Superstar Basketball

WINTER 2010, SEASON XV
PLAYOFF PREVIEW
WOMEN’S DIVISION
“WHICH TEAM WILL LADY AIR FACE IN THE FINALS?”

 

WOMEN’S DIVISION

By: Hanz Jimenez

 

(1) Lady Air vs. (4) Dream Team

 

*Ehem*

*Ehem*

“All hail, the almighty… Lady Air.”

When you’re a 3-time Champion, you get that respect.

When your team is the first and only team ever in Superstar Basketball to 3-peat, you get that respect. For 3 seasons now, teams have been looking to knock off Lady Air but in their 3 season reign, they’ve been unstoppable. What’s scary is they improve every season and any time a team feels like they could beat Lady Air, they show up with a full roster.

 

Against Dream Team, there shouldn’t be a threat. The team is 2-5 and Lady Air will likely make it to the Finals. Should Dream Team be offended they’re being written off? Of course!!

Dream Team called themselves the Dream Team but so far this season, it’s been a nightmare. They have former MVP Amanda Aoun and point guard Anna Reyes. Megan Jimenez can shoot and Jaime Fortin can score. It may be a tough task beating the 3 time Champions, hell it should be impossible since they’re all washed up. Yes, I said it, washed up. They should be reading this write-up, offended with everything I’ve said, and go out and prove they’re anything but. They’ve been bullied all season and for one game, for one game, we’re hoping to see Dream Team knock Amanda Livingston or Jatara Pryor or Kareena to the floor. Will it happen? Probably not….

 

(2) Triple Threat vs. (3) Lady Lobos

 

This one should be interesting. The winner of this match-up will face 3-time Champions Lady Air in the Finals. Will Triple Threat prevail or will Lady Lobos make an appearance in the Finals?

Newly crowned MVP Samantha Cardeno led the division in scoring with 102 points/14.6 ppg. She also led the division in assists with 26 and her 10 three-pointers ranked 3^rd. Virginia Vasquez is a crafty point guard and on the defensive end, she ranked 2^nd in steals with 2.3 spg. Melissa Martinez ranked 4^th in scoring with 63 points, 9.0 ppg.

Anytime GM Omar Alameddine is involved, you can almost guarantee a loaded roster. They barely played this season but Candice Allen is in the roster and she averaged 15.3 ppg in 3 games. Brenda Chavez averaged 4.8 apg, 5.8 rpg in 5 games while Toni Thomas averaged 18.0 ppg in 3 games.

 

 

 

 

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WINTER 2010, SEASON XV
PLAYOFF PREVIEW
GOLD DIVISION

 

GOLD DIVISION

By: Hanz Jimenez

 

“Consistently Inconsistent”

 

(1) Gunnaz vs. (16) Dynasty

3-5 Dynasty has been inconsistent all season long while Gunnaz has run the table on Gold. GM Kassah Kantiok, the newly named GM of the Season, nearly clinched a 8-0 record until A*Team derailed them on Week 8. How will they rebound after suffering their first loss of the season?

Gunnaz led the division with 75 three-pointers thanks to Rookie of the Season Osasu Oronsaye. The sharp-shooter averaged 15.9 ppg and led the division with 29 three-pointers. “O” also totaled 16 steals and 5 blocks, all team-highs. Chris Johnson averaged 14.4 ppg while Richard Busaka knocked down 23 three-pointers. With all the talent in Gunnaz, what makes them special is the way GM Kassah Kantiok manages them. We’ve seen the team come back from deficits early in the season and Kassah knows how to push his guys. Against Dynasty, they need to pile up the score early because Dynasty is most dangerous when they’re within striking distance.

Dynasty won’t compete if they have a huge deficit against them but give them the opportunity and they will knock. We’ve seen All Star Center Jesse Romero hit several buzzer beaters in the past season and Gunnaz needs to avoid a close game especially if Romero is in the line-up. Romero averaged a team-high 24.6 ppg while Thomas Cruz averaged 13.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg. Alex Koo scored 8.6 ppg while Lo Johnson averaged 8.3 ppg.

 
(8) Outlawz vs. (9) Encore

“Stats Don’t Matter”

Both these teams are assassins in the Regular Season but in the post-season, we’ve seen them choke more times than (insert witty line here).

