Finnegans v Brodies L (3-1)
Players present and game grades
Zupa (C) We all appreciate the passion, but direct your venom at the other team.
Pedro (C) Mr t is notorious for not lettin me get my dimes. Also, he never really found his stroke tonight.
Bugout (C) never found a rhythm
Juan (C) see bugout
Anthony Z (D) I give myself the poor grade because as the "pg" of the team I did a horrible job breaking their press and then settling our O down.
Anthony P (C+) Had some nifty moves around the basket but ultimately needed to shore up the weakside d a little better
Mr. Anderson (C) – The collision in the first half and the refs took him out of his game early and he never really recovered.
Bryant (B-) Scored at will, but negative points for the missed free throws
You guys know how I hate recapping losses so I will keep this one short and to the point.
For the first time all year we just weren't having fun out there. For whatever reason we were flat. They beat us to every loose ball and just wanted it more than us. Obviously they are a good team, but they aren't unbeatable. If we played our game, with heart and passion, we could def take this team out. Luckily we play them 2 more times this year. We will show them a much different Finnegans next time.
Next up is Healys again.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Finnegans 2009 Game 3 Recap
Finnegans v Pepsi W (3-0)
Players present and game grades
Zupa (B) Almost 100% out there
Pedro (B) a little dropoff from his superstar play in games 1 and 2 but still in the lead for Defensive player of the year honors.
Bugout (B) Getting back to his slashing game, but needs to be more confident in both his shot and layups
Juan (B) Also a slight dropoff from his stellar game on tuesday, but played full throttle all game.
Anthony Z (B+) No matter what Zupa and Bugout say, the defensive run was keyed by his substitution into the game (I'm the blogger, so whatever I say goes, sorry boys)
Anthony P (B+) If this guy had a big man coach like Kareem he may be good enough to attend an NBDL game (if he bought some decent tickets).
Mr. Anderson (A-) – Shook off the sickness and came back to hit some dagger threes.
Bryant (B+) Still waiting for him to throw one down
Not much to say about last nights game. When push came to shove we just steamrolled Mountain Dew/Pepsi.
They tried to hang around as Teddy KGB would say, but once Jackie Moon told his squad to kick it into high gear, it was over. The score should have been much worse than what it was but we were saving some stuff for our first place showdown on Tuesday.
Next up is Brodies Pub. It will be a nice test for us.
Players present and game grades
Zupa (B) Almost 100% out there
Pedro (B) a little dropoff from his superstar play in games 1 and 2 but still in the lead for Defensive player of the year honors.
Bugout (B) Getting back to his slashing game, but needs to be more confident in both his shot and layups
Juan (B) Also a slight dropoff from his stellar game on tuesday, but played full throttle all game.
Anthony Z (B+) No matter what Zupa and Bugout say, the defensive run was keyed by his substitution into the game (I'm the blogger, so whatever I say goes, sorry boys)
Anthony P (B+) If this guy had a big man coach like Kareem he may be good enough to attend an NBDL game (if he bought some decent tickets).
Mr. Anderson (A-) – Shook off the sickness and came back to hit some dagger threes.
Bryant (B+) Still waiting for him to throw one down
Not much to say about last nights game. When push came to shove we just steamrolled Mountain Dew/Pepsi.
They tried to hang around as Teddy KGB would say, but once Jackie Moon told his squad to kick it into high gear, it was over. The score should have been much worse than what it was but we were saving some stuff for our first place showdown on Tuesday.
Next up is Brodies Pub. It will be a nice test for us.
Finnegans 2009 Game 2 Recap
Finnegans v Team X W (2-0)
Players present and game grades
Zupa (B) First game back by Zupa and did his normal gritty work
Pedro (A) Pedro thought NBA scouts were in attendance as he played his best game since sophomore year of high school.
Bugout (B) Working his way back
Juan (A) Juan also played his best game since grammar school all stars
Anthony Z (B) Dismissing doctors orders, he took the court and played with reckless abandon.
Anthony P (B) Ant is trying to win Most improved player in the Yorktown Mens league (contrary to popular belief, its a very prestigious award)
Mr. Anderson (DNP-washing his hair) – Dan was having a problem on tuesday, he thought Jersey shore was on, but its actually on Thursdays.
Bryant (A-) – Working his way back to All Star status.
So we had a game against Russos squad on Tuesday, they are as close to a nemesis as we have since Russo is a long time agitator of both Zupa and Bugout. Team X tried to keep it close for a while in the first half, but we started pulling away very methodically. It was turning into a real laugher when Team x's superstar showed up. Unfortunately he ran into the defensive wizardy of Bryant G. He tried to body Bryant, but our pseudo John wall was having none of it.
Zupa made his first appearance of the season, but he has a long way to go to catch up to last seasons 342 charge calls on the defensive end. This game really belonged to our own Rudy Fernandez - Pedro and his fellow sharpshooter Juanito. Pedro was all over the place. I swear the kid has 7 foot long arms. He dropped at least 20 with 19 boards and 6 steals. Next year he wants to be the number one fantasy pick out there. Juan had himself a ridiculous game as well. I think he hit 16 threes. He was trying to imitate his favorite Knick, the Rooster.
Huge victory for team Finnegans. Next up is an adversary from last season - Pepsi
Players present and game grades
Zupa (B) First game back by Zupa and did his normal gritty work
Pedro (A) Pedro thought NBA scouts were in attendance as he played his best game since sophomore year of high school.
Bugout (B) Working his way back
Juan (A) Juan also played his best game since grammar school all stars
Anthony Z (B) Dismissing doctors orders, he took the court and played with reckless abandon.
Anthony P (B) Ant is trying to win Most improved player in the Yorktown Mens league (contrary to popular belief, its a very prestigious award)
Mr. Anderson (DNP-washing his hair) – Dan was having a problem on tuesday, he thought Jersey shore was on, but its actually on Thursdays.
Bryant (A-) – Working his way back to All Star status.
So we had a game against Russos squad on Tuesday, they are as close to a nemesis as we have since Russo is a long time agitator of both Zupa and Bugout. Team X tried to keep it close for a while in the first half, but we started pulling away very methodically. It was turning into a real laugher when Team x's superstar showed up. Unfortunately he ran into the defensive wizardy of Bryant G. He tried to body Bryant, but our pseudo John wall was having none of it.
Zupa made his first appearance of the season, but he has a long way to go to catch up to last seasons 342 charge calls on the defensive end. This game really belonged to our own Rudy Fernandez - Pedro and his fellow sharpshooter Juanito. Pedro was all over the place. I swear the kid has 7 foot long arms. He dropped at least 20 with 19 boards and 6 steals. Next year he wants to be the number one fantasy pick out there. Juan had himself a ridiculous game as well. I think he hit 16 threes. He was trying to imitate his favorite Knick, the Rooster.
Huge victory for team Finnegans. Next up is an adversary from last season - Pepsi
Finnegans 2009 Game 1 Recap
Finnegans v Healys Comets W (1-0)
Players present and game grades
Zupa (A+) Great coaching job by Zupa
Pedro (B+) Came back strong after his yearlong travel in the arctic
Bugout (B) Coming off an injury, played his usual gutsy game.
Juan (B) A little tentative at first, but played hard as well
Anthony Z (B) showed some guts by coming out with one ankle in the second half
Anthony P (B+) Dwight Howardesque on the block, hit 2 huge free throws
Mr. Anderson (said that in my Mr. Smith voice from the Matrix) (B) – This newcomer fit in nicely with the team
Bryant (B) – Acknowledged his rustiness but had a solid game nonetheless
The boys in Green came out looking for revenge. Lamars shot is still seared into everyones brain. Being one inch away from the chip is a tough place to be for this long.
