CBA 1 Continental Basketball Association 1

CBA Weekly

February 7, 2006 - Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1) News Release


Newest CBA Team, Colorado 14ers, Unveiled on February 1, 2006

Beginning this fall, the Broomfield Event Center will showcase a new kind of hockey and basketball. The Rocky Mountain Rage hockey team and the Colorado 14ers basketball team were unveiled Wednesday, Feb. 1, at a standing-room-only name and logo release party at C.B. & Potts Restaurant and Brewery at Flatirons, Colo.

"This is exciting for our season ticket holders, fans, our business partners and the city" said John Frew, co-owner. "Selecting names for both teams started with a list of over 300 names and took months of collaboration. The Rocky Mountain Rage and the Colorado 14ers are both unique to Colorado and both capture the intensity of their respective sports. We are pleased with these names and we think that hockey and basketball fans will like what we've chosen."

"We are thrilled to have the Colorado 14ers join the CBA family," said CBA Commissioner Gary Hunter. "I, along with the CBA Board of Directors, have been impressed with the 14ers management and their dedication to doing things first-class from day one. The ownership, facility and location are a great addition to the league."

Master of Ceremonies and ESPN commentator Kurt Hansen joined Broomfield Mayor Karen Stuart, team co-owners Frew and Tim Wiens, Central Hockey League (CHL) President Brad Treliving and Hunter for the team presentations. Price and Adrenalin Vice President Dave Smrek rounded out the list of speakers.

Following the team announcements, Treliving and Hunter presented the first official team jerseys to each team's first season ticket holder. Tonya Haas, Broomfield's Assistant City and County Manager, was recognized as the hockey team's first fan. Littleton resident Garrett Baum, who is also a season ticket holder for the Rage, was recognized as the basketball team's first fan.

Colorado 14ers - Basketball at its Peak

"Colorado has 54 mountains that loom above 14,000 feet. Nowhere on earth does such a dominating collection of peaks exist. As a tribute to these natural wonders, we introduce the Colorado 14ers, the majestic newcomer on the CBA professional basketball landscape. This is basketball that others look up to; it's higher than the rest. Untouchable and unreachable for most, it's awe-inspiring and will take your breath away."

Sioux Falls' Stephen Graham Gets Record-Tying Third NBA Call-Up, Signs With Cleveland

Sioux Falls rookie forward Stephen Graham signed a 10-day contract Feb. 6 with the Cleveland Cavaliers, tying the Continental Basketball Association's single-season NBA call up record. He also becomes the 10th call up of the season for the CBA, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary season.

Graham has already been called up from the Skyforce this season by the Houston Rockets (Dec. 10) and Chicago Bulls (Jan. 17). In nine NBA games, Graham is averaging 2.4 points, 1.1 rebounds and 6.4 minutes. He's appeared six games for Houston (2.8 ppg., 1.2 rpg.) and three games for Chicago (1.7 ppg., 1.0 rpg.).

The 6-foot-6, 215-pound forward was selected by Sioux Falls in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2005 CBA Draft. He has played in 16 games (15 starts) for Sioux Falls, averaging 21.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists while shooting 57.8 pct. from the floor. He posted career-highs of 37 points and 13 rebounds vs. Idaho (Jan. 2) and has tallied 20-plus points in 10 of his games for the Skyforce.

He was named to the CBA's Western Conference All-Star team, but did not play due to his call up with Bulls on Jan. 17. He attended Oklahoma State University, along with his twin brother Joey, who was selected in the first round (16th overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors.

Graham joins CBA alums Damon Jones (Idaho) and Ira Newble (Idaho/Flint), as well as assistant coach Kenny Natt (Alberta/Albuquerque/Lancaster/Albany/Wyoming), on the Cavalier's bench. The rookie is also joined this year by Idaho's Josh Davis on the list of CBA players with three NBA call-ups in one season. Among others that have had three NBA call-ups in one season are: Anthony Goldwire (Yakama), 2003-04; Greg Grant (Shreveport), 1995-96; Carl Thomas (Fort Wayne), 1997-98; and Damon Jones (Idaho), 1998-99.

