Dark was the April night...

...that Kyle Magstadt sat in his salmon Aveo at the intersection of White Bear and Conway, waiting, hoping, for a glimpse of the man who could change his fortunes forever. He had heard of similar deals being made for Robert Johnson and Jimmy Page, but he could never dream of what was to come for him.

At first, the man appeared only as a wisp, a vision, a shell of the sinister figure most have come to associate with the Devil. His horns were concealed under a fedora, his tail tucked inside the Hornets Starter jacket and matching Zubaz he had found at Valu-Thrift just down the road. He walked with purposeful, effortless strides, the walk of a man who sees a payday just down the road.

The stranger opened the passenger door and got in.
"Word on the sssssssssssstreet issssss that you're looking for help with a fantassssssssy bassssssssketball playoff league."
Kyle gulped, but nodded silently.
"We have to make it look like I don't know what I'm doing at first--have me draft 3 players from the same team, including one guy whose best years are about 5 years behind him."
The devil's eyes flickered with delight.
"Who else will you draft?"
"The only healthy member of an aging championship team, one that will probably make it to a later round of the playoffs, but I'm stuck on the last guy.."
"Well, I'm no expert, but I did help a guy to screw over the blind owner of his previous team for more money--he owes me a favor..."
"You mean Boozer?"
"That's the one!"
"Well, he's kind of a jerk, but if you insist.."
"I do. So how else can I assssisssst you?"
"Well, in order for this plan to work, the Orlando Magic need to make the Finals."

The devil shrieked in pain. "The MAGIC! Nonononono. They've got....Him on their side. I can't do that. That'd go against everything I stand for. Besides, haven't you listened to 'The Champion' before? I'm more of a boxing fan."
"I realize that, but I'll make it worth your while. Not only do you get my soul, but I'll cut my all my hair off, and I won't donate it to anybody! I'll even drive with the A/C on and the windows down in the summertime, just to contribute to global warming. Finally, I'll continue to defy all rules about sports fandom by supporting the University of Arizona basketball team, under some ridiculous reasoning that I was born there, ignoring the fact that we left AZ well before what most denominations consider the age of accountability, and have spent the majority of my life either attending other colleges or living in other states. I'll also follow the Utah Jazz for no reason at all, except for I'm a front-runner."
"Perfect! That's just the kind of dedication I'm looking for!"

The paperwork was signed, the hands shaken, and the mysterious stranger exited the car.
"Where are you headed next?" Kyle asked, as he began to drive away.
"I've got an appointment with Dr. James Andrews in Alabama--one of my most devious potential cases yet--this football player wants to keep playing, but he needs shoulder surgery, and it's just perfect--he could end up playing against the team that made him famous, while simultaneously wrecking his team and all who follow it..pretty much perfect, really..."

Standings:

1. Kyle--42 points
2. Bubna--37 points
3. Len--36 points
4. Brian--35 points
5. Fitz--33 points
6. Noah--32 points
7. Jake V.--23 points
8. Jake S. 18 points