1.) Most Hated (3-0): It seems that last week's power rankings got this team fired up! Most Hated came to make a statement, winning by 32 points in Week 3. They want the entire league to know who they are. Their coach said, "No one in this league can see us; we're running anybody and going undefeated." As I mentioned last week, Waleed Khaliq was just getting started, as he dropped 26 pts and 13 rebounds on Sunday. The "Big Three" of Mehr, Anthony, and Waleed is one of the best we've seen, and they want anyone in D2 to try and challenge them. Mehr has also done a great job reminding people of his confidence. So let's see how many more teams break down due to that. Most Hated approaches a huge matchup this week, as they take on Zaid Dadabhoy and Big Falafels. Potentially the game of the week.
One thing is for sure; they want that championship. That being said, they are #1 in the rankings this week. Another thing to respect is that their "Big 3" have all been Players of the Week so far.
2.) Too Smooth (3-0): In a very "smooth," 20-point win, Sheraz Kari and Yaser Yousef led their team to an effortless victory against Apollo8. Ahmad Khalaf didn't need to do anything, and that's something that doesn't happen often. This team has had a light three games, as no one has posed a challenge to them. Rightfully so, they are built to win and are suitable with Most Hated regarding championship potential. These two teams meet in a couple of weeks, and that will be a game to watch. Too Smooth will be taking on Side Bets this week, a group that was ranked #1 and found themselves completely rocked this past Sunday. Bruce is looking for a comeback game, but against Yaser, Sheraz, and AK, you'll need to bring everything you have. This is one of the games of the week.
Get ready, MBL family; this team is just getting started!
3.) Big Falafels (2-1): This team came out for vengeance after losing against Side Bets. They held no mercy, blowing out IE's finest by 37 points. It's safe to say they would love to have that game against Side Bets back, but it seems that loss was good for this team. This team is worthy of being in the top five for a reason. With their whole roster in attendance, Humza Mela and Torin Asefie led the way with 20-point efforts and made it known they aren't here for anything less than a championship. Amjad also made his presence known with 13 rebounds. This team is built to be consistent winners, as multiple players can contribute in many ways. Zaid Dadabhoy has been a great leader and looks to keep his team going as the weeks continue. They face their toughest matchup yet, as they go against this week's #1 team, Most Hated.
Will Big Falafels be able to slow down the wave this team is riding? Check out the game this week to find out!
4.) Only the Family "OTF" (3-0): It's not often you're on the triple-double watch for a player in MBL, let alone two, who both happen to be on the same team. Mohammad Shafi and Ismail Famous brought their games this week. Mo finished the game with twenty points, seven assists, and six rebounds. Ismail had nineteen points, ten rebounds, and six assists. Let's not forget one thing: this was done in a win against the defending champions, La Flame. The flexibility of this team is incredible, and with your leaders performing the way these two did, everyone will find themselves getting involved, hence Ishaq's 15 points and Ammar's 14. This team made a big jump in the power rankings, going from 6th to 4th. They are looking for that championship. Another aspect to consider is that this win was also done without Kyle Hamilton, so take note of that. A full roster means trouble with this team, and I look forward to seeing how they progress as the weeks go forth. Their potential flaw was iso-ball, but after last week, it's clear that the team knows their role—they matchup against a well-rounded Brick City team this week. So let's see if they keep this winning streak moving!
5.) Side Bets (2-1): It seems like I found the answer to my question last week, "What happens if you stop Bruce"? To simplify, Side Bets could not recover and discovered themselves scrambled by the intensity Wet Like Book brought into this game. Now let's not discredit this team off of one game; there's a reason why this intensity was needed. Side Bets made it very clear in the first two games of their intentions and capabilities, but I believe that this past loss has opened their eyes. Bruce will always require teams to bring their best, but now he will need to have his teammates understand how important they are to him. Justin Spencer will need to control the game's tempo, as he is their point guard. Alongside that, Kishan Athreya and Umar Patel have to make their presence known in the court. Both are big bodies that can rebound, play defense, and score. They will need to be there to anchor Side Bets from an offensive and defensive standpoint.
They have a huge matchup this week against Too Smooth; let's see if they will recover!
6.) Wet Like Book (2-1): This team looked to bounce back the right way following their loss in the past week. A 47-point beat down on the #1 ranked team in Week 2 did the trick. Their intensity levels were off the charts, and they came on Sunday to show what good defense and teamwork look like. Coach Amir Siddiqui made the adjustments necessary and had his players thrive against #1 ranked Side Bets, as they were all over the court, causing Bruce to work extremely hard to get anything going. Radwan Yahya understood the assignment and gave Side Bets the smoke they wanted. Irfan Anwar, Yusuf Hashim, and Abdul Yousef took care of business offensively, while Ahmed Chawla, Ahmed Khan, and Emad Yahya brought it defensively. This team bounced back tremendously and showed their trust in one another, but it's just the beginning. Was this a fluke, or are they for real? Don't forget; they lost to a team that only put up 55 total points against their other two opponents (Apollo8).
