2022 Toilet Bowl: Monkeying Around

After seven straight seasons in the playoffs, CHMK fell into the Toilet Bowl after a 0.500 season. Previously, CHMK had only ever missed the playoffs twice in the previous twelve seasons. Since their title run in 2018, the Monkeys have been contenders, but didn’t advance to another Finals.

The last time CHMK was in the Toilet Bowl, in 2014, they went all the way to the TB Finals, and had a guaranteed first overall pick—due to a Chris Paul trade where they owned Toilet Bowl opponent FJUB’s first round pick as well. (CHMK took Andrew Wiggins with the pick, and also got Jabari Parker at number two.) This time out, CHMK had to win the right to first choice and took care of business behind a huge scoring week from Jordan Poole. The Toilet Bowl Finals were basically a Poole versus Darius Garland show, as both put up monster numbers.

It was a close victory though, as CHMK pulled off the upset against top-seeded ILCN by a mere two STL and one BLK, securing them the 5-3-1 win. The real heroes of the matchup were likely Herb Jones (2 STL, 3 BLK), Isaiah Roby (4 STL, 4 BLK), and Drew Eubanks (6 STL, 3 BLK). All those defensive stats were needed to fend off ILCN’s Garland, who grabbed twelve steals on the week.

Having found Desmond Bane and Jordan Poole as his new backcourt of the future—how long will James Harden stay with CHMK is an open question, as Harden is tied with Steph Curry as the longest tenured player for one SlamNation team at thirteen seasons—GM Evan will now get a tremendous new piece to add to his rebuilding team. Congrats Chunky Monkeys, on yet another number one overall selection!

As for the Toilet Bowl runner-up, ILCN is also in a great position to improve his keeper core—which doesn’t need much help frankly, with Garland, Luka Doncic, and Donovan Mitchell around. ILCN’s first season in SlamNation, in 2018, also resulted in a run to the Toilet Bowl finals—where they lost to SWMP. Back then they needed a Cinderella-run to make it to the last game, but this time they were the Toilet Bowl favorites, with a 10-9-1 regular season record. So, despite a loss to CHMK, GM Frank will have the luxury of selecting in the top three—with SPDE getting the 2023 RD1.2 pick due to the so-called “SWMP rule.” In a projected three superstar draft, ILCN are going to be well positioned for next season and for many seasons afterward!