2004 CBA Playoffs Re-cap

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Gary vs. Idaho:
That series came down to the Idaho Stampede shutting down David Graves on his 3-point success rate (only one made in game 3 and NONE made during game 4). There were two to four hands in his face every time he got the ball.

Game 3. I only wish I had the Genesis Center beer concession for that ONE night. I have not seen beer flow so freely since...well..., since ANY Saint Patrick's Day!

And what's up with the game 3 crowd? The Steelheads have had much larger crowds, but that was with the help of regular season group sales and promotions. Gary fans came out of the woodwork to show up for playoff game three--3,132 fans. Many of whom I have not seen at a Steelheads' game ever before (at least not in the section where I sit). That would not be so bad, but these strangers were yelling at the refs, coaches, players, and the little lady serving drinks like they have been supporting the team ALL season. Heck! If that was the case, you would never have a crowd below 3,000 in Gary--even on a Tuesday night.

And what's up with the game 4 crowd? Geez! Have a little faith that the series will go at least four games when you order your tickets next time. Only a little over 2,100 fans on a Saturday night--yet an almost entirely NEW bunch of NEW fans from the night before. Same atmosphere though, as if they have been supporting the team ALL year...they didn't have the little waitress lady to kick around though. She did not bother to show up. I think she earned enough tips the night before to hold her over until next season.

[not so fast]

Ken, I was at the Gary game saturday night, I was suprised at the small crowd, especially after the big crowd for the Rockford game just the saturday before last. But it still was a loud crowd, certainly in my section.

As fas as the game itself, Tim Wynn was a bad signing, and it left Gary shorthanded which made Jemeil play too many minutes. Gary players did not read the double teams well and they needed another scorer who could create a shot off the dribble. You can't win with the players they had left against a good team like Idaho with so few players. certainly not back to back.

Mcphearson and Livingston were sensational in the fourth quarter.

Shelly Clark is a good player, but he does some really dumb things at times like trying to make a blind pass over his shoulder, which results into a turnover, and this was a do or die playoff game, and that kind of thing is plain stupid.

The food at the Genesis cost too much. I waited in line for a long time only to get food that cost more than the Bucks game I went to, then to add insult to injury, it was a really small portion.

Outside, the parking lots guys and the Gary Police do a great job. Thats like the only place in Gary I feel safe (just kidding).

Overall, the ownership in Gary has truly done a magnificant job, in making basketball a happening in Gary and the surrounding areas.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

The small Saturday night crowd in Gary didn't surprise me. I don't think the Steelheads front office did much marketing with the post season in mind. It seems like they were just as happy as everyone else in Northwest Indiana to simply make it this far. However, the primary reason for 2,100 on a Saturday night was because the citywide JROTC drill team competition was on the same day. The drill team competition has been one of the largest draws for years.

Pickings were pretty slim at the reserve 'one' guard position after Keith McLeod went overseas. Who do you sign if not Tim Wynn? The ABA guys were available (since they had a short season and tourney), but who?

Yeah, I remember the infamous "no look" pass well. The Steelheads played "jittery" both home games. The only difference is that Idaho played more jittery Friday night when Gary won. The Steelheads' owner says that he wants to keep the team together for next year. I don't know about that. Jemeil Rich has already stated that he will consider returning if he gets a pay raise...I don't know about that either. Is there a salary cap in the CBA?

No doubt. Gary has earned its reputation as "Scary Gary", but those blocks surrounding the Genesis Center and the U.S. Steel Yard baseball park (the stadium district) are probably the safest blocks in the center city. They are even building a 'Kenny's Ribs' for you not so fast across the street from the ballpark...yeah, I heard their ribs were lousy too.

[not so fast]

Ticknor should have brought in a back-up point guard a long time ago, and kept him, someone who would have learned his system, not demanded a lot in pay, and given him eight to 12 minutes a game. Instead of bringing in NBA guys like frankie king, and guys who want and expect a lot of minutes. I am always told about how their are so many guards that can play at the minorleague level, well then how come Gary can't find one as a decent back-up for Jemeil, so he can be fresh down the stretch of that game and Gary would still be playing in game 5?

Idaho had enough guts to go with a guard as their rookie and it worked out great for them, because the coaches were patient and knew he would be okay in time. Theres this theory in the CBA held by some coaches that you can't have a rookie point guard, and I would agree that you can't have a rookie point guard start, but you certainly can have one as a back-up.

