Game of Game of Thrones — Midseason Rankings

In the Game of Game of Thrones, You Either Win or We All Make Fun of You

Well, it’s been quite a ride through the first half of the season. After all the carnage of the Battle of Winterfell, a lot has happened, but we’re still only halfway through the season. With that in mind, let’s see who’s on track to win the league! As a reminder, the prize for first place is the Iron Throne. Prizes for #2-#10 are you get thrown out the Moon Door, because Game of Game of Thrones does not reward second place. On to the standings!

*=deceased

Littlefinger Memorial Leaderboard

Chaos is a ladder — let’s see who has managed to climb the highest so far. Will they be able to hold on, or will they plummet to their doom?

1. The Leeches Full of Gendry’s Blood Memorial Team (Rob) — (2–1–0), 435 points

- Lyanna Mormont* (45 points)
- Beric Dondarrion* (210 points)
- Melisandre* (180 points)
- Fergus (0 points)

Well, what an amazing performance from a team that was a real dark horse heading into this season. At the top, Lyanna Mormont outperformed many higher-pedigreed draft picks with her wits and steely sword arm. But the real heavy hitters come from the #2 and #3 spots in the lineup — the two last believers in R’hllor absolutely brought it in the first half of the season. Whether it was Beric Dondarrion laying waste to wights left and right, or Melisandre setting an entire regiment of Dothraki swords aflame, the Lord of Light’s Chosen carried The Leeches to a surprise spot atop the rankings.

But, they don’t give out awards for the first half of the season in Game of Game of Thrones — you have to finish the season out strong. And it might be hard for The Leeches to do so, because their top 3 players are all dead! Will Fergus be able to step up in the second half? Will The Leeches be able to find enough players to replace Beric’s scoring? The odds are stacked against The Leeches — but then again, no one expected them to be in this position in the first place. This team won’t be flustered by having to play outside the box.

First-half MVP: Beric Dondarrion

2. A cold boi haz no name (Jamie) — (2–1–0), 430 points

- Arya Stark (300 points)
- Robin Arryn (0 points) midseason acquisition, replaces Theon Greyjoy* (130 points)
- The Mountain (0 points)
- Harry Strickland (0 points)

This team is the Arya Stark show from start to finish. We knew that Arya had promise heading into the season. The littlest Stark had the violence, wits and magic potential to score points from anywhere on the field like Giannis Antetokounmpo. No one saw this coming, though! The Girl Who Has No Name refined her game, stepped up her scoring and embraced her role as the #1 option, making her a complete monster like — well, like Giannis! Now, no one can stop her. Arya has scored more points than 80% of the TEAMS in the league — the extent to which this girl is capable of taking over a game is unprecedented.

This wasn’t just the Arya show, though. When the star needed a breather, Theon provided valuable scoring off the bench, letting Arya get some spot rest. However, Theon Greyjoy can no longer be counted on to provide valuable bench minutes, as he ate a spear from the Night King. Will The Mountain or Harry Strickland be able to step up and provide some semblance of bench scoring? And if Arya maintain this blistering pace, does this team even need a bench? One thing’s for sure — no team is looking forward to playing Arya Stark and A cold boi haz no name!

First-half MVP: Arya Stark

3. All that Glitters is Cold (Claire) — (2–1–0), 335 points

- Tycho Nestoris (0 points) — midseason acquisition, replaces The Night King* (120 points)
- Tormund Giantsbane (90 points)
- Edmure Tully (0 points) — midseason acquisition, replaces Jorah Mormont* (125 points)
- Alys Karstark (0 points)

This is a team that climbed into the top 3 behind a well-rounded, intricate offense. Starting at the top, the Night King regressed somewhat from his ice-cold 2017 MVP season, but he was still a valuable source of creativity and playmaking at the top of the key with his magic and kills. In the post Tormund Giantsbane provided muscle, fighting for rebounds, and finishes around the basket with kills and wits. Jorah Mormont delivered long range shooting, sinking deep 3s with his kills, status and wit. No overwhelming stars among this group — just three excellent players sharing the ball and playing smart, fundamental Game of Thrones.

However, there are big changes coming to All That Glitters is Cold, as both The Night King and Jorah Mormont fell in the Battle of Winterfell. Now, questions abound — can this team find a shooter to replace Jorah Mormont? How will Edmure Tully and Tycho Nestoris change the team dynamic and chemistry? And can Tormund step it up and carry this team without his preferred pick and roll partner? A lot is riding on the big ginger’s shoulders heading into the back half of the season.

First-half MVP: Jorah Mormont

4. Chaos is a StairMaster (Tom) — (2–1–0), 290 points

- Bran Stark (80 points)
- Brienne of Tarth (100 points)
- Gendry (80 points)
- Podrick Payne (30 points)

The defending champions came out with an entirely revamped roster this year, featuring some of the oddest roster decisions, especially from a team that just won a title. In 2017 this team was carried almost entirely by Jaime Lannister’s star power, from start to finish. This season, Chaos is a StairMaster has eschewed star players and instead embraced a “Bench Mob” approach, with solid scoring output from all four positions. And so far, it’s worked pretty well! Bran, Brienne and Gendry have provided consistent scoring output through magic, status, kills and sex, with Podrick Payne occasionally spotting one of the top 3. This team is like the Raptors, sending wave after wave of long, athletic, creative playmakers at your team, wearing down your stars and overpowering your bench players until you crack. Will this share the ball approach still work as defenses tighten up and ratchet up the intensity? Or will this team wilt under pressure like the Raptors? Chaos is a StairMaster has rode this unconventional formula to #4 place — let’s see if it can get them all the way to #1.

