1. Big Falafels (4-1) - Talk about domination; this team wanted to make it clear they wanted to own the top spot by their performance this past weekend. Big Falafels displayed a masterpiece, scoring 106 points against The Zone, only to make this newer team dreadfully realize the reality in competition within D2. In this 46-point rout, Torin Asefie annihilated The Zone with 38 points, scoring 14/15 from the field and scoring only one three-pointer. Humza Mela scored 23 points while grabbing 12 rebounds, while Karim Ahmed put up 25. These are unreal numbers, and their ace Zaid Dadabhoy barely had to contribute in this game. This performance secures the top spot for this team for the second week in a row, and they are getting even better each week. Look out, D2, this team is looking scary! Wet Like Book had a 47-point win in Week 2; this 46-point blowout comes short but is just as remarkable.
Congratulations to Torin Asefie on earning Player of the Week honors for Week 5.
2. Most Hated (4-1) - What. A. Game. The level of intensity within this game signified a playoff-type atmosphere. However, we were just in Week 5! Two powerhouse teams met, and the stands were filled with energy flooding the building. You'd think it was a finals game.. maybe we will get this matchup in this year's postseason; I know the league would love that, as a new rivalry was born this past weekend between Most Hated and Wet Like Book. So let's dive in, Most Hated for most of the game looked to be at the opposing team's will, as they faced a deficit of nearly 15 points in the third quarter. However, they decided to wake up and remind the league why they are a contender, as they overcame this deficit and hit threes from all over the court, led by Waleed Khaliq and Anthony Newman. They then locked down on defense as Mehr Khaliq created multiple turnovers, leading them to numerous fast breaks, awakening the fire in this team. Wet Like Book quickly saw the flow of the game change, and they could not handle Most Hated's momentum. Mehr and Waleed made it loud and clear that they earned this win, and I'm sure Wet Like Book will remember that. I hope these teams meet in the playoffs because that will be the year's matchup. Most Hated took this round by three points, but I imagine things can go either way the next time they meet. Don't think it's over; they face a powerhouse team in Too Smooth this week, and the intensity will be just as high.
Congratulations to Waleed Khaliq on earning his second Player of the Week Honors!
3. Side Bets (4-1) - For the majority of the game, Side Bets found themselves caught by surprise by Cereal Killers’ efforts, as the game was relatively close for the most part. Bruce Haidrey was back to work, scoring 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists. He has shown his ability to turn into a potent two-way player, and his team thrives from it. However, his numbers were matched this week by Ayaan Ismail, and Side Bets needed an x-factor to be the difference maker for them. Baheer Khan took charge of that assignment and made crucial plays alongside Bruce to give Side Bets the edge. He delivered 19 points and 6 rebounds, and it’s clear that this is the #2 Bruce needed this season. This acquisition has been working for them; let’s see if they can keep riding the wave of momentum. Side Bets is a team that will break the spirit of a team’s defense, and they’ve done so thus far following Week 3. So don’t underestimate Bruce; he will make you regret it quickly.
4. Too Smooth (4-1) - This squad bounced back nicely following their loss to Side Bets, and they promptly handled IE's Finest accordingly. We knew Ahmad Khalaf was going to bounce back, and he did so, breaking ankles and hitting acrobatic layups. He looked like the old AK, but I don't think his new self will stop him from getting buckets. Too Smooth will need him to consistently be their x-factor to have the edge over most teams. Aside from AK, Sheraz went to work, scoring 21 points, while Yaser Yousef delivered with 18. This dynamic duo has shown their ability to perform, and teams should be wary; they can control the floor on both ends and will lead their team to solid performances. I love this team's respect towards Yaser as a leader because they are all ears when he wants to organize the group. A strong leader leads to greater wins, and this team represents that. I can't wait to see this team in action this week as they take on Most Hated. Too Smooth is a competitive team that won't back down, and we know what Most Hated will bring to the table. Cam is going to have a field day reffing this one!
Can this matchup top the atmosphere from last weekend? Only one way to find out, I hope to see you all there on Sunday at 6pm to support our brothers!
5. Only the Family (4-1) - If you weren’t there to witness this game, you missed a highlight fest. Kyle Hamilton was dunking everything, from lobs to tomahawks, and his team just looked like they were having fun! Mohammad Shafi was throwing dimes to his teammates, especially to Kyle, who gave Goonda Squad a nightmare as they could not stop him from abusing the rim. Alongside him, Ismail Famous put on a clinic, scoring 21 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and pushing 4 steals. Although the scoreboard said 77-71, OTF was in control from start to finish, and they dominated Goonda Squad. The lead, in the end, decreased as the squads were shooting around. Overall, this team is a powerhouse, and when they are comfortable and having fun, they will look to destroy groups. Ismail and Mohammad’s playmaking has been phenomenal, and their team thrives off it. Look for them to continue and add to the win column, as they are more than capable of taking the top spot in D2. Way to represent Corona boys!