Outlawz averaged a franchise-high 68.4 ppg, 13.3 apg. They’ve cut back on the 3-pointers and this season, they’re looking to score more in the post. GM David Munoz is setting up his teammates and he is averaging 3.7 apg, 12.1 ppg. Eddie Sandoval is averaging 15.0 ppg while Eduardo Gonzalez leads the team with 17.4 ppg, 12 blocks. Munoz leads the team with 10 three-pointers while Fernando Ruiz ranks 2^nd with 6 three’s.

Encore aka San Miguel Beermen, won the Championship last season. Encore won the previous match-up, 62-53 on Week 5 with Allen Brown going off for 17 points and 3 three-pointers. Brown averaged 16.1 ppg while Alphonso White, reigning Finals MVP, averaged 16.9 ppg. Rashan Haralson led the team with 10 blocks while Matt Anderson led Encore with 22 assists.

“Shouldn’t Have Gone This Far”

(2) A*Team vs. (15) Bullies

Remember back on Week 7 when Commish abruptly scheduled Bullies for a double-header. He screwed his team over by scheduling them last minute and A*Team, understanding the situation, asked to re-schedule. Bullies went 1-1 the following week and A*Team earned the 2^nd seed by giving Gunnaz their first loss of the season. How P.O.’d will A*Team get should Bullies beat A*Team in the 1^st Round of the Playoffs?

Bullies haven’t shown up all season so don’t expect some miracle win over a team that just defeated an undefeated team. Even the Bullies GM is being realistic and expects his team Bullies to be knocked out of the 1^st Round.

Brandon Jones is averaging 18.5 ppg while Jay-R Gomez is averaging 17.0 ppg. Jonathan Wynn is scoring 10.1 ppg while Harry Yoo is averaging 7.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg. Former Buckets players have been tucked away in the roster all season and many are wondering if they’ll magically show up for the Playoffs.

Alan Jones has been unstoppable this season and he is averaging 21.1 ppg, 7.8 rpg. Sam Yeung is the second leading scorer with 15.4 ppg while Victor Lee is averaging 15.0 ppg, 8.1 rpg. The former 2-time LeBronze Champions connected for a franchise-best 66 three-pointers this season. If Bullies do not guard the perimeter, well…they should have been out of the Playoffs anyway.

 

 

(7) Bad News Ballers vs. (10) Got Em

“Repeat Performance”

This is a re-match of Week 8, a contest Bad News Ballers won easily, 75-68.

Got Em needs to look at the Playoffs one game at a time. They’re far too talented to get eliminated in the 1^st Round but unfortunately this season, they may be headed the same path. Bad News Ballers has played 3 consecutive double-headers and their primed and ready to get the Playoffs going.

When Bullies lost last season, it took 2OT periods to eliminate Kameron Johnson and Frankie Sanchez out of the Playoffs. They vowed to come back with a team and they’ve done that this season with John Spaniol (16.3 ppg, 10.3 rpg) and Deshawn Jameson (17.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg). Kenny Ali leads the team with 35 assists and he is averaging 14.6 ppg, 1.4 spg. Their x-factor is Pierre Baker and if SICKWIDIT’s big man shows up, Got Em will get to go fishing early in the 1^st Round.

Kevin Valmonte is averaging 17.6 ppg while Rahsaan Reyes is averaging 15.3 ppg. F Wes Fuller is averaging 18.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg. Valmonte struggled with his shot last week but the former MVP rarely has 2 consecutive bad games so look for him to rebound with some numbers. The x-factor will be Rob Da Silva. If the former 5-time Champion can play like the Champ he once was, Got Em could be advancing to the 2^nd Round.

 

 

(3) Flight School vs. (14) Premier

 

“Is Third Time The Charm?”

When Flight School played Premier twice this season, the score wasn’t even close the second time around. Will Premier avenge defeat by knocking out 3^rd seed Flight School?

 

A lot of people went to Vegas this weekend and that means Premier must have gone too. So far, parties and Vegas have been their biggest weakness and it’s shown on the stat sheet. Only one player, Victor Arellano, is averaging double digits in scoring. They’re either going to make like a light switch and turn it on in the 1^st Round or they’ll make like Earth Hour and shut everything off for the next hour against Flight School. It’s the Playoffs, anything can happen…

Flight School has dominated the Regular Season and this season, rookie Mitchell Victor averaged 25.8 ppg, 7.2 rpg. He led his team with 17 three-pointers and was a close runner-up for Rookie of the Season. Chris Thomas, a candidate for Defensive Player of the Season, blocked 6 shots and he averaged 5.0 rpg. Jeb Busbin has guided the team on the floor and the coach/player is averaging 10.0 ppg, 1.1 spg. This is Flight School’s game to lose and Premier is coming into the match-up with nothing to lose. Flight School needs to remember how they got here and a loss in the 1^st Round will break apart the team.

