Muslim Basketball

You can always count on Islamabad to have the most spread out scoring ever. I am not sure if I should be crediting how great Islamabad played, or Kabul not having their key players. It is obviously out of their control, and they did what they had to do winning by a convincing 23 points.

Although Islamabad got the win, I am sure this game was way too close for comfort. They have to figure out what they want to do defensively, because they cannot let a team like Mecca come that close.

So close, yet so far. Islamabad was only able to take 5 FT attempts, and at the end that determined the outcome of the game. The unselfishness of this team can sometimes hurt them. Bilal shot 9-10, he essentially couldn’t miss. They have to find ways to get the hot hand more shots, whether it is off ball screens or flat out ISO ball. At the same time, it is hard to sway away from what has been working for them. I am a firm believer they will figure it out, and I look forward to seeing them face Kabul at the end of the season.

The scoring can really come from anywhere with this team. I don’t want to show favoritism, but they might be my favorite team to watch. You can see the unselfishness of all the players on the court, and in the standings. Next week is huge for Islamabad, and I know this isn’t the predictions section, but I predict an upset.

This was a close matchup the entire game. Idris couldn’t get it going, and they couldn’t stop Suba from behind the arc. Islam had a great game, but wasn’t enough to carry the team to victory. They play Fez next. They cannot go into the game taking them lightly. That is what Islamabad did early last season against weaker opponents and they started off 2-3.

My goodness. 116-47. Islamabad moving down 1 spot is just like Kazan and Dhaka moving down. It is not a punishment, but Granada needed to move up. Bilal with the triple double dropping 30-14-10 on 15-18 shooting! I know we haven’t done player of the week this year on IG, but he is my POTW. Zain was 1 assist away from a triple-double himself, with 15-13-9. I have never seen 2 players on the same team get a triple-double in the same game, and we were very close to seeing that. This game they had SIX players in double digits. Not only is that not often, it just doesn’t happen in MB. Let’s see if next week they make it 7.

It is not often you see 5 players in double digits. This win was the definition of team ball. Shot attempts distributed evenly, and everyone showing they can ball. Looks like Zain was shooting for the triple double, ending with 12 points, 17 boards, 8 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. MBR going through the roof! He is definitely a player of the week candidate.

Huge win for a team that shouldn’t be 1-2. This team can go against anybody in the league, and they beat Kazan with Zain being shut down. Omar shot great, and Fursan hit big shots at big moments. Don’t let the record fool you, this team can ball.

Is it bad if I say Zain STILL needs to take more shots? The obvious bright spot in an otherwise poor performance. Islamabad is underachieving tremendously so far this season. It doesn’t get easier next game with a Kazan team looking for revenge.

Still a scary team on a paper, but started the season with a loss. Why is Zain only taking 6 shots? He has to be more aggressive.

Add Bilal to an already impressive Islamabad roster and you will absolutely have a top tier team. Zain is an all-around beast, and he made sure to let us know in the forums that Islamabad is coming for a championship. I believe him.