CBA-to-NBA Call-Ups for 2005-06
Date Player CBA Team NBA Team
Nov. 16 Darrick Martin Michigan Mayhem Toronto Raptors
Dec. 5 Josh Davis Idaho Stampede Milwaukee Bucks
Dec. 10 Stephen Graham! Sioux Falls Skyforce Houston Rockets
Dec. 29 Josh Davis Idaho Stampede Houston Rockets
Jan. 5 Randy Holcomb Gary Steelheads Chicago Bulls
Jan. 9 Josh Davis* Idaho Stampede Phoenix Suns
Jan. 17 Stephen Graham! Sioux Falls Skyforce Chicago Bulls
Jan. 18 Ronny Turiaf! Yakama Sun Kings Los Angeles Lakers
Jan. 27 James Thomas Albany Patroons Chicago Bulls
Feb. 6 Stephen Graham!* Sioux Falls Skyforce Cleveland Cavaliers
* - Ties CBA single-season record for call-ups by a player.
! - Rookie

Dakota Forward Kasib Powell Named CBA Player of the Week (Feb. 6, 2006)

The Continental Basketball Association announced Feb. 6 that Dakota Wizards forward Kasib Powell has been named the CBA Player of the Week for the week of Jan. 30 through Feb. 5. Powell registered four double-doubles last week, two coming in points/rebounds and two coming in points/assists. This is the first POW honor for Powell.

Powell averaged 21.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 9.0 assists and 2.0 steals in four games last week for the Wizards. Dakota went 3-1 in those games to climb back into the playoff race in the Western Conference. The 6-foot-7, 215-pound forward has played the guard position recently for the Wizards and has led the team in assists in their last six contests.

Powell was one assist away from a triple-double in an 88-85 victory over Gary on Jan. 30, putting up 23 points with 12 rebounds and nine assists, to go along with two blocked shots and two steals. Two nights later he was one rebound away from a triple double after scoring 15 points with 10 assists and nine rebounds in a loss to Gary. The 2003 Texas Tech alum tied a season-high with 12 assists to go with 16 points on Feb. 3 in a 101-85 victory over Michigan. The next night he tallied 29 points and 10 rebounds with seven assists in a 90-88 victory over the Mayhem.

For the season, Powell is leading the Wizards in scoring (18.1 ppg.), assists (5.6 apg.), minutes played (41.9 mpg.), free throws made (118) and attempted (162), and steals (56). He is also second on the team in rebounding (7.3 rpg.) while shooting 50.3 pct. from the field and 72.8 pct. from the charity stripe. He is among the league leaders in assists (fourth), steals (eighth) and scoring (ninth).

Powell was named to his second-consecutive CBA All-Star game on Jan. 17, finishing with 16 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal for the victorious Western Conference squad.

Dakota has won three of its last four games and sits in fourth place in the Western Conference with a 17-18 record and 3.4 quarter-point average. The Wizards are on the road for three games this week, starting in Idaho (Feb. 7) and followed by a pair at Yakama (Feb. 8 and 10).

Other players receiving consideration based on the submission of each team were.
Antwain Barbour, G, Yakama (18.5 ppg., 4.0 rpg., 3.0 apg.)
Jamar Brown, F, Michigan (17.3 ppg., 6.7 rpg., 0.7 apg.)
Ronnie Fields, G, Rockford (24.8 ppg., 5.8 rpg., 2.8 apg.)
Jimmie Hunter, G, Gary (25.5 ppg., 5.0 rpg., 4.8 apg.)
David Jackson, G, Idaho (24.3 ppg., 3.7 rpg., 4.0 apg.)
Justin Miller, F, Albany (11.5 ppg., 9.8 rpg., 1.0 apg.)
Billy Thomas, G, Sioux Falls (24.5 ppg., 5.5 rpg., 2.5 apg.)

Former CBA Coaches Continuing Success in the NBA

Former CBA Coach Flip Saunders has led the Detroit Pistons to the best record in the NBA for the first half of the 2005-06 season, and in return will coach the Eastern Conference squad in the NBA All-Star Game, Sunday, Feb. 19 in Houston, Texas. As of Feb. 7, the Pistons hold an NBA-best 39-7 record (.848 pct.).

Saunders is on pace to challenge fellow CBA veteran coach Phil Jackson and his 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, who finished with a regular-season record of 72-10 (.878 pct.) en route to an NBA Championship.

Saunders is in his 11th season as head coach in the NBA (first with Detroit) after coaching seven seasons in the CBA with Rapid City, La Crosse and Sioux Falls. Saunders led La Crosse to two CBA Championships in 1990 and 1992. Additionally, Saunders' coaching stint for the Eastern Conference squad Feb. 19 will make him just the sixth coach in NBA All-Star history to coach both the Eastern Conference and Western Conference All-Star teams, joining, among others, Jackson on that list. Saunders also accomplished a similar feat in the CBA when he coached the American Conference to a 119-108 victory in the 1994 CBA All-Star game, then led the National Conference to a 119-115 win in the 1995 CBA All-Star Classic.

