Muslim Basketball

I think this is where the list takes a shift in teams that have a real shot at winning it all. Safad has done a great job beating teams they should, but they haven’t looked too impressive against teams ranked above them which makes me skeptical. They got plenty of hardworking guys, but I feel like they're missing a main scorer or two to make them a lethal threat. To make matters worse, they go up against the least favorable matchup possible in Sabra. They will have to come locked in if they are to have a chance at slaying the giant.

Thought this game would be closer but they are not offensive threats. Need to find some consistency if they hope to win a playoff game.

A win is a win but I expected them to play a better game, against a less superior Qibya squad. Consistency or the lack thereof rather has been the theme for this squad as they haven’t been able to find consecutive games where their main guys were all clicking. But if there is anything I know about an Abbassi led team, a win is a win.

I have no idea.

They played one of the league’s best team very tight, without arguably their best player. No Ali S for the Safad squad but they did make things difficult for Qalqilya. Fursan, Raied & Islam scored 41 of the team’s 53 points. Safad needs to get Jawad more involved and allow him to play his game if they hope to compete with the league’s elites. With Ali S back in the lineup soon, I am not concerned about this bunch.

Sneaky good team right now. When it’s not Jawad and Fursan steering the ship, Ali and Raied got it all under control. Nothing really stands out from the boxscore but this was one of those games, where you had to be there to know that they dominated Al-Khalil defensively and made their lives difficult. Not a team I would want to face.

Another sneaky good matchup and they pulled it off. This time on the shoulders of Ali Suiafan, who shot 10-19 from the field for 22 points and 10 rebounds. Raied, Fursan and Jawad all scored double figures and played stellar defense on the Haifa guards. If this team continues to play great team defense and take advantage of offensive mismatches, they could very easily sneak up on some teams.

Down one going into the half, I thought they had the advantage of playing on the larger court, against an older team. But this is why we play the game! Safad struggled from deep as well as losing the rebounding battle. Nice to see Ali S, get in on the action, but need to see more consistency from their backcourt.

Perhaps the most shocking win of the night comes from Safad! Jawad Tamimi and Fursan balled out as they combined for 45 of the team’s 71. This team is made up of a bunch of 3 and D guys that no one wants to go up against. A lot of high basketball IQ on this team as well. Nice win fellas.

Some solid MB vets, but not sure who the “guy” is on this team. Again PR is temporary so for all I know, they could be in the top 10 this time next week.