Season 53 Finals...Game 2...Dallas at Oklahoma City

OKLAHOMA CITY 86, DALLAS 72 (Series tied 1-1)

LARIATS GET EVEN

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Playing before a hyped up home crowd that had not seen a Finals game in seven seasons, the Oklahoma City Lariats roped, flipped and hog-tied the seemingly invincible Dallas Demons 86-72 to even this Finals series at one game each.

Oklahoma City got off to a smoking hot start, scoring 29 points in the first quarter to take a 12-point lead that they never gave up. Shooting 61.9 percent for the game, they led by 10 with 17 ticks remaining in the first quarter, then continued to up that advantage to as much as 25 points in the third quarter. 

The Lariats scored just 11 points in the fourth quarter, but it was more than enough to coast home with the triumph. The win put an end to the Demons' four-game winning streak.

Despite losing by 14, Dallas still shot a more-than-respectable 60 percent as a team.

Oklahoma City controlled the boards in this win, 21-11.

These two Finals teams have now split the four games they have played in Season 53. The Whiz Kids are still the favorites, but the championship round just got a hell of a lot more interesting. 

PLAYER OF THE GAME

28 GVP...Although his team came up on the short end of things, Dallas shooting guard JUZAN DJINN was the POG for the second time in as many Finals games. Djinn again led both clubs in scoring, putting up a 21-point effort in chich he was 8 for 13 from the floor (1 for 3 from deep) and 4 of 5 from the foul line. The stalwart defender again led in blocked shots with 6, adding 1 rebound for good measure. 

Other 20-plus GVP performers

27 GVP...Lariat's rookie power forward Phillip Mianus dominated Al A. Orden for the second game in a row, holding the Dallas veteran to just 4 points while scoring 17 himself. Mianus tied for team-high in blocked shots with 3, grabbed 5 boards and assisted 2 times.

25 GVP...Oklahoma City point guard King Czardines led the way in scoring for the Lariats with 20 points while tying for team-high in assists with 3. He added 2 rebounds.

24 GVP...The big 7-footer for Dallas, second-year man Biggus Dickus, had a fine offensive game with 18 poiints. He also grabbed 3 boards, blocked 1 shot, assisted 1 time and registered 1 steal.

23 GVP...His performance, good or bad, is a bit of a bellweather for the Lariats against a quality team like Dallas.  And six-year man Handsy Joe Potatoe, playing under control, scored 16 points despite the defense of Juzan Djinn, tied for team-high in assists with 3, grabbed 3 rebounds and blocked 1 shot. 

23 GVP...Dallas' All-MBA point guard Kopi Luwak splashed home five 3-pointers on the way to a 19-point game. He also contributed 3 assists and 1 rebound. 

21 GVP...Oklahoma City's 7-1 center Chochky Galumpkus gathered in a game-high 7 rebnounds, tied for team-high in blocked shots with 3, scored 10 points and had 1 assist in this major triumph. 

NEXT UP: Back to Dallas with the Finals series tied at one game each.

 

Season 53 Finals...Game 1...Oklahoma City at Dallas

GAME 1...DALLAS 82, OKLAHOMA CITY 76

DEMONS OUTLAST LARIATS 

DALLAS -- The defending champion Dallas Demons, behind a combined 52 points from its All-MBA guard combo, held off a plucky effort by the visiting Oklahoma City Lariats to win Game 1 of the Season 53 Finals 82-76.

The first Finals meeting between these two longtime members of the MBA was a close and spirited affair, which will now go back to Oklahoma City, where the Lariats hope to even things up in this best of five championship series.

Tempers were short in this one right from the start. Oklahoma City coach Grady Booch was hit with a technical foul early in the first quarter when he thought his center Chochky Galumpkus was manhandled by center Biggus Dickus of Dallas. Then, just after the horn went off to end the third quarter, Toilety T. Paper of Oklahoma City attempted to wipe the floor with Dickus, resulting in technical fouls for both players.

Dallas led 54-52 heading into a high-octane fourth quarter, kicking their impressive offense into gear, scoring 28 points. Oklahoma City gave a good account of itself as well, scoring 24. The biggest buckets by Dallas at crunch time came on back-to-back possessions, each overcoming defensive blocks by Oklahoma City. First was a slam dunk by league MVP Pete Marzano over the block of Buba Lipa, followed by a long 3-point swish by Juzan Djinn over the block of Handsy Joe Potatoe. 

The Lariats fired up an astonishing 68 shots, staying in the contest via a sheer number of attempts, as their shooting percentage was just 48.5.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

40 GVP...Last season's Playoff MVP JUZANN DJINN of Dallas is looking to repeat that title again. He came into the Finals as the top scorer, averaging 20.5 per game and proceeded to destroy the hopes of a Lariats' upset with a 30-point performance. The fourth-year star thwarted shot after shot by his man, Handsy Joe Potatoe, ending with a game-high 5 blocked shots. The 6-2 guard added 3 rebounds and 2 assists, going 11 for 16 from the floor and potting 3 of 5 long-range treys. 

Other 20-plus GVP performers

30 GVP...Djinn's All-MBA running mate, Kopi Luwak was second in the game in scoring with a 22-point effort that included a trio of treys. The second-year, 6-2  guard also tied for game-high in rebounds with 6 and assisted 2 times. 

27 GVP...Second-year All-MBA forward Pete Marzano dominated his man Buba Lipa, scoring 15 po9ints, blocking 4 shots, tying for game-high in rebounds with 6, assisting 1 and stealing 1. 

27 GVP...Despite sitting for 49 time units in the third quarter from a forced rest, Oklahoma City rookie forward Phillip Mianus put together some fine stats, scoring a team-high 21 points, blocking a team-high 3 shots, grabbing 2 boards and handing out 1 assist.

