#1 ranked Maroon holds onto its reputation, moving ahead to 4-0.
Last night Maroon blew out the Purple veterans by 30 points, using their patented 3-quarter court press to exploit Purple's weak ball handling. Purple has really suffered this season when playing against teams with strong guards. Losing to team Orange by 32 and team Maroon by 31 is solid proof that Purple should have improved there guards and perimeter defense before last weeks, week 3 roster deadline. Failure to do so, may be costly for Purple in the playoffs, but don't count the veterans out. Led by Joey Cruz Jr. (15pts) Maroon stays undefeated anticipating there potential #1, #2 match up with Orange one week from Sunday.
In less interesting news, team Black cruised to victory of a short-handed Royal Blue team, which couldn't seem to find the basket, probably shooting under 35% for the game. Credit the size of Ray's strangely put together Black team. (Clearly some under the table Blue-chipping took place when that team was put together.) Despite the 24 point victory a member of Ray's team was extremely disappointed in the officiating that took place and continued to voice his disgust at the team rendezvous at Brother Jimmy's next door. Maybe we will hear more from him on the blog. Healthy again, team Black is looking strong and ready to make a push at a possible third title. Black should get back pg Ray Shields for their next game which would give them a full roster for the first time since they raised the 'B' league trophy.
This Sunday at 8:15 Team Orange (3-0) takes on Team Navy (1-2). More details and analysis to follow.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
League News
Last night, two ideas from the imaginary suggestions box were denied by the commissioner.
Currently, the regular season has very little meaning at all considering all eight teams get entry to the playoffs. Aside from the fact that the bottom two teams are weaker, there really is no reward for finishing the regular season in 1st or 2ND place. A bye-week for the one and two seeds was suggested and rejected. So was the idea of making the post-season more exclusive. While giving everyone a chance to win it all, makes for an interesting post-season, having a playoff cut-off would be more authentic.
The second denied suggestion involved the tail end of games; crunch time. As of now, only the final two minutes of each half are stop time. This rule can be very detrimental to a trailing team in the final two minutes of a game. For example, in a game this season, there was a foul called against a team trailing by under 6 points with about 3:55 on the clock. It took the refs a full 50 seconds to get the foul registered into the books and to get the ball inbounded. That's almost a full minute lost for the trailing team. If stop time for the 2ND half and 2ND half only, would start in the final FIVE minutes of each game, it would enable a more basketball-like crunch time. For a league that uses several NBA rules, one cannot look at this suggestion as far-fetched. Unfortunately, this idea was rejected in the respect of game length. "We would be here until 11:30 at night," said the commissioner. There were no further suggestions made that could cater to the commissioner's denials.
Currently, the regular season has very little meaning at all considering all eight teams get entry to the playoffs. Aside from the fact that the bottom two teams are weaker, there really is no reward for finishing the regular season in 1st or 2ND place. A bye-week for the one and two seeds was suggested and rejected. So was the idea of making the post-season more exclusive. While giving everyone a chance to win it all, makes for an interesting post-season, having a playoff cut-off would be more authentic.
The second denied suggestion involved the tail end of games; crunch time. As of now, only the final two minutes of each half are stop time. This rule can be very detrimental to a trailing team in the final two minutes of a game. For example, in a game this season, there was a foul called against a team trailing by under 6 points with about 3:55 on the clock. It took the refs a full 50 seconds to get the foul registered into the books and to get the ball inbounded. That's almost a full minute lost for the trailing team. If stop time for the 2ND half and 2ND half only, would start in the final FIVE minutes of each game, it would enable a more basketball-like crunch time. For a league that uses several NBA rules, one cannot look at this suggestion as far-fetched. Unfortunately, this idea was rejected in the respect of game length. "We would be here until 11:30 at night," said the commissioner. There were no further suggestions made that could cater to the commissioner's denials.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Team Navy picks up Ron off waivers
Picking up a veteran big man like Ron is a good look for team Navy. Despite the 0-1 record with the old center, it's clear he has already instilled a new personality into the team. Ron can stretch a defense and also relax the team a little bit. Something that team Navy could certainly use for the remainder of the season. In other notes, starting PG Thomas Sweeney is questionable (personal) for this Sunday's showdown vs team Orange.
