Dallas 102, Charleston 98 in OVERTIME!
This was one of the best games ever played in the MBA as the two powerhouse teams from different divisions locked horns and battled like maniacally possessed Greeks and Trojans.
No Helen was needed in this all-out war.
The game was close throughout with a pair of unlikely 3-point shots from Demons players determining the outcome.
The fourth quarter saw eight different lead changes, with Charleston finally gaining a 3-point advantage. Then, with 8 time units left, forward Sven Marquardt who had missed 6 treys to that point, rose up, launched and tied the contest 88-88.
Then with 5 time units left, Marquardt, not normally a good shot from outside, launched a medium shot and hit it to give his team a 90-88 lead.
A missed 3-pointer by Mel A. Noma of Charleston was tipped in by teammate B. Quiet to tie it up 90-90.
Marquardt then tried yet another trey, but this one missed.
Art Vandelay of Charleston rebounded got the ball to Noma for a last-ditch medium shot....but he too, missed, sending this madman game to overtime.
OVERTIME
In the short overtime period, the lead changed hands five more times until Bootlace Barnaby of Dallas, not a good 3-point shooter, nailed one, was fouled, and then hit the resultant free throw, giving his team a 100-96 advantage and 10 ticks left.
The teams exchanged late baskets and Dallas escaped with an impressive road victory (which, by the way, makes the West 3-0 in crossover games early on...an unusual MBA occurrence where the East almost always dominates).
Four other abnormalities happened in this game.
1) All five starters from both teams had 20+ GVP games.
2) Charleston shot 73 percent from the field...and lost. (Dallas shot 62.7 percent but out-rebounded the home team 24-15).
3) There were no steals by either team in this game...both teams really took care of the ball.
4) Either team had a chance to win the game in regulation had they made their free throws. Dallas was 13 for 23 at the line and Charleston was 5 for 11...the only weakness displayed in an otherwise superior contest.
PLAYER OF GAME
-- Dallas center Naceg Gecan, who had 17 points through sheer force of will while playing against one of the best defensive centers in the game, J.J. Gargantuan. Gecan had a game-high 11 rebounds and numerous put-backs, got 2 assists and 1 blocked shot.
20-PLUS GVP PERFORMANCES
-- Dallas point guard Bootlace Barnaby had 19 points, tied for game-high with 6 assists and grabbed 3 rebounds.
-- T. Kanes Masterson, playing his first game for his new Dallas team, led everyone in scoring with 25 points, getting 1 assist.
-- Veteran power forward Gulemon Mon-Mon contributed 16 points and 6 rebounds, adding 4 assists for the Dallas victors.
-- Sven Marquardt, small forward for Dallas, playing his first game for the Demons, came up huge with 23 points and 4 rebounds.
-- Jesus Moron Joseph, Charleston's guard, had 12 points, tied for game-high with 6 assists, and grabbed 2 rebounds before fouling out.
-- Beezow Bop-Bop, Charleston's other guard, knocked in 20 points, had 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocked shots.
-- Charleston center J.J. Gargantuan had 17 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 blocked shot.
-- Charleston forward B. Quiet had 20 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 blocked shot.
-- Art Vandelay, late of Chicago, playing his first game for the Mountaineers, led his team with 23 points, grabbed 2 rebounds and had 1 assist.
WEST STANDINGS
1st-- Seattle 1-0 (tie-breaker division win)
2nd--San Jose 1-0 (tie-breaker points differential)
3rd--Sacramento 1-0 (tie-breaker points differential)
4th-- Dallas 1-0
Last--Oklahoma City 0-1
EAST STANDINGS
1st--Chicago 1-0
2nd--Charleston 0-1 (tie-breaker points differential)
3rd--Philadelphia 0-1 (tie-breaker points differential)
4th--Milwaukee 0-1 (tie-breaker points differential)
Last--Houston 0-1
UPCOMING GAMES
Seattle at Sacramento in battle of unbeatens
Milwaukee at Houston
Chicago at Charleston
Philadelphia at Oklahoma City in a cross-over
Dallas at San Jose in a early showdown game
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
SEASON 39 PRE-SEASON REPORT
Dallas, Milwaukee, Charleston look like class of league
A different team has won the MBA title in each of the past six seasons, and that string could continue this season.
Dallas and Milwaukee look like favorites, along with Charleston, and the first two mentioned teams have not won in 10 and 20 seasons, respectively.
Here’s the Season 39 predictions:
EAST DIVISION
1. Charleston Mountaineers (T-2nd, D-1st)(5-5, 4th in S38)—Beezow Bop-Bop returns from a season-long injury and the Mountaineers are instant contenders again. They added Chicago forward Art Vandelay, the MVP of last season’s playoff and depth at guard with Mel A. Noma from Philly and at forward with Pap Smearz from Chicago. Second-year center J.J. Gargantuan was the team’s leading scorer and rebounder in Season 38 and may be the best of the league’s brilliant centers. They start the season against Dallas, so hold onto your seats.
1. Milwaukee Greyhounds (T-1st,D-2nd)(6-4,3rd in S38)—This is a stronger team than last season’s bunch, thanks to a trade that brought them steady second-year guard Baskets Weaver, a big upgrade over the erratic Yu Raing at the point. Tea Time Typhoo acquired from Charleston, will also be an improvement over the retired Puddles Pondhopper at forward. Milwaukee currently has the longest playoff appearance drought and hasn’t won it all since Season 18. Hall of Famer Hrundi V. Bakshi and company could change that.