21 GVP...Dallas' 7-foot center Biggus Dickus continues to contribute mightily to Demons victories. In this one he used his fine passing skills to hand out a game-high 5 assists. He scored 11 points, grabbed 3 boards and blocked 2 shots.

21 GVP...Oklahoma City's excellent point guard King Czardines scored 13 points, passed out a team-high 4 assists, grabbed 3 rebounds and added 1 steal in the loss. 

 

Season 53 Playoffs...Semifinals Game 2...Gillette at Oklahoma City

 OKLAHOMA CITY 90, GILLETTE 62

LARIATS TO FINALS IN STYLE

OKLAHOMA CITY -- With its fans shouting "We want Dallas!" as early as the third quarter, the Oklahoma City Lariats destroyed the Gillette Humps 90-62 and will now face the Whiz Kids of Dallas in the Season 53 Finals. 

This marks the first time the Lariats have made it to the Finals since they completed back-to-back championships in Seasons 40 and 41 twelve seasons ago. It's also the first time they have made it to the Finals since moving from the West Divsion to the East Division in Season 48.

This marks the second year in a row the Finals will feature two teams from the East. 

It will also be the first time in MBA history that Dallas and Oklahoma City will square off for the MBA championship.

The teams met twice during the regular season, each winning once. Dallas pounded the Lariats 100-68 behind the POG of Juzan Djinn; the only 100-point game of the regular season. But Oklahoma City turned around and dealt the Demons one of its two regular season losses, nipping them 63-62 as co-POGs King Czardines of Oklahoma City and Kopi Luwak of Dallas powered their respective clubs.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

29 GVP...Earning his second POG of the playoffs in as many games, Oklahoma City point guard KING CZARDINES registered a game-high 25 points in this Semis clincher, going 10 for 15 from the floor, including dropping in 4 bombs in 6 attempts. He was also 1 for 2 at the foul line, assisted 2 times and came up with 1 steal. The fourth-year guard will again go up against All-MBA, league-leading scorer Kopi Luwak in the upcoming finals which should be a doozy of a duel.

Other 20-plus GVP performers

23 GVP...Nearly matching Czardines point for point, Gillette's second-year point guard Joey "Joe-Joe" Shamadu, Jr. was brilliant in defeat, leading his team in scoring with 21 points, hitting on 5 of 9 shots from beyond the arc. He added 1 rebound and 1 assist.

22 GVP...Oklahoma City's rookie power forward Phillip Mianus demonstrated why he led the league in blocked shots, swatting away a game-high 5 Gillette attempts while scoring 14 poinits. He added 2 rebounds and 1 steal.

22 GVP...The other Lariats' forward, Buba Lipa, contributed 16 points, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks and 1 assist to the winning effort.

20 GVP...Billy "Be-bop" Bauer of Gillette pulled down a game-high 6 rebounds from his forward position, blocked a team-high 4 shots and scored 10 points.

NEXT UP: Oklahoma City travels to Dallas for Game 1 of the Season 53 MBA Finals, where the defending champion Demons are the decided favorites to repeat.

Season 53...Playoff Semifinals Game 2...Dallas at Seattle

 

DALLAS 89, SEATTLE 59

DEMONS HEAD TO FINALS

SEATTLE -- The defending champion Dallas Demons out-scored the Seattle Stampede 46-21 in the second half on the way to an easy, breezy 89-59 triumph, earning them a return trip to the MBA Finals.

Seattle, which shot a paltry 42.9 percent from the floor, thanks in large part to Dallas defense, was down by just 5 points at the half before the Demons put their game into another gear.

The Demons shot over 60 percent for the second game in a row, following a 63.3 effort with a 63.9 percent mark in this victory.

They now await the winner of the Oklahoma City vs. Gillette series to play for the championship.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

37 GVP -- League MVP during the regular season, second-year Dallas forward PETE "THE STEAKMAN" MARZANO put himself out there for the double-distinction Playoff MVP honor with this gem. The 6-8 Marzano absolutely destroyed his man, Doodly Squat, holding the top scorer of Seattle to just 8 points while tying for game-high scoring honors himself. Marzano scored 22 points on 10 of 12 shooting hitting from medium, short and low with equal aplomb. He added a couple of dunks and was 2 of 3 from the foul line. Additionally, the All-MBA forward pulled down a game-high 8 rebounds, tied for game-high with 3 blocked shots, handed out 3 assists and registered 1 steal. 

Other 20-plus GVP performers

32 GVP...Dallas superstar Juzan Djinn followed his Game 1 19-point effort with a game-high (tied) 22 points in this one, dominating Fuck Mountain in the process. The 6-2 shooting guard held Mountain to 5 measely points, grabbed 6 boards, tied for most blocked shots in the contest with 3 and assisted 1 time. 

24 GVP...Seattle power forward Frog Morton led his team in scoring in both playoff games, getting a team-high 17 in this one while grabbing 5 boards and handing out 2 assists.

23 GVP...The MBA's top scorer, Kopi Luwak of Dallas finished with 17 points in both playoff wins, draining 3 treys in this SemiFinals clincher. He led his team with 4 assists and pulled down 2 rebounds.

21 GVP...Seattle stalwart Sky Masterson managed 13 points and led his team with 7 caroms, adding 1 assist.

NEXT UP: Oklahoma City, playing at home, looks to dispose of Gillette and join Dallas for a predicted Finals appearance.

Below is the outstanding new MBA surface designed for tabletop play by Tyler Masterson and gifted to Dave Masterson for Christmas. Used for this game for the first time. The cubes of chance roll like a dream on this.

