As you may be aware Anthak has handed over the reigns to me to do the write-up for the next few rounds while he is moving to Vietnam.   I hope everything goes well with the move Anthak and that it does not affect the performance of your team which has been doing very well recently.

Onto NBA matters, this week we made one of the biggest decisions of the season so far and that is to draft in the players from Pikus United and Team El Bonanzas.  After much deliberation, it was decided that a lottery system would be used with the lowest “Points For” receiving more entries in the lottery.  Hopefully it should make the competition better as it will improve everyone’s team and also the FA list will get an influx of more players that we can choose from.

The other decision this week we have had to make is how much home ground advantage is worth in the playoffs (not that I am going to make it).  Currently the poll is tied at 3 points and 5 points.  Both options currently have 6 votes each for them.  If you have not voted on this yet, please do so which will enable us to have a clear majority.

This week in the NBA has been a relatively quiet week except for the trade rumours surrounding Carmelo Anthony.  Who knows what is going to happen here?  The Heat have lost 3 games in a row, Spurs have continued on with their good form, the Magic have lost a few games on the road and Nowitzki is finally back in the Mavs line-up.

The next week (Matchup 13) is a very busy week in the NBA.  It starts with a huge 13 games on Tuesday (our time) which happens to be Martin Luther King Day.  We should see some high scores this week as most teams are playing either 3 or 4 games this week.

Please read over the break for the reviews and previews.

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Matchup 11 Review

Stevo’s Nuggets     845    v            Team El Bonanzas     531

I decided very early on in this matchup that I was going to use the opportunity to make some trades during this week to hopefully make my team more competitive in the second half of the season.   So far I have been pleased with the trade of Jefferson for Gordon and time will tell if the trade of Scola, Conley and Hill for Wall, Young, Bonner and Sefolosha works out in my favour.   Hansbrough and Hickson have been good pickups for me from the FA list.  All I need now is an ounce of luck and I could win a few more games hopefully.

Pikus United     624              v               Team Anthak     1070

Team Anthak continued on their winning ways largely thanks to Derrick Rose racking up 241 pts by himself (I am regretting telling Anthak about Rose before the draft).  Anthak also had good contributions by Udrih 196, Randolph 161 and Durantula 105.  Pikus United has been going ok recently considering no one is coaching the team but they were thoroughly outclassed in this match up.

Kings of Karlos     1302             v               Too Seriouseses     1080

Karlos won a hard fought battle against Walesy in this matchup.   It always helps when 6 of the players in your team can score more 100 pts for the week.  Affalo 183,Calderon 179, Howard 179, and Nick Young 149 were some of the standouts.  I must admit I like the team that Karlos has put together and they are my tip to win the title.  The Too Seriouseses were competitive in this matchup largely due to Lowry 187, Billups 159, Ridnour 136 and Bargnani 123.  A big second day in this matchup enabled Karlos to establish a match winning lead.

Ruddy’s Cavaliers     1031       v         Adelaide Maggots     926

A huge 3rd day in this matchup secured Ruddy the victory.  Somehow Ruddy scored 434 points on this day!  The big guns in Ruddy’s team came to the party with Gasol 199 and Nash 194 leading the way and there were some good contributions from Boozer 144, Allen 119 and Artest 106.  The Maggots were fighting hard in this match up and it was neck and neck most of the way.  DJ Augustin was leading scorer for the Maggots with 183, Ginobli was next on 153 followed by Chris Paul on 142.

Jasmine’s Mob     906     v     Wade Machine     867

Considering Dan did a trade with me during this match up, he did a great effort in almost defeating Jasmine.  Having Dirk out for most of the match up did not help him.  Dan’s best players this week were Wade on 149, Davis on 98 and Jordan on 172.  Jasmine was able to record another victory due to her lethal combination of PG’s in Williams 137 and Ellis 117.  She also received help from the Bucks duo of Bogut and Sessions who both scored 122 respectively.

Fudge’s Sixers     793     v     Westside Hardcore     1053

Westside were able to establish a match winning lead early on in this matchup which was due to the Spurs duo of Parker 188 and Duncan 193.  Carmelo also chipped in with 138 which was not bad considering all the trade rumours surrounding him.  Unfortunately for Fudge this week, he just did not have enough players to break the 100 pt mark to be competitive.  Aldridge 112 and Lee 100 were the best for Fudge.   Fudge had a lot of players in his team who scored 70-80pts this week.

