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Pio Reina: Coach, you wanted to see me?

Coach: Yeah. You and the team. It's time for the meeting.

Pio: Well we're all here.

Coach: It's assessment time, and postseason roster time. Daniel Gale you're not on the roster. Not nearly good enough. I wanted you to hear it from me. We'll talk more at the exit interviews. If we have to play you in the postseason, we've already lost. The good news is you have talent and a future, but you're gonna have to work to realize it. That's it for the roster talk.

Pio: Rotations get tighter in postseason. You guys need to know your role for the postseason.Usual caveats apply. Be ready for anything.

Coach: Brown, Datler, and Jung, you guys are reserves. Jung, Datler, I expect one if not both of you inthe rotation next season. Understood?

Jung and Datler: (in unison) Understood.

Coach: Brown, you know what you have to do, and you know nothing is promised.

Brown: Coach, watch me work.

Coach: I will.

Pio: The rest of you are the rotation. We're going 9 deep. Brown, you're first in the rotation if we need a reserve.

Coach: We go defense first. Bobbie, we have a plan for the game. I want the PGs to come in for the coaches meeting. Lutz, you too.

Pio: One more thing. That meeting is going to be in Cleveland, with J. B. Bickerstaff and the Cleveland Cavaliers. We'll see if we can pick up something from them. Now go home and get your cold weather clothes; we're taking a team trip to the Big Apple.

Coach: We're guests of the Cleveland Guardians. My good friend Tito said he could use the support, and this team is young enough that I thought experiencing some playoff atmosphere would not hurt. Any Yankee fans in here?

Lutz: I heard there were a couple but I ain't one!

Pio: Well it's gonna suck to be them, because the Guardians have got this.

Coach: Go get ready, let's have some fun and then get to work! And Lutz?

Lutz: Yeah Coach?

Coach: You're not a good liar. Your Yankee is hat was sticking out your locker...

Day 22 (Saturday 15 October 2022) : Performances by (https://www.buzzer-manager.com)

Night results
Linndale 131 - Lion Rebels 128
Rip City Revival 129 - The Lone Wolf 86
Mighty Moose Rockets 48 - Carolina Rebels 120
San Dominica Warriors 69 - Philly Dribble 85
2 percent 113 - Is This Heaven? 36
The Beer Bellys 90 - Żubr Białystok 89
Tachenko 93 - Hustlas 95
The Ashkickers 99 - Miami Cleo 103

Best collective performance of the evening
Points : 131 : Linndale
Rebounds : 69 : Miami Cleo
Assists : 36 : Carolina Rebels
Steals : 19 : Linndale
Block Shots : 10 : Miami Cleo

Personal best performances of the evening
Points : 45 : T. Plummer (Carolina Rebels)
Rebounds : 23 : T. Armstead (Lion Rebels)
Assists : 10 : T. Begley (Carolina Rebels), P. Mari Acuña (2 percent)
Steals : 5 : B. Datler (Linndale), H. Šapiras (Żubr Białystok), N. Neochoritis (Rip City Revival)
Block Shots : 3 : A. Varpukevicius (Miami Cleo), T. Colomina (The Ashkickers), T. Ogata (2 percent)

Top 5 of the evening
Point Guard : T. Begley (Carolina Rebels) (19 Points, 0 Rebounds, 10 Assists, 0 Steals, 2 Block Shots), H. Griffin (2 percent) (17 Points, 6 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 2 Steals, 0 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 22
Shooting Guard : A. Varpukevicius (Miami Cleo) (34 Points, 14 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 2 Steals, 3 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 43
Small Forward : Á. Sütöri (Linndale) (18 Points, 9 Rebounds, 1 Assists, 1 Steals, 1 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 26
Power Forward : T. Plummer (Carolina Rebels) (45 Points, 16 Rebounds, 6 Assists, 3 Steals, 2 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 68
Center : T. Armstead (Lion Rebels) (29 Points, 23 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 1 Steals, 2 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 47

MVP of the evening
T. Plummer (Carolina Rebels) (45 Points, 16 Rebounds, 6 Assists, 3 Steals, 2 Block Shots) : Efficiency : 68

