Sandia Labs Basketball Association (SLBA) Superstar Craig Vineyard is a member of the 'Lamers' for the Summer '07 season. Note Vineyard had no say in the poorly selected name but rather was signed as a free agent despite becoming eligible barely before the season began (details of both his signing bonus and lucrative contract are both unknown at this point in time).
In the SLBA, games are full court forty minute games played four on four as a consequence of the shorter than offical length of the floor. League rules stricly prohibit dunking so unfortunately there will be no above the rim highlight reels from Vineyard. Rumor has it, if there were actually an All-Star break and Slam Dunk contest he'd be the favorite to win the slam dunk contest and surely an All-Star game starter due to his strong fan base.
| Date: | Opponent: | Outcome: | Approx. Stats: |
| 13 June 07 | Pumpin Pumpkins | W | 20 Pts, 8 Rbds, 9 Asts |
| 20 June 07 | Sandia Ballers | W | 15 Pts, 6 Rbds, 4 Asts |
| 27 June 07 | Leftovers | L | 12 Pts, 5Rbds, 3Asts |
| 11 July 07 | Last Minute | L | 20 Pts, 6 Rbds, 4 Asts |
| 18 July 07 | Tap Out | L | 15 Pts, 6 Rbds, 4 Asts, 11 Blks |
| 25 July 07 | Don't Shoot | L | 8 Pts, 8 Rbds, 9 Asts, 2 Blks |
| 1 Aug 07 | Free Agents | L | 6 Pts, 6 Rbds, 5 Asts, 1 Blk |
| 8 Aug 07 | Airball | L | 20 Pts, 8 Rbds, 5 Asts, 1 Blk |
| 15 Aug 07 | Pumpin Pumpkins | W!!! | 17 Pts, 7 Rbds, 5 Asts, 1 Blk |
| 22 Aug 07 | Red Alert | W | 15 Pts, 6 Rbds, 4 Asts, 2 Blks, 1 Stl |
| 29 Aug 07 | TBD |
22 July 07:
Despite Vineyard's all around performance leading his team in many statistical categories they are unfortunately on a 3 game losing streak. In the last game, Vineyard
played his fewest minutes on the season (~ 32) in a game the Lamers should have won. Having led the entire game until the last second shot by Tap Out, the Lamers were even
up by 10 with 5 minutes to go in the 40 minute game. Tap Out made the go ahead basket with only 4 seconds remaining on the clock. After quickly passing in the ball Jason
on the Lamers put up an attempted game winning shot which missed left, and Vineyard was unable to convert a running offbalance attempted tap in to tap out the opponents.
28 July 07:
In yet another disappointing loss Vineyard played the full 40 minutes and went head to head against the star player of the other team. In an entertaining battle the two
made it quite difficult for one another pressing each other the full length of the court. Unfortunately the opposing team was considerably younger and quicker than the
Lamers and as a result Vineyard was frequently on the short end of 3 on 1 and 2 on 1 fast breaks by Don't Shoot. This was Vineyard's lowest point total yet this season
although he still played decently all around with yet another near triple double.
8 August 07:
Another frustrating loss....6 straight now. The Lamers remained close all game, but could never get over the hump. Trailing by as few as two and
three most of the second half turnovers, poor team defense, and not enough scoring allowed Airball to pull away with four minutes left and the Lamers never got back within
eight points. Vineyard was at a loss for words after the game and could not help but begin to feel like Kevin Garnet prior to being traded to Boston. No matter what he
tries to do for his team it just never seems to be enough. Playing the full forty minutes, scoring almost exactly one third of his teams points, playing every position on
the floor from jumping center to running the point it simply was not enough.
This marks the end of a disapointing regular season...Vineyard just hopes for some life from his team beginning next week in the first round of the playoffs.
15 August 07:
Victory! In the opening round of the 3 week tournament, the Lamers were finally able to get the longly anticipated win. Vineyard finally got some help, with the
addition
of his friend Emil to the team. With the entire scoring burden no longer on his shoulders, Vineyard was able to play a relatively well rounded game while still leading the
Lamers in scoring. The Lamers lead throughout most of the game except for a brief span at the start of the second half. After a quick timeout to regroup, the Lamers
regained the lead and held on to finish out the game never letting the Pumpin Pumpkins get closer than four.
Unfortunately however, with the upcoming school semester beginning the week of 20 August 2007, Vineyard has most likely played his last game for the season considering
he
has a schedule conflict with one of his classes occuring concurrently with the playoff schedule. It is rumored that his presence will be sorely missed and the rest of the
Lamers are most likely in morning.
22 August 07:
In a suprise showing Vineyard was able to play another game as his night class let out early. Seriously not expecting to be able to make the game, Vineyard's legs were
already fatigured from running the day before, however he was still able to play 36 or 37 minutes with high energy. Overcoming a seven point halftime deficit, the Lamers
were able to play great man defense in the second half pulling away from Red Alert so that they were never closer than within seven with four minutes remaining.
This victory propells the Lamers to the championship game of the lower bracket. Unfortunately, once again Vineyard is highly unlikely to play unless once again his
class
ends early and depending upon the to be determined championship game time.