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Joshua Doe: Joshua Doe and Jimmy Buckitts here with the Pio Reina Show. Coach, lots of things to discuss this week. Let’s start with the breakout performance from the young phenom fans are calling Petey Buckets, Piotr Bolibok. How did that come about?

Pio Reina: Joshua, we weren’t surprised, but it was touch and go that first quarter.

JB: Coach, word on the street was Bolibok doesn’t pass, was a turnover machine, and didn’t play defense. You’ve had him in your program for 2 weeks now. What have you seen that maybe hasn’t translated into games?

PR: Fearlessness, and until last night, confidence. Once he got his feet under him, the young man put on quite the display.

JD: Coach, with the renewed emphasis on a defense first mentality, why was this game the one to start him?

PR: We chose this game because we thought he had nothing to lose and everything to gain. Big talent steps up in big situations, and he stepped up.

JB: Bolibok scored from everywhere after a quiet first quarter. What did you say to him to get him going?

PR: We just told him to go out and play his game. We told him he wasn’t getting benched, but his offense was going to have to step up to cover his defense. He did that.

JD: Coach, Carlos Frias had a nice game. How has he performed so far?

PR: In his two starts after his arrival, he’s averaging 22.5 points, 3 boards, and 7 assists, all the while being a work in progress. Carlos is fine, and he’ll only get better.

JB: Coach, where does Trenton Tovar fit in the picture? It seems like he’s been passed up in the rotation.

PR: Like anyone else, there are improvements we want to see from him. We fully expect to see those improvements and look forward to seeing Trenton be the best version of himself yet.

JD: Coach, talk about Joy Beko and Darko Stojakevic and their impact on the team.

PR: Joy Beko is averaging 10.8 points, 10.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists, but there is much more to unlock. Joy has to improve on offense, but he’s a very skilled player and we expect to see him blossom.

JD: I heard there was a package with him at the point.

PR: We have a package for various situations. That may or may not be one.

JB: Tell us a bit about Stojakevic.

PR: He has only been here a week. His value? 15 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists. We haven’t seen his best yet.

JB: Coach, that’s 10 assists between your starting bigs. Is the passing big man a feature or a byproduct of what you’re doing?

PR: Both.

JD: Having played a few positions, I know the answer, but explain for the fans why positional versatility is so important to the team?

PR: It allows us the ability to find match ups on offense or defense to exploit. Look at the box score from our close loss to Fort Wayne. Notice anything?

JB: Pemwieser played small forward.

PR: On offense. Defensively, he played center.

JB: Beko played center! It’s right there on the sheet.

PR: Having Beko on the floor gives us the option play Pemwieser at small forward and play him at center on defense because Beko can cover anyone; that’s one way versatility can come in to play. Meanwhile, Pemwieser was 9 of 16 for 20 points and 10 rebounds. We’re not letting Pemwieser guard a small forward; that’s not his skill set. Pemwieser hit a late three to tie the game; if he’s at center, he likely doesn’t get that shot if he’s even in the game at that point. Remember, the score sheet only tells what position a guy started of offense; it doesn’t tell you what position they guarded on defense. That’s something that score sheet scouting won’t tell you about on the surface.

JD: You're listening to the Pio Reina Show on WINO radio. Back with more after a word from our sponsors...

Day 16 (Saturday 27 January 2024) : Performances by (https://www.buzzer-manager.com)

Night results
Dragmort Dragons Utd 78 - F.Day Internet Lovers Club 91
San Dominica Warriors 120 - Linndale 101
Lion Rebels 73 - Muffin Men 85
Shandong Golden Lions 109 - 209’s MostWanted 104
Super Sonics 90 - CB Bethesdorf 87
Mindless Zombies 🧟‍♀️ 101 - Tasty Tardsicles 114
Fort Wayne Pistons 103 - VileOnes 80
Balls to the Walls 82 - Jumpstop Jumpers 103