The bad performance of the evening
W. Johnson (Mighty Moose Rockets) (0 Points, 3 Rebounds, 0 Assists, 0 Steals, 0 Block Shots) : Efficiency : -9

Triple-Double of the evening
P. Mari Acuña (2 percent) (23 Points, 16 Rebounds, 10 Assists, 2 Steals, 1 Block Shots)

All kinds of statistics
The player who forgot to remove his mittens : T. Medina (Lion Rebels) : 7 Turnovers

Player targeted by the referees : W. Clevenger (Carolina Rebels), T. Medina (Lion Rebels) : 6 Personnal Fouls

The iron-man : S. Hollins (Lion Rebels) : 51 Minutes

The shooter : A. Varpukevicius (Miami Cleo) : 6 Three points

The best performer : T. Armstead (Lion Rebels) : Rating : 19.0

The worst performer : W. Johnson (Mighty Moose Rockets) : Rating : 0.0

Well, shoot. Didn't get to my MVP predictions in time. Not that they're ever correct. At any rate, I think Nikky Nay winning is well deserved, but it's good to see The Ashkickers REPRESENTING in the top 5 - they've long been overlooked.

Good luck in the playoffs/relegation series - I'm hoping to stick around or at least give Tachenko a run for his money!

Linndale Exit Interviews, Part One

Coach: If you don't see me for your exit interview, you'll be meeting with Coach Pio Reina. The following players will report to me, the remaining to Coach Reina. Diullio Teti, Musa Ozol, Joe Brown, Daniel Gale, Balthasar Gebhardt Datler, and Kevin Jung will all report to my office and wait inside the conference room until i call each of you in individually. Arley Coronado report to my office immediately.

If I didn't get to call your name, you'll also report to the conference room and wait until Pio calls you into his office individually.

inside Coach's office

Coach: Arley, I wanted to personally thank you for everything you've done for us for this season and your time hear. I'm not in favor of this, but we need to make some changes. As a result you're being transferred. Hopefully, this gives you a chance to do what you do where you want to be. I know playing with the young guys can be frustrating and losing Mikhail Klimenkov had to be particularly painful. We're going to miss you but we wanted you to know how much we appreciate you.

Coronado: Coach, I wanted to be here for your last season. I wanted to have that last shot at getting you to the finals in D3.

Coach: This is Pio's team now. I'm just an over-titled adviser. You did exactly what you wanted. Thank you. I'm just here to oversee the transition. I've been doing this a long time. Time to step back and smell some flowers. This is my transition to retirement.

Coronado: Thanks for sharing that, Coach. You take care.

Coach: Keep my number. I'm not just a coach. I'd like to think I'm a friend and resource if you need one.

Coronado: Thanks, Coach. I will, and you are.
*walks out of office*

Coach: Teti, Ozul and Brown. Inside.

Teti: Sir?

Coach: First, the three of you are in here for a reason as a group. There was talk of moving on from you and the situation is fluid. You all can help someone, but we're not certain that that will happen here. Musa, you may be transferred. We don't know as we haven't decided how to proceed. Brown, same for you. I'm telling you this so you can be prepared IF it happens, but if you're back I'm telling you what to work on. Musa, your driving, inside game and inside defense are primary things to work on. Do with that what you will, but I'm assuming you'll be back. I expect you ready to play. Brownie, we've had this talk all season long. You already know. I think you'll be back, but if you don't get to work on your weaknesses, you'll be at the back of the bench. Teti, you filled a hole solidly. We're going in a different direction. Thank you all for your contributions. Good luck to you in the future.

*all three angrily storm out of the office*

Coach: Datler and Jung

Jung: Yeah, Coach?

Datler: This can't be good; I've seen the faces of the others.

