First Power Rankings of the Season
Here our the first power rankings of the season, I'll try to get them up once per week. This is the first power rankings that I've done in quite a while so let me know what you think!
1. Lakers Celts
The Lakers Celts were relegated to D. IV this last season but they don’t look to stay here too long. They have crushed all comers so far, winning games by an average of 39 points. They have done this with a very balanced attack and unselfish play, as they lead the league in assists. They also have benefitted from some stifling defense, only allowing 65.9 points per game, 4 points lower than the next team. With the lack of true top level competition in the Great 8, the Lakers Celts look to be the heavy favorites of making the finals.
2. Winnetka Wizards
The Wizards are looking to finally move up to D.III after a perfect regular season ending in a title loss. The Wizards have displayed a powerful offense so far this season, one that is started by blocks and steals leading to easy fastbreak points. Jonas Janušonis has lead the team on the offensive end. They play the Lakers Celts this week in a game that could go a long way to determining who will advance out of the league this season.
3. Cutters
The Cutters have sat behind the Wizards for a season and a half so far, while they are 2nd best in the division they are still a player or so behind them. They too boast an efficient offense and smothering defense. They force the most turnovers per game out of any team in the league. It’ll be interesting to see if that defense will finally get them over a hump this year.
4. Chicago Thundr
The Thundr get the slight nod over the Lakers after factoring in the cup run they are still on. The Thundr are led by rebounding machine Zach Champion. This team also has the top field goal percentage in the league but their defense leaves a little to be desired. It is more pedestrian and they rank last in opponent turnovers per game.
5. Cincinnati Lakers
The Lakers have transitioned over the past few seasons, they used to live and die by the three pointer, but now they are last in the league in 3pt shooting percentage. Still this team manages to stick around with extremely tough defense, leading the league in opponent field goal percentage. They also share the ball a lot, having two of the top three assists leaders in the league.
6. Indy Superbirds
The Superbirds have the slight edge in the race for the playoffs against 3 other teams that are battling for that spot. They have experienced consistent growth over the past seasons and hope to be rewarded with some post season success now.
7. FC Durham
FC Durham has the highest player salaries in the league but they have not yet managed to translate that to real success. They have come close in several games this year but have fallen just short. Hopefully their luck can change as the season goes on.
8. Scarlet Knight Crusaders
There were three teams that I looked at for the last spot in the power rankings. Ultimately I decided to go with the Crusaders because of super scorer Miguel Pais. He averages 32.5 points per game, a point ahead of the 2nd best scorer and 11 points ahead of the third. This team currently is on the outside looking in on the playoffs by a mere 68 points. With Miguel on their side, they definitely have a chance to close that gap in the season half of the season.