2008 IBL All*Star Game

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

The Gary Steelheads play the next day, June 13th too, but...
http://www.etruth.com/Know/Sports/Story.aspx?ID=452091

"The games that count are the games that matter," Beathea said. "We're trying to win a championship, and on the 12th, we need to be getting ready for the 13th."


I hope this is more inspirational material. 8)

[winds55]

The Gary Steelheads play the next day, June 13th too, but...

Yes, but do they play the 11th, 14th and 15th also??

I'm disappointed there will be no current Express players at the All-Star game, but I understand Coach's viewpoint. I still plan to be at the game, though. Will I get booed or banned if I wear an Express shirt? :-)

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Yes, but do they play the 11th, 14th and 15th also??

I'm disappointed there will be no current Express players at the All-Star game, but I understand Coach's viewpoint. I still plan to be at the game, though. Will I get booed or banned if I wear an Express shirt? :-)

I'm disappointed too because there are bound to be some scouts in attendance and I personally would like to see the Express all*stars play. Oh well.

No, you won't get booed of banned if you wear an Express shirt. Gary is a very friendly city (as you may have noticed on your other trips to the Genesis Center). Much friendlier than Indianapolis. Almost as friendly as Pittsburgh. Must be all the nearby steel mills.

[homeboypla]

Seems the IBL has two ALL-Star Games? After talking with the Explosion GM yesturday in Portland the East West game is not the official game. I guess there was supose to be players from other teams in the West that were told to skip this event and just go to the North South Event???

I am really confused with the IBL this year and talking with the previous owner of the Portland team yesturday the IBL (I guess the league is running Portland this year not an owner) is really messing up on things and just telling teams and owners to like the IBL (spring league of the ABA) our get out.

[winds55]

Seems the IBL has two ALL-Star Games? After talking with the Explosion GM yesturday in Portland the East West game is not the official game. I guess there was supose to be players from other teams in the West that were told to skip this event and just go to the North South Event???

I am really confused with the IBL this year and talking with the previous owner of the Portland team yesturday the IBL (I guess the league is running Portland this year not an owner) is really messing up on things and just telling teams and owners to like the IBL (spring league of the ABA) our get out.

Do you have any kind of documentation on this at all? Links to newspaper articles? Any kind of website advertising this North South event? (North and South of what? The US/Canadian border? Mason/Dixon line?) Surely with all your connections you can post some kind of link for verification. The IBL website mentions only the game in Gary - unless you're referring to the "Best of the Best" game being played in conjunction with the West championship game - which isn't news, it's been part of that championship game series when it was first announced.

[besl]

Do you have any kind of documentation on this at all? Links to newspaper articles? Any kind of website advertising this North South event? (North and South of what? The US/Canadian border? Mason/Dixon line?) Surely with all your connections you can post some kind of link for verification. The IBL website mentions only the game in Gary - unless you're referring to the "Best of the Best" game being played in conjunction with the West championship game - which isn't news, it's been part of that championship game series when it was first announced.

I think what he is referring to is indeed the "Best of the Best" game -- which really should be called the "Best of the Rest in the West". It's only going to feature players from the Western Conference, and I wonder how many players are actually going to participate since those playing in the championship game are of course going to sit out, and teams that were eliminated in the quarter- or semi-finals might already be headed home.

Official or not, I think the All-Star Game in Gary on Thursday is going to be the best individual player showcase this season.

[homeboypla]

I was just checking with Brad of the Explosion and he informed me that since most of the team on the West Coast have gams Friday most teams are not sending out All Stars with the best team in the League on the East side not sending All Stars is this really an All Star game or a Best of whoever can make it?

Tacoma and my boys are playing Friday in a pivital game for the Explosion and they are sending 0 people? I wonder if Bellingham losses a game this weekend trying to go coast to coast would be interesting if they do.

I would much rather see the best players in an 8-10 team tournament play in an All-Star Game then seeing a few stars play a game with no true superstars.

I guess the Chill can send there best of the current loosing road team to the game but this is not an All Star game with 80% of the stars no going.

Here is the West Division All Stars not making the trip.. PS the best player from Bellingham Tyler Amaee is not making the trip and is the only thing that scares me against my boyz the Explosion.

