November 1 - November 30

November 18th, 2005

Dinos Lose Blackstone in Expansion Draft And Make a Trade.

By Chuck Swirsky

First Off let me say hello to all you great WBA fans. Now that the Hockey Lockout has ended Greg Ross is back covering the Toronto Maple Leafs. I Like Vince Carter got off the sinking ship and now am the Voice of Your Toronto Dinos. Mr. Borbath wanted me to thank Greg for his 2 years of work with the team. He also wanted me to say he feels sad that he (Ross) will never get to experience what covering a winning team is like again. But enough about the past the Swirsk wants to talk WBA BALL.

Management was very unhappy about the ill timed and planned expansion of the WBA. But they were set on making it work to their advantage.

In a first move that surprised some folks around the WBA. Bill Blackstone was left unprotected. He had a big salary and the team was never happy with his play at the PF position. He was selected 1st overall and that took him and his 8 million Dollars to Korea. The team had another problem in that all 3 of their draft choices dropped several spots. In a draft that lacks depth this was a problem. So today Owner Borbath made a deal with the expansion Dragons to acquire Abdullah Chanda who was taken by the dragons from charlotte in the expansion draft. Simieon Hill the teams Big Free Agent Signing was also a former Charlotte project turned Dino. In Exchange for the PF/C Toronto sent Quad Nash, Webster Hewlett and it's 3 picks at 16 20 and 39 in this years draft to the Dragons. Along with Chanda the Dinos get Albacete's First Round Pick Next Year and the Dragons 2nd in that same year.

This gives Toronto 4 picks in next years WBA DRAFT. Which many experts say will be stronger and deeper than this years edition. The Dinos will now have 4 roster spots too fill and no draft picks this year. Chanda has been brought in as insurance in case Issiac Rice goes down which is likely having only played two games with Toronto last year after being acquired mid season from Alaska. Toronto barely missed the playoffs losing in a tiebreaker to hated rival Boston.

Dino C.E.O James Borbath had this to say about the moves of the last few days:

BORBATH: "Gone are the days of just accepting improvement we fill it is time to start the push to be a contender for a WBA CHAMPIONSHIP. We have a franchise player in Walt Jackson and I am committed to giving him the players around him to make him the best player he can be. Last year we brought in Justin Kruger and Emitt Yee and it was a huge failure. We are not perfect and not ever move will always pan out but we are not afraid to keep trying. With that we have acquired a great player to play PF in Abdullah Chanda. Quad Nash and Webster Hewlett were not in our teams long plan future which made them tradeable. We have had Issiac Rice getting medical and training advice all summer in the hopes he can play with less injuries. If not well Chanda is a capable player who knows how to play off bench or as a starter. We are also in a better cash position than we thought thanks to the Blackstone pick up in the draft. That along with a draft that quite frankly is average lead us to making this move. I along with the staff think this was a great move both short and long term for this club."

I know the guy signs my paycheck but I think he's dead on the money and this should help the team out to a large degree. I can't wait to say Walt Jackson drives the lane dishes to Chanda for the monster jam. That was sick wicked and nasty. Many feel the Dino's are on the verge of big things and I think they may just be time will tell the story.

This is the

Swirsk

saying bye for the moment.

November 17th, 2005

Dragons meet the press

A GSPN exclusive

The conclusion of the expansion draft left little doubt that Seoul's

interest is in advancing quickly beyond the embryo phase and pushing hard to

field a competitive team. Bill Blackstone, proudly hoisting his #34 Dragons

jersey high after being introduced at the team's first news conference,

summed it up best by calling it a "legacy team".

"People like Siebs (Joe Siebert), (John) Gaiser, and myself have been making

our marks in the league for a while now, and some people have been writing

us off as being old, obsolete, forgettable guys. We get here, and all of a

sudden, the hopes are that we can not only keep producing, but also make

sure that this team makes a mark in its first season. I spoke with Bill

(Cash, head coach) on the phone for about an hour about what was going to be

expected of us here, and I gotta say, I'm excited to be given the chance to

make things happen here."

"It's a different situation than anything I've been involved in before," Joe

Siebert said, smiling throughout the conference. "Brooklyn and its fans are

incredible, and that we competed on a yearly basis for the title, that

people were gunning for us, and I can look back over eight hundred fifty

games over the past ten years and say 'I was a part of that. I came in young

and helped mold a franchise into something great.' Ten years later, I get

brought in as a veteran because the Dragons wanted someone who could help

the young lions of today into the WBA legends of tomorrow. Like Bill said,

being a legacy team means we get to be pushing the rest of the league to

take us seriously from the start. People overlook the new guy a lot, and

maybe think a little less of the veterans before they get started. But Bill,

Ab-Man (Abdullah Chanda), Evilio Nunez, Gaiser, and I make a pretty solid

five man lineup to start games. I think we're going to surprise a lot of

people this year."

"It's good to know where I'm headed finally," Abdullah Chanda joked as he

donned a Dragons cap. "That whole 'will he, won't he' stuff wears on the

players as much as the folks who follow sports online." Chanda slumped last

season in Charlotte in a reduced role and had been rumored to head to

multiple locations on draft day in sign and trade deals, but in the end was

left unprotected and selected by Seoul.

"It's good to be wanted by a lot of people, but it's also good to know where

you can call home. I look forward to being here for a long time, if I can,

and helping make the Dragons a team worth seeing for the local fans and

worth fearing by the rest of the league."

Evilio Nunez and Sam Plummer were the youngest players selected by the

Dragons in the draft, a fact lost on neither of them.

