R. Killiam, #33
[PG] Starter
6-4, 205 lbs

As the starting point guard, Killiam is responsible for the majority of handling the ball, which means I control him a lot. Therefore, I want him to be a mature, decisive true point guard who passes over shooting. In reality, Killiam is a hyper, scatterbrained gentleman, so I used a little creative license. #33 is from his AIM screenname.

A. Stets, #80
[PG] Bench
6-2, 185 lbs

Though a man of small stature, Stets is, in many ways, larger than life. So, I wanted him to be a complete banger - able to "penetrate" any defense and throw down crazy dunks. #80 is from his AIM screenname.

A. Barrion, #40
[PG] Alternate
6-4, 190 lbs

Barrion is a co-worker who runs many projects I've been a part of. Therefore, I added him as an old vet who could help run the show in times of desperate need. #40 is Barrion's age!

J. Cretz, #99
[SG] Starter
6-6, 215 lbs

Cretz is a famously annoying friend of mine so fitting him in as a stiffling, defensive specialist shooting guard was such a natural decision. He was also very big into school spirit, so I was originally going to give him #3 (since he graduated college in 03) but since that was my number, I gave him #99 (the year he graduated from high school).

J. Powell, #1
[SG] Starter
6-6, 215 lbs

Powell was an old coworker from my job back in Virginia and he actually was a basketball player through at least high school. He was a shooting point guard but was taller than the people on my friends I installed as point guards so I bumped him up to backup shooting guard. #1 was for no real reason ... just seemed like it'd be his number.

S. Syckes, #3
[SF] Starter
6-7, 205 lbs

I am finally Dirk! I made myself a slashing small forward as it's my second favorite position (point guard, my favorite, already had a logjam) and I'm much better a slasher than a shooter. #3 is my favorite number and appears in my aim screenname.

S. Syckes, #81
[SF] Bench
6-8, 210 lbs

El Stever is the backup small forward (as we're pretty much the same size) and 6th man - he'd come in and I would move down to shooting guard. He's not much of a defender, passer, or slasher in real life but has a decent shot so he's a deadly, pure shooter in the game. #81 is from his screenname.

B. Jones, #52
[PF] Starter
6-10, 220 lbs

Jonesey and I played many a game of basketball back in our day and he always had the upperhand. He was taller and a better shooter than I, so I made him a pure shooting power forward (but made my character a little better ... hey, this is my fantasy, ok?). #52 stands for the 52 cards in a deck for his addiction, poker.

A. Perroy, #2
[PF] Bench
6-10, 240 lbs

Both of the Perroys, my twin roommates, were combined into one Voltron-like behemoth for the Ballas. I made them a bruiser and a banger with limited scoring touch as I could see them in that role in real life. #2 represents the fact that this player is really 2-in-1.

B. Schumin, #11
[PF] Alternate
6-9, 245 lbs

I've been a life-long follower of The Schumin Web, so when I needed a 12th man on my team I decided to pay homage to this famous blogger. He's a banging power forward but was seldom used. I can't for the life of me recall why I made him #11.

W. Bert, #72
[C] Starter
7-2, 260 lbs

Bert was the tallest friend of mine throughout high school but wasn't the biggest of gentlemen, proportionately. Thus, I made him a finesse center, with a bit of a shooting touch (nothing further than mid-range). #72 is from his aim screenname.

J. Armstrong, #6
[C] Bench
7-0, 280 lbs

The backup center for the Ballas is Armstrong, a coworker here in New York. He's a beefy guy that shows a lot of emotion during our ping pong matches so I made him a banging center. #6 was for ... actually I have no clue.