2013/14 - The Return

Well, after almost a year away from these Chronicles....I'm back.

Why so long away? Well, when you readership is a maximum of 12 people - there's not a huge viewing audience and not much motivation to please them. Also, Ryan's 10 now and is involved in sports everyday of the week - so time is precious. But, I've been called out several times now on the Live Scoreboard...so I figured I'd better step up.

So, it's week 14 of the season and the Chilliwack squad looks pretty strong. A team that was drafted by one time JBL'er (Dayton Yer Sista - Cord) - the Offs have been in command for several weeks now. The team is led by Kevin Durant and Paul George but also features a blossoming star in Andre Drummond. This is a veteran team (Duncan, Calderon, Pierce, Brand, Martin) that is in the top 5 of every category except for ATO (12th). He's only made a couple of trades this season and if they stay healthy will be tough to beat.

Juan de Fuca looks strong as well. Carmelo Anthony is having a monster season. The belief has always been that you can't win with him on your roster. Well, I think that isn't the case anymore. Juan has a very deep team and should be in the mix the rest of the way.

The team I'm most impressed with is our expansion team in Norfolk. What a pleasant surprise! He's done an amazing job in his rookie season. Most new teams to the JBL struggle big time learning the nuances of the league but Norfolk is currently in 5th/6th place and has the potential to climb even higher. Dave's doing it with a balanced roster too as his salary is just $212 dollars. The next big test for the Rookie GM will be the keeper deadline (NBA All-Star break) where he could leverage his cheap value guys (Thomas, Varejao, Gortat, et al) for some bigger studs for a stretch drive run. I can't say enough about how impressed I am with this squad. He's made 6 trades and spent over $100 bucks of his FA money. He's involved. He's active. And he's got a great chance to have bragging rights on the 2 owners (Phil & Rick) that introduced him to the JBL.

Hey Manhattan Beach! Are you there?? No free agent signings all year?? Not one?? Not a single trade?? Nothing? It's too bad because this team actually has a decent core with Love, Parker, Deron, Marion, Boozer, and David Lee. Just goes to show you - if you don't do much in a fantasy league, it's hard to compete. Will MBB make any moves this year at all???

Montreal is having a really tough year. It started on draft night when they were late to the party and ended up with 2 auto-drafted picks in Jennings ($37) and Westbrook ($54). I'm fine with Rusty for that price but it's tough to have 2 PG's making $91 bucks. They've made some trades and tried some things but it's been a tough go this season. I'm hoping they stick with it and are back next year with a renewed energy for the JBL. Don't give up there Montreal.

The Maui Ribs have been a pleasant surprise again this year. After a mid-pack finish last year, Trevor is hanging with the big boys again this season based on his strong keepers, Lotttery luck, and great draft. Anthony Davis is a fantasy stud. I think he's right up there with KD and Lebron. Like tonight, he had 24 pts (10/14FG) with 8 rebounds, 3 steals and 6 blocks. Awesome. It would be nice to see Maui more involved in the FA wire (still has $130 FA dollars) but Trev's done remarkably well considering his lack of moves.

The Arctic has been very quiet this season. Only a couple of pre-season trades and since then - nothing. He's had some injury issues with Kobe, Paul, and Beal all missing significant time this season. I'm wondering if the Arctic has anything left up his sleeve this season? He's got 2 very attractive pieces in Curry and Griffin for those contending teams. Will he be inclined to move them?

The Brussels squad is in contention this season. Timmy did a wonderful job on draft night to build on his strong keepers (Lillard & Vucevic). Mr. Cousins has become a fantasy beast while he's getting great performances from Millsap, Batum, and others. Tim signed Lance Stephenson as a Free Agent and he got a lot of talk for the Eastern All-Star team. He could be the NBA's most improved player for the Pacers this season. Timmy only has $1 FA dollar left so he'll need to stay healthy the rest of the way.

French Lick is still on the left side of the scoreboard (top 8) but has been battling injuries all season. Westy, Gasol, Wade and others are constantly missing games. You gotta love that Hildy is making moves trying to get better. He's made 7 trades already this season and is actively trying to improve his team. Why not right? It beats doing nothing.

The Bangkok Fighters are not having a good year. How else can I put it? Not much has gone right this season for Tricky Rick. The Kok is suffering from what I call "lackoftalentitis". There isn't much on this year's version of the Fighters. I like Wall, Turner, Bosh and Favors but the rest of the squad is filled with inconsistent players that you really don't know what you're going to get from night to night. Tyreke? He could go for 20 or 4. Khris Middleton. Mike Scott. Vasquez. Olynyk. Cole. Telotovic. There just isn't enough star talent to compete this go around. Is there even a shining keeper for next season? I'm not sure.

And Philly Woo's Seoul squad hasn't been much better than his Kok-friend. Nothing has gone right for Seoul. He's had injuries. He's turned down trades he should have made (Golden offered him T.Jones/Pekovic for Amir/Blatche one drunken night). And he's been unable to improve his 3PT%, Rebs, and scoring enough to climb above the 600 point range. For once, Phil actually looks like he could be stock-piling talent for next season. Carter-Williams is a stat-stuffing point guard (when he's healthy). DeRozan is an All-Star scoring machine. The biggest question remaining for this season - will Seoul move Lebron?

This, like many before it, was Idaho's year. Well, so far he's still in the top 8 and he's made multiple moves over the course of the year to stay in the hunt. His squad has been faltering of late and has dropped to 732 points tonight. It's 3PT shooting and ATO that has hurt him this season. The return of Rondo hasn't been as helpful as he had hoped. He will have a very cheap Rose to dangle as trade bait at the deadline - or he can build around him for next season. Of course, what Rose will we see next year? Will he ever get back to the level he once played at? Idaho will also have an undervalued Rondo as well. Idaho will have to decide in the coming weeks if he can stay with the big boys or if it's time to build for next season.

My Golden boys are hanging in there. Despite a poor draft (and some poor trades) I've been able to reassemble a contender again. I like my guys but I need guys (Jrue & Bledsoe) to get healthy if I'm going to have a chance to catch Juan and the Wack. I love my Blazers. It makes Fantasy fun when you have guys you like on your team. I'm looking forward to the stretch drive as there are a number of teams in the hunt for the title. It's very tight and lots can happen.

Random Thoughts:
- I've been offered Nick Young as part of a trade package at least 438 times
- Milwaukee is horrible. God awful in fact. Ersan Ilyasova will not be re-drafted by Golden next season (for any reason)
- Steve Nash should retire
- Jodie Meeks is having an amazing year
- Dirty Dirk and Tim Duncan continue to amaze me. They are like fine wines.
- The situation with the Raptors and Kyle Lowry is very interesting. They could be the #3 seed in the East but they could also get quite a few assets in a trade. What will they do?
- Joe Johnson should not have made the All Star team
- Kevin Garnett got old really fast
- I love Nikola Pekovic but how does a beast of a man that size only have as many blocks as 5'10 Kemba Walker?
- Ricky Rubio is a horrible shooter
- Arron Afflalo is quietly very good
- This year's NBA draft is loaded with talent. It should be the best class since the Lebron/Wade/Melo era. Some major studs on their way to the NBA.

Well...that's all for me tonight. This has got my juices flowing again for the Chronicles. You might see me in here again sometime. For now, good night, and happy JBL'ing.