Round 1, Game 2 Season 36...Oklahoma City at Houston

HOUSTON 85, OKLAHOMA CITY 60
IGUANAS BLOW AWAY LARIATS TO EVEN SERIES
HOUSTON--The Houston Iguanas used a 33-11 second quarter blitz as a launching pad in an eventual 85-60 triumph over the defending champion Oklahoma City Lariats to even up this first-round series.
The decisive Game 3 will take place in Oklahoma City. Both first-round series in this Season 36 Playoff action are going the distance as one might have expected.
The first quarter was defensive-minded and ended with Houston ahead 14-11. Then, to the delight of The Terrarium crowd, the home team exploded.
All-MBA guard T. Kanes Masterson led the way with a game-high 27 points for Houston, winning Game MVP honors and dominating the league's other All-MBA guard, Lemon Jell-o.
Along the way the Iguans tied an all time playoff team rebounding mark of 34 that the Houston franchise set way, way, way-the-fuck back in Season 9 against Milwaukee. League MVP Vic Hitler snared the record-tying carom with 3 time units remaining in the game.
Houston rookie forward Blue "Rondo" Alaturk came up with his second triple-double of the year.
Contributing mightily to the loss for his team was Oklahoma City point guard Walt White, who was as putrid in this contest as he was brilliant in his 31-point Game 1 performance. White missed his first 10 shots, going 1 for 13 in the first half and an eventual 3 for 21 for the game. He was 2 for 11 from beyond the arc, getting 10 points before getting injured in the fourth quarter and being removed from the game.

20-PLUS GVP PERFORMANCES
--Snarkey Comment, point guard for Houston, had 12 points, a game-high 7 asists, 4 rebounds and a steal.
--Houston shooting guard T.Kanes Masterson was high scorer of the game with 27, going 11 for 15, 4 for 6 from 3-Point Land and grabbing 4 rebounds.
--Houston center Sanjay Patel had 15 points and a game-high 9 rebounds.
--Houston's rookie power forward Blue "Rondo" Alaturk's triple-double included 10 points, 8 rebounds and a game-high 5 blocked shots.

NEXT UP
Game 3 decider as Seattle travels to Charleston to see which team secures the first finals spot.

Round 1, Game 2 Season 36 Playoffs...Charleston at Seattle

CHARLESTON 78, SEATTLE 71
MOUNTAINEERS HOLD OFF STAMPEDING HOME TEAM TO KNOT SERIES

SEATTLE--The visiting Charleston Mountaineers, after dominating the first half, hung on for dear life before the banshee screams of the Seattle home crowd to secure a 78-71 victory that sends this break-neck series into a third and final contest.
Charleston led 45-28 at the half, with MVP of the Game, Hall of Fame center Max Payne, exploding for 17 first-half points. At the end of the third quarter, the Mountaineers were still well in control 63-47.
But then the Kiddie Corp. upstarts from Seattle, playing in the first franchise playoff home game since Season 28, began slowly to wear away at the lead. By the time the final quarter was halfway over, a medium jump shot by rookie guard Wimsy Greenfoyle (17 points) pulled the home team to within 7 points, 72-65.
Charleston held them at bay for most of the remaining time until Seattle pulled within 6 points with 8 ticks left. They then got within 4 points after a fast break dunk by rookie All-MBA center Dis Reflexia (16 points) with 3 left. A steal by Greenfoyle and quick feed to Reflexia for a down-low shot was thwarted by Payne. Charleston's B. Quiet (15 points) provided the final margin with a three-quarter court desperation basket at the buzzer.
The teams now head back to Charleston for the final game of the series to determine which of these two worthy teams moves on to the MBA Season 36 Finals.

20-PLUS GVP PERFORMANCES
--Charleston shooting guard Chuckie "Swishcat" Sellegren led all scorers for the second consecutive game with a 19-point performance. He also snagged 3 rebounds and registered 1 assist.
--MVP of the Game was Charleston's Hall of Fame center Max Payne, who waged serious war with Seattle's Reflexia. Payne had 17 points and led everyone with 8 rebounds while assisting once and getting one steal.
--Second-season Charleston forward B. Quiet had 15 points, 3 rebounds an assist and 2 blocked shots.
--The other second-season Charleston forward, Buck Naked, chipped in with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 1 assist.
--Rookie shooting guard Wimsy Greenfoyle led his team in scoring with 17 while pulling down 6 rebounds, assisting twice and notching one steal.
--Dis Reflexia, Seattle's 6-7 rookie center, had 16 points on five spectacular dunks as well as 6 boards and 2 assists.
--The old veteran of the Stampede, Smokey Talisker, might have been playing his final home game for Seattle and finished with 14 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 blocked shot.

NEXT UP: Game 2 in the first-round series between defending champion Oklahoma City and Houston in Houston. The Lariats won the opener in this best of 3.

Season 36 MBA Playoffs Round 1, Game 1 Houston at Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City 90, Houston 81

WHITE'S RECORD-TYING BARRAGE OF 3S WINS OPENER FOR LARIATS

OKLAHOMA CITY -- When Oklahoma City point guard Walt White is on an offensive tear, his Lariats team is tough to beat. And in this playoff opener, the seventh-season veteran was incendiary, going 8 for 12 from 3-point land on the way to a 31-point performance, leading the defending champions to a 90-81 win over the Houston Iguanas.
White experienced his worst campaign this past season, averaging just 10.8 points per game. But in two contests, he sparkled, winning MVP of the Game honors, and Oklahoma City was the victor in each game.
The 6-4 White was MVP in this game, but needed some help from his teammates to secure the victory from a stubborn Houston team.
Houston boasted the league MVP and scoring leader in rookie forward Vic Hitler, as well as the league's fourth-leading in scorer in T.K. Masterson. Both made the prestigious All-MBA team. But with Lemon Jell-o putting the clamps on Masterson and Abe Binder shutting down Hitler, the Lariats were able to stay ahead of the visiting Iguanas the entire game, though the lead was never a comfortable one until the end in this high-scoring affair.
Game two will take place in Houston...a must win for the Iguanas.

20-Plus GVP Performances
-- Houston center Sanjay Patel had a 15-point, 5-rebound game, adding an assist and a blocked shot.
-- Oklahoma City's Walt White added 2 rebounds and 2 assists to his 31-point outburst.
-- Despite fouling out while keeping Houston's Masterson in check, Lemon Jell-o of the Lariats won the showdown between the two All-MBA guards. Jell-o was a perfect 7 for 7 shooting for 16 points, nabbed two of each in rebounds, steals and blocked shots.
-- Rookie forward Reckless Abandon of Oklahoma City celebrated his first playoff outing with an 18-point performance, grabbed 1 rebound and registered 3 assists.
-- Earning a his first start of the season following an 18-point game in the final game of the regular season, Lariats forward Abe Binder held league MVP Vic Hitler to 8 points while scoring 12 himself. Binder was the game's top rebounder with 8 and led everyone with 3 steals.

GAME NOTE
The three players White tied for most 3-pointers in a playoff game are:
**Cappy Gambol of Milwaukee in Season 5 against Houston
**Horn E. Goatweed of Milwaukee in Season 23 against Dallas
**Didger A'doo of Chicago last season, Season 35 against San Jose

The all-time mark of 10 3s in one game (both in the regular season) is shared by Tommy Zoop of Oklahoma City in Season 24 and Cheetos Jones of Philadelphia in Season 31.

NEXT UP;
Charleston, trailing one game to zero, fights for its playoff life on the road against the super kiddie corps from Seattle, which has not lost in five outings. It's win or go home for the Mountaineers in this first round, best of three.

