October 1-15, 2004

GLOBAL SPORTS PROGRAMMING NETWORK

October 15th, 2004

Boston: Two Triangles Plus Toby

By M. Exsopito

Drafted in the first round of the season three rookie draft as the 25th overall pick by Chacarita, Toby came into the league offering a unique package. As a center and power forward throughout his career Toby has always retained the mind and skills of a shooting guard. This package of skills has been both a blessing and a detriment to his career. For while having the body of a big man Toby has never been much of a rebounder but his offensive talents have helped override this weakness as he has established himself as one of the most potent scorers in the leagues history.

This upcoming season may actually prove to be Toby's most successful season to date as he has gotten off to a great start all across the board. A native of New Mexico, Toby's familiarity with Spanish has helped established a bond between him and new Spanish owner Pablo del Pino. The two and Felipe Juarez are often heard joking around in the foreign tongue while teammates are often left wondering, “what's so funny?” On the court Toby has gotten off to an exceptional start this preseason by averaging twenty-three points and shooting a blazing sixty percent. His performance has been so great that he has been given two games off showing that Boston already knows what to expect from him.

This season Toby is expected to log in major minutes at the small forward position, offering a balance between his shooting guard skills and big man body. Toby will assuredly be a key player for Boston while shooting and dishing some nice assists from the middle. It is expected that Toby will average 38-40 minutes a game and with the numbers that Toby is capable of putting up he is on track for another All-Star selection.

Toby is an integral part of the early strategy that seems to be taking form in Boston. One which employs two triangles and Toby. At first this seems awkward but the strategy is as clear as Canary Island water. The guards and big men will be rotated on a triangular basis. Foster, Hainge and Otis will compromise the guard rotation while Short, Holt and Huryta will share the load in the post. Meanwhile promising point guard Felipe Juarez, and big time shooter Herman Burke, will practice hard waiting for the chance to break into the lineup.

The upcoming season will certainly be productive season for Magic Toby and Boston. I sat down with Magic to discuss personal and team matters and the following is the transcript from my session with the engaging young man:

M. Exsopito: Magic, it is a pleasure to meet with you on this perfect time in history, tell me how has everything been going with you?

Toby: I still have that horrible nightmare night after night...

M. Exsopito: Oh golly a nightmare? But your play has been amazing thus far in the preseason how could you be having nightmares?

Toby: I pretend to get a rebound surrounded by Mabruke and Mosley and when I try to jump, somebody is painting my snickers in bloody red, then I hear the crowd making fun of me...suddenly I wake up and everything remains the same, I can't rebound..I can't I can't I can't...

M. Exsopito: How horrible but while its true that you've only averaged 2.7 rebounds per game in your career, don't you realize that teams don't want you for your rebounding but for your incredible scoring prowess? That is what makes Magic Toby truly Magical.

Toby: I think I'm doing a great job this preseason. I've really tried to be focused on what I have to do as a small forward, not like a shooting guard before. Now I'm trying to get the best out of me, I know I have a "deadlytouch" when it comes to shooting, so everybody out there be ready, big Magic is playing big minutes this season.

M. Exsopito: Thats good to hear Magic. For a minute there I thought you had come down with a case of RSD, Rebounding Stress Disorder. Emett Yee was diagnosed with a case of this but managed to successfully recover from the horrible condition. I believe a change of position was what eventually cured him and look at him now.

Toby: Obviously, Washington with Yee and without Yee, they're two different teams. With Yee they're a championship team, without Yee they're an average team. Unlike Washington, Boston without Magic ain't worse, I have a nice core of teammates, I'm just one more.

M. Exsopito: That's a big statement to make Magic. As a two-time former All Star do you really believe you are just another player on the team?

Toby: Of course I am, look around, Short, Holt, Foster...they are all in two or three top ten categories in WBA history, it's great to have them on court. The new guys Foster and Holt are very nice people, despite their age, they're still very hungry for glory. Our GM is trying to get everybody involved, I predict a good season for this franchise.

M. Exsopito: Magic, speaking of your GM Pablo del Pino what have been your impressions of him so far? This is his first season after replacing Corey Bowen what changes do you foresee under the new management?

Toby: Well, first of all, he just had one thing in mind, depth. He's tried to get 12 starters together, however, cap room difficulties plus the John Greene affair have made his off-season performance look a bit controversial, especially the Holt - Yeager trade. However, I just feel that he's been able to put a lot of interesting pieces together on this WBA board. Time will tell, and will pretty soon, can't wait for that Washington versus Boston in day 1.

M. Exsopito: It seems like new management is on the right track and the season will assuredly be an interesting one. I for one agree with you in that I can't wait for the season to start. Magic, it was a pleasure interviewing you. Good luck versus Washington and the season to come.

Toby: Nice talking to you, whoever you are. Just one more thing, my prediction: Capetown vs Boston in the finals. Peace.

October 15th, 2004

Oregon Season Preview

After a strong campaign in the WBA's 9th season, Oregon has re-tooled with new, veteran talent, and looks to be as good as ever. High expectations are on the shoulders of the team, as there should be. This might be the best collection of talent in the whole league this season. Newcomers Kelvin Davidson and Donovan Jones are two prime time players joining an already rock solid team. This will be a team to watch in season ten.

POINT GUARD

#26 Kelvin Davidson

HT: 6'3” WT: 180

AGE: 30

YRS

TEAM(S)

MPG

FG%

FT%

3PT%

OFF

TRPG

APG

SPG

BPG

PPG

LON

34.0

49.8

80.7

1.4

7.3

1.8

1.4

1.5

14.5

CAREER

599

38.0

53.6

83.7

12.6

1.9

9.1

2.1

1.8

19.5

-Six-time East All-Star

-65.5% Career Winning Percentage

Notes:

Kelvin joins a superb supporting cast and brings his most coveted talent of leadership to the point. Rumors are he has made friends with last year's starting PG Bill Andrews, and are working together nicely. Bill was originally irritated when he learned he would no longer be the teams starting PG, but when confronted with some members of the coaching staff, he learned that would see some time playing SG. He reportedly liked the idea, as he is a score-first player, and has the shooting guard mentality. Kelvin could enjoy career-high production this year as the Bears' play caller.

SHOOTING GUARD

#5 Bishop Stein

HT: 6'4” WT: 188

AGE: 23

YRS

TEAM(S)

MPG

FG%

FT%

3PT%

OFF

TRPG

APG

SPG

BPG

PPG

ORE

39.0

34.9

64.6

31.6

1.9

6.5

8.0

1.9

1.1

1.8

1.2

14.5

-Season 9 Rookie Of The Year

Notes:

Stein comes back to Oregon after a season of great training. He visited with his Langepas trainer and re-adopted his old off-season workout program. His shooting touch is up to par and he has improved his court vision also. Many major sports networks say Bishop is a sure All-Star and a possible MVP candidate. When asked about these predictions Bishop responded: “Well awards are nice, but winning is more important. I am looking forward to the season and proving what I can do. Parker can't touch me this year!”

SMALL FORWARD

#30 Donovan Jones

HT: 6'11” WT: 261

AGE: 27

YRS

TEAM(S)

MPG

FG%

FT%

3PT%

OFF

TRPG

APG

SPG

BPG

PPG

OMA

32.0

44.1

60.6

21.1

1.9

9.5

5.3

2.4

2.1

3.7

10.6

CAREER

480

28.0

44.5

62.8

27.3

1.4

7.7

5.4

2.5

1.9

2.7

8.8

-Season 7 All-Defensive Team

-45.2% Career Winning Percentage

Notes:

Donovan will be asked to play the majority of his minutes at the SF spot this year in order to get the most out of his talent. He was brought in from Omaha, trading away Tony Dimateo in the process. Jones never got a good opportunity to shine, either not getting the minutes early in his career, or being stuck on a cellar dweller like Omaha. However, Donovan has already shown flashes of what he can do with talent around him this preseason. He has recorded a triple-double and racked up 30+ points once during his first 3 games in an Oregon uniform. Just another All-Star caliber player for Oregon to play with.

POWER FORWARD

#31 Cory Mosley

HT: 6'9” WT: 260

AGE: 28

YRS

TEAM

MPG

FG%

FT%

3PT%

OFF

TRPG

APG

SPG

BPG

PPG

ORE

33.0

43.8

79.5

4.5

2.4

11.9

2.6

2.3

1.8

12.3

CAREER

478

25.0

46.7

83.6

8.7

2.0

8.7

2.0

1.8

1.3

8.8

-Two-Time West All-Star

-Two-Time Rebound King

Notes:

Cory is one of the toughest guys in the league, which reflects in his rebounding. He's a great defender, also; logging over 2 steals a game last season. Not a whole lot to say about Mosley that isn't already obvious. He's a ROCK SOLID player who puts it all on the floor night in and night out.

CENTER

#22 Lou Gonzales

HT: 6'11” WT: 230

AGE: 29

YRS

TEAM

MPG

FG%

FT%

3PT%

OFF

TRPG

APG

SPG

BPG

PPG

ORE

37.0

67.1

83.1

1.7

7.1

3.8

2.3

4.6

2.3

3.2

25.9

CAREER

560

38.0

62.1

81.8

33.0

2.1

8.2

4.3

2.7

4.7

1.7

2.7

24.3

-Seven-Time All-Star

-Two-Time WBA MVP

-Four-Time Defensive MVP

-69% Career Winning Percentage

Notes:

According to many, Lou is the best player in the league. He does it all. Score, pass, block, steal, you name it. He has even improved his only “weakness” this off-season by working hard on his rebounding techniques. Another MVP season is expected of Lou, as he will lead Oregon deep into the playoffs

SIXTH MAN

#32 Bill Andrews - Guard

HT: 6'2” WT: 166

AGE: 29

YRS

TEAM

MPG

FG%

FT%

3PT%

OFF

TRPG

APG

SPG

BPG

PPG

ORE

39.0

52.5

70.3

34.2

1.9

6.1

1.5

2.3

20.6

CAREER

681

32.0

50.1

72.2

40.2

1.8

5.7

1.1

1.5

1.8

14.7

-63.4% Career Winning Percentage

Notes:

Bill Andrews might not be the starting PG for Oregon, but his role is just as, if not more important than last season. He put up career numbers last season and proved a lot of people he is truly a great player. He has always been an underrated, unappreciated player since all his years as Albacete's starter. He even helped then to a WBA Championship, but still no love. Bill will get to see some time at SG also, serving as a combo guard and getting about 30 minutes per game. Expect a Sixth Man Of The Year award to be well within his reach.

RESERVE

#39 Auston Monte - Forward

HT: 6'7” WT: 218

AGE: 22

YRS

TEAM

MPG

FG%

FT%

3PT%

REB

APG

SPG

BPG

PPG

PRESEASON

12.0

34.6

80.0

16.7

2.8

1.0

0.7

0.8

1.5

1.2

4.5

Notes:

Auston Monte was a draft day move made by the Oregon front office. They got his rights from Carolina for a future second rounder. And it was a good thing they decided to grab the rookie from Ithaca State, as first round pick Asher Ward looks less WBA-ready than expected. Monte won't get a ton of minutes, but the minutes will fluctuate throughout the season and he will be an important player. If Donovan Jones or Cory Mosley get hurt for some reason, Monte will get the nod at Small Forward.

RESERVE

#1 Leon Berthelson - Point Guard

HT: 6'3” WT: 196

AGE: 29

YRS

TEAM

MPG

FG%

FT%

3PT%

OFF

TRPG

APG

SPG

BPG

PPG

TEX

23.0

31.1

80.3

29.9

2.0

4.5

1.8

1.2

1.3

7.2

CAREER

481

34.0

34.4

83.0

39.5

1.1

3.3

7.8

2.7

2.1

2.2

10.7

-69.2% Career Winning Percentage

Notes:

A crafty veteran who never disappoints. Although his best days are behind him, his talent and leadership are unquestioned. He has experience with winning teams while starring in Gabon's run as a top-tier team, and even last season with Cancun, although only serving as the teams scout team point guard. He probably won't get a lot of minutes, and won't play every game, but is great insurance as the third string point guard.

RESERVE

#40 Donovan McCormick - Center

HT: 7'2” WT: 255

AGE: 24

YRS

TEAM

MPG

FG%

FT%

3PT%

OFF

TRPG

APG

SPG

BPG

PPG

ROC

11.0

39.8

81.7

48.0

2.7

1.1

4.4

CAREER

139

18.0

35.6

76.9

42.7

1.2

4.7

1.6

6.4

Notes:

Donovan was picked up right before the preseason began to shore up the frontcourt. He has some great talent, but has yet to put it together and turn it into stats. He will get a chance this year in Oregon, his third team in his third season. He won't have much pressure on him at all, playing behind the leagues most dominate player in Lou Gonzales. Hopefully some of that talent rubs off.

RESERVE

#24 Joe Menendez - Small Forward

HT: 6'6” WT: 224

AGE: 29

YRS	TEAM	G	MPG	FG%	FT%	3PT%	OFF	TRPG	APG	SPG	BPG	TO	PF	PPG
S9	CAR	48	7.0	34.7	91.7	.0	.6	2.0	.3	.0	.3	.3	.1	1.6
7	Seasons	323	10.0	40.7	89.1	9.1	.7	2.7	1.0	.0	.3	.5	.3	2.6

Notes:

A player with good talent that has never played much throughout his 7-year career. A long-time Boston Massacre reserve shows his loyalty, a trait that Oregon management liked about Joe. He won't hurt his team at all, he doesn't make any mistakes, and can do all the basics of the game well. He should get as much playing time this season as he ever has in his career.

October 14th, 2005

VETERAN PLAYERS COMING SLOWLY

By Dave Thompson

Don't expect much out of Albacete Burning Hell in the upcoming exhibition

games; the team have adopted a "preservation" mode with their talented,

but aging star players other than Tyler Kane and Juwan Bixby.

Whitehouse, 29, is recovering from a spartan diet which have made him to

lose 12 pounds, he is playing around 15 minutes a game, but vows he will

be ready for the season opener and expects to play around 25 minutes a game.

In the meantime, the Burning Hell are being careful not to overwork the

veteran in preseason until the moment of thruth.

Donelly, 29, has not seen a single minute this preseason, because the team

want to see how rookies adapt their game to the pros, and because they want

him to recover from all the beating he takes every single game

Cress, 29 too, has been this summer in a clinic to prevent more heart issues,

like that one which almost ended with his career and his life in season

6. He is reportedly in great form, as we can see in his last game with 29

points and 12 boards against New York.

In fact, the Burning Hell have committed to a policy they used in the last

seasons with veteran players giving them the option of when to participate

in practice and planning to monitor his playing time to between 20 and 25

minutes once the regular season starts.

"You only do that with guys who know how to play, and they do," Albacete's

coach Pedro Alcaraz said. "I just want to make sure they stay healthy for

the season, so I don't need them to practice every day or play hard in preseason.

But right now, they are practicing great. So more than anything, we are

saving them. I do like to have guys get in shape and be used to their teammates,

but I have to make sure they are able to play when it counts."

During the Burning Hell's last practices, Whitehouse has spent as much time

on the exercise bike as he has in full-court scrimmages. In the past two

days, however, he has spent more and more time running the floor, so much

so that his practice shirt was soaked with sweat yesterday.

