#1 Squirtle Squad (10-2) vs #4 The 2005 NBA All-Star Team (6-6)
After missing the playoffs last year despite a winning record, Brian's back with a vengeance as he secured the best record in league behind a three game win streak to close out the season. The Squirtles are stacked with Deron Williams, Ty Lawson, Joe Johnson, and Jeremy Lin in the backcourt. In addition, their frontcourt boasts Blake Griffin, shot blocking maniac Serge Ibaka, and All-Star snubbed center Greg Monroe. Monroe has been a gem as he's tied for the team lead in games played and has been averaging 16.2 PTS, 9.8 REB, and 51.4 FG%. This team's only weaknesses are turnover and free throw percentages, but they are strong everywhere else.
The Squirtles' first round matchup delivers them The 2005 NBA All-Star Team, who somehow snuck into the playoffs with a 0.500 record while riding a three game losing streak -- all to intra-divison foes. With Dwight Howard and Samuel Dalembert anchoring the team, this is a front line that can win REB and BLK against Squirtle Squad. In fact, despite playing only 22 games to the Squirtle's 32 in WK12, the 2005 All Stars only managed to lose by one category. However, it would take a miracle for an upset here, so Brian probably isn't too worried. Maybe if Coach Steve subbed Manu Ginobili for Ricky Rubio there's a shot here. Ahem.
#2 Fat Jubas (9-3) vs #3 Half Man Half ImAsian (8-4)Two hot teams getting ready to go ham on each other. Eric-L has repeated as Silverhawks division champs and will be looking to avenge their first round upset loss to Oliver last season. The Jubas have won four games in a row, including seven of their last eight, and are looking for a championship before Steve Nash, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen ride off into the sunset. Center Marcin Gortat has been incredible, averaging 16.0 PTS, 9.9 REB, 1.5 STL/BLK, and 56.0 FG%. Swingman Nicolas Batum is the new and improved Shane Battier, with 13.8 PTS, 1.7 3PT, and 1.0 STL/BLK a game. The stats don't show how good Eric-L's team is, but their track record speaks for itself. Can they buck their great regular season, disappointing playoffs reputation?
Oliver's team has won four out of his last five and plays a very specific brand of basketball. Led by Kevin Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge, Half Man Half ImAsian scores ultra-efficiently (1st in FG%, 3rd in PTS), protects the rim on defense, and is fantastic on the boards with a team wide effort. Despite losing a ton of players to injury this season -- Andrew Bogut and Anderson Varejao are still out -- GM Oliver has kept this team chugging right along. Jarrett Jack and Rodney Stuckey are holding down the point guard position and now that Ramon Sessions is asserting himself in a big way next to Kobe, Oliver is even more dangerous. Ersan Ilyasova has to be a strong contender for free agent of the year as he's put up 17.6 PTS, 9.0 REB, 0.9 3PT, and 58.2 FG% during his last fourteen games. This is our matchup of the week!
Russell Conference#1 The Horizon (8-4) vs #4 NJ All-Stars (8-4)
The marketing team seems to change Thien's team name at least once a season. The team formerly known as some variation of "Dragon" has now gone poetic. After starting off the season with four losses, The Horizon has ripped off eight wins in a row and repeats as Voltron winner. Anchored by Andrew Bynum (18.3 PTS, 12.3 REB, 2.0 BLK, 58.5 FG%) and Tyson Chandler in the frontcourt, The Horizon is top of the charts in REB and BLK. Despite the shoddy marksmanship of John Wall and Paul Pierce, this team is also great in FG% as the have Dwayne Wade and Rudy Gay to balance things out. FA pickup Nikola Pekovic went through a stretch where he was throwing up 20-10s like nothing, so if he does that, Thien keep romping all the way to the Finals.
Standing in his way will be the NJ All-Stars -- soon to be Brooklyn? -- who started off 7-2 before losing two of their last three. New owner Eddie has rejuvenated this franchise and made them a dangerous team for years to come. Would you believe that Paul George and Ryan Anderson (15.9 PTS, 7.6 REB, 2.8 3PT) lead this team in games played? Ahead of LeBron James, DeAndre Jordan, and Jose Calderon! A quick glance at the roster will reveal a depth that will be immediately necessary as Kye Lowry has been put on IR and is out for the duration of the fantasy playoffs. The good news is J.J. Barea is here to pick up the slack and if he can continue his double doubles, Lowry won't be missed much. Eddie's team is deadly from beyond the arc, tremendous at swiping the ball, and very good at rebounding and passing. They're going to be a tough out and could have the team to end Thien's championship dreams.
#2 Chunky Monkeys (8-4) vs #3 100 Acre Wood Heffalumps (8-4)Evan blew out of the gates this season with five straight wins before stumbling back into the pack. A soft schedule fueled that early success so we're not sure what to make of their championship mettle. Small ball to the core, most teams won't be able to compete with the Monkeys in AST/3PT/STL/FT%. The problem is, the Monkeys are only middle of the pack in PTS. In fact, they have only two players who average more than 19.0 ppg -- Chris Paul and Andrea Bargnani -- and not much after that except for James Harden. Still, with CP3 leading the way, Evan's team always has a fighting chance. Especially this week.
Their first round opponent is Jose's 100 Acre Heffalumps, who has a bad matchup forthcoming. Jose's team also started off 5-0 -- with wins against very quality competition -- before tailing off. Their loss during the last week of the regular season gave the Thundercats crown to Evan, and a higher seed. The Heffalumps could also be called "Special K" as Kobe Bryant, Kevin Martin, Kris Humphries, and rookie Kawhi Leonard all play integral roles. Rajon Rondo could be a big help if he can rip off some AST to possibly steal the category from the Monkeys. The problem for Team Heffa is that they are actually worse in TO than the Monkeys, and aren't much higher in PTS (unless Black Mamba explodes), which could prove fatal against their small ball opponents. Jose's team does have the distance shooters to compete with Evan however, so that's another category to carefully monitor.
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