Pittsburgh Xplosion

[The Magician]

For those Pittsburgh Xplosion fans out there ... Do you feel that the move from the ABA to the CBA was a good move for the team?

Any insight or reflection on how the CEO, Mr. Richard Hersperger, may be feeling about this season and the change in leagues?

[Minor League Man]

The reason they're losing so much is because of free-throw shooting, I bet (Judging from all the close losses.) I think if they had pulled through, they'd be in first place now.

Also, it could take some time to adjust to the competition, and if the owner's in it for the long run, things could go much better in the future.

[psbf]

I am frustrated with how the season has gone, but I remain faithfull and glad that we now have a better coach in Jaren Jackson. When I look back at last season, I do wonder how the Xplosion would have done if we had remained in the ABA. There were much more fans coming out.
I was looking forward to the ABA season and was caught by surprise when the team switched leagues, which many fans around here were hoping for. I don't know if all are still glad that we changed leagues, but I'll continue to support them no matter what league we are in.
As far as leagues, while we did well last year(which I'm sure was a surprise to many), but the downfall was that there was no future(no NBA callups to look forward to). Now we have that, but our record is a turnoff. Right now, we are just playing for next year. I feel the Xplosion are improving under Jackson and quite a few of us feel that they will be a better team next season. So my feelings about whether we are better off in that ABA or CBA, are really mixed. If we had played in the ABA, we would have been in a much smaller Division than we were last year(5 teams this year, to 7 last). But with that in mind, we would have played Rochester and Buffalo(which I was looking forward to). No question, this season has turned out to be a real challenge for us. Last year we had a coach with no pro experience, but the chemistry worked out, which was not the case this year. We had weaker opponents last year, though.
Anyway, I hope I answered your question, that's my view.

[psbf]

Minor League Man, you seem to know a lot about the Xplosion for someone who lives so far from Pittsburgh(btw, I agree with your observation).

[The Magician]

Thanks for your comments Minor League Man & psbf .

It sounds like the Xplosion are in a good position as a result of their move to the CBA.

As a result of the hiring of Coach Jackson, what are the more noticeable changes that you have seen from the team when they are on the floor?

How does the current Xplosion roster compare to the ABA roster of 2005-2006?

Are these the same players from last season, existing CBA players, or a large % of players recruited to play in the CBA for the very first time?

On a scale of 1 - 5 ... With 5 being the highest level of increased performance ... By what factor has the Xplosion had to raise their game to meet the CBA standard of play?

psbf, you mentioned that the attendance is down from last year ... and particular reason(s) why you feel that's happening? What could be done to increase the fanbase?

[psbf]

Magician, I'm a season ticket holder for the Xplosion and I've been to every home game.
Last season, I remember going to the games, the Xplosion were established themselves well, but started with small crowds. One number that stands out, I was among 75 who attended. The Xplosion struggled at first, but still won hanging around the .500 mark early on. But they began to win and more fans noticed. In fact they grew to nearly 2,000 with promotions. One special attraction(I think) was the cheerleading squad known as the 'Bomb Squad'.
But the women gradually left and went from about 18, to 3 to finish the season, and they were a big attraction to the fans. I always enjoyed their between action routines on court. But due to manangement and difficulties, they did not return. The Xplosion made roster changes during the season also which helped make them more competitive and fun to watch. Near then end, they dominated their opponents and were very competitive in their last playoff game(although less than 700 turned out-due to it being televised locally live), only to lose to Bellingham in the late stages of the game.
This year, the losses were tough to watch in the early part of the season and the head coach was let go, in favor of a new one, a few days ago. I think Jaren Jackson's system is starting to get learned. He has a more aggressive approach as I've noticed with the team and they are rebounding more. There have been some leftovers from last year on the team, but most are new, including Kevin Pittsnogle, from W.V.U.. Duquesne Univ. standout Bryant McAllister was supposed to be one of the leaders(he and Kevin have been on posters, etc.), but McAllister has been injured much of the time. But new members have stepped up and the Xplosion management seems to have improved the team. I think that 2-21 will be tough to bring new fans in, since local sports fans are ignorant and very insistant on a winning team. In fact, the Xplosion are the only team in the league under 1,000 on average in fans. But they are becoming more competitive, so who knows. Unlike the two coaches they had previously, Jackson has pro experience and I think that is helping. He also played for our last pro team(Piranhas-1995). There were rumors that the Xplosion will fold sometime before the end of the season, but I have not seen any confirmation. I would hope that is not true, because we have so many Basketball fans and there is so much potential here for the Xplosion, I think.

