What's up Ridiculous Upside and fellow D-League fans?  It's been awhile since I have written a blog and I do sincerely apologize.  I have been following the 2011 D-League season closely and what an exciting season it has been especially the last week with teams battling for the last remaining playoff spot.  

So with WWE WrestleMania 27 now behind us, the D-League Playoffs are here!

Continue reading this post »

It is unfortunately the last full day here in China.  Being here in China I have really enjoyed being a part of the NBA Cares Charity Games and giving back to the people of Chengdu.  With that said, I was hoping the sun would finally come out, but it proved to stay away again.  Today was a shopping day as well as our second and final game against Chinese power Aoshen.  Also, the driving here in China has to be one of the most terrifying experiences I may ever go through in my lifetime.    

Springfield’s Kyle McAlarney, Fort Wayne’s Ryan Ayers and I ventured out of the hotel and walked the streets of Chengdu, China, in search of some stuff to bring back home.  Kyle Mac, for whatever reason, was in search of a Nike sweatsuit of some sort.  Seriously. I told him he can find one just about anywhere back in the states, but Kyle Mac was on a mission and they are so cheap here you can’t blame him.  Mr. Ayers was on the search for Louis Vuitton and was successful by finding a wallet.  I purchased a Chinese brand sports coat along with a painting of my name in Chinese lettering in a frame.  All of the shopping here in China is very inexpensive and after all of the per diem we received on this trip, you almost had to buy some Chinese merchandise. 

Back to the driving in China - It is a nightmare and is something I hope to never experience again in my life.  When on the road, it feels like an accident is always waiting to happen so I was scared for my life every second.  I couldn’t even bare to look out the window because I felt like we were about to get hit by another car, bike, or scooter. 

Continue reading this post »

When was the last time you played a game that ended in a tie?  Off the top of my head I can only think of a couple sports (soccer and hockey) that a final score can finish in a tie ball game.  Well, I was mistaken, because tonight in our NBA Legends/D-Leaguers (NBA Generations ultimately was our actual team name) game against the China Aoshen team, a tie eventually served as the final outcome.

While my teammates and I had no idea how to approach these games, how they played out would be like no other game I have ever played.

The day started off with Fort Wayne’s Ryan Ayers (aka fellow 21^st floor resident) and I going to the great American style breakfast that they serve in the Sheraton Chengdu Lido Hotel’s second floor.  They have it all here:  A feast of food everywhere from omelets to mini-sized pancakes and French toast to a fruit selection fit for a king.

Continue reading this post »

Today was a crazy and eventful day. First let me say that the earthquake that just hit China the other day was close but has not affected us here, but please keep these people in your prayers. Today we helped donate four basketball courts to the earthquake stricken victims of suburb Chengdu and let me say they pulled out the red carpet for us. It felt like The Beatles had just arrived.

All of us D-Leaguers and Chris Mullin (Robert Horry landed in China after this appearance) as well as our opponent for the next two nights, Chinese team Aoshen were present.  Aoshen’s main guy is former Los Angeles Lakers, LA D-Fender, and Chinese National Team player Sun Yue (Scott's Note: SUN YUE!). The Aoshen team had only five of the players at this event but Yue was the shortest guy and he is six-nine. They are gigantic!

The entrance coming into the basketball courts was unbelievable. There was a huge sign saying "Welcome Chris Mullin and the D-League players" right when we pulled up. It was, no lie, the craziest thing I have ever seen in my life. I felt for a minute that I was Michael Jordan because they wanted my autograph so bad. Every one of us literally had to have security by our side the entire time.

Around 200-300 kids and fans showed up for the unveiling of the courts and the best part might have been when we were leaving. All of these people/fans surrounded the bus wanting more and more as most of us on the bus were throwing shirts and hats outside to them. If they really wanted they could have tipped over the bus there were that many fans hovering around the bus. NBA China’s Joseph Ye said it best: This will be there only chance to ever meet an NBA or D-League player - maybe in their entire lifetime.

When this chaos was finally over lunch was next on the agenda and then we were off to practice. By the way, the lunch and dinner buffet room they have for us players and staff is pretty impressive. There are seven D-Leaguers on this trip: Myself, Fort Wayne’s Ryan Ayers, LA D-Fenders Frank Robinson, Bakersfield’s Alade Aminu, Albuquerque’s Tony Danridge, and Springfield’s Kyle McAlarney and Noel Felix. Along with NBA Legends Chris Mullin and Robert Horry, Springfield’s Dee Brown is the coach for the weekend.

