Honoring Hall of Famer Tommy Zoop

From time to time we will use this blog to honor an MBA Hall of Famer.

TODAY'S HONOREE...THE GREAT TOMMY ZOOP





Three different franchises had the pleasure of watching the 6-6 point guard perform for his seven short MBA campaigns.
He led every one of those teams in scoring, peaking with a final season for Oklahoma City in which he delivered a then-record 25.2 points per game in Season 24. Only Naf Naf and Cheetos Jones scored more points in one season.
That was his lone MVP year, in which he established a personal best 3.4 rebounds a game and a league-leading 11 steals.
Zoop, who improved his 3-point tendency in his third campaign, put together 5 consecutive seasons of scoring over 20 per game and finished with a career average of 20.8, one of the few MBA players to maintain that over-20 mark.
At various points he led his team in points, assists, steals and free-throwing and worked his way into becoming an excellent defender.
When he joined the league in Season 18, Zoop contributed mightily to what is still the last Milwaukee championship. It would also be Zoop's last.
His four scoring titles is currently tied for the most ever with Naf Naf (although it's assumed he will be eclipsed).
Despite a short career, he amassed 1,456 points, good for 15th all time.
It was in his last campaign, Season 24 one game after Horn E. Goatweed established the all-time single-game scoring mark of 49 in one contest, that The Zooperstar went out and established what still stands as the most points ever in one game...50.
Seven all star games in seven seasons.
Four All-MBA teams, one championship ring and one League MVP.
Zoop was one of the most fun guys to watch perform in the history of the league.

MBA PREVIEW -- SEASON 41 (not to be confused with the re-boot, sent previously)

SEASON 41 MBA PREVIEW

Season 41 appears to be shaping up similarly to Season 40, where the same two teams, Oklahoma City and Charleston, stand tall in their divisions while the rest of the MBA is very evenly matched.

But with Naf Naf leaving defending champion Oklahoma City and joining Charleston, the latter is now the overall favorite.

THE WEST

Oklahoma City Lariats
PREDICTED FINISH: First
SEASON 40 RECORD AND FINISH: First, 8-2 (5-0) Champions!
MOST RECENT PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: Season 40
ROSTER TURNOVER: 40 percent
BIGGEST LOSSES: G-Naf Naf
BIGGEST ADDITIONS: F-Pap Smearz, G-Akbar Zagobia
WEAKNESS: League’s oldest overall roster
STRENGTH: Depth, Defense, Offense
THE SKINNY: Suffered the worst single loss by any MBA team ever but still considered big favorite to win the West. They are so deep that forward Bang-Bang Reiner and his second-leading team scoring average of 16.8 starts the campaign off the bench. Zagobia makes the league’s strongest defensive team even stronger. Don’t pity the Lariats.


San Jose Fighting Amigos
PREDICTED FINISH: Second
SEASON 40 RECORD AND FINISH: Third, 5-5
MOST RECENT PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: Season 39
ROSTER TURNOVER: 20 percent – Lowest in the league.
BIGGEST LOSSES: None
BIGGEST ADDITIONS: F-Sven Marquardt, F-Doo-Rag Dripp (rookie)
WEAKNESS: Defense at guard.
STRENGTH: Scoring, Depth
THE SKINNY: Injury to Dayshotta Leo last season hurt bad, but still just missed playoffs. Starting lineup solid and bench boasts top rookie forward Doo-Rag Dripp, league’s best reserve center Hunk R. Down, guard Louie Subgum and instant offense forward Bruce Hammer.


Seattle Stampede
PREDICTED FINISH: Third
SEASON 40 RECORD AND FINISH: Second, 5-5, (2-3) lost in finals.
MOST RECENT PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: Season 40
ROSTER TURNOVER: 30 percent
BIGGEST LOSSES: C-George Gershwin
BIGGEST ADDITIONS: G-Mel A. Noma, C-Carga Larga (rookie)
WEAKNESS: Defense, plus best player (Vampire) injury prone
STRENGTH: Two “8” passers in lineup…a first.
THE SKINNY: Can never count out Stampede, especially if Ginger Vampire stays healthy. Addition of Noma pushes a 16.5 ppg scorer, Bob Kittle to the bench. Better team than last season’s runner-up squad.


