- WEEK 3 RECAP -
Week 3 was our first time running 2 courts and there was certainly a buzz in the building. Just more players coming in and warming up...getting our fresh new jerseys...and just the amount of spectators...it was definitely different and fun! It takes alot of coordination and planning to have things run smoothly and I appreciate anyone how helps out at the tables. Big shoutout to Ray, Randy, Zanoon, Zaid, Wilbert, Jas and Ganen who helped out for multiple games during the night! Couldn't have done it without ya'll. Thanks to all the others who chipped in as well and I am definitely going to need as much help as possible to ensure we continue to have the best league in the city! The recaps are going to be a quick one for the most part I was not really able to dissect what happened since I was moving back and forth between the 2 courts. But I still definitely want to highlight all the 'players of the game' and any other relevant info about the games. Let's get to it.
BULLS vs HAWKS: This one was an ugly game to say the least. Both teams struggled...the Bulls struggled slightly less and were able to use their decent first half and crawl to the finish line. Long layoff for both teams and the action was sloppy but the Bulls found a way to get it done. They got great energy from Chen who had some big time blocks in this one and really brought it on the defensive end. They will need that all season if this team wants to compete. The Hawks were coming in confident but after this very poor performance they will have to get back to the drawing board.
Final Score: Bulls 34 - 24 Hawks Player of the Game - CHENDURAN SIGA 2pts/2rebs/1ast/1stl/2blks - 50% Shooting
BLAZERS vs HORNETS: This is the definition of what an ETBL team should be like. The Blazers got criticized and jokingly made fun of by our writers...but they learned from their mistakes and came back with right attitude! Especially Keethan...wow what a performance to say the least. He put up a game high 24 and hit 5 huge threes to prove to us that he can make those long distance shots. Showed alot of pride and he will need to be very good for this team to be successful. Athi was great on both ends of the floor...'Steve DeNash' was dropping dimes again...Krishan locked up his matchup...and Ganesh was great on the boards! They absolutely jumped all over the Hornets early and often building a 22-6 lead and although they let up afterwards...they still got the job done and got a much needed confidence boost. Hornets will need to get it going soon or it will be a long season for them.
Final Score: Blazers 47 - 43 Hornets Player of the Game - KEETHAN VIVEK 24pts/6rebs/2asts/2stls - 5 Triples
CLIPPERS vs HEAT: Lots of smack talk, lots of physical play, and lot of missed shots for both squads. Definitely a more grind it out playoff game type vibe and who knows maybe these two will get a chance to duke it out again in a few months. Clips made the big plays in the end and showed their maturity and confidence to overcome any sort of adversity. In this case it was Kris fouling out which should not have happened as a tech does not count as a foul in ETBL (they do pretty much in every other league). The referee's have been reminded of this modified rule and thus it will not happen in the future. Anthony was solid for the Heat with 18 points and he has been really good to start season 6. The others struggled for the most part with their shot including Markshun who went 0/8 but they battled tough and did not back down from the Champs.
Final Score: Clippers 37 - 32 Heat Player of the Game - KRISOTH GNANENTHRA 13pts/3rebs/1to - 55.5% Shooting - 3 Triples
WOLVES vs RAPTORS: Captain Angelo has his team undefeated after a tight game against the Raps. Gelo got what he wanted on offence whenever he drove to the basket and made some pretty passes to his teammates as well. This team can all move the ball and get good looks which should help them compete all season. They got a little bit of contribution from everyone and they sealed the game on a sick inbounds pass that led to a transition layup. The Raptors just couldn't get over the hump but played better than their opening week game. I trust they will figure it out soon.
Final Score: Wolves 47 - 44 Raptors Player of the Game - ANGELO SUNDARAJAH 16pts/4rebs/4asts/1to
SPURS vs SONICS: This game was close all the way until the last few minutes. It went from a 6 point game to a blowout real fast. Spurs were rusty and missing Anand but they showed what they are capable of when they have momentum. They can generate alot of transition buckets with their awesome defence which they did near the end of the game. Shawn Joseph was a monster on both ends of the floor and this team is looking scary. Sonics have the talent to be better and once they find their rhythm...they will make some noise...hopefully.
Final Score: Spurs 44 - 22 Sonics Player of the Game - SHAWN JOSEPH 16pts/10rebs/2asts/1stl/3blks/1to - 55.5% Shooting - 3 Triples
GRIZZLIES vs KNICKS: This was a great battle between 2 up and coming squads. Ben was his usual stellar self as he had 19pts n 13rebs with 1 steal and 3 blocks! They crowded the paint on him and he decided to bomb away from long range and he hit 3 big ones. But the x-factor and star of the game was Jesse Smith who dropped 22pts n 24rebs for the first 20/20 game of the season. For a big dude he can move really well and can handle the ball like a guard and he was a problem all game for the Knicks. The boys in orange were missing Ryan in this one as he was on vacay but they still fought tough and almost pulled it out. Zachary was a beast on the defensive end and this team is poised to break out soon when they get more and more comfortable with everyone.
Final Score: Grizzlies 49 - 48 Knicks Player of the Game - JESSE SMITH 22pts/24rebs/4asts - 47% Shooting - 2 Triples
PISTONS vs SUNS: The boys from the motor city showed what they are capable of and get an impressive victory over the Suns. Big Mike was big time as he dropped a game high 23 while the rest of the gentlemen chipped in and did their part the whole game. Dakoda was able to match the game high 23 points but was not as efficient and settled for 15 three point attempts. The Pistons always play their zone and thus it resulted in him settling for what seemed like open shots...and he did make 5 triples but it didn't have nearly the impact as it should have. Getting to the line and setting up teammates and then shooting these 3s in the flow of the game would have been more effective. The Pistons were too big and too smart in this one.
Final Score: Pistons 65 - 51 Suns Player of the Game - MIKE GRANT 23pts/6rebs/2asts - 60% Shooting - 2 Triples
JAZZ vs NETS: The Nets in the NBA are free fallin and so are the Nets in ETBL. They got destroyed in the first half and the game was pretty much a wrap. The transition defence was painful to watch and the Jazz just seemed to get easy baskets all night. Jovan was smooth, Tristan was solid, Andre was good, and Brett was showing us his range and shooting ability. I thought he was just a defensive guy but the GM of the Jazz showed us some offensive sizzle. How good can they be remains to be seen but so far good start for the green squad. The Nets need to regroup, practice, and play with more hustle/energy. Still got lots of game left in the season.
Final Score: Jazz 63 - 49 Nets Player of the Game - JOVAN BAILEY 11pts/9rebs/7asts/4stls - 50% Shooting