Practice was light as we ran through some plays and got a lot of shots up . Chris Mullin still has major game. I don’t think he missed a shot all practice. He is in incredible shape and I would not be surprised if he went for 30 in one of these games.  At one point in practice he told me I looked like Brent Barry!

At the end of the night the NBA China people took us to a Karaoke bar/movie theatre/VIP club called Milo Star KTV and it was an incredibly nice place. Karaoke is very popular in Chengdu, and what they do is buy a private room hourly and sing karaoke. Unfortunately, no one took part in karaoke but there were NBA China beer bottles all over the place and life-sized Chris Mullin and Robert Horry posters everywhere. Mullin and Horry said a few words to the fans and were given gifts from the people of Chengdu.

Finally, China does not allow Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube use in the country. I do not have a Facebook page or tweet but was surprised to hear they are prohibited considering how popular around the world they are.

Talk to you tomorrow…

Thirty straight hours!  That is approximately the time I have been in an airport or on a plane.  I have finally got back to my room after dinner with fellow D-Leaguers Kyle McAlarney,  Ryan Ayers, and NBA China’s best - Joseph Ye - here at the unbelievable Sheraton Chengdu Lido Hotel. It is 11pm Thursday right now and all this started as I left at 4:45am Wednesday (China time is 12 hours ahead) when my driver/butler (yes, that’s right, butler) picked me up in a town car to the airport.

I flew Cleveland to Newark, and then took the longest flight of my life to Shanghai, China.  Amazingly, I was on first class for both flights and therefore it was the best travel of my life.  Still, I had one more flight to catch from Shanghai and I just knew it couldn’t go this smooth the whole way.

I slept the entire way to Newark and it was wonderful, but to Shanghai I was surprised to hear that all the other players and staff would be on different flights to China.  The only people I knew on my flight were Dwayne Killings (works for D-League and set this trip up) and the New Jersey Nets Dancers. 

When I got to my seat for the flight to Shanghai the map screen in front of me read - Time to destination: 15 hr 47min and Miles to destination: 7,986 miles.

The D-League travel has been torturous all season long and I finally got a break on this flight.  I had a row to myself sitting in first-class and my chair/recliner turned into a BED!  The TV screen in front of me had 335 movies and 119 short TV programs to choose from.  I ended up watching The Blind Side, Couples Retreat, and Meet the Fockers when I wasn’t sleeping.  From the in-flight menu I had a grilled striped bass and crabmeat for dinner as well as the twenty other different kinds of appetizer/fruit selections they seemed to offer us.  The way they were bringing out the food, I thought I was going to be eating the entire flight - it was that much food!

My last flight was Shanghai to Chengdu via Air China and for whatever reason the legroom in this plane was non-existent.  In most regular airplanes the legroom isn’t great, but at least you can deal with it.  Not on Air China.  I was the tallest person on this full flight and to make things worse it was three hours long (Scott's note: keep in mind Gansey's like 6-foot-5 with heels on).   This was definitely the longest and most uncomfortable three hours of my life without a question.

It is truly remarkable how big China is and the amount of people that are everywhere.  Now I'm looking forward to getting some rest because I have a very busy day tomorrow with clinics, events, as well as practice.  And, finally, I get to meet my Run TMC partner Chris Mullin.

Talk to you tomorrow…

Yours truly is on his way to China tomorrow with legends and a few fellow D-League player.  I'll be playing two charity games to help in the NBA's continued commitment to support rebuilding efforts in the earthquake stricken Sichuan Province.

For the full press release, go here, but I'll try to explain it the best that I can.

We will first be traveling to the great city of Chengdu (better known as China's party capital) and  I am very much looking forward to representing the D-League - as well as participating in NBA Cares programs - to give back to the people of China.  Still, the best part of the trip might be spending time with the New Jersey Nets dancers!   

I'll also be playing alongside Big Shot Robert Horry and Run TMC's Chris Mullin which will be loads of fun -  I really can't wait to hangout and learn from them this week. 

I'm going to let you in on a little secret: Back in my middle school days, I rocked the Golden State Warriors Mullin jersey and my two buddies had Mitch Richmond  and Tim Hardaway  jerseys so we could form our own Run TMC.  While in China, I also plan to challenge my favorite the immortal Mullin in some kind of 3-point shooting contest - even though that might not be a good idea.

