2019-20 articles

Transaction Limit Increasing Next Season

March 21, 2020

Well...whenever next season happens anyway. If it is a shortened season, which is quite possible, then I’ll have to take that into account, but I’m going to stay away from assuming anything. It appears that my fellow HAC’er owners are good with the 50 transaction limit. However, the league is going to change in the future, in more ways than one. And one of those changes is bringing in the future H-League, which will involve a three player minor league on each team’s roster that will generally be filled with NBA players. I will expound on the H-League more going forward. But from poking around in the back channels of the commissioner section on Fantrax, I cannot separate transactions from the big time (HAC) to the minor leagues (H-League).

For that reason, the transaction limit simply must be increased. I wanted to get a gauge on how you all felt with the current setup, and since you are all good with it, then I can build on that. My feelings is, if there are 22 weeks in our season presently and four transactions per week, that equals out to 88. I didn’t make a poll about the four weekly transaction limit, because that seems to work very well for us. But people are going to need to make more transactions in the H-League and I’d like to see that thrive.

One solution is that the transaction limit will increase. How much will be something I’ll figure out soon. The other thing that will change is that the coin cost to acquire more transactions will go down. It will be in tiers depending on how many you’ve purchased though. For example, purchasing a fifth transaction for the week won’t be a huge cost, but a sixth will be significantly more. The same goes for the yearly transactions. If you want to purchase five more, cool - that won’t cost much, especially since I have no idea how many transactions will take place in the H-League. But if you want to buy five more after that? That will cost you more. That’s all I got for now!

HAC Coin Setup Review

March 19, 2020

I'm going to review the coin breakdown description to emphasize how important active participation is by owners. I will likely revise the language in the constitution in sections 3.9 (Inattentive Owner Penalties) and 3.10 (Active Ownership Requirements) as well to reflect this new focus. It is no longer a preference by me for more active participation by owners but a requirement. This season taught me that I can't be responsible for 90% or more of the league's content. And last offseason taught me that by asking for help, I can accomplish a lot more. I asked a lot of Glen and Stuart last offseason with rule revisions and new owner interviews and they responded admirably. This taught me that simply by communicating I don’t have to do everything myself and I can get a lot more accomplished than I thought. This writeup is another effort in communication. We have a lot of smart and creative people in this league, and the league should benefit from that. The current set up is a recipe for disaster for me, so things need to change and they will for coins and how they will determine owner participation going forward.

Honestly, not that much is going to change, except for the expectations, and to me, they will be fairly modest. There will be minor revisions and a minimum expectation for coins will be required, but it will be quite easy. Something like three or so team press releases throughout the season, for example. At least two paragraphs about your team shouldn’t be hard to come up with. I've also realized that not only do owners appreciate when their team is mentioned in write-ups, owners are able to write about their own team skillfully.

And I'll change the format of my coin updates. I will give more of a breakdown of where owners are at with their coins. These minimums will serve a few purposes. They will communicate how important active participation is for the league, they will infuse the league with needed content and hopefully more participation from other owners with comments. There will be ways to get around the minimums and I'll explain that at a later date. As I revise the language in the coin breakdown page as well as the constitution, I’ll provide updates. I've realized that this revision is needed for the future of the league and my role in it. Thank you in advance for your flexibility and understanding of these changes.

Last Trade of the HAC Season

March 18, 2020

Well, now that there is down time, I'm trying to create some content for HAC. HAC owners can participate in that too! Coins are still being accrued! Without active participation from owners, we don’t have a thriving league. I will always stress that repeatedly. That said, I thought to look at the very last trade (so far) in HAC at the trade deadline which involved Chris’s River City Thundercats and Geo’s Jive Suckas. It isn’t a sexy one, but it is interesting in some ways.

February 23, 2020 - River City Thundercats and Jive Suckas

• River City Thundercats get SF/PF Cedi Osman (CLE - $2) and 25 HAC Coins.
• Suckas get SF/PF Rui Hachimura (WAS - $7).

Rui Hachimura catches my eye immediately because after he was taken in the 2019 HAC Auction by Stuart’s Halftime Hoopers, he was traded within a month to the Thundercats, on November 18. He lasted for two weeks and then he was traded to the Suckas on December 4. Exactly a month later, on January 4, he was traded back to the ‘Cats! And then at the trade deadline he was sent back to the Suckas. That doesn't happen very often that a player can be on each roster twice. Such a strange journey, and Hachimura was involved in trades with players like Bradley Beal, Jaylen Brown, and Myles Turner.

Osman's journey wasn't that unique, but he was also taken in the 2019 HAC Auction by Jake's Atomic Supermen at $3. He lasted for two months with the Supermen and involved in many trade talks, but finally Jake found it difficult to find a taker for Osman. He was cut on December 22, and just when the forward thought he'd have coal in his stocking, George and the Suckas picked him up on waivers for $2. Sure, a reduction in salary, but HAC employment is a good thing. Osman also lasted two months with the Suckas and then found himself packing for River City.

Over 41 games played this year, Hachimura was averaging a tidy 24.2 HAC points per game. It makes sense why the Suckas wanted him as opposed to Cedi Osman, because Osman was averaging five HAC points less than that with 19.8 and showed no signs of improving with his playing time getting more crowded with Cleveland’s NBA roster and Andre Drummond coming over as well as players getting healthy like Tristan Thompson. Osman gets some of his points by being a better defender with more blocks and steals than the rookie Hachimura.

The two players play both forward spots, so it was a wise 25 coin cost for the Suckas to upgrade that roster spot. And wise by the Thundercats owner to take those coins and put them in the bank while seeing if maybe Osman at a cheaper $2 salary could potentially be worthy of re-signing in the offseason. Hachimura at $7 is likely not a re-signing candidate since his NBA role is kind of fluid. It is hard to predict the future and if Hachimura could grow in future seasons. Still, this deal was likely to give some help to the Suckas, but like I mentioned earlier, it was likely not going to be a huge upgrade, but it is those little moves that can sometimes make a difference.

How to Build a Franchise (Part 2: The Auction)

March 13, 2020

This is another chapter in one of the legs of the table in building a roster that can compete for a championship. Specifically, this continues the auction portion. The first chapter was about preparing for the auction. To recap, the four legs of the fantasy table that can support a Frazier Cup trophy is the auction, roster configuration and lineup setting, trading and free agency. Positive feedback and constructive criticism are always welcomed and I hope that this will invite some discussion.

Chapter Two: Budgeting and Inflation

You are going to want to identify how much total available money is able to be spent in the auction. Not every team will spend every available dollar that they have available, but it is necessary to know. Add up each team’s available cap. In our league, with 12 teams and $170 salary caps, that is $2,040 total in the HAC economy. Adding up what each franchise has to spend in the auction after signing their players could potentially be around $1,000 for example. You’ll take this figure and that is going to guide you in allocating expected salary figures for each player in the auction. You need a guide going into the auction for how much you need or want to spend.

For example, budgeting out how much total money is available to be spent and then by individual player, this will help you determine what a player like James Harden might be worth on the open market. If it appears that he may go for $50, that might be too much to spend for your team, and you’ll be able to be cautious when he is announced. However, if bidding was to stall at around $40, you can quickly identify a potential bargain and strike because he is going lower than what you feel he should be. If you have budgeted for every player on that top 100 list - every available roster spot allocated for - then you will be able to see in your list that the $10 that was supposed to go to Harden in your view will now be spent on other players which will potentially change the expected salary some players will receive.

A key detail you will want to be aware of is inflation. In HAC we have a healthy percentage of inflation. For example, let’s look at the HoopleHeads’s Domantas Sabonis and the Gravity’s Devin Booker, currently ranked 12th and 13th respectively in HAC points scored this season. Sabonis’s salary is a meager $7 while Booker’s is a measley $8. The 14th ranked player in points scored so far is Andre Drummond whose salary is $23. The 15th ranked player? Russell Westbrook at $51. Westbrook is the highest salaried player in the league and a bit of an outlier for this study, it is still instructive. This shows you that Sabonis and Booker are drastic bargains, especially when each of the next six players after Booker in points scored have no less than an $18 salary.

This is part of the beauty and part of the frustration about the auction. The beauty is that every team has a chance at every player if they want to spend enough money to acquire that player. Also, it is that an owner can participate in bidding for many players. With a draft you just wait around and doze off for a while until it is your pick and you have no control over the players taken. With an auction, you can price enforce, meaning bid a player up to a salary you feel the player should go for. But be careful - you don’t want to be too aggressive or else you’ll get stuck with that player if no one else wants to bid higher than your bidding!

The frustration about the auction is that you will have to do constant maintenance to your list in marking down beside your budgeted expected salary for each player, what that player actually went for. This will give you a window if more money is being spent at a certain point in the auction than you expected or less. Either way, it will give you the opportunity to adjust and see potential values.

I'll end this here for now and the next chapter about spotting potential values during the auction will be posted soon.

How to Build a Franchise (Part 2: The Auction)

March 12, 2020

The first part of this series was an introduction on March 7 explaining that there are four legs to building a successful roster. I titled that “how to rebuild a franchise” but it doesn’t just have to pertain to that aspect. I’d like to simply call it how to build a franchise. With this part of the series I got pretty inspired and I wrote a lot, so I'd like to divide them up into chapters. I’d like to focus on one of those four legs of building a fantasy table, and that is identifying the right players. After all, you have to build a roster first. And in HAC, we have an auction each fall. That is the first step to building a team that can contend for The Frazier Cup.

Chapter One: Preparation

A few weeks before the league auction, all of the players that are going to be retained by HAC franchises have done so. At that point, you will be able to see which players are auction eligible. From there, it is imperative to study this list and what your roster needs. You will need to identify your roster’s makeup. By that I mean, how many open roster spots do you need to fill? How much salary have you committed to your keepers? What positions do your retained players play? These are important questions to then analyze the auction eligible players. However, in addition to looking at your own roster, you will need to study every other team’s roster if you really want to create a sturdy leg for that championship table.

With every other team, you will need to see how many roster spots they need to fill in addition to how much available money for the auction they have. Knowing what positions they have to fill will be useful as well as this can help identify some soft spots in case most teams have a solid frontcourt. This might show you that you could get a frontcourt player at a discount in the auction.

With the available free agent player list who is available in the auction, you’ll want to make projections for these players and rank them in some way. You could do it by position, or just overall. Let’s just say there are 100 open roster spots in the league. That is all you need to make your ranking to - no more than the 100 best available players in your opinion. If someone wants to bid a dollar on the 101st best available player, that’s good news. Let them have that player as that is less money than they will be able to spend on the players you value.

Going back to the projections, they don’t have to be detailed, but maybe just an estimation of how many fantasy points you think they will score in the upcoming season. That is the easiest way and it may surprise you where some players rank. You can then move players around, but having this ranking will be very helpful come playoff time, but the work is not yet done.

The next installment will be chapter two which will cover budgeting for the auction with players and overall money as well as inflation. I hope you like it.

What Now?

March 12, 2020

Well, I’m not sure the NBA even knows how to answer that question. So, for now it appears the NBA, and as a result, HAC, is in a holding pattern. Who knows how long it will last, but when pretty much every single scientist says to stay away from large groups and to self quarantine if possible, I wouldn’t imagine that this will be resolved soon. I stated it in the group chat, but I’ve suspended the ability to make free agent claims for now, thanks to Stuart's suggestion. Chris asked if waivers would be run and I wasn’t 100% sure, but thankfully, the players were on waivers last night did get processed as usual.

Specifically for our league, I’m almost considering this to be like a strike. Where the season just stops awkwardly and suddenly and is incomplete with no resolution. Until there is some sort of decision made by the NBA, we’ll keep things in a holding pattern. At least that is what I’m thinking now. Hopefully for all impacted by this virus, it is simply very temporary and everyone impacted is able to run marathons right after. That’s my hope.

The HAC Postseason Starts Today!

March 9, 2020

The “second season” involves The Frazier Cup Playoffs and the Even the Losers (Get Lucky Sometimes) Tom Petty Invitational Consolation Bracket. The schedule on Fantrax should be accurate for this first week of the HAC postseason. I made every Tom Petty Invitational team matched up with a bye, as the Invitational is three week round-robin format and no team is actually playing each other. I hope that listing each team this way isn’t too confusing? If so, I can simply make the next rounds with just three matchups and match each Tom Petty team up with another. Let me know.

There are two playoff matchups in the first round for The Frazier Cup. Glen’s third seed Left Coast Gravity takes on Gnj’s sixth seed HoopleHeads who finished the season strong with a big upset win last week over George's top seed Jive Suckas who have a bye week this first round. The Gravity lost a heartbreaker last week, but only two teams in the league have scored more season points than them.

My second seed Spin also have a bye week. Still, the teams on bye can still accrue HAC coins by notching a 1500 point week, a 1600 point week or the high score of the week.

Then for the other Frazier Cup playoff matchup, Patrick’s fourth seed Hoopy Froods take on Jake’s fifth seed Atomic Supermen. The Supermen stumbled a bit last week, losing to Hickory High. The Hoopy Froods have scored over 1500 points the past three weeks which should give them confidence. Last year’s Frazier Cup finalist, the Supermen finished the season 6-6 over the past 12 weeks. But now it is a new season, and last year Atomic had to win two straight playoff matchups to make it to the Frazier Cup Finals. Could history repeat itself?

Gary Harris Signed by Atomic Supermen

March 6, 2020

When I asked a while back about what kinds of posts I should be concentrating on, free agent spotlights were one that got some attention. And when one of my favorites qualifies, like Gary Harris signing with Jake’s Atomic Supermen, he’s an easy guy to write about. Harris has had an interesting season, and not all good. Most recently, he was released by Chris’s River City Thundercats back on February 22 and passed through waivers without any bids. But it does make sense given his difficult season.

