Islamabad vs Baghdad: AKA Big Bad O vs Big Bad Baghdad. Last week Islamabad fell to Tripoli's 5 players. Islamabad need to minimize their TO's and shoot a better percentage (>40%) especially against Baghdad's back court, otherwise its going to look like a layup line. Baghdad's bigs need to neutralize Omar and Fursan (scoring in the paint), since both of them are the offensive steam machine behind Islamabad.

Palermo vs Kazan: Palermo scooped their first W last week and Kazan their first loss. Palermo seems to be made up of fundamentally sound players, where shot opportunities are equally shared. Rightfully so, it seems they call can score. Kazan's offense revolves around Pride and Oliver. Palermo can beat this team with good ball movement and playing good defense on Kazan. Kazan can win if Pride and Oliver put Kazan on their backs. Offensive edge has to go to Kazan.

Sana'a vs Timbuktu: Timbuktu went on an offensive tear last week especially from 3-land (12-22!!). Probably going to want to bring that same range to this game. Sana'a always comes to play. While Timbuktu may have slightly better offense, Sana'a makes up for it in defense. In an unrelated note Edriss has been looking for his offense, He thought he forgot it in California, so I flew out there and it was no where to be seen. Someone help him find it.

Damascus vs Tripoli: Battle of the undefeated's!! This could very well be a playoff preview!! Refik/Mike/Afay vs Mujtaba/Manny/Aymen. Alot of nice matchups!! This is a toss up. If either team misses one of their trio I give the W to the opposing team.

Istanbul vs Jerusalem: Anas vs Andre. I'm going to go with the young bucks on this one!!

Islamabad vs Baghdad.
I haven't really seen Baghdad play and I only know a few players on their team, but from what I've heard they've been playing well. Islamabad led by the abbassi's should put up a good fight in this game but if I was a betting man I would say Baghdad? But I'm not to sure. Prove me wrong O

Palermo vs Kazan.
Idk anybody from Palermo but from Kazan, all I can tell u is that Jon pride tries to drive and if he can't he will take 40 foot three pointers. Idc who u are if your a defender you will live with that cause its a bad shot regardless if it goes in or not. People sleep on Kazan's big man who I think is very aggressive and is probably the most athletic one on that team. Mark can play too. If Jon plays well, they win. (Kazan)

Sana's vs Timbuktu
Sana's 0-2? With Edriss on their team? Say it ain't so!! Nobody can do it by themselves, not Mj, not Kobe, not Lebron. Certainly not Edriss. Other players need to step up and help this kid. I watched Timbuktu play last week for a bit and it seemed like every three they put up went in. Brian had a couple, anwar had a couple the role players had a couple. Everything dropped. I give the edge to Timbuktu.

Damascus vs tripoli. All I'm going to say is I hope the polls on the main page keep us as underdogs. Thanks.

Istanbul vs Jerusalem. I like instanbul because their young hungry and I believe got a better all around player in anis Najib. Jerusalem has Andre but honestly like I said last week I would rather see him score 15-20 and get his team involved then try to score 40 and never pass the ball. Idk Andre personally but some basketball players I can't watch because its a 5 on 5 game. Not 5 on 1. No offense it's my opinion. Istanbul wins.

Edited by user Wednesday, September 18, 2013 11:57:19 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Islamabad/Baghdad - no pick
Palermo > Kazan
Timbuktu > Sanaa
Damascus > Tripoli - If muj plays, i change my pick
Istanbul > Jerusalem

Even if Mujtaba plays its a long shot, as he isn't healthy right now. Not to mention with Ammar on board, Damascus is going to clean up alot more boards then before.

i think Afay will shoot 4 shots from the white line .. and swish them all .. then trot back on defense