Sacramento River Dogs
PREDICTED FINISH: Fourth
SEASON 40 RECORD AND FINISH: Last, 4-6
MOST RECENT PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: Season 34
ROSTER TURNOVER: 30 percent
BIGGEST LOSSES: None
BIGGEST ADDITIONS: G- Con Gusto (rookie)
WEAKNESS: Scoring…last in league at 67.8 per game, Defense
STRENGTH: Strong front line of Ryan Sherwood, Bill Cull, Tree Fiddy
THE SKINNY: Injuries to Fiddy (3 games) and Cull (5 games) derailed the R-Dogs last season. Rookie point guard Con Gusto adds size and D.


Los Angeles Big One
PREDICTED FINISH: Last
SEASON 40 RECORD AND FINISH: Fourth, 5-5
MOST RECENT PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: Season 36
ROSTER TURNOVER: 30 percent
BIGGEST LOSSES: F-Pap Smearz, G-Akbar Zagobia
BIGGEST ADDITIONS: G-Bingo Bango (rookie)
WEAKNESS: Scoring and Defense
STRENGTH: Bench offense from Bango, Guy Clark, Faku Sosume
THE SKINNY: Lost team MVP Smearz and Hrundi Bakshi looking old.



THE EAST

Charleston Mountaineers
PREDICTED FINISH: First
SEASON 40 RECORD AND FINISH: First, 7-3 (0-2)
MOST RECENT PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: Season 40
ROSTER TURNOVER: 30 percent
BIGGEST LOSSES: Substitute guard Mel A. Noma
BIGGEST ADDITIONS: League MVP G-Naf Naf, F-WaWa Wewa (rookie)
WEAKNESS: Rebounding
STRENGTH: All stars at every position, bench could field good team.
THE SKINNY: A threat to go 10-0. Favorite to win it all. Don’t know if they’ll hit the 100 mark 7 times like last season’s Lariats, but they should be every bit as dominant. Have three favorites to earn All-MBA in starting lineup (Naf Naf, J.J. Gargantuan, B. Quiet) and two-time playoff MVP Beezow Bop-Bop. Forward Pietro Destroyer beyond solid.


Chicago Gale
PREDICTED FINISH: Second
SEASON 40 RECORD AND FINISH: Last, 3-7
MOST RECENT PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: Season 38
ROSTER TURNOVER: 50 percent (tied for highest in league)
BIGGEST LOSSES: None
BIGGEST ADDITIONS: Rookies G- Norman Conquest, F-Santo Thomas
WEAKNESS: Still scoring, worst in East last year at 68.6
STRENGTH: Defense, best in East last season, got better.
THE SKINNY: Revamped lineup is MBA’s youngest overall and could make the jump from last to playoffs in weaker of the two divisions. Then again, they could also finish last and it would be no surprise. Success of season rests in hands of two rookie starters.

Dallas Demons
PREDICTED FINISH: Third
SEASON 40 RECORD AND FINISH: Fourth, 4-6
MOST RECENT PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: Season 39
ROSTER TURNOVER: 50 percent (tied for highest in league)
BIGGEST LOSSES: F-Sven Marquardt
BIGGEST ADDITIONS: Entire bench is new, stronger.
WEAKNESS: MBA’s oldest starting lineup.
STRENGTH: Powerful rebounding bunch.
THE SKINNY: After rough debut in the East, Dallas still has the old horses to make a playoff bid. They’ll need big years from veteran center Naceg Gecan and 15-season forward Gulemon Mon-Mon.


Philadelphia Phobia
PREDICTED FINISH: Fourth
SEASON 40 RECORD AND FINISH: Third, 4-6
MOST RECENT PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: Season 38
ROSTER TURNOVER: 50 percent (tied for highest in league)
BIGGEST LOSSES: G-Achtu Meinlieber, F-Buck Naked (both retired)
BIGGEST ADDITIONS: G-Brownie McShytles (rookie)
WEAKNESS: New starting forwards Ape Con Myth and Poodles Jackson
STRENGTH: Point guard Colquitt Croix and center Diss Reflexia
THE SKINNY: Youngest starting lineup in the MBA has three untested newcomers. If they pan out, playoffs. But it's a big IF.


