream
Every year after the WBA rosters are set there are players who realize that it is time to move on. Here is this years batch:
Adam Birkett
Bill Cantwell
Clifton Banko
Dan Davila
Dave Berkley
Dave Foreman
David Zorich
Don Terrell
Dovydas Vilijamas
Dustin Hawkins
Eddie Maloy
Felix Del Torro
Frank Evers
Fred Cane
George Peek
J.D. Yetman
Ja'rod Brennan
Jamal Duncan
Jackson Messer
Jasper Zadelhout
Jeff Gillies
John Felton
Kokou Gninefou
Nikolai Gordeyev
Peter Vriesde
Ray Neuberger
Raynor Schiene
Sergio Cahill
Stew Page
T.J. Butler
Thaddeus Duhme
Tyler Jones
Willie Stryker
Al Harvey
Al Mangano
Alex Austin
Allen Zebrowski
Amir Walsh
Art Miller
Benjamin Blue
Bill Badger
Billy Boreczky
Bob Boland
Bootsy Smythe
Bubba Phillips
Carl Ray
Chavo Almeyda
Charlie Butler
Daniel Cox
Don Kriha
Donald Azer
Drew Blake
Dondolare Duro
Eddie Weaver
Frank Ortman
Glen Mountain
Grady Knigge
Greg Pyle
Hanz Fastiegn
Jack Boyd
Jamil Augustine
Jason Spencer
Jerry Duggan
Jim Benko
Jim Lyons
John Milner
John Robertson
Josh Campen
Johnny Bundy
Kristian Dickerson
Lou Fox
Luke Mooreschini
Manuel Checo
Mark Reiter
Matt Read
Michael Jones
Mike Barry
Myron Clark
Nazim Hikmet
Pat Dermer
Paul Bradshaw
Paul Sweeney
R.J. Bowe
Rahul Davis
Rashawn Boice
Reine Seide
Rik Fischer
Ryan Selwig
Sam McBride
Saul Styles
Stan Benton
Steve Aguirre
Thurman Fahey
Todd Jordan
Travarius Hanover
Turner Edelman
Valtaras Chaplic
Ziegelstein Haus
Ying-Ming Bao
Xavier Greene
Wong Fei-Hung
Wilson Callaway
Will Ryder
Wes Ford (Rumor has it he will begin working for GSPN)
Wesley Parrish
Wally Blades
Vincenzo Marshall
Vincent Wolf
Vladimir Koklov
Trevor Porter
May 25th, 2004
St. Thomas, Jamaica
Season Preview…
While many teams are boasting about the success they should have in the New Year, one team knows that success for them is making it to ten wins. But you would not tell that this team is stressing it. They practice day in and day out. And they seem to have fun at it. This team is Virgin Islands! A member of the league for quite awhile and still NOT a winning season. Coach Williams and crew know that will not happen this season. Coach Williams was cited as saying, he told his team that they have no pressure on them, no one expects them to win over 10 games this season. Is this reverse psychology or is this a coach and an organization that is finally seeing the light. The probable starters for Virgin Islands this season is as follows:
PG- Umberto DiTullio: Umberto is happy to have been resigned, he was sought after by other teams, but he remains faithful and loyal to this organization. He thinks that this team will have a turn around season and at least get more than 15 wins. He has been working on his jump shot and defense. Look for him to have another career setting season in assists, steals, and FG %.
Last Season Standout Stats…10.5 APG, 2.0 SPG, and a 5 to 1 A-T Ratio!
SG- Scooter Jacobs or Cullen Phillips: This is actually a position that is heating up. Phillips was on the verge of being traded this season. He was very displeased with his production last season. And with the late season arrival of Harold Gil, he just didn't get playing time. He is back this season and a sophomore. Phillips has the talent to turn this league out, but he is a ball hog. Scooter Jacobs, washed up or rejuvenated. He is holding on to his career… If he doesn't start, I don't think he will be too good off the bench. Last season was his most unproductive of his career. If he can't drop the jump shot, this may have been the most costly move for VI!
