QFBA Rag – 2007-8 Week Fifteen

That’s What Pirates Do – Duh!

No, Cap’n Parrotdead doesn’t feel bad about taking advantage of rookie Dubers coach in the trade for James. Coach J-Dub was frustrated early on that James had his best games when they didn’t count in the QFBA, so the wily Cap seized the opportunity. Had Cap’n not benched the slumping Johnson this week, he’d still have won even without the James for Gasol trade.

With Gasol on the Dubers team, they aren’t exactly left with a bunch of scrubs. They still have the likes of Maggette, Butler and Iguodala, so the Duber should have at least been in the fray for the fourth playoff spot. Unfortunately, the rookie coach squandered chance after chance to win by leaving his best players on the bench even when starting spots were empty. Cheer up, Dubber, there’s always next season, when you’ll be not only older, but hopefully wiser.

As for the Powerheads, another win, another weekly high score, stretching their tiebreaking point total lead to nearly 200 points... yawn. With the ‘Gals up next week, Incubus’ hopes for a Parrotdead loss to leave him sole possession of 1st place will have to wait at least one more week. The regular season title may well come down to the Powerheads VS Incubus matchup in Week Seventeen.

Cruisers Run to Playoffs

With seven weeks left, things are really heating up in the QFBA. The Cruisers win this week combined with the didi’s loss moves them into the fourth and final playoff spot. It was a hard fought win that took until Friday to decide.

With Garnett on the bench against a surging Runners team, things looked bleak for the FJ’s going into Week Fifteen. Then Chris Paul’s 17 and Lewis' 21 offset good performances from the rest of the Fronters and they suddenly looked like easy pickins, until the FJ’s Brad Miller cut his thumb doing dishes (?). Cap‘n would sure like to know the real story on that one.

Anyway, early in the week it’s looking like fortunes may have turned and the Runners have dodged a bullet. But as they say, it’s not over until it’s over. On Friday, Miller comes back needing only six points for the Cruiser’s to win and lays down 26, while helping the Kings stop the Jazz win streak at ten. Game, set, match!

didi’s Drop Winnable Game to The Chief

When Bryant scores a season low 23 and Pierce comes in at 25, the Rednicks should be ripe to drop their second game in a row. Unfortunately for Coach Sisti, his team failed to take advantage of the vulnerable Redneck’s and dropped a 159-149 heartbreaker. Nash managed only 22 and no one scored more than 34 for the didi’s, paving the way for a painful loss.

Last week the fourth and final playoff spot belonged to the didi’s alone. This week they share that spot with the FJ’s, who hold the all important tie-breaker, while four teams are separated by only a game in the chase for the last playoff spot. It looks like it’s going to be a slugfest for the playoffs all the way to Week 22.

Things don’t get any easier for the Chief next week as he faces the hungry Runners. He’s going to have to post better numbers than he has in at least the last five weeks if he hopes to win this one.

Speaking of That Last Playoff Spot

It was a terrible week for the Jitterz. They could have moved into a tie for the highly contested final playoff spot by sending the ‘Bus into a ditch but they choked when the big opportunity presented itself. The Bugz suffered from poor performances by Martin, West and Billups while only one player managed to break the 30 point barrier for Coach S. All is not lost for the Roaches, however, as they can climb into at least a tie for the fourth spot with a win next week over the didi’s.

On the flip side, Incubus got 40 from a finally healthy McGrady but still managed a very middle-of-the-road 158 while continue his winning ways. ‘Bus freely admits he’s been lucky to get so many wins of late with his sagging number but counters that he’s been very unlucky this season in the injury department. I suppose he has a point on both counts.

Redd Saves Farm Team from Gals

Boy, the Crutch City boys just keep me in a quandary. Every time I’m ready to write their season off, they find a desperately needed Dubya. I truly didn’t expect Redd to play this week and was all ready to congratulate the Gals on their second win until the Redd Ranger rode into town and crushed their hopes.

I guess it’s a natural instinct to root for the underdog especially when I admire the way the Gals keep looking for talent that can help them out. I see they picked up Andre Miller and Rasheed Wallace for another whack at a win next week. Too bad they have to face the PowerHeads. Still, we’ve seen too many bottom dwelling teams over the years that don’t even try to improve, so I’m glad to see these Gals are short on quit.

The win for Clutchless means Coach Tobias is only two games out of the playoffs with plenty of time to make some hay. They can pretty much kiss their chances goodbye though, if they don’t catch the Bus next week. Go Clutch!