MANSFIELD, TX: Power Rankings: Are You Ready For This?

It's pretty much everyone's favorite time of the season, and if it isn't your favorite yet, I guarantee you it will be after this experience! That's right, we venture into the playoffs next week as we get ready for some intense and exciting match ups. Everyone is in, but only 1 team can be crowned king of the 2014 Spring Season here at Mansfield. So how do the teams rank amongst each other in terms of power?

#1: Heavy Hitters

I have said it, and I will say it again. They are #1 for a reason. Heavy Hitters are the ultimate package. They excel on both ends of the floor, they have an effective player for every position and they have an almost +16 point spread when it comes to points scored versus points allowed. They clamp down on defense. Also, Heavy Hitters are by far the best passing team in this league, can get up the floor in a flash and even their role players are threats to the opposing team. This team in my opinion has the highest basketball IQ of any other team they face. If they continue to play smart basketball, I don't see anyone stopping them from their chances of snatching the trophy. Most Overrated Player: Jacob Van is the top scorer for Heavy Hitters, but most of his buckets come off of fast breaks considering this kid can run the floor like a track sprinter. Take that away from him and actually get in his face and play some real defense, and you might see a difference in his numbers.

#2: Lunch Ballers

Lunch Ballers would have been #3 on my list, but their recent play has been pretty outstanding, the factor being the utilization of their big man and running more of the offense through him. They haven't really blown out any team this season, but their effectiveness in the clutch is probably the best of any team, 5 out of the 6 wins being decided by 6 points or less. If any one is going to pull an upset on Heavy Hitters in the playoffs, I'd pick Lunch Ballers to be the team to give it to them. Most Overrated Player: Adam Rowe is one guard who is hard to catch, getting to the rim at will it seems, and has the eye for the 3 point shot, but I think opposing players give him way too much space, and many times they allow him to get in the paint undisturbed for an easy layup. Get a step or 2 closer, and tweak up on the help defense. He's an all-star player, but don't roll out the red carpet so to speak to allow him to walk all over your team!

#3: The Vets

They started off the season with 2 straight losses, only to bounce back with 4 straight wins, 1 of those wins giving the Heavy Hitters their only loss of the season. Player accountability and overall stamina has been a factor in recent games, missing a couple of top scorers and visibly looking fatigued as a team down the stretch with not having many subs. If The Vets show up with everyone, you really, really have to look out. That veteran experience is definitely going to be an advantage over the other teams seeing that they have been in these playoff situations many a time, and are easily a threat to the top 2 teams. Most Overrated Player: Donnie McDade is their leading scorer and rebounder (23.6 points, 14.1 rebounds), and had told others, including myself that he would easily have a 50-point game. He's had 1 30-point game, and yes he's a dominant force in the paint, but no team seems to talk out a strategy against him. I haven't seen much double-down defense or boxing out for that matter. He intimidates with his height, but he's not unstoppable. This is when you have to play smarter, not harder.

#4: Hoop Squad

Last season's champs have had their fair share of struggles this season. Hoop Squad (formerly UHoopaz) have always been able to put up numbers, (even though not nearly as much as last season) but have lacked significantly on the defensive end, and this season it is really showing. They rank last in points allowed (86.1 points) and haven't been able to closeout on a couple of close games. Their only wins have been against The Agents whom they've beaten twice. To be one of the younger teams they also seem to rank last in terms of energy and stamina because by the 2nd half they seem to just run out gas. If they learn to use their weapons more effectively and play smarter defense then they may have a chance, but every other team in this league is a possible threat to them. It's time to step it up, or get sent home early. Most Overrated Player:Julian Johnson is the top scorer for this team, a slasher when it comes to driving in the paint, and is able to get to the line multiple times during any given game. Problem is he's not an accurate free throw shooter (52% for the season). That's super low for a guard, and if teams knew of this number, he'd be the one to foul when it comes down to the wire. He also lacks the ability to see the open floor well, and make smooth passes to his teammates. Pressure him on defense, you may see some turnovers.

#5: We Get Buckets

We Get Buckets started off the season with a win, only to receive 2 devastating losses back to back. When talks of them never winning another game this season was going about, they were fortunate to receive 2 new guards who drastically changed the dynamics of this team. Their last loss to The Vets by only 6 shows their potential to cause an upset as they face them in the quarterfinals in Game 2. Most Overrated Player: Christian Aquino seems to be a fearless guard, able to make his way into the paint, and is not afraid to give up the ball when needed. People talk about his shooting ability and how well he can strike the net, but he has been inconsistent in the past few games. I'm not sure if he's able to carry and lead his team to a trophy, and that may just be the fact that he's young and inexperienced.

#6: The Agents

Their record alone is enough to put them at the bottom of the power rankings, but there is an upside to the fact that The Agents are 1-7 going into the playoffs. They have lost pretty much all 7 games in the clutch, not losing a single game this season by double digits. To me, that's pretty impressive, meaning that they can hang with any team they have faced this season, but on the downside it shows their inability to be effective during the last minutes and/or seconds of the game. The Agents probably struggle with player accountability more than any other team, rarely having all of their players or many of their players showing up late and not in game mode. This reduces their team chemistry significantly, and if they want to have any chances of winning a game in this post-season they will need to come ready and come with it. Most Overrated Player: Danyul Hamilton was put up there with the all-stars of this league during the first few games of this season, and while he is a good player and excellent blocker, he hasn't been able to live up to the name of being a top shooter and high-jumper. He has been highly inconsistent in terms of scoring and has only broke into double digit rebounding once this season.

How do you feel about the power rankings? Accurate? Are the overrated players from each team really overrated or do their numbers and popularity prove they are worthy of their status as top rank? Will we see an upset in the playoffs, or is Heavy Hitters bound to take the crown? Leave your comments below!!

Leonard Frank
League Coordinator - Mansfield
lfrank@lifetimefitness.com