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Happy Ourer: “Happy Ourer here with Air Allnite, Marshall Richards, and Coach Pio Reina with a special edition of the Pio Reina Show. Coach, let's get right to it. Air Allnite, the first question is yours.”

Air Allnite: “Why do you think this team is more talented than they actually are? Are you even sure this is a playoff team?”

Pio Reina: “I believe in my players. I know the organization is behind me. I know what these guys are capable of. Ask the teams ahead of us how comfortable they are. Are you doubling down on that garbage you peddled last season that ended up with you eating crow?”

AA: “You would bring that up again, wouldn’t you?”

PR: “Air, this isn’t last season, last season’s team or even last season’s league. We all got better. You look at the Big 8 and given the right set of circumstances, our sixth place team is a threat to make the postseason. Laugh now, but you thought we wouldn’t make it last season. How’d that go again? My job is to get us better and make us ready. We are getting better, and we will be ready when the postseason arrives. We fully expect to be there."

Marshall Richards: “Coach, how difficult is it to balance getting ready for the postseason with developing young players? It’s widely thought you don’t develop young guys.”

PR: “That’s tough. It’s obviously easier if you have a young talent with a high floor and a need to play him. I have to pick and choose my spots because our conference is so tough. Art Reese was ready defensively, but not offensively. He’s young enough that we think it would be foolish to give up on him. Rolland Reynolds was not ready and has even changed positions, but it would be foolish to give up on him. Serkan Sokmen, Mantas Petriukstis, and Trenton Tovar are young guys we brought in and helped them improve. Christophe Nguyen is another young player we’re working with. Rich McCain is the one I know everyone wants to talk about. Well, we’ve adjusted our training regimen to see if we can get him up to speed to do a few things. We’ll see how that works out, but he’s going to be here and we’re excited to see what this kid will become.”

AA: “I can’t believe you are buying that absolute garbage he’s spewing at you Marshall. Not a single player on this roster is home grown, and even if you stretch that definition, no one home grown is in a significant rotation spot.”

MR: “Watch your mouth, old man. Next time you eat crow, I’ll be force feeding it to you through a straw while you’re laid up in traction watching Pio and the boys in the postseason.”

HO: “Gentlemen, let’s calm things down before they get out of hand and regrettable things are said and done.”
PR: “Marshall I appreciate you standing your ground, but I got this; it’s me he wants. Air, your playing days are a good 30 years past you. You’re old, bitter, and frankly you say anything to get noticed. I’ll tell you what, let’s make this sporting. You’re qualified to be a coach, but I don’t think you’ve ever showed interest. If we don’t make the playoffs, I’ll bring you on as an assistant coach with real responsibilities. When we do, you actually find legitimate things to criticize about the team.”

HO: “Pio, you can’t be serious!”

MR: “Pio, you don’t have to do this!”

PR: “Gentlemen, it’s simple. Either we fail, and he can help make us better, or we succeed and he’s irrelevant. Or, we fail, he refuses, and proves to be all talk. If we win, I win. If we lose, I win because I get a grizzled basketball mind on staff. If we lose and he’s all talk, I win and he shuts up. There’s very little downside from my point of view. If he does a crap job, I’ll fire him.”

AA: “You’ll never get to fire me. I’ll take that bet, that assistant position, and eventually, your job. You’re on!”

MR: “Is this even legal? Pio, are you sure about this?

HO: “It appears we have an agreement, and we’ll be back with more after a word from our sponsors.”

PR: “We didn’t attack on offense, so we didn’t get to the foul line. We didn’t shoot many threes or shoot particularly well.

lol, game plan is to attack inside, yet the coach wants players to shoot more 3s.

We've done it before. When we shoot 20 or more threes, we are 8-2. When we don't, we're 2-3. We're the best outside shooting team in the league and top 5 rebounding. Nothing wrong with trying to find the perfect balance.

Also, nothing wrong with working on things. We didn't get what we wanted from this game, but we got what we needed.

I give credit where it's due; you guys beat us soundly. Just know the next time the result will be different.