"It's good to get the chance to step up and get the experience of working

with these big names," Nunez said. "I was told when T.D. Swagger called me

after my name was selected that he wanted to make sure I felt like a part of

this franchise from the very start, because he saw a very bright future for

me here in the WBA. I think Seoul is going to play a big part in

that...especially knowing that they want me on the floor from the start."

"Two seasons ago, I couldn't have told you if I was going to still be a part

of this league," Sam Plummer said. "Capetown took a chance on me, and I was

part of a great run in Paris last season. I've kind of gotten used to my

role as a bench player, and as an eight-season veteran at 25, I'd like to

think my best years are ahead of me."

Seoul has been involved in trade rumors leading up to the amateur draft but

general manager T.D. Swagger was quick to dismiss talk of moving any of the

players in attendance.

"These guys just got here. No sense in telling them to go away just yet."

SEOUL NOTES

-Despite T.D. Swagger's comment, Ethan Hunt is not likely to see any playing

time as a member of Seoul's roster. Rumors have him being shopped in an

attempt to gain a younger bench.

-Abdullah Chanda has far and away been the most coveted player on the

Dragons roster, but thus far, all six offers received for him have been

rebuked.

-Korean bands Koyote and Turtles will be performing at the first Seoul

Dragons fanfest following the amateur draft. Turnout is expected to be high.

November 17th, 2005

Expansion Day

An early look at the expansion teams.

By Liz Lester

With the excitement of expansion day slowly making way for the exitement of the rookie draft, it is a good time to take a look at the results of the Expansion, and see what both new teams came up with. First up: Seoul

Seoul’s expansion picks

1. Bill Blackstone: 2yr @ 8 mill: Bill is a solid pick for the Dragons. Bill is a good veteran, whose play could help out at either forward position any team in the league. Not all would be willing to take on that price tag with him in this fase of his career, but he’s most certainly worth what he is getting for the Dragons. Points, rebounds and some solid ball controll. Blackstone will proably be a force for this team until the day he decides to retire.

2. Evilio Nunez: 1yr @ 2 mill: Nunez, the 25 year old, will probably remain a fixture for a few season at least, if the Dragons can find the money to sign him next draft. Limited in his overall skills, he is however good in one thing: Getting the ball up in the air towards that baskett, and hitting a lot of them. With players around him like Bill Blackstone, Nunez will provide the points for the Dragons. A good pick again.

3. John Gaiser: 1yr @ 7.85: An expensive choice, John Gaiser, and a player with some points of concern ( ball handling, fouls, takes too many shots for his average shooting ) However, the Seoul managment has done well in my opinion. Having followed Hjohn very carefully last year, when he had to play SG for NY, John proofed to be a valuable player if coached well. His passing is still top notch, and will help out Bill and Evilio getting those points up. He also may very well ask for a lower contract when this one ends at the end of the season, and be usefull for a longer time in Seoul.

4. Joe Siebert: 3yr @ 9.93ntc Another money eating slot taken…but another good choice. Will certainly not the Defensive powerhouse he was once anymore, this veteran will provide countless and countless minutes of great defense still on the court for the Dragons. They won’t have to be afraid of any C with Joe in their lineup. And the best thing is…they got a second this year, and a first next year to draft him!!!! We were suprised that Brooklyn let him go, purely becasue it seemed he belonged there, but even offering for him to be taken??

5. Abdullah Chanda 3yr @ 3.25 What can i say. Why was Chanda even available still? He should have been picked up by Las vegas before this. But for Seoul this is good off course. Chanda will round up an excellent starting 5, that will be capable of going far better then anyone would have expected of a Expansion team. Chanda brings nothing special apart from some nice rebounding, but brings some good overall play, that will fit great into the lineup.

6. Jeff Sandbeck 2yr @ 1mill Another Great pick. Fould prone Jeff Sandbeck is an excellent backup C for Siebert, and could even get the nod in certian situations. Just don;t count on him ever staying out of foul trouble.

7. Sam Plummer 2yr @ 1mil Sam is an excellent sg with just one problem. He doens’t shoot. He doesn’t shoot well either. But he has some other qualities,a nd if coached well, those may play a role. In any case, he will be usefull at least this year for the Dragons.

8. Ethan Hunt 1yr @ 0.75mil Ethan has an ending contract, and appears to be a fun guy in the dressing room. I am sure that is why he was taken.

The Seoul Dragons have done amazingly well. A lineup of Gaiser, Nunez, Chanda, Blackstone and Siebert is awsome for an expansion team. The team looks well balanced, with rebounding and scoring power present. The downside of this is that i do not expect that their pick will be a good lottery one next season. But i am sure that the public in Korea will love seeing this team. They should try to draft another PG if the can, one who doesn’t hav to perform now. At #14, a player like Hruska may very well be what they need!

Overall Grade for Seoul: A+ I fail to see how they could have done better! They could have selected mark miller perhasp with their #1 pick, but that would have led to cap problems for the rest of their picks, and they may have found Miller too colorfull.

Las Vegas Expansion picks

1. Mark Miller 4yr @ 11ntc Mark is the type of player an expansion loves. Getting a pick is something an expansion team loves. Getting both is a great deal. Why on Earth Andorra offered a pick for Vegas to draft him is beyond me. Miller may expensive, but he would have been drafted in the expansion for sure. He can score, rebound, block, and his colorfull personality may lead to some technicals, the fans will love it. An excellent player for Vegas to start a franchise with.

