July 1- July 31, 2005 | home
April 28 - May 31, 2005 | June 1 - June 30, 2005 | July 1 - July 31, 2005 | August 1 - August 31, 2005 | September 1 - September 30, 2005 | October 1 - November 7, 2005
July 5th, 2005
NEW YORK, NEW YORK!!!
PLAYOFF BOUND?
By Liz Lester
The first week of the regular season brought the NY Liberty franchise more then any reporter or fan expected. A glorious 5-2, with even 2 road wins are far, far above anything predicted, even after the decent preseason. What is the secret of this early succes? What does it mean for the future? We're very happy to have an interview with NY's new GM , Marc Hameleers.
Mr Hameleers, are you suprised by the terrific start of the season?
To be honest, i was suprised by two things this whole season. First the ease with wich people placed NY in last place in our division. Now i don't really expect to challenge for division title just yet, but we were in my humble opinion, and seemingly are, closer to our playoff goals then all thought. We may not have abig name star, but even when i was in charge of Colorado we lacked the big stars of other teams then. Some of my players became stars in their own right, but they weren't when i was in charge in Colorado. I had trouble convincing peopel that van Brand was an All Star!!!! Basketball is an ensemble piece, a team sport no man should be more important then the team.. But to answwer the questrion: yes, i also am suprised by the very, very good results, but a little less then most.
What is the reason for this development.
Like i said earlier, basketball is a team sport. So you have to make the pieces fit. For us, it was clear there was some talent on the roster. We just needed to fill in some positions a little better. We have a team that shoots rather poorly, so we needed to adress that. We did that by focusing on acquiring some good passers, and by strenghtening our rebounding. The result is an excellent mix of qualities, wich finally give a huge player like Carter the chance to shine in our ensemble piece. And while he is leading our team well, as we had expected of him, it is clear that this is really a team effort. Douglas could easily top 11 assists if he wanted to. But he plays with all his heart for the team, sharing his assists with John Gaiser , who is filling in excellent at sg. I cannot believe that noone gave this guy a shot at sg earlier in his career. If he had been properly trained, he would have been an all star SG by now. Kinsey and Cushman are doing excellent work, and let each others strenghts play out wonderfully, instead of competing for attention.
Some of your players were critised for being poor handlers and being too foul prone. However, it seems you have this problem under control. How did you manage that part.
Well, it's all about confidence. Both the confidence i give to the players, and the players confindence in himself.
I won't critize either of my guards for letting a ball slip now and then, because the way they play, they can afford to. I pick players for their strengths not avoid them because they mihgt have some minor weakness. For those moment that i need someone to control the ball, i have up and comming Marvin Lee. Cushman and Gaiser hard hard defenders. It happens that they foul out once in a while. But they have the confidence now to go for defense, and they won't foul out anymore before they made their impact on the game. I want them to play like they do, and if they foul out, it's my responsibility, both that they did, and to have a solid player backing them up. Mind you, noone wanted to touch Gaiser and Cushman a while back because of fouls and To's, but just look at their stats. There is nothing there to make you anxious. They are solid, tough defenders. My kind of player exactly. People who pass so lightly on these great players should not qustion the players, but their own coaching!
Mr Hameleers, that will ceratinly raise an eyebrow or two…
Well, then so be it. I'm not going to hold my big mouth shut when my players are questioned, and the fault lies elsewhere.
And now, what are your expectations now, after such a great start.
Well, everyone should keep in mind that we haven't even played 1/10 th of the season. It is a long way still, and there might even be big shakeups in lineups in the comming weeks. I don't think we will finish last in our division when nothing major changes. But who knows. In any case, we will battle for what we are worth. Remeber our goal lies in the future, we have a young team, and we have 3 1st round picks and a second next draft. Things are looking good for us!
Thank you mr Hameleers!
You're welcome Liz, we are always most pleased to speak to members of the sports press!
July 3rd, 2005
Walking the Plank
Baltimore's 2005 preview season
By Jack Sparrows
Sorry that this season preview has came out late but with the arrival of an
new Sparrows to the nest things have become hectic.
Going into the draft the Pirates had no 1st rd picks but after decent moves
Baltimore was able to move and get some nice picks.
First GM Arnold made a trade with Omaha that included
Omaha gets:
Lonnie Graham, Carolina's Season13 second & Baltimore's Season 15 2nd
Baltimore gets:
Derek Vineyard, Pick #40 & Pick #51
Still not being happy GM Arnold made the following trade on draft day with
Brooklyn
Baltimore receives:
Pick #28 1st rd pick
Brooklyn gets:
Baltimore season 16 1st rd pick.
