Ask the CEO...let the fiction continue

[a1sports]

Based on the latest ask the CEO about the quality of players betwen the ABA and NBDL we go to the next level:

Ask the CEO

Tom from Anchorage, Alaska asks: Do you think the ABA champ Vermont Frost Heaves could beat the NBA San Antonio Spurs?

CEO replies: Thanks for that excellent question Tom, I have been asked that almost daily. Im not a coach but I will give you my opinion. With the quality of players in the ABA I truly believe that the Vermont Frost Heaves could beat the San Antonio Spurs. The game would have to be played in Vermont. Not that we would use the non-regulation floor to our advantage or the people sitting in the Balcony rocking the rim when the oppossing team shoots free throws. The only requirement would be that we use our ABA head ref, thats all, just to make things fair. The game would be close but I do believe the ABA team would win hands down due to the great players we discovered at the try out camps and those coming back from Europe. We have some great undiscovered talent. Oh one more thing...San Antonio would have to fly and drive 16 hours prior to the game and Ill make sure with ALex that the game starts on time and there is no chance for them to rest a bit after the trip. Its normal protocol for us in the ABA. So maybe you should start a letter writing campaign to Mr stern to set this game up. IT would be fan friendly and affordable. Thank you for the question again.

[TheStandard]

So thats where Tom Chichester is hiding in Alaska.

Joe you are pathetic. The San Antonio Spurs would steam roll the Frost Heaves. Heck, having Robert Horry shooting three's from the court in vermont is like shooting free throws for him. Tim Duncan would pillage the entire team. Joe what are you on? I mean. Damn that Kool Aid must make all of you fools see the next galaxy or something.

[notfunny]

Where do you see this Ask the CEO?

[tbayz1]

its fictional, almost like a parody of the "Ask the CEO" that i believe was released today about ABA and NBDL players

[CRUSADERSFAN]

This must be a joke.

Edit: tbayz hit it on the head.

[notfunny]

yeah I figured it was a parody but standard took it seriously

plus parodies are usually funny

[tbayz1]

Heres the actual "Ask the CEO"

http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3507046

[notfunny]

You know what IS funny though? When people try to make it sound like the ABA doesn't have high quality athletes or that they're "ymca" players or whatever.

seeing as how many of them get big contracts to play overseas

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

You know what IS funny though? When people try to make it sound like the ABA doesn't have high quality athletes or that they're "ymca" players or whatever.

seeing as how many of them get big contracts to play overseas

True enough. In fact, in our one season, 6 of our players (and our mascot!) were able to secure contracts with other leagues.

But, you never see the ABA promote this fact, or even supply a list of ABA 'graduates' who move on to other leagues. Most likely because the ABA has nothing even approaching a comprehensive statistical and historical record - even 7 years into its existence.

There are good players in the ABA; but they play in anonymity, with no support or promotion from the league.

[Corning Bulldogs]

Most players in the ABA have a lot of talent and while the league is still trying to work out some flaws from a league standpoint everyone else involved with basketball is noticing the talent level is high in the ABA.

I am not just saying this because ABA player Sun Yue was drafted to the LA Lakers via the NBA draft.

The Newark Express won 4 games last season and In a recent press release they said that they sent 4 players over seas. Talking to other owners , ABA players being offered good contracts overseas seems to be the norm.

We were lucky enough to have it work the other way around. The Corning Bulldogs starting Power Forward is Will Campbell who is 6'8 275 lbs and was a 2nd team Conference USA pick back in 2001 when the conference was loaded with the big name schools and big name talent. Following averaging 12 points and 9 rebounds per game his senior year for Alabama Birmingham (UAB) he worked out for the NBA's Toronto Raptors and eventually signed a very large deal over seas to play in France where he averaged 17 points 7 rebounds and 4 assists per game. The money and fame overseas just wasent worth it to him and after the season he went home and never returned.

Will now has a full time job in his home town of Elmira, NY which is located 10 minutes from Corning, NY and his job is letting him play for us without any restrictions and he hopes to have a break out year and get back to an NBA team and this time stick in the NBA.

The talent in the ABA is better then ever.