David Lucas - Portland
Kenny Tate - Portland
Larry Smith - Portland
Dante Harris - Tacoma
Justin James - Everett
Donald Watts - Everett
Jamell Miller - Everett
Alex Hartman - Vancouver
Porter Troupe - Vancouver
Kevin Bloodsaw - Vancouver
Jalonta Martin or Cliff White - Hotshots
Lorenzo Rollings - Tacoma


O-- and let me say on the East Coast the five starters for Elkhart should be there also and no one is showing up...

This middle of the season all star game is a cime and should be called the best of whoever could show up and doesn't affect regurlar season standings... I would laugh to see belingham loose a game or two because they fly out to this game.

You want to see the best of the West come out to the North South game during the playoffs.. You want to see the best of the East go to an Elkhart vs Gary game... Enough said...

[besl]

This middle of the season all star game is a cime and should be called the best of whoever could show up and doesn't affect regurlar season standings... I would laugh to see belingham loose a game or two because they fly out to this game.


Aren't All-Star games supposed to be in the middle of the season? Putting it at the end of the season after the champion has already been crowned makes it kind of irrelevant (like the Pro Bowl).

What the IBL should have done when they were making the schedules is set aside a weekend during the season when no teams were playing just for the All-Star game.

I think what it really comes down to is most teams are too cheap to actually send their players to the game, because we've already determined that the regular season is meaningless in this league, right? Supposedly 16 out of 17 teams are going to make the playoffs, so records really don't matter unless you're that awful, awful Chinese team struggling for a playoff spot.

[Elkhart_Fan]

As a fan, my disappointment in the IBL is that things aren't ever set in stone. It seems that every time you turn around the Commissioner is changing his mind on something, like last years playoff debacle. The schedule for this year is horrible, and this is just another example of that. I love the Express, and see many great athletes that come into Elkhart. I just wished the IBL front office would get their act together and start running this league the way it should be run.

[Pounder]

I regard that comment as a bit of confirmation of a suspicion. It's now coming from both ends of the map.

Dulilo is slipping. He's losing his touch... and maybe some control, perhaps by trying to grab more of it.

Something's not right here.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

:roll: What's up with the Elkhart Express not sending any players to the 2008 IBL all*star game?!? Okay, the game doesn't count in the standings and the Express are currently playing a busy schedule, but there is a bigger picture. The bigger picture is exposure for the IBL, exposure for the players, and exposure for the Elkhart Express. Gary, Indiana is in the Chicago media market afterall. Geez! It's not like the Express are in danger of losing a place in the standings with a current record of 15-1.

http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080611/SPORTS12/806110350/1170/Sports
The Express are completely focused on the task at hand and that's why no stars from the team will take part in the IBL All-Star Game slated for Thursday night in Gary. Beathea has decided to send his four players from China to represent his franchise and take part in the game in which participation is strictly voluntary. The league will honor its All-Star selections after the season. Each coach can nominate four players to be considered for All-Star honors.


Sending four Chinese players to represent the Express in the all*star game is not going to cut it. Those players may be all*stars in China (who knows?), but those players do not represent the best the Express have to offer. Not by a long shot.

Oh well. Maybe this will backfire on the Express in some way.

[Elkhart_Fan]

Ken - Don't blame Coach Beathea for a terrible scheduling job by the IBL front office. The all-star game is a joke in its current format, and Coach Beathea has never made it a secret that his team's number one goal year-in-and-year-out is winning championships.

I think you would see the same kind of result if the NBA tried to schedule their all-star game in the same format as the IBL front office is. I agree with a comment from a post earlier....Duilio is slipping, can't hide that fact....but just don't blame Coach Beathea for Duilio's mistakes.

[winds55]

Maybe this will backfire on the Express in some way.

In some negative publicity, perhaps. And probably a heck of a lot of "Who do you think you are?" comments. I don't know who creates the schedules, but it's just crazy. 4 games in 5 nights?

But look at it this way - you'll be able to see the Chinese players you were wondering about!

[tbayz1]

But look at it this way - you'll be able to see the Chinese players you were wondering about!