7.) Brick City (2-1): Kareem Madkour, Week 3 Player of the Week, is doing so far this season! He followed up a 30-point performance with 27 this past Sunday, giving The Zone the works. Alongside him, Jason Noble has been as consistent as ever on both sides of the floor, generating five steals last game, alongside a balanced 15-point effort. Also, Momen Bany-Mohammed brought the energy, having a solid double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. This team is fun to watch, and they have the skill to win in D2; let's see if their leaders can continue to produce for them. They take on Only the Family, which will be a game to watch, as two balanced teams take on one another. I expect Brick City to continue and improve as the season goes; they aren't afraid of the moment.
8.) La Flame (1-2): Coming off a tough loss to Only the Family, the defending champs are looking for answers. They have faced two top teams in D2 and looked incomplete in each of those games. They have the talent to win, and I believe they will figure it out, but it will take a collective effort. Brandon Joseph and Khalid Ali are doing their parts, but the team will need the defensive measures of these two alongside Ishaq Faraskh to shine tremendously. Another essential factor to consider is that they haven't had their entire squad in their games, and I'm curious to see how they look with a whole team. So don't expect this slump to last for long; they are the defending champions for a reason, and I believe they will get back in the winning column.
9.) Apollo8 (1-2): Coming off a comeback win against Wet Like Book in Week 2, this team looked to carry its momentum leading into Week 3. Only one problem, where was it? Too Smooth held them to 21 points the entire game! They looked like they had fallen apart, and as mentioned in last week's power rankings, this team relies on how Rayhaan and Yasser perform, and they both disappeared. This team will need to construct a collective offense and focus on their defense. Their best defender, Mohammed Khalaf, was on the bench for most of the game, and at that point, you should wonder why Too Smooth won by 20. It is still early in the season, and if this team can figure out a way to work together, there will be a higher chance for wins. If not, those losses will only continue to increase.
10.) Goonda Squad (1-2): This team made quite the jump, but that's because they were the only team in the last five to have earned a win last week. Nonetheless, they blew out Cereal Killers, led by Anosh Ali and Syed Asghar, and they looked like a solid team doing so. Alongside that, Abner James pulled down 14 rebounds, and Waqas Anis performed like the x-factor this team needs. With this output, this team showed their capabilities on both sides of the court, but without Hadi, I assume they won't be able to display this against the top teams in D2. However, they may prove me wrong because even if Cereal Killers is at the bottom of the list, a 25-point win is impressive. So let's see what they can do!
11.) Cereal Killers (0-3): So Ammar, where's your squad at? We've been waiting to see them, but they won't be pulled through. Aside from that, your spotlight shines on Humza Shariff and Ayaan Ismail; they have been playing well and helping your team have a chance at winning (aside from last Sunday, of course). Unless Dominique and Aaron can show up, I don't suspect this team is getting high on the list. Still, I always have to appreciate the effort, as Austin has done an excellent job trying to control the offense, alongside Ammar doing his best to contribute where needed. So let's see if they bounce back this week; they will need multiple intense games from Humza and Ayaan to compete.
12.) IE's Finest (0-3): It's a shuffle between this team and Ballers for this spot, but I'm going to put them both at 12. They have had identical seasons thus far, and their closest game was against one another, where Ballers prevailed by two points. First, IE's offense has been stagnant as it only goes thru Aamir Ansari, who has been putting up numbers, but their defense isn't up for the task. Cherry picking can only go so far, as Big Falafels took care of things with a 37-point win. They face Wet Like Book this week, and if they want to change their season thus far, they will have to display a perfect performance in this game; otherwise, Wet Like Book will take care of business accordingly.
13.) Ballers (1-2): Like IE's finest, this team is in a similar predicament. After a beat-down loss to Most Hated, this team is scrambling for answers. They only have the edge because they beat IE's Finest in a close game. It all depends on how they approach the game, Abdul Hameed was taken out of the game last Sunday, and that cannot happen to this team if they want to win. So keep composed and focus on your game; that's the only way things will improve. Lucky for them, they have a chance to test out some new strategies as they face the team ranked below them in these standings, The Zone.
14.) The Zone (0-3): Azaan Khan is doing his absolute best to carry this team, but it won't do well in the competition this year. He's averaging an impressive 15.7 points and 12.3 rebounds, but his team is nowhere near that in terms of help. This player will be a great asset to a team next season in D2, and I believe his teammates will learn from this experience for the better. Overall, The Zone isn't likely to win a game, but their closest chance is against Ballers this week, so let's see if they can pull it off. Keep working, Azaan!