The SABL BS

With 8:08 to go in the third quarter I had only scored two points in the quarter and trailed 64-47. I outscored Holcomb 59-32 in the last 20 minutes of the game for 106-96. Greg Anthony's two free throws with 9:16 left tied the game at 84 and touched off a 9-0 run in a little over a minute that ended with me leading 91-84. It was never close after that.

In one of the most exciting SABL games I've ever played, the Druids took a 96-95 victory. The game was close most of the way. Ron Harper scored my last field goal of the game with 3:04 to play to cap a seven-point run and give me a 90-86 lead. Finney then went on a 7-0 run ending with Byron Russell's fastbreak basket with :57 left to give Finney a 93-90 margin. Darrick Martin hit two free throws, I forced a turnover and Harper swished two free throws with :29 left to give me a 94-93 lead. Maurice Taylor put back a rebound with :07 left, but Larry Johnson was fouled with :02 left and made both free throws to put me ahead.

Horace Grant and Johnny Newman fueled an 88-85 Bettendorf victory. I outscored Garden City 11-2 in the last 5:09. After Mario Elie gave Garden City an 83-77 lead, Larry Johnson made two free throws, forced a turnover and hit a three. After Grant made one of two free throws to tie the game, Lindsay Hunter scored on a drive to make it 85-83 with 2:06 left. Newman swished a three and Tim Duncan, whom I double-teamed throughout the game, was called for an offensive foul. Both teams missed baskets and Jon Barry made two free throws with :03 left to ice it. Elie, who was left open because of the double team, didn't miss a shot (5-5 field goals including two threes and 2-2 free throws.)

The first game ended 95-91. It was tied at 87 with about two minutes to go, but Larry Johnson hit two straight three-pointers and I held on. In the second game, I double-teamed Tim Hardaway practically the whole game (leaving either Rodman or Antonio Davis open). The result was a 125-98 victory. I jumped out to a 16-5 lead and never looked back. The third game was all Tulsa, 100-81. The double-team strategy backfired (Davis had 16 points) and the Tulsa defense forced 23 turnovers to only 9 by my press

So everyone understands when they could get penalty points, I've clarified and slightly changed the rules on this. However, I'll always listen to legitimate excuses for lateness. Here's the new verbiage from our Constitution:

Every time a manager is a week late with instructions, he incurs one penalty point. For each three points that are incurred, that coach will drop down one place in the draft order. Accumulation of 21 points means expulsion from the league.

Coaches should follow mailed instructions to the best of their ability and when instructions are unclear, to manage the team as they think their opponent would wish it to be managed. All SABL computer games will be played under the "Neutral Court" and "Static Fatigue" options. All paper instructions must have the team’s active roster and the real-life NBA team he plays for by his name. Failure to do this earns an opposing coach 1 penalty point.

If any coach is 30 days late with either instructions or results, autoplay their team, play the games and get me the game files (.gfl). Before doing so, however, try and contact the offending coach twice. If he has not, or cannot get you the goods before the 30-day deadline, autoplay the late team, play the games and send the coach and me the game files. Please let the commissioner know if the games are autoplayed.

It’s the responsibility of each coach to keep his own team stats and e-mail them to the statistician (the commissioner) during the season. Individual game files (.gfl) and box scores (.prt) must be sent to the statistician. They are due to be in the statistician's hands by two weeks after the game was due to be played, during the season (Example: Dec. 1 game, in statistician's hands by Dec. 15). If you don’t send in or are late with your stats, you won’t be listed in the league leader reports and you’ll get two penalty points. If you’re late two months in a row, you’re expelled from the league. Accumulation of 21 points means expulsion from the league.

Also, it’s the responsibility of each coach to get series stats to his opponent within two weeks of the day the games are scheduled. Individual game files (.gfl) and box scores (.prt) must be sent. If a coach has not received results within two weeks, he should call his opponent to see what’s happening. At this time the offending coach will receive 1 penalty point. For every week after that, if a coach is late with results, the coach will receive a penalty point. If results haven't been received for two weeks, the waiting coach should call the commissioner, who then must notify the coach within another week on how to proceed. It is the responsibility of coaches to inform the league and commissioner of circumstances which may cause lateness. It’s not the responsibility of the commissioner to nursemaid coaches."

The Jams clobbered the Longhorns 83-65 in only their second victory of the season.