Best collective performance of the evening
Points : 120 : San Dominica Warriors
Rebounds : 63 : 209’s MostWanted
Assists : 36 : San Dominica Warriors
Steals : 12 : Super Sonics
Block Shots : 11 : F.Day Internet Lovers Club

Personal best performances of the evening
Points : 33 : D. Conaghan (Tasty Tardsicles)
Rebounds : 22 : J. Smug (209’s MostWanted)
Assists : 13 : É. Blanchet (San Dominica Warriors)
Steals : 4 : M. Craig (Super Sonics)
Block Shots : 5 : I. Tabrizi (F.Day Internet Lovers Club)

Top 5 of the evening
Point Guard : J. Valentin (Jumpstop Jumpers) (32 Points, 7 Rebounds, 5 Assists, 1 Steals, 1 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 32
Shooting Guard : R. Blanco (Jumpstop Jumpers) (23 Points, 2 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 2 Steals, 0 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 27
Small Forward : M. Granja (San Dominica Warriors) (32 Points, 13 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 1 Steals, 1 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 39
Power Forward : C. Webber (Muffin Men) (20 Points, 19 Rebounds, 5 Assists, 0 Steals, 1 Block Shots), I. Kavoukas (209’s MostWanted) (16 Points, 19 Rebounds, 6 Assists, 1 Steals, 0 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 32
Center : P. Pardo (F.Day Internet Lovers Club) (20 Points, 10 Rebounds, 5 Assists, 1 Steals, 4 Block Shots), P. Tai On (CB Bethesdorf) (22 Points, 19 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 0 Steals, 0 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 33

MVP of the evening
M. Granja (San Dominica Warriors) (32 Points, 13 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 1 Steals, 1 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 39

The bad performance of the evening
H. Kwang Chih (Mindless Zombies 🧟‍♀️) (0 Points, 0 Rebounds, 0 Assists, 0 Steals, 0 Block Shots) : Efficiency : -6

All kinds of statistics
The player who forgot to remove his mittens : M. Coedo (Mindless Zombies 🧟‍♀️) : 6 Turnovers

Player targeted by the referees : J. Graf (VileOnes) : 6 Personnal Fouls

The iron-man : D. Branimirović (F.Day Internet Lovers Club), R. De Calice (Shandong Golden Lions), A. Suprianto (Shandong Golden Lions), M. Coedo (Mindless Zombies 🧟‍♀️), A. Carečina (Mindless Zombies 🧟‍♀️), J. Valentin (Jumpstop Jumpers) : 48 Minutes

The shooter : O. Ülisoo (209’s MostWanted) : 6 Three points

The best performer : P. Pardo (F.Day Internet Lovers Club) : Rating : 17.5

The worst performer : A. Handy (Lion Rebels) : Rating : 4.0

Layups, Dunks, Bombs, and Bricks
By Sam Dunkley

Every few weeks, I’ll talk Linndale basketball with whomever I may come across. I recently covered a local high school basketball game for The Basketball Times, and the players (and in some cases, their parents) had thoughts and opinions they freely shared about Linndale basketball. These nuggets were then divided into one of four categories stated in the title of this column.

I don’t understand why they think (Midas) Kops is a guard. He’s a bad volume shooter and he’s loose with the basketball.

We start off dropping bombs. Kops is in a weird space. He has gifts that play well at guard and forward, but he’s better suited to guard (for now). Granted, it’s a small sample size (4 regular games as guard) but he’s shooting a bit better at guard and significantly better from deep. The turnovers are a function of high usage and various combinations he’s played with. Expect those to drop over time. For now, the numbers are a bit ugly. The constant changing lineups don’t do him justice either. Having said that, he’s got to be better.

Bolibok hasn’t looked like a scorer yet. I heard the players call him Petey Buckets.

This one is a brick. He’s played one game with us. His shot blocking showed, and he had his highest game rating on the season. Know what else has showed on the year for him? His scoring. His shooting line is .500/.508/.627; the kid is shooting 50% from the field and a tick better from deep. On the season, he’s averaging 25.2 points per game. Let’s give him some time, but beware some growing pains. Averaging 0.6 assists to 2.6 turnovers means he has a serious ball security issue. Plus, did you see the San Dominica game?