2. Buck Jones will be dropped Oh my god. Why have Vegas picked Jones HERE. I see logic of drafting and dropping him for the pick they receive ( wouldn;t keeping the pick and Jones have been better for Arkansas? ) there is nothing wrong with that for Vegas. But at this stage of the draft, there were excellent players available, and there was NO risk of Jones getting drafted already. The dragons got Nunez with their next pick, and Nunez should have been the choice that Vegas should have made.

3. Davion Stahl 2yr @ 3.5mil With this pick and the last Vegas makes a statement: We are going for the top pick next draft, and aim for the future. Davion Stahl will be a decent pg in two years time, but not right now. The signal of intent is thus clear. Vegas fans…watch the games on tv. The real Vegas will only be born in a few years time.

4. Evilio Jackson 1yr @ 2.5mil Another young guy that may become a good player inthe future. An allround guard, Jackson isn;t ready for the big time yet.

5. Marty Williams 1yr @ 2.5mil Marty Williamm is a pick that should give the fans of Vegas at least some comfort. The managment of Vegas at least thinks that having some players that are ready for this year ( besides bad boy Miller ) is a thing that the public may like. It’s not enough to expect results, but at least it may prevent record scores against Vegas, cause at least they have another rebounder.

6. Leonel Coles 2yr @ 1mil A decent pick, Leonel will add depth at both big guy positions. He can score, rebound, and block decently. While the guards of Vegas may look very weak, at least they have some big bodies out there.

7. Frank Rose 1yr @ 1.6mil Whenever i hear the sprinsteen song “Glory days”i have to think of Frank Rose. He led the league a while in scoring in season 4. Now he is a nowhere near the scorer he once was. Another body, another clear message for the sponsors to come back to Vegas in 2 years.

8. Joe Brennan 1yr @ 1mil Another pick for the future. I am not sure if 23 year old Brennan has the quality to make it to the top, he’s rebounding will always be an asset as SF. However, for now it means mediocrity at best.

Starting lineup: ( will change after the draft no doubt ) Stahl, Jackson, Rose, Miller, Williams.

Las Vegas has set it’s eyes on drafting it’s way too the top. It appears that there will be nothing for the Vegas fans too really be exited about, unless it is Mark Miller and his on and off court antics. The talented youngsters they have drafted may start asking for a lot of moeny soon, as they see they are carrying the team. This draft has not made me a beleiver for Vegas, and the picks in they have in the regular draft must be used way better for ths Franchise to get going. Their first pick in the draft is at 13, then at 18 and 21. There might be players like Tawaray ( pg ), James Boone ( PF ) and Justing hill ( sf ) for them too draft. Surely another PG will join their lineup.

Overall draft grade Vegas : D-

November 16th, 2005

[An assembled throng of reporters gather in their respective seats in front

of a podium flanked on either side by tables manned by representatives of

two separate teams. The WBA Logo is prominently displayed on the front of

the podium, and the room is abuzz with murmurs and rumblings as conjecture

is the word of the day.]

[Stepping up to the podium, a man in a tuxedo, receives a polite round of

applause as he motions to get the attention of everyone present. He holds up

a hand, and the mumbles and murmurs fade with the applause. The only sound,

the occasional click of a flashbulb and advancing of the film and the idle

shuffling of a patient crowd.]

KC: Ladies and gentlemen, I want to welcome you all to the Second Official

WBA Expansion Draft. My name is a Keith Clarke, and I am your emcee for the

night.

[as Clarke recaps the particulars of the draft's rules to the audience,

viewers at home hear his voice fade as two men in tuxedos behind a desk set

aside from the actions address the crowd.]

DR: Good evening everyone, and welcome to a very special edition of

SportsNight. I'm Dan Rydell, and with me as always, Casey McCall, as we

present the WBA Expansion Draft live on CSC.

CM: Right you are, my friend, and tonight is indeed a momentous occasion.

Ten seasons have passed since the last expansion for the WBA, and tonight,

Asia is once more given representatives in the big time.

DR: Let's not forget Vegas, either, the first major league sports franchise

in a city that has petitioned for years for expansion.

CM: The format of the draft will be as follows. The Seoul Dragons will draft

first, and thereafter, each team makes two picks back to back until the

final selection in the eighth round, which goes to Las Vegas.

DR: They call that a "snake draft", and the advantage certainly goes to the

team who knows what they want. One disadvantage, however, appears to be a

trade that has fallen through. Sources indicate that Bert Haug of the

Rochester Raiders has not accepted a contract extension, and the deal is

being voided. Haug was believed to be high on Seoul's wish list, and that

has to affect their mindset.

CM: No doubt, though again, sometimes these things can be blessings in

disguise. As you can see, the representatives for both teams have earpieces

on to notify them of any deals that occur through their respective front

offices. Bill Cash has been selected to speak for the Dragons, as their head

coach, with general managers Tony D. Swagger remaining behind the scenes

working on deals.

DR: For Las Vegas as well, a pair of deals made contingent on the selection

of two veterans in the first two rounds. Mark Miller and Buck Jones,

respectively, will be selected by the franchise as their #1 and #2 overall

picks in exchange for draft choices from Andorra and Arkansas respectively.

This on the heels of the announcement that Joe Siebert will be the 4th round

pick of the Seoul Dragons in exchange for a pair of draft picks. Boy...big

contracts don't make you popular for long these days, do they?

CM: It appears as though we're set to begin, as Bill Cash takes the stand.

KC: ...present to you, for the Seoul Dragons, Head Coach Bill Cash to make

the first overall selection.

[Bill Cash walks up to the microphone.]

BC: With the first pick of the expansion draft...the Seoul Dragons select...

