- Enemies (5-0):
The defending champs continue to take care of business as usual. They’re 5-0 for the first time in team history and have won eight straight games dating back to last season, the second longest behind both Trilogy (2017) and Triplets (2019-2021). Elijah Stewart looks like a candidate for the Too Hard To Guard award with the way he’s playing offensively while being one of the toughest on the ball defenders in the league. Nick Young’s team has taken care of business against the teams they need to beat while knocking off some of the top teams in the process. Could they be the second team to ever go undefeated? Looking like a stronger possibility week by week.
- Bivouac (5-0):
This may easily be the best turnaround we’ve ever seen. After going 4-15 over the past three seasons, Bivouac can’t be beat. Corey Brewer has been the best overall player in the league and has led a stingy defense that ranks tops in the league in steals and blocks. Only fitting with their head coach being “The Glove” Gary Payton. But this team can score with the best of them, too. Their squad leads the league in points while both Brewer and Garlon Green sit in the top-10 scoring. At this point, Bivouac could follow Enemies in their footsteps and turn their first playoff appearance into their first BIG3 title if they keep playing like this.
- 3’s Company (4-1):
It’s been six years since 3’s Company has been in the playoffs, but this may be the year they break that streak. Even after adding Michael Beasley a couple years ago, Michael Cooper’s squad has failed to assemble the right team around him. However, this year’s squad seems to be the perfect fit. Reggie Evans has once again been the best rebounder in the league and currently is tied for first in that category. Add in Nasir Core, who’s the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year, and Sean Williams, who’s tied for first in the league in blocks, and they’ve got all their bases covered. Beating a Triplets team that was mowing through the competition was no easy feat and definitely opened some eyes to their championship potential.
- Triplets (3-2):
Despite their three game winning streak coming to an end, we’re giving Triplets the benefit of the doubt. Their two losses have come against two of the top three teams in the league and they were missing this year’s top 3-point shooter in Jannero Pargo. Jeremy Pargo has definitely entered the MVP conversation after another masterful performance. In addition, this team is still one of the best in moving the ball (Jeremy Pargo t-1st in assists, Joe Johnson 5th in assists) and shooting from distance (have both the 3-point and 4-point leaders) even if they struggled in the second half last week. All in all, they had an off week turning the ball over more than usual and missing shots they usually make. Expect a bounce back performance from a team that still poses a threat to knock off any team in the league.
- Tri-State (3-2):
Speaking of MVPs, how about the bounce back year from the 2022 BIG3 MVP Kevin Murphy. Murphy poured in 29 points in their latest win and carried his team to victory, despite a scoreless outing from Jason Richardson. While Tri-State will definitely need Richardson down the stretch, the fact that they got it done essentially without him is telling. Dr. J’s team plays well as a unit and moves the ball as well as any squad in the BIG3. They’re also a team that can get hot from the perimeter and beyond. Just ask Murphy who tied a BIG3 record for most 4-pointers in a game going 3-3 from the 4-point circle. The only concern may be that all three of their wins have come from sub-.500 teams but the good news is Murphy may be back to MVP form at the perfect time.
- 3 Headed Monsters (2-3):
While the 3 Headed Monsters certainly missed their captain Jeff Teague (0-2 when he’s out), they’ve gotten a lot of production out of the 2024 BIG3 No. 1 pick Brandon Moss. Moss dropped 29 points this past week and did everything he could to will his team to victory. In fact, the rest of the team combined for just seven points with just two other players scoring. They’ve had trouble getting stops defensively all summer along with shooting the ball from the 3-point line. But this team still has hope. Jeff Teague is expected to return to the lineup and Moss is playing his best basketball currently. They’ve been at their best when they spread the scoring around, evidenced by their two wins coming when at least three players score in double figures. Ultimately though, if they want a chance to return to the playoffs, they’ll need to find a way to shore up the defensive end or they’ll have trouble staying in games long enough for big performances to matter.