First-half MVP: Brienne of Tarth

5. Toast for the Toast God (Sarah I) — (2–1–0), 205 points

- Daenerys Targaryen (140 points)
- Rhaegal (50 points)
- Varys (5 points)
- Missandei (10 points)

This team is built around Daenerys Targaryen and her claim to the Iron Throne, from top to bottom. And so far, the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms has more than carried out her end of the bargain. From violence, to wits, to status, she is more than capable of taking out an entire team by herself. In the #2 spot, Rhaegal has provided valuable scoring, flambeing a ton of the dead to provide some valuable bench support. The rest of the bench has been somewhat thin so far though. Either Varys or Missandei need to step up as the action heads back to the South, or Daenerys needs to pull an Arya Stark and start demanding the ball more. This team is in great position heading into the second half of the season, and if Daenerys continues her climb to the top of Westerosi politics, it will be extremely hard to knock off Toast for the Toast God.

First-half MVP: Daenerys Targaryen

6. Cleganebowl Confirmed (Jefferson) — (2–1–0), 160 points

- Jaime Lannister (80 points)
- Tyrion Lannister (55 points)
- Bronn (25 points)
- Gilly (0 points) midseason acquisition, replaces Ebrose (0 points)

Cleganebowl Confirmed is an almost pure Lannister team play, and so far the two lions have done enough to keep the team within striking distance. Jaime Lannister has been solid, but for the #2 pick in the draft, you’re expecting at least triple digits by this point in the season — hopefully his scoring picks up in the back half. Tyrion Lannister has been the real revelation — an afterthought in the trade deal for Jaime, the new environment has completely reinvigorated the Imp. Tyrion has more than bounced back from his disappointing 2017 season, almost doubling his point total from all of last season. Combined with Bronn, Cleganebowl Confirmed has a very solid bench, especially if new addition Gilly shows up to play. If Goldenhand is able to elevate his game in the second half of the season, this team will be a really tough out.

First-half MVP: Jaime Lannister

7. Mr. Viserion, Tear Down this Wall (Jason) — (1–2–0), 205 points

- Jon Snow (95 points)
- The Hound (75 points)
- Euron Greyjoy (35 points)
- Nymeria (wolf) (0 points)

This team is unfortunate not to have more than one victory, as they’ve drawn tough matchups every week. However, there’s still a lot of potential on this team. At the top, Jon Snow has had a similar season to Jaime Lannister — a fairly high-scoring first half, but not as much as is needed to justify the #3 draft spot. Still, in 2017 Jon Snow had one of the strongest second halves of any player, so he has a history of getting stronger as the season goes on. Backing him up are The Hound and Euron Greyjoy, who have provided valuable bench depth and are legit #2 and #3 options. If Jon Snow can get going, or even if Nymeria ends up pitching in, expect to see Mr. Viserion shoot their way back up the rankings.

First-half MVP: Jon Snow

8. Jorah the Explorer (Sam) — (1–2–0), 160 points

- Cersei Lannister (35 points)
- Sansa Stark (65 points)
- Samwell Tarly (50 points)
- Qyburn (10 points)

The team of two Queens has so far been almost exclusively the team of one Queen — Sansa Stark, Our Lady of Winterfell! The point total here is a little unflattering — Sansa has scored points in every single episode, helping to keep Jorah the Explorer competitive each week. Sansa has got an unexpected boost from Sam Tarly, who scored 50 points for violence (?!?!) for killing a bunch of wights during the Battle of Winterfell, a truly shocking development that his poor departed brother and dad would never have seen coming. As the action shifts South for the rest of the season, the major question is how the rest of the team will react to the pressure. Cersei and Qyburn have the chance to step up big in the next few episodes. If they do, there’s no telling how far Jorah the Explorer can go. But if they can’t, it doesn’t look like Sansa will be enough to singlehandedly carry them to victory.

First-half MVP: Sansa Stark

9. The Onion Knights: Shallot We Begin? (Sarah C) — (1–2–0), 85 points

- Davos Seaworth (10 points)
- Grey Worm (60 points)
- Meera Reed (0 points)
- Yara Greyjoy (15 points)

The Onion Knights are a seasoned, veteran team with a lot of experience at each position — their #4 player is the Queen of the Iron Islands! This means every single game The Onion Knights plays has been a hard-fought, close and defensive game, as this team of veteran athletes slows the pace down, clogs the lane and makes scoring difficult. Unfortunately, that slow pace means a lack of scoring, which has hurt The Onion Knights in these close games. Outside of Grey Worm, who is scoring solid points in the #2 spot, none of the other players are really putting up big numbers. Game of Game of Thrones has become more of a pace and space league in recent years — will The Onion Knights be able to adapt to a faster offensive pace? Or will they be able to keep the games low-scoring and scrape out wins that way? Either way it’s a make-or-break next 3 weeks for The Onion Knights.

First-half MVP: Grey Worm

10. Watch The Iron Throne (Erin) — (0–0–3), 165 points

- Drogon (50 points)
- Viserion* (75 points)
- Ghost (0 points)
- Eddison Tollett* (35 points)

This is a team that’s unfortunate to be winless heading into the second half — the dragon team brought both fire and ice in week 3, pouring on the points. However they were barely edged out by Chaos is a StairMaster in one of the games of the week. Looking ahead, Drogon can expect to continue roasting people, providing a steady stream of points. However, he’s lost his partner in crime Viserion, as well as valuable bench player Ed Tollett. Team Captain Ghost will probably need to step up in a big way to complement the huge murderlizard — and if he does, there’s no telling how far this team can go.

First-half MVP: Viserion

End of Blog Post

This blog post is now over! Tune in tomorrow to see what the Golden Company is, which Lannister is going to stab which other Lannister, and if anyone knows what happened to Jaqen H’ghar!

Ours is the Fury,
Jefferson