Full Court Press: Preseason Report - 2007/08 Playoff Teams

Tracy McGrady and Allen Iverson have been hard at work in Montreal. They say they're ready to defend their EHBA championship. The question around the league is whether or not both will be in Canada come the start of the season and who will they will be defending against come playoff time.




EHBA Preseason Report - Last Years' Playoff Teams
By: Courtney Hysocs, Full Court Press

As the EHBA enters its second season, fans are wondering what to expect. The league has already lost two playoff teams to rival leagues. The lack of off season action have left fans bored and wondering if the league will bring some sort of drama to their lives. There was only one trade made this off season and it came within a month after the 2007/08 season came to an end. Since then, EHBA General Managers haven't talked to press all off season, until they had to report the players they did not plan to resign for the new season.

The lack of action taken by EHBA teams isn't bad for everyone. It means reigning champion Montreal should be in a good place entering the 2008/09 season. Since they won the first EHBA championship last Spring, only Colorado and Las Vegas have altered their roster, trying to compete with the champion Death Piggys. Who else will look at challenging the champs this upcoming season? If teams are unwilling to make roster moves before the season, it may all depend on this year's draft, set for Sunday, October 26th.

With that in mind, let's take a look to see how each team stands compared to the champs going into this year's draft.

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Montreal Death Piggys
2007/08 Outcome - 1st place; beat Rakeville in the EHBA Championship

Well, we need to start with the standard set by last year's champs. The Death Piggys set the example last season, leading the league in three of the nine possible categories, the most of any team, and setting weekly records on both sides of the ball (Points Scored and Steals). There's been talk of a shake up going into the 2008/2009 season, with owner Patrick Brown wanting to move up in the draft. Who can blame him as his team is set to pick last in each of the first three rounds on Sunday. No one is quite sure anything will happen before Sunday, but if it does it could help shape the defending champions' 2008/09 season for sure.

Montreal Pre-Draft Roster

PG - Allen Iverson
SG - Tracy McGrady
G - None
SF - Danny Granger
PF - Kevin Garnett
F - Andrei Kirilenko
C - Mehmet Okur
C - None
UTIL - None


Biggest Assets: FT%, REB, ST
Biggest Needs: 3PT, AST, BLK

The Death Piggys should be looking for another guard in this year's draft. Another big man should also be on their radar. Look for Montreal to make a move up in the draft in order to grab a prominent player that will fill these needs.


Rakeville Crows
2007/08 Outcome - 2nd place; lost in EHBA finals to Montreal

Rakeville had a surprisingly positive season in 2007/08, especially since ownership was looking to unload a hefty contract owned to starting point guard Steve Nash before the halfway point in the season. Many critics thought this would weigh heavily on not only Nash during the season, but the entire locker room as well. The team proved otherwise, leaving the Crows to the EHBA finals in their first season. The Crows have their work cut out for them however, as they are set to select 11th in each of the first three rounds of Sunday's draft.

Rakeville Pre-Draft Roster

PG - Steve Nash
SG - Jason Richardson
G - None
SF - Gerald Wallace
PF - Rashard Lewis
F - None
C - Andrew Bogut
C - Samuel Dalembert
UTIL - None

Biggest Assets: 3PT, ST, REB
Biggest Needs: AST, PTS

For whatever reason, Rakeville sent young Al Horford packing prior to the start of the off season. Horford was never invited to training camp or even to the team's summer BBQ. Horford will probably end up being drafted in the top half of the draft on Sunday, and may never wear a Rockets' uniform again. As for the Rockets, look for them to target a back up PG to fill any hole injured Steve Nash may create. A back up PF may also be in their sites as they may want to try to bulk up on blocks and points scored.


Dublin Bar Brawlers
2007/08 Outcome - 4th Place; lost in the semi-final round to Montreal

The only European based team in the EHBA surprised many last season with their ability to talk talented players into playing home games across the Atlantic. The Bar Brawlers won 14 of their 21 games last season, second only to Montreal for most in the league and finished just 1.5 games back from 1st place at the end of the regular season, missing out on a first round playoff Bye to Rakeville by just 1 game. Dublin lead the league in both FT% and 3 Pointers made at the end of the 2007/08 season. The Bar Brawlers look to return to the playoffs this season, with the heart of their roster still in tact.

Dublin Pre-Draft Roster

PG - Chauncy Billups
SG - Kevin Martin
G - Richard Hamilton
SF - Stephen Jackson
PF - Shawn Marion
F - None
C - Marcus Camby
C - None
UTIL - None

Biggest Assets: FT%, 3PTM,
Biggest Needs: REB, BLK, PTS

Even if Marcus Camby has a similar season as he did in 2007/08, the Brawlers will be in need of another big man to bulk up on rebounds and pick up some extra blocks. Look for them to fill their second C position early in the draft, as many teams will be looking to do with the added position the league has imposed for this upcoming season.


Las Vegas Lizards
2007/08 Outcome - 6th Place; lost in first round to Boston

Many thought the Lizards had no place in the playoffs last year. They were out of contention for most of the season, but thanks to a late season surge lead by team MVP Chris Paul, the Lizards snuck into the playoffs and met the Boston Danawolves in the first round. The Lizards found themselves severely out matched, even though Las Vegas had shut out Boston just 3 weeks prior to the playoffs. They lead the league in FG% and posted the only 9-0 victory in the league, but had no shot last year at winning a championship.

PG - Chris Paul
SG - Brandon Roy
G - None
SF - Mike Dunleavy
PF - Paul Gasol
F - None
C - Tim Duncan
C - Greg Oden
UTIL - None

Biggest Assets: FG%, PTS and potentially BLK and REB
Biggest Needs: 3PTM, ST, and AST

Las Vegas' 6-man roster is pretty even, though, besides Dunleavy, they really lack the threat of a 3-Point attack. The Lizards traded team leading scored Carmelo Anthony for big man Tim Duncan at the start of the off season to give the team a much needed boost down low, and with Greg Oden starting his career after a season ending injury last year, their presence should be felt across the league. Look for the Lizards to help their attack from behind the arc by going after a F who gets some steals along with 3PTM in the draft. I also wouldn't be surprised if they look to solidify another big man in the top 3 rounds.