Not all games are thrilling

Huima vs Kipinä derby

Last season, this same fixture – and I was there.

The game was a nail biting 101-102 result and a thrilling game. This time, the game went 62-101, the league table did hint at a one-sided game. But I was still expecting a little bit more from the game.

Huima did have few players missing – so that surely did not help them, but still. Almost 40 point gap in the local derby… that must’ve hurt the players and fans.

Stats

Looking at the box score – and feeling like..’ What can I say??’

The three imports for Kipinä – 82 points for them, each one getting a double-double.

Now, it’s easy for me to write about stuff – I can’t play the game, I can’t coach the game.. And sure – the reason for the imports for scoring.. it probably is that the domestic players are not able to fill the same role.

Take nothing away from the solid performances by the Americans (sorry if some of you are Canadian or Australian.. or just ‘non-American’) – but guess in the Finnish league.. it is sometimes nice to see the Finnish players succeed.

And that was on the show last night – Kipinä sent out couple of youngsters : Eetu Viiru and Arttu Siekkinen .. and I believe Viiru scored his first points in the M1D A (two three’s) and the whole bench jumped up to celebrate these.. even if they were up by 30 points.

Huima gave a debut (??) for one of their players Sulo Paju – who did not get on the scoresheet, but got valuable minutes.

Perhaps it is just me, but it does look like when the local youngsters come on the court.. the crowd gets up for the game. Even if the gap is 30 or 40 points. This might not be the win-at-all-costs basketball… but it is so nice to see local kids/men given the game time!

What’s next

Kipinä keep their place in the league, as they are on the second place – behind ACO Basket, and keep the pressure on Karkkila as the two teams battle for the second place in the league.

If the remaining games go as the league table suggests – then Karkkila and Kipinä will end with the same amount of wins.. but as Kipinä have 2-0 record on the head-to-head games. They will take the #2 spot when teams head into play-offs.

Huima are second from the bottom, but with the games coming up (including a BIG one against LrNMKY) they have a decent chance to get up a place or two before the end of the season.

Hmmm..

Sometimes.. when the game just doesn’t catch ‘fire’ – even the article shows it. So – many apologies, both me … and the teams.. will try harder next time!