When we first announced the matchups for this historic quest, the people were most irate about Mike James being a #1 seed, and even being included at all.
You the people have made your feelings clear, and in a stunning upset John Lucas III pulled off the first round victory over James by just 6(!) votes in our most voted on poll.
With the “Amityville Scorer” out of the way, Andrea Bargnani seemingly has a clear path to the final if he makes it out of his region. Meanwhile the other side will require a player to go through the ringer against the likes of Turkoglu, Hoffa, Rudy Gay and Alonzo Mourning.
We’ve reached the Salty Sixteen Raps fans. Let’s get to the voting.
Wings - #1 Hedo Turkoglu vs. #5 John Salmons
Turk advanced in a landslide, while Salmons had a sizeable victory over Shawn Marion, earning 66% of the vote in their matchup.
What similarities can we draw between these two for the tale of the tape in this 2nd round battle? Let’s just say they’re favourites of The Starters own Tas Melas:
#NBAFinals Eve dinner is NBA inspired: (John) Salmons — pic.twitter.com/Jfur51nnn0
— Tas Melas (@TasMelas) June 4, 2015
Poll
Who was more unpopular?
This poll is closed
-
88%
Hedo Turkoglu
-
11%
John Salmons
Wings - #2 Rudy Gay vs. #3 Linas Kleiza
Teammates for half of a season in 2013 after Gay came over post deadline, they meet up here with a chance to (most likely) meet up with Turkoglu for a chance at the Unforgettable Four.
Kleiza’s contract was blown away into thin air via the amnesty clause after that season finished, and Zach Lowe called the move as soon as the trade went through at Grantland:
Kleiza is the surest amnesty bet in the league for this summer, since the acquisition of Gay leaves the Raptors with about $72 million in projected payroll next season for 11 players, assuming they waive Hamed Haddadi. They’ll be right at the tax, and so Kleiza will almost certainly go. He has a fantastic beard.
Will Kleiza be amnestied from this tournament too? Vote!
Poll
Who was more unpopular?
Big Men 1 - #1 Rafael Araujo vs. #4 Alek Radojevic
Two absolute flops of 1st round picks meet up in the 2nd round of the first region of big men, and man was it tough to find anything in terms of highlights for these two.
No video exists of Radojevic, and since we already showed you Hoffa’s missed dunk against the Bobcats in Round 1, here’s him starting a summer league fight in 2006 as a member of the Jazz.
That crowd was playoff loud too. Bring back the Rocky Mountain Review.
Poll
Who was more unpopular?
This poll is closed
-
90%
Rafael Araujo
-
9%
Alek Radojevic
Big Men 1 - #2 Alonzo Mourning vs. #3 Michael Bradley
After going down far too deep a rabbit hole on the Alonzo Mourning situation, the best quote came from a Robert McLeod piece in which Mourning absolutely shuts down the sell job of Rob Babcock (LOL) on why Toronto would be a good move for him:
"They said, 'Look, we want you to be a mentor to our young guys,' " Mourning said. "I've got kids, man, I'm not trying to bother any young guys any more.
On Bradley’s side of things, he’s living large as the owner of a yoga studio.
Poll
Who was more unpopular?
This poll is closed
-
90%
Alonzo Mourning
-
9%
Michael Bradley
Guards - #8 John Lucas III vs. #5 Shawn Respert
The only all upset matchup of the first round seemingly becomes the ultimate matchup of irrelevance, as both guys barely had an impact on the court as a Rap.
Let’s decide based on interview entertainment value.
Alright maybe I was cheating with John Lucas mic’d up, not in a formal interview but DAMN HE CAN SING.
Poll
Who was more unpopular?
This poll is closed
-
50%
John Lucas III
-
49%
Shawn Respert
Guards - #2 Milt Palacio vs. #6 Chris Childs
Two guards who couldn’t shoot a lick matchup in what should be one of the most tightly contested matchups of the 2nd round.
One thing you might ask, is where are these dudes now?
Chris Childs was recently on the Truehoop pod talking about his career and Knicksdom and as of seven years ago, Milt Palacio was running open gyms in Ottawa.
Poll
Who was more unpopular?
This poll is closed
-
49%
Milt Palacio
-
50%
Chris Childs
Big Men 2 - #1 Andrea Bargnani vs. #5 Jerome Moiso
Shooters shoot.
Poor Jerome Moiso might not even get one vote!
Poll
Who was more unpopular?
This poll is closed
-
87%
Andrea Bargnani
-
12%
Jerome Moiso
Big Men 2 - #2 Jermaine O’Neal vs. #6 Anthony Bennett
They really went out and compared O’Neal and Chris Bosh to David Robinson and Tim Duncan. [extreme Stephen A. Smith voice] GLENN SCHIILER, HOW COULD YOU SAY SOMETHING SO BLASPHEMOUS?!?!
Also blasphemous, this next video being Anthony Bennett’s Raptors career highlight.
Poll
Who was more unpopular?
This poll is closed
-
67%
Jermaine O’Neal
-
32%
Anthony Bennett
Get your votes in before Sunday night folks. We need y’all!