3. Chicago Gale (T-4th, D-3rd) (7-3, 1st in S38) – The defending champs lost their top two scorers in forward Art Vandelay and point guard Ginger Vampire to free agency, but replaced Vandelay with the talented, but injury-prone Reckless Abandon. Lots of pressure on second-year guard Chief Keef to deliver big time. The Gale still have Hall of Fame center Max Payne who continues to roll along.
3. Philadelphia Phobia (T-3rd, D-4th) (7-3, tied for 1st in S38)—Top scorer and two-time All-MBA scoring machine guard T. Kanes Masterson goes to Dallas and point guard Mel A. Noma goes to Charleston. Jitter Bugg acquired for the point from Houston, where he was team’s top scorer. Achtu Meinlieber could not start for Sacramento, but Philly will depend on him at the other guard. Diss Reflexia, going into his fourth season, is a monster.
5. Houston Iguanas (T-Last, D-Last) (2-8, last in S38) – One more last-place finish and Houston has to roll the die to see if they change cities. And last seems inevitable. Lost top scorer in Jitter Bugg and replaced with Guy “the Eye” Clark from San Jose, who has yet to prove himself.
WEST DIVISION
1. Dallas Demons (T-1st, D-1st) (7-3, 1st in S38) – Unanimous pick for first in the West and may be the best team overall. Dallas returns second-year point guard Bootlace Barnaby from injury and upgraded its overall roster talent in a huge way. T.Kanes Masterson, who can score like a madman and rebound as well, pushes last year’s top scorer Lemon Jell-o to the bench. Much-improved Sven Marquardt comes over from Houston and also relegates last season’s All-MBA forward Matthew Vanden Boogart to a substitute roll. Add rebounding madmen Naceg Gecan and Gulemon Mon-Mon and you have a dominant rebounding group that should easily make a return trip to the playoffs.
2. San Jose Fighting Amigos (T-2nd, D-2nd) (5-5, 3rd in S38) – Three new starters, all upgrades from last season, should get San Jose into the playoffs for the first time since Season 35. They still have rookie sensation and All-MBA center Pippi Pippistrelli as the main man, and added veteran Blue “Rondo” Alaturk and scoring forward Bruce Hammer down low. Watch for rookie shooting guard Dayshotta Leo to have a big impact. He’s big (6-5) and he can score.
3. Sacramento River Dogs (T-3rd, D-3rd) (3-7, 4th in S38) R-Dogs snared theguy considered the top rookie in the draft in 6-8 center Tree Fiddy, a fine all-around defender and scorer. They also picked up rebounding madman Harold “Farts” Arlen in a trade with Houston. And their bench is much improved.
4. Oklahoma City Lariats (T-4th, D-4th) (7-3, 2nd in S38) -- String of five consecutive playoff appearances appears to be over. Lost all three starters down low. But the good news is that they will be a fun team to watch. With the acquisition of Yipeekayee Masterfalcon, Oklahoma City boasts both All-MBA guards. Masterfalcon was third in the league in scoring and will pair with Naf Naf, league MVP and two-time scoring champ at guard.
5. Seattle Stampede (T-Lasth, D-Last) (1-9, Last in S38) – Three new starters, best being point guard Ginger Vampire from Chicago, won’t get the Stampede out of last Although they may win two games.
ROOKIE REPORT
Starters in their first year
6-8 center Tree Fiddy for Sacramento
6-5 guard Dayshotta Leo for San Jose
6-10 center Yo Noid for Oklahoma City
Made a roster—will come off the bench
6-4 guard Phil D. Buquette for Sacramento
6-10 forward Ape Con Myth for San Jose
6-5 forward Mike Hunt for Oklahoma City
6-9 center Indo Kazak for Charleston
6-3 guard Piggles Huckster for Chicago
6-5 guard Foor A. Verkmate for Houston
6-8 forward Tiger Masterson for Houston
6-5 forward Chavo Guerrero for Houston
6-3 guard Tatsuo Takamiya for Seattle
Straight to the cut pile
6-3 guard Basil “Toy Piano” Fomean
6-6 guard Jackson Galaxy
6-7 forward Bang-Bang Reiner
6-6 forward Tom “Fucking” Paddock
Tyler Record Predictions
Milwaukee 7-3
Charleston 7-3
Chicago 5-5
Philly 4-6
Houston 1-9
Dallas 8-2
San Jose 6-4
Sacramento 6-4
Oklahoma City 3-7
Seattle 3-7
A different team has won the MBA title in each of the past six seasons, and that string could continue this season.
Dallas and Milwaukee look like favorites, along with Charleston, and the first two mentioned teams have not won in 10 and 20 seasons, respectively.
Here’s the Season 39 predictions:
EAST DIVISION
1. Charleston Mountaineers (T-2nd, D-1st)(5-5, 4th in S38)—Beezow Bop-Bop returns from a season-long injury and the Mountaineers are instant contenders again. They added Chicago forward Art Vandelay, the MVP of last season’s playoff and depth at guard with Mel A. Noma from Philly and at forward with Pap Smearz from Chicago. Second-year center J.J. Gargantuan was the team’s leading scorer and rebounder in Season 38 and may be the best of the league’s brilliant centers. They start the season against Dallas, so hold onto your seats.
1. Milwaukee Greyhounds (T-1st,D-2nd)(6-4,3rd in S38)—This is a stronger team than last season’s bunch, thanks to a trade that brought them steady second-year guard Baskets Weaver, a big upgrade over the erratic Yu Raing at the point. Tea Time Typhoo acquired from Charleston, will also be an improvement over the retired Puddles Pondhopper at forward. Milwaukee currently has the longest playoff appearance drought and hasn’t won it all since Season 18. Hall of Famer Hrundi V. Bakshi and company could change that.