Knockout.
As in, James' Mom is a KNOCKOUT.
Just kiddin'. Played knockout last night with Nasty, G, and LBJ for a little while before the gym closed. Pretty sure I had more fun playing this kid's game and shooting around than I have had playing pickup/IMs the last couple of weeks.
So what am I trying to say? Yeah, we should try to get a ginormous knockout game together. Or just another one of those late night continuous 5-on-5 runs with the standout regulars.
Whaddya say, guys?
Just kiddin'. Played knockout last night with Nasty, G, and LBJ for a little while before the gym closed. Pretty sure I had more fun playing this kid's game and shooting around than I have had playing pickup/IMs the last couple of weeks.
So what am I trying to say? Yeah, we should try to get a ginormous knockout game together. Or just another one of those late night continuous 5-on-5 runs with the standout regulars.
Whaddya say, guys?
Monday, February 25, 2008
You got to understand one thing NAVY....
The refs do not give a fuck who wins, and who loses. They don't even care what's going on in the very game they are reffing.
Last game Orange played in, our ref was reading HOOP magazine on the sideline, as the game was going on, in the middle of a foul shot. NO EXAGGERATION.
Never go into a game expecting the calls to go your way. That should never dictate the way a game is played. We all know Ray Shields and his team of horses pay the refs, shit, his main thoroughbred is a ref in the LEAGUE. But enough of that.
LBJ, keep your chin up and forget about the refs.
The White Stripes: A Short Comparison
To start things off, this post is not meant to disparage the referees in the 92nd Street Y league or to find a scapegoat for team Navy's last two losses. I just want to shed some light on a couple of issues that many people have found with the quality of enjoyment of these league games.
I feel that I can offer a somewhat unique perspective on the quality of refereeing, as I participate in a league other than the Y league with people from my office. Without having the knowledge of what else is out there in the realm of NYC basketball leagues, it is tough to make judgment on the officiating at the Y.
However, even without a comparison I find that the officiating at the Y directly affects the way I play and makes the game less fun. Young players do not have the same relationship with the referees as the older players. It is nearly impossible (unless I'm guarding mini-me on Maroon) to get a steal off someone's dribble without getting called for a foul. Sometimes it seems that the referees are just waiting for you to say something out of frustration at their already poor officiating, at which point they become even more unfair in their calls.
Anyway, those are a few of the issues one can find without any reference point. Fortunately, I have had the pleasure of playing in a league where the referees are friendly with the players without taking sides, call the game consistently and fairly throughout, and as a result there is a much better relationship between players and refs. The problem (and great thing about it when the refs are good) is that this is a self perpetuating process. The fairer the refs are, the happier players are, the less players talk back to the referees, the happier the referees are and as a result the game is decided more by the quality of the two teams rather than the frustrations of both players and referees. On the other hand, when the refs are unhappy, on some sort of power trip and generally poor at calling the game, the players are in effect also unhappy and show this frustration on the court, which leads to even poorer officiating. Where this process started is hard to say, but at this point it doesn't look like shutting your mouth on the court helps when it comes down to it.
From my experiences, playing in my work league, even if it is sometimes (only sometimes, because there are some very good teams in the league there as well) not as competitive, is without question more fun and rewarding. I don't come into the game wondering whether I'll get a technical for politely asking who the foul was called on or if the other team has an advantage because they've been playing in the same league with the same refs for 8 years. These thoughts never enter my mind. I come to play ball and try my best to win with my teammates, and that's exactly what I get out of it.
To finish this off, a few final thoughts:
1) It IS possible to have fun playing in a basketball league
2) It IS possible to have a good relationship with referees, even in a heated game
3) It IS possible for referees to be friends with players without it affecting their officiating
4) The Y lacks all of the aforementioned things and is less fun as a result
5) Offer the referees from my work league jobs at the Y as a solution, because you don't want the players going somewhere else
I feel that I can offer a somewhat unique perspective on the quality of refereeing, as I participate in a league other than the Y league with people from my office. Without having the knowledge of what else is out there in the realm of NYC basketball leagues, it is tough to make judgment on the officiating at the Y.