"I'm not there as far as my stamina. I'm far from that, but I'm getting

there," Whitehouse said. "It won't take long for me to get into game shape,

not this year. I know by the time the season starts I will be able to play

five more minutes than last season. Right now, I'm doing just enough in

practice without overworking my fat body."

When the Burning Hell signed Gordon Whitehouse for a big contract, last

summer, general manager Aitor Tilla said the team would as extensive as

it could be in examining his shape and conditioning. Team doctors performed

a physical, and Albacete interviewed several sources, people who saw him

on holidays included, his neighbours who see him on a regular basis, and

they have been delighted with what they have heard. No Big Macs, no Whoopers,

no more Cola in the local supermarket, and twice a week, a visit to the

greengrocer's. The result are obvious, now you can see a more modelled body,

you can even see some muscle in his arms

The team had been given by owners one week to waive him if his conditioning

did not suffer a dratic improvement, and Albacete assistants flew to Siberia

to run Whitehouse through drills on consecutive days. Gordon's stamina showed

he could play more time after the two workouts, prompting the team to keep

him around. "Even after doing so, we understand that there is a certain

amount of risk," Tilla said. "He has actually had a problematic eating habits

since he was in the GCBA. But he came in here, signed a good contract, promised

to work this summer, our doctors examined him, we did a lot of background

checking, and after our assistants were down there in Siberia, we felt comfortable."

Whitehouse hasn't tried to dodge the condition of his body, or create any

illusions that he can withstand for a lot more of the minutes he has played

over his 8-year WBA career. Tilla said he met with Whitehouse, Pedro Alcaraz

and trainer Correque Tepillo, and the group came to the conclusion that

23 to 25 minutes a game was a reasonable goal. "We all agreed he would be

used sparingly in the preseason, probably more so in the end, and when the

season starts the goal is to get 23 to 25 minutes over the course of the

whole season," Tilla said. "We are trying to preserve him, rather than wear

him out. We want to slowly, slowly build toward the regular season."

Even during his limited practice time, Alcaraz and the Burning Hell players

say Whitehouse is making an impact. Everybody raves about Gordon?s knowledge

and describes his game as "easy," because he makes the smart pass, goes

for rebounds, plays good defense and makes his teammates better. And the

players don?t talk anymore about his reputation as a "black-hole" player

and rave about his evident leadership qualities.

"Gordon is a guy who has always leaded quietly out there," Albacete star

Harry Jarvis said. "It's not so much him stopping and saying something where

everyone hears, but you see him pulling guys aside and whispering to them,

maybe about what they could have done better, or telling them how to get

their shot. You know, he is the second player with most games in this franchise

after me. He has to lead by example"

Jarvis said he has watched Whitehouse pull aside rookies like Tyler Kane,

Juwan Bixby, Rodger Garson and others to give advice -- a tactic that Whitehouse

shrugs off as nothing special. "That's just by nature, that's what I do,"

he said. "That's what veterans are supposed to do, help out. Most of our

talent is in these younger guys, so I'm just trying to help them with the

mental and physical aspects of the game."

October 14th, 2004

WBA Player Interview

by Brandon Morfeld

Bishop Stein had a great rookie season last year for Oregon and through some great offseason work he has developed even further. His coaches have said he is one of the most impressive young men they have seen and they expect him to lead this team to the next level. Earlier I sat down with Bishop and talked about Oregon and the league.

Brandon: Bishop, we all know that you worked really hard this offseason, what areas do you feel you improved most in and what do you bring to the table for this team?

Bishop: Well last year i felt i hurt the team by not being as good of a shooter as I know i could be. I went back to my offseason program I used at Langepas, and it is paying off so far. I am showing my improvement in our intersquad scrimmages.

Brandon: I know your coaches have really been impressed with your progress--what are they telling you about how you could perform this season? What do they expect from you?

Bishop: Well, the expectations from lasy year are the same, just the pressure is not. We have brought in some great talent, and my confidence is up from last year. I have also been told I will get to play some minutes at point guard this year, which is the position I love to play, I love handling the ball.

Brandon: You mention the new talent brought in. Who have you been most impressed with in camp and what do you think the new guys add to this squad?

Bishop: I really enjoy having Kelvin Davidson in the backcourt with me. He is one of the greatest guards in WBA history, and hes worked with me in the offseason with alot of PG skills. I really hope he ends his career here in Oregon.

Donovan Jones will also be a great player or us. He has a rare combination of talents that only a few people in the league share. Hes great on the boards, one of the best and finding the open man from the post, has a great shooting touch from down low, and he is one of the best shotblockers in the whole league, which will be interesting to see combined with Lou.

Brandon: For sure--is the tsrength of this team its' offense or defense?

Bishop: Obviously we know we have a great offense. Last year we were ranked at the top of the league I think. But, to win championships you need a great defense, and we have that also.

Brandon: The team has gone out and gotten Mosley and Jones in recent times. I know Gonzales has gotten a lot of flack for being a weak rebounding Center. Is this a direct effort by the team to try and compensate for this weakness?

Bishop: Either way, rebounding is very important. You can never have too many rebounders. Lou has been working on his rebounding harder this season, he has bulked up a little and will be suprising some people this year with his work under the boards.

Brandon: What is it like having Lou Gonzales as a teammate? What kind of presence is he and what does he do that makes your job easier?

Bishop: He is a true leader and one of the hardest workers i know. Hes a quiet guy that alot of people respect. He brings so much to the table that he makes everyone better around him, which is why he is the best player in the league, no doubt.

Brandon: Of all the SG's you have to face who do you least want to play in the Western Conference?

Bishop: Well the hardest SG to guard would have to be Sheth. Hes the focal point of Colorado's offense for a reason. Hes a very aggressive player with the ball and you can get in trouble trying to guard him. Defensively, Paul Carrol is a great player. Hes going to get a chance to shine, and I think he will make the most of it. I look forward to the challenge.

Brandon: What about in the entire league? BVesides you of course, who's the best SG in the league?

Bishop: I'd feel comfortable calling either Dave Williams or Harry Jarvis the best in the whole league. They are proven veterans to say the least. Hall of Fame material.

Brandon: In the Western Conference what teams do you need to look out for and who do you think are the best teams in the conference?

Bishop: Nebraska and Cancun are the ones everyobdy predicts to be at the top. The west is tougher than ever this season though, Capetown, Texas, Salt Lake, and even Montana will compete with any team they play.

Brandon: What comments do you have about your contract situation? I know you're signed for another season at 3.75 mill, but obviously you're expecting a large raise. Do you see yourself in Oregon for a long time, or will you need to explore the situation in 2 seasons?

Bishop: Well i hope i can continue my career here in Oregon. Ive been treated well and I love the fans. Whether or not Im resigned is up to management though, so I dont like to talk about thinks I dont have any control over.

Brandon: Management hasn't made any comments to you about clearing cap or anything like that?

Bishop: Well Ive told them i want to win a championship first and foremost. They told me they were going to grab Kelvin Davidson from London with the extra cap we had. How can i complain about that?

Brandon: Good point. Everyone wants a championship--you just wanna get yours out of the way early huh?

Bishop: I guess you can say that. I do plan on winning plenty in the future however.

Brandon: What is your team goal this season?

Bishop: The same as every teams goal should be, a trophy.

Brandon: Any other comments you want the league to know?

Bishop: Nope. Ive got a team meeting in 15 minutes so i gotta run...

Brandon: ok--thanks for your time

Bishop: No problem, anytime you want to chat again give me a call.

October 14th, 2004

Rebound Rate

The WBA uses rebounds per game as the measuring stick to see who the league's top rebounder is. It's more or less accurate most of the time, but it's also imprecise. For instance, a guy who averages 8 boards a night in just 20 minutes of action is an absolute beast on the glass, but his name won't show up anywhere in the league leaders.

To correct that, there is a tool called "rebound rate." It works off a simple principle: you can't get a rebound unless somebody misses a shot. Rebound rate is simply the percentage of missed shots that you grab while you're in the game.

To figure a player's rebound rate, start with the total minutes played by the team, and divide by five. Then divide the player's minutes by this total; you'll end up with the percent of the team's minutes played by that player.

Take that number and multiply by the team's rebounds plus their opponents rebounds, and you'll get the approximate number of rebounds that were out there to be grabbed while that player was playing. Finally, divide the players' rebounds by this number, and you'll get the percentage of those rebounds that he actually grabs. This is his rebound rate.

Using this tool, you can compare players who play differing minutes and at different paces, and see who the better rebounder is. For example, here's the WBA's top 25 in total rebounding and rebound rate this preseason:

(min. 100 min) - (*) 79 minutes.

TOTAL REBOUNDING REBOUND RATE

Reb/

Player Team Game Player Team Reb-R (+/-)

--------------------------------------------------------

C Mosley ORE 12.40 C Mosley ORE 22.6%

D Corrigan AND 11.80 S Danilov LON 21.3% +4

I Rice BIR 11.40 S Hill CAR 19.7% +11

S Ashman CAL 11.00 M Houston ALA 19.0% +20

A Schulz WAS 10.40 B Cress ALB 18.9% +5

S Danilov LON 10.25 F Edwards GAB 18.1% +14 (*)

Z Rivers BAL 10.00 L Rice WAS 17.2% +10

W Taylor NEB 9.80 C Sampson SAC 17.0% +1

C Sampson SAC 9.80 Z Rivers BAL 16.9% -2

B Cress ALB 9.80 G Lacy COL 16.4% +2

A Abasi CIN 9.60 D Corrigan AND 16.3% -9

G Lacy COL 9.40 S Ashman CAL 16.0% -8

J Davis MIA 9.40 A Herbert AND 15.4% +12

S Hill CAR 9.40 J Siebert BRK 15.2% +1

J Siebert BRK 9.00 W Jackson ROS 15.2% +6

P Stephenson MON 8.60 I Rice BIR 15.0% -13

L Rice WAS 8.60 A Abasi CIN 15.0% -6

C Bradshaw CIN 8.40 O Fatafehi MIA 14.5% -5

J Van Horne SAC 8.40 A Schulz WAS 13.8% -14

F Edwards GAB 8.33 W Taylor NEB 13.8% -12

W Jackson ROS 8.20 J Davis MIA 13.8% -8

D Jones ORE 8.20 C Bradshaw CIN 13.8% -4

O Fatafehi MIA 8.20 P Stephenson MON 13.6% -7

M Houston ALA 8.20 J Van Horne SAC 13.6% -5

A Herbert AND 8.00 D Jones ORE 13.3% -3

--------------------------------------------------------

Marquez Houston is behind Isaac Rice in rebounds per game, but in terms of rebound rate Houston is miles ahead of Rice. It makes sense if you think about it: Houston plays 16 minutes per game less than Rice and still gets a good amount of boards. Alaska's small forward is more effective on the glass than Birmingham's power forward.

October 14th, 2004

Bandits No More: Cape Town Adopts New Team Name

In seeking to find a more meaningful name, Cape Town has looked to their land's history for inspiration. Disposing of the Bandits moniker the team has decided in favor of the “Zulus”.

Most people outside of Africa will wonder what exactly is a Zulu? The Zulus were a mighty tribe centered in what is now South Africa. By the early 19th Century the Zulu nation would become the largest and most populous Civilization ever seen in southeastern Africa. The Zulus characterized themselves as fierce warriors as they constantly repudiated attacks by neighboring tribes and offered stiff resistance to invading colonizers.

There is no doubt that this change in name was at least partly influenced by the teams franchise player, Obafemi Mabruke, who is rumored to be related to former Zulu King, Shaka Zulu. When asked about the change in name, Mabruke responded, “You know when I thought of the Bandits it never really evoked any feelings out of me just didn't have anything to do with us. Were no robbers, no thieves. But when I think of the Zulu now that is something the fans can relate to. The spirit of the Zulu embodies what South Africa is all about.” Indeed, the Zulus rich history offers the kind of qualities that a team should strive to embody.

Broadly speaking the change in name could also serve to attract other African players as Cape Town has shown no qualms about loading up on African talent. Indeed, despite trading away African native Oman Fatafehi the team had previously attempted to acquire Oshodi Bombata another African born player and personal friend of Mabruke's. To explain the change the team's owner had this to say about the change, “the league is full of animals, several types of bears, fighting cocks, a couple of storms, even a sinner, so I just wanted to give some historical meaning so that my franchise could go right to the hearts of the fans”

In all regards the change in team name seems to have benefited everyone as the fans now have a team they can feel a part of, the players have a symbolism to aspire to and the management is sure to receive great profits from the expected jersey and team memorabilia sales expected from the new team name and logo. But the greatest winners in all of this can be considered the Zulu descendants in the honoring of their ancestors.

October 14th, 2004

ALBACETE: LOGJAM AT SF

BY BILL CASH

Villares del Saz, Cuenca. ? His left foot? Good. His back? That's good,

too. His spot in the starting lineup? That's a different story.

In recent years in the GCBA, Midwest State former swingman Steve Miller

would come to the court and then be put into the starting lineup. But things

have changed this summer after he turned pro and selected by Albacete in

last draft.

The Burning Hell had a starting lineup they liked, and it was resulting

in a lot of wins. Jim Donelly complemented the Big Three of Harry JArvis,

Bobby Cress and Juwan Bixby because all he had to do was play defense and

all the dirty work like rebounds and passing. As a result, Miller comes

with a scoring mentality and he could not start a game during the season

for the first time in his career and maybe will only play residual minutes.

But he is a confident player, and the former MVP candidate of the GCBA has

different expectations. He's fully healthy and plans on gaining a starting

spot. "I want to start. I don't care what people say about starting and

getting or playing minutes," he said. "I do not like coming off the bench.

I never have enjoyed it. I flat out want to start. I've got to go out and

earn it, and that's something I've been trying to do so far in training

camp and preseason. I've got to produce when I'm out on the floor and let

the coaches decide."

Miller said he doesn't like to come from the bench because it's tough for

him to get into a rhythm. "I'm not used to it because I've never done it

my whole life," he said. "It's something the team is asking me to do, so

I am doing it this preseason. But by no means would I like to do it again."

After some speculation about his shooting and how it would translate to

the pro league, he has only shot 9/33 so far in preseason, with a 2/15 in

3P shooting. He spent the summer adding 10 pounds of muscle and playing

basketball three times a week while splitting his time in Albacete and Paris.

This added muscle seems to have affected his shoot, but he denies it: ?Its

false. In preseason you try to adjust a lot of things, but my shot is here,

it never left me?

As is the case every summer in Albacete and around every trading deadline,

the small forwards have to plug his ears and close his eyes to avoid trade

rumors involving them. Miller has already been rumored to be pretended by

the Nebraska SunWarriors in the last days. "I try not to pay too much attention

to the rumors, but the Nebraska rumors do intrigue me somewhat," he said.

"If I'm going to go, that's the only I place I would want to go. I love

it here, we have a chance to win a title, Spain is marvelous but Nebraska

always raises my eyebrow because Brandon is there and you know how i loved

Midwest state, that's home for me, he created me as a player and always

believed in me and it would always be nice to have one house and settle

the family. But hey, I'm still here, Albacete has selected me, so that should

say something about the management and that they think I can still help

this team."

In order to start, Miller has to show that he can do more than knock three

pointers. He has to prove that he can complement Jarvis and play solid perimeter

defense, which Donelly has done for years.

