The Mastersons...updated

 

THE MASTERSONS published 12/29/18…updated 4/1/21…updated 7/29/21

Here is the all-time starting lineup for players with the last name Masterson in the Masterson Basketball Association.

Guard -- Uncle Bob Masterson (the only Hall of Fame Masterson player)
Guard -- T. Kanes Masterson
Center -- Tyler Masterson
Forward -- Codge Masterson
Forward – Tiger Masterson
The selection is based on awards won in their careers. There is no doubt the guards are the best two Masterson's at the position, and when looking at the forwards, Codge is clearly the best there. Tiger Masterson’s late-career surge with Dallas gets him into the starting Masterson lineup, replacing  Ed Masterson.
But the center position, with Tyler Masterson, remains a bit of a default. In the history of the league there has only been three Masterson centers, (see Updating section) the others being Joseph "Pete" Masterson and Leo Masterson. Tyler earned the center spot on the All-Masterson team by hitching his wagon to the Philadelphia star. He never started in an MBA game, but has 3 championship rings thanks to Phobia dominance in the earliest days of the league.

UPDATING THE MASTERSONS since last posted

A forgotten Masterson…Leo Masterson…was recently “discovered” in the 7^th Tier. Leo “played” center Seasons 30 through 35, spending all but one brief trip to the MBA in the cut pile. He was with Dallas to start Season 34, but was returned to the cut pile after failing to get into a game. He’s the third Masterson center ever. And the worst. 

Dallas guard Meat Pants Masterson moved past two more Mastersons (Dave and Tyler, no less) on this MBA GVP list in Season 48, adding his second All Star Game appearance. That’s as far as he goes since he has now retired. 

 

With the retirement of Meat Pants and Goodbar “Muddy” Masterson, that means only Mortimer Masterson is left as an active player. And he sucks.

 

Here's how the list looks after Season 48.

 

1. G- Uncle Bob Masterson...21 awards...Hall of Fame

 

2. F- Codge Masterson...7 awards

 

3. G- T.Kanes Masterson ...6 awards

 

4. G- Streetcar Johnny Masterson...5 awards

 

5. F- Tiger Masterson...4 awards

 

5. G- Meat Pants Masterson...4 awards

 

7. G- Dave "Cheesepockets" Masterson...3 awards

 

7. C- Tyler Masterson ...3 awards

 

9. F- Ed Masterson...2 awards

 

9. F- Jim "Scumbag" Masterson...2 awards

 

9. F- Goodbar "Muddy" Masterson...2 awards

 

12. C- Joseph "Pete" Masterson...1 award

 

12. G- Johnny Boy Masterson...1 award

 

12. G- California Dan Masterson ... 1 award

 

12. G- Uncle Dan Masterson...1 award

 

16. G- Gerald Masterson...0 awards

 

16. F- Bat Masterson...0 awards

 

16. C- Leo Masterson…0 awards

 

16. F- Mortimer Masterson...0 awards (still active)

 

SCORING RECORDS BY TEAM thru Season 48

 

SCORING RECORDS BY TEAM

 

OKLAHOMA CITY

Tommy Zoop, 50 in one game, Season 24

Naf Naf, 28.3 for season, Season 40

 

MILWAUKEE

Horn E. Goatweed, 49 in one game, Season 24

Hrundi V. Bakshi, 23.7 for season, Season 29

 

CHICAGO

Soul Duran, 44 in one game, Season 7

Tommy Zoop, 22.5 for season, Season 21

 

SAN JOSE

Funsy VanSlochum, 42 in one game, Season 26

Johnny Fartpants, 19.6 for season, Season 11

 

PHILADELPHIA PHOBIA

Uncle Bob Masterson, 41 in one game, Season 11

Cheetos Jones, 26.0 for season, Season 31

 

LOS ANGELES (PREVIOUSLY HOUSTON)

Ching-Chong Chung, 41 in one game, Season 31

Dr. Marcus Brody, 22.8 for season, Season 47

 

DALLAS

Shooter Flatch, 40 in one game, Season 20

Joey Two-Tones, 21.5 for season, Season 23

 

CHARLESTON

Naf Naf, 42 in one game, Season 41

Naf Naf, 25.3 for season, Season 42

 

SEATTLE

M.E. “Lou” Harris, 39 in one game, Season 15

M.E. “Lou” Harris, 20.2 for season, Season 15

 

SACRAMENTO

Tree Fiddy, 35 in one game, Season 44

Cheetos Jones, 22.6 for season, Season 29

 

GILLETTE (PREVIOUSLY KANSAS CITY)

Nobody has scored 30 in one game

Freddy Chepuzzo, 14.8 for season, Season 46

 

 

TOP ALL-TIME SCORING SEASONS BY INDIVIDUALS IN MBA HISTORY

 

