Bangkok vs. Seoul

Well, we're into March now and it really does appear to be a 2 team race. Those Bangkok Fighters, who have led since day one and the 2-time defending champs Seoul Brothers really appear to be the only 2 teams who can win the title.

No disrespect meant to Idaho, French, or Arctic but it just doesn't seem like they have the horses to get it down this season.

As I type this, Bangkok has the lead with 1114 points and Seoul is right behind him at 1104. What's so exciting about this title race is the number of areas that each of these teams can gain or lose points over the coming weeks.

3PT% - Seoul is battling French and Bangkok is holding of MBB and Maui. Seoul is maxed out currently in this category but could lose 13 points while Bangkok needs to keep hitting 3's as he has a couple of teams on his tail.

ATO - Bangkok and Brussels are duking it out while Seoul slowly reels in Juan de Fuca. Both teams have a chance to gain points in this category.

BLK - Bangkok is maxed out while he a bunch of other JBL teams are right on his heels. Maui is close but keeps running into injury problems while Seoul is just 4 blocks behind Maui and just 1 blocks behind Bangkok. This will be an interesting race!

FG% - Seoul is maxed out and will set a JBL record with his FG% total this season. Bangkok is chasing another 13 points as he is just 0.1% behind Idaho. Those 13 points would be huge for Bangkok.

PTS - Bangkok is 1st while Seoul and Idaho are battling it out for 2nd in scoring. This would be a monster 20 points for Seoul is he could pull ahead of Idaho. On paper, it looks like Idaho should be able to stay ahead of Seoul - but you just never know.

STL - Bangkok is again setting records in this category while Seoul appears to be comfortable in this category. Not much movement expected here.

REB - Seoul is in 1st place in this category while Bangkok is in 3rd. I guess there's a chance of Bangkok catching Arctic in rebounds but that would take some help from the JBL Gods I think.

So who is going to win the 20th JBL title? To be honest, I don't know yet. Lots can still happen. Guys will still suffer injuries. Certain players could be rested down the stretch. And some players will be shut down entirely as their seasons start to mean nothing. I know it's almost week 20 - but it's too soon to predict a winner.

As for my Golden squad - they stink.
I am barely hanging onto 8th place (and my dream of 3 keepers).
At the moment, it looks like my Gay Love combo could be all that I am able to bring back.
However, if I am able to hang onto 8th then it would become very interesting as who the other keeper I would bring back will be. The options again?

Dorell Wright - he has faded terribly over the last month and is starting to look less and less like a monster bargain.

Eric Gordon - despite my current frustration over his recent wrist injuries - he would still be a top 10 scorer for under $30 bucks.

Kendrick Perkins - although he hasn't played a game yet in OKC he appears to be the perfect fit for that franchise (should be the Sonics!). He's the big tough mean shot-blocking defender that they have been missing. For just $7 bucks he could be a 10/10/2 type of center. And, for 2 years in a row now, the Golden squad has REALLY struggled with the centre position.

Luis Scola - the under-appreciated big man is still averaging 18 and 8 but he does it soooo quietly I'm still not sure he would go for more than $30 bucks next season.

So, like trying to predict a JBL winner, I'm just not able to pick which one of those potential keepers would fill the 3rd spot if I had to decide right now. Tough call.

And after my dispersal draft idea was posted to the JBL site - do you know how many guys emailed me their feedback??? None. Not one. Zilch. Zip. Notta. Nobody. Not one guy had any input about this proposed wrinkle. Oh well. I guess we'll just carry on this offseason...

I have to admit I am excited about the 2011/12 JBL draft already. I have already started to put together some new tracking data sheets in attempt to try and improve my draft night. As you recall, I only spent $221 bucks this past year. Was it the beer? Was it Vegas? Was it a combination? Or was it poor management on my part?? Maybe a little of everything factored in. And I certainly don't want it to happen again. This 2010/11 season will be my worst in maybe 8 or 9 years and I want the Golden squad to get back on track next season. So, I am preparing already by looking at guys numbers and who would fit best with the potential keepers I could bring back.

Oh, and also, if the NBA doesn't reach an agreement and the players are locked out - you can bet your ass that we will still be hosting a JBL draft. The JBL will be drafting - and the NBA will know that they need to play because of the dedicated JBL'ers who want them to play. Oh yes, we will be drafting - regardless of what happens this summer.