2009 JBL Power Rankings...

I don't know what it was today but I decided to come up with some offseason JBL power rankings. Who is the team to beat in 09/10? I had to factor in a bunch of different things to do this...
1) Where did the team finish last season?
2) Who are the keepers the team is bringing back?
3) What is the history of the team over the last 5 seasons?
4) What is their draft night performance like?

So...with those factors (and my personal opinion) I have come up with the JBL Power Rankings as of August 26th. Now, these could really change in 5 days when JBL offseason trading begins...and if any teams make trades then I can update the Rankings. What I think I'll do next time is invite 4 other owners in the JBL to rank the teams as well and come up with a cumulative score.

So, here we go...quick hitter time...

12) Expansion Team - whoever this is gets the #12 spot. He'll likely have no JBL experience and therefore cannot be expected to be ranked higher than this.

11) Yuma Thurmans - Pat's been out of the league for a long time and he's starting from scratch. He'll have to earn a higher ranking after draft night.

10) Boston Pancakes. Trev is an original JBL'er going back to 1991. That being said, his JBL fortunes probably resemble the Clippers history. He did have a 2nd place finish in 2007 - but his last place finishes in 08/09 and 06/07 certainly drag his ranking down.

9) Bangkok Fighters - Every year Rick gives us the same guarantee - a JBL title. Well his last 5 years look like this...7th, 8th, 7th, 3rd, 7th....throw in the fact he only has 2 keepers and history is not on his side and he comes in at #9.

8) Arctic Circle Jerks - Chris is coming off a 5th place finish last year and has a solid group of keepers coming back. His last five years (5-11-3-9-9) make him a hard team to predict.

7) Idaho Udapimps - I like the way the Idaho squad has improved over the last 5 seasons. He finally cracked the top 4 last year. But was that a fluke? His previous four years (6-10-12-12) certainly seem to indicate it may be. However, Tuna has 4 solid keepers and will be looking to improve again in 09/10.

6) French Lick Balls - Chris had a rough 08/09 - finishing 8th. However, his previous 4 years (5-5-5-6) seem to indicate he's always in contention. I like his 2 keepers for 09/10 and think this could be the year he pushes hard for the money.

5) Brussels Muscles - Tim has major action with Benny on the 09/10 season. It's win or go home time. Brussels has 3 great keepers and always prepares well for the draft. His 5 year run (6-3-4-11-5) shows he can contend with the big boys.

4) Juan de Fuca Yo Mamas - I'm gonna say that the 08/09 version of Juan was like Haley's comet or a Benny orgasm - it only happens once in a blue moon. His 5 year history (9-4-2-6-3) sports 3 money finishes. Throw in the offseason potential break-up debacle forced on them by the League and this team will be motivated to show the JBL that the 3-headed monster is back!

3) Chilliwack Offs - I know the rest of the Pershick's will think this is too high for the farming community team, but Benny has some strong history on his side. His last five seasons (3-9-8-10-1) only has 2 money finishes but he was the last team to win (2004) the JBL title other than Seoul or Golden (so that has to be worth something). Throw in 4 solid keepers and a new Excel draft program that worked wonders last season and I think Benny is worthy of the #3 seed.

2) Golden Showers - After coming off a 2nd place finish in 08/09 Golden is already preparing for the JBL draft. His last 5 seasons (2-1-1-2-4) clearly shows Johnny lives and breathes the JBL and NBA and is concerned that his 6 year old isn't reading that well yet but can name all the starting rosters from the Western Conference teams.

1) Seoul Brothers - The defending champs should always get the #1 seed going into the following season. Over the last 4 seasons, Golden and Seoul have won 2 titles each. Seoul's five year run (1-10-6-1-2) is very impressive and it looks like he will have the mighty Lebron coming back for 09/10. This is your team to beat folks....for now.

So guys...whadda ya think? Should Chilliwack be lower? Should Idaho be higher? What would your rankings be? And will these change after September 1st when the trades begin? Will there actually be any trades? I can't wait to find out...

And remember....the JBL Draft is scheduled for October 24th...less than 2 months away. Study hard.

Random Thoughts...

Well, the Steve Gwilliam era is finally over in the JBL. He has officially retired. I have to say that last season was his lowest point. He only made one trade (Luke Ridnour for Rafer Alston) and really didn't make many moves at all. I don't think Steve's a bad guy or anything, I just think he lost interest. Hey, I get it, I'm in numerous Fantasy pools and it's hard to keep track of them all at times...but this is the JBL we're talking about. It's like a religion. You check in on your team daily. It's just what you do. For Steve-O, I think the most frustrating part of him as an owner was his lack of passion for the JBL. And again, not everyone is going to be as passionate about the league as Phil, or Tim, or Rick, or Ron, or Tuna, or Me...but at least care a bit.

