well, i did not expect all these posts for such a game, but looking back at saturday's box score, i easily understand that you are wondering jona. unfortunately as much as i can explain it, i think you will still have a doubt, and there is not much i can do about it. but as much as i dont like to clear myself - at all, i feel some are waiting for my version of the story.
a couple of weeks ago, patrick and i briefly talked about our upcoming game, and he told me, joking, that he would CT me. of course we were laughing about it, and the way i saw it totally convinced me that he wouldnt try to win against me, in order to keep his chances to go further in cup. and you dont need to be a buzzerbeater expert to know that amenra would use his C team, especially when you know his lack of rotation. needless to say i rested my starters! when i made my lineup, i didnt think it was that much of a high risk, because i know his C team, because i was miles away to believe he would fight for it, and because i know what my B squad can do for me.
i admit now that was still risky tho, and i could have lost, yes. but regardless of the result, the idea behind it was to keep my best players ready for this week's double cup header (and to have a chance to keep the best possible enthousiasm until -at least- the last B3 game.) because yes, i want to win the cup and the title. this is probably the last opportunity i have to win both. (btw patrick: i'm not sure you dont keep an eye on the cup just in case there is a way to win it
but now, you know that you'll have to buy your PF if you want to win it ;)
now to talk about the real issue here: yes, patrick, frank and i are friends. and to be totally honest with you: yes, i enjoy to see them win and to have them in bbbl. because it is nice to talk about it every now and then, to give each other advices, to exchange ideas, to show each other's prospects, etc. you wont be able to fight against it, that's how it is. the same way we wont be able to fight against suspicion.
2 other things - and then, allow me to stop clearing myself once for all:
- to be totally transparent and before someone takes the bodies out of the drawers: yes i did let amenra win once in season 18. i was 3rd in my conference, far behind, and out of the cup. nothing to win, no more goals. pat was battling to avoid relegation. he is a friend. that was my Christmas gift.
http://www.buzzerbeater.com/match/39642939/boxscore.aspx
- i am gonna say it now before any anticipated accusation: i play my last regular season game vs frank, and no need to be an expert either to know that if i have no interest in that last game, i'll preserve my best players before the po. i'm not revealing any strategic secret here am i?
One last thing: jona, i dont blame you at all for being suspicious. it is a natural feeling. but i think you should choose you words and not accuse gratuitously - polleforever at least said he would wait before judging. that being said, i appreciate your frankness and your attitude in this game.