Milwaukee Greyhounds
PREDICTED FINISH: Last
SEASON 40 RECORD AND FINISH: Second, 5-5 (0-2)
MOST RECENT PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: Season 40
ROSTER TURNOVER: 30 percent
BIGGEST LOSSES: Second-leading scorer G- Simon Barsinister (15.5)
BIGGEST ADDITIONS: Backup rookie center Dobby Squatpump
WEAKNESS: Scoring, Defense, Bench
STRENGTH: Forwards Baba Brinkman and Danke Shame
THE SKINNY: Got zero help in draft, lost starter, three others got worse.


PRE-SEASON AWARD PREDICTIONS

All MBA
Guard—Naf Naf, Charleston
Guard—Colquitt Croix, Philadelphia
Center—J.J. Gargantuan, Charleston
Forward—Pap Smearz, Oklahoma City
Forward—B. Quiet, Charleston

League MVP
Guard--Naf Naf, Charleston

Rookie of the Year
Guard -- Brownie McShytles, Philadelphia*

• The top three rated rookies prior to the draft all landed on teams where they are blocked from the starting lineup and will start their careers on the bench.


HALL OF FAME WATCH (Players entering Season 41 with 5 or more awards on their card)
Ten needed for Hall of Fame (Six awards possible for a rookie in any one year…five for all others)

ACTIVE HALL OF FAMERS
Hrundi V. Bakshi, 13th season guard, Los Angeles (19 awards)
Max Payne, 16th season center, Oklahoma City (17 awards)
Naf Naf, 5th season guard, Charleston (15 awards)

Seven
B. Quiet, 7th season forward, Charleston
Gulemon Mon-Mon, 15th season forward Dallas
Yipeekayee Masterfalcon, 7th season guard, Oklahoma City

Six
Naceg Gecan, 7th season center, Dallas
Diss Reflexia, 6th season center, Philadelphia
Beezow Doo-Doo Zopitty Bop Bop-Bop, 8th season guard, Charleston
Walt White, 12th season guard, Charleston
Pippi Pippistrelli, 4th season center, San Jose
Ginger Vampire, 10th season guard, Seattle

Five
J.J. Gargantuan, 4th season, center, Charleston
Vic Hitler, 5th season forward, Los Angeles


NEXT UP: LET THE GAMES BEGIN--1ST BRACKET
Los Angeles at San Jose
Oklahoma City at Sacramento
Dallas at Milwaukee
Chicago at Charleston
Seattle at Philadelphia

MBA REBOOT....SEASON 41

NAF NAF LEAVES OKLAHOMA CITY; JOINS CHARLESTON
Tyler and his franchises whooped for joy when it was determined that the league's top player, Hall of Famer Naf Naf, was leaving the championship Oklahoma City Lariats. But a couple of hours later, that glee turned sour when the league's next-most dominant team, Charleston, claimed Naf Naf in the draft.

FREE AGENTS NUMBER 14
Defending champ Oklahoma City was stunned by free agency, losing Naf Naf, but Dallas and Los Angeles each lost the services of top-notch forwards, with the Big One losing Pap Smearz and Sven Marquardt departing from the Demons.




THE DRAFT
Following the making of a solid rookie crop and the announcement of free agents, these were the Most Valued Players of the 30 in the Season 41 MBA draft.

GREAT
Guard Naf Naf (HOF)
Forward Pap Smearz
Forward Sven Marquardt
Forward Doo-Rag Dripp (rookie)
Guard Bingo Bango (rookie)
Forward Wawa Wewa (rookie)

GOOD (in no particular order)
Guard Con Gusto (rookie)
Center Carga Larga (rookie)
Guard Walt White
Guard Norman Conquest (rookie)
Guard Brownie McShytles (rookie)
Guard Meat Pants Masterson (rookie)
Forward Poodle "Stix" Jackson (rookie)
Guard Mel A. Noma
Center Steve "Drunk Uncle" Bromberger
Guard Lapiz Lapiz Boligrafo


NOTE: It's Dobby, not Dooby Squatpump for Milwaukee. Dobby is very particular about that.

