alfdogg

I'm glad the Sonics got some national games, they're a fun team to watch. I wish I could have seen that 3OT game with the Suns. Apparently Sene was pretty impressive in the summer leagues, too.

Maybe Pamela Anderson will break off her wedding and get with Yao instead

Isiah made his teammates better, too. Maybe not talent-wise, but he was arguably, pound-for-pound, the toughest guy ever to play in the league, and I think that rubbed off a little bit on everyone who played with him.

The Hawks, Knicks and Blazers are also three teams that are notoriously horribly run. I'm not saying they shouldn't have national games, because I think they should, nor am I trying to start conspiracy theories, but that may have played into it a bit on the league's part, as possibly an "FU" to the front offices.

Everyone but the Hawks, Knicks, Blazers and Raptors have at least one national game, excluding NBATV. The Raptors have nothing, period, including NBATV. Even the Bobcats got a TNT game!

*overhead shot of the Egg Dome.* STYLES We are here in Tokyo, the Egg Dome, for the match that will complete the picture for the Final Four at AngleSlam! It's the Japanese team vs the Americans, Team Heyross, 1 against 2, I'm Joey Styles alongside Bobby "the Brain" Heenan! BRAIN The last time someone laid an egg this big, it was called the Punjabi Prison match! STYLES Well done, and of course the winner of this match will meet the Lithuanian team in the semifinals, and the winner of that match advances to the finals, to face either the Canadians or Jamaicans! That all happens at AngleSlam, August 27th from Miami, Florida, but right now, let's go up to our ring announcer! Punishment by BIOHAZARD hits and Team Heyross makes their way out. ANNOUNCER (in Japanese, duh) The following is the Asian Regional Final, of the Tag Team World Cup tournament! It is scheduled for one fall, with a one hour time limit! Introducing the first team, representing the United States of America, at a combined weight of 482 pounds...first, hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota...CHARLIE MOSS!!!!! *Moss waves out to the crowd before stepping into the ring.* His partner, from Seattle, Washington...QUENTIN BENJAMIN!!!!! *Benjamin, already in the ring, poses on the buckles.* Team Heyross stretches, as Dreams by Van Halen hits and the Japanese get a big pop as they make their way to the ring. ANNOUNCER Their opponents, representing Japan, at a combined 464 pounds...first, from Tokyo, RAIDON YOSHI!!!! And his partner, from Osaka, RYUICHI TARO!!!!! *The Japanese wave to the crowd and step into the ring.* STYLES Raidon and Ryuichi, the Japanese team! BRAIN No, I'm not itchy. STYLES No, that's his name, Ryuichi. BRAIN Same to you! The Americans and Japanese exchange handshakes, and go into their corners as the bell sounds. *DING DING DING* STYLES And it'll be Moss starting off with Raidon! BRAIN You know, know that I think about, if you put a big black toilet seat around the building, it'd be like a king-size model of Okerlund! Moss and Raidon circle the ring, and tie up. Raidon backs Moss into a corner, and holds him down for a while, but breaks clean. They circle the ring, and Raidon goes in again, but this time Moss takes him down with a single leg trip, and grabs the foot, but Raidon gets to the ropes. Raidon then gets up and tries to catch Moss off guard, but Moss sees him coming. Raidon stops, and ties up again. Moss wrings the arm, then drops to his knees and takes him over with a fireman's carry. STYLES Some nice wrestling early on by Charlie Moss! Raidon tries to get up, but catches himself in a front facelock. BRAIN Well, the Japanese team doesn't want to match wrestling with Team Heyross, they'll come up on the short end of the stick. Or the chopstick, as the case may be. The Japanese team is very adept at the high-risk moves. STYLES And as we know, that plays right into the game of Quentin Benjamin, maybe the best high-flyer in all the world! Moss whips Raidon, but Raidon reverses. Moss shoulder-checks him down, then goes to the side ropes. Raidon flips over, and Moss hops over. Raidon goes for a slam, but Moss goes behind the back and delivers a back suplex! Ryuichi comes in, and gets a foot to the gut, followed by a vertical suplex! Moss whips Raidon into the ropes once again, and catches him with a dropkick! Raidon rolls into his corner. STYLES And Charlie Moss able to fend off both of the Japanese members right there! Ryuichi gets back on the apron, and Raidon tags him in. He circles the ring with Moss, then ties up. Moss backs him into a corner, but Ryuichi turns it around and lays in two big knees. He then whips Moss across the ring, and follows with a handspring elbow! STYLES And a great move there by Ryuichi Taro, obviously a very agile man! Ryuichi goes to the top rope, and comes off with a West Coast Pop on Moss! BRAIN That's known as the Hiroshima Heimlich! STYLES Oh, stop! 1... 