Let me know how they do, I'm also curious. :D

I wish I could see them in person as a sneak peak, or even online. The IBL should get an online broadcast. The LA Lightning have one.

[homeboypla]

After talking with Canyons Owner Rick a sponsor of the Explosion Basketball team it seems the Explosion is looking for sponsors of the tournament beacuse the IBL does not pay for officals or prizes for the tournament does anyone know if Elkhart has to pay for everything also.

I find it hard to see the IBL grow and worry about the Explosion being in the IBL next year I keep hearing that they might go to the ABA... Please no they are not better maybe even worst.

Seems the IBL is out of money and making teams pay for League Tournaments? How unclassy is that...

The brothers play with the Explosion because they are a class orginization group with 700 plus people per game same players as last year and same coach. Yet the Hotshots seem to have a new coach each week.

The owner can't keep coaches can he keep teams?

[MJHankel]

Gotta post pics

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

This pic is from the pre-game 3-point shooting contest:
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/kennethap/DSCI0688.jpg

Opening tip:
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/kennethap/DSCI0704.jpg

The East totally dominated the West:
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/kennethap/DSCI0707.jpg

[not so fast]

Everyone needs to read the article in the Gary Tribune newspaper about this so called all star game. that is so revealing, it isnt funny. This ibl has hit an all time low. In fact it was better run 3 years ago than it is today.

Ken I know you dont like the PBL, but you must admit, even the PBL would not put something like this together.

Jewell harris not available for comment to Gary press after this debacle?


Im sorry, it might be time for the ibl to suspend itself for a year and regroup as well. or get a different commisioner who cares about the league improving.

[homeboypla]

hahahahaha None of the names in the boxscore for the West are stars besides bellingham and most would not even make it on some teams...

hehehhehehe This is so funny. The IBL Commsioner is just insaine now and it seems the Explosion is looking for another league to play in as they are FEED up.

I didn't much care for the IBL myself but I do like my team and if the IBL looses good teams they should fold up or let someone else run this league.

It looks like the game was empty did anyone show up..??

I love this artilce so TRUE....
http://www.post-trib.com/sports/1003831,IBLside.article

Seems the Explosion is working with other teams on a possible new league that is owner ran instead of one man calling the shots. I hope they get something or I will have to go back to watching --- NOTHING as the SONICS are gone also -----

[balling2008]

This is an email that was sent to all the owners a few months ago regarding the *Allstar* game. Interesting!

Owners



The All Star Game held in Gary Indiana on June 12th- just like the East or
West tournament is extra and not a part of our IBL and travel guarantees,
nor do we encourage teams to take part unless they desire so and have the
money to do so; it only being ran to help with P.R. as much as we can. and
b/c Gary is willing to invest about $6K to host it, get it done. that being
said, let's be thankful to Gary for doing this, support them, and let me
tell you about our 2008 All Star plans:



* Gary will be hosting an All Star game on Thursday June 12th, 2008

* Gary has a hosting agreement whereby they really take on about $6K
of expense & risk to do this, so god bless them and let's hope they make
money

* You have an option to send your players to the game; east teams- it
would be nice if you did so (on your own expense)

* If you do send players, your players will be happy and your local
media may give you an article about your players

* This being said, east coaches can drive to the game with their All
Stars on a Thursday and be home by midnight or so

* Everything the IBL does have to be super efficient; for the East
teams this is wildly efficient. I scheduled the All Star game at a time when
Los Angeles and Edmonton will be in the area as well. We did this for
extreme efficiency reasons (we know we can get 7 All Stars from just those 2
teams that are there). The two teams had to travel to the Midwest because
that is how they get the bulk of their away games- so no other teams really
could really be there at this time. It is expected that L.A. will have a lot
of great players and of course Edmonton will have good players too, that is
why I say 7 All Stars are already there. efficient.

* This means we need 3 to 5 more All Stars to come out to Gary to
equal 10 minimum and up to 12 All Stars from at least 5 different teams if
not 6 or 7 teams. I prefer 10 players so that each player puts up big
numbers. The host- Gary (in their deal) has to purchase at least 3 tickets
(in 2009, it will be 5 tickets) for west players (as part of their deal)

* The west is 2-0 in all star games (we did not play a west versus
east all star game in 2007).