Anyway, as many of you know, China is not the closest place in the world and it will be a VERY long flight over so I am sure I will have plenty of time to blog on my way over there and will be checking in with you as much as I can.  

Talk to you very soon...

Best Ejection:  Austin's Quin Snyder.  January 19, 2010, Erie at Austin. I wish someone had footage of this classic. It was that good.  If you don't believe me just ask Fort Wayne's Joey Meyer who was in attendence for this game. 

Best Fan: My man Donnell Jordan (aka Bubba) from the Erie Bayhawks and Idaho's favorite, Big Bad John Bryant's girlfriend's father.  Bubba is at every Bayhawks home game, sits next to the visitor's bench and wears the shirt "GET U SUM!"  Big Bad John's girlfriends father's story is well-documented and anytime you get thrown out midway through the 1st quarter it deserves special mention.

Best Player/Official: Erie's Blake Ahearn.  I know he is my Rockers tag-team partner but he LOVES talking to the referees.  I think he gets paid by the D-League as the fourth official during our games.  He knows every official by name and never stops talking to them all game - for good and bad. (well mostly bad)

Best Road Hotel: Austin Toros.  Hilton Austin right near downtown 6th street.  Enough said. 

Continue reading this post »

The 2009-2010 D-League season has come to a close and the playoffs are right around the corner.  I thought since Scott has given his predictions for the D-League playoffs, I thought I would give my thoughts as well.  I might not be as in-depth as Scott but I thought I would give it a shot...  

FIRST ROUND

#1 Iowa Energy vs. #7 Utah Flash: This will be an interesting match-up.  You have two of the best coaches arguably in the D-League going up against each other with Iowa's Nick Nurse and Utah's Brad Jones.  Iowa still has there leader in Curtis Stinson, but have been decimated by all of the call-ups the last month (Jeffers, Martin, and Barron).  I think Pat Caroll will have to play big for Iowa to advance.  As for Utah, they had a tough break with Carlos Wheeler getting injured and Kosta Koufos getting re-called back to the Utah Jazz.  If Kevin Kruger and Andre Ingram get hot and shoot well from the outside, I like their chances.  I am going with the upset here and taking the Flash over the Energy in three games as they will not be able to overcome all the roster change they have had the last few weeks.

#2 Rio Grande Valley Vipers vs. #6 Reno Bighorns: I agree with Scott that the Rockets can send down a player to the Vipers tomorrow and is very hard to predict this series.  Reno has been the hottest team in the D-League coming into the playoffs and the addition of Will Blalock mid-season might be one of the best trades of the year.  RGV has had so much change all year with call-ups and assignments you never know who will be on the roster.  While I want to pick Reno because they have really been playing so well, I will go with the Vipers in three games.  Too much Will Conroy as he will lead RGV to the semifinals.  

#3 Austin Toros vs #5 Dakota Wizards: This might be the best series of the first round.  Maybe Thabeet will show up for the playoff run? (okay, maybe not)  This will be a dog fight and with Dwayne Jones with the Suns and Curtis Jerrells possibly moving up to the Spurs, it's hard to predict.  Let's just assume Jerrells will be with the Toros for this series.  It is difficult to play Dakota with how tough they play and all the guards they can throw at you.  Essentially, the only big men in this series are Dakota's Corsley Edwards and Austin's Luke Bonner (aka Big Hugga).  It will come down to guard play and the way Marcus Williams has been playing lately its hard to bet he will cool off.  I think the series will come down to the match-up of Williams and Dakota's Renaldo Major.  Have to go with the Toros in three games and my man Quin Snyder moves on.

#4 Sioux Falls Skyforce vs #8 Tulsa 66ers:  While this 66ers have a very talented team with NBA players Mustafa Shakur and Byron Mullens, I still don't see them beating the Skyforce unless DJ White is assigned.  And even with White I think they still advance.  I like the Skyforce in three games as they are LOADED inside and with the pickup of Kirk Penney bombing away for outside they will be very tough to beat.  If you like 3-point shooting, this is the series to watch, with two of the best in Tulsa's Moses Ehambe and Sioux Falls' Penney.  

Continue reading this post »

As promised, many of you have been sitting on the edge of your seats to hear of the legend that is Chris "Red" Hughes.  Many might remember him from my previous blog about him as the pizza box eater.  He pulled a Clark Kent on us in Baltimore, is the voice of the 'toilet ringer',  and if you need a place to go out in a D-League city, Red is your man.