Harris actually had a difficult season last year too, one that was plagued by injuries. The shooting guard finished with a meager 22.6 HAC point per game average over 47 games played in the HAC season. It led him to be traded three times last year in the midst of a guaranteed contract that was to run through the 2020-21 season. Left Coast Gravity ended last season with Harris, but moved him to the HoopleHeads in the offseason, really for not much, just for forward Kevin Knox. Speaking with Gravity owner Glen, the intrepid HAC press uncovered that the trade was done simply to get out of Harris’s contract and Knox was released immediately after the trade. And you know what happens with Gnj’s HoopleHeads. With his itchy trigger finger, few players stay on Trader Gary’s roster for long. Harris was traded to the Thundercats two weeks after this year’s auction for one of my other favorites, center Cody Zeller. Zeller actually had a more productive season last year, averaging 24.9 HAC points per game. This year, they are a bit more even, but Zeller is still averaging a few more HAC points per game, 22 to 19.

The Thundercats had hopes for Harris, and why wouldn’t they. The talented guard just two seasons ago, in 2017-18, averaged 30 HAC points per game in 65 games during the HAC season. Unfortunately, this season wasn’t as successful for Harris as he hasn’t been able to average 20 HAC points per game this year. Faced with having to carry his salary forward next year and seeing a drastically dwindling trade market for Harris, the Thundercats made the very wise decision to purchase a Sam Bowie Breaker Buyout with HAC coins. This allowed the ‘Cats to cut Harris and take the entire cap hit of Harris’s contract this year and go into next year free. Harris was making $8 this season on the contract and would have made $9 next year in the final year of the deal. Using the Bowie Buyout allowed the ‘Cats to slash that last year’s salary by 50% and take on a $13 ($8 plus $5, which is half of what would have been next year’s salary, rounded up) cap penalty.

Harris now goes to the Supermen, a playoff bound franchise he hasn’t played for yet in his HAC career. The Frazier Cup always involves surprise contributions by unlikely players. Will Harris be one of those? After being rescued off the HAC free agent scrap heap, could he put up a bunch of points and help the Supermen find success in the “second season”?

Kristaps Porzingis: Impending Free Agent

March 5, 2020

Kristaps Porzingis is a guy I’ve been long intrigued with in terms of HAC. For a lot of reasons, because he was with Wesley’s Hickory High for several seasons after being drafted in the 13th round of the 2015 HAC Draft but has been traded several times in the past two seasons following his ACL injury. And this offseason, he is likely set to be a free agent that will be available in the 2020 HAC Auction. He’s having a very good season, averaging 37.2 HAC points per game over 48 games played and is averaging a career high 9.4 rebounds per game.

Porzingis was taken so low in the 2015 Draft because that was also his rookie season. He was re-signed for two straight offseasons by Hickory before HAC had long term contracts. In the 2017 offseason, Porzingis’s cheap cost translated into an equally cheap $7 salary. However, his significant injury changed things and it made him expendable for the first time. Because of that, in the 2017-18 season, Hickory traded the Unicorn with Bobby Portis to the franchise that would become Jake’s Atomic Supermen and got Paul George and Taj Gibson in exchange. George was on an equally below market rate salary at that time, at $15 and still had a season under team control, so it was a good deal for Hickory.

On the heels of the 2017-18 season, Porzingis's third and the first where he made an NBA All-Star team, Atomic Supermen's predecessor, Enter Glassman, then signed Porzingis to a two year guaranteed contract, which was the longest the Latvian big man could be signed for since he’d already been retained in two previous offseasons. That contract would be set to expire after the 2019-20 season which we are fast approaching now.

In December of the 2018-19 season, with Porzingis out with his ACL injury and Jake in control of the Supermen with his eyes set on a Frazier Cup, he traded Porzingis and his $8 salary to Stuart’s Halftime Hoopers. In exchange, he got Brook Lopez, Terrence Ross and 100 HAC Coins. It was an interesting gamble by Stu, who was in the midst of rebuilding last season. The Hoopers were hoping to cash in on players that didn’t factor into their long term plans to get an asset like Porzingis with a very high ceiling. And just three weeks later, the Hoopers dealt the Unicorn to Nathan’s Donkey Crankers in exchange for Hassan Whiteside. Whiteside was eventually involved in a series of trades by the Hoopers where they ultimately got Victor Oladipo who the Hoopers are counting on for next season as they make their way back into playoff contention.

Porzingis now has a $9 salary which has to be considered way below market value. With the season he’s having, scoring 19.5 NBA points per game, if he was on the open market, he’d have to get a salary over $20. So, this was a view of a player who has spent his entire career, after being acquired in a draft (or auction), being retained in all four offseasons.

Update On Race for 6th Place

March 4, 2020

It’s been a while since I focused on the race for the sixth and final playoff spot for the Frazier Cup. As the week began, Gnj and his HoopleHeads enjoyed a 350 season point lead over Nathan’s Donkey Crankers. However, as Wednesday evening games are underway, that lead has grown to a little over 500 points. Now, there is obviously no guarantee it stays this high, so it isn’t a question of whether the HoopleHeads will keep this lead, but more, is it finally too much for the Crankers to overcome?

The Crankers are doing great this last week with over 600 points during Wednesday night games. However, the worst sight possible for them is Al Swearengen’s HoopleHeads leading all of HAC with over 770 points. At the worst possible time, the Crankers have lost Jaren Jackson and Zach LaVine, for at least this week, due to nagging injuries, two of their top point makers. The HoopleHeads have no significant injuries, and that has surely helped them greatly and it may turn out to be the edge, even while the team has no transactions left for the season. On that note, curiously, the Crankers have not used any transactions this week while they have done a great job in recent weeks, deftly employing free agents to tack on points. Maybe the Crankers are holding on to them so they can fire them off during the weekend when there are a lot of games played.

It is still a long week though, so anything can happen, but the time is now for the Crankers to start piling on points, especially since the HoopleHeads have scored approximately 130 more points this week. That alone could be the final nail in the coffin and just too much to overcome for the Crankers. They haven’t come closer than 250 season points in the second half of the season and things aren’t looking good now.

Last Week of the Season is Here!

March 2, 2020

Things are a touch anti-climatic as most playoff spots are set, but there are a few interesting things still in Week 19, this final week of the HAC regular season for 2019-20. Obviously the key thing is Gnj’s HoopleHeads and Nathan’s Donkey Crankers race for the final playoff spot. Their opponents for Week 18 are pretty irrelevant, as wins and losses don’t matter, but points scored does. The HoopleHeads’s season point lead has grown a bit in the last week or two and they have about a 350 point buffer to work with over the Crankers. The Crankers have snuck in some impressive weeks recently with some deft transactions, but this will be a tall task. The HoopleHeads have had the inside track on the last playoff spot for the second half of the season and the Crankers have come no closer than 250 season points. But right now, one big week is all it will take.

Glen’s Left Coast Gravity is facing my Washington Spin, and the Gravity is just one game behind in the standings. However, even if the Gravity upends my Spin, it is unlikely Glen’s squad will outscore my Spin by over 1,000 points which is the lead the Spin have over the Gravity for season points. With that, I should barely escape with the #2 seed and a first round bye. Purely for ceremonial reasons, the Hoopers-Hub Caps matchup should be fun to watch. Erik’s Hub Caps and Stuart’s Hoopers have one win apiece, so someone is going to escape from his battle with their second win. It won’t matter much for the postseason, but it’ll be fun to see these two rivals clashing all week long, just like they’ve done their best with free agency and waiver claims all season long which was beautiful to see, even when things didn’t go the way either owner had hoped.

While the HoopleHeads are just one game behind Jake’s Atomic Supermen for the fifth seed, Al Swearengen’s men are over 700 point behind, so it looks like Jake is safe in the fifth spot to take on Patrick’s Hoopy Froods in the first round next week. The Even the Losers (Get Lucky Sometimes) Tom Petty Invitational Consolation Bracket doesn’t care about any team’s record or season points, but David’s Pump Fake News is one game behind Chris’ River City for 9th place. Pump Fake has a few more season points too, and if that holds with a Thundercats loss combined with a Pump Fake win, then they would be tied with 5-14 records, and switch spots in the final standings. But now we’re getting down deep in things and maybes and what ifs...just like what if the Donkey Crankers with an 8-10 record lose this week against Pump Fake News while Wesley's Hickory High, also at 8-10, win against Atomic? Pretty irrelevant, but it would look better for Norman Dale’s job prospects going into the offseason!

Latrell's Hub Caps Patiently Waiting

February 20, 2020

In the next installment of teams playing Tom Petty’s The Waiting game, the Hub Caps have had a fascinating and probably for owner Erik, an infuriating season. Like Stuart’s Hoopers who have suffered with injuries this season, you don’t have to look any further than Latrell’s Hub Caps. The Caps made the playoffs last season and secured the sixth and final playoff spot by TWENTY EIGHT season points over the HoopleHeads, in maybe the closest playoff race in league history. It certainly made Gnj wail, "Don't Do Me Like That". So the optimism was there for the Hub Caps coming into this season. But in hindsight, does Tom Petty’s “You Got Lucky” strike a chord?

Zion Williamson, who was acquired by the Caps in the 2019 HAC Auction and provided a lot of optimism, went down first. Then Steph Curry, who was acquired last offseason, went down, and another stud, Joel Embiid has dealt with some injuries this year as well. And I’m only concentrating on some players. Even still, Erik never lost hope, even though like Tom Petty sang on the album Long After Dark, it must have felt like a “One Story Town” of injuries and more injuries for the Caps.

Never did team CEO Erik get too far down though. I think he might have listened to Tom Petty singing in The Waiting, “Don't let it kill you baby, don't let it get to you”. He took it as a challenge, and shifted his focus from a hopeful contender this season to rebuilding for next year. With that, he decided to acquire players that might be able to help for next year and also play Tom Petty’s The Waiting game. The Caps were already willing to take that strategy with center Jusuf Nurkic, acquired in the auction at $7 even though he was rehabbing his leg injury. And Erik has been forced to employ The Waiting with Marvin Bagley who has had an injury plagued season. But amidst that, even with setbacks like losing Zion to the Hoopers on waivers, Erik has been proactive, and he just have had Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down" on repeat. He used the cap savings from losing Zion to acquire injured all-stars like Blake Griffin and John Wall in hopes that they can return to form when the team is done waiting and ready to start contending. In addition, Erik moved Curry and his long guaranteed contract to acquire promising young forward Brandon Clarke.

With talented players like Nikola Vucevic and Collin Sexton on non-guaranteed contracts, along with Clarke, they could form the next great Hub Caps team and that could be as soon as next season.

The Hoopers Are Waiting

February 16, 2020

I know that in a previous post I used The Waiting as a model for struggling teams waiting for the Even the Losers (Get Lucky Sometimes) Tom Petty Invitational Consolation Bracket. And while that is true, because the chance to add 150 coins from winning the Invitational is appealing, what every team really wants is a Frazier Cup to hoist in their franchise headquarters. That is where the real waiting starts, and I’d like to look closer with that. I realize I’ve focused on the teams out of the playoff race before, but I admire the owners of struggling teams that continue to set lineups, continue to respond to trade offers quickly and even propose their own offers hoping to improve their team and want to actively participate in the league. These owners are a credit to the league and help it to succeed and grow and I’d like to focus on their teams.

When you win a Frazier Cup, you go first, and Stuart’s Halftime Hoopers just won in 2018 and now his franchise is struggling mightily at 1-15. What happened there? As Tom Petty sang in The Waiting, “Don't it feel like something from a dream?” Well, by Stu’s own account, his rebuilding effort didn’t go the way he wanted last season. The Hoopers went 5-15 and while the Hoopers had some good players, they didn’t have any franchise studs to build their team around. Injuries also crippled them last season, especially to DeMarcus Cousins. And the Hoopers relationship with Cousins could fill 10 pages.

The Hoopers traded for Cousins in the 2017-18 season but immediately cut him for salary reasons, as Cousins was making $38 and had gotten injured. Due to bad league injury reserve rules at the time, Hickory High snapped him up on waivers at just $4. Signed to a four year, guaranteed contract by Wesley’s Hickory High in the 2018 off-season at the meager first year salary of $5, Cousins would only stay with Hickory until late November 2018 before he was dealt to the Hoopers once again. Unfortunately, after just one year on that contract, Cousins suffered another big injury, this time to his ACL. With three more guaranteed years on the deal, Stu made the tough choice to pay 425 coins to cut the cord on the contract. Then, Stu paid 150 more coins to use a Free Agent Coupon and get Cousins back at a $2 non-guaranteed salary!

Going back to last year, the Hoopers ended the season with De’Aaron Fox, Cousins and Gordon Hayward, but no player that really moved the meter. That has led to this season where Stu has acquired players like Kevin Durant, Steph Curry and Zion Williamson. Not to mention guards Victor Oladipo and Kemba Walker who are both on guaranteed contracts that will both be expiring after next season. And of course Cousins on his third tour with the team! Acquiring Durant was an impressive attempt since he is at a cut rate salary of $16. If Durant can come back, that could be an exceptional bargain. Zion and Curry are at more expensive salaries at $34 and $39 respectively, so there is more pressure there. Especially on Curry since he is on a guaranteed contract with two years remaining on it after this season. Speaking of contracts, it will also be a difficult decision on what the Hoopers will do about Zion and Durant. Still, stars are the way to improve a team, and now Stu has several of them. He will have to pay attention to Tom Petty and The Waiting for a little longer, but this path could pay off.

HAC Trade Deadline Spectacular

February 15, 2020

Well, I don’t know if this will be spectacular, but it seemed fun to type. There is about a week to go before the league’s trade deadline. Last year, because the season ended earlier, our league’s trade deadline was on February 17. No fewer than seven trades were completed on that day. And four other trades were completed within a week of that deadline. Could the league experience that many trades this season?

