As can be seen from the Season 29 halfway standings, it's readily apparent that the power in the MBA resides in the West.
Not only has the West defeated the East in every single crossover game (see top left), the West has three excellent teams (Oklahoma City, Dallas and San Jose) all resting at 4-1 at the break.
Meanwhile, in the East, only the resurgent Philadelphia squad is above .500 at 4-1, with Charleston and Houston vying for the second playoff slot with records of 2-3.
Here's a quick team-by-team summary.
THE WEST
OKLAHOMA CITY LARIATS (4-1)-- The Lariats success is predicated by the brute-force rebounding of its front line, which is rebounding at a record 31-boards per game pace, almost 10 better than the next closest team. Perennial all star center Titfur Tatt (6-11) and forwards Gule Mon-Mon (6-11) and Jimmy Wharfdale (6-9) hit the boards like Katrina smashed The Big Easy. Tatt and Mon-Mon are 1-2 in the league in rebounding and Wharfdale is fifth in the league in scoring at 17.8 per game. Scoring from the guards is, however, a team weakness.
DALLAS DEMONS (4-1)--After being dismantled by San Jose in the season opener, the defending champions have rattled off four straight victories and appear formidable once again. Most impressive is the fact they are winning comfortably despite down years from their two best players, Hall of Fame guard Mamadou Zongo and 7-foot center Max Payne. Picking up the pace has been 9-year veteran guard Tipsy O'Sullivan (team-leading 15 points per game, forward Bisquero Cutoff (14 points per game) and 10-year vet Hacksaw Rooney (10.6 off the bench).
SAN JOSE FIGHTING AMIGOS (4-1)--Third-year defensive gem Cock A. Doodledoo has added improved offense to his game this season. The guard is averaging 19.4 per game (third in the league) and his running mate, Funsy VanSlochum has rebounded from a poor year with a 14-per game average. San Jose has been the MBA's top defensive team three seasons in a row, and this year is no different. Except this season they have improved dramatically on offense, despite the fact that Hall of Fame forward Sagittal Occlusal is having (for him) a down year.
SACRAMENTO RIVER DOGS (2-3)-- The River Dogs have already doubled the previous season's win total, thanks mainly to the league's top scorer, guard Cheetos Jones. Sacramento snared him away from San Jose in the draft, and the second-year gunner is popping away at 22.4 points per game. Sacramento has replace four of five starters since last season.
SEATTLE STAMPEDE (1-4)--Decimated by retirments, the Stampede has replaced 60 percent of its roster this season and struggles to score (last in the MBA in points per game).
THE EAST
PHILADELPHIA PHOBIA (4-1)--After three consecutive last-place finishes, the winningest team in MBA history reluctantly fired longtime coach Oscar Mudcat, hired former team great Curly Hogbottom and has returned to the top. The resurrection is the direct result of a spectacular draft in which the team picked up four starters, the two biggest being Hall of Fame forward Boone Doggle (6-10) and longtime backup forward Tug Hershorts (6-11), who has blossomed with the opportunity to start. Center Ama Spikie also appears very solid.
CHARLESTON REBELS (2-3)--Hall of Fame center Jonny Cockaroo is showing his age in his 12th season and has announced his retirement after this season. And losing Hall of Famer Boone Doggle to the Phobia simultaneously has made the usually potent Rebels a team that struggles to find points. But despite a guard tandem that lacks defense the Rebs are still in the playoff hunt.
HOUSTON IGUANAS (2-3)--The perennial playoff team shocked by losing three straight out of the gate but are on a two-game win streak now. The revamped Iguanas had four players named to the all-star team, so the talent is obviously there. They lead the MBA in scoring with 80.8 per game thanks mainly to Ching Chong Chung (19.0) and vastly improved Tom Kondla.
MILWAUKEE GREYHOUNDS (1-4)--Rookie sensation Hrundi V. Bakshi is the real deal. The tallest guard in MBA history (6-7) leads his team in points (21.8) and rebounds (5.2).
CHICAGO GALE (1-4)--The Gale added nobody of value from last year's 4-6 team and has shown an inability to stop anyone from scoring. They are last in the league in defense.
NOTES ON THE MID-SEASON ALL STAR TEAMS FOR THE WEST AND EAST
Conspicuous by their absence are three Hall of Famers: Jonny Cockaroo of Charleston; Mamadou Zongo of Dallas; and Boone Doggle of Philadelphia. Of the three, only Doggle has performed well this year. He was edged out by a strong group of forwards in the West. The fourth Hall of Famer, Sagittal Occlusal of San Jose, barely made the team.
NOTES ON ANNOUNCED RETIREMENTS
Jonny Cockaroo will retire, at minimum, tied with the great Diamond Dallas Paige of Oklahoma City, as the most honored center in MBA history.
Oklahoma City center Titfur Tatt hangs it up after just six seasons. He was rookie of the year and named to five all star games.
Philadelphia will be losing both of its starting guards.
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