Last season, former CBA Coach George Karl took over the coaching duties for the Denver Nuggets on Jan. 27. Karl guided the Nuggets to a 32-8 (.800) record after assuming head coaching duties. His was the best winning percentage by a coach who took over midseason in NBA history (minimum 20 games). The Nuggets went 25-4 (.862) after the All-Star break, marking the fifth-best record after the break in NBA annals. Karl also posted a CBA single-season record 50 wins during the 1990-91 season while leading the Albany Patroons. The Patroons were 50-6 that year for a league-record .893 winning pct.

At the beginning of this season, there were 10 NBA head coaches with a CBA background, including; Rick Carlisle (Indiana), Maurice Cheeks (Philadelphia), Phil Jackson (LA Lakers), Eddie Jordan (Washington), George Karl (Denver), Sam Mitchell (Toronto), Flip Saunders (Detroit), Jerry Sloan (Utah), Terry Stotts (Milwaukee), and Bob Weiss (Seattle).

Playoff Format for 2006 CBA Playoffs Announced, Quarter Points to Play Key Role

The Continental Basketball Association announced Jan. 20 the format for this year's 2006 playoffs, set to begin following the conclusion of the regular season Sunday, March 12. The format was recently approved at league meetings during the CBA All-Star Classic by the CBA Board of Directors.

Among the unique changes in this year's playoffs will be the addition of the CBA's one-of-a-kind quarter point system. For the first time since the CBA began using quarter points to determine regular-season standings in the 1981-82 season, the league will be using quarter points to decide which teams advance from the first round of the playoffs. The two teams that accumulate the most total quarter points in their respective three first-round games will advance to play in the CBA Finals. Potential ties will be broken first by head-to-head playoff play. If two or more teams are tied, or if two teams that did not play each other in the playoffs are tied, then the team that is the higher seed will advance.

The finals will be a two-out-of-three game series using a (1-2) home-court format, with the lower seed hosting game one and the higher seed hosting games two and three (if necessary). Quarter points will not be used in the CBA Finals.

Playoff dates and times will be determined based on order of finish and arena availability.

The two teams with the most quarter points accumulated during this round-robin format will advance to the CBA Finals and play a best two-out-of-three game series using a (1-2) home-court format.

CBA Quarter Point System

The quarter point system is unique to the CBA. Regular season conference standings are determined by points won, with a team receiving three points for winning a game and one point for winning a quarter (four quarters in each game). If a quarter is tied, teams split the point. No points are awarded for overtime. Therefore, there are seven possible points to win in each game.

Each week in the CBA Weekly, we will show you how the playoff format for this year's postseason will work by giving you the playoff bracket "as of that week". This should help to give you a better understanding of how our 2006 postseason participants will be selected.

If the CBA Playoffs were to begin today (Feb. 7, 2006), here are the first-round matchups...
Eastern Conference Western Conference
1A-Rockford (4.3 avg.) 1B-Yakama (3.9 avg.)
2B-Gary (3.9 avg.) 2A-Sioux Falls (3.7 avg.)
3B-Albany (2.7 avg.) 3A-Idaho (3.6 avg.)

Rockford (1A) would host Yakama and Sioux Falls, travel to Idaho Yakama (1B) would host Gary and Albany, travel to Rockford Gary (2A) would host Sioux Falls and Idaho, travel to Yakama Sioux Falls (2B) would host Albany, travel to Rockford and Gary Idaho (3A) would host Rockford, travel to Gary and Albany Albany (3B) would host Idaho, travel to Yakama and Sioux Falls

CBA Alum Spotlight - Phoenix Suns' Raja Bell

Former Yakama Sun Kings guard Raja Bell is in his fifth NBA season and first with the Phoenix Suns, who lead the Pacific Division with a 31-17 record (.646 pct.), second best in the Western Conference. Bell is third on the team in scoring (14.6 ppg.) and second in minutes played (1,784). He leads the Suns and is second in the NBA in 3-point FGs made (114), while he leads the Suns and is fifth in the NBA in 3-point FGs attempted (262). Bell also ranks eighth in the NBA in 3-point accuracy (43.5 pct.).

Bell was drafted by Yakama in the fourth round of the 1999 CBA Draft and was named to the CBA All-Rookie Team that year after averaging 11.5 points and 2.8 rebounds in 52 games. In the 2000-01 season, Bell played in nine games for the Sun Kings (19.1 ppg./4.3 rpg.) before playing five games with the Philadephia 76ers. Since that time he has played for Dallas (2002-03) and Utah (2003-05). He has played in 346 NBA games with averages of 8.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. For his career he has shot 40.0 pct. from behind the 3-point arc (264-of-660) and 43.4 pct. from the field.