Luckily the schedule gods gave us this rematch right off the bat so we could pull it off quick like a band-aid.
While we never really hit our stride it was more than obvious that Anthony P and Zup did a great job with our free agent signings. Bryant and Mr. Anderson both bring different things to the squad and these are things that will hopefully lead us to what we missed out on last year.
Healys played their usual game which is – give it to Dunleavy and get out of the way. He did his best to singlehandedly keep them in the game.
It looked like the game was headed to overtime when the 8’9” guy on their team thought we were inbounding on the sidelines with one second left, however we were under the basket and Anthony P threw a lob alley-oop to Mr. Anderson from out of bounds and we won (ok the lob alley oop didn’t happen, but it was still a cool play).
Game 2 against Russo and Team x coming up
Players present and game grades
Zupa (A+) Great coaching job by Zupa
Pedro (B+) Came back strong after his yearlong travel in the arctic
Bugout (B) Coming off an injury, played his usual gutsy game.
Juan (B) A little tentative at first, but played hard as well
Anthony Z (B) showed some guts by coming out with one ankle in the second half
Anthony P (B+) Dwight Howardesque on the block, hit 2 huge free throws
Mr. Anderson (said that in my Mr. Smith voice from the Matrix) (B) – This newcomer fit in nicely with the team
Bryant (B) – Acknowledged his rustiness but had a solid game nonetheless
The boys in Green came out looking for revenge. Lamars shot is still seared into everyones brain. Being one inch away from the chip is a tough place to be for this long.
Luckily the schedule gods gave us this rematch right off the bat so we could pull it off quick like a band-aid.
While we never really hit our stride it was more than obvious that Anthony P and Zup did a great job with our free agent signings. Bryant and Mr. Anderson both bring different things to the squad and these are things that will hopefully lead us to what we missed out on last year.
Healys played their usual game which is – give it to Dunleavy and get out of the way. He did his best to singlehandedly keep them in the game.
It looked like the game was headed to overtime when the 8’9” guy on their team thought we were inbounding on the sidelines with one second left, however we were under the basket and Anthony P threw a lob alley-oop to Mr. Anderson from out of bounds and we won (ok the lob alley oop didn’t happen, but it was still a cool play).
Game 2 against Russo and Team x coming up
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Game 5 Recap
Brooklyn Ball-Stars vs. No More Issues
Team Member Grades
Ahmad (B+) - created his own shots and got to the rim.
Bergs (B-) - struggled to find his shot but defended really well.
Anicito (B) - hit a couple of jumpers and locked down Chris Bosh.
Josh (B) - played great defense on whoever he had to guard. Some turnovers and missed jumpers hurt his grade.
Naim (B+) - cleaned up the boards nicely but made some bad passing decisions.
Zosh (A-) - Played great defense the biggs. Was active on the offensive end. Solid game. Lost a grade for ruining one of my assists.
Dino (B) - ran the point well but struggled from the outside.
Second game in a row that the Stars took home court at John O'Shea stadium. A week ago the Ball-Stars manhandled Redemption Remix and tonight was not going to be any different. After losing the first game of the season to a team who hasnt won since the Ball-Stars took three in a row and was looking for a fourth.
All seven members were going to be in attendance and coach A was excited to get a new team pic (at top). The boys in gold had to be corraled and stripped of embarressment to do this but it got done painlessly. Notice Na'im and Zosh's Superman stances.
With the game underway Ahmad got off to a good start (as usual), hitting a couple of threes and getting to the basket. Bergs and Anicito were active on the perimeter as the team can put up as many shots as desired with Zosh and Na'im on the glass. No More Issues boasted a spunky point guard who was way too confident for his own good. He basically could only go left so the Stars put none other than their own lefy, Ahamd to guard him. Ahmad did a decent job on him and the helped out when necessary. Josh and Zosh came off the bench and did a terrific job on defense, something coach A appreciates very much so. Na'im did a great job cleaning up the boards and finishing. Dino kept things calm as a veteran point guard should when NMI pressured the ball.
The Ball-Stars played a close game with NMI but prevailed in the end. The defining moment came with 40 seconds left and off of an inbounds play, Anicito lobbed the ball to Bergs who did a back-door curl and got an easy basket. The Ball-Stars are now 4-1 and are hungry for a chip this year. There are 3 games left. Rox of Steel is the next opponant and then the final two teams are undefeated and 3-1.
Team Member Grades
Ahmad (B+) - created his own shots and got to the rim.
Bergs (B-) - struggled to find his shot but defended really well.
Anicito (B) - hit a couple of jumpers and locked down Chris Bosh.
Josh (B) - played great defense on whoever he had to guard. Some turnovers and missed jumpers hurt his grade.
Naim (B+) - cleaned up the boards nicely but made some bad passing decisions.
Zosh (A-) - Played great defense the biggs. Was active on the offensive end. Solid game. Lost a grade for ruining one of my assists.
Dino (B) - ran the point well but struggled from the outside.
Second game in a row that the Stars took home court at John O'Shea stadium. A week ago the Ball-Stars manhandled Redemption Remix and tonight was not going to be any different. After losing the first game of the season to a team who hasnt won since the Ball-Stars took three in a row and was looking for a fourth.
All seven members were going to be in attendance and coach A was excited to get a new team pic (at top). The boys in gold had to be corraled and stripped of embarressment to do this but it got done painlessly. Notice Na'im and Zosh's Superman stances.
With the game underway Ahmad got off to a good start (as usual), hitting a couple of threes and getting to the basket. Bergs and Anicito were active on the perimeter as the team can put up as many shots as desired with Zosh and Na'im on the glass. No More Issues boasted a spunky point guard who was way too confident for his own good. He basically could only go left so the Stars put none other than their own lefy, Ahamd to guard him. Ahmad did a decent job on him and the helped out when necessary. Josh and Zosh came off the bench and did a terrific job on defense, something coach A appreciates very much so. Na'im did a great job cleaning up the boards and finishing. Dino kept things calm as a veteran point guard should when NMI pressured the ball.
The Ball-Stars played a close game with NMI but prevailed in the end. The defining moment came with 40 seconds left and off of an inbounds play, Anicito lobbed the ball to Bergs who did a back-door curl and got an easy basket. The Ball-Stars are now 4-1 and are hungry for a chip this year. There are 3 games left. Rox of Steel is the next opponant and then the final two teams are undefeated and 3-1.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Game 2 & 3 Recaps
Game 2 (Anicito) - Just what I can remember - Cant find the opening to the gym. Realized I may be in trouble when walking through the projects. no ahmad due to erika's bday. no bergs due to a laceration to the skull in jaimaca. Zurica subs in. Zurica misses a wide open layup. Naim's first game. Lowest and possibly the worst game I've been a part of. We still got the win. Final score 32-25 (dispicable).
Game 3 (josh)
Ryan (A-) Get the minus because he “scared” to play down line in the 2-3
Ahmad (B+) Good overall game. Scored defended and most importantly irritated the bald headed headband guy
Dino (B+) Good game at the point. Pushed the tempo and played great D….Hit a big 2nd half 3.
Zosh (B+) Double-Double…can’t ask for anything else
Naim (B+) Great touch around the basket. Would have been an A – if they didn’t call you for a travel on your coast-to coast lay up.
Josh (B) Can’t finish at all but filled in on the blocks in the 2
Our opponents were quite possibly the most annoying group of; I am sure lawyers, no offense Anthony, which I had ever met. They thought they were great. They complained about every call. They yelled at the referees. They threw elbows. They talked shit. They were ugly as hell. They were the type of team that we usually loose to. They had some good shooters. They ran some sort of offense and they had some size. In games past we would have opened up in a 2-3 zone and gone down 12-2 after 4 minutes. But tonight was different. Since Zurica has gone on sabbatical, there has been much more willingness to go man to man and because of the early defensive pressure the Golden Warriors jumped out to a 12-2 lead.