To be fair, Linndale is the best 3-point shooting team by 3.5% over the number two team and at least 7% better than the next six teams, at 43.1%. And while Rod and Kyle are their only two team members in the top 20 of highest three point shooters in the league (6th and 7th, respectively) the average number of made 3's by those top 20 shooters is 25.75 and they both exceed that mark, with Rod leading everyone with 45 threes. True, the tactic was inside focused, but depending on the defense, you can end up shooting more threes if you can't get penetration. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

*inside the Linndale locker room*

Pio Reina: “Oh, so ya’ll think we can be all jokey jokey up in here? You think this win does anything? You guys got it twisted! 18 turnovers! Are you out of your freaking minds? Kyle! Are you kidding me? Sokmen with no assists and 3 turnovers! Reese with no assists and 2 turnovers! This has absolutely got to be cleaned up before the playoffs! Second unit! You guys need to take Shooter out for dinner on your dime. Shooter, solid outing. Do it again. Mantas, we’re going to need more from you. We have to find a way to get it out of you; but thank you for no turnovers. Hatfield, 8 boards are nice but those 3 turnovers are unacceptable. Mann, that game was minimally acceptable. Reese, you played like a pile of absolute dog crap. I’m sure you are aware dog crap does not belong on a basketball court. Reynolds and McCain, you saw an example of what not to do. You’ll be getting a chance to see if you’ve learned the lesson.”

“Back to you starters. Kyle, I’m not done with you. You’re much better than what you showed. Do better. Rod, those 2 turnovers are bugging me, but no three point attempts? What’s that about? Ramon, 3 turnovers ruined a solid workmanlike effort. Floyd, not much to scold you on. I just ask you to concentrate on your free throws. Other than that, nice shooting, Tex. Sokmen, and you too Reese, you guys played terrible. We got nothing from you collectively. That’s a quick way to lose a rotation spot. Don’t test me. Are we clear? Team, you know what I expect. Nothing left to say. You guys figure it out. I’m going to talk to the media.”

Last edited by Speedtraps at 7/16/2023 5:00:10 AM

*on the practice courts at the Linndale practice facility…

Floyd Hearn: “Look fellas, ya’ll gotta step it up. Damo we gotta get more out of you. Trying to get it out of you now, but you keep working hard like this you might find yourself moving around the front court at all the spots.”

Marshall Richards: *walking towards the bigs* “I see you’ve let the cat out the bag.”

Damian Hatfield: “Marshall, what are you doing here? And what is Floyd talking about?”

MR: “Your defense plays on the wing. You have a nice handle and can drive. You got some things to smooth out and some things to work on, but you’re Pio’s kind of player. You have versatility. Keep putting in the work. You’re going to be something to deal with!”

DH: “But what are you doing here?”

MR: “You know every so often Linndale alumni comes through to observe practice and pass on some thoughts to pay it forward.”

Harrison Mann: “What’s the old guy doing here? What kind of wisdom you got?”

MR: “Hey man---”

HM: *deadpan* “Ha ha, very funny. I see what you did there. What you got to say?”

MR: “For you, two things. One, don’t ever interrupt me again. Two, rent, don’t buy. You’ve either topped out or you’re not trying, and folks are sick of watching you tease what you can do without ever delivering.”

HM: “That’s why that other old fool is always dogging you. What’s his name, Airballs Allnite?”

MR: “Anyway, Pemweiser, you gotta get stronger in the paint, and keep working on your shot. A big who can shoot and handle business inside is a weapon not seen around here for a long time. You, Hatfield, and Floyd or Ramon would be really tough to deal with.”

HM: “So they just let you old dudes just come in and blow smoke up everyone’s ---”

Ramon Sanz Garcaa: “Shut up Harrison. Let the man talk.”

HM: “Or what? What you gonna do?”

MR: “Ignore him. Ramon, you have to work on that ball handling and shooting. The shooting complements your inside game, and the ball handling will help you create your own shot or for others.”

No one noticed the GM and Pio watching the situation unfolding. "Let's see how this plays out," said the GM. Pio replied, "No need to. Marshall's gonna break him down fast when he decides he's ready." Pio was more interested in the wings getting on with Joshua Doe. Roberto Gurgone was floating between the wings and guards, while John Herring was getting ready to spend time with the point guards.

HM: “I knew it! You’re just here to blow smoke. He ain’t improved none of that since he got here.”

