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SEASON 42, PLAYOFFS
PREVIEWS
By: League Analyst
Contributing Writer
GOLD
DIVISION
PLAYER
MUST HAVE PLAYED 2 GAMES TO QUALIFY FOR PLAYOFFS
WEAR
MATCHING JERSEYS. JERSEY TECHS WILL BE CALLED
PAY
REF FEES BEFORE THE START OF GAME
(1)
Killmonger
vs. (8) Entourage
Their season began with a match-up against each other as Chino
24 Hour Fitness ballers played for bragging rights. Killmonger
struggled from the get-go but the team came together late in the
game as Johnny Blaze led all scorers with 23 points, 11
rebounds on 53.3% shooting. The Killmonger All Star dished for 3
assists as Killmonger combined for 11 dimes opposed to
Entourage's 8 assists. Despite shooting a better percentage and
out-rebounding their opponents, Entourage gave the game away as
they shot 33.3% from the charity stripe.
MOMENTUM KILLERS
After taking a season off after an injury riddled Season 40
Season, Killmonger came back with a vengeance winning their
first 6 games of the season. Killmonger was rolling but momentum
stopped after Game 6 as Killmongers, losers of 2 straight games,
faced their biggest hurdle of the season. They came together at
24 Hour Fitness, Chino, but their lack of playing time on the
weekdays together was evident on Sundays at Superstar
Basketball. Did Killmonger spend enough time together during the
holiday weekend or has momentum already stopped for Killmonger?
ALL STARS
Sean Harris, Player of the Week - 14.8 ppg, 1.3 spg, PER 118
Johnny Blaze - 19.6 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 2.3 apg, PER 206
ALL STAR
SNUB
Shad Earby - 14.4 ppg, 2.0 spg, 2.9 apg, PER 175
Benjamin Jay - 15.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, PER 174
Were Shad and Benjamin more deserving All Stars
than Sean Harris? Their PER says so but after Sean won
Player of the Week, his efforts shifted into improving the
team's overall defense. He could have tried to pad his stats but
it's evident his focus is on team defense and he does the ugly,
blue collar work that doesn't show up on the box score. With
only 2 All Star slots reserved for Killmonger, was Shad and
Benjamin really snubbed?
THE CIRCLE GETS SMALLER
The Entourage got smaller as the former Champions returned with
4 members of the Championship Entourage team. Keith
Levingston and Keith Levingston, Bryan Gernux, and Jamal
Marks all made their return but the new members of the new
Entourage regimen were in and out of the roster. Former
Entourage GM, Keith Levingston, made his comeback after
an Achilles injury sidelined him for a year and he averaged 6.8
ppg on 32.6% shooting.
New All Star Joey Cejudo re-iterated what we already know
- the team lacks depth and their biggest weakness is the hole in
the middle that eventually opens up once Cejudo and Ryan
Miller has to take a breather. If Killmonger continually
attacks the middle, it could be an early exit for Entourage.
ALL STARS
Kevin Levingston - 15.1 ppg, 1.9 spg, 3.3 apg, PER 159
Joey Cejudo - 16.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.0 apg, PER 147
ALL STAR
SNUB
Ryan Miller - 15.7 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.0 spg, PER 138
Through 4 games, Ryan Miller led Entourage in scoring and
PER. The last 3 games, Joey balled out to edge Ryan Miller
for the last All Star spot for Entourage.
INSTAGRAM VOTES
Killmonger beats Entourage, 79%
(4) Sick
Pick Ups
vs. (5) Renegades
It's the new guard vs. the old regimen as rookie team, Sick Pick
Ups, make their Playoff debut against veterans, Renegades. The
former Champions, Renegades, have been inconsistent all season
but when the games mattered, Renegades turned the switch ON.
Will that momentum carry over for the Playoffs?
DOWNER
After
a strong 3-0 start, Sick Pick Ups opposing teams scouted and
made adjustments to how they played the dynamic duo - All Stars
Dell Well and Chad Dennis. The two averaged more
than 27 ppg apiece and combined for 57% of the team's scoring.