From my eyes, the HoopleHeads, with no transactions left unless they purchase some with coins, are a key team to watch. I mean, we all know the HoopleHeads main boss is Al Swearengen, but the team’s data entry clerk Gnj, his nickname is Trader Gary. That alone spells a cauldron of trades brewing. I’d expect moves there, especially with the team fighting to keep the sixth and last playoff spot and just 319 season points ahead of Nathan’s seventh place Donkey Crankers.

Another team sure to make at least one trade, although they were involved in three of the seven trades on last season’s deadline day, is Stuart’s Halftime Hoopers. The Hoopers only have six transactions left for this season, and Stu likely wants to focus more on the future heading into the offseason. No question, he’ll be looking to take on players that he feels will help him next season and beyond, so look for some moves this week from the Hoopers. They won’t be silent, and as a league, it is so exciting to have a struggling team, with a 1-15 record, always eager to make trades.

Chris’s River City Thundercats have not been silent in their desire to make a trade. The Thundercats, like the Hoopers are also looking towards next season. Their first season has been rough and the ‘Cats have had a lot of growing pains this year. The stated goal from the team’s front office is making the playoffs next season, but then again, franchise star Giannis has been dangled in trade talks which seems to fly in the face of that. HAC analysts are all over the map in trying to predict the Thundercats’s next move, but Charles Barkley’s betting room shows that it is more likely than not, according to onlookers, that the River City roster may have some changes after the trade deadline.

Regarding other rebuilding franchises, the Hub Caps, helmed by Latrell and Erik, have updated their trade block in the last week, concentrating on acquiring coins and hoping to sell off some players who do not factor into their plans for the future. This is a pretty smart move, as they are likely going to want to renegotiate franchise star Joel Embiid’s option year contract. Wesley’s Hickory High is another team that is attempting to sell off players for coins. Hickory recently fell out of the playoff race, but instead of being sad, Hickory went into problem solving mode. About a week or so ago, Hickory dealt away Al Horford and his option year contract to acquire a potential piece for the future in forward Lauri Markkanen who has a long term, guaranteed contract. Could more moves be coming?

We’ve focused on a few squads looking towards the future who have been vocal about wanting to make some changes, and that is great to read, but what about teams in the race for the Frazier Cup who are looking for a boost? Glen’s Left Coast Gravity was involved in two deals at last year’s trade deadline which helped them to land Jabari Parker and Otto Porter who helped them. Will Peja Stojakovic and the rest of the Gravity front office take this approach in this year’s trade deadline? The Gravity have been somewhat quiet with trades this year. Before completing the Horford-Markkanen trade with Hickory, the Gravity made just one trade in the month preceeding that. Really, since the season started, the Gravity have only swung four trades, which is uncharacteristically quiet of them, so it is even money if they will be more active.

Looking at other contending teams, it is hard to say what will happen. Patrick’s Hoopy Froods is in his first season in the league. George’s Jive Suckas, while in his third season in the league, this is the first year he is challenging for a league championship. It is difficult to predict what those squads will do without some track record. Though granted, the Suckas were very active in the week preceeding the trade deadline, making three trades which helped acquire DeMar DeRozan who was signed to a contract in the offseason. On the other hand, Jake’s Atomic Supermen, while vying for a Frazier Cup last season and making it to the Finals, made two trades on deadline day and another additional trade two days before the deadline. One of these deals brought forward Kelly Oubre, an Atomic favorite, who Jake quickly signed to a long term contract. It worked for the Hub Caps who dealt Oubre as well, since they netted 100 valuable coins to their coffers.

All of this is to write that there are no guarantees what will happen at this year’s trade deadline. But it hopefully will be exciting to watch!

HoopleHeads, Thundercats Exchange Six Players

February 13, 2020

• River City Thundercats get SF Michael Porter, Jr. (DEN - $5), SF/PF Dorian Finney-Smith (DAL - $5), and SG Kevin Huerter (ATL - $1).
• HoopleHeads get PG/SG Markelle Fultz (ORL - $1 - OPT23), PF/C Thon Maker (DET - $5), and PG/SG Jordan Clarkson (UTA - $3).

You ever hear of the saying that goes something like, “if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans”. Well, every time I think I’d like to make a trade article involving a HoopleHeads trade, there’s another one involving a player that was just in the last deal! That’s what has happened here, as Kevin Huerter didn’t last a week with the HoopleHeads before being shipped off in another deal, this time to Chris’s River City Thundercats.

That might be another good HAC lesson. Don’t write a player spotlight of any player on Gnj’s HoopleHeads or Chris’s Thundercats, or the player will surely be traded. I just wrote one on Markelle Fultz about a week ago being a big part of the Thundercats’s future, or so I hoped, and he’s been dealt in this trade!

These are two teams that are hoping they are going in opposite directions. The HoopleHeads are hoping that in a few weeks, they have secured a playoff spot while on the other hand, the Thundercats are hoping to build a core that will vault them into the playoffs next season. Did this trade further these goals? That is debatable.

Objectively, Fultz goes to the HoopleHeads and is a slight upgrade on fellow guard Kevin Huerter. Both are interesting candidates to be re-signed to contracts this offseason, but Fultz’s option year creates a hurdle in that it will cost 140 coins to renegotiate his contract. The HoopleHeads now hold his rights through the 2022-23 season, so that is appealing. But if there is no renegotiation he is just a mere rental. You have to figure the HoopleHeads have bigger plans for Fultz than just hoping he is a key to the stretch run for the playoffs?

Huerter has had fits and starts to his appeal, interspersed with injury this season. He is only averaging one HAC point less this season than Fultz. Being a backup point guard helps his assist totals which is a steady supply of points, so he is far from one dimensional. But can he climb another level next season? Maybe it is worth trading Fultz and saving the 140 coins to renegotiate Fultz’s option year deal to find out.

The Thundercats getting Michael Porter, Jr. is an interesting gamble. Is it worth moving Fultz to do it? It could be, depending on how optimistic the Thundercats front office is about Porter. Maker and Clarkson were just recently free agents and will likely be forced to explore free agency again before the season ends, so this trade was all about Fultz for the HoopleHeads. Dorian Finney-Smith coming to River City is an interesting player, but at $5, the appeal of possibly signing him to a contract in the offseason to keep him around is tempered.

Week 17 HAC Matchup Outlook

February 12, 2020

It is going to be a long week boys, so buckle in. I had some time today, so I went through each matchup. With some relatively high scores recently, I wonder if this could be a week where a team breaks the 2,000 point barrier? It is possible, as no team is playing less than three games over these next two weeks, but 23 out of 30 teams are playing four games which was the whole reason for this change to combine All-Star weeks in our league’s scoring. So there are going to be a lot of games...just spaced out over a bit of time.

Jive Suckas vs. Halftime Hoopers

Might as well start with the team that is at the top of the standings in George’s Suckas. That is the benefit you get for being at the top. There were some entertaining and adorable rumblings after about an hour of this matchup starting where the Suckas owner was concerned about this game, however the Suckas predictably have gotten off to a quick start, 459 - 387, and a small lead over the Hoopers in the first two nights. No disrespect to Hoopers owner Stuart, but there seems to be very little reason to worry for the Suckas, as the Hoopers have firmly focused their attention on the 2020-21 season. Even with the Suckas dealing with some injury issues like Richaun Holmes slated to miss more time and DeMar DeRozan’s back, they have too many players ready to take up the slack. The Hoopers on the other hand have five players that are injured but anytime they have Zion Williamson capable of putting up 53 HAC points in just 28 minutes of playing time, with 31 points on 10 of 17 shooting with nine rebounds, there is hope. I’m thinking the only question that will be left unanswered at the end of HAC’s Week 17 is if the Suckas win by over or under 500 points.

Washington Spin vs. Donkey Crankers

Nathan’s Crankers have definitely turned it on over the past few weeks as they look to overtake the HoopleHeads for the sixth and final playoff spot. They need to have yet another big output over the next two weeks, and that’ll surely test my Spin who have established a lead as of before Wednesday’s games. The Spin’s LaMarcus Aldridge played on both Monday and Tuesday nights and put up a combined 95 HAC points. To counter that, the Crankers’s guard Zach LaVine put up 70 HAC points just on Tuesday night with a spectacular effort, shooting 15 of 21, including 8 of 11 from three. He also had eight rebounds, two steals and 41 points. Are we supposed to just ignore forward Khris Middleton’s fine 55 HAC point effort, in a revenge game against his former squad, the Spin? Middleton hauled in 11 boards, scored 28 points and shot four of eight from three point land. The Crankers will need more nights like this from their players if they’re going to not only take down the second place Spin in Week 17, but also overtake the HoopleHeads and muscle their way into the Frazier Cup Playoffs. Things have started off slow as the Crankers are behind, 507 to 411, but it is going to be a long match, and the Crankers have shown they can work free agency well as they almost stole a win from Left Coast Gravity last week by deftly playing the transaction game.

Left Coast Gravity vs. River City Thundercats

Glen’s third place Left Coast Gravity is basically knotted in a relative tie with Chris’s River City squad, 418 to 417. The Thundercats have started shifting their focus towards next season, but they have admirably kept fighting during this year. One of their bright spots for the future, forward Aaron Gordon, exploded on Monday night for 48 HAC points with 10 of 20 shooting, nine boards and 26 points to hopefully give a taste of the future for Thundercat fans. The Gravity has firm hopes on winning another Frazier Cup and will likely outlast the ‘Cats as this long matchup comes more into focus. So far, the Gravity has the two top scorers of this brief battle with Tim Hardaway, Jr. (52.5 HAC points) and Gravity legend Kyle Lowry (55.4) leading the way.

Hoopy Froods vs. Hickory High

Wesley’s Hickory High has lost its grip on contending for the playoffs, and they have started to figure out what their outlook is for the rest of this season and beyond. After just two nights, they are keeping things close with Patrick’s fourth place Hoopy Froods, 467 - 453. Recent acquisition O.G. Anunoby is leading Hickory with 64 HAC points which he got all on Monday night with excellent 10 of 13 shooting, 12 rebounds, three steals and 25 points. This is encouraging for Norman Dale’s squad, as Anunoby could be a legitimate keeper candidate and a player Hickory may want to sign to a contract in the offseason. The Froods have arguably the best fantasy player in James Harden who went nuts for 65 HAC points last night with 42 points, partly thanks to 17 free throws made in 18 attempts. The Froods have just as good a chance for a Frazier Cup as any other franchise in a playoff seed right now. They are going to need more nights like guard Dejounte Murray’s the past two nights to do it. Murray had 42 HAC points on Monday and then followed that up with 47 last night. Murray has just a $1 salary, but was signed to an option year deal by the HoopleHeads in the offseason. It’ll be interesting to see what happens with Murray going forward, but before then he’ll be counted on along with a healthy Luka Doncic to bring a Frazier Cup to the franchise. The Froods were lucky last week to escape with a win against Latrell’s Hub Caps and that luck will have to continue into the postseason, as it is often better to be lucky than good.

Atomic Supermen vs. HoopleHeads

Fifth place Atomic needs to try to keep pace with fourth place Hoopy Froods, so Jake’s boys will be looking for a win over this next two week period. And though a win isn’t vital, but putting up points is, these two weeks are even more important to Gnj’s HoopleHeads. Right now after two nights, Atomic has jumped out to a lead, 446 to 380, but Al Swearengen is going to be point watching with the Donkey Crankers. While the Crankers have outscored the Hooples, 411 to 380, the burden is on the Crankers to outscore the HoopleHeads over the last three decisions of the season. Star Supermen forward Kawhi Leonard is leading the way with his spectacular game on Tuesday night, scoring 61 HAC points, tallying nine assists, two blocks and 30 points. This is why Kawhi was brought to the Supermen and while Atomic came close to a Frazier Cup last season, they should have confidence they can make another run. Last season they overcame inheriting a lackluster squad which had lost its first three games of the season so this season, HAC analysts are interested to see what magic Atomic’s Professor has in store for the stretch run. For the HoopleHeads, Trader Gary will likely live up to his nickname with about two weeks to go until the HAC trade deadline. Trades may have to be explored since the franchise only has a few transactions left for the rest of the season. Both squads’ finish to the season will be entertaining to watch for league onlookers.

Latrell’s Hub Caps vs. Pump Fake News

You might say that these are two squads that are just playing out the string for the rest of the season. You might say that, but I have a feeling you’d be wrong. Sure, both teams have a combined four wins on the season and the game’s score is low with the News leading 385 - 283, as halftime band Huey Lewis and the News have inspired the roster, but there are a lot of interesting things to note in this matchup. Two players, central to each franchise’s future, have shined in the first two nights. Hub Caps center Nikola Vucevic had a wonderful game on Monday night with 62 HAC points because of nine assists, nine boards, 10 of 15 shooting, including four of six from three point range and 24 points. On the flip side, Pump Fake guard Derrick White has had a tough year, but he has 61 HAC points combined over Monday and Tuesday night and scored 40 HAC points last night. White shot six of nine in field goal attempts, dished out eight assists and poured in 17 points. Erik’s Hub Caps are fresh off a tough loss last week where they almost emerged victorious for just the second time all season against the Froods. Still, while this has been one of the toughest seasons in history of fantasy basketball for the Caps, they have amassed a treasure trove of HAC coins and have a deep base of talent to work with this offseason. And the season isn’t over! Once the Tom Petty Invitational Consolation Bracket commences, the Caps will hopefully do their best to show that Even the Losers (Get Lucky Sometimes) and add to their haul of coins. Granted, David’s Pump Fake News could be having the same thoughts in an otherwise forgettable season which started off difficult because of star center DeAndre Ayton’s suspension. But while it has been a long season for both franchises, the Tom Petty Invitational will hopefully yield some optimism for the present with a solid coin allotment provided a good showing is made. And that good showing will hopefully then yield more optimism for the future.