Top all-time scoring seasons

1. NAF NAF, guard, Oklahoma City, Season 40…28.3 ppg (on list 6 times)

2. NAF NAF, guard, Oklahoma City, Season 38…26.4 ppg

3. CHEETOS JONES, guard, Philadelphia, Season 31…26.0 ppg (only player besides Naf on list more than once)

4. NAF NAF, guard, Charleston, Season 42…25.3 ppg

5. TOMMY ZOOP, guard, Oklahoma City, Season 24…25.2 ppg

6. MARSHALL STAX, forward, Oklahoma City, Season 10…24.4 ppg (only forward on the list) (oldest season on list)

7. HRUNDI V. BAKSHI, guard, Milwaukee, Season 29…23.7 ppg

8. HORN E. GOATWEED, guard, Milwaukee, Season 24…23.5 ppg (one of two non-Hall of Fame players on list)

9. NAF NAF, guard, Charleston, Season 41…23.4 ppg

10. NAF NAF, guard, Oklahoma City, Season 39…23.2 ppg

11. UNCLE BOB MASTERSON, guard, Philadelphia, Season 13…23.0 ppg

12. NAF NAF, guard, Oklahoma City, Season 37…22.9 ppg

13. DR. MARCUS BRODY, guard, Los Angeles, Season 47…22.8 ppg (one of two non-Hall of Famers on list) (most recent addition to list)

14. CHEETOS JONES, guard, Sacramento, Season 29…22.6 ppg

 

Their Place in the MBA Universe...after Season 48

 

Season 48 Playoffs Summary

PLAYOFF NOTES

Doo-rag Dripp is the first Sacramento player to win a Playoff MVP award. The only other River Dog to win an MVP was current head coach Frankie Pantangeli, who captured the regular season MVP in Season 15.

Tree Fiddy of Sacramento joins just 4 centers who have led the playoffs in scoring, with Fiddy's 18.3 average topping the quartet. The others are Jonny Cockaroo (Season 18 with Philadelphia), Ama Spikie (Season 31 with Philadelphia) and J.J. Gargantuan (Season 39 with Charleston).

Tree Fiddy of Sacramento finished second in the regular season MVP voting and second in the playoff MVP voting.

 

Season 48 Finals Game 5...Milwaukee at Sacramento

 

RIVER DOGS FIGHT SONG

 

The R-Dogs,

The R-Dogs,

Everybody loves the R-Dogs!

 

The R-Dogs,

The R-Dogs,

The Greatest Team Around!

 

They Might, Just, Never be Good

But We Don't Care

Give That Dog A Bone

 

They Are the ONLY TEAM for US

The Greatest Team Ara-ounnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd!

Sacramento 76, Milwaukee 52

R-DOGS GET THEIR BONE

SACRAMENTO -- Showing the balanced attack and tenacious defense that has earned them the sobriquet "The Beautiful Team," the Sacramento River Dogs put away the stubborn challengers from Milwaukee early and coasted to the second championship in franchise history by a 76-52 score.

The Slaugter Rule was once again put into effect in this game, marking the fourth time in the R-Dogs' five post-season wins that they so dominated their opponents.

All five starters were in double figures, with each receiving a long standing ovation with the home crowd chanting "River Dogs, River Dogs, Ruff Ruff!" over and over. 

Down 12 points after the first quarter and at the half, the visiting Greyhounds came within 4 points of the lead in the third quarter before Sacramento began methodically applying defensive pressure and expanding the advantage to 17 entering the fourth. 

"Milwaukee will be back," predicted River Dogs head coach Frankie Pantangeli. "They lose nobody to retirement while we have to replace Potus Obama, our team MVP."

This is the second title for Sacramento, which won it all in Season 44 with four of the same five starters that they featured this season. They have been in four of the last five MBA Finals with basically the same crew, losing forward Pap Smearz after last season and replacing him with James "Cherry  Challenge" Payne. 

POINTS PREVENTED BY QUARTER

Milwaukee...2...2...0...4   Total=8

Sacramento..6...4...4...2   Total=16

TOP PLAYERS POINTS PREVENTED

1. James "Cherry Challenge" Payne, Sacramento 6

1. Lannigan Lord Hobo, Milwaukee.....................6

3. Potus Obama, Sacramento ................................4

3. Tree Fiddy, Sacramento......................................4

PLAYER OF THE GAME

It's only fitting that the Player of the Game in this title-clinching contest go to the index card that has meant so much to the franchise of the saluting pirate dog, Potus Obama, who bowed out in style. Obama, the 7-season defensive genius, absolutely suffocated the MBA MVP, Lannigan Lord Hobo in the Finals, holding him to a total of 37 points in five games (a 7.4 average) that basically removed him from Milwaukee's attack. In this game, Obama again dominated Hobo, holding him to 4 points and swiping the ball away a game-high 3 times. The 6-5 Obama also led everyone in blocked shots with 2, was among the game leaders with 4 points prevented and tied for team-high in assists with 4. He followed his game-high 26-point effort of Game 4 with 14 points in this clincher, going 7 for 12 from the floor to bring his outstanding career to a marvelous conclusion. 

