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"We are here live at the Hustlas Smackdown arena in beautiful downtown Las Vegas. And we are here for the Hustlas pregame report. I'm your host Dillard Crenshawàa you #z1#

"We are here live at the Hustlas Smackdown arena in beautiful downtown Las Vegas. And we are here for the Hustlas pregame report. I'm your host Dillard Crenshaw, and we have some interesting things to cover. First off, the Hustlas just lost two pieces of their bench. The second best outside defender was transferred last night, Trepicchio, and their other point guard, is also gone. Two players, and this could really affect this team. They used them as shock troops, so that they could dominate all benches in the league. It was paying dividends, but we will see how the team reacts tonight against Linndale. After this game, the Hustlas has another BBM game and another CUP match before the all-star break. And the Hustlas want to win out. The loss of the two of them make it that much tougher."

"You didn't introduce me," says Alvin Ames.
"And I say the Hustlas will win this one, no problems. There are two scary matchups, especially when the second string come in, but Jim Layton now has to play and will do well. He will keep growing and developing. The Hustlas will keep it close, then pull away in the end. They will not be denied," says Ames.

"And I say it's not that cut and dry. You have no idea how the loss of two players that can start almost anywhere will have on this team. Also, they are looking at Denkovic, Kobuki, or Sazmuk as another player to release. This is is going through upheaval. Hustlas lose by 5," says Crenshaw.

"I can't wait for you to eat your words," says Ames. "Legkauskas will have a field day today. He'll drop 30, or it will be a team effort. But I prefer his 30."

"And this is why I didn't introduce you," says Crenshaw. "You're unforgettable."

Last edited by Reece at 9/10/2022 5:40:12 PM

Happy Ourer with Linndale legend Pio Reina on the WINO radio Pregame report, and this one's gonna be short and sweet folks. Pio, it's All-Star Week. What does that mean for the team?

Pio: Usually, that means if team training week for Linndale. Stamina and free throw shooting, with stamina chosen about 80% of the time, but I think Coach has something different in mind for the team.

Happy: What makes you say that?

Pio: Game shape doesn't seem to be quite the issue for the team it might have been in the past. It could always be better, but it's not the issue it used to be. Free throw shoooting is a problem, but I think that will get addressed later. I think Coach has to address the lack of depth defensively inside, the lack of rebounding, or the lack of depth with the inside game of offense. Last week. emphasis on the guards offense was inventive. Putting them in paint offensively paid off a little bit, and I'd expect to see more of that type of thing in the future. Tonight, I think the emphasis is going on the defense or rebounding.

Happy: You seem to hammer of depth inside. Do you think the team will focus on the younger guys tonight?

Pio: I would. Look, Hustlas are stacked. We simply do not have anyone who can match up with Suen Jun Hoi---and that's no disrespect to our guards, but we don't. Domenic Ziehaus and Josef Talman inside are really good, too. In fact, Klimekov and Coronado will both admit those two are better.

Happy: And our guys are pretty good; that's saying something!

Pio: Right! That's respect.

Happy: Given that, do you think we will see guys like Daniel Gale and Balthasar Gebhardt Datler get extensive time tonight?

Pio: I think so. Klimenkov and Coronado carry the load inside for Linndale and we have to develop some guys behind them. Kevin Jung and Sutori both could see plenty of time depending on which way Coach decides to go. Joe Brown and even Bobby Coenen could as well.

Happy: So you think this is going to be a training exercise for Linndale?

Pio: It could be. Depends on the foul situation and what guys Hustlas decides to suit up. Listen, take those three big guns out of the picture, and I think Linndale beats them. I don't think you see Klimenkov or Coronado tonight. I think you see the younger guys get schooled inside, and Linndale loses. If the game spirals out of control with foul trouble or injury, then I'd expect Coach to scrap whatever plan wa for the week and just shift to Free Throw week. His emphasis is going to be something inside. Free throw is a fall back, and Linndale is pretty good about stressing that, but make no mistake: they're working on something inside. I just don't know what part of the inside game they choose.