 

 

 

 

(6) Kings of Krunk vs. (11) Blitzburgh

“Never Underestimate”

 

 

The only way you lose to Blitzburgh is if you under-estimate them. Several teams made that mistake this season and paid for it with a notch in the L column. Will Kings of Krunk underestimate Blitzburgh?

GM Chris Epps ranked 3^rd in steals and he averaged 2.8 spg, 17.4 ppg. “Popsicle” Mike Epps led the division in scoring and he averaged 24.5 ppg, 11.9 rpg. Josh Rendon has stepped up in recent weeks and he averaged 11.6 ppg, 4.9 apg.

 

Kings of Krunk is a tough opponent and it will be tough for Blitzburgh to contain Brandon Papez. He leads Krunk with 19.3 ppg, 9.3 rpg. Andrew Glenn is their best defender and this season, he led the the team with 8 blocks. Former Finals MVP Tony Demonaco is flying under the radar this season but expect him to make an impact especially in the post-season.

 

 

 

(4) -_- vs. (13) Wedashitudaflys

“Tall Order”

 

This is a big match-up for MVP Jordan Ramos. Playing against Wedashitudaflys is a tall order and if GM John Paras has all his players, it could be an early 1^st Round exit for -_-.

One thing Weda has is experience over -_-. Alex “Bear” Ivezaj has played in countless Championship games while the team has played in a Championship or two in the past. Bear is averaging 19.7 ppg, 2.0 apg while Rene Medina is averaging 15.0 ppg, 6.6 rpg. Richard Ramirez is averaging 14.4 ppg while Justin Killer is averaging a double-double with 12.4 ppg, 10.4 rpg.

If -_- is going to beat Weda, they need to do it from the perimeter. AJ Baylon needs to continue hitting shots from long distance and this season, the rookie knocked down 24 three-pointers and averaged 15.9 ppg. Kevin Chow averaged 10.6 ppg while Jordan Ramos averaged 16.4 ppg. The paint will be crowded and -_-‘s backdoor plays may not work. Daniel Torres and Chris Mendez need to be careful and they need to keep their hands out of the cookie jar. Both teams are prone to fouling out and the game may come down to free throw shooting.

 

 

 

(5) Primetime vs. (12) The Rock

“Complete Opposite”

 

Primetime has been there before while The Rock… hasn’t been there before. These two teams are the exact opposite and league analysts have no clue on the outcome of the game.

“Primetime ALWAYS dominates the Regular Season but they choke in the Playoffs,” said a league analyst. “We always say this is the season they’ll get back to the Final Four but they continually choke.”

“No one thought The Rock would even make the Playoffs but here they are,” said another league analyst. “Will they run the tables like they did in their 1^st appearance?”

The Rock averaged 57.7 ppg while Primetime averaged 67.9 ppg
The Rock combined for 33 three-pointers while Primetime combined for 52 three’s.
Primetime dominated the glass with 295 rebounds while The Rock grabbed 215 boards.

Stats aside, GM Ben Sin is one helluva strategist. There’s no question he has Primetime scouted and while GM Dung Dang is coming into the match-up as giddy as can be, Primetime must react to what The Rock is going to give them.

Primetime’s leading scorers are Mark Davison (20.5 ppg) and Rashad Martin (18.1 ppg). Donald Colford (14.8 ppg) is the third leading scorer and GM Sin is probably looking to guard the trio with his tallest guys. Primetime’s guards need to step up and hit big shots because they’re faster and quicker than The Rock. What Primetime needs to expose is The Rock’s lack of focus. Once The Rock starts collapsing in the 2^nd half, there’s no stopping the chaos and Dung Dang needs to know which buttons to push.

Popularity: 7% [?]

WINTER 2010, SEASON XV
PLAYOFF PREVIEW
PLATINUM DIVISION
“COULD AFFILIATE TEAMS RUN THE TABLE?”

PLATINUM DIVISION

By: Hanz Jimenez

(1) Flava 4 Life vs. (4) SICKWIDIT

Sharing is caring but Flava and Warriors-Relics will tell you otherwise. What if this season, Flava and Flava 4 Life plays in both Diamond and Platinum Division Finals? What if Warriors and Relics hold up their end of the bargain and both teams make the Finals? Is Season XV made to be Warriors vs. Flava?

