| Final '09 Power Rankings! |
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| Sunday, 22 March 2009 | |
 #1 HUMANS (15-3) Despite a disappointing performance to end the season against the ‘Ballers, the HUMANS have been the most consistently good team this season and much of that has had to do with off-season and off-the-court preparation. Although strategically it made some sense to rest all their starters against the ‘Ballers for the playoffs, some can argue it shows a lack of killer instinct. As a credit to their depth, the HUMANS' "B" team managed to put up a good fight. Let’s see if Hitmen are up to the task. #2 Panthers (12-6) Here’s a team that wasn’t afraid to challenge another quality team with something pretty significant on the line: the #1 seed in the East. Panthers made good on their challenge against SWAT by coming out focused and intense and coming away with a blowout victory. Panthers, like most rookie teams, tend to have inconsistent outings on occasion, but when they are focused, they are one of the hardest teams to beat because of their talent and depth. #3 Dynasty (12-6) What a difference a season and a roster overhaul makes! Dynasty is led by the all-star dynamic duo of Crane and Sejdo, both of whom have led the team to numerous close victories this season against quality opponents. While not the best defensive team in the league, they make up for it with passion and a barrage of offensive weapons. This team has never gotten this far, so it will be interesting to see how they handle themselves against more seasoned opponents. #4 SWAT (11-7) The Titans and SWAT have been two teams ravaged by attendance issues, which partially explains their inconsistencies. But in SWAT’s case, an inability for role players to step up against good opponents when a starter or two is MIA shows how delicate they really are. The team is prone to offensive droughts and many times they seem out of sync. Can they keep it together long enough to advance through the playoffs? #5 Basketballers (11-7) The team’s late-season loss to SWAT knocks them down a peg, but this is almost exactly the spot they were last season when they went on a playoff tear with incredible defense and execution. The ‘Ballers have been known, perhaps more than any other team, to be able to turn it up a few notches when the playoffs roll around, no matter the sport. The defending champs won’t let go of their reign over the SABL without a fight. #6 Strong Island (9-9) Strong Island is a team that has been ravaged by injuries and attendance issues. Chemistry problems have crept up as well, but the team seems to be able to get the job done when their backs are to the wall. Credit that to players who are talented and able to take over games. At one point this team was the last undefeated team in the league with a 6-0 start to the season and they looked like the favorites to run away with it. Can they recover that magic? #7 Titans (9-9) The Titans’s 2nd half collapse has been more epic than Strong Island’s but the team still has two of the league’s best scorers in Lejoe and Thomas and great size. Sometimes playoff games will be decided by which team has more go-to guys late in games where crunch time separates the men from the boys. The Titans are on a 5-game losing streak to close out the regular season and must start defending better if they hope to advance. Defense wins in the playoffs, right? #8 Hitmen (10-8) Many have criticized the Hitmen for picking the Deagles to close out the season, but that was their right as determined by their play so far this season. Despite nearly losing to that same team that was supposed to be a cakewalk for the Hitmen, the fact of the matter is that this team has gotten the job done with scrappy play and a great backcourt tandem. If any team would be labeled a potential “Cindarella” team going into the playoffs, it would be this one. The HUMANS are licking their chops… MKA-NY, Ravens, Desert Eagles, and Assassins: thanks for a great season! Enjoy off-season fishing! |
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