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Air Allnite: Downtown Tate and Flash Fenwick with Air Allnite and we are at halftime watching Linndale's worst nightmare happen. Flash, what are you watching?

Flash: It looks to me like the Linndale coaching staff is teaching a lesson here to the team, a very painful one. They're getting destroyed on the boards, they are missing inside shots when they get them, and they look confused on defense. Offensively the disjointedness is real; it appears that the backcourt is playing the frontcourt on offense and the frontcourt in the backcourt. The only player at what is a normal position is Paul Lutz at point guard.

Dowtown: Yeah, but he's got 5 fouls on him and looks like he hasn't played there in a long time.

Allnite: He has attacked the paint and gotten to the line, as has Klimenkov. If I told you Linndale would score 51 at halftime and trail 20...

Flash: I'd call you insane, but here we are.

Downtown: I spoke with the Linndale coach briefly, and he told me there was a disconnect within the team. The guards are upset with the bigs for not fighting harder on the boards and running the floor. The bigs are upset with the guards for not getting them the ball on fast breaks when they're running the floor and blowing so many layups. He said they needed to see how each has it rough because this is a very tough league, and they have to work together to get things done.

Allnite: Sounds like this will either bring them together or fracture them further apart.

Flash: We'll get an idea of what's going on with the players in the second half. For Air and Downtown, I'm Flash Fenwick and we're going back to the game!

Guys - I absolutely love the team commentary (sorry to break the fourth wall here). It’s tremendous. From the local news reports to the mind games being played with tactical options. This is fun! Keep it up!!

Downtown Tate wrapping tonight's Linndale loss with Flash Fenwick and Air Allnite. After a 20 point deficit at the half, what did you see from Linndale?

Allnite: I saw a team that finally started coming together. They lost the game, but they battled to get it down to 8. They just ran out of gas.

Flash: They got absolutely destroyed on the boards. That's effort. They didn't take great care of the basketball by Linndale standards, but they also took better care of the ball than their opponents and they took it from them as well. To me, the game came down to the fact that they were willing to sell out and go after the basketball before it got up in the air at the expense of rebounding.

Downtown: Another thing is Zubr Bialystok went to the line 41 times. They attacked inside all night and I guarantee you Linndale knew that would happen. It's like they wanted to teach the guards a lesson. I guarantee they took a beating inside. That's the kind of lesson you remember and learn from. You might see a different team come out of this.

Allnite: You can see they still have a problem in the paint with guards not finishing at the rim. Despite the overwhelming beatdown on the boards, just make the layups and they win this game. Seems to me the bigs may have had a point here, assuming that locker room split is real. But then you see Coenenand Lutz with 9 and 7 assists respectively and you think maybe they will work this out.

Downtown: We'll find out soon enough! There's another game Tuesday for Linndale at home. They better get things together!

Allnite: I'm surprised they didn't go full run and gun. I don't know it would have made a difference, but this feels like the coaches were teaching something to the players and the comeback leads me to think that at some level there was a breakthrough. I think the most impressive thing I saw in the game though was both starters at point guard playing the vast majority of the game with 5 fouls and not fouling out. You gotta be in the game to help your team and these two found a way to do that. Lutz fouling out might have been a killer for Linndale.

Flash: Folks, we're out of time! We'll see you next on the Supreme Court Basketball Network!

BBTV: "The Hustlas have done it. They knocked off the final undefeated team in the league, winning the game 131-105. What an excellent game by the Hustlas."

Stephen A. - "I said they would do it, and they did. Who did not believe me? Shame on all of you. I said they would win, and I said they would win big. You see, I know those guys. I knew they really wanted this win. I know the front office, the execs. I knew that they wanted it. They proved that to me with all of their signings. They signed all of these point guards. They have new centers as well, all new signees, but the point guards were what really caught my notice. And I said that with all the signings, they still needed someone big time. They needed someone that could shake things up. But I didn't think they had it in them. And, guess what Skip? They had it in them. They went and signed the leagues biggest free agent acquisition, Suen Jun Hoi, and that has made all th difference. And that's when I knew that they meant business. He was signed specifically for Nikky Nay, at least that was my take. May not be true, but that was my take. And he delivered. He's not putting up big numbers, but he is guiding this team, and guarding with his amazing defense, and he is what this team needed."

Skip: "I think that it was a good win for the Hustlas, but, it was not the end all be all. There are still questions. I don't know if this team can truly defeat Rip City."

Shannon: "That's crazy Skip."

Skip: "Hear me out, hear me out. Hustlas almost played Crunch Time. They were wavering for a second, but didn't. Thank goodness. That would have been a bore."

Shannon: "Yes, Hustlas would have killed them."

Skip: "That's true, but only because, as we found out in the game, Rip City played TIE. And even with them "Taking it easy", the game was close."