Coach Pedro Alcaraz Saunders may solve the problem by starting the player

who best fits the opponent. He could go with Miller when the Burning Hell

need more offense and Donelly when they need somebody to defend an explosive

perimeter player. Pedro Alcaraz, however, would rather select one player

and stick with him. "It doesn't make any difference to me who starts, it's

who finishes," Albacete president of operations Aitor Tilla said. "Who can

help the team play well, who helps the team win games. They're both could

play a lot But you cant forget Rodger Garson. I never worry about that stuff."

A starter hasn't been selected and might not be until later in the preseason,

but Miller has made his presence felt in the first week of training camp.

"Steve is having an irregular camp," Alcaraz said. "Donelly is not playing,

and Garson is playing very well the first couple of days. Id say that Donelly

and Garson have some advantadge at this point, but you never know." Asked

about Miller?s words, Pedro Alcaraz did not seem very happy with him, ?

He needs to realize that he is a rookie playing in one of the top teams

in the league. If you don?t respect the veteran players that you have around,

you will never fit in a team. Donelly is a fan favorite here, and im sure

everyone here in Albacete would like to see him retiring here, so, i dont

find very intelligent those words. If Steve can shoot 50% he has a starting

spot, now, he must knock down his shot?.

Alcaraz compared both rookie Small forwards very clearly: ?Garson is impressing

us, he is a very well rounded player who can score, but he knows how to

pass the ball and defend too, he will be impressive in two seasons, and

he is doing it quietly. Miller is more of a ?shhot first, ask later? type

of a player who we hope to develop in a good team player with a lethal shot

from long range. But Jim Donelly is the mirror where they must look at themselves,

he is the definitive team player, and in case of equality, i will choose

him. Asked about Miller flirting with Nebraska, Alcaraz said ?Well, We have

no problem with teams asking for players if they talk with us first of all,

and that was was Bandon did. He has a long history with Miller and we respect

that, if he is capable of getting a good offer, we could become trade partners,

said that, Miller has to know that his salary is paid by Albacete and we

deserve that he is concentrated in this team, he is a privilegiated man,

earning a guaranteed salary of 1 million dollars, so he must keep training

his best way?

October 13th, 2004

PRESEASON REPORT

STORM.... STORM.... STORM.... STORM.... STORM.... STORM....

Well Storm Schmid didn't expect to be welcomed back to the renewed VirginIslands, now Alaska Franchise! Ed Kane is surely happy to see the youngster, Kane has been playing 48 minutes since Preseason Day 1. Alaska is starting to form into the old ways of Virgin Islands, but management assures that this is only a test of lineups. Just to see who plays well with whom? Now that Storm is here, he will be able to play some PG and take a lil pressure off Veteran Ed Kane.

LET'S ANALYZE THE FIRST 4 PRESEASON GAMES:

GAME 1 VS MONTANA: A very slow start for Alaska, they were outscored in the 1st quarter by 21 points. After a brief 8 - 4 lead, they didn't score again until the 2nd quarter.

Montana seemed to look pretty good and in control, but Alaska was able to put together a solid 3 quarters and make the game look close but they were not able to catch Montana. The few bright spots in this game were the play of rookie Raphael Park… He led the team with 18 points and came up with 7 boards! Marquez Houston and his new contract extension played against his close friend Kevin Boice. Houston had 11 boards and 8 points in 24 minutes. His partner Bruce Johnson had 9 boards. The SG Duo of Foster and Schultz didn't prove effective as they only combined for 22 or Alaska's 89 points!

GAME 2 VS BIRMINGHAM: Another slow, this time by 10pts. Birmingham's Isaac Rice burned Alaska for 40 points… Unlike against Montana, Alaska didn't even make a charge to get back in the game. Alaska was led by Veteran Ed Kane's 20 points and 8 assists. Rookie Parks struggled shooting 4 of 14 from the field.

GAME 3 VS MIAMI: Alaska solved their slow starts, but their 1 point lead at the end of the first was quickly wiped out. Miami was just too much for Alaska and their Starting Line up combinations… Surprisingly Alaska was lead by journeyman Jack Spiegel's 9 rebounds and 24 points. Foster finally was able to get on track and drop in 20 points. Harry Applegate also contributed with 16 points.

GAMVE 4 VS SLC: What can I say…. Lost number 4… and what is the excuse. Management is under a lot of fire… Coach Williams advises all to just chill out, it is only preseason. Today Alaska used balance scoring with 3 players leading them with 16 points ( Shultz, Foster, and Grady Olson). Rookie Parks was able to grab 9 boards, with 5 of them being Offensive rebounds.

ANALYSIS SO FAR!

Alaska seems to have a lot of talent at every position… They can't seem to start off good in games, if they are constantly coming from behind all season, the season will not be a good one. If they can't take advantage of other teams faults, they will fail in their quest for the first playoff appearance. Alaska seems to have something this season that they have not had since the days of Magic Toby and Nick Adams. They have Forwards that are gathering blocks by the hand full. Ed Kane is doing his job, and we can see an increase in his Assist rates, as soon as Alaska get the SG position under control. Alaska seems to be a lil weak on the boards. The departure of Boice hasn't been felt yet and I really don't think it will be felt. Jack Spiegel is doing a fine job, he could be a lil more physical, but he is leading the team in scoring with 15 points a contest. What it all boils down to is Alaska needs to bulk up and get serious and bang the boards and some bodies. Playing nice isn't helping them. Nothing against any opponent they have played, but Alaska should be 4 and 0 right now. With the new or renewed addition of Storm Schmid, he should be able to give Alaska a lil more firing power. And the last problem for Alaska is Field Goal Attempts… They need to raise it by 15. They have pure shooters on the team and they need to just release them and let them play.

October 13th, 2004

Duel at Ok Corral

By Clark Lane

Many people didn't know. I did know just at the end. The duel of Ok-Corral has taken place already and you didn't even see it. You maybe thinking that I am kidding, but you should first read what I have to say. I don't know if you have ever been in Tombstone, Arizona, but if you haven't, it is a town 65 miles south of Tucson, a town “to tough to die” during the depression, but that lives only of tourists.

Mr Dustin "Dusty" Escapule, mayor of Tombstone had never heard of the WBA, but when owner and GM of Texas Juggers proposed to play a game of Charity during the WBA preseason at their town to boast tourism he couldn't actually believe it.

At the beginning it was going to be just that, some backups from Texas playing on a sandy court against some other backups. It was that until Pat Fullum (owner of the Cancun Outlaws) decided to ask Gustavo Follana to see if he could put a few minutes the best players on the court. Jay Vasquez was still on holiday and we didn't know who we could put on the field, but we agreed, because to raise money for a good cause was at stake, but then Kent Mercer had the idea of calling Vasquez. Mercer wasn't very happy about the all-star spot that Vasquez stole from him last season. Vasquez was once a calm player, but not anymore, so what was supposed to be a slow preseason game, had turned into a personal war.

After that Vasquez put everybody on the war path, and we had the hottest game of the preseason on route, with two of the best teams on the field playing it all out.

The game didn't go as expected, and Texas gave a severe corrective to Cancun, showing them that their division title could be in trouble. What was more inspiring is that Vasquez is sharing the ball with Van Brandt more and more, putting the team in a very good configuration for the season, with Carroll, Lee and McKick showing that this could be a really successful season for Texas. Their target of 50 wins should be within their hand, but their hopes of a title will really need to be strong, after all, Oregon has shown some really good plays.

Let's see how do the rest of the preseason works!!

October 12th, 2004

There has always been a debate as to who was the better conference, the east or the west? For a while, the east had the obvious advantage, but in recent years, the west has caught up and seems to be the better conference right now. But what about who has the best division? We have decided to take a look at what we feel are the all-division teams, and taken a look at the teams in those divisions to decide which division is the strongest. Also, Andorra assistant coach and pro scout Wes Ford, who is fresh out of the heart-to-heart center in Colorado to treat his sex addiction problem, will add his comments on each division.

#1: Midwest division

All division team:

PG: Parker Mason, Cancun

SG: Dave Troychak, Miami

SF: Obafemi Mabruke, Capetown

PF: Heiko Van Brandt, Texas

C: Kent Mercer, Cancun

2nd team

PG: Chuck Henderson, Capetown

SG: Jalen Bell, SLC

SF: Cordell Parks, SLC

PF: Oman Fatafehi, Miami

C: Jay Vazquez, Texas

First, it seems like this division would have the best all-division team. Led by young superstar Obafemi Mabruke of Capetown, this squad is strong in every category. A case could be made that Jay Vazquez should be the starting center for this conference, but right now, Kent Mercer has three rings and a superb career. But soon, Vazquez will not only be one of the top centers in the league, he will be among the top three best players. This division also has a strong core of owners, and it is important for a franchise to have stable ownership. As for the teams themselves, well the Midwest division has four potential teams that could compete for the conference title and maybe the best regular season record in Salt Lake City, Texas, Capetown and Cancun. Cancun has a dynasty going but will be hard pressed to repeat this season, and might loose the division this season. Miami is looking pretty good so far in preseason, while Omaha looks to be on the right path, acquiring young players and signing their core veteran players to long term contracts. Cincinnati seems to be ball and chain of the division, but they have a good foundation and could surprise some teams if Craig Bradshaw plays up to his potential.

Wes Ford: “This is very good, maybe number one. They have a dynasty in Cancun, and then they have three very good teams hunting them. To me, SLC will be the surprise of the division, if they don't have any injuries. This team is strong and they have a budding superstar in Brad Bangerter. Their defensive fouls could cause some problems though. Watch out for this team and Obafemi Mabruke, who will be a candidate for MVP this season. I like the mix of young players and good veterans this division has”

#2: Pacific division

PG: Kelvin Davidson, Oregon

SG: Samir Sheth, Colorado

SF: Wayne Taylor, Nebraska

PF: Corey Mosley, Oregon

C: Lou Gonzalez, Oregon

2nd team

PG: Dexter Kodak, Nebraska

SG: Bishop Stein, Oregon

SF: Devonta Corrigan, Andorra

PF: Greg Lacy, Colorado

C: Pat Stephenson, Montana

Very close to the Midwest division, the all-Pacific division might is very solid also, with a better second team. The scoring punch of Taylor, Sheth and Gonzalez would be scary! And how good will Oregon be? They managed to place four players on the all-division team. They will battle it out with Nebraska for the division title. Both Oregon and Nebraska have two of the best owners in the league and the rest apart from Andorra and Roswell who were sold in the past couple of seasons, ownership is very stable also. Nebraska and Oregon might actually be the two best teams in the league, also depending on Wayne Taylor's health. Andorra is a backcourt away from being a very good team while Roswell seems to have caught on quickly to the WBA and are starting a rebuilding process while Colorado will again field a strong team.

Wes Ford: “To me, this is the best division because of the strength of Nebraska and Oregon. The lower teams are not that bad, and I am a big, big fan of what Roswell has done so far. They took over a franchise that was dying, and now the future looks bright with youngsters Jackson, Valentine, Coleman and Hickerson on board. They should be competitive in two or three season, if they continue their good work. And I have to put in a good word for Devonta Corrigan, he will lead this team back to the playoffs, and he should be considered among the best players in the league, not in the shadow of the Taylor's, Mabruke's and Strom's of the league. Plus they have two of the most promising stars in Bishop Stein and Jarius Miles”

#3: Atlantic division

PG: Steve Peterson, Budapest

SG: Dave Williams, Rochester

SF: Jaxon McCall, Sacramento

PF: Dave Short, Boston

C: Horace Colbert, London

2nd team

PG: Jimmy Foster, Boston

SG: Harry Jarvis, Albacete

SF: Derek Vinyard, Gabon

PF: Jerry Bramson, Gabon

C: Jim McCarty, Rochester

For a long time, this division was considered to be the best one in the league, by far. But teams like London, Gabon, Rochester and Boston have fallen off a little in the past couple of seasons. Boston has a new owner and they are looking good in preseason, Gabon finally has gotten a good center, Rochester reacquired Dave Williams and London started a rebuilding process. Sacramento also has a solid team while Albacete should once again win this division. Budapest is an unknown quantity at this point but they always manage to field a very competitive team. The all-division team consists of very good veterans but it looks like this team might be getting a little old. But right now, they are still very good and the owners all seem to be doing a good job.

Wes Ford: “This division is getting old, and they need new blood. They do have some nice young players though, but it does not matter because they are still a very good division. Rumours are flying around that Steve Peterson has asked to be traded, so should he leave, that would leave the team thin at point guard. I believe they have the most balanced group of owners and they could send up to six teams to the playoffs if everything goes well. My preseason pick for the MVP of this division is Dave Williams, because I really think he can bring this team back to the playoffs, and if he does, he should get considered for the vote. Gabon also added some nice players and has some youth to go with its veteran core, so they could surprise some teams this season. And it will be interesting to watch high school phenom Al Rozier run the point in London, he is gifted but he is not a good WBA player right now.”

#4: Mid-Atlantic division

PG: Yuri Vilasny, Birmingham

SG: Mario Bailey, Brooklyn

SF: Shane Strom, Brooklyn

PF: Tom Perkins, Brooklyn

C: Boom-Boom Casey, Washington

2nd team

PG: Justin Krueger, Washington

SG: Emmett Yee, Washington

SF: A.J. Schulz, Washington

PF: Leo Rice, Washington

C: Joe Siebert, Brooklyn

This all-division team is all about Brooklyn and Washington. Those long time rivals have been competing for the division crown every year it seems. Only one player on both first and second all-division team are not from one of those two teams. Those are tow of the best teams and it does not mean the rest of the teams are bad. Baltimore is on the rise, Birmingham had an off-year last season after being the Cinderella team of the playoffs the year before, New York has new ownership after the previous owner was loosing interest in his franchise, Carolina was unlucky and Alaska, well, they used to be VI. Should Baltimore continue to get better and Birmingham goes back to playing the way they did two seasons ago, this division might be considered a little better.

Wes Ford: “I think this division is better than it seems. Carolina added some nice players and won't be the laughing stock of the league. Alaska seems to be on the right path and the move from VI might mean new and better things for this team. I will wait and see because history tells us this organization can get itself into trouble like no other franchise. I really like how Mario Bailey had developed over the years and he is the next superstar of this division. He might get all-WBA consideration if he plays up to his talent, and Brooklyn will also have the most improved player in Darren Benson. The kid showed up to camp in great shape and is looking like the front runner for the open point guard spot in Brooklyn. Another player I am looking forward to see progress is Anthony Curtis in Carolina. The kid has potential and now has the opportunity to showcase his talent.”

October 12th, 2004

Buck Stops In Roswell

Ten teams wanted him but in the end the Roswell Dinos got him. It's common knowledge that Roswell has fast become one of the leagues younger teams but with this move they add some experience at the point gaurd postion. The dinos have been limping along at 1-2 in the preseason but people have been learning to get to know one another. Now add another person that they will have to get to know however more important for them will be Buck Jones getting to know all of them as he will be obivious choice to start at the point gaurd postion for the dinos.

