Muslim Basketball

Doesn’t it seem like Shafic and Big Moose are playing with our emotions at this point. Shafic had 40 points a few weeks back, followed that up with a triple double and then Musa decided to go bunkers and go for 36 points 20 board and 6 assists! Thank you for making the POTW committee’s job easy this week buddy. The MVP race is getting thinner as we are coming down to the wire and Riyadh may have two of the three candidates.

Moe Rayyan is that how you feel sir? 33 points on 12-19 and 8-13 from 3? We finally got to witness a Sarajevo have a more impressive stat line than Omar Mana this season. And speaking of Mana his 10 points and 19 rebounds must be a career worst or something. Jokes aside, Sarajevo’s role players are meshing very well with their star center. 

Whatever Ammar and Kareem had dialed up for their former teammate sure did work, because they kept the Shiesty contained. Omar Singer with 23 points and 12 rebounds, reminding everyone he is worthy of that first round selection. ROY candidate Mahrooz didn’t have the scoring output we have grown accustomed to, but 9 points 11 rebounds and 6 assists isn’t too shabby either. Elias continues his strong case for most improved player as he scored 10 points and played stellar defense. Kabul is rolling y’all.

Okay for starters they were without Farhad, which of course we all know the impact that has. BUT they did have a healthy lead after the first half and simply took their foot off the gas pedal. Omar Hussein led the group with 19 points as he has transformed into Mr. Efficiency this season. Expect better shooting nights from OQ and Ameer Koyas, as they combined to go 10-30. Overall, not a concerning loss, but one they clearly let slip away.

This game took a turn early, as Jeddah big Jehad left the game with an injury, and we all wish him a speedy recovery. As for those who did play, Sarajevo did a great job defending the star-studded backcourt of Hassan and Lil O. 14-38 between the two of them isn’t necessarily a winning formula for Jeddah but they were thrown into an odd predicament with their 3^rd option going down. Malik Makkaoui did step up with 12 points, which is a positive sign. Down one big will hurt this team, as they are already vertically challenged to begin with and that could haunt them in the playoffs. 

Amir C’s comments of “Medina will get right” were bold at the time, but perhaps the walking bucket knew something we didn’t. Winners of two in a row, this team is clicking on all cylinders at the right time. Mo Masri led all scorers with 26 points and the aforementioned Amir scored 23 on 7-11. They had Big O replace Mustafa and it served them quite well as they longtime MB vet had 12 points and 9 rebounds. Has Biggz been attending the injured players school of coaching? 

Last week I mentioned how Muhanad needs the ball more and oh wow look what happened…. They won. You’re welcome, I accept cash, venmo or zelle. Speaking of money, Shahzaib’s jumper is pure cash. I think Timbuktu can pull the upset next week against Kabul.

Oh man oh man. 18-63 as team, 5-27 from 3, and only one player in double figures. That one player has to be Shiesty right? A wise man once said, a dead clock is right twice a day, and well the clock was dead, and Amman is heading in the wrong direction. 

The Rugrats were without Chucky Finster I mean Affan, leaving Tommy Pickles, I mean Mahdy to do all the heavy lifting. Timbuktu did a great job limiting him to only 10 shot attempts and forcing the rest of the squad to beat them. Kashgar has two very formidable foes left on the schedule. 

They took care of business against a team they were expected to beat. Ali Suiafan has been a revelation for this club, as he has been the perfect Robin to Ali Hassan’s Batman, as they combined for 39 of the team’s 59 points.  Although not typically their strong suit, they did lock up defensively and force Suba to commit 11 TO’s. Let’s see what they can pull together against a red-hot Medina team.

Hard fought game and one many did not expect them to have within reach. Aadil, Jawad and Hosam all did their thing offensively, accounting for 58 of the team’s 72 points. This team has shown a propensity to score and push the ball in transition, but uncharacteristically they allowed 81 points. I don’t believe they will escape the 11^th seed in the standings and that would set them up with the number two seed come playoff time.

It’s been a cold summer for Suba, and I am starting to feel bad for these guys. Too talented of a group to be winless and their Achilles heel is on the defensive end. Outrebounded and shot more efficiently from their opponents, yet again. Two more games left on the docket, and although a win may not change their playoff positioning, this team could sure use some confidence going into September.