* There is no promise as to format beyond 2008- and no promise as to
where an All Star game is located in 2009; but if you want a copy of the
hosting agreement, email me; trust me, you don't want it. It is very
unlikely that I will move the game in Gary, if it goes well in Gary.
Remember, Battle Creek in 2005 had huge attendance during the season and
when given a chance to watch an All Star game in front of the Championship
game (a promoted game), only about 400 people showed up and that was with a
Championship game after (that drew about 2,400 more fans). I can not fight
about the All Star game as I have 20 other battles I am just finishing up
and/or engaged in and this would put me, personally, physically over the
top, so if you have interest in this or any input, start with an email
(about the All Star game).

* So my point is that we need 3 to 5 All Stars go out there, but it
also has to be done efficiently, meaning tickets must be purchased now. That
being said, you will have to pick players that played in 2007- that will be
on your 2008 team as candidates, like Porter Troupe of Vancouver, Dontay
Harris of Tacoma, any of the big 3 from Snohomish County (Miller, Murray or
Powell), and/or any of the 4 Portland guys- that you are sure will be with
you and would use the ticket.

* That being said, here is a reason not to go (I prefer most teams do
not want to go as it makes my job of pre-picking 3 to 5 guys easier):



Reason to not send player to All Star game on June 12:

Explosion you play on June 13 and 14

Tacoma you play on June 13 and 14

Vancouver you play on June 13 and 14

Cent' Oregon you play on June 13 and 14

Eugene you play on June 13 and 14

Portland you play on June 14 and 15

Bellingham you play on June 14 and 15



Another reason not to go is this-

Your official All Stars are not the ones that play in the game, but
officially, they are the ones listed on our site, per your input after the
season end. Restated: players missing this Gary game does not mean they
cannot be 'official 2008 All Stars'. In fact, East All Stars and West All
Stars are given jerseys at halftime of the regional final 4 game (Saturday
night)- those are the official All Stars.



Do you still want to send a player? While I am telling you to not send
players, I do need 3 to 5 players. They would leave on Wednesday night to be
picked up by a Gary representative, driven to one hotel room (3 to a
room)and then transported to the Genesis Center Arena around 2:30pm on
Thursday. The west players that fly in will get to enter one or both of the
dunk contest or the three point contest to make their travel worth it. The
players will be brought from the Genesis Center Arena after the game to a
hotel near the Chicago midway airport on Thursday night after the game so
they can get home first thing on Friday.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

hahahahaha None of the names in the boxscore for the West are stars besides bellingham and most would not even make it on some teams...

hehehhehehe This is so funny. The IBL Commsioner is just insaine now and it seems the Explosion is looking for another league to play in as they are FEED up.

I didn't much care for the IBL myself but I do like my team and if the IBL looses good teams they should fold up or let someone else run this league.

It looks like the game was empty did anyone show up..??

I love this artilce so TRUE....
http://www.post-trib.com/sports/1003831,IBLside.article

Seems the Explosion is working with other teams on a possible new league that is owner ran instead of one man calling the shots. I hope they get something or I will have to go back to watching --- NOTHING as the SONICS are gone also -----

Maybe it only seems like the West had no stars present because THE WEST HAS NO STARS in relation to the East's talent. The West doesn't do well when they play Eastern teams. I don't know about east players playing for the west in the all*star game either. Unless of course I briefly passed-out from the heat and missed it. The Genesis Center won't turn-on the air conditioning for a low-budget league like the IBL.

Did anyone show up?!? I was there and so were about 499 others. The reporters are comparing the last all*star game in Gary (CBA), over 6800 fans with THIS all*star game. Check this out if you want to see a few pics from the Gary CBA all*star game: http://gary-steelheads-fan.tripod.com/

The fault for the low turnout lies squarely with Gary. The only effort to promote the all*star game was a press release two days before the event.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Everyone needs to read the article in the Gary Tribune newspaper about this so called all star game. that is so revealing, it isnt funny. This ibl has hit an all time low. In fact it was better run 3 years ago than it is today.

Ken I know you dont like the PBL, but you must admit, even the PBL would not put something like this together.

