TDL Fall 2016 Semifinals Playoff Preview (D3 WN)

(1) SKILLSHARE vs (5) NY DYNASTY

Semifinals – Thursday (11/17) 7:00pm at MLK HS

Team Notes Team Score Team Team Notes
Skillshare was by far the best team in D3 this season despite putting up stats less gaudy then in previous campaigns. But in their 3rd season now, the team looks comfortable and battle-tested. They have great chemistry and everyone seems to know how they can best help the team win. If this keeps up, the road to the title will go through them.
SKL
5-1

62-55


DYN
3-4
Their reg season match-up with SKL was blowout loss. NY Dynasty just doesn’t have the size to match-up with SKL, so they’re forced to play zone. With that, if SKL is hitting their jumpers, it’s going to be a long night. But this is also playoff DYN, in which they tend to play up with (G) Ren Hsieh at the helm. He will give them a chance to win.
Key Player: Scott Sullivan


SKL’s leader is (G) Elliott Curtis, but Sullivan puts them on another level. He has the size and versatility at his position that no one else in D3 has. When he’s wreaking havoc in the paint and on the offensive glass, AND making jumpers, SKL is nearly unbeatable.

Pos: F
14.4 ppg
12.4 rpg
3.6 apg

Pos: G
21.2 ppg
4.2 rpg
2.5 spg
Key Player: Steve Shin


Shin has been DYN’s bonafide scorer all season, but his shot selection had been questionable at times. But in the 1st rd win vs UBC, that changed. He had his best game of the season even if it wasn’t his highest scoring. If keeps it up, DYN might have a shot. 

(2) 30 FOR 30 vs (3) JUST RISE

Semifinals – Thursday (11/17) 7:00pm at Murry Bergtraum HS

Team Notes Team Score Team Team Notes
30-for-30 doesn’t exactly pass the eye test, their strength is in their intangibles. Yes, they have the most dominant rebounder in D3 in (C) Ezekial Kim, and one of the most versatile players in (F) Adam Wang, but everyone else on the roster can be characterized by a unified, all-out effort. And don’t sleep on (G) Peter Kim who tends to lay low, but is one of the craftiest PGs in D3.
30F
6-1

55-58


RIS
5-2
If you want to talk about not passing the eye test and intangibles, Just Rise pretty much invented it. There is a reason RIS, a slightly modified Spaghetti Ramen, has never played a D3 season without winning it all. They have all 30F has, and the best player on the floor in multi-time MVP (G) Leuis Ng. And for that, plus 30F’s relative inexperience in the playoffs, they are the favorites.
Key Player: Adam Wang


Wang has been 30F’s best shooter and most consistent 3-pt threat all season. And he has a knack of making them in clutch situations. This is a team that spread the ball well, but inevitably, this will become a game of limited possessions at the end and Wang will have to step up and lead.

Pos: F
14.3 ppg
4.8 rpg
2.8 spg

Pos: G
20 ppg
8 rpg
4.8 apg
Key Player: Leuis Ng


Who’d you think it would be? Ng can completely take over a game, and probably will. Double-teaming him doesn’t work, he’s a great passer and facilitator. The trick might be limiting his teammates, particularly (F) Matt Auerbach, who’s had as good a season as he’s ever had.