Ahmad hit a 3, Zosh made some layups, their “muscle” got 3 fouls in 5 minutes and the Bearded Jerk-off threw some elbows. Dino pushed the tempo and Naim dominated the paint. With our new twin tower line-up the days of being out rebounded 45-6 are over.
The Brooklyn Ball-Stars led 26-13 at the half. At the half two things were decided.:
1. The artists formerly known as Zuricalalw would go to a 2-3 zone
2. Ryan “Vasaline on my forehead” Kalleberg was going to have a Vinne Johnsonesque offensive explosion at the 15 minute mark.
The Teen Wolves, actually a good name for such a bunch of losers, clawed there way back into the game until Ryan stole the ball and against everybody’s better judgment decided to take on 4 Wolves. Michael J Fox nor Jason Bateman could have stopped his fury. I don’t remember exactly what happened but there was a behind the back dribble a bump and a finish. Then a jump shot. …Another lay-up. And for all intensive purposes that was the game.
The Teen Wolves flagrantly fouled for the last 8 minutes and complained about every single one of them. At one point one guy decided to practice his karate chops on my arm for a good 20 seconds.
I am getting a variety of different final scores. Ahmad thinks it was 45 to 32. Dino said 47 to 31. For some reason I thought they had closed the gap to 10. Regardless it was a good win. We won. We rebounded. We didn’t really turn the ball over and most importantly nobody ended up with a broken nose
Game 3 (josh)
Ryan (A-) Get the minus because he “scared” to play down line in the 2-3
Ahmad (B+) Good overall game. Scored defended and most importantly irritated the bald headed headband guy
Dino (B+) Good game at the point. Pushed the tempo and played great D….Hit a big 2nd half 3.
Zosh (B+) Double-Double…can’t ask for anything else
Naim (B+) Great touch around the basket. Would have been an A – if they didn’t call you for a travel on your coast-to coast lay up.
Josh (B) Can’t finish at all but filled in on the blocks in the 2
Our opponents were quite possibly the most annoying group of; I am sure lawyers, no offense Anthony, which I had ever met. They thought they were great. They complained about every call. They yelled at the referees. They threw elbows. They talked shit. They were ugly as hell. They were the type of team that we usually loose to. They had some good shooters. They ran some sort of offense and they had some size. In games past we would have opened up in a 2-3 zone and gone down 12-2 after 4 minutes. But tonight was different. Since Zurica has gone on sabbatical, there has been much more willingness to go man to man and because of the early defensive pressure the Golden Warriors jumped out to a 12-2 lead.
Ahmad hit a 3, Zosh made some layups, their “muscle” got 3 fouls in 5 minutes and the Bearded Jerk-off threw some elbows. Dino pushed the tempo and Naim dominated the paint. With our new twin tower line-up the days of being out rebounded 45-6 are over.
The Brooklyn Ball-Stars led 26-13 at the half. At the half two things were decided.:
1. The artists formerly known as Zuricalalw would go to a 2-3 zone
2. Ryan “Vasaline on my forehead” Kalleberg was going to have a Vinne Johnsonesque offensive explosion at the 15 minute mark.
The Teen Wolves, actually a good name for such a bunch of losers, clawed there way back into the game until Ryan stole the ball and against everybody’s better judgment decided to take on 4 Wolves. Michael J Fox nor Jason Bateman could have stopped his fury. I don’t remember exactly what happened but there was a behind the back dribble a bump and a finish. Then a jump shot. …Another lay-up. And for all intensive purposes that was the game.
The Teen Wolves flagrantly fouled for the last 8 minutes and complained about every single one of them. At one point one guy decided to practice his karate chops on my arm for a good 20 seconds.
I am getting a variety of different final scores. Ahmad thinks it was 45 to 32. Dino said 47 to 31. For some reason I thought they had closed the gap to 10. Regardless it was a good win. We won. We rebounded. We didn’t really turn the ball over and most importantly nobody ended up with a broken nose
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
NY Urban Game 1 Recap
January 23rd, 2009
Anicito (B-) - should have made more of an impact on the boards.
Dino (B) - first game with the new team. Dino played well and will get better as he eases into everyone's game.
Ahmad (B-) - would have received much higher grade if he played both halves equally. first half on fire, second half forced.
Josh (B-) - held down the off guard spot but should have been more aggressive going to the hoop.
Bergs (B+) - made some outside threes and grabbed a bunch of boards.
Zosh (A-) - first game back from Kuai. Looked like he didnt miss a step. Should have gotten more rest, thats on the coach.
Naim (N/A) - had to work the Housewives of NJ gala party.
It was the first for many on the team. It was the first Urban ball without Anthony Zurica, it was the first time Dino played with new mates, it was the first time since 2008 Zosh was in an organized game, it would have been a new face with Naim if he was there, it was Anicito's first game without eating anything, Ahmad for the first time got on an express to Staten Island sweaty and soaked.
But the Brooklyn Ball-Stars (formerly zuricalaw.com) sported a bright yellow GOLD jersey to intimiated and blind their opponents. Last night's match up was against the Manatees in Red. With all the running around for jersey distrubtion and payments pending the ref tried to pull a fast one and start the game 10 minutes early when we only had 4 players. Ahmad finally showed and we had to start without Dino who had a hard time finding the gym.
The game got under way with both teams trading baskets. Ahmad was on fire in the first half. bergs chipped in with some nice threes and tanzosh made his mid range, in the paint jumper and put backs. But there seemed to be no stopping the Manatees. Either they hit open jumpers against the zone or somehow got easy looks under the basket. The Ball-Stars had a commanding lead of 4 when Dino showed up and also when renaldo balkman 2.04 showed for the Manatees. The Ball-Stars watched as their lead shrunk and trailed by 1 at the half.
Well into the second half both teams were dismal from the field. With literally 5 minutes into the second half the score was 2-1 in favor of the Manatees. The Ball-Stars finished with 13 points in the second half. Shots were forced and easy buckets wasted. Anicito missed a wide open lay-up. Zosh had a couple of point blankers that wouldnt go down and Ahmad was nothing of his former first half self. Dino could get his jumper going and Bergs fell off the Earth faster that a 18th century Portugese explorer. The Ball-Stars let an easy one go last night. In an 8 game season, chances like that cant be blown. Team owner, Mike Anicitobreiner was not a happy camper and mandated that minutes get shuffled to send a message to the team.
Anicito (B-) - should have made more of an impact on the boards.
Dino (B) - first game with the new team. Dino played well and will get better as he eases into everyone's game.
Ahmad (B-) - would have received much higher grade if he played both halves equally. first half on fire, second half forced.
Josh (B-) - held down the off guard spot but should have been more aggressive going to the hoop.
Bergs (B+) - made some outside threes and grabbed a bunch of boards.
Zosh (A-) - first game back from Kuai. Looked like he didnt miss a step. Should have gotten more rest, thats on the coach.
Naim (N/A) - had to work the Housewives of NJ gala party.
It was the first for many on the team. It was the first Urban ball without Anthony Zurica, it was the first time Dino played with new mates, it was the first time since 2008 Zosh was in an organized game, it would have been a new face with Naim if he was there, it was Anicito's first game without eating anything, Ahmad for the first time got on an express to Staten Island sweaty and soaked.
But the Brooklyn Ball-Stars (formerly zuricalaw.com) sported a bright yellow GOLD jersey to intimiated and blind their opponents. Last night's match up was against the Manatees in Red. With all the running around for jersey distrubtion and payments pending the ref tried to pull a fast one and start the game 10 minutes early when we only had 4 players. Ahmad finally showed and we had to start without Dino who had a hard time finding the gym.
