Even in the coldest days of the calendar year the Heavens bring forth the warmth and joy of celebration.
Today, we celebrate the Captain of The Greens, the original Greater Grand Rapids Liger, Sam Awry.
43 years this earth has been blessed with the smooth notes, subtle tones and an unwavering ability to bring the triumphant noise of life to every tribe.
For the last 5 years, we’ve had the privilege of having this guy around in our league and lives.
For that, we are truly blessed.
Thank you, Sam.
Turns out, the Princess gets what she wants. This time, it’s an All-Star trio to put on the floor in 2021.
Jill Green, owner/GM of the Greens, made it known over the weekend that her objective during the 2021 season was to surround the team’s cornerstone player, Dr. Weed, with a group of hustlers that could meld together quickly this off-season to put together a championship run.
Monday afternoon she did just that. The Greens have sent their 1st, 2nd & 5th round draft picks in 2020 to the Buzz and agreed to a pick-flip in rounds 3 & 4 to bring Sam Awry and B Stacks over to the greener side of the fence. Both Awry and Stacks have played for Beer City Hoops in previous tournaments, including the Battle of the Gains 2019 on Calder Plaza in downtown Grand Rapids. Green, as she said Monday, “saw what they’re able to do on the court as teammates last summer and (we) want that hoops knowledge on our team”.
If teams are worried about the free agent market, this should prod the anxiety nerve in GMs around the league. Awry’s canny ability to recruit late in the game is remarkable. Look at the wake of players attributed to his being in the league. (We’ll count six, currently.) B Stacks has opened the airways of opportunity for two potential draftees this off-season.
With Dr. Weed’s leadership and veteran presence, Sam Awry’s ability to get people on the same page and B Stacks being the emotional Magic of the squad, Greens now has a Big Three akin to the likes of Dennis Johnson, Jim Paxson and Robert Parrish from the ’87 Celtics. Add in Trip, aka “Four Corners Eau Claire” aka Larry Bird, and this team is just a rock-and-roll band from Boston.
Buzz GM Grizzly Doug, namesake of the MVP Trophy, owner/operator of the team and Little River Woodworks- Croton, was willing to saw the root stump off the current team to start over on a new canvas of hoops for 2021. Burning his own flesh into the team’s outer layer like a cattle brand, this sawyer knows when to cut and run. Now was the right time to Buzz off.
The haul? It’s Yuge! The Buzz now have two 1st’s, two 2nd’s, two 5th’s and flipped their 3rd & 4th with Greens in the upcoming draft on December 8th. That’s eight picks!!! The architect is drawing up plans; step one – foundation.
Sources throughout the league continue to believe Sam Awry and B Stacks will be traded by the Buzz sometime before the Gr3g League draft on Tuesday December 8th.
While no official word from the Buzz (or any team for that matter) has been announced or discussed in public, sources familiar with the situation who wish to remain anonymous talk about this being “openly talked about within the GM circle” and that the Buzz wants “as many draft picks” as possible for the duo whether shipped out together or in separate deals.
The Reds‘ GM is on record, allegedly, denouncing the path Buzz leadership have taken over the past year during the pandemic. We don’t have that audio. “Get your sh!+ together” is his motto, but it’s a bit surprising to show such emotion. We don’t believe the Reds are a true contender for either player.
City, Crew, Nines & Greens all have the assets necessary to pull off such a deal. If any one of them willing to make a major splash pre-draft, our bet is on the Crew. What the trade wouldn’t do for these teams is add size.
The Gr3g League Draft takes place on December 8, 2020.
News coming out of the Buzz camp is that ownership and management are contemplating a complete rebuild of the roster for the 2021 season.
With the completion of pre-season games, the upcoming Draft becomes the building block for the newest expansion team in the Gr3g League. The “buzz around town”, pardon our theft Mr. Goebel, is that both Sam Awry and B Stacks could be on the move as soon as Thursday night.
The Yellow Jackets could add as many as 3 picks for each player and set themselves up for a run at a title in 2022.
The Buzz is currently located outside Broadleaf Beer in Grand Rapids, MI.
Check the “Broad Board” for a free pint from the League, if you’re In Gear AND Pay It Forward!