Full Court Press: Cursed Numbers (Week 17)

As Lebron James contemplates his future in Weymouth, the rest of the team sits on the Divers' trade block. The bottom teams seem to be fighting it out for the top 6 draft picks, rather than making a run into the playoffs. Where does your team stand?




Cursed Numbers (Week 17)
By: Jameson McStout and Max Powers


The season is coming closer and closer to an end. With just 5 weeks left the playoff picture is starting to clear up in a way that shows the teams that may be left behind. For such teams it may be time to start looking toward the 2010/11 season, so let's take a look at where the bottom of the league is headed...


7.) Rakeville Crows
70-72-2 (71.0 pts)
Cursed Number - 39.5 (8 losses/week)
Remaining Schedule: WEY/LV/FIT/TIJ/COL

So, Rakeville isn't exactly out of the playoff picture, and they can afford to at least wait until the final week before the trade deadline before packing it in, but things aren't looking good for the Crows after a slow, injury riddled start to the season. The issue is that, as good as they have been, everyone above them hasn't gotten any worse. They'd hold their own against any of the top 6, it's just a matter of getting there, and with a schedule that includes stops against 3 current playoff teams, it's not going to be an easy road.
2009/10 Team Equivalent: Las Vegas Lizards
Expected Draft Position: 6

8.) Weymouth Dumpsta Divers
69-71-4 (39.5 pts)
Cursed Number - 39.5 (8 losses/week)
Remaining Schedule: RAK/DUB/LV/SC/FIT

LeBron is getting an early idea of what life might be like if he signs with the Knicks next year - no matter what he does, his team is stuck in mediocrity. With a reliance on some older players, one has to wonder if the window has shut on the current squad. Upper management seems to think so, making the whole roster available outside of James. There are some intriguing players on the roster, with proven players such as Parker and Bargnani, and youngsters like Bynum and Thompson. However, beyond them, the rest of the roster is some what of a mystery. One has to wonder that no matter how good LeBron plays, if his cast will be strong enough next year... You hear that LeBron? Unless you had fun this year, stay away from the Knicks.
2009/10 Team Equivalent: Weymouth Dumpsta Divers
Expected Draft Position: 4

9.) South Carolina Rebels
69-75-0 (69.0 pts)
Cursed Number - 37.5 (7.5 losses/week)
Remaining Schedule: COL/MTL/DUB/WEY/TKO

South Carolina has made the fewest moves of any team in the league, making only 5 waiver moves and one trade. This is somewhat understandable, because a look at the roster and it would have been laughable if at the beginning of the season someone said the Rebels would be tied for third to last, 21 games out. The early season trade did not help, though they received Carmelo Anthony, Josh Smith has been his typical dominant self, and Randolph has been a revelation in Memphis. Sheed?? Not so much. That, coupled with under performances by Westbrook, Diaw, and even Howard has really hurt South Carolina this season. They have a star studded nucleus in Melo, Howard, and Nowitzki, and young up and comers in Mayo and Westbrook, adding a top 5 pick to this team should give the Rebels and chance to get back near the top next season.
2009/10 Team Equivalent: Dublin Bar Brawlers
Expected Draft Position: 3

10.) Fitch Foo Fighters
68-74-2 (69.0 pts)
Cursed Number - 37.5 (7.5 losses/week)
Remaining Schedule: BRW/PEO/RAK/LV/WEY

For a team that has almost no hopes to competing this year, you have to question some of the decisions made by the front office. Trading away what could end up being a top 3 pick for Ben Gordon, a shooting guard whose numbers could be closely matched by a player off the waiver wire. Just looking at the roster, Ben has to be viewed a fringe keeper, not the right use for such a valuable asset. Any team with a core of Wade, Rondo, Boozer and Noah can be built into a contender with the right personnel decisions, though the loss of that first will make that very difficult for next year.
2009/10 Team Equivalent: South Carolina Rebels
Expected Draft Position: 5 (1st Round DP currently owned by MTL)

11.) Dublin Bar Brawlers
51-93-0 (51.0 pts)
Cursed Number - 19.5 (4 losses/week)
Remaining Schedule: MTL/WEY/SC/TKO/BRW