Jewell harris not available for comment to Gary press after this debacle?


Im sorry, it might be time for the ibl to suspend itself for a year and regroup as well. or get a different commisioner who cares about the league improving.

Why would the IBL need to suspend itself for a year to regroup? Gary put on the all*star game.

[not so fast]

Let me follow you on this, any team can host an all star game whenever they want? So if elkhart wanted to have an all star game, and Elgin wanted to have an all star game, they could have one?

Ken you are someone i respect greatly, but you my friend, are going down with the ship. This ibl needs leadership. They do not have a leader. Which means they have no direction. every team does whatever they want. players could play on three different teams in three different nights. It is beyond chaos, it is approaching aba status.

Did you not read your Gary post Tribune article? No matter what you say, the league is ultimately responsible, it is carrying the league name as the all star game. This cannot be blamed on Gary, this is the leagues problem, and they want to pass the Buck.

Take control commisioner dulio, what the hell are you the commisioner of? The ibl, otherwise should tell the Gary Steelheads they cannot use the league name for the all star game. Thats pretty simple. They (the ibl) cannot run from this!

[homeboypla]

Why would a league tell teams to not send players???

What type of league is that and why schedule games players could not make it to in the first place.. First off I think this is fake and second of all if the League is sending things like this to teams this is a JOKE OF A LEAGUE>>..

Get OUT Explosion and go to the Dleague or CBA... Both the IBL and ABA are a joke of leagues....

IBL is the Spring League of the ABA....

[winds55]

I was at the same game Ken was at, and I know I didn't pass out from the heat (even without AC, it was cooler than NorthSide Gym has been a couple of times) and the West Stars were from the West. It looked like some of the East players had worked together in a practice earlier, because of some setup shots during the game. So the travel arrangements would have given the 'home' team an advantage, like always.

I enjoyed watching the West players - the three shot contest made me worry a bit about the Express/ Lightening game on Saturday. The game was more enjoyable once the announcer remembered that it was the EAST playing, and not the Steelheads, and once the Steelhead players remembered that, too. I was disappointed about the turnout, but the crowd that was there seemed pretty into the game.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Let me follow you on this, any team can host an all star game whenever they want? So if elkhart wanted to have an all star game, and Elgin wanted to have an all star game, they could have one?

Please go back and read my posts. When did I ever say that or hint at that? You're making up stuff again.

[besl]

I think the general premise for the game was a good one, but the execution was the problem. Most West teams weren't willing to pay to send their players to the game, and Gary apparently did a terrible job promoting the game.

It appears when the game was originally scheduled, Dulio made sure Edmonton and Los Angeles were in the area so they could provide their best players. What he didn't take into account was that these teams' were playing the night before and/or the day after, so the players may not have wanted to participate. As a result, Edmonton and Los Angeles sent their scrubs to partipate in the game.

Bellingham was the only team in the west that sent their best players. A couple of the West's players aren't currently playing in the league (Williams and Ramey) and were only there because they live in the area, and one (A.J. Diggs of Los Angeles) had not played in an IBL game until he played against Gary the next night.

One final thought: How hard would it be for Gary to tape the correct three-point line on the floor?

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Why would a league tell teams to not send players???


Hmmmmmm. Wasn't that all explained in the email reposted in this thread?!? Just a thought.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

I think the general premise for the game was a good one, but the execution was the problem. Most West teams weren't willing to pay to send their players to the game, and Gary apparently did a terrible job promoting the game.

It appears when the game was originally scheduled, Dulio made sure Edmonton and Los Angeles were in the area so they could provide their best players. What he didn't take into account was that these teams' were playing the night before and/or the day after, so the players may not have wanted to participate. As a result, Edmonton and Los Angeles sent their scrubs to partipate in the game.

Bellingham was the only team in the west that sent their best players. A couple of the West's players aren't currently playing in the league (Williams and Ramey) and were only there because they live in the area, and one (A.J. Diggs of Los Angeles) had not played in an IBL game until he played against Gary the next night.

One final thought: How hard would it be for Gary to tape the correct three-point line on the floor?