That second unit scares me. Strong enough on defense for a bench bunch, could be a little stronger. Stronger than they appear on the boards, but Hatfield and Pemwieser need to be stronger. The ball security on that unit is atrocious.

This one is an easy dunk. I concede that point. Yet, the defense on that unit is strong and will get stronger. The offense will improve. Ball security is a real concern, though. Pasman, Enfes, Hatfield, and Pemwieser doesn’t seem scary initially, but that’s a complementary unit as well, ball security aside. Expect the 2nd unit to change, depending on team needs and whatever the team’s training rotation looks like. The unit is in flux, but I’ve heard more changes are coming.

Joy Beko for point guard.

This one is a both a layup and a brick. 4 assists to 0.7 turnovers per game is great, but you’d want his ball handling and passing to be a bit better. He definitely would be a non traditional point guard. I’ll bet Pio Reina has something cooked up for that occasion. You also have to plan what to do with Carlos Frias. He's been pretty good, too.

Pemwieser is way overrated. He needs to be out of here.

On the surface, one might think this is a layup. I think this one deserves a closer look. A lot of fans think he’s been a bust, after being advertised as a unicorn. He shoots .470/.478/.706, averages 5.4 boards a night and 8.7 points a night in 21 minutes per contest. He may not be an everyday starter on this team, and he is not without flaws, but at the very worst, he will anchor the 2nd unit. He’s clearly still acclimating himself to playing center, but in the last game he started he was serviceable with 10 points and 7 rebounds. The game before that, Pio pulled out a wrinkle, with Pemwieser at small forward on offense and center defensively. He went for 20 points, 10 rebounds and a huge three pointer to tie the game late in the 4th quarter. As unpopular as it may be, Pemwieser is going to be a key player going forward. He most definitely is the team’s unicorn. This is the brickiest of bricks.

Roberto Gurgone: Gentlemen, I want to get your thoughts on something. What if I could go out and get a true center? A bona fide, shot-blocking, interior defending, glass cleaning center?

Byron Helm: You’ve got prospects, don’t you?

Marshall Richards: I know I’ve been hearing things...

Pio Reina: We coach who’s here. If you bring in a center, we’ll make things work like always. I’ll allow that I’m not happy with production from the bench. We’d need to have a conversation about who moves to the second unit.

RG: What’s your biggest issue with the bench?

PR: I can’t pick one. The defense. The lack of rebounding. The lack of scoring. The ball security. The lack of intensity.

RG: OK; this wouldn’t address ball security, probably. Defense and rebounding, definitely. The lack of scoring? That’s going to depend on how you want to alter your rotations, but this could be promising.

MR: (whispers three names in Roberto’s ear)

RG: Who told you and how did you know?

MR: Easy, ‘Berto. I was media recently; I still know people. They say stuff. Most of what they say is wrong, but they also talk to scouts. So do I.

RG: Fill in Pio and Byron. None of this leaves the office. Also, nothing is guaranteed. You’ll need to make plans just in case.

PR: You do know we have a game tonight, right?

RG: Yeah. Don’t expect another 20 point win tonight. I’ll be interested in what Bolibok does for an encore performance.

PR: We’re interested in seeing what Enfes does tonight. I guess we’ll both find out soon enough.

RG: I’ll see you after the game, gentlemen.

Guys,
Lion Rebels had made it to top 8 in tournament, one of the two in League 3. he is now rank 26th in the nation!!!

Yeah - honestly got lucky on several of my cup match ups after running into a struggling Div II team in the third round. I had four Div IV matchups in a row after that, and then back to back Div II teams, the second of which threw the game. I’ve only made it to the round of 64 once, so this feels pretty good. But I’m not holding out too much hope…but that is one reason I lost to Muffin on Saturday, trying to preserve my starter’s game shape. Also, I feel like the ranking system is inflating my team’s rank just because of the cup run…and I’m not sure it’s entirely accurate. But I do wonder if there’s just several Div I & II teams tanking a bit.