- Ghost Ballers (2-3):
Ghost Ballers looks vastly different from last season. Mike Taylor has been a shell of himself, turnovers have been problematic, and their defense has been underwhelming. To top it off, they’ve struggled to find their shot consistently the last few games. Taylor is averaging just over 11 PPG after scoring over 15 PPG last year. Meanwhile, Ryan “Hezi God” Carter has gone through a rough sophomore slump scoring just 6.8 PPG after averaging over 21 PPG a season ago. Now, after falling to a Trilogy team that was previously winless, the Ghost Ballers find themselves in a difficult position. At 2-3, they still have a chance to make a late push but they’ll need to win out with two teams already with five wins. They take on one of those five win teams in Bivouac next week, who’s wreaked havoc on defense and been one of the best in causing turnovers this season. Ghost Ballers need to get out of their own way and limit the turnovers, but if they want a shot at the playoffs then they’ll need better play from their guards in Taylor and Carter.
- Aliens (2-3):
Through five weeks, Aliens have already won more games than they did all of last year and they did it without Paul Millsap. That probably comes as a surprise to most of the fans given the hole left by their captain, but for Rick Mahorn’s group they’ve been nothing but scrappy since Millsap’s injury. Devin Ebanks has proven he can be one of the top bucket getters in the league after dropping 21 points in their Week 5 win. Ebanks’ game-winning 4-pointer might be one of the most iconic in the BIG3 and a huge momentum push heading into the final three weeks of the regular season. Not to mention, Abraham Millsap has averaged 15.5 PPG over the past two weeks, Al Jefferson has played more like he did when he won a championship with Triplets, and John Millsap has shown he can knock down timely shots from the 3-point line. Let’s be honest though, this team struggles defensively and they haven’t shown consistency on the offensive end. Maybe their two wins are more valiant efforts than the norm but nonetheless it’s been impressive. If anything, we get a true litmus test this week when they take on a very hot 3’s Company squad.
- Ball Hogs (2-3):
Ball Hogs impressive victory Week 1 seems like ages ago. Despite domination in the season opener, they haven’t been able to find that same rhythm since. Their 3-point shooting has been subpar and defense has been a challenge for them. In fact, they were outscored 29-7 in the second half last week after holding a lead at halftime. Leandro Barbosa has been the only consistent player for them all year as BIG3 All-Star Jodie Meeks has been up and down, DaJuan Summers has struggled shooting. What once looked like their best roster to date now feels like a team on their last life heading into Week 6.
- Trilogy (1-4):
Finally, Trilogy got back in the win column and potentially kept their slim playoff hopes alive. After four straight losses where the offense had struggled, Trilogy put up their best shooting performance all season. Shockingly, they had their worst defensive game in the midst of it but they saw three players put up double figures in one game for the first time all season. When Earl Clark and Isaiah Briscoe both play well they’re dangerous enough but Cady Lalanne has slowly figured out this style of basketball the past three weeks. Alongside a top tier defense (lead league in blocks) maybe they’ve found the right formula to string together some wins. If anything, this is a team that could be a tough out the final three weeks.
- Power (1-4):
Power dropped their third straight game and it’s slowly looking like a lost season at this point. There’s been no rhythm on either side of the ball and outside of Glen Rice Jr. everybody else has had substandard seasons. Royce White hasn’t been the playmaker we’re used to seeing and their once heralded draft picks (Deshawn Stephens, Marcus Foster) have had roller coaster seasons. They’re also the worst 3-point shooting team in the league shooting just 14 percent as a group. This is a talented roster that just needs to play better. But if Power doesn’t win out from here they’re season may be over next week.
- Killer 3’s (0-5):
Killer 3’s has been the epitome of inconsistent throughout the year. Donte Greene and Josh Powell popped off the first couple weeks while Franklin Session and Dominique Johnson couldn’t get going. The following two games it’s been vice versa. Additionally, defense has been a nightmare for Charles Oakley’s team. They’ve given up the most points in the BIG3 and have the largest negative point differential in 2024. If there’s anything to be proud of, they’ve been a strong rebounding team to give themselves second chances. That being said, they’re season likely ends next week barring a miracle. Could this mean the end of an era for this core?
