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Good thing we all know they're garbage rankings!

"Everyone, the new rankings are out. We dropped out of first and fell back down to 7th," said Denkovic in the meeting room with the players.

"We lost two league games in a row. Makes sense," said Ozakan.

"Who do we play next?" Asked Nick Williams.

"We play the new number one team, San Dominica," said Coach Boone, walking into the room with the other coaches. "I didn't say the best team. I said the number one team, as in, the current top ranked team. But they are not the best. That would be Philly Dribble, followed by Ashkickers, followed by Carolina, followed by us. But if we are a top 4 team, we have to prove it. And the three teams ahead of us, we lost to two of them this season, and lost to the other twice last season. If we want to be considered top 4, we have to go back to playing top 4 basketball. We have to win this game. If we lose this game, we cannot claim to be this good. So the pressure is on. We did lose some players. I don't foresee us losing or gaining any over the next day. So, prepare. And then come out ready to play the whole game, not just some of the game. We are good. We must go out there and prove how good we are."

San Dominica won't know what hit them," said Klin.

"Or we won't," said Ozakan under his breath.

"Always being negative," said Oblacinkas. "Make some threes and maybe we will win more. Okay better defense and maybe we will win more. Do better Soykin. Be better."

"I have to be better as well," said Nick Williams.

"No comment," said Esposito.

"You too Esposito," said Coach Boone. "You've started to coast through games. And if I drug test you and you fail, you will be benched. Get your act together. Otherwise, once Mauro's conditioning improves, he will replace you in the starting lineup. Be better. Play the whole game, and not just the last quarter. Which, gentlemen, is the money quarter." The team nodded their heads and you could hear people saying, 'yep', and 'that's right', but Boone cut them off, "the money quarter where you were held to 11 points against Carolina. They had 20 by the time we had 6. So, not so money. So let's shape up, step up, and do what we are paid to do. Win ballgames. San Dominica is next. They better not know what hit them. Because if they do, I feel bad for us. But for now, I trust you guys. Let's get it done."

***inside the locker room***

"It's time for some of you to show up, or be shown out. We've been riding the bigs to get better, and they have, but some of ya'll been coasting. So let me make it plain. Get your grind on or get out my locker room. We absolutely will be working young guys into the mix. We absolutely will prioritize devense as usual. If that means we change or style of play to one where we win 50 to 49, I'll do that. I don't want to. I want to run. I want to play fast. Last year's group was dangerous that way, even with a lack of rebounding. I don't think ya'll got the same heart, drive, or desire. Someof you are thinking about your minutes. That's selfish! You want to be great? You have to make sacriices. What are you willing to sacrifice? Last year's group was killed on the boards. THey made up for it by forcing turnovers, taking the ball away, and causing holy hell on the floor. That group would get outrebounded by 30, 35 or more, and make up for it by forcing turnovers, getting steals, and being absolute pests. That group understood. Most of you were a part of that group. Find that mindset. Reclaim that mindset. If you don't you'll be one and done again, and I aon't about that life. I'm here to kick ass and chew gum. I'm out of gum, and if we can't kick the other teams' ass, I'm kicking yours. Got it?"

*outside the room*

Coach: "You told him you weren't buying any more players, didn't you?"

GM: "I didn't say that explicitly, but I may have letft that impression. Either way, he's right, and this conversation is one he needed to have with the boys inside that room."

Coach: "I know. Glad Pio decided to do this on his own..."



Last edited by Speedtraps at 12/9/2022 5:50:18 PM

"What we need around here is some friendly competition", says Pio Reina, "so I'll provide it." The locker room went silent. The team was hanging on every word to come from their coach.

"Any bench player who out performs a starter will start the next game. If the bench unit out performs the starters, each member gets a $10,000 bonus. If the starters out perform you, they get $20,000. If a bench player out performs a starter and proceeds to start 3 games in a row ---and scrimmages don't count--- that player gets another $10,000 bonus. If said player starts the rest of the season, $25,000 is yours. That's a chance for a backup to earn $45,000. Incentive for the starters to perform. Incemtive for the bench to perform..."

Cheers broke out around the locker room.

"...but the catch is that you have to win. You didn't think I was gonna make this easy, did you? If the team does well, you do well. Perform in the team environment. Do that and we all do well. If a bench guy starts 3 games in a row and you win the first two and the 3rd is a loss, the 3 in a row requirement starts over. You want to be great? Then go chase greatness. Good ain't enough here."

Coach whispers to the GM, "How long before someone checks the schedule and notices he actually made this manageable for them?" "All carrot, no stick. I wonder who notices first", says the GM as he turns and walks away. "It's brilliant!"

The owner and Bobby Sparks sits In the visiting box watching the game against San Dominica. The Hustlas are down 20 starting the 4th quarter.

"So, Bobby, what does this mean for our team?" Asked the owner. "That we are no longer a top 4 team. We are trying to maintain a top 8 appearance. We cannot shoot well, and we cannot find the offense that will work best for us. It's all going south fast, and we may have to blow it all up and start over," says Bobby Sparks.

