Some things I forgot to mention about rules, the SBA plays by FIBA rules which means 40-minute games. However, the institution of the three-point line separates the SBA.

The inaugural SBA All Star game took place in Silveria's capital, Stratford. As for the All Star selections, Sherborne PG Bobby Ellis was controversially chosen over Trent PG Kent Reeves despite a disappointing season thus far. Trent SG Sal Banks was not eligible due to long-term injury. Bangor SG Ellis Holloway was the only backup on a respective team to make the All Star game. Stratford PF Bob Marsh was snubbed with many poiting to Bangor PF Cary Joseph as the culprit, however both have not played to their potential. The whole All Star selection process came under fire for placing all 6 Bangor selections on the same team, a new rule is being discussed to allow no more than 3 players from a single SBA team to be on a single SBA All Star team. Without divisions though, it looks like the basic format will be retained although West vs. East could still easily be done.

As for second half predictions, Bangor looks like the clear favorite to win the inaugural SBA Championship with so many outstanding players. Stratford Stars looked excellent in September, but they'll have to fight for what's looking more and more like the other spot available in the SBA Championship. Rivers End Rowdies have maybe the best player to date in PF Ira Diaz, but the rest of the team may not be of the same caliber. Sherborne Whalers looked awful by their standards in September, but expect them to come back and at least compete for the coveted second spot in the SBA Championship. Trent Engineers look hollow without their best player SG Sal Banks, still a very talented team, but his injury will hold them back. Silver Point Captains look very out of SBA Championship contention, good news is PF Grant McCoy has been dominant and if rumors are true Rivers End PF Ira Diaz has taken the star-in-the-making under his wing.

Last edited by jxhnhvhn (3/26/2020 3:28 pm)

 Three awards are to be given this year, those being Most Valuable Player, Coach of the Year, and All-SBA. In 1969, the Rookie of the Year trophy will be introduced.
Although Sherborne Whalers finished first in the power rankings, Bangor Farmers hold the tie-breaker winning 6 of their 10 match ups, securing home field advantage in the inaugural SBA Championship. 

PG-Advantage Bangor (Del Davis over Bobby Ellis)
SG-Slight Advantage Sherborne (Brent McCormick over Dom Byrd)
SF-Advantage Bangor (Eugene Shaw over Clarence Ward)
PF-Slight Advantage Bangor (Cary Joseph over Marty Cox)
C-Advantage Bangor (Adam Lowe over Kenneth Tate)
Bench-Slight Advantage Sherborne (Rufus Simon has been productive lately)
Coaching-Slight Advantage Sherborne (Hard to tell who's better at this point, Disciplinarian (Bangor) vs. Lead By Example (Sherborne).

So for the 1968 SBA Championship graphic, Green means they played better than expected, Red means they played worse than expected, and Yellow indicates the played to around their expectations.

Congratulations to the inaugural SBA Champions Bangor Farmers! With the end of the post-season the SBA Offseason is in full gear. While free agency has yet to be officially adopted by the SBA, players are allowed to be sold or traded and essentially function as restricted free agents in the market, meaning the reserve clause preventing players from contracting with other teams is no longer, but teams will be able to match any salary offered to a player by another team if they wish to do so. SBA Championship MVP is awarded to Bangor SF Eugene Shaw. MVP, Coach of the year, and All-SBA to be announced soon.

Offseason Plans
Bangor Farmers: keep the core together (even though they will only likely be able to keep 2 of Davis, Byrd, and Lowe), add role players to boost for championship contention again next year
Sherborne Whalers: Learn from mistakes this year, Add veterans to help contend (target a top PG)
Stratford Stars: Keep developing SF Clarence Ward he could be something special, keep PG Rene Pope (but not if he's too expensive, he's getting old), find shooters and defense to contend
Rivers End Rowdies: Make a big move to contend (Key PGs available, Byrd if Bangor isn't thinking), add impactful role players
Trent Engineers: Recover from injuries (most in SBA 1968), add young talent around SG Sal Banks, let Gonzales walk he doesn't fit the new timeframe
Silver Point Captains: Development in the Gym, need a veteran presence (Overpay for Davis, Pope, or Gonzales if needed)

Top Free Agents
PG-Rene Pope (Stratford), Del Davis (Bangor), Charlie Gonzales (Trent), Mark Boone (Bangor)
SG-Dom Byrd (Bangor), Edgar Carroll (Rivers End), Edmund Harrington (Silver Point)
SF-Darryl Webb (Stratford), Gerald Weaver (Stratford), Max Moreno (Silver Point)
PF-Marty Cox (Sherborne), Roland Owen (Bangor)
C-Adam Lowe (Bangor), Shane Conway (Trent)