--

MBA Season 36 Playoffs...Round 1, Game 1...Seattle at Charleston

Seattle 81, Charleston 77

SECOND-HALF SURGE BY STAMPEDE STEALS GAME 1

The red-hot Seattle Stampede used a 28-point third quarter to spearhead a come-from-behind second-half effort to win an important road victory to open this best of three playoff series.
Charleston led 40-35 at the half but had no answer for the balanced Seattle attack, which has now won five consecutive games going back to the end of the regular season.
Rookie power forward Sven Marquardt of Seattle shared Game MVP honors with Beezow Bop-Bop of Charleston in this high-flying ballgame.
Both teams shot well from the floor, with the Stampede at 61.4 percent and the Mountaineers a smoking 70.5 percent. But Charleston was limited to just 44 shots, partly because Seattle outrebounded them 18-11.
The only free throw missed by either team came with 3 time units remaining and Charleston Hall of Famer Max Payne at the line to shoot 1 and 1 with his team trailing by four.
Chuckie "Swishcat" Sellegren of Charleston, who led everyone in scoring with 21 points, fouled out with 52 time units remaining in the game and his team trailing 69-65. His counterpoint for Seattle, rookie guard Wimsy Greenfoyle, fouled out with 35 time units remaining and his team ahead 77-69. Neither Garfoyle nor Sellegren could stop the other from scoring.
Seattle thus returns home with a chance to earn a spot in the MBA finals for the first time since Season 28.

20-plus GVP Performances
--Ginger Vampire, point guard for Seattle, led all with 7 assists and 2 steals while scoring 9 points and grabbing 3 rebounds while blocking 1 shot.
--Rookie shooting guard Wimsy Greenfoyle of Seattle registered a 16-point game with 3 rebounds and 1 steal.
--Rookie power forward Sven Marquardt of Seattle was brilliant in his playoff debut with a 20-point game with 4 rebounds and 2 assists.
--Veteran Seattle forward Smokey Talisker had 13 points, led everyone with 5 boards, had 3 assists and blocked 1 shot.
--Point guard Beezow Bop-Bop of Charleston scored 20 points, had 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 blocked shot.
--Veteran shooting guard Chucky Sellegren of Charleston led everyone in scoring with 21, going 3 for 3 from behind the arc, and grabbing 2 rebounds before fouling out.
--B. Quiet, power forward for the Mountaineers, had 19 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal.

NEXT UP: Houston Iguanas travel to Oklahoma City to begin their first round playoff series. This marks the third consecutive season these teams have met in the playoffs. In Season 34, Houston beat the Lariats 3-0 in the finals to win their fourth championship. Last season, Oklahoma City got revenge by eliminating Houston 2-0 in round 1 en route to their first title ever.

SEASON 36 SUMMARY AND POST-SEASON PREVIEW

MBA SEASON MARKED BY SURPRISES, CLOSE RACES
The competition for playoff spots was, as usual, extremely tight, with the surprise team being the defending champion Oklahoma City, which lost Hall of Fame center Max Payne, but retained first in the West. Home teams were never more dominant, winning a record 34 (68 percent) of the games.



MIX OF OLD AND NEW TOP INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS LISTS
Rookies Vic Hitler of Houston and Magnus Dragonhof of Chicago were, respectively, the top scorers and rebounders in the MBA, punctuating the talent influx this season's newcomers had on the league.
In a season replete with superb rookies, Hitler, the 6-7 forward of the Iguanas, was not projected to be a star. But all he did in addition to winning the scoring title with 19.2 points per game, was capture the Rookie of the Year award and the Most Valuable Player in the MBA. He was the sixth rookie to ever win the regular season MVP and the sixth to win a scoring title.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City's do-everything guard Lemon Jell-o won the steals title for the fourth consecutive season and picked up his first 3-point shooting championship.



FIRST TIMERS DOMINATE ALL MBA TEAM
Two rookies made the first team All MBA squad, just the third time a pair of newbies made the prestigious list. Only L.B. Damned of San Jose has ever made the All MBA team prior to this season.
The MVP vote was a close one, and featured two members of the Houston team finishing in the top three point-getters.





POSITION RANKINGS
Hall of Fame guard Ching-Chong Chung of San Jose showed he can still play in his 11th season, registering the biggest single-season jump in position rankings, going from 16th in the league last season to 7th this season for his new team.
The center position featured half the league starters scoring excellent campaigns, with rookie Dis Reflexia of Seattle and second-year man Naceg Gecan both finishing ahead of 11th season Hall of Famer Max Payne of Charleston. Rookie Magnus Dragonhof of Chicago finished in the upper half, tying for fourth place with steadily improving veteran Wayan Garuda of Sacramento. The cards of the pair who tied for fourth best center are so similar they could be brothers from another mother.


TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL STATS FROM THE FOUR PLAYOFF TEAMS
There are no clear-cut favorites among any of the Season 36 playoff teams. Charleston vs the hard-charging Seattle and Oklahoma City vs. Houston are as close to even matches as we can remember in this league.
Only Seattle, with its three rookie starters, is without a franchise championship in this quartet.
If I had a gun to my head and was told to pick a champion, I would say Charleston. But really, it's anyone's guess.

All Star Game

EAST 85, WEST 53---in Dallas, 36th All Star Game

After a somewhat close first quarter, the All Stars from the East Division dominated the West Division stars in what turned out to be a 85-53 beat down. The East now leads the West 23-13.
Sharing the MVP honors for the contest were Chicago's Didger A'doo and Houston's rookie forward Vic Hitler. A'doo had 18 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals, while Hitler had a game-high 19 points, 7 rebounds and 1 assist.
Two other players exceeded the 20 GVP limit for the contest. Hall of Fame center Max Payne of Charleston had 13 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 blocked shot. Lemon Jell-o of Oklahoma City had 10 points, a game-high 8 rebounds and a game-high 4 assists in a losing effort.
Ching-Chong Chung of San Jose added 16 points to his overall All Star Game total and moved up the list to be the fifth all-time scorer in the game's history with 109 points, passing Mamadou Zongo's total of 102 points. He is also third overall in 3-point baskets made.
Hitler became the fourth rookie ever to garner an MVP award in All Star Game competition. The others were M.E. "Lou" Harris from Seattle in Season 14, Hall of Famer Joey Two-Tones of Dallas in Season 18 and Dean Wormer of Sacramento in Season 23.
Hitler also became the fifth rookie ever to be top scorer in the All Star Game. The others were: guard M.E. "Lou" Harris of Seattle, with 25 points in Season 14; center Bart Pitbull of Philadelphia, with 20 points in Season 17; guard Joey Two-Tones of Dallas, with 28 points in Season 18 and forward Dean Wormer of Sacramento, with 27 points in Season 23.

TOP ALL STAR GAME SCORERS ALL TIME
1. Uncle Bob Masterson 158
2. Curly Hogbottom 126
3. Tommy Zoop 123
4. Diamond Dallas Paige 114
5. Ching-Chong Chung 109



UPCOMING BRACKET:

Philadelphia (1-4) at Houston (3-2)
Dallas (0-5) at Milwaukee (2-3) (crossover)
Charleston (3-2) at Chicago (3-2) (Charleston won first meeting 91-71)
Seattle (2-3) at Sacramento (4-1) (first of back-to-back games between the two)
Oklahoma City (5-0) at San Jose (2-3) (featured game) Oklahoma City won first meeting 74-66)

Season 36 at the Halfway Point

At the halfway mark, some observational points include:

**The Eastern Division features another tight 3-way race with the top teams, Charleston, Chicago and Houston leading the charge as predicted. Milwaukee is waiting in the weeds and Philadelphia has no chance.
**In the Western Division, it's been topsy-turvy time as the two teams predicted to finish on the bottom are currently 1-2 in the standings. The defending champion Oklahoma City Lariats lost Hall of Fame center Max Payne and replaced him with a cut pile guy, Phuc Mailife, who is performing admirably. Rookie forward Reckless Abandon has been as solid as his predecessor, the retired Stone Flinthorn and the result has been a 5-0 Lariats team. Sacramento replaced 80 percent of its starting lineup with good, if not great, players, and has once again been a surprise at 4-1. Whether it's too late for Seattle or San Jose to get back into the playoff hunt remains to be seen. Both of those teams suffered tough injuries, with Seattle losing All-MBA forward Smokey Talisker and San Jose losing veteran guard Jerry Curl. Both are returning soon.
**Owner Tyler Masterson shocked the MBA world by benching Hall of Fame guard Hrundi V. Bakshi, who he replaced with up and comer T. Kanes Masterson. The move has paid off, with Masterson leading the league in scoring at the halfway mark with a 21.6 points per game average.
**Rookies, as projected, are making a huge impact. Half of the rookies added to the MBA are starters for their teams, but the big shock is 6-7 forward Vic Hitler of Houston, who was not on anyone's radar as a world-beater, turning in a half season where he is scoring at a 20.4 ppg clip.