Coach Armstrong had this to say about his teams lateset move. Armstrong says" Well we would have liked to have Buck in here from the start of camp but unfortunately that couldn't happen. He is a vet so I don't expect much trouble in him catching up with everyone. Some coaches will tell you that its this complex system that they run but I'll tell you straight out basketball ain't rocket science. So Buck will learn it all and by start of the season he'll me running the show." Although Armstrong wouldn't say it, seems that Buck Jones will help Walt Jackson shake of a very average start to his rookie season. With all the interest in Buck Jones it seems obvious that he is a top notch player and although the dinos will have to release rookie Bruce York to make room for Jones you don't hear anyone complaining. Despite the trouble with Walt Jackson both Christabal Dasher and Ajani Valentine have done great jobs in the first three games. Cullen Phillips a free agent signing will now probably see more action at the 2 gaurd rather than the point where he was actually starting.

Wesley Phillips meantime seem frustrated and may start demanding to get out of Roswell and before the whole team gets out if they go to Toronto. Phillips made this comments in a local paper after hearing about the Buck Jones signing. Phillips says" yeah it's great for Buck but not so much for Wesley. I mean it seems obvious to me this organization is not looking from much from me. I still feel I have the skills to be a top player in this league. When a guy isn't even a true point gaurd starts in front of you that says something. I just want to contribute to something and if it ain't here I wish I could be somewhere else where I can. When Owner James Borbath was asked about the disgruntaled point gaurd he had this to say. Borbath" Wesley Phillips has a huge contract and apperent all the money in his pockets has slowed him down. I mean if he had a more reasonable deal it may be easier to move him. However that isn't the case and were not going just give the guy away and get nothing or cut him and take a cap hit for the next two years. Wesley wants out than play well when called upon and I'm sure teams will come looking." It seems that Phillips may be a problem for the dinos given his state of mind.

But he is the only one upset as all the other dinos seem excited to hear of the move. Cristabal Dasher had this to say" I think it's great I mean it seems obvious that our organization is commited to winning and that makes you smile and makes it easy to get up and go to work everyday. I think he will real help us become a more effective offence.Buck is a guy with experience who knows how to get guys the ball in postitions where we can succeed. A good point gaurd is like having another set of eyes helping you get to the basket and score. I think you'll see a jump in everyones numbers as a result.

While Walt Jackson was also excited about adding Buck to the line up. Jackson says" I think Buck is going be a great help. I am learning how to be a player in this league. Having an experienced point gaurd allows me to learn quicker and I want and need to learn fast for us to be successful. Buck Jones will help myself Ajani and Sammy be better players. It will make the offence a lot better and we all will benfit. I have always been convinced that ownership wants to win here and this proves my point."

Well if moves equal wanting to win than Walt Jackson is right as the Roswell Franchise has made some major moves acquiring draft choices at the WBA draft, Pulling off a few trades most notable the big deal with nebraska that brought in Ajani Valentine,Quintin Pitt and Calhun. Now they have the guy they wanted at point gaurd is Buck Jones. Will it lead them to success time will tell. If they don't the Buck will stop with ownership.Owner James Borbath says as much. Borbath says" We have made major changes to this franchise and if it fails than the blame lies right here. But I believe in what we have done and see our team being very competitive in a hurry."

The spectulation is that the high turnover and changes out based on moving the team to Toronto this offseason and selling the WBA in a new market of Canada. It is true that when you look at potiental not to many teams can claim they have more of that than the Roswell Dinos. The question remains what that poriental will turn into. But on this day Roswell is the envy of 9 other teams as they landed Buck Jones.

October 10th, 2004

WBA Players Preview

by Brandon Morfeld

Who is the best player in the WBA? Who are the MVP candidates? Every year these questions get brought up. There are so many things that can be used to determine the answers. I'll look at a couple of the stats and ratings that people often point to when talking about the games top players.

1) Here are all the players in the WBA that rate at over 3000 in comp rating in their order:

1. Jim McCarthy 5468

2. Wayne Taylor 4843

3. Devonta Corrigan 4287

4. Dave Short 4246

5. Jay Vasquez 4003

6. Lou Gonzales 3876

7. BB Casey 3812

8. Obafemi Mabruke 3739

9. Samir Sheth 3721

10. George Holt 3709

11. Marty Williams 3640

12. Horace Colbert 3622

13. Scott Nicholson 3601

14. Joe Siebert 3481

15. Bill Yeager 3479

16. AJ Schulz 3448

17. John Davis 3421

18. Heiko Van Brandt 3381

19. Parker Mason 3309

20. Greg Lacy 3269

21. Jaxon McCall 3261

22. Tom Perkins 3244

23. Kent Mercer 3224

24. Paul Wilson 3212

25. Dave Williams 3196

26. Bobby Cress 3191

27. Pat Stephenson 3136

28. John Greene 3112

29. Shane Strom 3067

30. Brad Bangerter 3060

31. Oman Fatafehi 3008

There are a lot of surprises in the rankings I think. Wayne Taylor has returned with a vengeance after dropping way down on the list last season. He is far and away the 2nd highest rated player. Devonta Corrigan really shot up the list and could have a breakout season. Jay Vasquez is the youngest player on the list and he proves that even with our "harsher" downgrades, if a player has superb talent they can develop in the league. Mabruke and Sheth are young players rated highly. This is the first season I have seen the youth really start to make an impact which tells me we are on the right path. The older superstars stay rated highly and play well into their later years and the young guys also mature well and make an impact.

2) Here are the leagues top players as rated per minute (over 1.1):

1. Isaac Rice 1.4000

2. Obafemi Mabruke 1.3377

3. Gordon Whitehouse 1.3232

4. Lou Gonzales 1.3077

5. Nikos Atirides 1.2760

6. Matthew Pitcher 1.2635

7. Samir Sheth 1.2546

8. Jay Vasquez 1.2467

9. Bobby Cress 1.2363

10. Heiko Van Brandt 1.2353

11. Kent Mercer 1.2043

12. Devonta Corrigan 1.1925

13. Shane Strom 1.1860

14. Wayne Taylor 1.1608

15. Jim McCarthy 1.1507

16. Cory Mosley 1.1380

17. Ramiro Watts 1.1218

18. John Van Horne 1.1165

The names on this list aren't really that surprising although there are a couple of bargain players that will give their teams solid minutes. Gordon Whitehouse is a 6th man candidate every single year and this shows why. I am also very surprised to see Nikos Atirides way up at 5th. He is a very solid guy for the minutes he plays. Mathew Pitcher was expected to be a solid bench contributor as he came out of college and we also hear every season about Cory Mosley and his talents off the bench. I also see youngster Ramiro Watts sneaking onto this list. I've always been a fan of his and I think this shows that he can lead a team and be a major contributor when given the chance.

October 9th, 2004

Alaska Snowbears

By Clark Lane

This team is, maybe, the best team Alaska (also known as VI) has ever been able to field. This is maybe the second team I know from Alaska that has a chance at a playoff spot. I don't think they can go very far on the playoffs, but you should start going slowly. First he has to show us he can go to the playoffs, after that we will see what he can do there.

First of all we can talk about his Point Guard. This is easy!! He has only one player that can go there, Ed Kane. He has always been a solid point I would say more, he is a pure point. He puts a few points in, some assists, steals the ball and tries not to get into trouble. He is not going to bring them to the championship but he is going to cover the position nicely. A solid veteran and nothing more, but it will do his job.

As a shooting guard Alaska has a very nice choice of players. My choice is that he will start 3 times all-star George Foster. He is as good a SG as any in the league. He will be the leading scorer of this team if he plays his share of minutes. To help at this spot they have Rick Schulz, a veteran guard that can play the small forward spot. Very solid putting the ball in, he is not quite at the level of Foster and I imagine he will be asked to backup the post but he will bring a very nice scoring punch coming from the bench. Even if he is overpaid he will give some much needed quality to the bench.

The small forward spot will be in the hands of Marquez Houston. A very capable player that does everything a team needs. This will be a very good spot for Alaska, because even if Houston does not have the stamina to carry the team on his shoulder, backup Bruce Johnson will not let them down and will bring all his game from the bench. And he has a lot of game. Here again they will have all the quality they need and a nice bench.

Harry Applegate will most likely be the starting player at the power forward spot. And he has a lot of potential at this spot. He will give a lot of quality to this team. Again, a backup on the name of Raphael Park will give them a very solid spot. They are a little bit weak in the rebounding department and it is a shame for them, but they will compensate with strong rebounding from the small forward spot.

At the center all the weight will go into Jack Spiegel shoulders. We don't have to forget that this number two overall draft pick on season 5 has never lived up to the expectations. I really think that he will have trouble again. He gets too easily into foul trouble and in the WBA you can not play against Boom-Boom or George Holt and allow them to go to the line. They will eat him for breakfast, and then wait for the next center to come around. Some bad-mouthers have said that after his defeat against Texas two seasons ago on the first round of the playoffs he has never been the same. He was nothing more than a mop for then rookie of the year Vasquez. After him we will have Grady Olson, and he could steal the spot from Spiegel if he does not show the will to win. Whoever plays here he will need to be aggressive and be able to play head-to-head against all the star centers of the league. This is maybe the most competitive position on the league.

The final word is a simple one. This team has a nice core, some real quality players, but he is lacking that quality at the Center, and it is very thin that the Point. These are the positions that many coaches think as essential for a team. They need to add some punch on the bench for this positions.

As an extra special it looks like Alaska is trying to trade to get veteran center Peter Langstraat. This could be important for the team. Langstraat is very solid and a very good rebounder and it could give Spiegel the helps he needs in the paint. We will need to wait to see how this works but it could be a good move for them if the trade goes thru.

October 9th, 2004

Roswell Camp is Underway

The mood around the Roswell Dinos camp is mixed with several emotions this year for sure. First and foremost everyone needs name tags as Roswell has only 4 returning players from last season. Cristobal Dasher the teams highest paid player is one of the four and he has two years left on his huge deal which pays him 11.5 million a sesaon. He will have a young team of potiental superstars around him lead by Walt Jackson and Ajani Valentine. The word around the league is Roswell may be the front runner to pick up Buck Jones the point gaurd who was released by Alaska. Coach Jack Armstrong seems very focoused on what he wants his team to do.

Armstrong says" We our definately a changed organization and our vets our excited to see that ownership has went out and got some top flight young talent. We want to be a team that makes our free throws and has a good inside out attack. Dasher will now have options to dish the ball to like Jackson and Valintine and we think we can stretch out defences and put up some points on the board. That along with a hard tough nose defense and this team will provide a challenge for any team put in front of it. This team will challege to be a playoff team they might not make it this year but with the experience our young player get you can bet next season this team will not only make the playoffs but be able to make some noise once they get there."

His players seem to share his thoughts. Christbal Dasher says" I was just so excited when we got new ownership it is hard to stay professional when you feel that the front office is asleep at the wheel. However this off season should prove to the entire league that ain't the case anymore. Next season I think people will definately look at this franchise in a new light. I am excited to have a young guy like Walt on the team. I got someone who wants to go to war with me ever night. He's young hungry and the skys the limit. Workout out with him makes me feel like 3 years younger. I've got 2 years left on my deal and if we our as good as I think will be by than I can see me finshing my career here."

While WBA's number one pick has a lot of respect for Dasher. Jackson says" As soon as they called my name at the draft I thought damm i'm going be playing side by side with C-DASH!!! I mean this guy is a top flight player in this league and thats what I plan on being. Than we made the move and got Ajani and I got even more excited. The 3 of us make on heck of a back court. We our all learning each others games and we can't wait to try it out in game action. It is a big help knowing that I got C-DASH watching my back. It will allow me to go all out on defence knowing that he has my back. I don't know how good will be but I can gaurntee you this we getting a heck of a lot more wins than the 25 we had last year."

Ajani Valentine was acquired from nebraska and he was pleased about the move. Valentine says" Don't get me wrong Nebraska is a heck of an organization in this league but if I was their I doubt i'd be getting much playing time and I don't think that would be good for me. I've seen to many guys come in the league and never see the floor than they blow the cash the making and five years after they out of the league they our flipping burgers or something. I need to play. Show my skills and thats what I plan on doing here. I know what kind of a player Walt is from GCBA and it will be great not having to play against him. This team need a jump start and me and Walt our here to do that. Plus we got Sam Hickerson to he deserved to be a first round pick but other teams will regret not drafting him. We our not going be one of these young teams like the NBA Clippers who never devlop. Coach Jack tells us to do what we do and leave it to him to tell us whats wrong. I like that. He believes in us and that means a lot."

Despite all this optomistic attiude for the people of Roswell it may not matter. Season ticket sales have been light at best as it seems more and more likely that the team will be on the move to Toronto for next season. However Owner James Borbath would not confirm that as fact.

Borbath says" It's true that the team could possibly move next season but that doesn't change the fact that this is one of the youngest most exciting teams in the WBA. We our in Texas for this season and thats fact. It's true that I am a Canadain and I would certainly love to see the WBA in my country. However no matter where we play my #1 proirty is producing a winning franchise on and off the floor."

The people of Roswell have signs on there lawn saying blame Canada and my Texas does not include Dinosours. So it seems while on the floor the Roswell franchise but off the court it is anything but that. Even if the team was not going to move with the mood in the city now it almost garuntees the move next season. We asked Wesley Phillip the teams long time gaurd to comment the situation.

Phillips says" It's rough I understand why the people around here our ticked off but thats the way sports is I guess. I never have seen snow in my life but it looks like next year I just might. The people of this town got spoiled with the early success this franchise had and than when things went bad the kind of gave up on us. Mr Borbath our own is a real postive guy and he's got a vision for the club and for the people in this organization that's a welcome change beilieve you me."

Well all is said and done it is going to be a memorable season for the Rosewell franchise no matter what happens. It will be sad if after 10 seasons on of the WBA Franchises leaves town. However the irony is there may never have been more reason to cheer for them in many years. The preseason will get underway on monday. If they were in Toronto this season they would be celebrating thanksgiving as in Canada thanksgiving is the second monday in October. One things for sure don't sing the canadain national anthem anywhere near the Roswell city limits.In fact City's mayor banned the flying of the Canadain Flag.A move that may just cement Owner Borbath's intention to move the franchise.

October 8th, 2004

More players Give up the Dream

It happens every year. Players stay around the WBA hoping to make a team but when they don't they decide it is time to either sell insurance or go coach High School o College ball. Here are the players this year who have given up the dream. Most of these are players you have never heard of, unless your a GCBA fan, but there are also a few who WBA observers will recognize.

Dan Schmidt

Cordell Wilcox

Charlie Robinson

Chancellor Agey

Cade Scofield

Dijon Johnson

Bill Scott

Benjamin Hampton

Antonio Robinson

Andy Davis

Andruw Williams

Vincent Beals

Ron Kelly

Roberto Aquila

Malik Herald

King Paras

Ken McRae

Juwan Engle

Joe Beck

Jim Charles

Jeremy Younger

Jason Vance

Hans Mueller

Kent Roach

Kai Chorpa

Jacoby Roach

Governor Brown

Glenallen Castro

Gene Scott

Gannon Moore

DeWayne Jones

Columbus Dasher

Carl McCall

Bill Pierce

Steve Felix

Darryl Jones

Yasar Kemal

Tommie Sheppard

Ted West

Louis Yeager

King James

Jimmie Beck

George Wade

Chris Allen

Derrick Slade

Alfred Schroeder

Gage Cameron

Detlev Braun

Clarence Tuturro

Ron Daniels

T.J. Mintz

Sam Plowman

Marcus Curry

Jameel Carstensen

Vincent Alfonso

Trip Doll

October 7th, 2004

Omaha World Herald

By: Dave Webber

Here we are with a new season in the WBA. Where will the Wild go? What will the Wild do? Is there life after Donovan Jones? All these questions will be answer this season. “The goal for the Wild is to make the playoffs or this season is a bust,” said new team leader Oliver McCarty.