Coach: Each circumstance is different. In your case, maybe not so much. You both are going to be back next season. You both have weaknesses to work on. We'll adjust our style somewhat to limit or hide those weaknesses, but you both have work to do. Your development will determine who finishes next year as the starting center; I expect one of you to take the step necessary to seize the position. Both of you need to improve shooting, range and outside defense. Kevin, keep improving your ball skills; I want to put you at guard on occassion in scrimmages to work on things. We may have to force feed Datler there in scrimmages; you're far behind Kevin in those areas. Inside, Kev you trail Datler offensively and on the boards. Defensively you're equal. I need you both to be better. Much better. You both have shot blocking potential. Develop your inside game on offense and defense, command the boards, and get the shot blocking there so we can roll with both of you on the front line at times. We're counting on you both.

Datler: This wasn't so bad. I'll be ready...


Last edited by Speedtraps at 10/22/2022 11:31:57 PM

Part One, continued

Jung: I'm already ready!

Coach: Love the enthusiasm! Good luck to both of you!

Both, in unison: Thanks Coach!

Gale: *walks in* I figured as the last guy in the room it was my turn.

Coach: Correct. Look, half the locker room does not like nor respect you. You're a kid, and you act like it. This is a man's league. You better be ready to work harder than you ever have in your life or you won't be here. Do you understand that?

Gale: Yes.

Coach: We'll see. Whatever you're told to do, do it. No questions. You have talent. We need to see if your talent fits here and how. You will be working with every group here. Be prepared for anything and everything. Do I make myself clear?

Gale: Yes sir.

Coach: Good. Prove you belong here and belong with us. Make yourself a weapon. Work on everything. If you're good at something, get better. If you're not, get good at it. No excuses. It's all on you.

Gale: Yes sir.

Coach: Meeting adjourned.

Exit interviews, Part 2
Inside the conference room…

Coach Reina: I wanted the first part of this to be a group thing. You guys represent the core of this team. You are the leaders. I expect you to lead. Cyozo, you’re workload is going to be most fluid. You’re starting at center until either Jung or Datler step up or management decides to go after a center and move you to your natural power forward. Either way, I expect you be a prominent voice among the bigs. Nick, you’re the starter at the 4. Your situation is as fluid as Cyozo’s. You’re also “The Guy” for the bigs. You have more experience. Use it. Your experience moving from the 3 to the 4 will be instrumental in helping the other bigs navigate moving from the 4 to the 5 and back. Also. It will be instrumental with helping Gale figure out his role. Shots, you keep making yourself useful in the locker room. Kyle, I challenge you to be able to fill 3 positions on the floor. Your passing holds you back at the 1. I’d like to see your board work improve, too. You’re “The Man” on this team. Be our leading scorer. Paulie, if Kyle is “Batman” you’re Alfred. Bruce Wayne can’t function without him, and Batman can’t be Batman without him. I just want you to be more assertive. Bobbie, run the show on the court. Folks, we have to do better putting the ball in the basket. No reason Bobbie shouldn’t average 10 assists a game. Make your shots.

This is where I’m gonna switch things up. I’ve done all of the talking; your turn. Tell me what you think you need to improve on. Bobbie, go.

Bobbie Coenen: my inside D. Gotta cut off the drives better to help the bigs. Finishing at the rim. Helping on the boards.

Reina: Paulie.

Lutz: Boards, conditioning, and I’d like to add a wrinkle defensively: shot blocking.

Reina: I like the sound of that, Paulie. Kyle.

Knowles: Finishing at the rim, passing, conditioning, helping on the boards.

Reina: Shots.

Sutori: My inside game, passing, and range.

Reina: Nick.

Guevara: I need to tighten up my outside D and passing, improve my inside game and Paulie’s wrinkle defensively. I wanna be a shot blocker.

Reina: OK Nick; go do that! Gyozo.

Czagala: I have a lot to work on. My shot, range, handles. Passing. Driving, and conditioning. Hopefully I can add shot blocking as well.

Reina: OK; I want you ready to go 40 minutes a night. You’re not going to often, but be prepared. I notice no one said free throws. I don’t like leaving points on the court. Nick and Shots are the 2 best active players in this room, and they aren’t even the best on the team. That’s right; I said it. Check the team records books. I’m that guy. Shot blockers? 3 point shooters? Scorers? Ballhawks? I’m that guy. That’s regular season and playoffs.