OK, so I said the Druids were the dregs and would finish last in the North. I guess the robed ones got their revenge. Let's let this year's Amazingist Feeney, Coach Mark, talk about how this amazing upset is helping to keep his team in first place:

I got lucky and grabbed two out of three. In the first game, a 120-112 victory, I hit 19 of 35 three-pointers (54 percent) and Aces turned the ball over 21 times. In the second game, which I won 112-109 in overtime, my pressing defense forced 38 turnovers. I led by two with four seconds left, but double-teamed Payton (leaving Strickland alone.) He drilled an outside shot to tie it. Barry hit three straight threes to start the OT, however, and Aces couldn't recover. In the third game, Aces smashed me 104-70. Aces cut turnovers down to 21, outrebounded me by almost 30 and played very tough defense (Harper was 0-for-9 and I barely shot 30 percent.)

The final score was 107-96, but that was not the real story of the game. This was a game of runs, but Tri City led most of the 1st 3 Qtrs., going up by as many as 12 pts. Richmond slammed the door, however, in the 4th Qtr. (only giving up 12 pts.) to win going away.

Stephon Marbury (Tri City) led all scores with 22 pts. & also led both teams in assists with 9. Detlef Schremph chipped in with 18 pts. & Danny Fortson & Shawn Bradley both contributed 12 pts. to the effort, (Fortson also led all rebounders with 9 boards).

For Richmond--Michael Finley & Steve Smith both had 21 pts. (Steve Smith's line score was 5-5 from the field including 3-3 from behind the 3-pt. arch & 8-8 from the free throw line) he also had 6 assists & 4 rebounds. All 5 of my starters reached double figures in scoring with A. Sabonis contributing 15 pts., 6 boards, & 4 assists. Erick Strickland (my 3rd round draft pick from this year's draft) contributed 12 pts. & 7 boards (4-5 from the field & 4-4 from the free throw line) in 15 minutes of play.

Please make this adjustments below to your league file only after you have played all your December & January games with both teams involved in this trade. THIS TRADES TAKES EFFECT FEBRUARY 1, 2000:

Bettendorf (17-9) dropped three at St. Lucie (100-81, 114-82 and 102-80), but still hold on to first place by 1.5 games in the North over fellow Feeney Tri-City. Gary Payton had a triple-double in Game 2, with 15 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds. The Aces are still percentage points behind Galactic (26-2), which is in first place in the South.

Steve Francis looks pretty good to Chapel Hill right now. The Jams are the worst team in the SABL, at 1-17. Check out our Standings link for all the details.

The Thunder is hanging on to its thin South Division percentage-point lead over St. Lucie with these wins over McLean. Galactic Coach Steve Walters gives us this report:

The Thunder boomed and lightning struck four times by scores of:

McLean 91 McLean 103 McLean 98 McLean 95
Galactic 114 Galactic 116 Galactic 110 Galactic 119

Game 1
Mclean was lead by Gugliotta with 19 points and Mourning with 18
before fouling out after 32 min.

Galactic was lead by Barkley with 30 points and 12 rebounds,
Stockton scoring 23 points on a 11 for 11 night, and Richmond with 22.
Kemp was way off his team leading 19.6 ave after fouling out in only 29
min with more turnovers 7 than points 6.

Game 2
Howard lead 6 min in double figures for Nationals with 28 points.
Mourning lead in rebounding with 11 to go with just 12 points.

Thunder stormed with 7 players in double figures as Kemp came back
strong with 27 points 9 rebounds and 3 assists on 8/12 shooting and
11 of 12 from the free throw line. Stockton was again over 20 with 22
points. Bakley added 12 points to go wtih 13 rebounds.

Game 3
Mourning bounces back with 23 points and 11 rebounds to lead McLean.
Gugliotta adds 18.

Thunder was a double headed monster with Barkley going for 21 points,
9 rebounds and 8 assists and Brandon (getting more playing time) coming
through with 22 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists. Stockton added 15
points and 6 assists. Galactic flying high with 39 assists for the game.

Game 4
Mclean lead by Mourning with 16 points and Howard with 17.

Barkley lead Galactic with another monster game with 22 points,
16 rebounds and 8 assists. Pippen lead team in assists with 11 and
added 12 points as 8 players scored in double figures. Galactic still
flying high with 37 more assists.