Happy: Well Pio, you know better than almost anyone the three pillars of Coach's philosophy!

Pio: Defense, rebounding, and free throw shooting. You want to have fun and run? Take care of those things first.

Happy: You played on some pretty good Linndale squads, Pio. You've played for Coach.

Pio: I think a few of the teams I played on would smoke this team. We were really good. We knew how to ugly things up against better teams and steal a win, and we were better than a lot of teams straight up strictly because of our defense. Coach won't say it publicly, but I don't think he's happy with the defense. I know he's not happy with the rebounding. He's going defense tonight.

Happy: There you have it folks! That's your pregame report! Happy Hourer and Pio Reina saying goodnight for now, and we'll see you at tipoff!

Happy Ourer live at halftime in Smackdown Arena, and Pio, we've got ourselves quite the surprise!

Pio: I did NOT see this coming and I am not ashamed to admit it!

Happy: Folks, at the half, and no, your eyes do not deceive you, the score is Linndale 80 and Hustlas 70.

Pio: I know the 70 points is driving Coach mad, but that 80 spot is making him giddy, I assure you!

Happy: Kyle Knowles and Paul Lutz both lead the way with 21 points apiece for Linndale.

Pio: The aggressiveness they are playing with is setting the tone, and Lutz getting to the line 7 times is something to watch. This attack is something. Nick Guevara, whose aggressiveness had been questioned, is also looking good.

Happy: They're doing this with Klimenkov and Coronado on the bench tonight which is surprising, but keep an eye on the Daniel Gale situation. The kid went down with an injury early in the 2nd quarter with 5 points and 5 boards. It will be interesting to see if he comes out for the second half.

Pio: You don't want to see anyone get hurt, but the whole team has stepped it up with their aggressiveness. 14 steals versus only 3 turnovers while grabbing 21 boards, versus 2 steals, 18 turnovers and 35 rebounds for Hustlas.

Happy: The way Linndale has been looking since the introduction of the full court press, it looks like Coach may have to make this a staple the rest of the way.

Pio: I know Coach pretty well, and I can tell you he'll do what needs to be done for training purposes, to develop the team, and to get them ready for the postseason; it's nice knowing that the press is a weapon he can turn to when he wants it.

Happy, Yeah, and the other team won't know when or what group will run it!

Pio Reina and Happy Ourer on the WINO Basketball Network and we'll be back to start the second half! Again, the score at halftime, Linndale 80, Hustlas 70!

"I'm sorry guys," says the Hustlas coach. "This is my fault. I kept switching up the game plan. And then didn't go back to the one I should have. We are playing Run and Gun vs a press. No wonder we are down by 10 at halftime. Too many turnovers. This is a very good team, but we still have a shot to win this game. We are lost on defense. But not completely. We are a bit careless offensively, and that will continue. But we need to get the ball in the hoop more than them. They beat us by 10 at halftime. Second half we need to win by 11. Let's get to it, Let's show them Hustlas basketball."

"It is 90-71 Hustlas down 19 with 9:10 left in the third quarter," says The Hustlas commentator. "This is a shocking development. Turnovers, and more turnovers. Linndale really came out and pounced, and so far the Hustlas has had no answer for them. This up and down Linndale team should be like this every game," says the Hustlas Color commentator.

"I don't see them coming back if this continues," says the commentator. "I think they will come back. This is not the most they have been down before coming back to win. It's just never happened against this caliber of opponent," says the color commentator.

"This is a shame. I can't believe what I'm watching," says Levi Jenkins, long time Hustlas supporter. "They need to come back, because this is not a game. This is a massacre."

"Hold on their making a little run here," says the color commentator. "Oh no, what a Three by Lutz, to keep the lead up there at 18. 6:34 left in the period," says the commentator.

ESPN end of 3rd quarter in the game between Linndale and Hustlas. The score is 112 - 106.