RSG: “Si no cierras la boca en este segundo, voy a meter mi puño tan adentro de tu garganta que estarás tosiendo mis uñas cortadas durante los próximos cuarenta años.” Translation: If you don't shut your mouth right this second, I'll shove my fist so far down your throat you'll be coughing up my nail clippings for the next forty years."

HM: “Say that in English!”

FH: “Knock it off, Harrison.”

MR: *yelling* “THAT’S IT!!! Floyd, gimme that ball, take Ramon and go cool off for a bit. I got this. Mann, you and me. One on One. First to five wins. I win, you shut your mouth and open your ears.”

HM: “First to three. You ain’t got the gas for five. I’ll even let you shoot first.”

Roberto Gurgone yelled out, "Yo Marshall, you need me to feed you on the break?"

MR: “You get ball first. You’re no threat.” To his friend, "Nah 'Berto, maybe next time!"

Mann took the ball at the top of the three point arc and faked a shot. Richards didn’t bite on the fake and swiped at the ball, coming away with the steal. Marshall brought the ball behind the three point arc. Mann sagged off a little expecting a drive. Marshall took the three.

“Ballgame”, exclaimed Marshall and walked towards the players watching at halfcourt.

Swish!

DH: “He didn’t even watch it go through!”

MR: “You guys ready to learn something now? Damo, get Floyd and Ramon here. We're all gonna talk shop."

Last edited by Speedtraps at 7/19/2023 6:17:26 AM

When is the next power ranking is out? I am looking so forward for it. Now that everyone has played everyone already.

GM: “Pio, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but Shooter’s been on a roll as of late. He’s shooting at 40% from the field and behind the arc. That’s a nice improvement in a short period of time.”

PR: “I don’t know if you noticed, but our turnovers aren’t dropping. The team’s collective assist to turnover ratio is hot garbage. The free throw shooting is still below 75% for the season. Take away our three point shooting and our overall shooting percentage drops. We shoot better outside the arc than we do inside the arc.”

GM: “You just won’t let me enjoy a tiny slice of good news, will you?”

PR: “What I heard was ‘you won’t let me be complacent for one second, will you?’”

GM: “All right. I know what that means. Talk.”

PR: “You saw the same thing I saw. Is there anything left to say?”

GM: “Not really. So who would like to see us move on from?”

PR: “Aren’t you supposed to ask me what positions we need reinforcements at, or what kind of players we need to help get us to our goal?”

GM: “Not today. Shoe on the other foot. What if we don’t make the postseason? What’s a rebuild look like?”

PR: “Move Rod. Hate to see it, but we have a glut of young guards who need court time they can’t get while he’s here. Mann, obviously. Those are two short term hits I’d have to take. I think the guards we have would bring their games up collectively to replace Rod. Same for Pemweiser and Hatfield replacing Mann. Downgrade short term, but the long term payoff is worth it by plenty.”

GM: “OK, let’s say we move Rod. What does the rotation look like in the back court?”

PR “ Mantas and Kyle with Shooter off the bench. Nguyen still needs to improve to play his way into the mix, but he’s closer than McCain. Either way, both would get the time they need. Opportunities would be there.”

GM: “And the frontcourt?”

PR: “Depends. I know you’ve been thinking about moving Ramon. If you move Rod, that makes sense. Opens up playing time for Hatfield and Pemweiser. Kills our depth up front. Pemweiser off the bench backing up Floyd and Damian.”

GM: “Wings?”

PR: “Reese and Reynolds would find time behind Sokmen, some time at the guard depending on things, some time at the the power. Depends. McCain would be in that mix, too.”

GM: “So what would you want?”
PR: “My Christmas list is a wing who could play small forward or shooting guard and score inside and outside. That guy isn’t here. A point guard who can score inside and out and cuts off driving lanes. Nguyen could be that, but we need to play him to find out. A big who can guard the perimeter or paint, and score from either.”

GM: “Anything else?”

PR: “Can’t say right now. Too many guys here we simply don’t know enough about.

GM: “We’ll talk more after the game. I’m thinking we may need to address that somehow.”

PR: “I have a feeling I won’t like where this is heading…”

GM: “You won’t. I’m sure of it.”

*in the locker room, post game...