CHARLESTON, SAN JOSE HAVE BEST DRAFTS
CHARLESTON: The East champs were disappointed to get knocked out of the playoffs in the semis by Seattle, but came back with a vengeance by securing the services of Hall of Famer Naf Naf, making them the instant favorites for Season 41. They also grabbed one of the top rookie forwards in Wawa Wewa and longtime MBA guard Walt White who can provide instant punch off the bench.
SAN JOSE: Two of their picks were among the top six players in the draft. They snagged veteran forward Sven Marquardt and one of the top rookies, forward Doo-Rag Dripp.

WORST DRAFT BELONGS TO MILWAUKEE
While virtually every other team in the MBA secured at least one player in the Great or Good category, Milwaukee came up empty in that regard.











IMPROVEMENTS/DEPROVEMENTS
BEST IMPROVEMENTS
--Chicago guard Amazing Pelton Crane added a block on 5 while improving his free throwing.
--Dallas' veteran center Naceg Gecan got tougher against the pass and improved his dribbling.
--San Jose bench forward Ape Con Myth got appreciably better on his short shot, against the pass and dribble and on the offensive boards, was cut anyway, then picked up by Philadelphia where he will start for the first time in his career.
--Second-year guard Akbar Zagobia, acquired by Oklahoma City from Los Angeles in a trade, strengthened his already-strong defensive rebounding by two numbers.
--Star forward Pap Smearz, also picked up by Oklahoma City in the draft, added a good on 10 from medium, the area in which he has the highest tendency to shoot.

MOST NOTEWORTHY DECLINES
-- Hall of Fame guard Hrundi V. Bakshi of Los Angeles, one of the top 3-point shooters of all time, lost his 3-point tendency. He may find himself on the bench in favor of rookie Bingo Bango, who can hit the three with frequency.
-- Hall of Fame center Max Payne of Oklahoma City, the most honored center of all time, lost a block in a sweet spot, lost a point against the dribble and got worse in both passing and dribbling. He was a league leader in blocks and steals last season.
-- Chicago's most valuable player, forward Reckless Abandon, lost a "good" on 7 down low.
-- Forward Sven Marquard, now of San Jose, lost a denied shot on 8.
-- Point guard Baskets Weaver of Milwaukee, one of the league's top assist men, lost a point off his passing ability.
-- Steady Milwaukee forward Danke Shame got worse in defensive rebounding and in passing.
-- Milwaukee center Ugatta Noluvfer Spikie added a foul on 9 and lost a defensive rebounding point. The foul hurts.

JUST ONE TRADE, BUT KIND OF NOTEWORTHY
Oklahoma City traded backup center Yo Noid to Los Angeles for second-year guard Akbar Zagobia. The improved Noid will start for The Big One, and Zagobia, a 6-4 top-flight defender and rebounder, slides right into the defending champions' starting lineup.


THE SKINNY ON THE ROOKIES, CLASS OF SEASON 41
Nobody truly spectacular in this 16-man group, but three are outstanding and at least 6 more are very good. Actually, there is not one bum in the lot, supported by the fact that for the first time in MBA history, not one rookie ended up in the cut pile and 7 of the 16 will be starters.
Because even some of the top rookies are blocked from the starting lineup by an overflow of talent, the Rookie of the Year race will be wide open.

