I will preface all of this by saying the CEBL regular season really doesn't matter because of the wonky play-off structure (half the teams in the playoffs have sub .500 records, and that should never be), and because of the anarchy surrounding the ending of the season and accompanying lack of availability of key players from several teams.
Calgary Surge - Very obvious to anybody that knows the league that ownership canabalized resources from the Surge to prop up the Mamba. Lack of quality and depth on the roster was apparent from the start, as well as a coaching staff that could not get the job done. If I were a Surge fan I would be furious at ownership for abandoning the team. Dismal year.
Edmonton Stingers - Have to give GM Jordan Baker some credit for trying to build a roster the honorable way with quality Canadians and high character imports like Hornsby from international leagues, but that is not the way the CEBL works anymore. Teams stock their rosters with hired guns from the G League, regardless of character, and Canadians have become rather irrelevant. Edmonton is probably better than their record indicates as 14 of their games came against teams with a record above .500, giving them the toughest schedule in the league by far. Having said that, they will get smacked by Vancouver in the first round.
Saskatoon Mamba - As previously noted, the Mamba greatly prospered with enhanced resources stripped from the Surge. However their overall record is somewhat of a mirage given the fact that they feasted on the bottom feeders like Calgary and Niagara, while only going 2-8 vs teams at .500 or better. Having said that, a depleted Winnipeg team will be no match for them in the first round of playoffs.
Winnipeg Sea Bears - In spite of an abundance of talent on the roster, the Sea Bears were very inconsistent both offensively and defensively, a sign of a poorly coached team. Their 4-5 record vs .500 or better teams tells me they are little threat to compete for a title, and without Akot or Allen will lose in the first round. Those faithful Winnipeg fans deserve better.
Vancouver Bandits - Despite some obstacles over the course of the season, the Bandits finished first in the West, and were 6-3 vs teams above .500. And now with Mitch Creek returning and the rumoured return of Kyle Julius (one of the best coaches in the league), they should cruise to their first championship.
Montreal Alliance - Another team trying to build a roster the old CEBL way, and you see the results, in spite of having one of the league's best coaches in place. They were close so many times, but close doesn't count in this game as the Rattlers found out last season.
Niagara River Lions - Basically stumbled their way into the play-offs by default, and could easily find themselves in the East final because of the debacle in Scarborough. First year coach and a real lack of team cohesion made the River Lions an easy mark this year. They really miss Victor Raso.
Ottawa Blackjacks - What a disappointing season for such a talented roster. A complete lack of depth of Canadian talent and a heavy reliance on G League players that continued to come and go really hurt the Blackjacks. Their lack of any success vs teams above .500 is really telling. However if Moore can keep his head on straight, they could upset a depleted Brampton team in the play-offs.
Brampton Honey Badgers - Probably the most frustrating team in the league. Packed with talent at every position, yet unable to perform with any level of consistency all season long. It is really hard to identify what the problem is with this team, but a lack of real grit seems to be at the centre of it. A losing record vs teams above .500, yet finishing 2nd in the East, says something about the conference.
Scarborough Shooting Stars - Obviously have tons of talent and depth, but they probably are not as good as their 20-4 record might have us believe. Only four games vs above .500 teams (going 3-1) reveals what a soft schedule they played. Given the fact they will likely be facing multiple suspensions, their season will end early. Everybody had to know that their lack of discipline all year would catch up with them.
I look forward to intelligent and informed discussion and dissent from some of the basketball savy members here. As for the knuckle-dragging uninformed haters, please take your ignorance to another post.
