BuzzerBeater Forums

Roberto Gurgone: I went out and sold MacNeur, then turned around and got you your scorer. He’s not finished. A raw, unfinished scorer, but he’s the best scorer on the roster effective immediately. Say what you want, but you ask for things and I deliver!

Pio Reina: You said unfinished. Explain.

RG: We need to bring him up to speed on defense. Air and Marshall will get it done. Marshall likes beating up on the guards.

PR: We need a defensive big. One who is a shot blocker.

RG: You wanted a shot blocker. You got one, your new scoring guard. Get Uzek trained properly and you got 2 in the back court. Frias has room to develop; maybe he becomes a third. Cafer Enfes of Kops could be that guy also. Pasman is promising, and there’s Beko, Lecian and Hatfield also. You have anumber of potential shot blockers already. I get you want a defensive big; we’ll get that addressed in due time. Pio, unless somebody comes available that fits our style and budget, we’re not making anymore significant moves. If that guy comes available, I’ll grab him, but it’s gonna cost us a player. You’d better have an idea about who. In the mean time, Air can work with Frias, Leao, Enfes, Kops, and Pemwieser on adding range. Enfes and Kops will prove to be scorers very soon. Pemwieser, too. Leao will be fine; just needs time. Same for Frias. I want that kid in every range drill we have. Offense will stop being a concern, and we have enough defense.

PR: If I gotta choose, it’s Hatfield. Lecian mostly provides what he does. The 2 year age gap accounts for most of their differences in ability. His ball skills aren’t as good, but he’s a far better passer. At age 23, he’ll be better than Hatfield is now, and we’ll have a big man problem to address. We’ll have too many.

RG: Get me that problem. I’ll deal with it then. In the meantime, tell Byron to kick things up a notch with the bigs. Replacing MacNeur on the boards is going to be a team effort. Bow look at the file on your new guard.

PR: I see three issues. Ball security, defense, and rebounding. You can’t be that size and not rebound.

RG: You don’t have to rebound if you don’t miss. 27 points per game on 50% shooting, and 51% from deep. Tell Shooter he’s got to step it up. Now you’ve got options. Why don’t you get to the lab and figure out how you want to use the new guy?

PR: I’ll do that. I’m coaching the scrimmage tomorrow also. I want to eyeball the new guy up close. Air’s gonna have his hands full with the ball security initiative. Pasman, Enfes, and Bolibok have a lot of work to do

3 hours before game time...

Pio Reina: Air, good work on the free throw shooting.

Air Allnite: It’s nothing; give me a few weeks and then you’ll be thanking me.

PR: You’re doing a nice job there; take the credit. Now, passing week is here again. How does the training rotation look?

AA: Frias and Bolibok, Uzek with Pasman, and finally Kops and Enfes for this game. Kops and Pasman, Frias and Enfes, Uzek and Bolibok the next one. We sort the scrimmage as needed.

PR: This week is going to go a long way for ball security. If we can get the guys a bump, that’ll be ab big help. Kops would be nice. Frias is necessary.

AA: They’ll all improve, but it’ll be rough.

PR: Let’s talk guard evals. I know the scouting reports, what my eyes see, and what the tape says. You’re the one with that group the most. I want your view.

AA: For the sake of this discussion, who are we talking about?

PR: All the guards, Kops, and Enfes.

AA: Remove Enfes and Kops. Enfes has got a ways to go before I’d call him guard material. He’s not a guard; ball skills. Kops needs to improve his ball skills, but we at least let him in the room; he’s close. Real close.

PR: Fair. On with the rest.

AA: Tovar. Not much really to evaluate; he is what he is. He has improved his inside defense, but he’s never going to amount to much inside. Still need his perimeter defense to get better; we may have just forced his hand.

PR: Oh?