.from the Toronto Dinos...

...BILL BLACKSTONE.

November 16th, 2005

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

NOTES FROM SEOUL

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

His name is Kyle White. As a senior at Portland this past season, he dealt

with disappointment on a regular basis, watching as his team struggled

through one of the worst in its history. When the time came to play for one

of the remaining GCBA playoff spots, however, he took his teammates aside

and offered the best advice he could.

"Play hard and don't give up until you hear that buzzer," he said. "Whatever

happens, we can end this season on a positive note if we get out there and

play like a team."

Not only did the Explorers make the playoffs with a win, but they also

pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the tournament with a first round

victory.

Now, White hopes to make the leap to the pros after four solid years in the

GCBA.

"It's not easy these days to make your mark in the pros. A lot of kids try

to go early, or coast their way through classes and then end up with nothing

after draft day comes and goes," White said, following a workout for the

Seoul Dragons on Tuesday. "This is a strong class of players trying to make

the jump. I'm just glad I have something to fall back on if my career ends

here."

Kyle White graduated cum laude this spring with a Bachelor of Science Degree

in Biology. "I figure if I get passed by, I can start working with sports

medicine. It's something I think I'd be good at because I'd be coming at it

from both sides of the spectrum."

White, if drafted, is expected to be a mid second round pick at best. When

looking at the coming year, he has high hopes of playing for certain teams.

"I caught a couple of Golden Bears games every year I was at U. of P., and I

would love to stick around Oregon if I could," he said. "I'd also love to

get a shot with a team like Paris. Especially as close as they came this

year to winning it all.. And right now, Miami and London are doing all kinds

of rebuilding."

And the expansion franchises?

"The folks here in Seoul have treated me great-and getting in on the ground

floor when a team is just starting out, the fans are electric. Yeah, I could

very easily enjoy playing here. Vegas is the same way-you're on the big

stage, and people are looking to you to take the first steps to greatness.

I'm working out for them in a few days, though I think they're looking more

for point guards than small forwards."

When asked if any of the teams were not to his liking, White shook his head.

"It takes someone who's pretty damn arrogant to come out in a field of

prospects like this and say he doesn't want to play for a team that actually

wants him. Working out with the coaches for the Dragons, I overheard a

couple of the players...I don't want to name names...talking about how they

were just going through the motions because they didn't picture themselves

slipping down that far in the first round. I know I might not get picked,

I'm certainly not the best small forward out on the lists, but I can't

imagine even if I was the number one option for some team ever dogging it on

the court. You never know who's watching, and you never know what's going to

happen. That includes having teams lose faith in you, give up on you, even

avoid you because of what you bring to the table."

And if he could offer any advice to WBA hopefuls?

"Teams respect someone who doesn't give up when things get hard. Sometimes,

you just get hit with a bunch of bad luck all at once and it starts to feel

like the easiest thing is to burn your bridges and start over somewhere

else, but if you stick it out, just tell whoever's laying odds against you

to back the hell off, and do your best, there's no telling where the future

will lead you."

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

Team Notes

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

-Ajan Estay is expected to be among the top three picks in the amateur

draft, and as such declined to work out with the Seoul Franchise. Estay, a

high school student from Fiji, has indicated that he is hoping to be put in

a starting role on a winning franchise as soon as possible for as high a

payday as possible. Seoul is currently set to draft at the #14 spot overall,

with subsequent picks in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. Short of a last minute

trade, it is unlikely Ajay will be the Dragons' first ever amateur

selection.

-Shermar Mahara is among the top guards available in the draft, and has been

highly coveted by most teams. While the odds of his sliding out of the

lottery are slim, the Dragons are believed to have approached Gabon about

their #7 overall pick in an effort to position themselves better in the

draft.

-A major question has developed around the name of Bert Haug, who now

appears to be headed for free agency rather than the rumored deal that would

send him to the Dragons. Haug, who played sparingly the past two seasons

with Rochester, was believed to be the centerpiece of a sign and trade deal

with Seoul and at least one other franchise. It now appears, however, that

Rochester has withdrawn their contract offer to him, as the expansion draft

looms on the horizon tomorrow. Unless there is a major update in the next

several hours, it appears as though he will be testing the waters as a free

agent rather than wearing a Dragons jersey at the post-draft news

conference.

November 15th, 2005

ARKANSAS STINGERS:

OVERLOOKING LAST SEASON

AND GETTING READY FOR THE NEXT

There is only one thing that can describe the Arkansas Stingers performance all season long and that is horrible. Management thought that they would be putting together a team that was going to make the playoffs and go farther in it than the season before, but instead they finished with a 25-55 record and missed the playoffs for the first time since season 2.

“You know, I was highly disappointed in the way this team played and the way I coached this last season. We were way under our expectations. We didn’t click well as a team and that hurt us in numerous ways,” Richards stated.

Arkansas dropped in every statistical category compared to last season. The most noticeable drop was their lack to score when it really mattered. Richards had this to comment on that. “Well you can expect to lose a lot more than 32 games from last season when you go from scoring 101 points per game to just 93.”

Well a big reason why they were scoring 101 points per game last season was because they had players who could actually score at will pretty much. Such players included Emmett Yee (22.6 ppg) and Justin Krueger (10.5 ppg, 7.2 apg). Both players among others were traded or released because of last seasons ending in the second round of the playoffs.

Now this team has brought both of the players back, hoping that they can join the other starters in turning this franchise around to what it once was. “It was sad to have to see Krueger and Yee leave us, but now they’re back so I won’t talk about that too much. Things didn’t work out too well for us the first time around, but hey its round 2 now and things can change,” said Richards.

