The 'L' Word

Thanks again and again to everyone who helped make my wedding an awesome day. I picked up a spare suitcase from my Mother today and she gave me a whole heap of photos I haven't seen yet and also some video footage from my recent wedding.
I just watched some of the clips from the ceremony and couldn't stop smiling. Love is a wonderful thing. It is actually pretty crazy that I managed to find someone who not only puts up with my strange, weird awkwardness but somehow manages to keep up with me on a daily basis. And yes, I know, your asking yourself and your grandma what does this rant about being in love got to do with fantasy basketball? Of course I'll find some odd, witty way to link it all together.... I hope.
Last night around 10pm or was it 9pm? Damn daylight saving. May I say, being unemployed and going through a transition to daylight savings is like...impossible. There is no reason for me to change what I do so basically I do the same as per normal just an hour later, sometimes more. Anyhow, it was J Smoove (Jules) vs Daddy Sta (Myself) in the first of many challenges in the NBA 2K9 online war for xbox360. Add me if you want a challenge "Daddy Sta". It was clearly a match of love. I selected the Bucks (just to keep an evenly ranked team to my opponent) who chose the Grizzlies and subquently, RUDY GAY. And that is what I call love. Not only did Jules select him in fantasy bball but also in 2K9. Ahhh Love! Isn't it sweet? I got that 'basketball love' too and I'm sure all of you do too. I have been a long term Allen Iverson fan and managed to clinch him in second round of the draft. Actually I am wearing a hoody right now with the Sixers logo and the classic number #3. I love his toughness on court and his passion for the game. There are a few more players that I have a court crush on but didn't manage to get on my team though. Chris Paul, every aspiring point guards hardwood fantasy player. Dwight Howard can't hit a free throw but hits my heart with every rim rattling dunk. Carmelo Anthony with all his offensive capabilities, he is a guy to watch whenever the ball is in his hands and Yao Ming, if one man can lead an army of millions into battle it is him and I would follow!
It's great to have that love for a player as a fan and to also draft them too in fantasy. You might get blindsided by that love but to me as a true fan, It is all worth it!

Hearing the sound of birds softly chirping,

Michael Sta (The Commish)

Questions of a Spotless Roster

As per request from a current friend and soon to be mortal enemy that will join me trash talking our way to the result... ONE MAN STANDING, or sitting in another country as it will more likely be. It is time for another post-a-rino. As so it usually starts with what is inside my head which is a strange place and today I think I'm thinking. What comes up in a lot of dedicated fantasy managers minds is the question of what the heck will my team do this year? and honestly I also have that same question burning inside my head and its a burning like when you drink your frozen coke too fast. Looking at my squad I have a potential first round pick power forward slash center. "Mr.Brand" He hasn't really shown it in preseason and coming off a previous season playing 7 games I'm starting to get worried yet excited to see the outcome. It is that moment we all have worrying about our choices and wondering, was that the correct one? Honestly I don't know and I can bet on one thing, its gonna be fun finding out. I'm sure looking at out first few rounds everyone will be asking questions about their choices as a fantasy manager. BryMing chose Yao Ming in the 2nd round and that, yet slighty comical, (actually what I wrote was slighty comical considering BryMing's lust for comics) could be a great move or a bad one. Yao is the best center in the league in my opinion if he plays a full season. Deron Williams is worrying the team duo from the RocknBull Show! and I would be worried if my first round pick was injured before the season starts... hey that sound vaguely familiar. Gilbert anyone? You have Baron with a busted finger and there is Marcus Camby comin straight outta Denva, who also hasn't played with the Clips which is worrying.Also much further down the draft list, Samuel Dalembert, the Hatian Sensation, is on my squad too who hasn't had the valuable preseason to get acquainted with the new look 76ers team. It is a worrying time for fantasy managers. But don't worry be happy. We got a new year to play, drop, trade, pickup and just have fun. And we all know where fun comes from?

Winning! hahaha so get ready like a virgin on prom night cause someone next week is gonna get f*@ked. Coombsee, sorry but your team is going down unlike your squads turnover count.

See you in the fantasy playoffs,

Michael Sta (The Commish)

The Greatest Moves of War... also where has my wisdom gone?