Los Angeles sent their scrubs?!? Los Angeles sent Billy Knight (formerly of UCLA). Knight won the three-point shooting contest. Los Angeles' Keith Closs did not play in the all*star game though, but played the next night against Gary. Wouldn't matter to me because I didn't like Keith's game back when he played for the Steelheads and Rockford Lightning...and he didn't do much in last night's loss to the Steelheads either. Tall guy even lost the opening tip. I'll say this for him. He's put on a couple of pounds of muscle since I last saw him. Only a couple of pounds though. LOL.

On that final note: Why should Gary change the three-point line and give up their home court advantage? They've been winning so far without altering a thing on the court surface. LOL. I'd much rather see them pay-off the parking attendants in Lot A of the baseball stadium (the lot where the money people park) to put flyers on cars.

[tbayz1]

Keith BOSS Closs...

He played really good here in Buffalo last year, a fan favorite, and he is very funny on and off the court :)

He played in the D-League this past season, he had a decent season. He put up some decent numbers when he got more playing time.

Got any pics from last night Ken?

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Bellingham was the only team in the west that sent their best players. A couple of the West's players aren't currently playing in the league (Williams and Ramey) and were only there because they live in the area, and one (A.J. Diggs of Los Angeles) had not played in an IBL game until he played against Gary the next night.


Shon Williams plays in the league. He plays for the traveling IBL USA all*stars. He was the best of the USA all*stars I saw, IMO. The intention from day one of the season was to use this team as a talent pool. Shon Williams was one of two players representing the Edmonton Chill Thursday night.

Also, the crowd was light, but the quality of crowd was high. More than a few groupies (for lack of a better term) were in attendance. LOL. The afterset (I didn't go) at Bennigan's should have been interesting.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Keith BOSS Closs...

He played really good here in Buffalo last year, a fan favorite, and he is very funny on and off the court :)

He played in the D-League this past season, he had a decent season. He put up some decent numbers when he got more playing time.

Got any pics from last night Ken?

No pics from last night and I'm kicking myself. Forgot the camera. Same type of crowd as the all*star game. The wheelchair Chicago Bulls put on an exhibition at halftime and a dance troupe performed. Something worth photographing, for sure.

Yeah, Closs wore his D-League socks last night. Huh?!? He played well in Buffalo?!? I think he blocked two shots all night last night. One was from a 5'9" point guard...but the point guard was scoring over and around him all night. He is funny though and the fans like to get on him about his weight (or lack thereof).

[besl]

Los Angeles sent their scrubs?!? Los Angeles sent Billy Knight (formerly of UCLA). Knight won the three-point shooting contest.

I was referring mostly to L.A.'s other players in the game (A.J. Diggs/Givens/Minor/Oliver), though Knight was pretty much invisible in the game itself. L.A.'s players might be the reason they lost the game... They shot a combined 16-of-50 according to the box score.

On that final note: Why should Gary change the three-point line and give up their home court advantage? They've been winning so far without altering a thing on the court surface.

You don't think the league should have a consistent 3-point line in every venue they play in? I'd be in favor of having the NBA or FIBA line in every venue because the goal of the league is to try to develop players, but when different venues have different scoring distances, it makes statistics meaningless.

[tbayz1]

No pics from last night and I'm kicking myself. Forgot the camera. Same type of crowd as the all*star game. The wheelchair Chicago Bulls put on an exhibition at halftime and a dance troupe performed. Something worth photographing, for sure.

Yeah, Closs wore his D-League socks last night. Huh?!? He played well in Buffalo?!? I think he blocked two shots all night last night. One was from a 5'9" point guard...but the point guard was scoring over and around him all night. He is funny though and the fans like to get on him about his weight (or lack thereof).

He is quite the character, and the site to look at lol, but the kids love him and so do the fans.

Yeah he played well here in Buffalo last year. Once we got him we went on a 8 game win streak, and knocked off the Jacksonville Jam, who was the #2 seed in the playoffs. This was when the ABA was somewhat decent and before the PBL came around lol

He didn't put up big scoring numbers with us, but he didn't have to, we had scorers, he just played solid D with 10+ rbs and like 6+ blocks per game to go along with 7-12 pts. If we needed him to score though, he could easily put up 20 ppg. Hes got good touch and has a nice shot for a big man. It also helps that he is 7'3" !!