So now the Stingers are really excited about going into next season and this time more confident about meeting the expectations set for them. The starting line-up will be kind of young with the oldest player being 29 and the youngest being 26. Their projected starting line-up should look a little like this:

PG Justin Krueger

SG Emmett Yee

SF Elvin Sanders

PF Harry Applegate

C Jack Spiegel

November 15th, 2005

Miller Time is Over in Andorra

Coach regrets past mistakes, but looks forward to changes this off-season

By: Joe Spencer

Mark Miller has always stirred up controversy in Andorra ever since receiving his $77 million contract. Originally the #2 pick in the Season 6 draft after a successful collegiate career at NE Moscow, Mark Miller quickly developed into one of the more exciting young players to watch, especially on the defensive end of the court. The year before receiving this mammoth deal, Miller had a very impressive season, averaging 17.4 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, and showed his defensive force by averaging 2.7 steals and 1.9 blocks per game. He was expected to quickly become one of the top players in the league, and become part of a dominating frontcourt duo with former #1 pick Devonta Corrigan. However, things didn't turn out as expected. Although Miller was still putting up decent numbers, he never improved from his breakout year in Season 8, causing management to question his work ethic, and whether or not he was worth such a large contract.

Now, after a season that, although saw the Andorra Highlanders be over .500 with a 42-38 record, was still somewhat disappointing after such high expectations, team management, led by coach Corey Daubanton, decided it was time to shake up the team roster. Because of their tumultuous relationship with Miller, these plans included the possibility of moving him, which, besides getting rid of a potential distraction, would give the team an enormous amount of cap space available to spend in the upcoming off-season.

After rejecting the possibility of being traded to Salt Lake City, even with the fact that Brad Bangerter was his college coach at NE Moscow, Andorra felt now it would be best to cut ties with Miller, regardless of the cost. Therefore, today it was announced that a deal was reached with expansion team Las Vegas that they would select him in the expansion draft in exchange for receiving a first round pick.

Coach Daubanton said that he’s sorry to let go of Mark Miller, but he believes that this will be best for his team in the long run, and he wishes Miller luck in anchoring the new Las Vegas franchise. Daubanton also added that he had made some crucial mistakes this past season, such as not trusting a single lineup, and trading a rising star center in Al Hebrert for an unproven point guard in Daren Benson, but he believes that he will learn from, and not make the same mistakes again this upcoming season. The team will likely go through some changes. Devonta Corrigan will still be the leader of the team, and lesser known but fan favorite players such as Tristen Collins and Oshodi Bombata are still around, but with $23 million in cap now, Andorra may try to add a few big names players to their team. Whether or not that means a new starting power forward to replace Miller and/or a veteran point guard, it appears that team management will at least try to get together a team that can be successful for next season and future years ahead.

November 14th, 2005

-JAMSIL ARENA, Seoul (AP)

As Sang-Am Stadium undergoes its final modifications to house the fledgling

Dragons franchise, many WBA fans in Southeast Asia will have to watch the

hometown team on television this season instead of in the stands. Housed in

Jamsil Arena for their inaugural season, the Dragons have had a rush on

tickets for home events, and the 13,409 seat arena used during the 1988

Olympics to host the basketball medal games has already sold an amazing

number of tickets for the year.

"Season ticket sales are high," owner Andre Dec said. "We sold out twenty

home dates within an hour of the windows opening, and have sold more than

two thousand season tickets overall. People want to see the WBA in person,

and root for the hometown team as they do."

One of the reasons for the high ticket sales is doubtless the announcement

that Joe Siebert, future Hall of Fame center for the Brooklyn Rage, has been

rumored to be selected in the upcoming draft.

"I can't confirm either way at this point," GM T.D. Swagger said in a news

conference today. "However, I will say two things. First, Joe Siebert is one

of the most respected and gifted athletes the WBA has ever fielded, and any

team should consider themselves very lucky to have him. Second, the Dragons

franchise is working under financial constraints imposed by the league

charter that will hinder us in our first two seasons, but we will not shy

away from opportunity simply to count pennies at the end of the season.

That's not what the fans want, and it sure as hell isn't what they deserve."

Given the number one selection in the expansion draft, Swagger was also

tight lipped about who the Dragons would select. Siebert, Mike Miller, Bill

Blackstone, and John Gaiser have all been rumored to be the first player in

a Dragons jersey, but no answer has yet been offered.

"It's a great city filled with great fans," head coach Bill Cash said, as he

and his coaching staff met with reporters for an hour before hosting a

workout for players entered in the upcoming amateur draft. "Some of the

local universities have lent us their facilities so that we could house

college athletes who are going to make that leap to the pro level this year,

and the city has done everything it can to make a new team feel like they've

been at home all this time."

When pressed on his goals for the coming season, Cash responded with a

smile. "There are going to be 29 other teams out there scrambling for the

same goals as we are. It's not reasonable to expect immediate success. Our

first and foremost goal is to provide an exciting season of competitive

basketball for our new fans here in Seoul. After that, earning thirty wins

on the year seems like an attainable, yet challenging goal."

When asked about the playoff hopes for the new city, Cash responded by

calling for the team to "move carefully as they develop" and refusing "to

mortgage tomorrow for a first round sweep in the playoffs today."

Seoul's home opener is sold out and will be simulcast via South Korean

network television, GSPN, and the AZN cable network .

