The last league game has just concluded, and we have our final standings!
Congrat to the teams that qualified!
At Great 8 we have PhantoMech, Tampines Fusion, defending champs Sinsinata Tigers, and MTS.
At Big 8 LionDash, Lakers Junior, SouthSingapore, and Yusuke.
But... No one buying players yet? Deadline is tomorrow, so there's still time. MTS seems to have thrown the white flag because they're on sales mode (smart guy preparing for the future). But in the meantime, let's analyze who has the biggest chance to win SBBL.
LDS has probably the best roster. He leads the league in top 5 player salaries (788k), and top 8 player salaries (864k). The drop off in salary in the 6th to 8th player seems to suggest that there are holes in their depth. But they have two 200k salary players to carry them through.
PhantoMech is the other way around. They're still no pushover, with the second highest top 5 player salary (615k) and top 8 player salary (793k). In fact, they probably have the best depth in the SBBL, with players 6 to 8 earning a total of 178k. Their 9th most expensive player actually earns more than LDS's 6th man. That said, they only have 1 starter earning above 150k (160k salary) and one of their starters earn below 100k. So if LDS and PhantoMech meet in the finals, it's gonna be interesting. Can LDS make use of their stronger starting lineup to build and unassailable lead, or will PhantoMech use their depth to steal the game when some starters are resting.
Coming in third is Fusion, with a 573k top 5. But they have totally no depth with players 6-8 earning a total of only 29k. They're led by 2 solid start players (175k and 180k), but they are the only 2 players earning 6 digits, so don't expect them to put up much of a fight. That said they are on a 16 match winning streak (longest streak in SBBL this season) and haven't lost in 2 months. Can they continue their miracle run? Actually yes, they can just buy 3 to 4 top players by tomorrow and win the whole thing. But I doubt that is happening.
Number 4 is defending champs Sinsinata Tigers. Surprisingly they are actually 6th in top 5 and top 8 salaries. CMB (who are tanking) and Steamboat are ahead of them. Just like Fusion, they only have two players earning above 100k, but you can't underestimate them either because they are actually the second seed (19-3 with 1047 PD). So if they make it to the finals against LDS, they will have HCA for 2 of the 3 games. LDS might have beaten them in their only encounter this season, but it was a 3 point victory at LDS's home ground. Will HCA give Sinsinata the advantage and allow them to defend their title?
It looks like the title race is pretty open, and any of the 4 teams could win it. Will anyone splurge before the deadline to gain the upper hand? The clock is ticking...