Injuries and youth are the major factors for the demise of Dublin this season. It is also looking very unlikely that they will fall below Peoria and lose out on the John Wall sweeps. They picked up a second first rounder for Deng, and at the same time added a lottery ticket off the wire in Rickey Rubio. Management still feels they have some pieces that will be worth something to contending teams at the trade deadline, like Jameer Nelson and possibly Tracy McGrady (if he's able to do something on the court). With a young core of Jennings, Curry, Marc Gasol, Beasley, Griffen and a possibly healthy Oden, you have to like the future of this team, even if it might not be realized next year.
2009/10 Team Equivalent: Colorado Bears
Expected Draft Position: 2

12.) Peoria Bricklayers
43-98-3 (44.5 pts)
Cursed Number - 13.0 (2.5 losses/week)
Remaining Schedule: LV/FIT/TIJ/COL/MTL

What can you say about this team? They have been one of the more active teams in terms of trades, being part of three of the seasons' ten trades that include players. One of those trades, that sent point guard Derek Rose and PF Troy Murphy to Colorado with SF Rudy Gay and C Andris Biedrins coming back, caused such an uproar that the commissioner created a Trade Review Council. Lost in everything was that Peoria did receive the most complete player in the deal in Gay, and a very young, promising center. The core of the team going forward, Williams, Gay, Lee, Arenas and Yao is very strong, and while they will most likely be adding Wall next fall, the bottom of their 8 man roster has some question marks, and try as they might to garner another 1st round draft pick before the trade deadline, Rip Hamilton isn't going to do it for them and they may have to wait until the 2nd round to fill the rest of their holes, but I'm sure there's a possibility Josh Howard or Shaquille O'Neal will be available with their pick).
2009/10 Team Equivalent: Peoria Bricklayers
Expected Draft Position: 1

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Full Court Press: Magic Numbers (Week 16)

It's never too early to start thinking about playoff implications, especially with the trade deadline looming in a few weeks. Luol Deng will probably be on the move away from Dublin before then, giving one playoff contending team an added boost. Where does your team stand?




Magic Numbers (Week 16)
By: Max Powers/Full Court Press


With just 6 weeks left in the regular season, no team has clinched a playoff spot in the EHBA, but there's a bit clearer picture developing near the top of the standings. Here's a break down of the current top 6 teams and what can be expected from them moving forward.


1.) Tokyo Vegans
84-48-3 (85.5 pts)
Magic Number - 38 (6 wins/week)
Remaining Schedule: FIT/TIJ/COL/MON/DUB/SC

The Vegans hit a snag in Week 15 with a 3-6 loss to the Lizards, but should bounce back nicely against the Foo Fighters. With a combination of wins and Weymouth/Rakeville losses, look for them to clinch a playoff spot before their final two games (and if not, their final two games are against Dublin and South Carolina, so they're probably pretty safe)
Estimated Week to clinch playoff spot: Week 19
Expected Playoff Seed: 1

2.) Las Vegas Lizards
82-51-2 (83.0 pts)
Magic Number - 40 (7 wins/week)
Remaining Schedule: BRW/PEO/RAK/WEY/FIT/TIJ

The Chris Paul-less Lizards gave themselves a big boost with a win against the Vegans but may be on the short end of the short-week stick this week against Bridgewater. With Paul out and guards Thornton and Iverson questionable, the Lizards will be a bit shorthanded against a high scoring Phenom roster. Still, look for them to take advantage of the match ups against Peoria, Weymouth, and Fitch.
Estimated Week to clinch playoff spot: Week 19
Expected Playoff Seed: 2

3.) Tijuana Matadors
74-61-0 (74.0 pts)
Magic Number - 49 (8 wins/week)
Remaining Schedule: SC/TKO/BRW/PEO/RAK/LV

Don't let the wins needed per week number fool you, the Matadors are much better than their record. A slow start to the season puts them in the number three hole, but their strong play in the second half should continue as the season comes to a close. With a match up against Peoria coming at the perfect time (Week 19), expect the Matadors to make playoff plans shortly after.
Estimated Week to clinch playoff spot: Week 20
Expected Playoff Seed: 3

