Midseason Awards

The Brian Fantana Memorial "Hey, Champ, Maybe You Should Stop Talking For Awhile" Award

This award goes to none other than Brandon Batt, who is getting a lot of criticism for how much he's talking about himself, and his team. Batt and AD are 4-0, but have yet to beat a team with more than 1 win.


THE CHRIS WEBBER AWARD FOR "MOST EGREGIOUS NO-SHOW IN A PIVOTAL GAME"

TJ Keene. I understand he's hurt, but TJ has missed 2 games in a row, including Men's first loss. He also wasn't there in Men's loss to Globo Gym 61-47 after finals were over Friday. Men definitely is not the same team without TJ, and if they wanna go all the way, he definitely is gonna have to be part of it.

The Anthony Smith Award for "Latest evidence that karma points really do exist"

Remember when that no-name safety from the Steelers predicted that his team would beat the 12-0 Patriots (aka The Greatest Team of All-Time) last year? The Steelers lost 34-13. This award goes to Alex Hankin, who on "Overtime" predicted the results for the rest of the year for each team. He predicted Men to go 8-0 this season. Of course, the next week, they lost their first game and now sit at 3-1. Actually, this week I explained why Globo Gym was number 1. Let's hope this theory doesn't work out all the time.

The Arizona Cardinal, "Nobody Believed in Us!" Award

This one's a tie between AD and OKC Thunder. 17 and 18 ranked strength of schedule rankings cancel out these teams 4-0 records. Both teams are lobbying for respect, but we'll see what happens when AD has to play AK-47 Week 8, and we'll have to wait to see if OKC plays anybody decent in the playoffs, since nobody on their regulation schedule is any good.

The 2008 Memphis Tigers Award for Biggest Team Weakness That Hasn't Yet Been Exposed That Everyone Thinks Has to Be Exposed Eventually

To the Globo Gym Purple Cobras, who have been making their case for #1, yet most say don't have a legitimate big man. Men has the Twin Towers, Barifinkle has two taller towers in Charlie Gilvarg and Stu Voit. Yet Kerby Hilardes and Brantner Jones are Globo Gym's big men, and most don't think they can compete with the best. Memphis' free throw shooting caught up to them in the National Championship game...


And without further ado, here are the real awards for the first half of the season

Midseason All-America Teams

First Team:
Ryan Murnighan
Willy Moore
Jeff Dsida
Chris Sweitzer
John Haller

Second Team:
Robert Gorodetsky
TJ Keene
Matt Haller
Joe Lankford
Stu Brown

Third Team:
Harry Furse
Ben Morton
Doug Lavey
Charlie Gilvarg
Conor Healy

Fourth Team:
Nick Dronen
Walt Lyon
Ryan Rakocy
Stu Voit
Scott Gantner (he shoots 90% for cryin out loud)



League MVP

Jeff Dsida. When you look at the top 4 teams record wise so far, you have players such as Ryan Murnighan, Chris Sweitzer, John Haller, and Jeff Dsida. It's hard to imagine someone who's done more for their team than Jeff has. He has single-handedly taken his team to the top of the league at 4-0, and although it's been against the weakest schedule, he's still dominating. Other candidates in this category: Ryan Murnighan, John Haller, Chris Sweitzer, Willy Moore, TJ Keene, Robert Gorodetsky, Matt Haller.

Tyler Sugiyama Best "Hustle" Player

Henry Perry. This kid runs the point on the most underrated fast team, Elect Judge Jim Wascher. Their defense is a swarm attack on whoever has the ball, and Henry is a key element to that attack. Their swarm defense is one of the reasons why they pulled off the upset of the year. Other candidates in this category: Ben Morton, Peter Lind.

Best Shooter

John Haller. After playing the last few days with Barifinkle and Men, Ryan Murnighan has become a real candidate for this position. Robert Gorodetsky is always a threat to be here as well, but I still haven't been swayed out of the mindset that John Haller is the best shooter in Night League. When he's on, it seems as if everything goes in from everywhere, no matter how good your defense on him is. Other candidates in this category: Ryan Murnighan, Robert Gorodetsky, Joe Lankford, Brandon Batt.

Best Rebounder

Stu Voit. TJ Keene and Doug Lavey are both contenders in this category, but I've seen Stu rebound, and he's just so tall and always in the right position. Although he may not be the best at putting the ball back in the hoop, he sure can graba board. Stu is a key part of Barifinkle/Team Sit on My Face, and their height, along with Charlie Gilvarg, is a big part of their success. Other candidates in this category: TJ Keene, Doug Lavey, Charlie Gilvarg, Walt Lyon, Willy Moore.

Best Ball-Handler

Ryan Murnighan. I think this is the award that is easiest to choose, because Ryan sees the court better than anyone in Night League, and his ball-handling skills are terrific. He plays point for Barifinkle/Team Sit on My Face, and every time he gets on a fast break, he's never out of control, and always finds the open man or scores himself. Other candidates in this category: John Haller, Jeff Dsida.

Best Blocker

TJ Keene. Here's where the volleyball skills come in handy. In addition to being 6'3", TJ may have the highest vertical in Night League. Combine that with great instinct and an enormous wingspan, and you've got best blocker. Other candidates in this category: Charlie Gilvarg, Doug Lavey, Stu Voit.