2... Benjamin breaks it up! STYLES And Team Heyross in trouble early here! Ryuichi goes around to the legs, and sets up a Scorpion Deathlock! STYLES Could be a Scorpion here! Ryuichi turns it over, as Moss screams in pain and struggles towards the ropes! Moss crawls, and eventually grabs the bottom rope! BRAIN He didn't have enough weight to really get a guy like Moss trapped in that hold! Ryuichi pulls Moss out, and flips over with the legs into a pinning combination! 1... Moss gets his legs free, and bridges up. He turns over, and hooks the arms of Ryuichi, taking him over with a double-underhook suplex! Moss then tags in Quentin Benjamin. STYLES Tag, and Quentin Benjamin in for the first time! Benjamin goes to the top rope as Ryuichi staggers to his feet. BRAIN And right into high-flying mode! Benjamin comes off the top with a BULLDOG~! STYLES Bulldog from the top! A cover... 1... 2... Shoulder up! BRAIN Nope, this guy's tough! Benjamin picks up Ryuichi and sets up a piledriver, but Ryuichi backdrops out and tags in Raidon. STYLES Nice job avoiding that move, and now tagging Raidon Yoshi back in. Benjamin gets back to his feet and ties up with Raidon. Raidon grabs a side headlock, then takes Benjamin down to the mat. Benjamin gets to his feet, and tries to break Raidon's hands apart with his own. Raidon breaks and goes behind, then Benjamin switches and PLANTS him with a German suplex! 1... 2... Kickout! Raidon lays on the mat holding his head as Benjamin approaches him again. He picks Raidon up and hooks him in a side headlock. Raidon tries a suplex of his own, but Benjamin blocks it. He releases the headlock, and instead wrings the arm, then backs him into his corner and tags Moss back in. Moss picks up Raidon over his shoulder, and drops into an over-the-shoulder backbreaker! Moss then drops down and rolls him over into a BOW-AND-ARROW~! STYLES Bow-and-arrow applied! Could we get a submission here? Moss cranks back on the hold, forcing grunts out of Raidon, but Raidon is too close to the ropes and grabs the bottom strand! Moss releases the hold, but stays on him. He tags Benjamin back in, and whips Raidon into the corner. Benjamin goes for a flying splash, but Raidon moves out of the way! BRAIN Nobody home! Raidon sets up Benjamin on his shoulders as he backs up, and tags Ryuishi, who goes to the top rope. STYLES Japanese setting something up here! BRAIN I know what it is, they call this the Sapporo shish-kebab! STYLES No, they don't! Ryuishi leaps off the top rope...and Benjamin CATCHES HIM WITH A BELLY-TO-BELLY! STYLES Oh my GOD!!! BRAIN That's it, it's over! Benjamin covers... 1... 2... NO! The fall is broken up with a kick to the head by Raidon! Moss steps in the ring and shoves Raidon in response. STYLES And tempers starting to flare now! BRAIN They're just showing you how bad they want it! Benjamin and Ryuishi exchange blows, and Benjamin grabs a side headlock. Ryuishi pushes off, and leapfrogs Benjamin, who drops behind him, and puts a foot up. Ryuishi grabs the foot and spins him around, but Benjamin uses the momentum and floors Ryuishi with a spinning wheel kick! Cover... 1... 2... Shoulder up! Ryuishi gets to his corner and tags Raidon. STYLES The action is fast and furious! BRAIN This is almost as good as watching you and Okerlund fight over the last blowfish earlier! Raidon hammers away with chops, then delivers kicks to the leg. Raidon trips Benjamin up, and delivers a legdrop to the inside of the leg, then turns the leg and pluus away at it. STYLES Look at the pressure on the knee! BRAIN Not only the knee, but he's also twisting the ankle at the top there! This is a great hold! Oh, I won so many matches with this one! STYLES Quentin looks like he may be trying to counter this! Benjamin reaches up and grabs Raidon under the chin, and rolls him over! 1... 2... Shoulder up! Raidon is forced to release the hold. He wrings the arm of Benjamin, and floors him with a back kick! He then tags Ryuishi, who goes to the top rope. He goes for a SWANTON BOMB~!, but Benjamin rolls out of the way, and over to his corner for a tag! Moss comes in, and takes Ryuishi over with a belly-to-belly overhead! He then waits on him to get up, and delivers the STO BACKBREAKER~! STYLES That's usually the setup for the MOSSY KNOLL~!!! And Moss goes for the hold, but once he has it turned over, Raidon breaks it up! Benjamin climbs into the ring, and sneaks behind Ryuishi, and Moss backs into the ropes, and Team Heyross completes the DOUBLE GOOZLE~! Moss covers... BRAIN No referee! STYLES Turn around, ref! 1... 2... NO!!! Ryuishi gets the shoulder up! Moss backs Ryuishi into the ropes, where Raidon blind tags himself in. Ryuishi reverses the whip, Moss hops over, and Raidon executes a SPRINGBOARD BLOCKBUSTER~! BRAIN What great moves we're seeing in this match! STYLES That's why it's the World Cup, the best tag team action in the world going on right now! Cover... 1... 