Flava 4 Life is basically the same team as Flava minus Rob Da Silva minus Ray Hong minus Kenneth Ubom. They lead the division in steals per game with 8.7 spg and rank 3^rd in 3-pointers with 64 three-pointers.

Dwayne is averaging 21.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg while Corey is averaging 18.8 ppg in 5 games. Andrew Glynn is averaging 6.5 ppg and leads the team with 6 blocks. GM Mario Thompson is averaging 9.7 ppg, 4.5 apg and a week after running a marathon, you know Thompson has a lot of stamina left.

“After he wins both his Semifinals game, he’s probably going to run around the whole City of Walnut,” joked a league analyst.

There’s no one in SICKWIDIT that can keep up with Thompson so Larry Parker and former All Star James Griffin need to find a way to take care of the ball. Thompson can create ample turnovers and Griffin is SWI’s best point guard. He is averaging 3.6 apg, 7.4 ppg, 1.9 spg. Gary Beiard led all scorers with 24.4 ppg and his 37 three-pointers was tops in the division. The x-factor will be Chris Reeves and in 3 games he is averaging 23.0 ppg, 6.7 apg.

 

(2) nWo vs. (3) Relics

The former Champions are back. The 5-3 Relics are trying to run the tables in both Diamond and Platinum Division this season and nWo is hoping they could stop them in the Semis. Will www.superstarbasketball.org cover boy Terrence Martin stop Relics & Co.?

James Acevado leads the division with 34 assists but there’s no way he could ever guard “T-bone” Terrence Martin. La Salle Thomas or Andrew Knox will have the responsibility of guarding Martin and both defenders have the capability to somewhat limit Martin. Relics excel not on defense but on offense and this season, Relics averaged a franchise-best, 85.8 ppg. The team made a killing from downtown and their 99 three-pointers was also a team-high.

nWo has been unpredictable this season and most of their guys have been in and out of the lineup. Ray Hong is averaging 11.5 ppg, 3.8 apg in 4 games while Mark Davison is averaging 15.0 ppg, 13.0 rpg. Their most consistent PF, Alex “Bear” Ivezaj, grabbed the rebounding title and he averaged 11.0 rpg, 19.9 ppg. If nWo wants to return to the glory days of Fall 2008 where Flight-Bates-Ubom won the title, they need to play defense and limit the duo of Snook and Acevado from shooting lights out.

Popularity: 5% [?]

WINTER 2010, SEASON XV
PLAYOFF PREVIEW
DIAMOND DIVISION
“WILL TWO FORMER CHAMPS RETURN TO THE FINALS?”

 

DIAMOND DIVISION

By: Hanz Jimenez

 

(1) Warriors vs. (4) Beermen Show

When both teams met during Rivalry Week, the Reigning Champions Warriors won 91-82.

Beermen Shows F Rob Summers led all scorers with 31 points while Warriors PG James Acevado dished for a game high 8 assists. Acevado led the division in assists and was named Most Improved Player of the Platinum Division. GM Andrew Knox has to be concerned about his health and the last time we saw Acevado, he was limping off the floor in a game against Flava-4-Life. How bad is his injury?

 

Acevado is one of the league’s top perimeter defenders and if he’s a no-go expect backup Brandon Cleamons to pick up the slack against one of the league’s up and coming point guards, Mike Hernandez. Hernandez ranked 3^rd in assists with a total of 32 and he averaged 16.1 ppg. He often looks to pass to Rob Summers, the 3^rd leading scorer in the division with 26.4 ppg, 211 points. Summers was hot from the perimeter knocking down 20 three-pointers, a total that has him ranked 6^th in the 3-point category. The team is only as good as the man on top and once again, the spotlight is on GM Omar Alameddine. If the calls are going Beermen’s way and Alameddine is on his best behavior, we could be looking at a 1^st round upset. That’s more than unlikely since Alameddine is as unpredictable as they get and Warriors are no angels on the court either.

“There’s a lot of pride on the line in this match-up since it’s Omar vs his friends in the Relics-Warriors franchise,” said a league analyst. “Expect this to go the distance.”