Week 17 Embarks on NBA All-Star Weeks

February 10, 2020

This coming week is one that I’ve been waiting on for quite some time. Before the season we decided to combine the All-Star weeks because both weeks were shortened with games and probably wasn’t a terrific indicator of a victor. Many teams played just two games, and others played just one game over both weeks which is no good. So, for this Week 17 matchup, most teams will play four games, a few will play three, and strangely, the New York Knicks will only play two games over these next two weeks.

I’m curious to see how it will go. I think it is more equitable this way, but at the same time, I really dislike losing that round number of 20 for the season matchups. Maybe we’ll come out of these next two weeks and look back and decide to split apart the weeks again, who knows. Just get comfortable with your Week 17 opponent these next two weeks because it is going to be a bumpy ride and a long time to wait for a decision. That could be another reason to split apart the weeks again. We’d all be dealing with short weeks, so no team has an advantage, though injuries and players resting on the second night of a back to back is pretty difficult to navigate sometimes, but at this point in the season, that is no mystery to any of my fellow HAC’ers. Either way, let me know what you think during and after these next two weeks: if you’re happy with combining them, if you would have preferred two decisions, say if you have a great first week and a crappy second week, or something else. Thoughtful opinions are always welcomed!

Tom Petty Invitational Consolation Bracket Primer

Because you know...Even the Losers (Get Lucky Sometimes)

February 10, 2020

I’m sure several teams in the league are declaring that ‘The Waiting is the hardest part’ of the season right now. Three matchups left before the postseason and the Even the Losers (Get Lucky Sometimes) Tom Petty Invitational Consolation Bracket is ready to start, in Week 20 for our season, or March 9. It is increasingly likely that the franchise with the league’s all-time best record, Hickory High, will be in the Tom Petty Invitational. Not only because Hickory traded away Al Horford this past week, but also because Norman Dale’s boys got badly outscored in Week 15 by the teams gunning for the sixth and final Frazier Cup playoff spot, Nathan's Donkey Crankers and Gnj's HoopleHeads.

Right now, there are five teams slated to go in the Tom Petty Invitational:

#8 Wesley’s Hickory High

#9 Chris’s River City Thundercats

#10 David’s Pump Fake News

#11 Erik’s and Latrell’s Hub Caps

#12 Stuart’s Halftime Hoopers

Now, with three matchups left, those seedings could change. After all, River City is just two games behind Hickory High in the standings and Pump Fake News is two games behind the Thundercats. The Hub Caps lost a heart breaker against Hoopy Froods last week, so who knows what they're capable of going forward. Also, as previously mentioned, there is a Frazier Cup playoff race going on between current 6th place HoopleHeads and 7th place Donkey Crankers. The team that doesn’t make it will likely get the top seeding. In a future edition, I’ll focus more on the parameters of the Tom Petty Invitational and how it will work.

Kelly Olynyk Back in HAC

February 8, 2020

After being acquired in the 2019 HAC Auction by Erik’s and Latrell’s Hub Caps for a $3 salary, Kelly Olynyk mostly struggled with a 16.2 HAC point per game average during his two and a half month tenure with the Caps. By January, the Hub Caps brass had seen enough and amicably parted ways with the Canadian big man.

What Olynyk didn’t know though was that he’d spend the next month waiting for a call from an HAC team that didn’t come. He finally took it upon himself to start cold calling teams, partly because he wanted that fat two dollar raise to $5 that free agents got. He first called the Atomic Supermen front office to see if he could play for them. Atomic owner Jake happened to take the call thinking it was the local pizza shop since Olynyk had not changed his number since he played for the Boston Celtics in the minor league NBA. As soon as he heard “Hi, this is Kelly Olynyk…” Jake cut the call off, partly because he wanted that Hawaiian pizza that he was craving so badly.

Finally a call was placed to Chris’s River City Thundercats where he was able to make his pitch. Olynyk offered to clean the team’s locker room bathrooms, an offer which was gratefully accepted. From Bill Walton’s scouting report, Olynyk may only be averaging 13.8 HAC points over 12 games since he signed with the ‘Cats, but he’s shown some tenacity out there and is sure he can get the most points of the free agents he’s been pitted against this week in the free agent contest.

Gravity, Hickory Agree on Nine Player Trade

February 6, 2020

The deal:

• Left Coast Gravity gets PG/SG Seth Curry (DAL - $3), PF/C Al Horford (PHI - $16 - OPT23), SG J.J. Redick (NO - $4 - OPT23), and SF/PF T.J. Warren (IND - $4 - OPT23).
• Hickory High gets PF/C Chris Boucher (TOR - $5), PF Lauri Markkanen (CHI - $8 - GC22), PF/C Daniel Theis (BOS - $5), SF/PF O.G. Anunoby (TOR - $5), and PG/SG Langston Galloway (DET - $5).

It seems like not only the classic case of a franchise, in this case, Hickory High, preparing for the future, but also dealing with the ramifications of option year contracts. Three of the four players Hickory sent to Glen's Left Coast Gravity in this deal are on option year contracts. And with a 140 coin cost to renegotiate with each player, that adds up, and instead, why not move them out and get a player like Lauri Markkanen who coach Norman Dale has eyed for quite some time, reports HAC press senior correspondent Dick Stockton.

Markkanen, if he can come back as the player he was before his current injury, he is on an inexpensive contract for a number of years. O.G. Anunoby is a decent gamble to take for Hickory as well with his meager $5 salary and no contract. He might be worth extending in the offseason on an option year for next season and see what happens.

The Gravity benefit by getting Al Horford who is always a dependable frontcourt player, and is the best player in this deal. And T.J. Warren has been having a nice year for the Pacers too. Would the Gravity think about renegotiating either player’s contract? It is too soon to think about that, as the Gravity have a Frazier Cup on their priority list, but it is an interesting talking point.

Boucher has already been released by Hickory, and free agent point guard Michael Carter-Williams was signed in his place. They actually crossed paths at the Hickory training complex - Boucher walking out after a talk with owner Wesley and coach Dale, and Carter-Williams arriving to report. Coach Dale was quick with his input on the Carter-Williams signing, saying “we’ve got a consolation bracket to win!”.

The Chase For the Sixth Seed

February 5, 2020

It appears that five of the playoff spots are pretty well entrenched. There are a few possibilities where that could change, but the likelihood is small. For example, current #4 seed, Patrick’s Hoopy Froods at 11-4 could lose a few games and be overtaken by Jake’s fifth place Atomic Supermen, who are currently two games behind at 9-6. The Froods are currently 828 points ahead of Nathan’s seventh place Donkey Crankers. Maybe the Crankers could turn it up in the next few weeks like they did just last week when they put up over 1,600 points? Well, I’m grasping at straws with that scenario, so you see where we are at for the first five playoff spots. So let’s focus on the sixth seed which has three teams realistically challenging for it.

Right now, the holders of the sixth seed, Gnj’s HoopleHeads, are 499 points ahead of the Donkey Crankers as of Wednesday before games. Though let’s not discount Wesley and his eighth place Hickory High which is 1,258 points behind the HoopleHeads. Time is fast running out on Hickory with just four weeks to go. Still, anything is still possible, and I reference again last week’s Donkey Crankers explosion.

This is the current sixth place race, which has three teams involved: the HoopleHeads who have the inside track with the sixth seed along with the 2015 and 2016 Frazier Cup winning Donkey Crankers as well as Hickory High, the team with the best record in HAC history in terms of winning percentage (93-45, .674). Hopefully both the Crankers and Hickory can invoke spirits of years past and their very successful HAC histories and make this a battle worth watching.

Reflecting on the First Years of HAC Guaranteed Contracts

January 13, 2020

With Willie Cauley-Stein being released by George's Jive Suckas while on a guaranteed contract, it made me want to reflect on the brief period of time the league has had guaranteed contracts, since the start of the 2018-19 season. Interestingly, six players have been cut while on guaranteed contracts. Two of those players, DeMarcus Cousins and Bobby Portis had the Darryl Dawkins Dunker prize used on them. I’m not sure if six cut contracts is a lot or a little. But looking over the rosters now, I don’t see a lot of bad contracts. Still, while six cut contracts might be a bit much over two years, I’m a big proponent of allowing owners to have a manageable way out of their mistakes, especially if it is a bit painful. Having to pay 100% of a player’s salary on a team’s cap on a player’s guaranteed contract that is released is painful, especially when the cap is not lowered.

There were ten four year guaranteed contracts handed out last offseason, and Nathan’s Donkey Crankers gave out three (Jaren Jackson, Jr., Mitchell Robinson, Justise Winslow). That’s a decrease from the 16 four year GC’s that were given out in the 2018 offseason when contracts were brand new and it was the first time being brought into the league. I’m not even focusing on GC’s given out that were less than four years in either offseason. But more and more, owners are decrying the use of GC’s and are opting for non-guaranteed deals even if that means tacking a few extra dollars onto their salary cap. That flexibility can be invaluable at all times of the season, whether it be in the offseason for the keeper cap, or trying to do trades during the season or managing a roster that might suffer some injuries.

What might be a bad contract to one team might be a bit more palatable to another, for better or worse. Stuart’s Halftime Hoopers took on center Enes Kanter and his guaranteed contract that is going to expire at the end of this season in a trade with Glen's Gravity. Kanter is making $10 in salary this year and it made sense as the Hoopers are struggling this year and CEO Stuart was able to acquire 60 coins for the trouble. Recently, Chris and his River City Thundercats acquired forward Aaron Gordon who has two years left on his GC from Gnj's HoopleHeads. He’ll be paid $9 this year and $10 next season which is less than the player that the ‘Cats shipped out to the HoopleHeads, point guard Lonzo Ball at $13. Ball has no contract right now, but the Thundercats would be faced with an uncomfortable choice on whether or not to re-sign him this offseason. With Gordon, he is cheaper and a comparable player to Ball, averaging just under two HAC points per game less than Ball.

These are instances where two franchises chose different paths for their rebuilding efforts with two trades, both involving taking on players with guaranteed contracts. One franchise, the Hoopers, took coins as payment for taking on a less attractive contract in Enes Kanter and the other, River City, took a cheaper player, but on a guaranteed contract, for a player that they may not have re-signed in the offseason. This shows that virtually any guaranteed contract can be traded under the right circumstances and with the right team.

Week 13 HAC Outlook

January 13, 2020

This week is going to be a big week for playoff races as the HAC schedule maker, Kevin Arnovitz, somehow was able to prognosticate before the season what some tasty matchups would be like. Counting Week 13, there are only seven matchups left until the HAC postseason in Week 20!

The headlining matchup are two 8-4 teams going at it, Jake’s Atomic Supermen and Patrick’s Hoopy Froods. The Supermen have a 388 season point lead on the Froods for the fourth seed in the playoffs, but whoever wins will be climbing to that fourth seed...the last playoff spot where record is what matters. The fifth and sixth seeds are determined by season points scored.

I'll also be watching the HoopleHeads (7-5) take on Glen's Gravity (9-3). That'll be a big game for the Hooples. They've got Nathan's Donkey Crankers (6-6) on their heels for the sixth and final playoff spot. And whaddya know, the Crankers, who are in the seventh seed, are playing Wesley's eighth seeded Hickory High (5-7) who is on the Crankers’s heels.

The top two seeds, George’s Jive Suckas (12-0) and Washington Spin (9-3) are playing David’s Pump Fake News (2-10) and Stuart's Halftime Hoopers (1-11) respectively. Chris’s River City Thundercats (4-8) is playing Erik’s Hub Caps (1-11) in one of the Thundercats’s last chances to make up some ground in the playoff race. They are still about 3,000 season points behind the sixth seeded HoopleHeads, but a few big weeks by the Cats and some losses by the teams above them (6th seed HoopleHeads, 7th seed Crankers and 8th seed Hickory) and a lot could change with seven weeks left on the schedule.

Multiple Suitors For Blake Griffin on Waivers

January 12, 2020

Blake Griffin, recently released by Chris’s River City Thundercats, was sleeping soundly early Saturday morning. The kind of deep sleep when you are not worried or panicked. Being released was the fate that the power forward had resigned himself to, and with his balky knee, he was not expecting to be claimed on waivers. He was sleeping so well that he missed the 3:02am phone call from HAC Commissioner Walt Frazier to tell him that he, in fact, had been claimed off of waivers, by the forward looking Halftime Hoopers for $14.

Frazier left the voice mail, with deep resentment in his voice, for having to announce that Stuart’s Hoopers had had the winning claim. Frazier's well known issues with the Hoopers boss has often left Stuart mystified, but Frazier cannot let go Stuart's trangression three years ago with having a Clyde Night as a team promotion for fans where fans could try to dunk a likeness of the HAC Commissioner in a pool of water at half court.

Wesley’s Hickory High also submitted a $14 claim but lost out due to the standings tiebreaker. Frazier did not confirm or deny that he tried to fudge a number here or there to try to allow Hickory to be the winner. League sources tell the HAC Press that Hickory head coach Norman Dale spoke to Frazier to try to dissuade him as much as he could from awarding Griffin to the team because he didn’t want to coach him. Erik and Latrell Sprewell also submitted a $12 bid for Griffin, but could not land him. Interestingly, there were no other serious bids, outside of River City's feeble $1 bid, like there have been for other significant players who have been recently released, like Kyrie Irving and Draymond Green just to name a couple. It could be because Griffin is not going to play for the rest of the season, while Irving and Green will.

Julius Randle: The Only Bonus Contract Ever

January 8, 2020

Julius Randle has had a fascinating HAC career. To keep this as brief as possible (knowing me, it won’t be brief), I’ll concentrate on his Fantrax era. Moving on from Fleaflicker in the 2017 offseason, Stuart’s Halftime Hoopers traded Randle to George’s Jive Suckas in an eight player deal that brought Joel Embiid to the Hoopers...temporarily! Randle at that point had an inflated value as a 5th round draft pick when he was selected by Glen’s Left Coast Gravity in the 2017 HAC Draft...the last draft ever before we moved to an auction! In any event, to translate draft rounds to salaries, Randle’s fifth round value became a $17 salary.

