Recap: Week 19

Inter-Conference Games
7-2, Squirtle Squad vs MoRRie's Pogiboys
6-3, Buffy vs Sour Snails

Conference Games
6-3, Phanatics vs Rhythm Drive
5-4, Fat Jubas vs Pooh Bears
5-4, Poobic Heirs vs Funk Coalition
8-1, Chunky Monkeys vs Human Amoebas
(statistics)

6-3, Phanatics vs Rhythm Drive
The oft-injured Phanatics finally pick up a win, even though Lamar Odom didn't contribute anything to the lineup. With mighty mite Earl Watson on the loose to the tune of 14.5 PTS, 8 AST, 2.5 STL, and 2 3PT, maybe the Phanatics didn't need Odom? Vince Carter pumped in 21 PTS and 5 REB a game but he missed msot of his shots (36.7 FG%) and barely hit any 3PT. Since his return, Paul Pierce has only been a shadow of his former self and David West has cooled off after a fast start. Can the return of Marcus Camby and Richard Jefferson position the Phanatics for a run in the Toilet Bowl? They better hope so, otherwise this team is going to need some major restructuring.

Meanwhile, the Drive need to pull it together too. Emeka Okafor still sits in the lineup despite being obviously injured and down for the count. It's time for Steve Francis, Grant Hill, and Eddie Jones (19.25 PTS, 5 REB, 2 STL, 3.75 3PT) to hit the lineup and take over for Okafor and Sam Cassell. While Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard, Luol Deng, and Mike Miller can still pace this team, they're going to need some better lineup management for them to make any noise in the playoffs. Both the Phanatics and the Drive are in similar precarious positions, but they can both still make good on a season that held so much promise, but is now coming down to an endpoint.

7-2, Squirtle Squad vs MoRRie's Pogiboys
It's been a whirlwind week for the Pogiboys, as they've turned over half their roster in a few short days. Two trades, a few waiver wire additions and almost another trade later, the Pogiboys are positioning themselves for a Toilet Bowl victory. Sure, they got dumped on their ass this week but half those players aren't even here anymore. Who is still around? Gerald Wallace and his 26.3 PTS and 13 REB. Young players like Rudy Gay, Darko Milicic, Hakim Warrick, and Tyrus Thomas will have to contribute for the stretch run but this team suddenly has quite the point guard duo behind Chauncey Billups and Chris Paul. With only two short weeks to gel, can the Pogiboys be ready for the (Toilet Bowl) spotlight?

The Squad is ready and any time the playoffs start, they've got their eyes on the prize. The odds on favorite to advance to the Finals, the Squad is hurting a little bit -- David Lee and Andres Nocioni are out -- but they should have enough firepower left to take on all comers. Brandon Roy is a budding star (22.5 PTS, 5.5 AST, 2 3PT) and it looks like Brian was right on in selecting him in the sixth round and showing patience with him. Ray Allen is still the heart and soul of this team (29 PTS, 1.5 STL, 3 3PT); or is it Kevin Garnett (27 PTS, 13 REB, 4.3 AST, 2.3 BLK)? Hard to tell isn't it? The two of them are definitely the best inside-out combination in the league, as they cover all nine statistical categories. Do we hear co-MVP chants for this team?

5-4, Fat Jubas vs Pooh Bears
Both the Jubas and Bears are just riding out the regular season. The Jubas as the kings of the West, the Pooh Bears as the Toilet Bowl king of the East. Neither one can be affected negatively or positively the rest of the way and they're just hoping for no whammies (injuries). But they still play the game right? Fat Jubas narrowed edged out a ho-hum victory with a few extra three pointers (26-22) as Tracy McGrady showcased his range with 10 3PT on the week -- along with 25.75 PTS and 7 AST. Corey Maggette (19 PTS, 1.7 STL) and Zaza Pachulia (15.25 PTS, 9.75 REB) have been nice surprises too.

The Bears shot astoundingly well as a team this week: 50.0 FG% and 82.8 FT%. They'll need to keep that up to fend off a revamped Pogiboys during the Toilet Bowl. If they can, they're staring at adding Oden-Durant to an already formidable lineup. Marion, Gasol, and Oden next to Bibby, Gordon, and A Miller (18.7 PTS, 6.3 AST, 2 STL) sound good? Sure does!

5-4, Poobic Heirs vs Funk Coalition
While every other playoff contender in the West won this week, Funk Coalition collapsed under pressure and have most likely locked in a #4 seed in their conference. At the same time, with this win, the Poobic Heirs are one game up on the Human Amoebas and Rhythm Drive for the #2 seed in the East. Despite a few errant elbows or two, Kobe Bryant led the way with 31.7 PTS, 8.7 REB, 5 AST, and 2 3PT. That was enough to fend off Lebron and crew. Lebron (finally) had a huge week; 32.75 PTS, 8.5 REB, 7.75 AST, 2.25 STL, 2.5 3PT and more importantly, 73.1% from the line. If there were any doubts that Yao would come back strong, those doubts were dashed as he put up 22 PTS and 9 REB over four games this week.

6-3, Buffy vs Sour Snails
The Buff should have locked up a first round matchup with the suddenly derailed Chunky Monkeys. It's looking like the trade that involved Joe Johnson and Tim Duncan might have turned out better for Roger than it did for Evan. We'll find out as they are slated to fight it out in the playoffs. As for their last few warm up weeks, Buffy is just ridiing the big man Shaqalicious as he surges to the top of the charts - 20.5 PTS, 8.25 REB, and 67.3 FG%. Antawn Jamison is fully healthy again too (22.75 PTS, 7.25 REB, 1.5 3PT) and this upcoming week, Stephon Marbury and Elton Brand join the party to make one of the biggest -- not to mention most expensive -- teams in the league.

The Snails were looking good for awhile but now they're headed downhill again. Wally Szczerbiak shut it down for the season, Ron Artest is hitting people again, Ryan Gomes is hurt, Jason Kapono is hurt. The return of Jason Richardson (16.75 PTS, 4 REB/AST, 2.75 3PT) and Allen Iverson (25.75 PTS, 4.75 AST, 2 STL) is great, but can this team pull it together to beat the Phanatics for one of the coveted top picks? They're gonna have to really get their asses in gear. And Ron, stop hitting people!

8-1, Chunky Monkeys vs Human Amoebas
The Amoebas sure have a weird habit of getting crushed every few weeks. While they can certainly dish out the punishment on occasion, they are a good team that seems to collapse every so often. 7-2, 8-1, etc. The reasons for their inconsistent play hasn't yet been discovered by they better figure it out soon. This week, they played 8 less games than their opponent, which explains the loss. Only Rip Hamilton (18 PTS, 4 AST, 51.9 FG%) played four games. Everyone else was slated for three or less. The injury to Quentin Richardson didn't help matters either.

The Monkeys won on paper but their biggest loss came off the court as recent addition Joe Johnson may choose to shut it down for the season; due to a deep bruise. Sissy. Gilbert Arenas is back on track (27.75 PTS, 4.75 AST, 2.5 STL, 3.25 3PT) but can he carry the team deep in the playoffs himself? Josh Smith is still a solid second-in-command but will Manu Ginobili continue to be on fire (20.5 PTS, 2.5 3PT)? The still inspired play of Tyson Chandler (13 PTS, 11.7 REB, 3.7 BLK) is great news, but it's a sad week for Chunky fans everywhere.