#1 Do Work (5-0)
With a 4 game win streak on the line, the men of Do Work went into their Week 5 match-up with the A-Team with a very short roster. Last Seasons Finals MVP Kenneth Ubom took over the game offensively; he was a force on the offensive end as he dropped an amazing 44 points and helped guide his team to a narrow 77-74 victory over the A-Team. He also garnered POTW honors, Do Work is the only team in the Division to have clinched a playoff berth heading into the final 3 weeks of the season. They are clearly the best team, and their play shows it.
#2 Knicee (4-1)
After a Week 4 blowout at the hands of Do Work Knicee finally had a full roster intact heading into Week 5 as they hosted the A-Team in their first game of their double-header. The A-Team forfeited the game which led to Knicee’s only game of the day against the last place team Hard in da Paint. Knicee dominated from start to finished and captured an easy 57-37 victory. To increase their record to 4-1.
#3 STAT (3-2)
After their Week 4 match-up with Primetime, this team found out its last flaws and improved on them in Week 5 against the former 2 time division champions Dynasty. This young team can match-up well with any team because of their height and quickness. Their Week 6 match up with Fly Society will prove to be crucial seeing as both teams are tied with a 3-2 record and are fighting for a Top 4 spot because no one wants to play Do Work in the first round of the playoffs.
#4 Dynasty (3-2)
A short-handed Dynasty team almost pulled out a close game in Week 5 over the #3 ranked STAT but late free throws clinched the game for STAT and left Dynasty wondering what the end result would be if their big man Dewayne O’Neal would have shown up. His presence is crucial for this teams success and it showed in Week 5.
#5 Fly Society (3-2)
After another 0-2 start, this team seems to have found their stride winning their last 3 games. They survived a 38 point performance by Troy Allen of Primetime to escape with a 9 point victory. They now head into a Week 6 match up with #3 ranked STAT for bragging rights and most likely a tie breaker for one of the top 6 spots in the playoff race.
#6 Speed Kills (3-2)
Speed Kills? 3-2? What! Despite my previous comments about this team missing the playoffs in my previous rankings, they have proved me wrong. Speed Kills could really be a sleeper pick to upset a few teams. They have the best 3 point percentage in the division and are very composed in late game situations, seeing as they have captured two 1 point wins this season. The season is half over and they look poised to make their first playoff run.
#7 Dictators (2-3)
After a great 2-0 start this team has dropped 3 straight. Their last L coming to Speed Kills in a 58-57 thriller which ended when a player from the Dictators failed to make the go ahead basket. This team is still in Playoff contention but the light at the end of the tunnel seems far away because their schedule does not look too favorable in these upcoming weeks.
#8 Primetime (2-3)
Primetime has only impressed me once this season and that was in Week 4 when they played STAT. Troy Allen had a mere 34 points and garnered POTW honors but their two guards combined for 30 points and proved to be crucial in that Week 4 win. In Week 5 against Fly Society however their guards could not get into an offensive rhythm and forced contested shots were taken.
#9 Blu Dream (1-4)
I really had high expectations for this team this season. They’ve let me down so far. 1-4 through 5 games? really? The GM of the Blu Dream assembled a really “Beasty” team with the height of Praise Odo Boms and the athleticism of Lonzo Board and Tyshawn Walker I felt this team would make some noise, that hasn’t been the case. Along with the other 1-4 teams this team struggles with personnel, you never know who’s going to show up for the games and that’s what kills them. Get it together Blu Dream I still believe in you.
#10 A-Team (1-4)
The A-Team has got to be one of the biggest disappointments this season, they entered in Week 2 giving Dynasty all they could handle and just killing the Speed of Speed Kills. Every game after that, the team has struggled with personnel. Get it together quick fellas or you will no longer be in playoff contention. You’ll just be looking to play the spoiler role.
#11 Hard in da Paint (1-4)
Hard in da Paint is ranked eighth in defense with 302 points allowed so far this season. However they recorded their first victory this past Sunday with a 1 point win over the Blu Dream. Things are finally clicking for them and as of now they’re still in playoff contention.
#1 Cali Raisins (5-0)
The Cali Raisins are ultimately the most exciting team to watch play, their chemistry is great and every week as someone looks to end their streak they fall. It would be nice to see them go undefeated into the Playoffs but we all know what happened last season when Double Dribble went 9-0 into the Championship game and lost, however that’s neither here or there I see a team on a mission and they wont stop until they get there. Their Week 5 victory over the Regulators just showed me how resilient of a team they are.
#2 Wonton Soup (4-2)
A 50-point victory in their first game of their Week 5 double-header over NBN was followed by a 9 point victory over the Thunder . Wonton Soup will see a better team in Week 6 when they play Double Dribble in a rematch of last seasons Division 2 Championship.
#3 Smash Bros (4-1)
The Smash Bros. started their season at the bottom of the rankings as they usually do and have just shot up to the #3 spot. This team can overtake the Raisins for the best record this coming sunday with a win.