The nickname "Red" was given to him when he was young because his older brother and friends used to pick on him like every older brother does.  However, he did not back down and his elder statesmen admired his toughness and grit so much they kept calling him Red.

The University of Maryland is where Red went to school and has also caddied on the PGA Tour.  Weekdays 5pm - 7pm he has his radio show, The Sports Blitz on Fox Sports Radio 1330 The Fan.  I have been on his radio show numerous times to talk Erie Bayhawks, D-League, and all other sports topics.  He is a die hard Chicago Bears, Cleveland Indians, and Milwaukee Bucks fan.  It seems all I have heard the last month for him has been "Fear the Deer." 

A media member traveling with the team is not very common in the D-League.  I would have to say in Erie we are the only team to do so.  But for whatever reason the entertainment value sky rockets with Red on the road.  Let me the be the one to say if he had his own reality show on the road it would be a show many would enjoy watching...

Continue reading this post »

When the Erie Bayhawks travel, there are many traditions that we all stick to on the road.  When you are in the airport all day and are eating any kind of food you can find you have to makes things fun and interesting together.  

Big Bad John Bryant and I always sit together in the same row (this way no one will sit between us during flights).  Big John is also the GPS guide - when we all need a place to eat he has the iPhone and can direct us where and how far we need to go.  Every flight that we get peanuts, I always donate mine to my man Kyle Goldcamp.  I have no clue why, I just started it and haven't stopped.  He might honestly still have peanuts from January in his bag from me.  Ivan Harris and Cliff Clinkscales always share a row together as well (we always fly Southwest Airlines so no assigned seats by the way).  I don't know if it is there prime goal or not, but they always seem to have a hot girl on that particular flight sit between them.  Let me also mention that Ivan might have the most expensive phone bill of anyone I know.  He literally talks on the phone ALL DAY!

Eating on the road in the D-League you pretty much have to settle for what's close and available.  The D-League provides each player $40 per diem a day and with that amount you have to use it wisely.  

Big John usually settles for a salad most of the time (yes that's right) but if we happen to go to an IHOP its the Big Steak Omelette for the big fella.  Clinkscales and Frank Tolbert are seriously on all-candy diets.  From Gushers to Jolly Ranchers - they have candy I have never even heard of before.  Jarvis Gunter is the biggest eater on our team hands down!  A month ago he ate 17 slices of pizza in 10 minutes in an eating contest.  I witnessed him at IHOP with the all-you-can-eat pancakes with a total of 12.  Jackie Manuel and assistant coach Ben MacDonald are HUGE fans of "Nuts on Clark," a popcorn place in the Chicago-Midway airport.  If you like popcorn you need to try this place out.  Keith Grubbs, our renowned athletic trainer, usually sticks with the pasta on the road.  He must assume he has to try and set an example to us for eating healthy, right? Goldcamp might have the worst luck when it comes to food.  I thought I had it bad with food allergies but Goldcamp is allergic to eggs and CHICKEN!  Yes, no chicken.  That really hurts.    My Rockers tag-team partner Blake Ahearn is a big fan of the pasta bowls at Domino's and I tend to stay with the chicken sandwiches and breakfast food religiously.  I failed to mention Coach Treloar, but he tells enough Bob Knight stories when he was an assistant coach for him at Indiana that I don't pay attention to what he eats. Big Mike Sweetney just joined the team so he gets an incomplete on this one.  

Most bizarre eater in the group is Chris "Red" Hughes.  Many might not know him but he is our radio guy that travels with us (maybe the only D-League team that has one that actually travels) and its quite the entertainment.  He will buy a large pizza and just eat that pizza for the next couple of days out of the box!  Its a smart way to save some money but I will have plenty to say about "Red" soon and might shed some light to explaining why he does this.  Stay tuned, you will not be dissapointed.  Trust me.

I thought about not mentioning this but since I love making fun of myself and you fans love me so much, here is what my tag-team partner had to say about me.  

Continue reading this post »

Just when I thought D-League travel couldn't get any worse, three games in four nights in three different cities made the last long road trip of our season one that I will never want to experience again.

As I write this I am on a Southwest Airlines flight back to Erie from Utah.  Our last road trip of the year has finally come to a close (technically we play at Maine the last game of the year, but that isn't a long trip, so let's not count it). We completed a sweep, going 3-0, and I might be the happiest man in the world right now to get back home. However, all of this good wouldn't come without a nightmare trip of flight schedules that you will not believe.

