3RD DIVISION WEEKNIGHTS

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1) [=] NYC GRITTY COMMITTEE (5-0)

SCOUTING REPORT: Multi-time MVP (G) David Chu has been a good fit with Gritty, and the combination of (G) Peter Moon and (G/F) Steven Chung give the team arguably D3’s best perimeter scoring trio. And their defense has been the West’s best.

2) [+4] KLAYTHEISTS (3-2)

SCOUTING REPORT: With their roster set, (G) Jeff Chan has been playing his best ball, carrying the team offensively. They have one of the division’s best three-point attacks, with numerous players capable of getting hot from behind the arc.

3) [+4] YIELDMO (3-2)

SCOUTING REPORT: They’ve won their last two games without former MVP (F) Max Paynter on the floor. YIE is figuring out ways to win without Paynter on the floor, which is dangerous for everyone else in the division. When they get him back, watch out. 

4) [=] 30-FOR-30 (3-3)

SCOUTING REPORT: They have the pedigree, but their record and modest offensive output doesn’t have us fully convinced they can make a championship run. If they beat YIE to close out the regular season, we’ll revisit their status. 

5) [-3] Pnest1 (3-3): Be better if (G) Vegas Dave Wong played as many games as (G) Peter Mei.
6) [-3] OMB (3-3): This line-up is stacked and yet somehow unconvincing.
7) [-2] Missandei’s Melons (2-4): Not mathematically out of it. Need to beat PS1, then wait & see.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

1) [=] SMASH N BOUNCE (5-1)

SCOUTING REPORT: With the best defense in the division, SNB has dominated the Eastern Conference and look poised to make another championship run. (G) James Dai has been a revelation this season and if they get (F) Eric Chang eligible, they might challenge NGC.

2) [+2] INFERNO (4-2)

SCOUTING REPORT: Scoring they got, Inferno have plenty of guys ready to launch. But what makes INF so tough is their work on the offensive glass, able to create 2nd chance possessions. So even if the shots aren’t falling right away, they’ll have plenty of chances to get it going.

3) [=] FREE AGENTS (3-2)

SCOUTING REPORT: The Agents will hold this spot for now, but the rest of their schedule is no cake walk. Luckily, they’ve already secured a playoff spot. (G/F) Garry Etienne, Jr. has stepped up as the team’s featured scorer and (F) Jaquan Mullins has been a big help all around. 

4) [+1] NO FLY ZONE ULTRA (2-3)

SCOUTING REPORT: At full strength, the Flyers have three bona fide scorers now. The problem is rarely are all three available. Nevertheless, this is a veteran team with many titles under their belt, if they get a groove going, anything’s possible.

5) [-3] Bulletproof Tigers (2-3): They’re in the playoffs already, now it’s a matter of seeding.
6) [=] Three 6 Latvia (1-6): Not a bad season despite the record, they had chances. Solid pieces.
7) [=] We Thought We Were Up (0-5): Tough season for the new franchise, but room to improve.

3RD DIVISION SUNDAYS – WESTERN CONFERENCE

1) FORMOSA WARRIORS (3-0)

SCOUTING REPORT: FOR (F) Henry Lin and (C) Gary Chen are dominating again so that means the Warriors are back on top of the D3 Power Rankings. The guards don’t put up gaudy numbers, but it’s this team’s balanced offense (and defense) that makes them so formidable.

2) FLAT EARTHERS (2-1)

SCOUTING REPORT: FLA don’t put up crazy offensive numbers, but they have found ways to win with their usual hard-nosed approach. (G) Jonathan Lee has emerged as a viable scoring option and new addition (F) Young Song Kwon is dominating the the glass. This is a tough, physical contender.

3) 50 SHADES OF KLAY (3-1)

SCOUTING REPORT: 50S (G) Teddy Xiong is proving to be a reliable scorer for the Klays and (F) Mario Del Cueto is back at full strength, bringing his versatile game. Their top 5 players are as good if not better than any in D3. They have the deepest back court in the division. 

4) OMB (3-1)

SCOUTING REPORT: This veteran roster is a perennial contender, but they’re dealing with some injuries and spotty attendance this season. And they’re still 3-1. OMB just have to figure out who they want to add to the permanent roster this season. (F) David Hsiung will lead the way as usual. 

5) TWO BRIDGES (1-1): Newbies TWO will face some challenges, but they got some talent here.

6) TEAM SKY (0-3): Two different teams combined may require some time to build chemistry.

7) SPAGHETTI RAMEN (0-3): With key players out this fall, will this dynastic team have enough?

***

3RD DIVISION SUNDAYS – EASTERN CONFERENCE

1) NO FLY ZONE OG (2-1)

SCOUTING REPORT: After a last second loss to JPU in their opener, the Flyers have scored 77 ppg in two consecutive wins. The addition of (F) Danny Lee has been a revelation. His all-around offensive game and high ball IQ make him a perfect fit for an NFZ team trying to get back to the chip.

2) TAP NY (2-1)

SCOUTING REPORT: No surprise, TAP was a dark horse last season with (G) Will Chu earning MOP honors. Now, with (F) Kyle Wilson and (F) Kenny Liu increasing their output, Chu isn’t shooting as much and playing more efficiently than even last season. TAP looks to contend this fall.

3) JAMES ZHU & FRIENDS (2-2)

SCOUTING REPORT: The ZHU is finally starting to look like a team commensurate with the talent on their roster. (G) Derrick Shich and (F) Enoch Han are candidates for the All-TDL team every season. Now with (G) James Zhu and role players picking up their play, they can make some noise.

4) GOON SQUAD (1-2)

SCOUTING REPORT: We’re not quite convinced the Goons should be here yet, but they do have D3’s #2 scorer in (G/F) Kory Yeh, and his ability to put up points gives them a chance in any game. Yeh is the only player this season to have scored 40 pts in one game, across all divisions.

5) JAPAN UNITED (1-2): JPU (F) Marc Lashly dominated in their one win. They need him back.

6) BALL IS LIFE (1-2): They have a win over ZHU, which is very solid. (G) Jason Sun is balling out.

7) THE WILDCARDS (1-2): WIL (F) Akeil Cange is a monster. Can he lift WIL out of the cellar?

***