The Suckas eventually were having cap troubles and decided to release Randle to shed some money. Smartly, they got Randle back on waivers with the high claim of $9, an immediate savings. Two months later, Randle was sent packing to Gnj’s then-Trust The Process. Here’s where history was made. In the 2018 offseason, Randle was given the first and only Bonus Contract prize. Of course, that didn’t prevent Randle from being traded, and maybe it enhanced his value, as he’s been traded three times since the now HoopleHeads franchise signed him to that BC. Will any player be signed to another Bonus Contract before Randle’s time on his current contract runs out, after the 2020-21 season?

Ok, so that headline isn’t exactly true. Before the HAC Coin system was brought in for the 2015-16 season, there were Bonus Contracts, but they were poorly administered and a drastic change was needed. And the coin system was born. And in that new incarnation of the league with HAC Coins, Randle is the only Bonus Contract ever.

The Sad Tale of Frank Ntilikina

January 7, 2020

HAC Press correspondent Bill Walton

Frank Ntilikina has had a brief yet strange HAC career. Initially the French 6’6’’ guard was selected in the 2017 HAC Auction, the first ever, by resident Knicks fan Gnj for the then Process at $3. He shuttled around to a few teams and then in the 2018 offseason he was given a four year, guaranteed contract by the franchise that preceeded Jake’s Atomic Supermen. Fortunately, pretty much as soon as Jake took over the team, he was able to move Ntilikina. He was traded to Stuart’s Halftime Hoopers in one of the bigger trades in HAC history, the 10 player trade that sent Kawhi Leonard (and Ntilikina) to the Hoopers and brought James Harden, Stephen Curry and three others to Atomic.

Unfortunately, the marriage with the Hoopers did not go well. Four days after he was traded to the Hoopers, Stu made the decision to cut Ntilikina and his long contract in which he was just in the first year of it. Stu used the Sam Bowie Breaker Buyout prize to take the cap penalty all in one year. But this isn’t the story of the Hoopers front office machinations.

After Ntilikina got bought out by the Hoopers, he has been languishing in and out of shape and on and off HAC rosters. Last year, when he was bought out, resident Knicks lover Gary again took Frank on and claimed him on waivers only to cut him two weeks later on Christmas Eve of all days because he was caught inside a locked Chuck E Cheese playing skeeball at 3am. No one, including Ntilikina himself, could explain how he got inside. No other franchise signed Ntilikina the rest of the season after that incident. However, other reports surfaced that Ntilikina was preparing to unseat Joey Chestnut as a competitive eating champion and eat 20 hot dogs in a minute and wanted to train to be a circus trapeze artist.

This year, who was the first franchise that signed him? Of course it was the HoopleHeads! Though that reunion lasted only a couple of weeks amid rumors that Ntilikina simply wasn’t the same player or person as he had been. Losing the long term security from his guaranteed contract seemed to leave a mark on the guard and he started having trouble hitting layups in practice, he exhibited moodiness and then team trainers started noticing lice in Frank’s hair. Ntilikina was cut, but he was immediately claimed on waivers by Glen’s Left Coast Gravity. The Gravity noticed the same things including a strange penchant for pulling fire alarms in public places. Five days later, on December 6, Ntilikina was gone and a month later, he has not landed on an HAC roster and there doesn’t seem to be a lot of hope for that this year, as in the last 10 NBA games he’s played in, he’s seen more than 20 minutes of action just three times.

The HAC future for Ntilikina is hazy, but hopefully someone has given him some Chuck E Cheese tokens, some good shampoo and a Nathan’s gift card.

Outcome Reversal in Week 8 Gravity-Spin Game

December 20, 2019

So, a weird thing happened today. There were stat corrections from the NBA this morning logged by Fantrax and it actually changed an entire game outcome from Week 8 between my Spin and Glen’s Left Coast Gravity. Originally, the Gravity defeated my Spin by one solitary point, but it changed this morning where the outcome was reversed and my Spin became the victors by less than two measly points.

With some research, it was shown that just a few stat corrections shifted things. The Gravity’s Lauri Markkanen lost a defensive rebound as well as Gravity center Jonas Valanciunas had a steal that was originally credited to him, taken away. On the flip side, Spin forward LaMarcus Aldridge had a field goal attempt retroactively taken away which improved his final score from Week 8 even though he also had an offensive rebound taken away in the stat corrections this morning.

You all likely don’t care about that, but what it all means is that the Spin have been credited with a victory with a photo finish score of 1507.1 - 1505.9. A brutal loss for Glen. The league rule has been that stat corrections will affect scores if made seven days or less after the outcome of the game. After that, the stat correction will not affect any HAC game. This is the default Fantrax time allowance for stat corrections. While I am going to keep this for the HAC regular season, I am thinking that for the playoffs, 24 hours might be all that we may want to allow for the league so that playoff outcomes aren’t put into jeopardy retroactively.

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Seth Curry Signed by Hoopers - Team Owner “didn’t notice”

December 19, 2019

HAC Press correspondent Bill Walton

The Halftime Hoopers secured guard Seth Curry’s services with a $3 waiver claim that was awarded early Wednesday morning. The Hoopers went over their budget, analyzed the roster and sent in the notification of their claim to the HAC offices. HAC Commissioner Walt Frazier, who has had a longstanding beef with the Hoopers owner, would have deleted the email, except league assistant Chris Bosh saw it and entered into the league’s logs and Walt was hamstrung.

Everything went right with the Hoopers’ claim except for one major detail. Curry, who was vacationing with family in North Carolina to await his next move after being recently released and see if he would be signed through waivers, flew to Sacramento to go to the Hoopers facility on Wednesday afternoon when he heard that he was claimed by the 2018 HAC champions. The only problem was...no one was at the Hoopers facility yesterday until the evening.

As the diminutive shooting guard generally does in times of stress, he called his father, former NBA pro Dell Curry. Dell, who had taken the same cross country flight to Sacramento as his son to visit one of his pot farms in northern California, raced down the road when he got Seth’s call. The vision of both Curry’s knocking on the Hoopers’ facility door would only be enhanced when, to rest his hand from pounding on the door, Dell called his other son, Stephen Curry, who is on Latrell’s Hub Caps injured reserve. Seeing that he didn’t have a whole lot to do and has been allowed by the Hub Caps to work out in San Francisco, Steph wasn’t very far away either. The entire Curry clan was pounding on the Hoopers’ front door. Finally, Hoopers owner Stuart arrived.

Stuart came to the front door to find three very agitated Currys to explain himself to, and this reporter, who Dell Curry also called. “Hey, we don’t have assistants like the Gravity or the HoopleHeads. This isn’t a tight run ship. Hey, we’re 1-7, I didn’t even notice that the Hoopers got you, Seth, sorry!”

With that, Stuart unlocked the team facility, which is actually in back of a local Boys & Girls Club, but connected to the Boys & Girls Club pool and bumper pool table. Seth had to change in the locker room next to the pool amongst some 12 year olds and senior citizens. But that was ok, he was going to get his first Hoopers workout in. What he didn’t realize was that the indoor court was asphalt and in a dank and leaky room that the Hoopers rented out from the Boys & Girls Club. After Dell hit 10 three’s in a row, he shrugged to Seth. “What do you want for your $3 salary? You’re lucky you’re still in the HAC!”

What is going on with the Donkey Crankers This Year?

December 13, 2019

HAC Press Roundtable: Hubie Brown, David Thorpe and Bill Walton

Currently, after seven weeks, the two time HAC champion Donkey Crankers are struggling with a 3-4 record. If nothing else, Nathan's Crankers have been very consistent, scoring no less than 1200 HAC points in any week so far this season. Unfortunately, in four weeks, that simply hasn’t been enough. There is still time for the Crankers to turn their season around, but will they? This is what happens on a Friday when I have nothing else to do on the bus on the way to work.

Hubie Brown: There are indicators that the Crankers could turn it around. They have had to play the Spin, Suckas, Froods and Gravity already, four of the better teams in the league. The losses weren’t particularly close, but at least they are beating the teams that they should. Now, there’s plenty of time left in the season, and the Crankers are my favorite to get the sixth seed in the playoffs, but they are going to have to play a little bit better.

David Thorpe: Well, Hubie, much of what you say is true, but I think management will have to take an honest look in the mirror too. Three transactions over seven weeks isn’t going to get it done. This team lost to the Hoopy Froods last week by just 100 points. A few transactions could have made the difference. Sometimes management can decide wins and losses in close games.

Bill Walton: Now let me tell you about how well managed the 1977 Portland Trail Blazers were. When my coach, Dr. Jack Ramsay called a play…

Hubie: Ok, ok...hold on, let’s talk about the Crankers and not yesteryear in the NBA. Coach Thorpe, you’re right - some more hands on management could help this team. Still, the team has performed somewhat admirably with not having Khris Middleton for awhile this year and they did do great in securing guard Ja Morant in the auction for $23. Don’t forget that they did a nice job signing Bogdan Bogdanovic in the auction for $8.

Thorpe: No question, Hubie, all good moves. But what is Zach Collins still doing on this team? He’s out until March and at $15, he is a drain on the salary cap, especially since the Crankers don’t have a lot of room under it. There are a lot of guaranteed contracts on this roster, but most are playing well. I just don’t know if I agree with the trade that sent Kawhi Leonard to the Halftime Hoopers in exchange for Kevin Love and Ivica Zubac before the season. I realize it was to create some cap room and that enabled the team to sign the players that we are singing the praises of: Middleton, Morant, Bogdanovic. I just think talent is what wins, and you keep great players.

Hubie: True, but if they are making $46 like Kawhi was and missing 20 games in the season?

Thorpe: Granted, that’s an issue that would have had to have been managed. There weren’t a lot of easily tradeable parts on the roster because of those guaranteed contracts. I think owners throughout the league are getting wary of trading for those contracts.

Walton: I know all about injuries and bad contracts! Let me tell you about the fifth time I broke my foot...

Hubie: How about you don’t, Bill. But about guaranteed contracts, as the league is entering its second year with them, some owners seem to be learning their lesson on long term commitments.

Thorpe: No doubt, but has the Crankers front office even explored very many trades with some of their players?

Walton: I got traded once in my career, and it was one of the most difficult experiences in my entire life, filled with experiences. I remember when I got traded to the Boston Celtics in 1985. Part of my heart rejoiced, and part of my heart was troubled…

Hubie: Well, we’re trying to figure out how troubled the Donkey Crankers season is right now, Bill. But I don’t think it is troubled. I still think there’s plenty of time left.

Thorpe: I know you fancy the Crankers making the playoffs, but I’m still not yet sold. Most of the players are good, but I think they could use an infusion of talent with some trades and then I’d probably be a believer. But can they beat enough struggling teams to get into the playoffs? I’m not sure they can as they are currently constructed.

Hubie: Certainly team management is an issue. But I think some of the players need to play better as well, and there’s plenty of time for that to happen. Jaren Jackson, Jr. for one. I have a feeling more might have been expected of the Crankers two star guards, Jrue Holiday and Jamal Murray. I know injuries have affected Middleton and Kristaps Porzingis too as he has been coming back from injury. Now that David Fizdale is finally gone in New York, maybe Mitchell Robinson will play more minutes and produce more? Justise Winslow needs to finally get healthy and Taurean Prince needs to play better. There have been some disappointments, but I think some players on the roster can play better as we go through the season.

Thorpe: I couldn’t agree more with that, coach. It seems a lot of things have to go right and a lot of things have to change for the Crankers to have success this season. The opportunity is certainly there, but the Crankers have to act upon it.

Huey Lewis and the News named as Halftime Entertainment for Pump Fake News

December 12, 2019

Bill Walton, HAC Press correspondent

Pump Fake News recently released Bobby Portis after his signing to a four year, guaranteed contract this offseason plainly did not work out. News GM and CEO David had to pay a tax of 425 HAC Coins to rid the franchise of the contract which sent shockwaves, not just throughout the franchise and the HAC on the whole, but to Pump Fake News fans.

Unrest was following on Pump Fake News fan blogs and twitter, so team management knew they had to do something. But what? That is where one of the teams’ biggest fans comes in.

Huey Lewis, famed singer of the band Huey Lewis and the News has been a season ticket holder with the News since last season when the franchise was named Uncle Drew and the Europeans. With the team’s name change to Pump Fake News, Mr. Lewis had long been ruminating about approaching the franchise about a possible opportunity but was hesitant. That is when he started reading the All Fakes All Real fan blog and where it was discussed that drastic measures be taken to rebuild fan trust. What better way, Mr. Lewis thought, then to volunteer Huey Lewis and the News to be Pump Fake News’ halftime entertainment! As a longtime music fan, I was lucky to sit down with the singer for an interview.

Asked when Mr. Lewis started to imagine this could be the right fit, the singer resopnded, “I could see the marquee: The News playing for...the News. It just made too much sense! My band’s best selling album was called ‘Sports’ too!”

With very little prodding, he went on. “We could play my hit song ‘If This Is It’ when the team was clinging to a tight lead. If the team was down in a game? We’d embark on a rendition of ‘I Want a New Drug’ for the News. If the game was close, ‘Walking on a Thin Line’ worked in the Billboard charts for us and it could probably work in a HAC game. If the team was down big, the band could resort to our hit song, ‘Bad is Bad’. And if the team needed a little juice to get over the hump, I feel a song I worked hard on, ‘Heart and Soul’, which I usually left for encores in shows, would pull the team through. How could this go wrong!”

