Grinders HQ writers decided that you get no weekly review. Instead you get a look back at the half-way point of the season.
First Team All-Grinders mid-season
- Curtis Masich: (23/9/4/1/1) leading candidate for MVP before his near-fatal ankle injury.
- Richie Creamer: (22/5/1/3/1) best guard in the league (statistically – at least in games he actually plays).
- Justin Rybinski: (17/12/2/1/2) third best GAPE in Grinders – walking double/double. So tall.
- Matt Vaillancourt: (14/14/1/3/1) leads Grinders in rebounding, 4th in GAPE.
Second-team All Grinders – mid-season
- Mike Gersitz: (17/12/4/2/1) highest GAPE in Grinders, team is in 5th place
- Josh Lanzot: (14/8/3) 7th in the league in GAPE
- Jon Witt: (15/6/3/1/1) spearheads best defensive team in Grinders
- Jimmy Zeitz: (16/8/3/2) toughest to guard when he goes
Road to the Grinder Title…
Dadbods (4-1)
These knobs. Defending full-season champions, team everyone hates, overall league villains. Dadbod players obsessively remind other teams that they are, in fact, very obnoxious. This team plays solid defense, in their own words. The strategy seems to be to prolong their offensive possessions by aggressively calling fouls after missed shots – so the scores remain low, as opposed to just winning with their basketball talent. This team is built well and made for the playoffs. There is undeniable flopping skill by the team’s lead scorers.
– Strengths: ball movement, lead league in defense, BB IQ, strong depth 3-5
– Weaknesses: offense…..anything offense
Gimmie a Minute (3-2)
This team was destined from the moment the draft ended to be the most “vanilla” team in Grinders. Tall Justin Rybinski, the “Jeff Fisher of Grinders”, always powers his team to ~.500 every session, but then fizzles out in the playoffs. This team has to be happy with their 3-2 record so far, with Jeff May and Eric Carlson struggling to live up to expectations. Eric, along with fellow goons Justin “Helmet” Girardi and Josh Morcelle, are happy violently hacking unsuspecting Grinders for something to do.
– Strengths: scoring, possible personnel mismatches
– Weaknesses: ball movement, athleticism
What’s a Pass? (3-2)
This team may be he most offensively gifted Grinders squad put together at EBC. Curtis “Playoffs???” Masich, Matt “Hack-A-Matt” Vaillancourt, and Peyton “The Child” Urbaniak are all shooting over 44% from the floor. Jon “Ironman” Tirado and Eric “E” Boerdner each have the ability to put up big points in any given game, but also, have been more likely to tank their team’s chances with an off-night. This team could be a force if they all play together, as a team, and the young guy continues to gain confidence in his rookie season.
– Strengths: lead league in scoring, good shooting, actual b-ball talent
– Weaknesses: Playoff Curt, shot selection, shaky depth play
BOHICA (2-3)
Captain Richie Creamer has selfishly played in just 2 games this session. The only games this team have won by the way – including an opening night banger against Dadbods, where there was some hugging or whatever. When everyone actually shows up, this team is difficult to beat. Josh Lanzot is an absolute bully down low, Jimmy Zeitz is a baller, Todd “Fucking” Nixon is a fan favorite, and Aaron “AK” Kiselev does AK stuff on the court.
– Strengths: great guard play, shooting, BB IQ
– Weaknesses: size
Laundromats (2-3)
First time captain Mike Gersitz drafted a bunch of dudes who aren’t even on the team anymore. Cory “New Guy” Muldowney and Al “I went for how much???” Derrico have done their part in trying to complement Mike Gersitz’s dominating play. Mike “Q-Worm” Benjamin has been quietly chipping in 12.0 PPG, with a 40% EFG. Without a fifth guy to add a blow to the starters, a deep playoff run could prove difficult.
– Strengths: GAPE god Gersitz, size, championship pedigree
– Weaknesses: aggression, finishers
Chuckets (1-4)
3-point legend Chuck Thomasula, at +0.8 Expected Gape, is the only guy on this squad who hasn’t underperformed. Team is somehow winless when Tommy Hughes, and Mike Ford plays. This team relies on balanced scoring and balanced play from top to bottom on the roster, but haven’t had much success so far. Mark Doyle has been shooting 41% from the field. Chuck leads the team in scoring. Tommy leads in GAPE, and Ford has vertigo. Old man Jon U contributes little.
– Strengths: talent, athleticism
– Weaknesses: size, scoring droughts, defense, old
Round 1 Playoff Predictions
Based on the game film that Grinders HQ reviews we believe this is how the first round of the playoffs might shakeout:
Game 1: What’s a Pass vs Chuckets (3v6)
Chuckets take this one. Playoff Curt shows up again. Ford goes to work. Tommy cheats just enough to get the win.
Game 2: BOHICA vs Laundromats (4v5)
Laundry Guys over BOHICA. No one can stop Gersitz. Richie melts under the pressure.
What about the rest of the playoffs? The Grinders HQ writers are tired. You get what you get…