"What a game," says Stephen A. "And a buzzerbeater at the end of the third by Ziehaus. Linndale came, popped Hustlas in the mouth, it got bloody. Hustlas didn't have that full compliment of players they use to have. It got messy, but in the end, of 3 quarters, they are down 6, with all the momentum. They are still turning over the ball. Too much, and could still lose this, but I have my Hustlas coming back to take charge in th 4th quarter. Down 6? That's nothing for this team. And when it's all said and done, Hustlas will be victorious, because that's what I said, and what I say, happens. Back to the game."

Pio Reina here with the postgame report. Media has not been allowed access to the players or coaches yet. There has been a lot of screaming and yelling, sounds like some things are being thrown, and word is starting to leak that there may have a been a player scuffle. Nothing we can confirm yet, though.

Happy Ourer: Pio, I'm hearing a report from the Supreme Court Basketball Network that not only is there a fight among players inside, but that someone maybe getting treated for injuries sustained. Can you elaborate?

Pio: I can't; I don't have that information. I can tell you however that EMS just went into the locker room with a crash cart and I'm going in behind them as we speak.

*Camera man follows*

*Camera shows players gathered around as EMS attends to Coach*

Pio: Coach has suffered some kind of medical event. We're gonna throw it back to you, Happy. We need to get information from someone as soon as we can so we can update things...

Last edited by Speedtraps at 9/11/2022 2:31:20 AM

A day after the close one point come from behind victory over Linndale, the Hustlas are at their team headquarters in a somber mood.

"We don't know what happened. All we know is that there was some sort of medical situation happened with Linndale's coach," says the Hustlas coach.

"It was a broken heart. He had his heart set on the match after being up 19 points," says Legkauskas. "We won with Talman's.final.bucket just before time expired. Their final heave was short. We won, and we gave their coach a heart attack."

"Respect, Legkauskas. We weren't told it's a heart attack. Just that it's a medical situation. And he's a great coach. He out coached me in that game, even though we won," says the Hustla's coach.

The general manager of the Hustlas walks in.
"Everyone, I congratulate you on a great season. You guys have gotten so good that I think you all could have, and would have won out the rest of the season and the championship. Hell of a match yesterday. I never doubted for a second."

"Yes you did sir," says K.Huk.

"Yes I did," said the GM. "I won't lie. But you guys came back, and won. I thank you all for a great season, and I see you continuing to have one, but, it will get better tougher from here. Two key players have been transferred and we will transfer one to two more. Because of this, I don't see us winning the title this season. But I still want you guys to give your all. Maybe we'll get lucky. But with the lost players and the ones we will be losing, I don't see how. The changes will move us to 4th best. At the moment we are the best I think. But keep trying. Keep winning. And, the Linndale coach, we don't know what has happened with him. But, if you broke his heart, good job."

The GM leaves and the players all stand, and, one by one, then in groups, depart.

Last edited by Reece at 9/12/2022 12:54:19 AM

Day 13 (Saturday 10 September 2022) : Performances by (https://www.buzzer-manager.com)

Night results
Linndale 143 - Hustlas 144
Lion Rebels 73 - The Ashkickers 97
Rip City Revival 72 - Miami Cleo 54
The Lone Wolf 98 - 2 percent 101
Mighty Moose Rockets 80 - Is This Heaven? 100
Carolina Rebels 112 - The Beer Bellys 99
San Dominica Warriors 91 - Żubr Białystok 96
Philly Dribble 101 - Tachenko 91

Best collective performance of the evening
Points : 144 : Hustlas
Rebounds : 69 : Carolina Rebels
Assists : 31 : Is This Heaven?
Steals : 25 : Linndale
Block Shots : 8 : Miami Cleo, Mighty Moose Rockets, Żubr Białystok, The Beer Bellys

Personal best performances of the evening
Points : 47 : K. Knowles (Linndale)
Rebounds : 26 : H. Espinosa (Carolina Rebels)
Assists : 11 : B. Coenen (Linndale)
Steals : 5 : P. Lutz (Linndale), J. Brown (Linndale), B. Coenen (Linndale)
Block Shots : 5 : P. Kalinov (The Beer Bellys)