Season 53 Playoffs....Semifinals Game 1...Oklahoma City at Gillette

 OKLAHOMA CITY 74, GILLETTE 73

LARIATS BARELY GET OVER THE HUMPS

GILLETTE -- The first playoff game in Gillette Humps history was a stimulating thriller that ended with a gut-wrenching 74-73 loss before the hometown faithful.

Trailing by six early in the fourth quarter, Gillette took a two-point lead briefly down the stretch, before twice giving up the lead and then tying things up again.

They still had a chance in the waning moments when Mortimer Masterson of Oklahoma City missed a medium jumper, but the Lariats' Handsy Joe Potatoe grabbed the key offensive rebound. His shot with a time unit left was blocked by Lefty Scavenger of Gillette. A lucky fast break bucket could have won the game for the Humps, but it did not materialize.

The closeness of the contest was reminiscent of the double overtime gave between these two during the regular season, won by Gillette.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

28 GVP...Team MVP and second team All-MBA point guard KING CZARDINES of Oklahoma City captured POG honors with a 20-point performance that tied for game-high in the Lariats' win. The fourth-year star delivered two big treys in the fourth quarter, going 9 for 17 overall and 2 for 3 from deep. The league leader in assists dropped a team-high 5 dimes, stole 1 pass and grabbed a pair of rebounds in this, his first playoff game.

OTHER 20-PLUS GVP PERFORMERS

27 GVP...The Lariats' rookie power forward Phillip Mianus stuck it to his opposite, Billy Bauer, scoring 19 points to just 2 for Bauer. The 6-8 Mianus added 4 rebounds, 2 blocked shots, 1 assist and 1 steal to his clutch ledger.

27 GVP...Rookie of the Year and All-MBA center Blob Dylan of Gillette was outstanding in defeat, tying for game-high scoring honors with 20 points, blocking a game-high 3 shots and tying for team-high in rebounds with 4. 

25 GVP...Second-year Gillette point guard Joey "Joe-Joe" Shamadu scored most of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, keeping Humps fans on their camel toes. Runner-up in assists to Czardines this season, Shamadu handed out 5 helpers in this one while also pulling down 2 rebounds.

24 GVP...Gillette got a great game out of small forward LaJon Brames, who dominated his man Buba Lipa. Brames scored 14 points, tied for team-best with 4 rebounds, dished 4 assists, stole 1 and blocked 1 shot. 

22 GVP...Gillette guard Lefty Scavenger handed out a game-high 6 assists, scored 12 points, grabbed 2 boards, blocked 1 shot and stole 1. 

20 GVP...Two-time All-MBA center Chochky Galumpkus of Oklahoma City waged war all game with standout rookie Dylan, and acquitted himself nicely in the process. The 7-1, 8-season veteran grabbed a game-high 7 rebounds, scored 12 points and blocked 1 shot in the important win.

NEXT UP: Dallas travels to the great Northwest to off the Seattle Stampede.

Season 53 Playoffs...Semifinals Game 1 Seattle at Dallas

DALLAS 90, SEATTLE 75

WHIZ KIDS BEGIN TITLE DEFENSE WITH EASE

DALLAS -- The defending champion Dallas Demons toyed with the visiting Seattle Stampede before putting them away in the first game of the Season 53 playoffs, 90-75.

Seattle was competitive in the first half, trailing only by 7, 44-37 before the home team's dominance took hold in the third quarter. Led by All-MBA guard Juzan Djinn and center Biggus Dickus, Dallas out-scored Seattle 28-15 in that frame and was never seriously headed.

The fourth quarter was played only to see if the slaughter rule would be enforced, and to their credit, the Stampede was able to keep that embarassment at bay. 

The final score was eerily reminiscent of Game 1 of Season 53 in the regular season, won by Dallas 92-78.

This playoff contest was gallant try by Seattle, which will likely be eliminated in the next game before their home fans.

Veteran Dallas forward Al A. Orden comes off the injured list for Dallas and will start the next game in place of Philibuck Davia.

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

27 GVP...Although thwarted in scoring attempts numerous times by Sky Masterson of Seattle, the 7-foot BIGGUS DICKUS of Dallas used his 4-inch height advantage to score 18 points on 9 of 17 shooting while leading his team in rebounds with 6. The second-year rim protector added 1 blocked shot, 1 steal and 1 assist to his solid playoff effort.

AND

27 GVP...10-year Seattle veteran FROG MORTON demonstrated his vast playoff experience with a game-high 22-point performance from his power forward position. The 6-9 Morton, who came to Seattle in a trade from Charleston, was 10 for 12 from the floor and 2 for 3 from the foul line. He added 4 boards and 1 assist in the losing effort.

Other 20-plus GVP performers

26 GVP...The MBA's leading scorer, Kopi Luwak, rippled the cords for 17 points, bombing away 5 triples in 9 attempts in his 6 for 12 shooting day. The Dallas point guard led everyone in assists with 5 and pulled down 4 rebounds.

24 GVP...Defending playoff MVP Juzan Djinn led his team's balanced scoring attack with 19 points, going 7 for 10 from the floor. The MBA's leading free thrower was also perfect at the charity stripe with a 5 for 5 day, pulled down 4 rebounds and blocked 1 shot. 

24 GVP...Battling like hell against the hulking opponent that was Dickus, Seattle center Sky Masterson pulled down a game-high 8 rebounds, scored 12 poionts, tied for game-high in blocked shots with 2, added 1 assist and 1 steal. 

23 GVP...Seattle's 5-11 rookie point guard Bellybutton Inquisition matched his regular season outing against Dallas, scoring 18 points. He led his team with 3 assists and added 2 rebounds. 