At any rate - I’m enjoying it while it lasts. Cheers!

…and after losing out in the BBM in the round of 32, I’m not holding out hope for tomorrow!

Tied it up at 72 with 30 seconds left in the third, only to give up a three pointer to end it. Doing better than I thought, but pretty sure I’m about to be finished.

Week Nine Power Rankings
As we're getting closer to the end of the season, the overall rankings have settled into what feels like some solidity with only four movements in EFFG ranking and two in OPP EFFG, with everyone else staying near the same and not affecting the overall rankings from last week that much. So, to switch it up, this week and next week we'll have a slightly different power ranking. In week nine, we'll reveal the season's most improved EFFG teams from week one and in week ten, we'll have the season's most improved OPP EFFG since week one. Which will set us up for our final regular season week before the playoffs begin. Without further ado, here are the rankings for Most Improved Efficiency!

16. VileOnes
Week 1 EFFG: 95
Week 9 EFFG: 64.4
EFFG Diff: -30.6
EFFG Rank: 16

The race to the #1 pick comes to a head on Tuesday, when Vile visits Balls in an attempt to avenge their lone win earlier this season.

15. CB Bethesdorf
Week 1 EFFG: 139
Week 9 EFFG: 114.8
EFFG Diff: -24.2
EFFG Rank: 9

Just two games back from the playoffs with five games left, will CB find themselves battling in those playoffs, facing the Big 8 seven seed, or the Big 8 six seed in relegation? Hosting Fort Wayne this week should be the indicator.

14. Tasty Tardsicles
Week 1 EFFG: 146.5
Week 9 EFFG: 131.8
EFFG Diff: -14.7
EFFG Rank: 3

At the very worst, they are the third best team in the league this season, but they've passed through the toughest part of their competition in the second part of their Great 8 schedule and look to go undefeated in the Great 8 while marching their way to the title game.

13. Balls to the Walls
Week 1 EFFG: 84
Week 9 EFFG: 72.9
EFFG Diff: -11.1
EFFG Rank: 15

While falling short this season, they've at least attempted to be competitive and appear destined for relegation vs a Big 8 five seed.

12. SuperSonics
Week 1 EFFG: 133
Week 9 EFFG: 124.5
EFFG Diff: -8.5
EFFG Rank: 5

Since being ranked 1st in Week Five, the Sonics have lost five games. They're like the Miami Dolphins of our league - can't beat the above .500 teams!

11. Fort Wayne Pistons
Week 1 EFFG: 126
Week 9 EFFG: 119.5
EFFG Diff: -6.5
EFFG Rank: 7

Two wins this week propelled them into playoff contention and a separation from their closest competition. A win against CB on Tuesday could solidify their position the rest of the way.

10. San Dominica Warriors
Week 1 EFFG: 138.5
Week 9 EFFG: 132.9
EFFG Diff: -5.6
EFFG Rank: 2

It's nearly impossible for San Dominica to miss out on the playoffs at this point, but they do have the potential to move up for home court advantage in the first round or could end up in the 4th seed. F.Day visits on Tuesday to help determine that scenario.

9. Jumpstop Jumpers
Week 1 EFFG: 90
Week 9 EFFG: 86.2
EFFG Diff: -3.8
EFFG Rank: 13

After a loss to Fort Wayne and a run against the numbers 2, 3, and 1 seeds in the Great 8, it's going to be difficult for the Jumpers to do anything but get to that fifth seed.

Week Nine Power Rankings - Part Two

8. Lion Rebels
Week 1 EFFG: 137.5
Week 9 EFFG: 134.4
EFFG Diff: -3.1
EFFG Rank: 1

A near loss in the Elite 8 stage of the tournament makes for a dumb first regular season loss to start the week. The matchup of the season is probably tonight, to determine who goes to the championship from the Big 8.