However, even without a comparison I find that the officiating at the Y directly affects the way I play and makes the game less fun. Young players do not have the same relationship with the referees as the older players. It is nearly impossible (unless I'm guarding mini-me on Maroon) to get a steal off someone's dribble without getting called for a foul. Sometimes it seems that the referees are just waiting for you to say something out of frustration at their already poor officiating, at which point they become even more unfair in their calls.
Anyway, those are a few of the issues one can find without any reference point. Fortunately, I have had the pleasure of playing in a league where the referees are friendly with the players without taking sides, call the game consistently and fairly throughout, and as a result there is a much better relationship between players and refs. The problem (and great thing about it when the refs are good) is that this is a self perpetuating process. The fairer the refs are, the happier players are, the less players talk back to the referees, the happier the referees are and as a result the game is decided more by the quality of the two teams rather than the frustrations of both players and referees. On the other hand, when the refs are unhappy, on some sort of power trip and generally poor at calling the game, the players are in effect also unhappy and show this frustration on the court, which leads to even poorer officiating. Where this process started is hard to say, but at this point it doesn't look like shutting your mouth on the court helps when it comes down to it.
From my experiences, playing in my work league, even if it is sometimes (only sometimes, because there are some very good teams in the league there as well) not as competitive, is without question more fun and rewarding. I don't come into the game wondering whether I'll get a technical for politely asking who the foul was called on or if the other team has an advantage because they've been playing in the same league with the same refs for 8 years. These thoughts never enter my mind. I come to play ball and try my best to win with my teammates, and that's exactly what I get out of it.
To finish this off, a few final thoughts:
1) It IS possible to have fun playing in a basketball league
2) It IS possible to have a good relationship with referees, even in a heated game
3) It IS possible for referees to be friends with players without it affecting their officiating
4) The Y lacks all of the aforementioned things and is less fun as a result
5) Offer the referees from my work league jobs at the Y as a solution, because you don't want the players going somewhere else
Chipped tooth.
So yeah, chipped my tooth a little on one of those standard "lower-the-shoulder-into the-defender's-mouth" plays (is it possible to get a poke steal without getting called for a reach in this league?). I had little specks of white on my finger/lips afterwards, which was a little disconcerting, but oh well.
Funny part is, though, I emailed my Mom today and told her about the loss (my parents are very interested in our intramural travails). This is what she wrote back:
Typical Mom, huh?
Also wanted to thank my buds on Orange for attending (JMil, G, Nasty Nate). Loved the support (assuming you were rooting for us... errr.).
Peace easy.
Funny part is, though, I emailed my Mom today and told her about the loss (my parents are very interested in our intramural travails). This is what she wrote back:
Chipped a tooth?????? A front tooth?! - don't tell me that - you have perfect teeth and don't want to ruin that!!!
Typical Mom, huh?
Also wanted to thank my buds on Orange for attending (JMil, G, Nasty Nate). Loved the support (assuming you were rooting for us... errr.).
Peace easy.
Late Tip-in Pushes Maroon Past Navy
Last night, a new-look Navy team took the floor against top seeded Maroon and the sell-out crowd of 15-20 people were not disappointed. Both teams were tight and got off to a slow start, not recording a field-goal until about six minutes into the game. Prior to the game, Navy challenged themselves to stay strong mentally and not let poor officiating and missed calls do them in. For 35+ minutes they succeeded at this. Maroon was very effective with their full court pressure, frustrating the Navy guards and forcing them into turnovers and poor shots. Any one watching the game, saw Navy control the flow for the majority, but momentum swung the other way when with a 2 point lead Maroon stole the ball leading to a lay up to tie the game and a chance for the conventional three point play. (FT was missed) Maroon failed to take the lead on that sequence but indeed took control of the game as things further unravelled for Navy when one of their guards was called for an offensive foul; forcing him to leave the game with 6 personals. After several lead changes during the last 2 minutes of the game, Maroon dominated the offensive glass and got a late tip-in to take a one point lead with 1.1 seconds left on the clock. Navy's fate was sealed.
