Vancouver Metro Basketball League

Mark Tasic, Heart,Hustle & Soul – 37
Ben Lee, Bullets – 26
Brent Charleton, Heart, Hustle & Soul – 26
Neb Aleksic, SWAT – 25
Nick Vojic, Bullets – 22
Jason Reynolds. Velvet Hoop – 22
Jason Dmyterko, Ballhawgs – 22
Jason Boering, Heart,Hustle & Soul – 21
Mike Baxter, EA Sports – 21
Sherlan John, SWAT – 20

Vancouver United (6-3) 75 – EA Sports (3-6) 70 (OT)

The first half of this game was completely EA’s as they dictated the play, having  United down 17 points at one point but the second half would prove to be much different. United clawed their way back into the game with a balanced effort from their entire squad. Fast forward to the dieing minutes with EA clinging to a slim 61-59 lead. Mio for United makes a big basket to tie the game up at 61. EA turns the ball over with 17 seconds on the clock. United get the ball to their sharp-shooter Hardeep who waits for the final clicks before he jacks up a shot that misses sending this game to overtime, the first extra session of the season in the Metro League. EA come out firing in OT, but United are keeping pace. United, down 68-64 get a monster three from point guard Greg cutting the EA lead to just one with a minute to go. EA go down the floor and miss, United turn the other way and miss on their first attempt but get a huge rebound and put back from big-man Kerri Westmore giving United the 69-68 lead with 30 seconds to play. EA come down the floor and turn the ball over to Greg who gets fouled with EA in the penalty giving Greg two free throws. Greg hits one of two. EA then turns the ball over again on the inbound sending Hardeep to the line with a chance to ice the game. He calmly hits them both giving United a four point lead. EA would get a quick two but would be forced to foul with seconds left on the clock giving United easy free throws to seal the win. United stay in the third place in the Metro League with a very impressive hard fought victory over EA who are slumping badly dropping their fourth game in a row.

Canada One (9-0) 71 – 3D (5-4) 68

It wasn’t the prettiest game from the Metro League’s top team but Canada One remain unbeaten with a win over 3D. This was a rematch of last seasons Metro League final, one that 3D lost so you know they were looking for some redemption and they came out in the first half to prove it. This game was a seesaw battle throughout as either team was able to make much separation from  one another. C1 held a 37-33 lead at the half, but 3D seemed to have an answer anytime C1 looked to try and go a on a run. With under 10 seconds to go and up 70-65 C1 get a huge rebound from star Clayton Crellin that puts him on the line. Crellin hits one of two giving his squad a six point edge with time ticking away. 3D would get three back but the clock wasn’t on their side. C1 get a scare but remain undefeated.

Bullets (5-4) 73 – Sonic Boom (5-4) 65

Bullets Ben Lee had another good week dropping 26 points including four threes while teammate Nick Vojic did his part putting in 22 points helping the Bullets go back over the .500 mark. The Boomer’s got a balanced attack from their entire roster, getting 19 points from top scorer Igor Dutina, 15 and 17 from guards Lonzell Webster and Robbie Loehle and 12 from sharp-shooter Paul Rother but it wouldn’t be enough as Sonic Boom slip out of third in the Metro League Standings.

SWAT (6-3) 80 – Velvet Hoop (4-5) 61

This was a very close game in the first half with Velvet taking a 40-38 lead into the break. In the second the SWAT offense came to life. SWAT used an inside-outside game to break the zone Velvet was playing and got results. Big-man Darren Spithoff and Nick were controlling the paint while sharp-shooter’s Neb Aleksic and Sharlan John were knocking down J’s helping SWAT pull away in the second half. Velvet got a strong game from guard Jason Reynolds (22 points) and big-man Ben Schellenberg (15 points) but it wouldn’t be enough as SWAT remain in third place in the Metro League standings while Velvet Hoop slip back to under .500.