**9 starters will be lost to retirement at the end of this season, with Milwaukee and San Jose the hardest hit.
Milwaukee lost both its starting center and its backup center along with forward Bruno Pantanal, a rookie of the year and starter for all 6 seasons on the Greyhounds.
San Jose loses the only Hall of Famer in forward Gato Do Mato, along with veteran starting guard Jerry Curl.
Seattle will lose one of the best players in the franchise's history, Smokey Talisker.
**And yes, Pug Mahone has announced that he will return for yet another season in the cut pile.
**All three players who suffered 3-game injuries, Jerry Curl of San Jose, Smokey Talisker of Seattle and Heater Van Meter of Milwaukee, have had enough and will retire at season's end.



SEASON 36 ALL STAR GAME TIDBITS

**The East holds a 22-13 advantage over the West, but the West has won 3 of the last 4 contests, including last season, and 7 of the last 9.
**Dallas will host this season's game. It has two starters for the West in center Necag Gecan and power forward Gulemon Mon-Mon.
**Philadelphia's Ama Spikie, needing one more award to make the Hall of Fame, did not make the All Star Team, but he will return next season to the league. He is a four-time All Star having a horrible season.
**Also noticeable by his absence on the All Stars is Hall of Famer Gato Do Mato, a six-time all star who is also scoring less than 10 points per game this season and will be retiring at the end of the campaign. His lack of points has contributed mightily to the poor 2-3 Fighting Amigos mark in the first half.
**The other two active Hall of Famers, Ching-Chong Chung of San Jose and Max Payne of Charleston were solid picks this season for the All Star Game. Both will start for their respective squads.
**Six-time all star and Hall of Famer Hrundi V. Bakshi is not on this year's star team and is not starting for Houston, although he is currently leading the league in 3-point shooting off the bench and will return next season.
**Three rookies made the All Star Game this season, the most since Season 30. In the past five seasons, either one or no rookies made the team.
**Only one All Star Game player will be retiring after season's end---Bruno Pantanal of Milwaukee.
**There are seven first-time All Star Game players.
**Chung of San Jose, has the most All Star appearances with his 8th selection. Only three players have made more appearances:
Uncle Bob Masterson with 10
Mamadou Zongo with 10
Curly Hogbottom with 9
Chung is tied with Doug Fresh and Jonny Cockaroo, who also had 8 appearances.
**Chung is tied for fifth all-time as far as being an All Star Game starter. This will be his 6th start, matching the starts by Diamond Dallas Paige, Soul Duran, Tommy Zoop and Saggital Occlusal.
The Top 4 Players in All Star Games Started Are:
Curly Hogbottom-9
Mamadou Zongo-8
Boone Doggle-7
Uncle Bob Masterson-7
**Chung is the only former MVP of the All Star Game appearing in this contest.
**Chung comes into the game in 9th place all time in All Star Game points and third in most 3-pointers made.
**The MVP of the past two All Star Games, Smokey Talisker of Seattle, will not appear and will never appear again.
**The toughest position to make an All Star Game remains a guard position in the East. Bop-Bop of Charleston, with his 20.0 GVP, is the only player with a GVP of at least 20 to not make the team.

SEASON 36 PREVIEW

A killer draft that included a deep and talented rookie class and a number of proven veterans changed the landscape of the MBA coming into Season 36, making for a dispersal of talent that leaves the league without any patsies and a possible power shift from the East to the West.



THE EASTERN DIVISION

1. CHARLESTON MOUNTAINEERS: Went into the draft needing to replace four of five starters and ended up getting three of the top four rated players. Team was 3-7 last season and in last place in very competitive East. Not only did they get back last season’s Rookie of the Year forward B. Quiet (who they lost in dispersal draft), but they added All-MBA center and latest Hall of Famer Max Payne from Oklahoma City as well as excellent third-year guard from Chicago, Beezow Doo-Doo Zopitty Bop Bop-Bop. Second year forward Buck Naked improved tremendously and will play next to Quiet.

2. CHICAGO GALE: One win away from winning a championship last season, the Gale lost their glue guy, guard Beezow Bop-Bop in the draft, along with solid starting center Wayan Garuda. But they replaced Garuda with 6-11 rookie Magnus Dragonhof, who is somewhat of a mirror image of his predecessor. Veteran power forward Nobby Nabob improved greatly in the off-season, and if League MVP (both regular season and playoffs) and scoring leader Didger A’doo can come close to repeating his superb season, Chicago could make the playoffs for the third straight season and challenge for the title again.

3. HOUSTON IGUANAS: Houston has been in the playoffs three consecutive seasons, with one title, since Hall of Famer Hrundi V. Bakshi joined the team. In a shocking move by coach Tyler Masterson, the fifth-ranked (tie) player of all time will be replaced at the two guard by third-year forward T. Kanes Masterson. But Bakshi or Masterson, the Iguanas will be hard-pressed to continue their playoff streak, thanks to the loss of both starting forwards to retirement following last season. An influx of three solid rookies in the draft (center Hodor, forwards Vic Hitler and Blue “Rondo” Alaturk) as well as second-year forward Harry Verducci softens that loss somewhat. Center Sanjay Patel , who followed his All-MBA season of two years ago with a runner-up spot last season, will have to continue scoring and rebounding at a high rate. Houston has talent and depth, but do they have enough?

4. PHILADELPHIA PHOBIA: The Phobia fell one win short (5-5) of a playoff spot last season, but lost starting guard and Hall of Famer Ching-Chong Chung to San Jose in the draft. Patchy Fogg or Ted Hose will have to replace Chung in the starting lineup and neither has a track record that indicates they can match even a declining Chung’s effectiveness. Ama Spikie is coming off his finest scoring season, having led the Phobia and all centers with a 15.1 average last season. He is one award away from the Hall of Fame. Sunny Osiris and Gabba Penton are solid forwards and Jitter Bugg scored 13 per game at the point as a rookie but lacks defending skills.


5. MILWAUKEE GREYHOUNDS: The Greyhounds were right there again last season with a 5-5 record in the tough East, but they lost two key pieces in their starting lineup. Benny Lava, a fixture at point guard for nine consecutive seasons finally hung up his Nikes and last season’s leading scorer Art Vandelay (15.9 ppg) was lost to Chicago in the draft. Fourth-year man Ruby Rickio has Lava’s ball handling skills at offense, but can new starting forward Timm Brrrr replace Vandelay’s points? Longtime starters Steve Carter, Heat R. Vanmeter and Bruno Pantanal are back, but getting long in the tooth.


THE WESTERN DIVISION

1. SAN JOSE FIGHTING AMIGOS: Since Season 25 the Amigos have been a playoff fixture, finishing first seven times and second twice in the West. They lost a good scorer Schweaty Ballz and starting center Kevin Mickle from last season’s 7-3 team, but picked up two veteran guards in the draft and actually look better overall. Jerry Curl and Hall of Famer Ching-Chong Chung are both getting older, but might have enough left to make San Jose serious title contenders. Hall of Famer Gato DoMato was All-MBA for the fourth time last season and his running mate at forward L.B. Damned was second in the league in scoring with a 17.5 average. Seven-footer George Gershwin will have to play as big as his size in the middle . The rebounding specialist is the youngest starter on this squad, starting his fifth season. In other words, San Jose is old and needs to get it done now.

2. SEATTLE STAMPEDE: The polar opposite of San Jose in playoff success, Seattle has gone without a post-season appearance in the last seven seasons. They went 4-6 last season thanks to a 4-1 second half of the campaign and appear ready to build on that momentum. The Stampede had an excellent draft, concentrating on rookies and nabbing a trio of good ones. Center Diss Reflexia is a 6-7 dynamo and will be a key starter immediately along with 6-9 forward Sven Marquardt. Rookie guard Wimsy Greenfoyle can shoot with the best of them but plays no defense, so Seattle went and got under-achieving guard Julio Ganatra to be a starter next to veteran Ginger Vampire. And of course, late-blooming star Smokey Talisker, a first-team All-MBA forward and the team’s leading scorer (16.1) returns, but at a new position, small forward.