Corning Bulldogs
www.corningbulldogs.com

[brucker]

Speaking of quality players in the ABA...Toby Bailey is currently playing with the GS Warriors' summer league squad, and he's one of their best players. He has a fair shot at making a NBA roster next season. Even ABA journeyman Jerry Dupree is with the Warriors now, though not looking all that great, besides throwing down the occasional alleyoop rimrocker.

As for Sun Yue, Mitch Kupchack is said to have been impressed by his play in the summer league, and would like to bring him into training camp. Meanwhile, the Lakers' other 2nd round pick, Marc Gasol is headed back to Europe.

[Sam Hill]

Where do you see this Ask the CEO?

Did you know that "gullible" isn't in the dictionary?

[Chuck the Writer]

You know what IS funny though? When people try to make it sound like the ABA doesn't have high quality athletes or that they're "ymca" players or whatever.

seeing as how many of them get big contracts to play overseas

Yeah, but the ABA doesn't LIKE to promote itself as a third-rate rec league where players try to escape by taking any contract overseas that they can get. The ABA wants to promote itself as either the top minor league basketball circuit, or a viable alternative to the NBA.

Besides, it's still a double-edged sword for the ABA; if a player leaves the team for an overseas contract; since the ABA is not part of FIBA or USABasketball, that player can leave without having to pay a contract buyout fee. In other words, he can leave and the ABA gets nothing. The ABA would get nothing if that player jumped to the CBA or D-League (see Corey Minnifield, Kareem Reid), so unless that player has a non-compete clause written in his contract, he can go and the ABA can do nothing about it - oh sure, Joe can write a couple of "whatever happened to a handshake agreement" Ask the CEO rants (see Dayshawn Wright), but this is what happens when you set up your league with a $10,000 buy-in and a smile.

[notfunny]

Yeah, but the ABA doesn't LIKE to promote itself as a third-rate rec league where players try to escape by taking any contract overseas that they can get.

LOL. They would have to be stupid not to take the overseas contracts because of the difference in salary. The ABA gives these guys the opportunity to advance their skills and stay active while they're looking for that big contract. Players don't "try to escape" the ABA lol.

this message board

:lol:

[notfunny]

Did you know that "gullible" isn't in the dictionary?

Check the name...Ponder its meaning, and apply it to your posting.

[TheStandard]

i took it with sarcasm. i knew it was fictional.

but ABA players can not hang with NBDL players. Heck lets go with the ABA players can't hang with CBA players and or teams. (See Pittsburgh Explosion. ABA Squad that had to get rid of the ABA players to become competitive in the CBA)

[tbayz1]

Speaking of quality players in the ABA...Toby Bailey is currently playing with the GS Warriors' summer league squad, and he's one of their best players. He has a fair shot at making a NBA roster next season. Even ABA journeyman Jerry Dupree is with the Warriors now, though not looking all that great, besides throwing down the occasional alleyoop rimrocker.

As for Sun Yue, Mitch Kupchack is said to have been impressed by his play in the summer league, and would like to bring him into training camp. Meanwhile, the Lakers' other 2nd round pick, Marc Gasol is headed back to Europe.

Im actually watching the Knicks vs. GSW Summer League ball right now, the NY annoucers made note of Dupree playing in the ABA for 2 seasons, and him and Toby Bailey look like pretty good ball players

Thats something the ABA should make note of, the players playing in NBA summer league or getting workouts

Didnt the CBA release something along the lines of that a few days ago?

[psbf]

is there are still people who can't spell the name Xplosion

[The Magician]

The ABA gives these guys the opportunity to advance their skills and stay active while they're looking for that big contract. Players don't "try to escape" the ABA lol.

:confused: by the above statement ...

The ABA; as a whole; is not DEVELOPING basktball players and advancing their skill sets.

There is a small % of players; who happen to play on ABA teams; that have the legit chance to become solid professionals at the highest levels of basketball here in the states and around the world.

Eventually, they get their shot ... but it's not the ABA; as a whole; ... who is utilzing "basketball teaching methods" ... and creating "professional" basketball minor-league environments, where players can grow.

The ABA for a large % of players, is just a "place to play" till they move on to another team ... in another league ... for another season ... and then back to the ABA for another season.

Until, the ABA can keep the same teams in the league for more than 3-5 years, will you start seeing "ABA Players" be acknowledged and recognized.

[Sam Hill]

Check the name...Ponder its meaning, and apply it to your posting.