2... Benjamin saves! The referee puts Benjamin out, and Raidon whips Moss into a corner. Moss dodges a charge, however, and Benjamin is tagged back in! Benjamin delivers forearm shots to the back, but Raidon immediately grans him around the waist and backs him into the corner, where he tags Ryuishi. STYLES These tags are super-fast, neither team able to really sustain an advantage! Benjamin ducks a clothesline, and connects with a superkick! Benjamin follows with a belly-to-belly overhead, then tags Moss right back in. Likewise, Ryuishi manages to tag Raidon back in. The fans applaud as Raidon and Moss look at each other. STYLES Fans really appreciating this great exhibition of wrestling! Tie-up, and Raidon grabs Moss in a top wristlock. Ryuishi jumps back in and grabs the other arm. Moss then flips backwards, and takes both men over, and both men slide to the outside, where Benjamin climbs to the top, and performs a SOMERSAULT TO THE FLOOR on top of both men! Benjamin jumps up, and tosses Raidon back into the ring, where Moss measures him, and attempts a superkick...but Raidon ducks, then spins Moss around and applies a hangman's hold! BRIAN The Nagoya Noose! STYLES ACTUALLY, it's a hangman's hold, and we could see the submission right here! However, Moss is too close to the corner, and pushes off and over in front of Raidon, hitting the superkick! Meanwhile, Raidon is in a parallel corner, and when Moss turns to face him, he comes off with a HURRICANRANA, and hooks the legs... 1... 2... ...but Benjamin slides in and dropkicks Ryuichi, turning the hold over! 1... 2... NO!!! Kickout! BRAIN Back and forth, back and forth! This may be the greatest tag team match I've ever seen! STYLES The legal men, I believe, are Charlie Moss and Raidon Yoshi... BRAIN Oh, the referee lost control of this one a long time ago! Moss whips Raidon hard into a corner and charges, but Raidon bounces out, and both men collide in mid-ring, then stumble back into their corners and make tags! STYLES Tags again, and it's Quentin Benjamin and Ryuichi Taro! Slugfest ensues, with Ryuichi getting the better of things, then backing Benjamin into a corner. Benjamin reverses a whip, and Ryuichi hops to the second rope, but Benjamin ducks as he leaps back for a bodypress! Benjamin sends a foot to the gut, and drills Ryuichi with the ORANGE CRUSH~!!! STYLES This is it! That's the patented move of Quentin Benjamin! 1... 2... NO!!! Raidon saves! Benjamin gets up and slugs it out with Raidon, as Moss comes in and works over Ryuichi. Moss whips Ryuichi hard into the corner, as Benjamin backdrops Raidon to the floor, and lifts him on his shoulders! STYLES Here comes the Super Rocker Dropper! Benjamin quickly goes to the top as Moss gets position, and comes off, completing the SUPER ROCKER DROPPER~!!!!!11111 1... 2... 3!!! *DING DING DING* BRAIN He got him! STYLES And Team Heyross, Team USA, is going to AngleSlam! ANNOUNCER (in Japanese) The winners of the match, and the CHAMPIONS of the Asian Bracket...TEAM USA!!!!! The crowd applauds respectfully as Team Heyross embraces, then help the Japanese up and exchange congratulations. STYLES So we've now got our field for AngleSlam, as the trophy presentation is being set up! Team Heyross receives the flag, then the Japanese girls hand them flowers. STYLES Let's go to "Mean" Gene Okerlund! OKERLUND (in ring) All right, thank you, Joey Styles...the Tag Team World Cup at AngleSlam wouldn't have been the same without these two, and now it's official, Team Heyross is one of the final four teams! MOSS That's right, there was never any doubt in our minds, Okerlund. The competition was stiff, and it won't get any easier at AngleSlam, but Team Heyross is the best team in the world, no matter what the World Cup committee thinks. OKERLUND Quentin, Lithuania the first opposition for you guys at AngleSlam, what do you expect? BENJAMIN We expect two things: A fight, and a win. We'll show the committee the error of their ways. OKERLUND Of course, there's the possibility of a showdown with the Canadians in the finals, the team who WAS ranked #1 in the world. BENJAMIN I hope so. We want prove without a shadow of a doubt that we're the best team in the world, and we have to beat the Canadians to do that. We know it, but we want to make sure the committee knows it, when we're holding that trophy at AngleSlam. OKERLUND Speaking of trophies, I'm gonna let you two gentlemen get to raising this one. Joey, let's go back to you! *Team Heyross hands their flowers back to the ladies, and raises the trophy in the air.* STYLES Well folks, it's been a great day of tag team action, but the field is now set! It'll be the Canadians taking on the Jamaican team, and the Lithuanians challenging Team Heyross, who are the champions of the Asian Bracket, representing the USA! So for Tony Schiavone, Jesse "the Body" Ventura, "Stagger" Lee Marshall, Tazz, Todd Grisham, Michael Cole, Jonathan Coachman, Josh Matthews, "Mean" Gene Okerlund, and Bobby "the Brain" Heenan, I'm Joey Styles! So long folks, and tune in this Thursday on HeldDOWN~! Team Heyross exits the ring and slaps hands with the fans as we... FADE TO BLACK

