I joked last week that Fudge was on a roll after his 1st win, but now he definitely is - after beating Owen this week. So that leaves no undefeated teams any more! Besides our two easy-beats, this comp is extremely close - with any team able to knock off any of the others!

Weve had a couple of massive trades this week! * 1st one was involving me - we managed to organise a 3 team trade involving 13 players all up! Heres how it went: DSK sends Durant, Gasol, Udrih, Bledsoe, Amundson & Daniels to anthak; anthak sends Pierce, Nene, Diaw, Frye & Turner to DSK; anthak sends SWilliams to Walesy; Walesy sends CJ Watson to DSK. * 2nd one was between Dan and Heaver, involving 9 players: Wade Machine sent Westbrook, Martin, McGee & Biedrins to Heaver, in exchange for Sefolosha, Horford,Wall, Delfino & Jordan. Some huge names getting moved on there in both trades! Well just have to wait and see how it all pans out. I know with mine there have been some mixed results between the time the trade was agreed on and when it actually went through... Paul Pierce has had his best 2 games of the season (72 and 95 fpts); Bledsoe and Amundson have both started a game when they were expected to be bench players; & Turner got his first DNP-CD of his career... and I see that Chris and Smitty have just dropped him to waivers - bit hasty i reckon. He should do alright over the remainder of the season.

At the time of writing this, our poll was tied up with 10 votes taken. I have decided the outcome, and that is that we will have a trade deadline. I just think its much fairer to have a deadline, than not to. There are obviously pros and cons for both options, as evidenced by the split vote, but I would personally rather have a deadline. Three big reasons are that: interest may drop off towards the end of the season from some owners; AFL will be on a lot of our minds in a couple of months; and the main one - it avoids teams not in the running for our playoffs being a bit blazae about trading out players. Now we need to work out when the deadline will be: I have set up a new poll for this. There are 9 dates available, so I have split them into months to begin with, to narrow down the options, so that it is a fairer vote. Whichever month wins will determine the next poll. Unless January wins, as there is only 1 date available in January.

Now over the break, i think its time for a ladder! Along with the usual game reviews of matchup 7; and the previews of matchup 8:::::::

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Ladder:

1<a title="Run TMC (Owen Beebe)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=19&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Run TMC[/url]

2<a title="Team HEAVER! (David Tong)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=13&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Team HEAVER![/url]

3<a title="Jasmines Mob (Jasmine Johnson)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=5&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Jasmines Mob[/url]

4<a title="Dannys Lebronts (Danny Smith)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=18&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Dannys Lebronts[/url]

5<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]

6<a title="Kings of Karlos (Sean Minetti)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=10&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Kings of Karlos[/url]

7<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]

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]

9<a title="Doobia Dominators (Andrew Dubowik)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=20&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Doobia Dominators[/url]

10<a title="Adelaide Maggots (Cameron Sears)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=4&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Adelaide Maggots[/url]

11<a title="Too Seriouseses (Les Wales)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=2&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Too Seriouseses[/url]

12<a title="Team Stowie (Daniel Stow)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=8&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Team Stowie[/url]

13<a title="Ruddys Cavaliers (Peter Rudd)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=14&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Ruddys Cavaliers[/url]

14<a title="Team Fezkat (Kristian Collins)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=17&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Team Fezkat[/url]

15<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]

16<a title="Do Something Knicks (Chris Riches, Steve Smith)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=7&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Do Something Knicks[/url]

17<a title="Stevos Nuggets (Stephen Nilsson)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=12&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Stevos Nuggets[/url]

18<a title="Under Achievers (Richard Chambers)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=11&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Under Achievers[/url]

19<a title="Pikus United (Adam Ziegler)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=9&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Pikus United[/url]

20<a title="Team El Bonanzas (Al Lee)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=3&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Team El Bonanzas[/url]

- Top 8 teams make the playoffs.

Matchup 7 review:

<a title="Team Stowie (Daniel Stow)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=8&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Team Stowie[/url] 793 v <a title="Dannys Lebronts (Danny Smith)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=18&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Dannys Lebronts[/url] 977

Dannys Lebronts won 5 of the 7 days to win this one pretty easily, even though they had the lowest score of all winning teams. Danny10 had only 3 players break the ton and Stowie only had the 2, however Lebron was the difference - scoring 207, while Stowies best was J-Smooove with 128.