Other 20-plus GVP performers

-- The other half of the MBA's best guard tandem, Great Gruncle Terry of Sacramento, put aside his usual assists game to concentrate on scoring in this championship tilt. Terry came through big time with a game-high 18 points, his best scoring effort of the playoffs, while his opposite, Fatty McButterpants could manage just 2. The 6-5 Terry also grabbed 3 boards and had 1 assist.

-- When they lost forward Pap Smearz to retirment, his replacement James "Cherry Challenge" Payne stepped into the breach and gave the River Dogs a different look with his passing and defense. In this game, the 6-7 Payne tied for most points prevented with 6, swiped 2 passes, blocked 1 shot, tied for team-high in assists with 4, grabbed 2 rebounds and scored 13 points.

-- Third-year small forward Wardy Joubert III remained excellent in this final contest, leading his team in scoring with 16 poiints and tying for team-high in rebounds with 4. He was by far the best playoff performer for Milwaukee throughout the post-season.

NEXT UP: Stats and the awarding of the Season 48 Playoff MVP

Season 48 MBA Finals Game 4...Sacramento at Milwaukee

Milwaukee 78, Sacramento 77

GREYHOUNDS FORCE GAME 5

MILWAUKEE -- A fourth-quarter shoot-out replete with a bevy of tremendous offensive plays came down to a defensive steal, breakaway and dunk by Player of the Game Sabado Gigante of Milwaukee. The center's heroics came with 7 time units left in the game and his team leading 76-75. Sacramento managed an open jump shot by Doo-rag Dripp at the horn, but with Wardy Joubert of Milwaukee wisely stepping away from Dripp to remove all chance of a foul, the Greyhounds walked away with a 78-77 victory, the closest of the Season 48 post-season.

That means that there will be a decisive Game 5 for the first time since Chicago beat Philadelphia in Season 38. The game will be played in Sacramento, which is good news for the R-Dogs, since all four wins in the Finals have come on the home court of the victors. The win by Milwaukee gave the Greyhounds an unbeaten season at home for the entire campaign.

Sacramento led by as many as 6 points on three occassions in the fourth quarter but could not shake the Greyhounds, who tied the game with 26 ticks left for the first of four times as the teams rambled down the stretch.

As one can see by the red ink used to mark the fourth quarter, both clubs were firing on all cylinders with Sacramento going 9 for 14 (2 for 2 from deep) and 5 for 5 from the foul line, while Milwaukee was 6 for 10 and 6 for 6 from the foul line.

Sacramento also led by 11 points at one time in the second quarter with two Milwaukee starters sitting, but the Greyhounds, led by Gigante, roared back to within 2 by halftime.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

After fouling out in two of the first three Finals games, SABADO GIGANTE of Milwaukee demonstrated how important it is for him to remain in the contest. The fifth-year center scored a team-high 23 points on 10 of 14 shooting, including 6 slam dunks and 3 for 3 from the foul line. He grabbed 3 rebounds, tied for game-high with 2 blocks, had 2 assists and registered that killer steal that gave his team the late lead it would not relinquish. This was his first POG of the playoffs this season.

Other 20-plus GVP performers

-- 10-year forward Ape Con Myth of Milwaukee scored 15 points, grabbed 5 boards and added 1 assist in the huge win.

-- Milwaukee forward Wardy Joubert has been brilliant throughout the season and he came through like gangbusters in the fourth quarter, where he scored 10 of his 14 points, causing James Payne of Sacramento to foul out with 50 ticks left. (Sacramento led by 6 at that point.) The 6-9 third-year man Joubert also grabbed a game-high 7 rebounds, adding 1 blocked shot and 1 assist.

-- Sacramento point guard Great Gruncle Terry the 7th triple-double of his career and the second of this post-season. He did so by dominating Fatty McButterpants with 14 points, another 9-assist game that was once more game-high and 5 rebounds, which were high on the team. He also tied Gigante for game-high in blocked shots with 2.

-- River Dogs shooting guard Potus Obama was outrageous in this game, especially in the fourth quarter when he scored 12 points on 5 of 7 shooting, including a trey that seemed to indicate a shift of momentum in Sacramento's favor. Obama was high scorer in the game with 26 points. He dominated league MVP Lannigan Lord Hobo with successful drives to the hole that have been missing up until now. He'll play one last game before bowing out of the MBA.

-- Hall of Fame center Tree Fiddy of Sacramento was outstanding again, scoring 20 points and tying for team lead in rebounds as he did bloody battle with Gigante of Milwaukee. Fiddy added 1 blocked shot.

