Vlade Divac's Beard fights for Top Spot in the SMU Competitve League

February 25, 2010
Halifax, Nova Scotia

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The crowd was on their feet last Tuesday as the sentimental favorite to win this years Saint Mary's University Trophy grinded their way to another well earned victory. The team known as "Vlade Divac's Beard" improved their record to 5-1, with a win over an uber athletic team lead by Jameek Murray.

With a lethal combination of low post scoring and tenacious perimeter defense, the team was able to hold their opponents to less than 40% shooting in the second half. Though they came out to a slow start, they were able to stick to their 'bread n butter' of pounding the rock down low to doubl-double machine, 6-8 workhorse John Good and playing mistake free basketball. After shooting the lights out for 20 points in the first 8 minutes of the game, the self proclaimed "Kobe" of the league was rendered helpless after a concerted effort from defensive standout, Omar Kadray.

The "Leo Rautins Elite", as they were formerly known as, boast a starting lineup as follows:

PG: Matthew Boyle
SG: Omar Kadray
SF: Ibrahim
PF: John Good
C: Doyleford Anthony

The bench consists of newcomer and sparkplug, Rannoch Harley, former Halifax All-Star and scoring machine, John Mitton, rebounding specialist and undersized power forward, Christian Stringer and the heart and soul/ organizer of the team, AJ Salah.

With an upcoming game against "Dem Island Boys", Vlade Divac's Beard has been practicing tirelessly while leaving the partying for the rest of the league.

"We are very focused on winning the championship this year," Doyleford continues, "I've been on some very good teams in the past, including the Mount Allison University Mounties, but in terms of a cohensive unit, I don't think I have ever graced the floor with such a dedicated and eclectic group of basketball players. "

Stringer elaborated, "We have had a very tough schedule thus far and I think the team has responded well. We had to make a cut midway through the season for the best interest of VDB. Letting Patrick go wasn't easy for us, but I think it brought the rest of the team closer together."

The boys' next game is on Tuesday, March on Court B at the Tower, located on the Saint Mary's Univesity campus. Get there early as it will likely be a packed house.

1-2-3, Vlade!

Back in the game

*I'm Back* -A.Z.

The skin jumps opposite the impersonal convenience.

The Answer Gets Dealt; Many Questions Arise

- by AJ

So it's in the books, Allen Iverson is now a Piston; Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess are returning to the Mile High City, along with some dude whose name I forget and will likely be rocking NBDL threads by month's end. Just a week into the season, we get a deadline-worthy blockbuster that leaves plenty to be suspicious of. This is one of those deals I just don't understand. It'd been circling around sports talk shows and internet forums for a week or so but I gave it little time because I didn't think NBA GMs, more importantly ones as crafty as Joe Dumars, wasted time rolling dice on trades that accomplished so little for their teams. Both the Nuggets and Pistons were in need of shakeups after lackluster performances last year, but it seemed much more likely they'd be lowballing basement-dwellers (see: Boston Celtics, 2007/Los Angeles Lakers, 2008) in a rapid, buyer-driven NBA marketplace. What they've done instead seems counterproductive to both of their agendas.

Let's start with the Pistons, who I'm particularly sceptical of. They now have Iverson as their point guard (I think), which will contradict Detroit's equitable offensive philosophy, and underline his fundamental flaw: he's a 6-foot shooting guard. The sudden emergence of Rodney Stuckey made Billups somewhat more expendable, but it's not like AI will give him any more time to operate. And what's more, Detroit gave up not only their best player but a guy who fit perfectly into their system; a pass-first point guard who wasn't afraid to score when he was needed. He played within the game, kept everyone involved and always delivered in big games. This has never been Iverson's strong suit. The departure of McDyess, while not as critical, sees them losing a skilled veteran and will put more pressure on their young bigs to perform. When Kwame Brown is involved in your rotation, this is never a good thing.

What's worse is the Pistons' situation; they've fallen from the East's throne and realistically might not even cop homecourt this year. They have a closing window on another trip to the Finals with this often-complacent core and made a huge deal that doesn't drastically improve their team this season. Iverson's never been known as a winner, and it's doubtful if he's hungry enough for a title to inspire the kind of awakening needed in Detroit. True, his contract expires at the end of the year, and he'll probably walk if the Pistons don't win the East, so they may be able to make free agency moves, but that'd be yet another gamble that hardly justifies Billups' shipping.

The Nuggets meanwhile just seem out to lunch. After dealing the only guy who played a shred of defense for them last year in one of the more blatant salary-dumps ever, Denver's front office dealt a $20 million deductible for a (relatively) long-term investment. While I (kind of) like the trade from a basketball perspective (more on that in a second), it just defeats the purpose of trading your All-Star center for nothing. Whatever they were trying to accomplish, the Nuggets just took a step in another direction.

It's not really a step anywhere though. The Melo and AI pairing clearly wasn't getting them out of the First Round; they were the Warriors without the moxie, the Suns without Steve Nash, a team without a clue. Billups is, among other things, a great leader to bring some structure to Denver's offense and lead a team with the collective maturity of a single fifth-grader. He'll become their best defender by default and hopefully instill more discipline without the ball in his teammates. McDyess gives their thin frontline another able body and their locker-room another leader, but this approach didn't work for them a few years ago with Andre Miller and Camby in the same roles, so what's to say it will now? They might be better off this season than last, who knows, but they'd have been much better off with Marcus still holding down the pivot, and they're still not going nowhere come Playoff time.