4.) Montreal DeathPiggys
72-61-2 (73.0 pts)
Magic Number - 50 (8.5 wins/week)
Remaining Schedule: WEY/DUB/SC/TKO/BRW/PEO

Try as they might to drop, the DeathPiggys continue to stay in the playoff pack. After trading away two of their best big men, the Montreal fan base has expected a quick plummet to the bottom half of the standings. A combination of strong play and "good" luck has kept them in the playoff picture, and with a very favorable schedule to end the season (match ups against Weymouth, Dublin, South Carolina, and Peoria), look for the DeathPiggys to squeak out a playoff berth close to the end of the regular season.
Estimated Week to clinch playoff spot: Week 21
Expected Playoff Seed: 6

5.) Colorado Bears
71-61-3 (72.5 pts)
Magic Number - 50.5 (8.5 wins/week)
Remaining Schedule: DUB/SC/TKO/BRW/PEO/RAK

The Bears have been an up and down team in the last few weeks. They are 4-4 in their last 8 weeks and can't seem to get a decent winning streak going, but stand to be a formidable opponent each and every week, never winning less than 3 categories in any week this season (5 of their 8 losses were decided by just one category). Rumor has it the Bears are looking to add at least one more piece before the trade deadline. The quicker they do that the quicker they should find a spot in the playoffs with their name on it.
Estimated Week to clinch playoff spot: Week 20
Expected Playoff Seed: 4

6.) Bridgewater Phenoms
71-62-2 (72.0 pts)
Magic Number - 51 (8.5 wins/week)
Remaining Schedule: LV/FIT/TIJ/COL/MTL/DUB

The Phenoms may find themselves the beneficiary of teams giving up and playing for next year, keeping them in the middle of the playoff picture. With Weymouth dropping and looking to part ways with some of their veteran play makers and Montreal still trying to drop in the standings, though failing to do so quickly, Bridgewater finds themselves in a limbo-like situation. The X-factor here is a strong Rakeville roster than may find a way to put it all together and make a 6-week run and bump Bridgewater out. The Phenoms do not have a favorable schedule to end the season, with match ups against Las Vegas, Tijuana, Colorado, and Montreal. The final week may be their best shot, but expect the bar Brawlers to bring everything they can to play spoiler.
Estimated Week to clinch playoff spot: Not Expected
Expected Playoff Seed: 7

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Well, mathematically speaking, no teams have been eliminated from playoff contention, but of the 12 teams, 2 of them have made a pretty solid case. Here are the two most prevalent Cursed Numbers, the amount of losses needed to officially eliminate a team from playoff contention:


12.) Peoria Bricklayers
40-92-3 (41.5 pts)
Cursed Number - 24 (4 losses/week)
Remaining Schedule: RAK/LV/FIT/TIJ/COL/MTL

The Bricklayers are not only looking to solidify not making the playoffs, but to also guarantee the first overall draft pick int he 2010 EHBA Draft. With just 24 more losses needed and matchups against Rakeville, Las Vegas, and Tijuana on the horizon, not making the playoffs shouldn't be too difficult, and with the Bar Brawlers officially stating that they'd rather have the second overall draft pick, solidifying John Wall on their 2010/11 roster should be pretty easy as well.
Estimated Week to be eliminated from playoff contention: Week 19
Expected Playoff Seed: 12


11.) Dublin Bar Brawlers
46-89-0 (46.0 pts)
Cursed Number - 28.5 (5 losses/week)
Remaining Schedule: COL/MTL/WEY/SC/TKO/BRW

Are the Brawlers happy with how their season has gone? No. Do they plan on giving up? No. They won't make the playoffs but the Dublin roster will play hard for the final 6 weeks, even after they are mathematically eliminated from contention. They probably can't climb any higher than where they currently are in the standings, and with Peoria playing as poorly as they are the Brawlers probably can't drop either without noticeably tanking, which is not their style. Look for them to try their hardest to play spoiler the rest of the season.
Estimated Week to be eliminated from playoff contention: Week 20
Expected Playoff Seed: 11

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