 

Season 48 Finals Game 3...Milwaukee at Sacramento

 Sacramento 65, Milwaukee 56

DOGGED 'D' GRINDS UP GREYHOUNDS

SACRAMENTO -- Sacramento's No. 1 defense hounded Milwaukee relentlessly until the River Dog's offense finally came to life in the final quarter, leading to a hard-fought 65-56 win and a 2-1 lead in the Finals.

The R-Dogs, who held the Greyhounds to just 42 shots in the contest, are now one win away from the Season 48 title, which they can claim in Milwaukee in the next game.

It must be pointed out, however, that the Greyhounds have not lost a home game all season, compiling a 7-0 record there.

"This was far from an easy game," said Sacramento head coach Frankie Pantangeli, puffing on his victory cigar after the contest. "We couldn't score in the second and third quarters and finally got going once we started the offense with Terry controlling things."

Pantangeli admitted that he was thinking of replacing Obama in the lineup, as his poor shooting continued to hold down the Dogs. 

"But his defense on Hobo has been outstanding," said Frankie. "And he finally hit a few shots in the fourth.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

The greatest player in Sacramento history, Hall of Fame center TREE FIDDY, provided a vast majority of the River Dogs' offense in this win. The 6-8, 10-year man accounted for a game-high 26 points on 11 of 14 shooting...dominating Sabado Gigante, who fouled out in the process. Fiddy also was 4 for 6 from the foul line and pulled down 4 boards. The River Dogs went to him constantly in the fourth quarter, but it was his individual effort that resulted in a 3-point play on an offensive-rebound and putback that gave Sacramento the final stanza lead it never relinquished.

Other 20-plus GVP performers (none from Milwaukee)

-- Great Gruncle Terry was responsible for kicking the River Dogs offense into gear in the fourth quarter, as Sacramento scored 29 points, 10 more than they did in the second and third quarters combined. The point guard handed out a game-high 9 assists for the second game in a row, scored 8 points, grabbed 3 rebounds and blocked 1 shot while playing his usual brand of solid defense.

Season 48 Finals Game 2...Sacramento at Milwaukee

 Milwaukee 84, Sacramento 66

GREYHOUNDS TIE FINALS 1-1

MILWAUKEE -- Not so fast, there, Sacramento.

The Milwaukee Greyhounds reversed Game 1 roles with its canine opponents, lifting their collective back leg and using the visiting River Dogs as fire hydrants to mark their home court territory with an 84-66 victory.

The Finals series, which most had already conceded to the favored Sacramento squad, is now even at one game each, with each team having pounded their foe by 18 points.

It now goes back to Sacramento, where the River Dogs hope to use their No. 1 defense to cool off the 65.5 percent shooting that Milwaukee displayed in this one. 

Milwaukee, led by the MBA's Most Improved Player award winner, Wardy Joubert, could not be stopped, especially in the fourth quarter when they simply would not allow the River Dogs to make a serious run at the lead.

The Greyhounds, the No. 1 rebounding team in the MBA, controlled the boards again in this game to stay unbeaten on their home court in Season 48.

It was their first Finals win in Milwaukee since Season 32.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Milwaukee's best player in the Season 48 post-season has not been league MVP Lannigan Lord Hobo, but third-year forward WARDY JOUBERT III, who came into the game with a team-high 17-point playoff average and proceeded to knock down the only 30-point scoring game in this post-season. The 6-9 Joubert was unstoppable, especially in the first half, and the Greyhounds kept feeding him the ball to establish their 8-point halftime lead. Joubert scored 12 points in the first quarter, followed by 10 more in the second. He slowed down somewhat in the second half, but never totally cooled off. His 3-point bomb on the last time unit of the game gave him the magic total of 30. He was 12 for 21 from the floor (1 for 3 from deep) and 5 for 7 from the foul line. James Payne of Sacramento just could not guard him. Additionally, Joubert plulled down 4 rebounds, doled out 2 assists and had 1 steal. 

Other 20-plus GVP performers

-- Milwaukee point guard Fatty McButterpants is scoring less these days but enjoying it more. The 6-7 distributor passed out a team-high 7 assists while scoring 10 points and grabbing 4 boards in the big win. 

-- Milwaukee center Sabado Gigante played a solid game with 12 points, a team-high 2 steals, 1 assist and a 6-rebound effort that tied for game-high.

-- 10-year-man Ape Con Myth used his 6-10 frame to score 16 points, grab 2 boards, dish 2 helpers and snag 1 steal.

-- Can't pin this loss on Sacramento forward Doo-rag Dripp, who continued his blistering 20-point playoff average with another 20-point game, tops on his team. The 6-7 Drippster also tied for team-best in rebounds with 4, while coming up with a game-high 3 steals. He added 3 assists as well.