Albany Patroons (12-23, 3rd Eastern Conference, 94.0 points, 2.7 QP Avg.)

Albany went 2-3 last week, with one win coming on the road and the other at home. Both wins came after suffering a loss the previous night... the Patroons split two games against Idaho and Michigan, while losing to Rockford on the road... Albany received consistent play from rookie T.J. Thompson (25.4 ppg, 4.6 apg) and Patroon Player of the Week Justin Miller (10.8 ppg, 10 rpg)... Patroon newcomer and Connecticut Huskie standout, Edmund Saunders, (19.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg) provided inside presence since the loss of James Thomas, who recently signed a second 10-day contract with the Chicago Bulls... With 13 games left this season, the Patroons hold a 20-quarter point lead over the Michigan Mayhem for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Dakota Wizards (17-18, 4th Western Conference, 120.0 points, 3.4 QP Avg.)

Dakota ended an important homestand at 3-1 after a weekend sweep over Michigan... The Wizards won 101-85 Friday and 90-88 Saturday, picking up 10 quarter points in the process... Earlier in the week, Dakota managed to split with Gary, who handed the Wizards their only loss of the week on Wednesday when they beat the Wizards, 97-113. Wizards Guard/Forward, Kasib Powell, put up big numbers for the Wizards and managed to earn his first CBA Player of the Week award for the week of Jan. 30-Feb. 5. Powell added to his streak of five consecutive double-doubles by recording one in all four Wizards games last week... Dakota now hits the road for two weeks for match-ups against all three Western Conference teams, playing in Idaho and Yakama this week, and Sioux Falls next week.

Gary Steelheads (19-15, 2nd Eastern Conference, 132.0 points, 3.7 QP Avg.)

Gary turned in one of their most impressive weekly performances to date, winning three of four games and earning 20 quarter points for the week (a 5.0 quarter point average). The Steelheads started with a narrow 88-85 loss at Dakota on Jan. 30. The teams met again Feb. 1, and this time Gary picked up its first 7 quarter-point road win of the season, 113-97, in Bismark. Gary then hosted Rockford in back-to-back games at the Genesis Center Friday and Saturday night, winning both games against the Eastern Conference leaders. With the wins, Gary improved its record to a high water mark of four games over .500 at 19-15... On Feb. 1, the Steelheads acquired All-Star forward Carl Mitchell from the Albany Patroons for forward Edmund Saunders. Mitchell joined the Steelheads for their two weekend games with the Lightning and contributed a double-double of 11 points and 13 rebounds in Gary's 120-110 victory over the Lightning on Saturday night.

Idaho Stampede (17-17, 3rd Western Conference, 122.0 points, 3.6 QP Avg.)

Guard David Jackson has proven that his CBA All-Star Long Distance Championship was no fluke. Jackson leads the league in 3-point field goal percentage at 46.2 pct. (98-of-212). center Eric Chenowith continues to dominate the boards, averaging a league-best 13.4 rebounds per game, over four more rebounds than the next leading player (Chris Alexander, Gary at 9.3). This coming Saturday, Stampede players will be coaching at the Boys and Girls Club of Garden City during their Club Exhibition Day. It is part of the B&G Club Kids Helping Kids program and all money raised will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House.. The Stampede team and two individual players are closing in on franchise records, including team rebounds per game, individual points per game, 3-point FGs in a season, points in a season, and individual rebounds per game. The current Stampeders are averaging 44.4 rebounds per game with the club record at 43.4 during the 1998-99 season. Jackson is leading the Stampede with 20.6 ppg. and 98 3-point field goals. Current Cleveland Cavalier Damon Jones holds both of those records with 21.7 ppg. and 120 3-point field goals in 1998-99. Jackson can also catch former Stampeder Sam Clancy's record of 918 points in a season. Jackson currently has 700 points this year. Finally, Chenowith is closing in on Clancy's club record of 520 rebounds set last year. Chenwith currently has 443 and needs to average 5.5 rpg. the rest of the season to surpass that mark.

Michigan Mayhem (7-24, 4th Eastern Conference, 74.0 points, 2.4 QP Avg.)