Pio Reina: “We still have a long way to go to be ready for the postseason. Heck, we still have to make it, but tonight was a good first step. We got what we wanted, and got what we needed. First off, our three point shooting was not as good as I’ve come to expect. You guys made me expect it with past performances. Make sure this was just a blip and not a problem. Second, we still need to do a better job of attacking. I want to see 20 free throw attempts. Third, nice job on the boards. Great job on steals. I really liked that, and the blocks were a nice bonus. Those 10 turnovers… man… Do you guys understand that 10 turnovers will get us beat? We turn the ball over 10 times against Philly Dribble, we lose. Carolina Rebels? Lose. Lion Rebels? San Dominica? Lose and lose. Turnovers will get you beat. Inconsistency will get you beat. Gentlemen, our playoffs are here. We’ve Philly Dribble, Carolina, San Dominica, Lion Rebels all in a row, and then we finish with 209’s Most Wanted. You guys forgot over here in the Big 8 we have a play in tournament for the postseason. We had to play our way in last year. We have the same record as Carolina and San Dominica. That’s 3 teams fighting for 2 spots, and that’s not mentioning we’re all 1 game out of the top spot. This is going to be a fight to the finish, and don’t count out 209. They’re capable of stealing a playoff spot or costing someone their spot. From here on out, the rotation get shortened. McCain, Nguyen, Reynolds, and Pemweiser, you guys don’t see the court in the postseason right now. You all know what you have to do to change that. Reese and Hatfield, keep working. Your spots aren’t guaranteed. The business of basketball moves on, but the team is still the team. If you’re here, you’re expected to perform. Be ready and stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.”

GM: "Pio, don't forget, after the media we have business. And a visitor..."

Pio: "Just when I was starting to like you a little bit..."

Day 16 (Saturday 15 July 2023) : Performances by (https://www.buzzer-manager.com)

Night results
San Dominica Warriors 99 - Philly Dribble 115
Lion Rebels 95 - Carolina Rebels 118
Linndale 129 - FR-S 106
209’s MostWanted 108 - Las Vegas Silver Stars 90
BKDogs 97 - The Beer Bellys 127
Super Sonics 106 - Mindless Zombies 🧟‍♀️ 94
LionPride 78 - Żubr Białystok 118
Tasty Tardsicles 84 - Miami Cleo 61

Best collective performance of the evening
Points : 129 : Linndale
Rebounds : 63 : Żubr Białystok
Assists : 28 : San Dominica Warriors, Carolina Rebels, The Beer Bellys
Steals : 12 : FR-S
Block Shots : 9 : Tasty Tardsicles

Personal best performances of the evening
Points : 53 : C. Holley (LionPride)
Rebounds : 19 : F. Hearn (Linndale), P. Cheatle (Miami Cleo)
Assists : 8 : T. Begley (Carolina Rebels)
Steals : 4 : N. Garbellini (FR-S), R. Stinson (LionPride)
Block Shots : 3 : Á. Márquez (San Dominica Warriors), T. Armstead (Lion Rebels), G. Di Cosmo (BKDogs), G. Lay (The Beer Bellys), K. Elias (Super Sonics), J. Makeba (Tasty Tardsicles)

Top 5 of the evening
Point Guard : T. Rumin (209’s MostWanted) (29 Points, 2 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 2 Steals, 2 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 32
Shooting Guard : I. Trapezanidis (FR-S) (36 Points, 8 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 3 Steals, 0 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 33
Small Forward : J. Glicas (Philly Dribble) (25 Points, 7 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 3 Steals, 0 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 30
Power Forward : F. Hearn (Linndale) (22 Points, 19 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 0 Steals, 1 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 37
Center : C. Holley (LionPride) (53 Points, 15 Rebounds, 1 Assists, 1 Steals, 2 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 46

MVP of the evening
C. Holley (LionPride) (53 Points, 15 Rebounds, 1 Assists, 1 Steals, 2 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 46

The bad performance of the evening
K. Zerdev (Mindless Zombies 🧟‍♀️) (0 Points, 3 Rebounds, 0 Assists, 0 Steals, 0 Block Shots) : Efficiency : -7