<a title="Run TMC (Owen Beebe)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=19&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Run TMC[/url] 1175 v <a title="Fudges Sixers (Jim Tsilikas)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=16&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Fudge’s Sixers[/url] 1230

I said up top about how i joked about Fudge being on a roll after his first win, but he has come up big again here against the previously unbeaten Run TMC! A very high scoring game saw only 3 teams score more than Owen, however one of them was Fudge with almost the highest score of the round. Both teams had a massive 6 players with centuries! Owens best was Griffen with 165, and Fudge had Aldridge with 193 as his best.

<a title="Doobia Dominators (Andrew Dubowik)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=20&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Doobia Dominators[/url] 1201 v <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] 1009

Doobs has kept his good run going! Unbeaten in fact - since he has worked out how to change his lineup. And Doobs did it pretty convincingly against a previously impressive Wade Machine. Doobs won 6 of the 7 days, and really powered away at the business end of the week. Both teams had 5 players over 100; with Wade scoring a double with 201, and Felton the best for DDs with 161.

<a title="Pikus United (Adam Ziegler)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=9&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Pikus United[/url] 828 v <a title="Ruddys Cavaliers (Peter Rudd)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=14&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Ruddy’s Cavaliers[/url] 1094

Even though Fzilla hasnt been around to change his team lately, Pikus United still managed to put up a better score than 6 other teams this round - and that was with only 9 players, as Stephen Curry missed all GS games this week. Ruddy still won by over 200 points, thanks largely to a huge day 3 of 450 points!!! Ruddy had 4 over 100, with Gasol the best with 191; while PUs best scored 1 more - DWest with 192 - but had only 2 others over 100.

<a title="Kings of Karlos (Sean Minetti)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=10&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Kings of Karlos[/url] 1039 v <a title="Stevos Nuggets (Stephen Nilsson)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=12&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Stevo’s Nuggets[/url] 761

Thats 4 losses in a row now for Steve! And Karlos continues to do well - moving to 5 and 2! Steve was challenging Elbonz for the lowest score this round with only 761 - having only 2 players score over 100 with Scola the shining light with 162; while Karlos finished with 4 over 100 and another 3 in the 90s - Odom his best with 154.

<a href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=1&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_blank">Team anthak[/url] 1235 v <a title="Under Achievers (Richard Chambers)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=11&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Under Achievers[/url] 939

Just as my team scores the highest score of the round, I go and trade out half my team!?!? Not sure what the logic is there?? and I exchanged players with the team that scored the 5th lowest score this round... bit strange if I think about it like this. Anyways, Im rapt to score so well this week, and i hope this trade can strengthen my team even more. UAs had 4 players score over 100, with another 3 stranded in the 90s; Kidd his best with 136. Whereas I had only 5 players score over 100, but all bar one of them were at least 150, with Paul Pierce on 220 being the best. I think that might be the first time ive had someone break 200.

<a title="Team HEAVER! (David Tong)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=13&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Team HEAVER![/url] 1141 v <a title="Do Something Knicks (Chris Riches, Steve Smith)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=7&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Do Something Knicks[/url] 802

Both of these teams were involved in the massive trades that went down this week. And two of the players Heaver got rid of - Delfino and Wall - were both sidelined for this whole matchup, which makes his score of 1141 super impressive! He only had 37 games played from his players this week, with 4 of them scoring over 100 - all at least 148 in fact! With his best - Kevin Love - scoring a massive 244!! DSKs best was Durantula with 150, and they had another 3 players break the ton, but their next best was only on 65.



<a title="Team Fezkat (Kristian Collins)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=17&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Team Fezkat[/url] 827 v <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] 1116

Micka continued on his good form here, winning by almost 300 points! He had an amazing 6 players score centuries and 4 of them at least 140. His best was Tim Duncan with 199. Fez never led at any stage through the week and could only boast 2 players over 100 - in fact they were his only 2 players over 70! Amare Stoudamire was his best with 165.