AA: The new guy, Bolibok. Petey Buckets they call him. A lot to work to do there, but he’s got a lot tp work with. He’ll rival Tovar as the best shooter on the team. He’s not just a shooter. Kid was putting up 27 and a half a game in D III.6. We gotta work this kid hard. His defense, passing need to be better. At the end of the day that kid could make the fan base call Kyle Knowles the second best shooting guard in Linndale history. I’ve seen your tapes, and he’s a better scorer than you by plenty. Between him and Kops, if they develop the way we think, there will be limited to no time for Tovar. He’ll essentially become a shooting specialist. He has to pick up his defense to to get playing time.

PR: I saw the new guy in a couple of pickup games. When he is on, he is incredibly efficient as a scorer. He and Kops both were something to see in that first game. The second game, he showed how raw he was. Still, I liked what I saw. The kid is supremely confident and does not back down.

AA: Another thing you’re gonna like about this kid is he’s a shot blocker.

PR: I saw some ability there. I like. Now the point guards...

AA: Uzek is a rookie, but he’s got tools already. His defense is playable now. Ball skills and shooting are works in progress. Marshall and Byron will enjoy him. He’s got size and he looks like he’ll be a shot blocker. I don’t know if he stays at the point, but he’s got promise. Leao has no inside game whatsoever, but isn’t the shooter Tovar is. He’s not bad though. There’s something about that kid. He’s too smooth. It’s like it’s natural for him to run a team. Frias is the talent we need to get right. Shooting needs work and he doesn’t pass well yet. Defends inside and out. Attacks the rim on offense. Get that up to speed and there’s still promise with his inside game.

PR: I’ve been impressed with Frias on defense. Best defensive potential, and best offensive?

AA: Offense, Bolivar. Defense, Frias. We have to make Frias and Buckets a priority. Too much talent not too.

PR: Agreed.

AA: What’s with the grin?

PR: Right now, you’re the most important coach here. Develop the guards, everything else will follow. We just need that one extra push before people take notice. What do we need most, aside from time?

AA: A tag team partner for Beko.

PR: Exactly. Let’s go grab Byron and Marshall. I think it’s time for a full court press on our GM.

Roberto Gurgone: Byron, give me your rundown on the bigs, but first, you need to see this. Nice win last night, by the way. This guy would have helped, I’m sure.

Byron Helm: I see he just trained on free throws, so he’s on our schedule. Gives us another talented big, immediate starter. What?!? He’s younger than Beko and better?!? Remember all those things I said about you that you didn’t hear because I kept them in my head when you sold off MacNeur? I forgive you and retract all of that evil! (laughs)

RG: (laughing) So we good now? I knew you’d like this move. When Pio brought you all in for that impromptu meeting, I had the impression you guys were going to have me drawn and quartered if I sat back and did nothing.

BH: Marshall’s gonna want to run some games and schemes with these two together. Looking at the wings, with Kops, Enfes, and Pasman he’ll have a ridiculous amount of ideas. Pio’s gonna need to share space in The Lab.

RG: Position versatility achievement unlocked! OK, give me the run down now.

BG: Hatfield needs to up his game with is inside offense and rebounding. Things we will address short term. Ondrej Lecian needs to work on his game also. Pemwieser needs to step up his defense and rebounding. Gonna skip Beko and the new kid; you already know. Best offense? Still Pemwieser. Best defense is Beko.

PR: (knocking on door) I hope I’m not interrupting anything. Got an idea I wanted to bounce off you. Oh, looks like I am. What’s going on?

RG: I wanted to get Byron’s input on something. Now it’s your turn. Read this.

PR: (looks up from file) Marshall’s gonna want to run some games and schemes with Beko and the new kid. This kid changes things a bit. For us, next season starts right now. Let’s see if we can get these guys to surprise some folks and finish with 11 wins. We’re gonna have to pull off a few upsets. Cool. I’m headed to The Lab with Marshall. I’ll let you guys tell him. (walks out)

Marshall Richards: (bumps into Pio, walking hurriedly) My bad, Pio. Excuse me. I’m so sorry.

PR: What’s the rush Marshall? I was just heading to The Lab and thought you’d like to go with me.

MR: Sorry. Yeah, sure… What’s going on? Something is definitely wrong here. I don’t like this at all!