While Pump Fake News GM David wasn’t a big Huey Lewis and The News fan, he was sold by the exuberance from the lead singer and the fact that, well, the franchise needed an infusion of something positive after the Bobby Portis release. Enter in Huey Lewis and The News, what some fans might view as a desperate attempt with a 1980s band to change the discussion about the team. However, others will realize that Huey Lewis and The News playing for the News isn’t just a crafty play on words, but the only HAC team with halftime entertainment. Oh, that is unless you count the Halftime Hoopers with a frog dancing on the sideline.

Bobby Portis Released Using Dawkins Prize

December 11, 2019

Today, Pump Fake News released forward Bobby Portis as owner/GM David informed him that his services were no longer needed. Portis responded that he had a guaranteed contract and wouldn't be going anywhere. Unfortunately, for Portis, due to the magic pill of the Darryl Dawkins Dunker HAC Coin prize, Portis' guaranteed contract has been evaporated.

Portis was taken aback and raised an outcry but to no avail. Former teammates hid their heads as if the shame and disappointment conveyed by Portis could be contagious. Silence enveloped the News locker room as...news seeped out in the HAC atmosphere of the Portis development.

DeMarcus Cousins has been the only player before Portis to have a Dawkins Dunker prize used on him, which Stuart’s Halftime Hoopers did this offseason. Only to get him back with a Free Agent Coupon!

Frazier Cup: A Midseason HAC Tournament

December 10, 2019

This midseason HAC tournament would comprise the six sub .500 teams in the standings. The idea behind it came from the fact that the owners of these teams give much to the league in terms of their time and attention and the league should in turn do something for them.

It is difficult each week to see your team getting beat up and to see losses accumulate. In years past, some struggling teams that have met this fate would simply stop actively participating in HAC. However in the 2019-20 season, all 12 teams are actively participating, especially the struggling teams near the bottom of the standings. They are constantly trying to acquire free agents, posting on the Facebook group and participating in the league chat. That on top of faithfully setting their lineups each day. These teams give a lot to the league by doing this.

This idea was also inspired by the NBA thinking creatively and discussing a midseason tournament of their own. However, the HAC is lucky. We don't have a players union to worry about or television contracts or stadium rights to navigate. We are only bound by our creativity. For that reason, I felt that the league is bound by duty to make the league as enjoyable as possible for ALL owners, not just the ones with the best teams.

The tournament will be three weeks long and will not supplant the current weekly schedule in any way. The normal weekly schedule will proceed as normal. Scores will be compiled from the participating teams in a Facebook post or Fantrax forum post and updated often. The top score will win 60 coins. The second place team will be awarded 45 coins. The 3rd place team will get 30 coins, fourth will receive 20 coins. Fifth and last place score will get 10 coins which may sound small, but it is equal to three wins (3 coins each) in the standings.

I’d like to see how this goes, and if it goes well, maybe there can be another tournament during the season and maybe it can be an annual thing. I have no idea how it will go, and there may be issues that need addressing.

Jonathan Isaac's HAC Journey

November 27, 2019

Hubie Brown, HAC press senior correspondent

Jonathan Isaac was drafted in the rival league to the HAC, the NBA, by the Orlando Magic with the sixth pick overall in the 2017 NBA Draft. His HAC journey started the same season, as Isaac was taken in the 2017 HAC Auction at $1 by Durantula. He was cut a couple of times during 2017-18 and late in the year, on March 12, 2018, he was signed as a free agent with a $5 salary by then-Trust the Process, now HoopleHeads.

In the 2018 offseason, Isaac was signed by the Process to a two year, guaranteed contract that was to expire after the 2019-20 season. In fitting Process/HoopleHeads fashion, Isaac was traded pretty much immediately at the start of the 2018-19 season. On November 4, 2018, the Process moved Isaac in a six player trade to the then-Uncle Drew and the Europeans, now Pump Fake News. Isaac was traded along with two big men, DeAndre Jordan and Marvin Bagley in exchange for Luka Doncic, Eric Gordon and Jonas Valanciunas. Why was Doncic traded from Gnj’s squad! Oh wait...it is Gnj’s squad!

At this point, Isaac was making $6 in salary, but not doing a whole hell of a lot. He would go on to average just 21 HAC points per game in the 2018-19 season. His value was based more on the future than on the present. It is just that present would not be with Uncle Drew and the Europeans or Pump Fake News.

Isaac was released from Uncle Drew on January 13, 2019. He was averaging a paltry 17.3 HAC points per game at this point in the 2018-19 season. He was averaging just eight points per game and four rebounds. Unfortunately, Uncle Drew/Pump Fake News then incurred a $6 penalty for last season, which was 100% of his salary. This year, Pump Fake GM David is still dealing with a $4 cap hit which is 50% ($7) of what Isaac’s salary would have been in the second and last year of his original guaranteed contract.

Isaac landed on his feet though after he was released. Video game system Neo Geo and his Jive Suckas signed Isaac off of waivers for $2. He finished the season with the Suckas. This past offseason, Isaac was traded in the offseason with forward Miles Bridges to Atomic Supermen for Blake Griffin in a cost cutting venture by Jake’s Supermen. The Supermen promptly extended Isaac on a non-guaranteed deal at $4 for the 2019-20 season and surely have been pleased. Currently, Isaac is averaging an outstanding 34.8 HAC points per game while putting up averages of 13.1 points per game and 2.9 blocks per game.

Pump Fake News fans can only lament what could have been as Isaac continues to play well and looks to be a fixture in the HAC for many years to come.

Marc Gasol Given Championship Ring By Spin

November 26, 2019

Dick Stockton, HAC press senior correspondent

In a ceremony before tonight’s game against the Donkey Crankers, center Marc Gasol was given a championship ring from the Washington Spin despite being traded before the end of last season and not being with the team when they won.

On January 8 last season, Gasol was traded to Stuart’s Halftime Hoopers with Dennis Smith, Jr. and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist for Otto Porter, Hassan Whiteside and Bryn Forbes. Gasol was on an Option Year contract at $20 and was deemed too expensive to re-sign but remained a favorite of the franchise. Whiteside, who now plays for the HoopleHeads, took over at center for Gasol and manned the position as the team went on to win the championship. Whiteside was also let go after the season, allowed to become a free agent.

Spin head coach Bill Bradley offered, “we decided that this was the right thing to do. Marc was a loyal soldier for us during our regrettable 2017-18 season when we went 5-15.” The Spin were grateful for Gasol’s service and the grace in which he handled the trade to the Hoopers. They had been planning this for a while. “Plus, being able to give him the ring when the Donkey Crankers were in town...that was extra special”, Bradley added with a wink. The Crankers have two championships of their own, and Bradley has always wanted to flaunt his title to Donkey Crankers CEO Nathan.

Gasol addressed the fans in the ceremony and declared, “I am very humbled by this gesture from the Spin. I’m happy I’m back here, and now, I want to be part of a championship team in earnest. Let’s win another!” Spin fans exploded and raised their “Down With the Donkeys” signs en masse.

HAC Buyers and Sellers

November 24, 2019

The first five weeks of the season have passed, and now we are almost a quarter of the way through the HAC regular season which concludes after Week 20. We are also almost a fifth of the way through the entire HAC season which concludes after Week 23. Now teams are separating a little bit, though there are still a vast majority of teams in the league in good position for a playoff spot, so there is no time to panic. For some, however, it might be time to get a little concerned. Let us take a closer peak. This is a long one, so settle in. I wanted to get this done while I had some time, so it was done before games on Sunday, before Week 5 has concluded, which I reference a couple of times later.

Atomic Supermen: Buyers

While Jake’s squad has a 3-2 record which is not overly impressive, the points scored Atomic is putting up is. Currently, the Supermen are battling the Washington Spin for that second spot in points scored with over 7,000 so far this year and Atomic is one of three teams to break the 7,000 point barrier. And that is why Atomic are buyers and why the rest of the HAC teams should fear them for the second straight season. With James Harden leading the way and one of only four HAC players to score over 800 points (as of before Sunday’s games), the Supermen are in prime position for a deep playoff run. This team doesn’t have a lot of holes, but maybe another center eligible player in addition to Rudy Gobert could help as well as a power forward eligible player to pair with Jonathan Isaac and Jayson Tatum, though Larry Nance, Jr. and Cedi Osman should help provide depth in that area, so it isn’t a major issue.

Donkey Crankers: Buyers

Facing a potential loss against Left Coast Gravity to fall to 2-3, Nathan’s Crankers are perilously close to the sellers category, but they are still in playoff contention. They will have to buy a lot to vault over some talented teams. The Crankers do have a very good shot at a playoff berth with new franchise star Ja Morant to pair with their other point guard eligible players, Jrue Holiday and Jamal Murray. Which brings up a thought: is this a source of depth for the Crankers where they could make a move in a trade? The Crankers have enviable depth everywhere, and with Khris Middleton coming back in about six games, their small forward depth will look better, especially since Bogdan Bogdanovic has finally earned playing time and blossomed and Will Barton is steady like always. So then after all of that, what would the Crankers look to acquire in a trade? Well, I don’t know...that is above my pay grade!

Halftime Hoopers: Sellers

Yeah, Stuart’s franchise may be sellers for the second straight season, but currently they are selling spare parts off to the waiver wire to clear up cap room to pick off Zion Williamson which has remade the franchise and given it hope for the future. The Hoopers might be 0-5, but they are doing things the right way in their rebuild. In fairness, the Hoopers could very well be buyers for other teams’ players as long as coins are attached. But more than likely, they will be sellers with trying to move any player not named Zion, Kawhi, Oladipo or Kemba for those precious coins. And with those four aforementioned players, the Hoopers have a core that will be feared once Zion and Oladipo come back from injury.

Hickory High: Sellers

This is unchartered territory for Wesley and head coach Norman Dale. Hickory is now 1-4 even though they currently rank fourth in the league in points scored. Think about it: over the past three seasons, Hickory has gone 47-13 and still carry the crown as the league’s all-time win-loss record leader with 93 wins against just 45 losses, good for a 67% winning percentage. So the thinking could go in any number of ways. Concern over that record, or an expectation that things will normalize because of the impressive points scored. However, will it normalize in time? And if Hickory can’t win more than one game averaging approximately 1300 points per week, when will they win more? And do they have enough time to turn things around to win more?

The last time Hickory finished under .500 was their first season at 8-9 in the 2012-13 season. The next year they quickly righted that ship and went 16-5 and lost in the 2014 HAC Finals. Is it time to start selling off pieces to prepare for next season and make that kind of turnaround? With their two best players, Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving on Option Year contracts, anything is possible.

HoopleHeads: Buyers...but always Sellers

Come on, even with a 3-2 record, or maybe even 4-1 (if Swearengen’s men can hold off Pump Fake News late in Week 5, but it doesn’t look great), Gnj’s HoopleHeads will always be sellers. But maybe they’ll be buyers too. Last season, it was expected that the then-Trust the Process would cruise into the playoffs when GM Rory Sparrow decided to conduct one of the stranger white flag displays, making several trades that actually lessened the team’s talent, and the Process missed the postseason by a whisker even though the team finished the regular season 13-7. This year, things are much the same, as the Hoopleheads are piling up wins and points as Swearengen has commanded allegiance with threats and bombast. As of Sunday morning, The Hoopleheads are only 81 points from fourth place Hickory High in points scored, so they are in good position. So, the question isn’t if...but when the restless HoopleHeads general manager will start burning the broadband lines and make another trade. After the recent acquisition of center eligible Myles Turner, the team’s frontcourt isn’t a problem anymore. However, it has been communicated to all teams that shooting guard is an issue where the team is thin in that area.

Hoopy Froods: Buyers

At 3-2, Patrick’s Froods are right in the thick of the the playoff chase. The record isn’t empty either, as the team sits fifth in points scored as of Sunday morning. That convincingly places the Froods in the buyers section as this team is well balanced. Whether they choose to augment their squad to try to make a strong push for an HAC title in their first year of existence as a franchise will be interesting to see. Their frontcourt is a little thin but not overwhelmingly so. The Froods’ recent trade to bring in PF/C Julius Randle has helped compensate for Draymond Green suffering a nagging heel injury. Center Brook Lopez has been steady and once Otto Porter is ready to play that will potentially give the roster another power forward eligible player to help. And the Froods front office has done a good job of fortifying their depth by key acquisitions of players from the waiver wire like Nemanja Bjelica and JaMychal Green.

Jive Suckas: Buyers

Arguably the best team in the league after five weeks, video game system Neo Geo has been running up scores like he was playing NBA2k. The Suckas are one of two undefeated teams at 5-0 and lead the league in points scored. At this enviable position in the standings, HAC analysts like Jeff Van Gundy and Doris Burke have wondered, why would this team need to be buyers or sellers? And they would be right. The team is well balanced from top to bottom and have no real holes except to try to improve their talent to hold off teams like Atomic Supermen and Left Coast Gravity in the standings. Still, the Suckas are undefeated even with having to contend with Gordon Hayward and Blake Griffin dealing with injuries. Once Hayward comes back, this team is only going to get better.

Latrell’s Hub Caps: Sellers, Sellers, Sellers!

Boss Latrell and CEO Erik have had more bad luck in five weeks than most teams get in five years. The amount of injuries this team has had to withstand is beyond comparison. Count up the injuries: Curry, Vucevic, Nurkic, Bagley, Zion before he was released. With that, HAC analyst and press correspondent Bill Walton has offered his services to the dynamic Hub Caps duo to assist in their front offices. Walton was turned away by Latrell with a threat of strangulation. Still, give credit to the Caps as the franchise has been tremendously active on the waiver wire. Their recent signings of guards Donte DiVincenzo and Tomas Satoransky was impressive. The sting of losing top auction victory Zion Williamson will take some time to get over, but the team now has a wealth of cap space. This can be used to take on salaries from other teams. But the team needs to remain active on the waiver wire. They can sign players cheaply that might pay off later, and then sell them when they do to other teams. This is an approach the Caps hopefully will embrace as it is one of the key components to rebuilding their roster which will take time, patience and persistence...and lots of selling.