With this pick the Pirates went for the best SG available in the draft Jim
Woods this pick was later traded to Frankfurt for the following
Baltimore gets:
Antonio Gleason
Steve Carter
Omaha 13th season 1st
Frankfurt gets:
Clarence Collins
Jim Woods
Receives $2.30mil in season 11
Now here is the low down on this years rookies
SG Antonio Gleason from Great Plains University
PG/SG Frank Ryan from Chesapeake University
SF Justus Rhodes from Mountain State
PF/C Keven Rollin from West River
PF/C Steve Carter from Kasierslautern University
Antonio Gleason (via trade with Frankfurt ).
Antonio is a versatile player, and showed his stuff during the Baltimore
Classic in the postseason all-star game circuit , scoring 16 points in the
process, showing that he can play the two at the next level ,he has the
ball-handling ability for the shooting guard position and was able to work
on all aspects of his offensive game. He is a decent shooter, but prefers to
take the ball to the basket. , Antonio will have to add some strength to his
body and will be inconsistent at the outset of his career.
PG/SG Frank Ryan (Baltimore)
Ryan can put the ball in the hole, no doubt. But he's also a 'tweener. At
6-4, he's a little on the short side to be a shooting guard and it's most
likely that he will play the point. At 6-foot-4, Ryan is also solid on the
glass, again using his hops to get rebounds and start the break the other
way. There are questions surrounding Ryan defense, where he will be guarding
"two's" that have two-three inches on him. He was never considered a solid
defensive player in college, and at barely 6-foot-4, he will have trouble
handling shooting guards who decide to take him into the post. There is
always room for players that can put the ball in the basket in a variety of
ways, which Ryan can certainly do.
SF Justus Rhodes (via Omaha trade)
Rhodes showed tremendous heart his sophomore year in playing a game a day
after his brother was shot to death, scoring 24 points in a win . He was as
dangerous a scorer as anyone in college basketball the past season. He is a
prolific scorer who can get points in many different ways, though shooting
the standstill three is where he is most effective. He has unlimited range
and will have no trouble shooting from distance in the WBA. He moves well
without the ball and will work hard to get open for a shot. He is not as
great scorer when shooting on the dribble however, and if a defender can
slightly bump him off his rhythm, Rhodes will struggle. He has an extremely
slight frame and will struggle with the physical nature of the WBA game.
PF/C Keven Rollin ( via trade from Omaha)
Rollin has height and has shown an arsenal of offensive moves. He has added
muscle since he left school, but he needs more to deal with the rigors of
WBA post play.
His long arms and overall awareness make Rollin a tough customer on the
defensive side of the ball as well. His increased his blocks per game
during his years at West River.
Rollin can also hold his own in the paint in one-on-one situations, although
he may need to add some bulk if he is to play center at the next level.
Rollin has great touch both around the basket and on the perimeter. If he
can work his way to the foul line, it will also help him stay on the court.
His long arms will make up for some of his lack of strength on the glass
and in the paint at the next level
PF/C Steve Carter (via trade Frankfurt)
While Carter got by on pure strength and tenacity through his Kasierslautern
University years, he has developed a nice perimeter game that has made him a
more balanced threat offensively. Although he won't pop the jumper too
often, Carter can comfortably hit from the 15-foot range, and owns a nice
turnaround shot he can hit on the baseline. He greatly prefers to bang
inside however, sealing off defenders to finish close to the bucket. With
his superior strength, Carter will not be pushed out of position once he
sets up down low.
He may struggle at the next level against longer and quicker players, but he
will work hard in practice and in the off-season to continue to improve.
Free Agency
Baltimore has not been able to go out and get that superstar free agent ,
but like the players they got in the off season.
SG/SF Jay Dickinson
SG Evan Kerr
PF/C Jamie Crouch
SG/SF Jay Dickinson FA from Brooklyn
G MIN FG% FT% 3P% REB A PF BLK TO STL PTS
67 6 43.6 80.0 40.9 1.1 0.5 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.2 2.5
Jay was an extremely versatile and underrated player throughout his career
at Brooklyn
Using his above-average athleticism, Dickinson averaged over 10.7 points and
six rebounds a game in the pre seasons, while shooting over 49 percent from
the floor Dickinson perfected the inside-outside game during his at
Brooklyn, improving his ability to extend his range out to the three-point
line, where he converted over 40 percent of his long-distance attempts.
Baltimore will need him to play a great deal in the post, so Dickinson will
have to refine his post game as a small forward .