PR: Marshall, take a deep breath. Get a hold of yourself. What’s wrong; you are freaking out.

MR: Air… (breathes deeply) OK… I was with the two-ways; we met briefly and were heading to the practice courts for some drills. Air is already there with a big I’ve never seen, putting him through shooting drills. You know Air; all of that get off my lawn energy. This was different. It was way more intense, and he was smiling. Like a huge, unconstrained smile. Pio, I’ve been around him a while longer with you. You can call Happy and I’m sure he’ll tell you the same thing. I’ve never seen Air smile like that before. It’s not normal and I don’t like it. Seriously freaked me out.

PR: In here. (Points to Roberto’s office.) Come on.

RG: (Looks up.) Pio, forget something? Hey, Marshall! We were just talking about you. (Sees Marshall’s face.) What gives?

PR: Marshall was off to drill with the two-ways and came across Air and the new guy, saw Air smiling and got triggered. You know ---

PR, RG, and BH in unison: A place for everything, and everything in it’s place! (chuckles)

MR: I’ve worked with him longer than you all have. Never seen that man smile like that before. It was not normal. (pauses) And who was that guy with him?

RG: Sit down and let us tell you about your newest two-way...

Last edited by Speedtraps at 1/23/2024 5:51:41 AM

Pio Reina: Air, where do we stand for training?

Air Allnite: Currently, Frias at 37 and Bolibok at 32. Uzek at 16 and Pasman at 11. Start Enfes and Pasman, Frias and Bolibok to back up. Frias should be done tonight, maybe Bolibok if we catch a break, though Pasman and Bolibok might be too close to call. Uzek and Enfes go for the scrimmage Might need Pasman or Bolibok to back them. That should give us Frias done after tonight’s game, Pasman needing about 10-15 minutes Thursday, Enfes needing about 15 Thursday, and Uzek clear his Thursday. That’s if we can clear Frias, Bolibok and Pasman tonight.

PR: Run with it. Marshall, game out small forward with who’s left.

Marshall Richards: Kops would be available, but I suspect there may be other considerations. Byron, thoughts?

BH: Are we trying to win or develop guys?

MR: Who says we can’t do both?

BH: Ok; Marshall’s got a scheme for this. Beko and Stojakovic are in their usual spots?

MR: I wanna tweak that. Give me Beko and Kops tonight. Play with your big rotations. Pio, you’re gonna like this one!

Esben Knudsen: (knocks on door) Excuse me, but I’ve got WINO radio on the line. Says that the pregame spot is up in 10 minutes.

MR: Thanks. My turn this week. Byron, you sitting down with Sam?

BH: Maybe. That may wait awhile.

PR: Air, you wanna wear the wire tonight?

AA: They better have a dump button. I’m not paying the FCC fine on that.

BH: Make it good and we’ll cover it!

AA: Have I told you lately how much I hate the lot of you? I really do, and I want you all to know that. Sincerely.

PR: Esben, let the guys know Air’s wearing the wire.

EK: Will do!

AA: I’m off to get wired up.

BH: I’ll call and have the dump button disconnected!

Ten minutes later...

Happy Ourer: Happy Ourer back with you on the Radio Pregame Show, and today we get to visit with an old friend, Marshall Richards! How are you, Marshall?

MR: Doing well, Happy. How are you?

HO: I’m well, thanks. We’ve seen a lot of roster changes recently. What can you tell us?

MR: Carlos Frias is almost everything that Coach Reina demands from a point guard, and might be more. Leandro Leao looks really nice and Ercan Uzek is an intriguing rookie pickup; it will be fun to see him develop.

HO: Tell us some more.

MR: Keep your eyes on Piotr Bolibok. The guys have already named him Petey Buckets. We’ve never had a guard with his offensive game before. He just needs some fine tuning.

HO: Sounds exciting!

MR: We’re really excited about Walt Pasman and Darko Stojakovic. Walt is defense first and might be the best all around defender on the team. Depends on the day. Darko has the skills we were looking for to complement the versatility of Beko. Defends inside and out, and is a shot blocker. Ondrej Lecian is another two way guy.