NOTES:

-Amateur players who have thus far worked out for the Seoul Dragons are Eric

Edgerson, O.J. Lofton, Jarion Harris, Bohuslav Hruska, Matt Morris, Eiji

Yamaha, Arturo Fonzarelli, and Kyle Trask. Other players scheduled to work

out for the franchise include Jeremy Sims, Adam Virgil, and Coomas Neetar.

By working out players like Harris, Fonzarelli, and Yamaha, one suspects

that the Dragons may be looking to trade up in the draft, taking a potential

lottery pick to build the franchise around.

-New franchises will only be given $34.13 million to spend this season on

contracts. It is suspected that a number of players may be taken, then cut,

if only to ensure that free agents can be signed for one year deals with the

potential of re-signing them at season's end. One name the Dragons have

shown potential interest in as a free agent is 21 year old Daron Benson,

recently of Andorra. While Benson's temper has been an issue in the past, he

also remains one of the more underrated point guards on the market, and is

not likely to command a large salary in return.

- Cincinnati's Brandon Sadler is believed to be highly coveted by Dragons

management. While he is in the midst of a 5 year, $35 million contract with

a no trade clause intact, sources indicate that a deal may be in the works

for the gifted point guard. Neither team was willing to issue a statement at

this time.

November 14th, 2005

Alaska again has been busy... This franchise is on its way up in our opinion... Today Alaska has the future in mind and has made several trade... They have their eye on a particular Junior College Transfer that has entered the draft. The guy is explosive and mean. He will fit well in the Baby Blue and White. With the 3 trades that Alaska has pending, there is a good chance that they will all go thru. Alaska already has their starting line up projected. It may be a little below average compared to the rest of the WBA, but the Forward and Center position will be very talented. Look forward to the beginning of next week for this roster to be released.

From the rumours, the Alaskan fans are chanting Title... But we have to remember who the coach of this team is. He is yet to put together a winning season for this team and this really disturbs Ownership... So the big! headline of today is the youth movement of Alaska... Alaska has decided to release Robert Williams GM/Coaching Duties... They have decided to bring in one of the WBA's first players... You remember this guy, the #18 pick in the First WBA draft. Curtiss Bridges, was stated as saying, "I want to stay close to the league, I don't think I played all the seasons I could have... This is my way to show my appreciation to the Commish and keep the old timers involved. I hope my move can prompt other WBA first's to take coaching positions." Indeed this is a move for Alaska. Bridges with NO coaching experience will be challenged with this squad. Contracts is still in negotitions.

Bridges had been talking to Alaska management since the offseason began. "There is too much talent on this team for it to continue to faulter. This move will free up Robert Williams to just run the team and not coach the team."

Stay tuned for more news on the The Great Alaskan Move...

November 14th, 2005

NEW YORK, NEW YORK!!!

What will the off-season bring

By Liz Lester

After a great start of the season, New York slumped to what was expected of the young guys that Marc Hameleers had brought together. Without a real SG ( although John Gaiser stepped up admirably ) there was not more to be expected.

However, the Trades that mr Hameleers made will making his team younger also resulted in the #2 and #10 pick for NY! That may be the start of reversal of fortune. It is rumored that the #2 pick ( combined with the #18 ) will be traded for some young talent, another decent pick plus a player mr. Hameleers has worked with in the past.

When asked for comment on that possibilty, Mr Hameleers said the following.

“Yes , we are looking to trade the #2. However, i want to ensure all the fans that this will likely not change the draft for us. We fully expect to draft who we want at the spot we'll land on in the draft after the trade, so the deal will give us a young talent, and an old friend of mine, basically just for the 18th pick. I fully expect NY to make a leap forward the next season, and enter the playoffs one year later.”

A confident man, that Mr Hameleers! We remain sceptical, and hope the drop of places inthe draft won't mean that NY misses out on some nice talent!

As for the comming season, the roster of NY will look rather different.

The players who wil return for sure next year are

PG Kevin Douglas. Kevin looks to lead the NY offense once more this season, still being one of the best passers in the league.

PG Marcus Rogers. Marcus has had some minutes last season, just to get the WBA feel, Still a very young player, he is expected to see this season as another learning season. However, his contract has been extended by mr Hameleers, and shows that he will be a part of this franchise for the considerable future

PG Marvin Lee. Marvin too extended his contract. Last year he played vevy nice ball at pg, and it is clear this excellent ball handler willsee more play this year.

SF Al Dudley. Al's silent and hard work has been rewarded by Marc Hameleers by him getting protected status over John Gaiser and Art campell, wich suprised many people. Rumors that his cheap salary had to do with that were dismissed by mr Hameleers.

SF/PF Jevon Carter. AAANNND he's still here!!! Rumors about him and offers for him a plenty, but Jevon Carter will continue to lay his excellent basketball for NY. Not a flashy player, he does everything well, and thus always is ready to take over any role in the team, scorer, though defender, rebounder…he can do it all!

PF/C Tom Kinsey. Tom had a breakout year last season, and was cruelly overlooked for most improved last year. We are confident that Tom can step it up even more, and be a force for NY that cannot be ignored!!

C Charles Cushman. Solid, though playing, hard rebounding man CC is back. He'll no doubt continue to play a important role in the NY defense.

As for Art Campell and John Gaiser, the players who are unprotected.

John Gaiser is without a doubt the best PG in the expansion draft. However, his contract will perhaps scare people off. An expansion team with cap space couldn;t do better then Gaiser at PG though, and thus it is unsure if he'll return.

Art Campell looks also to be on its way. A good player, d ecnt contract. It looks like a sure thing he willbe picked up during the expansion draft.

