PLAYOFFS PREVIEW
Semifinals match-ups
Oklahoma City Lariats (8-2) vs. Milwaukee Greyhounds (5-5)
Charleston Mountaineers (7-3) vs. Seattle Stampede (5-5)
Oklahoma City vs. Milwaukee
Overall favorites, the Oklahoma City Lariats had the most explosive offensive season in the 40-season history of the MBA, averaging a record 90 points per game and scoring over 100 points in half of their contests. But not only are the Lariats the league's top scoring team, they also boast the best defense and the best rebounding. In the previous three seasons Hall of Fame guard Naf Naf has been with the team, they have been beaten twice in the semifinals and failed to make the playoffs last season. But with the additions of Hall of Fame center Max Payne and outstanding rookie forward Sloppy Dollop to this year's roster, Lariats fans are looking forward to getting back to the finals for the first time since they won it all in Season 35. (That, by the way, was the only franchise championship season and the only other year Max Payne played for this team.)
The Milwaukee Greyhounds have won seven MBA championships but none since Season 18. This is their second consecutive trip to the playoffs and their second in three seasons since changing coaches and putting Fly Davia in charge. Milwaukee ranks fourth overall in scoring, but they are No. 1 in the league in shooting percentage, making 63.3 percent of their shots. The Greyhounds finished seventh defensively in the 10-team league and dead last in free-throwing, shooting an abysmal 55.7 percent as a team.
The teams played once during the regular season, with Oklahoma City in control throughout in a 105-84 victory. Naf Naf of Oklahoma City was the game MVP with 35 points and Milwaukee's Baskets Weaver fouled out trying to guard him.
All-MBA forward and league MVP runner-up Baba Brinkman led the Greyhounds in scoring with 28 points.
Prediction: Oklahoma City advances to finals 2-0.
Charleston vs. Seattle
The defending champion Charleston Mountaineers have only missed the playoffs once in the past five seasons and have racked up two championships during that span. They are the MBA's second-highest scoring team and third-best defensive team. Their two guards, Jesus Moron Joseph and Beezow Bop-Bop finished first and third, respectively in league assists leaders. Subsequently, the Mountaineers were far and away the best assists team in the MBA, getting 14.9 per game, with no other team getting more than 11. Additionally, Charleston led the league in shot blocking and were runners-up to Milwaukee in shooting percentage.
The Seattle Stampede, picked in pre-season to finish last in the West Division, not only made the playoffs, but did so despite playing 30 percent of the campaign without their best player, Ginger Vampire, and despite the fact that they had the worst defense in the entire league, yielding 80 points per game. This is Seattle's first playoff appearance since the franchise won its lone championship in Season 37 with the Three Amigo lineup that included second-year stars Wimsy Greenfoyle, Diss Reflexia and Sven Marquardt, all since departed for other teams. The other two less-heralded youngsters in that title lineup, Jairo Capoiera and Bob Kittle, are both still starting for Seattle. The Stampede can point to its stunning 75-62 victory over then-unbeaten Oklahoma City near the end of the season as the game that put them into the post-season.
Charleston and Seattle met once during the regular season, with the Mountaineers soundly thrashing the Stampede 95-65 as All-MBA forward B. Quiet of Charleston went off for 37 points. This was the game in which Charleston tied the team assists record, getting 24 on the day. To be fair, Seattle was without Vampire in that contest. The Stampede will be playing Game 1 of this series without the services of 7-foot center George Gershwin, who was second in the league in rebounding. This will negate the only category where Seattle has an edge.
Prediction: Charleston advances to finals 2-0.
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