HIGHER DIVISION - 1st ROUND

10 a.m.       USUCK vs. Taiwan Center

So much for the great hype.

It was supposed to be LA>SD vs. San Diego's Finest.  The GM of LA>SD, Hanz Jimenez, felt it was necessary to bring his best players in LA against Finest but a week ago, Finals MVP Jeremy Hunt suffered a freak accident and the MVP is now out for 4-6 months.

"We looked forward to beating Finest but we have our own team to worry about," said Jimenez.

USUCK fell against Relics in the Semis in last season's Playoffs. Relics went on to win their second Championship while USUCK is struggling to deal with last season's loss. They finished on top of the division with a 7-1 record and the #1 seed couldn't deliver when it mattered the most. USUCK/nWo uses the tournaments to try out new players and in this tournament, Dedrick Bates is looking to lead USUCK to their first tournament win. Without franchise player Kenneth Ubom, the pressure is on "D1" to deliver with the goods.

What was originally a USUCK vs. BOB match-up turned into a USUCK vs. Taiwan Center match-up. Flava could not make the 10 a.m. game and Taiwan Center couldn't make the 12 p.m. game.
 
At this time, Taiwan Center's roster is a mystery. They were referred by rookie sharp-shooter, Larry Tieu of Parking Lot Pimps. Anonymous sources have dug up info and Superstar Basketball headquarters only had this text message regarding Taiwan Center.

VIA TEXT MESSAGE: "If it's the same Taiwan Center I saw last summer when I played with the pro team...they're stacked."


12 p.m.       B.O.B. vs. Flava

Pick your poison.

The Commish had no choice but to give B.O.B. the choice in which opponent they wanted.

"They were drafted first, B.O.B.'s name popped up first so that should mean B.O.B. would have the pick in picking out their opponent," said the League Commish. Due to the schedule conflict for both Taiwan Center and Flava, it was the fairest thing to do for B.O.B.

"I guess Anthony Santos went with the team that he knows about rather than facing a team he knows nothing of," said the League Commissioner.

Flava is the two-time defending Champion, a team that no one is talking about. The last two seasons, Flava walked on the floor, their opponents felt they could easily beat them and the result was usually a close victory for Flava. GM Mario Thompson is a former Defensive Player of the Season (Winter 2009) and Cory Ortiz is a Finals MVP (Winter 2009). Last season, rookie Ryan Abrampton led the team to their second title and Flava has become just the second team to go back-to-back in the Diamond Division.

"Here's your scouting report, they play team basketball, they're experienced and they like to make you feel like you're going to beat them," said a rival team. "You're up with a huge lead and you think you're going to win and next thing you know, you have an L next to your team name."

No lead is safe against Flava and they save their best for crunch time. They went toe-to-toe against nWo Wolfpack in the Finals and what was once a tie game turned out to be a 12 point deficit in a span of 2 minutes for Flava.

While Flava saves their best for the crucial moments, the same cannot be said about B.O.B. Should GM Anthony Santos lose against two-time defending Champions Flava, it would be wise for him to seek advice counseling from elder statesman, Mario Thompson.

B.O.B. put together a 21-3 record in the last 3 seasons and they are still looking for their first Championship. They have dominated the Regular Season in the past 3 seasons finishing with a 7-1 record each season. The formula for B.O.B. is simple - they have a Center who can dominate the paint and he is usually surrounded by shooters who can shoot the ball. If B.O.B. treats this like it's the Playoffs, B.O.B. will most likely fall to the pressure they create. If Santos has the team playing like its a Regular Season game, expect B.O.B. to steal a win against the Diamond Division Champions


 

LOWER DIVISION - 1st ROUND

9 a.m.         Got Em vs. The Upper Hand

Tag Team, back again.

Is this a Tournament or a Battle Royale?

One corner has Got Em / Underdawgs / Buckets while the other has A-Team / Flashback / Upper Hand

Welcome to the tournament where teams are trying to win free seasons. Got Em obtained the services of some Underdawgs players while The Upper Hand has added players from Flashback and The A-Team. While the battle on the court hasn't begun, the chatter off the court has already started.

"I swear Terrance Martin better not be playing for them..." said the opposing player (The Upper Hand).

"Aye, Shadon can't play for Upper Hand..." said one player from Got Em.

Out of all 4 match-ups, this match-up has the most players with experience so look for this game to be well executed on both sides. Got Em will rely on Kevin Valmonte cherry-picking, pulling up for mid-range shots, and pretending he's hurt anytime someone fouls his pinky finger. The acting will lead to more calls for Got Em but if Harry Yoo is playing as Center, look for the calls to favor the opposing team. Kenny Blue is a scoring guard who can score anytime he wants to and The Upper Hand needs to pay attention to some of G.E.'s role players because this isn't just the Kevin Valmonte show.

The Upper Hand plays team ball and they finished with a 6-2 record last season, their best season yet. Danny Medina had a breakout MVP season while Chacon Davis was named Defensive Player of the Season. They execute well on the offensive end and their plays have been well scouted by some of their opponents.

"They like to penetrate and dish and usually, they have someone on the back door, and a shooter camping from the 3-point line," said a former opponent. "It really depends on their shooting... if they're hitting on all cylinders, they won't be stopped."

11 a.m.       BFT vs. Gold All Stars


Out with Outlawz!

The Commish had to find a team in the Lower Division in the nick of time against Nick Vasquez and his team, Black Finger Tribe. Last season, the rookie team struggled with a 2-6 record and they have spent the last few weeks making key acquisitions at local gyms. Three players (Nick Santiago, Imari Henderson, Jordan Call) averaged double figures for the team but the lack of chemistry was their biggest weakness in their disappointing season.

They'll face a team compiled of Gold Division players and their chemistry will be in question. Walter Tamidles, Dung Dang, Aldrin San Antonio...

"We might have a few good players but we won't find out until they wake up," said Tamidles. "Most of our players are out of town, Vegas... but this is Hanz's idea so you can blame him if we lose by a lot."

"You can thank Outlawz for pulling out," added the Commissioner.



 

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