Last season the Wild ended their season in a playoff sweep by Cancun 0 - 3. Every fan was expecting at least one playoff win, but got nothing. Ownership wanted to get their first playoff win also, but in all of the doom and gloom of losing the Scouting team maybe found a diamond in the rough. All of the Wild's fans expect the back court of Oliver McCarty and Brian Collins to carry the team, but a surprising force raised in the playoffs and cause the Ownership to make some moves to try to better their team now and in the future. The surprise play came from Roy Houle; during playoffs he shot 50% from the field. He also grabbed 3.5 rebounds per game, 2.5 assists per game, 1.5 blocks per game, 1 steal per game, and 13.5 per game all while playing only 15 minutes per game. So in the off-season the Wild's main job was to make cap room and sign the back duo that the organization traded for the previous season. Critics told the Wild that they could not sign both of them, so the organization made sure that they could. The first thing they did was remove the salary of Frank Rose by cutting him to let him resume his WBA career that needed him. Then the ownership told Jerry Meynardie that they want pick his contract demand making him a free agent. The biggest move in the Omaha Wild's organization was trading Donovan Jones and Scott Currie for Tony Dimateo, #4 pick in season 10, Oregon's 14th Season 1st Rounder, and Oregon's 11th and 13th Season 2nd Rounder picks. With this trade it allowed Omaha to get back in the draft, and also created more salary cap room. Omaha was not done there with the fourth pick of the draft they selected Al Herbert, Center, but Andorra wanted him more. Omaha traded the rights to Al Herbert to Andorra and they got the number the next pick in the draft which was the 5th pick. Omaha also received Andorra's 11th Season 1st and 2nd round picks. With the 5th pick and had traded any hopes of having a decent center they took the best center that was available, which was Chad O'Donnell. Short on the rebound side, but can score and play defense. Now for your 10th season Omaha Wild Team Roster.

Projected Starters: PG- Oliver McCarty, SG- Brian Collins, SF- Ellis Law, PF - Tony Dimateo, C- Mike Bennett

Key Role Players: Branko Filipovic SG/SF, Roy Houle SF/PF, Gerhold Verholm PF/C, Chad O'Donnell C.

Let's look at the point guards on the Wild's team. Of the leading the team is the co-captain Oliver McCarty. He can do what ever you need him to do. He can score, pass, rebounds, and get steals. What the Wild needs him to do is all of them at the same time. Picked up in free agency Bomber Bartkowski long time team of McCarty while at the Birmingham Fury, McCarty asked the ownership to bring him in for backup. If given a chance Bomber can score and also play defense and in this conference with all the scoring guards you need too play defense. Pepe Garcia has been with the Wild waiting for his chance to play. The Wild is also waiting for him to produce not on the court but in training camp.

The Shooting Guards are pretty solid. They are led by the other co-captain Brian Collins. He can do everything that McCarty can but he will not get you steals, but the one thing he can do that McCarty can't is play Small Forward. Branko Filipovic role for this season is to shoot as many 3 pointers as possible and stay out of fouls trouble. He can also rebound, pass, and play Small Forward, so please don't be surprise if he moves into the starting line-up somewhere. Omaha is hoping to claim Maurice Evers from free agency to add another SG/SF to their line-up giving them even more diversity to use. If this happen this would bring to end the career of Amir Baghiri - SG.

The Small Forwards is a question mark, who will play here? Ellis Law is the leading man to take the starting position. Law is going on his 5th season with the Wild and is in a contract year so fans are hoping for a huge year. The front runner for the six man of the year Roy Houle is not a household name but after this season I think he will be one. During the off season he trained really hard, so the fans are really excited about how he will perform this season. Houle is the Wild's best rebounder and can also play Power Forward, so don't be surprise if he receives a lot of playing time. A hometown favorite by the way of China Lou-Kung Liu graduate of Great Plains University this kid has potential by just need to improve his shooting, but on the bright side he can pass the basketball very well from the Small Forward position and can also rebound.

The Power Forwards are led by newly sign Tony Dimateo who is asked to come in and shoot the rock from any and everywhere on the court. Dimateo is also asked to rebound the ball with the departure of Jones. Gerhold Verholm is still a young player he can play power forward and also center. Verholm can be a great player if he can only stay out of foul trouble. Harry Kramer the mystery man. Will he be in Omaha at the end of the season? Kramer is a decent power forward / center, but is in the dog house of Coach Kelley. If Kramer participates if training camp and improves his FG%, maybe Coach Kelley will give him a bone to play with. Look for Kramer to be leaving Omaha for playing time somewhere else.

The Center position is the weakest of all the position. Mike Bennett will get the upper hand on the starting job. Bennett has already informed the organization that he is ready to a specialty camp to improve his game. The hope for the future is Chad O'Donnell right now he is not ready for big time, but will see some action this season to be ready for next season. Coach Kelley really likes the potential of O'Donnell, “improvement in the rebounding area and he could be a real force.”

Coach Kelley said “I really excited about the up coming season. With the scoring power that we have I think we can score with the best of the WBA. The key to us being successful is rebounding and playing defense. If you can not play defense then you will not be playing here.” I think that once again this team will be looking for there first payoff win and they will get it this season. GO WILD!!!!!

October 6th, 2004

The Alaska Weekly

Every week, we here at The Alaska Weekly will attempt to bring you a report about your local WBA franchise and a Weekly Spotlight of a WBA Player and a Weekly Spotlight of a WBA Franchise, other than your home team!

This Week in SnowBears Basketball… After being severely over the cap, Alaska's management was able to make the proper adjustments to get under the cap. The cutting of certain players did raise eyebrows around the league and community. One Fan was stated as saying that he was disappointed that Buck Jones was cut. He really thought that Buck Jones was the best Point Guard for the job and that he should have been kept. Asked if he would still support the team, he answered Yes, but if the start to look like Virgin Islands, he will be forced to move to get away from the embarrassment. The players that were cut are Buck Jones, Odell Bell, and Al Zarra. Buck Jones was stated, “I am glad to be cut, I am not really use to losing and I don't think it is the right time in my career to start!” Al Zarra's didn't comment but his agent told Alaska Weekly that he was very disheartened by the decision of Management and that Alaska would feel his wrath, all he wanted was a home and to make a difference.” Odell Bell hasn't been seen, he refused to show up for training camp and he was an obvious cut! Alaska opened its training camp this week and they have high hopes of being very competitive regardless of the cuts. Ed Kane is back for his 2nd Season with this franchise and is hoping to improve greatly on his FG% and passing abilities. While Alaska has a dynamite duo at the SG position, Rick Shultz and George Foster will share time at this spot. Some are still uncertain if this is a plot to acquire another player for the void at the Center position or not. Both of these guys can light up the board, but if they share this spot, they will both have a cut in their production. At the SF position, the duo of Marquez Houston and Bruce Johnson will be returning. Marquez seems to have greatly improved his game and there are talks that Bruce Johnson will be traded soon. But these are only rumors. The PF position is a toss up. Harry Applegate looks to be a lock for the starting position, but Raphel Parks just may be able to take this position, depending on Applegate's offensive contributions. At the Center position, the uncertain Jack Spiegel is the only guaranteed starter on the team. Jack has the chance to have a BREAKOUT season. Now that Zarra is out the way and he once again is the Commander and Chief, lets see if he can develop into the Center we thought he would be…

TEAM SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK

MONTANA KNIGHTS

I think that I will start with Montana, simply because he stole the player in the draft that I wanted right from under my nose. He has made some question moves in the years past but seems to really be getting it together in Montana… Montana has always been looked to as a 8th Seed team in Western Conference. Last Season Montana finished at 29-51, their worst finish in Franchise History. Trading Heiko seemed to have been their downfall. But they are back this season with what could the Rookie of the New Season, Sheldon Gorman. Montana's starting five will consist of: Point Guard Kadeem Reed, Shooting Guard Oliver Doherty, Small Forward Toby McCree, Power Forward Sheldon Gorman, and Center Pat Stephenson. Pat Stephenson was the leader on this teams last season after the disappointing movement of Heiko. Espo usually has this team in the playoff hunt and it should be a very interesting seasons for him. Some analysis have predicted him as high as the 6th seed in the Western Conference. I, myself, think he will finish as the number 7 seed. Montana has a way of falling apart. Kadeem Reed was a big acquire for them as they also acquired the #6 pick that allowed them to get the rights to Sheldon Gorman. I really believe Montana should have kept Dennis Evans and allowed him the chance to grow with this organization but management has something else in mind. My prediction for Montana is 44 - 38 and the number 7 seed. The player that will make the difference on this team is Sheldon Gorman. Will he make the cut or break with all the pressure?

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK

PAUL WRIGHT

Paul Wright entering the WBA in his 10th Season is this week's Player Spotlight. The beginning of the WBA, the first draft, the 58th pick to Roswell, Paul Wright. Paul Wright has been a wander of the league. 10 Seasons and 7 different teams. This 6'5” Shooting guard hasn't seen anything remotely as a home since Seasons 1, 2, 3 in Colorado. He has always been a player overshadowed by the success of others… On the reverse side, he has always been a positive for teams. Always been willing to do his best, night in and night out. At the brink of Season 10, Paul Wright finds himself a free agent. Looking to play for his 8th team probably as a back up. How does a man who with a 58% winning percentage find himself a free agent. How does a player that has scored 22,059 (Ranked 50th) points become a free agent. Has the league become this competitive? Do people not see the raw shooting touch that Wright posses? In our interview with Wright we tried to uncover some of these answers…

Alaska Weekly<AW>: Thank you Paul for entertain us and our guest tonight!

Paul Wright<Paul>: You are welcome and thank you for choosing me as your first Player Spotlight!

AW: So at the beginning of Season 10, you are currently out of a job, Several teams like Salt Lake City, Budapest, Texas, Roswell, and Alaska have a shot at reeling you in. Which team would you rather play for?

Paul: Well looking back on my career, I have only played for 2 of the teams on the list, Texas and Virgin Islands(now Alaska). With both of those teams, it seems as if George Holt always shawdowed me. I never really had the chance to show what I am really worth. Budapest is a team after my own heart, they have a great starting 4, and I hope to be their starting SG… Tyson Cooper is a young man, who really hasn't had a chance to develop, whereas I am a guaranteed 15 to 20 a night. Being on this team would give me the option of going out on top.

AW: So why do you think you have been the target for so many trades?

Paul: Teams can't afford my skillz LOL. Seriously, I would think it is because of my lack in other areas… I am a pure shooter and that is what you will get out of me each night. The league is starting to evolve. You see Point Guards like Parker Mason that can do it all. Shooting Guards are now rebounders, Power Forwards are more like shooting guards. So I think with the evolution of the league, a pure shooting shooting guard's value has dropped tremendously.

AW: So out of the 9 seasons you have played, which season was the most enjoyable?

Paul: Damn that is a hard one… I would say I enjoyed my Season 5 with Texas, that was my most productive year and Texas was on the war path to do something good. I was the spotlight, all eyes were on me, night in and night out! I love that season, 21 points a game, 52% from the floor… And looked what happened afterwards… I was trade to Virgin Islands.

AW: So why does that make you frown? Being traded to VI should have been something good for you.

Paul: Well as you can see, every since I got traded to VI, my stats have not been up to par. They overworked me and management just didn't know what was going on. I know that Alaska has a chance at acquiring me but they don't really have room for me. I still have nightmares about playing for that damn team. They are the worst franchise ever.

AW: So you wouldn't play for them again? And besides for VI, what other team would you not consider playing for?

Paul: Well a job is a job, if VI knocks, I will open the door, and hopefully I can be at least a 3rd option for them. YUCK! Hum, I would play for any other team in this league, there is no clear choice for a team I would not play for.

AW: So who's your pick to win it all this year?

Paul: My pick to win it all… Alaska… LOL, Hell NO… Cancun is my pick… You always go with last season's champ. Parker Mason is in his prime and Lonnie Gerson is a defensive beast… along with Kent Mercer, again they are the elite and will rise above all.

AW: Well Paul this concludes our segment. It was nice having you on the set. May you find a team to finish your career with and all is good with you.

Paul: Thank you for having me! And a job is a job, I know I have a pretty harsh opinion about the management of old Virgin Islands, but they may be the fore leader for me to continue my employment with the WBA.

October 6th, 2004

Massacre To Retire Bill Yeager's 6

Boston, Massachusetts.- The World Basketball Association's Boston Massacre will retire the jersey number of star center Bill Yeager, the club announced. No one who ever plays for the Boston Massacre will ever wear number 6 again. A banner honouring Yeager will be raised to the top of the team's home arena during a ceremony at the Massacre's Day 61 home game against the Capetown Bandits, Yeager's new team.
	The center, who spent 8 years with the Massacre, was traded to the Bandits for center George Holt and cash considerations. Selected in the First Round (#2 overall) of the Season 2 WBA Draft by Boston, Yeager went on to an impressive career in the league that saw him capture one WBA Championship in his rookie season. The brave 7-0, 252-pound center from Las Vegas, NV, averaged 21.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in regular season over his eight years with Boston, shooting an astonishing .504 from the floor. He led the Massacre in blocks in eight consecutive seasons and posted his best career numbers in Season 3 when he averaged 27.1 points and 11.1 rebounds in regular season.
Bill Yeager
"With all that he has accomplished, Bill Yeager is the consummate professional athlete," said Massacre GM del Pino. "He embodies everything the Massacre are about, winning is important to him and he does anything he can to make his team better." Yeager becomes the 1st member of the "revolutionary" franchise to receive the honor.

October 5th, 2004

Western Conference

=================

By Pat Fullum

Pacific division

1-Oregon (1)

Probable starting five: 1-Kelvin Davidson 2-Bishop Stein 3-Auston Monte 4-Corey Mosley 5-Lou Gonzalez

Key bench players: Donovan Jones, Bill Andrews, Asher Ward

Preview: They might just have gone from a very good team to the best team this offseason. Acquiring veteran point guard Kelvon Davidson might be a great move for a team that lacked a true point guard last season, even though Bill Andrews did a terrific job. Andrews will now be asked to come off the bench where he might battle teammate Donovan Jones for the sixth man of the year award! Jones was brought in via a trade with Omaha and instantly gives Oregon one of the best rotations in the league, being able to backup both power positions. Bishop Stein is back after an amazing rookie campaign and should only improve this season. At small forward, it is hard to tell how Asher Ward or Auston Monte will fit, or if Oregon has other plans for the starting spot. Ward and Monte are good rookies, and it doesn't really matter if they have some problems adjusting, they are surrounded by four great players. The small forward spot might be to Oregon what the shooting guard spot has been for Cancun: rookies and low paid players getting a shot at playing with great players (and maybe winning championships...). And we can't talk about Oregon without talking about Lou Gonzalez. But then again, what else can be said about the most dominating player of his era? Oregon should fight for the conference title and might earn it, they are our preseason favourites to win it all.