<a title="Too Seriouseses (Les Wales)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=2&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Too Seriouseses[/url] 784 v <a title="Jasmines Mob (Jasmine Johnson)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=5&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Jasmine’s Mob[/url] 994

Well we all know jasmine got off to a good start. Especially on the 1st day, leading 246 to -8. And she won the next 2 days as well. Despite a few injuries, Walesy staged a mini comeback over the next couple of days, before Jasmine put him back in his place with a huge day 6. The margin finished up over 200 points after Walesy again closed the gap on the final day. Jasmine had 5 players in triple figures, DWilliams the best with 147; while Walesy had only 3 players reach the same milestone, with Lowry the best on 209.

<a title="Team El Bonanzas (Al Lee)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=3&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Team El Bonanzas[/url] 633 v <a title="Adelaide Maggots (Cameron Sears)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=4&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Adelaide Maggots[/url] 979



Elbonz still has a few injuries and still doesnt seem to be back from os - have to wonder if he will ever be back. But to make matters worse, one of the players we bought into his lineup to cover a season ending injury - Jeremy Lin - has been sent off to the d-league! He got the lowest score of the round again, with only 2 players over 100 - Gay the best with 125; While Cameron had an impressive 5 players over 100, and his best - CP3 - scoring a massive 221!

Now matchup 8 previews:

Weve got christmas in amongst this week - with no games scheduled for the 24th. Actually games are quite sparadoc all week, and there are big variances between how many games the teams play this week. Chicago, Orlando and San Antonio all play 4 games which is more than any other team. There are 13 teams playing 3 games, and 13 playing 2. While Toronto only have the 1 game this week!

<a title="Run TMC (Owen Beebe)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=19&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Run TMC[/url] (6-1) v <a title="Team Stowie (Daniel Stow)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=8&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Team Stowie[/url] (3-4)

Run TMC to bounce back and get back in the winners column.

<a title="Dannys Lebronts (Danny Smith)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=18&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Dannys Lebronts[/url] (6-1) v <a title="Doobia Dominators (Andrew Dubowik)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=20&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Doobia Dominators[/url] (4-3)

Gotta pick Dobia Dominators to keep their run going.

<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] (2-5) v <a title="Pikus United (Adam Ziegler)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=9&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Pikus United[/url] (0-7)

Fudges Sixers another one to keep their run going, and make it 3 on the trot.

<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] (4-3) v <a title="Kings of Karlos (Sean Minetti)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=10&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Kings of Karlos[/url] (5-2)

Dan has just traded in a few injured players which will make it hard this week. And Kings of Karlos are doing well so cant go past them.

<a title="Ruddys Cavaliers (Peter Rudd)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=14&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Ruddys Cavaliers[/url] (3-4) v <a title="Stevos Nuggets (Stephen Nilsson)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=12&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Stevos Nuggets[/url] (2-5)

Stevos Nuggets are in a bit of a rough patch of late, but its gotta stop sometime.

<a title="Team HEAVER! (David Tong)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=13&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Team HEAVER![/url] (6-1) v <a href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=1&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_blank">Team anthak[/url] (5-2)

Gonna be tough! But I have to back my lads in! Team anthak too win in a really close tussle.

<a title="Under Achievers (Richard Chambers)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=11&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Under Achievers[/url] (1-6) v <a title="Team Fezkat (Kristian Collins)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=17&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Team Fezkat[/url] (3-4)

Under Achievers matching Steve in a 4 game losing streak, but Im tipping them this week.

<a title="Do Something Knicks (Chris Riches, Steve Smith)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=7&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Do Something Knicks[/url] (2-5) v <a title="Too Seriouseses (Les Wales)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=2&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Too Seriouseses[/url] (4-3)

Do Something Knicks have acquired half of my team for the beginning of this matchup. I reckon they will be keen for revenge over Walesys mob after he beat me in round 1.

<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] (4-3) v <a title="Team El Bonanzas (Al Lee)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=3&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Team El Bonanzas[/url] (0-7)

Westside Hardcore with the bye this week.

<a title="Jasmines Mob (Jasmine Johnson)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=5&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Jasmines Mob[/url] (6-1) v <a title="Adelaide Maggots (Cameron Sears)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=4&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Adelaide Maggots[/url] (4-3)

Jasmines Mob to continue on her merry way!

Happy Solstice; Merry Christmas; Happy Hanukkah! Hope those of you celebrating something over this time of year have a great one, and those of you that arent - the same! All the best!!