SCOTTSDALE, AZ: Week 5 Power Rankings | Whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on

This season has had its full share of surprises and disappointments. Week 4 saw our first overtime game and two others came down the final seconds. Not sure how much more I can take of this. These teams have a lot of pride and will not back down from anyone - this isn’t making my job any easier.

Week 5 Power Rankings

1. PHX BALLERS (4-1, LW 2) Make it a 4-game winning streak for this red hot team. Tyrone Jones is playing lights out and is quietly putting up MVP-type numbers. They’ve played flawless in every game save for their first, but the backend of the schedule will be tougher and will definitely test this team. Will they continue on this high or will they hit the wall and come back down to earth?

2. PILLSBURY B BOYS (3-2, LW 3) Not having Michael Bizoukas hitting game winners is going to hurt in the long run but they’ve got the right mix of talent and team chemistry to play with anyone. Klayton Kristick continues his torrid streak of hitting threes but will have to pick up the slack if they want to continue playing with the big boys.

3. SPLASH BROTHERS (3- 2, LW 1) Is this team in trouble? They’ve had a bulls-eye on their backs from day one; each team they have played has come out looking to be the David to take down Goliath. This team is too talented to let games slip through their fingertips. Look for them to get it going next week and find that groove they’ve been missing the last two weeks.

4. TEAM TO BEAT (2-2, LW 7) Two straight wins and looking good doing it. They’ve definitely taken that next step forward and pushed their way into the conversation of elite teams in the league. I predicted this team to be in the top 3 by season’s end and it’s looking like they’ve hit their stride just in time.

5. XOVER (3-2, LW 6) They pulled out a nice win last week but it was too close for my comfort. They’ve looked a bit lost on defense allowing teams to keep it close the last few weeks. They’ve got the scorers outside and the big men will give trouble to every team, but they are missing something and I just can’t put my finger on it.

6. TIMELIFERS (3-2, LW 4) Another tough matchup last week and another loss. That’s 2-straight since being crowned number 1 in the rankings. Maybe that was the highlight of their season? Did I hype them up too much? I still think this team has what it takes to be competitive each and every week but will need to find that extra something in order to push back up to the top.

7. PINK CANOES (2-3, LW 5) The bleeding continues as they lose their third straight? Has the rest of the league figured them out? Have they hit a wall and just don’t have what it takes to compete in this league? Harsh words but when you struggle like they have, these are legitimate questions.

8. SUPERSONICS (3-2, LW 8) Will the real SUPERSONICS please stand up, please stand up. Once again, they come with a full squad and show how talented they are. Unfortunately for them, the pattern will show that they will lose next week, and continue to be the most unpredictable team in the league. It’s hard to move them up even after a solid win.

9. COBRA KAI (1-3, LW 9) Another close game, but this time they come up on the short end. Looking ahead, I’m just not quite sure I see another win on their schedule. Shane Zink has played like a man on a mission this season, but they will have to find others on their team to contribute if they want to win in this league.

10. AMATEUR HOUR (0-5, LW 10) Back to the drawing board. They continue to play hard but just can’t catch a break. They have a tough road ahead the next three games, but as long as they use each game to learn and grow, they can potentially sneak away with a surprise win. Hopeful – Yes, likely – no.

Through the midpoint in the season and things are just as unpredictable as it was in Week 1. Each week has had its own moments, but Week 4 might was the most dramatic week we’ve had by a long shot. With the season now in full swing, I expect nothing less going forward.

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