The game got under way with both teams trading baskets. Ahmad was on fire in the first half. bergs chipped in with some nice threes and tanzosh made his mid range, in the paint jumper and put backs. But there seemed to be no stopping the Manatees. Either they hit open jumpers against the zone or somehow got easy looks under the basket. The Ball-Stars had a commanding lead of 4 when Dino showed up and also when renaldo balkman 2.04 showed for the Manatees. The Ball-Stars watched as their lead shrunk and trailed by 1 at the half.
Well into the second half both teams were dismal from the field. With literally 5 minutes into the second half the score was 2-1 in favor of the Manatees. The Ball-Stars finished with 13 points in the second half. Shots were forced and easy buckets wasted. Anicito missed a wide open lay-up. Zosh had a couple of point blankers that wouldnt go down and Ahmad was nothing of his former first half self. Dino could get his jumper going and Bergs fell off the Earth faster that a 18th century Portugese explorer. The Ball-Stars let an easy one go last night. In an 8 game season, chances like that cant be blown. Team owner, Mike Anicitobreiner was not a happy camper and mandated that minutes get shuffled to send a message to the team.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Asphalt standings
Right now light blue(gym ratz) is the only team we can catch as we beat them last week.
top 4 make it.
If the 2 idiots came to our game on cinco de mayo instead of standing in a parking lot drinking in the rain with about 5 divorcees we could have been in the playoffs already.
wow, just wow mike and cliff, good job.
Also blp downtown is the spanish team, how are they 7-0?
STANDINGS – Tuesday Night Adult Basketball League
Through May 12th
Team Name W L
Blp Downtown 7 0
Ipreo 6 2
Green Wave 4 3
Gymratz 4 3
5 O’Clock Shadows 3 4
Ace High 3 4
Biddy’s Ales 2 4
Bloomberg 1 3 4
Zuricalaw.com 2 5
Bloomberg 2 1 6
top 4 make it.
If the 2 idiots came to our game on cinco de mayo instead of standing in a parking lot drinking in the rain with about 5 divorcees we could have been in the playoffs already.
wow, just wow mike and cliff, good job.
Also blp downtown is the spanish team, how are they 7-0?
STANDINGS – Tuesday Night Adult Basketball League
Through May 12th
Team Name W L
Blp Downtown 7 0
Ipreo 6 2
Green Wave 4 3
Gymratz 4 3
5 O’Clock Shadows 3 4
Ace High 3 4
Biddy’s Ales 2 4
Bloomberg 1 3 4
Zuricalaw.com 2 5
Bloomberg 2 1 6
5/19/09 Game 8 recap
Zuricalaw.com v The orange team.
This game lasted for ten minutes. Unfortunately, the orange squad had only 4 guys show up and they don't let you run with 4 past the ten min mark. Betancourt hit about 7 threes in those ten minutes and we looked well on our way to a nice win. We decided to pick up the ref and play a 5 on 5 game for the rest of the hour and cliff and myself both probably played our best games of the season.
The good news is that we did get the win due to forfeit anyway and we are also only one game out of the playoffs (somehow). Bad news is that we probably need a lot of help to get in. So many missed chances for our squad this year. We had 5 losses and only 2 of them we really just flat out lost.
One game left in this season and its gonna be a hard one, but lets try to go out with a W.
This also looks like our last hurrah in the asphalt green league as it seems the consensus is that we switch leagues back to NY Urban.
Any thoughts/criticism on this season is welcomed.
-Zuricalaw.com
This game lasted for ten minutes. Unfortunately, the orange squad had only 4 guys show up and they don't let you run with 4 past the ten min mark. Betancourt hit about 7 threes in those ten minutes and we looked well on our way to a nice win. We decided to pick up the ref and play a 5 on 5 game for the rest of the hour and cliff and myself both probably played our best games of the season.
The good news is that we did get the win due to forfeit anyway and we are also only one game out of the playoffs (somehow). Bad news is that we probably need a lot of help to get in. So many missed chances for our squad this year. We had 5 losses and only 2 of them we really just flat out lost.
One game left in this season and its gonna be a hard one, but lets try to go out with a W.
This also looks like our last hurrah in the asphalt green league as it seems the consensus is that we switch leagues back to NY Urban.
Any thoughts/criticism on this season is welcomed.
-Zuricalaw.com
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Game Recap
A late call into office management had the Lawmakers in a tizzy before last night’s game. Starting 3 guard, Cliff Wilford informed the team that he would not be able to make last night’s game due to his hair and massage appointment getting pushed back. Anicito had to race to the subway to make the game while Anthony wondered why Cliff was on the team since he’s played in only two games.
The rest of all members were in attendance and had one thing on their minds….a win. It had been awhile since the Lawmakers had a win. Last week’s depleted team let a 10 point lead dwindle and fade due to three key members missing the game for Cinco De Mayo. You can blame the organization, a.k.a. Anthony Zurica for scheduling games on St. Pattys Day and Cinco De Mayo so it didn’t run in his bootcamp workouts that he does with his wife, Pina.
Last night’s opponent was the Blue team. The Blue team was highly scouted by coach Zurica and assistant to the water boy/shooting guard, Josh. Both and Anthony and Josh had painted the portrait of the newly dubbed Blue Nile Killer as a reincarnation of Pistol Pete Maravich. Josh was heard saying “you have to see this kid. Im telling you he puts Betancourt to shame.” Anthony had written next to his game notes “don’t lose #1, better than Betancourt.” Was this a coup against the Lawmakers’ best shooter, Mike Betancourt or was it just poor basketball judgment by Ant and Josh? Seems like Ant and Josh were really just so transfixed on 1 game they seen the Blue Nile Killer that they forgot what a basketball player looks like. It turned out the Blue Nile Killer stood 5’2, pudgy, couldn’t jump, and paraded around in a styled half a mohawk, half mullet. There would be no way he could single handedly beat our team. But Ant and Josh were hell-bent on starting out in a 3-2 to protect the perimeter.
It wasn’t much of the defense that hurt the Lawmakers. It was more the lack of scoring in the first half. Betancourt struggled to find his shot and Anicito and Bergs seemed hesitant to shoot. With Ahmad on the bench the Lawmakers got down early by 8. Then it was the defense that turned it around. Good movement in the 3-2 zone stifled the Blue team and led to turnovers. Bergs, Josh, and Ant were getting steals that led to fastbreaks and lay-ups. Ahmad found some sort of rhythm when going to the basket and scoring in the paint. Anicito battled and trashed down low, grabbing boards and getting second chance opportunities. The Lawmakers trailed by 2 at the half.
Then things started turning up. Realizing that the Blue Nile Killer was more of a descendant of Danny Devito than Pistol Pete, the Lawmakers went to a 2-3 zone to help with rebounding. It worked nicely but the Lawmakers couldn’t build a big enough lead to feel comfortable. With less than a minute to play, Betancourt converted two free throws to give the boys in maroon a four point lead. The Blue team drove down and nailed a three to cut it to one. Zurica called a timeout. The Lawmakers knew they had to get the inbounds into Betancourt’s hands. Anicito was called in on special coaching duty to draw up an inbounds play. With four across the free throw line, Betancourt and Bergs crossed streams like the Ghostbusters and Betancourt converted both free throws once again. On the ensuing play the Blue team drove up, their point guard who had made two threes already had the ball knocked loose by Bergs, forcing one of their four doofy kids to shoot a three that almost went in. With Ahmad sealing the miss and making his free throws, the Lawmakers won their second game of the season.