HO: Marshall, explain what that means in Linndale parlance.

MR: Sure! When most people say that, they mean a player who can play offense and defense equally well. We have a different view of it. When we call someone a two way player, we mean they can defend the perimeter and the paint. We have a point guard there and may have another soon. Midas Kops is close, Cafer Enfes and Walt Pasman are there. They join Darko, Beko, Lecian, and Hatfield.

HO: That sounds good on the defensive end, but how about putting up points?

MR: Coach Reina, and Linndale, have traditionally been defense first. That doesn’t change, but we expect big things on offense from Carlos Frias, Trenton Tovar, Piotr Bolibok, Cafer Enfes, Midas Kops, Darko Stojakevic, and Pascal Michel Pemwieser.

HO: And here’s where we have to take a commercial break. Marshall, it’s great to see and talk to you. We know you’ve got duties to attend to; don’t be a stranger! Back after the break! This is WINO radio, on the Linndale Basketball Radio Network!

Happy Ourer: Air Allnite is mic’ed up. Parents, be warned, this is not suitable for children. If you’re at work, this is not suitable for work. We’ll get fined for this, but this is so worth it!

Joshua Doe: I can’t wait to hear this.

Sam Dunkley: This ought to be something!

HO: Here he is right before tip off… Roll the tape!

Air: Byron, which one of you numbskulls did this, you or that idiot Marshall? This is b*******! Pio, why didn’t you f****** tell me about the defensive switches? Who’s harebrained idea was it to put Beko on a point guard? Oh s***, that means Kops is too! You’re gonna have us looking like dog***t! F*** me!

JD: (trying to hold back his laughter) I think that someone forgot they were wearing a live mic.

SD: I don’t think he forgot. It’s either performance art, or he really doesn’t care.

HO: Well, the FCC is gonna be handing out fines for sure. I expect the league will as well.

JD: Well you can’t stop there! The fines are coming, might as well get your money’s worth! Let’s hear more!

HO: I’m told by our legal department we’re only allowed to play audio from the first quarter. On the other hand, if you want to hear the rest of it, tune in to our weekly podcast; next one drops tomorrow!

JD: Are you gonna roll the tape or keep talking about it? I want to hear this! I think we all do!

10:10 first quarter
AA: This defense looks like dogs***, Marshall. They’re gonna carve us up.
MR: The game is 2 minutes old, Air.

8:37 first quarter
AA: Hey ref, you gonna f****** call that the other way right? You blind a** chucklef***!
Referee: Coach Reina, get your guy under control or else.
AA: Or else what? You can’t call f****** fouls right, you sure as h*** can’t see who to T up or toss!
SD: I understand working the refs, but this is over the line.
JD: I don’t know if it’s over the line, but it’s at the line. I’ve heard far worse on the court from coaches.
HO: You gotta admit that was a great comeback by Allnite.

6:42 first quarter
AA: Blow the whistle! That’s a f****** foul!
Referee: (blows whistle, calls foul on Cafer Enfes)
AA: You dips***! Now you’re just f****** with me! F*** you!
HO: What did he expect there? You can't just talk to people like that!
JD: Yeah, but the refs can't let that get to them either. Not saying he's right, but refs aren't perfect, either.

5:50 first quarter
AA: Piotr, what the h*** are you doing? That’s a… F*** me! He made that s***. Kid’s gonna drive me to my grave with that s***!
JD: As a former player, I guarantee you every coach has said this.
SD: I have to agree there.

2:50 first quarter
AA: This defense looks like dogs***, Marshall. So does our offense.
MR: Aren’t you the shooting coach?
AA: Aw f***. We can’t all be perfect.
HO: That’s just two guys busting each other’s chops.
JD: Yeah, but if he keeps that up the whole game, I can see how a problem might occur. Pio’s gonna have to say something about that.