Team Ice (2-7) 76 – Team Nike (1-8) 50

Ice got double-digit scoring from four different players helping them earn just their second W of the season with an easy victory over Nike. Nerad Lojopur and Ernest Lau put in 15 points each for Ice while Jeremiah Al scored 19 points for the Nike in the loss.

Heart, Hustle & Soul (9-0) 125 – Ballhawgs (0-9) 55

H.H.S. remain unbeaten with an easy win over the Metro Leagues basement dwellers, the Ballhawgs. H.H.S. got double-digit scoring from five different players including a week high 37 from big-man Mark Tasic. For the Ballhawgs it was another big week from their top scorer Jason Dmyterko who put down 22 in a losing effort.

Vancouver Metro Basketball League - Week 9

Looks like one of the most influential ball players of all-time is hanging his Reeboks up. For how long though?

Retiverson?

Socks

Heres a helpful video from a Metro League player on what socks you need for you ballers out there.

Enjoy!

By Andrew ‘Soda’ Wadden

In respect to LeBron James this will be the only blog I will write in regards to the summer of 2010 NBA free agent sweepstakes. James was quoted last week saying that he was through answering questions about his future in Cleveland so I shall give my two cents and never speak of it again, at least till the end of this season that is. The summer of 2010 is filled with many superstars looking to either re-sign or explore their options. Of the many names that are available they’re three names that have everyone talking and that’s James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Most insiders and experts are expecting all three of these maximum contract all-stars to relocate to new cities. James to the Knicks? Wade teaming up with the King? Bosh to head west? Who knows what will happen. Here are my thoughts on what the big three should do this summer.

Wade

D-Wade leaving Miami would break the hearts of the few fans the Heat have left. Wade is Miami. Without Wade there isn’t much talent playing for the Heat. Michael Beasley is possibly the next best player on the team- though they do have a very nice point guard in Mario Chalmers, but other then that the cupboards are bare. If any team needs their star to stay it has to be the Heat. Unfortunately for Miami I see D-Wade heading home this summer, signing in his hometown of Chicago. Think about it. It’s the perfect place for Wade to get another shot at a title. This young Bulls team has some flat-out talent. Derrick Rose is in the top five of point guards in the NBA, and Joakim Noah is one of the more budding forwards in the L. Add Wade to this roster and watch the Bulls rise to the top of the Eastern Conference. Does Michael Jordan signing Wade to his Jordan Brand give us some insight that Wade could be heading home? Probably not, seeing as Jordan is kind of associated with the Charlotte Bobcats-though that is debatable, but it does make the story that much more intriguing.

Bosh

If Miami needs Wade then the same must be said for Toronto needing Chris Bosh. The situation in Toronto wouldn’t be as dire as Miami’s as Toronto does have some quality players in Hedo Turkoglu, Andrea Bargnani and Jose Calderon plus some depth on their bench, but without Bosh the Raps are a non-playoff team let alone a contender in the East. Bosh is the heart and soul of this organization, the poster boy for a team that is branded throughout Canada not just Toronto. To think he doesn’t know this would be stupid. And that is why I think Bosh will stay put in Toronto. Chris loves the spotlight and would have a hard time garnering that spotlight if he was to return to the States. In Canada, Chris Bosh is a hero even more so if he helps bring the Raptors back to the playoffs this spring. When the Raptors are winning all of Canada is watching, raising Bosh’s profile that much more. If the Raps get back to the post-season I feel it’s a 100% lock that we’ll see Bosh back in the black, red and white next season.

