A GREAT SEASON!!!

">

A Difficult Start

Well, tonight was tough. We were down 25 points and fought our way back but just didn't have it at the end.

The game wasn't lost in OT, it was lost in the first quarter. We can blame the officiating in the first two quarters-we can blame a lot of things but in the end it is on us. We put ourselves in a tough spot and didn't get ourselves out of it.

The upside is that we were the best road team in the league. If anyone could pull it off it would be our guys. It won't be easy but we still have some fight in us.

Win or go home!!!

Brandt Andersen

The Big Show

There is huge drama brewing for the first game of the D League Finals tonight between The Flash and the Colorado 14ers.

First of all we put a beating on them when we won two in a row in our doubleheader just over a week ago. Those wins started a mad sprint to the end of the season for us that resulted in the #2 playoff spot.

This was particularly painful after their head coach told several people during the showcase that "the Flash are cheaters" and "we will easily win again". That's right Bob-your comments were circulated.

Now that we have both made it to the finals there is some tension. Our guys saw the way he acted and for that and many other reasons they want a win. They want a championship.

So Bob if you are reading, try to control your emotions tonight-our fans are kids and families and they expect a certain level of professionalism.

Just know that we will not go down without a fight.

Brandt Andersen

The D League Finals

Bring on the finals.

Dakota played a good game in front of a tough crowd.

We have had a great showing of home fans who have come out in strong numbers for the playoffs. This has not been the case for every playoff team so thank you to our fans. It really does make a huge difference. It is very noticable in the reaction we see from the opposing team. Some just can't handle it. Coincidentally, Colorado is one of those teams that really let the Utah crowd get under their skin.

I could not be happier with the fact that we are playing the 14ers in the Championship. My distate for their head coach is no great secret, but more importantly is that we are playing the team with the best regular season record. That is perfect-I wouldn't have it any other way.

The Flash are on a good run. Let's keep it going.

Brandt Andersen

Bring on the Wizards

The Wizards are here tonight. This is going to be a very exciting game. I caught the redeye back from Oahu, Hawaii last night to be here so I am anxiously awaiting game time.

The Wizards give us some reason for concern. First, we lost Kosta. He helped us with our low post depth and was a scorer. He will be missed but it is understandable that he had to go. A few of our guys who have not seen as much time will really need to step up-B Davis, C Wheeler, and James Lang are going to get some big minutes tonight. I guess we will see if we have the depth or not.

The guys are in the right place for this game. They are loose and having fun and had a good shoot around today. Tonight is the only game that matters right now.

Let me take you back two years. Dakota came into our arena and spoiled our franchise opener at the buzzer. We were up by one point with 1 second remaining and Kevin Lyde hit a catch-and-shoot fade away shot to hand us our first ever loss at home. We have actually never beat Dakota. Their style of play has frustrated our guys. They also have a team of veterans who know how to play through these situations.

Come on out and yell loud. One victory to put us in the 2009 D League Finals.

We need a win.

Brandt Andersen

The playoffs

We are enjoying our first franchise playoff victory with our win over the JAM. The guys are loose, and we scrapped this one out.

We have very good synergy going. The guys are enjoying the ride and looking forward to the next game. The mood in the locker room is upbeat. Guys are dancing and enjoying the entire experience.

We had a nice crowd tonight that brought great energy to the arena. I believe there were about 4,000 people. Someone asked me why we hadn't sold out the arena given that it was playoffs. Unfortunatley playoffs in the D League are not quite like playoffs in the NBA. You can't count on a first round against Kobe and the Lakers. The billboards from the Jazz which advertise "want playoff tickets, get season tickets." is a great campaign and well worth it for Jazz ticket holders but unfortunately not something that would sell us out. For us advertising playoffs is a little more tricky.

Thanks to our season ticket holders who bought playoff tickets and who have already renewed tickets for next season. You make it fun and have really helped the team through the past several games. The guys notice it.

Reading from the online blogs and reports, we are an underdog. According to some, our bench is not 'deep enough'. Watch out though-the Flash are on a good run right now. You wouldn't want the readers questioning your basketball IQ-good time to hedge those words.

Brandt Andersen

2009 Western Conference Champions

Last night was amazing. Really the last week has been special for us.

We knew on Tuesday when we lost to LA we might have to win out to become the western conference champions. We knew that would be a tall order because we were playing Anaheim, Colorado (34-16) twice, and Idaho (who had beat us 4 of 5 times).

Sometimes fate smiles.

There was tremendous celebrating by the guys and we brought everyone out to sign autographs to say thanks to our fans.

We are playing our first ever home playoff game on Wed at 7pm. We are going to make this a show like Flash fans have never seen. Bring your friends and family and let's try to pack the McKay Events Center.