Teams allowed the 2 All Stars to get theirs but the rest of the
team struggled to contribute as former MVP, Mike Peters,
averaged just 21.8 ppg in 5 games.
ALL STARS
Dell Well, Player of the Week - 28.2 ppg, 2.2 apg, PER 222
Chad Dennis, Player of the Week - 27.4 ppg, 1.7 spg, PER 222
ALL STAR
SNUB
NONE
LIGHT SWITCH, ON
After a 1-5 start through Week 6, did anyone really expect
Renegades to be in the Playoffs? Renegades lost 3 straight and
were doomed to miss the Playoffs. A match-up with Killmonger and
Monstars should have sent the old guys home early for the
Holidays but just like that, the Magics was back (cuz they were
Magic retro jerseys, duh). After losing in the 1st Round last
season against Monstars, Mike Ratliff has figured out when to
take over and when to pass. Posting a team-best, 206 in Player
Efficiency Rating, the Renegades go as far as Mike can take
them.
ALL STARS
Justian Hamilton - 14.0 ppg, 7.6 rpg, PER 168
Mike Ratliff, Player of the Week - 20.8 ppg, 2.8 apg, PER 206
ALL STAR
SNUB
Kris Dick - 11.1 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 1.0 bpg, PER 143
We don't play favorites here at Superstar Basketball... but the
former MVP had a great season last season we thought it would
carry over this season. The long-time Clippers fan would have
relished the memory of playing at Staples Center, but his stats
just didn't cut it. =( Someone let him know to enter the
3-point Contest...
INSTAGRAM VOTES
Renegades beats Sick Pick Ups, 58%
(2)
Relics
vs. (7) Prodigy
It's a re-match of Last season's Playoffs as 19x Champions,
Relics, take on Prodigy. The team from Hacienda Heights gave
Relics their only loss last season and the Semis gave Relics
their most competitive match-up in Season 41's Playoffs. Can
they finally take out Relics from post-season or will this be a
repeat of last season's results?
RESILIENT RELICS
This was supposed to be the season Relics went down. Bobby
Kovach had a strong showing on Week 2 posting 34.0 ppg, 5.0
apg. Bobby, the Reigning Defensive Player of the Season could
have been on his way to Staples Center but a second Achilles
injury knocked him down, starting a domino effect with the
Relics. James Acevedo was diagnosed with torn ACLs on
both knees and Hall of Famer Andrew Knox (leg injury) and
Alphonso White (knee) both quietly sat out shortly
thereafter.
OLD GUNNAZ
The core of Young Gunnaz, Kenny Ali and Lasalle Thomas, held it
down for Relics doing all the intangibles as Lasalle Thomas
showed an improved jumper to keep the Relics afloat. The
league's most decorated franchise slowly added new pieces to the
roster and what could have been a disastrous season turned into
a division-tie as Relics and Killmonger both finished with a 6-2
record.
ALL STARS
James Acevedo, Team Captain
Cisco Acevedo, Player of the Week - 22.6 ppg, 45 three-pointers,
PER 225
Yayo Yaisreal - 17.4 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 3.4 apg, PER 199
ALL STAR
SNUB
Roderick Evans - 23.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 4.0 apg, PER 111
In 3 games, Roderick has posted stats worthy of All Star
contention. He was worthy of Player of the Week status and
because of the All Star snub, Roderick has gone on record to say
FINALS MVP is HIS!
Terrence Martin, Superstar Basketball cover boy knew of
Staples Center on Week 2. The former Most Improved Player is
going to prove how clutch the former MVP is by clinching an All
Star spot via 3-point Contest. Snub? We don't think so...
NEW AGE OUTLAWZ
There was a team a decade ago reminiscent of Prodigy Plug as
Outlawz, one of the best teams to suit it up in East LA,
dominated the Regular Season. Come Playoff time, the team
fizzled but their resume in other leagues showed Championships.
Is Prodigy destined down the same path? Throughout the season,
Prodigy would come in fatigued after playing 3-4 games in other
leagues but this week, with Superstar their only game this week,
Prodigy should be locked in, ready for an upset.