As for new players comming in: We are certian that at least one SG will be included in the trade that will see the #2 pick go, and arne't sure about the other player ( probably a big guy ) Also, who will be drafted? Our money is on anohter SG ( the Fonz, Mike lewis? ) and another PF or C to help out Kinsey and Cushman. We will see in a short while. Sure thing though, that getting Mr Hameleers to take over NY has meant a new life for the Franchise!

November 10th, 2005

The End of an Era: A Sad Day in Brooklyn

By Ron Chambers

For eleven years one name has been associated with the Brooklyn Rage: Joe Siebert. He is the all time leader in Rebounds and Blocks for Brooklyn with 3914 and 2576 respectively. He also leads in Free Throws made with 2695, Minutes played with 32,158 and games played with 849, plus he is second in scoring with 11,333 points. But, last year when management traded away Daren Benson to Andorra for Al Herbert rumors began to circulate saying that Joe Siebert was on his way out. Siebert however improved his play and kept his starting role and the coaching staff moved Herbert to Power Forward to replace the struggling Jarius Miles. However, with the strong movement that Brooklyn has made towards youth it was clear that Siebert and Strom are a bit out of place. The league rumor mill was a buzz all season long with rumors that Strom and Siebert were being shopped. Owner, Rondall Reynoso, however went on record as saying that he couldn't imagine trading the two players who have defined his team for most of their history. He further said that he hoped Siebert and Strom would both retire in Rage uniforms. So, it was a surprise when the team announced today that they had reached an agreement with the expansion Seoul Dragons to draft Siebert during the upcoming expansion draft. Reynoso was quoted as saying, “This was one of the toughest decisions we have ever made. Trading away A.J. a couple years ago was tough but Joe is a guy who has defined our team for 11 seasons. However, it was clear that we could not devote the money needed to keep our youth movement alive and keep Joe. Our future lies in our young guys. Omar, Mario, Jarius and Al will be with us for a long. We wish Joe a great finish to his career in Seoul. He is a great piece for them to build around and we don't look forward to playing against him.”

Without Siebert Brooklyn will have one of the youngest starting line-ups in the league. Strom is in his prime at 31 but Jefferson and Bailey are both 25, Herbert is only 24 and Miles is a youthful 22. This line-up will give the Rage one of the most dynamic teams in the league but it is a line-up that the team struggled with last season. Siebert's veteran calm proved to be essential in the teams turn around in the second half of the season but they hope that another year of maturity will help return Brooklyn to the elite of theWBA.

November 9th, 2005

The Great Alaskan Offseason…

Live from Anchorage-

Alaska SnowBear management are trying to put the pieces back together from a horrific ending to a should have been successful season. Alaska in the last two weeks were on two games out of playoff contention, even after trading away Isacc Rice… Emmett Yee showed up and followed the pattern… But still Alaska had its chances. Losing games that should have been won, but the past is in the past. Congrads Alaska. A lot of fans are displeased with the trading of Marquez Houston for similar talent Corey Mosely… Coach Williams justifies he was looking for more veteran leadership, but look Houston has a ring now… So where does Alaska start? Do you blame injuries, do you blame the lack of supporting cast, what do you blame for this team road to sorrow. A lot blame management, but I think Management did all it could do to get the most of its players.

Point Guard Chuck Henderson feels that he is a big reason this team didn't prosper, as he really came on strong late in the season. Jerry Sims wanted a trade to a team that was going to give him minutes and missed 20plus games before he could even play. Issacc Rice was trade, but he was proned to injuries… Bucky McCarthy was non existent this season as a back up, even after he was given multiple chances to prove himself. Boom Boom Casey came over to the Alaskan franchise and gave a little spark, but not even the greatest WBA player was able to save this franchise. So what is to come?

The offseason is YOUNG, and Alaska has made one move by extending Emmett Yee and pulling Sims out of retirement. Sims knows he has to produce. Corey Mosely is still a hold out for Alaska. Since the rules have change, he has held out so far. But his agent expects for him to resign. The good news so far for this franchise, is they have made another big signing, yea that is true… The trade is still in the process but Scott Nicholson maybe suiting up in Eskimo Gear to join the Alaskan franchise. Alaska is waiting for the FA Draft also… Hoping to steal some bench players. After the Nicholson trade goes thru Alaska only has Brooklyn and Sacto's First round pick for this seemingly weak draft.

Alaska also welcomes the new expansion Seoul Dragons and Las Vegas Gamblers…

Alaska is also accepting offers for Boom Boom Casey, Jim Fox, and Chuck Henderson, but they don't expect to be traded.

Keeping the core of last season and adding Nicholson, and some solid bench players could put Alaska in a situation that has avoided them so far…

Stay tune.

November 8th, 2005

(AP) SEOUL, South Korea: The team has not even settled on its final

locale, but Andre Dec, owner of the WBA expansion Dragons franchise, has

undergone their first steps, filling a number of staff and coaching

positions prior to the upcoming draft.

Former center Bill Cash was named the first ever coach for the Dragons

franchise. Cash has not had prior coaching experience in the WBA, but has

experience as a bench coach in the GCBA and Independent leagues. Dec read a

statement from Cash, who was unable to attend the press conference due to

the birth of his second child in his hometown of Lisle, IL. Cash promised "a

positive experience for the team, its players, and its fans," and "to expect

great things from humble beginnings". Cash was signed to a two year contract

and will meet with team officials at the end of the week.

