Posted by sportsfan7  9/07/2020 1:51 pm | #11 |
Section30 wrote:
Out of curiosity what are the names of the teams in the ABL? Right now all I know is the Cities that teams are in
They have not been named yet. Later this week I will do a post with all the team names and their meanings for both the ABL and PBL. I wanted to break up the league formation stuff with the CBA season and playoffs.
CBA Recap
The Tampa Bay Thrillers, led by defending MVP Steve Hayes, were the best team in the CBA by a large margin this season. Their closest competitors were their instate rivals, the Florida Stingers. The only Canadian team, the Toronto Tornados, were comfortably the third place team in the Eastern Division, with a large distance between them and the teams both above and below them in the standings. Bay State barely edged out Baltimore for the fourth and final playoff spot out East. Albany and Maine brought up the rear in the Eastern Division.
The Western Division was much closer all season than the East. The Kansas City Sizzlers, in their inaugural season, turned heads on their way to a first place finish. Hot on their tail were Cincinnati, Evansville, and Detroit who all came up just short of 1st place in the division, but still secured playoff berths. The La Crosse Catbirds were in contention for most of the year, but faded late and finished a distance 5th. Wyoming edged out Wisconsin to avoid finishing in the cellar.
Standings
Eastern
Tampa Bay Thrillers
Florida Stingers
Toronto Tornados
Bay State Bombardiers
Baltimore Lightning
Albany Patroons
Maine Windjammers
Western
Kansas City Sizzlers
Cincinnati Slammers
Evansville Thunder
Detroit Spirits
La Crosse Catbirds
Wyoming Wildcatters
Wisconsin Flyers
CBA Playoff Preview
The odds-on title favorite are the Tampa Bay Thrillers. They face an easy first round match-up in the Bay State Bombardiers. The team with the best chance at beating the Thrillers are their in state rivals, the Florida Stingers. The Stingers face one of the best home court teams in the first round, the Toronto Tornados. The Western Division Playoffs figure to be very tight, with any of the 4 teams having a good chance to advance to the finals, where they will undoubtedly be the underdogs. The Kansas City Sizzlers surprised many and won the division and will face the preseason division favorites, Detroit Spirits, in the first round. The other first round match-up is between the Cincinnati Slammers and the Evansville Thunder.
Last edited by sportsfan7 (9/07/2020 1:52 pm)
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Posted by sportsfan7 9/08/2020 3:45 pm | #12 |
CBA Postseason Recap
Conference Semifinals
Both of the favorites won their series out East, with the Thrillers sweeping Bay State and the Stingers almost doing the same, losing one in Toronto. Out West the serieses were more interesting. The Sizzlers beat the Spirits 3 games to 1 in a close all around series. The Evansville Thunder upset and swept the Cincinnati Slammers.
Conference Finals
In the All-Florida East Final, the Stingers upset the Thrillers 3-2. Going into Game 5 in Toronto, the home team had won every game. The Stingers looked to change that, and they did. In the West Final, Kansas City continued their surprising season by beating Evansville to punch their ticket to the CBA Finals.
CBA Finals
The Best-of-Seven Finals kicked off with 2 games in Sarasota. The teams split the games, with the Sizzlers winning Game 1 and the Stingers winning Game 2. When the teams moved to Kansas City for Games 3-5 the series shifted. The home team won all 3 games and the Kansas City Sizzlers won the CBA championship in their first season.
Playoffs
Conference Semifinals
E1 Tampa Bay 3 E4 Bay State 0
E2 Florida 3 E3 Toronto 1
W1 Kansas City 3 W4 Detroit 1
W3 Evansville 3 W2 Cincinnati 0
Conference Finals
E2 Florida 3 E1 Tampa Bay 2
W1 Kansas City 3 W3 Evansville 1
Finals
W1 Kansas City 4 E2 Florida 1
Last edited by sportsfan7 (9/08/2020 3:46 pm)
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Posted by Rugrat 9/08/2020 4:53 pm | #13 |
Congrats to the Sizzlers
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Posted by NeoPrankster 9/08/2020 5:20 pm | #14 |
Are the Sizzlers sponsored by the restaurant chain? Lol.
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Posted by sportsfan7 9/08/2020 9:21 pm | #15 |
Are the Sizzlers sponsored by the restaurant chain? Lol.
I've never spent any significant time out West, so I hadn't heard of them until today. Also the Kansas City Sizzlers were a CBA team IRL.