Your username could be "not smart," but then it would be obvious.

It should probably be "sockpuppet."

What amazes me...is there are still people who can't spell the name Xplosion

Random non-sequitor of the day from KC.

You know what IS funny though? When people try to make it sound like the ABA doesn't have high quality athletes or that they're "ymca" players or whatever.

seeing as how many of them get big contracts to play overseas

Obviously, if you can play college basketball, you're a high-quality athlete, much, much higher than a YMCA player. If you can play D1 college basketball, no doubt you're even higher-quality than that. If you can get paid to play basketball, you're a very high level player.

But there are a lot of those guys in the ABA. Doesn't mean they draw people. Doesn't mean Dameon Sansom is anything more than a guy who can play basketball well. There are, literally, a great many of those guys and it's only the very, very few at the very top of the pyramid who the general public feel it's worth spending money on.

The ABA as a league is less organized than most YMCA leagues. At least you can be reasonably sure that a YMCA league will get all of its games played.

But they do have some high-quality players, obviously. They're just fairly indistinguishable from the mass of players in the alphabet soup of minor leagues in this country and the leagues overseas.

[tbayz1]

Dameon Sansom

played with the Silverbacks this year, until Feb. cause he went to Venezuela to play, he couldnt pass up the money

Dameon, was a good guy and a decent player, he didnt get too much playing time(bout 20 mins a game), but he was competiting with Lamar Castile, Antoine Sims, and Modie Cox for minutes so that didnt help, but Dameon can shoot!!

[Chuck the Writer]

LOL. They would have to be stupid not to take the overseas contracts because of the difference in salary.

As in "receiving a salary."

The ABA gives these guys the opportunity to advance their skills and stay active while they're looking for that big contract.

By that argument, so does playing hoops in the driveway.

Players don't "try to escape" the ABA lol.

Right, just like teams don't "fold." I figure that's gotta be semantics - or just "some antics" from Crazy Joe.

[tbayz1]

And there are alot of ABA players playing in the LA Pro Summer League, that actually ends today, so thats two summer leagues with a good amount of talent from the ABA, and they dont even recognize or mention these guys, thats the news you want to release ABA!!

[The Magician]

And there are alot of ABA players playing in the LA Pro Summer League, that actually ends today, so thats two summer leagues with a good amount of talent from the ABA, and they dont even recognize or mention these guys, thats the news you want to release ABA!!

Is 100% absolutely correct ...

[notfunny]

As in "receiving a salary."
So you basically said that no player in the ABA gets paid. Thats basically what you just said. Even though most of them do.

And far as I know all of them do seeing as how I've never been involved with a team that doesn't pay its players.


I figure that's gotta be semantics - or just "some antics" from Crazy Joe.

Oh I see what you did there. *gives a polite laugh*

[a1sports]

Its a known fact that in the ABA getting "paid" is a question mark. If the "best" run team ( Vermont) has two players that played for no pay, how does the rest of the league size up? Its known that a lot of teams paid 100 bucks per game, some 50 Bucks per game, some didnt pay the players at all.
So yes....playing in your driveway with a friendly wager against someone else could earn you more than in the ABA.

[notfunny]

Its a known fact that in the ABA getting "paid" is a question mark. If the "best" run team ( Vermont) has two players that played for no pay, how does the rest of the league size up? Its known that a lot of teams paid 100 bucks per game, some 50 Bucks per game, some didnt pay the players at all.
So yes....playing in your driveway with a friendly wager against someone else could earn you more than in the ABA.

Its barely possible to find stats from most of these teams, let alone salaries. Stop trying to make it sound like know what your talking about when you have no numbers to back up your bile. "known fact" <-- that type of stuff doesnt strengthen your argument.


P.S. Mods I know what I'm saying can be looked at as pro-aba but try not to ban me for it.

[Fells]

Its barely possible to find stats from most of these teams, let alone salaries. Stop trying to make it sound like know what your talking about when you have no numbers to back up your bile. "known fact" <-- that type of stuff doesnt strengthen your argument.


P.S. Mods I know what I'm saying can be looked at as pro-aba but try not to ban me for it.