2-Nebraska (3)

Probable starting five: 1-Dexter Kodak 2-Dennis Evans 3-Wayne Taylor 4-Roy Base 5-Vance Clopp

Key bench players: Nick Adams, Marty Williams, Paul Wilson

Preview: This is Wayne Taylor's team, and if he can stay healthy, they have a shot at the title. Nebraska won't be far behind Oregon, and might just win the conference title. They convinced two very good players to come to play in Nebraska this season, Marty Williams and Nick Adams. Both will have an impact this season, starting or coming off the bench. Adams will be able to step in when Taylor goes down, he won't replace the best scorer in the league but he will provide quality minutes. As for Williams, he might start ahead of sophomore Vance Clopp, but I believe he will come off the bench to support Clopp. And then there's the question: was trading Dave Williams a mistake? My answer: nope, not at all. Dennis Evans was not given an opportunity to play a lot his first two seasons but will get a chance to shine in Nebraska. He will have a breakthrough season and make Brandon look like a genius. Don't get me wrong, he is no Dave Williams, but the money saved in that trade was huge also in adding depth to this already strong squad.

3-Montana (6)

Probable starting five: 1-Kadeem Reed 2-Oliver Doherty 3-Toby McCree 4-Sheldon Gorman 5-Pat Stephenson

Key bench players: Jarius Miles, Kelvin Boice, Joe Cochran

Preview: Pat Stephenson emerged as the team leader last season, having his best season ever as a pro. He again will try to lead this Montana franchise to the postseason but will get more help this season. Joining him upfront will be Sheldon Gorman, who many believed should have been the number one pick. He has tremendous upside and should be the franchise player for Montana for years to come. Kadeem Reed was brought in from Washington and will be asked to lead the offense. Perhaps the biggest challenge for the coaching staff will be to find playing time for Jarius Miles, and when they do play him, find a way to keep him from fouling out. It was a very good move to resign him and he and Gorman could form a great duo in the near future, but one of them will have to learn a new position.

4-Andorra (8)

Probable starting five: 1-Pete Nelson 2-Tristen Collins 3-Devonta Corrigan 4-Mark Miller 5-Al Herbert

Key bench players: Oshodi Bombata, Ryan Cuevas, Nikos Atirides

Preview: Last year, Andorra had one of the top three frontcourts in the league but the worst backcourt. With the drafting of Pete Nelson, they probably will go up in the backcourt ratings. Nelson will start in his rookie season and it will be fun to see if a rookie point guard can lead his team to the postseason. They resigned Tristen Collins to play shooting guard and he will have a lot of pressure with his big contract, but he has talent. Should Collins falter, Zacharia Salera is back from his season ending injury and will fight for playing time, as will Ryan Cuevas. Andorra also traded John Van Horne in a sign and trade, and got Al Herbert to replace him. Herbert will provide strong defense and great rebounding for this franchise and should be a good replacement for Van Horne. And if the team needs offense, they can always turn to the spectacular, but yet very ineffective Nikos Atirides. Atirides will take the 30-foot jumper even if he is guarded by the five opposing players and wont hit too many of those ill-advised shots. But if he learns to take better shots and hit them, he could be a very effective player in this league.

5-Colorado

Probable starting five: 1-Charlie Daidone 2-Samir Sheth 3-Edgar Kamara 4-Greg Lacy 5-Paul Spagnoli

Key bench players: Mark Crowley, Jim Peyton, Ray Estrada

Preview: Samir Sheth and Greg Lacy are the best players for this franchise, Seth doing it with his great offense while Lacy gets it done with his impressive defense. But loosing Sean Ashman was a tough blow for this franchise, so they will hope that Paul Spagnoli will be ready to take over in the middle. Spagnoli did not see much action last season as a rookie, but does have talent. And the point guard controversy is over, as Austyn Williams was traded to SLC and Charlie Daidone was signed to be the number one point guard, with Rey Estrada backing him up. Some observers question Daidone's passing skills, but it won't be a problem because the team has a good point-forward in Edgar Kamara, who is a great passer from the small forward position. Mark Crowley was signed as a free agent and will be asked to come off the bench for Colorado this season.

6-Roswell

Probable starting five: 1-Wesley Philips 2-Maury Coleman 3-Ajani Valentine 4-Walt Jackson 5-Cristobal Dasher

Key bench players: Kris Calhoun, Sam Hickerson, Jamie Moore

Preview: They will boast two of the best rookies this season in number one overall pick Walt Jackson and Ajani Valentine. I expect both to start, as they will get an opportunity to develop while getting a lot of playing time. Roswell will have a young rotation, and the team seems to be heading in the right direction under new ownership. This moribund franchise was going nowhere but hope is back, but unfortunately for the Roswell fans, they might not get to witness the turnaround as the team is rumoured to be moving to Toronto. Maury Coleman is another young player that will start and look to improve from a very solid rookie campaign. As for Sam Hickerson, he might just be one of the steals of this past rookie draft. He looked very solid in the rookie league and is expected to see some playing time backing up the team's only all-star player last season, Cristobal Dasher. They are rumoured to be adding Buck Jones and Paul Wright from the waivers. This would only help them win more games as they are thin in backcourt depth. Things are looking up for this franchise.

7-California

Probable starting five: 1-Cole Bayo 2-Pete Merritt 3-Brody Liang 4-Angel Rojas 5-Sean Ashman

Key bench players: Evilio Nunez, Sky Harrington, Chuck Murphy

Preview: Signing Ashman was a good move by this franchise. They did have to overpay a little, but it's important as they had to offer this kind of money to convince Ashman to come play in California. There won't be many changes from last season's squad, as Pete Merritt, Brody Liang and Angel Rojas will anchor this franchise. Evilio Nunuez was signed in the offseason and appears to be the sixth man for the Hellcats. They are still far from a playoff team, but they have a strong foundation in Liang, Rojas and Ashman.

Midwest division

1-Cancun (2)

Probable starting five: 1-Parker Mason 2-Ahmed Dougherty 3-Lonnie Gerson 4-Scott Nicholson 5-Kent Mercer

Key bench players: Reed Moses, Mathew Pitcher, Jeremy Aarons

Preview: It was a tough offseason for Cancun! They lost sixth men and most improved player Brad Bangerter in a trade with SLC, traded Scott Lio to Texas, and then lost backup guards Shawn McKick and Paul Carroll to free agency. So the first ever dynasty will face a tough challenge this season in trying to repeat. Of course, the all-star trio of Mason, Nicholson and Mercer will lead this team, and any time a team has those three players, you know they will be a very good team. And to help with the loss of all those players, Cancun management went out and got Reed Moses, Mathew Pitcher and rookies Jeremy Aarons, Ahmed Dougherty and Jim Koons. The three rookies will have to fight during camp to get the two spots available while Pitcher will be asked to backup Lonnie Gerson at small forward. And then there is something else that has to be asked, that might put fear in opponent's minds: who will beat a team with Jesus and Moses on its roster?

2-SLC (4)

Probable starting five: 1-Eric Manning 2-Jalen Bell 3-Cordell Parks 4-Brad Bangerter 5-Arnold Eaton

Key bench players: Austyn Williams, Wally Birkhead, Paul Dilmore

Preview: SLC will be the most improved team this season. And they might be the team that will unseat Cancun as the division champions. Jalen Bell, Austyn Williams and Brad Bangerter were brought in during the offseason. Bangerter is coming in with two championship rings and will be the team's leader in only his third season, getting his first opportunity to start in the WBA. Williams will battle newly resigned Eric Manning for minutes at the point guard spot, and might also back up the shooting guard spot, giving SLC a strong rotation in the backcourt. And GM Brad Bangerter also managed to resign small forward Cordell Parks, the second best defensive player on this squad behind only defensive specialist Wally Birkhead. This will be the year SLC finally breaks through as a team, they had a good start last season but didn't keep playing well, this season they will.

3-Texas (5)

Probable starting five: 1-Shawn McKick 2-Paul Carroll 3-Al Lee 4-Heiko Van Brandt 5-Jay Vazquez

Key bench players: Charlie Meyers, Scott Lio, Reynaldo DeAngelo

Preview: They might start two players in the backcourt who played for Cancun last season. McKick is a solid veteran that was signed to a contract while Paul Carroll is coming in after surprising everyone as an undrafted rookie last season. Charlie Meyers will also get a look as the starting point guard. This means that steady veteran Al Lee will be moved to small forward and Heiko Van Brandt will have to move over to power forward. After a disppointing season in Montana, VB seemed to find his game back late in the season and was one of the top WBA players in the last portion of the calendar. And center Jay Vazquez seems to be poised to have an MVP type of season, and if he does, Texas might challenge SLC and Cancun for the division crown.

4-Capetown (7)

Probable starting five: 1-Chuck Henderson 2-Evelio Jackson 3-Obafemi Mabruke 4-Abdiel Gordon 5-Bill Yeager

Key bench players: T.J. Macfarland, Woody Reynolds, George Bissett

Preview: Did the Bandits overestimate the importance of Oman Fatafehi? They had the money to resign him but chose not to. And right now, this franchise is still in very good shape, drafting Evilio Jackson and George Bisset, two good rookies. Jackson seems to be the leading candidate for the starting shooting guard spot right now and Bissett will be a quality backup to superstar Obafemi Mabruke. And the biggest move might be the latest one, where they got Bill Yeager from Boston. Yeager was once one of the best players in the WBA and Capetown fans will hope he comes back to his old form. They also got T.J. Mcfarland to sign with them and he will be a nice complement to Yeager in the middle. Woody Reynolds is another newcomer that will provide solid play of the bench. But one of the biggest keys to this franchises success will be the development of young power forward Abdiel Gordon. Gordon played well last season after Fatafehi was traded and will need to step up if the Bandits hope to challenge for the division title.

5-Omaha

Probable starting five: 1-Oliver McCarty 2-Brian Collins 3-Ellis Law 4-Tony Dimateo 5-Chad O'Donell

Key bench players: Branko Filipovic, Harry Kramer, Gerhold Verholm,

Preview: The two biggest offseason moves for this franchise were to get Oliver McCarty and Brian Collins to accept contract extensions. Both players played great in Omaha after being acquired and will be asked to lead this team. And to patrol the middle, the team resigned Gerhold Verholm and drafted Chad O'Donnell. The problem is, both these guys are average rebounders, so the Wild management will have to surround him with quality rebounders, Tony Dimateo also comes over form a trade with Oregon and will provide great offense, either off the bench or while starting. Dimateo proved he was one of the most accurate shooters from downtown and will again hurt opposing teams with his long range shooting. Branko Filipovic and Harry Kramer round up the rotation, both being good bench players, with Kramer having the pressure to maybe replace Donovan Jones. With a move maybe this team will make it to the playoffs, but they appear to be just on the outside right now.

6-Miami

Probable starting five: 1-Isaac Edmonson 2-Dave Troychak 3-Bill Rainwater 4-Oman Fatafehi 5-John Davis

Key bench players: Jose Nobis, Milo Chambers, Tobias Harrison

Preview: Oman Fatafehi was signed to a big contract, and will be a fan favourite immediately in Miami. He does not do anything spectacular, but he is solid as a rock, works hard and is a steady contributor. Miami signed sophomore point guard Isaac Edmonson and he will have to replace Alvin Simpson. Edmonson might be a year or two away from being a good point guard, but he has potential. John Davis is entering the final year of his contract, and there has been many reports of his selfish attitude in the press a couple of seasons ago. This might be good for the Extreme if Davis decides to have a great year to have a big contract. All-Star Dave Troychak was extended this offseason after having his best professional season and emerging as one of the league's top shooting guards. Like Omaha, Miami seems to be just a player or two away from a playoff spot, but might still make it.

7-Cincinnati

Probable starting five: 1-Brandon Sandler 2-Frank Rose 3-Abegunda Abasi 4-Dontae Evans 5-Craig Bradshaw

Key bench players: Trent Jordan, Webster Hewlett, Paul Wright

Preview: Brandon Sandler might have been one of the most pleasant surprises last season, as he was named to the all-star squad. Sandler might have a new backcourt mate this season, but it is hard to predict who will start between Frank Rose, Webster Hewlett, Paul Wright and rookie Seth Finklestein. All those players seem to have a shot at starting and it will be interesting to see who emerged as the leading candidate during camp. The frontcourt is solid with Abasi, Evans and Bradshaw. Bradshaw never quite lived up to the expectations and Cincinnati will need him to have a big year if Cincy has any hope to make the playoffs.

October 5th, 2004

A look at Gabon

by Turk Moran

For the first time in a couple of years late last season, the only thing Libreville residents could talk about was the Giants. There were parties everywhere when they beat Washington twice, almost knocking them out of the playoffs. The atmosphere was just like when the Gabon Giants were one of the best WBA teams, with the rookie all-stars leading the way. Basketball became very popular in Gabon when the Giants started winning games in season three, getting the third best record in the league. It was more difficult in their first two seasons as Gabon was the laughing stock of the WBA, a label now applied to the VI franchise, which is also turning things around. So Gabon had some very good seasons, but seemed to fell off a little this past two to three seasons. And even when they had success, they always seemed to get upset in the playoffs, probably more out of bad luck than anything. The fans still came in large numbers at home games to support their team, a team that is now gaining popularity across Africa. There is talk that Gabon will play some preseason games across the continent with South Africa's Capetown. But the downfall of the franchise the past two seasons has been their lack of a true center. This was well documented by the media, as it seemed every year they would draft a center, and every year that player was a disappointment. Leo Rice was a late bloomer, and might, just maybe, have been the answer Gabon was looking for at center when they drafted him in season four. But he wasn't the player the franchise hoped so he was soon traded. Then came Barry Daskalathonasis, Sage Walker, John Diblasi, Derek Berenyi, Magic Toby etc. None of them provided Gabon with a stable center to complement the talents of Otto Hameleers, Derek Vinyard and Jerry Bramson. But their luck changed when they drafted John Devine, a center who is showing great potential, but has a rep for being fragile. Not only do they have Devine, they also acquired Jim Wilson last season, one of the best sixth men to ever play in the WBA. Wilson was always held back by his lack of stamina, but he gave Gabon a very solid tandem in the middle for Gabon, something they never had. Wilson led Gabon in the playoffs, averaging 17 points, seven rebounds while shooting above 55% from the field. And after the selection of Reid Dall, who was among Gabon's list of players they were targeting for the draft, all of Libreville is excited about the upcoming season. Here is a look at Gabon's roster:

Starting five:

PG: Reid Dall: The rookie point guard looks like the best passer of the draft, and maybe the best point guard. He will bring much needed playmaking from the point, where they played Hameleers last season, a shoot first kind of player. Dall also brings solid rebounding from the one position, a statistic that used to be a weakness for Gabon, but shouldn't be this season. And with Otto, he will form maybe the best defensive backcourt in the league; these two should get a ton of steals and put a lot of pressure on opposing guards.

SG: Otto Hameleers: He will benefit from moving back to the shooting guard spot, where his talents are better exploited. He should also get more looks with Dall running the offense and with the passing skills of sophomore Marty Feldman or veteran Elvis Harris at the backup shooting guard position. He is the team's go-to-guy and will be counted upon to again lead the team in scoring.

SF: Derek Vinyard: Vinyard had the worst shooting year of his career last season but he had to adjust to a new role, as he was asked to play fewer minutes, which affected his stats. He is the second option on offense when he is on the floor and his contribution will most important to this franchise to have success.

PF: Jerry Bramson: The workhorse of this team, maybe even the heart of this team. He is a consistent scorer, great rebounder and just a good all-around player. He was great in the final stretch of the season, and should benefit from having better rebounders around him, as he will be able to concentrate on other things, rather than grabbing every rebound.