DID YOU KNOW? Going by combined GVP, these two Finals teams are among the leaders in the MBA in guard combo, forward combo and front line combo.

Guards

1. Sacramento, with Great Gruncle Terry and Potus Obama (45.0)

2. Milwaukee, with Fatty McButterpants and Lannigan Lord Hobo (44.2)

3. San Jose, with Jesse Shershot and Mister Methane (42.4)

4. Oklahoma City, with Handsy Joe Potatoe and Hurricane Furrwizard (40.9)

Forwards

1. Milwaukee, with Ape Con Myth and Wardy Joubert III (42.7)

2. Charleston, with Frog Morton and Muscle Shoals (42.4)

3. Seattle, with Charles Broccoli and Reed Lemur (41.2

4. Sacramento, with Doo-rag Dripp and James Payne (40.9)

Front Court (adding center to forwards total)

1. Milwaukee, adding Sabado Gigante with Myth and Joubert (64.5)

2. Sacramento, adding Tree Fiddy with Dripp and Payne (64.3)

3. Seattle, adding Willie Carry McCoffee to Broccoli and Lemur (61.4)

 

Season 48 Playoffs...Finals Game 1...Milwaukee at Sacramento

 

Sacramento 80, Milwaukee 62 (slaugher rule enforced)

R-DOGS GET RUFF WITH GREYHOUNDS

SACRAMENTO -- The Sacramento River Dogs dominated the Milwaukee Greyhounds in Game 1 of these MBA Finals, crushing the visitors 80-62 in the third consecutive slaughter-rule-enforced victory for the victors. 

The 1-2 scoring punch of Sacramento's Tree Fiddy and Doo-rag Dripp was again in evidence early and often, while the Greyhounds could muster just 6 points from league MVP Lannigan Lord Hobo and a meager 2 from center Sabado Gigante.

Milwaukee was in foul trouble early, with starters spending a lot of time on the bench, but the Greyhounds managed to stay within 9 points going into the fourth quarter. Then, as is their pattern, the River Dogs overwhelmed Milwaukee with defense and scoring in the fourth to go up 1-0 in this best of five championship series.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Star Sacramento forward DOO-RAG DRIPP dominated his taller opponent Ape Con Myth and for the third time (and second game in a row) earned Player of the Game honors in the playoffs. the 6-7 Dripp accounted for a game-high 22 points on 9 of 12 shooting (1 for 3 from deep) with a slam, while going 3 for 3 from the foul line. He also registered a game-high 2 steals, pulled down 3 boards, had 2 assists and blocked 1 shot.

Other 20-plus GVP performers (nobody from Milwaukee)

-- The league's top assist man, Great Gruncle Terry of Sacramento, dished a game-high 8 dimes from his point guard position, while scoring 8 points and tying for team-high in blocked shots with 3.

-- Sacramento's Hall of Fame center Tree Fiddy reached the 20-point mark in scoring for the third time in four playoff games this post season. He absolutely destroyed Sabado Gigante of Milwaukee, who could manage just 2 points. Fiddy tied for the team-best total in blocks with 3 and added 1 rebound and 1 assist.

NEXT UP: The teams travel to Milwaukee for Game 2...the first Finals played on the Greyhounds court since Season 32.

Season 48 playoffs...Semifinals game 3...Oklahoma City at Sacramento

Sacramento 91, Oklahoma City 64

R-DOGS ROMP TO THIRD STRAIGHT FINALS

SACRAMENTO -- It will be an all-canines Finals for the first time in MBA history as the Sacramento River Dogs punched their third consecutive championship series ticket with a slaughter-rule-enforced 91-64 win over the Oklahoma City Lariats. 

Awaiting them will be the Eastern Divsion champion Milwaukee Greyhounds. They have never met for the title.

This game was never really in doubt, and the Dog Pound faithful howled their approval throughout. The visiting Lariats again put the ball in the hands of their fine rookie Handsy Joe Potatoe, but, harassed by Great Gruncle Terry of Sacramento, Potatoe shot just 2 for 11 in the first half (0 for 7 from deep) and the home team had firm command of the game. 

After losing the first Semifinals game to Oklahoma City by three in a defensive tilt, the River Dogs righted the ship and administered two straight slaughter-rule whoopings to secure another chance at a championship. 

Sacramento has now advanced to the Finals four times in the past five seasons, winning in a 3-0 upset of Philadelphia in the first of those trips. They ran up against Chip Battoe and Dallas the last two seasons, but this year Coach Frankie Pantangeli's charges are the favorites against Milwaukee. 