SG Evan Kerr FA from Oregon
G MIN FG% FT% 3P% REB A PF BLK TO STL PTS
11 5 26.1 100.0 16.7 0.6 1.1 1.0 0.2 0.8 0.4 1.5
Kerr is a versatile guard. Kerr has very little range on his jump shot.
Most of his points will be scored on the break or doing work in the paint
on offensive rebounds. His lack of a shooting touch is best illustrated at
the line: in his college career he has shot free throws at a 51.8-percent
clip, including a dismal 41.5 percent one year. He has been working on touch
from beyond the arc, He can handle the ball well for his size however,
and can take his man off the dribble for points. Kerr may get some looks at
the PG in mop up games. If he can get his shot to go down, even from around
15 feet to start, Kerr versatility could provide dividends
PF/C Jamie Crouch FA from Gabon
G MIN FG% FT% 3P% REB A PF BLK TO STL PTS
48 6 40.4 100.0 11.1 0.9 0.2 0.5 0.2 0.3 0.1 2.8
Crouch will be a serviceable backup frontline player. He's tough, will D up
and can knock down a mid-range jumper. Crouch has a solid post game, but his
biggest offensive weapon is the face-up jumper. Though he took a lot of
threes this past season, Crouch is more effective in the 15-18 foot range on
his shot. He can drive on the perimeter well for a big man, and is not
afraid of mixing it up inside. He is a strong presence at both ends of the
court, and should be a rugged bench player in the WBA.
Returning Pirates
PG Anson Valente
SG Johnny Tatum
SF Joe Herrera
SF/PF Mike Ivey
PF/C Tobias Harrison
C Don Laine
PG Anson Valente
Anson is one of the few players in WBA who has shown he can dominate games
without putting the ball in the hole. He's a big guard (6 foot 4) and showed
in the WBA he can play lock-down D avg. 2.1 steals last season . He needs to
improve his jumper which he has said to have done this off season. His
decision-making and overall court vision is what sets him apart from just
about all other guards in the WBA. Anson is not a pure shooter He has hit
the mid-range jumper off the dribble, a shot that will serve him.
With his body, he can hang physically with any point guard in the league.
His combination of size, strength, and court vision will far outweigh any
problems he may have with shooting the rock. He is a competitor and a leader
that will rise to any challenge put before him.
SG Johnny Tatum
Tatum ppg. slipped his sophomore year as a starter, he averaged 18.5
points, but raised his shooting % to 55.4-percent shooting from the floor.
Tatum really worked on his shot over the off season, and started taking
better, unforced attempts in the pre-season. Tatum has the ability to create
his own shot, and at 6-foot-6 he can shoot over other two-guards in the WBA
. Though he can handle the ball, he needs to learn how to create for others.
SF Joe Herrera
Joe is a scrappy, athletic frontline player who will give the Pirates some
nice energy minutes off the bench. Although his stats weren't terrible last
season, he did not have stats the organization thought he would. He has
decent all-around ability that teams desire in players his size. He can hit
the jumper from 10-15 feet while open, but he does most of his work in the
paint. He can take his man off the dribble if left in a one-on-one situation
out on the floor. He is a decent finisher at the rim he is considered a
jack of all trades, master of none. He does everything well on the court,
but doesn't have one facet that completely stands out.
SF/PF Mike Ivey
What can be said about Mike he has the ability to rise up and take the
jumper, or drive past his man on the perimeter to finish at the basket. He
has great leaping ability, which helps him jump over taller defenders on the
perimeter. Though he can finish at the bucket, it's his all-around shooting
ability from outside that makes Ivey stand apart. He will hit the three but
won't fall in love with it, electing to fake, drive and take the mid-range
shot instead.
The only knock on Mike sometimes he would take time off while on the court,
electing to play lazy defense and concentrating on his offense only. As soon
as Mike realize that there is no place for taking plays off in the WBA, he
will be an All-Star.
PF/C Tobias Harrison
Tobias is the X-Factor of the returning Pirates. The Pirates are starting to
wonder if they gave up too much for Harrison, who has on more year left on
his contract .Tobias does not play the interior well despite his size.
Standing 6-feet-10 , he prefers to operate offensively from the perimeter,
More telling are his dismal rebounding numbers, pulling down a dismal 2.2
boards per game last seasons. This limits Tobias' playing time since he is
not willing to mix it up inside; he averaged just 11 minutes per game this
past season. He may wind up playing the small forward position in the
league. If he can start mixing it up inside more often, Tobias could work
his way into the rotation.
C Don Laine
Coach Arnold thinks Laine has the ability to make fans forget about Larry
Chapman, although he doesn't have offensive talent as Larry he definitely
has the D.