20 GVP...Little 5-9 lefty Fuck Mountain of Seattle managed to score 13 points against top defender Djinn, including a trio of treys. He swiped a game-high 2 steals, tied for game-high with 2 blocked shots, grabbed 2 boards and had 1 assist. 

NEXT UP: Oklahoma City at Gillette, with the Humps hosting the first playoff contest of their existence. 

 

Season 53...quick playoff preview

SEMIFINALS...BEST OF 3 

Seattle (5-5) vs. Dallas (8-2)

These two teams played the first game of Season 53, with the Demons winning 92-78, Biggus Dickus was POG.

No 5-5 team has ever won an MBA title.

Dallas is the overwhelming favorite to win this series and to take it all, repeating as champions.

The Demons have the league MVP in forward Pete "the Steakman" Marzano as well as two other All-MBA first-teamers (just the fifth time three from one team have made it). The others, who finished second and third in the MVP race are the magnificent guard combo of Juzan Djinn and Kopi Luwak, the latter being the league's top scorer. Those three also finished one-two-three in individual scoring in the league. Djinn led the league in free throw shooting as well.

Dallas led the league in:

offense, averaging 83.2 points per game

shooting percentage...61.3 percent

points differential...+ 13.5 per game

Seattle, led by veteran center Sky Masterson, started the season 0-3 but finished in a rush to make the playoffs. 

Oklahoma City (7-3) vs. Gillette (6-4)

The Lariats are favored, although an upset by the Humps is not impossible.

The two teams met once in the regular season in a game that went to double-overtime before Gillette won 85-81. Billy "Be-bop" Bauer was the POG for Gillette.

Oklahoma City led the league in blocked shots, thanks mainly to rookie forward Phillip Mianus, who led the circuit with 33.

The Lariats also feature the league's top assist man, King Czardines and veteran center Chochky Galumpkus, who posted the top scoring game this season, a 35-point effort vs. San Jose. 

Gillette was the MBA's top 3-point shooting team, hitting at a 43.1 percent rate, with 47 bombs made.

NEXT: The opener...Seattle at Dallas

Season 53 Featured Game No. 10...Sacramento at Seattle

SEATTLE 68, SACRAMENTO 65

STAMPEDE EDGES R-DOGS FOR PLAYOFFS

SEATTLE -- Playing a second barn-burner against the visiting River Dogs from Sacramento, the Seattle Stampede successfully completed its unlikely playoff run before a raucous, fish-throwing home crowd, coming out on top 68-65.

The win gives Seattle a final record of 5-5; identical to the records of Sacramento and San Jose, but the Stampede registered 5 division wins to 4 by the River Dogs and Fighting Amigos.

This victory gave Seattle a 4-1 record in the second half of the season following an 0-3 start to the campaign.

The win over Sacramento was largely due to the R-Dogs' inability to withstand the defensive pressure of Seattle, which came up with 9 steals in the game and limited the losing team to just 45 shots. 

Seattle's last three buckets all came from veteran center Sky Masterson. Sacramento had a 3-point attempt on the final time unit that could have tied the game, but the shot was no good by Karma Chameleon and blocked for good measure by Fuck Mountain.

The Stampede return to the playoffs for the first time in four seasons and face the dubious task of bucking heads with mighty Dallas in the SemiFinals.

Game note: Sacramento guard Flip Phelps suffered a season injury early in the second quarter, but as it turned out his season only consisted of the rest of the game.

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

28 GVP...He's led them in scoring all season long, and in this playoff-clinching win, fourth-year small forward DOODLY SQUAT came through again with a team-high 21 points, dominating Hall of Fame forward Crentis Dentist in the process. Squat, who finished with a 15.7 ppg scoring average on the year, was 10 for 15 from the field in this game (1 for 2 from the foul line), while pulling down 4 rebounds, swiping 2 steals  and blocking 1 shot. This was his first POG of the season.

AND

28 GVP...Sacramento's rookie shooting guard KARMA KARMA KARMA KARMA KARMA CHAMELEON also registered his first POG with an outing that included a game-high 24 points on 7 of 12 shooting (including 2 for 4 from deep and 8 for 11  from the foul line). The 6-4 Chameleon dominated Fuck Mountain throughout, adding 3 rebounds and 1 assist. 

Other 20-plus GVP performers

26 GVP...10-year Seattle forward Frog Morton topped everybody in blocked shots with 4 and in steals with 3 while tying for game-high in assists with 3, scoring 11 points and pulling down 5 boards. He dominated Kevin Duran-Duran.

25 GVP...Old reliable, Seattle center Sky Masterson, also dominated his man, Sacramento's China P. The 6-8 Masterson, chasing his second rebounding title, swallowed up a game-high 10 caroms in the win, giving him a career-best 6.9 per contest...currently second to Sheetrock Hudson's 7.2 average. Masterson scored the final three buckets of the game for Seattle to finish with 12 points. He added 2 assists and 1 blocked shot.

MBA Standings … Season 53

EAST DIVISION

DALLAS………………….7-2 (clinched playoffs)

OKLAHOMA CITY…..6-3

PHILADELPHIA………5-4

CHARLESTON………. 4-5 

MILWAUKEE……….. 2-7

 

WEST DIVISION

GILLETTE…………. 6-4 (clinched playoffs)

SEATTLE…………..5-5 (clinched playoffs)

SACRAMENTO…5-5

SAN JOSE………….5-5

LOS ANGELES….. 2-7

 

NEXT UP: Charleston at Philadelphia…The Phobia needs this win to stay alive for the second playoff spot in the East. They are currently one game behind Oklahoma City, who plays Milwaukee in their final game. Don’t think Charleston will be easy for Philly. The Mountaineers just got done giving Dallas their second loss of the season. In the first meeting between Philly and Charleston, the Phobia escaped with a 71-69 victory.

