- S2 INITIAL POWER RANKINGS -
WRITTEN BY: PROFESSOR X
After an incredible first season of the Rookie Division, we had to run it back immediately! Season 2 is officially underway and I couldn’t be more hyped. We’ve got a bunch of new squads entering the mix but it’s great to see some familiar faces back in action too. Shoutout to the Commish for putting together another solid season, he really doesn’t miss. With custom jerseys looking clean across the board, the energy is already high, and we’re just getting started. Now, let’s talk business. It’s time to break down the Power Rankings. The ETBL crew did their best to balance things out but let’s be real, some teams just come in hotter than others. My job? To lay it all out and call it how I see it. I know this list might ruffle some feathers, but if you don’t like where you’re placed, there’s only one solution: prove me wrong when it’s game time. Talent’s great, but consistent effort always wins. Let’s get after it fellas!
1. HUSKIES: The reigning Champs are back in action, and they’re looking just as dangerous as ever. With most of their core returning led by MVP candidate TK...their team chemistry is going to be off the charts. They’ve already proven they can run the table and now they’re coming for an encore. Finals MVP Thulakshan (TK) isn’t done yet and he’s got room for more rings on his fingers. Who’s going to step up and stop them? Remember, if you want the crown, you’ve got to go through the kings. The competition has increased significantly in the league so it ain't going to be as easy as last time. But with that being said, don’t think the cameras aren’t rolling, their squad stays snapping both shots and ankles.
2. CAVALIERS: Gauka has returned to the league, but this time as a GM. Bringing in some familiar faces from his old Cavaliers team which played in a higher division (with little success) but they have a scary big 3 in Abilash, Eman, and himself. With solid role players as well, including veteran Sugee and some new guys to ETBL it’s scary hours in Cleveland as these guys look to bring a championship to the Land. Abilash is going to lead the league in scoring. Eman going to lead in rebounds. What the rest of the team do will determine their success.
3. HELLCATS: Hellcats are back in Rookie but with some new faces. Fresh off a final's loss, reigning MVP Viz has taken over the GM duties and has built a whole new squad around himself. Let’s see if Viz can put up another MVP season and with his new squad get back to the finals and win it all.
4. SHOOTING STARS: GM Randy is back (finally) and he was not playing around. Randy is looking to conquer every tier in ETBL and this one is no different. Shooting Stars look like the early favourite for the best shooting team in the league with the additions of Arjun and Clayton to add to Ayub and Jake. Bhavik is a solid big and Marcus is going to be a problem in Rookie Division. Make sure to keep a hand up on these guys, otherwise it’s going to be a long night. The team with the highest floor in my opinion. Chemistry will be the only thing to figure out.
5. LAKERS: Abhiram is back as a GM, but this time not as a coach but as a player. The Lakers, with some new faces in the league, look like they lack some shooting but make up for that in their hustle play. The Dynamic Duo of Abhiram and Akash look to bring a championship to the City of Angels. Abhiram is young and athletic and might be the best 2 way player in the league. From our research staff, Robinson seems like a solid forward, Punch can play, Ashwin and Aswin got game and so this might be a lowkey contender if they get it together.
6. SWISH: A totally new team with some interesting pieces. GM Prem put together a squad in ETBL for the first time and has already shown up to some runs so you can tell they are excited and looking forward to the challenge. So hard to tell where they will land but they got some talent and the passing ability of the players seems legit. I do not see any terrible players and they all seem like they can do something and so they are going to be a sleeper I think.
7. DEMONS: This team is a little unknown except for the fact that they have Gopal and Nirjan who have both played in higher divisions in ETBL and so automatically they should be pretty damn good. If the rest of the guys can match their output then this team will be really good. Too many unknown variables to make a real judgement call but an ETBL favorite in Gopal means he is going to do what he can to uplift this team and make it playoff worthy. Great IQ, can shoot the ball and play some tough defence. Let's see if they are on Demon time.
8. HORNETS: Waqar has entered himself into the GM world and I hope he knows what he is getting into. Gotta manage minutes and egos and work on chemistry. We looked up and saw a familiar name in Jeroy who is returning to ETBL. He can flat out ball so that alone I think makes this a playoff team. The rest of the cast we have to find out what they can do. Could be another sleeper team and so the Mid-Season Power Rankings might look totally different with this team making some buzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
9. SHOTTAS: Terrell has put together his first squad in ETBL. To be honest...I like it alot. They look like a deep team and guys coming off the bench can all play. I am not sure about their shooting and if they have enough of it. Their chemistry will need to build throughout the season. I want to say they will be a playoff team (Top 8) just based off the names they have and I think they will sneak in if things go pretty decently. Terrell could definitely show out this season and make a name for him and his squad.
10. TMC: GM Inghi is back with a whole new squad. Well not totally new as Xavier and Kumssa will be joining him plus another player from the league (Kyron). Seems like this team is deep and with the nice addition of Tharsan who is returning to ETBL...I like what he has put together. Deep team with serviceable pieces. I just do not see that allstar player which is not a bad thing but in crunch time it may be important to have that go to player. Somebody could certainly step up or this team plays like a unit (2004 Detroit Pistons). Until we see more I will guess they might be on the outside looking in.
11. FALCONS: Daenujan looks to put his GM hat on as he comes to Rookie with a team of his own. This team is unknown, but the fact that they come in with good chemistry has us all hyped to see if they can unlock the MVP potential in DJ. He is going to have to ball out for this team to be successful and he certainly can. Until we see more from this team we are going to have them on the lower end of the spectrum.
12. PHANTOMS: Phantoms are ranked last due to some of the unknown players. We’ve briefly seen Tasmay Joshi but not enough to judge him on. They might have the best jersey in the league though. Use this as motivation to prove us all wrong Phantoms!