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- S8 MID SEASON POWER RANKINGS -

WRITTEN BY: PROFESSOR X

Welcome to ETBL Elite – Every week there is some crazy games and whole lotta excitement. We are at the midway point even though it seems like a long season where so many things have happened. Top 8 make the dance. The standings are wild and super competitive. The gym is packed with Rec Division happening at the same time and just a crazy vibe overall. Happy to see ETBL getting the recognition it deserves as Kisho and his team have put on an incredible product. There is so much that goes into constructing proper Divisions and the Commish has done that in spades. Not to mention the elite stats, best recorded games for youtube, and the attention to detail in everything ETBL does. Don't forget me with the Power Rankings :) Not sure how good it will be but let me take a shot. Let's work.

1. BLAZERS: Moving up 5 spots...the Blazers are on a tear! After dropping a tough game to the Bulls early on (opening game)...boy oh boy have things turned around! Blazers have won four straight games in every way possible. What changed? Remember that chemistry between MVP'S we were worried about? Worry no more and then add, Joshua "gamer" Knott, to the mix (15Ppg 4Rpg)...and we could be looking at our future ETBL Season 8 Champs! Blazers have given us multiple exciting finishes including a game winner at the damn buzzer!!! They have great weapons and great role players and have put the league on notice. On a team full of stars it is Duzan who once again has been a gamechanger on both ends of the floor! PREVIOUSLY #6

2. RAPTORS: This Raptors team is still a force and a true contender to win the title. One of their biggest strengths has got to be the fact that they have 3 general managers (Janath, Witness, Sujeevan). These three basketball brains have combined to blow up the Commissioner's phone each week lol. The team seems to have a new player every week, my god. It's basically like a daily late night talk show where Janath is interviewing all the guests and seeing if they can make it onto the Raptors. Are you 6'4 or taller? okay, you have a chance to be on the team. Are you a former ETBL Champion and finals MVP? Yes, that will be perfect. Have you been a league MVP previously? What are you waiting for! Please sign up to the Raptors depth chart and we will find you some minutes. They have added some ETBL legends and we have seen them add some new faces. Forever in search of the next gamebreaker but the roster turnover can turn into a weakness as the other teams have built chemistry already. The have a 3-2 record and it's only a matter of time for this team to go on a winning streak. PREVIOUSLY #1

3. BULLS: The most exciting team to watch ever in ETBL! An absolute offensive juggernaut (boasting a 4-1 record) and is just really hard to stop on offence. Davion (27Ppg) Aarusan(25Ppg) and Zaid (13ppg 10rpg) lead this dynamic offense. No one this season has stopped them from scoring. They took a bad loss to the magic but that was the one outlier. As we know attendance can be a big hurdle but I'm sure that will get straightened out come playoff time. They are lacking size and so certain matchups might give them trouble when the game slows down in the playoffs but their shooting is so lethal that it could win them a game anytime. Mike D'Antoni offence has been working and they gon continue to shoot them 3s with no hesitation. PREVIOUSLY #4

4. HEAT: Omar and his guys have taken a couple tough losses during the last few seconds of the game. Their record says they are 2-3 but this team started with 1 loss. On top of that they haven't ran from playing the top teams early. Before chemistry was built, they were ready to jump into the fire! This very high IQ team is just lacking attendance which is making their bench short. When this team shows up look out! Plus it looks like they have added Jordan Wynter...geez. The rich get richer and this team is once again set up to be the team to beat in the playoffs. If they can figure out the chemistry...noone is beating this team. PREVIOUSLY #5

5. LAKERS: Moving up two spots, we have a very locked in Lakers team. One of our more athletic teams, these guys grab boards and push in transition. Number two in rebounds through 4 weeks (152 rebounds) only behind the Raptors (154 rebounds). They are poised to take a shot at some of the big names this season. They just have to find some rhythm on offence and a playmaker who will look for others. Your best scorer (Tristan) can't always be your best playmaker. Someone has to step up. Also, FOR SPALDING'S SAKE get Tristan the ball when he is wide open! P.S shout out Daniel "don't jump" Wright, for giving us one of our dunk of the year candidates! PREVIOUSLY #7