7. F.Day Internet Lovers Club
Week 1 EFFG: 126
Week 9 EFFG: 130.9
EFFG Diff: +4.9
EFFG Rank: 4

A 14-game win streak has led them to a shot at 1st in the Big 8 with a victory tonight.

6. Linndale
Week 1 EFFG: 104.5
Week 9 EFFG: 109.5
EFFG Diff: +5
EFFG Rank: 10

While the Warriors loss was expected, losing to Dragmort stings and after a DNP - Coach's Decision for Tovar, Shooter appears to be looking for somewhere else to shoot.

5. Shandong Golden Lions
Week 1 EFFG: 105.5
Week 9 EFFG: 114.9
EFFG Diff: +9.4
EFFG Rank: 8

This come week's schedule will solidify their presence in the Big 8, but the week after that presents a V in the Golden Lions path toward the end of the season as they will host the Warriors.

4. Mindless Zombies
Week 1 EFFG: 105.5
Week 9 EFFG: 119.7
EFFG Diff: +14.2
EFFG Rank: 6

A 5-3 record through interconference competition pushed the Zombies into 2nd in the Great 8. A 13-point road loss to Tasty tells us that a run to the championship isn't out of the question.

3. 209's MostWanted
Week 1 EFFG: 77.5
Week 9 EFFG: 94.6
EFFG Diff: +17.1
EFFG Rank: 12

In spite of just three wins on the season, 209's EFFG form has substantially improved. Unfortunately, there's two wins, tops, in the rest of their schedule.

2. Muffin Men
Week 1 EFFG: 55.5
Week 9 EFFG: 74.9
EFFG Diff: +19.4
EFFG Rank: 14

I'm not saying the Lion Rebels are responsible for Muffin having this much of an improvement, but they did give up 93 efficiency in their loss to the Muffins.

1. Dragmort Dragons Utd
Week 1 EFFG: 78
Week 9 EFFG: 98.4
EFFG Diff: +20.4
EFFG Rank: 11

They have potential, still to make the playoffs, and the coming matchups set them up perfectly for that opportunity, but face three of the top four in their final three games to determine their fate.

Best of luck this week!

We join the Linndale pregame show in progress…

Jimmy Buckitts: Coach, tell us about the big man, Gao Rongjing.

Pio Reina: He’s a 21 year old center who is an old school center. Plays in the post, can shoot the jumper, defends, rebounds, block shots. We think he pairs nicely with both Stojakevic and Beko.

JB: So who moves to the bench, or are we seeing a three big lineup tonight?

PR: We absolutely can start all 3 if we want, but that’s not necessarily what’s best for the team right now. We’re going to roll out Rongjing in the middle, Stojakevic, Pasman, Bolibok, and Frias. The second unit has been a source of concern, so we’re going to put Beko on the second unit with Pemwieser, Enfes, Kops, and Leao.

JB: After the San Dominica game, is this a show of confidence in Pasman?

PR: Not at all; Walt doesn’t need a show of confidence. We have all the confidence in the world in Walt, and he knows that.

JB: With the roster makeover, what can the newcomers learn in the backend of this season?

Pio Reina: We still have a lot of ground to make up to be competitive here in the Big 8. This is still the toughest conference in the toughest D3 league, and we’re on the wrong side of the competitive divide. We are going to be a problem for someone, but this group needs the experience now. We have a deep, talented, young roster. Once these kids figure out how to play together, we’re going to be a tough draw for anyone and everyone.

JB: Is there something the fans should watch for tonight?

PR: I would say the foul situation and bench production. We’ve got to get them in foul trouble and force them into their bench. Then, our bench has to take advantage of the opportunities they get. The other key is not letting their big man have his way. We'll need to take advantage of every opportunity we can, but the second unit specifically has the depth and ability to make things happen. We need to get a lift from them tonight.

JB: Thank you for your time, and good luck tonight, Coach.

PR: Thanks, Jimmy.