George signed with Dallas today.

March is gonna be rough for the Pacers. 10 out of 16 roadies, plus home games against Miami, Chicago, and Cleveland all in a row. And of course, the Hawks, who we failed to win a single game against last season. But if everything goes right, our record should be pretty decent by the All-Star break. Mostly either bubble-or-non playoff teams. They're cutting back on holiday games, too. Lakers @ Heat is the only Christmas game, and none on Thanksgiving.

Here are the remaining free agents. In parenthesees are teams which have shown interest and/or where they're expected to go Atlanta: Donta Smith Boston: Michael Olowokandi Charlotte: Melvin Ely ® Chicago: Randy Livingston, Luke Schenscher Cleveland: Alan Henderson Dallas: Keith Van Horn (Den) Denver: DerMarr Johnson Detroit: Kelvin Cato Golden State: Calbert Cheaney Houston: Rick Brunson, Maciej Lampe Indiana: Eddie Gill LA Clippers: Vin Baker, Walter McCarty, Boniface N'Dong LA Lakers: Devin Green ®, Jim Jackson Memphis: Antonio Burks Miami: Shandon Anderson, Gary Payton (expected to re-sign) Milwaukee: Reece Gaines, Jermaine Jackson, Ervin Johnson, Toni Kukoc (Chi) Minnesota: Anthony Carter New Jersey: Lamond Murray, John Thomas (Min) New York: Qyntel Woods Orlando: Stacey Augmon Philadelphia: Matt Barnes Phoenix: Dijon Thompson Portland: Voshon Lenard Sacramento: Bonzi Wells (Den) San Antonio: Nick Van Exel Seattle: Mike Wilks Toronto: Darrick Martin Utah: Milt Palacio Washington: Awvee Storey Any info I've left out, feel free to add.

I think Crawford's one you've got to hang onto, unless you're dealing him in a package for someone like KG. He's their big shot-taker, and capable of going for 35-40 on any given night, as we saw in Chicago.