Anthony D. Swagger, an advance scout for the now-defunct Ft. Wayne Pistons

of the OSBBL and most recently a sports analyst for the GCBA, was named

General Manager at a news conference held in the Sofitel Ambassador Hotel

yesterday afternoon. Swagger, 37, offered the following statement after his

hire:

"Opportunities to step into an established league like the WBA and begin a

new legacy are truly rare. Ten seasons ago, the league opened its doors to

six new franchises, and now, two new cities get the opportunity to be part

of the most exciting sport in the world. Having watched what the WBA has

accomplished, I feel it is nothing short of a privilege to be part of the

creation of a new team, a new place for young athletes to aspire to excel,

and to bring the WBA back to its international roots."

The four finalists for the WBA franchise, according to Swagger, are Seoul,

South Korea; Kyoto, Japan; Sydney, Australia; and Tokyo, Japan. Tokyo has

previously hosted a WBA franchise, a team that relocated and became the

Oregon Golden Bears after the end of their fourth season. Tokyo is presumed

to have an inside track on acquiring another franchise, but Australians have

been vocal in their quest to return the WBA to their homeland.

"All four candidates are viable, and none have edged out the others just

yet," Dec said. "At this time, the only thing that is certain is that one of

those four cities will have a new team."

"After a decade of watching from the outside, most places want to see the

WBA move a franchise in-something that will feed the economy and bring in

top class sports on a truly global scale. It was difficult trimming the

number of candidates down. Belo Horizonte, Mumbai, Hong Kong, and Auckland

each made solid pitches with guarantees of a loyal following, and first time

applicants for other locations such as Asuncion (Paraguay), Mar del Plata

(Argentina), and Brazzaville (Congo) showed their hunger to be part of

something like this, and it was very, very hard to eliminate any of the

candidates, but in the end, there could only be one home for this team."

In addition to the General Manager position, Andre Dec announced that a

number of assistant coaches had been hired:

Arron Black, Head Bench Coach; Charlie Elkington, Assistant Coach; John

Felton, Defensive Coach; Marcellus Hoover, Assistant Coach; Eddie Jacobsen,

Strength and Conditioning Coach Coach; Raul Qvevedo, Athletic Trainer

"Now all we need is a team," Dec joked.

NOTES:

-Arron Black, a favorite for the head coaching position before Bill Cash was

selected, is believed to have accepted a lesser role in order to develop

into the head coach of the future for the franchise. While Cash's contract

carries an option for a third year, it is widely expected Black, if even

moderately successful, will be asked to assume the role of head coach the

following year.

-There is no chance that Boom Boom Casey will be the Dragon's starting

center come the beginning of their inaugural season. With the words

"expansion draft", coupled with Casey's unhappiness with Alaska, rumors

began to fly right and left that the Dragons would pursue a draft and trade

deal with Alaska for "Mr. WBA". However, Alaska has shown no willingness to

part with Casey, and the new franchise is likely wary of taking on a

contract worth ten million a year, even for only one year. Casey,

statistically the most valuable player in WBA history, may still be moved

this offseason, but it is unrealistic to expect Alaska to consider moving

him to the Dragons.

November 8th, 2005

Around the WBA

Alaska management has convinced Jerry Simms to stay in the league another year for $1.7 million.

While Paris is busily trying to trade the MVP they have talked Lou Boone to staying with the team for another year gut it cost them an additional 20% on his contract.

November 8th, 2005

The Longest Day

By Clark Lane

Tuesday November 8th 2005, the longest day. It is sunny in Paris. After

another night of unrest in France with 895 burnt cars another place of town

is ready to heat. The Eiffel Tower Stadium of the Paris SledgeHammers is

ready for an historic day. For second time in WBA history, a final is going

to it seventh game. As visitors we have the Oregon Golden Bears of Kevin

Harper. The team can be considered a duet between Lou Gonzales and Bishop

Stein. Lou Gonzales, arguably the best player in the league is at age 30 he

is starting to slow down. Ha! Many players would want to play at the prime

as Lou is playing at 30! He has been the league MVP, and the defensive MVP

several years on the short live of the WBA and he can be considered an Icon.

With 2 titles in his hands he is looking for a third one. With him Bishop

Stein is the youngest superstar of the league, and at 24 he is fighting for

his second title and the recognition of the league.

In front of them the Paris SledgeHammers, the team with the best record on

the regular season with 69 wins for 11 defeats is a two-headed monster like

Oregon. Their two main heads are Jay Vasquez and Heiko Van Brandt. Van

Brandt is this seasons MVP, and PF All-WBA selection and despite his great

all-round play he has only 1 ring on his hand. Next to him we have Jay

Vasquez, considered by many as the best Center out there. He does not have a

ring and he wants it! Vasquez has been playing as if there is no tomorrow

and he has really shown that now he is the boss. But everything he has done

so far will be nothing but a show of rage if he can not decide game number 7.

When asked about this game Paris coach Gustavo Follana said:

"This is a unique opportunity. The WBA has not seen this kind of play on the

finals since season two! We have two teams that are playing with rage.

Oregon wants to get ahead of all the other teams but Cancun and win his

second title. We want this title, because loads of wins are good, but they

are not worth anything if you cannot wear the ring to show you are the best.

It does not get better than this. Vasquez against Lou, Stein against Lio,

Van Brandt against Donovan Jones! This is what the WBA is all about!"

The games so far have been shows of might with no real fight. Both teams

have shown or a real aggressive stroke, or a very bad play where the other

team really dominates.

But everything is over, or nearly. One game left, 48 minutes for glory.

Everything until now is just the journey, now we are arriving to the

destination.

What do you say, Oregon or Paris?