6. WOLVES: Moving up 4 spots in our second biggest surprise...we have the Timberwolves! One word to describe this team is "resilient". A team that has seen many roster changes due to a few no shows, a few sacrifices and one hilarious one way trade...they still manage to survive. Many thanks to their coach (John) and his anchor Johnathan Ibula (averaging 18.5ppg 12rpg 2bpg!). He is having a breakout year with more responsibility given to him and his teammates are benefiting from his energy and the way he disrupts the game. Ibula is a force on both ends and with Jalen Cultess getting more comfortable in the offence...they can make some noise. They will need their role players to step up down the stretch if they really want to elevate themselves in the contender conversation. PREVIOUSLY #10

7. MAGIC: Moving up two spots...Magic we see you! Now what can we do to get the team to show up? With Nena (22.5ppg 15rpg) you are 2-1 and without him you are 0-2. Damion (20ppg 8rpg) has been holding it down but he needs his partner in crime to help him out. These two bucket getters are amazing to watch and make it look easy on the floor. Both have a smooth game and are too slippery to stop. This team has the most potential to shake up the league. They are the darkhorse favorites to win it all and I look forward to see what the second half holds for them. PREVIOUSLY #9

8. WIZARDS: Moving up 4 spots the Wizards are turning the corner. Originally after week 1 we had them dead last as they lost their star player. Their new star, however, has fit like a glove! Kordell Charles has made a huge impact for this team by drawing attention and freeing up the other players. Wizards have arrived and are now shaking up the league. Can't wait to see how they match up with the top 5 down the stretch. They got star power and role guys and are finally clicking together. PREVIOUSLY #12

9. PISTONS: Down seven spots I don't know what has been going on with the Pistons. That being said, don't think for one second that they won't turn it around. Kendall has yet to have one of his signature games so I'm sure they will be better. Once the Pistons get over all the distractions and lock in they will get back to those Pistons winning streaks once again. Still one of the smartest teams in the league even though they are older they can still get it done. PREVIOUSLY #2

10. NETS: Moving down seven spots as well comes our biggest surprise of the year. A team that started off really hot but now I'm starting to wonder if all the roster moves have made them worse. They are still 2-3 so they are not out of it. It is just the way they have been losing that has been scary. I don't think they will miss the playoffs but point differential is everything in this league so they have to pick it up. They have to get back to that fast paced game they are known for which Mithun excels at. Jah and Omar have to lead by example and with their voice. Ryan and Anthony are good pieces but they will have to fit them in properly to maximize their talent. PREVIOUSLY #3

11. ROCKETS: Moving down 3 spots Rockets are having a bit of an identity crisis! One thing I will give this team...they do not lack passion. I just don't think they know how to communicate said passion. Which is leading to a lot of in-fighting. Five games in and guys still don't seem to understand their roles. Romain is killing it and they will need to make sure he is in the best position to help them succeed. This dude should easily be averaging 30+ but he can't even get an off ball screen most of the time. They got a big dub over the Pistons in a controversial game...tensions are high but let's settle down and play ball. Alot of talent on this team and they will have to dig deep as a team to overcome early season adversity. PREVIOUSLY #8

12. KNICKS: Down one spot but this team has talent. The roster seems to be changing all the time and there is no way to create chemistry and momentum when this happens. Injuries and absences happen but ya'll signed up to play and so hopefully everything is sorted out going forward. They snuck out two wins and the Commish informs me they are adding a legit player. I need to see it with my own eyes because schedule coming up now will be tough. Major shout out to Drew Sanderson (10ppg 13rpg) absolute DAWG who has been keeping them a float through all the changes! PREVIOUSLY #11