game 1

Team Hussein Vs Team Manea) (Winner: Team Hussein)

After having a week to adjust to last weeks loss, Team Manea was unable to contain the best duo in the league (Mo and Huss). They continued their poised play and did not seem worried at all in this game. Its obvious that team Hussein views these games as nothing more than preparation as they have their goals on nothing less than a championship.

Both Hussein and his first Round (Mo Abdrabboh) pick are playing mvp level basketball and have been rolling for over a month now. No team has figured out how to contain them much less slow them down and the league has been put on full notice.

Team Captain Hussein Baidani finished the game with 26 pts and 12 rebounds while Mo Abdrabboh got another triple double finishing the game with 20 pts, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Manea led his team with 19 pts and Ali Tony had 15 pts.

Looking forward:

I think Team Hussein will just continue to do what they been doing. In terms of team Manea, I think the ball needs to find Ali Tony more. He was obviously drafted to score so give him the opportunity to do so. I also implore them to start reaching out for some trades before the trade deadline.

Game 2

Team Kamal vs Team Mike ( Winner Team Mike)

Team Mike continues to rock and roll as they stack another tally in the win column. There was several big names missing from this game, but team Mike seems to have easily cruised to victory. Mike continued his high level of play with 25 pts. Meanwhile, Oas led his team with 28 pts showing they have scorers throughout the team. The stadium was filled with chants of “We want Hamadah” as league favorite Hamadah was absent.

Team Kam was lead by Mutya with 23 pts.

Looking forward:

Team Mike continues to play well and is expected to get even better as more chemistry is built on the team. For team Kamal, a major overhaul of how that offense runs is recommended. A Kamal led team, needs to be just that, a Kamal led team. Roles need to be more clearly defined on this team with the assumption that said players will accept these defined roles.

Game 3: Team Bosh vs Team Monawar (Winner Team Bosh)

Wow, wow, and wow!!!! In a game where team Bosh did not have their first 2 picks, many wrote off team Bosh. But anyone who understand basketball, should know better than to count out a bosh led team!!!

Team Monawar came out and took a huge lead early, only to watch it disappear as Team Bosh collected themselves and turned it up a notch. Elite play from fellow draft steals Farris (to the dismay of the many, many, and many Farris haters/critics in the league) and Ray was on full display as each played integral roles. Unc Ed went to the line and hit arguably the most clutch free throws in the history of the league late in the game. This game literally went down to the last second with late addition Mazen hitting the game winning lay up after an elite pass from Ray. The raw emotion from Bosh was on clear display as he went straight after his critics after the game. Both the evident and undercover ones.

Team Monawar played hard. However, they must now try and understand what went wrong. TMAC was rumored to have chain smoked 3 packs of cigarettes following the game out of anger.

Looking forward:

Mo Elhaj and Omar are expected to be back next week as this will be only the 2nd week that team Bosh will have their full line up. The goal on a bosh led team is the same every season; championship and nothing less.

Team Monawar is in fact one of the top teams in the league and I believe they came up short but expect them to bounce back strong with the strong and poised play they have become synonymous for this season.

Game 4: Team Larry vs Team Joe (Winner: Team Larry)

Joe vs Larry. Two of the leagues top offensive players and they did not disappoint. However, team Joe has come up short again. Team Joe needs more people to step up and deliver for them. Larry team seems to be improving with another win after coming up short the previous week. Larry and Owl led their teams with 23 pts each. Joe Bazzi had 32 pts and 19 rebounds and Romeo chipped in with 11 pts while guarding the other teams best player as he does every game.

Looking Forward:
For team Joe, in my opinion, there is too much isolation style basketball taking place. Offense does not work in a “its my turn” style of offense. A team always beats a player and this is evident with many teams in this league. The recommendation is to start getting Chamander more involved as this team definitely does have talent. They just need to click a little better.

I expect team Larry to keep getting better. I was criticized when I called Larry one of the top 2 offensive talents in the league after just one game. I doubt anyone is brave enough to criticize this statement anymore. Mean while, I learned long ago, always respect a team that has Mo Suffi on it one of the more disciplined players in the league.

Please note, these rankings are my personal opinion and not just based on what the stat chart shows. I tried to consider situations such as playing time, positions played on the court, and opportunities. Thanks.

Top 5 MVP Candidates

  1.    Ageel bosh (doesn’t need to be justified)

  2.    Hussein Baidani (Stepped up this season and constantly guarding the other teams top player while still dominating on offense. Hes breathing down Bosh neck right now)

  3.    Mo Abu (Be happy hes 50 and not 30 or I doubt many would have a chance. Makes triple double look easy)

  4.    Monawar (Doing an excellent Job leading his team on both sides of the ball)

  5.    Mike (I expect him to keep playing well and move up this list as he continues to build chemistry together)

  6.    Kamal/Joe/Larry (All playing well, need them to translate to wins soon or they will fall off this list. Larry team is looking better)

Top 5 defensive Players

  1.   Romeo

  2.   Agil Bosh

  3.   Ghazwan Mashrah/Mo Elhaj

  4. Hussein Baidani

  5.   Farris Alsakkaf

Top Rebounders

  1.   Bosh

  2.   Joe Bazzi

  3.   Monawar

  4.   Abdullah

  5.  Hussein

Best passers

  1.   Omar A

  2.   Kamal

  3.   Manea

  4.   Farris Alsakkaf

  5.   Mo Abdrabboh

Best Shooters

  1.   Owl (he’s still that guy and the most feared shooter in the league)

  2.   Hamadah (has single handily gone on scoring runs many times from the 3)

  3.   Mike Williams (defense doesn’t seem to affect his shot)

  4.  Monwar (beautiful pull up 3 pt shot. The best in the league)

  5.   Manea/ Ali Tony (Both very good shooters off the dribble)

Biggest Draft Steals

  1.   Mo Abdrabboh  (Frankly speaking hes a captain and don’t know what people were thinking for those who didn’t draft him)

  2.   Bilal Eljahmi (told you so)

  3.   Tmac

  4.  Farris Alsakakf

  5.   Saif

  6. Hamadah (Any where hamadah is drafted is considered a steal

Top pair of teammates

  1.   Hussein and Mo

  2.   Bosh and Omar

  3.   Mike and Hamadah

  4.   Monawar & Ghazwan/ Larry and Owl

  5.   Kam and Older Bro/ Ali Tony and Manea, Joe and Fujo

Best Teammates (As in positive attitude people)

1 . Falah Alsakkaf. Has voluntarily sat to allow others to start

2 Khalil Hakani. I don’t think I have seen him complain once in 2 seasons. Goes out there and plays hard with no complaints.

  1.   Assam/Obali. Plays hard game day and during the week. Always positive.

  2.   Kanaf. A strong person who is one of the kindest people I know. Always positive towards his team and competition.

  3.   Fahd Alsakkaf. You will almost never hear him yell or complain. Honored to call him a close friend.