Mcklroy plays hard but must develop a shot from the perimeter, Gee played as if he was tired saturday, Clark plays as if this was a game they could afford to lose, Rich played his heart out but he just could not carry this whole team any longer.

I agree there was a frenzie style of play by Gary, but they only had really seven players (Wynn does not count) and they ran out of gas.

Oh well, on to Rockford/Dakota.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

not so fast,
Beats me, as to the point guard situation. I guess this means you weren't impressed with Tim Winn (Wynn?) when he was with the Rockford Lightning earlier this year. :shock: :)

I am most interested in the management/ownership aspects of minor league sports, as anyone may have already guessed from my posts. I enjoy doing the math. Can't say that I have much of a clue when it comes to player personnel though. All I know is if I never see Bruno Sundov grace a Gary uniform again, then it will still be too soon.

Speaking of never gracing a Gary uniform...Coach Ticknor saw me wearing my Gary 'dark' jersey before the Gary/Rockford season finale and asked if that meant he had to take me on the road. When I answered, "Yes of course," he must have made the decision right then to sign ANYBODY else at point guard. :lol:

[not so fast]

Actually, I did not see wynn play at rockford this season, but what i saw saturday was enough! (yuk)

I miss notree and galen young, they were very good players.

The steelheads actually have a very class owner, I met him this summer and he is truly a god person.

I see Osborne will be a head coach in the USBL. He should do a good job there.

Its time your mayor hire a Bulldozer and go down Broadway ave. and flatten those abandon buildings, and get some redevelopment there. Gary could be revitalized with some investors.

And by the way, you are so right about Kennys chicken and ribs,,, BAD!!!!

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

I am always told about how their are so many guards that can play at the minorleague level, well then how come Gary can't find one as a decent back-up for Jemeil, so he can be fresh down the stretch of that game and Gary would still be playing in game 5?


Think in terms of the minor leagues being AAA, AA, and A. Now think in terms of the CBA being AAA. Not many guards can compete at the AAA level. Not many basketball players at any position can compete at the AAA level. For that matter, not many athletes in any sport can compete at the AAA level.

The problem wasn't with the Steelheads guard positions. The problem was with the big men down low--all season long. Shelly Clark couldn't do it by himself. Four Forward Luis Trusscott, Gary's second first round pick, played well but an injury put him out early in the season. Leon Smith was able to provide Shelly with a little help for a little while, but Leon had his "final mental meltdown" and Shelly was soon on his own again. Big Jermaine Williams needs another year to refine his game. Let's not mention 7'2" Bruno Sundov, who almost cost Gary a playoff spot. 6'9" Lee Nailon shot well from everywhere and didn't seem to mind playing in the CBA after spending so much time in the NBA. The NBA obviously took note of these facts and called him back up after only 3 games with Gary. Big ole Olden Polynice DID mind playing in the CBA after spending so much time in the NBA and demanded to be a starter although he was only slightly more effective than Bruno "Basketball is a contact sport?" Sundov. Jarrod Gee played well during the regular season, but had a rough playoff series. The big men were unable to compensate when David Graves got shut down.

[not so fast]

I agree in terms of different levels of talent, but to suggest that a (and I'll use your example) double A guard could not play 8- 12 minutes and hold the fort down while your triple A guard gets his much needed rest, is not really true. Jemeil Rich had to do everything but sell popcorn at halftime for this team to win, and its not fair to him.

The bigs on Gary were as good as everyone elses all season. The record would reflect that. Its the backcourt that was really just one player most of the season.

By the way the officiating is really bad in the CBA. I think these guys need to be expected to do a better job. Half the time there are not in good position to make the correct call, and really that is just plain laziness.

Finally, too make my point again, if you recall, early in the game, Bailey had the ball alot and he penetrated and did some good things for Idaho, but down the stretch I saw Livingston demand the ball the entire fourth quarter and he closed out the game at point guard and controlled the game for Idaho to get the victory.

[WIZ Kid]

WIZ: 29 26 20 33 = 108
ROCK: 23 31 24 29 = 107


AWESOME GAME !!!
I felt like I was there. Those announcers in Rockford, though obviously biased, kept the game exciting !!!
Did'nt sound as though the ref's dictated the game to much tonight.

GREAT GAME ROCKFORD !


WHEW !!! :shock:

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

I've got Dakota to win the CBA championship in one game straight.