On a side note, Josh had made two conspiracy theories in the car ride home. One had to do with Magic Johnson but needs not to be repeated and the other has to do with Yankee great Derek Jeter. Josh maintains that through Jeter’s enormous PR machine, he hires C and D list actresses to “date” him to cover up the fact that he is really a homosexual. I almost tackled him for making such an accusation about the greatest Yankee in the last 20 years but Josh does have some convincing points; mainly that no woman has come out and said what a douche Jeter was to her. Even guys like Bergs have women who have blogged their love affair and cry of a broken heart. How can Jeter not??
The rest of all members were in attendance and had one thing on their minds….a win. It had been awhile since the Lawmakers had a win. Last week’s depleted team let a 10 point lead dwindle and fade due to three key members missing the game for Cinco De Mayo. You can blame the organization, a.k.a. Anthony Zurica for scheduling games on St. Pattys Day and Cinco De Mayo so it didn’t run in his bootcamp workouts that he does with his wife, Pina.
Last night’s opponent was the Blue team. The Blue team was highly scouted by coach Zurica and assistant to the water boy/shooting guard, Josh. Both and Anthony and Josh had painted the portrait of the newly dubbed Blue Nile Killer as a reincarnation of Pistol Pete Maravich. Josh was heard saying “you have to see this kid. Im telling you he puts Betancourt to shame.” Anthony had written next to his game notes “don’t lose #1, better than Betancourt.” Was this a coup against the Lawmakers’ best shooter, Mike Betancourt or was it just poor basketball judgment by Ant and Josh? Seems like Ant and Josh were really just so transfixed on 1 game they seen the Blue Nile Killer that they forgot what a basketball player looks like. It turned out the Blue Nile Killer stood 5’2, pudgy, couldn’t jump, and paraded around in a styled half a mohawk, half mullet. There would be no way he could single handedly beat our team. But Ant and Josh were hell-bent on starting out in a 3-2 to protect the perimeter.
It wasn’t much of the defense that hurt the Lawmakers. It was more the lack of scoring in the first half. Betancourt struggled to find his shot and Anicito and Bergs seemed hesitant to shoot. With Ahmad on the bench the Lawmakers got down early by 8. Then it was the defense that turned it around. Good movement in the 3-2 zone stifled the Blue team and led to turnovers. Bergs, Josh, and Ant were getting steals that led to fastbreaks and lay-ups. Ahmad found some sort of rhythm when going to the basket and scoring in the paint. Anicito battled and trashed down low, grabbing boards and getting second chance opportunities. The Lawmakers trailed by 2 at the half.
Then things started turning up. Realizing that the Blue Nile Killer was more of a descendant of Danny Devito than Pistol Pete, the Lawmakers went to a 2-3 zone to help with rebounding. It worked nicely but the Lawmakers couldn’t build a big enough lead to feel comfortable. With less than a minute to play, Betancourt converted two free throws to give the boys in maroon a four point lead. The Blue team drove down and nailed a three to cut it to one. Zurica called a timeout. The Lawmakers knew they had to get the inbounds into Betancourt’s hands. Anicito was called in on special coaching duty to draw up an inbounds play. With four across the free throw line, Betancourt and Bergs crossed streams like the Ghostbusters and Betancourt converted both free throws once again. On the ensuing play the Blue team drove up, their point guard who had made two threes already had the ball knocked loose by Bergs, forcing one of their four doofy kids to shoot a three that almost went in. With Ahmad sealing the miss and making his free throws, the Lawmakers won their second game of the season.
On a side note, Josh had made two conspiracy theories in the car ride home. One had to do with Magic Johnson but needs not to be repeated and the other has to do with Yankee great Derek Jeter. Josh maintains that through Jeter’s enormous PR machine, he hires C and D list actresses to “date” him to cover up the fact that he is really a homosexual. I almost tackled him for making such an accusation about the greatest Yankee in the last 20 years but Josh does have some convincing points; mainly that no woman has come out and said what a douche Jeter was to her. Even guys like Bergs have women who have blogged their love affair and cry of a broken heart. How can Jeter not??
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Game 6 recap
Zuricalaw.com v Five O'clock shadows (royal blue)
Loss
Players present and game grades
Josh
Zuricalaw.com
Ahmad
Reggie
Juan
Everyone got a B for this game.
All my loyal readers (prob 2 people) know I hate recapping losses, but if I only recap wins, this site might never get updated.
Zuricalaw.com was missing 4 of its top players this week and our short bench really hurt us this week. Luckily we got 2 subs from the hills of westchester to come play for us last night and without them, it would have been 3 on 5 (which I'm pretty sure is not allowed)
Anyways, not much to say on this one. We had the lead all game. Led by at least 5 and upwards of 10+ and then it all broke down at the end. The blue meanies put on a press in the last 3 minutes and we handled it about as well as Josh does with his Sudoku puzzles.
Tough game next week, so hopefully we'll have a full squad.
Thanks again to Reggie and Juan for coming down and helping us out.
-Zurica
Loss
Players present and game grades
Josh
Zuricalaw.com
Ahmad
Reggie
Juan
Everyone got a B for this game.
All my loyal readers (prob 2 people) know I hate recapping losses, but if I only recap wins, this site might never get updated.
Zuricalaw.com was missing 4 of its top players this week and our short bench really hurt us this week. Luckily we got 2 subs from the hills of westchester to come play for us last night and without them, it would have been 3 on 5 (which I'm pretty sure is not allowed)
Anyways, not much to say on this one. We had the lead all game. Led by at least 5 and upwards of 10+ and then it all broke down at the end. The blue meanies put on a press in the last 3 minutes and we handled it about as well as Josh does with his Sudoku puzzles.
Tough game next week, so hopefully we'll have a full squad.
Thanks again to Reggie and Juan for coming down and helping us out.
-Zurica
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Snippet of game 4 action
For the record, yes Cliff missed a few free throws, but I wasn't singling him out in the video, as a team we prob shot about 25% from the field and that includes free throws.
Game 4 Recap
No grades. We played like complete crap. I am just going to write freely here, let my mind infuse my fingers, some of it may be incoherent, but here it is:
car ride, ahmad late again doesnt he know parking sucks uptown? UNC destroyed Nova and went on to win the national championship, thankfully Bergs understands the power of perfection. Wow, we really take for granted the beauty of the Verazzano bridge. cant believe how the wind blows off shore rd. Bergs tells Ahmad that he's proud of Nova and losing to the ultimate champs, verbatim from what i told him he was going to say. Talking about NBA draft (my favorite time of the year after Christmas). we pick up anthony from HQ, he tells us Oren does #2 with the door open, weird. no parking uptown like we already knew. Ahmad puts all our lives, and the lives of 6 cross-walkers in danger when he pull a half a u-turn to grab a spot on 1st ave and 90th, closest we've parked all year.