3. Chicago Gale (T-4th, D-3rd) (7-3, 1st in S38) – The defending champs lost their top two scorers in forward Art Vandelay and point guard Ginger Vampire to free agency, but replaced Vandelay with the talented, but injury-prone Reckless Abandon. Lots of pressure on second-year guard Chief Keef to deliver big time. The Gale still have Hall of Fame center Max Payne who continues to roll along.
3. Philadelphia Phobia (T-3rd, D-4th) (7-3, tied for 1st in S38)—Top scorer and two-time All-MBA scoring machine guard T. Kanes Masterson goes to Dallas and point guard Mel A. Noma goes to Charleston. Jitter Bugg acquired for the point from Houston, where he was team’s top scorer. Achtu Meinlieber could not start for Sacramento, but Philly will depend on him at the other guard. Diss Reflexia, going into his fourth season, is a monster.
5. Houston Iguanas (T-Last, D-Last) (2-8, last in S38) – One more last-place finish and Houston has to roll the die to see if they change cities. And last seems inevitable. Lost top scorer in Jitter Bugg and replaced with Guy “the Eye” Clark from San Jose, who has yet to prove himself.
WEST DIVISION
1. Dallas Demons (T-1st, D-1st) (7-3, 1st in S38) – Unanimous pick for first in the West and may be the best team overall. Dallas returns second-year point guard Bootlace Barnaby from injury and upgraded its overall roster talent in a huge way. T.Kanes Masterson, who can score like a madman and rebound as well, pushes last year’s top scorer Lemon Jell-o to the bench. Much-improved Sven Marquardt comes over from Houston and also relegates last season’s All-MBA forward Matthew Vanden Boogart to a substitute roll. Add rebounding madmen Naceg Gecan and Gulemon Mon-Mon and you have a dominant rebounding group that should easily make a return trip to the playoffs.
2. San Jose Fighting Amigos (T-2nd, D-2nd) (5-5, 3rd in S38) – Three new starters, all upgrades from last season, should get San Jose into the playoffs for the first time since Season 35. They still have rookie sensation and All-MBA center Pippi Pippistrelli as the main man, and added veteran Blue “Rondo” Alaturk and scoring forward Bruce Hammer down low. Watch for rookie shooting guard Dayshotta Leo to have a big impact. He’s big (6-5) and he can score.
3. Sacramento River Dogs (T-3rd, D-3rd) (3-7, 4th in S38) R-Dogs snared theguy considered the top rookie in the draft in 6-8 center Tree Fiddy, a fine all-around defender and scorer. They also picked up rebounding madman Harold “Farts” Arlen in a trade with Houston. And their bench is much improved.
4. Oklahoma City Lariats (T-4th, D-4th) (7-3, 2nd in S38) -- String of five consecutive playoff appearances appears to be over. Lost all three starters down low. But the good news is that they will be a fun team to watch. With the acquisition of Yipeekayee Masterfalcon, Oklahoma City boasts both All-MBA guards. Masterfalcon was third in the league in scoring and will pair with Naf Naf, league MVP and two-time scoring champ at guard.
5. Seattle Stampede (T-Lasth, D-Last) (1-9, Last in S38) – Three new starters, best being point guard Ginger Vampire from Chicago, won’t get the Stampede out of last Although they may win two games.
ROOKIE REPORT
Starters in their first year
6-8 center Tree Fiddy for Sacramento
6-5 guard Dayshotta Leo for San Jose
6-10 center Yo Noid for Oklahoma City
Made a roster—will come off the bench
6-4 guard Phil D. Buquette for Sacramento
6-10 forward Ape Con Myth for San Jose
6-5 forward Mike Hunt for Oklahoma City
6-9 center Indo Kazak for Charleston
6-3 guard Piggles Huckster for Chicago
6-5 guard Foor A. Verkmate for Houston
6-8 forward Tiger Masterson for Houston
6-5 forward Chavo Guerrero for Houston
6-3 guard Tatsuo Takamiya for Seattle
Straight to the cut pile
6-3 guard Basil “Toy Piano” Fomean
6-6 guard Jackson Galaxy
6-7 forward Bang-Bang Reiner
6-6 forward Tom “Fucking” Paddock
Tyler Record Predictions
Milwaukee 7-3
Charleston 7-3
Chicago 5-5
Philly 4-6
Houston 1-9
Dallas 8-2
San Jose 6-4
Sacramento 6-4
Oklahoma City 3-7
Seattle 3-7
Monday, March 6, 2017
MBA OFF-SEASON NEWS
MAX PAYNE MOVING UP THE LIST
Hall of Fame center Max Payne of the champion Chicago Gale has now moved into a tie for 10th place for most career playoff games played.
In adding 8 more playoff contests in Season 38's championship run, Payne, with 38 games total, passed all-time greats Uncle Bob Masterson and Dan Mann on the games played list. He is now tied with Oscar Mudcat and Stu Nod in the 10th position.
Tug Hershorts and Ed Masterson remain tied atop the list, participating in 49 playoff games each.
There was no change in the all-time playoff scoring list.
BAKSHI, VANSLOCHUM STILL CLIMBING ALL-TIME SCORERS LIST
Hall of Famer Hrundi V. Bakshi of Milwaukee and longtime guard Funsy VanSlochum, currently of San Jose, each moved up on the all-time scoring list.