Season 53 Featured Game No. 9...Philadelphia at Oklahoma City

PHILADELPHIA 88, OKLAHOMA CITY 55

PHOBIA CRUSHES LARIATS TO STAY ALIVE

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The visiting Philadelphia Phobia (now 5-4) took their playoff hopes to the final bracket of the regular season, crushing the team they're chasing, the Oklahoma City Lariats, 88-55.

The beat-down began in the first quarter when Philly exploded for 34 points to just 15 for the home team, silencing the fans who had come to celebrate a playoff-clinching win.

The size of the victory may come into play as the third tie-breaker (behind division wins and head-to-head competition) is overall team points differential, the advantage of which Philadelphia now holds.

Still, all Oklahoma City has to do is beat last-place Milwaukee to earn a playoff berth. A loss to the Greyhounds (who have won two of their last 3 games) and a Phobia win over Charleston would make their records identical, and since the two teams split the season series, points differential would come into play.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

32 GVP...Retiring Philadelphia center TACO TOOSDAE dominated the center position in this game, scoring a game-high 22 points on 9 of 10 shooting that included 4 of 5 from the charity stripe. The 6-11, 7th year man added 6 rebounds, tied for team-high in assists with 3 and blocked 1 shot in this important win.

Other 20-plus GVP performers

30 GVP...Smooth Philly forward D. Fenestration hauled in a game-high 7 rebounds while scoring 19 points, tied for team-high in assists with 3 and blocked 1 shot. He absolutely dominated Buba Lipa of Oklahoma City.

26 GVP...Fourth-year Philly mainstay Ehhy Table tickled the twine for 20 points while pulling down 3 boards and tying for team-high in assists with 3. He dominated Handsy Joe Potatoe, who was the POG of their previous meeting.

23 GVP...Phobia point guard Dick Papers scored 16 points, snagged 2 boards, tied for team-high in assists with 3 and swiped a game-high 2 steals. 

21 GVP...Oklahoma City's rookie forward Phillip Mianus tied for his team's top scorer with 12 points, prevented a game-high 8 points, blocked a game-high 5 shots, grabbed 3 rebounds and handed out 1 assit. He leads the league in blocked shots with 32 and would be the first rookie since Hall of Famer Chip Battoe to do so.

Points prevented by Philadelphia=14

Points prevented by Oklahoma City=12

Tops in points prevented

1. Phillip Mianus, Oklahoma City 8

2. Wawa Wewa, Philadelphia 6

3. D. Fenestration, Philadelphia 4

Changes in standings since last bracket

The only change in either division was Sacramento moving past Seattle into second place in the West, thanks to the R-Dogs beating (and eliminating) San Jose and Seattle getting upset by Milwaukee. 

COMING UP: The final bracket of the regular season starts with San Jose over Gillette. That game has no bearing on the playoffs, but is notable for it being the last contest ever played by Hall of Fame guard Jesse Shershot of the Fighting Amigos.

That contest is followed by the FEATURED GAME of the final bracket, Sacramento at Seattle, with the winner advancing to the playoffs. Sacramento bested Seattle at the buzzer 79-78 on a short jumper at the buzzer by Kevin Duran-Duran of the River Dogs. 

The third and fourth games of the bracket are playoff pressure pots, the first being Charleston at Philadelphia, followed by Milwaukee at Oklahoma City. Philly needs a win and a Lariats loss. Oklahoma City just needs a win to make the playoffs.

Season 53 Featured Game No. 8...Oklahoma City at Dallas...PLUS BONUS

OKLAHOMA CITY 63, DALLAS 62

PERFECT SEASON HALTED

DALLAS -- So you say there's a chance?

The Oklahoma City Lariats now 6-2) gave themselves an inkling of post-season hope with a 63-62 victory over the previously unbeaten (and thought-to-be unconquerable) Dallas Demons (now 7-1).

The defensive struggle came down to the last few time units, with Oklahoma City ahead by three. Dallas guard Juvan Djinn took a short jumper and was fouled, but the shot did not go down. He then made both free throws (he's the league leader with 19 for 19 in that department), erasing Dallas hopes of a make, miss, offensive rebound basket scenario that could have tied the game.

The teams thus split the season series, with Dallas having beaten the hell out of OKC 100-68 in their previous meeting.

The Whiz Kids suffered another loss in this one as veteran forward Al A. Orden was injured in the second quarter and will miss the remaining regular schedule games, plus the first playoff game. Orden was already subbing for former All-MBA forward Satan Israel, who suffered a season-long injury early in the campaign. 

Six-ten rookie forward Philibuck Davia will now man the starting forward position for the Whiz Kids until Orden can return. 

PLAYERS OF THE GAME 

24 GVP...Going head-to-head with a fierce battle throughout the contest, the point guards for both teams set the pace in this excellent contest. Fourth-year Oklahoma City star KING CZARDINES, the league leader in assists, led everyone in that department with 3 while scoring 16 points, grabbing 4 boards and registering 1 steal. The team's top overall scorer was 8 for 12 from the floor (0 for 2 from deep). It was his second POG of the season.

AND

24 GVP...The league's leading scorer, KOPI LUWAK of Dallas, had a tough shooting day (7 for 17) but still tied for game-high scorer with 17 points, dropping in 3 long ones in 7 tries. The second-year man also tied for team-high in rebounds with 5 and team-high in assists with 2.

Other 20-plus GVP performers

22 GVP...League MVP candidate Pete "the Steakman" Marzano shut out his man Buba Lipa, accounting for a game-high 4 blocked shots while scoring 10 points, tying for team-high in rebounds with 5, tying for team-high in assists with 2 and getting his team's only steal. 