C: Jim Wilson: The surprise for Gabon in last season's playoffs. He might still come off the bench, but he will see a lot of floor time no matter what. A great acquisition, a veteran that knows his role and does it well.

Bench:

John Devine, C: The rookie center was a nice surprise last season. Many observers felt he would not make it to the WBA because of his size, where he is among the smallest centers. But with hard work and determination, he was able to bang with the bigger bodies and take his place. He provided Gabon with strong defense, and now must just find a way to shoot over bigger opponents or find other ways to score as his field goal percentage was not great. He is a keeper and is the future of the franchise along with point guard Reid Dall.

Elvis Harris, SF/PF: The crafty veteran bolted from Cancun and came over to Gabon with championship experience. The king won't wow anyone with his scoring prowess, but he plays under control, hits the open shot and finds the open man. A great backup to have, he played mostly shooting guard last season but saw action as a small forward and power forward also.

Marty Feldman, SG: Who? Almost everyone didn't pay attention to that other player included in the trade with Boston, where they sent Magic Toby and got Wilson and Feldman. But Feldman was a solid contributor after joining the Giants, becoming the team's best passer. He can't seem to hit open shots so he will need to work on that aspect of his game, He should fight Elvis Harris and Trevor Rosin for minutes as a backup shooting guard.

Fernando Edwards, SF: A very good, cheap backup. He was the sparkplug off the bench for Gabon, providing hustle plays, scoring and rebounding. His major downfall is that he sometimes plays out of control and looses the ball a lot. He should be the backup small forward again this season.

Misha Kryznetsov, SF/PF: A nice addition for Gabon. The often injured Kryznetsov is a more offensive minded player and could provide Gabon with a different look should the use him instead of Harris or Edwards.

George Lush, PF/C: The veteran chose to play with Gabon on a minimum contract, maybe in hopes of receiving playing time as a backup to Jerry Bramson. Lush was huge in the playoffs last season for Baltimore, where he averaged 23.4 points while shooting 51.6% from the field in a loosing cause. It is surprising that no other team has made a bigger push to sign this good veteran.

Oryn Dasing, PF/C: He is a little bit like Magic Toby, a great scorer that has a hard time rebounding. But he is a better rebounder. Dasing provided instant offense for Gabon down the stretch last season and provided a much needed three point threat. Dasing could find time as a backup power forward, because his long range shooting can open up the court fro other players.

Trevor Rosin, PG/SG: Rosin was impressive in the rookie league, earning himself a spot on Gabon's roster. He will have a hard time finding minutes, but will get a shot at camp to be either the backup point guard or shooting guard.

John Diblasi, C: Came over in a trade, his second stint with Gabon, should not see much playing time behind Wilson, Devine, Lush and Dasing.

October 5th, 2004

Eastern Conference

================

by Pat Fullum

Atlantic division

1-Albacete (2)

Probable starting five: 1-Keith Douglas 2-Harry Jarvis 3-Jim Donnely 4-Bobby Cress 5-Juwan Bixby

Key bench players: Gordon Whitehouse, Tyler Kane, Rodger Garson

Preview: Once again Albacete will be a force in the eastern conference and are the early favourites to win the Atlantic division. They return all five starters from the previous season and one of the league's best sixth men of all time, power forward Gordon Whitehouse. After moving back to his natural position at center, Bobby Cress had a tough season two years ago after the team traded Lou Gonzalez. But after being moved back to power forward with the arrival of Juwan Bixby, Cress enjoyed a very good season and should once again be the team leader with all-star shooting guard Harry Jarvis. One of the keys for Albacete will be how young star in the making Juwan Bixby and fellow second year player Tyler Kane have developed in the offseason. Many around the league feel Pedro Alcarez will deal point guard Keith Douglas as soon as he feels Kane is ready for the starter's job. But for the time bieng, Douglas is a good point guard and should quarterback this team to another division title. And the team also drafted small forward Rodger Garson who should be a nice complement to incumbent starter Donnelly, as Garson is more offensive minded than Donnelly.

2-Boston (4)

Probable starting five: 1-Jimmy Foster 2-Danny Hainge 3-Art Campbell 4-Dave Short 5-George Holt

Key bench players: Pedro Otis, Felipe Juarez, Magic Toby

Preview: There was some controversy in Boston this offseason, as ex-owner Corey Bowen announced he was selling the team, but still managed most of the offseason. Mr. Bowen was a great owner and will be missed. Now new management takes over and they had to trade long time Massacre center Bill Yeager to get under the cap, which will hurt this franchise, but they still have enough talent to finish second in this division. It was often said that Boston could not win without a point guard, and this season they got Jimmy Foster from New York, one of the WBA's all time greatest passers. This gives them the first true point guard since they lost Chuck Henderson and also permits them to move Danny Hainge over to shooting guard. Once again leading the way for Boston will be all-star Dave Short, who was one of only two players last season to average a 20-10. The bench will be bolstered by two new acquisitions, Pedro Otis and Felipe Juarez, both bring a solid game and will make Boston's backcourt rotation one of the best in the league. And there is also Magic Toby, entering the final year of his contract. Much has been said about Toby's talent, and he should be a solid contributor if given some minutes, no matter which position he plays.

3-Gabon (5)

Probable starting five: 1-Reid Dall 2-Otto Hameleers 3-Derek Vinyard 4-Jerry Bramson 5-John Devine

Key bench players: Jim Wilson, Elvis Harris, Marty Feldman

Preview: Did Gabon get the steal of the draft at number 18? Reid Dall will be the starting point guard for this franchise and the youngster from Midwest State is looking like the best guard in the draft. He will give Gabon a lot of help at the one, since the coaches had to play Otto Hameleers at the point last season, because of the lack of a true point guard. The team will look to John Devine to really anchor this team in the middle, as he had a solid rookie season and was somewhat of a surprise. If he improves his health and shooting, Devine could become one of the good centers in the league. And if Devine should falter or not show up to camp an improved player, Jim Wilson will get the call as the starting center. Wilson was acquired from Boston last season in a deal involving Magic Toby. Wilson was the best player for Gabon in the playoffs last season as the Giants came very close to upsetting number one ranked Washington. So Devine and Wilson gives Gabon a very good duo upfront and it looks like Gabon finally found an answer to their center problems that plagued them in the last couple of years. So a complete season with Wilson, the arrival of Reid Dall and the development of Jon Devine should be enough to give Gabon a boost in the standings. And this team will again be led by the three last members of the rookie all-stars, Otto Hamellers, Jerry Bramson and Derek Vinyard.

4-Rochester (6)

Probable starting five: 1-Jimmy Whalen 2-Dave Williams 3-Bert Haug 4-Odibe King 5-Jim McCarthy

Key bench players: Javonte Bolk, Ramon Phelan, Jack Berger

Preview: Dave Williams is back in Rochester and fans are hoping he can lead the team back to the playoffs. Williams, who was traded two seasons ago to Nebraska, is back after two very successful seasons with the Sun Warriors. He will bring a much needed spark on offense to a team that was 20th in the league in scoring. The team also brought in two forwards, Odibe King and Ramon Phelan. King was somewhat relegated to the bench in Baltimore after leading this team in scoring, and was a big part of Baltimore's surprise season. As for Phelan, he played in Carolina after being dealt by Washington, and he had some nice moments for lowly Carolina. These two should compete with Jack Berger for the starter's job at power forward, while they also could fight for minutes at the three spot with Bert Haug. But the biggest offseason move might be the drafting of point guard Javonte Bolk, who might give Jimmy Whalen a nice fight for the starter's position at the point. Whalen was solid this past season, but he was phenomenal after being acquired from Nebraska two seasons ago and some observers felt he could have kept that level of play. And if Rochester hopes to make the playoffs, Jim McCarthy has to get back to his old form. He had the worst season of his career this past year and he will need to bounce back.

5-Budapest (7)

Probable starting five: 1-Steve Peterson 2-Tyson Cooper 3-Johny Brose 4-Roy Cader 5-Marques Feldman

Key bench players: Mathew Gill, Floyd Acevedo, Larry Chapman, Bob Kinsey, Walter Callaway etc.

Preview: The team every WBA reporter hates to preview. Every year they finish among the east's best and every year it doesn't make sense! Now last season they took a huge gamble when they traded Jalen Bell to Capetown for Oman Fatafehi. So they lost one of their top two players in Bell and didn't convince Fatafehi to stay in Budapest. So as of right now, they are a little weak at shooting guard but might still pull a rabbit out of their hat. They should go with an eleven man rotation again, as the coaching staff likes to spread minutes around, a tactic that worked well for the Tigers in the past. This offseason they managed to sign Marques Feldman, Walter Callaway and Mathew Gill, three players with potential who will get an opportunity to play in Budapest. They are predicted to finished fifth, but no one here would be surprised if they won the division...

6-Sacramento

Probable starting five: 1-John Gaiser 2-Harold Gill 3-Jaxon McCall 4-Cameron Sampson 5-John Van Horne

Key bench players: Jeff Sandbeck, Junior Jones, Bobby Egan

Preview: Working out a sign and trade with Andorra to get John Van Horne was the Fighting Cocks biggest offseason move. Van Horne comes in with a big contract and a lot of pressure. He will be asked to control the paint for a team that was one of the worst defensive team last season (number 26), despite having stealing machine Bobby Eagan. Jaxon McCall is the star of this team but will need a strong effort from his supporting cast to make the playoffs. Harol Gill racks up more technical fouls than Wes Ford picks up women (ok maybe not), and he needs to control his temper for this franchise to think about making it to the playoffs.

7-London

Probable starting five: 1-Al Rozier 2-Samuel Blachford 3-Abdullah Chanda 4-Kolby O'Rourke 5-Horace Colbert

Key bench players: Ruben Sax, Sergei Danilov, Peter Parker

Preview: It is quite clear that they have started a rebuilding process in London. Team management felt its aging stars could not bring this franchise where they wanted it to be. So they traded away veteran players and brought in some nice youngsters. The selection of point guard Al Rozier raised some eyebrows at the WBA draft, but it might turn out to be a good move after all. Rozier has the talent to develop into one of the best players in this draft and will get the opportunity to start immediatly, after Kelvin Davidson was traded to Oregon. Two other rookies might join Rozier on the starting five: Samuel Blachford at shooting guard and Kolby O'Rourke at power forward. Since they are going young, why not give these youngsters time to play? Blachford is going to get competition from last year starter Peter Parker but O'Rourke might face a tougher challenge in Ruben Sax and Sergei Danilov, two good young power players. Right now Abdullah Chanda and Horace Colbert are still in London and might lead the team in more wins, but will they end the season in London?

Mid-Atlantic division

1-Washington (1)

Probable starting five: 1-Justin Krueger 2-Emett Yee 3-A.J. Schulz 4-Leo Rice 5-Boom-Boom Casey

Key bench players: Samson Erickson, Elvin Sanders, Quade Nash

Preview: An era has ended in Washington as one of the most appreciated and controversial owner has left the WBA owners rank. So far the new team managers have done a solid job of continuing Plummer's legacy. They lost point guard Kadeem Reed in a trade that brought young promising power forward Samson Erickson to the team. Erickson has a bright future and will take over Leo Rice's spot in the near future. And to compensate for the loss of Reed, the team signed point guard Justin Krueger to a big contract. The ex-Brooklyn player might be a better point guard than Reed so we feel Washington might have a better team than they had last season, but that is only on paper. Boom-Boom Casey was resigned to a long term contract and will again patrol the middle for the Monument. Washington should once again win the east this season and are our early favourites to reach the WBA finals.

2-Brooklyn (3)

Probable starting five: 1-Omar Jefferson 2-Mario Bailey 3-Shane Strom 4-Tom Perkins 5-Joe Sibert

Key bench players: Bernie Henderson, Scooter Jacobs, Mike Barrett

Preview: Once again, a key free agent has bolted from Brooklyn and Justin Krueger is that player this season. Not many people thought Krueger would ever turn out to be an effective point guard at the pro level, but Brooklyn stuck by him, trusted him and kept faith in him. How does Krueger repay that loyalty to the Rage franchise? By signing a lucrative deal with long time division rivals Washington. So now the big story at Brooklyn's practice facility will be who will fill Krueger's shoes as the point guard? Many observers believe it is now Omar Jefferson's turn to shine, after he never lived up to his great potential. Jefferson will get the opportunity to prove himself but he should get stiff competition from Bernie Henderson, a Paris alumnus who has been the backup for the past couple of seasons. And once again, it is hoped that Mario Bailey will continue to improve, as he is the core of the team with MVP candidate Shane Strom, Tom Perkins and Joe Siebert. Brooklyn might rely more on its starting five this season as they keep loosing depth to other teams. They will fight with Washington for the division title.

3-Baltimore (8)

Probable starting five: 1-Anson Valente 2-Johny Tatum 3-Mike Ivey 4-Clarence Collins 5-Zane Rivers

Key bench players: Donn Laine, Joe Herrera, Bailey Wood

Preview: This looks to be an up-and-coming team. Last season they surprised everyone by finishing third in the Mid-Atlantic division and are looking to improve on that record. They have a solid core of players signed long term in Anson Valente, Mike Ivey, Clarence Collins and Zane Rivers. This season they will add rookie Joe Herrera to the squad, a player that looked good in the rookie league and should get some minutes backing up Mike Ivey at small forward. Johny Tatum, a veteran of nine seasons, had his best season ever last year and was one of the main reasons why Baltimore was bale to make ti to the playoffs. His scoring will once again be needed, because they lost Odibe King to free agency.

4-Alaska

Probable starting five: 1-Ed Kane 2-George Foster 3-Marquez Houston 4-Raphael Park 5-Jack Spiegel

Key bench players: Bruce Johnson, Harry Applegate, Rick Schulz

Preview: It seems that FINALLY, Alaska is going somewhere. They did place themselves in trouble with cap issues this offseason, but still, they look like they have a very solid squad this season. They seem to have a nice mix of veterans and young players, a group that might just make it to the playoffs in the weaker east. Veteran Ed Kane's career seemed to be rejuvenated late last season when he was awarded with plenty of playing time, and he should be the starter again this season. He will be joined in the backcourt by an ex-VI member, George Foster, an all-star player, one of the most consistent WBA players. Young Marquez Houston was given an extension this offseason and will be one of the cornerstones of this franchise, along with rookie Raphael Park. Mr. Williams was quite happy to nab Park at number six and he will get the opportunity to start right away. But if Alaska should make the playoffs, all its hopes might be on the shoulders of one man: Jack Spiegel. The enigmatic center was acquired from Nebraska, and he will get a chance to start over in Alaska. Spiegel has the talent, but he has been unable to translate that onto the court so far in his career. Should Spiegel have a career, maybe Alaska could make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history...

5-New York

Probable starting five: 1-Bill Magenheimer 2-Jerry Kumanchik 3-John Greene 4-Jevon Carter 5-Charles Cushman

Key bench players: Camron Diaz, Tyriq Lang, Trenton Meehan

Preview: New ownership is taking over and they will need some time to get this franchise turned around. They have two key players with expiring contracts, Camron Diaz and John Greene, while they also a lot of money to pay for buyouts. As for this upcoming season, they might still surprise, with a solid core of veterans. Right now their main weakness is point guard, where they have Bill Magenhiermer, not a pure point man. They still have a good starting five and two very good bench players in Diaz and sophomore Tyriq Lang. Should John Greene stay healthy, which is highly unlikely, they could cause some surprises, but they might also be looking at a very good pick next season, which wouldn't be that bad...

