Is your team not performing as well as you thinking they should? Are you frustrated because your team is getting beat by teams with what you consider lesser talent? Don’t let the player’s overall rating fool you. It’s all about team chemistry.

You can accumulate all the best talent for your team, the best shooters, the highest rated players at their respected positions and still your team will lose to an “inferior” team. As proof I offer you the following examples:

I put together a “dream team” of National Ballers Association talent. Here was the roster and their NBK2K10 overall rating:

Chris Paul – 93

Michael Jordan – 99

Tracy McGrady – 94

Hakeem Olajuwon – 99

Wilt Chamberlain – 99

Rick Barry – 91

Bob McAdoo -89

Kareem Abdul-Jabaar - 96

Dwayne Wade – 92

Tim Duncan – 95

Yao Ming – 89

Gary Payton – 88

I played that team against the following players: Al Jefferson, Roy Hibbert, Jason Hart, Shaun Livingston, Bobby Brown, Shawne Williams, Hassan Adams, David Noel, Linton Johnson, Malik Hairston, Maurice Ager, Josh McRoberts, Tom Cardinal, DJ Mbenga and Patrick O’Bryant. Al Jefferson was rated 85 and the rest were rated 64 to 46. You would think this would be the 1992 Olympic Dream team vs. Angola right? Wrong! Yes, the Ballers “Dream Team” won, but only by 4 points. With the advantage in every position, the “Dream Team” could only eke out a marginal victory. So I then put them against the Ballers Association’s Philadelphia 76ers. The game went into overtime with the “Dream Team” winning by 5 points. How could this be? It got me thinking about how team chemistry works.

In the NBA2K10 game as well as in the real NBA games, players respond differently to different teammates and playbooks. The best player in the league, Michael Jordan, was no better than a 20 PPG scorer until the Lakers made a few strategic roster moves. Now Jordan really shines and puts on a show every game. Now conversely, Charles Barkley is rated a 94 on the game and is the best overall rated player on the Suns roster, but he averages only 11 PPG and 6.4 rebounds. Time and again I have seen where the best player on a team is not necessarily the highest rated player.

In association play, the Orlando Magic lost their first game. Their owner, Eric, then made some roster moves to shore up some deficiencies. As a result, they won their next 4 games by an average of 37 points per game and also averaged 130 PPG during that stretch.

Like a few of you, I saw the stats Rick Barry was putting up, 56 points and then a 41 point game. I really wanted him on my team. Who couldn’t use a scorer like that!? I played a few games with him on my team to see how my squad would play with him. The Results? I lost both games and those were against CPU teams. Rick Barry not only didn’t score over 30 points, he never got above 20. He shot poorly and the rest of my team didn’t do well. Barry it seems is a gunner. He took lots of shots and didn’t convert half of them. As a result, I didn’t try to make the trade and my team seems to be just fine without him.

Here’s my recommendation before you make a trade. Take a look at how your team does with the players you want. Also, try to adjust your playbook and perhaps the coach you have. If you are being offered a trade or want to make one, don’t rush into it. By doing so, you can max out the results of your team.

RUDY T. FIRED AFTER DISMAL START; DEL HARRIS TO REPLACE HIM

At the beginning of the season, the Black Mudd Bandits where ranked 7^th in the Power Rankings but have yet to play anywhere close to that mark since the season began. The slide started towards the end of preseason and has continued thru the start of the season. Rumblings have been heard from Center Wilt Chamberlain because of his lack of touches and the team has suffered because of his lack of production.

Coach Del Harris will take control of the team and brings a career record of 556-457 taking the 1981 Houston Rockets to NBA Finals where they lost 4-2 to the Boston Celtics. Harris & Tomjanovich are good friends, coaching together in the 1998 World Championships so this will be a tough job for Harris to replace Rudy T.

One thing is for sure, the Bandits have the talent to win basketball games and boast one of the top Centers in the game with Chamberlain, but it will be up to Harris to get a good mesh with the team and that means making sure Chamberlain get his touches and everyone stays happy.

PREPARING THE PROPER GAME PLAN

There are many factors that go into preparing a good game plan for your opponent. Each opponent is different in many ways and to come out with the proper plan you must scout that team thoroughly before filling out your game plan form.

First thing is your starting lineup. Matchups are key in NBA basketball and you must expose those that go in your favor. Especially when there is a weak defender in the opposing teams starting lineup. Make sure that weak defender is guarding your best offensive players. It usually makes for great nights from your scorer and sometimes the best defense is a good offense. This also works for your opposition too, so don’t get caught putting your bad players on the other teams top scorers. Players Height makes a big difference as well. Always try to have the advantage in height especially when dealing with players that are good jump shooters. This allows your defensive player to get a hand in the face of the shooter, causing him to have to shoot over the opposition. Sometimes you can get a cheap block that way.