I said that to say this: you guys have the look and potential to be greater. Do it. It’s your time. Put in the work. When opportunity knocks, rip the door down.

These are the things we will do. We will take care of the basketball. We will rebound the basketball. We will defend the full court. We will share the ball. Your job as the core group is simple: set the example. You can't play to my standard, you don't play. Do the things I ask of you. You have an idea or question? My door is open. Got a problem? My door is open. Want to run? Do the things I ask.If you show me half court is more your style, we'll do that. PLay ugly and win ugly? That's fine, too. As long as we win, I do not care how it looks from the outside. These are our principles. They are non negotiable. Any questions?

*surveys the stunned looks on the faces in the room*

Coach: (walking into the room) Pio, you didn't hit them with the press did you?

Reina: No sir, Coach. That was just warmups. The floor is yours...

Happy Ourer: Welcome to the Linndale Radio Basketball Network! I am your host, Happy Ourer, and we're talking what's next for Linndale basketball under the direction of head coach in waiting, Linndale legend Pio Reina. Pio, thanks for joining us this evening!

Pio: It's good to be back here, Happy. I apologize for not being able to do this sooner, but as you might guess, I've been a bit busy.

Happy: Well, we've missed you around here but we're also thrilled for you with your new role. For folks tuning in for the first time, Coach Reina -can I call you that now- is my former colleague and partner broadcasting Linndale basketball, the legendary star shooting guard from his playing days, and recently was announced as Linndale's head coach beginning Season number 60. He'll spend Season 59 as an assistant coach with the team. I know it's far too early in the process, but can you tell the fans what plans are in place for the upcoming season?

Pio: Well Happy, you can still call me Pio. Folks, don't underestimate this man; I've learned a lot from Happy. You've got a great one here! Happy, I can tell you that the press we unleashed late in the season is a work in progress and will be used very sparingly. It still remains very much a tool we have, and the guys love playing that style, but I've made it clear they have to earn that. Coach has entrusted me with the defense and player development so those areas will be my primary focus early on, but I have input across the board.

Happy: We've seen some shocking moves made by the front office, with Mikhail Klimenkov and Arley Coronado being 2 of the most recent examples. Is this an indication of money trouble?

Pio: I can't speak on the financials per se, but I am aware there was going to be a reckoning if we didn't address it. Before both were moved, we made it a point to secure talent we believe would grow and replace and even surpass those talented men. We will miss them, but we also think we will be better long term.

Happy: Are there any players you're looking to see improve? Who is primed for a step forward?

Pio: We want to see all of our guys improve. If you're not improving, you're moving backwards. To answer your question more directly, I'm excited to see how Kevin Jung and Balthasar Gebhardt Datler progress. We will need them to take a big step forward. Gyozo Czagala is another one, and I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Nick Guevara.

Happy: With the recent changes, who are defined as core players?

Pio: Everyone is a core player until they are not. We value everyone. You can make yourself not a core player, but everyone is a core player until they are not. We are only as good as our weakest link. Find your role and fill it to the best of your ability. The more you can do, the better the team is. That's what we want.

Happy: Folks, we gotta go to break. More with Linndale coach Pio Reina when we come back. This is the Linndale Radio Bsketball Network!

Friends. . . countrymen,

Fare thee well to all. It has been a pleasure to be part of this community. I enjoy the personalized narratives and active voices that have been given to your franchises. There's times I've been this manager too. I enjoy the stats and updates, and the activities and analysis and I will definitely miss that.

I hope you get exactly the draftee you need, or find the absolutely best transfer bargain to fuel your franchise forward. I hope to see you all in the future, but only because you've promoted, and not because of a relegation!

All the best to you!

Best of luck...give em' hell in DII!

Best of luck. We don't want to see you back here anytime soon. Hopefully you have a long stay in division II. Though it would be an interesting contest of how many of us you can scrimmage in the later parts of the season

Indeed - good luck to you! Thanks for participating - hope to never see you again. )