Recap: Week 10

Inter-Conference Games
5-4, Squirtle Squad vs Fat Jubas
4-4, Chunky Monkeys vs Poobic Heirs
6-3, Buffy vs Pooh Bears
8-1, Human Amoebas vs Phanatics
5-4, Funk Coalition vs MoRRie's Pogiboys
5-4, Rhythm Drive vs Sour Snails

Conference Games
none
(statistics)

5-4, Squirtle Squad vs Fat Jubas
The two best teams in the league faced off and the Squirtles sent the Jubas to the mat with a well balanced week that featured outstanding shooting (50.0 FG%). The Squirtles were suffering from some shooting woes recently but are now back on track -- more accurately, Ray Allen is back on track (53.7 FG%, 27 PTS and 3.5 3PT) and that made all the difference.

The Jubas finally got a healthy Tracy McGrady in the lineup with a huge week -- 35.3 PTS, 7 REB, 4.3 AST, 2.7 3PT -- but an injury to Dwayne Wade left the Jubas at less than full strength. In fact, the Jubas were lucky to win even four categories, as they eeked out victories in PTS (590-575) and TO (67-70) by a hair. The re-match with a healthy Wade could be exciting, perhaps in the Finals?

4-4, Chunky Monkeys vs Poobic Heirs
What is going on? The Monkeys have more ties than losses. If this were chess, they'd be the grandmaster who asks for a draw after five moves -- every game. Just like last week, the Monkeys tied in the 3PT department with their opponent. In fact, the Monkeys did a pretty good job fighting back in the AST department (eventually winning by 10) as the week came to a close but the Yao-less Heirs stuck it out for a big tie (winning PTS by only 3).

For Oliver, Ricky Davis stepped up with 16.25 PTS, 4.5 REB, 5 AST and 2.25 3PT to support Kobe and Caron. The other good news is that sophmore phenom Monta Ellis is back, and he's ready to be re-inserted into the lineup. Evan himself has a Warrior in his starting lineup, sadly that Warrior is Keith McLeod. Who? Yeah, exactly. McLeod dropped 16 PTS and 3 AST/TO/3PT total, dooming the Monkeys to yet another tie. Actually, Jorge Garbajosa and his one game dud might have something to do with the tie. Let's not finger anybody out though, at least it's not a loss!

6-3, Buffy vs Pooh Bears
Make no mistake, Buffy may be hobbled with his entire bench down for the count, but they're still capable of beating any team in the league. Tony Allen is a monster during Paul Pierce's absence, doing a nice approximation of Ron Artest in his prime -- 21.25 PTS, 6 REB, 3.75 STL on 58.5 FG% and 82.6 FT%. Aside from that, the two Knicks, Jamal Crawford and Eddy Curry are kind of nice too. The Baron is still his fine self and even if Joe Johnson is suffering from some weird disease (he's turned into a pure scorer, without any all-around stats) Buffy is strong.

The Pooh Bears couldn't compete this week, but there are some good things happening in the point guard department. Mike Bibby found his stroke -- scoring 28.3 PTS on 51.8 FG% -- and Andre Miller isn't suffering from his trade back East -- 17.3 PTS and 8.7 AST per game. The rest of the team though -- especially AK47, Josh Childress, Ruben Patterson and Tayshaun Prince -- had a terrible scoring period. The Bears suffer from a let down after last week's big win. Walk it off, walk it off.

5-4, Rhythm Drive vs Sour Snails
Dammit, I thought the Snails got one there. But the site didn't update yet and Reno snuck in a few extra points on Sunday, taking the PTS category (427-406) and the win. I guess the Snails will keep waiting for that first victory. It hurts that a suddenly healthy Ron Artest and Wally Szczerbiak were on the bench while Jason Richardson stayed in the lineup while hurt. That could have been the win right there. Maybe next week.

These two teams are the ones who have the least Games Played on the season, the reason for that? Injuries, to be sure, but also a bit of mismanagement? We're not sure. Sam Spade will be looking into that one. One thing Sam won't need to look into is why Mike Miller is dropping a mind boggling 4 3PT a game; he's averaging more than ten attempts for his last eight games. That's a green light to chuck it from afar and Mike's not hesitating -- or missing (53.3 FG%). Mr Bosh is back too, and right back to his 20-10 numbers.

8-1, Human Amoebas vs Phanatics
The beatdown in Motown as the Amoeba engulfed the entire Phanatic team and spit them back out disheveled and confused. Ping's team couldn't do anything right, even losing the TO battle despite playing four fewer games. Who had a good week for the Phanatics? Um, Drew Gooden (18.75 PTS, 11 REB, 58.3 FG%)? But Drew isn't leading anybody to a championship anytime soon. It's just sit and wait until Odom and Pierce come back for the Phreaks I guess, it could be a long winter of discontent for the Phanatics fan(s).

It's not like the Amoebas had a great week, but the Big German blitzkrieged the Phanatics into quick submission with 29 PTS and 10.75 REB on 51.2% shooting. Heil Dirk! Despite a lot of swingmen and smaller players, the Amoeboid are really good at REB. Like, really good (ranked 2nd in the league, but barely off the lead). Dirk, Zach Randolph, Amare Stoudemire, Ben Wallace, and Jason Kidd can all clean the glass, which gives the Amoebas second chances galore.

5-4, Funk Coalition vs MoRRie's Pogiboys
Alvin had Jon on the ropes as the Pogiboys were edging the Funk on FT% but then horror of horrors, late turnovers cost them a crucial category. It's not often that Funk wins the TO battle but in this case, the Pogiboys three extra GP -- plus the (apparently fortuitous) early week injury to TJ Ford -- enabled the Funk to stumble into a victory. Who were the TO culprits that led to a loss? LA Clippers Elton Brand and Chris Kaman led the Pogiboys with 17 and 14 TO respectively. It hurts when your big men are fumbling the ball away -- the next closet TO guy? Alonzo Mourning with eight. Buy some stick'em guys.

Funk dropped in 53 3PT this week behind a career high for Matt Barnes (19.5 PTS, 6.25 REB, 2 STL, 1 BLK and 13 3PT). For the Pogiboys, the backcourt is in trouble, as Chauncey and Gerald Wallace are both hurt, and replacements Derek Fisher and Damon Jones aren't pulling their weight. Hey, least Stephon Marbury is back to his glory days -- scoring over 20 points and dropping 6 AST last week (not to mention 2.67 3PT a game).