Here we remember the good and the bad of the CAL CUP Playoffs.
Winter 2003
The overall favorites for the championship were the Sixers who marched into the postseason with one loss. There first round opponent would be the 8th grade Magic who were called in to replace the dispanded Blazers. The Magic would make their presence felt that summer but it wasn't their night losing to the Sixers by 5. The Sixers though were shocked on day 2 when the Nuggets had there last franchise victory, an upset of epic proportions. While the Nuggets had the upset of the day, the win jumped the "Schaffer-Rated" Grizzlies into the lead for the CAL Cup. The Grizzlies had only lost twice all year, both games they didn't have Schaffer. They easily handled both of their opponents. With it being a two loss elimination tournament, teams had second chances at redemption. The Magic won their losers bracket game by forfeit over the Lakers while the T'Wolves, coming off a loss to the dominant Cavs, played the Spurs. With the lead fluctuating all game, the Spurs pulled the game out and officially knocked the T'Wolves out. But problems arouse at halftime of that game when a near brawl erupted between the Spurs and members of the Blazers. The ramifications of this altercation were felt later that week when word came that the CAL Cup playoffs were to be shut down. A dark cloud was shed over our league which we still feel today.
1st Round
1 Sixers beat 8 Magic
2 Grizzlies beat 7 Spurs
3 Cavs beat 6 T'Wolves
5 Nuggets beat 4 Lakers
2nd Round
Winners Bracket
5 Nuggets beat 1 Sixers
2 Grizzlies beat 3 Cavs
Losers Bracket
7 Spurs beat 6 T'Wolves
8 Magic beat 4 Lakers
Summer 2003:
After the bitter feeling left in many's stomachs following the inagural CAL Cup, the Summer League's version kicked into high gear last August. With an increase in competitiveness, anyone could win it all. This fact wasn't more evident than when the 8th seeded Clippers faced off against the 1st seeded Magic. The Magic came roaring into the postseason with only one loss all season, but were the underdogs for their 1st round game. Thats because the Clippers sent out a team with Phil Schaffer, Rich Coccodrilli, Doug Stranges, Tom Sullivan, and Bill Kryzk. Still, the Magic responded how they did all summer, with a gritty team effort. Their shocking first round upset proved anyone could win. The best game of the tournament though took place between the 4th seeded Cavs and their rival the 5th seeded T'Wolves. If you remember, both teams met in the inaugural CAL Cup playoffs with the Cavs winning. This game proved to be one of the best ever, with it going into overtime after Larry Alburry missed a game sealing dunk. In overtime, Matt Troum hit a breakaway layup to seal a two point T'Wolve victory. Also winning in the first round were the Lakers over the Celtics and the Nets over the Nuggets. As the semifinals approached, it was one loss elimination, the clear cut favorites were the Nets or Lakers to take it all. But both teams would have to meet in the semifinals to play for the right to make it to the CAL Cup. In a back and forth game, CAL Summer League MVP slammed home a dunk to capture a 9 point victory for the Lakers. As for the other game, the Magic still were considered underdogs facing a T'Wolve team with Mike Hinsley, Matt Troum, and John Moore. The game was a laugher from tip off with the Magic winning by 20. Thus our first CAL Cup was set. 1 Magic vs 3 Lakers. The game was close all the way through, but it would come down to the play of one man to bring home the championship. That man was Bill Stutzman. The Stutzinator put up 16 points, 14 rebounds, and around 5 blocks to lift the Lakers to a 4 point championship victory. Stutzman took home the CAL Cup MVP award, while Davidson walked away with the regular season MVP. The Lakers celebrated the first CAL title, at the friendly confines of Caldwell Park.
1st Round
1 Magic beat 8 Clippers
2 Nets beat 7 Nuggets
3 Lakers beat 6 Celtics
5 T'Wolves beat 4 Cavs (OT)
Semifinals
1 Magic beat 5 T'Wolves
3 Lakers beat 2 Nets
CAL CUP
3 Lakers beat 1 Magic
