Man, this offseason seemed to last forever, At least I got to watch the NBA finals without interruption.
1. Bandar Lampung Pigskin Pirates
Bandar is coming off their first Pro League Championship. Bandar has never finished worse than 13-3 and over the past 3 seasons they logged a 44-4 record. They have only lost to one team in the playoffs from the naga conference and with three straight conference finals appearances they are looking to make it 4. This team always seems to be around the top of the league. Look for them to make another deep playoff run.
Final Record prediction: 15-1
2. East St Louis Tire Fires
This perenial powerhouse had an earlier than expected playoff exit last season. No doubt will they make moves to be back on top of Naga and the league. They have never lost a conference championship game and are undefeated in interleague matchups including 3 Super Wok victories in 4 seasons. This team is the pride of Naga and look to reclaim their seat on the top of the mountain.
Final record prediction 14-2
3. Singapore Maruaders
The Marauders look to make their way into the elite conversation when it comes to the naga conference. No team has beaten The Tire Fires twice in one season since the Bangkok Seamen in season 4. They seem to be the first team truly able to stand toe to toe with BLPP and ESL. As of now they are the trendy pick to win it all. Their last three playoff exits have been at the hands of those teo teams though. It will be intresting to see if The Marauders can live up to the hype and and we can crown a new Naga Conference Champion.
Final record prediction: 13-3
This is where thing get a little fuzzy in my opinion. Do I include Pa Dong in the "Elite" Category? Do they fall into the "Playoff Contender" range? If they are in the Elite I think they are the weakest of the top 4. If they are in the contender range they far and a way the best. They aren't going to miss the playoff, but I don't see them making it to the conference finals. We will see.
4. Pa Dong Dragons
In my opinion, The most under achieving team in all of SEAPL. They have never been short of talent where every season they bring in big name FA aquisitions. But this team has never made it past the second round of the playoffs. I first encountered this team in season 3 and they always seem to be a favorite but never seem to make that final jump to be a truly elite team. This season they have definately hit the recruiting trail hard have loaded the team with talent, but will they make that final jump to be the top team in Naga?
Final record prediction: 13-3
Now from here on out the next 5 or 6 teams are interchangeable in record and seed. These are the teams that will be fighting for a playoff spot though. Any one else squeezing in will be a surprize to me.
5. Cambodia Mountain Men
The first team to surprise me in quite awhile. They definately added some spice in their SEAPL debut. They will not sneak up on anyone this season though. Strong Pimp Hand is definately the key for CMM. If he is reeking havoc in the backfield this team has a great chance to contend for a title.
Final record prediction: 12-4
6. Duluth Bulldogs
Another team that hit the recruiting trail hard and came up big. They made their first playoff appearance last season and have gotten better and better each season. If they were to jump up a couple spots i would not be surprised and a first round playoff victory is not out of the question. They just have to win those close games.
Final record prediction: 9-7
These last 4 teams are really tough because 2 of them don't make the playoffs.
7. Okinawa Leathernecks
This team won a lot of close game last season. That's what you need to do to be a contender in SEAPL. Close out the close ones and be tough against the run. This team does both. I do feel like they didn't imporve as much as the teams around them but they definately are still a playoff caliber team. Now if that translates to a playoff birth we will see.
Final record prediction: 9-7
8. Krungthep Garudas
I like this team. I'm not sure why They dropped 3 of their last 4 last season, any of which could have launched them into the playoffs. They win those games against the bubble teams this year and they are in the playoffs. But, that is what seperates the playoff teams from those with an extra long off season.
Final record prediction: 8-8
9. Singapore Buddhists
Man, this team snuck into the playoffs last season and they deffinately imporved their offense in the offseason, but I have some serious questions about their defense. This team can definately make the playoffs but its hard to tell and seeds 5-10 in Naga are all so tight.
Final record prediction: 8-8
10. Vanuatu Headhunters
I believe this team can make the playoffs, but they will need a couple upsets on the way. They look tough but the transition into pro is so hard. Very few teams come in and immediately make the playoffs. This team has the best chance to do it.
Final record prediction: 7-9
Alright from here these teams are gonna take their lumps on in their first visit to Naga.
11. Anchorage Northern Lights
This team somehow missed the playoffs last season. I really had high hopes but that week 16 loss to The Hitmen destroyed all hopes for this team in my opinion.
Final record prediction: 6-10
12. Surabaya Poison Dart Frogs
An impressive AAA record but that doesn't mean much in pro. I have a hard time ranking this team above any of the old SEAPL teams especially after some lack luster Preseason games.
Final record prediction: 5-11
13. Winona Warriors
A team with a lot of playoff heart breaks at the AAA level does not bode well for a Pro League debut. A couple offseason moves but a lack luster defense and an average looking offense, it will take some revamped game planning for this team to climb the rankings.
Final record prediction: 5-11
14. Tongduchon Cowboys
Some depth issues and a long stint in AAA spells trouble for this team. They lost to eventual champs in Surbaya but their playoff woes definately bring up some questions as to their stability and consistency in game planning.
Final record prediction: 4-12
15. Rangoon Flying Tigers
If this is a bottom seed in Naga it is a testimate for deep the conference really is. They lost to some of the lower seeded in garuda teams which is not a good sign for a Naga team. Some adjustments definately need to be made for this team to creep out of the cellar.