PLAYER OF THE GAME

To say that Sacramento fan favorite DOO-RAG DRIPP dominated his man in this important win would be a massive understatement. The eight-season forward, who gained his second POG of the playoffs, not only posted game-high numbers in points (25) and rebounds (10), adding 1 steal; his opponent Entha Shortzone never even got off a shot in the entire contest. The 6-7 Dripp, playing power forward for the first time this season, was 12 for 18 from the floor, including a dunk, and 1 for 1 from the foul line. 

Other 20-plus GVP performers

-- Sacramento's Hall of Fame center Tree Fiddy followed up his 22-point game in the previous outing with a 23-point effort in this win. The 10-season star also grabbed 4 boards, had 3 assists and a tied for game-high in blocked shots with 2, despite going up against the always-tough Chochky Galumpkus.

-- Despite a horrendous first half in which he scored just 6 points, Rookie of the Year point guard Handsy Joe Potatoe of the Lariats and his volume shooting ended up doing in his defensive nemesis Great Gruncle Terry, who fouled out early in the fourth quarter, which helped Potatoe end up with a team-high 22 points that included 4 second-half treys. The 6-5 team MVP also pulled down 5 rebounds, had 2 assists and blocked 1 shot.

-- Third-year Oklahoma City center Chochky Galumpkus put up some good numbers in the losing effort against All-MBA center Tree Fiddy. The 7-1 Galumpkus scored 12 points, topped his team with 6 boards and tied for game-high in blocks with 2.

-- The steady play of Oklahoma City veteran forward Anurag Dickshit was again on display in this vital contest. Dickshit dominated his man to the tune of 20 points while snagging 5 boards, getting 1 steal and blocking 1 shot. 

NEXT UP: Game 1 of the Season 48 MBA Finals...Milwaukee Greyhounds at Sacramento River Dogs.

 

Season 48 playoffs...Semifinals Game 2...Milwaukee at Seattle

Milwaukee 84, Seattle 65

MILWAUKEE MAKES FINALS

SEATTLE -- One of the MBA's storied franchises, the Milwaukee Greyhounds, will finally return to the league Finals after an absence of 15 seasons. 

The Greyhounds, winners of the East Division, clinched its Finals berth by sweeping the Seattle Stampede in the Semifinals, the last game being a slaughter-rule contest in which they dominated 84-65.

The game was somewhat in doubt until the fourth quarter, when Milwaukee just blew the doors off a plucky Seattle squad.

The turning point for the franchise may have come last season when Milwaukee coach Fly Davia was replaced at the mid-point of the campaign by Hall of Famer Naf Naf. The new leader turned the 2-3 season around and the Greyhounds made the playoffs for the first time in 7 years, setting the stage for Season 48 success.

Milwaukee now awaits the winner of the other Semifinals series between Sacramento and Oklahoma City. The Greyhounds have the longest championship drought in the league, having last won the title in Season 18. Despite the 30 seasons without claiming ultimate victory, they still have the second-most championships in league history behind Philadelphia, with 7.

They also have the longest current winning streak with 7 consecutive wins going into the Finals.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Milwaukee's third-year forward WARDY JOUBERT III gave Seattle fans that deja vu feeling that has become so familiar to them. Like the many stars who began their career in Rain City, Joubert left after his rookie season, blossoming this campaign into the MBA's Most Improved Player. In the Semifinals against his old team, "Big Wood" was amazing. He led Milwaukee in scoring in its Game 1 triumph and ripped off the second triple-double of his career in the series clincher. The 6-9 Joubert feasted on Seattle substitute forward Oy Yoy-Yoy, who was forced into the starting lineup thanks to the injury to Stampede MVP Reed Lemur. Joubert tied for game-high in scoring with 20 points, yanked down a game-high 6 boards and dished a game-high 5 assists. He added a game-high 2 steals and a team-high 2 blocked shots to his ledger. He was 8 for 11 from the floor and 4 of 5 from the foul line. Seattle's faithful got to see why their team made him the first prime pick in the Season 46 draft...right in their collective face.

Other 20-plus GVP performers

-- League MVP Lannigan Lord Hobo of Milwaukee knocked in 17 points, grabbed 4 boards and doled out 3 assists from his guard spot for the victors.

-- Milwaukee center Sabado Gigante scored 16 points, had 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 blocked shot in the win.

-- Although he (amazingly) went yet another game without taking a trey, Seattle guard Potatoes O'Gratin was a bright spot in the loss with 16 points, a game-high 4 blocked shots for the second game in a row, a team-high (tied) 4 assists and 2 rebounds.

-- Seattle center Willie Carry McCoffee, whose defensive abilities helped elevate Oklahoma Cith and Seattle teams into post-season appearances, bowed out of his six-season career with an offensive flourish, tying for game-high scoring honors with 20 points. He added 2 rebounds and 1 assist.

NEXT UP: It's back to The Dog Pound as Oklahoma City tries to oust the favored River Dogs in the decisive third game of their Semifinals series.