MBA Standings … Season 53

EAST DIVISION

DALLAS………………….7-1 (clinched playoffs)

OKLAHOMA CITY…..6-2

PHILADELPHIA………3-4

CHARLESTON………. 3-4 (eliminated from playoffs)

MILWAUKEE……….. 1-6 (eliminated from playoffs)

 

WEST DIVISION

GILLETTE…………. 5-2

SACRAMENTO…4-3

SEATTLE…………..3-4

SAN JOSE………….3-4

LOS ANGELES….. 1-6

 

NEXT UP: Sacramento at Los Angeles...The River Dogs destroyed last-place L.A. 81-44 in their previous meeting. The Big One has lost five in a row. 

BONUS

DYLAN IS FAVORITE AMONG ROOKIE OF THE YEAR CONTENDERS AFTER 7 BRACKETS 

Note how the GVP order is a direct reflection of the prime pick order in which these rookies were drafted. 

25.1 GVP...Gillette 6-11 center BLOB DYLAN (3rd pick in the draft, 1st prime pick)...15.6 ppg, 5.9 RB, 11 blocked shots...Not only the favorite for Rookie of the Year, but currently in the hunt for overall MVP. He has the Humps in the unfamiliar spot of first place in the West.

22.0 GVP...Oklahoma City 6-8 power forward PHILLIP MIANUS (4th pick in the draft, 2nd prime pick)...11.9 ppg, 24 blocked shots, 5.0 RB...League's leading shot blocker has changed the Lariats defensive identity.

20.0 GVP...Seattle 5-11 point guard BELLYBUTTON INQUISITION (6th pick in the draft, 3rd prime pick)...12.9 ppg, 8 steals, 3.6 RBs...Steadying force on the Stampede...team's top assist man. Big rebounder for his small stature.

18.9 GVP...Milwaukee's 6-foot shooting guard ITSTHA BISHOP (9th pick in the draft, 4th prime pick)...14.6 ppg). Top scorer on his team despite being guarded by top defenders in the East.

18.6 GVP...7-foot center CHINA P  (11th pick in the draft, 5th prime pick) 10.6 ppg, 5.7 RBs...Leads the River Dogs in rebounding. Came to team in trade with Los Angeles, who originally drafted him.

Season 53 Featured Game No. 7...Dallas at Oklahoma City

DALLAS 100, OKLAHOMA CITY 68 (Slaughter rule enforced)

DEMONS UNRAVEL LARIATS

 OKLAHOMA CITY -- As if anyone needed further authentication as to which team rules the roost in Season 53, the visiting defending champs from Dallas destroyed the would-be challengers to their supremacy, crushing the home team Lariats 100-68.

The game was a close, spirited affair for one quarter before things got totally out of hand. After out-scoring Oklahoma City 27-17 in the second quarter, the Whiz Kids held a 12-point lead at halftime, where they had already accumulated 10 blocked shots.

They would go on to tie the single-game record for blocks (15...established twice by Seattle; once in Season 27 and once in the playoffs in Season 49) while becoming the first team in Season 53 to hit the 100-point mark. The triple-digit score was achieved on the final time unit of the game when Dallas sub Philibuck Davia scored down low, was fouled and converted the free throw.

For the game, Dallas shot a ridiculous 74.5 percent, while Oklahoma City was held to 41.2 percent.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

42 GVP...A game-high 29 points, a game-high 8 blocked shots, 4 rebounds and 1 assist. Those were the final totals for fourth-year Dallas superstar guard JUZAN DJINN who totally frustrated his counterpart Handsy Joe Potatoe, sending one would-be 3-pointer after another back in his face. (Potatoe was 1 for 13 from deep). Djinn was a solid 11 for 16, canning 2 of 6 from beyond the arc and maintaining his perfect season at the free throw line, where he went 5 for 5 (he now leads the league there at 15 for 15.) This is the kind of game that could vault him into his first regular season MVP honor.

Other 20-plus GVP performers

32 GVP...Dallas center Biggus Dickus totally destroyed two-time All-MBA pivot Chochky Galumpkus, allowing him just 3 points while scoring 26 of his own. Lariats back-up Chat Bot fared slightly better, but not much. The second-year 7-footer added 3 blocked shots, 2 rebounds and 1 assist to his superb outing.

27 GVP...The lone bright spot in the game for Oklahoma City was point guard King Czardines, who led his team in scoring with 18 points (including 3 buckets from deep), tied for game-high in assists with 5, pulled in 2 boards and registered 1 steal. 

25 GVP...The leading candidate for MVP going into the game, second-year forward Pete "the Steakman" Marzano had another stellar game, scoring 15 points, grabbing a game-high 5 rebounds, swatting away 4 enemy shots and adding 1 assist.

22 GVP...The league's leading scorer, Dallas point guard Kopi Luwak, contributed 16 points, grabbed 4 boards and added 2 assists to the massacre.

MBA Standings … Season 53

EAST DIVISION

DALLAS………………….7-0

OKLAHOMA CITY…..5-2

PHILADELPHIA………3-3

CHARLESTON………. 3-4

MILWAUKEE……….. 0-6

 

WEST DIVISION

GILLETTE…………. 5-1

SACRAMENTO…4-3

SEATTLE…………..2-4

SAN JOSE………….2-4

LOS ANGELES….. 1-5

 

NEXT UP: Win-less Milwaukee travels to Philadelphia. A win by the Phobia puts them just one game behind Oklahoma City, and the Lariats have to play Dallas again the next game while Philly gets the Greyhounds. It’s getting close.