Coming this Sunday, Orange tries to stay undefeated as they play the rival Navy team. Elsewhere team Maroon will face off against the veterans of team Purple on Thursday. Check your local listings
Coming this Sunday, Orange tries to stay undefeated as they play the rival Navy team. Elsewhere team Maroon will face off against the veterans of team Purple on Thursday. Check your local listings
Sunday, February 24, 2008
JMiller Should Work for ESPN
The power rankings are HILARIOUS. Great scouting reports, looks like somebody has been a Y member since '85.
Orange has been abusing the bottom half of the B division....
Friday, February 22, 2008
Week 3 'B' League Power Rankings
#1 Team 5-Maroon (2-0) with John Thompson as coach.
With a tough game coming up this Sunday vs Team Navy Blue, the playbook of Kenny Powell will certainly be tested. Clearly one of the more talented and seasoned teams in the 'B' division, team 5 has strong guards who can stretch defenses with perimeter shooting as well as athletic guys in the front court; an extremely valuable commodity in the 'B' league. Despite earning a victory via forfeit in week 2, team 5 remains undefeated and holds down the #1 seed for the time being.
#2 Team 1-Orange (3-0) starring Nate Ripp
Team orange has yet to be challenged by a team who can match their play making ability. The question is will that happen at all? Winning their first 3 games by an average of 22 points is hard evidence that no one has been able to up to this point. On the other hand, team Orange has showed some weakness, defended this low-post as well as keeping stronger guards out of the paint. They have gotten by with there ability to force turnovers leading to their explosive scoring runs that usually bury opponents. Team Orange has a long lay-off as they await their familiar rivals of team Navy for a March 2ND showdown. Taking advantage of the bottom portion of the league has team Orange in the #2 seed as opposed to #1. But 3-0 is still 3-0, time will tell.
#3 Team 4-Black (1-2) Ray's team
In week 1, at full strength, team 4 blew a 15 point 2ND half lead to lose at the buzzer to an unforgettable shot by Navy Blue guard Thomas Sweeney. It was this very same game in which veteran point guard, Ray Sheilds injured his shoulder while simultaneously turning the ball over. With clearly the most athletically gifted player in the 'B" division record and results up to this point are almost irrelevant for the defending champs. Last nights victory against a tough Carolina blue team in triple overtime just might get team Black back on the winning track that has led them to two 'B league titles. Team Black will be without Ray Sheilds for at least another 3 games, but with their next two games against two sub par teams (one of whom is win less) team Black should be able to ride the coattails of their horse, Armand.
#4 Team 3-Carolina Blue (1-2) Matt (underarmour)
Fiesty team with a solid 1-2 punch, but after that, things can get skeptical. After a devistating loss to team Black in triple overtime, Carolina Blue dropped to 1-2 and was unable to rank in the top 3. Arguably playing the toughest schedule of any team in the 'B' league has earned them points and has them finishing off the upper half of the league. With their next opponent being team Red, Carolina Blue should soon reach the .500 mark.
#5 Team 6-Navy Blue (1-1) 'Team Enigma'
Arguably the most talented team up and down the roster, team Navy Blue just can't seem to find an identidy. A thrilling victory over the defending champs at full strength followed by a dissapointing effort vs Carolina Blue has been the story for Navy thus far. Conflicting personalities within the team are to blame for Navy being in the #5 seed and with a Sunday night matchup with the disciplined group behind Kenny Powell, they may not climb the ranking ladder this week. Don't count them out though. A little organization and team unity could work wonders for Navy and might have them playing games deep into April. Sharing of the ball and certain pieces falling into proper position will lead team Navy to great Success.
#6 Team 2-Purple (2-1) The Veterans
After an embarrassing week 1 loss to team orange, the Purple vets have bounced back and won 2 straight. Playing without their enforcer, Sam, proved to really hinder their overall team attack in week 1. Sam provides a consistant low post attack as well as someone who can defend almost any big man in the league. Due to the strength of the guard play around the league and team Purple's lack there of, I dont see them going deep into the post season. After next Sunday's game vs. #1 ranked team Maroon we will see how they fare up to some of the other powerhouses in the league.