Sarcastic remarks like the one you left about Paul and myself WILL result in a banning. If you haven't noticed, Paul and I have said positive things about the ABA. I am not going to go into a rant about how the ABA deserves most of its criticism due to the way it has been run since its re-birth in 2000-2001.

Make a crack like that about the mods and you will earn a vacation from the boards. Am I making myself clear?

[zeke41]

So you basically said that no player in the ABA gets paid. Thats basically what you just said. Even though most of them do.

And far as I know all of them do seeing as how I've never been involved with a team that doesn't pay its players.

Its barely possible to find stats from most of these teams, let alone salaries. Stop trying to make it sound like know what your talking about when you have no numbers to back up your bile.


Here are some stats (he DOES know what he's talking about):

Orlando Aces: 18 (actually more - a couple players played one or two games) players played and none of them were paid. In fact, most of the time we had to pay for travel to and from games. The Director of Basketball Operations/GM/Head Coach/ Sponsorship Sales director/Webmaster/Media Relations/Team Journalist/ etc.etc.etc....was unpaid (I think my owner likes to call my position an internship...right...an internship, because I was so lucky to get the experience).

I'll tell you why there's no stats, Mr. Notfunny - You can't record numbers for "NOTHING!" No stats, no salaries, barely any fans, etc. Now I'll be the first to tell you - the concept of the ABA and all minor league basketball is brilliant. The fact is there are talented players and not enough spots on NBA rosters to provide them all an opportunity. Basketball has gotten then big! Unfortunately, IMO Joe Newman has made a career of taking advantage of people and getting rich off of people's dreams, offering them the world but not returning any investment back into the people that pay him.

For instance, I believe that anyone with the heart, soul and determination can be successful in, let's say....[I]MOST[I] things if they dedicate themselves and receive the proper teaching. Owners in the ABA could be great owners if someone would teach them what they are doing, but apparently Joe and the rest of the ABA management don't care too. That's why I like the PBL management so well - they have plans to invest in their owners and teach them how to do it (if they don't know how - it's one thing to have money, and another thing to know what to do with it re: a minor league team).

[bectond]

A professional basketball team is a real investment not an asset. When you purchase a team, you are transferring your savings into something else (in this case a team) in hopes of getting a higher future return. People that buy assets normal hire professionals; such as financial managers that have fiduciary responsibilities. Real investments don’t have the same safe guards. It is not Mr. Newman’s responsibility to Shepard moronic owners because the minor league sports business is tangible in nature and only the intangible aspects of the business world require advanced training. Any fool could just look at the ABA’s financial prospectus and see that investing in it would be an absolutely catastrophic.

ABA team owners are basically reverse investing or buying something for little down payment and putting off the majority of the debt until a later date. Each owner should know his or her finances better than Mr. Newman prior to the beginning of the season. If they don’t have the liquid assets to complete a season they should not start the season. The biggest problem with the ABA is that it’s management does not let it’s investors control their league (Newman sees the league as his, which in it self is a conflict of interest). If an owner only has enough money to play 4 regular season games why are they required to play 36 games? If the ABA allowed owners scheduling flexibility most owners would be able to survive their first 2-3 seasons. However, the ABA is all about constant turn-over. Therefore, they really don’t want teams to survive.

In conclusion, when investing you should always look for the mark or sucker. If you don’t see one than you are the sucker.

[notfunny]

Zeke, your sob-story is a complaint against the owner that you started working for, not against the ABA. You can say that the ABA should be more careful with who they award a team too, but your situation with GMing the team and not getting paid or your players not getting paid is exceptional, not common.

[OneBetter]

I've heard several stories of players and front office personnel from several teams not getting paid, so it's more often than you state, notfunny.

And, notfunny, you seem to exude that you have insider information to the ABA. Why don't you tell us which one of Joe's puppets you are or if you're Joe himself.

[zeke41]

Zeke, your sob-story is a complaint against the owner that you started working for, not against the ABA. You can say that the ABA should be more careful with who they award a team too, but your situation with GMing the team and not getting paid or your players not getting paid is exceptional, not common.