Aces (31-3) knock off Tigers (8-24) in Brooklyn

Don Casey continues to hold the stern a-steady. St. Lucie came into town, the Tigers held Malone to 9pts., and the Admiral to 13. Aces had 5 others in double figures, though, led by Grant Hill 24 and Cliff Robinson 22. The Admiral and 14 reb. And Grant Hill had12. Strickland 12 ast., Payton 11, and Grant Hill 8. Team had 39. Tigers totaled for 14 asst.

P.J. Brown had 17pts and 8 reb. With 8:43 remaining in the 2^nd. HAL then realized Shaq couldn’t defend him outside. And he began having foul trouble. Brown 18-10 for game , Trent 14-6 .

My workload this season has kept me from mailing cards, buying gifts and even phoning my relatives to wish give them Seasons Greetings. It's been busy for me. But I'll take at least a few seconds to tell all of you that it's been a great year for us and next year should be ever better. I really enjoy talking and dealing with all of you and playing the games are a blast. It's still fun for me at age 43.

The Dragons were swept by the Gladiators 97-76, 87-85 and 104-81. The upset is the first real slump for the firebreathers this season. East Asia is 6.5 games ahead of second place Richmond (10-7) in the East. Garden City moves to within 1.5 games of first place in the West Division. Also, the Galactic Thunder (22-2) have moved into first in the South Division, mere percentages points ahead of the Aces (30-3). In the North, the amazing Bettendorf Druids (17-6) are still in first place, three games up on Tri City (11-6). Check out our new Standings link for the rest of the news.

The Heat (11-13) drop to second place in the West, a half-game back of Finney (9-10). The West race is a real toss up, with even the last place team (Meade 2-8), only 2.5 games out of first place.

In perhaps a preview of this year's SABL Finals, East Asia clipped the Aces in a close one. Dragon Coach Paul Bennett provides the write-up:

In what has to be one of the most exciting games is recent memory, the
hometown East Asia Dragons held on to defeat the St. Lucie Aces, 100-98. In
a match-up of conference leading teams, which boast very contrasting styles,
Terry Porter drove around Gary Payton for the winning basket. Down 99-98,
Grant Hill threw the ball away with 12 seconds remaining, St. Lucie's 25th
turnover of the night, and Eddie Jones hit a final freethrow to end it. Pat
Ewing had 24, after 18 first half points, and Antoine Walker had 20 on 4-7
from downtown. Darrel Armstrong had 17 points, 8 assists and 3 steals in 27
minutes. Rod Strickland led St. Lucie with 22. St. Lucie outshot East Asia
57% to 47% and doubled them in rebounds, however East Asia committed only 8
turnovers to 25, and went 7-19 (39%) from long range, compared to 1-7 (15%)
for the Aces. East Asia also had 13 steals while the Aces only had one.

This game featured many lead changes and one of the best down to the wire
endings in Coach Bennett's memory. He could be seen shaking wearily after
the game and was overheard commenting about the bad feeling he had about the
return game in Florida. Rumour has it that the Chiangmai go-go bars had a
strong influence on the sloppy St. Lucie play. When asked to comment,
Bennett replied, "We made sure St. Lucie got to experience Thai hospitality
to the fullest...."

It's mid-December and it's time for our first installment of SABL regular season statisitics! I'll try and post stats every two weeks. Check out all our links and see who's doing what! Enjoy!

Garden City was lead by Duncan with 25 pints and
team leading 11 rebounds. Garden City was 9 of 19
on 3 pointers. Turnovers was a problem 25 to 18 for
the Thunder.

Galactic was lead by Kemp with 23, Barkley 19 and
team leading 12 rebounds and Pippen with 19 points,
6 rebounds, 8 assists and 6 steals. Galactic had 15
steals and 32 assists for game.

Deerfield 97
Galactic 113

Abdur-Rahim scored 23 points in 1st half but
only 2 in 2nd half for a total of 25 including
14 of 16 from the free throw line. Deerfield was
40 of 48 from the free throw line for the game to
Galactic's 13 of 17.

Deerfield only attempted 58 shots for 79 for Galactic
Deerfield was topped in assists 37 to 15, turn offers
15 to 24, blocks 10 to1 surprisingly Stockton had
4 blocks for the thunder and FG percent 61 to 45.

Keep lead Thunder with 27 points and Barkley added 21
although seemed to be favoring one leg.

Finney 104
Galactic 116

Result and box score are attached.