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Posted by sportsfan7 9/09/2020 1:11 pm | #16 |
Get to know the USBL
The USBL returns this Spring for its second season with greater attention and a new TV deal with the USA Network. Last year’s champion Springfield (MA) Fame return, adding Washington Bullets draft pick and Sudanese phenom Manute Bol to their roster. The Westchester (NY) Golden Apples added New York Knicks draft pick Patrick Ewing to their roster. Two other teams returned from the league's inaugural season, the Jersey Jammers and the Wildwood (NJ) Aces. The league added 3 teams to its ranks this year, the Tampa Bay Flash, led by Utah Jazz draft pick Karl Malone, the Staten Island Stallions, led by last year’s Rookie of the Year, Co-Player of the Year, and Scoring Champ, John “Hot Rod” Williams, and the Gold Coast (FL) Stingrays
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Posted by Rugrat 9/09/2020 1:16 pm | #17 |
Get to know the USBL
The USBL returns this Spring for its second season with greater attention and a new TV deal with the USA Network. Last year’s champion Springfield (MA) Fame return, adding Washington Bullets draft pick and Sudanese phenom Manute Bol to their roster. The Westchester (NY) Golden Apples added New York Knicks draft pick Patrick Ewing to their roster. Two other teams returned from the league's inaugural season, the Jersey Jammers and the Wildwood (NJ) Aces. The league added 3 teams to its ranks this year, the Tampa Bay Flash, led by Utah Jazz draft pick Karl Malone, the Staten Island Stallions, led by last year’s Rookie of the Year, Co-Player of the Year, and Scoring Champ, John “Hot Rod” Williams, and the Gold Coast (FL) Stingrays
I recognize all those players. Can’t wait for the season
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Posted by sportsfan7 9/10/2020 3:41 pm | #18 |
PBL Team Names and Meanings
The New York Gothams are named after the nickname for New York City. Gothams was also the original name of the New York Giants baseball team. The team is owned by New York Islanders owner, John Pickett.
The Boston Shamrocks are named for Boston’s Irish heritage, and as an allusion to the Boston Celtics. The Shamrocks are owned by New England Patriots owner Billy Sullivan and JFK Jr.
The Philadelphia Brothers are named after the city’s nickname “The City of Brotherly Love”. They are owned by former Philadelphia Eagles and Flyers owner, Jerry Wolman, as well as former Philadelphia Warrior and Philadelphia 76er, Wilt Chamberlain, and former Philadelphia Phillie, Robin Roberts.
The Washington Senators are named after the city’s former AL teams. The Senators are owned by businessman Reginald Lewis.
The Seattle Pilots are named after the Seattle Pilots MLB team. The Pilots are owned by Seattle SuperSonics owner Barry Ackerly.
The San Francisco Sea Lions are named after the California Sea Lion and are an homage to the San Francisco Seals baseball and hockey teams. The Sea Lions are owned by former California/Oakland/Bay Area Seals owner Barry Van Gerbig.
The Los Angeles Jets are named after the Jets from the American Basketball League. The team is owned by former San Diego Clippers owner Donald Sterling.
The Phoenix Copperheads are named after the local copper industry, one of the “5 C’s” of the Phoenix economy (along with cattle, climate, citrus, and cotton). The Copperheads are owned by Phoenix Suns General Manager Jerry Colangelo and University of Phoenix founder John Sperling.
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Posted by Rugrat 9/10/2020 3:49 pm | #19 |
Alright I obviously have to be a Copperheads fan now
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Posted by sportsfan7 9/11/2020 9:01 pm | #20 |
ABL Team Names and Meanings
Richmond Royals- Chosen for the alliteration and Virginia’s history as a Royal Colony.
Tidewater Privateers- The Hampton Roads-based privateer Dash was the victor of the first naval engagement of the War of 1812.
Raleigh Cougars- The Carolina Cougars were an ABA team.
Charlotte Hornets- Charlotte was once described as a “Hornet’s Nest of Rebellion” and the Charlotte Hornets were a WFL team.
Atlanta Phoenix- The Atlanta from the Ashes statue is commonly known as the Phoenix.
Nashville Titans- Nashville is known as the “Athens of the South”.
Tampa Bay Parrots- The Parrot is often seen on a pirates shoulder, and is a nod to the area's history.
Miami Tropics- South Florida is the only part of the Continental US with a tropical climate.
Louisville Colonels- The Kentucky Colonels played in the ABA.
Columbus Explorers- Columbus is named after the explorer Christopher Columbus.
Indianapolis Cardinals- The Cardinal is the state bird of Indiana.
Detroit Mustangs- A nod to the local auto industry.
Chicago Zephyrs- Chicago is known as “The Windy City”.
Milwaukee Robins- Named after the local bird (Winner of a 1968 name the team contest for the Bucks).
Twin Cities Loons- The Loon is the state bird of Minnesota.
Omaha Pioneers- The city was long considered a pioneer town and the Mormon Trail started in suburban Council Bluffs.