*Overhead shot of Shea Stadium.* COLE All right, thanks, Lee and Tazz, a beautiful day here in New York, Shea Stadium, I'm Michael Cole here with the Coach, who wore the wrong uniform today! COACH (wearing a Yankee jersey) What are you talking about? COLE This is Shea Stadium, Coach, the Mets play here! The Yankees play across town...at least until the playoffs start! COACH COLE Folks, they've been waiting in anticipation here, they've watched the first two matches on the big scoreboard, and now, it's time, the Canadians ready to take on the Mexicans! Now, a win for the Canadians, and they will take on Jamaica in the semi-finals at AngleSlam! There are two possibilities for the Mexicans! A win combined with a Japan win, the Mexicans will first meet Lithuania...a win combined with a US win, it'll Mexico against the US, which of course is represented by Team Heyross! Bailamos by Enrique Iglesias hits, and the Mexican team makes its way out. COACH This is it! COLE Will this be one of the teams that competes at AngleSlam? COACH I don't know...from what I've seen of the Canadians, I have a hard time not seeing them at AngleSlam! The Mexicans climb into the ring and pose on the buckles, drawing respectful applause from the crowd. Tom Sawyer hits and the Canadians coome to the ring, drawing a mixed reaction from the crowd. COLE And here are the Canadians, Felix Strutter and Ken Pantera! A mixed reception for these guys, obviously a lot of people feeling that it should be Team Heyross with their seed! The Canadians step in and exchange handshakes with the Mexicans, then go to their corner as Michael Buffer steps into the ring. COLE We're ready for action, let's go up to Michael Buffer! BUFFER LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLadies and gentlemen, this match is the finals of the American Bracket, in the 2006 Tag Team World Cup! It is scheduled for one fall, with a one hour time limit. The winner of this match will go on to AngleSlam in Miami, Florida, on the 27th of this month, to compete for the tag team World Cup! *crowd cheers* BUFFER Introducing the first team, representing Mexico! They weigh in at a combined weight of 446 pounds...first, from Tijuana, RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAFAELLLLLLLLLLLL ORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRDOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!! *crowd cheers as Ordonez raises his hands in the air.* BUFFER His partner, from Mexico City, ANNNNNNNNNNTONIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSANNNNCHEZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!! *crwod cheers as Sanchez raises his arms.* BUFFER Their opponents represent Canada, and are the #1 seed in the tournament. They weigh in at a combined 485 pounds...first, hailing from Thunder Bay, Ontario..."AFTER HOURS" FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFELIXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSTRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRUTTERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! *crowd is mixed, as Strutter jumps to the second buckle and raises his arms.* BUFFER His partner, hailing from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan...KENNNNNNNNNNNN PANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNTERAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! *Pantera waves out to the crowd, which gives another mixed response.* *DING DING DING* Pantera starts the match off with Rafael. The two circle the ring, then tie up. Pantera backs Rafael into a corner, but Rafael manages to turn him around. Rafael breaks clean. COLE The good thing about these tournaments is the great sportsmanship between the teams! COACH Maybe so, Cole, but at the end of the day, it's the guys who will do anything it takes, even if it means going against the rules, that make the big paychecks. COLE Case in point, the two men main eventing AngleSlam, World champion Alfdogg and Drek Stone! Pantera and Rafael tie up again, and this time Pantera shoves him off. Rafael looks him down for a second, then moves in again. He takes Pantera down with a drop toehold, and grabs him in a waistlock, but Pantera gets to the ropes. COLE Nice basic move there by Rafael Ordonez, drop toehold into a waistlock, but Pantera too close to the ropes! Pantera grabs a side headlock, and takes Rafael over to the mat. Rafael grabs a headscissors, but Patera escapes. Patera backs off and circles the ring again. Another tieup, and Pantera grabs another side headlock. Rafael shoves him off into the ropes, and goes for a flying shoulder tackle, but bounces right off Pantera and falls to the mat! COACH WOW! COLE Rafael with the shoulder tackle, but it's him who hits the canvas! Pantera picks up Rafael, then whips him into the ropes, and lifts him in a PRESS SLAM~! Pantera slams Rafael to the mat, then drops an elbow and covers... 1... 2... Kickout! Pantera picks up Rafael and whips him across the ring, but Rafael ducks out of the way of a charge! Rafael goes to the ropes as Pantera staggers out, and floors him with a spinning wheel kick! Cover... 1... 2... Kickout! Rafael waits on Pantera to get up, then gives him an enziguri to send him back to the mat in a flip! Rafael hops up and delivers a standing moonsault! 1... 2... Kickout! COLE These Mexicans quick as greased lightning! Rafael quickly attempts a hurricanrana, but Patera catches him and delivers a sitout powerbomb! COACH Well, he was just slowed down right there! Pantera tags in Strutter, who whips Rafael into the ropes, and hits a dropkick, sending him backwards over the top rope! Pantera steps back in, and lifts his partner overhead, tossing him down to the ground on top of Rafael! COLE Nice teamwork by the Canadians! Strutter hammers away at Rafael, then tosses him back into the ring. He delivers a foot to the gut, then backs into the ropes and delivers a swinging neckbreaker! Cover... 1... 