If a player was drafted by SteveO on draft night...he was there all year. Steve wouldn't respond to your trade offer....ever. OK, maybe it took him a few days, while others say they never got a response, ever.

So, we're moving on without him. As we stand today, we have 11 teams. However, I am in discussions with Juan de Fuca to split them into 2 teams. The stumbling block at this point is the fact that Malki/Mac want to bring 2 keepers with them from the old Juan de Fuca roster. I have posted a poll on the JBL website to see how others feel about this. By rule, Juan can keep 2 players...which he will. So, should a 'new' team get an additional 2 keepers? My opinion is no, they should not. However, I would be open to having Mac/Malki taking over Pearl's now defunct roster (like a change of ownership essentially) and being entitled to 2 keepers from that roster. The only 2 I can see on the Pearl roster worth keeping might be Manu and Shaq...but at least that's better than the zero I think the league will vote on. Besides, if they took over Pearl, they could always make trades for other teams keepers. I really hope the Juan ownership group splits into 2 teams as all 3 guys are quite knowledgeable and have been in the JBL for some time now.

Who else could we bring in? How about Jumbo? Pat Elliott is rumored to be interested. His once proud Yuma Thurmans squad graced the JBL standings many years ago.

How about the Renton Hookers? Chris Jarman is a 3-time champion and left the JBL for unknown reasons years ago. I think he left after he was out of good cheap keepers one year. I remember he had McDyess in his prime for like 8 bucks and then had Shareef for like 10 bucks. It was crazy. Then, when those guys went back into the pool and other teams were stocked up with cheap talent...he retired from the league. Well, maybe he would like back in? He was always a big basketball fan and is now working with Cordo and Timbo.

Speaking of Cord, what about the Dayton Yer Sista squad? Does he have the time? Does he have the knowledge to compete? Does he know John Starks is retired? Always a possibility though.

For some reason, I just have this weird feeling we're gonna end up with 12 teams again - just like last season.

Moving on, Q-Rich was traded for a 4th time this summer! He is now a member of the Miami Heat - and that's all I have to say about that.

Brussels has a boner for Brandon Roy right now. He's taunting me with threats that he will land BRoy on JBL draft night. It's possible. I love Brandon Roy and his old school mentality in the new NBA - but there is one thing Johnny doesn't do - he doesn't overpay for favorite players. As the draft gets closer, I will figure out what BRoy is worth...then as the JBL draft unfolds I will adjust the budget accordingly. My hope is that Roy is back in Golden this season.

I had a quick chat with Boston owner Trev Arksey this morning. We discussed a D-Wade trade. He is interested in the Flash. He is also interested in changing cities. He's not feeling the Boston Pancake vibe anymore. And really, can you blame him. I sent him over some 'fresh' ideas today.

Alaska Firedragons
Massachusetts Fudgsicles
North Carolina Headbutts
Pittsburgh Creamers
Mississippi Meathooks
Mississippi Jackhammers

for more information on these team names - check out www.urbandictionary.com

The biggest and bestest JBL roadtrip is officially booked. Dec 10th to 14th. Trev and I fly out of Seattle to Chicago (Benny is meeting us there). We are seeing the Warriors and Bulls on Friday night and the Celtics and Bulls play the Saturday night. That Celtics/Bulls rivalry right now is massive after there 1st round meeting in the playoffs last year. This was an amazing 7 game series that the Celtics won. Some are calling it the greatest 7 game series of all time. Check out the scores...

Game 1: Bulls win 105-103 in OT
Game 2: Celtics win 118-115
Game 3: Celtics win 107-86
Game 4: Bulls win 121-118 in OT
Game 5: Celtics win 106-104 in OT
Game 6: Bulls win 128-127 in Triple OT
Game 7: Celtics win 109-99

4 overtime games!!!! Are your kidding me? What a series. Just looking at those box scores again gives me shivers. And we are going to see a rematch of that series!! Come on, how cool is that?

Now, we need a 4th. It will be Woo. Mark it down, it will be Woo.

Well, that's all for today....

CBS Product 2009/10

So, I sent a request over to CBS Sportsline hoping for an update to the 'On the Block' feature of their website. I'm trying to generate more trade talk in 09/10 as with potential expansion of the JBL, the Free Agents' pool might not be full of great talent. So, it's up to me and the other JBL owners to somehow stimulate trades...