End of first quarter
AA: The f****** turnovers are killing me!
Byron Helm: That’s your thing, man.
AA: F*** outta here! Tell your guys to make shot or grab a rebound then you can talk to me.
MR: Dial it down, man! Same team here!
AA: F*** outta here! S***** a** defense!
JD: Too early in the game to be getting snippy with your own guys. That’s an attitude problem.
HO: That definitely seemed to be hostile over nothing to me.

HO: enough of that, folks. We'll be back with actual game analysis after we return from the break!

Day 14 (Saturday 20 January 2024) : Performances by (https://www.buzzer-manager.com)
Sorry for the delay, gents - was traveling with the fam, but things are back to normal now.

Night results
Dragmort Dragons Utd 126 - VileOnes 101
San Dominica Warriors 133 - Jumpstop Jumpers 86
Lion Rebels 90 - Super Sonics 72
Shandong Golden Lions 98 - Mindless Zombies 🧟‍♀️ 110
F.Day Internet Lovers Club 114 - Fort Wayne Pistons 95
Linndale 100 - Balls to the Walls 98
Muffin Men 95 - CB Bethesdorf 129
209’s MostWanted 94 - Tasty Tardsicles 138

Best collective performance of the evening
Points : 138 : Tasty Tardsicles
Rebounds : 59 : San Dominica Warriors
Assists : 41 : San Dominica Warriors
Steals : 9 : San Dominica Warriors, Linndale
Block Shots : 11 : Dragmort Dragons Utd

Personal best performances of the evening
Points : 57 : J. Bover (VileOnes)
Rebounds : 26 : C. Webber (Muffin Men)
Assists : 16 : L. Petrinski (Dragmort Dragons Utd)
Steals : 3 : M. Tercero (San Dominica Warriors), F. Alidori (San Dominica Warriors), T. Tovar (Linndale)
Block Shots : 5 : M. Watkins (Lion Rebels)

Top 5 of the evening
Point Guard : J. Bover (VileOnes) (57 Points, 5 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 1 Steals, 0 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 44
Shooting Guard : L. Baião (San Dominica Warriors) (33 Points, 3 Rebounds, 6 Assists, 1 Steals, 1 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 38
Small Forward : T. Cartaxo (CB Bethesdorf) (26 Points, 7 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 1 Steals, 2 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 33
Power Forward : C. Webber (Muffin Men) (33 Points, 26 Rebounds, 6 Assists, 2 Steals, 0 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 51
Center : Q. Yu zi (Dragmort Dragons Utd) (24 Points, 12 Rebounds, 1 Assists, 2 Steals, 2 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 35

MVP of the evening
C. Webber (Muffin Men) (33 Points, 26 Rebounds, 6 Assists, 2 Steals, 0 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 51

The bad performance of the evening
J. Zhizhuo (Shandong Golden Lions) (6 Points, 0 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 2 Steals, 0 Block Shots) : Efficiency : -8

All kinds of statistics
The player who forgot to remove his mittens : A. Venslauskas (Super Sonics), T. Tovar (Linndale), E. Dickens (Tasty Tardsicles) : 4 Turnovers

Player targeted by the referees : L. Baião (San Dominica Warriors) : 6 Personnal Fouls

The iron-man : J. Bover (VileOnes), J. Valentin (Jumpstop Jumpers), S. Hollins (Lion Rebels), R. De Calice (Shandong Golden Lions), A. Suprianto (Shandong Golden Lions), L. Melucci (F.Day Internet Lovers Club) : 48 Minutes

The shooter : J. Bover (VileOnes) : 6 Three points

The best performer : K. Brown (Lion Rebels), T. Freeman (Mindless Zombies 🧟‍♀️) : Rating : 17.5

The worst performer : F. Chongwen (VileOnes) : Rating : 5.0

Day 15 (Tuesday 23 January 2024) : Performances by (https://www.buzzer-manager.com)

Night results
Jumpstop Jumpers 63 - Dragmort Dragons Utd 89
Super Sonics 79 - San Dominica Warriors 94
Mindless Zombies 🧟‍♀️ 77 - Lion Rebels 117
Fort Wayne Pistons 106 - Shandong Golden Lions 122
Balls to the Walls 66 - F.Day Internet Lovers Club 129
CB Bethesdorf 102 - Linndale 104
Tasty Tardsicles 101 - Muffin Men 77
VileOnes 91 - 209’s MostWanted 128