Finney as lead by Bryant's 31, but next top
scorer was Knight with 13. B.Russell added 11
and team high 10 rebounds.

Galactic put 7 players in double figures lead by
Kemp with 27 and Barkley with 22 as well as 10
rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals. Galactic spent
much of the game on the foul line making 32 of 38.

Holcomb 101
Galactic 103

The result and box score is attached.

Galactic held on to a close victory as coles
missed a jump shot with 1 second left that
would have tied the game.

Holcomb was lead by N.Anderson with 18 points,
5 rebounds and 6 assists. As a team the Heat
had 12 steals and only 15 turnovers to 20 for Thunder.
Heat hit on 7 of 21 3's, but was out shot from the field
47% to 59% and out rebounded 32 to 47 and assists
27 to 32.

Galactic had 6 men in double scoring lead by Barkley
with 21 points and 17 rebounds. Kemp, Richmond,
and Stockton each added 17 points.

Meade 84
Galactic 134

Meade was basically a one man show.
Reggie Miller went for 30 points, despite
early foul trouble, on 10 for 21 from field
including 7 for 17 from three point range
and also snagged 6 rebounds. Nearest
player to Reggie's 21 FG attempts was
Mercer and K.Anderson with 9 each.

Galactic was lead by Tyrone Nesby coming
of the bench for 23 points in 26 min on a 10-13
FG shooting night as well as 3 steals. Pippen
added 21 points 6 rebounds and 5 assists in 29 min.
Barkley, Coleman and Stockton chipped in with
18 points each. Kemp lead team in rebounds with 11
but was held to only 8 points on 3-9 from field.

The Thunder boomed to 76 points in the first half and
at one point scored 21 straight points in route to a
41 point 2nd quarter.

The Tigers seem to have found a perfect coach, and Mr. Casey a new and happy home. Brooklyn is now a perfect 0-4 for Don, losing to Tri-City 100-91 despite 26 points from Gary Trent, P.J. Brown was the only other Tiger in double figures with 13. He only had 5 with 8 min. left in the game. Marbury 26 pts., Schremph 25, Fortson 12 reb., Bradley 10 reb. Were too much for Brooklyn.

THE BROOKLYN DAILY EAGLE
SPORTS SECTION 12/5/99

Don Casey appears to be settling in comfortably as the new Tigers coach.
Brooklyn lost 3 straight to Finney at home. the only scare was game 2.
With 8 sec. left Brooklyn inbounded to Trent trailing only 90-89. But
Maurice Taylor came to the rescue stealing the ball and scoring. 92-89).
With 2 seconds left the Tigers again tried to get the ball to Hubert Davis,
Taylor again stole the ball, missed as the clock ran out. So far Casey is a
perfect 0-3. Tiger tracks;;;;; - Casey located Marvin Barnes doing his
Santa thing in front of F.A.O. Schwartz, he rejected the bench coach job,
said he'll only accept a head coaching position. "Besides I get lots of
smiles and friends doin' this job".

Here's the report from the original Amazing Feeney Brother, Davenport Coach Kevin Feeney:

The Freaks and dazzlers split back-to-back blowouts.

We were pathetic in that first game (124-104), sputtered Dazzlers coach Jeff Ruland. We
couldn't have stopped Les Jepsen. I think they shot 90% (it was actually 71%)
in the 1st half. We did not challenge their 3's (7-14) , we put them on the
line (21-27) too much, and we can't hang on to the ball (17 turnovers to
Philly's 7).

Tonight (121-92) we finally played a little bit. Everyone shot well and we played some
D.
We got to the line more in the 1st quarter (9-10) than the whole last game
(5-5).
We defended the 3 (2-14) and Hersey did a good job on that little guy. It
looks like Mr. Recasner may be losing some minutes soon.

The Meade Jayhawks (0-1) start their season at St. Lucie with a loss, 101-91. Reggie Miller paced Coach Leon Rogers' team with 17 points, while McDyess, Grant Hill and Webber each had 16 for the Aces. East Asia (17-2) won three more home games versus Garden City (5-10) to give Coach Paul Bennett the second-best record in the SABL.

Now that everyone has played at least one game, stats will be posted by next weekend for all the see and enjoy!

The scores were 91-84 and 97-89. Karl Malone only scored 8 points in 15 minutes in first game for Miles, while Iverson had 27 and 18 points, respectively.

