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#14 King Drive Ballers (II.4) vs #38 Imperial Phantoms (II.4)

One thing we know for sure, a Division II team will play in the USA Cup Championship game. The last time that happened was Season 13, when the Division II Grim Koalas made it all the way to the finals, before falling to...brian and the King Drive Ballers. Now brian is back in the Final Four for the first time since that championship. Starring future USA NT stars Laverne Goddard (16437910) and Nemesio Xermade (14597229), this version of KDB is poised to make a run at a record 7th USA Cup! To get here brian defeated the NBBA's AirBallers in the Elite 8 convincingly, 107-93 (42308553), but those guys suck.

Now he'll have to face a legitimate opponent in Azariah and the #38 Imperial Phantoms. To reach the Final Four Azariah had to sink Failboat and the Failboat in the Elite 8 (42308551). The Phantoms are led by USA U21 standout Charles Parsons (17741471), who also starts at Forward for the Houston Rockets (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/boxscore;_ylt=Amxy.jwNnea08FC...).

II.4 bragging rights again on the line, 2 teams enter, one team moves on to the final! Will it be brian and the KDB (probably)? Or will it be Azariah and the Phantoms (I'm guessing no, sorry Az)? Find out Thursday, 8pm Eastern!!!



Last edited by jfarb at 1/18/2012 1:46:08 AM

I like how Parsons decides to change race when he's playing for the rockets, haha.

#2 Silverbacks (NBBA) vs. #4 Milwaukee Lethargy (NBBA)

Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to get serious. The Final Four is now upon us, and this will be a stellar matchup to say the least. Two NBBA teams, fighting for the throne. Who will come out victorious? Let's take a look:

Managed by season 14 and 15 cup champion, SM and the Silverbacks (23223) have managed to make their way back to the Final Four, after a heartbreaking loss the previous season in the Sweet 16 to wozzvt and the Burlington Mountain Goats. So far, SM has gone ape shit (hehe) on almost all of his opponents, causing some to question why they even attempted to beat him. Perhaps even more impressive was the Silverbacks victory in the Elite Eight last week against the defending champion Coco. The Silverbacks were able to pull off an impressive 92-79 win against the defending champs, suggesting that they aren't stopping until they once again become the King Kong of the cup. One thing is for sure, the Silverbacks are tired of eating bananas, and are hungry for another gold trophy.

It won't be a breeze for him though, because SM will have to go through the impressive Milwaukee Lethargy, and their manager shikago (23424) if they want to win. Although their name may imply this, the Lethargy have shown no lack of energy throughout this process, and it sure has payed off for them. Promoting to the NBBA from II.3, shikago has taken his team (comprised mostly of geezers) who had only ever reached the final 64 of the cup, and led them to their first Final Four. He is even making a statement in the NBBA, where he is currently sitting in fourth place of the competitive Great 8 conference. One thing's for sure, shikago has a more experienced team then anyone out there, and although those 40+ year olds may be a bit lethargic at times, he has the talent to back them up. Should be a good one!

Game takes place Thursday 8PM Eastern, you won't want to miss it!

If you are reading this and have not done so yet, please feel free to join the USA Offsite Forum: http://s3.zetaboards.com/BuzzerBeater_USA_NT/index/. It is a great place to learn about the game of BB, and help out and support your country. Please join now!

Results:

#2 Silverbacks 89 - 90 #4 Milwaukee Lethargy
#14 King Drive Ballers 100 - 76 #38 Imperial Phantoms


Season 18 USA Tournament Final:

#3 Milwaukee Lethargy (NBBA) vs #10 King Drive Ballers (II.4)

I just gave you your 300th ball, jfarb. I expect a little something in return :) Haha jk this should be a great matchup!

What a finish!!

Its brian and the King Dive Ballers (22817) vs shikago and the Milwaukee Lethargy (23424) for the Season 18 Cup! Winner takes home the gold trophy, 300k in prize money, and a ticket to the Season 19 B3!

Interview with brian:

1) What's your thoughts on being back in the USA Cup Final, this time from Division II?

In prior seasons I always felt confident in having a stronger team than anyone else. This season I succeeded in having a very deep team, at times 13 players deep. The players I had which helped me promote from III stayed on as I added players for II.4, so they were good enough for most of the cup games this season.