I feel though that his mindset and attitude can set his game back, thankfully he was on the right path in Buffalo and enjoyed it here, I guess hes had some trouble, and drama with other teams hes been with. I guess thats what happens when you have the life and past that hes had. Maybe he was fine in Buffalo because he was surrounded with other guys like him, and we had some real headcases, and guys who had lousy pasts on the Silverbacks - it always entertaining to watch them come together on gameday and put on a show!

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

I was referring mostly to L.A.'s other players in the game (A.J. Diggs/Givens/Minor/Oliver), though Knight was pretty much invisible in the game itself. L.A.'s players might be the reason they lost the game... They shot a combined 16-of-50 according to the box score.



You don't think the league should have a consistent 3-point line in every venue they play in? I'd be in favor of having the NBA or FIBA line in every venue because the goal of the league is to try to develop players, but when different venues have different scoring distances, it makes statistics meaningless.

Well, actually I do think the league should have a consistent 3-point line in every venue. I just don't think it's that important in a league that stresses saving money. Time is money. The time it takes a staffer to tape new 3-point lines is time that could be used to regain lost season ticket holders or some other possible revenue generating activity. The rims are the same height throughout the league, right? I follow independent league baseball. The diamonds are the same, but beyond that every ballpark has different dimensions.

[homeboypla]

Way to go Vancouver I wish you the best, stupid Bellingham sent players to the All Star game and now they lose a huge game. This could be the thing that does not get you the first seed in the Western Division playoffs and a much tougher seeding.

With two wins for the remaining Explosion Games, and one more loss from Edmonton the Explosion finish ahead of you. HAHAHAHAHAH. Chill watch out as Vancouver has your number...

Next year SLAM do not send players to a mid season all-star game that means nothing.....

[besl]

Way to go Vancouver I wish you the best, stupid Bellingham sent players to the All Star game and now they lose a huge game. This could be the thing that does not get you the first seed in the Western Division playoffs and a much tougher seeding.

Next year SLAM do not send players to a mid season all-star game that means nothing.....

I dunno, according to the box score on the Slam's website (here) (http://www.bellinghamslam.com/stats/61408boxscore.htm) the three All-Stars combined for 61 points and 38 rebounds, so I doubt they were the reason they lost.

If you think about it, if they didn't go to the All-Star game, they still have to make a 5 hour van ride south on I-5. What's worse, a drive on I-5 or a flight from Gary, Indiana?

[ChurchSocks]

Great site-- I just found this forum and really glad to read some serious conversation on the league and the Steelheads. I have been to many Steelheads games including the Allstar game. I was dissappointed there was such a anemic crowd but watching Royce lite everyone up was a lot of fun.
My user name comes courtesy of the "the Swamp" when a player came out with white shoes and black socks - the fans yelled "hey you playing with your church socks on?"
All the players were laughing~ CS

[TEN]

Keith BOSS Closs...

He played really good here in Buffalo last year, a fan favorite, and he is very funny on and off the court :)

He played in the D-League this past season, he had a decent season. He put up some decent numbers when he got more playing time.

Got any pics from last night Ken?

Keith BONG Closs is more appropriate!

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

hahahahaha None of the names in the boxscore for the West are stars besides bellingham and most would not even make it on some teams...

hehehhehehe This is so funny. The IBL Commsioner is just insaine now and it seems the Explosion is looking for another league to play in as they are FEED up.

I didn't much care for the IBL myself but I do like my team and if the IBL looses good teams they should fold up or let someone else run this league.

It looks like the game was empty did anyone show up..??