Call it a sob story, but the reality is that this happens in the ABA. You'd like me to be quiet and make this seem like, as you said, an "exceptional, not common" happening, so the ABA doesn't look so bad, but...I won't. I'm not going to keep quiet about what happened to me and MANY other people in this league. People seeking to invest in the Orlando Aces or this league are going to know what they are getting into. I'm voicing my opinions via my right to free speech so that people don't get manipulated like me. I'll be the first to say it - I was a fool to offer my services in this situation. Oh well, life goes on. I can handle it, because I'm an intelligent guy who can utilize an experience, flip it and move towards another opportunity. Some people can't, and they need to know that there are people in the ABA that will manipulate you by using their dreams and aspirations to get you to do something for them - with NOTHING in return.

Oh, and just so you know...just because no law exists to bind someone in the league to help me in my situation doesn't mean that you can't. That's the problem with ignorant, self-seeking people. They look for a way to keep from helping people instead of being decent citizens of good nature and respect.

[besl]

From my experience, I would estimate that 90% of the GM's in the ABA are not getting paid.

It is important, however, to seperate those teams whose GM's know they aren't going to get paid and are just doing it for the experience or for fun, and those who are outright lied to by their owners about getting a pay check.

[tbayz1]

Most of the GMs appear to be the head coach or owner too

[zeke41]

From my experience, I would estimate that 90% of the GM's in the ABA are not getting paid.

It is important, however, to seperate those teams whose GM's know they aren't going to get paid and are just doing it for the experience or for fun, and those who are outright lied to by their owners about getting a pay check.


I'll clarify my position and include my own assumption:

There was always talk of getting me paid. I heard everything from,
- "We have to wait until the contracts come in from AJ Discala's attorneys in NY."
- "We'll put you on staff closer to the begginning of the season. It'll be worth your while, trust me."
...After the SYracuse lawsuit and departure of AJ...
- "We're going to work hard, land a couple of sponsorships, and get everybody a little something!"
- "Dee Brown should be buying into the team. When that happens, everyone will be on salary"
- "Right now, we have to start preparing for next year. Let's land a couple sponsors for next year and I'll give you a solid piece of commision!"
- BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH....

After I resigned from position as Director of Basketball Operations...

- "Mark I need you back. Tell me what you need and we'll reach an agreement. You wanna play? You'll start at point guard the first game!"
- "You can be the GM. I've got a couple sponsors already, and we had a good turn out at the first camp. Things will be different this year, I promise!"
- BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH....

Now, I come back on, he has me forward a couple of items I developed for the team (Sponsorship package, etc.), then after I return from a month vacation to Sri Lanka and Australia, I'm informed that my services are no longer needed. Sure they aren't needed...all of the preliminary work for the season is done!

Whatever, man. Let's be clear - I was NOT told that this was an internship! I was just a little more hopeful of getting paid than I should've been! ABA OFFICE??? Oh, sure, let the guy screw some other people...so long as you have a team representing Orlando to play Jacksonville 123 times!

[Sam Hill]

Now, I come back on

Caveat emptor.

Yes, the ABA is full of liars (starting at the top). But I'm guessing there's a decent percentage of the people who feel like they were screwed who probably wouldn't have been screwed if they hadn't had beer goggles on.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

And you knew he was a scorpion when you gave him a ride on your back across the river.

That's only part of the responsibility, obviously. It doesn't excuse anyone in the ABA for deliberately screwing with people (usually young people who don't know any better). But please, folks, open your eyes.

Did you hear about the guy who wanted to work in pro sports in the worst way?






He took a job with an ABA team.

[notfunny]

Zeke, apparently the Orlando Aces are a bad orginization. But is it the only one that you spent time in?


If so, stop telling yourself that its an ABA problem, when its an Aces problem.

[notfunny]

And, notfunny, you seem to exude that you have insider information to the ABA. Why don't you tell us which one of Joe's puppets you are or if you're Joe himself.

I don't exude that.

Never met dude.

[zeke41]

Zeke, apparently the Orlando Aces are a bad orginization. But is it the only one that you spent time in?


If so, stop telling yourself that its an ABA problem, when its an Aces problem.

I worked for the Orlando Orangemen, too. Different ownership group - both implanted by Joe Newman. FYI, I've rubbed shoulders with several different organizations, of which I'd say only the Jax Jam and Wilmington Sea Dogs seemed up to par to being a legit team. Miami folded (and averaged about 10 people per game, thanks to our 5 family members that traveled with us), Palm Beach which couldn't keep the shot clock working (or keep a coach on the bench - Lamont Carr quit...oh, and I should add that they let Bobby St. Preaux leave because he was upset about not getting paid on time), etc., etc., etc....