Bakshi, who posted 168 points to lead his team in scoring this past season, jumped over 10 players in his 10th season in the league and is now fifth all-time in MBA scoring, right behind the great Uncle Bob Masterson.
VanSlochum, in his 15th season, passed five on the all-time list and has currently put himself in eighth place all-time in career points.
Monday, February 20, 2017
Retirements, free agents reshaping look of the MBA
Twenty-three MBA players, 12 of them starters and all but two having started at one time or another in their career, have opted for free agency for Season 39. Add the 11 players (3 starters) who retired following the conclusion of Season 38, and fans of the league will experience real roster shake-ups when action begins again.
We have no idea how talented the league's rookies will be since they have not yet been created, but here's a really early look at the team rankings based purely on how their rosters now stand, with the draft, improvements and players getting older and worse, yet to come.
1. Charleston Mountaineers (5-5 last season): Only backup defensive guard specialist Azher Merchant retired. They lost three to free agency, with forward Tea Time Typhoo being their biggest loss. But team catalyst Beezow Doo-Doo Zopitty Bop Bop-Bop returns from injury to a team that can still field its entire starting lineup from opening day of last season when they were preseason favorites.
2. Dallas Demons (7-3 last season): Nobody retired and the two guys they lost were both seldom-used back-ups. Steady point guard Bootlace Barnaby returns from injury. Stars Lemon Jell-o and Gulemon Mon-Mon had great seasons but could be getting old. Still, Demons positioned beautifully for the draft with no glaring needs.
3. Milwaukee Greyhounds (6-4 last season:) Lost great defender (but erratic offensive player) Puddles Pondhopper on defense. But Greyhounds were only team to escape free agent declarations. Can currently plug in Krabe Forest for Pondhopper, but should be able to do better.
4. Chicago Gale (7-3 last season:) No retirements, but defending champs hit hard by free agency. Lost top two scorers on team; playoff MVP forward Art Vandelay and point guard Ginger Vampire as well as solid back-up forward Pap Smearz. Still have Hall of Famer Max Payne, defensive genius Poppy Poppalucco and shot-blocker Stu Gatz.
5. Oklahoma City Lariats (7-3 last season:) Lost great defensive substitute guard Boo Radley to retirement. Lariats were decimated on their front line, losing all three staters to free agency. The only reason they're rated this high is because they retained two-time scoring champ and two-time regular season MVP Naf Naf, who, going into his third campaign, is as good a starting point as there is in the league.
6. Sacramento River Dogs (3-7 last season): Lost Isoceles Traingle, good defensive guard off the bench, to retirement. Two losses to free agency, but they retained all five players who finished the season in the starting lineup. Plus, they have one extra draft pick, courtesy of trade last season with Milwaukee.
7. Seattle Stampede (1-9 last season:) No retirements, but one of their two losses to free agency was All-MBA guard Yipeekayee Masterfalcon, who was the third-best scorer in the entire league. But everyone else is back. And the West is currently pretty weak.
8. Philadelphia Phobia (7-3 last season:)Lost backup guard Ted Hose to retirement, then got hammered in free agency by the loss of three starters. Among those was the biggest free agent announcement, shooting guard T.Kanes Masterson, who was second in the league in scoring, and his running mate at guard Mel A. Noma. Add forward Bruce Hammer, the team's second-best scorer, and the Phobia are looking at a major revamp.
9. San Jose Fighting Amigos (5-5 last season:) Lost both starting forwards to retirement and another, Shag Bark, to free agency. Still, if they pick up one or two good forwards they can be right back in the playoff hunt.
10. Houston Iguanas (2-8 last season:) No retirement losses, but both starting guards, including team's top scorer Jitter Bugg, declare for free agency. Undermanned at center, they need to draw three solid starters in draft.
RATING THE FREE AGENTS
Depending on which team gets them, I'd say 20 of the 23 free agents could be of help to one or more franchises out there. Here's one man's rating of them, best to last.
1. T. Kanes Masterson, 6-3 6th season guard from Philadelphia
2. Art Vandelay, 6-7 6th season forward from Chicago
3. Yipeekayee Masterfalcon, 6-4 5th season guard from Seattle
4. Reckless Abandon, 6-8 4th season forward from Oklahoma City
5. Ginger Vampire, 6-4 8th season guard from Chicago
6. Walter Sobchack, 6-7 3rd season forward from Oklahoma City
7. Tea Time Typhoo, 6-8 3rd season forward from Charleston
8. Bruce Hammer, 6-8 6th season forward from Philadelphia
9. Jitter Bugg, 6-0 5th season guard from Houston
10. Sven Marquardt, 6-9 4th season forward from Houston
11. Hodor, 6-8 4th season center from Oklahoma City
12. Pap Smearz, 6-8 3rd season forward from Chicago
13. Linwood Boomer, 6-9 7th season center from Sacramento
14. Mel A. Noma, 6-1 3rd season guard from Philadelphia
15. Bob Kittle, 5-11 3rd season guard from Seattle
16. Cy O'Nara, 6-6 8th season forward from Charleston
17. Abe Binder, 6-7 8th season forward from Oklahoma City
18. Snarkey Comment, 6-3 5th season guard from Houston
19. Achtu Meinlieber, 6-3 7th season guard from Sacramento
20. Shag Bark, 6-9 6th season forward from San Jose
21. King Schmeckpepr, 6-11 3rd season center from Dallas
22. Baba Brinkman, 6-6 2nd season forward from Dallas
23. Verbal Kent, 6-2 4th season guard from Charleston
We have no idea how talented the league's rookies will be since they have not yet been created, but here's a really early look at the team rankings based purely on how their rosters now stand, with the draft, improvements and players getting older and worse, yet to come.
