10) Where’s My Keeper (Sean)
More like where is my scoring? Probably with the #1 fantasy player (Luka Doncic) through week 1 that was traded away just days before the draft in a move that had phones buzzing from New York to Los Angeles. The hurt ankle of the team’s star, Joel Embiid also did not help them one bit. Injuries to Blake Griffin and Paul George hurt the team’s production as well and a pair of young Hawks averaging a combined 12.5 points a game isn’t going to help any team. Moving forward they’ll need to bank on good health and more team chemistry if they want to compete this year.
9) What Does the FOX Say? (JK)
Well I think it is very clear that the FOX did not speak this week after a very lackluster performance. The team’s best players did not perform up to standards, the coach left their star point guard on the bench during a crucial weekend game, and as a whole the team kind of just tailed off as the week came to a close. This team was spoken very highly of by management before the season. Makes you think if the players read too many of their press clippings and took the pedal off the gas. I’ve heard from people close to the team that investing heavily in the Kings may have been a mistake.
8) Lou’s Favorite Players (James)
You can put a price on heart. This team struggled this week but fought hard and coming into late Sunday night they still had a chance to win. Unfortunately the Lakers were stat padding and Anthony Davis was able to help his team take the lead over Lou’s Favorite Players. This team is full of bright spots and their future is promising. RJ Barrett already has 49 more fantasy points that his old Duke teammate, Zion Williamson. Trae Young and Brandon Ingram have been lights out this year and will look to continue their all-star level play as they enter into week 2. This may not be the year these guys are competing for a Championship but they should have many seasons in the future where the trophy is theirs to lose.
7) Herro Hive (Nick)
Controversy. League officials are investigating the team owner over suspicious activity. There are alleged accusations that the team owner was trying to fix the matchup. An anonymous source claims that the team manager sat Giannis Saturday night because they were trying to stay under the spread and could have had money on the matchup. They were able to pull a close win off but it was not overly impressive. They were part of a week 1 trade that turned heads all around the league in a big win now trade where they acquired Damian Lillard. It came at a price though because Herro Hive had to give up Ja Morant, John Collins, and Montrez Harrell in order to acquire Mr. Lillard. It is hard to take much from their week 1 matchup due to alleged illegal game fixing and only getting 1 game of Damian Lillard, we look forward to seeing more of this team in week 2.
*Team officials have declined to comment on the matter of fixing game scores.
6) Jk sucks (Carter)
Very impressive for this team in week 1. 9/10 of the gambling expert we consult had them losing in week 1 and they proved the, wrong. A win is a win. Outside of the Donovan Mitchell this team did not have any outstanding performances over the whole week, but everyone was either solid or good and that was all they needed to secure a week 1 victory. Can this kind of performance and these winning ways continue? I think we all hope so. To see this team win would be so much fun for everyone across the league to witness week in and week out. Looking forward to watching them continue to progress over the season.
5) TallyHo Skin Bags (Louis)
Wow. What a letdown. They lost to a G league team. This team came in hot this year claiming that they were a for sure lock for the playoffs and that winning back-to-back titles would be a thing of ease for them. Things are not looking promising after week 1. Russell Westbrook has been dominant for them, a pair of big men from Cleveland have been a great force for them, and Derrick Rose has spoken and told the haters to wake up because he is still out here doing his damn thing. After that this team has been sad and honestly, just a letdown. The walking health liability of Zion Williamson and Bol Bol doesn’t bode well for them moving forward, as well as their long term future.
4) Banner 18 (David)
The new kid on the block didn’t grab a win this week but he definitely put the league on notice that he should be taken seriously this season. A nice performance in his week 1 loss has his team feeling optimistic moving forward. Missing star players Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson due to injury doesn’t help, and to add to that, Miami Heat star missed the whole first week due to his daughter being born. No one is blaming these men for being hurt or an excellent father, but if these weren’t factors then maybe the new team takes a W in week 1. A big injury to Marvin Bagley and a suspension to Deandre Ayton does not help at all either. His opponent honestly lucked out with so many players missing and only winning by 86 points.
3) Kawhi You Laughing? (Seamus)
It is really odd to see a G league team in a top 10 power ranking, let alone in the top 3, but here we are. The haters hated and the doubters doubted but this team came out and took care of business in week 1. Multiple front offices laughed at them, criticized them, belittled them, well they came out and outperformed every GM that publicly spoke ill of Kawhi You Laughing. Coming into the season they had Kawhi Leonard and Damian Lillard and many thought they would ride that duo all season long. Well Damian Lillard is no longer with the team and it does not look like it is slowing them down, they may have even gotten better! This is a young team with a couple of veterans and they are hoping that this roster is a roster that compete in the playoffs this season. The foxes were laughing but now they’re left silent at the bottom of the standings. Ja Morant is better than your fav player.
2) Book Smart (Justin)
The only team this week to score in the 700s. Book Smart played by the book and had a very impressive week 1 performance. In a league wide survey prior to the season this team was a well-respected team by the whole league. It is to no surprise that his team is a top 2 team and looks to be heading toward a championship battle. This team looked dominant in week 1 and that was with a team star in Bradley Beal no producing the numbers many expected him to put up. If he returns to his form of last season, which we expect will happen, then this team will be a problem for every team in the league the whole season. This team arguably holds the two best big men in basketball and they plan on making them their backbone all season long. Book Smart will be there at the end of the season and they look to be one of the best teams all year long.
1) LaMelo is the Future (Britt)
This team is special. Over 800 points in a week is no joke and that was with James Harden having a very non-Harden week. Lebron, Steph, Luka, and Harden all on one team im scarry. This team is Intimidating and looks to be the early on title favorite. A big first week from the Tsunami Papi was huge for this team and they hope he can continue his amazing start. This team is so stacked that one of the most consistent and reliable players in the game in LaMarcus Aldridge can go unnoticed on this team due to the star power they possess. It might be a fun year for them, but not for everyone else as the league might have to just play catch up to LaMelo is the Future all year long.