James

The most prized piece of the sweepstakes is the mighty King James. LeBron’s situation is much more complex then anyone elses. A Cleveland boy who has to make a tough decision to scorn his hometown and go elsewhere or stay home and help bring Cleveland their first title-that is if they don’t win it this year. The big rumor of James signing with the Knicks I would say is a long shot. The bright lights of New York are far brighter then Cleveland’s but the lowly Knicks roster is a far cry from the Cavs. I really can’t see James going to a team that is rebuilding. Maybe, just maybe if the Knicks had grabbed Brandon Jennings in this summers draft- seeing how good of a rookie season he’s having, James may have considered NYC. Unfortunately the Knicks took big man Jordan Hill whose first season so far hasn’t been much of success. The other hot rumor is LBJ heading  to New Jersey or Brooklyn, but I mean come on, the Nets are brutal. It’s not gonna happen. If the Knicks are rebuilding then what are the Nets doing?  If the Cavs win the title this year, I say he stays in Cleveland. If not, it’s too tough to say. Would LeBron actually take less money to play with Dwyane Wade? James wants a title and isn’t about to go to New York or New Jersey  to win one five years from now. He wants it now but would he leave money on the table to get one? Wade and  James on the same team would not only equal a title, it would equal multiple titles. Could the two superstars split there fees and become legends in the realm of Kareem and Magic, Bird and McHale (and Parrish) and Jordan and Pippen? This summer we’ll all find out.

Velvet Hoop (4-4) 72 – 3D (5-3) 68

Top Scorers
Velvet Hoop – Chris Horwood (30)
3D – Nate Ashmead (22)

Heart, Hustle & Soul (8-0) 80 – SWAT (5-3) 69

Top Scorers
H.H.S. – Jason Boering (28)
SWAT – Neb (22)

Sonic Boom (5-3) 79 – Ballhawgs (0-8) 63

Top Scorers
Sonic Boom – Paul Rother (24)
Ballhawgs – Jason Dmyterko (38)

Bullets (4-4) 101 – EA Sports (3-5) 65

Top Scorers
Bullets – Ben Lee (28)
EA – Matt  Ng (21)

Vancouver United (5-3) 87 – Team Nike (1-7) 43

Top Scorers
Van United – Hardeep (26)
Nike – Patrick (14)

Canada One (8-0) 115 – Team Ice (1-7) 96

Top Scorers
C1 – Navi Sekhon (47)
Ice – Jordan Al-Asadi (16)

By Andrew ‘Soda’ Wadden

Ladies and gentlemen, A.I. has left the building!

Without even getting a chance to cart him out to their home crowd the Memphis Grizzlies and Allen Iverson have parted ways. The former M.V.P. and the Grizzlies are finished after the Grizzlies announced that they and Iverson have come to an agreement to dissolve his contact after getting just three games from Allen, all of which came on the road. You got to feel for Iverson. Not long ago Allen was one of the biggest stars in the game, but ever since he was shipped from Denver to Detriot it’s been a roller-coaster ride for A.I. Allen’s time spent in Denver was positive for the most part, though no playoff success was his ultimate demise from the Nuggets. Taking a look at what the Nugs needed the most at the time, it was easy to see why they traded Iverson to the Pistons for Chauncey Billups. The Nuggets already had scorers Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith, and they needed a true point guard to get Melo and Smith baskets. The Pistons were just flat out the wrong team for Allen. A veteran team that already had two very capable starting guards in Richard Hamilton and Rodney Stuckey. With Rip and Stuckey as starters Iverson was banished to the bench, and if there’s anything Allen hates more then practice, it’s being told to come off the bench. It’s just not an option for Iverson. Rightfully so.
Remember this, Iverson just two years ago was third in the NBA in scoring with 26.4 PPG, behind only Lebron James and Kobe Bryant. At 34 Iverson still has game, he just needs the right environment to prove so. The Grizzlies needed a cheap solution to put fans in their seats and adding Iverson without considering what they already had was a mistake. They should have known better. The Grizz already had a young nucleus of budding stars in O.J. Mayo, Mike Conley and Rudy Gay. Adding Iverson to this bunch was like adding oil to water, they won’t mix. So now he’s gone from Memphis without a team to play for. Is there a place still for Allen Iverson in the NBA? Yes. Question is where? Rumors of the Knicks showing some interest. Iverson on Broadway playing for Mike D’Antoni’s uptempo offense is a mix that might actually make sense. In New York, Allen would get free-reign to light it up night in and night out, which I’m sure any Knick fan would rather see as Nate Robinson, Wilson Chandler and Larry Hughes don’t seem to be capable to do so. It should be very interesting to see who will take a stab at Iverson next. Whomever that it will be, they better have 20 plus shots a game to give and have a starting position available or they won’t be getting the real Answer.