Along with illogical, this trade just seemed premature. Especially in Detroit's case with a new coach who wasn't widely hated by his players and might've had them playing at their potential. It'll be a surprise to many if Detroit now wins in the East or if Denver does anything relevant out West, and if they don't, then what exactly was the point of this?

2008-09 Predictions

Rookie of the Year - Derrick Rose

This year's first overall pick is truly something special. His combination of aggressive penetration and silky jumpers make him a beast on the offensive end, and his tenacity on the defensive end should make him an above average on the ball defender. I'm predicting 15, 7, 3 and 1.5 steals for ya boy. Don't hate. Anyone who has been monitoring the summer league has seen this guy dominate and he is currently peaking in the NBA's pre-season. Chicago will likely be duking it out with the Heat for those final playoff spots in the East, so we will truly see if Beasley can be Dwayne's Aid. An unselfish 30 last night has people calling him the best player on the Bulls' roster. Wow really? How are ya gonna do that to Andres!

Runners-Up (in order): Mike Beasley, OJ, Eric Gordon

Defensive Player of the Year - Marcus Camby

Baring any sort of injury I think the Camby man can cop another one in his waning years. With a new squad, Camby will once again be the defensive general in an effort to replace the Clips glory years of Elton and The Alien formally known as Cassell. Marcus is a blocking machine, who should get some help side swats working along side the newly German, Chris Kaman. Marcus is looking to improve on his 07' campaign where he had a career year in rebounding (and defensive ones as well) and I won't doubt him. If his soon to be 35 year old knees can hold up, Marcus could help the Clips weasel into the playoffs.

Runner Up: Josh Smith (Ron Ron gets suspended and isn't considered for the award based on his behavior)

Sixth Man of the Year - Manu Ginobli
What is pretty much a formality at this point should ring true again. If he doesn't have to fill in too much because of injury's, Manu should be Manu. The Spurs are getting too old for my liking, but if anyone can run on the squad its that wiry Argentinian. With what have become routine years of acrobatic shots and clutch hoops, I'm not really excited for Manu's year...another run into the playoffs. With the shifting power in the West, it looks the like Spurs may not have home court come playoff time. Count on Manu to shift the odds.

Runner Up: Barbosa, Nate Robinson

Coach of the Year - Byron Scott

I'm under the impression that the Hornets are going to win it all, so it seems only fitting that Byron Scott would should get another quick one. With a combination of a more experienced core and the addition of Playoff heart throb James Posey, I think the Hornets might be lookin at the best record in the league.

Runner Up: Mike Brown

Most Improved Player - Francisco Garcia


Aside from the blatant upside that Thornton possesses, there is room for some other blow ups. While the Sacramento Kings fight for last place in the West, there will be a need for someone to step up. While I do have some faith in John Salmons' abilities, the responsibility will ultimatley lie on an individual with more scoring punch. Former 2005 first round pick, Cisco Garcia upped his scoring from 6 to 12 ppg last season, and he looks primed to build on those efforts. The Kings are going to be playing catchup alot this season, and with stiff offensive competition, there will be a need to jack up mad buckets. If Garcia can shoot around 40% from distance like he did last year (and the Kings acknowledge they truly are rebuilding by trading Brad Miller and beloved plug Kenny Thomas), he could be looking at near 35 minutes a game. I smell fantasy dividends.

Runner Up:

Most Valuable Player - Chris Paul

If anyone can build on their success from last year, Chris Paul can. CP3 is only one of the Americans to win gold this past summer and there is no doubt that playing along side such talent helped his game. Remember, the Hornets almost won the West last year..and they got better in the offseason. Kobe was due for his chip last year. Look for Chris at the top of the assist and steal leaders, with a 55+ win team and an ever improving all around game. The Hornets live and die by Chris, so if they can edge the Lakers and win their conference this year, it's a wrap. They were undefeated in the pre season as well, but don't worry about that.

Runners Up: Bron, Dwight

East All-Stars

Starters - Dwayne Wade, Agent Injured, Lebron James, Kevin Garnett, Dwight Howard

Bench Mob - Paul Pierce, Chauncey Billups, Elton Brand, Caron Butler, Joe Johnson, Chris Bosh, Andre Igoudala
(Rashard Lewis!)

West All-Stars

Starters - CP3, Kobert, Tim Duncan, Amare Stoudamire, Yao Ming

Bench Mob - (Deron Williams if not hurt), Carlos Boozer, David West, Steve Nash, Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady, Corey Magette

Playoffs

East Bracket: 1- Boston Celts, 2-Cleveland, 3- Orlando, 4- Detroit, 5- Toronto, 6- Philadelphia, 7-Miami Heat, 8-Wizards

West Bracket: 1- Hornets, 2- Lakers, 3- Utah Jazz, 4- Houston Rockets, 5- San Antonio Spurs, 6- Phoenix Suns, 7- Trailblazers, 8- Mavericks

East Finals: Celtics over (Cavs lose in 7 in conference semi's)

West Finals: Hornets over Lakers

Finals - Hornets over Celtics in 6