Best collective performance of the evening
Points : 129 : F.Day Internet Lovers Club
Rebounds : 63 : San Dominica Warriors, F.Day Internet Lovers Club
Assists : 47 : F.Day Internet Lovers Club
Steals : 10 : Lion Rebels, 209’s MostWanted
Block Shots : 19 : F.Day Internet Lovers Club

Personal best performances of the evening
Points : 34 : J. Zhizhuo (Shandong Golden Lions)
Rebounds : 20 : M. Otçigin (San Dominica Warriors)
Assists : 12 : G. Izaza (Fort Wayne Pistons), D. Gay (Shandong Golden Lions)
Steals : 4 : S. Huerta (Lion Rebels), L. Melucci (F.Day Internet Lovers Club)
Block Shots : 7 : I. Tabrizi (F.Day Internet Lovers Club)

Top 5 of the evening
Point Guard : D. Gay (Shandong Golden Lions) (21 Points, 1 Rebounds, 12 Assists, 0 Steals, 0 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 24
Shooting Guard : J. Zhizhuo (Shandong Golden Lions) (34 Points, 6 Rebounds, 6 Assists, 1 Steals, 1 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 38
Small Forward : L. Melucci (F.Day Internet Lovers Club) (14 Points, 8 Rebounds, 11 Assists, 4 Steals, 6 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 39
Power Forward : C. Webber (Muffin Men) (27 Points, 10 Rebounds, 7 Assists, 1 Steals, 2 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 35
Center : E. Dickens (Tasty Tardsicles) (32 Points, 14 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 0 Steals, 0 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 45

MVP of the evening
E. Dickens (Tasty Tardsicles) (32 Points, 14 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 0 Steals, 0 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 45

The bad performance of the evening
T. Hearn (Super Sonics) (3 Points, 2 Rebounds, 1 Assists, 0 Steals, 0 Block Shots)C. Pla Llorente (Balls to the Walls) (0 Points, 1 Rebounds, 5 Assists, 0 Steals, 1 Block Shots) : Efficiency : -3

All kinds of statistics
The player who forgot to remove his mittens : M. Johnson (Jumpstop Jumpers), L. Praznik (Jumpstop Jumpers), C. Rankin (Balls to the Walls), T. Cartaxo (CB Bethesdorf), J. Graf (VileOnes) : 4 Turnovers

Player targeted by the referees : R. Singh (Lion Rebels), E. Diršliokas (CB Bethesdorf) : 6 Personnal Fouls

The iron-man : S. Ofome (Jumpstop Jumpers), A. Suprianto (Shandong Golden Lions), A. Durham (VileOnes) : 48 Minutes

The shooter : M. Craig (Super Sonics), S. Aranda (Fort Wayne Pistons) : 5 Three points

The best performer : K. Brown (Lion Rebels) : Rating : 19.0

The worst performer : V. Horner (Shandong Golden Lions), F. Chongwen (VileOnes) : Rating : 5.0

Press Release

Subject: Fines and Suspensions

In what was an expected step, due to language on last night's broadcast, the Linndale basketball organization has been fined an undisclosed amount by The League. In addition, the FCC has fined WINO radio station for re-broadcasting parts of last night's game specifically without editing or otherwise censoring language used. The League also took the step of suspending Linndale assistant coach Air Allnite for a minimum of 2 games, or until he completes sensitivity training; whichever is longer. Air Allnite may have no contact with the organization, its players, staff or other personnel until reinstated by The League. Furthermore, Air Allnite has been suspended 2 games by the organization. The suspensions are not concurrent and shall be served consecutively. In related news, Happy Ourer has been suspended by WINO radio for his role, and will not return until such time that Air Allnite returns. His role will be filled by Joshua Doe, with Sam Dunkley and Jimmy Buckitts also assisting.

