SHOREWOOD, Minn. — After dispensing of the Hollywood Hornets and Shorewood Show, respectively, the Chaska Moose and Minnesnowta Chill are moving on the COMO Classic Finals in mid-February.
The standings are sure to shift between now and then, but their matchup will provide a big clue as to who will be in the regular season title driver's seat during the final month of the season. Meanwhile, James Harden led Colorado to another strong Classic performance (they nearly pulled off an upset against Shorewood in November) with a 39.00 bone average over three contests. Here are the matchups for the final week of the COMO Classic (Feb. 9 through 22): Finals: Minnesnowta Chill @ Chaska Moose [worth 15 points] 3rd Place: Shorewood Show @ Hollywood Hornets Consolation: Colorado Hilltoppers @ Duval United Consolation: Rio Rainmakers @ Kansas City Monarchs Consolation: Minneapolis Player Haterzz @ Newport Beach Grizzlies
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SHOREWOOD, Minn. — LaMarcus Aldridge is perhaps one of COMO's most under-appreciated players. The Show big man helped lead his team to the championship last season, and is currently back in All-COMO form.
Aldridge posted a 35.75-bone average over four contests this week, a mark that kept Shorewood somewhat afloat in an otherwise forgettable frame. "It's amazing what he's able to do when you give him time to work with the ball," general manager Alex Smith said. "He gives full effort every night, don't get me wrong. Off-ball, defense, whatever the team needs. But we're not going to win another 'ship if we don't keep feeding LaMarcus." The Show also boast MVP candidate Steph Curry at shooting guard, and last season's COMO Finals MVP Joakim Noah at center. Sixth man Pau Gasol also contributed to the inaugural league title team. "What a nucleus," Smith said. "I'm pretty damn good at my job." Shorewood now turns their attention to this week's COMO semifinal matchup with Minnesnowta, which will heavily impact the playoff picture. "They've got some nice players," Smith said. "But they haven't proven anything to me or the rest of the league. There's no reason to respect an organization until they play at an elite level. And seeing as we're playing on our home floor... good luck." GREELEY, Colo. — The Hilltoppers are beginning to show some life.
Coach Hines' squad nearly upset reigning champion Shorewood in the COMO Classic, and then steered his boys to a fifth-place finish last week. There's a new attitude in the locker room after GM Collin Atkinson made a splashy trade to bring Michael Carter-Williams to town, and shooting guard James Harden has apparently benefitted the most from the change. The 25-year-old averaged 36.33 bones in three contests en route to the first Player of the Week nod of his career. "We have made some good progress this year and we are looking to our young players to carry us forward," Atkinson said. "Fear the beard baby. MCW put up a solid triple double in the past week. Coach Hines expects a lot, but he is holding it down for Greeley." Currently 23 points out of a playoff spot, Colorado might be playing for pride at this point, but don't count them out quite yet. ST. PAUL, Minnesota — Minnesnowta Chill GM Matt Taylor remembers this time last season, when his team was No. 1 in the COMO standings and dreaming of a playoff run.
But the squad fell apart, and was left one piece short of making things interesting. Currently sitting in 4th this season, Taylor doesn't want to risk another setback, especially with star center Dwight Howard on the IR. So he called up the struggling Colorado Hilltoppers and inquired about one of their prized pieces. The results stunned the league on Sunday night: Colorado agreed to part ways with star point guard Kyrie Irving, while Taylor and the Chill sent 2013-2014 COMO Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams to Greeley. "Winter Weather Advisory in St. Paul, MN, in effect until April," Taylor told our league reporter. "An extreme cold front is approaching. With Melo, Dwight, Tyson, and now Kyrie, we are poised to freeze out the rest of the league." Meanwhile, Colorado GM Collin Atkinson sounded happy to be rid of Irving, a 22-year-old who is now on his third COMO team in one-plus seasons. "Kyrie doesn't fit the current system and has been too inconsistent to be a Hilltopper," Atkinson said. "We're hoping that bringing in some young talent in MCW helps us this year as we build into the future." The Chill are already wiping their hands of Carter-Williams, who was by far the most effective rookie last season and seemed to be making good strides this year. But all that is over now, and Monday night is Kyrie Iriving Bobblehead Night at The Icehouse. HOLLYWOOD — The Hornets fell out of first place this week, but don't blame Anthony Davis.
The big man collected his fifth Player of the Week award of the early season with a 36.5-bone average over four games for Hollywood. Herp derp. |
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