SF- The battle has begun… Marquez Houston… Rookie Phenom! Is hoping that he has what it takes to improve on his 1st season accomplishments. He has gained a few pounds of muscle and has been given competition by Bruce Johnson. The good thing about having Johnson on this team, is that it gives VI a rebounding edge when Marquez comes out the game… As a rookie Houston was 2nd in the WBA in Offensive Rebounds last season and 8th in Total Rebounds.
PF- Kevin Boice will take over at PF again this season. It looks as if he has a complete package this season. Scoring and Rebounding to point out. Boice, helped VI win some games last season, just because of pure hustle! We should have fun watching him this season. Last season he ranked 3rd in Offensive Rebounds! He could share some times with Ramon Phelan who has also improved his game this offseason.
C- Well this is a battle also… Could VI actually have a good Sophmore class, or will Al Zarra beat out Olsen in this dual. Olsen has a lot of scoring power and led this team in scoring the first month of last season, but he still slack strength. Al Zarra is still wondering why he is here in Virgin Islands. After so many seasons with a winning franchise, he has ended up with the worst franchise. There are trade talks!!! VI really doesn't mind being rid of him because he basically isn't into the rebuilding theme! But Al has improved of the offseason and he looks to be in stellar shape… Only time will tell.
VI predicts they will win 15 games this season and lose 67. But always there could be a natural disaster and all of VI players could become MUTANTS and kick but this season and Win the Championship as a number 8 seed.. It could happen!
May 21st, 2004
Is this the ``Giant`` year?
What we call the rookies All-Stars have now been drafted 6 years ago. The quatuor of Otto Hammeleers, Jerry Bramson, Derek Vinyard and Ethan Hunt (alias Leon Berthelson) were supposed to be contender in all thoses years, but lack of a good center have made them only pass once trought the first round of the playoffs. Theses ex-rookies are not getting younger and their chance of winning a championnship is slimmering by the day. Gabon`s fans are becoming more and more frustrated and trades rumors are frequently heard in the villages. Management thinks otherwise tought, as they think they may have found the answers to their problems in this off-season.
The search for a good center... it has been Gabon`s quest for the last 5 years. In a conference filled with powerhouse teams with great players at the center position, the Giants cant expect to win without a defensive force in the middle. They have try many different names ( Mike Mays, Barry Daskalothanasis, Burt Rodriguez, Sage Walker, John Diblasi) but all thoses guys could not to the job that was needed. This year management thinks that rookie John Devine will do this hard-nosed job of containing the league good-to-great centers. The 15th pick in the draft was in college a defensive specialist with very good rebounding and blocking skills... just what they need. But is that too much to ask for a rookie? time will tell...
Adding more talent at backup positions... there is no deny on how great theses rookies all-stars can be, but there is much doubts about the supporting cast that surronds them. That`s why Gabon went after Elvis Harris in free agency. ``The King`` is not only a very good all-around veteran player who can fill many positions on the floor, he also won two championship rings with Cancun and will bring that playoffs experience that the Giants desperatly needs. Let`s not forget that Fernando Edwards and Ray Tango have one more year of experience under their belts and with some quality training in the off-season they could do more damage this year. Offensive force Magic Toby will certainly play less minutes this year, but his adaptation as a backup who could spark is team off the bench is crucial to Gabon`s offense. The addition of experience point guard Stub Madison will also put pressure on Tango to produce right away, or he will hit the bench.
With the owner being very over-excited and fans a little doubtfuls about the up-coming season, this is what some of the players had to say:
Jerry Bramson:`` I am very optimistic about this year squad. We are a much stronger team and should not be out-rebounded very often``
Otto Hameleers: `` we get a lot of support from our fans, but we must give them something back really soon to keep them cheering. there is no more excuses for us right now... this year, its put up or shut up...