SCOTTSDALE, AZ: Week 3 Power Rankings | New King of the Hill

It’s an epidemic. No I’m not talking about the selfie, I’m talking sports clichés – “Take it one game at a time”, “Give it 110 percent”, and “Our backs are against the wall”. Stop it. Just stop it. This league is all about results. No moral victories here. I don’t need excuses - win and you’re good; lose and well, you lose. Now there’s a log jam at the top and there’s going to be some disagreement, but with this much talent in the league, I’d expect nothing less.

Week 3 Power Rankings

1. TIMELIFERS (3-0, LW 3) Surprise of the season? So far I’d say so. They’ve had some breaks go their way, but I have to hand it to this bunch, they come in and just get it done. They are the only undefeated team left in Scottsdale, but can they continue this run? They can’t rest on their laurels as they play a team next week hungry for their first win. Don’t let this number one ranking be the highlight of the season. A loss and I’m dropping this team down, way down– how’s that for motivation? I’m looking at you Eric Walker and Kyle Rivas.

2. PINK CANOES (2-1, LW 1) Their two-week reign as the number one team comes to an end. They faced their biggest challenge thus far and fell short. They still got the players to compete and trust me, they will not take losing lightly. They will have a battle on their hands next week. Lance Williams (19 pts) will need to continue his hot streak if they want to avoid a 2-game losing streak.

3. SPLASH BROTHERS (2- 1, LW 2) Playing with only four players is tough for any team; lesser teams would lose by double digits. Almost winning against a very good team says a lot, but a loss is a loss. Tristan Boone (14 pts) did his best to pick up the scoring slack, but if they want to get back to their winning ways, they’ll need their whole team to show up.

4. PHX BALLERS (2-1, LW 4) Their experience and toughness is shining through once again as they are now on a 2-game win streak. They won’t give away any games and now that Aaron Bennet (29 pts, 10 rbs) has found his groove, this team will be a tough out the rest of the season.

5. XOVER (2-1, LW 5) Watch out now. This team is now hitting on all cylinders as they are finally getting all their players to show up for the games. Fred Dudley (28 pts, 6 assts) continues is prolific scoring as big man Randel Bronner (19 pts, 9 rbs) holds down the block.

6. SUPERSONICS (2-1, LW 6) They bounce back from last week’s disaster and did what most didn’t expect them to do, beat the PINK CANOES. Darrin Dorsey (32 pts, 6 rbs) and TJ Campbell (21 pts, 6 rbs) are the real deal. These shiny new additions have got me re-thinking my finals prediction.

7. PILLSBURY B BOYS (1-2, LW 7) Big game. Big shot. That was an impressive win last week with Michael Bizoukas (27 pts, 16 assts) coming though in the clutch to hit the game winner. Big man Brandon Birden (21 pts, 14 rbs) wasn’t too shabby either. Can they ride this momentum high into next week against XOVER?

8. TEAM TO BEAT (0-2, LW 9) it has been a rough two weeks for the team from Tempe. The good news? They average 99.5 points per game. The bad news? They give up 107. Losing on a last second shot hurts but they’ll need to shake it off if they want to get their first win against a very good TIMELIFERS team next week.

9. KOBRA KAI (0-2, LW 8) Two bad weeks against two good teams. Big man Shane Zink (14 pts, 13 rbs) is playing strong lately. Look to them to get their first win as they play AMATEUR HOUR next week. If they lose, then I’d put the blame solely on Brandt Wilson’s inability to get a higher assist-to-turnover ratio. Numbers don’t lie Brandt.

10. AMATEUR HOUR (0-2, LW 10) I might as well paste last week’s thought for this team here because this team is struggling to find a rhythm. They have to put their egos aside and come up with a game plan that works (re: substitutions). There looks to be some internal conflicts brewing but just know this - you’ll never win if you start alienating teammates.

Is this what they mean when they talk about parity? You best bring it every night because no one is going to give away games. The next few weeks should help separate the contenders from the pretenders. Stay tuned.

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