Left Coast Gravity: Buyers

One of two undefeated teams (at least it looks that way on Sunday morning, as the Gravity should be able to outlast the Donkey Crankers) will most certainly be buying as they are in a great shot to compete for another HAC championship after winning their first one in 2016. Glen’s Gravity are kind of like the 1990s Golden State Warriors, a donut team: a team with a hole in the middle at center. As of yet they have not made a trade to shore this up, but recently signed center Daniel Theis for $5 off of waivers. More than likely, a pair of Celtics centers, Theis and Enes Kanter won’t be enough, so it will be interesting to see the Gravity’s plans as the schedule advances closer to the trade deadline. Historically, the Gravity have always been active then.

Pump Fake News: Buyers...barely

David’s Pump Fake News almost was branded with the sellers tag, but at 2-3 (if they outscore the Hoopleheads on Sunday which is expected) they have delayed their execution date for the HAC playoffs. That is a wonderful thing, but the facts are, the News are just 11th in the league in points scored on the season, even behind the winless Hoopers. With some strategic buying of assets, this team could keep winning games. However, once the playoff race starts in earnest, with the fifth and sixth seeds being determined by points scored, if the News doesn’t start scoring more points, they could find themselves on the outside looking in. A win over the HoopleHeads will be enormous since the team is without DeAndre Ayton due to suspension as well as De’Aaron Fox and Derrick Favors due to injury. And once Ayton and Fox come back, as well as Favors, deftly acquired off of waivers, maybe the team doesn’t need to buy all that much? Still, considering where Pump Fake News is in the standings, that course of action would be strongly recommended.

River City Thundercats: Buyers...barely

Chris’ Thundercats fell to 2-3 this week, but they are in the same boat as Pump Fake News. They have an outside shot for the playoffs still, and with some wins, that playoff shot will look better. And buying would probably aid in that quest. The Thundercats certainly haven’t been shy with exchanging assets up to this point, and it could be argued whether these trades actually helped the squad. The first year franchise has struggled out of the gate, placing ninth so far in season points scored, but given how aggressive they have been with trades, they are in a position to improve this. The team could use a center, but the waiver wire signing of DeAndre Jordan helped with that need. The health of Kevon Looney and Aron Baynes could certainly help even more. But at the current moment, the Thundercats are on the precipice of falling out of playoff contention completely...or winning some games where some roster moves could be the catalyst.

Washington Spin: Buyers

There is a lot of work to be done for the Spin and head coach Bill Bradley, even at 4-1 in the standings. Using his negotiation skills in the U.S. Senate to pass bills as well as negotiating defenses in his playing career with the New York Knicks, Bradley has tried negotiating with other squads in making some roster moves but without much success as of yet. The defending champions have one eye on teams like the Suckas, Supermen and Gravity and are trying to keep pace. Never a certainty with these Spin, but some roster moves in the future are a pretty safe prediction.

Should We Get Rid of the $140 Salary Cap Floor?

November 23, 2019

Getting rid of our $140 salary cap floor is a thought that I’ve admittedly been slow to warm to, but I’m starting to see the benefits of. To be clear, this would not happen during this season. If it happened, it would take place next season.

From infrequently having to artificially raise a player’s salary to help a team meet the salary cap floor to, also infrequently, bugging a team owner about getting up to $140, when really, the team owner isn’t doing a whole lot wrong that I can see...outside of not meeting the $140 requirement. As long as they are meeting the 17 player roster minimum, I'm coming around on the idea of eliminating the $140 cap floor.

I've always been of the belief that you aren't helping your team if you are near or at $140 for your team salary cap. So why should the league penalize you again by forcing you to make a roster decision that you don't want to make simply to stay above that arbitrary level? That is the question I’ve asked myself that has turned me around on this topic.

And I know that my fellow HAC’ers are some smart people who think critically. So, why not take it to the HAC hivemind to debate and consider if getting rid of the salary cap floor is something that the league should consider for next season?

Kawhi Leonard Cut

November 17, 2019

Dick Stockton, HAC press senior correspondent

It isn’t often that a two-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player and two time NBA Defensive Player of the Year is released...but that is what happened when Halftime Hoopers CEO Stuart asked Kawhi into his coach’s office to tell him the news. Hoopers’ players figured that Kawhi was just having a periodic meeting with the Hoopers boss, but when Kawhi was cleaning out his locker, the rest of the roster was shocked. “I’m stunned” said Kemba Walker. “I’m surprised” offered Isaiah Thomas. “Couldn’t believe my eyes, mate” offered Steven Adams. For his own part, Kawhi wasn’t exactly a fun guy when leaving the Hoopers facility. “I’m not sure what is happening right now” said the three time All-Star.

Sure, we’ve had a high profile rookie who hasn’t even played a game in Zion Williamson recently get cut just as we had last year’s NBA Rookie of the Year get cut earlier in DeAndre Ayton from David’s Pump Fake News. To a lesser extent, Otto Porter was just released from Atomic Supermen and is on waivers, but that is due to an injury. Porter’s agent, former All-Star Chris Bosh stated that they will be filing a grievance with the HAC and the Atomic Supermen about his release which could open up some doors as there is no HAC players union.

But never has the league had a player of this magnitude ever been cut from a roster.

And yes, in previous years, the likes of terrific players such as John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins and Gordon Hayward have been released. Wall’s salary at the time was an untenable $47 and he was cut and signed off of waivers with a $10 bid. Cousins and Hayward had significant injuries as well as expensive salaries. Reached on text, John Wall replied, “I will never forgive the Spin for cutting me. And they not only cut me and that huge payday, but then they traded me away last year too. I can’t envision playing for the Spin franchise ever.” When asked for his thoughts, Spin head coach Bill Bradley stated, “if we offer him a $47 salary again, I think he’d play for us.”

Kawhi, like John Wall, had a massive salary of $46 due to Leonard’s time in HAC’s first ever restricted free agency in the 2018 offseason. Leonard’s salary was at a respectable $32, but on the final day of RFA, bidding skyrocketed to $46. Incredibly, even at that high salary, Kawhi was traded three times last season and then once this offseason, where the Hoopers acquired him from Nathan’s Crankers. The Hoopers actually got Kawhi last December, but three days after getting him in a trade from Jake’s Atomic Supermen, Stu flipped him to Gnj’s then Process. The Process then moved Kawhi on to the Crankers after about a month and a half in a package to get Jimmy Butler, and amazingly, Butler is still on the now-Hoopleheads roster. “Still can’t believe I’m here. My bags have stayed packed since I was told I was traded to the Hoopleheads” said Butler.

The Hoopers were long on cap space in the offseason, but short on talent and made the move to acquire Kawhi from the Crankers for Kevin Love and Ivica Zubac. It helped the Crankers shave some payroll and the Hoopers got their star. But the cost was tough to swallow and the breaking point happened this week when Zion Williamson surprisingly hit waivers after Hub Caps luminary Latrell Sprewell and boss Erik when their patience with Zion finally ran out.

The Hoopers remain confident that they can reacquire Leonard. There is no question that Kawhi will likely have to settle for a lower salary than the former $46 he was pulling in. But with a few other teams having quite a bit of cap space, his salary may not be too much lower. Atomic Supermen could be in line to potentially reacquire Leonard and the Hub Caps, who just released Zion, could be looking for a new face of the franchise. Both of those franchises have a vast amount of cap space to work with. That said, there could be a surprise team or two that tries to sign Kawhi, much like the Hoopers surprised the league just a few days ago with their winning $34 bid for Zion.

Can you trade a player for just salary cap money or HAC coins? You sure can.

November 15, 2019

Players in the NBA are simply sold for money or just a draft pick with no other player coming back. Or heck, a player could be traded by a team that is over the salary cap to another team just for a 2nd round pick that may actually never convey! Why can’t that happen in HAC?

Incredibly, only last year this rule was adopted where a player did not have to be included in both ends of a trade.

This offseason, in the first ever trade of a player simply for coins, Chris’s River City Thundercats traded guard Ish Smith to Stuart’s Halftime Hoopers for 30 coins. It was a good gamble for both teams. River City needed coins to pay for the Hometown Discount prize to secure new franchise star Giannis Antetokounmpo while the Hoopers were in a position to take a gamble and see if Ish Smith could be a possible keeper.

Later, Delon Wright, Robert Covington and my boy Cody Zeller were all traded for various amounts of coins, but no more than 60 which was paid to Erik’s Latrell’s Hub Caps for Delon Wright from Gnj’s Hoopleheads.

So far though, no player has been traded straight up for salary cap space. It will be interesting when that happens!

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Sad News Over Happy Music

November 11, 2019

WRITTEN BY LEFT COAST GRAVITY OWNER GLEN GIBSON

I wanted to make a list to show how many teams were dealing with injuries at this time. This article will take a look at how banged up each team actually is, and how much cap is being tied up. Enjoy.

Atomic Supermen:

Otto Porter Jr. - $17

Total salary lost to injuries = $17 / $175

Donkey Crankers:

Zach Collins - $15

Total salary lost to injuries = $15 / $170

Halftime Hoopers:

Rajan Rondo - $2

Victor Oladipo - $11

Total salary lost to injuries = $13 / $154

Hickory High:

N/A

Total salary lost to injuries = $0 / $170

Hoople Heads:

N/A

Total salary lost to injuries = $0 / $175

Hoopy Froods:

John Wall - $13

Kevin Durant - $16

Draymond Green - $22

Total salary lost to injuries = $51 / $170

Jive Suckas:

Lonzo Ball - $13

Gordon Hayward - $7

Jeff Teague - $11

Total salary lost to injuries = $31 / $170

Latrell's Hub Caps:

Kelly Olynyk -$3

Marvin Bagley - $14

Zion Williamson - $34

Goga Bitadze - $1

Steph Curry - $39

Jusuf Nurkic - $7

Total salary lost to injuries = $98 / $170

Left Coast Gravity:

Kyle Lowry - $20

Paul George - $26

Total salary lost to injuries = $46 / $170

Pump Fake News:

De'Aaron Fox - $9

Elfrid Payton - $7

Klay Thompson - $9

Total salary lost to injuries = $25 / 170

River City Thunder Cats:

Reggie Jackson - $1

Myles Turner - $11

Total salary lost to injuries = $12 / $170

Washington Spin:

Jeremy Lamb - $4

Total salary lost to injuries = $4 / $176

Remember, it's not bad news unless it happens to you!

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Atomic Press Feature: Barnacle Boys

November 8, 2019

WRITTEN BY ATOMIC SUPERMEN OWNER JAKE WYATT

Here at Atomic Press we understand supermen, and we recognize that every team has its Mermaid Man. But, it’s that sidekick, that Barnacle Boy, who often saves the team. In this exclusive feature, Atomic Press writer T. McTrout, searched each team for its Barnacle Boy and will feature a write up and highlight real.

Today we will focus on Erik’s Hub Caps. This team has been plagued by injuries in the early going with the loss of rookie sensation Zion Williamson. Recent news reports indicate that all star Steph Curry has been lost for the season, and 4 other players are currently nursing injuries. It’s no surprise that the Hub Caps are struggling, and probably looking forward to next year. Still, there is always a silver lining and the Hub Caps Barnacle Boy award goes to Josh Hart.

Josh has been quietly putting up all star numbers. He has 194 total points for a nice 27 ppg avg. Hart has averaged 13 points, almost 3 treys, just under 8 rebounds, and contributes assists, steals and blocks on occasion. Hart is in his third year and is looking to make a name for himself, and continue to be a dependable player for the caps. Below are highlights from Hart’s Oct 26th game where he scored 37 HAC points.

Thanks for reading and remember here at Atomic Press we believe

“When you masturbate each other, everyone is happy.”

HAC News: Puny Players!

November 8, 2019

WRITTEN BY ATOMIC SUPERMEN OWNER JAKE WYATT

By: Morbo the Annihilator-Atomic Press Corespondent

Morbo is better than all humans, and their puny games. It’s time for Morbo to branch out and stop only talking about one crappy team. Today Morbo will talk about the puny players who are still rostered.

FIVE: Mohamed Bamba 66.9 points. HoopleHeads—Gnj.

Big man 7’9 big problems. This guy looks scary, but is as timid as a puny human baby. This guy only scores 11 ppg, probably just lucky shots that bounce off puny head.

FOUR: Eric Gordon 62 points. Hoopers—Stuart.

The veteran needs to retire. He’s playing like he’s the starter of his nursing home team. Only 8ppg. Already many puny injuries.

THREE: Dwight Powell 61.9 points. Hoopy Froods—Patrick.

Some good games, many puny games. Worth less than $1 dollar. Not hitting potential and inconsistent.

TWO: Cameron Johnson 48 points. River City— Chris.

Plays like 8th grader looks 13. Can’t grow facial hair yet. Will never get more minutes than his age.

ONE: the award for best worst player goes to....Sekou Doumbouya 0 points. Latrell’s Hub Caps—Erik.

No minutes, no points, taking up space. Currently serves as the water boy for his team. Recently assigned to G league. Worthless human maybe just a future piece for his struggling team.

This article approved and paid for by Assistant GM of the Supermen Kurt Angle. “Now I’m masturbating other teams! It’s true.”

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Fired!

November 5, 2019

WRITTEN BY HOOPLEHEADS OWNER GARY MAGNUS

Hoopleheads owner Al Swearengen woke up on the wrong side of the bed today. How do we know? He has fired his entire front office & coaching staff, except for strength & conditioning coach Gary Trent Sr. "Look at Trent, are you gonna tell him to leave" Swearengen said during the press conference today.

"We have expectations, and yes it's early, but this roster of Hoopleheads, well they're living up to that description. I can't fire the players, yet, but I can remove the people making decisions with the power granted to them. How much of a cocksucker do you have to be, to decide to cut Eric Paschall after one game? Unacceptable! The love affair with Christian Wood? Assholery at it's finest.

