Hello again Revo :)
Nice first post this season :p
That Joe has sold his most valuable player isn't right. Joe's MVP is MArshall, he's one of the best players in the world, and I doubt he'll ever leave the Cowboys unless he starts losing stats. Backaert was a useful player, the only reason he got sold is his age, and Joe had more than a fair amount of money for such an aging player.
Anyway, the following of Backaert is Ibisov, (and also maybe Rotsaert at some point) and although I agree they are not still ready to see action now, they will be BBBL players 3 seasons from now on, and I think Joe has already a plan to field both of them in easily winnable games.
So, nevertheless he may be lacking a player. But he has money enough to land in a reasonable reinforcement, but which one ? With Quanyi out, Aquino was in for a B3 bet which didn't unfortunately paid off, but I'm pretty sure this will be some sort of SF, maybe slightly PF-oriented. I can't help thinking he's searching more inside than outside.
One thing though : never get fooled by Joe's team ratings. Those ratings completely hide the multiskill behind the players on the pitch, and while he may not seem as strong as usual, I don't expect a radical drop before the departure of Canipel, which may take up to another 2 seasons.
But that's right, Canipel won't be easy to replace, especially if a belgian player is mandatory. Okrajek was on the TL some time ago, but they're the same age. The one that most looks like him (although there is still work to do) is Vaes, but he's going just nowhere (and he's not as good as Canipel anyway).
All that to say, Vottem are still number 1 and for me, Wolves is second. They already were a very dangerous team last season, with that spanish PF they are extremely dangerous.
On the blue side, I don't think mumu will end up first, I think eagles are still my favourites for the held the core of their team from last season ; Providence still lacks 1 big outside player to be fighting for it, for Angels is is just the opposite and I think you need one more big man, but I'd tip on FTA. I don't know the players well (except Foreitovoras), I suppose Oksa is getting trained (I suspect a little lack of jump range) and will evolve into a fine SG, while Alé is totally unknown to me, but judging on his two first games he's seriously serious. Tienen should be in, although Ballert isn't getting any younger now.
So, blue side :
Eagles
Tienen
FTA
Mumu
Red side :
Cowboys
Wolves
Spartans
Estrellas
I forgot to speak about Ventola, training his own players is paying off for Jona, but he sold many key (but old) players, and needs to rebuild. I can tell you he has money in the bank :p
A little word from my own team anyway.
I was struck hard by the outcome of the first game this season, I really felt like 2 seasons ago when I started with 2 defeats to Joe and Q. Although I had hoped to get victory at home against Mizu I was completely outclassed :
http://www.buzzerbeater.com/match/69288484/boxscore.aspxBack then I realized I would never be able to fight with Joe and Q and dropped it, allowing the departure of my best players (Santoianni, Manyoki, I remember having almost Marichal back then). Unfortunately, Q also dropped it a little later.
I was on the verge of doing it again, but first I realized that starting all over again has it's limits, if you never try you never succeed ; second I found the C I was looking for since a very long time, and this was just too nice to pass it up.
So I'm taking a huge risk, I have spent an incredible amount of money, and I won't be earning anything this season, that's for sure, but I will fight. I really can't wait to see a fit Dabnys come into action at the start of the game.
Good season to all of you !