TDL Summer 2016 Playoff Preview – First Round

1st Division

(4) SK WAR DOG vs (5) RAINING ROSEBUDS

First Round – Sunday (9/11) 1pm at MLK HS

Team Notes Team Score Team Team Notes
It’s been a quiet season for SK War Dog. With no (G) Kash Miah or (F) Sean Zhang in the line-up, it just doesn’t feel like the same team. But, don’t get caught sleeping on them just yet, (G) Pat Youreneff and (G) Dave Wong still provide plenty of firepower, and (F) Mike Palacios‘ all-around contributions are integral, even if they don’t always show up on the stat-sheet. This is still a team that can make a dark horse run at the title.
SKW
3-3

62-56
RAR
2-4		 It’s been said time and again, with a full roster, the Raining Rosebuds can compete with any team. But, you just never know who is going to be available on any given day. They have a wealth of options at the guard spot, but are limited on the front-line. (F) Mitch Moxley is a very capable shooter & rebounder, but he shouldn’t be forced to play center. If (F) Zheng Zeng is available, RAR might have a shot in this one.
Key Player: Pat Youreneff

The veteran guard can go on a hot streak as good as anyone, but the trick is staying focused. When things falter a bit, he can get distracted with complaints about the officiating. When he’s tuned in, he can be the best player in the league.
Pos: G
14.8 ppg
8.4 rpg
4.4 apg
 Pos: G
13.7 ppg
4 rpg
3 apg
 Key Player: Joseph Jaffee

As much as (G) Miguel Melbourne is the fire behind the stove for RAR, Jaffee is the player that keeps this team even-keeled and balanced. It’s not about the numbers for Jaffee, it’s about putting his team in the best position to win.

(2) YUNG NO FLY ZONE vs (7) SHAWTY LIKES THE WAY I BALL OUT

First Round – Sunday (9/11) 2pm at MLK HS

Team Notes Team Score Team Team Notes
Yung No Fly Zone has been biding their time, quietly getting their players back for a title run. Now, they’re ready. (F) Michael Reding is back, so is (F) David Farnham. With (G) Ren Hsieh taking a bigger role, and (G) Sal Nasser‘s addition to the team, this is a roster that can put up some big time points. The trick will be whether they can also get up to playoff defense, too.  NFZ
4-2

69-61
SHA
1-5		 Shawty Likes the Way I Ball Out actually won its season opener vs NFZ, but it’s been all downhill from there. SHA doesn’t have very many playoff eligible players on the roster, and with the personnel they do have, they’ll need to really be hot from the 3-pt line. It’s certainly possible, (G) Deric Kung and (F) Sam Lu are big time 3-pt shooters. They just need to get the looks, and maybe SHA can take down NFZ.
Key Player: Michael Reding

The 3-time D1 MVP is back just in time for the playoffs, but is he in shape after several weeks off? If he is, he’s NFZ’s best shooter and rebounder. Not to mention a very able and willing passer. Reding can and will do it all.

 Pos: F
21.2 ppg
4.2 rpg
0.8 apg		 Pos: G/F
16 ppg
9.7 rpg
0.7 bpg
 Key Player: Sam Lu

Lu is SHA’s best all-around player this season, and his numbers show it. Unfortunately, he’s been called upon to score so much, his defense has suffered a bit. They’ll need a lot of Lu today to have a chance vs NFZ’s many weapons.

(3) SPACE BADGERS vs (6) ISS FLIGHTZ

First Round – Sunday (9/11) 4pm at MLK HS

Team Notes Team Score Team Team Notes
The Space Badgers have all the they need to make a low key run at the title, but this is a defensive-minded team that has versatile players, but no go-to scorer.  But they have excellent balance, (G) David Hsiung and (F) J.L. Novosad have the ability to get hot from 3. (F) Sam Deadwyler can finish with the best in transition, and it goes without saying what (G) Alex Tsay and (F) Sherwin Salar create off defense. NFZ
4-2

57-53
SHA
1-5		 Their regular season game was an all out battle, and despite the ISS Flightz‘ record, when they have a full roster, this is a very tough team to beat. (F) (F) Jason Wu is a proven scorer, (F) Will Hu a good slasher. (G) Kyle Lew provides 3-pt shooting and gritty D, and (C) Wei Fan Zheng is a huge option at 6-6. The question always comes down to who will provide a little depth for their starters. They have rarely had more than 5. 
Key Player: Alex Tsay

Tsay is a multi-time Def MVP that can change the game with his tenacity on D. When he falters is when he redlines too soon and takes himself out of the game. This is crucial for a team with no other PG on the team.

 Pos: G
11.2 ppg
6.8 rpg
4.6 apg		 Pos: F
18.3 ppg
9.3 rpg
3.2 bpg
 Key Player: Jason Wu

Wu can score from any spot on the floor and especially thrives when defenders are smaller than he is. But fitness can be a problem, he’s not in the best shape and he can get tired. When that happens, he’s a liability on defense.