3. DALLAS DEMONS: The Demons are ready to make a giant leap from last season’s 2-8 cellar finish and should be one of three teams contending for the second playoff spot in the West. Talented second-year center Naceg Gecan will be joined on the front line by a pair of newcomers to the team, veteran 6-11 power forward Gulemon Mon-Mon and dynamic rookie small forward Danke “Donkey” Shame, who is amazing offensively around the basket despite his 6-5 size and plays really good defense to boot. Veteran point guard Fat Bob Herzfeld moves back into the starting point guard post with the departure of Jerry Curl. He will be joined by the team’s top scorer, Troells Rasmussen (16 points per game) at the two guard.

4. OKLAHOMA CITY LARIATS: The defending champions lost two giants from their title team of a season ago, having lost the league’s leading rebounder and solid defender Stone Flinthorn at forward and Hall of Fame All-MBA center Max Payne to Charleston in the draft. They will still be in the thick of it in the suddenly competitive West, thanks to a talented rookie class that allowed them to snatch 6-8 forward Reckless Abandon, rated the No. 2 newcomer. He should fill in nicely for Flinthorn, but the Lariats were forced to replace the runner-up MVP Payne with cut pile center Phuc Mailife. Mr. Everything, guard Lemon Jell-o returns as the team’s top scorer with 16.2 per game, having won the steals title in the MBA three years running. Taylor Quackstick (15.9 ppg) returns his exciting forward play. If point guard Walt White (13.0 per game) can return to his big scoring ways, Oklahoma City could be right in the hunt again.

5. SACRAMENTO RIVER DOGS: After over-achieving with three playoff seasons in four campaigns, the bubble finally burst for the talent-bereft River Dogs last season, as the team went 3-7 to finish fourth. But although we have them dropping to last in the division this coming season, the Sacramento team will be much improved, adding four new starters to go with their best returning player, Alejandro Lemieux. Funsy Van Slochum, in his 13th season, comes over from Charleston to start for his fourth different team. Solid 6-3 guard Achtu Meinlieber, a fourth-season reserve for Houston, will man the other backcourt spot. Center Wayan Garuda comes over from Chicago and is another good addition, as is 6-8 forward Bruce Hammer, who scored 14.9 for Seattle last season. Sacramento might contend yet again in the West, only this time, it won’t be as much of a surprise.


THE ROOKIES

No. 1 MBA fan Phil Davia likes to know the rookies joining the league each season, so here we go. This is one of the most talented influx of new guys we’ve ever had. For example, last season only three rookies started for their respective teams. This season seven of the 16 new guys will be starters, with more right on the verge. The top three will battle for rookie of the year and are projected as immediate stars. In roughly ranking order, the Season 36 rookies are:
1. Diss Reflexia, 6-7 center, Seattle, will start and be in running for rookie of the year … powerful rebounder for small pivot; plays good defense, has scorer’s mentality and is superb shooter with down-low moves.

2. Reckless Abandon, 6-8 forward, Oklahoma City, will start for defending champs and be in ROY running … not a great rebounder for his size, but plays excellent defense and is best rookie in the draft on driving to hoop; great passer, excellent shooter with range.

3. Danke “Donkey” Shame, 6-5 forward, Dallas, will start and be in running for rookie of year … will bring Dallas fans out of their seats with down-low moves and dunking ability for a small forward; also plays superb defense.

4. Blue “Rondo” Alaturk, 6-9 forward, Houston, will start … tough defender, good passer

5. Sven Marquardt, 6-9 forward, Seattle, will start … excellent rebounder, can score down low

6. Hodor, 6-8 center, Houston…will back up fixture Sanjay Patel but is immediately top-flight sub

7. Magnus Dragonhof, 6-11 center, Chicago, will start … great size, great rebounder, can score some

8. Vic Hitler, 6-7 forward, Houston, won starting job, steady player, does everything fairly well

9. Wimsy Greenfoyle, 6-2 guard, Seattle, sharpshooter will be first guard off bench, plays no defense


THEY MADE THE LEAGUE, BUT BARELY

Pricklebush Tickletush, 5-11 guard, Chicago, will be fourth guard on team … excels at on-ball defense
Chas Witkowski, 6-0 guard, Dallas, fourth guard on team, decent ball handler, shoots a little, hacker
Louie Subgum, 6-4 guard, Milwaukee, fourth guard on team, good passer, good shot, hacker
Ceasar Seizure, 6-7 forward, San Jose, fourth forward, can’t rebound, good defensively

STRAIGHT TO THE CUT PILE
Verbal Kent, 6-2 guard, aggressive rebounder, too-aggressive defender, hacks like hell
Moshi Moshi, 6-0 guard, best ball-handling guard among rookies but plays little D with no shot
Pelton Crane, 6-0 guard , can’t dribble or pass or shoot…plays decent defense and rebounds OK

OPENING GAMES

Dallas at Oklahoma City....Season starts out with a bang as improved Dallas meets defending champs in what could be a telling game in the West

Philadelphia at Chicago...home team begins long playoff run against once-dominant franchise fallen on hard times

Milwaukee at San Jose...Projected best in West against projected worst in East

Seattle at Houston...Let's see if excitement about the Stampede is warranted as they go on road against tough Houston. (boldface equals biggest upcoming game)

Sacramento at Charleston ... Pre-season favorite Mountaineers host rebuilt Sacramento team in crossover.

Their Place in the MBA Pantheon

Every season, as MBA commissioner, I place retired players into envelopes based on the (1) the number of awards they have won and (2) their overall scoring average.

The best of these, of course, go into the MBA Hall of Fame. The rest are distributed within the envelopes and between the players where they are ranked.

Currently, besides the Hall of Fame, there are five envelopes, with the top players not in the Hall of Fame in the envelope marked "Tier 1." The worst envelope, is, of course, the dreaded Tier 5.

So for the first time, I make these retirement placements public. Maybe you will enjoy the final placements and smile at the names of the past where these new retirees are surrounded.





As an added sidenote: Boo Radley, who turned the tide in the MBA Finals, coming from the cut pile to shut down Chicago's Didger A'doo for eventual champion Oklahoma City, was originally cut at the beginning of the season by, who else, Chicago.

SEASON 35 POST-SEASON SUMMARY

LARIATS WIN FIRST TITLE

With the Oklahoma City Lariats winning their first title, only Seattle and Sacramento are without championships.

DIDGER A'DOO WINS MVP OF PLAYOFFS IN CLOSE VOTE OVER MAX PAYNE AND LEMON JELL-O

Didger A'doo becomes the third Chicago player to win MVP of the Playoffs honor and the first from the Gale to do so since Hall of Fame guard Doc Watson did it in Chicago's Season 16 championship season. A'doo is the third player from Chicago to win the award. The first Gale winner was Cole Dreadlock in Chicago's other title year, Season 2.

A'doo is one of 12 players to win the MVP of the Playoffs Award to come from the runner-up team. They are:

Season 35--Didger A'doo, guard from Chicago
Season 32--Hrundi V. Bakshi, guard from Milwaukee (HOF)
Season 29--Cock A. Doodledoo, guard from San Jose
Season 27--Saggital Occlusal, forward from San Jose (HOF)
Season 24--Dingo Dog Taylor, forward from Houston
Season 23--Joey Two-Tones, guard from Dallas (HOF)
Season 18--Jonny Cockaroo, center from Philadelphia (HOF)
Season 13--Streetcar Johnny Masterson, guard from Oklahoma City
Season 12--Diamond Dallas Paige, center from Oklahoma City (HOF)
Season 10--Bill Rustler, center from Seattle (HOF)
Season 8--J.D. Jedreat, forward from Charleston
Season 5--Doc Watson, guard from Houston (HOF)


A'doo is also the 11th player to win both the regular season and post-season MVP awards in the same campaign.