Choosing the right playbook is essential as well. The playbooks have such a variation in who will be the go to position on the floor and if they will get the ball into their correct scoring spots as well. The game designers created these playbooks so the team’s star players would be the stars in the game as well, so you have to make sure that your star play corresponds to the playbook’s star player as well. If you have a jump shooting small forward then try Dallas playbook (Dirk Nowitzki) or a Rim Attacking Shooting Guard then try the Miami Heat (Dwayne Wade). Here is a listing of the playbooks and the star player on that team. Make sure you match up your star player to the playbook choices that matches as well:

Atlanta-Joe Johnson (SG)

Boston-Paul Pierce (SF), Ray Allen (SG), Kevin Garnett (PF)

Charlotte-Gerald Wallace (SF)

Chicago-Derrick Rose (PG)

Cleveland-LeBron James (SG)

Dallas-Dirk Nowitzki (PF)

Denver-Carmelo Anthony (SF)

Detroit-Richard Hamilton (SG)

Golden State-Monta Ellis (PG)

Houston-Yao Ming (C)

Indiana-Danny Granger (SF)

LA Clippers-Blake Griffin (PF)

LA Lakers-Kobe Bryant (SG)

Memphis-Rudy Gay (SF)

Miami-Dwayne Wade (SG)

Minnesota-Al Jefferson (C)

New Jersey-Devin Harris (PG)

New Orleans-Chris Paul (PG)

New York-David Lee (PF)

Oklahoma City-Kevin Durant (SF)

Orlando-Dwight Howard (C)

Philadelphia-Andre Iguodola (SF)

Phoenix-Steve Nash (PG) & Amare Stoudamire (PF)

Portland-Brandon Roy (SG)

Sacramento-Kevin Martin (SG)

San Antonio-Tim Duncan (C)

Toronto-Chris Bosh (PF)

Utah-Deron Williams (PG)

Washington-Gilbert Arenas (PG)

Now some people seem to think that just cause you pick a playbook your team will play the same style like that of the particular team’s playbook you have chosen. That is not the case. That is determined by your coach.

With the combination of your coach and the playbook you have chosen, you should be able to find a style that perfectly matches your team strengths and weaknesses for a very effective Gameplan.

JACK JIVE'S BLOG

J Jive….still keepin' it live from 9 to 5….or 4 your team better be ready and willin' to hit the floor when it's gametime, primetime, or shinetime!!!! Gotta post up and boast up my squad status, to show y'all who's coldest, hardest and the phattest. Gotta go hard or don't come at all, this is what I call some real azz ball!!!!

I'll try to have one each week. That pic is crazy! Got money in the lil shorts!! Lol!!!!

LAKERS AT IT AGAIN; SWIPE TWO FOR TWO WITH PHOENIX SUNS

Last night the Los Angeles Lakers agreed in terms with the Phoenix Suns to trade Swing Guard Ray Williams and Center Mike Gminski for the “Greyhound” Walter Davis and Center Greg Ostertag.

Davis has struggled all season with the Suns in their offense and was averaging just over 8 points per game while Greg Ostertag was sent to the inactive list at the beginning of the year after acquiring Center Alton Lister. Bringing in Williams and Gminski give the Suns additional options as Williams will take Davis’ starting spot and Gminski may replace Lister in the starting lineup. In response to the move, Jameer Nelson was sent to inactive list.

Walter Davis is a great scorer but never showed it in Phoenix. Davis will not get as many opportunities though as he will back up Michael Jordan and play more of a 6^th Man role. The Lakers lost a lot of outside shooting when Chris Mullin was traded away and Davis will bring a lot of that back as he is a very capable outside shooter. Greg Ostertag will fill a void with defense and height in the middle

TWO GUNNERS EXCHANGE JERSEYS; WORTHY TO PLAY FOR HIS 4^TH TEAM THIS SEASON

Friday afternoon the Tampa Bay Ballers traded James Worthy to the Chicago Bulls for Antaan Jamison. Both players had slid down there perspective team’s bench and will get fresh starts with new teams. Both Worthy & Jamison finished their seasons with their old teams this weekend and will join their team’s today. Jamison finished his game with the Bulls Saturday and was told afterwards that he been sent to Tampa Bay. Jamison could not be reached for comment, but had to fly to New York to meet his new teammates as they face the New York Knicks this afternoon.

Jamison started the season as a starter for the Chicago Bulls, but was sent to the bench after attempting 33 shots in the team’s first preseason game. The next night the Bulls started Antwan Walker and have not looked back since. Jamison was still in the top of the rotation, but was beginning to lose minutes to Latrell Sprewell. Jamison had not complained about his downward slide, but did mention in preseason that “his jump shot had not come around yet.”

James Worthy story is very similar. He started the season with the Shelbyville Rockets and was a starter at the beginning of preseason. With the up and coming play of Leonard Marshall, Worthy moved to the bench and was then dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Alex English. Worthy began play in LA and was a starter for a brief stint before ending on the bench again. Word is that Worthy was taking a lot of “challenged shots” but had a world of ability. Soon after the Ballers came calling and Worthy was dealt again. Worthy never broke the starting lineup with the Ballers and his minutes plummeted as the season began. This is Worthy’s 4^th team this season and he seems to have gotten used to it. “This is a job and I know that. It’s alot harder for the wife & kids than it is me. They have spent a majority of their summer vacation packing up and moving. But hopefully this is there last move. We like Chicago and hopefully we will be here for awhile.”