1. Charleston Mountaineers (5-5 last season): Only backup defensive guard specialist Azher Merchant retired. They lost three to free agency, with forward Tea Time Typhoo being their biggest loss. But team catalyst Beezow Doo-Doo Zopitty Bop Bop-Bop returns from injury to a team that can still field its entire starting lineup from opening day of last season when they were preseason favorites.
2. Dallas Demons (7-3 last season): Nobody retired and the two guys they lost were both seldom-used back-ups. Steady point guard Bootlace Barnaby returns from injury. Stars Lemon Jell-o and Gulemon Mon-Mon had great seasons but could be getting old. Still, Demons positioned beautifully for the draft with no glaring needs.
3. Milwaukee Greyhounds (6-4 last season:) Lost great defender (but erratic offensive player) Puddles Pondhopper on defense. But Greyhounds were only team to escape free agent declarations. Can currently plug in Krabe Forest for Pondhopper, but should be able to do better.
4. Chicago Gale (7-3 last season:) No retirements, but defending champs hit hard by free agency. Lost top two scorers on team; playoff MVP forward Art Vandelay and point guard Ginger Vampire as well as solid back-up forward Pap Smearz. Still have Hall of Famer Max Payne, defensive genius Poppy Poppalucco and shot-blocker Stu Gatz.
5. Oklahoma City Lariats (7-3 last season:) Lost great defensive substitute guard Boo Radley to retirement. Lariats were decimated on their front line, losing all three staters to free agency. The only reason they're rated this high is because they retained two-time scoring champ and two-time regular season MVP Naf Naf, who, going into his third campaign, is as good a starting point as there is in the league.
6. Sacramento River Dogs (3-7 last season): Lost Isoceles Traingle, good defensive guard off the bench, to retirement. Two losses to free agency, but they retained all five players who finished the season in the starting lineup. Plus, they have one extra draft pick, courtesy of trade last season with Milwaukee.
7. Seattle Stampede (1-9 last season:) No retirements, but one of their two losses to free agency was All-MBA guard Yipeekayee Masterfalcon, who was the third-best scorer in the entire league. But everyone else is back. And the West is currently pretty weak.
8. Philadelphia Phobia (7-3 last season:)Lost backup guard Ted Hose to retirement, then got hammered in free agency by the loss of three starters. Among those was the biggest free agent announcement, shooting guard T.Kanes Masterson, who was second in the league in scoring, and his running mate at guard Mel A. Noma. Add forward Bruce Hammer, the team's second-best scorer, and the Phobia are looking at a major revamp.
9. San Jose Fighting Amigos (5-5 last season:) Lost both starting forwards to retirement and another, Shag Bark, to free agency. Still, if they pick up one or two good forwards they can be right back in the playoff hunt.
10. Houston Iguanas (2-8 last season:) No retirement losses, but both starting guards, including team's top scorer Jitter Bugg, declare for free agency. Undermanned at center, they need to draw three solid starters in draft.
RATING THE FREE AGENTS
Depending on which team gets them, I'd say 20 of the 23 free agents could be of help to one or more franchises out there. Here's one man's rating of them, best to last.
1. T. Kanes Masterson, 6-3 6th season guard from Philadelphia
2. Art Vandelay, 6-7 6th season forward from Chicago
3. Yipeekayee Masterfalcon, 6-4 5th season guard from Seattle
4. Reckless Abandon, 6-8 4th season forward from Oklahoma City
5. Ginger Vampire, 6-4 8th season guard from Chicago
6. Walter Sobchack, 6-7 3rd season forward from Oklahoma City
7. Tea Time Typhoo, 6-8 3rd season forward from Charleston
8. Bruce Hammer, 6-8 6th season forward from Philadelphia
9. Jitter Bugg, 6-0 5th season guard from Houston
10. Sven Marquardt, 6-9 4th season forward from Houston
11. Hodor, 6-8 4th season center from Oklahoma City
12. Pap Smearz, 6-8 3rd season forward from Chicago
13. Linwood Boomer, 6-9 7th season center from Sacramento
14. Mel A. Noma, 6-1 3rd season guard from Philadelphia
15. Bob Kittle, 5-11 3rd season guard from Seattle
16. Cy O'Nara, 6-6 8th season forward from Charleston
17. Abe Binder, 6-7 8th season forward from Oklahoma City
18. Snarkey Comment, 6-3 5th season guard from Houston
19. Achtu Meinlieber, 6-3 7th season guard from Sacramento
20. Shag Bark, 6-9 6th season forward from San Jose
21. King Schmeckpepr, 6-11 3rd season center from Dallas
22. Baba Brinkman, 6-6 2nd season forward from Dallas
23. Verbal Kent, 6-2 4th season guard from Charleston
Sunday, February 19, 2017
NEWEST HALL OF FAMER NAMED...AMA SPIKIE
Ama Spikie named to Hall of Fame
Ama Spikie, the 6-8 center who played his entire 9-season career with the Philadelphia Phobia franchise, was named by the veteran committee as the 41st member of the MBA Hall of Fame.
Spikie enters the Hallowed Hall as the tied for 32nd place all time among all MBA players.
A four-time All Star Game selection, Spikie was the starting center for the entire run of Philadelphia's five consecutive championship seasons, which began in Spikie's rookie year.