Season 35--Didger A'doo, guard from Chicago
Season 34--Hrundi V. Bakshi, guard from Philadelphia (HOF)
Season 27--Saggital Occlusal, forward from San Jose (HOF)
Season 25--Saggital Occlusal, forward from San Jose (HOF)
Season 23--Joey Two-Tones, guard from Dallas (HOF)
Season 22--Curly Hogbottom, forward from Philadelphia (HOF)
Season 21--Tersio Tataruga, forward from Dallas
Season 19--Curly Hogbottom, forward from Philadelphia (HOF)
Season 14--Stu Nod, guard from Philadelphia (HOF)
Season 6--Cappy Gambol, guard from Milwaukee (HOF)
Season 3--Cappy Gambol, guard from Milwaukee (HOF)

PAYNE EARNS MBA HALL OF FAME INDUCTION

Oklahoma City center Max Payne becomes the 38th member of the MBA Hall of Fame and the 9th center to make it to the Hall. He did so in his 10th season, his first with Oklahoma City, who he helped capture their first MBA championship.

Payne played 11 seasons for Dallas and becomes the first player in league history to earn the Hall of Fame after sitting on the bench for three consecutive seasons. During those years, the 7-footer backed up another Hall of Famer, center Tom "the Bomb" Kondla, and MBA fans wondered if Payne would retire prior to getting another chance at starting and earning Hall honors. With Kondla's retirement, Payne again started for Dallas last season, but was strangely ineffective. But he came back like gangbusters this season, earning All Star Game and All-MBA honors as well as a championship ring to put him over the top.

Thus far (he will return for his 10th season) Payne has amassed 3 All-MBA stars, 5 All Star game honors and 2 championship rings.











THE CHAMPS

MBA SEASON 35 FINALS...CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (game 5)

Oklahoma City 68, Chicago 51

LARIATS LEAVE NO DOUBT IN WINNING FIRST TITLE

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The haunting playoff injuries that kept dominant Oklahoma City teams of the past from hoisting a championship banner were exorcised here tonight, as the home team Lariats, this time aided by an injury, won it all with elan.

When point guard Walt White, once an all MBA guard and league's leading scorer, went down to injury in Game 3 and was forced to the bench for the next contest, Coach Benny Gumm looked at the meager cut pile offerings, literally rolled the dice, and plucked the much-maligned Boo Radley as White's replacement. Nobody had any idea at the time what a genius move that it was.

From that point on, a once-close Finals series became all Oklahoma City.

Radley, always an excellent defender, put the clamps on MBA MVP and leading scorer Didger A'doo, and the man who had scored 25, 27 and 18 points in the first three games to give his team a 2-1 series lead, was held to 11 and 13 in the final two games. Radley turned out to be just what the doctor prescribed for the league's best defense. After Chicago kicked off the finals with 82 points, the Lariats tightened the noose on their opponents offense game by game, yielding 65, then 63, then 54 and finally just 51 points on their way to the championship.

The Lariats were led in the championship contest by their two stars, Max Payne and Lemon Jell-o. Payne was the MVP of the Game with a game-high 22 points, 4 rebounds, 3 blocked shots, 1 steal and 1 assist. Lemon Jell-o had 20 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals and an assist.

On Top of it all, Max Payne, in gaining his championship ring, became the 38th member of the MBA Hall of Fame and the fourth active member of the Hallowed Hall in the league.

NEXT UP: Naming the Playoff MVP and Playoff Statistics.

MBA Season 35 Finals Game 4 at Chicago

OKLAHOMA CITY 68, CHICAGO 54

LARIATS GUARDS DOMINATE IN MUST-WIN GAME; ONE-GAME SHOWDOWN AWAITS

CHICAGO -- The Oklahoma City Lariats, spurred by the finest game in cut pile acquisition Boo Radley's checkered career, extended the Season 35 Championship Finals to a fifth and final game with a decisive 68-54 road win over the Chicago Gale.

It was the fourth consecutive road triumph in as many Finals contests to go to the visiting team, prompting Lariats head coach Benny Gumm to reference a "home court disadvantage." If that is, indeed, the case, Oklahoma City is in trouble, because the final game of this memorable series will take place in their stadium.

Radley, playing for the injured Walt White, had the game of his life. The defensive genius was hard on Chicago's top offensive weapon, holding the regular season and playoffs leading scorer Didger A'doo to just 11 points, about half his playoff average. But in addition to his great defense (which included a game-high 5 blocked shots and a steal) Radley pumped in 17 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and dished out 3 assists. He did, however, do his scoring with mass volume in the shots department, throwing up a game-high 20 and sinking 7, including 1 for 7 from 3-point range.

Yet it was Radley's 5-point burst in the fourth quarter that opened the lead for the Lariats to 16 points and more or less buried Chicago. And shot volume played a big part in the Lariats win as they yakked up 15 more shots than did the Gale. Neither team shot 50 percent.

Radley's running mate at guard, Lemon Jell-o, was even better, getting MVP of the Game honors with a game-high 21 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and a blocked shot. It was his first MVP of the Game award of the post-season and his timing kept his team alive and in the running for their first title ever.

Game 5 will mark the first time the title series has gone the distance since Season 29 when Philadelphia bested San Jose to begin the first of five consecutive championships.

Playoff Notes: Doot Doot-Doot was immediately relegated to the cut pile by Oklahoma City, with Radley earning his roster spot for the final game and White making a return as well. The question to ponder now for Benny Gumm is who to start at point guard for his team. Walt White's 20-point performance in Game 2 was hugely responsible for the Lariats' first Finals win, but he plays no defense. But with Radley at the point, Oklahoma City shut down A'doo and held Chicago to a season-low 54 points.

Any feedback, MBA fans? Who should start, White or Radley?

NEXT UP: The Championship game in Oklahoma City...winner takes all.

Season 35 Finals Game 3 Chicago at Oklahoma City

Chicago 63, Oklahoma City 61

GALE ESCAPES LARIAT'S NOOSE WITH MIRACLE WIN

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma City Lariats had Game 3 of the Finals all but banked, but the Chicago Gale pulled a last gasp Jesse James and robbed the home team of what appeared to be a sure victory.

The 63-61 win puts Chicago in the driver's seat, going home for the next contest and needing just one win to get the third championship in franchise history.

The Lariats led by 10 going into the final quarter, and Chicago showed absolutely no sign of an offensive pulse as they headed into the final 70 time units. The Oklahoma five held that 10-point lead until halfway into the fourth quarter when Chicago finally came to life. Down by 7 with 27 time units left in the game, Didger A'doo brought Chicago within 4 points with his first 3-pointer of the game. (A'doo had been somnambulant in the first half, scoring just one point and taking just two shots).

Here's how the rest of the game unfolded:

* Chicago's Beezow Bop-Bop fouled out immediately after the A'doo 3-pointer.
* Chicago fought its way back to within 2 with 11 TUs left, but center Max Payne of Oklahoma City scored down low to put his team up 4
* This was followed by a 3-pointer from A'doo with 7 TUs left, bringing Chicago within 1 at 59-58
* Payne answered with a slam dunk over Wayan Garuda's forced miss on the next time unit, extending the Lariat lead to 3
* On the very next time unit A'doo drilled a game-tying 3-point swish from the Netherlands despite a forced miss defensively from Lemon Jell-o.
* A missed 3-pointer from Tubes Mullard of Oklahoma City was rebounded by Orange Jell-o of Chicago, who wrestled it from the grasp of Oklahoma City's Payne.
* It was then Orange Jell-o who scored the game-winner on a slam dunk with 4 time units left in the game.
* Taylor Quackstick had a chance to tie it at the buzzer, but his medium jump shot was off the mark, and the entire Oklahoma City crowd vomited simultaneously.

Co-MVPs of this magnificent game were the two All-MBA players in this Finals competition: Didger A'doo of Chicago (his third of the playoffs) and the 7-foot beast of a center Max Payne of Oklahoma City (his second).
A'doo had a game-high 18 points that included 3 rebounds, 4 steals and an assist.
Payne led his team with 17 points and had 5 blocked shots, 2 rebounds and 2 assists.

