Post by St. Louis Sting on Nov 30, 2014 21:32:19 GMT -5
1. Norwich Nemesis - Currently leading the league in 4 different categories, the Norwich Nemesis take the early top spot in the power rankings. Despite the lack of real stars on the roster, they are arguably the deepest team in the league, with solid production coming from every player every night. With as much depth as the Nemesis have, injuries will not affect them as much as other teams, meaning this team is primed for a great season.
2. Clayhounds Dawgs - You could easily place the Dawgs at the top of the leaderboards and put the Nemesis here, as these two really are a toss up. This is another team with great depth, though not quite as much as the Nemesis. After putting a 7-2 beating on the Sting, the Dawgs proved they are deserving of a top spot. These pups are a serious title contender.
3. Syracuse Warriors - Like the top 2 spots, this is really a toss-up with the Sting. The Warriors get the edge after narrowly beating the Nemesis in their match-up, proving they can hang with the top teams while the Sting floundered in their chance. They may not have as much depth as the other top teams, but as long as their top guys continue to produce and stay healthy, the Warriors remain a top team.
4. St. Louis Sting - The Sting are in an interesting spot. The draft strategy to go young and sign players for the future while not sacrificing the present season seems to be paying off in spades. However, in order to remain a true title contender the Sting may need to trade some of that young talent to secure their spot near the top. They have the cap space to do it if desired, so it will be interesting how the rest of the season pans out for the young squad.
5. Dallas Desperados - Just think what this team could do with a healthy Kevin Durant. Well, that is about to become a reality, as he is set to return in Week 6. Injuries have been a major problem for the Desperados to this point, so getting their MVP back will be a huge step. Expect the Desperados to make a move up the standings, potentially landing in the top 3 by the next power rankings. A trade for a top shooting guard could push them even higher than that.
6. Chicago Fire - The Fire have looked good this year outside of two early defeats by top ranked Norwich and Syracuse, even taking down the Dawgs in Week 4. The boys from Chicago could benefit from some added depth, but the Fire should continue to hold down a lower seed playoff spot throughout the year.
7. New Jersey Haze - New Jersey has been a victim of a rough early season schedule, with all but one of their first 5 matchups against teams in the top 5 in the power rankings, including two bouts with the Nemesis. The next few weeks should prove to be a bit easier, so expect to see the Haze and their talented roster move up from the cellar of the league.
8. Gainesville Gators - This is a tough team to rank. They've kept all of their matchups close, both with the good teams and the not-so-good teams. The Gators will have to fight for their playoff lives, especially if the Hotdogs improve their depth in the coming weeks. This should be an interesting team to watch as they compete for their chance at the crown.
9. Salisbury Hotdogs - The Hotdogs have a few stars sprinkled in the line-up but it is entirely devoid of depth. This is evident by the beatings taken by the Dawgs and Sting, as well as the loss to the last place Wings. There is some talent on the team, but unless there is a drastic change in the roster make-up don't expect a run from these guys any time soon.
10. Pensacola Pelicans - The Pelicans had been a pleasant surprise thus far, putting together a record above .500 through the first 4 weeks. However, a closer look shows that a large piece of that record is an 8-1 victory over the Doughnuts, a very unimpressive win. In fact, the Pelicans have lost every other matchup and look to be on a downward slide. After overpaying for their guys due to a late entry into the draft, it looks as if the Pelicans could struggle for the foreseeable future.
11. Eakin Doughnuts - Lebron can only do so much. On a team with no depth and little talent he seems out of place. Even their poor record to this point is inflated due to a matchup with the Wings. The Doughnuts don't look like they'll be competitive at all this year, but they do have some talented youngsters signed for extended periods. Watch for these guys the next few years.
12. Buffalo Wings - The Wings got a late start to the team building, and they have an early last-place spot to show for it. The team is devoid of talent and sadly has no chance this season. They may want to explore trading anything they can for some kind of young talent or draft picks. Just something really. It'll take a while, but the Wings do have the makings of a team with a future.
2. Clayhounds Dawgs - You could easily place the Dawgs at the top of the leaderboards and put the Nemesis here, as these two really are a toss up. This is another team with great depth, though not quite as much as the Nemesis. After putting a 7-2 beating on the Sting, the Dawgs proved they are deserving of a top spot. These pups are a serious title contender.
3. Syracuse Warriors - Like the top 2 spots, this is really a toss-up with the Sting. The Warriors get the edge after narrowly beating the Nemesis in their match-up, proving they can hang with the top teams while the Sting floundered in their chance. They may not have as much depth as the other top teams, but as long as their top guys continue to produce and stay healthy, the Warriors remain a top team.
4. St. Louis Sting - The Sting are in an interesting spot. The draft strategy to go young and sign players for the future while not sacrificing the present season seems to be paying off in spades. However, in order to remain a true title contender the Sting may need to trade some of that young talent to secure their spot near the top. They have the cap space to do it if desired, so it will be interesting how the rest of the season pans out for the young squad.
5. Dallas Desperados - Just think what this team could do with a healthy Kevin Durant. Well, that is about to become a reality, as he is set to return in Week 6. Injuries have been a major problem for the Desperados to this point, so getting their MVP back will be a huge step. Expect the Desperados to make a move up the standings, potentially landing in the top 3 by the next power rankings. A trade for a top shooting guard could push them even higher than that.
6. Chicago Fire - The Fire have looked good this year outside of two early defeats by top ranked Norwich and Syracuse, even taking down the Dawgs in Week 4. The boys from Chicago could benefit from some added depth, but the Fire should continue to hold down a lower seed playoff spot throughout the year.
7. New Jersey Haze - New Jersey has been a victim of a rough early season schedule, with all but one of their first 5 matchups against teams in the top 5 in the power rankings, including two bouts with the Nemesis. The next few weeks should prove to be a bit easier, so expect to see the Haze and their talented roster move up from the cellar of the league.
8. Gainesville Gators - This is a tough team to rank. They've kept all of their matchups close, both with the good teams and the not-so-good teams. The Gators will have to fight for their playoff lives, especially if the Hotdogs improve their depth in the coming weeks. This should be an interesting team to watch as they compete for their chance at the crown.
9. Salisbury Hotdogs - The Hotdogs have a few stars sprinkled in the line-up but it is entirely devoid of depth. This is evident by the beatings taken by the Dawgs and Sting, as well as the loss to the last place Wings. There is some talent on the team, but unless there is a drastic change in the roster make-up don't expect a run from these guys any time soon.
10. Pensacola Pelicans - The Pelicans had been a pleasant surprise thus far, putting together a record above .500 through the first 4 weeks. However, a closer look shows that a large piece of that record is an 8-1 victory over the Doughnuts, a very unimpressive win. In fact, the Pelicans have lost every other matchup and look to be on a downward slide. After overpaying for their guys due to a late entry into the draft, it looks as if the Pelicans could struggle for the foreseeable future.
11. Eakin Doughnuts - Lebron can only do so much. On a team with no depth and little talent he seems out of place. Even their poor record to this point is inflated due to a matchup with the Wings. The Doughnuts don't look like they'll be competitive at all this year, but they do have some talented youngsters signed for extended periods. Watch for these guys the next few years.
12. Buffalo Wings - The Wings got a late start to the team building, and they have an early last-place spot to show for it. The team is devoid of talent and sadly has no chance this season. They may want to explore trading anything they can for some kind of young talent or draft picks. Just something really. It'll take a while, but the Wings do have the makings of a team with a future.