Season 53 Featured Game No. 6...Oklahoma City at Gillette

GILLETTE 85, OKLAHOMA CITY 81 in DOUBLE OVERTIME

HUMPS OUTLAST LARIATS

GILLETTE -- In a game for the ages the home team Gillette Humps (now 5-1) endured double-overtime to drop the visiting Oklahoma Lariats (now 5-1) out of the ranks of the unbeaten.

The first OT came when Gillette forward LaJon Brames hit a short jumper at the buzzer in regulation to tie the score at 71, requiring the extra playing time.

Gillette was smelling victory at the end of the first overtime when Humps center Blob Dylan force-missed a game-tying put-back off an offensive rebound by the Lariats' Chat Bot. But Oklahoma City rookie Phillip Mianus was there to tip in the miss and tie the score again at 77-77 just as time ran out. 

Not to be denied, Gillette finally gained more than a 2-point lead early in the second OT and hung on to win 85-81.

The victory gives the first-place Humps its most triumphs ever in one season with four games still on the schedule. 

It's the second win for the West in cross-over battles this season. The East has won four times.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

33 GVP...Three-time All Star Game selection BILLIE "BE-BOP" BAUER earned his second POG in a row with a perfect shooting day that tied him for team-high in points with 19. The 6-7 forward was 8 for 8 from the floor and 3 for 3 from the foul line while tying for game high in rebounds with 8. Now in his fourth season, last year's All-MBA player also tied for team-high in blocks with 2, while assisting 3 times and swiping his team's only steal.

Other 20-plus GVP performers

32 GVP...Third-year Oklahoma City player Buba Lipa controlled his small forward position, leading all scorers with 23 points and tying for game-high in rebounds with 8. He added 1 steal.

30 GVP...Gillette's outstanding rookie center Blob Dylan has gotten this franchise over the Hump, so to speak. He out-played veteran big man Chochky Galumpkus here, tying for game-high in scoring with 19 points, grabbing 6 boards and tying for game-high in assists with 4. The 6-11 savior added 1 blocked shot.

24 GVP...Oklahoma City point guard King Czardines scored 17 points, led his team in assists with 3, stole a game-high 2 passes and pulled down 2 rebounds in the loss.

24 GVP...Before fouling out in regulation, Lariats' veteran shooting guard Handsy Joe Potatoe dominated Lefty Scavenger (who also fouled out), lighting him up for 16 points, blocking a game-high 4 shots, pulling down 3 boards and assisting 1 time.

22 GVP...Power forward Phillip Mianus continued his superb rookie campaign for Oklahoma City with a 13-point performance that included 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 blocked shot. 

MBA Standings … Season 53

EAST DIVISION

DALLAS………………….5-0

OKLAHOMA CITY…..5-1

PHILADELPHIA………3-2

CHARLESTON………. 1-4

MILWAUKEE……….. 0-5

 

WEST DIVISION

GILLETTE…………. 5-1

SACRAMENTO….....3-2

SAN JOSE………….2-3

SEATTLE…………..1-4

LOS ANGELES….. 1-4

 

NEXT UP: San Jose hosts Seattle, a team they handled easily 96-75 in their last outing prior to the break. Vinny Zazeech led the way in the romp for the Fighting Amigos, who are looking to get back to .500 and stay in the playoff hunt. 

Season 53 All Star Game

WEST 80, EAST 73

WEST IS BEST IN SEASON 53

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The West All Stars broke open a tied game late, scoring the last 7 points of the contest to come out on top of the annual MBA classic 80-73.

The victory was the 20th in the series against 33 triumphs for the East and the first West win in three seasons.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

33 GVP...Playing in his first game as a Hall of Famer, Sacramento's star forward CRENTIS DENTIST had his way with Pete Marzano of Dallas. Dentist, playing in his fifth All Star Game in as many seasons, poured in 23 points, going 10 for 15 from the field (1 for 3 from deep and 2 for 2 from the foul line) while pulling down 6 boards. The 6-6 Dentist, the league leader in steals, tied for most thefts in the game with 2, while blocking 1 shot and handing out 1 assist. He is the fifth River Dogs player to earn All Star Game MVP honors. It is his first time winning the award.

The other Sacramento players to earn MVP honors were:

Season 23...forward Dean Wormer

Season 27...guard Wes Montgomery

Season 29...guard Cheetos Jones

Season 49...forward Doo-rag Dripp

Other 20-plus GVP performers

30 GVP...Second-year Gillette guard Joey "Joe-Joe" Shamadu, Jr. celebrated his initial ASG appearance by leading all scorers with 24 points, including burying 5 of 6 from beyond the arc. The 6-2 Shamadu also tied for game-high in assists with 5 and added 1 rebound.

30 GVP...Dallas' star fourth-year guard Juzan Djinn made things miserable defensively for San Jose's Jesse Shershot in the latter's final All Star Game appearance. And while holding the perennial top scorer in the league to just 10 points, Djinn turned in a triple-double, scoring 20 points, tying for game-high in assists with 5 and blocking a game-high 5 shots.

29 GVP...Second-year Dallas guard Kopi Luwak exchanged buckets with his opposite Shamadu, Jr. all game long, coming up with a team-high total of 21 points that included 3 bombs. The 6-2 Luwak also led his team with 6 rebounds and added 2 assists.

NEXT UP: The second half of Season 53 kicks things off with a superb FEATURED GAME contest that has unbeaten second-in-the-East Oklahoma City (5-0) visiting the first-place upstarts in the West, the Gillette Humps (4-1). This is the second Featured Game for both teams this season. Both were winners in their previous spotlight appearances. 

Season 53 All Star Game Rosters and game facts...Plus...New Hall of Fame Member

-- The East leads the All Star series 33-19 and have won 8 of the last 10 games, including the last 2 in a row.