Shannon: "Till the 4th quarter. Look Skip, I see what you're saying. I think that Rip City went in to this trying to get information on the Hustlas. No one knows what offense they will play when a game starts. So get some information like this, and when the finals come, they'll be ready for Hustlas. But I don't think that will happen. This Hustlas team is a juggernaut. If they lose any game for the rest of the year, it will be due to injury or will be close. This team is for real. They beat the best team by over 20 points. And we are not sure if they truly are the best team after this loss. We are questioning it. Maybe it's Philly Dribble. They have a claim. They are tops in their conference now. They did lose to Rip City early but, that was before. This is now. Maybe it's Ashkickers. Their next game is against Rip City, and if they win....they will be considered the best team at the moment. I would have included Linndale but they lost tonight. Though they still may be but, their coach was a bit drunk tonight and just threw lineups together, much like the Hustlas coach does in a crisis. But we will see. The Hustlas just beat Rip City. Can they go undefeated in interconference play? Can they get their revenge on Ashkickers? I think, though good, they will make a mistake. But in the meantime, 5 wins in a row in league play. And so it continues."

Last edited by Reece at 9/4/2022 3:54:15 PM

"We won," said Legkauskas. "I knew we could. But I didn't think they'd not try in the 4th quarter. Luckily we played a better team in private league and barely lost, so we kind of know where we stand."

ESPN host: "Legkauskas led all scorers with 30 points. The Hustlas had 4 people score over 20 points. But looking at the matchup ratings, the Hustlas won 2 of the 5 ratings. So how did they win this game?"

ESPN co-host: "Better offensive flow, though that doesn't always dictates wins. No, it's the fact that the Hustlas made 14 more shots while only taking 5 more. And they shot a much higher field goal percentage. They dominated on the glass and had many more assists."

Team Correspondent: "The Lion Rebels are next and the Hustlas are eager to play and defeat them."

Huk, who is standing by his locker, says, "We should win. Doesn't mean we will. But we should."

Happy Ourer with WINO radio, and this is your radio postgame show. Coach, that was a rough game to watch and even rougher to lose. What happened out there from your perspective?

Coach: We didn't execute. We knew what was coming. We knew what we were going to do. We KNEW we'd get killed on the boards; we also knew we'd make up for a portion of that in steals and forcing turnovers. What happened is what's been happening all season long and it killed us today; you cannot leave point on the court and we did that in spades.

Happy: Coach, I have to say it: you guys got absolutely destroyed on the boards 68 to 35. That's huge to try and overcome. and there's too much talent on the team for that to happen.

Coach: We won turnovers. We forced 23 and had 12. We had 16 steals while only having 3 against us. I'm not saying it didn't hurt. I'm saying we compensated the way I thought we would.

Happy: You were down 20 at the half. With 23 seconds left it was a 6 point game. Did the team run out of gas?

Coach: I can see how you could say that, but no. Let's go back to the layups. I'm not worried about the 3 point shooting. Folks have to remember, the players on the other teams are professionals too. I could scream about the free throw differential, but we have to make ours when we get to the line too. They missed 16. We missed 7. The line exposes you. It's only your friend if you can get there and make them. The layups are what killed us. We lost by 8. By my count, our regular guards missed 11 layups and only 1 was because of a blocked shot. So throw away the block, those will happen. 10 layups missed. We make half of those, we win. Our regular starting backcourt missed 8 by themselves, 9 if you count the block.

Happy: Coach, a lot of players don't like to be calle dout like that. Are afraid of losing the locker room?

Coach: No. I got a 7 foot small forward and a 6' 9" backup. I got 2 6' 9" backup power forwards. I got 2 7 foot centers and a 6'11" backup. You know who leads the team in rebounding? The 6' 8" power forward who played small forward today. Who was the best guy on the floor for us? That guy. And that might have been his worst game of the year. I ain't afraid to tell them when I think they can do more, and I ain't afraid to demand they do more. We've done more with less, but I'd like to do more with more. If they won't keep getting better, get me someone in here who will. If I can't get better, replace me with someone who can. I hold the players to the same standard I hold myself to. Could I have not played the guards in the frontcourt? Yes, but this had to be done. I think everyone comes out of this with a better understanding that they NEED each other, and had they been there for each other, maybe we get the win. I tip my cap to the other team; they did what they had to do and got the win. Good. Maybe the guys in my locker room can learn from that.

Happy: Any closing remarks, Coach?

Coach: Have a good night Happy; I'm gonna go have a cold one and figure out what's next for us. I have a few ideas...

Thanks, Coach. This is Happy Ourer saying good night from the WINO radio Basketball Network!

BBTV is on and the Hustlas players are watching in their locker room before practice. They are still fresh, coming off of their big victory. The rotations are working. The players are not overexerting, and in Legauskas'case, not overshooting. But they pay attention to the words of the sports reporters.

"Fresh off of their victory yesterday, Żubr Białystok moves to 6-5 and are looking strong. People are overlooking this team, but obviously they are a team you can't overlook."

"Ain't that the truth," says Talman. "They beat us."

"Yes, but that was before our new additions, and besides, we played in the patient offense," says Huk.

"That's because it use to be our best offense. We focused more on finding the best shot every time down the floor," says Legkauskas.

"Easy for you to say. You always got the best shot," said Denkovic.

