Well, Week 3 in Grinders is upon us, and only 2 official games have been played. This beat reporter is bummed, to say the least – but hey, less work for me right? To my knowledge all teams are on track to play tonight, and hopefully we don’t come across any more forfeits or reschedules, because that’s just super lame. I know a large group of Grinders are really going through it right now – the Bills’ season is probably over, the Orioles’ season is actually over… but Grinders season in my eyes is just getting started! Maybe I’m the only one excited about that. Idk let’s just preview some games.
Lanky Wankers vs Kellen and the Jets, 6:30pm
Yeah that’s right, I’m coming up with my own team names for you all. Back in Week 1, KO and his defending champs came out the gates slow, but looked like their unstoppable selves in the second half. On paper, this looks like a pretty tough test – but with Gersitz and Garrett out tonight (and Worm but like whatever) this will probably be a boring blowout, especially with KO’s squad presumably at full strength with Josh and Zach returning. My prediction is that Peyton will earn his first career WAP award and try to drive to the hole, despite two of the biggest bodies likely patrolling the paint. It’ll be interesting to see if the Wanks opt to man up or play zone on defense – but it probably won’t matter, either Tommy will cook or one of the two big men will exploit the glaring size mismatch down low. I do think this becomes a must watch game at full strength, but tonight the Jets cruise to an easy win.
Prediction: 68-45, KO
May I Please Play vs. I Hate Texas, 7:30pm
I am writing this one up assuming Jeff’s team will show up tonight. There’s no film for me to assess this team off of, but Curt’s team will be out for revenge after falling just short against Jimmy in Week 1. I anticipate shots to rain down all game, and I think the key matchup to watch will be Curtis against Bryant. In limited open run action Bryant has shown flashes, the question is if he can contain Curtis, who put up 24 points in Week 1 on 41% shooting. Jeff May showed us that he hasn’t lost a step, and Joe will have to find a way to throw him off of his game. Ben looked solid as well, and I can’t see anyone from May’s bottom 3 holding him to less than his 16 point effort from two weeks ago. Again, it’s tough to predict this game with so little info on Jeff’s team, but I think they keep it close until Curtis takes over late.
Prediction: 58-52, Curtis
What’s a Foul? vs. What the Chuck?! 8:30pm
Jimmy is already running away as the MVP favorite – is anyone surprised? A 24 point triple double on 61% shooting? 5 steals? This guy sucks to play against. Who’s guarding that from Cole’s team – Chuck? New dad Jon Tirado (if he shows)? Cole will likely battle down low with Ford which should be pure entertainment. Fouler Kieta and the HOF Eric showed they can contribute with 16 and 12 points respectively in Week 1. Feel like Wayne would match up decently with E, and Tirado/Chuck on the two quick guys in Jimmy and Matt. The keys to a Cole victory would be either Cole himself goes off and abuses Ford all night (highly likely) and they make it rain from beyond the arc, which based on the track records of Chuck and Tirado, there’s about a 15% chance that happens. Remember, Jimmy’s team only squeaked past Curt’s team by 2 points. I think this week, Cole will long for the contributions that Richie could bring to this offense, and they could play them close for at least the first half, but eventually Jimmy and Co. will be too much to handle.
Prediction: 60-53, Jimmy