Two major injuries took place in the game.
--Point guard Walt White of Oklahoma City was hurt halfway through the second quarter and missed the remainder of the contest. He will not play in the next game either and will only return if there is a fifth and final contest. He was ably replaced by super sub Tubes Mullard who had 11 off the bench. White will be replaced in the next game by Boo Radley, called up from the cut pile, who will be inserted into the starting lineup at point guard for the important Game 4.
--Chicago power forward Nobby Nabob was injured halfway through the third quarter and missed the remainder of the game. His injury is more serious than White's because he will not return for the remainder of the playoffs, putting Orange Jell-o into the starting lineup for Game 4 in this, his final year of MBA competition. O. Jell-o was key down the stretch in the Game 3 win. Chicago replaced Nabob on the playoff roster with 6-8 rookie forward Davis Phillips from the cut pile. Phillips began the season in Dallas, played four games then went to the cut pile. Now he has a chance for a championship ring. Oh fate, ye are a strange bedfellow.

Playoff Note: Should Oklahoma City come back and win the championship, Max Payne's championship ring would put him over the 10-award hump for the MBA Hall of Fame.

Next Up: Back to Chicago for Game 4 and the possible clincher for the Gale. However, it must be noted that the home team has yet to be victorious in these Finals.

MBA Season 35 Finals...Game 2

Oklahoma City 75, Chicago 65

LARIATS COME OUT SMOKIN' TO EVEN SERIES

CHICAGO -- This was not worth the 29-season wait for patient Chicago fans.

The first Finals game played in The Windy City since Season 16 blew. Right out of the gate the visitors from Oklahoma City took command and rushed to a 29-13 first-quarter advantage. By halftime the winners of the Western Division held a 20-point lead that they increased to 22 points going into the fourth.

Only then did Chicago come to life, outscoring Oklahoma City 24-12 and closing to within 10 at game's end. Point guard Didger A'doo poured in 16 points in the last quarter, getting a game-high 27 that included 7 more 3s and another MVP of the Game award.

His effort was offset by Oklahoma City's point guard Walt White, who finally came to life offensively, getting 20 points of his own to lead his team to victory and a 1-1 Finals tie in this best of five.

Beezow Bop-Bop of Chicago never could get going, hitting on just 2 of 11 shots from the field.

Next Up: With the Finals knotted up, the teams travel back to Oklahoma City for Game 3.

PLAYOFF NOTES: A'doo's 7 made 3s in this game come on the heels of the first-round clincher against San Jose when he tied a playoff record with 8 long bombs.

Fraternal twins Lemon Jell-o of Oklahoma City and Orange Jell-o of Chicago are in their first Finals against each other and it will be their last, since Orange will retire following the series.

Season 35 Finals Game 1

CHICAGO 82, OKLAHOMA CITY 75

CHICAGO STEALS GAME 1

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Chicago Gale brought their "A" Game to Oklahoma City to steal the Season 35 Finals series opener.
"A" as in A'doo and "A" as in Arlen.

Despite eventually fouling out League MVP Didger A'doo scored a game-high 25 points that included 4 for 4 from 3-point Land. Twelve of those points came in the first quarter, getting his team out to an early lead. And small forward Harold Arlen went over the rainbow with an MVP of the Game performance that included 16 points, a game-high 10 rebounds, 3 assists and a blocked shot.

Teammate Beezow Bop-Bop was especially spectacular defensively from the guard position, blocking 7 shots, scoring 10 points, grabbing four boards and assisting three times.

Meanwhile, the home team Lariats could not keep up with Chicago in the second half in what was quickly becoming a chippy game. Fisticuffs broke out early in the fourth quarter with Oklahoma City down by 8. All-MBA center Max Payne of the home team and visitor Nobby Nabob went at it, both drawing technicals and Payne getting tossed from the rest of the contest.

The one bright spot for the Lariats was again the play of 14-season substitute guard Tubes Mullard, who came off the pines and led his team in scoring with 17.

But Mullard's heroics were pretty much offset by a strong bench game from Chicago's Poppy Poppalucco, who spelled A'doo and popped in 13 of his own.

So with Chicago winning their first finals game since Season 16, the Gale heads home to Chicago up 1-0 in the best of five series. And the Lariats are staring at a game that they badly need to win on the road.

Season 35 Playoffs...Preliminaries, Game 2, Chicago at San Jose

CHICAGO 80, SAN JOSE 65

GALE BLOWS PAST SAN JOSE TO SECURE BERTH IN FINALS

SAN JOSE -- The Chicago Gale, behind the record-tying 3-point shooting of league MVP Didger A'doo, broke open this finals-clinching game in the second half to toast the home team San Jose Fighting Amigos 80-65.

Didger A'doo scored 31 points, most by any player in the playoffs this season, connecting on 8 3-pointers to tie him with the great Cappy Gambol and Horn E. Goatweed for most treys made in a playoff game. Gambol's record was established in Season 5 for Milwaukee against Houston and Goatweed's came in Season 23 while playing for Milwaukee against Dallas. A'doo, who was 8 for 16 from beyond the arc, hit the tying trey with 64 time units left in the game and had a chance to break the record on the final shot of the contest; but the ball rimmed out.

The Chicago victory puts the franchise in its first MBA finals since back in Season 16, the last time they won the championship. That was 19 seasons ago, in the final month of the year 2002.

A'doo's running mate at guard, Beezow Bop-Bop also had a noteworthy game, pulling down a game-high 10 rebounds while scoring 14 and dishing 4 assists. Small forward Harold Arlen also lit it up for Chicago with 20 points.

Playing what turned out to be the last games of their MBA careers were Schweaty Ballz and Kevin Mickle of San Jose. Ballz had a team-high 9 boards and Mickle was the team's high scorer with 17.

Hall of Famer Gato Do Mato had another rough day. Defended again by Nobby Nabob of Chicago, the 6-11 forward followed up his 7-point performance with an even more disappointing 6 points.

NEXT UP: Chicago travels to Oklahoma City for Game 1 of the Season 35 MBA Finals.

MBA Season 35 Playoffs...Preliminaries Game 2

Oklahoma City 61, Houston 60

OKLAHOMA CITY EDGES HOUSTON FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE FINALS APPEARANCE

HOUSTON -- The Oklahoma City Lariats will return to the MBA finals for the second consecutive season, an achievement that the franchise reached just once before in the glory days of Seasons 12 and 13 when Diamond Dallas Paige roamed the paint.

But it wasn't easy.

The defending champion Iguanas held the lead 32-28 with 55 time units remaining in the third quarter when Hall of Famer Hrundi V. Bakshi broke three fingers on his shooting hand in a freak accident that brought the screaming Terrarium crowd to a hushed silence. Bakshi left the game and would not return. Word later came down that he would have been lost for the remainder of the playoffs, regardless of how Houston fared in this game.

As it turned out, that four-point lead was short-lived, as the Lariats took a 47-42 advantage by the end of the third quarter. They then led by as many as 10 before Houston mounted a last-ditch comeback that brought them within three in the waning moments. When Walt White (9 points) of Oklahoma City stuck a medium jumper to put his team up by five with just 4 time units left, victory seemed secure for the Lariats. But a bucket by T. "Kanes" Masterson, subbing for Bakshi, was followed by a steal from Snarkey Comment, who missed on a drive to the hole that was tipped in by teammate Rogersaurus Adamson. Time then ran out for Houston.

Houston center Sanjay Patel, who was shut out by All-MBA center Max Payne in Game 1, outplayed his nemesis in this one, scoring a game-high 16 points, grabbing 5 boards and blocking two shots to win MVP of the Game honors.

The loss means that the careers of both starting forwards for Houston, Adamson and Looky Whos, are over.

PLAYOFF NOTES: The elimination of Houston means that for just the third time in 35 seasons, there will be two Dave Masterson teams in the finals. Anyone care to guess how many times Tyler teams have faced off in the finals?

Next Up: The Chicago Gale travels to San Jose looking for a win that would put them in their first finals since they last won it all in Season 16.