He is the 10th center to be named to the Hall of Fame, and at 6-foot, 8-inches, ties Tom "the Bomb" Kondla as the smallest pivot man to achieve this distinction.
An outstanding defender, Spikie is just the 13th Hall of Famer to have played his entire career with one franchise.
Active Hall of Famer Max Payne of Chicago added a fourth championship ring to his total of 14 awards, moving him up to a tie for 14th all time player in the rankings, passing Tommy Zoop, Guru Gannon and Raisin Sport.
The other active Hall of Famer, Hrundi V. Bakshi, remains 5th all-time in the MBA rankings.
Hall of Fame Rankings
1. Curly Hogbottom 6-10 Forward Seasons 16-24 (9) 25 awards
2. Uncle Bob Masterson 6-2 Guard Seasons 4-13 (10) 21 awards
3. Sagittal Occlusal 6-8 Forward Seasons 25-32 (8) 19 awards
3. Cappy Gambol 6-6 Guard Seasons 1-7 (7) 19 awards
5. Boone Doggle 6-10 Forward Seasons 23-31 (9) 18 awards
5. Mamadou Zongo 6-4 Guard Seasons 15-31 (17) 18 awards
5. Hrundi V. Bakshi 6-7 Guard Seasons 29-? (10+) 18 awards STILL ACTIVE
8. Link Lennex 6-7 Forward Seasons 7-12 (6) 17 awards
8. Stu Nod 6-3 Guard Seasons 6-17 (12) 17 awards
10. Diamond Dallas Paige 6-11 Center Seasons 12-18 (7) 16 awards
10. Jonny Cockaroo 6-9 Center Seasons 18-29 (12) 16 awards
12. Doc Watson 6-2 Guard Seasons 9-17 (9) 15 awards
12. Cam Bodia 6-6 Forward Seasons 15-25 (11) 15 awards
14. Cheetos Jones 5-11 Guard Seasons 28-34 (7) 14 awards
14. Dan Mann 6-1 Guard Seasons 5-13 (9) 14 awards
14. Max Payne 7-0 Center Seasons 26-? (13+) 14 awards STILL ACTIVE moved up one rank.
17. Tommy Zoop 6-6 Guard Seasons 18-24 (7) 13 awards
17. Guru Gannon 6-7 Forward Seasons 11-17 (7) 13 awards
17. Raisin Sport 6-9 Forward Seasons 1-13 (13) 13 awards
20. Bill Rustler 6-9 Center Seasons 1-10 (10) 12 awards
20. Rip Slamjam 6-11 Center Seasons 5-19 (15) 12 awards
22. Ching-Chong Chung 5-10 Guard Seasons 26-37 (11) 11 awards
22. Tom Kondla 6-8 Center Seasons 28-33 (6) 11 awards
22. Shucks Oyster 6-4 Guard Seasons 17-22 (6) 11 awards
22. Gato Do Mato 6-11 Forward Seasons 30-36 (7) 11 awards
26. Joey Two-Tones 6-3 Guard Seasons 18-23 (6) 10 awards
26. Soul Duran 6-3 Guard Seasons 3-8 (6) 10 awards
26. Bart Pitbull 7-2 Center Seasons 17-23 (7) 10 awards
26. Shooter Flatch 6-7 Forward Seasons 19-25 (7) 10 awards
26. Alex Pal 6-11 Center Seasons 5-10 (6) 10 awards
26. Doug Fresh 5-11 Guard Seasons 1-15 (15) 10 awards
VETERANS COMMITTEE SELECTIONS
32. Marshall Stax 6-7 Forward Seasons 7-13 (7) 9 awards
32. Mable Reed 7-1 Center Seasons 6-16 (10) 9 awards
32. Tarjetas Indice 6-7 Forward Seasons 9-17 (9) 9 awards
32. Ama Spikie 6-8 Center Seasons 29-37 (9) 9 awards (MOST RECENT)
32. Bub Wright 6-5 Forward Seasons 1-7 (7) 9 awards
32. Tug Hershorts 6-11 Forward Seasons 25-33 (9) 9 awards
38. Silo Chamberlin 5-10 Guard Seasons 1-6 (6) 8 awards
38. Benny Gumm 6-0 Guard Seasons 19-31 (13) 8 awards
38. Oscar Mudcat 6-6 Guard Seasons 1-8 (8) 8 awards
38. Rowdy Ron Clutch 6-7 Forward Seasons 1-9 (9) 8 awards
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Chicago's Art Vandelay wins Playoff MVP honors
Fifth-year Chicago Forward Art "the Architect" Vandelay earned his first MVP award, getting named the MVP of the Season 38 playoffs.
The announcement comes on the heels of the Chicago Gale's recent championship, a playoff campaign during which the 6-7 Vandelay was both the second-highest scorer (17.6 ppg) and second-highest rebounder (5.9 per game).
Vandelay outdistanced T.Kanes Masterson of runner-up Philadelphia in the voting 25.7 to 23.2. Chicago point guard Ginger Vampire was third with 21.7.
"The Architect" now has nine awards on his MBA card, one short of Hall of Fame status.
He is the 12th forward to win Playoff MVP honors and the first since Boone Doggle of Philadelphia won the honor in back-to-back seasons in 30 and 31.
