Volume 2 Issue 26 September 1997
FROM COMMISSIONER SCOTT ELLIS, 2ND AMER. BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Pre-draft analysis
Trades, roster cuts and divisional realignments have changed things a bit for the 1997-98 SABL season. While some things are the same, like a preponderance of powerful teams in the Classic Conference, others have changed a great deal, such as perennial losing Coach Tom Gantert possessing a powerhouse in the North Division.
So, as we are studying the upcoming draft and each other’s teams to see what we need to make the 1998 SABL finals, here’s my take on how we stack up:
SABL West
1. Seattle Metros – Frank Pennylegion’s team is probably the best in his division. He’ll score buckets of baskets, but can Seattle rebound and play D well enough to advance deep into the playoffs? Laettner, McDyess, Ceballos, Reggie Miller and Blaylock are gonna lead Seattle to oodles of 100-point games.
2. Tulsa Twisters – Phillip could sneak into the playoffs this season. Tim Hardaway, Joe Smith and rebounding boys Rodman, Dudley and Big County Reeves might be enough.
3. Tri-City Blackhawks – Chris Feeney is one of the SABL’s three amazing Feeney brothers. And his team has done an amazing disappearing act. Having cut or traded more than half his team, he’s down to seven players. However, he does have the fourth pick in the draft and with Richmond, Larry Johnson and Bradley to build on, he’s looking good in ‘98-’99.
4. Davenport Dazzlers – All-around good guy Kevin Feeney is another of the amazing Feeney brothers. Avery Johnson’s a good point guard and Chris Mullin has another good year in him. Eddie Jones, Loy Vaught and Sam Perkins round out this squad. Kevin also has two first round picks to help him get stronger in 1998-99.
5. Bettendorf Druids – The last of the SABL’s amazing Feeney brothers has an amazingly bad team. It’ll be dull in Druidsville this season. With the exception of forward Toni Kukoc, Mark’s team has holes all over. Mark has two first round picks this year and with another high pick next year, he should be more amazing.
SABL East
1. Richmond Raiders – Yes, Frank Rowley traded away Shaq. But he received almost an entirely new starting lineup that is the best in his division. Sabonis, Muresan and Gatling look good under the hoop, while Mark Jackson, L. Ellis, Steve Smith, Finley and Houston can handle the rest. Mr. Rowley’s now a tough customer.
2. Austin Grasers – Eric Everage’s been a very busy new SABL coach. His team is unrecognizable from a few months ago after all his trades and this year, his team should win some ballgames. Webber, Rider and Strickland will see to that.
3. Akron Blimps – Dave Scott’s a patient man. After years of suffering, he could play .500 ball
for the first time. Kevin Garnett, Stoudamire, Harper and whatever Dave gets with the fifth pick in the draft could get him there.
4. Blocher Bombers – Nick South’s inheriting the franchise formerly piloted by two-time SABL champion Dave Plisko. Nick’s team shouldn’t even make the playoffs this season. It’s rebuilding time and Nick’s started the process. David Robinson is gone, as is Payton. But with Sprewell and Walt Williams, the foundation is being laid.
5. Carbondale Young Punks – Dear John: Your punks aren’t merely young, they’re juvenile
delinquents. And Dominique Wilkins isn’t young and neither is Divac. Anyway, John already knows he can’t win this year. John’s a good coach looking for better things in future years.
SABL South
1. St. Lucie Aces – I won it all last season. I look pretty good this year, too.
2. Galactic Thunder – Steve’s talent level is about the same as last year, and he lost to me in the finals.
3. Holcomb Heat – Charlie’s also given new meaning to word "trade" this year in the SABL and his team is better than ever. Unfortunately, he’s in the same division as me and Steve. Believe it or not, Michael Jordan and KJ aren’t enough to win this division, although the Heat should make the playoffs.
4. Meade Jayhawks –Glen Rice is all Leon really has this year. He's going for the future, as evidenced by his recent Ewing deal.
5. Finney Longhorns – Shawn Kemp and Sam Cassell are good. But it’s gonna be "wait till next year" for Doug.
SABL North
1. Michigan Gearjammers – Where do I begin to tell how good this team is. OK, how about Grant Hill. Who cares about the rest? Possible SABL finalist.
2. Motor City Maulers – Bill’s team also is loaded and is a definite playoff team. Mutumbo, Big Dog Robinson, Howard and Kenny Anderson will do some damage.
3. Brooklyn Tigers – Or are they the Brooklyn Jazz, with Karl Malone, Stockton and Hornacek? A close call here between Steve Feldheim’s team and Jeff Stahl’s.
4. Calgary Condors – Jeff’s in the wrong conference this year. His team is improving so much. With Hunter, Penny, Vin Baker, Jim Jackson and whatever he gets with the second draft pick, he still can make the playoffs. The SABL North definitely has the most talent in the league.
5. Michigan Panthers – Tim Duncan will look real good on Bill’s team next year.
Draft is Oct. 12
The date of our draft has been changed to Sunday, due to a job change on my part. 11 a.m EST is the start of this year's SABL draft. It will be done via phone. Check the Constitution for the procedure. I hope to be done with the draft by 3 p.m. EST.
New fatigue system
From now on, we'll be using the new "Static Fatigue" option in the SABL. Make sure this, along with "No Auto Rest," is selected every time you play an SABL game. Static fatigue means you don't have to spread out your minutes on the position grid anymore to keep players from getting tired prematurely. Players will fatigue on a minute-per-game basis, no matter what.
League disks to be on web
Once the draft is over and we've allowed for a couple of weeks of trading, I'll be posting the official 1997-98 SABL League Disks for download. For the two coaches not on the web, I'll be mailing them league disks.
This should be posted about Nov. 1 and must be used by every coach (except our dice player, Jeff). Just in case, however, make sure you always backup your SOM game after every use in case of a crash and keep a copy of all your game files and box scores.
Who’s trading?
Austin trades McIlvane, Newman & Galactic’s 1998 first round pick to Davenport for B. Owens and Holcomb’s 1997 first pick.
Aces send E.Williams & B. Thompson to Carbondale for D. Wilkins, Goldwire & Chieftains' 1st pick.
Aces send Chieftains' 1st pick & M. Bryant to the Panthers for Bogues & R. Pierce.
Aces send their 1998 2nd pick, McCloud & R. Pierce to Tulsa for Mashburn and Tulsa's 1998 3rd pick.
Galactic sends Ostertag, Rooks, Rozier, Augmon, Austin's 1998 1st and 2nd picks and Holcomb's 1998 2nd pick to Meade for Ewing, J. Williams, Douglas and Gamble.
New trades page
Check out our new "Recent Trades" link. It'll be a running log of trades made during the last six months or so, starting from now.
Feldheim's on Net
Brooklyn Tiger Coach Steve Feldheim is the latest SABL member to arrive on the Internet. His email is Steeim@aol.com or mikedave@worldnet.att.net.
Cards are here!
Just received my cards and computer game on Sept. 20, 1997, a date that will live in infamy. Check the draftable players link, because some folks have been added and subtracted. Only people with cards can be drafted, so that means guys that were cut like Kurt Thomas are gone until next season.