"Shh, I'm trying to listen to the TV," says Trepicchio.

BBTV: "Żubr Białystok. That team will make the playoffs. Look who they have beaten. They've beaten Linndell, and they've beaten the Hustlas, who, mind you, have just beaten Rip City. Zubr is a serious team. Taking them lightly is to the detriment of their opponents...."

"We will get our revenge against them. But for now, let's focus on our next opponent, Lion Rebels. And they are chomping at the bit. This is a good team. We must be ready for them," says Andreas Maes.

"And we will be," says Ziehaus. "Just throw it down low to me and Talman, and we will take care of business. Sorry Legkauskas, I know that kills your touches and your shots, but we are all about winning now. And we will win with playing inside against them."

"Easy for you to say," says Layton. "Have you seen Terry "The Terror" Armstead? They call him The Terror for a reason. I know I will have to go against him, and he will dominate me. He will dominate the two of you as well. Ziehaus can possibly contain him a little, but that's it. So stop the arrogance. They are a real team, and he is a real terror."

Legkauskas smiles, "No complaints here. We will get our revenge. But Andreas is right, Lion Rebels is next. And Layton is right. I've seen The Terror play. He is a beast. So, Let's start practicing, before the terror terrorizes us and we have no answers. We will throw it inside because he's the only one to fear along with their small forward, but after that, the inside should be gravy."

BBTV: " Hustlas play Lion Rebels. I see that game being close. The terror will be a terror on them. But I see the Hustlas having just a bit too much firepower. They will win by 8."

The second sportscaster looks over at the first one, shakes his head. "Lion Rebels lost their last game. They will come out firing on all cylinders. I see them winning a close one, 3 points. Hustlas lose. Just like they would have lost if Rip City played normal."

Sportscaster 1: " I disagree. The game would have been close, but the Hustlas are getting better at closing. I think they would have still won, by 7."

Sportscaster 2: "And when the Lion Rebels defeat the Hustlas, I'll look over to you and say, I told you so. They would have lost to Rip. And losing to Lion Rebels will prove that."

BBTV goes off the air.

Hustlas coach: "Keep proving the naysayers wrong. Let's get in a good practice today. We have a Terror we are going to in a couple of days. Have to be prepared. Let's start by working out our bigs. We will need them when that game starts."

Last edited by Reece at 9/4/2022 3:47:06 PM

Congratulations on the “enthusiastic” victory 😁

Lol, I knew you knew what you were doing. Now you have the team, and most of the pundits not believing in the Hustlas, lol. You used that game as a scouting mission. I wonder what they will say next on ESPN and BBTV

"We welcome our special guest today, Stephen A.," says one of the BBTV anchors.

Stephen A.: "There is jokes running around now. It's unbelievable. The first joke, was Linndale switching around their lineup, running a full court press, against Zubr. But the bigger joke is after being down big, they came back and almost won. But th biggest joke of all had to be from the Rip City coach. The coach sent out this tweet to the Hustlas, 'Congratulations on your 'enthusiastic' victory.'

Rip City just lost to the Hustlas and this is what they sent out. And they ended it with a Smiley face. Talk about showmanship. Rip City used that game as a scouting mission. And boy did they come away with a lot. If they face the Hustlas in the finals, you better believe they will be ready for them. But I have faith in my Hustlas. But faith can only take you so far. I had the Hustlas winning it all, but after that tweet from Rip City, that took the heart out of me and of the Hustlas. That was savage. Here we are, feeling good about our victory over the best, over the best, yes they played TIE, yes they kept it close, until the 4th quarter, even took a lead after being down double digits, but they lost by 26. By 26!!!! And with that, with all of that, they sent out this tweet as if the loss was nothing, meant nothing. I am now worried about the Hustlas. Rip City is playing with them. And there is nothing the Hustlas can do. If they keep winning, maybe they can prove themselves, but Rip City is saying that the win means nothing. At the moment, that's how I feel."

BBTV: "Well, it meant something. And the Hustlas will try to prove it by continuing their winning ways against Lion Pride," said BBTV anchor.

I probably should clarify something here. . .I have massive respect for your victory. Yes, I'm being playful, but not in an attempt to minimize your win. Enthusiastic was meant to be a double entendre. Your writing is enthusiastic, and you played a higher enthusiasm. I tend to be a bit more on the jokey side. . but that's hard to tell from static text. So it could come across as indifferent or arrogant. And true, sometimes I'm those things. But not on purpose this time.

I think you should totally feel great about your victory. A win is something to feel great about and 26 points is a great win. I usually account for 10-15 points for enthusiasm and 10-15 points for homecourt. You also guessed the pace correctly and tactical guesses are impacting too. So my takeaway for this is that I'm not overly concerned, and my position is that I have to bank my enthusiasm because I'm out of the Cup. Probably not a big surprise to the league that I'm going to be playing TIE from here on out regardless of matchup. I'm looking at the playoffs and unless I win the head to head with Philly I'll remain in the 2 seed off of the PD.

So Hustlas, overall you had a great plan and executed it brilliantly. My deepest and sincerest congratulations on your win.