Chris Paul presents a custom "Obamanables" jersey to the Commander-in-Chief.
If the Commish posts an April Fool's Day joke about Keepers-For-Life and no one reads it, did it actually happen? Something to ponder as you read over this years WFBLy winners.
Make sure to click the links on "Article" and "Photoshoppery" of the Year.
EXECUTIVE OF THE YEARDAVE BARTON, PARK CITY SUNDANCERS
Winner of the hotly-contested Wasatch Conference regular and post-season titles, Barton takes home the prestigious WFBLy for best executive. He assembled arguably the best and deepest team in the league, and in any other week would have taken home the Concludings title. In any other week.
Runner-Up: Justin Banks, Nephi Stratagem
ARTICLE OF THE YEAR"WADE, DANCERS WAX OFF KOBE, GATORS FOR WASATCH TITLE"
DAVE BARTON, WEEK 21
The coveted Article of the Year WFBLy is finally pried from the grip of Ted Barnes, the only winner of the award until now. Barton's always been full of 80's pop-culture references, and when Wade came back from injury to defeat the hated Mamba and his band of Twin Falls ruffians, well, it was a perfect literary storm.
Runner-Up: "'Twas the Week Before Christmas", Ben Barnes, Week 8
PHOTOSHOPPERY OF THE YEAR"MAMBA'S LOCKER AND TO-DO LIST"
BEN BARNES, WEEK 14
New to the WFBLies this year, the award for most creative photoshoppery goes to the Commish and his spot-on representation of Kobe Bryant's locker, where it was unveiled to the league what's really on the Mamba's to-do list. "Laugh at things that aren't funny" anyone?
Runner-Up: "Wade-San", Dave Barton, Week 21
BEST DRAFT PICKPAUL MILLSAP, LOS IGUANAS DE MARACAIBO
10th ROUND (113th PICK)
No one did more for their team while being picked at such a late stage in the draft than Maracaibo's Paul Millsap. Not only did he keep the Iguanas in first during the absence of injured Carlos Boozer, he did it so well that he made the All-Star team. Well played, Mr. Hopkin.
Runner-Up: Nate Robinson, Park City Sundancers
10th Round (119th Pick)
BEST WAIVER PICK-UPNENE, NEW YORK KINGS
As soon as the A-Boms dropped Nene during Week 1, TJ Barnes was there to scoop him up. Who knew the Brazilian phenom would end up being the starting center on the World Conference All-Star team? Not Commisioner Barnes, that's for sure! We tried to reach the A-Bom coach to ask him whether he regrets having dropped Nene, but he told us he couldn't hear us, he was busy polishing his Commisioner Barnes trophies.
Runner-Up: Andrea Bargnani, Park City Sundancers
DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE YEAR, TEAMSALT LAKE SNOWBEES
Forget the #2 preseason Power Ranking and the 9th place finish for a moment. Yes, that's one reason we're so very disappointed. But for a team returning Dirk Nowitzki and lucking out with the #1 draft choice, we expected much better.
Runner-Up: Bayside Tigers
DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE YEAR, PLAYERSHAWN MARION, SALT LAKE SNOWBEES
Speaking of #1 draft picks, Shawn Marion—formerly known as "the Matrix", formerly known as an All-Star EBP, formerly known as a good player—runs away with this year's award. It's not all Ted's fault that the SnowBees picked Marion over the likes of, um, everyone—part of the blame falls on ESPN. One wonders how the SnowBees' season would have turned out with Wade in their backcourt...
Runner-Up: Allen Iverson, Zermatt Abominables (traded to Richmond Butchers, see below)
MOST ONE-SIDED TRADEDAVE BARTON, PARK CITY SUNDANCERS
KEVIN DURANT FOR LAMARCUS ALDRIDGE AND HEDO TURKOGLU
For the second straight year, Barton pulled a fast one on an unsuspecting owner, this time swindling the St. George Underdogs by getting Kevin Durant for LaMarcus Aldridge and Hedo Turkoglu. At the time it appeared to be a logical move for the struggling U-Dogs, who needed help at the PF position. But then Durant blew up and, for a stretch, was one of the top three rated players in the league. There was even talk of Durant bumping Wade as the 'Dancers keeper. Who are you going to keep, St. George? Ben Gordon?
Runner-Up: Ben Barnes, Zermatt Abominables
Andre Iguodala for Allen Iverson
MOST ROSTER MOVESBEN BARNES, ZERMATT ABOMINABLES (17)
The mere 17 roster moves it took for the Champs to win this award again—almost half of last season's—can be attributed to the live draft, and the fact that many teams probably felt less need for wheeling and dealing. Ah, who are we kidding. This number is smaller because Barnes didn't initiate as many trades as before.
Runner-Up: Dave Barton, Park City Sundancers (11)
BEST WEEKLY TEAM PERFORMANCES
FG%—.567, Nephi Stratagem, Week 8
FT%—.921, Nephi Stratagem, Week 5
3PM—37, Los Iguanas de Maracaibo, Week 18
REB—167, St. George, Week 17
AST—100, Twin Falls Gators, Week 13; Zermatt Abominables, Week 18
STL—41, Richmond Butchers, Week 9
BLK—35, St George Underdogs, Week 3
TOS—18, Rigby Trojans, Week 9
PTS—464, Park City Sundancers, Week 19
All-time records in red.