2... Kickout! Strutter whips Rafael across the ring, but runs into his feet! Rafael then tags in Antonio! COLE Tag, and Antonio Sanchez in for the first time! Antonio whips Strutter into the ropes, and executes a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker! Antonio yells out to the crowd, which cheers in response. Antonio follows up with a Tiger bomb! He plays to the crowd once again. COACH Antonio needs to stay on him here, though! Antonio attempts an Irish whip, but Strutter reverses. Antonio leapfrogs Strutter, but turns around right into a high round house kick! COLE WOW, what a kick, and Antonio flat on his back! Cover... 1... 2... Kickout! Strutter goes to pick him up, but when he does, Antonio springs up and hits an inverted atomic drop! Antonio follows with a MICHINOKU DRIVER~! COACH Oh man, that could be it! 1... 2... Kickout! Antonio picks up Strutter, and delivers a European uppercut, staggering him. He then uses the ropes to hop up and hook his ankles around Strutter's head, but Strutter blocks and flips Antonio over the top to the ground! COLE Hard fall Antonio took right there! Pantera tags, and hops down to grab Antonio and toss him back into the ring. Pantera follows him in, and delivers a trapped-arm belly-to-belly! He then waits on Antonio to get up, and raises his hands in the air, wiggling his fingers. COACH Could be time for the full nelson! Pantera hoooks one arm, but Antonio struggles, not allowing him to grab the other arm, then spins around and manages a back suplex! COLE But a nice counter by Antonio! Both men get to their feet, and Pantera grabs a side headlock. Antonio makes a blind tag to Rafael, who climbs to the top rope as Antonio pushes Pantera into the ropes. Pantera hops over, and is floored with a missile dropkick by Rafael! Cover... 1... 2... Strutter saves! Antonio climbs in and shoves Strutter, and the referee forces him out. COLE Tempers starting to get the better of these guys, perhaps! As Strutter exits the ring, Rafael hits him with a dropkick, sending him down to the ground! Pantera hammers away on Rafael, then whips him into the ropes. He puts his head down, and Rafael floors him with a DDT! Strutter climbs back onto the apron as both men struggle to their corners, and tags are made on both sides! COLE And it's Felix and Antonio! Slugfest is won by Antonio, but Strutter slips behind on a slam attempt, then pushes him into the ropes. Antonio ducks a clothesline attempt, but Strutter takes him down with a drop toe hold, then spins around and hooks an STF in one motion! COLE Submission hold applied! Will Antonio submit? COACH Can you believe how quickly Felix was able to apply that? But Rafael breaks it up! Pantera comes in and goes after Rafael, but gets backdropped to the floor! COLE And it's 2-on-1! Could the Mexicans pull off the upset here? Antonio climbs to the top rope, as Rafael executes a fisherman's buster! Antonio gains his balance...and attempts a SKY-TWISTING SHOOTING STAR PRESS...which misses! COACH OH MY GOD! COLE How many times did his body spin? COACH But more importantly, Felix got out of the way! Pantera rolls back in, and floors Rafael with a clothesline, then picks up Antonio, and drops him with an over-the-shoulder backbreaker! Pantera then picks up Antonio in a powerbomb, and Strutter grabs his head, and pulls down as both men sit out! COLE They call that the Penalty Box, will it be enough? 1... 2... 3!!! COLE Yes it will! The Canadians are going to AngleSlam! *DING DING DING* BUFFER The winners of the match, and CHAMPIONS of the American Bracket...TEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM CAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANADAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!! The crowd cheers respectfully as the Mexicans offer congratulations to the Canadians, and the teams exchange handshakes once again. COLE As the trophy presentation is being prepared, the Mexicans congratulating the Canadians, their opposition will be the Jamaican team at AngleSlam! Let's go to Josh! JOSH MATTHEWS (in ring) Well, they're the tournament's #1 seed, and they showed why here tonight, the champions of the American bracket, Team Canada! Adorned in the Canadian flag, let's start with Felix Strutter. FELIX I've never had a rush like this, Josh...knowing that we've finally made it to the big time, the OAOAST, AngleSlam, August 27th, I can't wait. And I think we have every chance to win the whole thing. JOSH Your first opposition at AngleSlam will be the Jamaican team, how will you go into that match? FELIX It's going to be a war, no doubt about it. They're a great team, they seem like a couple of nice guys, and it should be a great match. But we don't have to change a thing. KEN That's right, Felix. We'll go into that match just like we came in tonight. The Jamaicans are a great story, but unfortunately, Canada holds the publishing rights. *The Canadians are handed the trophy, and raise it in the air. Pantera holds one finger in the air. JOSH Obviously Canada expecting no less than #1 at AngleSlam, but they've got a tough road to travel. Back to Sofa Central! COLE So one matchup set for AngleSlam, it'll be the winners of the American Bracket, the Canadians in the ring, taking on the team from Jamaica! That means the Lithuanians await the winner of the Asian Bracket, the Japanese team, or the team representing the states, Team Heyross! COACH Well, I'll tell you something, Cole, and I hate to say it, I've picked Team Heyross all the way along...I'm not sure anymore. This Canadian team, in the matches we've seen them, looked like they could have ended any of these matches at any point they want to! And if it ends up the US against Canada...anything can happen. COLE But first, the US has got to get through Japan, and they're waiting to get that started at the Egg Dome! So for Josh Matthews and the Coach, I'm Michael Cole! Let's take you to Tokyo, and the announcers for our last match, Joey Styles and Bobby "the Brain" Heenan!