 

Season 48 Playoffs...semifinals Game 2... Sacramento at Oklahoma City

Sacramento 89, Oklahoma City 72 (Slaughter rule game)

RIVER DOGS OVERWHELM LARIATS

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A fourth-quarter blitzkreig by the Sacramento River Dogs left a heroic scoring performance by Oklahoma City rookie Handsy Joe Potatoe in the dust, as the visitors warded off elimination with a convincing 89-72 road win.

The victory evened the series at one game each, sending the teams back to Sacramento for the decisive third game in this best of three Semifinals.

Unlike Game 1's low-scoring, defensive affair, these two squads traded healthy offensive exchanges, with the River Dogs unable to shake Oklahoma City for three quarters, thanks mainly to Potatoe's one-man barrage. But the fourth quarter was all R-Dogs, starting with a 4-point play on the opening time unit by Sacramento's Great Gruncle Terry. A 23-8 run then ensued, after which time the slaughter rule was enforced with 18 ticks left in the contest...both teams emptying their benches.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Proudly wearing his new Rookie of the Year laurel on his index card, Oklahoma City's HANDSY JOE POTATOE showed why he was the MBA's second-best scorer, rocking the River Dogs for a game-high 28 points. Eighteen of those points came in the first half, when the 6-5 point guard connected on 4 of his 5 3-pointers. After a horrendous Game 1 in which he scored just 3 points, Potatoe went 10 for 18 from the floor in this follow-up game, including 5 for 12 from deep. He was also 3 for 3 from the foul line, pulled down 3 rebounds and blocked 1 shot. It was clear that Oklahoma City coach Benny Gumm's strategy was to put the ball in Potatoe's hands and let him bomb away. He did so against the best defensive guard in the league, Great Gruncle Terry, sending Terry to the bench with frequent foul trouble and dominating him for the most part.\

Other 20-Plus GVP performers

-- Retiring shooting guard Potus Obama of Sacramento had his way with the much smaller Hurricane Furrwizard, scoring 16 points, grabbing 4 boards, registering 1 assist and swiping a game-high 2 steals.

-- All-MBA, Hall of Fame center Tree Fiddy of Sacramento led the way in scoring for the victors with 22 points while getting 4 rebounds and handing out 1 assist.

-- The POG from Game 1, Doo-rag Dripp of Sacramento contributed 15 points, led his team with 6 rebounds and added 1 assist.

-- Sacramento small forward James "Cherry Challenge" Payne held up his end with 12 points, a game-high 6 assists and 4 rebounds.

-- Veteran Oklahoma City forward Anurag Dickshit controlled the boards with a game-high 7 caroms, tied for team-high in assists with 3, blocked 1 shot and scored 9 points in the loss. 

NEXT UP: Milwaukee at Seattle, with the Greyhounds looking to finish off a scrappy Stampede squad that just lost its MVP to injury.

Season 48 playoffs Semifinals...Seattle at Milwaukee Game 1

MILWAUKEE 61, SEATTLE 59

GREYHOUNDS SQUEEZE BY STAMPEDE 

MILWAUKEE -- A game-tying short jumper by Seattle rookie Charles Broccoli rattled in, then out at the buzzer and the Milwaukee Greyhounds escaped with a playoff-opening 61-59 victory in this best of three semifinals.

The win puts Milwaukee a victory away from advancing to their first Finals since Season 32, some 16 campaigns ago.

This was the first Seattle playoff appearance in six seasons.

The path was made a bit easier for the Greyhounds in the fourth quarter, when Seattle forward Reed Lemur was injured with 66 time units remaining in the game. The Stampede led 43-40 at the time. It was later diagnosed that Lemur, who was the Seattle team MVP this season, will be lost for the remainder of the playoffs. (He rolled a 12...necessitating another roll to see if he was done for his career...another 12 was needed for that outcome, but he rolled a 10.)

What turned out to be the winning bucket, was scored by back-up Milwaukee center Taco Toosdae, whose down-low shot over Willie Carry McCoffee with 9 left gave his team a 4-point lead.

This was the second close loss this season suffered by Seattle at the hands of Milwaukee. They lost to them 64-63 in a cross-over game during the regular season when the Greyhounds were without the services of an injured Sabado Gigante.

Now Tyler will have to go to the cut pile to replace Lemur with another forward on the roster. Oy Yoy-Yoy will likely replace him in the starting lineup. Among the cut pile options are Sheik Yerbouti, Shag Bark, Nombre Oculto, Bemsha Swing, Jospah Gecan and Tootie Heathcliffe.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Fifth-year guard POTATOES O'GRATIN muscled his way to Player of the Game honors for losing Seattle. The 6-4 O'Gratin scored 13 points, grabbed a game-high 7 rebounds and blocked a game-high 4 shots. His fourth block came in the closing time units of the game against league MVP Lannigan Lord Hobo, negating a put-back bucket and giving the Stampede one last chance to tie or win the game. O'Gratin was 6 for 11 from the floor and 1 for 2 from the foul line. The MBA's top 3-point shooter did not attempt a shot beyond the arc. As a matter of fact, he hasn't taken a trey in his last four games. He also had 1 assist.