Your name says it all about the ABA--- stuff like this is no longer funny....was at first (for those not involved, anyway), but once it became the norm, it no longer remains funny. The ABA would do well to appease the people that have been manipulated in these types of situations, but....they don't care...let me correct that, and give Brad Hester a shout out---Joe Newman doesn't care. Brad wants to, but can't.

Surely (Shirley) you've been reading these boards. I'm one of many people with issues, and those guys in Indiana are owed money from non-payment as well from years ago......

STILL NOT AN ABA PROBLEM? No more comments from the peanut gallery!

[Paul S]

just because no law exists to bind someone in the league to help me in my situation doesn't mean that you can't. That's the problem with ignorant, self-seeking people. They look for a way to keep from helping people instead of being decent citizens of good nature and respect.
Well put Zeke. That is absolutely right.

Zeke, apparently the Orlando Aces are a bad orginization. But is it the only one that you spent time in?


If so, stop telling yourself that its an ABA problem, when its an Aces problem.


Joe are you calling out one of the owners of this fast, exciting and family fun empire???? Theres no problems in the ABA!!! No, there are only bad owners who get thrown out.


Zeke- hopefully it works out for you. Its sad that someone would take your labor and simply not feel obliged to pay you.

[notfunny]

Joe are you calling out one of the owners of this fast, exciting and family fun empire???? Theres no problems in the ABA!!! No, there are only bad owners who get thrown out.


So why'd you just call me Joe?

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

So you're the constant in these bad Orlando teams?

Following this logic - that makes Joe the constant in the perennially poorly-run ABA.

[bomp]

So why'd you just call me Joe?

Consider it a compliment. ;)

[zeke41]

Zeke, apparently the Orlando Aces are a bad orginization. But is it the only one that you spent time in?


If so, stop telling yourself that its an ABA problem, when its an Aces problem.

In case you missed this doozy I posted somewhere else....



This isn't exactly as professional as I like to keep things, but... here's an email that indicate that Joe doesn't always (if ever) have a clue of what's going on!

Conniejoenewman@aol.com wrote:

Mark. Just going through my files. We have a tremendous operation going in Orlando, headed by Jimmy Lyons, world known martial arts champion and a pillar of the youth community there. The Orlando Orange Men are set to begin in November. Jimmy is looking for a partner. Are your wife and you still interested. He's rock solid and very good. How about giving Jimmy a call at 407 383 4154 and getting involved with him. Much appreciated. Thanks.
Joe Newman
ABA CEO


I received this after the Orangemen to Aces transition. One of the former owners took loads of money from AJ and never paid any of his staff like he was supposed to (like me!!!). This was Joe's idea of fixing the situation. This dude Jimmy was rock solid --- riiiiight....

So I was involved in this Orlando Orangemen fiasco, then Joe hits me with an email asking my wife and me to get involved with this guy Jimmy, who has neglected to pay me for like 4 months (by the way...I have an email confirming the $50,000 salary I was supposed to be getting paid, which I'll post later). He obviously pays no attention to who he gets as owners. I inquired a few months before I got involved from a different email, so he wanted to salvage the operation in Orlando at all cost, not knowing, exactly, who Jimmy was --- an apparent crook. AJ bolted after losing, from my count, I think around $50-$70K. No wonder him, Tom and comp. tried to take out Joe as the CEO! They couldn't stand this garbage any more.


Any more comments, notfunny?

[zeke41]

Just to clarify I wasn't supposed to be an intern....read from the bottom up!


No problem bro

AJ Discala
CEO/Founder
Brax Capital Group LLC
9440 S. Santa Monica Blvd, Suite 710
Beverly Hills, CA 90210


----- Original Message -----
From: Mark King <orlandoaba_mking@yahoo.com>
To: AJ
Sent: Sun Nov 05 01:50:49 2006
Subject: Re: Thanks

Thanks...I really appreciate it.