6. Wet Like Book (3-2) - A tough loss for this squad, as they found themselves in a similar situation as they did against Apollo8 in Week 2. They had a lead, got too comfortable, and let it slip. Radwan Yahya was having his best game of the season, as he was letting Mehr hear it from start to finish. He knew the intensity would be high, and he was sure to bring it as that lifted his team to perform and do their best against a fellow top team in D2. Ahmed Khan dominated inside, flexing after every layup, while Irfan Anwar was letting it rain from three and celebrating. Yusuf Hashim hit a buzzer-beater three at halftime and dropped the coldest stare afterward. Things were looking well, and although they managed to get a lead of close to 15, they took their foot off the pedal and allowed themselves to play at Most Hated’s pace, ultimately costing them. They convinced themselves to celebrate and talk too early without focusing on closing the game. Nonetheless, they put on a show with Most Hated, a fueled rivalry as we advance, and I’m sure they will meet again down the line. When they do, be ready for the best games you’ve seen in a while because both of these teams want that trophy and will do what it takes to get it. So the last time this team faced a tough loss, they obliterated their next opponent by close to 50. The Zone I’d get ready if I were you because it’s going to be a long night for you guys this week.
7. Ballers (3-2) - This team had quite an impressive win against Brick City; although they had a slow start to the season, they’ve started to find some rhythm. Adding Ammar Rehman did the trick, as he’s been consistent in his two games with this team, while Abdul Hameed and Justin Eazell have found more comfort in their roles. All three of them had a solid game, as they edged out a formerly higher-ranked team in Brick City, granted they were missing a few pieces. Nonetheless, look out for Ballers because if they can take down Only the Family this weekend, they will be a team to focus on in this division.
8. Brick City (3-2) - Losing Kareem Madkour was one thing, but losing Ibrahim Hamade until the playoffs is just the epitome of unfortunate luck. These are two crucial assets to this team, and now Jason Noble will need to carry the weight until they can return. He will need everything from Salman Bickiya, Momen Bany-Mohammed, Ibtihaj Nyear, and Mahmoud Bany-Mohammed as they look to make playoffs. Their loss to Ballers was alarming, but things might have gone differently if they had their entire roster. They’ll need to work as a unit moving forward as they take on formidable opponents in Big Falafels, Wet Like Book, and Too Smooth over the next three weeks. Things have gotten hard, but they will get much more challenging if they can’t bounce back from their losses as a team.
9. Goonda Squad (2-3) - This team was riding momentum until they came across Only the Family this past weekend. Goonda Squad was putting in the effort, but it was no match for the theatrics and athleticism OTF brought to this game. Every play, Goonda Squad would have to watch Kyle Hamilton go for a dunk, and I can imagine it hurt them each time. This team will need to get it together soon because Ballers has picked it up and moved up numbers in the standings, and if Goonda wants to see the playoffs, they have to perform. So expect Abner James, Anosh Ali, and Waqas Anis to continue and do their parts, let’s see if they can bring this team to the postseason!
10. Cereal Killers (1-4) - A valiant effort by this team to compete with #3 ranked Side Bets, as they stuck with them throughout the game, led by Ayaan Ismail’s 27-point performance. His numbers matched against Bruce’s, giving his team a fighting chance. However, the supporting cast couldn’t do enough as they ultimately fell short in a loss. This team can fill up the scoreboard, but they’ll need to do it consistently from multiple players if they want to sniff a chance at the playoffs. Humza Shariff didn’t have a great game, and he will need to perform alongside Ayaan and vice versa if they want to win games and compete.
11. Apollo8 (2-3) - A great win by this team against LA Flame as they finally brought it together and captured their second win. Anis Shilleh and Rayhaan Kayanda had very well-balanced games and led their team throughout the game. It ended as Yasser Harmoush hit a game-winning three-pointer to put Apollo8 on top, as LA Flame couldn’t convert in the final seconds. This is a great win for this team, and they should instill confidence amongst themselves. They face Goonda Squad, and both of these teams want to move in the rankings, so this should be a tight battle between them.
12. LA Flame (1-4) - This team continues to struggle in assessing an entire team comes game-day. There hasn’t been a game where the whole team has played, and it’s cost this team as they cannot compete with other squads in D2 with only five players per game. Although they went down to the wire with Apollo8, they couldn’t pull off the win. Unfortunately, their defending season isn’t panning out the way they hoped, and things won’t get any easier as they take on Side Bets this weekend.
13. IE’s Finest (0-5) - Another week, another loss. Although there was a valiant effort against Too Smooth, it wasn’t enough. This team can’t find a rhythm, and it won’t get any easier for them going forward as the level of play in this division overtakes the capabilities of this team. They take on Cereal Killers, another lower-ranked group. Can IE’s Finest secure their first win?
14. The Zone (0-5) - Unfortunately, this team faced its “Welcome to the League” moment on Sunday, as Big Falafels annihilated them. They faced a loss of 46 points to the #1 ranked team, and it was just a brutal sight to see in the box score. Nonetheless, much respect for these guys for suiting up every game even though they’ve faced multiple blowouts. They’ll have their moment in MBL soon. Azaan, I hope to see you in the All-Star game.