Vandalay joins three previous Chicago winners of the Playoff MVP award...they are:
* Forward Cole Dreadlock, Season 2
* Guard Doc Watson, Season 16
* Guard Didger A'Doo, Season 35
Thursday, February 9, 2017
MBA Finals Game 5 in Philadelphia
GALE COMES ALL THE WAY BACK TO WIN ELUSIVE THIRD TITLE
PHILADELPHIA -- It took a record-setting comeback for the ages and 22 seasons to do it, but the Chicago Gale, finally captured its third MBA title, winning a wild and wooly Game 5 on the home court of the sports' most dynastic franchise, 73-70.
To do so, the visiting team had to first overcome a 2-0 series deficit in which they lost both games to Philadelphia by 11 points. At that point, they seemed incapable of mustering even one win, let alone three in a row, a feat no team had ever accomplished in the previous 37 seasons of this hallowed league.
And in this, the "all-the-marbles" contest, the Gale fumbled and bumbled its way into a 10-point deficit at the end of the first quarter, and as in past efforts, a championship was evidently, not to be.
But a pair of Hall of Famers, the great 7-foot behemoth Max Payne and Chicago head coach Uncle Bob Masterson would not be denied. With Masterson, who had captured three titles in his brilliant playing career for none other than Philadelphia, exhorting his charges and an exhausted Payne putting on an MVP of the Game performance for the ages, the Gale began coming back in the second quarter.
After being out-rebounded as a team 10-5 in the first quarter, Chicago, led by Payne, buckled down and dominated the boards from that point on. At the half, the deficit had been cut to three. And going into the fourth quarter, Chicago held a precarious 2-point advantage, courtesy of a Payne put-back near the end of the third.
The fourth quarter was a nail-biter, with Chicago jumping out to a 5-point lead courtesy of a 3-point play from Art Vandelay.
Then.....well, here are some of the highlights as the time units ticked down:
-- Chicago point guard Ginger Vampire increased the lead to 7 points on a short jumper with 39 time units remaining.
-- With 36 time units left, Vampire hit Chicago's only 3-point shot of the game, burying a deep trey despite the forced miss by defender Mel A. Noma...Gale now led by 8.
-- With 26 time units left, Philadelphia's big lefty power forward Davis Phillips hit his second 3-point shot of the game to pull the home team within 5 points as the crowd screamed and stripped to its underwear.
-- Following a pair of uncharacteristic point-blank misses by Chicago's Payne, Philadelphia's Noma buries a medium jumper with 21 time units left to bring the Phobia within 3 at 71-68.
-- Chicago two-guard Poppy Poppalucco pops in a short jumper after shaking loose of T.Kanes Masterson, giving the Gale a 5-point lead with 17 left.
-- Poppalucco then blocks a medium shot (it was good) by Masterson and the Gale gets the ball with 15 left.
-- Payne, feeling all of his 13-seasons, misses, wills his way to the offensive rebound, then misses again...Philly gets the board and Masterson scores on the subsequent fast break. The Chicago lead is now 73-70 with 9 time units left.
-- A Poppolucco miss is rebounded yet again by Payne, who is first denied, then fouled by Diss Reflexia. Chicago retains possession.
-- Payne's chance to salt the game away down low is blocked by Reflexia and Philly has the ball with 2 time units left, trailing 73-70.
"At this point," Masterson later related, "all I could think of was 'no foul.'"
-- But with 1 time unit left, Payne fouls Reflexia setting up a chance for a game-tying trey on the final time unit.
-- Thankfully for Chicago, the only inbound pass available was to Reflexia, who had not made a trey all year. He heaved it...CLANK...and Chicago had its long-awaited mother-freaking title.
Index cards were flying everywhere as the Gale reserves stormed the tabletop and shuffled themselves in with the likes of Gatz and Vandelay.
In the locker room afterward, blueberry pie, a favorite of Hank Davia, the last man to center a Chicago championship effort in Season 16, was served and thrown about the room.
Purple lips abounded.
Players took turns going in and out of the venerable cigar box, which was brought out for just this celebration. And why not? The last time Chicago had won a championship, the date was December 29, 2002. That was many rolls of the cubes of chance ago. You do the math.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia, which has won an unbelievable total of 15 championships, has to settle for a second consecutive runner-up finish. Some day they will take solace in yet another unlikely challenge in a season in which they split a record 8 meetings against the club that eventually eeked out the last win.
20-PLUS GVP PERFORMANCES
-- Chicago point guard Ginger Vampire came up huge in the clutch with a game-high 20 points, 4 assists and 2 rebounds.
-- Championships follow around Chicago's Hall of Fame center MAX PAYNE like rats do the Pied Piper. Payne, despite a horrendous shooting day, pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds, scored 14 points, stole 2 passes and blocked 1 shot while holding Reflexia to just 10 points. He was truly MVP of the Game, bringing a long-sought championship to Chicago in his first year with the team. The title is the fourth of Payne's career and he has now won a ring with all four of the franchises he has played with, an unprecedented accomplishment. His last three rings came in the last four seasons for three different clubs. In Season 35, he won with Oklahoma City. In Season 36 he won with Charleston. And in Season 38 he won with Chicago. (He was injured for the playoffs in Season 37 with Charleston. He won his first ring in Season 28 with Dallas). The legend is still growing.
-- Chicago small forward Art Vandelay was again rock solid for the champions with 15 points and 6 rebounds.
--Philadelphia shooting guard T.Kanes Masterson was held below 50 percent shooting by Poppy Poppalucco, but still put in 17 points, had 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal.
--Phobia power forward Davis Phillips' 10-point, 5-rebound first quarter got Philly out of the gate fast. He ended with 19 points and 8 rebounds, both team highs.