The Mayhem picked up its first road victory of the season on Feb. 6, defeating the Patroons in Albany, 103-89. Darrell Johns had a game-high 33 points as Michigan improved to 1-13 on the road... Michigan began the week by playing its second overtime game in a row at home on Feb. 1, dropping a 115-107 decision to Albany... Michigan then travelled to Dakota Feb. 3, falling to the Wizards, 101-85... the next night Michigan lost a heart breaker as it was one bucket shy of tying the game and falling 90-88... Michigan did acquire a new player last week, picking up guard Keith Salscheider... Salscheider averaged 12 ppg, 4.3 rpg, and 1 steal per game for the week... Other top performers for week were Jamar Brown who averaged 17.3 ppg and 6.6 rpg; Willie Simms with 14.3 ppg and 7.3 rpg; and Marcus Wallace with 12.6 ppg and 5.3 rpg... Jason Boucher also led the league for the week in steals averaging 3.5 per game... the Mayhem will play five games this week with two at Albany, followed by a home game against Rockford, and two more away games versus Yakama and Idaho.

Rockford Lightning (24-10, 1st Eastern Conference, 147.5 points, 4.3 QP Avg.)

Rockford remains at the top of the Eastern Conference standings after a 2-2 record last week. The team has won 19 of its last 25 games while going 13-0 at home over that same span... guard Ronnie Fields averaged 24.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.8 steals over the four games last week while shooting 50.0 pct. (33-for-66) from the field, 58.3 pct. (7-for-12) from behind the arc, and 86.7 pct. (26-for-30) from the free throw line. Fields became the Lightning's all-time leader in rebounds with 1,051, passing Jim Lampley in Tuesday night's 114-108 victory over the Albany Patroons... Marlon Parmer averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 8.5 assists over the four games last week. The former CBA Player of the Week currently ranks fourth in the CBA in scoring (22.0 ppg) and first in assists (7.8 pg)... Roger Powell scored 20.5 points and 8.5 rebounds a game last week. The rookie forward needs to average 19.1 points a game over the final 14 games of the season to break Kendrick Warren's scoring record of 1,012 points by a Lightning rookie. Head Coach Chris Daleo was named the CBA Coach of the Month for January. This is the fourth Coach of the Month award in Coach Daleo's career and second of this season (November). He was also named the CBA Coach of the Year in 2003.

Sioux Falls Skyforce (19-16, 2nd Western Conference, 130.5 points, 3.7 QP Avg.)

Sioux Falls split two home contests with the Western Conference-leading Yakama Sun Kings last week. The 'Force won on Thursday night 119-95 (6,1) but unfortunately two nights later lost to the Sun Kings 120-110 (6,1). With the loss the 'Force dropped to 13-3 at home with all three losses coming against the Yakama Sun Kings... this past Saturday was the second annual "Military Night" and the 'Force wore camouflage uniforms that were raffled off throughout the game with all proceeds going to a foundation started by the Skyforce called "Operation Opening Doors," which aids soldiers who return home with disabilities. A big crowd of 4,838 fans attended the game and raised over $1,100 in raffle ticket sales... Billy Thomas was nominated for CBA Player of the Week after averaging 24.5 ppg and 5.5 rpg in two games, including an outstanding 67 pct. (12-for-18) from beyond the three-point line... the 'Force kicks off their annual John Morrell Reading Program this week as they will visit elementary schools around the area lecturing young children about the importance of reading and respect... the 'Force plays two home contests this Friday and Saturday night against the Eastern Conference-leading Rockford Lightning.

Yakama Sun Kings (20-12, 1st Western Conference, 125.0 points, 3.9 QP Avg.)

Yakama went 1-1 last week, splitting a pair of games at Sioux Falls. The Sun Kings have handed the Skyforce their only three home losses this year. Yakama leads the CBA in fewest turnovers committed, averaging only 14.1 miscues while forcing 17.9 turnovers per game. The Sun Kings are also leading the league in field goals attempted (86.8 per game), assists (24.8 apg), and steals (9.6 spg). Yakama has played the fewest games in the Western Conference at 32. Sioux Falls and Dakota have played 35 while Idaho has played 34. The Sun Kings are 13-3 this season when leading at half-time and 10-3 when owning a lead at the end of the third quarter. Rosell Ellis is leading the Sun Kings in minutes per game, 36.1, and rebounds per game, 8.0. Ellis, a two-time CBA All-Star, is second on the team in field goal percentage, 53.9 pct., second only to Mark Strickland's 55.5 pct... The Sun Kings scoring average of 111.6 is tops in the Western Conference and second in the CBA to Rockford's 116.5ppg.



Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from February 7, 2006


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