Brandt Andersen

A Memorable Night

Last night was amazing. For the 4500 fans in attendance we got what we paid for.

After we won that first game there was no stopping us. The mood of the guys in the locker room was almost undescriable. We were really playing up. I was having a great time and was loving every minute.

Did anyone see the reaction of the head coach of the Colorado 14ers-Bob MacKinnon? I have rarely seen such a poor display of sportsmanship. After losing the first game he claimed he was not coming back out onto the court. He was yelling and swearing at anyone he could find. Then after losing the second game he refused to shake the hand of our coach. I hate losing as much as anyone but that type of behavior is unacceptable. I know those were tough losses but they were meaningless to the 14ers. They still have the best record in the league and they still have home court advantage throughout the playoffs. That was a classless display and I hope the league takes action against him for his behavior. For about a minute I considered saying something to him but there was nothing that was going to break my mood last night. Flash prevailed.

As good as those wins were we need to win tonight to close this out. If we win tonight we will be the 2nd seed in the playoffs and if we don't we will be the 5th seed. Home court or no home court. So as happy as we were last night tonight is even bigger. We need a win.

See you in a few hours.

Brandt Andersen

A second chance

In minor league baseball the double header is not unusual.

In minor league basketball there is no such thing as a double header. Until now. Tomorrow the Flash will replay the final 25 seconds of the game that was botched by the Colorado scoring staff when we played in Colorado back in December. In the final 25 seconds the scoring staff fouled out Bill Walker. The problem was Bill only had 5 fouls. To the credit of the NBA when they reviewed the tape they recognized the mistake and ruled that the game should be replayed.

So tomorrow night at 6:30 we will play the final 25 seconds of that game. Colorado will have the ball and the game is tied.

Following the replay game we will play our regurally scheduled game against Colorado. They are good. Last night they scored 155 points points against Albequerque-so we will have our hands full.

Make sure you are at the game on time as these games may be the difference between a home court playoff game and a long plane flight.

Brandt Andersen

Flash need to pull it together.

The season in the D League is long for the players, especially those that have just come out of college.

As I have seen it there are really three parts to the season. Early on the guys start the season with great energy but they are typically not in game-shape and they do not understand the plays. For those straight out of college or other leagues, often they do not have good flow for the pro game.

About midseason the guys get into a grove, and with a little luck and if the coach has done his job well, things will start to click. During this entire time you are trying to get wins. That never changes.

Then you get to the final 1/4 of the season. The guys know at this point if an NBA team was looking at them they would have had some indication. They realize 'I am now playing for my D League salary' and some disappointment sets in. Now the guys who should be in the NBA keep playing-keep hustling-because they know there is still time to get setup for a summer league team or a contract for next year. These are the guys you really want to see succeed.

We are fighting our way through right now. This is a tough week and although we made the playoffs last night there was no celebration. We lost. And we shouldn't have lost the way we did.

Tonight is crucial. For us the playoffs are meaningful if we get homecourt advantage. It remains in our hands but there is not much time left. We need a win.

Brandt Andersen

A Tribute To A Great Man

I typically try to keep things about my family off the blog. I know you would rather hear about Basketball and for the most part I try to stick to that.

Having said that, I couldn't help but take a moment and give tribute to my Dad. This weekend he was named one of the Twelve Apostles for the Mormon Church. This means that for the rest of his life he will focus on running the church and helping others.

It will come as no surprise to hear me say that my Dad is a very good man. It does not matter what religion you come from (or none at all) you would find my Dad to be a caring and thoughtful person. A friend commented this morning that "he is one of those rare people who asks you a question and then really listens". He asks because he cares about others much more than himself.

Although I did not grow up rich, the one thing I always knew about my Dad was that he would not put his needs in front of those of my brother, two sisters and I. He is someone who is the same in private as he is in public. You get what you see-no secrets.

I love him and am proud of him.

Brandt Andersen

Are you coming to the game?

The last thing my son asked me before he fell asleep last night was "Dad are you going to be at my last basketabll game?". I didn't even hesitate "wouldn't miss it for the world".

Although I was an average player my little guy is averaging about 18 points a game. Don't ask for any other stats (we don't keep any others). Let's just say shooting is his strength. Assists and rebounds are more a matter of circumstance at that age.

Well, it wasn't until this morning that I realized his last game starts at 7pm tonight. That's right Flash Fans-the Flash game also starts at 7pm.

So when you don't see me in my seat at 7pm you will know I am watching the 'mini fox' try to break his single game scoring record of 26 points in the Provo Youth League.

Cheer loud-we can put some distance between us and the Stampede with a win tonight.

Brandt Andersen