Disclaimer: Predictions are meant for a good read, nothing more, nothing less. Still got to play the game on Saturdays.
Best of luck to everyone this season, and iA an injury free season to all. Now what you all have been waiting for.
Riyadh vs.
Lahore: Kareem Ahmed and Omar Hussein make up a dynamic back court, and will put up points at ease. They could easily be a team to surprise a lot of people this season, and a lot of newcomers on this squad, so week 1 shall be interesting. Lahore has a terrific guard themselves in Moayad who has blossomed into a very good and efficient player over the past few seasons. Despite that, main reason I am picking Lahore is Hosam Karkis. No disrespect to his previous teams, but he now has players he can trust and thats huge. If Hosam Karkis is you're number two option on offense, you should be in pretty good shape.
Beirut vs.
Granada: Beirut brings back the same core and a very good one might I add. Nick, Jon and Hart always have this team competing and in contention. Maybe this will be the year Mingo gets some respect put on his name. I don't think Granada is done celebrating their championship but sources say Omar Singer is ready for a bounce back season. Oh yeah and that guy Anwar, he's pretty damn good.
Timbuktu vs.
Baghdad: Baghdad with already more wins than last season.
Tehran vs. Istanbul: Ali Omari brings a solid front court but this team may be lacking in guard play. Losing Joey P will hurt them down the stretch, and Cody was a great asset on the defensive end. Istanbul will always make you work for your points, but I don't see them putting up enough to beat Tehran.
Fez vs.
Kabul: two words, Mohammad Abdelhadi! Next question
Jakarta vs. San'a: Battle of the commissioners! The Ed:Mecca experiment did not work out as planned. Injuries and Ed's vacation plans cost them their season. But Ed says he's onto better things (TBD). My former teammate will have a bounce back season, as he crowns himself the King of the PAL. As long as Himey's minutes restriction does not come into play, Ed could be a dark house MVP candidate. San'a on the other hand did lose their best two scorers, so someone's got to put the ball in the basket. Spoiler alert, Netti drops 20 on his former mates.
Delhi vs. Mombassa: Mombassa will see a little 16 year old on the court, scuff and think nothing of him. 40 minutes and 20 something points later the league will recognize how good (and cocky) splash is. Muhannad will have his hands full in Weiss, but could hold his own. If Jawad can limit Raza's points in transition, this could very easily be the upset of the week.
Sarajevo vs.
Cordoba: LEONARD LEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Thats all I need to say for Sarajevo. On a more serious note, how on earth did Cordoba get through the acceptance process??? DeJesus, Luke and Kenny??? This team is a serious contender!
Jerusalem vs.
Kazan: Jerusalem brings a team full of veteran savvy players who have playoff experience in MB. Kazan also has Patrick and Frank AKA Malcolm Jenkins.
Mecca vs. Dhaka: Won't predict my own game, but Mairaj knows I'm coming back hungry post injury.
Islamabad vs. Cairo: The Abbassi family is back at it again, but this time around with Zain and Idris. Two solid additions that don't need the ball to be effective. This could very well be the best defensive team in the league. But in order for them to get over that hump, Billal has to be their leading scorer. And I mean 17 ppg or more. Which btw he is very capable of. Now for Cairo, Goldberg, Abdul???? That could be a lethal pick and roll. Still think Abbassi clan for the win.
Suba vs. Alexandria: A lot of new faces on Alexandria so it be unfair to make this prediction.
Again best of luck everyone, looking forward to this season bi ithni la.
Edited by moderator Thursday, June 28, 2018 3:29:50 PM(UTC)
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