Don has progressed nicely each of his three years with the Pirates. Once a
dogged by inconsistency, Don has become a steady option for the Pirates
last season, setting career highs in scoring and rebounding, averaging 11.4
and 8.8 per game respectively. Baltimore was happy to see Don as a reliable
scoring option, as he posted double figures in points and rebounds in the
playoffs avg. 18.8 pts, and 12.7 rebounds Don is a load to deal with down
low, and once he gets it in the paint, he usually seals the deal. Coach
Arnold love his ability to rebound Don will secure a spot under the basket
and can easily hold his block-out on opponents and has no trouble
withstanding the chaos in the paint.
So that's the new look of your 2005 Baltimore Pirates. If Coach Arnold can
get them to play together and some of the younger guys to step up the Pirates should
have a record of 44-40 and making the playoffs as lower seed.
July 2nd, 2005
Bad News in Sacramento
John Davis has been playing well for Sacramento. He has been the solid power forward they have been looking for. Today however wasn't his best games. He fouled out in 32 minutes and didn't reach double figures in either points or rebounds. But, to add injury to insult he was hurt when he put a hard foul on Boom-Boom Casey. X-rays show a seriuos fracture in his right arm and Doctors expect him to miss the rest of the season.
June 28th, 2005
Preview By: Scoop Baxter
Omaha Wild
Starting Lineup:
PG: McCarty SG: Collins SF: Verholm PF: Watts C: Bennett
McCarty is a very under rated PG. He averaged 12.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game. He needs to get better at getting other players involved into the game.
Collins does it all he scores, rebounds, assists, and blocking shots. With Filipovic gone from the starting line up he will be asked to do more scoring for this team. He will be asked to try and shut down some of the great scorers in this division. Quite a work load, but Collins asked for the assignment.
Verholm with special off season training he will be asked to assume the roll of scorer as well. Verholm to help out this team he will need to improve in rebounding, as well as playing defense.
Watts has finally adjusted to his roll on this team. Coming from Frankfurt he was ask to try and get every board, but with all the help he will not have to do that. This will free him up to do other thing like scoring and blocking shots.
Bennett a few season ago many owners said he was over paid. Now he is averaging 6.5 rebounds and 2.7 steals and blocks per game, while also putting in 13.9 points per game. He will need to improve in his rebounding to help the Wild get over the hump.
Back-up Players:
PG: Stahl SG: Currie SF: Berger PF: Bacchi C: O'Donnell
Stahl needs one year under his belt. There are signs showing that he could be a very good player. He will need to work on his turnovers.
Currie can rebound with the best in the league, but his FG% is keeping him from being a star. This will make it hard for him to stay in the lineup.
Berger was an excellent pick by GM Coach Kelley. Since the departure of Filipovic they needed the threat of the deep ball. Wow can he bring it. Berger being only 22 has a lot of upsides he needs to improve on his team defense.
Bacchi just like Stahl played his college ball at Great Plains University. He had a tryout for one season in the WBA but didn't survive. He returned home to work with Guillermo Colladarci his shooting coach. Now he is ready to make an impact in the WBA. Need to improve on getting to the line more.
O'Donnell is in his second season and now is ready to contribute. He is expected early in the season to get about 15 to 18 minutes per game. He still needs to improve on the boards, but all the other elements are in place.
Key Reserves:
Houle Qualls
Houle the crafty veteran right now is in the reserve spot on this team, but during preseason is making a strong push to find a spot in the 10 man rotation. His number 1 draw back is his fouling, but coming in as a back up he can play full throttle and not worry about his fouling problems.
Qualls is a young rookie at the age of 22 he needs a year under his belt and he will be pushing to getting a starting position. He has the tools to be very good the one skill he needs to work on is his turnovers.
Bench Players:
Graham Fernandez
Graham is a very nice player that does everything about average and don't make many mistakes. He shoots the ball very well and gets to the line a lot. His best qualities are team offense and defense.
Fernandez is trying to fit in with this team by making a move to SG as relief. He has the body of a SF, but has showed some skills of being able to plays this position.
Summary
This team has some answer questions. Which McCarty will show up night tonight? How will Verholm adjust to playing the SF position? What role will Stahl and Berger play? What are they going to do with Bacchi? I think this team will make a strong push four a very good playoff spot and be a contender for the title. The Wild goes as well as Oliver McCarty goes and if he doesn't, then they might be forced to put in Stahl to get the job done. I predict that the Wild will be around 48 - 32 and making the playoffs anywhere between 3rd through 6th seed.
Scoop Baxter reporting.