After a very long season (which we actually started planning in September 10) - we are left with two teams fighting it out in our granny! Surprisingly the 2 teams that finished 7th and 8th on the final ladder...   in other words the 2 teams that nearly didnt even make the playoffs!

Team anthak vs Wade Machine!

This matchup is over 10 days; however the first (yesterday) did not have any games on...   but still, its a longer matchup than usual - which is fair enough i suppose.

Last time these 2 teams met, it was back in early February, and Wade machine were victorious by only 80 points. Baron Davis was the only player to top 200 points in either team.

Over the break, Ill review the semi finals and take a closer look at this weeks granny::::<!--more-->

Firstly, last weeks Semi Finals:

#7 <a title="Team anthak (Anthony Hack)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=1&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Team anthak[/url] 1455 v #6 <a title="Fudges Sixers (Jim Tsilikas)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=16&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Fudges Sixers[/url] 1088<a title="Fudges Sixers (Jim Tsilikas)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=16&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">
[/url]

This loss to Fudge clinched the Dirk Diggler trophy to stay with Karlos after he had won 10 games in a row from Round 6 to Round 15 (beating both grand finalists during that stretch).

My boys led all the way in this game, and finished with almost a 400 point win. I was best served by Derrick Rose (255 from 4), and he was well supported by Kevin Durant (191 from 4), Zach randolph (172 from 3), JaVale McGee (154 from 4), Josh Smith (136 from 3) and James Harden (126 from 4). Fudges best were LaMarcus Aldridge (158 from 4), Andre Iquadala (155 from 4), kevin martin (144 from 4), DeMarcus Cousins (138 from 4), David Lee (112 from 3) and Stephen Curry (109 from 3).

#8 <a title="Wade Machine (Daniel Laengst)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=15&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Wade Machine[/url] 1313 v #4 <a title="Westside Hardcore (Michael Walters)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=6&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Westside Hardcore[/url] 1155<a title="Westside Hardcore (Michael Walters)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=6&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">[/url]

This game was much closer, but in reality Dan always seemed to have it under control, as he only ended up losing 2 days - the first and last. Best for Wade Machine were Dwayne Wade (216 from 4), Tony Allen (136 from 3), Baron Davis (133 from 4), Luis Scola (116 from 4), Dirk Nowitzki (114 from 4), Mike Conley (107 from 3), Al Horford (104 from 3), George Hill (102 from 4). While the best for Micka were Carmello Anthony (191 from 3!), Elton Brand (166 from 4), Tony Parker (130 from 3), Grant Hill (110 from 4) and Greg Monroe (108 from 3).

Championship Matchup preview:

As I stated earlier, these two teams finished 7th and 8th in the final standings. On the points for ladder: Wade Machine actually finished 4th; whereas Team anthak stayed in 7th position.

Looking back at the draft, neither team have a whole lot of players left from whom they drafted...  Wade Machine with 2 players - Dwayne Wade (5th overall) and Luis Scola (45th oa) who actually spent time on at least one other team, maybe 2 (cant remember); and Team anthak with 3 - Zach Randolph (22nd overall), Derrick Rose (35th oa) and (somewhat surprisingly) Reggie Williams (87th oa). I was trying to shop Williams around all season... with no deals being done.

This is mainly due to the fact that both these teams finished high up with the amount of acquisitions and trades completed. Wade Machine has the most acquisitions so far with 80 (2nd is DSK, only 2 behind), and have only 5 teams with more trades then them as well. Team anthak has the 3rd most trades in the league, and the 9th most acquisitions (almost half what Dan has).

Im not going to go into how many games we both have scheduled during this matchup, as I presume we will both change our teams considerably, chasing every point we can.

I can analyse the matchup so far though, as we are already underway...   Today is the 2nd day. neither team had a player play on the first, but today - Wade Machine have already completed with 224 points scored from their 10 players (conley the only player to top 50). At the time of writing this, Team anthak still have 4 players with games still in progress (; including Durant who is looking to be the only player over 50), but at this stage are sitting on 159 from 9 players (90 from the 5 already completed). Unfortunately the game time decision of JSmoove not playing has cost me a little - I have had to cop his 0, with 3 players on my bench scoring wasted points (including 34 to Tolliver).

Looks like Dan will have the lead going into the 2nd day! But it is a long matchup, so anything can still happen...

Finally my tip. hahaha...     Dan will probably want revenge over me for tipping against him so much this year...  At first I thought it may mess with his teams mentality if I was to tip them this game....    but I cant do it. Gotta back my boys in in their biggest game of their respective careers!!!  Team anthak to win in a close one.

All the best Dan! Hopefully good luck to both of us! Should be a good finish to the season.