ALL STARS
Isaiah Watson - 22.9 ppg, 10.1 rpg, PER 217
Marcus Carter - 10.5 ppg, 11.7 rpg, 2.8 bpg, PER 135
ALL STAR
SNUB
Only 2 players posted triple digits in Player Efficieny Rating
and both Isaiah and Marcus are already in the All Star gala.
INSTAGRAM VOTES
Relics
beat Prodigy, 75%
(3)
Try Hards
vs. (6) The Rock
Both teams have been overlooked this season and both teams have
responded with winning records. Try Hards, a rookie team with a
likely future MVP on their roster, finished their interim season
with a 5-3 record, winning their last 2 games of the season. The
Rock, appearing to move to Bronze Division because of lackluster
play to start the season, upset Killmonger and handed them their
2nd loss of the season.
THEY REALLY DO TRY HARD
An Instagram troll asked about the rest of the team after we
posted Ryan Carter's stat of 45 ppg and we responded with -
"they play team basketball, stats are deceiving, you gotta watch
it and witness it for yourself."
This team isn't the 2006 Lakers when other players stood around
and Kobe padded his stats scoring a career-high, 30 ppg. This
Try Hard team is more 2010 Lakers with a 2006 Kobe. Renegades
found out the hard way on Week 5 after Try Hards defeated
Renegades, 65-56, without Ryan Carter (Chicago).
ALL STARS
Ryan Carter, Player of the Week - 45 ppg, 5.0 rpg, PER 252
Fernando Ramos - 15.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.0 apg - PER 158
ALL STAR
SNUB
Manny Morales -7.6 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 1.3 bpg, PER 137
The lack of size in the West means they could have used Manny
Morales. The energetic PF has moves Tim Duncan would be proud of
and his tenacity on the boards anchor Try Hards running offense.
ACTION JACKSON
The Rock was falling to the bottom of the standings before
"Action" Jackson made his long awaited return to Superstar.
The Rock bounced back and their huge Week 8 double-header win
against Prodigy (forfeit) and Killmonger had the team qualify
for post-season action. It was important for The Rock to sweep
their Week 8 win and Monstars could have probably knock them off
from the post-season, via tie-breaker. Despite the clutch ascend
to end Season 42, the rest of the league isn't convinced,
evident with 86% voting for Try Hards to beat The Rock.
Action Jackson plays better when he's upset and he's gone on
record to say, "Imma have o bust ass, I feel
disrespected...all these bums getting pub. Thanks for the
motivation, I needed it."
ALL STARS
Kenny Jackson, Player of the Week - 22.8 ppg, 1.3 spg, PER 108
ALL STAR
SNUB
Kassah Kantiok - 10.2 rpg, 7.6 ppg, PER 85
The heart and soul of The Rock would have been 1 of 2 players
not to have a PER of over 100. The long time vet, former
official means a lot to The Rock, but stats wise, his numbers
weren't All Star worthy. He could return as an official to the
All Star Game, so stay tuned...
INSTAGRAM VOTES
Try Hards beat The Rock, 86%
BRONZE
DIVISION
(1)
Chicle
vs. (4) Bullets
Does Chicle's run at the top stop at 1? Will Bullets finally win
1? Defending Champions, Chicle, defeated Bullets, 72-56 on Week
5 despite All Star Jorge Parrales' 28 points. Will Bullets
avenge defeat against a Bullets team motivated to win their 2nd
Championship?
LAST HURRAH
It's no secret that GM Chis Duran is coaching his last
season for Chicle. It was a short-lived run for the team's
founder and this could be history, repeating itself.
Back in Winter 2010, there was an entrepreneur by the name of
Ernest Pablo, who started the Relics in Winter 2007. Once he
did the recruiting and setting the foundation for the Relics,
Pablo retired and the rest was history for 19x Champions,
Relics. Ernest passed the legacy to Andrew Knox and he
passed it on to James Acevedo. Chicle, often comparing
themselves to the league's most decorated franchise, has put
together an exception record in their Season 2 and Season 3 and
could be on their way to be the Bronze Division's most dominant
team. The Bronze Relics has their next leader in tow, Louie
Venegas, but the franchise needs to win Year 3 to make this
vision of a dynasty into a reality.