Here is this reporter's ranking of the rooks. Jesse, however, is not sure about Bango's high rank.
1. Doo-Rag Dripp, 6-7 forward, San Jose -- Accurate as hell from short and low, good defender, rebounder.
2. Bingo Bango, 6-4 sharp-shooting guard, Los Angeles -- Arrives just in time to replace Hall of Famer Bakshi.
3. Wawa Wewa, 6-7 forward, Charleston -- Superb defender, great passer, wonderful shooter but doesn't shoot a lot.
4. Norman Conquest, 6-2 guard, Chicago -- Great ball-handler, maybe best guard defender in league. But can he score?
5. Brownie McShytles, 6-1 guard, Philadelphia -- Can't hit the trey, but deadly from medium and short. Decent D.
6. Poodle "Stix" Jackson, 6-7 forward, Philadelphia -- Good rebounder, solid defender, questionable scorer down low.
7. Santo Thomas, 6-7 forward, Chicago -- Weak rebounder, OK defender who should be a solid scorer for the Gale.
8. Con Gusto, 6-4 guard, Sacramento -- Good size, passer, defender and shooter. Fouls too much. Will start at point.
9. Carga Larga, 6-11 center, Seattle -- Fell into Stampede's lap in cut draft. Good on boards and shooting. Fouls.
10.Meat Pants Masterson, 5-11 guard, Dallas -- Diminutive guard should provide scoring punch off the pines.
11.Dobby Squatpump, 7-0 center, Milwaukee -- Big man will be solid back-up with solid rebounding and defense.
12.Bougainvillea "Bush Man" Hedge, 6-8 forward, Chicago -- Will never be a star, but not too shabby for a sub.
13.Faku Sosume, 6-7 forward, Los Angeles -- Killer shot from medium on in, but will foul you 31 percent of the time.
14.Al A. Orden, 6-8 forward, Dallas -- Good around the bucket but likes to take the 3-pointer...which he can't hit.
15.Cat Timol, 5-10 guard, Dallas -- Smallest rookie plays bigger, ball-handles well, can shoot the medium shot.
16.Enrico "Little Rico" Bendello, 6-10 center, Philadelphia -- Nothing spectacular, but pretty damn good for No. 16.


THE SEASON 41 SCHEDULE



NEXT UP; BREAKING DOWN THE TEAMS AND PREDICTIONS

All Time Playoff Leaders in Total Games and Total Points

PLAYOFF LEADERS ALL TIME THROUGH SEASON 40

GAMES PLAYED
49 Ed Masterson
Tug Hershorts

44 Raisin Sport

43 Cam Bodia
Max Payne (new to list after Season 40) (Still Active)

42 Momadou Zongo

41 Boone Doggle
Funsy Van Slochum

40 Slats Southpaw

39 Shucks Oyster
Sagittal Occlusal

38 Lemon Jell-o
Stu Nod
Oscar Mudcat

37 Dan Mann
Uncle Bob Masterson

POINTS SCORED
768-Dan Mann
650-Uncle Bob Masterson
599-Momadou Zongo
599-Sagittal Occlusal
579-Boone Doggle
520-Max Payne (new to list after Season 40)(Still Active)
511-Doc Watson
509-Cam Bodia
505-Joey Two-Tones
501-T.Kanes Masterson
489-Cappy Gambol

ALL-TIME SCORERS UPDATE AFTER SEASON 40 PRIOR TO SEASON 41

ALL TIME SCORERS THROUGH SEASON 40

1. Mamadou Zongo 2,606 points 15.7 ppg 17 Seasons

2. Ching-Chong Chung 2,016 points 16.8 ppg 12 Seasons

3. Hrundi V. Bakshi 1,906 points 16.7 ppg 12 Seasons STILL ACTIVE (moved up from 5th after Season 40)

4. Doug Fresh 1,904 points 13.3 ppg 15 Seasons

5. Uncle Bob Masterson 1,872 points 19.1 ppg 10 Seasons

6. Max Payne 1,572 points 11.8 ppg 15 Seasons STILL ACTIVE (moved up from 17th after Season 40)

7. Motts Biondi 1,548 points 10.6 ppg 15 Seasons

8. Funsy Van Slochum 1,542 points 9.9 ppg 16 Seasons

9. Dan Mann 1,539 points 17.1 ppg 9 Seasons

10. Doc Watson 1,521 points 16.9 ppg 9 Seasons

11. Achilles Heel 1,499 points 10.2 ppg 18 Seasons

12. Curly Hogbottom 1,494 points 16.6 ppg 9 Seasons

13. Kip Robinson 1,483 points 10.3 ppg 15 Seasons

14. Rip Slamjam 1,482 points 10.9 ppg 15 Seasons

15. Tommy Zoop 1,456 points 20.8 ppg 7 Seasons

16. Mable Reed 1,455 points 14.7 ppg 11 Seasons

17. Benny Gumm 1,452 points 11.9 ppg 13 Seasons

18. Boone Doggle 1,413 points 15.7 ppg 9 Seasons

Four of the Top 18 scorers are not in the Hall of Fame...Biondi...Van Slochum...Heel and Robinson