"We have hired Wild Bill Hicock as are temporary GM, David Thorpe will be leading our talent evaluation department, and Mr. Wu will be our interim head coach."

"Wu knows where to send the bodies to the pigs, he's a smart man to keep close" Swearengen said.

"Also, let it be known, this entire roster, with the exception of KAT has their bags packed and a one way ticket on horse & buggy ready to go. We're not giving away players for pennies on the quarter, as we still have expectations in a long season. If you want talent, send talent. A crap offer might cause me to send my man Dan to visit you, and you don't want that"

Swearengen was heard muttering "Cocksuckers, the entire hooplehead lot of them" as he retreated back to his office.

Can the Commissioner See Other Teams's Trade Offers?

November 4, 2019

Walt Frazier, HAC Commissioner

This weekend an owner asked if the commissioner could see other teams’s trade offers that did not affect the commissioner’s team. I thought this was a great question, and it never dawned on me to address it to the league. When I thought about it I realized, how does anyone else know?

Rest assured that the commissioner cannot see any proposed trades made by any owner and cannot see any waiver claims that are submitted for a player on waivers. None of that is viewable on any level.

I was thinking back to the olden days of CBS Sportsline where, in fact, the commissioner *could* see other teams’s waiver claims for the week. However, no proposed trades could ever be viewed. Still, I didn’t understand why that was possible. It looks like Fantrax understood that weirdness from the past and prevented it going forward.

Spin, Hoopers Complete Four Player Trade

November 4, 2019

Bill Walton, HAC press correspondent

Halftime Hoopers and the Washington Spin have completed a four player trade with other considerations to hopefully stop the whining from the Spin owner about a lack of trades in the league.

PF/C Clint Capela and PG/SG Patrick Beverley go from the Hoopers to the Spin along with $6 in cap. In exchange, the Spin are sending PG/SG Tomas Satoransky and SG/SF Norman Powell as well as 160 HAC Coins back to the Hoopers.

And Week 3 starts off with a bang!

Can You Make a Waiver Claim on a Player You Released?

November 2, 2019

Dick Stockton, HAC senior correspondent

When you release a player to waivers, you can absolutely make a bid on that player while he is on the waiver wire. You do not have to wait until the player hits free agency...because he may not! I have gotten a couple of questions about this from owners, so I wanted to try to communicate it.

The one thing that you cannot do is use a Buy It Now prize on a player that you just cut. That might be where the confusion lies. Basically, as long as the player hits the open market, and every other team has a chance at that player, you are welcomed to try to get the player back with a waiver claim.

That is why an owner cannot use a Buy It Now prize on a player that they just cut - because the player has not been on the open market; that owner is merely just trying to get the player back cheaper, which is not in the spirit of the prize, or the league, and why that contingency is explicitly mentioned in the prize. However, as long as all 11 other franchises have the opportunity to put in a claim on a player on waivers, then the original team who released the player can certainly get that player back, and potentially at a lower salary. This just recently happened when Pump Fake News released Deandre Ayton who had a $35 salary and signed him back after submitting a $31 waiver claim on him.

Walt Hires Walton As Correspondent

October 31, 2019

HAC Commissioner Walt “Clyde” Frazier has hired Basketball Hall of Famer Bill Walton after a lengthy interview process. Many impressive candidates were considered, and while Walton’s impressive playing career certainly helped his cause, his long career as a bombastic commentator certainly helped to win him the job.

“It’s an unbeeelievable feeling, being hired by the greatest basketball league on earth” Walton remarked at the press conference announcing his hiring. For his part, the smoothest talker in the game, Walt Frazier said that “we have kept many of these enthusiastically eloquent candidates’ resumes on file and maybe they can produce pieces for us from time to time if needed. However, for a constant presence that espouses, illuminates, elucidates and communicates, I’m not sure we could have done better than Bill. He knows the game on the court, on the sideline, in the locker room.

In other news, Coach David Thorpe will also be hired on as a part time contributor to analyze specific teams in the HAC and their play on the court. Pat Riley in his personal blog has suspected that Thorpe’s hiring is part of a quid pro quo between Walt and Hoopleheads owner Gnj. Riley has launched several attacks on the HAC recently after being fired as a correspondent. Commissioner Walt stated “I am despondent, dejected and distressed about these claims from Pat. He should really try to find happiness in his middling NBA team. Are they .500 yet?” It will be interesting to see if this allegation sticks.

Deandre Ayton Released

October 30, 2019

In light of the Deandre Ayton release, and in the interest of fairness, I wanted to communicate to everyone the revisions of the Buy It Now prize to make it more clear. This is in anticipation of anyone wanting to use the prize to acquire Ayton during his time on waivers. It is each owner’s choice to read this; I can’t force everyone. All I can do is be as transparent as possible.

There were legitimate misunderstandings of the Buy It Now prize, and that was due to details that I left out in the prize description. I thank video game system Neo Geo for pointing one aspect out regarding the current year HAC point per game average for a player which then made me examine the entire prize and make several clarifications with the help of Glen and Stuart. I wanted to make things as clear as possible and as easy to understand for everyone.

Going forward, player fantasy point totals will be determined through the previous entire NBA season and not just our HAC season which is shorter. Also, the minimum games played for the current season to determine current HAC scoring average will be ten games minimum. For example, Ayton scored 2,450.8 points through the entire NBA season last year, yet he has only played one game this season. Therefore, you’d defer to the previous season, and this would squarely put Ayton in the 350 coin tier level - equal to a $10 salary through this prize.

To eliminate the first come, first serve aspect, the prize will be awarded as close as possible to when the player is set to come off of waivers, just in case multiple owners want to purchase the prize on the same player. If there are multiple franchise owners who would like to purchase the prize on a player on waivers, then the tiebreaker would be standings.

This does not apply to Ayton, but to the prize on the whole. Rookies are not eligible for the prize until halfway through their rookie season. The guideline I set is at 35 games minimum, which is approximately halfway through the HAC season. Sorry for the long writeup, but I wanted to try my best to be as clear as possible.

Hoopy Froods Look to Establish HAC Dominance

October 25, 2019

Walt Frazier, HAC Commissioner and senior HAC correspondent

In the first week of the 2019-20 HAC season, the Hoopy Froods have surged to a 472.6 - 349.9 lead over David’s Pump Fake News. But winning one week is likely not what this new franchise's goal is. After an interesting offseason where the Froods traded for Luka Doncic and then signing him to a long term Hometown Discount contract while being a part of the first three team trade in HAC history, a competitive season is expected by HAC analysts.

HAC analyst Chris Bosh expects that while the Froods have John Wall and Kevin Durant dealing with injuries on their roster, they have enough healthy players to get the sixth seed to make the playoffs. “I look at Doncic, Rubio, Mitchell, Draymond Green and LeVert. These guys are capable of some great nights. And week to week, I think the Froods will win more games than they lose. And if things don’t go to plan, they have some attractive players on either no contract yet, or short term deals like Lou Williams on an option year at $8, Joe Ingles on the last year of a guaranteed contract at $10 and Splash Mountain Brook Lopez on an option year at $10. These guys are very easy to move if it comes time to acquire a big piece later in the season.”

Famed HAC analyst Hubie Brown was asked for his take, and he pulled no punches. “Listen, I don’t know if this team is expecting a title run or preparing for next season with Wall and Durant. But there’s plenty of time and let’s see what they do. They’ve got much to prove, but they have the horses.”

The fight for the playoffs should be a fierce one as it was last year with four teams vying for two playoff spots in the last few weeks of the year. The Hoopy Froods are expected to be in that mix after a solid auction which netted them Rubio at $14, JaVale McGee at $11 and Green at $22. They acquired these steady veterans to go with their talented roster that was bolstered.

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Injured Reserve Rule Struck Down

October 22, 2019

Stuart helped me to write this as well.

For the last two seasons, the league has gone through some growing pains with the injured reserve now that we changed to a salary structure. With a straight draft style league, the IR was no problem and easy. Unfortunately, I messed up with only having one injured reserve spot in 2017-18 which caused problems. Then, in the 2018 offseason, in an overreaction to fix that misstep, I brought in some changes that screwed the injured reserve up again...but to a much lesser extent, thankfully. As opposed to the 2017-18 season, the modification to the IR rules last year didn’t really affect many teams badly. I dialed back those changes during last season, but it was just a band aid to not make my stomach turn every time I looked at the rule. However, it was very far from a good arrangement, and it showed me that it was necessary that the rule should be revised once and for all. I'm going to get better with amending rules that are not helping the league in a more timely fashion.

Currently, the rule is, if an owner acquires an injured player (through the auction or in free agency), they must keep the player on their reserve squad for a month or pay 50 coins to put the player immediately on IR. To me, this is unneeded. And it is a double penalty. Not only is the owner acquiring an injured player who can’t currently help them, they then have to make the unpleasant choice of either having to use up a reserve roster spot for a month or to cough up 50 coins. Plus, it is just one more administrative thing that I need to mindful of.

Last year, the fear was that owners would try to hoard injured players. I never saw how that fear could be realized as the salary cap regulates this. If an owner tries to start acquiring injured free agents...good! Let them - they still need to sign the player to the normal free agent contract at $5 and that adds up. It is the perfect safeguard. Not only that, we have quite a few veteran NBA players who should be on rosters, but are not right now. This rule will not help that, unless the player is injured, but it is one step to allow free agent acquisitions to be easier. And free agent transactions, in my opinion should never be curtailed for any owner. As a league we should be welcoming activity, not trying to limit it.

Next, if a significant injury happens to a standout player, and the player gets cut, it was shown last year with Kevin Love that he won’t necessarily be a $5 player and pass through waivers because he is hurt. Further, and maybe most importantly, it rewards owners who can manage their team’s finances well and that is always a good thing.

Immediately, I will get rid of the rule in the constitution that specifies that an injured player acquired as a free agent must stay on a team’s reserve roster for a month. I will also get rid of the Roster Flexibility 50 coin prize which allowed an owner to immediately place that injured player on the IR. Moreover, I will refund the 50 coins to Halftime Hoopers (for Isaiah Thomas), Left Coast Gravity (for Paul George) and Pump Fake News (for Klay Thompson). I am pretty sure that no one else needs to be refunded coins, but if you feel you should, let me know and I’ll take care of it. Bad IR rules...be gone! Finally!

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Atomic Supermen vs. Washington Spin Rematch in Week 1

October 19, 2019

Press clippings are flying in the HAC press with Atomic CEO Jake explaining to league commissioner and senior HAC press reporter Walt Frazier that his team is looking for revenge from the Spin. For their part, Spin head coach Bill Bradley has explained that this will be just like any other game on the schedule: one of the 19 that the Spin will play this season.

So, which is it? Is it a matchup that will be heated with emotions? Will it be a war of words all week? Atomic chairman Jake has intimated that his general manager, The Professor, has a secret plan for the Spin. Spin assistant coach, former NBA veteran and former U.S. representative Tom McMillen has said that the Spin has made a formal offer for the Atomic Supermen roster to touch their HAC championship trophy to know how it feels. This created instant angst between the two rosters.

Atomic Supermen responded by announcing their new head coach. NBA legend John Stockton as signed on to coach the team. Bill Bradley immediately expressed skepticism sensing that it was more of a reaction to grab headlines. “Our banner will fly forever and last year’s roster will stand the test of time as one of the great teams in the history of HAC. If a championship can be on in week one, than so be it, but we know there will be many more battles throughout the HAC season and every squad deserves our respect.”

Auction Recap: Value Picks For Each Team

October 14, 2019

WRITTEN BY HOOPLEHEADS OWNER, GARY MAGNUS

Well, that was fun, wasn't it!

Going thru the aftermath, I've got what I think is the value pick for each team after the conclusion of the auction

Halftime Hoopers:

Whiteside. He's motivated this year and will not be challenged for minutes on a Blazers team for most of the season, at least until Nurkic comes back. With the premiums put on bigs in our league, this was a nice haul

Left Coast Gravity:

Anunoby. With the departure of Leonard, there are points to be had in Toronto. He's in a great spot to see an uptick across the board

Spin:

Satoransky. The champ filled a nice hole with Sato. He should see plenty of minutes on a Bulls team searching for a floor leader

Hickory:

CJ McCollum. Any time you can land an elite player, at a scarce position for under market value, that's a win.

Fake News:

Shamet. On a team with PG & Leonard, it's not a question of if load management is coming, but when. He finds himself in a position to smash his $2 prictetag

Hub Caps:

DJA. He found the fountain of youth last year, and on an Orlando team that potentially can make noise in the east, he's a great haul at a buck

Hoopy Froods:

Coby White (and his hair) White is a solid long term play on the baby Bulls. He's got the skillset, and at some point will take over the PG minutes. $4 is a great price to pay for now & down the line

River CIty:

Darius Garland. When you can snag a top 5 NBA pick for $3 in our league, you've done a great job. Colin Sexton is there, but Garland is going to be given every opportunity to learn on the job for a bad Cavs team

HoopleHeads:

Mo Bamba. A $2 big man with upside and a chance at some point that Vucevic might be dealt, is a small price to pay for Bamba #5

Jive Suckas:

Tyler Herro. Will Herro, be the hero for the Suckas? He's had a solid pre-season and has been the talk of Heat camp. No reason to think this Kentucky kid cannot surpass his $9 auction tab

Donkey Crankers:

Zach Collins. Collins is going to have every opportunity on a depth lacking frontcourt in Portland. He'll see time at both PF & C, and can fill a stat sheet with those blocks. With the premium on bigs here, he was a nice haul

Atomic:

Kennard. When you get a player for $1 on a team that is looking for options not named Blake or Andre, you've scored. He'll have his ups & down, but at a dollar, you'll live with that

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