MBA Season 35 Playoffs...Preliminaries Game 1

Chicago 76, San Jose 68

CHICAGO HANGS ON FOR FIRST PLAYOFF WIN IN 18 SEASONS

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Gale, led by guard Beezow Doo-Doo Zopitty Bop Bop-Bop (game-high 24 points) and center Wayan Garuda's 23-point effort, took a 14-point lead into the fourth quarter and held on for an eight-point, 76-68 win over the visiting San Jose Fighting Amigos.
It was Chicago's first playoff triumph since Season 17.
Both teams received sub-par performances from their All-MBA stars, as neither Hall of Fame forward Gato Do Mato (7 points) of San Jose nor Chicago's league MVP Didger A'doo (6 points, fouled out) could crack double digits in scoring.
But second-year guard Bop-Bop of Chicago took up the slack at the outset for the home team, blistering the nets for 13 points in the first quarter on 6 of 6 shooting that included a trey, as Chicago and San Jose put on a show for the packed house early on, with the Gale leading 28-21 after one.
Garuda took over the scoring for the Gale in the second half, where he netted a majority of his 23 points and accumulated a game-high 7 rebounds to win Game MVP honors.
The Amigos scored the first six points of the fourth quarter to pull within eight but could never get closer than six.

MBA PLAYOFF NOTES: Three of the four teams in this season's playoffs are holdovers from last year, with San Jose replacing Sacramento in the quartet.
The first-round match-up of Oklahoma City and Houston is a rematch of last season's finals in which the Iguanas swept the Lariats three straight.

Next Up: Oklahoma City can make a return trip to the finals with a win as they visit defending champion Houston in the hot and sweaty Terrarium.

MBA Season 35 Playoffs...Game 1 Preliminaries

Oklahoma City Lariats 77, Houston Iguanas 53

LARIATS BLOW DOORS OFF CHAMPS IN PLAYOFF OPENER

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The best defensive team in the MBA held the defending champion Houston Iguanas to just 53 points on the way to a convincing 77-53 playoff-opening win in a game coached until halftime by Houston owner Tyler Masterson.
The Lariats had the most wins in the MBA this season (8-2) and played like the championship favorites they are.
Fourteen-year veteran substitute Tubes Mullard came off the bench to score a game-high 28 points in three quarters and All-MBA 10-year center Max Payne had 19 poinjts with 5 rebounds, 4 blocks, a steal and an assist. Mullard and Payne shared MVP of the Game honors.
Hall of Famer Hrundi V. Bakshi was in constant foul trouble for Houston and left the game with his fifth infraction early in the fourth quarter. Houston center Sanjay Patel, shut out by the defense of Payne, followed suit halfway through the fourth.
The bright spot for the Iguanas was forward Looky Whos, who registered his third triple-double of the season and fourth of his career, scoring 14 points, grabbing 5 rebounds and blocking 5 shots. He was one assist shy of the rare quadruple double, achieved only by two players in history, J.D.Jedreat, and, who else. Whos.

PLAYOFF NOTES: These are probably the four tightest teams in terms of talent we have seen in the playoffs in a long time. Although Oklahoma City may be the favorite, they were beaten twice in the regular season by San Jose (7-3. And San Jose (7-3) also bested Houston 89-69 in their only meeting this season. Houston (6-4 in regular season) split with Chicago (7-3).

Next Up: San Jose is back in the playoffs for the sixth time in the past seven seasons and travels to Chicago, which, after a 16-season dry spell, has now made the playoffs for the second consecutive season. The Gale is projected the meet Oklahoma City in the finals, but San Jose is on a four-game win streak, while Chicago finished the season with a 2-3 second half.

Season 35 Review

West wins All Star Game again...Talisker repeats as Game MVP

West 84, East 73

SAN JOSE -- Smokey Talisker became just the third player in MBA history to win All Star Game MVP honors in back-to-back seasons as he led the West stars to their seventh win in the last 10 games. The 6-9 forward from Seattle registered a triple-double in the victory, scoring 16, grabbing 5 rebounds and registering 5 assists. He also added 3 blocked shots.

He joins Cappy Gambol and Uncle Bob Masterson as the only players to win back to back MVP awards in the star contest.

Second-year forward Art Vandelay from Milwaukee led everyone in scoring with 21 but could not stop Talisker from tearing it up.

The East still leads the series 22-13.

Next Up: Chicago (5-0) at Philadelphia (3-2).

Halfway Home Season 35...Standings...Leaders...All Stars...Retirements

STANDINGS
Two unbeaten teams...one in each division...both belonging to Dave. Can this really be? Stay tuned for second half.



LEADERS
Chicago's Didger A'doo going for second scoring championship. Gale front-liners one-two in rebounding.



ALL STARS A VETERAN BUNCH
--Gato Do Mato of San Jose becomes 37th member of MBA Hall of Fame with election to all star game. He enters the Hall as the 12th forward and 9th most decorated forward in history.
--Hrudi V. Bakshi and Do Mato each make their 6th all star team...only the 24th and 25th to do so in history.
--Bakshi of Houston now has 18 awards on his card, making him tied with Mamadou Zongo and Boone Doggle for 5th most honored player of all time; also tied with Zongo for third best guard ever behind Uncle Bob Masterson and Cappy Gambol.
--Four first-time all stars
--Just one rookie makes teams.
--Heater Van Meter of Milwaukee is oldest all star.



RETIREMENTS
--20 players retiring after this season --- eight are currently starters
--Hardest hit...Houston with both starting forwards retiring and Sacramento with starting guard and starting center.
--Most decorated retiree...Achilles Heel of Oklahoma City...6 all star appearances and a rookie of the year award
--Yes...longtime cut pile center Pug Mahone, who has been around since Season 9, dodges retirement once again.

Season 35 Predictions

EASTERN DIVISION
1. Chicago Gale: Made playoffs last season for first time in 17 seasons and are now knocking on destiny’s doorstep. Lost nobody to retirements and nobody to preseason dispersal draft while picking up Harold Arlen, the best player on Seattle’s team, in the draft. Arlen is a one-time All-MBA forward elected to two All Star Games. He is among the best rebounders in the game and makes Chicago a formidable club on the boards. His 15 points per game scoring is also most welcome. (Predictions—D-1st, T-1st)
2. Houston Iguanas: Last year’s champions lost power forward Stone Flinthorn to the dispersal draft and saw All-MBA and Hall of Fame guards Hrundi V. Bakshi and Ching-Chong Chung pick up fouling tendencies thanks to advancing age. Chung was, almost, unbelievably cut from the club and will play out the string in Philadelphia. Tyler managed to sneak a much-needed forward (Rogersaurus Adamson) onto the defending champs, who still have enough firepower to challenge for the title again. (D-2nd, T-2nd).
3. Philadelphia Phobia: Lost great Hall of Famer Cheetos Jones but got unexected boost when newly minted Hall of Famer Ching-Chong Chung became available. They grabbed him, despite his declining skills. They still have one of the best centers in the game in Ama Spikie and rookie point guard Jitter Bugg looks like a keeper. (D-4th, T-3rd)
3. Charleston Mountaineers: Lost shot blocking demon Jimsy Redfern at forward and top scorer Chucky “Swishcat” Sellegren seems to have lost a step, but the Charleston team will be interesting because of rookie forwards B. Quiet and Buck Naked, who both show great promise. (D-3rd, T-4th)
5. Milwaukee Greyhounds: Back with exact starting lineup as last season when they finished fourth at 5-5. If they were in the West, they would be serious playoff contenders. Might still in the East. (D-5th, T-5th)
WESTERN DIVISION
1. Oklahoma City Lariats: A finals playoff team last season, the Lariats added one of the most heralded centers in the MBA in Max Payne as well as defensive/rebounding specialist Stone Flinthorn, making them quite possibly the toughest defensive team in the league. Should have no trouble making playoffs in the West, and with players like Lemon Jell-o, Walt White and Taylor Quackstick, are eyeing the first title in franchise history. (D-1st, T-1st)
2. San Jose Fighting Amigos: The Amigos suffered a rare playoff miss last season, but should be right back in the mix this time around. They lost a good shot-blocking center in Gottum Gupta, but picked up an adequate replacement in Kevin Mickle in the cut draft. Power forward Gato Do Mato is one award away from the Hall of Fame and after an off season last campaign, should be ready to get this team back into the playoffs. (D-2nd, T-4th)
2. Seattle Stampede: The Stampede lost rebounding madman and one-time All-MBA forward Harold Arlen to the draft (and to Chicago) and added no one of significance to its lineup. Still, Tyler picks them second in the West. They did get rookie center Two-Lipps Bulbz who is a slight improvement over the pair of mopes they had last season. And who knows, in the West, making the playoffs is a possibility for anyone. (D-4th, T-2nd)
4. Dallas Demons: Added one of the two best rookies in the draft in center Naceg Gecan, a furious 6-10 rebounder. But their lack of talent has them starting another rookie Joe “Blue” Pulaski at small forward, a guy who is also a great rebounder but little else. Getting Gecan was good, but losing potential Hall of Fame center Max Payne to the dispersal draft was probably worse in the short term. (D-5th, T-3rd).
5. Sacramento River Dogs: Added nobody of any significance to team that somehow, some way, made the playoffs last season. The clock has got to strike midnight for the Dogs sometime soon. (D-3rd, T-5th)

