With some teams dealing with injuries, all star break will be the opportunity to take a rest, heal and get back on court with full strength.
Letās start with a big upset. Traficcers arenāt winless anymore thanks to the 77-69 win over Gavno. Gavno benched all the starters for crucial cup game, but still a huge win for home team. āWhat can I say? Our backups failed the testā said a very disappointed GM-Gavno after the game. āBut we have to move on and fight to stay alive on the Tourneyā
All the top 5 teams on Great 8 lost except one, The Illusion. It was another close game and decent effort for Dutchmen but also another under par 4th quarter, 85-89. If Gavno keep their focus on the Tourney and Illusion manage to beat Gavno in their upcoming game, they might have a chance for top seed in Great 8. Not bad for a team who started the season with 0-3.
Hawks managed to stay perfect beating Goats with a superior 2nd half defensive performance, 99-86.
Flyers now considered as a contender, seem to live up to the expectations. 111-94 win against the host of Season 12 all-star game, Armageddons, makes sure they will continue to chase Hawks. First impressions on their recent signing, Intxausti were positive. He had a double double with 23 pts and 10 dimes.
With almost all their backcourt hospitalized, Investors couldnāt hold on against healthy and solid Cleveland team, 129-100. Almost all backcourt was injured but not all, Carmona was healthy and sharp He scored 50, which is 2 pts short of his career record 52. It didnāt bring the game but earned him the starting spot in much debated Great 8 SG all-star race.
Controversial game of the day was between Steppers and Pistons. Actually there was no game at all. Pistons didnāt show up on the court and that was a walkover. Mina was mad at being snubbed from the all-star team. āI should have played that game, score 50+ and selected in that damn all-star teamā he told the reporters. His consolation price was an invitation to 3pt competition. However, Steppers coach was not complaining about Pistons not playing the game. āWhy am I gonna complain, a win is a win, and a road win is even a bigger win. Iād love to see my players get on the court and give those Pistons guys hell but we are heading back to Charlotte with a 25-0 win. I have no problems with that.ā When he was asked about Mina being left out of all-star team, he responded cautiously: āI respect Carmona and Barr. Last year Barr was left out and next year itās gonna be Carmona if heās still around. Thatās how these all-star stuff work.ā
Tachenko and Bangers, both currently sit at financially risky 5th seed, met for the first time this season. Defensive tone set by Mayagoita and Caldera, not only stopped Bangers but created offense for Tachenko, 95-73. āBangers can handle that loss but losing a home game at this stage of the season would probably be the end of our playoff hopesā said coach Kokka after the game.
It was the experiment day for Magic coach who started guard Ketikidis in center position against Broncos. God, how he knew Broncos was going with FCP and decided to play a guy who can handle the ball at center? Does he have an insider or something? FCP didnāt cause extra turnovers the Broncos coach was hoping and Magic got a comfortable win, 111-93.
Player of the day was, Gael Carmona of the Investors with 50 pts and 8 asts.
No league games on Tuesday, and just 3 days after the all-star game, we may see some of the greatest matchups so far, including Flyers @ Illusion and Magic @ Gavno.
Edit: I totally missed German's numbers. He should share POD along with Carmona. 51 pts, 6 rbds, 3 asts, 2 stls for the winning team and with a way better FG%.
Last edited by karapaks at 5/9/2010 2:01:18 PM