[heavesrock]

They are running a lot more sets since Jackson took over. Attendance is down because A) the team stinks this year, b) a lot of their tickets were freebees last year.

[psbf]

Despite our record, the Xplosion still deserve support. But I'm curious, how would you know about the give aways, Heavesrock? I would like to think the team improved enough that fans became curious and came out. I that know some teams give tickets away as promotions(I hear it on the radio).

[heavesrock]

It was in the paper.

[psbf]

Please elaborate, because I've not seen too many articles on the Xplosion in any of the papers here in Pgh..

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Lonnie Randolph has been enlisted to help this struggling franchise:
http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2007/02/09//sports//doc45cc0ac513144629724188.txt

Pretty soon all of the Steelheads organization will be called upon to provide assistance. At this rate, all of the city of Gary will be heading east to save this franchise. I'll know something is up when I see a coach bus from Pittsburgh pull-up in front of the Genesis Center. :p

[one way]

If the ABA was so great, why would he leave? That my dear Watson is the question. My guess is that he wants to be paid actual dollars for his services not food stamps or handshake promises. Good luck Lonnie.

[psbf]

I've not heard anything confirmed, locally. But if Lonnie Randolph is coming here, it's because he wants to get called up by the NBA, which he can't in the ABA(with due respect to that league and the team). I'll be at the Xplosion game tonight, so I don't know if he will be here in time.
According to the article, after our season ends, he will join the Gary Steelheads.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

I've not heard anything confirmed, locally. But if Lonnie Randolph is coming here, it's because he wants to get called up by the NBA, which he can't in the ABA(with due respect to that league and the team). I'll be at the Xplosion game tonight, so I don't know if he will be here in time.
According to the article, after our season ends, he will join the Gary Steelheads.

Lonnie was the first player to sign for the USBL Steelheads back when the team announced they were switching leagues (Lonnie is from and still lives in the Gary area). He also played for the CBA Steelheads last year as the designated Rookie. Lonnie Randolph wants to taste the NBA, but going to Pittsburgh has more to do with former Steelheads coach Jaren Jackson. Jackson is trying to assemble some proven winners around him with former Steelheads. I'm sure he would love to have Chris Alexander jumping center for him too.

[psbf]

I remember Jaren Jackson back the days when the Piranhas battled Yakama for the CBA title in 95.
I've seen many improvements since he became the head coach. We just need to earn our first home win and take it from there.
As for Randolph, I'm sure he is here for Jackson. But it would be nice if he were wanting to help the Xplosion bring fans back with a winning team also.
It does not sit well with me that he only comes for Jackson and wants to move on. The Xplosion need time to get better and we only have a number of games left. I would hope that Jackson can convince him to stay on and return after his stint with Gary(I know he played there once before).
As of the news, I'm still waiting to see it confirmed, though. Newspaper articles are nothing, to me, without league releases.

[panchess]

..recruiting is an important part of the job.

The original coaching staff looked competent on the floor, but a high school and D3 coach isn't going to have the contacts in the beginning to recruit proven pros. Hence the miserable record, though it is hard to believe it is that bad having seen them twice. Players with options are going to pick the best situation for them to get coaching and exposure, given there is little difference in the money, and they scatter to the wind after the season.

In the CBA, you have to have proven pros to win games.

[psbf]

That's a good point, Paunchess. But the Xplosion need good players in order to get fans back and improve.
I'll give an example. The Tampa Bay Bucs(NFL) would never have won the Super Bowl if players had not taken a chance on becoming part of the team.
Same case scenario for the Xplosion. Sometimes players have to sacrafice their careers in order to help improve a franchise and get the fans back.

[panchess]

..but players play to move up. They're like everybody else.

I would say that Kevin Pittsnogle sacrificed a year (though he is a far better player now than in November) to promote basketball in Pittsburgh.

Based on their actions, the Xplosion look like a team returning next season. After a quarter, they might win tonight (ouch..)

