- WEEK 8 PREDICTIONS -
WRITTEN BY: STEPHEN A. KELLERMAN
Welcome to Week 8 of ETBL Elite! I took a few weeks off because I heard some of y’all could handle my assessment of the league. Remember, if you guys spend more time on your game instead of worrying about who writes these predictions...then your teams may actually do better. Don't need to ask who writes this stuff...just prove me wrong! Let's talk Week 8. As we approach the end of the season teams need to focus on how they can make the post season. Elite Division is a tough animal and it is not for the weak. Luckily the Commish still has ETBL Competitive and even the Rec division. Heck, I hear he is going to make a Rookie division! This is going to be an insane finish so let's get to work.
3:00PM RAPTORS vs HEAT – (RAPTORS +2)
This has got to be a first. For the first time in ETBL history we have the main event open the show. In one corner you have the Raptors and in the other corner we have the Heat. This seems like a boxing exhibition than a basketball game. Both teams recently dropped players for whatever reason. The amount of talent on both teams, would literally make picking the winner of this impossible. It's just like an All-Star game! Give the Raptors the edge, as we saw an some potential vulnerabilities in the Heat locker-room. Anytime teammates are about to engage in a fight with each other on the court, indicates obvious chemistry and trust issues. That gives the advantage for the Raptors as they are seemingly on the same page and looking to make a deep run this year.
4:00PM BULLS vs NETS – (BULLS +12)
Ladies and Gentleman, the Nets are done! The Bulls need to pull the trigger and send this team back into a full rebuild. Terrible roster construction with their most impressive win against the Raptors (too many solid players who don't know their roles and lack of leadership). This team has blown games that they should have won (Knicks for example). The Nets have the talent to win games, but talent alone cannot win games. The Bulls are going to cruise by and secure a playoff spot. The Bulls core of Davion, Aarusan, Zaid and Shang have been nothing short of sensational. The offensive clinic put on by this team will NOT be matched by the Nets. The role player of the Bulls have bought into winning basketball, something the Nets unfortunately will not understand this season.
4:30PM KNICKS vs MAGIC – (MAGIC +10)
Both teams stroll into the Abilities with a 3-4 record. Both have won their last games. Both teams are playing at an opportunity to make the post season. I don’t have either team going far as both team lack something special to be true contenders in ETBL Elite but they certainly have a shot. Shoutout to GM Alvin as he made roster changes to address the talent gap between the Magic and the rest of the league. Multiple reports suggest the Raptors have waived ETBL all time leading scorer in Anthony Jeyakanthan. Looks like he found a home in Orlando though and we shall see if he can help the Magic make a run. The Magic are already won a game after adding Anthony and so they will look to continue that momentum. The Magic now have a legitimate big three in Damion, Nena and Anothony. Let’s see if the Knicks can respond and get a much-needed win.
4:30PM WIZARDS vs WOLVES – (WOLVES +10)
Throw this game on ESPN 5. I am not contractually obligated to talk about teams that aren’t above 500. Both teams are lacking and could be argued that they should not be in ETBL Elite. Dunking and putting up empty stats are NOT the reasons why people should join an Elite division. Both teams need to look in the mirror and do some reflection. One team may have the opportunity to win and perhaps make the playoffs, but the team that doesn't will be out of the playoff picture.
5:30PM LAKERS vs ROCKETS – (LAKERS +9)
The boys in purple and gold are taking this one. Tristan, Khaleel and Daniel can definitely make some noise and punish the Rockets in transition. The Rockets have been up and down. Outside of Romain the Rockets do not have enough in the tank. One missile is not enough to consistently win in Elite. Matthew and Jacob and others will need to step up and be options for the Rockets to have a shot at beating the Lakers. Should be a good game!
6:30PM BLAZERS vs PISTONS – (BLAZERS +21)
Pistons are going to be too much size for the Blazers but the Blazers are going to out run the Pistons and negate that advantage. Sorry Piston fans, the window for you guys was 2 years ago, since they you guys have been irrelevant. Big Mike, Kendall and the rest of the cast have been a let down. With a 2-5 record and with my prediction of going down 2-6, the playoffs might be out of reach! Must win for the boys from Motor city or go home. Blazers have too much talent (and MVP’s) to lose this game. The young guns are gonna blast the old heads.