Hero Series Midseason Recap

the_BigTed (aka el Teodoro Grande) has some thoughts on Hero as we move into the second half of the season.

Hello everyone! This is “the unofficial hero series commissioner” and Saloon co-host The_BigTed, bringing you a mid-season recap of what has happened in the Hero Series throughout the first four weeks, as well as what to expect for the rest of the season. First I will start out with my own personal tier list of the teams. This is based on what I think the odds are of these teams making playoffs. The “Top Contenders” tier are teams that are very strong and are probably making playoffs in the top seeds. The “In The Playoff Hunt” tier are teams that are still strong but will have to fight among themselves to make it into the playoffs. The “Could Sneak In” tier are teams that are not very likely to make playoffs but could make it in with a strong finish to the season. And finally, the “Maybe Next Season” tier is for teams that I don’t see having a path to making the playoffs this season, with the exception of a miracle run. Without further ado, here is the tier list:

Top Contenders - Dad Legend, No Pros Here
In The Playoff Hunt - Burninators, Teen Hearth Legends, Cult, ATL
Could Sneak In - Team Annoy-o-Team, NAS-Dormu, Tan Pam’s Surf Slam
Maybe Next Season - DSM Five

Now, for a team by team breakdown(Note: The current cutoff point for playoffs is 56 points, mean AOPE is 168.3, median AOPE is 163.5)

Dad Legend (Current Standings: 1st place, 75 points, 4-0, +19 cut off, AOPE 173)
    Well, what more is there to say about these guys? They have been killing it all season, currently one of the only 2 undefeated teams. They are above average in every metric, including AOPE, which shows that they will have a slightly easier back half of the season based on other teams’ earlier performances. Overall, it is looking like a very good season for them, and they should not have a problem making the playoffs.

No Pros Here(Current Standings: 2nd place, 70 points, 4-0, +14 cut off, AOPE 163)
    A team that is only in its second year and is doing a lot of damage. They are the other undefeated team, alongside Dad-Legend, and are another team that shouldn’t struggle to make the postseason. Their AOPE is right around the median and a little below the average, so they should have a bit tougher of a back half but around the same difficulty as Dad Legend’s. Overall, things are looking up for the team that barely missed playoffs in their first season.

Burninators(Current Standings: 4th place, 56 points, 1-3, 0 cut off, AOPE 196)
     This team is a tale of two stat lines. On one hand, they are 1-3, which would put them tied for last if records mattered. On the other hand, they have 56 points, which is good enough for the final playoff spot. Oh yeah, they also have this point total with the hardest AOPE in the series, with two of their losses coming to the top two teams. I think it's a no-brainer to think they will start putting up wins in the future. Of all the in the hunt teams, this is the team that has the best chance to make playoffs.


Teen Hearth Legends(Current Standings: 7th place, 51 points, 2-2, -5 cut off, AOPE 189)
    This team is in a similar boat to the cult. They are sitting around the playoff bubble, and they have already taken on the two top teams. They also have the second-highest AOPE in Hero. The rest of their season is other bubble teams and teams that are longshots to get in. If they can continue to play at the same level they have been for the first 4 weeks, but now against easier opposition, they should be able to make a playoff spot.

The Cult(Current Standings: 6th place, 53 points, 2-2, -3 cut off, AOPE 179)
    This is going to be a rollercoaster of events for the end of the season for The Cult. This upcoming week, they have their toughest challenge yet, facing the top team Dad Legend. After that, however, the rest of their season should be downhill, as they currently have the third highest AOPE, which will only increase after their DadLegend match this week. Combine that with them being only 3 points out of a playoff spot, they should be in it until the very end. Overall, if this team can put up a decent amount of points this week, then win most of the rest of their matches, expect to see them in the playoffs.

ATL(Current Standings: 5th place, 54 points, 2-2, -2 cut off, AOPE 160)
    For the final team that is in the playoff hunt, we have ATL. They are only two points out at the moment, which means if they keep up their current pace, they will be fighting up until the final week. However, the schedule does not favor them, as they have had the third easiest season yet. They are definitely still in the hunt, however, if they want to make it, they are going to have to step up their game a bit.

Team Annoy-o-Team(Current Standings: 3rd place, 58 points, 2-2, +2 cut off, AOPE 150)
    Here is where I’m sure many people will look at me funny. I am well aware that I am saying that the current third place team is more likely to miss playoffs than to make playoffs. However, all you have to do is look at the numbers. They currently have the second easiest AOPE. Their two wins come over the two bottom teams in the series, while their two losses come at the hands of two playoff-caliber teams. Ahead of them, they still have the two-headed monster of Dad Legend and No Pros Here to face. They have had a relatively easy start to this season, but when the schedule starts to even out, they will likely end up on the outside looking in.

NAS-Dormu(Current Standings: 8th place, 49 points, 1-3, -7 cut off, AOPE 163)
    The 40% defending champs have gotten off to a bit of a cold start this season, only picking up one win and currently sitting in 8th. Now, 7 points aren’t hard to make up in 5 weeks. However, they have had a pretty average opponent spread so far, as shown by their AOPE which is right around the median. Is a playoff spot out of the question for them? Absolutely not. Will they have to start stepping it up a little bit more to make it there? Yes, they will.

Tan Pam’s Surf Slam(Current Standings: 9th place, 48 points, 1-3, -8 cut off, AOPE 164)
    A team in almost the exact same situation as NAS-Dormu is in. They are one point behind NAS, with one greater AOPE. With that said, their situation is the same as NAS-Dormu’s is: they can still make playoffs, but their level of play will need to improve a bit.

DSM Five(Current Standings: 10th place, 47 points, 1-3, -9 cut off, AOPE 146)
Oh boy, has it been a tough season for these guys. Yeah, they are only nine points out. However, they have had the easiest schedule out of any team so far. They still have to face 5 out of the top 7 teams, with that including the two undefeated teams (Dad Legend and No Pros Here). With their only win coming against Tan Pam’s Surf Slam, who are currently in 9th, I don’t see a reason to think they will start winning matches when they are facing much tougher opposition.


Now for my playoff predictions. I predict the playoff seeding will be as follows:

1. Dad Legend
   
2. No Pros Here
   
3. Burninators
   
4. Teen Hearth Legends/Cult(With the edge going to Teen Hearth Legends)
   

Anyways, that will wrap up my midseason review/predictions. I will be back with another blog post week 8 to do a final playoff push update.
-Ted