"Will we make 12 wins this season?"

"I believe we will win 12, no more than 12. But from the looks of it, this game knocks us from top 4, to below Philly Dribble, Ashkickers, Carolina, Miami Cleo, San Dominica, Linndale, these teams definitively are better. That puts us in the top 7. But changes has to be made. Or else we will keep losing. If we don't pass 74 points this game, we may have to remove Boone, or John Walton," says Bobby.

"We will see. I just don't like the look of the team right now. It's rough to see," says the owner, sighing.

"I've seen enough Bobby. Blow it up. We are not hoping for championship this season. Not even playoffs. Just blow it up. We'll see what happens," says the owner.

"Yes sir. I will keep the coaches, keep three bigs, one wing, and sell the rest. I don't think we will make it with such a roster, but we will give it a shot. Hope I find great replacements," said Bobby. "I just can't watch this current team perform anymore."
..

Last edited by Reece at 12/11/2022 2:57:41 PM

Pio: "Everyone here? Good! We're on this Zoom call because I didn't want to drag you guys out on your day off. This will be quick. Results from last night are in. At the power forward, Guevara and Czagala played to a draw. Nick, don't get cocky, that could have gone either way. Gyozo, you almost had him; keep grinding. At the small forward, there was no doubt. Daniil Kamp is the new starter at small forward. Paul, you're with the second unit for now. Kamp, you get the first $10,000 bonus. Now the question is can you keep the gig and earn the 2nd bonus. Paul, we know what you're capable of. Time to get in that bagof yours and pull out something wonderful like you do. I want to be clear about something here: Paul did not play a bad game. Daniil was just very good. Now, Daniil, you have to do it against the other team's starters now. Any questions? No? Okay then, see you at practice tomorrow."

SUNDAY SHAW MEMORIAL GYM TRAINING FACILITY 9 AM

Coach Stephenson: Okay let me have it, how bad is it?

Gordon Long: Two Weeks

Coach Stephenson: I like Evengios but he can be a hack! I want a second opinion

Gordon Long: That was the second opinion

Coach Stephenson: God daggone nabbit! (banging his desk)

Gordon Long: Look its not that bad

Coach Stephenson: Gordo you just confirmed for me that my best hybrid defender in my 2nd unit is going to be out right on the eve of us taking on the 2nd best team in the league! How is that not bad!

Gordon Long: Technically they're the fourth best team.

Coach Stephenson: Yeah Yeah. Look based on my rankings they're 2nd.

Gordon Long: While we're on second. Secondly you have a Hall of Fame veteran war horse sitting in your barn. Use him.

Coach Stephenson: You know Parrish has lost a step and he can't defend inside and out. Mac can't rebound and Manley isn't ready yet

Gordon Long: Tercero can handle it. We'll have Marquez back by the end of All Star Weekend

Coach Stephenson: (sighs) Okay now that's out of the way. Back to Project Polish Bison, where should we bring the
hammer?

Gordon Long: In many ways they are similar to the Hustlas. A potential three man inside outside attack the primary danger beng the SG Sapiras ...

Coach Stephenson: They've gored us the last two meetings. We gotta change that Gordo

Gordon Long: We could abandon the big picture and assure a win

Coach Stephenson: Hell no. I want both, the win and the playoffs. Keep going

Gordon Long: Like I was saying, the Brain Trust thinks it all starts with Sapiras and then ...


Last edited by Coach Stephenson at 12/12/2022 1:02:07 PM

Day 11 (Saturday 10 December 2022) : Performances by (https://www.buzzer-manager.com)

Night results
Motor City Waddupdoe 71 - Lion Rebels 100
Sweaty Socks 113 - BOBBBSBURGS 76
The Philadelphia Spartans 66 - Linndale 101
Hustlas 77 - San Dominica Warriors 114
Żubr Białystok 83 - Carolina Rebels 101
The Ashkickers 96 - Philly Dribble 90
The Beer Bellys 97 - 209’s MostWanted 99
Miami Cleo 140 - BKDogs 87

Best collective performance of the evening
Points : 140 : Miami Cleo
Rebounds : 63 : Miami Cleo
Assists : 41 : Miami Cleo
Steals : 12 : Carolina Rebels, Żubr Białystok
Block Shots : 15 : Miami Cleo

Personal best performances of the evening
Points : 39 : J. Glicas (Philly Dribble)
Rebounds : 17 : G. Locus (Miami Cleo), L. McKnight (Lion Rebels), S. Klin (Hustlas)
Assists : 11 : W. Graf (Miami Cleo)
Steals : 4 : G. Locus (Miami Cleo), F. Brasilino (BKDogs)
Block Shots : 6 : P. Cheatle (Miami Cleo)

Top 5 of the evening
Point Guard : W. Graf (Miami Cleo) (27 Points, 6 Rebounds, 11 Assists, 2 Steals, 1 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 34
Shooting Guard : A. Varpukevicius (Miami Cleo) (30 Points, 9 Rebounds, 7 Assists, 2 Steals, 1 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 39
Small Forward : J. Glicas (Philly Dribble) (39 Points, 6 Rebounds, 1 Assists, 1 Steals, 0 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 42
Power Forward : P. Cheatle (Miami Cleo) (20 Points, 11 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 2 Steals, 6 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 32
Center : T. Armstead (Lion Rebels) (30 Points, 13 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 0 Steals, 3 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 47

MVP of the evening
T. Armstead (Lion Rebels) (30 Points, 13 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 0 Steals, 3 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 47

The bad performance of the evening
A. Llanos (The Philadelphia Spartans) (6 Points, 3 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 2 Steals, 0 Block Shots) : Efficiency : -6

All kinds of statistics
The player who forgot to remove his mittens : M. Grimm (Żubr Białystok) : 7 Turnovers

Player targeted by the referees : R. Raich (209’s MostWanted), G. Cappilli (The Philadelphia Spartans), F. Taylor (The Philadelphia Spartans), H. Quindós (Żubr Białystok), Y. Delagnès (Żubr Białystok) : 5 Personnal Fouls

The iron-man : G. Locus (Miami Cleo), G. Ricker (Motor City Waddupdoe), P. Matkowski (BKDogs), M. Köhler (BKDogs), F. Brasilino (BKDogs) : 48 Minutes

The shooter : T. Hewitt (BOBBBSBURGS) : 6 Three points

The best performer : T. Armstead (Lion Rebels) : Rating : 20.5

The worst performer : J. Moore (BOBBBSBURGS) : Rating : 2.0

Pio: "I've been brought up to speed on things by Coach and our GM. My apologies for being out of communication; I simply forgot to charge my phone last night. So I'm told everyone here is on board with the adjustments and you all have been made aware of how this affects the bonuses. Any questions?"

Silence.

"On to the adjustments. Harrison, you're on the second unit tonight. Gyozo, you're starting at the 4. Harrison, you're the 5 on the second unit. Nick, you've got the 4. Datler, through no fault of your own you're 3rd string tonight. These moves are about trying to find a win against Hustlas. Last season's nailbiter was their last hurrah before changes took over. If you didn't know better, you would have thought they lost the game. At any rate, I know we need guard help. We might get it and we might not. The guard help we seek might be internal. We'll see. I want Brown, Teti, Lutz and Nick in my office. Kevin, Datler, and the rookies, in my office first thing tomorrow morning. We're gonna try something we've been wanting for awhile, and we just got the go ahead for it."

Later in Pio's office...

Lutz: "You wanted to see us?"

Pio: " Offensively, the second unit guard play has been abysmal. If the offense is not going to improve, the defense must. We've already made changes that should boost the offensive output and improve degense on the second unit. Brown and Teti, you guys have to work on your offense. No excuses. Paul, I need you to up your perimeter defense. If you can match Teti's level, there's a move waiting to be made. Teti, if you can improve your defense and up your offense, there's another move. Nick, your move is contingent on Paul. If he can get his defense up and takes over as the backup point guard, you're moving from the 4 back to the 3. Mann and Datler will likely have the 4 and 5 spots on the second unit. If that happens AND Teti improves his defense before Brown can improve his offense, Teti will be taking over at the backup 2. I know it sounds like a lot, and requires more than one thing to happen, but we've got to find our improvements and start playing the kind of basketball I believe you can play. I think you are the improvements. I want to have starter quality backups at each position. Make it happen."

"Coach P, we want to know, are we gonna run" asked Lutz.

"You gotta walk before you can run. I need the bench to produce before we can think about running."

"Fair enough". replied Teti, "Datler, you ready?"

"Let's go. Yo, new guy," Dalter calls out as he walks out the office, "Let's talk..."

"So, tonight's game plan. Who is playing?" asked John Walton.

"Well, Llibert Senserrich, our pf, is about to play his first game," said Coach Boone.

"Is that a good idea, having him start, with no gameplay, or game time?" asked one of the Asst. Coaches.

"No, it isn't, but we will be doing it anyway. We have to get him started, get him acclimated quickly," said John Walton.

"Keep an eye on Mauro and Esposito. Jovanoska also. I want to make sure these guys are playing, not just coasting, and not just throwing up threes. Talk to Nick Williams as well," said Coach Boone to all the coaches. "We need offense. And we need it now. This is a big game, just like the last three. We do not want a four-game losing streak. And we need to beat one of these top teams. We are supposed to be a top team ourselves. Show it. Linndale gave us a scare last season. Tonight, no scare. Just beat them. Just punish them. Just play defense. Just get the ball in the basket. Easy game. Do not complicate it."

"Boone is right," said John Walton. Earn your spot on this team."

"And, everyone, have fun. Enjoy this," said Coach Boone.