SEASON TWO (1954-55) - PARITY, FINANCIAL TROUBLES, AND NEW FRONTIERS

After the great success of the original season - in fact, a success far larger than any league officer expected - the CBL was cruising into their second year. However, disaster struck just after the season started. After defaulting on their arena lease, the Albany Robins were kicked out of the Capital Arena. Without a home or money, the team traded players to lower payrolls and moved into the small Schenectady Palace for the year, while the league desperately looked for investors to keep the team afloat. However, aside from Albany, the rest of the teams were performing well, both in finances and on the court. The Cleveland Stars had an incredible 11-4 start, but flopped in the closing stretch, finishing with just three more wins and a match of their record from the previous year. This year, Philadelphia and Boston joined New York and Cincinnati at the top, with the four all battling for the top spot. It was unclear if the "playoff" system from the previous season would remain, but with two weeks to go the league announced that it would. In a thrilling finish, New York, Boston, and Philadelphia all ended up tied at 17-13, with Cincinnati one below at 16-14. Due to the unlikeliness of the situation, the league office had not even thought of a three way tiebreaker - especially for the championship. Eventually, the verdict came in - the three teams would hold a round-robin tournament, with the best record winning the championship. The 1954-55 standings were as follows:

1) Philadelphia Conductors (17-13)
2) New York Mammoths (17-13)
3) Boston Blueshirts (17-13)
4) Cincinnati Lions (16-14)
5) Cleveland Stars (14-16)
6) Albany Robins (9-21)

The round-robin tournament commenced one week after the end of the regular season. Between the end of the season and the start of the tournament, however, the question of the Robins' fate was finally answered. An ownership group from Pittsburgh had bought the team, and would move them to the city starting next season. They will retain their signature black and orange colors, as well as the name. This move effectively bankrupted the Triplets, who were now sorely regretting their decision to back out of the CBL just two years prior. Once the playoffs began, the Mammoths, lead by another superhuman effort by McProme, only lost one game out of the four played and claimed their first title in franchise history, right after their defeat last year. The tournament finished like so:

1) New York Mammoths (3-1)
2) Boston Blueshirts (2-2)
3) Philadelphia Conductors

1954-55 Champions - New York Mammoths

I like the story behind the 1954-55 Season and Playoffs.

I'll be rooting for Cincinnati. Go Lions!

Double post on accident.

Last edited by MyTeamIsDr.Pepper (5/24/2019 10:43 pm)

Steelman wrote:

I LOVE the Triplets nickname, too bad they have to stay the Robins. Because a black & orange team in Pittsburgh is puke worthy. As a Pittsburgh fan, I'm officially lobbying for a name and color change!

In all seriousness, good start to the series. Some intel on some of the top players for each team would be interesting.

While I really like the Triplets name too, I wanted to keep continuity between the Albany and Pittsburgh. However, they’ll most likely make a change to black and yellow in the next few years, especially if they continue to flounder at the bottom of the standings.

Some top players include:
C Gus McProme (NY) - The powerhouse of the Mammoths. While he alone will make New York good, he’ll be 33 headed into next season, and is on the decline.
PF Jerry Sprott (CIN) - Sprott is a revolutionary player, as he is one of the first to fully utilize the mid-range jump shot. Due to his size (6’10) and lankiness, he just shoots over everyone. However, despite only hitting 27 by next season, he is very injury prone.
PG George Olson (BOS) - While he struggles to score by himself, he has the best vision in the entire CBL. In both seasons, he has been the assist leader. The best part (for Boston)? He’s only 25 headed into this season.
C Steve Sheaves (BOS) - Sheaves is the zig to Olson’s zag. Despite not being the best individual player, his chemistry with the rest of the team (especially Olson) makes him one of the best at what he does - get buckets in the paint.
SG Terry Stevens (PIT) - The only bright spot on an otherwise abysmal Robins, Stevens has made incredible individual efforts to carry the team to a few wins. However, he’s very unhappy with the current situation in Albany/Pittsburgh. Rumor has it he wants to head to his hometown of Cleveland, but the Robins have stubbornly refused to trade him. Yet.
C Pat Roberts (PHI) - THE reason Philadelphia made such a jump in 1954. He was one of the stubborn few who didn’t join the CBL in the first year, but after it’s success joined the Conductors, who were in need of a center. His input brought them into a championship contender. He’ll be 26 heading into the season, meaning he’s only going to get better over time.

Last edited by Magic Dynasty (5/25/2019 10:39 am)