After never previously posting a play-off prediction in my previous two seasons here, and missing both the quarter final and semi final matches that took place in the same week, I thought it was best to start my PRO Playoff prediction "career" with a bang in a finals that looks quite unattractive from afar.
Firstly, congrats to Jordy for winning his second consecutive PRO MVP title, very rare for anyone to go back to back in any interleague, especially in carry format. Another congrats to Miscues and Break and Run for winning their respective conferences, but a larger congrats for Pool Dragonz who join Break and Run in the finals after an incredibly improbable run that no one would have predicted.
Break and Run finished the season 8-2 and in first place, while Pool Dragonz finished 4-6 and needed a week 10 win just to make the playoffs. Break and Run won their semi-final match over Dead Strokes (who upset Pool Fiction in the earlier round) with a convincing 5-0 defeat. Pool Dragonz had defeated Freedom 5-4 to get into the playoffs in the final week of the season, then went on to another game 9 win over Straight Shots in the semi's, finishing it off with a shocking 5-1 win over Miscues. Now, after two consecutive game 9 wins over lesser teams, how did they run right over MC? Well, since I have no idea how it went down, either MC showed with very few, or they all just took it way to lightly, or PDZ just hit one hell of a key. A key they'll need to hold if they look to have any shot against Break and Run..
In their only match-up, Break and Run more or less ran over them with a 5-1 win. Predicting this should be easy, since everyone thinks Break and Run will win this in their sleep. For Pool Dragonz to win this, it'll be from a team effort. I cannot see (sorry) one or two people from Pool Dragonz winning 2 or 3 from Break and Run each night, they'll need to head into the extra games up 4-1 or 3-2 at the least, unless they pull off more miracles as they have previously. So does this mean Break and Run will win easily? Miscues was suppose to win easily too. Sure they have Jordy, Gus, Ross and Croz, but with Croz gone and the rest of the Break and Run team not exactly players you'd pick to play in a finals, they will need to carry the burden, so if one of them loses, or fails to show, a large door opens for the Pool Dragonz. Only Jordy (Last season with T8B) has been in a position to carry the team all the way through a match, so it's a real guessing game with Ross and Jim if they're able to win 3 games in a night if they have too.
DJ carried the load all season for PDZ and I wouldn't be surprised if he is doing so again in the playoffs. Charles had a surprisingly solid season, and will need to continue such form against Break and Run. Both Drew and Hani will need to make amends for their poor regular season with quality wins at the right time if Pool Dragonz looks to win this. DJ had shown he was capable of carrying them, and Charles was able to carry them when it mattered both. If they both continue their hot streaks, coupled with strong play from the rest of the PDZ squad, this finale will be nothing near boring.
It was only a few years ago when the little Pool Dragonz of IPA beat the top dogs in Straight Shots, so Pool Dragonz have a history of upsets, will it continue here?
I have a feeling Break and Run will win the series 2-1, with both of their wins being of the 5-1, 5-2 nature, while Pool Dragonz takes them to a game 8 or 9 for their only win. Though at this point, anything is possible, right Kevin Garnett?
Best of luck to both sides this week, and good luck where you need it most.