Here are the Top 10 Scorers from Week Seven.

Navi Sekhon, Canada One – 38
Clayton Crellin, Canada One – 36
Mike Baxter, EA Sports – 37
Mark Tasic, Heart, Hustle & Soul – 27
Hardeep, Vancouver United – 25
Jason Boering, Heart, Hustle & Soul – 25
Igor Dutina, Sonic Boom – 25
Ben Lee, Bullets – 24
Paul Rother, Sonic Boom – 23
Nate Ashmead, 3D – 22

3D (5-2) 73 – Bullets (3-4) 70

This game was was without a doubt the game of the week as these two well matched teams battled throughout the entire 50 minutes. The play went back-and-forth with 10 different lead changes with either team giving the other much of a gap. With just a 1:30 left on the clock and 3D up by four the Bullets got a massive block from Jaime Robinson that kept them in the game. Bullets, down three with 30 seconds left elect not to foul which works out for them as they got the ball back with one last chance to tie. The ensuing play the Bullets just can’t seem to find a shooter and turn the ball over which seals their fate. 3D got huge games from Nate Ashmead (22 points) and Jason Hubbs (19 points), while the Bullets high-man was Ben Lee  with 24 points including four three-pointers.

Heart, Hustle & Soul (7-0) 93 – Team Ice (1-6) 85

H.H.S. remain unbeaten but get a bit of scare from a very tough Ice squad. Led by the hot scoring of Mark Tasic (27 points), Jason Boering (25 points) and Bryson Cool ( 21 points), H.H.S. were able to keep pace with Canada One at the top of the Metro League standings. Ice got a balanced effort with four players scoring in double figures including a solid 19 from big-man Taize Powell, but even with their hard work still find themselves at the bottom of the league with just a one win so far this season.

Vancouver United (4-3) 66 – Velvet Hoop (3-4) 66

Velvet Hoop actually led this 29-27 going into half-time, but the second half proved to be another story. United came to life in the second going on a 16-3 run early, giving them a commanding lead which they never gave up. United was led by one of the Metro League’s top scorers Hardeep, who poured in 25 points, 14 of them coming in the second half. Chris Horwood was the top-man for Velvet Hoop with 14.

SWAT (5-2) 70 – Ballhawgs (0-7) 52

It took SWAT half the game to get themselves together but they managed to pull out the win in the end. The ‘Hawgs were very much in the game early on, holding a slim one-point lead at the 12 min mark, but SWAT countered outscoring the ‘Hawgs 15-7 to close out the half, taking the 34-27 lead into the break. SWAT opened the second half on a 7-2 run and kept pushing the tempo, pulling away from the ‘Hawgs led by forwards Darren Spithoff and Andrew Sturgeon who each scored 17 points.   From the losing side the Ballhawgs got another impressive game from Jason Dmyterko who was the game-high scorer with 20 points.

Canada One (7-0) 105 – EA Sports (3-4) 93

EA dictated the tempo of this game early holding the lead throughout the first half , that is until C1 found some life and took control in the dieing minutes of the first, taking a 57-52 lead into the half. The second saw C1 really pour it on. Once again the two stars from C1, Navi Sekhon and Clayton Crellin were the difference as the two of them went off dropping 38 and 36 points respectively. EA’s top stud Mike Baxter did his best to keep his squad in putting down 37 points but it wouldn’t be enough as C1 parted the seas in the second half to remain undefeated.

Sonic Boom (4-3) 115 – Team Nike (1-6) 46

Lead by 25 points from Igor Dutina, 23 from Paul Rother and 20 points from Robbie Loehle, Sonic Boom go a game over .500 with a blow-out win over Team Nike. In what was a lopsided game Nike just couldn’t seem to find a rhythm which the Boomers took advantage of cruising to the easy win.