Linndale Basketball and WINO radio both accept these penalties, and offer their deepest apologies to The League and the fans.

Esben Knudsen, Linndale PR-Manager

Charles:
I’m Charles Sanborn and I have here with me the entire gang. We got Bret Rodrigues, Double D, Pete, Sam and of course Hunt. And the reason all of us are here because this a special show. Interconference play is over and now comes the final stretch of the regular season. Tonight we’re going to deliver what we call the State of the Big Eight in which we look at the 7 teams the Warriors have left on their schedule and give our take on the state of each team, their possible role in the playoff hunt. Now with that we start off with the Muffin Men. Hunt you wanna get us started?

Hunt:
Look the Muffin Men are one of those teams that were just victims of bad luck. Look we’ve all seen it before. You make it to D.III or D.II and you’re handling business and then you look around and see this other league and you’re like Oh thank god I didn’t end there or I would have been eaten alive. I firmly believe that if the Muffin Men had gone to the Great 8, they would probably have 5 wins.

DD
I don’t agree with that. I’m with you I think the Muffin Men are victims of bad luck but I don’t think being in Redland would have made their lives that much easier.

Hunt:
But you have to admit it would have been easier. It’s not like the Muffin Men have nothing but when you land in a conference where 7 of the teams involved are either very talented and/or very well coached. It’s gonna be hard. But yeah, hmm not much hope for the Muffin Men. It’s just gonna be one those you come here you get the money, get the experience, go back to DIV, apply all the lesson and hope you luck out the next promotion.

Bret:
I agree just too much of an uphill climb for the Muffin Men. Not enough depth. Too much Carlos Webber has to do just for the Muffin Men to level with the door knockers of the Big 8, ie Linndale and Dragmort, to say nothing of the inner four. I agree the Muffins should look to the future. Get some help for Webber and Lal and hopefully luck out next go round.

Charles:
All right. The next team we have to look at, the Outlaws that make up the 209’s Most Wanted. Pete!

Pete:
The 209’s issue this year I think was just this being a bad market season. We’ve heard from their main office and the coaching staff and its not like the Outlaws don’t understand what they need. But how do you get it without overextending yourself on the economic end?

Sam
And how do you get it without having to start trading the chicken for the egg?

Pete:
Right. Its not like the 209 doesn’t have talent. We’ve seen this team, it has talent. Kavoukas! To paraphrase Coach: he’s a silverback. They have been able to hang with some of the major players in the conference they just can’t seem to get over the hump and make that next step as contenders.

Hunt:
But that’s the issue. Why? Why haven’t they made it over the hump? That’s the question they’re asking around the Playground?

Charles:
Sometimes you just have rough years. I mean the Warriors seasons 56 & 57 were some tough seasons. Now I think that many around the Playground are trying to compare apples and oranges. I’ve heard some of them. “Oh it must be the coaching, Stephenson was able to turn it around in two years. Coach Baine turned it around in 2 years back in 58 and 59. Must be the coaching. Get a new coach.” Now I understand the frustration. Five years in the league and not one sniff of the playoffs but to simply think its merely coaching and not consider the other factors is insane. Now the 209 are gonna put a scare and prevent one of the big six from a potential early clinch of a playoff spot. Is it the same scare that the 59 209 Squad had on the conference? No.

DD:
I agree, the 209 need more depth if they’re going to make that next step and that’s a money problem and money problems as everyone can atest are not easy ones to solve. But related to that. We haven’t brought up the loss of Ariel Ziółkowski. It’s hard to rebound from a loss of player of that caliber.

All:
Amen to that.

Charles:
When we come back we look at the next two teams. This is the State of the Big 8 Show.

Charles:
This is Charles Sanborn, welcome back to the Warrior’s Den and our special on the State of the Big 8. We previously discussed the Muffin Men and the 209 Most Wanted. None of us believe either team are in a position to disrupt the playoff picture. However our next two teams have inspired different feelings. First up a team pretty familiar to all of us. Hunt we’ll start with you because I’m sure you have a lot to say.