Around the Arena (Qualifying Game 1 Started, Topic 1 Posted)

<center><img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d42/DarthIntegral/aroundthearena.png"></center>

Around the Horn is the game of competitive banter, played on ESPN by sports columnists from around the USA.

Around the Arena is the game of competitive banter, played on TheForce.net's "The Arena" by users from around the world.

Here's how the game works:

Four players will sign up at a time.
Once four players are signed up, the game host (DarthIntegral) will start the game.

The game host will start by posting a topic from recent news in the world of sports. The four players will then have a minimum of 24 hours to debate the topic. The host will then close discussion on this topic, and award points to each of the players, based on the quality of their argument, statistics used, and sources cited (with possible bonuses for "inside information"). A second topic will then be posted, and the four players will have a minimum of 24 hours to debate the topic. The host will then again close discussion on the topic, and award points again. The first two topics will always be about headline events.

The game host will then transition to "buy or sell" questions, where a statement is given about a current event in sports, and the players are asked to buy or sell (agree or disagree with) the statement. Points are scored in a similar fashion to the first round, but generally are scored in lower amounts. Each question here will again be posted for a minimum of 24 hours before it is closed off. After all three questions have been scored; the player with the lowest cumulative score will be cut, and will be given a 24-hour game ban.

The game host will then issue a question about a topic that is controversial in nature from the world of sports, or that is barely related to the world of sports. Players will again be given 24 hours to debate the topic, and scoring will be done as before, but again, points will be given out in even lower amounts. At the end of the scoring, the player with the lowest score will be cut, and will be given a 24-hour game ban.

Finally, the two remaining players will go head-to-head to debate three final topics. Each player will be given one post to state their side, and the host will declare which side must go first. The host will then declare a winner for each of the head-to-head debates. The player that wins at least two of them will win the game, and the other player will receive a 24-hour game ban. The winner of the game will move forward to a championship round.

And the game will be repeated three times, until four players have moved onto a championship round. Then, we play the game as normal, only the winner receives one week of VIP, title, and custom colors.

If you are eliminated from a round, you are still eligible to play again in the next round. No reserve spots will be held. Sign-ups will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

To sign up for the first round, simply add your name to the list:

1.
2.
3.
4.

 

1.thesamman
2.
3.
4.

 

I'm prolly going to be awful at this until Football rolls around, but whatever.

1.thesamman
2.s65horsey
3.
4.

 

interesting. im game.

1.thesamman
2.s65horsey
3. eagle
4.

 

1.thesamman
2.s65horsey
3. eagle
4.StarWarsFreak444

 

[image=http://images.southparkstudios.com/media/images/310/310_urked_cartman.gif]
*** Dammit!!!!!


BTW, best game idea ever created, Inty.

 

Alright! Four people! Bring it on!!!

I agree. Best game idea ever.

Should I be serious or act like Woody Paige?

 

You should seriously use the name of your local newspapers, for the media outlet that you guys are representing.

 

Ugh...the Battalion sucks though.

 

ROFL. Dude you could write something really corny in your sig for every round, like the dry erase board the Woody's background.

Im michael smith, who "knows everything there is to know about Star Wars."

 

You're close enough to Houston, just use the Chronicle.

 

That's even worse! Although there has to be a city newspaper around here, I just need to figure out what it is called.

I like that idea, I think I shall write random stuff in my sig for every round. Its empty enough right now for me to do that.

 

This is the roster for the first game:

1. thesamman
2. s65horsey
3. eagle
4. ASG

I'll get the first topic up soon

 

damnit... I wanted to play.

 

ASG must've paid you a lot to kick out SWF.

 

Everyone has a price....

 

<img src="http://info.detnews.com/dn/pix/2005/09/08/sports/billups.jpg">
Chauncey Billups has opted out of his contract with the Detroit Pistons. His agent says that his first intention is to come back to Detoit, but that if they're unable to make a deal there, he has an obligation to "look at other possibilities that will provide long-term security for Chauncey and his family".

I guess the nearly $7 million he would have made next year couldn't provide his family long-term security.

Let's go Around the Arena with three questions:

What team provides the best fit for Billups?

and

What uniform is Billups wearing next season?

and

Exactly what type of money is Chauncey Billups worth?

 

Detroit needs to pay him. He averaged over 18 PPG in the playoffs, leading the team. He's probably the best shooter they've got, and that means a bunch, considering the offensive meltdown we witnessed against Cleveland those last four games. Bluntly put, they need him on their team. Folks, we're talking about a former finals MVP here.

What team provides the best fit for Billups?

Call me a bum but DETROIT!! They're a perennial play off threat year after year. Their defense means opportunities aplenty and Billups is clearly the go-to guy when you need the big shot. No big star to take the passes away from him in Motown, either.

What uniform is Billups wearing next season?

Minnesota looks like a real option as of now. They're on the verge of losing Kevin Garnett and it looks like Troy Hudson wants out too. That will open the doors wide up to Minnesota who WILL pay him. He's not helping his playoff chances much, but hey, it's about the money, right?


Exactly what type of money is Chauncey Billups worth?

Depends on the team. He's a good fit for Detroit, but Detroit's power is in balance and control, not stardom. He doesn't need more than 10 mil/year. The Timberwolves, it would be different. Billups is a proven play off baller, he's got a ring, and he would bring experience. Give him 10-12 with the T-Wolves.

 

nice idea Inty

 

Detroit needs to pay him, but whether they [/]will[/i] pay him, is the question. They've made it to the conference finals the last several years, true, but only went on to one championship, and though they won it, it was against a conflicted Laker team that was already falling apart.