Finally, today is the day. The day that I can start to piece the important finishing touches to my plans for the US of A trip. It is our honeymoon and also our 're'marriage with Elvis Presley and I have breaking news for all. Jarrett will be my best man on this occasion. Also 1 hour ago I just had my wisdom teeth ripped out from the gums that held and nurtured them. They were twisted, poked, levered and finally pulled. All of the above was fine except for the pulling which ended up with a near death scare as I grabbed my throat and tried to gasp for air then coughed up a stray tooth which went into the back of my mouth and clogged my airway. Finally, I breathe again.

Recently being between employment I have had a look at many web pages showing draft results from different leagues and also seen some interesting picks from owners too. I wish to briefly touch on our league and some 'great moves of war' or great picks/steals of the draft. I would also love your input too.

PICK 16 - Shawn Marion

How did he fall this far? Easily on the verge of being a top ten contributer in fantasy and maybe the scare of not playing with Nash might make people think he is gonna get less looks at the basket but points, steal, blocks, rebounds, some assists and an occasional trey how could you go wrong?


PICK 22 - Caron Butler

Again somehow falling this far! Butler to me is a poor mans version of LeBron, he gives you points, rebs, steals, assists but unlike Lebron, Butler gives you amazing FT%. With no one else in Washington at the moment Butler is the magic behind the Wizards.


PICK 25 - Danny Granger

Granger gives you damn good stats across the board but is on a crappy team and even though he is on a crappy team he gives you DAMN GOOD stats. With Jermaine O'Neal moved out of Indiana to Toronto it looks like Granger is the man to lead the Pacers and I think he got the goods.


PICK 42 - Kevin Martin

Efficiency, efficiency, efficiency. I was ecstatic to take him for my squad. He is also given the run of the squad with Artest gone and his numbers go up and he keeps his turnovers low.


I quickly glanced at the some of the higher end of the draft and I would love to hear from you guys who else you think was a steal in the draft.

Until then... keep your wisdom

Michael Sta (The Commish)

Ouch! Dats Hurt....

Already it has begun. The preseason games are being played as I type and there is some worrying things going on here. The poor poor Washington Wizards... cursed by injuries. Gilbert Arenas goes through knee surgery again. Antawn Jamison sustains a bruised right knee in the first preseason game for the Wiz (update: Jamison should be ready for first game of the regular season) and now Brendan Haywood out for four to six months! with a wrist injury. Looks like good minutes for the Washington Bench squad where i think Blatche and Thomas will be the main beneficiaries of the extra minutes. Good pickup for Coombes with Andray Blatche, and I thought he was reaching :P
And now my predicted 'value' pickup Rudy Fernandez of the Blazers has also come into some strife. It's the final quarter, 2:48 left on the clock. Rudy drives, steps on Sergio's foot and is down with an ankle sprain. Just great... he only had 15 points, 7 assists and 6 steals that game... its not like those are great numbers for my fantasy team (please note sarcasm in typing).


So its begun again. The injuries that we must deal with and shuffle our players around to find those points, passes and plays to get that 'W'. It looks like brymuzik is already leading the league is player moves and I'm sure once we get started that others will follow.

Peace
Michael Sta (The Commish)

And so it begins again...

Just breathe, the gun is about to go off. You feel the intensity building as another speedy draft flies past again... (I wish) Everyone is getting into the blocks as the race is about to begin. Which race? The race to the bragging kingdom where you can point fingers at your opponents and go 'Har-Har'. Who won our fantasy league last year? um.. er.. I'm not quite sure. I never heard anyone talk up their win or brag about it or even offer and welcome all challenges this year. Who cares anyway?

It is the year 2008 and a fine year it is too. I get a draft happening and sorted days before my wedding which was the biggest event I have had to co-ordinate so far in my life and thanks all who came and attended. But this 2008-2009 season, I feel, is the year. The year I may reach the finals as I have avoided Arenas thus so far. My $111 million dollar arch enemy, spiting me from the courtside bench. And so far everyone has been cautious of the baller with the injuries. Gilbert, Monta or as they say "Mon-Tay" and also Manu Manu. So lets see how things pan out cause I'm sure someones bench will be filled by busted up baller but this year I'm not going bust with basketball bum. Say that three times fast!

Peace
Michael Sta (The Commish)