-- Only one player who earned this season's ASG rosters will be retiring...Hall of Famer Jesse Shershot of San Jose.

-- None of the players in this game have ever won the All Star Game MVP...it will be Shershot's last chance to do so.

-- 13 Dave players and 7 from Tyler teams made the squads.

-- It's not unusual for one team to have zero representatives make the game, but this season two teams, Philadelphia and Milwaukee, are not represented. It's especially surprising for the Phobia to be without representation in the Star Game.

-- The two unbeaten teams, Dallas and Oklahoma City, each led the way with four players each. Dallas has the most starters with 3.

-- In a fine year for rookies, four made the All Star Game, with Gillette center Blob Dylan the lone starter.

-- There are seven players on this season's All Star rosters who made last season's teams...Both of Dallas' guards, Kopi Luwak and Juzan Djinn, and forward Pete Marzano went back-to-back, as did Charleston forward Sheetrock Hudson, San Jose guard Jesse Shershot and Gillette forward Be-bop Bauer. The seventh is the latest Hall of Famer, Crentis Dentist. 

-- Just four players repeated as starters from last season's All Star Game...Luwak, Djinn, Hudson and Shershot. 

-- Almost half the field, 9 players, to be exact, are making their first All Star Game appearances.

-- Four players are making their first starts in the All Star Game: Johnny Bananas, Pete Marzano, Joey Shamadu, Jr., and Blob Dylan.

WHO DO YOU PICK?

To win the game...I pick the East...but it will be close.

For ASG MVP......I pick Jesse Shershot in his final All Star contest.

DENTIST FILLS HALL OF FAME SPOT

Sacramento River Dogs forward Crentis Dentist, in the midst of his 5th MBA season, becomes the 58th member of the Hall of Fame. The 6-6 forward combines ball-hawking skills with impressive offensive ability. After three stellar years in Los Angeles, he's played the last season and a half for Sacramento. During that time he's earned two All-MBA stars, one playoff MVP for Season 51, championship rings in Season 50 and Season 51 and five All Star Game appearances in as many seasons, beginning with Season 49. He joins Jesse Shershot and J.J. Gargantuan as one of three active Hall of Fame players currently in the MBA. 

Note: 877 players have been made by the MBA...so just 6.6 percent of those made have made the Hall of Fame.

SHERSHOT MOVES UP IN ALL-TIME RANKING

Retiring Hall of Fame guard Jesse Shershot of San Jose is now tied with forward Boone Doggle and guard Momadou Zongo for 10th place in Hall of Fame placement. Making the Season 53 All Star Game gives Shershot 18 honors on his card. He passed up forward Link Lennex and guard Stu Nod in the rankings. As far as guards go, only Naf Naf (23), Uncle Bob Masterson (21), Cappy Gambol (19) and Hrundi V. Bakshi (19) exceed Shershot in awards. Shershot can surpass Gambol and Bakshi and tie Masterson if he wins All-MBA, MVP and Playoff MVP honors before retiring at the end of this season.

 

Season 53 Featured Game No. 5...Gillette at Sacramento

 GILLETTE 71, SACRAMENTO 51

HUMPS IN FIRST AT THE BREAK

SACRAMENTO -- The Gillette Humps (now 4-1) put a whoopin' on the Sacramento River Dogs (now 3-2), sweeping the season series and chugging into the halfway house of Season 53 in first place.

The four wins already tie the Gillette record for victories in a season, as the heady Humps held the R-Dogs to the lowest point total of anyone this campaign.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

23 GVP...One of the league's two All-MBA forwards last season, BILLIE "BE-BOP" BAUER likely secured his third All Star Game appearance in a row (in four seasons) with this effort. The 6-7 forward scored 11 points, grabbed 4 boards, assisted 2 times and had 1 steal. His major contribution in this important win was the game-high 5 blocked shots he contributed. He was his usual precise self from the floor, going 5 for 7, including 1 for 2 from deep. This was his first POG of the season.

Other 20-plus GVP performances (none by Sacramento)

22 GVP...Picked up in the cut draft by Gillette prior to the start of this season, veteran guard Ed Balls has proven to be a valuable addition to the team. Coming off the bench in a game in which both Gillette starting guards fouled out, Balls scored a game-high 17 points, came down with 3 rebounds, had 1 steal and 1 assist in the win.

MBA Standings … Season 53

EAST DIVISION

DALLAS………………….5-0

OKLAHOMA CITY…..5-0

PHILADELPHIA………2-2

CHARLESTON………. 1-4

MILWAUKEE……….. 0-5

 

WEST DIVISION

GILLETTE…………. 4-1

SACRAMENTO…3-2

SAN JOSE………….1-3

SEATTLE…………..1-3

LOS ANGELES….. 1-3

 

NEXT UP: Out of the gate slowly for the second straight season, San Jose needs to start winning right now if it wants to make the playoffs in this, Jesse Shershot’s final year in the MBA. They are on the road at Seattle, which has the same record as the Amigos. A loss for either team would seemingly be a post-season death warrant.

Season 53 Retirement announcements include the great Jesse Shershot

SHERSHOT HEADS RETIREES 

The Jesse Shershot era will come to an end at the conclusion of this season, as the Hall of Fame guard and the top player in team history announced his retirement plans as did 11 other MBA players. The four-time MVP and five-time scoring champion will conclude his career after this, his seventh campaign. He currently ranks among the top 11 players in most awards won.

Shershot is just one of four starters who will be retiring. The other three are all starting centers, which will keep that position as the most in-demand in the MBA.

Milwaukee, Charleston and Gillette lost no players to retirment.

San Jose suffered the most, with three lost. But then again, 9 of their 10 rostered spots could have retired.

48 players were up for retirement, with 12 actually bidding us adieu.