GSB Quarter Mark’s Biggest Surprises & Disappointments

By Tim Riggins

Surprise: Albuquerque & Baltimore’s Fast Start

The Martians were one of the laughing stocks of the league last season finishing with only 2 wins. After week 4 Albuquerque is currently sitting at 3-1 on the year already surpassing last season’s win total. Al Ingram III and Justin Banks are leading the way playing around MVP level as both are over 17 points per game and 6 assists a game while shooting very efficiently. Anthony Stover has been a beast on the defensive end averaging a combined 4 stocks per game (2.5bpg & 1.5spg). Being in arguably the toughest division in the league the Martians should be very pleased with such a fast start this season with their hopes of making the playoffs are in sight.

Baltimore was also an expansion team last season that finished in the bottom 5 of the league in standings. The Constellation made a big time free agent splash signing Tim Riggins (who also became HC), completing a sign-and-trade for Aldo Huxley, and making a deal with the Michigan Killer Beez to bring in Riggins’s former teammates in Ernesto Romero and Jack Lawson. Riggins (21.0), Huxley (17.3), and Lawson (14.5) are 3 of the top 4 scorers on the team showing their large impact on the rising Constellation. Baltimore has started the season 3-1 and looks to continue their hot streak. Center Jamal Davis is also worth a mention for his invaluable defensive impact averaging 4 blocks a game and nearly a steal a game, leading the DPOY awards ladder post week 4.

Disappointment: Dallas & New York Falling Apart 

After a successful season last year making the playoffs the Flying Stallions are off to a very rocky 0-4 start. Dallas has been struggling with lack of top tier front court depth compared to the majority of the teams, and a minute allocation problem resulted in former HC Toby Knerr being shipped off to Virginia. The change at HC hasn’t seemed to result in any wins in the last 2 weeks and it’s getting close to panic time for Dallas. On the bright side, Dallas has been in this position before. In season 1 they were one of the worst teams in the league during the first part of the season before going on a late season tear to get a low playoff seed which seems to be what the Stallions ceiling is this season. 

New York made the S1 GSB Finals after having an absolute stellar season. Thomas, Counterman, Savage, Simmons, and DeMoura were a loaded starting 5 and were super fun to watch. Heading into S2 DeMoura left to lead/own his own team, but many expect NY to stay around the same level with having Marciano there stepping in to replace him. Despite New York winning their division and making the playoffs, they had a losing record and quickly bounced round 1. They even traded Tim Savage at the S2 deadline for Kam Melo (who left the league, bum) that resulted to be a bad move. Now after 4 weeks in S4 New York is 0-4 and does not look to have much playoff hopes this season especially having a tougher division.

Surprise: Klank Thompson & Biff Marcum

Klank Thompson came into the league as a mid round 1st round pick that was seen to be a rotation guy with players like Stank, Nuff, and Jones already on the team. That has been far from the truth as the rookie has been the best player on the team this season offensively and has also done his fair share on the defensive side as well. Through 4 weeks Klank is putting up 18 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals a game showing his 2-way elite play. 

A player that is in the mix for both MVP and MIP right now, Biff Marcum has had an amazing start to S3. The PF is averaging 16/8/4 to go along with 1.8 blocks per game and 1.5 steals per game. Marcum is showing just how elite of a player he has developed into on both ends of the court, and is a huge reason for the Stampede’s 3-1 start to the season. 

Disappointment: Scout Mitchell & Grave Digga

Coming into the start of the GSB Scout Mitchell was the man on the team for Ohio. He was the go to option for their first 2 seasons in the league, made an all star game, and was a S1 finalist for 6MOY. Mitchell’s offensive production has gone down every season to the point where he is averaging just a little under 9 points per game, which is below what his talent is capable of doing. The Shaman seem to be playing around Bailey, Blunts, Fiblin, and Phillips more on offense which has led to a decline in Mitchell’s play. Though I don't see a trade request being demanded by Scout, but you have to wonder how much longer this talented of a player is fine with his play being wasted this season. 

The S3 #1 overall draft pick, Grave Digga, has been a huge disappointment so far in his young career. Easily the best prospect coming into the draft following his college career, Digga was seen to have a large impact on the court just like S2 #1 pick Milton-Francis Heinkel. However, Digga is currently averaging 3.3ppg, 4.8rpg, and only 0.3bpg. That is not good rookie production, much less from a #1 overall draft pick. Is this the GSB’s Kwame Brown? Digga has plenty of time to turn his rookie season around, but he will need to make a complete 180 in his on court performance.