Standings:
1. Styl (5-0)
2. Strong Island (4-1)
3. 24/7 (3-3)
4. Lions (3-2)
5. Adrenaline (2-3)
6. Desert Eagles (2-3)
7. Force (1-4)
8. Bulldogs (0-5)
League News & Updates
Wednesday, 09 December 2009
We're more than 25% into the season, but there's still a long way to go. The West team rosters are locked in as of Sunday so no more changes can be made, but the East teams have until this Thursday 12.10. Some other reminders and updates:
As many of you have heard, starting January 3rd, the East games will be played in Queens on Sundays. Unfortunately our time at Locust will run out by then, so we will make due in Queens. Strong Island's games will be scheduled apart so they have no conflicts between East and West games (since they are the only team playing in both leagues), but for individuals playing in both leagues, there may be a conflict here or there unfortunately.
All player pictures must be in the system by January 1st, 2010 for players who want to be eligible to play in the playoffs. Captains should take the pictures these next two game days and upload them or they will run the risk of having ineligible players for the playoffs. The jersey should be on when the picture is taken but a temporary non-jersey picture can be placed as a last resort if the player is away before Jan. 1st (until he gets back).
The West has about 9 regular season games remaining. After Week 11, when all teams have played each other once, the top 6 seeds will have clinched the top 6 spots, and they won't be able to drop out of the top 6. The last few weeks of regular season will have those 6 teams playing within their group to jockey for position. The bottom 6 teams will battle for the last 2 playoff spots with the top 2 overall records of the bottom 6 claiming the 7th and 8th seeds when it's all said and done. So Week 12, for example, will have the #1 vs. #6, #2 vs. #5, the #7 vs. #12, #8 vs. #11 and so on.
The East has about 7 regular season games remaining (I'll explain why below). After Week 7, every team will have played each other once and the remaining games will be randomized. All East teams will make the playoffs because there are only 8 teams. We want to give the playoffs the attention it deserves because there's nothing quite like playoff basketball. The East playoffs will be a best of 2 series. The scores from game one will carry over to the start of game 2 (but timeouts, fouls, etc. will be reset) and the final score of the "series" will be the combined score. The two games won't be on the same day, but will be from week to week in rounds one and two. The Finals will be two games on the same day but there will be a break in between and game times will be reduced. The minimum # of games for playoff eligibility in the East is reduced to 5.
The West playoffs will be slightly different out of necessity. Rounds one and two will be single elimination games but the game clock will be set at 24 minute halves (NBA style) and players will have 6 fouls each. The Finals, however, will be on the same day as the East finals (possibly in the same gym) and like the East, it will be a 2-game series (each game will likely have 16 minute halves instead of 20). So, for example, East plays their first game, then take a break while West plays theirs, then game two of the East Finals followed by game two of the West. Whew!
The following Sunday will have the West champ play the East champ in an exhibition only game (no trophies, only for fun... think Apollo Creed vs Ivan Drago) followed by a league-wide 3-point shoot-out and lastly, an East-West All-Star game. Enjoy the rest of the season, guys!
Standings:
1. Styl (4-0)
2. Strong Island (3-1)
2. 24/7 (3-1)
4. Lions (2-2)
4. Adrenaline (2-2)
6 Force (1-3)
6. Desert Eagles (1-3)
8. Bulldogs (0-4)
East Power Rankings 11.30.09
Monday, 30 November 2009
#1 Strong Island
Strong Island is sitting pretty atop the East and West power rankings because they are simply playing the best team basketball out of any team in either conference. Well deserved and well played.
#2 Styl
Styl is playing some smart team basketball in their own right. Stanley is anchoring the middle as he always does, and the team's wing players are providing the perimeter support they need. Styl's got a nice test coming up this Thursday against Strong Island.
#3 Lions
Out of the remaining teams, Lions arguably have the most SABL experience and it's showing on the court. They rarely get rattled and have a good inside-outside game which leads to high percentage shots. When the big fella (Simran) is on the court, they are tough to beat.
#4 24/7
24/7 has plenty of talent and lots of athleticism. They've been winning with hustle and 2nd chance baskets mostly, although their depth has kept them from giving up many leads.
#5 Adrenaline
Adrenaline plays a similar style to 24/7 with their youth and speed, but a lack of superstar talent and depth has hurt their chances in some games. They need more guys to step up and help carry the load.
#6 Force
When their all-star big man, Tarek, shows up to games, they can stay with most teams, but when he's MIA like he was last week, Force can lose to any team. So for now they find themselves towards the bottom of the rankings.
#7 Desert Eagles
Sometimes called the "Dessert" Eagles by teams who have been feasting on them, this squad is still looking for their first actual win in the SABL since they first started up last season. With a match-up against Bulldogs this week, that first "W" has a chance of happening.
#8 Bulldogs
The Bulldogs play with passion, that's for sure. The sooner they come together and get on the same page, the sooner they'll start to win some games. It's not too late to add some more talent before the deadline, but they can do better with what they have.
News and Notes
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
The roster deadline has been set for Dec. 6th for SABL West teams and Dec. 10th for SABL East teams. Once your game tips off that day, your team's roster is locked and no more additions can be made (no exceptions). You must scan and email the waivers of any roster additions to the league before your game (email to
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). Players are required to play in a minimum of 7 regular season games to be playoff eligible.
There are no games this Thursday or Sunday due to the holidays and school closings. Some league members are meeting up at Syosset Park (exit 44N off LIE to Jericho East, park is on Right, 2nd light) this Sunday at 12:30PM for pick-up games, so all are invited to join in.
