Thanks! Well all good things must come to an end, and facing former NBBA team Slashing Dragons in the cup, the Claws coaching staff decided that building up enthusiasm and getting training for some backups was more important than going down in a blaze of glory. Hence only three players dressed, and Slashing Dragons blew Maine out 127-25.
Now on to all-star week. First a look at the Big 8 starters:
PG: Antonio Ruiz Díaz
(10606457), Naples Napalm:
Diaz is the highest paid player in the league and earned every penny with his performance so far this season, as he started every game for the league leading Naples Napalm and averaged 18.7 ppg on 47.5% shooting from the field (34.6% from 3-point range) and also added 7.9 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game. However, he was even more of a force on the defensive end, averaging 2.2 steals per game and holding opponents to 22.8% shooting (42-184) from the field and 14% (7-50) from beyond the arc. He definitely deserves to be an all-star starter.
SG: Corrado Trombini
(6392015), Da Vicks:
At 31 years old, Trombini is just one of three all-stars over the age of 30. However, this season he showed he hasn't lost a step as he played in every game and averaged a team-high 24.8 ppg, good for third in the league. He shot 45.5% from the field and had his best season from the 3-point line since season 10, shooting 42.5% from deep (he shot 42.9% in season 10). Trombini also elevated his game against other top league teams, scoring 39 points to lead Da Vicks in a win over the Maine Claws, 104-86.
SF: Orlando Capriles
(18429450),Ciudad de Panamá Perros:
Capriles played in every game for his team without a break, even playing in a third cup game or scrimmage every week. He averaged 17.4 ppg, 7.5 rpg, and a team-high 4.5 apg in 38.1 minutes per game. Perhaps one of the best things about Capriles is his efficiency with the ball, as he shot 49.7% from the field, 45.5% from three, and 71.1% from the free-throw line.
PF: Nicolas Diaz
(13375417), Naples Napalm:
Diaz shares a similar last name with his teammate and fellow all-star Antonio Ruiz Díaz, and the two are the same height at 6'5", but there the resemblance between the blond Argentinian and the red-headed Frenchman ends. Diaz played in all thirteen games and started at both the power forward and center spots, averaging a team-high 20.7 ppg to go with his team-high 16.7 rebounds, good for second in the league. He also was an excellent passer out of the post with 4.5 assists per game. Shooting 60% from the field and 85.4% from the stripe, he was virtually unstoppable on offense. If not for the talent of his teammates, Diaz could very well have led the league in scoring.
C: Olímpio Paraíso
(738035), Da Vicks:
Paraíso is one of the oldest players in the league at 36, but still managed to play at a very high level. He only averaged 9.7 ppg, which is surprising in an all-star, but his efficiency and contributions to a very good team likely earned him the nod over more talented players like Naples Napalms' Enriko Viks, a mid-season addition who was likely also overshadowed to a certain extent by his teammates. Still, this selection is probably disputable.