Season 35 Rookies Report ... aka...you asked for it Phil

Based on 5 star rating system

EASTERN DIVISION

Milwaukee Greyhounds
No rookies

Houston Iguanas
6-3 guard Snarkey Comment *** (starter) excellent passer will run offense for defending champs
6-7 forward Kipchak Turk ** nothing special, but may beat out Fud Livingston for first forward off the bench

CHICAGO GALE
No rookies

PHILADELPHIA PHOBIA
6-0 guard Jitter Bugg *** (starter) Will start at point for Phobia...good offensively, but zero defense
6-2 guard Simon Barsinister *** Better than average defender, average offensively
7-0 center Q-Bert McGuffin *** Efficient scorer, good passer, good rebounder, not much defense, won't dislodge Ama Spikie

CHARLESTON MOUNTAINEERS
6-7 forward B. Quiet ****1/2 (starter)One of two rookie stars of the draft...will fill it up offensively from everywhere on the court...slasher to the basket, outstanding defender with tendency to foul...not a great rebounder
6-7 forward Buck Naked ***1/2 Just a few steps behind Quiet in scoring ability. Outstanding near the basket scorer. Below average rebounder and fouls too much.


WESTERN DIVISION

OKLAHOMA CITY LARIATS
No rookies

SAN JOSE FIGHTING AMIGOS
No rookies

DALLAS DEMONS
6-10 center Naceg Gecan ****1/2 (starter) The other rookie star of the draft. A madman rebounder who continues the tradition of great Dallas centers (Hall of Famer Tom Kondla and Max Payne). He will score, especially off of put-backs. Weakness is defending the shot.
6-6 forward Joe "Blue" Pulaski ** (starter) Best asset is passing. Can score some but weak down low and against the shot defensively.
6-8 forward Davis Phillips ** Can rebound with the best forwards in the game, but hacks like a mother.

SEATTLE STAMPEDE
6-9 center Two-Lipp Bulbz ** (starter) Will probably score in double-digits but likely to give up more than he scores. Not a good rebounder either.
6-4 guard Yipeekayee Masterfalcon ** Good sized guard who will score points and rebound but refuses to play defense.

SACRAMENTO RIVER DOGS
No rookies

CUT PILE
6-3 guard Jibbers Crabst ** Has good size, will rebound and play good defense, but has no outside shot to speak of.
6-1 guard Jesus Moron Joseph **1/2 Decent rebounder and defender. good ballhandler, OK shot, hacks you. but not bad.
6-7 forward Harry Verducci *** Best forward in the cut pile. Does many things well but nothing great.
6-5 forward Adnon Syed **1/2 Probably second best forward in cut pile. Too small to be of help on the boards, but and gets swallowed up offensively down low, but a really tenacious defender with a knack for shot blocking.

Bakshi, Chung earn individual honors following playoff championship

BAKSHI CAPTURES PLAYOFF MVP HONORS

Hall of Fame guard Hrundi V. Bakshi of Houston earned his second Playoff MVP honor (the second in the past three seasons), as the trio of All-MBA performers from the championship team went 1-2-3 in the voting, with Ching-Chong Chung and Sanjay Patel finishing second and third, respectively.

Bakshi's award marked the fifth MVP honor he has captured in his illustrious career. The 6-7 franchise player has won three regular season MVP awards and two Playoff MVP awards.

And he finally earned a championship ring in this, his sixth MBA campaign.

Bakshi captured regular season MVP honors in his rookie season for Milwaukee, Season 29, repeated that honor with Milwaukee in Season 30, won Playoff MVP in Season 32 in a losing cause for Milwaukee, won regular season MVP for Houston this season, then captured the Playoff MVP in helping Houston to the title.

Bakshi became the 10th player to have won both MVP honors in the same season and the first to turn the impressive trick since Sagittal Occlusal did so for San Jose in Season 27. The complete list is as follows:

Season 3 -- Cappy Gambol in his first year with Milwaukee, leading them to their first title.
Season 6 -- Cappy Gambol, leading Milwaukee to their third title in four seasons.
Season 14-- Stu Nod of Philadelphia, leading the Phobia to their fourth title and first in six seasons.
Season 19 -- Curly Hogbottom of Philadelphia, leading his team to their sixth title -- first non-guard to turn trick.
Season 21 -- Tersio Tataruga of Dallas' second straight title team in a freaky season where he averaged more than 6.2 points more per game than he did in any other season in his career. The lone double MVP winner on this list not in the Hall of Fame. A forward.
Season 22 -- Curly Hogbottom of Philadelphia, led Philly to seventh title.
Season 23 -- Joey Two-Tones of Dallas, sparkling, speedy guard, first double winner to not play on a title team.
Season 25 -- Sagittal Occlusal of San Jose, first and only rookie to turn the trick, leading team to only title.
Season 27 -- Sagittal Occlusal of San Jose, third player to win two double MVPs, second to finish with runner-up team.
Season 30 -- Hrundi V. Bakshi of Houston.

Bakshi's MVP award, the fifth overall of his career, ties him with Curly Hogbottom and Sagittal Occlusal for second place in all-time MVP awards won. First place, all alone, is the great Cappy Gambol with six.

In his six MBA seasons, Bakshi has now accumulated 17 individual honors, placing him tied for seventh place with Link Lennex and Stu Nod as the most honored player in league history. That list, which determines how a player's card is displayed in the Hall of Fame, is as follows

1. Curly Hogbottom -- 25 awards
2. Uncle Bob Masterson -- 21 awards
3. Sagittal Occlusal --19 awards
3. Cappy Gambol -- 19 awards
5. Boone Doggle -- 18 awards
5. Mamadou Zongo -- 18 awards
7. Link Lennex --17 awards
7. Stu Nod -- 17 awards
7. Hrundi V. Bakshi -- 17 awards
10.Diamond Dallas Paige -- 16 awards
10.Jonny Cockaroo -- 16 awards

CHUNG EARNS HALL OF FAME RECOGNITION WITH A FLOURISH

Ching-Chong Chung of the Houston Iguanas became the 36th member of the MBA Hall of Fame with the championship ring placed on his index card following Season 34. Chung was a driving force behind Houston capturing its first MBA title in 22 seasons, putting together his second All-MBA season and leading everyone in playoff scoring with his relentless 19.8 points per game performances.

Chung, who just completed his 9th MBA season, ties Silo Chamberlain as the smallest members of the hallowed Hall, both players being 5-10.

Along with his two All-MBA seasons and the championship ring, Chung has appeared in 7 All Star Games, which ties him for the 6th highest total appearances in the star contest. His five starts in All Star Games is tied for 9th most ever.

He has been his team's high scorer in six of the nine seasons he has been in the league, with a single-season high of 20.2 for Houston in Season 31. Additionally, he has led his teams in assists three times, steals six times, and free throw shooting three times. Despite his diminutive size, Chung has been in double figures in shots blocked six of his nine seasons.

He is the 16th guard elected to the Hall and is currently tied with Doug Fresh for 13th best guard career in history, ranking ahead of fellow Hall of Famers Chamberlain and Oscar Mudcat. He is tied for 26th place in all-time best careers with Alex Pal and Fresh. And there is no reason to believe he will not improve upon all of his totals, beginning next season.

As can be attested by the back of his card, Chung has been a model of consistent excellence throughout his career with first Milwaukee and then Houston.