NEXT UP: POST SEASON STATS, THE PLAYOFF MVP AWARD AND HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCEMENT.
PHILADELPHIA -- It took a record-setting comeback for the ages and 22 seasons to do it, but the Chicago Gale, finally captured its third MBA title, winning a wild and wooly Game 5 on the home court of the sports' most dynastic franchise, 73-70.
To do so, the visiting team had to first overcome a 2-0 series deficit in which they lost both games to Philadelphia by 11 points. At that point, they seemed incapable of mustering even one win, let alone three in a row, a feat no team had ever accomplished in the previous 37 seasons of this hallowed league.
And in this, the "all-the-marbles" contest, the Gale fumbled and bumbled its way into a 10-point deficit at the end of the first quarter, and as in past efforts, a championship was evidently, not to be.
But a pair of Hall of Famers, the great 7-foot behemoth Max Payne and Chicago head coach Uncle Bob Masterson would not be denied. With Masterson, who had captured three titles in his brilliant playing career for none other than Philadelphia, exhorting his charges and an exhausted Payne putting on an MVP of the Game performance for the ages, the Gale began coming back in the second quarter.
After being out-rebounded as a team 10-5 in the first quarter, Chicago, led by Payne, buckled down and dominated the boards from that point on. At the half, the deficit had been cut to three. And going into the fourth quarter, Chicago held a precarious 2-point advantage, courtesy of a Payne put-back near the end of the third.
The fourth quarter was a nail-biter, with Chicago jumping out to a 5-point lead courtesy of a 3-point play from Art Vandelay.
Then.....well, here are some of the highlights as the time units ticked down:
-- Chicago point guard Ginger Vampire increased the lead to 7 points on a short jumper with 39 time units remaining.
-- With 36 time units left, Vampire hit Chicago's only 3-point shot of the game, burying a deep trey despite the forced miss by defender Mel A. Noma...Gale now led by 8.
-- With 26 time units left, Philadelphia's big lefty power forward Davis Phillips hit his second 3-point shot of the game to pull the home team within 5 points as the crowd screamed and stripped to its underwear.
-- Following a pair of uncharacteristic point-blank misses by Chicago's Payne, Philadelphia's Noma buries a medium jumper with 21 time units left to bring the Phobia within 3 at 71-68.
-- Chicago two-guard Poppy Poppalucco pops in a short jumper after shaking loose of T.Kanes Masterson, giving the Gale a 5-point lead with 17 left.
-- Poppalucco then blocks a medium shot (it was good) by Masterson and the Gale gets the ball with 15 left.
-- Payne, feeling all of his 13-seasons, misses, wills his way to the offensive rebound, then misses again...Philly gets the board and Masterson scores on the subsequent fast break. The Chicago lead is now 73-70 with 9 time units left.
-- A Poppolucco miss is rebounded yet again by Payne, who is first denied, then fouled by Diss Reflexia. Chicago retains possession.
-- Payne's chance to salt the game away down low is blocked by Reflexia and Philly has the ball with 2 time units left, trailing 73-70.
"At this point," Masterson later related, "all I could think of was 'no foul.'"
-- But with 1 time unit left, Payne fouls Reflexia setting up a chance for a game-tying trey on the final time unit.
-- Thankfully for Chicago, the only inbound pass available was to Reflexia, who had not made a trey all year. He heaved it...CLANK...and Chicago had its long-awaited mother-freaking title.
Index cards were flying everywhere as the Gale reserves stormed the tabletop and shuffled themselves in with the likes of Gatz and Vandelay.
In the locker room afterward, blueberry pie, a favorite of Hank Davia, the last man to center a Chicago championship effort in Season 16, was served and thrown about the room.
Purple lips abounded.
Players took turns going in and out of the venerable cigar box, which was brought out for just this celebration. And why not? The last time Chicago had won a championship, the date was December 29, 2002. That was many rolls of the cubes of chance ago. You do the math.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia, which has won an unbelievable total of 15 championships, has to settle for a second consecutive runner-up finish. Some day they will take solace in yet another unlikely challenge in a season in which they split a record 8 meetings against the club that eventually eeked out the last win.
20-PLUS GVP PERFORMANCES
-- Chicago point guard Ginger Vampire came up huge in the clutch with a game-high 20 points, 4 assists and 2 rebounds.
-- Championships follow around Chicago's Hall of Fame center MAX PAYNE like rats do the Pied Piper. Payne, despite a horrendous shooting day, pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds, scored 14 points, stole 2 passes and blocked 1 shot while holding Reflexia to just 10 points. He was truly MVP of the Game, bringing a long-sought championship to Chicago in his first year with the team. The title is the fourth of Payne's career and he has now won a ring with all four of the franchises he has played with, an unprecedented accomplishment. His last three rings came in the last four seasons for three different clubs. In Season 35, he won with Oklahoma City. In Season 36 he won with Charleston. And in Season 38 he won with Chicago. (He was injured for the playoffs in Season 37 with Charleston. He won his first ring in Season 28 with Dallas). The legend is still growing.
-- Chicago small forward Art Vandelay was again rock solid for the champions with 15 points and 6 rebounds.
--Philadelphia shooting guard T.Kanes Masterson was held below 50 percent shooting by Poppy Poppalucco, but still put in 17 points, had 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal.
--Phobia power forward Davis Phillips' 10-point, 5-rebound first quarter got Philly out of the gate fast. He ended with 19 points and 8 rebounds, both team highs.
NEXT UP: POST SEASON STATS, THE PLAYOFF MVP AWARD AND HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCEMENT.
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