Our first game was in Albuquerque, New Mexico and again to get there it took a full day of travel.  We left Erie at 10 am and didn't arrive at hotel Elegante (best breakfast buffet EVER! Seriously) until around 11pm.  We had a very short 5-hour lay over in Chicago before flying to Albuquerque.  But to make matters worse, the last flight had cats (yes the animal) on board and yours truly is SEVERELY allergic - that pretty much was the start of a eventful trip for me. 

We played Albuquerque on Friday night. Let me be the one to say it might be the most interesting venue I might have ever played in before.  First, we are playing on RODEO grounds, or as they call it, the Tingley Coliseum!  When we got to the arena for shoot around earlier in the morning, outside were horses running around us at literally 30 miles per hour it seemed.  You know it's a great place when during the game they are giving away MONSTER TRUCK show tickets.

Nothing can compare to the floor we played on in the RODEO.  We would have been better suited playing on an ice rink.  I think I slipped about ten times during the game on just simple basketball movements (or its probably because I am very clumsy).  At the end of the game the bottom of my sneakers were completely covered in dust.

The next morning we flew to Boise, Idaho and this trip would turn out to be a trip for the ages...

Continue reading this post »

As i write this I am currently in bed waiting for Kaley Cuoco to bring me some soup and crackers. You might remember her as Penny from The Big Bang Theory.  I am in love with her and is also in the best show on TV right now.  If you haven't seen the show you should be ashamed of yourself.  One of the episodes reminds me of when Scott goes to a movie and can't figure out where to sit.  I have been under the weather lately and have some kind of flu or virus going on.  I can't really do too much so I thought what a great time to talk about the D-League.

All D-League teams are in charge of putting up there players to live, whether be in an apartment or a hotel.  We are only here for such a short time and its hard to really call it home (can't forget the great D-League travel on the road also) but we have to make the most out of it.  The Hotel PURE Avalon I stay at in Erie has arguably the worst TV channel selection of any hotel in the world. (Seriously) They do not have CBS, ABC, or FOX but they do have NBC.  I can't even watch the NCAA Tournament in my own room!  They have ESPN, ESPN Classic and NFL Network but no ESPN2?  I never thought I would watch so many old-school American Gladiators episodes in my life.  Seriously, what TV package are they under?  

On a more positive note, the internet does work here (well, most of the time)  and I don't have to steal a wireless network from Joel Abelson (Thanks Joel) like I was doing when in Idaho.  And you thought I could go without mentioning him? 

Every D-League team has there own practice facility/court and they can vary from good to bad.  While I am not exactly sure about every team, but I do know the L.A. D-Fenders use the Lakers practice facility and arguably have the best place.  However, others are not so good.  When I was in Idaho we practiced at a Boys & Girls Club.  For all you fellow D-Leaguers that were at the Showcase and had the opportunity to practice there that week, you know exactly what I mean.  It might have the most slippery floor of anywhere I have ever played.  You can sweep and wet the floor as much as you want, it will NEVER make a difference.  Also, I have heard Fort Wayne's practice court might have the hardest floor for a human beings knees.  Ice on the knees a MUST after practice.  So with that being said I am very lucky to be here in Erie.  

The place we practice at here in Erie is at LECOM- Medical Fitness & Wellness Center.  Let me tell you this place is top of the line, maybe the best fitness center I have ever been in.  Besides the fact that the court is not regulation size and no NBA 3 point lines it is still great.  LECOM is practically brand new and has everything you need from physical therapy (Steve Burke is the best), weights, pools, they have it all.  Also, i cannot forget to mention my girl Maggie who makes the best Strawberry protein shake for me after every practice from the Healthy Cafe!   

Like to give a shout out to Matt Hubert, the great writer that does a tremendous job covering the Erie Bayhawks as well as the D-League.  In his D-League Olympics post on D-LeagueDigest he had yours truly taking the Gold for best player-blogger.  I am very humbled and appreciate the love Matt, but I am not even close to being on my favorite blogger 's radar, Fort Wayne Mad Ants Center Jared Reiner.  

Not sure if you are all aware of this but I have teamed with United Way and Plyler Overhead Door in a charity promotion.  $1 dollar to United Way for every point I score for the rest of the season, and $5 for every 3-pointer. (No pressure on me there LOL) I am very excited about getting the chance to do something like this and will do my best to make it as successful as possible.   

By the way I have found my new favorite DJ; Rony Seikaly!

Talk to you soon...