STANDINGS (CLICK FOR LARGER VIEW)

LEAGUE LEADERS (CLICK FOR LARGER VIEW)

PLAYER STATS AS OF 8/8/2010 (Click for Larger View)

CALDWELL EVALUATED; WILL MISS 4-6 WEEKS

New Orleans Hornet forward Joe Caldwell was evaluated this morning by team doctors and has broken his thumb when he fell on it Thursday afternoon after going up for a shot.

The loss of Caldwell does not hurt the Hornets as much as it does the Golden State Warriors who lost starter Zach Randolph the day before. Caldwell was near the end of the bench and will be sent to the IR. Corey Douglas will join the Hornets for their next game and take Caldwell’s spot off the bench.

RANDOLPH BREAKS RING FINGER; COULD BE OUT 4-6 WEEKS

Zach Randolph immediately knew it was bad when he went up for a rebound and heard the pop and pain in his left hand. Randolph broke the bone in his ring finger on his non shooting hand on Wednesday Night and will wear a cast on the hand for the next 4-6 weeks.

Randolph dismissed the idea of going to the IR when interviewed yesterday. “I plan to try and play thru it. I want to help the team as much as I can so I’m gonna give it a go. I’ll know more during our next game If I can contribute or not. If I can’t then we’ll just go from there.”

Chris Gatling will take over the Power Forward spot in the starting lineup and word is that if Randolph is not able to contribute that either Orlando Wooldridge or Dick Van Arsdale will take his roster spot while Randolph visits the IR.

SHUE GIVEN WALKING PAPERS; COTTON FITZSIMMONS HIRED

The Tampa Bay Ballers, the preseason #1 ranked team has started off the season with two straight losses and you just knew heads would start to role somewhere. It usually starts with the head coach and Wednesday night Gene Shue was shown the door after a 107-101 loss to the Sacramento Kings.

After a late preseason trade to send Kevin Garnett to the New York Knicks the Ballers have not been the same. Shue’s offense and defensive schemes have not fit Garnett well and it showed again last night after going 6-17 from the field. Garnett was attempted to be interviewed after the game in response to the firing, but responded with no comment.

The Tampa Bay Ballers are expected to have a press conference today formally announcing the hiring of Head Coach Cotton Fitzsimmons.

"This is Jack Jive, with the smooth monotone on the mircrophone broadcasting live…league action. Who will be the champion, and who will take bumps and lumps for their faction. No one remembers 2nd place in this race for the gold, the trophy the glory…..everyone remembers a champions story so what'cha gonna do is your squad ready and prepared to rule!!!!!"







Jack Jive

WILDCATS FINALLY SHIP WEBBER

After months of rumors, the Louisville Wildcats finally found a new home for Chris Webber as they traded him to the busy Orlando Magic in exchange for Larry Nance. Webber had been on the rumor mill being discussed with different teams, but nothing had ever come of it. His up & down play has never sat well with Owner Dre’ Chapman even toying with the idea of Webber coming off the bench. It looked as if Webber may have played his self out of the dog house with some nice games down the stretch in preseason, but the Larry Nance offer looked too good to turn down. Now Larry Nance & Yao Ming look to form a formidable front line in the East. Webber believes he can turn the Magic in to a formidable opponent as well. “Playing with LeBron and the rest of the guys in Orlando will be fun. There’s plenty of talent here so I feel that we should be a contender in the end.

RICK CARLISLE AXED IN RECORD TIME!

One game is all it took for Carlisle to get the axe for the Sacramento Kings. The Rumor Mill suggests that Carlisle was actually let go before the season started, but couldn’t be confirmed until General Manager Jesse Allen returned from vacation on Monday. Kevin O’Neill was introduced to the media as Head Coach Yesterday in a press conference in downtown Sacramento after the Kings lost to the Shelbyville Bobcats.

When asked about what the style the Kings will play O’Neill cheesed with excitement. “It will be a fun style for the fans. We will definetly take full advantage of the talented shooters we have on this ball club.”

MICHAEL REDD SENT TO ORLANDO; RECEIVE RON HARPER IN RETURN

Michael Redd is on his way to his third team after being dealt to the Orlando Magic last night. Word is that the Ballers were not happy with Redd’s selfish ways. The Orlando Magic on the other hand were happy to receive another shooter to backup Reggie Miller especially after the bricks they threw up against the 76ers.

Looks like the Ballers are still in search of the shooter they need to fit the bill and received a “Josh Howard type” in return. Looks like the Ballers are missing Howard just a little bit

HORACE GRANT WORKS WAY BACK ON ACTIVE ROSTER

The Tampa Bay Ballers announced today that they would be activating Horace Grant and sending Sam Cassell to the inactive list. Grant was acquired recently in the Free Agent draft after being released from the Los Angeles Lakers. “It feels good right now because I had no idea where I would end up after being released.” The Ballers have had a problem with interior defense & rebounding something that Grant excels in. “I will do whatever they need me to do. If they need some energy off the bench I can do that as well. I just want to get started.” Sam Cassell ‘s demotion may be in part to Jason Terry recent acquisition. Terry is a shooter which is something the Ballers are really have in search of.