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Well, I think I know what the 2007 USBL Gary team will look like now:
http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3424784

Actually, I already knew what the team is going to look like. It's pretty much going to be the same as their last CBA squad--maybe without Brian Chase. Kevin Frey was with the Steelheads long enough last year to make the team picture (he got hurt later).

Pittsburgh needs fans? Send that coach style bus I mentioned in a previous post. Stock it with DVD's, cervezas (with lime slices), veggie burgers, and a little Robin Thicke and I guarantee you the Mellon Arena will have a busload from Gary. They won't care beans about the Xplosion, but they'll want to see the former Steelheads and Mellon's retractable roof.

Problem is--people in Gary don't know the Mellon Arena roof hasn't been opened in years. Afterall, they don't know anything about Pittsburgh. :p

[Chuck the Writer]

Looks like they picked up their third victory, a 118-115 win over a Jamario Moon-less Albany. That makes 3 wins on the season - and only five shy of the woeful Michigan Mayhem's 8 wins from last year.

Maybe Jaren Jackson found the right formula - or maybe Albany really needs Jamario Moon in that lineup (he twisted his ankle at the all-star classic).

[psbf]

I, for one, am glad to see them finally win a game at home, although it is late in the season. I was there and we escaped with our first home win.
Everyone else on this board takes wins for granted because your teams are well ahead of us. But being a diehard season ticket holder, it was great to see a big W, even though they had to shake up the roster to do it! Good turnout also.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Corey Minnifield...
http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3426261

was also a Steelheads player last season. How many does that make?

[one way]

yea, it's to bad your ownership could not stay off the FBI's most wanted list long enough to have these players still playing for Gary this winter. Sour grapes ken. Get over it. P.S. lose some weight!

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

yea, it's to bad your ownership could not stay off the FBI's most wanted list long enough to have these players still playing for Gary this winter. Sour grapes ken. Get over it. P.S. lose some weight!

No sour grapes for me. Just making an observation. If the Xplosion can get Eric Chatfield (also a former Steelhead), then their transformation will be complete...the Gary Xplosion. :p

Hmmmmm. I'm usually at 14.4% body fat. An index between 12% and 15% is not acceptable on this forum?!? :shock:

[psbf]

The Xplosion will be the only team out of the playoffs. Unfortunately all of our injuries have mounted, forcing head coach Jackson to bring in some new players who are beginning to make a difference. I'm hoping they will be back next year, as we will need them to help bring respectablity to the team and bring the fans back. This city has Basketball fans and they will turn out when we have a good team. But I'll be supporting them no matter what. I would love to see this city support the Xplosion the way they supported the Piranhas of 95. I belive it can and will happen.

[kg21obf]

Dont count on it, most teams are lucky to get 1 or 2guys back at the most, the norm is probably zero.

[psbf]

I know the reality of it, but with the way our season has gone, I have nothing to lose by hoping. At least everyone else is going to the playoffs, at which case I will care less what happens. I have the rest of the Xplosion schedule to enjoy then wait for the team to return next season(a long offseason).

[panchess]

..Moon, Thompson, Jessie, Sockwell and now Mitchell played in Albany last season, so it is possible to have some continuity. I think Yakama retained three or four players as well.

Under CBA rules, you have to have at least one rookie, so that means at least one new player per season.

Players in the minors explore their options every year, though.

One problem I think the Xplosion had that no one seems to talk about is that their roster is half rookies. The rest of the league has far more experienced rosters, and not surprisingly, better records. It's actually a good case study of how experience matters.

Next time somebody at the Patroons game says something like Siena or some other mid-level college team could play with the Patroons, I should point out the Xplosion.

[psbf]

Yes, Paunchess. The Xplosion have had a struggling season. But I have seen the progress the team has made, since Jaren Jackson has taken over as the head coach. We defeated the Patroons for our first home win a couple weeks ago, we came up close against Minot(losing by just 3 after a second half rally) and we defeated Albany again last night(95-91) with a second half surge. The difference in this Xplosion team is that they come back in the last half, where as the prior team we would lose a big lead in the 2nd half. The only pride we can play for is to win as many games as we can before the end of the season, since beyond that will not matter. But Rob Griffin is surely showing himself to be a leader. His free throws at the end, iced it for us. But we still have players on injured reserve too, so it will be interesting to see how our future goes. I saw Kevin Pittsnogle in street close with the team prior to the second half, talking with some fans and some Patroons and the head coaches were joking with each other. So it is good to see that friendships evolve between the action.