Wind blows dust in my face on the walk over, i was checking out the girls playing soccer then realized they were 9 years old. we start the game with Zurica on the bench, why does our point guard want to sit?? We're playing the red team, Cliff got his wish, thinking about his comments at the apartment, "im going for 30 tonight" my response "it would be nice if you said, im getting us a win tonight". We start the game slowly on both ends, not being able to score, letting them penetrate the middle, no one in our paint to contest the shot, we needed a guy like Tanzosh in the middle for this game. Can get quality looks, betancourt shadowed, we need to set screens for him, cliff does a good job attacking the basket but he is 0-2 from the free throw line, we're down 19-9. ahmad and anthony finally come in. we cant really make a run against this team. their two best players (#5 and fake #1) come out and they extended their lead to 12. wtf is going on right now, i feel like im on crazy pills.
second half, we're still down 10. i need to step up my intensity and throw my body around. why am i thinking about that gorgeous Indian girl who got on the Q train tonight after work? will i ever run into her again? and if i do, will i have the b's to say something? probably not. lets go mike, mix it up! i crash, i burn, i force a couple of shots in the paint, but im defended by weaker guys i know i can score. cliff for three, ahamad for three, i wish these guys would just go to the hoop. how did ahmad just miss a wide open lay-up on the left side when he makes tough ones in the paint. ant comes in, we cut the lead down to 6 with 12 minutes to play. anthony's comment "see what happens when i come in". bergs nails a big three. josh is playing a solid game. cliff saves a rebounds and burns one of our time-outs, ant throws the ball away on the ensuing possession. what a waste of a time-out. poty is scary to look at. i dont know who is worse, poty or the girl doing the clock. does anyone else notice the creepy old guy that stares at us? who is that? Marybeth is here?? betancourt is not getting open. right now cliff is literally 1-14 from the line. terrible!! i come out for the last 7 minutes, dont know why. doesnt really matter. betancourt didnt get the ball within the last three minutes when he's our best shooter. i dont have an answer that either. we looked like crap. we're 1-3. we have to pick it up.
car ride home, ahmad misses josh's exit, josh tells us he has a rooftop pool, we have to go when weather gets warmer. bergs wants to go to sty town to play ball, im down. drop off bergs and show cliff a greek place thats open all night for dessert. he's excited.
car ride, ahmad late again doesnt he know parking sucks uptown? UNC destroyed Nova and went on to win the national championship, thankfully Bergs understands the power of perfection. Wow, we really take for granted the beauty of the Verazzano bridge. cant believe how the wind blows off shore rd. Bergs tells Ahmad that he's proud of Nova and losing to the ultimate champs, verbatim from what i told him he was going to say. Talking about NBA draft (my favorite time of the year after Christmas). we pick up anthony from HQ, he tells us Oren does #2 with the door open, weird. no parking uptown like we already knew. Ahmad puts all our lives, and the lives of 6 cross-walkers in danger when he pull a half a u-turn to grab a spot on 1st ave and 90th, closest we've parked all year.
Wind blows dust in my face on the walk over, i was checking out the girls playing soccer then realized they were 9 years old. we start the game with Zurica on the bench, why does our point guard want to sit?? We're playing the red team, Cliff got his wish, thinking about his comments at the apartment, "im going for 30 tonight" my response "it would be nice if you said, im getting us a win tonight". We start the game slowly on both ends, not being able to score, letting them penetrate the middle, no one in our paint to contest the shot, we needed a guy like Tanzosh in the middle for this game. Can get quality looks, betancourt shadowed, we need to set screens for him, cliff does a good job attacking the basket but he is 0-2 from the free throw line, we're down 19-9. ahmad and anthony finally come in. we cant really make a run against this team. their two best players (#5 and fake #1) come out and they extended their lead to 12. wtf is going on right now, i feel like im on crazy pills.
second half, we're still down 10. i need to step up my intensity and throw my body around. why am i thinking about that gorgeous Indian girl who got on the Q train tonight after work? will i ever run into her again? and if i do, will i have the b's to say something? probably not. lets go mike, mix it up! i crash, i burn, i force a couple of shots in the paint, but im defended by weaker guys i know i can score. cliff for three, ahamad for three, i wish these guys would just go to the hoop. how did ahmad just miss a wide open lay-up on the left side when he makes tough ones in the paint. ant comes in, we cut the lead down to 6 with 12 minutes to play. anthony's comment "see what happens when i come in". bergs nails a big three. josh is playing a solid game. cliff saves a rebounds and burns one of our time-outs, ant throws the ball away on the ensuing possession. what a waste of a time-out. poty is scary to look at. i dont know who is worse, poty or the girl doing the clock. does anyone else notice the creepy old guy that stares at us? who is that? Marybeth is here?? betancourt is not getting open. right now cliff is literally 1-14 from the line. terrible!! i come out for the last 7 minutes, dont know why. doesnt really matter. betancourt didnt get the ball within the last three minutes when he's our best shooter. i dont have an answer that either. we looked like crap. we're 1-3. we have to pick it up.
car ride home, ahmad misses josh's exit, josh tells us he has a rooftop pool, we have to go when weather gets warmer. bergs wants to go to sty town to play ball, im down. drop off bergs and show cliff a greek place thats open all night for dessert. he's excited.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Quick note
Gentlemen, please bring your (ridiculous that they have no front) jersey to the game, we gave them 4 points for no reason. I know both Bergs and Josh had shirts that pretty much looked exactly like our real jerseys, but they are sticklers here for the rules.
Josh - I know you like wearing tight clothes to show your gym progress (as does cliff) but maybe u could somehow shrink your new shirt and not cost us free throws
Bergs- No excuse as you dont have the bulging bi's of josh or cliff.
Josh - I know you like wearing tight clothes to show your gym progress (as does cliff) but maybe u could somehow shrink your new shirt and not cost us free throws
Bergs- No excuse as you dont have the bulging bi's of josh or cliff.
Game 3 Recap
Players present and member grades
Anicito (B) - showed his toughness and pride on defense. Mixed it up down low but needs to work on his free throw shooting, bad!
Zuricalaw.com (B) - Floor general as usual. Forced a couple of passes that were salvaged by the athleticism of his teammates. Scored the game sealing layup.
Bergs (B+) - All around good game. Stuck some dagger threes that demoralized the opponent. Played lock down defense on #4 in the second half.
Ahamd (B) - played a hard fought game. Forced possessions at times but made big plays when they counted.
Betancourt (B) - stroked the three for about 40%. Defense knew where he was most of the time because of the college connection. Mike lost half a grade for his poor first half defense, which he improved immensely in the second half.
Josh (B+) - Josh's solid basketball performance anchored down the team. Aggressive going to the hoop against tree sized defenders.
Cliff (N/A) - Doing security work for the Obama administration's departure to London.
"The most incomprehensible thing about the world is that it is at all comprehensible." - Albert Einstein
The Lawmakers have been frustrated so far by the lack of success in their first two games in the new Asphalt Green league. Zurica and Anicito discussed potential roster changes, be it Lawmakers on the trading block or a starting line-up jumble. Over at Zuricalaw.com underground head quarters, a.k.a. Oren's apartment, Zurica and Anicito had the following conversation:
MA: I am tired of losing Ant. I am tired of your tyrannical behavior. You immediately removed the picture of you on the unicorn and you wouldnt allow me to bring in the players I wanted to in the off season. Now look at us! 0 and 2.
AZ: (in very lawyer-ly fashion) Mike, I understand your concerns about the direction of the team. I am open to letting you have authority only if my authority supersedes it. I am willing to let you post any picture as long as the creator of the blog is allowed to make any changes he deems necessary.
MA: Stop pretending to be a corporate lawyer. You used to go to Sound Factory every Saturday night.
AZ: Ok fine. We suck. Admittedly, we are not playing to our full potential. What should we do?
MA: I was thinking about trading Cliff. I think we can move him to the green team for a used Spalding basketball and kacky green team shorts.
AZ: Wait. Isnt he your roommate? I cant do that, it might affect your personal life. Let's move Bergs out of the starting line-up and see what happens...
The White team, now dubbed, The Ghost of Basketball's Past (GOBP), could have also been dubbed, tall white guys because no one on the team was shorter than 6'1, was the formidable opponent. Without starting center Cliff Wilford, the Lawmakers were severely undersized. The first half opened with a drought that hasnt been seen since 2002 when you had to request water at diners and restaurants. The Lawmakers had a hard time putting the ball in the basket. They got down 15-6 in rather quick fashion and didn't seem to have an answer for why they couldn't score. Maybe it had to do with the three guys in the front court 6'4 and taller clogging up the paint, making it hard for Ahmad to get to the lane or the 6'2 guards on the perimeter harassing Betancourt's shot. It wasn't until Bergs came off the bench that sparked some life into the Lawmakers. GOBP's #4 was killing the Lawmakers who went man only 4 minutes into the game to try to ruffle some feathers. Betancourt had been guarding #4 but it was decided to let Bergs take him so Betancourt wouldn't have to work so hard on both ends of the floor.