I love this artilce so TRUE....
http://www.post-trib.com/sports/1003831,IBLside.article

Seems the Explosion is working with other teams on a possible new league that is owner ran instead of one man calling the shots. I hope they get something or I will have to go back to watching --- NOTHING as the SONICS are gone also -----

Gary Steelheads player dunking over the opposition. That seems to happen alot, even when it's not an exhibition like the all*star game. LOL.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/kennethap/DSCI0708.jpg

Number 15 in the red and white is Shon Williams of the Edmonton Chill. Number 23 in the Elkhart blue and gold is one of the players from China. Number 11 in the Gary blue and gold is Shaun Fountain. Number 35 in the Gary blue and gold is Quinnell Brown.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/kennethap/DSCI0716.jpg

Keith Closs, Keith Gayden, Sam Mack, Kenyon Gamble, Cedric Moodie, Anthony "Pig" Miller, and other notables didn't play in the all*star game but are ALL in the IBL. Haven't most of these guys played in the CBA also? My point?!? How can the present CBA be considered a more talent-laden league than the IBL when player personnel seems to be approximately the same? Just an observation.

[Pounder]

Ken, I just wanted to issue my congratulations to you on your foam finger.

Can you send pictures?

OK, semi-seriously, I think psbf has reasons for his foam finger, and we may never understand them. With you, I can sense a wrestling over a low-drag league in a not-quite-low-rent facility, which means I can see why you're trying to "sell," so to speak. I admire your efforts, I hope it works... it's tough to bet for it, however. Good luck.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Ken, I just wanted to issue my congratulations to you on your foam finger.

Can you send pictures?

OK, semi-seriously, I think psbf has reasons for his foam finger, and we may never understand them. With you, I can sense a wrestling over a low-drag league in a not-quite-low-rent facility, which means I can see why you're trying to "sell," so to speak. I admire your efforts, I hope it works... it's tough to bet for it, however. Good luck.

Funny you mentioned the foam finger. A story comes with it. LOL.

I wore my authentic Steelheads jersey to the game and I guess this hot (groupie?) chick thought I was some sort of aging point guard waiting my turn in the 3-point shooting contest or something. Well, she kept giving me the eye and the ole smile...she kept that up until she noticed I was armed with a dorky big foam fan finger and that the equally aging woman behind me was my wife. True story.

...well, it's true except for the foam finger. Don't own one. I've got some Thunder Stix though. 8)

[homeboypla]

Again the Explosion Organization does 1000% better then most minor league do in hosting an All Star or Playoff event. Good Job Brad. This should be the official and only IBL All Star Game. North VS South has a great ring.
First they have a Sponsor, second they have a Logo, third they have tickets on sale three weeks before the event, and fourth they have Local NBA Stars of the PAST - SONICS - coaching the All Star Game.

Side NOTE: Fifth they have great showdowns of the Western teams, and the price for tickets is just $30.00 for an all Tournament Pass.
http://www.explosionbasketball.net/leagues/front_pageExplosion.cfm?clientID=2746&leagueID=6887

Now the question is who do root for if my old boys (Explosion) go against my new boys (Slam) in one of these games?

That is the tough question!

[winds55]

First, let me congratulate you on your ability to copy and paste. The same post on three threads strikes me as just a bit excessive, though.

Why you would think this North vs South (aka Best of the Best who are in the West) game should be the IBL ALL-Star game is beyond me. This game will be missing the 5 of the top 11 scorers, 3 of the top 5 rebounders, and 5 of the top 10 assist leaders. There will be no players from the team with the best record (Elkhart Express). While it's likely it will be a fun game to watch, it is in no way representative of the best players in all the IBL. The official All-Star game in Gary had a logo - I couldn't tell you about sponsors or how early they started selling tickets, as I'm in Elkhart, not Gary. You do know that the reason all those 'best' players will be there is because of the playoff, right? Not because it's the great All-Star game.

If you want to see a well-run championship tournament, come to Elkhart. We have sponsors and a logo and I bet we have better attendance. The home team fans come early and cheer on the teams in the early games, too, not just their home team. And I couldn't tell you how much I paid for my East playoff tickets - since I bought them weeks ago.

By the way - North vs South has been done - back in the 1860's. The North won. Some folks in the South are still using their old logo, however.

[Pounder]

OOooooo, I'll help kick it with a Midwest-West fight. Yes!

What's this West Coast Flyers team. Why Olympia? Is Dulilo the "owner" of these?

In attempting to prop up the west, will he kill the whole league off by redirecting resources to the wrong place?

Or is the Midwest a bit, um, too "stoic" for trying to make the big bucks there? Is 3,000 a night in Elkhart any real help?

(FOOD FIGHT!!!)