I've had a lot of luck too. I've avoided LMA, Silverbacks, Walker Wiggles; all but the AirBallers from the NBBA. The one II team I played on the road, In Your Face, played a weak team and threw the game. Overall it's completely unexpected to be in the final this season so it's been the most exciting run I've had.

2) How far did you believe your team could go from the start?

My goal was to get to the All Star Break and then focus on II.4. Started out so well in the league I builts up 2-3 games cushion so I could focus on the cup run. Every win since then I've expected to be my last.

3) What are your thoughts on your finals opponent?

I don't know much about Shikago's team honestly. He's in the playoff hunt of the crazy challenging Great 8 this season after just promoting. He's a funny guy, like a clown. He amuses me. For real, I enjoy his posts!

4) What would winning a 7th (!!!) USA cup title mean to you?

It'd be the first Cup won from outside the NBBA, the first one in which I could say I definitely didnt have the best team in the country

5) Who or whom have been your "star" player(s) in this cup run?

Former Chicago Bull, Stipe Zafranovic, has been a monster. He's average 24 pts, 15 boards, 3 assists and shooting 70% in the three games since the sweet 16 round. I had him listed at a price I thought he would sell a few weeks ago too.

6) Who was your toughest match-up this season on the road to the finals?

Overcoming the currently top team in the NBBA's big 8, the highest ranked and largest payroll team I've matched up with during this run.

7) If you win the USA cup, what are you going to do next?

B3 shopping in hopes for showing well for the US

Interview with shikago:

1) What's your thoughts on being here in the USA Cup Final?
With undeniably the toughest cup schedule in USA history, it's truly incredible what my team of 24 has managed to accomplish. Everyone from former all-star David Merlot (10282407) to Alejandro Oliveros (9301981) deserves credit for being 1 loss away from the silverware. (12 on 12 practices)

If we can keep putting the basketball in the hoop, we can score some points on Thursday.

2) How far did you believe your team could go from the start?

I had no real expectations. Basically I decided to take things one game at a time, stay within myself, & let the chips fall where they may. I believe Shania Twain once said, "It's a sprint, not a marathon." But she's wrong & not popular anymore.

In retrospect, the success shouldn't have been a surprise. After all I do have the most prolific offense in BuzzerBeater history. (I practically re-invented "look inside", & single-handedly popularized its use). In my first 33 competitive matches of season 18, I've scored over 50 points in each. A USA record. Stats don't lie.

3) What are your thoughts on your finals opponent?

3 of their guards seem more like King Drive Bawlers, judging from their pictures Diego Pérez (12843142), Laverne Goddard (16437910), & Su Xiaomin (9260231).

Kidding aside, they seem like a very formidable team. They would have to be the definite favorite. As their roster stands at 1PM on Jan 20, 2012... anything other than a 20+ point win by KDB can only be viewed as an epic failure & complete embarrassment.

4) What would winning a USA cup title mean to you?

You know what? We're all winners. Each & everyone of us that participated in the cup. So I can't answer that question.

5) Who or whom have been your "star" player(s) in this cup run?

Idris Rabbani is my only player with "star" potential to have gotten minutes in this cup run. No offense, but that was a rather lazy question. (as player potentials are listed for all to see).

Rabbani has been a real force though. Including an amazing 73 point, 18 rebound performance against the Green Hornets!

6) Who was your toughest match-up this season on the road to the finals?

Probably the Otto Skyhawks (267114). The 1st win is always the toughest. Especially vs. more effort. They had computer-like precision, but after struggling early we showed why we're BuzzerBeater's #1 offense.

7) If you win the USA cup, what are you going to do next?

Let my cup runneth over.

Brilliant shikago, thanks for the afternoon entertainment.

"Take heart in the bedeepening gloom
That your dog is finally getting enough cheese.
And reflect that whatever fortune may be your lot,
It could only be worse in Milwaukee"-"Deteriorata" - National Lampoon


"We seen the last of Good King Richard
Ring out the past his name lives on
Roll out the bones and raise up your pitcher
Raise up your glass to Good King John"- Steely Dan "Kings"