The transition from zone to man defense was a huge factor in how the Lawmakers made a run. Fast breaks off of turnovers eclipsed into easy points and while second chance opportunities were once again hurting the marooned mavericks, the Lawmakers cut the lead to 5 with less than a minute to play in the first half. A defensive rebound by Anicito found Ahmad with six seconds to play. Ahmad pulled up and hit a three to cut the lead to 2 with no time left of the first half. (Ahmad's 3 point stats: 2-9 .222% - not his strong point).
Being down by only two going into the second half was not the worst thing in the world. The Lawmakers fought and fought. Josh played very well. Attacking the basket and even getting an 'and one' call. He was also one of the few who converted his free throws. Anicito was 0-4 from the line while Bergs and Zurica combined for 1-4. That was almost the difference. The fact that GBOP had only 5 players and the prowess defensively play by the Lawmakers allowed for guys like Betancourt and Bergs to get open shots. Zurica did a nice job penetrating the middle and kicking out to the shooters, although he was underneath the basket at one point and didn't even look to score.
The Lawmakers kept pace with GBOP and eventually pulled out the victory by playing defense and making open shots. It was the first win of the season in the new league and put a dent in the loss column of a previously undefeated. Good game all around guys.
Anicito (B) - showed his toughness and pride on defense. Mixed it up down low but needs to work on his free throw shooting, bad!
Zuricalaw.com (B) - Floor general as usual. Forced a couple of passes that were salvaged by the athleticism of his teammates. Scored the game sealing layup.
Bergs (B+) - All around good game. Stuck some dagger threes that demoralized the opponent. Played lock down defense on #4 in the second half.
Ahamd (B) - played a hard fought game. Forced possessions at times but made big plays when they counted.
Betancourt (B) - stroked the three for about 40%. Defense knew where he was most of the time because of the college connection. Mike lost half a grade for his poor first half defense, which he improved immensely in the second half.
Josh (B+) - Josh's solid basketball performance anchored down the team. Aggressive going to the hoop against tree sized defenders.
Cliff (N/A) - Doing security work for the Obama administration's departure to London.
"The most incomprehensible thing about the world is that it is at all comprehensible." - Albert Einstein
The Lawmakers have been frustrated so far by the lack of success in their first two games in the new Asphalt Green league. Zurica and Anicito discussed potential roster changes, be it Lawmakers on the trading block or a starting line-up jumble. Over at Zuricalaw.com underground head quarters, a.k.a. Oren's apartment, Zurica and Anicito had the following conversation:
MA: I am tired of losing Ant. I am tired of your tyrannical behavior. You immediately removed the picture of you on the unicorn and you wouldnt allow me to bring in the players I wanted to in the off season. Now look at us! 0 and 2.
AZ: (in very lawyer-ly fashion) Mike, I understand your concerns about the direction of the team. I am open to letting you have authority only if my authority supersedes it. I am willing to let you post any picture as long as the creator of the blog is allowed to make any changes he deems necessary.
MA: Stop pretending to be a corporate lawyer. You used to go to Sound Factory every Saturday night.
AZ: Ok fine. We suck. Admittedly, we are not playing to our full potential. What should we do?
MA: I was thinking about trading Cliff. I think we can move him to the green team for a used Spalding basketball and kacky green team shorts.
AZ: Wait. Isnt he your roommate? I cant do that, it might affect your personal life. Let's move Bergs out of the starting line-up and see what happens...
The White team, now dubbed, The Ghost of Basketball's Past (GOBP), could have also been dubbed, tall white guys because no one on the team was shorter than 6'1, was the formidable opponent. Without starting center Cliff Wilford, the Lawmakers were severely undersized. The first half opened with a drought that hasnt been seen since 2002 when you had to request water at diners and restaurants. The Lawmakers had a hard time putting the ball in the basket. They got down 15-6 in rather quick fashion and didn't seem to have an answer for why they couldn't score. Maybe it had to do with the three guys in the front court 6'4 and taller clogging up the paint, making it hard for Ahmad to get to the lane or the 6'2 guards on the perimeter harassing Betancourt's shot. It wasn't until Bergs came off the bench that sparked some life into the Lawmakers. GOBP's #4 was killing the Lawmakers who went man only 4 minutes into the game to try to ruffle some feathers. Betancourt had been guarding #4 but it was decided to let Bergs take him so Betancourt wouldn't have to work so hard on both ends of the floor.
The transition from zone to man defense was a huge factor in how the Lawmakers made a run. Fast breaks off of turnovers eclipsed into easy points and while second chance opportunities were once again hurting the marooned mavericks, the Lawmakers cut the lead to 5 with less than a minute to play in the first half. A defensive rebound by Anicito found Ahmad with six seconds to play. Ahmad pulled up and hit a three to cut the lead to 2 with no time left of the first half. (Ahmad's 3 point stats: 2-9 .222% - not his strong point).
Being down by only two going into the second half was not the worst thing in the world. The Lawmakers fought and fought. Josh played very well. Attacking the basket and even getting an 'and one' call. He was also one of the few who converted his free throws. Anicito was 0-4 from the line while Bergs and Zurica combined for 1-4. That was almost the difference. The fact that GBOP had only 5 players and the prowess defensively play by the Lawmakers allowed for guys like Betancourt and Bergs to get open shots. Zurica did a nice job penetrating the middle and kicking out to the shooters, although he was underneath the basket at one point and didn't even look to score.
The Lawmakers kept pace with GBOP and eventually pulled out the victory by playing defense and making open shots. It was the first win of the season in the new league and put a dent in the loss column of a previously undefeated. Good game all around guys.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Some new pics of the team
I think Josh is wearing 2 ties in this pic.
Mike, never wear those glasses again.
Bergs, where was this taken?
Ahmad loves a mans biceps.
Friday, March 20, 2009
AG Game 2 recap
Zuricalaw.com v. BLP Downtown (loss)
Grading will be separated between the firs 15 min of the game and the last 25:
1st 15 min
Zuricalaw.com (A) Solid distribution, no miscues, helped build a 16 pt lead
Bergs (A) see above
Cliff (B+) Last week came out hitting everything, this week, not as much
Ahmad (A) see above
Josh (A) see above
Anicito (A) see above
Betancourt (A+) was like throwing a ball into the ocean out there
As you can tell all of the boys in maroon played solidly in building a what seemed to be insurmountable lead. I turned to cliff and told him i thought we would win by 30. Boy was I wrong.
Last 25 min
Zuricalaw.com (c) failed to steady the ship
Bergs (c) fumbled the ball a few times like he had butter on his hand
Ahmad (c) see bergs, although the last 2 min he played like a beast
Cliff (B-) Didn't drop down to a C because he picked it up offensively in the 2nd half and was the only one that played better during that time
Josh (c) see above
Anicito (c) shouldve have cleaned the boards better
Betancourt (A-) reduction in grade not for his play but because he didn't demand the ball, needs to be more assertive with his shot when he is shooting 99% from the field.
The end of the first half and the whole 2nd was some of the grossest bball Ive ever been witness too. We literally dared them to beat us and they did. We couldn't control the ball, couldn't rebound, couldn't score, basically we didn't deserve to be on the court.
I don't want to say too much more, but we better start winning before this gets out of control. However, I do believe our team is capable of winning against every team in this league.
