Tuesday, August 09, 2005
National League Pre-Ranking
NATIONAL LEAGUE: Mountain
1: Pool Outlaws - You can't argue with the talent they've added. I only need to say the word "Mick" to get my point across, but that's only if he gets his games. 0 played, and less than a week to go to the start of the season, uh oh... They still have enough players over 100 games to get the job done though. The first few weeks may be shakey, but when haven't they been when you look back on previous seasons?
2: Beer Ball Masters - Well, look! People who said 100 games was gay and stupid because they don't have time... Some are making nice progress! lol. Anyways, Brandi's their new captain, I figure there will still be trouble but if I know Brandi at all she's gonna be cutting people if that happens. They've got a ton of talent this season, and I'm actually curious to see a lot of NL matchups here.
3: PoolFiction - After that huge collapse last season, they've got a new Captain as Mick heads to the Outlaws, but they've also made up a lot for it I think. Adding apparently derekgnr, SexySycoChick, and they've got a player xlx_shotz_xlx they can use, despite being a Yankee fan. Add all that to Jammy staying, Marty possibly returning at least for MLP, if he still has some of it in him, PFN could make a run at redemption for last season.
4: 8Ball Runners - This team was the most underachieving team in MLP, period. The talent was all there, and they blew it. I don't think we'll see a repeat choke job this season, simply because I'm not convinced that they've gotten better necessarily. They might have an average season, but to really excel in this tough NL they will need everybody to play top-notch.
5: BritPool - Well, after a short Playoff stint in that awful, pathetic Atlantic Division last season, and by the way I'm so glad they made it because they played better than their record at times, BritPool is looking to make a repeat performance. Unfortunately, they have a LOT of doubters, and one of them obviously is me. But, they are a fun bunch to watch and who knows? Maybe, juuust maybe...
6: Break And Run - I'm done predictin these guys to make a Playoff run. Not in this stacked-up conference. They've shown quite a few signs of improvement over the last few seasons but even that's not enough to snatch a spot here. They'll still be a fun group to watch as brownie takes over as Captain, and it'll be interesting to see how they handle these big-name leagues in this Conference.
7: Hot Shotz - Another group that I don't think has really improved much and over the past few weeks they've had their fair share of drama. I think they still have a solid core of 2-3 players who can win a few games, but it's going to be a very rough season.
8: Unknown - Just talked with an EZ8 Admin I had talked to before, and it turns out they changed their mind about MLP so we're looking for another lg (playtowin possibly, where TP's old Captain is now) but I'll get an update for ya sometime this morning or afternoon.
NATIONAL LEAGUE: Pacific
1: Pool Legends - Of course. And, they've added quite a bit of talent, be it part-time or full-time, that remains to be seen. I think Pool legends are almost a lock to make a repeat Playoff performance, given that they had a phenomenal season last season with a sub-par record, and their improvements don't hurt them any, especially with their great Captain.
2: DreamPool - Another team that had a nice season and added improvements, the biggest of which is obviously MJ. This is a team very capable of a World Series run this season, but it's going to be a warzone in the NL Playoff Bracket.
3: Pool Masters - Consistantly good, solid players who every season take loyal league members (mostly) and get to the Playoffs. It really is a treat every season to see how well these guys play. A lot is expected of them each season with their constant success, this season is no different.
4: Pool Hustlers - Once Theike got away from stacking teams, and allowing actual PH players to play, they went on a great run and just blew everybody away. But of course, they suffered their usual round 1 choke and here we are again. The team seems a little depleted with Theike missing and Ryan leaving, and Cory will really have his hands full getting a competitive team in there each week, but I think they can make a pretty good run.
5: Real Players - You may not have heard of these guys but they're a fairly strong team, and the most interesting part of it, I think, is it seems they have a few of Breakers Alley's players in other interleagues, and they still have success. I think we can expect a lot out of not only this group, but expect a few improvements on BA's end as well.
6: Black Silver - A team that does seem to be a bit depleted, and even had question marks about whether or not they'd be returning after losing so many players. However, I think they can put up a decent fight but I can't see any way Lisa gets this team in a position to make the Playoffs. As I've said before, the Conference is just way, way too good.
7: Nice Racks - Expecting them to have a below-average season of course by this Conference's standards, but I think if they stick around a couple seasons or more, having to play in this stacked Conference can really only help them get a feel for the competition, and in turn that leads to improvements, and maybe next season if the divisions get shuffled a little, they can make a competitive run.
8: Breakers Alley - Yes I said they'd improve but after last season that's really all you can do. I still don't think they're really above anyone else in this Division, or even Conference but what impresses me is they know how to have fun. You go into their room for a match and yes, sometimes you get a whiff of drama but usually you see them having fun. That's why they're always welcomed back every season - it's fun to have them around.
So there ya go. I think the most interesting part of MLP this season and every season) is watching the newer leagues. Nice Racks, Real Players, Jokers Alley, etc. they all can compete, and if anything I think it helps them with this new rule saying you need 5 7v7 matches played this season to play Playoffs. That means teams like PO, PL, QZ, etc. will need to rotate a few players in and out more often. Of course that also means it may be a better idea to just attack and try to win in 4-5 games, so you can have other people play the usually less meaningful late games when you already have the match won, in order to get more people eligible. But, in some cases they may get a week where a stronger league needs to sit a couple hotshots in order to try and add Playoff depth, and that's where the real challenge for all of the Captains will be, as we progress through the season because obviously, the deeper your Playoff roster, the better off you are.