ALL STARS
Chris Duran - Team Captain
CJ Pang, Player of the Week - 14.8 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 4.3 apg, PER
197
Jay Tapang, Player of the Week - 19.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.1 spg, PER
210
Mike Trout, Player of the Week - 12.4 ppg, 15 three's, PER 128
ALL STAR
SNUB
Danny V - 20.2 ppg, 7.0 rpg, PER 129
It's crazy to think that Chicle, the team with the most All
Stars at 4, has an All Star snub but their leading ppg scorer,
Danny V, is sitting out. The Genie grants many wishes, but what
happens when he wants his own wish answered?
LAST HURRAH, MAYBE...
The timing of All Star G Jorge Parrales' retirement post was
unforeseen as the All Star posted team-highs of 27.3 ppg, 5.1
rpg, 3.4 apg. He says he can't recover as fast anymore and it's
time to walk away from the game. Should Bullets win it all,
would that entice Jorge to hold off on retirement? Is this
Bullets' last hurrah as well? They have too much talent to just
walk away, but if Jorge is retiring at the top, then Bullets
could very well retire as well.
ALL STARS
Jorge Parrales, Player of the Week - 27.3 ppg, 1.0 spg, 3.4 apg,
PER 227
ALL STAR
SNUB
Rick Gutierrez - 16.7 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 2.4 apg, PER 199
If you thought Gold Division's Shad Earby was snubbed, take a
look at Rick Gutierrez's numbers. 16.7 ppg still doesn't get you
to the All Star Game? Chicle has 3 All Stars, technically 4 with
the GM... you know Rick wants revenge for not being an All Star
and the rookie should put up big numbers against the defending
Champions. Gary Beaird had the last All Star bid and he had PER
of 200. Between three 5-3 teams, Gary was the right choice for
the All Star spot.
INSTAGRAM VOTES
Chicle defeats Bullets, 54%
(2) Fire
Squad vs (3) Hoopers
Rookie team, Fire Squad, forfeited their Week 8 match-up against
former Champions, Hoopers. With their Playoff lives on the line,
expect a must-win performance from both teams as they prepare
HATERS ARE FANS TOO
Out of the All Stars selected to play, Otto Guillermo had the
most hate mail with 2. Yes, 2 people actually took the time to
say Otto Guillermo "sucks".
20 points per game, 30 points for Player of the Week, 32% from
3-point range means a player...sucks?
Fire Squad has a deep roster and the team had a strong start,
strong enough where the Champions, Chicle, took notice. Will
Otto prove he's an All Star by trying to out-shoot Hoopers or
will he get his teammates involved?
ALL STARS
Otto Guillermo, Player of the Week - 20 ppg, 25 three-pointers,
PER 173
ALL STAR
SNUB
Nephi Tofiga - 9.0 ppg, 6.7 rpg PER 109
Nephi's a great player but his PER of 109 doesn't trump Gary
Beaird's PER of 200.
WIDE OPEN
The 1 vs 4 match-up had voters picking Chicle to win by 54% and
this match-up is 52% in favor of Hoopers.
This Bronze Division Playoffs is wide open but let's give credit
to the former ref, Shadon Knight, who made Hoopers competitive
this season. Hoopers dropped from Gold to Bronze and they
started with a 1-2 record, ranked #6. Shadon filled up his stats
and got Gary Beiard more open shots, transforming Hoopers into a
Gold Division Playoff team.
ALL STARS
Shadon Knight, Player of the Week - 21.5 ppg, 5.3 apg, PER 154
Gary Beaird - 21.6 ppg, 25 three-pointers, PER 200
ALL STAR
SNUB
Jason Fielder - 10.2 ppg, 9.5 rpg, PER 125
Jason's defensive numbers were solid but Hoopers, who had the
same record as Bullets and Fire Squad, had 2 All Stars and a 3rd
All Star would have unjustifiable.
INSTAGRAM VOTES
Hoopers beat Fire Squad, 52%
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