OTHER 20-PLUS GVP PERFORMERS

-- Milwaukee center Sabado Gigante fouled out with the game tied 55-55 and 27 time units remaining. Before doing so, the 6-9 veteran scored 13 points, grabbed 3 boards, dished 2 assists, had 1 steal and blocked 1 shot.

-- Third-year forward Wardy Joubert III of Milwaukee, the MBA's Most Improved Player winner, led all scorers with 17 points, topped his team in rebounds with 6 and added 1 assist as he dominated Seattle's small forwards.

-- Seattle's 6-10 rookie forward Charles Broccoli had a fine playoff debut, despite missing the short jumper that would have tied the game at the horn. Broccoli, who finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting, scored a team-high 15 points, including the bucket that brought his team within two points with 6 ticks left. He also snagged 5 rebounds and registered the team's lone steal. (His miss on the last shot came on the only number he could roll that was not a bucket...a 5).

NEXT UP: Playoff favorite Sacramento will fight for its life in an elimination game on the road against a red-hot Oklahoma City team.

Playoff notes: Both opening round games were defensive-minded barn-burners won by teams that failed to shoot as high as 50 percent.

Season 48 playoffs...Semifinals Game 1...Oklahoma City at Sacramento

 Oklahoma City 65, Sacramento 62

LARIATS SHOCK R-DOGS IN OPENER

SACRAMENTO -- Veteran Oklahoma City forward Anurag Dickshit, blocked a "good" short jump shot by Sacramento's James "Cherry Challenge" Payne at the 3 time unit mark that would have given the River Dogs a one-point lead. He was then fouled on a drive to the hoop as time ran out and made both foul shots on the way to a 65-62 Lariats win to kick off the Season 48 playoffs.

The game, tight throughout, saw 9 lead changes in the fourth quarter as Oklahoma City ended Sacramento's 7-game winning streak while extending its own winning streak to 7 games.

Missed free throws (3 for 9) turned out to be a huge part of the loss for Sacramento. Oklahoma City countered with an excellent day at the line (11 for 12). 

The Lariats stole the win despite Rookie of the Year Handsy Joe Potatoe going 0 for 11 from the floor (0 for 8 from deep). His agony was matched by the 1 for 9 shooting woes from Sacramento's Potus Obama.

The loss by Sacramento puts the playoff favorites in the unenviable position of facing elimination in their next contest.

POINTS PREVENTED BY QUARTER

Oklahoma City...0...6...2...2  Total=10

Sacramento .......9...0...6...2  Total=17

TOP PLAYERS POINTS PREVENTED

1. James Payne, Sacramento...6

2. Entha Shortzone, Oklahoma City 4

2. Potus Obama, Sacramento 4

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Drilling shot after shot in the fourth quarter, veteran Sacramento forward DOO-RAG DRIPP kept the West Division champs in contention in the back-and-forth contest. His team-high 19 points included a timely 3-pointer with 10 left in the game that brought the River Dogs within a point. The eight-year forward was 9 for 13 from the floor (1 for 2 from deep) including a dunk. The 6-7 Dripp pulled down 5 boards, tied for game-high in blocks with 2 and had 2 assists. He dominated Entha Shortzone of Oklahoma City. 

Other 20-plus GVP performers

-- Third-year Oklahoma City center Chochky Galumpkus was spectacular on the boards, swallowing a game-high 10 rebounds while scoring 13 points, blocking 1 shot and getting 1 assist in the big victory.

-- In addition to the clutch blocked shot near game's end, seven-year Oklahoma City forward Anurag Dickshit was high point man in the game with 20 while pulling down 6 boards, blocking that key shot and pretty much having his way with James Payne of Sacramento.

-- Sacramento's point guard supreme, Great Gruncle Terry started the playoffs with a triple-double, the sixth of his sensational career. The 6-5 Terry held the league's second-best scorer and Rookie of the Year Handsy Joe Potatoe to zero field goals and just 3 total points while scoring 12, grabbing 5 boards and dishing a game-high 6 assists. He added a steal and a blocked shot.

-- Tree Fiddy, the R-Dogs' Hall of Fame center and All-MBA pivot, had a battle royale with Galumpkus in the middle. Fiddy, now in his 10th season, scored 14 points, had a team-best 6 boards, blocked 1 shot and swiped 1 steal. 

NEXT UP: Defensive-minded Seattle (5-5) takes on East Division winner Milwaukee (8-2, 5-game winning streak) in the other Semifinal opener.