Amazing Bettendorf is now tied for the second-best record in the league with Galactic and East Asia after beating the Super Freaks 99-90 and 103-82. It must be that deadly Druid defense.

OK, you've heard me give these marching orders before, but I hope it's just a temporary thing. Please autoplay Philly in both your home and away December games and send me and Coach Gary Goldstein the game results ASAP. Thanks.

The only two trades before the Nov. 30 deadline are in (see below). You only have one more month to trade for this season and make that playoff run.

I will adjust the draft picks immediately, but I never adjust rosters until the players are actually on the team. That means players involved in any trades that take effect Jan. 1, 2000, will not be reflected on our website rosters until Jan. 1, 2000.

Any trades made in the month of December take effect on Feb 1. Any trades made in the month of January take effect next regular season.

Please make these adjustments below to your league file only after you have played all your December games with all the teams involved in these trades. THESE TRADES TAKE EFFECT JANUARY 1, 2000:

5. St. Lucie trades Rice, Chapel Hill's 2nd St. Lucie's 2001 1st, 2001 2nd and 2001 3rd to Miles for Karl Malone

6. St. Lucie trades M. Smith to Great Lakes for W. Williams and Great Lakes' 2nd pick.

Forget Brooklyn, Tommy Field's Jams are now the worst team in the league, dropping 7 home games to both Galactic (14-2) and the Amazing Bettendorf Druids. The only teams that have not played yet this season are Meade, Philly and Tri City. When I get results from games involving them, stats will be posted ASAP.

By the way, Steve Walters' Thundering team is now equal with the East Asia Dragons (14-2), as having the second best record in the SABL.

Davenport was not predicted to be in cellar, but is tumbling downward, while another Feeney, Mark, has been much more Amazing as his Druids (12-2), who were picked for last, are cruising in first place.

The Druids (12-2) extend their North Division lead, as Tiger Coach Steve Feldheim reports:

In a game many were alarmed that the Tigers would win again, they played
their worst game of the season. The Druids hung in though also playing
terrible ball. The final score Bettendorf 81-71. Led all the way. The
Druids shot only 32% on 88 fg's. Brooklyn hit 41% {almost acceptable} but
was only allowed 59 fg attempts. They were out rebounded 53-41 and gave up
26 offensive boards. Also 19 turnovers by the Tigers and 11 steals for the
Druids. L.J. led all with 18 pts., Harper had 17, Feick 13 reb. BKL-Trent
13 pts, only double figure, P.J. had 13 reb.

In a hush hush meeting at Nathan's Famous, after the game, Brooklyn owner
Steve Feldheim hired Don Casey as head coach. Feldheim allgedly called
Bowman at home ,in the early morning hours to give him the bad news. Very
unclassy I must say. Casey reportedly is seeking a bench coach, his first
choice is said to be Marvin Barnes. Can anyone locate this man?

Game 1: Bettendorf 108, Chappel Hill 75; Druids forced 30 turnovers. Game 2:
Bettendorf 94, Chappel Hill 87, despite Alan Houston's 33 points. Darrick
Martin made 5 of 6 three-pointers. Game 3: Bettendorf 96, Chappel Hill 82;
29 turnovers hurt the Jams.

Cliff Robinson lead St. Lucie with 18 points, while Grant Hill had a double-double of 14 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists. Gary Payton scored 17 with 8 assists. Abdul-Rahim was great, scoring 30. Paul Pierce was next with 25 points and 6 boards.

Tulsa (3-8) won its third game vs. Deerfield (2-3) at home 99-90, while Bettendorf (7-2) topped the Raiders (3-2) at home 89-79. Richmond killed itself behind the three-point arc, going 1-15.

Deerfield (2-2) and Holcomb (6-6) lead the West Division in the early going, while Finney is last at 2-4. Holcomb dealt both Galactic (10-2) and St. Lucie (22-2) their second losses of the year in 101-95 and 104-102 home wins, respectively. Now, only Meade, Philly and Tri City have not played games. Once I get results from them, I will begin posting league stats

The Raiders have started the season at 3-1 by taking three of four at home from a quartet of West Division teams. Richmond lost only to Bettendorf (6-2) in a 87-79 loss. Richmond beat the Dazzlers (3-12) 112-96, Great Lakes (3-9) 105-96 and Miles (8-11) 89-81. Only Philly, Tri City, Deerfield and Meade have not played games yet in this, the best start in SABL history!