BuzzerBeater Forums

So since it's getting close to that time of year, let's talk the playoff picture, starting with the Big 8;

HoopsterDoofuses
-Lowest points against
-Lowest points for of any playoff team
-Top salaried player in league Frederick Warren, this year he's scored less but we've scored more
-2 30 somethings playing under their salary, 2 22 year olds playing over theirs
-Hardnosed defensive team that likes to shut down the opponent and protect the ball when they have it

BucsBlue Lob City
-Highest point differential in league
-Second lowest points against
-A PG Tompkins to give Warren trouble, and all star SF Alex Spaggiari who leads the league in assists
-2 of top 3 players at 33+, C Guillaume Thenot should outplay salary assuming he's training this year
-Overall a flashier rendition of Hoopster with more scoring spread across more players

BakerStreet Irregulars
-#2 in league in points for
-Another D2 caliber PG in Meredith, with solid supporting cast but no real second star on the level of Englander or Spaggiari
-2 starters on transfer list so maybe not going all in for this year's playoffs
-Looks like bigs are trainees so should outperform salary
-Fewer turnovers than either Hoopster or BucsBlue, so smart with ball

Taylor Titans
-$87k defensive monster Duane Redd
-23 y/o SG Efsun probably playing above salary
-.500 team with a point differential of only 9, slightly on the bubble but likely secure in 4 slot
-Could theoretically upset a team leaning on a dominant C, but unlikely to answer any Big 8 PG

And for the much more balanced Great 8 playoff picture;

LionPride
-Most points scored of any team
-6 players averaging 10+ PPG, 3 averaging 15+
-Biggest strength in frontcourt with 3 of top 4 salaries listed as PF, Courtney Roman topping them at $60k
-No players in decline
-They give up more points than most other playoff teams but it may not matter

ScrapHeap Low Posters
-Strong point differential, not as explosive as LionPride but stinger on the other end
-Sold off league leading scorer Mario Rodrigo Extremadouro and in process of selling C Xavi Estalell, so not bringing the team that got them into the playoffs, though could use the funds for purchases and enter with toughest playoff team
-Ron Yates and Ding Zhong Zheng look like a solid inside outside combo but unspectacular compared to Big 8 PGs or LionPrides frontcourt
-Could win it all with the right pickup but not currently carrying enough explosive star power

Rhino's Rage
-Strong point differential with a slight leaning towards offensive firepower
-Qiao Runkun a defensive force with 2.2 blocks per game and also adds 12 PPG
-5 players averaging double digits lead by Erik Ivancsik and David Skandik
-No key players in decline
-One player on TL, sale could be turned into an upgrade somewhere or not

Mof State Squizzes
-Second lowest point differential of playoff teams
-Depth could be an issue with only 3 salaries over 20k, 4 over 15k and no 50k+ dominator
-Kermit Trickle averaging 2.3 blocks a game and Carlo Palmese 1.7 could shut down a seemingly superior attack
-No recent or pending transfers so might not have the funds for last minute reinforcements

With our boy Frosty set to leave the league. Its good to see someone jump in with a couple things to keep the forum fresh. I have and will try to continue to do the same as well. Good write and as we near the last 3rd of the season will be interesting who decides to "go for it" and what teams put it in cruise control.

Looking at the #s, I'd have been confident I won that thing. Made you throw up a ton of bricks from outside, forced 16 turnovers, and didn't give up as many offensive rebounds as is usual with a 1-3-1. Dangit. Good game. A win there and I could have sold an old timer and coasted the rest of the way.

I'm just happy you sent everyone but Warren and Holbrook to the line.

Also since I don't feel like checking everyone's lineups, let's all showcase our 6th men with stat lines and see who would win 6th Man Of The Year if it existed. I'll start;

Kent Holbrook PG/SG

12.4 PPG .465/.333 FG/3FG .583 FT 3.7 RPG 2.2 APG .5 TO .8 STl .8 BLK 12.4 rating in 23.3 minutes

With InterLeague done lets take a look at the III.7 Hot 5pot!!!!

1. Great 8 > Big 8?
I guess the biggest question at this point in the season is WHO is the more superior side and what side is more positioned to actually make a push to win the entire league and promote. The Great 8's playoff teams have an overall better record but the Big 8 host the team with the best overall record and the best overall Point Dif. Who you got?

2. League Promotion?
Who wants to win this league? the sporting news doesn't know who to pick as the favorite right now? 6 teams have double digit wins and 2 more have winning records. Is this a case of 1 or 2 late purchases could secure a promotion.

3. Power Rankings?
The Sporting News thought about doing Power Rankings but the reality is that after you get past the top 8 there really isn't any purpose of ranking... Titans and Rogue will battle to see who can garner that 4th playoff spot and the $$$$ that comes with it. And with a run Sparta could find themselves in the playoff hunt. And as for the top who could give legit reason as to why 1 team is better than another on the top. Sporting News is hoping that someone can either respond with reasons as to why they believe any particular team in this league is actually strong enough and ready to win and promote

4. The Exit of some Staples
At this point in the year it is sadly, painfully and clearly obvious that we will lose 2 members of III.7 that have been staples. Whether they have been thorns to victory like DC or just a strong competitor and HUGE contributor to the forum FROSTY. Both have decided to fully rebuild and take the route of demotion, drafting, making money and returning to D3 with teams ready to make strong long runs at winning a title. I will say both managers whether you liked them or not did great jobs and once reloaded are teams you wont want to play. Been fun guys best of luck!

5. Allstar Recap
In a night of stars there were a few things that stood out. If Fred Warren and Tommy Lee could be a back court together they'd compete to win a d2 league. Tommy Lee proved to be the Star among stars as he led all scorers in the game and proved that despite being really close to that decline age he's still got it.