Top 5 of the evening
Point Guard : M. Velasco (Philly Dribble) (24 Points, 6 Rebounds, 7 Assists, 1 Steals, 3 Block Shots), H. Šapiras (Żubr Białystok) (30 Points, 9 Rebounds, 6 Assists, 0 Steals, 0 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 36
Shooting Guard : K. Knowles (Linndale) (47 Points, 5 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 3 Steals, 0 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 36
Small Forward : P. Lutz (Linndale) (38 Points, 6 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 5 Steals, 0 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 37
Power Forward : F. Torreira (Is This Heaven?) (20 Points, 21 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 1 Steals, 1 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 38
Center : D. Wilmink (2 percent) (22 Points, 25 Rebounds, 0 Assists, 0 Steals, 2 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 39

MVP of the evening
D. Wilmink (2 percent) (22 Points, 25 Rebounds, 0 Assists, 0 Steals, 2 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 39

The bad performance of the evening
M. Maurin (Miami Cleo) (6 Points, 4 Rebounds, 1 Assists, 1 Steals, 0 Block Shots)W. Graf (Miami Cleo) (0 Points, 2 Rebounds, 0 Assists, 0 Steals, 0 Block Shots)M. Grimm (Żubr Białystok) (0 Points, 3 Rebounds, 1 Assists, 0 Steals, 0 Block Shots) : Efficiency : -3

All kinds of statistics
The player who forgot to remove his mittens : S. Legkauskas (Hustlas), J. Talman (Hustlas), D. Wilmink (2 percent) : 6 Turnovers

Player targeted by the referees : H. Šapiras (Żubr Białystok), Z. Enxuan (The Lone Wolf), K. Huk (Hustlas) : 6 Personnal Fouls

The iron-man : G. Locus (Miami Cleo), R. Cuberas (Mighty Moose Rockets), J. Cadelago (Mighty Moose Rockets), H. Espinosa (Carolina Rebels), L. Arevalo (Carolina Rebels), K. Brown (Lion Rebels), M. Carrillo (Lion Rebels), Y. Semiramis (The Beer Bellys), M. Rubin (2 percent), D. Wilmink (2 percent), P. Mari Acuña (2 percent), K. Park (2 percent), A. Ingram (2 percent) : 48 Minutes

The shooter : K. Knowles (Linndale) : 9 Three points

The best performer : N. Neochoritis (Rip City Revival) : Rating : 18.0

The worst performer : O. Oynak (Mighty Moose Rockets) : Rating : 2.0

Pio Reina live for an exclusive with Coach here at the Linndale Medical Center. I'm told Coach didn't want to speak with anyone else to make this statement. Coach, it makes me very happy to see right now. The community has been quite worried about you.

Coach: Pio, I know that; that's why I'm here and I'm going to say this unequivocally so everyone can understand. I had a heart attack. There was an altercation in the locker room that preceded it. That altercation is not related to it. I'll be at courtside tomorrow. The doctors have said I can't coach for a week at least. I won't be coaching. I'll be sitting courtside as part of the broadcast team for the next week. Coaching the team will be done by committee. The assistants will run things along with my point guards. I fully expect to be back in my normal role Saturday. The doctors say I'm rushing it. If they decide different then so be it, but my intention is to not miss a game. I want to thank the organization for taking care of me. I want to thank the Hustlas organization for their concern. I know some of you think I might be being reckless, but I've been coaching a long time; this is all I know. This is all I've ever wanted to do. Pio, you know better than most, this is what I do and who I am. I'm not just a coach; I'm Coach. I'm always going to be there for my team. And if I go out that way, I'll be the luckiest guy in the world. Thank you all for coming, be safe, and I'll see you courtside. Good night everybody!

Pio: There you have it, straight from the man himself. Pio Reina on the WINO radio basketball network. Back to the studio with Happy Ourer.