6-Birmingham

Probable starting five: 1-Yuri Vilasny 2-Nike Johnson 3-Bill Blackstone 4-Bob Delaney 5-Ramiro Watts

Key bench players: Michael Kutak, Leonel Coles, Wu Dian-Fan

Preview: Birmingham was rather quiet this offseason, maybe hoping that the team's poor performance last season was just a bad year. They did draft one of the best scorers in the draft in Wu Dian-Fan and this young player should have an immediate impact off the bench. Yuri Vilasny was great after replacing Oliver McCarty last season and was one of the WBA's best passers. We think that Michael Kutak will have a more important role this season, as the team was last in defense last season. Kutak is a very good defensive player and would complement Nike Johnson well, a player that plays absolutely no defense. Ramiro Watts had a great season and him and Bob Delaney should lead this team. Delaney is in a contract year so expect him to perform well...

7-Carolina

Probable starting five: 1-Alvin Simpson 2-Eugene Lamaitre 3-Luke Benner 4-Simeon Hill 5-Keyshawn Eosso

Key bench players: Anthony Curtis, Jaret Girard, Aleksei Vasilev

Preview: We all know about Carolina's bad luck this past season. But team officials reacted well and went out and acquired a nice starting backcourt in Alvin Simpson and Eugen Lamaitre. They could form one of the good duos in the backfield, and should they find chemistry quickly, they might take Carolina to the fifth spot in this division, which would be an improvement over last season. Another key acquisition was talented small forward Anthony Curtis. There is already talk in Carolina that Curtis might start at power forward should Simeon Hill not recover well from his serious injury. No matter if he starts or not, Curtis will play a lot of minutes and should have a breakthrough year. Luke Benner was resigned and will bring his solid offensive game to Carolina. Rookie Jaret Girard will be his backup. Carolina, despite all the bad luck, made some nice moves and seems to be headed in the right direction.

October 2nd, 2004

GCBA PRESEASON TOURNY RECAP

Canada Post by J. Borbath

Paris is once again a force in the GCBA as they swept through the pre-season tournys and should maintian their #1 preseason ranking. The our the only team with a 4-0 record after the preseason tournys were done. Players who made an impact for Paris were Scott Karov the senoir small forward is making an early case for being a top pick in next years WBA draft. He has averaged 20.3 points per game and is shooting 45.7% from the field and 80% from the charity stripe. The kids got some range too shooting 37.9% from 3 point land. Alexej Peska a junior at center is also doing well averaging 18 per game and shooting 61.4% from the field. But his rebounding and foul shooting still need to improve as he shot on 69.2% from the line and is only averaging 5.3 rebounds per game.

However if you want rebounds than Hans Bryson of Canada College is the man. He is pulling down a GCBA League leading 11 per game as well as averaging 14 points per game. He along with Vince Haston our big reasons Canada College when 3-1 and won the tournament they hosted the first annual Canada Cup. Haston Scored 27 in one of the wins and averaging 18.5 per game and an umbelieveable 70% beyond the arch.This along with 94.4% from the line and 55.6% from the field. Bryson is a senior center that will be entering the WBA draft. While Haston a shooting gaurd is a junior so he may not be in the draft next year however with the numbers like these he just might. Three teams started out with 2-0 starts and given that to early to say about players on Mid Atlantic Cheaspeake and Chaco Canyon. Will talk about them in more depth once the season gets started.

Along with Canada College starting at 3-1 teams include Harlem, Mid West State,West River and Langepgas. The Idependent Conference seems the weakest as Beijing leads the conference into the regular campain with a 2-2 record. Having said that I hear all the WBA owners and G.Ms saying just tell me about some more players to watch.

Let's begin in West River than where the GCBA'S leading point getter Scott Berger is averaging 26 points a game.Berger is a Senior playing at the 3 spot. He is strong in all 3 shooting aspects averging 85% from free throw line. 59.4% from the field and an impressive 69% from 3 point land. He is part of possible the best one two scoring punch in the GCBA. Keven Rollin a power forward/center is also averging 20.3 points per game and he's working the glass as well grabbing 8.5 Boards per game. He is also a senior could you imagine if a team in WBA could grap both at this years draft that would be something.

Mid West State also part of the 3 for 4 club.The bucks our just plain scary with 4 guys averaging double digits in scoring. The best of the Fab Four is Chad Nolan scoring 19.8 a game and averaging 7 rebounds. He is shooting close to 60% from the field and 53.5 from beyond the arch. Nolan is a senior that spilts time between the 3 and the 4 spots. Vince Holiday Trevor Ellis and Darond Lyons are all averaging high teen double digits in scoring.Holiday is a senior while Ellis and Lyons our both Juniors.

Spike Lee is happy that Harlem has done the right things and got out of the gate 3-1. The only lose in there most recent game the final of the Canada Cup. Which they lost to Canada College. Harlem is also deep in scoring with no less than sox players averaging double figure scoring. The best of the six is probably. Dondrell Palmer a young softmore point gaurd. He missed the opening game of the Canada Cup but played in the final. Through 3 games the youngster has 14.7 points per game and 3 dimes with only one turnover per game. Quality ball control and decision making for such a young player. Carlton Bowers will be of more intrest to WBA teams as he is in his senior season averaging 14.5 per game at small forward. He also is shoot 59.5% from the field and 60% from beyond the arch. Not to mention he is getting 4 assits a game as well. A overall soild player.

Langepas part of that strong group of teams in the euro conference have some good players as well. Brenden Dawson is a complete player averaging 19.8 points per game along with 6 boards 3.5 Assists and 1.8 steals an impressive package for sure. The senior shooting gaurd gives you a little bit of everything with a lot of skill. Shermar Mahara is also impressive averging 16.5 points per game and a mind blowing 10.5 assists. The junior can play the point gaurd or the shooting gaurd and if he keeps it up may jump straight to

WBA next year.

The team in the most trouble early on in GCBA is Scottsdale they hold a record of donut and four. MMM donuts. Perhaps to many donuts our being eaten up as well as pizza beer and all the junk food you can find on any college campus. It is just the pre season tournys but 0-4 is 0-4. losing by an average of 16 a game that hurts.

So there is a look at the GCBA heading into the Regular Campain. Here is our unoffical top ten with the offical preseason ranking in brackets.

1. Paris 4-0(1)

2. Midwest State 3-1(2)

3. Mid Atlantic 2-0 (8)

4. Harlem 3-1 (4)

5. West River 3-1 (3)

6. Langepas 3-1 (9)

7. Chesapeake 2-0 (5)

8. Canada College 3-1(nr)

9. Chaco Canyon 2-0 (nr)

10. Beijing 2-2 (nr)

Just a note 0-4 Scottsdale was actual ranked sixth on the offical preseason ballot. Great Plains and Gainsville were also raned in preseaon top ten list but didn't make our top ten. Thats our look at the opening week of the GCBA some suprises and some things expected. That is what makes the GCBA great.

October 2nd, 2004

Albacete Burning Hell

By Clark Lane.

Albacete's expectations this season are high, as always. Albacete is a team that always goes to the playoffs, you can bet on it. He is all the time up there trying to get a few more wins and the championship. A couple of seasons ago they got it. But after that they separated themselves from Lou Gonzales. Now he wants to prove that even without Gonzales Albacete can win the title, but things are not that easy. If they hadn't traded Lou this would be a hard team to beat, but without him they are missing a great defender and a great offensive weapon. The replacement they have is Bixby. Okay, okay, don't start laughing, the guy is good, but it will take quite an improvement on the rest of the team to make for the lack of Gonzales. Bixby is a very nice center, but he is not star. He will put solid numbers and he could easily be a starter in most teams in the league, but he is soft. He is not an intimidating player and he does not know how to cover this. He is a good overall player but he is just lacking that extra punch to make him more than a good player. He won't fill Gonzales shoes by a long way. It is like comparing Spaghetti Bolognese with pasta and tomato sauce, they can look alike from far away, but if you come close you can see a chef work or an eleven years old cooking.

On the frontcourt the team has Bobby Cress, a very good center. He scores, hits the board, defends, knows how to go to the line, and has a good ball handling skill… but his stamina and his fouls are his downfall. He is huge, but at the end of the match he is a shadow, if he is still in the floor and not on the bench. He is a dominating center, and with Gonzalez besides him it was one of the best frontcourts. Now they are just really good, just not huge.

At the small forward spot we can see Jim Donnelly. He is the man that does it all and he does it all well. But, and there is a big but, he does not know how to put the ball in, neither from the field, nor from the line. Before they could maybe afford that, but now they need everything they can get, and here they are loosing points. It is a shame, because he is a very nice player, and he helps in defense and in offense, but his lack of shooting touch is too much for a team with the ambitions of Albacete. As well, his stamina is of some concern because he cannot be there all the time to try to shutdown the scoring threats he can find, or to make the offense run smoothly as it should.

From the Guard spot we have the real star of this team. Harry Jarvis. He is a Star. And I mean he is easily a future Hall of Famer. More than that I will say that he is one of the top 3 Shooting Guards of the league and as a scoring threat he would be my first choice. I should point that his defense is not bad either. A game a little bit more rounded would have made him the best, and that is his only lack. But without that he will shine for many seasons on the WBA.

At the point, and running the show we have Tyler Kane and Keith Douglas. Both of them are really good at the point. They know how to run the show, but they may lack the scoring ability of Bill Andrews, and with the presence of Donnelly this team cannot afford that. Where Douglas is a better offensive presence, Kane is better defending and handling the ball. The problem here is that Albacete would want to use Kane, but having a second player on the team that can not shoot the ball it is too much for a team that has any serious ambition of winning the title.

On the backup positions this team is good. They have Gordon “The Fat” Whitehouse, Rodger Garson and Tre Freeman. They are all ranging from very good to great but they will not save this team, even if Whitehouse is a real treat. Without him the team will loose a few more games each season. He is not always a runner for the sixth man of the season award for nothing.

Evaluation: Again a very good team. They will gather from 50 to 55 wins, but they will once again fall short of the title. This team would need to improve his forward position with a scoring threat. An improvement at the point would help them get a few more wins. I still think that Kane is good, but he will never be a superstar. He will be a top four team on the East.

October 1st, 2004

Mabrukes Quest

This is Mike Begley going one on one with Cape Town's own, Obafemi Mabruke. Coming off a season in which he was named to the All-WBA 2nd team. Obafemi sits down with us in between his off-season conditioning program of cross-country treks through the African savannas.

Begley: Yo Obafemi! How you doing man how has your off-season been going?

Mabruke: Hey Mike, I'm doing great! I want to start off by saying that was a nice piece you did on the city of Cape Town it was well that you cleared up all those misconceptions about our grand city.

Begley: Oh thanks your right that it's a grand city and what a great organization too.

Mabruke: Your right about that I have made many lifelong friends here including you Mike.

Begley: Yes well the best friendships often develop through chance meetings but speaking of which how do you feel about losing teammate and personal friend, Oman Fatafehi to Miami?

Mabruke: You know the fish that gets away always looks big but you know me and Oman will always be close. He had a chance to return if he wanted to, we offered him a solid contract but it was really up to him and I understand his decision you have to do what is best for yourself and with the money thrown his way you cannot blame him.

Begley: So true, so true. As we are gearing up for a new season what goals did you make for this off-season and how did you plan on accomplishing those goals?

Mabruke: You know i've discovered that the best way to really improve my skills is to

concentrate on one thing at the time and I always bear in mind that my own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing. With that said from the outset I had made my conditioning my number one priority. When its pouring rain and you go run for six hours with no one on the side of the road cheering you or booing you, that is how you get championships.

Begley: Wow what determination. But still it is a team effort to win a championship, a lot of changes have been made to the team how do you foresee these changes will affect the outcome of the season?

Mabruke: Yes, we have a lot of new guys coming in. In fact since the new management has come over I am the sole remainder from that team. You know the river boat pilots here in Cape Town steer from point to point setting the course no farther than they can see; and that is how I propose to tackle this season. I am excited to be playing with as great a player as Bill Yeager and I look forward to seeing our young fellas progress but the predicting stuff is for you guys to do. For me, being too close to the scene may prevent me from seeing the forest from the trees.

Begley: Ha ha good one Obafemi. Well that about wraps up this session I know you need to get back to your conditioning exercises, do you have any last words for the people out there?

Mabruke: To all the fans, come support our journey in the quest for a championship. The road can be treacherous and we are sure to encounter obstacles along the way but stick with us as well will keep treading forward and take no backward steps.

Begley: For Obafemi Mabruke this is Mike Begley saying so long and I'll see you on the journey.

October 1st, 2004

Another Chance for Plummer

In who could be considered an “old timer” in the WBA, shooting guard Sam Plummer is now entering his seventh season in the league. Hard to imagine such experience from a player on the eve of turning 24 as most have forgotten that Plummer made his way into the league at the tender age of 18. Taken 28th overall in the season four draft by Bermuda, Plummer has now been reunited with the original franchise that selected him though both player and franchise have undergone drastic changes.

Bermuda has since relocated to Cape Town and the baby-faced Plummer has since matured into a man. Thrust into the starting position as a rookie, Plummer managed to garner a selection to the season 4 western rookie team. However, his welcoming would soon expire, as management would grow disenchanted with his constant mistakes expectant of an eighteen-year-old. The following season Plummer would be dealt to the Virgin Islands in what would pave the way for the resulting roller-coaster ride that the WBA would become for young Plummer.

In VI things did not go well for Plummer as he reportedly was unhappy about his shots and involved in some feuds with teammates. Coach Robert Williams would state that “Plummer is young and we expect to keep him... He earned the starting position but just hasn't done a great job of holding it down.” The expectation to stick with him would once again finish early as Plummer would then be dealt to the Gabon Giants. Plummer would earn playing time for Gabon yet when hit with an injury, reporters would come down hard on him by stating “Gabon had a better second half of the season. No doubt that is due to Sam Plummers absence.”

Having never quite fit in with a team, Plummer would be given new hope when Cancun sought his services as a key backup. Indeed, Plummer would play key minutes for the proud franchise yet once again his team did not feel compelled to keep his services.

Tossed away like unwanted property Plummer would wind up with Texas on a contract offer for the minimum. Playing sparingly for the next two seasons, Texas nevertheless held hope in the young players undeveloped talents. However, once again Plummer would be dealt away. In a flurry of moves and no doubt distressing time for Plummer he would be dealt to Cancun, Washington and end up in Cape Town in a matter of a week.

Had the story ended there Plummer would just be labeled as another high school draft bust serving as filler for deals intended to acquire other players. But in a shocking turn of events Plummer has reportedly been given a vote of confidence by Cape Town management. After a meeting between Plummer and management rumors have been circulating that if Plummer shows regular improvement he could be slated as the teams starting shooting guard.

Will Cape Town be another one of those teams that have given hope to the young Plummer only to lose faith in him? When asked about this Plummer answered with a peculiar anecdote, “If a fine looking lady asks for your attention but you are busy with something, by all means go talk to the lady but finish what you are doing first.” Only time will tell how the relationship envelops but my advice to Plummer is that he should definitely have his pen ready.