"I'm glad one of your players was involved in a car accident; you people shouldn't say those mean things about our fans!"

I'm sure Stockton being white played into it in the case of Scoop Jackson.

*overhead shot of Soccer City.* LEE MARSHALL Thanks Tony, this crowd is unbelievable, approximately 80,000 people packed in for this great action, Tazz! TAZZ No doubt about it, Lee, this is gonna be a real rocket buster, both of these teams primarily win their matches with brawling tactics, the Egyptians with a *little* more in the way of technical wrestling skills, should be fun to watch! LEE And of course, the Egyptains have the home continent advantage, at least, but the Lithuanians were chosen the #1 seed, and both teams feel like they have something to prove here today! Let's go to our ring announcer! Walk Like An Egyptian hits and the Egyptian team walks out to a big pop. ANNOUNCER (in Portugese) The following is the African Regional Final, of the Tag Team World Cup tournament! It is scheduled for one fall, with a one hour time limit! Introducing the first team, representing Egypt, from Cairo, at a combined 514 pounds...the team of HAPU and KHUFU ANUBIS!!!!! TAZZ We got a brother team competing here in this match, that's cool! LEE Hapu and Khufu are brothers, Hapu is the older brother, and I'm told that the name Anubis means "God of the Dead." The Lithuanians make their way out, with no music. ANNOUNCER Their opponents, representing Lithuania, from Kaunas, at a combined 519 pounds...the team of TOMAS VINCENTAS, and his partner, STEPONAS JUOZAPAS!!!!! TAZZ In Soviet Russia, Egyptains walk like you! LEE These guys are from Lithuania, Tazz. TAZZ What's the difference? The referee explains the rules, and the teams exchange handshakes before going back to their corners. Tomas and Hapu start the match. *DING DING DING* Tomas and Hapu tie up, and Hapu backs him into a corner, then breaks cleanly on the referee's count. Tomas comes out and ties up once again. This time, Tomas gets a knee into the stomach, then fires off a couple right hands before setting up a piledriver! TAZZ Could be a piledriver comin' here! However, Hapu blocks, then backdrops Tomas! Hapu follows with a clothesline! Tomas rolls over to his corner, staring down Hapu briefly, then confers with his partner before tagging him in. Hapu makes a tag, as well. LEE Early tags on both sides, and Steponas in there now with Khufu! Tie up, and Khufu sends a knee to the gut. Right is blocked, and the two trade fists, with Steponas eventually getting the better of the exchange. Khufu reverses an Irish whip, and takes Steponas over with a monkey flip! Khufu then hammers away at Steponas as he gets up, but Steponas comes up with an inverted atomic drop, then holds him in the same position and takes him overhead with a suplex! TAZZ Nice combination of moves there, first the inverted atomic drop, then the overhead, almost like a modified T-bone suplex by Steponas! Steponas follows up with a headbutt...but it has no effect! LEE Wow, Khufu just absorbing that headbutt right there! Khufu delivers a foot to the gut, followed with right hands, then whips Steponas in and delivers a clothesline! Khufu follows with a jumping fist drop, and covers... 1... 2... Kickout! Khufu backs Steponas into the corner and tags in Hapu. Hapu grabs a side headlock, but Steponas backs him into the ropes, gets position, and delivers a knee! LEE That one looked like it may have been a little low! Steponas delivers a vertical suplex to Hapu, then tags Tomas, who goes to the top rope. TAZZ The Lithuanians goin' for it all early! Tomas attempts a splash, but nobody home! LEE But Hapu out of the way! Hapu gets up, and delivers a bodyslam to Steponas, who's illegal in the ring! Khufu then steps in, and presses Tomas overhead! Steponas gets up, and has his partner tossed right into him! The Lithuanians roll out of the ring. LEE And these guys had better regroup on the floor! The Lithuanians quickly roll back in, however, and get into a slugfest! They pair off in opposite corners, before the Egyptians whip the Lithuanians into each other! Steponas rolls out to the apron, as Hapu grabs Tomas in a headlock. As the referee forces Khufu out, Tomas shoves Hapu off...right into a knee from the outside by Steponas! TAZZ Wow, what a knee right there! Hapu really hurting after that move! Steponas tags in, and delivers a big kneedrop! Cover... 1... 2... Kickout! Steponas snapmares Hapu over, then drives another knee to the back, keeping it there and pulling back on the head. Hapu quickly forces his way up, but Steponas quickly turns around and drops him with a neckbreaker! Cover... 1... 2... Kickout! Steponas goes to the ropes, and attempts a senton splash, but Hapu rolls out of the way, and into his corner to tag Khufu! LEE Tag made, and Khufu back in! Khufu chops away at Steponas, then whips him into the ropes and takes himdown with a high knee! Khufu follows with a floatover suplex... 1... 2... Kickout! Khufu delivers a bodyslam, then goes to the top rope. He waits for Steponas to get up, then delivers a front dropkick! Cover... 1... 2... But Tomas makes the save! TAZZ It's going fast and furious here, and as I predicted, it's been a real hard-hittin' match so far! The referee puts Tomas out, and Khufu wrings Steponas's arm, then tags Hapu back in. Khufu holds Steponas as Hapu lays in a savate kick! Hapu follows with a double underhook suplex, then covers... 1... 2... Kickout! Hapu whips Steponas into the ropes, but Steponas ducks a clothesline, then ducks a second one, then connects with a big flying headbutt! TAZZ BIG move from Steponas right there! Steponas whips Hapu into the ropes, and catches him with a sidewalk slam! Cover... 1... 2... Khufu reaches in and breaks up the fall! Steponas tags in Tomas, then slingshots him over the top rope on top of Hapu! 1... 2... Shoulder up! LEE And the Lithuanian side has really got some nice continuity going now! TAZZ No doubt, if they keep this up, they're well on their way to AngleSlam! Tomas pick up Hapu in a back suplex, then spins him around for a Blue Thunder bomb! 1... 2... NO! Shoulder up! Tomas whips Hapu into a corner, then charges, but Hapu gets his feet up! Tomas staggers back, but doesn't go down. Hapu hops to the second rope, and waits for Tomas, who charges in. Hapu jumps over him, rolling on the mat into his corner, where he tags Khufu! LEE And a tag made! Khufu kicks and chops away at Tomas, then whips him into the ropes and presses him up in the air, letting him drop to the mat! Tomas gets to his feet, and Khufu scoops him up with a gutwrench, and delivers a TOMBSTONE~! TAZZ Tombstone piledriver by Khufu, that could be it! 1... 2... NO!!! Steponas breaks it up! Hapu asks for the tag, and gets it, then goes to the top rope. Khufu comes over and tosses him off onto Tomas! LEE ROCKET LAUNCHER! Is that enough? Khufu intercepts Steponas as the referee counts... 1... 2... NO!!! Tomas gets the shoulder up! Hapu sets up an Irish whip, and Steponas blind tags himself in, creeping into the ring as Tomas reverses the Irish whip. Hapu hops over Tomas...and runs right into a MASSIVE clothesline which sends him for a backflip! LEE THERE IT IS! That big sickle of Steponas! Steponas nonchelantly drops to his knees as Hapu turns over, and lays across him... 1... 2... 3!!! TAZZ There it is! The Lithuanians are going to AngleSlam! *DING DING DING* ANNOUNCER (in Portugese) The winners of the match, and the CHAMPIONS of the African Bracket...TEAM LITHUANIA!!!!! The Lithuanians congratulate each other as the ring attendants set up for the trophy presentation. Steponas then shakes hands with Khufu as Tomas helps up Hapu. LEE And great sportsmanship being shown here, as the teams congratulate each other in the ring. We're about ready for the presentation, as the Lithuanians have the flag, let's go up to Todd Grisham! TODD (in ring) We're ready for the trophy presentation to the winners of the Africa regional, the team from Lithuania! Tomas, can you give us your thoughts? TOMAS (through interpreter) I'm very excited to go to AngleSlam and the OAOAST, to be one of the top 4 tag teams in the world. Egypt is a great team, great preparation for the finals, it is a great match, and we expect no less at AngleSlam. TODD Steponas, the Sickle was the difference tonight, how will you fare with it at AngleSlam? STEPONAS (through interpreter) The Egypt team, they fought hard, but once I hit the sickle, that was it. If I can hit it at AngleSlam, it will be no different. *The Lithuanians are handed the trophy, and raise it up, as the South Africans applaud respectfully. TODD Well, they said it all, the Lithuanians, the winners of the African Regional! Back to Lee! LEE And at AngleSlam, the Lithuanians' opposition will be one of four teams: If Mexico defeats Canada, which is up next, they will meet the Mexicans in the semifinals. If Canada wins, then the Lithuanians will meet the winner of the US/Japan match in the Asian Bracket, and should Canada and Japan *both* lose, then the Jamaicans, who won in our first match, will meet the Jamaicans. We're outta here, for Todd Grisham and Tazz, Lee Marshall, sending you out to Shea, and Sofa Central, MC and the Coach!

So besides Ewing, is there anyone not on this list right now that you guys think should be?

The Bucks have agreed to trade Jamaal Magloire to Portland for Steve Blake, Brian Skinner, and Ha-Seung Jin. I like this deal for the Bucks, they get their starting PG and Skinner is a solid backup at the 4 or 5. As for the Blazers, they obviously have high hopes for Jarrett Jack, I guess. Also, the Clippers are expected to sign Aaron Williams to a 2-year deal.

