Over the course of the last week or so, my team has had an opportunity to come together as we prepare mentally and physically for PCTI 3. You can imagine how great it's been to have teammates who support each other and are looking for ways to help each other succeed. However, the last 4 days or so, Breaking Bad has decided to introduce smokescreen to the public forum by making ludicrous public proclamations like "We like our team", "We have a shot in PCTI 3", and "We are good at basketball". Nothing could be further from the truth.

As such, I've decided to propose hoops categories that I believe are important to winning 4 games in PCTI, and which team has the competitive edge in those categories. My hope is that you will find it instructive as Breaking Bad attempts to talk itself into having chemistry that doesn't exist.

1) Shot Selection: Breaking Bad has some problems in this category. Between Abe thinking any shot is a good shot and the Doctor taking 3s from 5 feet past his shooting range, it will be interesting to see who wins the race for worst FG%. Although I anticipate that BC, Dawson, Brian, and Donley will shoot a solid percentage, it will be offset by Hops' incessant heat checks. I recognize that there will be a game in PCTI 3 that Hops goes off for 6 3s, but his team should worry about the other 6 games in this thing. Pitto will most likely stop shooting the ball after me, Bruise, Smo, Beas, and DK swat his shit on consecutive possessions, so not much to worry about there. Team LFTW largely avoids problems in this category by getting out in the open floor and shooting layups and getting high percentage open looks. EDGE: LFTW

2) Fast Break Points: Legs Feed the Wolf has a roster replete with guys who want to get in great shape so we can get up and down the floor. DK likes the long hit ahead pass for layups, BMW likes to go coast to coast, and the rest of us run for layups and jumpers. On the other side of the floor, Breaking Bad may be the first team in PCTI history to commit multiple 10 second violations. I can't wait for Pitto and Joe to fight each other for "walking the ball up the floor" MVP while Brian pleads with them to slow it up. Should make for some interesting comedy. EDGE: LFTW

3) Offseason Preparations: I have it on good authority that many members of team Breaking Bad use the 6 months before PCTI to stuff their faces with Whoppers, fried foods, and various selections of Little Debbies. Except for Donley...that guy is a physical freak. 3 weeks from go time, they'll try and get in shape by doing P20X or some variation of bicep curls or bench press. They may even try to run on the treadmill at 12 minute/mile pace. If somebody is really motivated, maybe he will actually make it to the basketball gym and play some pickup hoops against a bunch of old white guys in Rec Specs. Unfortunately, it will be too little, too late. EDGE: LFTW

So long story short, I'm having a difficult time seeing how any of Breaking Bad's pieces fit together or how they make each other better. They clearly are at a disadvantage in the areas of basketball that make for successful teams. But if they keep trying to talk themselves into it, maybe they will fool themselves into believing it. And when that happens, anything is possible.....except for a Breaking Bad victory.

Sabin