[panchess]

..but while you shouldn't live in the past, you should learn from it. An inexperienced coach at the pro level, and inexperienced players, that is a bad combination.

The new coach had experience, and is bringing in more experienced players. The results are starting to show, and should help the team with marketing for the next season, which I assuming will be in the CBA.

[psbf]

I totally agree, while I think Pittsnogle and McAllister should return to continue their NBA dreams and trying to reach that level. But the X need to keep this chemistry for next season. The best way to insure the growing chemstriy is for us to win as many games before the end of this season, as we can. Only 6 home games left.

[panchess]

..the Xplosion are the first team in the league to be selling season tickets for next year, though the Patroons gave two away at their game on Sunday night.

[psbf]

Next year? If that were the case, I think I'd be first in line. They are selling season tickets for the 06/07 season, which is still this year(last I checked). I hope they sell tickets for 07/08 soon. In fact, I contacted them about it.

[panchess]

..2007-08 and get the rest of this season free.

[psbf]

I don't see that on the Xplosion website, but it sounds like a great marketing idea!

[panchess]

..the red banner near the top.

By the way, what will Kevin Pittsnogle be signing autographs on at Hooters this weekend?

[psbf]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Paunchess, but in the Red banner it says 06/07 season tickets and this is 07.
As far as Kevin Pittsnogle, yes, I did see that last night. He will be at the Hooters in Station Square. In addition, according to the Montana Standard, he will be back in action tonight against the Butte Daredevils.

[panchess]

http://www.pittsburghxplosion.com/tickets/index.htm

Good luck tonight.

[psbf]

Thanks, Panchess. It is good to see, while that is a different view than the link that I have, for whatever reason(mine still shows 06/07 on sale).
The Xplosion will have Kevin Pittsnogle back tonight and Lonnie Randolph has returned to Quad City, where he will be playing tonight(I can only guess the move was made to give Pittsnogle a spot). So it should be an exciting game. I hope we can make it 2 straight and hope we have a good crowd tonight.

[psbf]

I found that page to your link, Panchess. I had to click on the Red banner to find it. I think they should advertise it on the Red banner to make it more evident about what is inside.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

..the red banner near the top.

By the way, what will Kevin Pittsnogle be signing autographs on at Hooters this weekend?

I caught the humor--a little naughty, but I caught the humor if no one else did. :p

Back when Hooters Airlines flew out of Gary, Hooters was a Steelheads sponsor. Some of the Hooters girls would do the craziest things at the games (...or so I've been told).

Back to the topic--the immediate future of the Pittsburgh franchise will rely heavily on this early season ticket drive. Rockford did the same thing last season and...well, we know what happened to Rockford. Yeah, yeah I know Rockford isn't Pittsburgh, but Pittsburgh isn't perennial attendance leading Sioux Falls either. Unless a lot of courtside season tickets are sold soon (like by July), then don't expect to see the Xplosion next season. Nothing scientific here. Just a gut feeling based on my observations.

[psbf]

Ken, will you stop pretending that you know so much about Pittsburgh and the Xplosion! Hooters is a restaurant, for your information. And I belive that the Xplosion will be around here for a long time. I know everything about the Xplosion, so why don't you concentrate on your legalize and keeping your Gary Steelheads afloat and leave the Xplosion to someone who knows about them, since I have been to every Xplosion home game.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Ken, will you stop pretending that you know so much about Pittsburgh and the Xplosion! Hooters is a restaurant, for your information. And I belive that the Xplosion will be around here for a long time. I know everything about the Xplosion, so why don't you concentrate on your legalize and keeping your Gary Steelheads afloat and leave the Xplosion to someone who knows about them, since I have been to every Xplosion home game.

Hooters is also (was also?) an airlines. The pilots and flight attendants were real pilots and flight attendants. Hooters girls also provided entertainment on those flights and served their famous chicken wings to passengers. Hooters doesn't fly out of Gary anymore and I guess they never flew in or out of Pittsburgh.

I seem to be stuck in know-it-all mode. We'll have to see what the future holds. :p

[panchess]

..was the last day for Hooters Air, strangely about the time the Lightning went out of business.

Strangely, the Rockford Lightning web site is still up, though unmaintained.

[psbf]

I had no idea Hooters had an air service.