I think Wade and LeBron could easily break into their lists by then, but I think LeBron has to go farther in the playoffs, too, and the same goes for Tracy McGrady. Dirk has several good years ahead of him, too, I think. Yao Ming is a longshot. Play-wise, he's well on his way, but again, post-season success has to factor in somewhat. Kobe's the only one I really can see moving up on a list, and it's totally dependent on how he leads his team. The only thing that kept me from putting him above Gervin and Drexler, was the fact that those two both led teams deep into the playoffs. As far as Worthy goes, the only problem I had with him was that I have doubts he would have done as well as he did without Magic. I could see maybe putting him over King, I suppose.

I'd be up for that. I assume the same rules would apply as far as tiebreakers and spreads?

OK, here are my top 10 players at each position, all-time. Most of the guys from pre-80's are mostly stat-based, because I didn't see them play, for obvious reasons. I took finals appearances and rings into consideration, as well as MVP's, but it wasn't a necessity to make the lists, as you'll see. For the 50's and most of the 60's, I also took into consideration how they would hold up against today's players. Wilt surely wouldn't average 40+ points a game, but he'd be right up there at the top of the list of dominant players. Same with Oscar. On the other hand, George Mikan would probably get knocked around by most PF's today, let alone centers. But back then, there was no one close to his size. Centers 1. Wilt Chamberlain 2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 3. Bill Russell 4. Hakeem Olajuwon 5. Shaquille O'Neal 6. Moses Malone 7. Willis Reed 8. David Robinson 9. Elvin Hayes 10. Wes Unseld Hayes never won an MVP, other than that, every player on this list has at least 1 ring and 1 MVP. The top 3 may vary depending on how I'm feeling. And for Knicks fans, I promise I kept an open mind about Patrick Ewing when making this list. Ewing, Dave Cowens, and Bob McAdoo were probably my next 3, not necessarily in that order. Power Forwards 1. Tim Duncan 2. Charles Barkley 3. Karl Malone 4. Bob Pettit 5. Kevin McHale 6. Kevin Garnett 7. George McGinnis 8. Billy Cunningham 9. Jerry Lucas 10. Dennis Rodman This was one case where success was the deciding factor. I gave Barkley the edge on offense, and Duncan the edge on defense. However, Barkley contended for a title for one year, while Duncan had a ring in his second season (though, admittedly, he wasn't stepping into your average lottery team). He's got three now, and I don't think he's won his last one, either. You can see I took the ABA into consideration on these lists, as well, which explains McGinnis's placement, with three ABA titles and a co-MVP (which he should have won outright). Cunningham averaged 21/10/4 over 11 seasons and was ABA MVP in '73. And the Bulls don't win their last three titles without Rodman, I'd bet money on that. Small Forward 1. Larry Bird 2. Elgin Baylor 3. Julius Erving 4. Scottie Pippen 5. Dominique Wilkins 6. John Havlicek 7. Adrian Dantley 8. Alex English 9. Bernard King 10. James Worthy We've argued Pippen to death in the past, so I'll just let Eddie Johnson make my argument for me this time. A lot of people may only remember Dominique as a "Human Highlight Film", but I also remember the Hawks having the best record in the East when they traded him for...Danny Manning. The Hawks imploded in the playoffs, and then lost Manning without compensation as well, and haven't really been the same since. I remember the 'Nique-led Celtics making the eventual-conference-champion-Magic sweat in the first round in '95. That team was complete shit when you got past Dominique. I remember Dominique on the Spurs, with Robinson out for the year with a broken foot (I think), probably keeping them from ranking with the '73 Sixers. Just some of the forgotten reasons why he cracks the top 5. Shooting Guard 1. Michael Jordan 2. Oscar Robertson 3. Jerry West 4. Rick Barry 5. Allen Iverson 6. Clyde Drexler 7. George Gervin 8. Kobe Bryant 9. Pete Maravich 10. Reggie Miller 3-7 are heavily success-based...all were/are terrific scorers. West and Barry led their teams to rings. Iverson doesn't have a ring, but he's a former MVP and is the only guy that comes to mind to really, truly carry a team to the Finals, even if he had about a snowball's chance in hell once he got there. Drexler never won the big one on his own, but you could certainly argue that the '95 Rockets don't raise the trophy without him. Kobe's been argued to death, as well, so I'll just say that him and Shaq needed *each other*, not just the former, and leave it at that for now. Point Guard 1. Magic Johnson 2. John Stockton 3. Isiah Thomas 4. Jason Kidd 5. Bob Cousy 6. Gary Payton 7. Walt Frazier 8. Nate Archibald 9. Kevin Johnson 10. Tim Hardaway Obviously I blocked out Payton's non-Seattle tenure in the league when making this list. Mark Jackson is probably #11, I really wanted to include him on this list. Feedback appreciated.

I don't mean to sound like a homer, but where did Reggie Miller rank on this list?

Where do you live that you're just now discovering CoCo Wheats, bigolsmitty. We've always had it where I live.

Anyone here know anything about Maceo Baston? The Pacers signed him today from the Euroleague, but I remember the name and know he's been in the league before.

Have at it.

WWE fails at grammar

CWM must have designed that one