Final record prediction: 2-14
16. Quahog Drunken Clams
A tough debut season in SEAPL will not lead to a great recruiting off season. They lack depth and consistency. I wish them the best but I don't see them in the Pro's next season
Final Record Prediction: 0-16
1. Bandar Lampung Pigskin Pirates
Bandar is coming off their first Pro League Championship. Bandar has never finished worse than 13-3 and over the past 3 seasons they logged a 44-4 record. They have only lost to one team in the playoffs from the naga conference and with three straight conference finals appearances they are looking to make it 4. This team always seems to be around the top of the league. Look for them to make another deep playoff run.
Final Record prediction: 15-1
2. East St Louis Tire Fires
This perenial powerhouse had an earlier than expected playoff exit last season. No doubt will they make moves to be back on top of Naga and the league. They have never lost a conference championship game and are undefeated in interleague matchups including 3 Super Wok victories in 4 seasons. This team is the pride of Naga and look to reclaim their seat on the top of the mountain.
Final record prediction 14-2
3. Singapore Maruaders
The Marauders look to make their way into the elite conversation when it comes to the naga conference. No team has beaten The Tire Fires twice in one season since the Bangkok Seamen in season 4. They seem to be the first team truly able to stand toe to toe with BLPP and ESL. As of now they are the trendy pick to win it all. Their last three playoff exits have been at the hands of those teo teams though. It will be intresting to see if The Marauders can live up to the hype and and we can crown a new Naga Conference Champion.
Final record prediction: 13-3
This is where thing get a little fuzzy in my opinion. Do I include Pa Dong in the "Elite" Category? Do they fall into the "Playoff Contender" range? If they are in the Elite I think they are the weakest of the top 4. If they are in the contender range they far and a way the best. They aren't going to miss the playoff, but I don't see them making it to the conference finals. We will see.
4. Pa Dong Dragons
In my opinion, The most under achieving team in all of SEAPL. They have never been short of talent where every season they bring in big name FA aquisitions. But this team has never made it past the second round of the playoffs. I first encountered this team in season 3 and they always seem to be a favorite but never seem to make that final jump to be a truly elite team. This season they have definately hit the recruiting trail hard have loaded the team with talent, but will they make that final jump to be the top team in Naga?
Final record prediction: 13-3
Now from here on out the next 5 or 6 teams are interchangeable in record and seed. These are the teams that will be fighting for a playoff spot though. Any one else squeezing in will be a surprize to me.
5. Cambodia Mountain Men
The first team to surprise me in quite awhile. They definately added some spice in their SEAPL debut. They will not sneak up on anyone this season though. Strong Pimp Hand is definately the key for CMM. If he is reeking havoc in the backfield this team has a great chance to contend for a title.
Final record prediction: 12-4
6. Duluth Bulldogs
Another team that hit the recruiting trail hard and came up big. They made their first playoff appearance last season and have gotten better and better each season. If they were to jump up a couple spots i would not be surprised and a first round playoff victory is not out of the question. They just have to win those close games.
Final record prediction: 9-7
These last 4 teams are really tough because 2 of them don't make the playoffs.
7. Okinawa Leathernecks
This team won a lot of close game last season. That's what you need to do to be a contender in SEAPL. Close out the close ones and be tough against the run. This team does both. I do feel like they didn't imporve as much as the teams around them but they definately are still a playoff caliber team. Now if that translates to a playoff birth we will see.
Final record prediction: 9-7
8. Krungthep Garudas
I like this team. I'm not sure why They dropped 3 of their last 4 last season, any of which could have launched them into the playoffs. They win those games against the bubble teams this year and they are in the playoffs. But, that is what seperates the playoff teams from those with an extra long off season.
Final record prediction: 8-8
9. Singapore Buddhists
Man, this team snuck into the playoffs last season and they deffinately imporved their offense in the offseason, but I have some serious questions about their defense. This team can definately make the playoffs but its hard to tell and seeds 5-10 in Naga are all so tight.
Final record prediction: 8-8
10. Vanuatu Headhunters
I believe this team can make the playoffs, but they will need a couple upsets on the way. They look tough but the transition into pro is so hard. Very few teams come in and immediately make the playoffs. This team has the best chance to do it.
Final record prediction: 7-9
Alright from here these teams are gonna take their lumps on in their first visit to Naga.
11. Anchorage Northern Lights
This team somehow missed the playoffs last season. I really had high hopes but that week 16 loss to The Hitmen destroyed all hopes for this team in my opinion.
Final record prediction: 6-10
12. Surabaya Poison Dart Frogs
An impressive AAA record but that doesn't mean much in pro. I have a hard time ranking this team above any of the old SEAPL teams especially after some lack luster Preseason games.
Final record prediction: 5-11
13. Winona Warriors
A team with a lot of playoff heart breaks at the AAA level does not bode well for a Pro League debut. A couple offseason moves but a lack luster defense and an average looking offense, it will take some revamped game planning for this team to climb the rankings.
Final record prediction: 5-11
14. Tongduchon Cowboys
Some depth issues and a long stint in AAA spells trouble for this team. They lost to eventual champs in Surbaya but their playoff woes definately bring up some questions as to their stability and consistency in game planning.
Final record prediction: 4-12
15. Rangoon Flying Tigers
If this is a bottom seed in Naga it is a testimate for deep the conference really is. They lost to some of the lower seeded in garuda teams which is not a good sign for a Naga team. Some adjustments definately need to be made for this team to creep out of the cellar.
Final record prediction: 2-14
16. Quahog Drunken Clams
A tough debut season in SEAPL will not lead to a great recruiting off season. They lack depth and consistency. I wish them the best but I don't see them in the Pro's next season
Final Record Prediction: 0-16
Edited by g-bay-be on Jun 19, 2009 11:31:06
Edited by g-bay-be on Jun 19, 2009 11:23:12
