Editing Oakland Assassins (section)

== 2003 season ==

=== Inaugural NXL competition ===

The Oakland Assassins competed in the inaugural NXL season in 2003.

The league held regular-season competition at events associated with Paintball Sports Promotions.

The Assassins became one of the leading teams during the inaugural season.

=== Mardi Gras Open ===

Oakland competed at the 2003 Mardi Gras Open in Louisiana.

Contemporary WARPIG coverage records the Assassins defeating Miami Effect 12–9 during NXL competition.[1]

The event was affected by scheduling disruptions, with some games moved to later dates.

The Assassins continued competing throughout the season.

=== Regular-season leadership ===

Oakland finished the 2003 regular season as the top-ranked NXL team.

WARPIG described the Assassins as Bob Long's top-ranked team entering the World Cup championship playoffs.[2]

Their position gave them a favourable opening playoff matchup.

=== 2003 World Cup ===

The inaugural NXL championship playoffs took place during the 2003 PSP World Cup in Florida.

Oakland faced Detroit Thunder in the quarterfinal round.

The Assassins won both games of the best-of-three series.

The team advanced to face Miami Effect in the semifinals.

=== Semifinal victory ===

Oakland defeated Miami Effect in two consecutive games.

The recorded scores were:

{| class="wikitable"
! Game
! Oakland Assassins
! Miami Effect
|-
| Game 1
| 14
| 7
|-
| Game 2
| 12
| 9
|}

The victories advanced Oakland to the inaugural NXL championship final.[2]

=== Inaugural championship final ===

The Oakland Assassins faced the Philadelphia Americans in the 2003 NXL final.

The championship used a best-of-three series.

Philadelphia won the first game 10–9.

The Americans also won the second game, securing the inaugural NXL championship.[2]

Oakland finished as the league's first championship runners-up.

=== Historical significance ===

The 2003 season established the Oakland Assassins as one of the leading teams in the new X-Ball format.

The team had finished first in the regular-season standings and reached the championship final.

However, it did not win the inaugural NXL title.

That championship belonged to the Philadelphia Americans.