Here was my idea and their response...

Response (Paul W.)
08/05/2009 06:06 PM
Thank you for your insight, I have forwarded your suggestions to our production department for discussion during the Fantasy Basketball development period. I can not promise these changes will be implemented however they will be discussed.

Customer (John Edwards)
07/31/2009 11:46 AM
Hi there, not sure if you are considering any new features for Basketball in 09/10 - but I thought I'd throw one out there...

In our league, 12 teams, with owners living across the world, it can sometimes be difficult to generate trade talks...I like the "on the block" feature but think it could be expanded...

For example, it would be cool to know that TEAM A has offered Player A in a trade...so not only do you know that TEAM A has Player A 'on the block' - but he's been offered in a trade. And maybe you go a step further by having a field that shows that PLAYER A has been offered to TEAM B.

Now, all other teams have notice that TEAM A and TEAM B are talking trade (it doesn't have to mention the other players in the deal - only the ones being offered). Maybe now other teams jump in there and try to 'up the ante' for Player A'.

Anyways, just a thought as I try to generate more trade talks in our Fantasy League that has been with CBS for a long time and around even longer - we started in 1991!

Oh, and one little side note. My man Brandon Roy agreed to an extension in Rip City today...and Timbo thinks he's going to steal him away from me on JBL draft night. Good luck there son.

Is he the first piece to the dynasty in PDX?

No Answers to the Question...

We're now into August and there are very few quality Free Agents still on the market. Yes, Nifty Nate and David Lee are still out there...so is Big Baby Davis and Raymond Felton...but we're not talking about "team-changing" talents. But there is still one wildcard out there....the Answer, Allen Iverson. No one seems to want to take a chance on this guy. Has there ever been a quicker fall from grace?? In one season, after a trade, Iverson is apparently no longer worthy (or capable) of getting an NBA contract. So what happened??

In 2007/08, Iverson was a Denver Nugget. For Fantasy numbers, he played in all 82 games and averaged 26.4 PPG. He shot 45.8% from FG (his best total since 1997) and 34.5% from downtown. He added 160 steals and his ATO was 571/246 (well over 2.000+). That, by all accounts, is worthy of a $40+ contract in our Fantasy league.

But in 2008/09, something happened to the Answer. First off, he was traded to the Pistons and his stay in the Motor City was not pretty. He battled injuries all year, didn't fit in well with his teammates, wasn't happy about his playing time and averaged just over 17PPG while shooting a dismal 41% on his FG. His 08/09 season was a disaster for the Pistons and for his Fantasy value.

So what happened? Did he suddenly get old? Did all those ventures into the paint over the years where he would get hammered suddenly take their toll? I can't explain it. He's now 34 years old and without a team. So where does he land? The ideal team, for his Fantasy value, would of course be the NY Knicks. This would also seem to make a lot of sense for the Knicks. Why not sign him to a 1 year deal?? The Knicks are preserving cap space for 2010/11 - so why not bring in AI for one season and let him loose in the 7 seconds or less system that D'Antoni runs? Why would the Knicks be wanting to sign Ramon Sessions for 5 years? Has anyone seen enough of that kid to guarantee him a 5 year deal? Is he the guy who run the point and draw 2 big FA's next season? Will Amare, Bosh, Lebron, or Wade all come running to New York because they want to play with Ramon Sessions???? I don't think so. I say forget Sessions, sign Iverson and be done with it. But that's my 2 cents...

So where does AI end up? With NY closing in on Sessions - there certainly aren't a lot of options. Could Miami be an option? They lack scoring depth off the bench and might be a good one year option. The Grizz were kicking the tires on AI but why would they sign him - other than ticket sales?? Do they want to stunt the growth of OJ Mayo? But the Grizz are becoming the new Clippers (questionable moves) so they very well could land AI.

So...at the moment, there is no answer for the Answer. He will wait it out and find a home somewhere and will play in 09/10. But, we know this, wherever he lands, his Fantasy value will take a severe hit. He is no longer one of those dangerous scorers who can average 25+ PPG. Looking back at his JBL salaries...he's always been around $40 dollars (or more). Those days are gone. So how much is he worth? That is totally dependant on where he lands. He could still be a dynamic player for a team off their bench, but he's likely a 15ppg player with some steals and a decent ATO. His %'s will still suck so judge accordingly.

This is the end of the AI era. Like him or hate him - he was a dynamic scorer and player in the NBA. He led a 76ers team to the NBA finals and has averaged over 27PPG for his career. Yes, over 27 PPG for his career. Well done Allen, you had a great NBA and Fantasy career.