Danny’s Lebronts     637     v     Do Something Knicks     1035

The Knicks did not let up in this match up and were able to score a convincing victory. There were key players missing from both teams during stages of this matchup.  The Knicks were missing Beasley while the Lebronts were missing Lebron for a few games.   The Knicks would be pleased to see Brooks back on the court who scored 156 this week.  Nene, Pierce and Diaw were other good contributors for the Knicks.   The Lebronts relied heavily on Gordon 168 to boost their score.

Run TMC     1074     v     Under Achievers     832

Owen would have been pleased to see that Rondo is back from injury.  The assist king of the NBA did not let him down by scoring 170.  In fact Owen had 6 players in total who were able to break the 100 pt mark this week which is a great effort.  The Under Achievers put up a solid effort with Lopez 134, Ariza 118, Lewis 104 and Humphries 101 holding the team together.  Run TMC got off to a flying start on day one when they scored 204 and the Under Achievers were always playing catch up from point onwards.

Doobia Dominators     614     v     Team Heaver     1172

Team Heaver dominated this match up to hand out a belting to the Dominators.  Westbrook and Love were on fire with 183 and 179 respectively and Heaver had another 3 players in his team who reached the 100 pt mark.   This team will be very hard to beat come finals time.  Unfortunately for Doob’s he had a lot of players out injured this week in Gallinari, Marvin and Mo Williams which did not help him.  Hopefully his luck will change in the upcoming matchup.  Felton was the best with 143 and Bosh was next on 127.

Team Stowie     967     v     Team Fezkat     950

This was the match of the round and it went down to the very last game where Fez was relying upon Jefferson to have a huge game to get him over the line. Unfortunately RJ was not up to the task and Stowie was able to hold on to get the win.  Kobe led the way with 218 and Collison was the other big point scorer for Stowie with 151 (about time he came good as I originally drafted him into my team).  Fez had Stoudemire with 158 and Stuckey with 104 but he was very unlucky due to Joe Johnson not playing against the Bucks as the game was postponed because of the snowstorm.  If JJ played, Fez would have won!

Which now leads me onto my preview for round 12.   Don’t take any notice of my predictions, I am terrible at tipping!

Team Anthak (8-3)     v     King of Karlos (8-3)

This promises to be the match of the round.  Karlos will be hoping that Anthak has other things on his mind with the impending move to Vietnam.   My tip: Karlos to get the win

Team El Bonanzas (0-11)     v     Ruddy’s Cavaliers (6-5)

Well we all know that there will be no players in the El Bonanza’s team, so I am thinking that Ruddy could possibly win this.  My tip:  Ruddy to score a narrow victory

Adelaide Maggots (4-7)     v     Wade Machine (5-6)

Both teams need a victory to keep in touch with the top teams.  My tip:  The Maggots to sneak over the line (Dan, no offence but I had to keep up Anthak’s tradition of not picking you, lol)

Jasmine Mob’s (9-2)     v     Fudge’s Sixers (4-7)

I expect Jasmine to continue on her winning ways although I do expect that this will be a close game. My tip: Jasmine to get victory number 10 for the season

Westside Hardcore (7-4)     v     Danny’s Lebronts (7-4)

This is another game with huge playoff implications.  The loser of this match will find it very tough to make the playoffs.  My tip:  I think that Westside is travelling a bit better at the moment and should get the win.

Do Something Knicks (5-6)     v     Run TMC (10-1)

Another great contest here.  The Knicks are slowly building up momentum but can they take down the unstoppable RUN TMC.  My  tip:  RUN TMC to grab a close fought victory



Under Achievers (3-8)     v     Doobia Dominators (5-6)

Both teams need a win to get back on track.  I have no idea who is going to win this match? My tip: I have just tossed a coin and it was heads which means the Under Achievers will get the win.

Team Heaver (8-3)     v     Team Stowie (5-6)

Stowie had a win last week but he is coming up against one of the top teams in the league.  My tip: Heaver to come out on top in what should be an interesting battle.

Team Fezkat (4-7)     v     Pikus United (0-11)

What more needs to be said? A full strength Fezkat against no one from Pikus United.  My tip:  Fezkat to destroy Pikus.

Stevo’s Nuggets (4-7)     v     Too Seriouseses (6-5)

Hopefully my team can start to improve with the recent trades but I think Walesy may get over the line.  Plus I don’t want to upset the guru of Too Serious.  My tip:  Walesy to get the win