#7 Team 7-Royal Blue (1-2) The ousiders
Hard working and tough are two words to best describe this team. Unfortunately they lack one very key aspect of basketball; outside shooting. After last night's 13 point loss in which they made zero three pointers, team Royal Blue's weaknesses are exposed. One or two shooters could catapult them by 2-3 seeds because they do have the ability to penetrate the lane but when teams collapse they have no options. Expect Royal Blue to drop their seconds straight game next week when they face the defending champs in the opneing game thursday night. Despite that, the 7th seed looks good on them for the remainder of the season.
#8 Team 8-Red (0-3) Diamond in the rough
As the only winless team in the 'B' league, team Red possesses soemthing that all 7 of the other teams would kill for; the best big man in the league. Dominating the middle night after night team Red's center would easily mean a championship for atleast 5 other teams if he was added to their roster. You ask, 'why are they winless?' He simply has no help. None whatsoever. 8 Might be an unlucky number for team 8, as they will certainly remain in the 8th seed and could very well wind up 0-8 for the season. Question is; do you want to play them in the first round of a single elimination game in the postseason, some may not.
With a tough game coming up this Sunday vs Team Navy Blue, the playbook of Kenny Powell will certainly be tested. Clearly one of the more talented and seasoned teams in the 'B' division, team 5 has strong guards who can stretch defenses with perimeter shooting as well as athletic guys in the front court; an extremely valuable commodity in the 'B' league. Despite earning a victory via forfeit in week 2, team 5 remains undefeated and holds down the #1 seed for the time being.
#2 Team 1-Orange (3-0) starring Nate Ripp
Team orange has yet to be challenged by a team who can match their play making ability. The question is will that happen at all? Winning their first 3 games by an average of 22 points is hard evidence that no one has been able to up to this point. On the other hand, team Orange has showed some weakness, defended this low-post as well as keeping stronger guards out of the paint. They have gotten by with there ability to force turnovers leading to their explosive scoring runs that usually bury opponents. Team Orange has a long lay-off as they await their familiar rivals of team Navy for a March 2ND showdown. Taking advantage of the bottom portion of the league has team Orange in the #2 seed as opposed to #1. But 3-0 is still 3-0, time will tell.
#3 Team 4-Black (1-2) Ray's team
In week 1, at full strength, team 4 blew a 15 point 2ND half lead to lose at the buzzer to an unforgettable shot by Navy Blue guard Thomas Sweeney. It was this very same game in which veteran point guard, Ray Sheilds injured his shoulder while simultaneously turning the ball over. With clearly the most athletically gifted player in the 'B" division record and results up to this point are almost irrelevant for the defending champs. Last nights victory against a tough Carolina blue team in triple overtime just might get team Black back on the winning track that has led them to two 'B league titles. Team Black will be without Ray Sheilds for at least another 3 games, but with their next two games against two sub par teams (one of whom is win less) team Black should be able to ride the coattails of their horse, Armand.
#4 Team 3-Carolina Blue (1-2) Matt (underarmour)
Fiesty team with a solid 1-2 punch, but after that, things can get skeptical. After a devistating loss to team Black in triple overtime, Carolina Blue dropped to 1-2 and was unable to rank in the top 3. Arguably playing the toughest schedule of any team in the 'B' league has earned them points and has them finishing off the upper half of the league. With their next opponent being team Red, Carolina Blue should soon reach the .500 mark.
#5 Team 6-Navy Blue (1-1) 'Team Enigma'
Arguably the most talented team up and down the roster, team Navy Blue just can't seem to find an identidy. A thrilling victory over the defending champs at full strength followed by a dissapointing effort vs Carolina Blue has been the story for Navy thus far. Conflicting personalities within the team are to blame for Navy being in the #5 seed and with a Sunday night matchup with the disciplined group behind Kenny Powell, they may not climb the ranking ladder this week. Don't count them out though. A little organization and team unity could work wonders for Navy and might have them playing games deep into April. Sharing of the ball and certain pieces falling into proper position will lead team Navy to great Success.
#6 Team 2-Purple (2-1) The Veterans
After an embarrassing week 1 loss to team orange, the Purple vets have bounced back and won 2 straight. Playing without their enforcer, Sam, proved to really hinder their overall team attack in week 1. Sam provides a consistant low post attack as well as someone who can defend almost any big man in the league. Due to the strength of the guard play around the league and team Purple's lack there of, I dont see them going deep into the post season. After next Sunday's game vs. #1 ranked team Maroon we will see how they fare up to some of the other powerhouses in the league.