#4 Lights Out (4-1)
Lights Out is off to a hot start and is making a name for themselves in Season 4 so far. They have yet to show any true weaknesses and will most likely secure a playoff spot .
#5 Hoop Dreams (4-1)
Solin Bit has his guys walking the walk and talking the talk. Hoop Dreams is a quiet 4-1 and have remained under the radar so far this season.
#6 Double Dribble (3-2)
Double Dribble is on the rise after their 2 losses and they’ll be looking to Cook that Wonton Soup in Week 6. With half of the season under their belt, they are looking strong and ready to take down the defending champions. The same champions which upset them in the Championship game last season.
#7 Regulators (3-2)
In Week 5, the Regulators stayed neck and neck with the Cali Raisins throughout the entire game, but fell a few points short for the win. The Regulators have anger issues and have this weird theory that everyone is out to get them. Besides that their biggest flaws were exposed in their week 5 match up with the Cali Raisins. This team loves to hug that 3 point line, work the ball around and feed it to your Big man who is 6’1 3/4’s aka the biggest guy in division 2 height wise.
#8 Beyond the Arch (3-2)
After their 3-0 start this team has lost 2 straight and an almost certain playoff berth seems to be in jeopardy heading into Week 6. This team lives and dies by the 3 point shot. They lived 3 weeks and have died the past 2.
#9 3 Point Lay-ups(3-2)
Joe Dizon has the 3 point Layups poised for another playoff run. Theyre firing on all cylinders and with a win this sunday they’ll be one step closer to their return to the playoffs.
#10 Bulls (3-2)
After a Week 4 loss, the Bulls showed up in Week 5 ready to destroy a team and they did just that beating Quiksilver by 24 points and just out working them the entire game.
#11 Soak City! (3-2)
Vince P. and Junior Muntu have their squad in the Playoff picture but they can easily slip out with a loss. They’ve won 2 straight and look to carry on with their winning ways in Week 6.
#12 Southstars (3-2)
After their 1 point loss to the Thunder in Week 4 this team came back in Week 5 and took down CFB with a 67-59 victory. Trayvonn Booker is the team’s leader and leading rebounder and hands down one of the most ferocious rebounders in the division.
#13 Quiksilver (3-3)
This team doesn’t lack chemistry, but they need find a way to execute their game plan better. Being BLOWNOUT by 24 is not a good way to end start your week. They should rebound in Week 6 vs. whoever they play.
#14 Benchwarmers (3-2)
The Benchwarmers are another team flying completely under the radar. Their 3-2 record is a reflection of the type of basketball they’ve been playing. They’ve shown up 3 games and have been absent for 2 of their 5.
#15 Thunder (2-3)
The Thunder is currently the strongest 2-3 team and their record and margin of victory is a reflection of their opponents’ strength.
#16 Prospectz (2-3)
The Prospectz are the youngest team in the Division and it showed for the first 4 weeks. Team captain and leading scorer Nathan Apolonio needs more help on offense and defense. Reaching the playoff after starting 1 – 3 is not impossible, but the window of opportunity is slowly closing in. Time to put in Work.
#17 Tropics (2-3)
After a nice 2-1 start the Tropics have dropped 2 in a row, a win this week will keep their playoffs hopes alive.
#18 H.A.M (1-2)
H.A.M in Week 5 almost witnessed an amazing come-from behind-victory. With the team down by a reasonable margin, Harry Yooh scored the game tying 3-pointer to send the game into overtime. H.A.M however fell in OT to the Smash Bros.
#19 5 Guys 1 Cup (1-4)
5 Guys 1 Cup recorded their first win of season 5 this past sunday when they put a hurting on the MLK Riders. This team is the best 3 point shooting team in the Division and sometimes they rely on that too much. Their Week 6 match up with the Prospectz should be filled with many jump shots.
#20 Warriors (1-4)
The Warriors could very well be the best 1 – 4 team. They started off the season with W and seemed poised to make a stronger run towards the playoffs, that hasn’t been the case this season, they’ve struggle offensively and like most of the other teams personnel has been an issue. I never know what Warrior team im gonna see until the opening tip.
#21 MLK Riders (1-4)
The MLK Riders seemed to be on the right track after they recorded their first victory in Week 2 but have since fallen off track losing 3 straight by double figures.
#22 Nothin But Nets (1-5)
There’s not a whole a lot of good things going on with this team. The defense is ranked last in the league by allowing 372 points in six games.
#23 Uptown Fades (1-4)
Uptown Fades had moments of possibly making a comeback against the Prospectz in Week 5, but the defense could not hold up. The offense is ranked last in the league and needs to be addressed quickly if they want to keep things close in Week 6.
#24 Cashing Fat Bowls (0-4)
CFB appears to struggle the most compared to all the teams in the league. The team has already found their new go to man with Bruce Chow taking over the game offensively but they lack fire and intensity.
Nathan Apolonio
IBL Writer
IBL Full Court Press 