All kinds of statistics
The player who forgot to remove his mittens : J. Wilson (Las Vegas Silver Stars), R. Stinson (LionPride), A. Varpukevicius (Miami Cleo) : 5 Turnovers

Player targeted by the referees : F. Aghzane (Las Vegas Silver Stars), G. Bolcioni (BKDogs) : 6 Personnal Fouls

The iron-man : K. Brown (Lion Rebels), Y. Chengbiao (Las Vegas Silver Stars), R. Ainsworth (Las Vegas Silver Stars), J. Wilson (Las Vegas Silver Stars), M. Grimm (Żubr Białystok) : 48 Minutes

The shooter : D. Boyce (Super Sonics) : 6 Three points

The best performer : T. Freeman (Mindless Zombies 🧟‍♀️) : Rating : 17.0

The worst performer : G. Lay (The Beer Bellys), E. Hess (Miami Cleo) : Rating : 5.0

Day 17 (Tuesday 18 July 2023) : Performances by (https://www.buzzer-manager.com)

Night results
Carolina Rebels 88 - San Dominica Warriors 91
FR-S 46 - Lion Rebels 124
Las Vegas Silver Stars 79 - Linndale 117
Philly Dribble 120 - 209’s MostWanted 111
Mindless Zombies 🧟‍♀️ 143 - BKDogs 99
Żubr Białystok 98 - Super Sonics 115
Miami Cleo 76 - LionPride 67
The Beer Bellys 63 - Tasty Tardsicles 88

Best collective performance of the evening
Points : 143 : Mindless Zombies 🧟‍♀️
Rebounds : 65 : Lion Rebels, Miami Cleo
Assists : 31 : Mindless Zombies 🧟‍♀️
Steals : 11 : Linndale
Block Shots : 16 : LionPride

Personal best performances of the evening
Points : 29 : D. Boyce (Super Sonics)
Rebounds : 21 : K. Nádas (209’s MostWanted), P. Cheatle (Miami Cleo)
Assists : 11 : T. Freeman (Mindless Zombies 🧟‍♀️)
Steals : 3 : R. Mukhopadhyay (FR-S), M. Petriukštis (Linndale), D. Hatfield (Linndale), M. Craig (Super Sonics), C. Wui Kwong (Tasty Tardsicles)
Block Shots : 6 : M. Watkins (Lion Rebels)

Top 5 of the evening
Point Guard : M. Craig (Super Sonics) (27 Points, 3 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 3 Steals, 0 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 27
Shooting Guard : T. Freeman (Mindless Zombies 🧟‍♀️) (22 Points, 2 Rebounds, 11 Assists, 2 Steals, 1 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 31
Small Forward : J. Glicas (Philly Dribble) (21 Points, 7 Rebounds, 6 Assists, 1 Steals, 1 Block Shots), D. Boyce (Super Sonics) (29 Points, 9 Rebounds, 0 Assists, 0 Steals, 0 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 26
Power Forward : S. Hollins (Lion Rebels) (17 Points, 18 Rebounds, 5 Assists, 1 Steals, 0 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 37
Center : G. Locus (Miami Cleo) (20 Points, 16 Rebounds, 0 Assists, 0 Steals, 3 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 32

MVP of the evening
S. Hollins (Lion Rebels) (17 Points, 18 Rebounds, 5 Assists, 1 Steals, 0 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 37

The bad performance of the evening
A. Mary (FR-S) (2 Points, 4 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 0 Steals, 0 Block Shots) : Efficiency : -14

All kinds of statistics
The player who forgot to remove his mittens : H. Zare (FR-S) : 7 Turnovers

Player targeted by the referees : H. Espinosa (Carolina Rebels), G. Azheli (209’s MostWanted) : 6 Personnal Fouls

The iron-man : S. Hollins (Lion Rebels), S. Huerta (Lion Rebels), R. Ainsworth (Las Vegas Silver Stars), J. Wilson (Las Vegas Silver Stars), S. Hatch (Żubr Białystok), L. Jackson (LionPride) : 48 Minutes

The shooter : H. Šapiras (Żubr Białystok) : 5 Three points

The best performer : C. Holley (LionPride) : Rating : 19.0

The worst performer : J. Wilson (Las Vegas Silver Stars), G. Lay (The Beer Bellys) : Rating : 4.5