Warriors have two of the deadliest shooters in the division with 3-point king Cisco Acevado (ranked 1^st, 39 three-pointers) and former Rookie of the Season Ryan Snook (ranked 5^th, 21 three’s) ready to fire from any spot on the court. Acevado is averaging 22.1 ppg while Snook is averaging 19.6 ppg. Warriors have 2 of the top 3 rebounders in the division with Lasalle Thomas and Andrew Knox grabbing 79 and 75 rebounds this season (ranked 2^nd and 3^rd). The franchise is well rounded and it’s going to be difficult for any team to stop the Reigning Champions from getting back to the Finals.

 

 

(2) Flava vs. (3) Taiwan Center

 

These two teams have a lot of history together. They’ve played several times in other leagues but when the two first met here in Superstar Basketball, let’s just say Taiwan Center didn’t take their gesture too kindly.

Flava had expectations of winning SSBL’s 2^nd Tournament but when they were abruptly eliminated by B.O.B./Run N Gun, their core players left and Rob Da Silva was scrambling to pick up players.

“Don’t you want to play Taiwan Center?” asked league officials.

“We play them all the time, we need to go,” responded Flava GM Mario Thompson.

When the two teams met on Week 2, Flava won, 69-56. It was Taiwan Center’s first game and after starting the season with a 0-2 record, Taiwan Center bounced back with a 5 game winning streak. Jimmy Miyasaka ranks 7^th in scoring with 137 points, 19.6 ppg and he is tied for 3^rd in three-pointers with a total of 27. The Rookie of the Season Runner-up is in Hawaii and is unlikely to compete against Flava. Billy Hofman is averaging 13.0 ppg, 3.7 apg while Center Dae Han is averaging 17.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg.

If Taiwan Center is going to beat Flava, they need to utilize Dae and have him play inside-outside. His passing skills should get Taiwan Center’s guards open and if they’re falling like they did all season, it could be an early exit for the former 2-time Champions, Flava. Taiwan Center ranked 1^st in 3-pointers with a total of 79 three-pointers.

Flava thrives on defense and Kenneth Ubom leads Diamond in steals with 20 (2.5 spg). Dwayne ranked 3^rd with a total of 12 steals while Mario Thompson tallied a total of 8 steals. The team ranked 2^nd in steals with a total of 59 and they averaged 7.4 spg.
What Flava doesn’t do is rebound and they averaged a division-low, 19.4 rpg. GM Mario Thompson hasn’t been with the team for the last 2 games due to his participation in the LA Marathon. Will his return throw Flava off or will he out-run Taiwan Center. Flava had an impressive title run from Winter 2009 to Spring 2009, is history about to repeat itself? 

 

 

Popularity: 5% [?]

YEAR 4
Season XV – Winter 2010
5 DIVISIONS
“Trinicousins Win LeBronze”

Week 8 – Top 5 Games of the Week (Recap)
March 27, 2010

By: Hanz Jimenez
Contributing Writer

 

Trinicousins vs. Dipset
LEBRONZE DIVISION

With the LeBronze Division Championship on the line, Dipset jumped to a 13-2 lead and it seemed like Trinicousins were in for another long afternoon. There was no Manny Pacquiao fight the night before, there were no parties on Saturday night yet Trinicousins fell behind early.

Trinicousins, 7-1, chipped away at the early lead as soon as Chris Capinia checked in. Connecting on several outside shots, Trinicousins took the lead and the tables quickly turned on Dipset. Who would step up?

Walter Tamidles was hot in the first half and he finished with 20 points, 3 three-pointers, and 5 rebounds. Playing in Cal Poly Pomona’s Sportsfest, fatigue played a huge factor as Tamidles looked to pass in the 2^nd half instead of looking for his own shot. GM Li Mao knocked down several big shots for Dipset and he finished with 14 points, 2 three-pointers. Jim Nguyen led the team with 9 rebounds and 2 blocks but seemed to be on the wrong side of officials.

“He had at least 3 clean blocks that officials ruled a foul,” said league analysts. “Did the crowd affect officiating? Probably…”

While Dipset fans will argue that officials favored Trinicousins, it was Trinicousins that were aggressive on both sides of the floor. The team combined for 7 steals and 6 assists while Dipset combined for 2 steals and 2 assists. Charles Trinidad scored 10 points and grabbed 4 rebounds while Ryan Basco scored 17 points and finished with 2 steals. Chris Capinia came off the bench for 14 points and 3 three-pointers. Capinia was named Finals MVP and was a huge factor in Trinicousins’ comeback.

Popularity: 6% [?]