Volume 2 Issue 47 September 1998
FROM COMMISSIONER SCOTT ELLIS, 2ND AMER. BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1998 Draft Order is up
As another public service to SABL coaches coast-to-coast, our 1998 drafting order, along with who really owns what pick, is now posted on our website. Check out our new link above.
If a coach cannot participate in the annual SABL phone draft, he can send a paper
instruction sheet to the commissioner or let the commissioner draft for him. The
commissioner will ring your phone number twice and hang up. If your line is busy,
he’ll try twice more. If he can’t get you by then, he’ll draft for you.
When you call him back, he’ll read you the list of players that have been taken since
your last pick. You’ll have 10 seconds for each player chosen to make your decision.
If you don’t pick anybody by then, the commissioner will hang up and pick your player
for you.
On the trading block
As a public service to the SABL, a pre-draft trading section is herby started on our website:
Ron Karbowski of the Magicians wants everyone to know that star point guard Rod Strickland, who has a mean passing card this year, is on the trading block. Email or phone him if you're interested!
How it's shaping up at roster cut time
As soon as some basketball annuals come out, I'll have a complete report. I think the strike may be delaying their publication. For now, I'll be putting this together piece-by-piece.
Analysis, based on current draft order and trades:
1. GARDEN CITY GLADIATORS
A no-brainer. Take Tim Duncan and call us in the morning - the morning of our 2000-01 season-opener, that is. Josh has made some good deals and with Laettner and Duncan, he's OK under the hoop. Donyell Marshall looks good at SF, too, but no good guard slots and no depth spells doom.
Better than last year, but still out of the playoffs.
MORE TO COME!
Jeff Stahl resigns from the SABL
I was saddened to get an email from Calgary Condor Coach Jeff Stahl telling me he is quitting the SABL after four seasons with us. Jeff was one of our charter members and I really hate to see him go. He's honest, on time and downright fun to have in our league, especialy with his humourous reports on his team.
He said he left because he's tired of seeing one-sided deals in our league. He's right, but any cure I've ever seen for this problem is worse than the illness. I don't like trade committees or artificial limits placed on any coach's right to horse trade. Heck, trading and drafting are fun and wheeling and dealing to get the best possible deal is even more fun!
I've been the beneficiary of bonehead deals and I've also been a bonehead dealer, too. (Years ago, I traded injury-prone Mark McGwire for steady-fielding 3rd baseman Steve Buechle. Now you know why I quit playing Strat baseball).
The only solution to this problem is good coaches. We have those good coaches now and we'll get more as time goes by. Everybody makes good and bad trades in their SOM careers. Just like anything else in life, you learn from those mistakes and try to do better next time.
Jeff, I wish you all the best and if you ever want to come back to the SABL, just give me a call. Well miss you.
With Jeff's departure, we have another coaching vacancy. If you have any friends that would like to join, the Condors are a good young team with good draft picks. Let me know ASAP.
Draftable Players link updated
Some trades and cuts have changed our list. Check out our updated Draftable Players link. It's where you can find out who's available in our 1998 draft.
Who's trading?
Galactic sends Augmon to Miles for Harrington.
Aces trade Carolina's 1st to Heat for T. Knight.
Chapel Hill sends D. Scott to Dazzlers for McIlvaine.
Heat trades Dumars and Garrett to Garden City for Phills & Delk