They lost Larry Brown after that season, regardless of how, and why it happened(though, I'm convinced it wasn't onesided, in the longrun). They then replaced him with Flip Saunders, who, I'm sorry Inty, couldn't manage to take his former team the Timberwolves, anywhere, even though he couldn't get anywhere with the greatness that is Kevin Garnett, as his star player, and leader.

Plainly put, the Pistons organization has made many mistakes since their last championship season. They lost a star head coach, they lost Ben Wallace to free agency, and now it looks like they may lose Billups. He says he wants to make a deal there first and foremost, but will the Pistons pay up? They obviously made no attempt to restructure his contract, before he opted out, so I'm gonna say that they are very uncertain about what they want for the future.

At this point, it may be best to lose a player like Billips, to free some cap space, and concentrate on what may become available.
Restructuring may be what it takes, to get the Pistons back on track.

What team provides the best fit for Billups?
That's really a loaded question as he will be able to demand a healthy paycheck, and Detroit is one of the few teams that was already structured to handle him. I think he'll do what he can to stay in Detroit, because he does want to be on a team that is already setup, to at least be competitive. I could see a move to a team like the Bulls, or the Cavs, if they made some room with some of their capspace. He's unrestricted, so he doesn't have to worry about leaving the Eastern conference. Minnesota would be a good fit, if Garnett leaves, they'll certainly have the capspace, but I'd think Billups would hesitate to move teams, and leagues, if it didn't include a chance to at least be a contender.

I'll add this, and mark my words, if Kobe Bryant does get a trade, the Lakers aren't going to get near the value for him, and that might make a little space on the Lakers for Billups, should his "Wanting to stay with the Pistons, first and foremost" statements just be a PR statement.

What uniform is Billups wearing next season?
I'm gonna have to go with Detroit, but that's only because the opportunities aren't particularly any more tempting, than staying in Detroit. Unless there are some internal problems that we don't know about, Billups is probably wisest to stay there. In fact, the ball is probably in the Pistons organization's court now, as they are no longer obligated to offer the sum he was guaranteed before he opted out.


Exactly what type of money is Chauncey Billups worth?
It really depends on where he ends up, and how much money he's willing to give up, to stay, or move to a winning team that has potential to make a run. If he's in it just for the money, than Milwaukee, and Memphis, as well as Minnesota(if Garnett leaves) will probably be the best equipped teams that are able to meet his monetarily demands.

 

He wants to test the market, let him. But he'll then realize where he's gonna go that's a better team than he is on now?

What team provides the best fit for Billups?

Alot of teams have a need at PG. But the only true fit I see is Detroit. Atlanta wont take him, and Milwaukee and Memphis have cap space but probably not enough for what he thinks he is worth.

What uniform is Billups wearing next season?

PURPLE AND GOLD!!!!! Seriously though he'll be back in Detroit. Joe Dumars is very confident his offer to him will be better or equal of that of other teams. He wont move on to a better team, to be honest i think he's peaked. He's still good but he's on the downside of his career now.

Exactly what type of money is Chauncey Billups worth?

The amount he's being paid right now. But he'll end up making 8-10 million a year. A proven ball player he is and a finals mvp but that was 3 years ago. You have to remember he's a 30 year old point guard and teams that have the money IMO will be hesitant to give him 10 mill a year for 30 year old legs.

 

First off, I hate when players do this. Oh gee, I need to feel more special so I'm going to free agent to see how much I'm worth. As if 7 billion dollars isn't enough.

What team provides the best fit for Billups?

I actually think that Detroit isn't the best fit for Billups anymore. I think at 30 yrs old (and entering the backside of his career), if Billups wants a team that gonna make it to the NBA Championship, he needs to leave Detroit. Detroit is going downhill. So a team that is on the rise would be a good fit for Billups. One like Milwaukee or Memphis.

What uniform is Billups wearing next season?

I am going to go out on a limb and say that Billups is going to be wearing a Cleveland uniform. Cleveland is a team on the rise and they beat Detroit this year badly, but got beat themselves. They need another player to compliment Lebron and I say Billups is it.

Exactly what type of money is Chauncey Billups worth?

He's worth what Detroit would've paid him, so look for him to get an offer comparable to what Detroit offered.

 

This is a great game idea

 

Sure, Billups isn't exactly chugging down the fountain of youth, but Inty, he's still playing at a high level. The Finals MVP prize was a few years ago, but that's a heck of a lot more than what a lot of players can boast about.

Cleveland looks possible. The Lakers talk is nonsense. If we're gonna believe every press report, Kobe is still conflicted about whether or not he wants one, and how bad he wants it. LA needs Kobe like Cleveland needs LeBron. Kobe has admitted to loving the Lakers more than the average star loves his team. He wants to win, and he can win with LA; they need the younger guys to step up, and they need a better defense. What they don't need (and what I can't see either Kobe or Billups wanting) is another high profile PG.

Detroit will wise up and pay the man. You can already make the argument that the departure of Ben Wallace has hurt them and helped a growing threat in the East. They dont want to lose another guy with real talent.

And all the doom and gloom talk about Detroit is just crazy. They got beat by Cleveland, yeah; but it's universally agreed on that Detroit was STILL the better team. They lost, yes; but they were, and are now, the better team. They're a great team with a real chance to get back into the Finals next season. Chauncey wants another ring, if his heart is still beating. Detroit is a good place to get one.