AJ <edited> wrote:

Yes call me monday morning

AJ Discala
CEO/Founder
Brax Capital Group LLC
9440 S. Santa Monica Blvd, Suite 710
Beverly Hills, CA 90210


----- Original Message -----
From: Mark King <orlandoaba_mking@yahoo.com>
To: AJ
Sent: Sat Nov 04 23:25:06 2006
Subject: Mortgage Application

AJ,

I need some sort of verification of the $50,000 income I put for my mortgage application with Lincoln Mortgage. The standard protocol is to submit pay check stubs, but unfortunately, due to the Orange Men circumstances, I don't have any check stubs yet. Can you help me with this matter?

Thanks


-----------------------------
Mark King
Director of Basketball Operations
Orlando Aces
orlandoaba_mking@yahoo.com

[Sam Hill]

Conniejoenewman@aol.com wrote:
He's rock solid and very good.



Shoulda been your first clue. Joe said he was rock solid.

Any guesses as to what Joe thinks of the guy now?

[TheStandard]

joe will now say hes garbage

[Sam Hill]

A minor league basketball team said they were going to pay you $50,000? And you're how old?

Caveat emptor, man. Caveat emptor. If it sounds too good to be true....

[zeke41]

Ask the Casey family how much money AJ was throwing around with the Hollywood Fame! It's not like AJ Discala didn't have the money.

Frankly I'm grown...
If you can fit the shoes I own...
Let's switch for a minute...
See if you do something different!

[Sam Hill]

Oh, no offense intended. Apologies.

I just meant that it should raise a red flag when someone says you're going to get paid 50k to do anything for a minor league basketball team. And that if you don't see that red flag, it's very likely that you're young (which often - but not always - means naive).

I'm probably older than you and I've been around the block a few times. No matter how much money someone has (or says they have), that doesn't pass the smell test.

And, seeing as how he didn't come through, it looks like I'd have been right and you got a valuable learning experience. Unfortunate, but these things make you stronger. Good luck next time out.

[zeke41]

It's all good, Sammy! You're right! I think that is what makes the whole situation hurt so much - I probably should've known better. I'm 30, and consider myself a pretty intelligent fellow (not brilliant, but up-to-speed on most things). But if you are allowing me to achieve a long-time dream of playing pro-basketball, and ask me to do all of this other stuff as well, and I do it WELL, and it seems that I'm developing great groundwok to start a nice career in basketball administration...money is a second thought.

I'll admit it...the whole money thing never became a HUGE problem until I was told that my services were no longer needed. I was setting the Aces up to have a solid year, and I knew that money would have to start coming soon (I expected back-pay, of course). Yet, I was tossed aside for an illigitamate reason. My owner and me had a disagreement about his new stupid website -
www.2acesbasketball.com, and I told him I thought it was terrible. He wanted to scrap the www.orlandoaces.com website I spent the whole season developing and tweaking, making sure the Aces brand was fully represented, and he wanted to scrap it. Unfortunately, he wasn't paying for it - it's owned by me. He wants me to shut it down, but I am not going to until I feel like it. HA HA HA HA...I told him he could buy it from me if he wanted, but, being that he has no money, I knew that wasn't happening! Besides, I still get quite a few hits on it, and I'm promoting my other website, www.thecrossoverbasketball.com!

In a nutshell, I was manipulated and used, and I think that sucks. I'm sure I'm not the only one, too. In fact, all of the guys last year played for this man for free, when all he had to do was sell a percentage of the team to Dee Brown, who was interested for a long time! Dee was wise, though, and quickly noticed that Todd didn't have the business savvy necessary to succeed. I guess I have been airing this out here because I don't want this to happen to anyonbe else. I'm strong, and have a solid character that keeps me sane despite all of this. I believe God will work all of this out into a good situation somehow. Someone else might have gone crazy, and end up making the 11 o'clock news or something. You just don't treat people like that!

[bomp]

File a complaint with the Labor Department and forget about this fool. If he invested in this league and is still in it, he is an idiot. Move on.

[zeke41]

Oh..trust me, BOMP...he's forgotten, and I am moving on. I just chime in every now and then to reiterate someone else's point when another person tries to defend this circus of a league.

I'm already on to some exciting opportunities. I work for Fox Sports Network now, but plan to be in Pikeville for the East KY Miners tryout next month (I went to Pikeville College, so that should be exciting). I'm hoping to get involved with them - if not playing, in some sort of administrative position. We'll see what happens.