#7 Team 7-Royal Blue (1-2) The ousiders
Hard working and tough are two words to best describe this team. Unfortunately they lack one very key aspect of basketball; outside shooting. After last night's 13 point loss in which they made zero three pointers, team Royal Blue's weaknesses are exposed. One or two shooters could catapult them by 2-3 seeds because they do have the ability to penetrate the lane but when teams collapse they have no options. Expect Royal Blue to drop their seconds straight game next week when they face the defending champs in the opneing game thursday night. Despite that, the 7th seed looks good on them for the remainder of the season.
#8 Team 8-Red (0-3) Diamond in the rough
As the only winless team in the 'B' league, team Red possesses soemthing that all 7 of the other teams would kill for; the best big man in the league. Dominating the middle night after night team Red's center would easily mean a championship for atleast 5 other teams if he was added to their roster. You ask, 'why are they winless?' He simply has no help. None whatsoever. 8 Might be an unlucky number for team 8, as they will certainly remain in the 8th seed and could very well wind up 0-8 for the season. Question is; do you want to play them in the first round of a single elimination game in the postseason, some may not.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
PURE GENIUS
Marvelous,
matchup of the season: SUNDAY, MARCH 2ND
Balkman, B-Roy, Ben Stiller, JMill a.k.a I AM LEGEND, JWeinberg VS.
Sweeny Tom, Joe Dirt, Manu, Raja, and David Lee with a Vagina.
Where friends become enemies for 40 solid minutes of BALLIN....
SHOUTOUTS to Tom Sawyer a.k.a Sweeny Tom and the Levitator a.k.a 'That's Levitation Homes' for starting up the blog.
L'chaim (that means to life! for all you goyim)
-Brandon Roy
matchup of the season: SUNDAY, MARCH 2ND
Balkman, B-Roy, Ben Stiller, JMill a.k.a I AM LEGEND, JWeinberg VS.
Sweeny Tom, Joe Dirt, Manu, Raja, and David Lee with a Vagina.
Where friends become enemies for 40 solid minutes of BALLIN....
SHOUTOUTS to Tom Sawyer a.k.a Sweeny Tom and the Levitator a.k.a 'That's Levitation Homes' for starting up the blog.
L'chaim (that means to life! for all you goyim)
-Brandon Roy
This is dope.
You guys see this yet?
Report: Suns, Nuggets will play October game in open-air arena.
I'm pumped to check this out. Couldn't have picked two better teams to try this out on. Gonna be like NBA Street.
Report: Suns, Nuggets will play October game in open-air arena.
I'm pumped to check this out. Couldn't have picked two better teams to try this out on. Gonna be like NBA Street.
Allow me to reintroduce myself...
...My name is Lyov(a)! a.k.a. Levitation a.k.a. Manu a.k.a. Brady a.k.a. CHOLU (Can't Hit Open LayUp)
Wanted to start this up and make the first post to get the ball rolling. JMil a.k.a. Jamaal Crawford should probably post real soon and give everyone their official nickname, maybe a background of the Y, since he's been a member since '86 and personally knows every baller that has come out of NYC since about the same time. He sets the bar high and after coining gems like Torre and Eddy Curry I'd say he is the most qualified of the group to take on this task.
After the introductions of the 92 Y Ballers, we can move on to breaking down Sid's dropkicks, Jack's unstoppable turnaround, and Geo's Donkey Kong strength.
Word.
Wanted to start this up and make the first post to get the ball rolling. JMil a.k.a. Jamaal Crawford should probably post real soon and give everyone their official nickname, maybe a background of the Y, since he's been a member since '86 and personally knows every baller that has come out of NYC since about the same time. He sets the bar high and after coining gems like Torre and Eddy Curry I'd say he is the most qualified of the group to take on this task.
After the introductions of the 92 Y Ballers, we can move on to breaking down Sid's dropkicks, Jack's unstoppable turnaround, and Geo's Donkey Kong strength.
Word.