Welcome back to another season of Muslim Basketball, I'm glad to be returning as the predictor for this year. Of course, all of what I say in here is opinion only and subject to debate. If you do not like what I say, please feel free to discuss it with me. I will try to keep things respectful while staying competitive at the same time. So, because I put that offer out there guess you guys need to know who I am. Cats out the bag, or should I say Moose is. Anyways, this season we will all compete to achieve the goal of winning it all but we will also be reminding everyone of our bigger goal, as usual, and that is to remember why we play and what coming together on Wednesday night to perform healthy, competitive, fun means for our Ummah locally but also internationally. Please remember our brothers and sisters around the world in your dua and contribute to supporting them in any way you can.



Well, that's enough of an introduction. Guess we'll move on with week 1. Not gonna lie, these first few weeks might be a bit shaky, still getting used to the new teams so forgive me.


Al-Bireh vs Haifa:

This is a very interesting game and a great first test to see where Mo Abdelhadi is compared to what he was. Mo Alzubidi is back after injury last season and he's a great defender with good body control and IQ which should make life difficult for Abdelhadi, somewhat of course. Now, Towfeek went and got a true big which helps Mo and the rest of the team out much more and should be the key for them to be solid defensively. On the offensive side for Haifa, we know Abdelhadi gonna run the show with Anas as the secondary. I'm not sure who Elijah is but Raeid and Mohammad Abedrabo are gonna be tanks down low. They also have Mr. Clean on the wing. In my honest opinion, I think Haifa's veteran experience is big in this game which is complemented by their grit and size. I could see Shafic, Anas Zubi and Towfeek having a tough time to score as the game progresses. Looks like we'll get to see what Nick is about really early.

Haifa by 6


Jenin vs Yaffa:

I meannnn..... Crazy opener at 7:30 as well here. Yet another matchup for the Yanes Bros and Jay against Zain, Idris, Jared and Co. This time, the Yanes bros are bringing their version of the twin towers to MB with big man Niko and Khalied Saleh. Habi and Yahya bring the energy. Musa and Jay are the wings. Khalied and Niko are the bigs. Mo and Muntasir are the sharpshooters. This team was built with one goal in mind. On the other side, the same core from last season returns with a new complementary bunch. Adam, Moussa, Moe are all new guys and will probably be the deciding factor as to whether Jenin is a competitive team or a dominant one. Nevertheless, they will be no less than competitive all season and will be in this game as well.

Yaffa by 8


Beit Jala vs Areeha:

Ammar n Kareem return with a new-ish squad this season, adding Koyas and E Book Popal to go with Singer, Mahrooz and Salman. Newcomer Araiz from Central jersey will have to prove himself to play meaningfully in the rotation for this team to be competitive to me. Singer and Rooz love surprising people though... I really like the group their facing, the return of YM. Think this is a fun group to root for and sky's the limit for Shahzaib and Aadil. A sneaky great add to their team in Umar Khattak will make this team extremely tenacious. They also have good role pieces with Affan, Adam, Ege, Shooter Zub, and big man Abid. They definitely have to prove they can hang with the big dogs and week 1 will be a game they will come in looking to win.

Beit Jala by 2


Isdud vs Bethlehem:

Ok, now onto 8:30 matchups. We get a barn burner to start it off with Ali Hassan and Muj, yea I said Muj like the guy on the MB logo. This team also has Sal, Humza Shah, Siam and Yousuf who will be great role players and all bring their own skills to the table. I'm sure newcomers Andrew and Roger are going to surprise people, just a gut feeling. On the other side, the gang is bringing it back together and getting back in the Mystery Machine, this time adding Jojo. Mahdy, Hassan, Omar, Ahmad and all the rest will use their friendship and energy to spur runs that will make them competitive. But as competitive as they will be Hassan, Mahdy and Jojo will have to carry the load on both ends consistently throughout the season. I think they're up for it but will their effort be enough this week?

Isdud by 5


Lod vs Jerusalem:

Lod is a team that has familiar faces in old places with the Deep brothers and now the Charkkas brothers are bringing it back for another go round at glory. This team has some new faces and even a father son duo in Khaled and Ameer Coubati,(57 is crazy I thought he was cappin) who will be exciting rookies to watch. Big man Yazan, Nabil Allan and Moatze will round out this squad with some size and physicality. They will be going up against the Abbassi bros who now have Ali Suiafan and Brandon Landfair to round out their starting 5. I think there is too much firepower and more shooting on the Lod side in this game, just from looking at the rosters. Yes, Jerusalem will be physical, but I don't know if their discipline defensively will be enough to stop the high powered Lod offense.

Lod by 7


Gaza vs Ramla:

This is an interesting game and honestly, I don't know much about this Gaza squad. Yes, theres Afay and now his son which is interesting, seems like he's doing a Lebron impersonation. Farhad is back and I think Michael K and Mo Farran will be his second and third options with afay in the mix too. Oday could also be a player to watch. Sufian and Samih will easily win best teammates of the year award and are gonna give it their all every week. On the other side, Elias has brought lil bro Moad into the fold like he did with me years back but let's see if Moad can make the same impression on the game. Honestly, not sure if he will even get the opportunity to try with Moayad Mana and Hassan Farhat on the squad. I look at this team and I see a lot of dawgs. Elias, Khaled, Mo Eladl, Mana, Moayad are all proven hustlers on both ends of the floor. Matchup to watch of the game, whoever is guarding Farhad. If he is gameplanned for, Ramla will take this one.

Ramla by 3


Yazur vs Qibya:

Oh shoot lmaoooo. Tawheed vs NHIEC. One brother Mounssif on one side and Ali on the other. Thats just the headliner. Honestly it's JC over UC/NB any day and I got the guys from Jersey City making a nice entrance week 1. Will look forward to this game. I honestly don't need to say much for these guys. They know each other, I know them. Let's have fun.

Yazur by 8



Sabra vs Nablus:

WOJ Bomb.... Corey Chandler will not be making another appearance. Not sure what to say considering Sabra just lost two players, but I like Kareem Ahmed and Hashem Ahmed, they pretty good. I don't even think I can accurately predict this game now but I know the other team which is the Clifton gang will definitely be competitive offensively. Their trouble has always been defense but looks like they got an anchor down low now. Guess Deeb wasn't cutting it. If Juan can take care of the paint, this team will be competitive.

IDK


As always, this ain't Lavar Ball, this ain't Lonzo Ball, this is the Crystal Ball

Edited by user Wednesday, December 4, 2024 9:30:08 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified