BENTLEAGUE (B III) - Blog Update 8/30/2017 (This is how we roll)

BENTLEAGUE (B III) - Blog Update 8/30/2017 (This is how we roll)

·         It’s going to be another great league.  The leagues’ namesake has taken back commissioner duties and has the full support of the B II Board members.  Let’s do this!!! 

·         Draft Day is Thursday, September 7th at the Lake House. 

·         Captains are Kevin, Steve, Ferr, and Gordo. 

·         Rules have been communicated.  4 lines of doubles will be played.  Mike Hunt rule has been implemented and we are counting lines won, not matches won (Eff U Hunt).  All LINES Matter!

·         League start date is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, September 28th. 

·         Draft order is as follows: 

o   Kevin gets #1 slot followed by Steve, Gordo, and Ferr.

·         Italian Stallion (Mel Kiper of PAC Tennis) has been studying the draft board and offers the following Pre-draft observations/critiques/opinions:

o   Ray then Donald, or Donald then Ray.  That is the million dollar question at hand.  May turn out exactly like Leaf vs. Eli if Donald can’t stay health.  Stallion predicts DAllen #1 but buyer be aware…..Jeff Boren he is not.  Sorry Ray….I would give you some love but it’s not in my DNA.

o   Depending on conditioning and if his house is built by the start of the season…Stallion wants to remind the captains to NOT forget about MMesa.  He has won a lot of chicken dinner’s playing with the seniors on Monday nights and will have to step up his game to play line 1 in B III.  I believe he is capable and ready.  And…although he refuses to come to the net, let’s not discount Mr. Topspin.  CKobrock led Triple H to the title last year going undefeated in the process.  That’s right – NO Defeats.  Captain’s take note!!!

o   Talent remains strong in the middle rounds with the usual suspects and some new faces making their first appearance on the Bentleague stage.  Fair (short in stature but long on ego), Hump (if only his record would match his talent level), and El Cubano (how good is he without Chupacabra) return and could go early if paired with the right partner and captain.  Stallion has a question for the captain’s to ponder …Will a player chosen with this high of a draft spot equate to Team and line victories.  BHump’s stock is high following a B II title, but was that because of his production or his teams’.  Stallion’s advice to the captains, as a two time Bentleague champion, says to look deeper into the character and competitive spirit of the player.  Don’t be fooled by the shiny new quarter!   Look for the guy who has two league titles to his name and is a proven winner.  Chalmette High 1984 District Champion in Basketball, Chess Champion in 8^th grade, MVP of his Middle school Band, 2^nd team All Utility in Baseball.  There is only one sure thing on draft night and this guy is it.  If Fair gets selected before this proven champion, Hell will have no fury for the Captains who passed on him.  Another title is eminent for this guy IMO.   

o   Notables that could make or break a team include BSpiess, Elder Priola, Goof, Tucker, Eff U Hunt, Ananth, McQuaid, Andrews, and Morlas.  But questions exist up and down this list.  Has Ananth and Vic gotten over losing decisive B II Match to end Eff U Hunt’s title chase.  Will Ananth learn to play like Bruce more and stay away from the net.  Is is still having dreams about the Milachi Brothers!  Has McQuaid’s diet and personality change affected his play in such a way to really lower his draft status?  What range of lbs. are we talking about with JawnP? Are you drafting the Franco’s 2^nd place finisher in its biggest loser competition or just a big loser in B III doubles?  Can Tucker’s shoulder hold up after carrying the seniors in sectionals?  Regouffre is coming off a title in the KF tourney and will that correlate to B III Success.  Goof will be a good addition to all teams but can he carry a team to the Ship?  Should be drafted right behind the younger Priola.  What about Spiess.  If paired with someone who can keep score BSpiess always an asset says the Italian.  Has anyone seen Mike Hunt on the tennis courts this summer?  I know he has been playing golf but that won’t justify a high selection if he’s rusty.  Stallion says he will fold when heckling gets too intense.  Buy Low!

o   Newbies provide a degree of uncertainty this go round for B III and the captain who has done their homework may reap the rewards.  Stallion says the Urologist could and should be a sleeper.  His game is just unique enough to garner W’s if hydrated.  “Don’t call me Lefty” Miller may make folks forget about Jack Yui the Japanese Kabuki.  His love affair with super tie breakers instead of full third sets should improve draft status.  JAllen trying to avoid brother’s shadow hopes cooler Months of play will help ease sweat production.  Loeb, McCarthy, Economedies, Blossman, and Delcam warrant mentioning because team depth is a key with All Lines (Matter) counting.  If I had to pick a high value pick amongst this crew it would be Economedies now that he has a lady friend.  Todd and McCarthy are underrated and will help a team but Loeb’s stall tactics won’t be tolerated after the beers start flowing.

o   It is paramount to examine the senior echelon of PAC tennis and some of the folks returning to the fold after a brief although welcomed hiatus.  The following questions intrigue the Stallion: If Steve passes on Bentley early will that jeopardize the Bromance and ruin Bentley’s production throughout the league?  Will Kingsdorf ever get over being drafted after Economedies in Bentleague I?  Will he get bragging rights over Strain and Doubt if he goes earlier than they do? Will Cayman have to charge RyanD double for amount of calories he will consume at the draft party?  Will Zipp ever turn off his “out of office” email reply and take tennis as seriously as he does his neighborhood watch parties?  Is Skip and Johhny happy they were on the first invite list?  Did the Jesuit guy really teach tennis at JHS?  Is Eskine fully healed?  Is the story about his wrist injury true or is he just that fragile?  Should a captain really take a chance on someone who breaks their finger catching a tennis ball?  Twice?  Could Olinde, Melacon, Hurley, Delcam, and Keller be difference makers?   Stallion sees a lot upside to the youngster (Addison) but potential doesn’t cash the check at the end of the year.  Can the potential be realized with the right partner/team?  Will Mom be mad if Kevin doesn’t select him early?

o   Last but not least…As we head into the draft night…who will be Mr. Irrelevant?  Has anyone carried the mantel better than Wolfman Sinclair? (NO)   Does Autin having a title (B II) bump up his draft status (NO) or will he go last again? (Possible)  Will someone get their feelings hurt?  (YES)

o   Ps.  In prep of the league…I have arranged for skin thickening spa treatments for any of you who are offended by this Blog.  If you are not offended you either have thick skin already and clearly belong in this group or you don’t get the jokes.  I am fine either way. 

Stallion Out!