-zuricalaw.com
Grading will be separated between the firs 15 min of the game and the last 25:
1st 15 min
Zuricalaw.com (A) Solid distribution, no miscues, helped build a 16 pt lead
Bergs (A) see above
Cliff (B+) Last week came out hitting everything, this week, not as much
Ahmad (A) see above
Josh (A) see above
Anicito (A) see above
Betancourt (A+) was like throwing a ball into the ocean out there
As you can tell all of the boys in maroon played solidly in building a what seemed to be insurmountable lead. I turned to cliff and told him i thought we would win by 30. Boy was I wrong.
Last 25 min
Zuricalaw.com (c) failed to steady the ship
Bergs (c) fumbled the ball a few times like he had butter on his hand
Ahmad (c) see bergs, although the last 2 min he played like a beast
Cliff (B-) Didn't drop down to a C because he picked it up offensively in the 2nd half and was the only one that played better during that time
Josh (c) see above
Anicito (c) shouldve have cleaned the boards better
Betancourt (A-) reduction in grade not for his play but because he didn't demand the ball, needs to be more assertive with his shot when he is shooting 99% from the field.
The end of the first half and the whole 2nd was some of the grossest bball Ive ever been witness too. We literally dared them to beat us and they did. We couldn't control the ball, couldn't rebound, couldn't score, basically we didn't deserve to be on the court.
I don't want to say too much more, but we better start winning before this gets out of control. However, I do believe our team is capable of winning against every team in this league.
-zuricalaw.com
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
AG Game 1 Recap
It was a chilly February night when Zurica and Anicito were looking to find a parking spot on the upper east side of Manhattan. The wind blew and our noses ran. I actually saw Anthony lick his top lip where the snot drooped , it was pretty gross. After having a grilled chicken cutlet sandwich we headed to the new site of what would host the new league. A building like no other. The structure was round and reminded me a lot of something out of a science fiction movie where all buildings are these big generators that's is keeping the earth warm enough to support life in a twisted event that created global cooling and satanized Al Gore for saying that global warming was a threat...but i digress. As we walked in at 6:30, Josh was already reading the AG circular. He had already been stopped in his tracks by the Jamaican woman would guards the front desk like its the Pentagon. The person running the joint, Poty, comes in and keeps refering to Anthony as Mike and Anthony makes me sign his name on his credit card bill, which is totally fraudulant. I may sue him for that. Cliff shows up looking all nervous since its his first game since Moore Catholic 1998. Bergs and Ahmed show not soon after that and the team is in tact with Betacourt missing the game for some reason that probably has to do with work or his car.
Josh takes notice of the schedule and realizes that we're playing the defending champs from last year. Not a good sign.
The team had lost two key cogs in Joe H and Mike Tanzosh. Anicito decided to come back after he took a hiatus in the Rainforest looking for cures to diseases. Cliff comes back to the team after his dismissal in 2005 when he showed up to the championship i.s. 24 game at half time.
The Lawmakers came ready to prove themselves competitors in this new league. They opened up the game on fire. Bergs was sinking shots like he was playing Battleship. Cashed in three or four in the first half. Cliffy got to the basket at will and even knocked down a couple of jumpers. Ahmed struggled to find his groove in the offense. But the team held a 7 point lead at half time. For some reason the team decided to play in a man-to-man offense to open the second half. They put Anicito on AG's version of Shrek. The guy was 6'4 300lbs, way to strong for Anicito. AG reeled off 12 straight points and held a 5 point lead before the lawmakers made an adjustment.
Zurica went down in the first half with a tweaked ankle and was only available after Ahmed fouled out with 2 minutes to play. The lawmakers couldnt score, turned the ball over, and were called for silly fouls. It wasnt until there were three minutes to play that Anicito knocked down a three to cut the lead to three. Josh converted a foul to two free throws. Ahmed secured key boards to give us a chance but the lawmakers had no answer for their big man who got to the line and converted all his free throws.
It was a game that the lawmakers had and could have pulled out but an offensive drought and a defensive breakdown hurt them. If Betancourt was there to convert some open shots, i am sure it would have been a different story. It will take a little time for all members to get comfortable again but im sure we will be a team to beat in this league.
Scheduling has us playing our next game three weeks from now, so keep your game going on your free time.
Josh takes notice of the schedule and realizes that we're playing the defending champs from last year. Not a good sign.
The team had lost two key cogs in Joe H and Mike Tanzosh. Anicito decided to come back after he took a hiatus in the Rainforest looking for cures to diseases. Cliff comes back to the team after his dismissal in 2005 when he showed up to the championship i.s. 24 game at half time.
The Lawmakers came ready to prove themselves competitors in this new league. They opened up the game on fire. Bergs was sinking shots like he was playing Battleship. Cashed in three or four in the first half. Cliffy got to the basket at will and even knocked down a couple of jumpers. Ahmed struggled to find his groove in the offense. But the team held a 7 point lead at half time. For some reason the team decided to play in a man-to-man offense to open the second half. They put Anicito on AG's version of Shrek. The guy was 6'4 300lbs, way to strong for Anicito. AG reeled off 12 straight points and held a 5 point lead before the lawmakers made an adjustment.
Zurica went down in the first half with a tweaked ankle and was only available after Ahmed fouled out with 2 minutes to play. The lawmakers couldnt score, turned the ball over, and were called for silly fouls. It wasnt until there were three minutes to play that Anicito knocked down a three to cut the lead to three. Josh converted a foul to two free throws. Ahmed secured key boards to give us a chance but the lawmakers had no answer for their big man who got to the line and converted all his free throws.
It was a game that the lawmakers had and could have pulled out but an offensive drought and a defensive breakdown hurt them. If Betancourt was there to convert some open shots, i am sure it would have been a different story. It will take a little time for all members to get comfortable again but im sure we will be a team to beat in this league.
Scheduling has us playing our next game three weeks from now, so keep your game going on your free time.
Friday, February 20, 2009
And We're BACK!
Zuricalaw.com is back after a one season hiatus and we will be welcoming 2 new members into the fold (well one is an old member, but he's back!)
First up is the newest lawmaker, former Jacques Award winner, member of the now defunct 1000 pt scorer club on Staten Island (they finally realized 1000 pts is weak and have upped the amount to 1500 pts [which is still weak, but whatever]), a member of New York's Finest, the man, the myth, the Legend, CLIFF WILFORD!!!
Second up to bat and back after a 2 season hiatus is a man who deserves no introduction but he will get one anyway. This man is coming off an impressive stint as the Gm and founder of SI's newest basketball juggernaut, The Flying Elephants, and also his failed attempt at film making:
Lets give it up for Mike, the i/o destroyer, Anicito.
For all you fans out there, the first game for this coming season is Feb 24th, 2009 at 7pm. The location for this and every game will be 1750 York Ave, New York, NY,10128 (212) 369-8890. (http://www.asphaltgreen.org/).
First up is the newest lawmaker, former Jacques Award winner, member of the now defunct 1000 pt scorer club on Staten Island (they finally realized 1000 pts is weak and have upped the amount to 1500 pts [which is still weak, but whatever]), a member of New York's Finest, the man, the myth, the Legend, CLIFF WILFORD!!!
Second up to bat and back after a 2 season hiatus is a man who deserves no introduction but he will get one anyway. This man is coming off an impressive stint as the Gm and founder of SI's newest basketball juggernaut, The Flying Elephants, and also his failed attempt at film making:
Lets give it up for Mike, the i/o destroyer, Anicito.
For all you fans out there, the first game for this coming season is Feb 24th, 2009 at 7pm. The location for this and every game will be 1750 York Ave, New York, NY,10128 (212) 369-8890. (http://www.asphaltgreen.org/).
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