- S2 MID-SEASON POWER RANKINGS -
WRITTEN BY: PROFESSOR X
Our second Rec Division season has just passed the mid-season point. It is time to check-in fellas. This season has already lived up to the hype to say the least. Records have been broken and dunks have been thrown down. New stat leaders have emerged and former leaders have fallen off the throne. Mid-season rankings always light the fire within numerous middle of the pack teams so, if that is you, pay attention. Playoffs are around the corner, there is no more time to waste. Let's lock-in and finish strong.
1. WOLVES: The undefeated Wolves have been playing incredible basketball! 3rd in Assists (74) and 1st in Points (337) teamwork is the name of the game. They slapped the Huskies (+32) and the Hornets (+29) so the Wolves have proven that they can get hot in a flash. Has Ayub done it again? Added a couple good role players who buy into the system and play unselfishly. They just seemed to have levelled up every single month since their inception into Rec Division. GM of the year #2 loading...previously: 3
2. RAPTORS: The undefeated Raptors boast an impenetrable defense. They are 5th in rebounds (213), 3rd in steals (38), 4th in blocks (11) and, 1st in points allowed (232). They are so stingy and want all the smoke! With Ray as the coach the sky is definitely the limit. The Raptors bring attitude and intensity to every game. They have been letting other teams know it as well lol. previously: 8
3. VIBES: The Vibes has been an absolute movie to watch this season. Seems like every game there is a buzzer beater shot waiting to happen. This offensive juggernaut knows how to score in bunches. #1 in Free throws made (56) and attempted (86), 1st in 3P% (32.0) and 2nd in points (336). Early MVP candidate Michael Fuller leads the way averaging 27pts 5rebs and 2stls while shooting 54% from the field! Just not sold on whether one man can carry this much of a load in the playoffs... previously: 4
4. BLAZERS: The Blazers have been nothing short of amazing this season. Playing that Blazers defense we are all so familiar with, 4th in Points allowed (268). Lead by Early MVP candidate Tyrel Ceasar averaging 23pts 5rebs 2stls on 54% from the field! Also spearheaded by ETBL Rec’s NEW SINGLE SEASON ASSISTS RECORD HOLDER (Alykhan) with 52 asts through 6 games (9/apg). The record will be shattered by the end of the season! Last season’s assist leader had 51. Let’s see if he can get 90, WOW. previously: 7
5. HORNETS: The Hornets rose 6 spots after a major victory over the Warriors and Legends. Took Hornets a couple of weeks to get it going but, they are now more than just a bubble team. Sugee (13ppg 12rpg 5apg 2spg) and Abdullahi (16ppg 8rpg 3apg) continue to make this team better and continue to show why they are a top 5 duo in the league. Now adding Javed Ahmad who has been an ETBL standout for many years...the league has a new problem to deal with! Everyone needs to be on notice! Hornets GM Wilbert always makes the correct mid-season moves to put his team on the path to greatness and he might have just done it! previously: 11
6. LEGENDS: The Legends fell three spots but are bound to turn it around. After out shooting the Warriors and edging out the Hellcats in what was a ETBL classic. Ryan Sattz (19ppg 14rpg) has cooled down a little bit but, another star has emerged! Taylor Francisco (18ppg 7rpg 5apg over the last two games played) has stepped up big especially in the clutch. Something tells me these two together are going to give defenses nightmares the rest of the season. I would not want to face this team at full strength in the playoffs. previously: 2
7. WARRIORS: In one of our biggest surprises the former champs fell 6 spots. Warriors elite ball movement has been magnificent 1st in assists (90) but, at times it looks like no one wants to shoot, unless they are wide open. Jermaine Bruce (19ppg 4rpg 3apg 57%FG) has been a spark plug for their offense but, we have only seen one game with him and Joe (19ppg 5rpg 3apg 2spg) together. With all the absences they are still sitting pretty with their best yet to come. Don’t count them out! previously: 1
8. HELLCATS: Hellcats fell 3 spots. Hellcats are the most under rated team in the league. Taking a few bad beats to the warriors, beards and especially the legends. I have no doubt the 5th highest scoring team in the league (317) will turn this ship around. Abhiram (18ppg 7rpg 3apg 3spg) has been tearing it up putting in his ballot for MVP. They will need more help from everyone else as many top teams are starting to separate. Has anyone seen Abbeshan (9ppg 7rpg 3apg) and Abilash (7ppg 6rpg 4apg 2spg)? Time to pick it up guys. previously: 5
9. SWISH CULTURE: Swish Culture drops 3 spots leaving some to question if they have the right pieces. They do. Swish are 3rd in scoring (327) which means the name lives up to the hype. They will need more defense to deliver the finishing blow as teams have had their season highs on them. Swish Culture has allowed the most points this season (352). Hopefully their new add Aushvin is going to bring the defensive presence that they lack. previously: 6
10. CLIPPERS: The Clippers are still trying to figure it out but, are they running out of time? The answer is no, they are still in the race. The experienced roster they have should be able to string together a few wins. Roy Rajah (15ppg 6rpg 5apg 2spg) is starting to catch his stride. Leading by example Roy has uplifted some of his supporting cast. Garbage man Alvin (16ppg 10rpg 2apg) is starting to look like a dominant big this season. If Ronell would show up these guys might have a shot at wrecking the standings. Adding Dylan gives them another shooter on the wings which should open up the lane for Roy. previously: 10
11. BEARDS & BUCKETS: Beards and Buckets just can’t put it together. They have all the pieces but are playing terrible basketball. Fortunately they got a big win over the hellcats. Proving they are still better than the rest and remain a bubble team. Zain Khan (15ppg 4rpg 2apg) has been the leader that this team needs. Unfortunately, he has not been getting much help as they lack a consistent #2 guy. The team is second to last in points scored (243) which is never a winning formula. previously: 9
12. HUSKIES: A rough go at it to start and for a while it looked like that would continue. Sometimes you must break the ice. Let’s hope that is the case. Taran (13ppg 6rpg 3apg 2spg) seems to be the leader of the pack but will need help. Huskies are 3rd last in scoring so it is time to pick up the pace. The one bright spot is that Huskies are the best free throw shooting team (70%) this season. Could this be an indication of better things to come? previously: 12
13. DEMONS: Demons continue to struggle. Seems like they just can’t find the right lineup to get things going. What used to be a good shooting team from 3 is now 2nd last in three point shooting (22%). An avenue they need to improve on. It is really hard to change the team’s identity mid-season but this might be something to consider. previously: 13
14. SHOPLIFTERS: Oh Shoplifters…Last in points scored (226) and second last in points allowed (326). We all know this, so let’s point out some of the good so we can get better. Pass the ball to Ahsan! (17ppg 6rpg) He has been an absolute beast this season. Really curious to see how much more he can get with more touches. Shoplifters need to focus on playing a full game and not just one half. First half against the Raptors 22-20 and second half against the Blazers 23-22. Those 2 examples are just a couple of many. Season isn’t over yet, but time is running out. previously: 14