HBL has been locked away in many minds for the last many months, but now it's time to unlock those thoughts and get right down to some HBL "wheelin' and dealin'". As most of you may know, during the off-season HBL players teamed up as a local rec league basketball team named Kristen's Boys (Named kindly after HBL's Time Girl Kristen Scheper going into her fifth year). It was a long and hard season of major disapointments as Jay, Pure, Dee, Shooter, Fieldy, Domino, occasionally KG and the newest HBL rookie "Big Nasty" Bruce Kreider tried their very hardest, but came up short on most occasions. With the disapointing off-season, the HBL is now the main focus.
First things first. What are the teams? Well originally the Killer Bees (Pure and Shooter) were to make their HBL debut while Dee and Domino made up the Titans. Jay would make an HBL return on the Sabrecats with new rookie Lee "Sir Swish" Eberhart leaving the Lightning the same as the year before (after Bryce left of course). However the rosters were long from settled. Fieldy pulled out of the season to go shovel cow sh*t and f*ck pigs like the ol' farm boy that he is, which left the HBL with not too many options. It was later decided that the Killer Bees would be cock-blocked for the second year in a row. I would remain a Titan and get Farm Boy's official replacement...Big Nasty! Bruce is easily the tallest player in the league at 6'6 I'm guessing and has wicked shooting range. The tallest and the shortest on the same team? Works for me.
Now that we know who the Titans are, who are the remaining teams. Well let's start with this year's Sabrecats. The men to make the championships the last two years. Jay or "Stunner" will stay as a loyal SabreCat, but due to Joker's weakening body and "foul play" if you will, Joker will not be in the action, but rather negotiate from the sidelines. Filling the void will be HBL rookie Lee "Sir Swish" Eberhart. Lee can be somewhat strong underneath and can play decent defense, but the mid/long range shooting is definitely out. Jay is the leader of this team, but as it stands they are easily my pick for fourth and dead last place.
As Goldberg would say, "Who's next"? I think that one is gonna go to the Lightning. KG will play once again as a Lightning player, but his teammate this year will be former two-time HBL MVP and All-AroundPlayer Award winner Chris "Shooter" Hartley. These two definitely make a deadly duo. With the outside shooting always there for one of them at least and being in the best of shape, I think these two are easily a contender for first or second. KG can run circles around anyone in the HBL except for maybe Domino and Shooter, and has always had the ability to make his own opportunities...which makes you think that if he can create his own shots, what exactly will probably the best playmaker in the league be able to offer. I'm guessing anything and everything.
And last, but not least. Just second to least in my book are the Warriors. The matchup that never came last year is finally here. Dee stays as a Warrior for his 5th year while Domino jumps the Titans after his 2nd year to join him. Personally I don't think this will work against teams that well. Sure they'll score wins against the Sabrecats, but Jon plays point. He controls the ball through the plays, but Domino is a ball hog. There will be numerous plays where Jon won't even see the ball and it will easily frustrate him. These two don't have good chemistry together, I can see them getting frustrated and beaten by teamwork, 'cause these guys have no teamwork.
My final picks for the HBL season of 2001 will be :
1. Lightning/Titans (could go either way or right down the middle)
2. Lightning/Titans (like I said)
3. Warriors
4. Sabrecats
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