Many of you have enjoyed poking fun at me (mostly Scott, but for good reason, but at least it's not Pep's Pizza) because of the West Virginia Lottery commercial I was in years back. But now I am proud to say I am part of one with the "Logo on my chest". Yes Jerry West.  If you don't know what I mean please read what Lanny Smith has said, my former roomie in Idaho. Get healthy buddy!  Mike Had The Hustle. 

Take that Scott!

*****

I am currently on my way to the best road game atmosphere in the D-League: Portland, Maine.  I write this from a Southwest flight to Manchester, New Hampshire. I am currently sitting next to Big Bad John Bryant and yes there is no one sitting between us two in our row. We left Erie at 10am this morning and drove to the Pittsburgh Airport and have already connected through Philadelphia. When we get to Manchester we still have an hour and a half drive to Maine. Estimated time of arrival is only about 10pm. Just an easy days travel of 12 hours. But what really bugs me is when I was inside the Pittsburgh Airport I was looking up at the Departure screen and what do you know?  A direct flight from Pittsburgh to Portland!

Which got me thinking about the Maine Red Claws:

Continue reading this post »

East Conference:

PG:  Springfield's JamesOn Curry  lookalike: Omarion

SG:  Your favorite blogger Erie's Mike Gansey  lookalike: Seth Myers / Brent Barry

SF:  Maine's TJ Cummings  lookalike: RZA  

PF:  Erie's John Bryant  lookalike: Bryant "Big Country" Reeves

C:  Fort Wayne's Jared Reiner  lookalike: Ryan Reynolds (Here's my side-by-side - Scott)

For the rest of a loaded bench, along with a coaching staff including Steve Gansey, and BREAKING NEWS regarding Joel Abelson, continue reading!

Continue reading this post »

As I was relaxing over All-Star break I was wondering what to write in my next blog. I thought to myself, everyone looks like someone.  Right?  After putting a list together of some of your favorite D-League players, here is the West squad that I have put together...

West Conference:

PG: Austin's Carldell Johnson lookalike: Lil Wayne

SG: RGV's Stanley Asumnu lookalike: LeBron James / Tyreke Evans

SF: Utah's Jordan Brady lookalike: John Cena  

PF: Albuquerque's Kurt Looby lookalike: Chris Porter

C: Bakersfield's Brian "Pep's Pizza" Butch lookalike: Polar Bear

For the rest of the bench, along with a coaching staff including Joel Abelson, continue reading!

Continue reading this post »

(He's baaack. If you didn't catch it, Gansey's first post is here.)

What a great time for a break!  As you all know it is All-Star break for the NBA as well as the D-League - A perfect time to get some rest and just relax. I am excited to see the city of Dallas put on a great weekend of events for the fans.  Let's hope my fellow West Virginia alum  Adam (don't call me Pac-Man) Jones doesn't show up and try to make it rain like he did in Vegas a few years back.

Tell me if I'm wrong, but I just realized Pat Carroll is not my teammate.  I thought with how much we have seen each other this past week I just assumed he was on my team.  With my time in Iowa I should have just gotten an apartment, literally.

It has been a trip from hell in Iowa. As I write this we are busing to Omaha, Nebraska to finally get out of Iowa and back home. We have been here since Thursday.  Now I love playing the game of basketball and competing everyday but playing the same team four games in a row is not exactly normal. For the past six days the only time I left our hotel was to go to the arena for our games or practice!  Feels like I have been on house arrest trapped in a cage and do not know what normal civilization is like in the outside world. 

The D-League needs to look at the scheduling and make a change.  I know it's about money and stuff like that but playing a team four games in a row?  Maybe we need to drug test the person in charge of the scheduling? What about the home team fans? "Geez, Iowa playing Erie again?  It seems like they are always playing them."

Due to the weather our game against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants Wednesday was postponed but had we played this game it probably would have been the most sluggish, poorly played game of the D-League schedule this year.

Here is why...

Fort Wayne played at home vs Rio Grande Valley Tuesday night and after the game would have gotten into Erie in the middle of the night.

We played at Iowa the same night and were supposed to leave at 3am (yes you read that right, 3am!!!) on a bus to Omaha, Nebraska, then fly from Omaha to Chicago, Chicago to Cleveland, and bus from Cleveland to Erie. Arrive in Erie around 4pm and have just enough time to get no rest and play at 7pm.  What a barnburner this game would have been!

Speaking of All-star break, here are my predictions of all the festivities that will be going on...

Continue reading this post »