TDL Spring 2017 Playoff Previews (D2, D3 WN)

(4) TEAM HARDWOOD vs (5) SKILLSHARE

D2 WN Playoffs (1st Rd) – Thursday, June 8, 6:45pm at Fashion HS

Team Notes Team Score Team Team Notes
TEAM HARDWOOD had a strong start, but finished just 1-2 to end the season, losing to D2’s top two seeded teams. HAR is a big, physical team with a slashing scorer in (G) Justin Rigney, and a strong option in the paint with (F) Justin Drucker. They have plenty of solid pieces, the trick is just getting them all to work together.
HAR
4-3

51-50


SKL
4-3
After one title, and some dominant seasons in D3, SKILLSHARE made the move up to D2. They have more than held their own. If not for a few key absences this season, they might have been a Top 2 seed. (G) Justin Blakney has been a solid add this season, giving them an extra scoring option despite some inconsistent shooting this season.
Key Player: Justin Rigney


A crafty ball-handler, Rigney is quick off the dribble and who finds ways of sneaking into the slimmest of creases. He is HAR’s best play-maker, and his ability to drive and create is integral to their offense.

Pos: G
14.3 ppg
3.2 rpg
2.2 apg

Pos: F
18 ppg
6.6 rpg
2.8 apg
Key Player: Scott Sullivan


Sullivan earned MVP honors in D3 last season, and he has carried that over to a solid D2 campaign. He is one of D2’s most versatile players, and is relentless attacking both on offense and on the glass. 

(4) YIELDMO vs (5) NYC GRITTY COMMITTEE

D3 WN Playoffs (1st Rd) – Thursday, June 8, 7:45pm at Fashion HS

Team Notes Team Score Team Team Notes
YIELDMO has looked a little shaky at times, but at full strength, they have some solid pieces, that if clicking, could mean a title run. If (G) Derek Lu (18.3 ppg) wasn’t already enough on offense, they also have (F) Max Paynter, a versatile big who is as unstoppable as you’re going to see in D3. 
YIE
4-3

57-55


NGC
3-4
NYC GRITTY has tons of veteran playoff experience. (G) James Choi was the best PG off the dribble in D3 this season, despite an inconsistent jumper. But if outside shooters are hitting, and if (C) Victor Chia is finishing in the paint, they have the defensive physicality on the other end to steal this one. 
Key Player: Max Paynter


Paynter is big, athletic, and tireless. And he has skills across the board. He should be first on the list of any kind of game-plan. The only thing is, there just may not be one that can stop him.

Pos: F
24.5 ppg
10.3 rpg
2.8 spg

Pos: G
15.7 ppg
3.5 rpg
2.3 apg
Key Player: Steven Chung


This has been one of Chung’s best seasons in a while. The veteran gunner has shot efficiently, and has moved the ball better. If he gets hot, his quick trigger opens up a lot of offense for NGC.

(3) UNCLE BOUGHT A COW vs (6) SPACE JAM

D2 WN Playoffs (1st Rd) – Thursday, June 8, 8:45pm at Fashion HS

Team Notes Team Score Team Team Notes
After opening the season with a loss, UNCLE BOUGHT A COW won four straight to claim their stake as a contender. Then they lost two in a row with their starting backcourt out of the lineup the last two weeks. At full strength, this team can win it all led by gritty defensive play.
UBC
4-3

56-50


JAM
3-4
SPACE JAM finished without a win last season, but bounced back with a solid 3-4 finish to nab the last seed.  They shoot a lot of threes, and this season they’ve been making them. They also have a big front-line to help them get more attempts. If they get hot, they can upset any team.
Key Player: David Weiss


Weiss’ teammate (F) Ben Hoynes has put up MVP #s this season, but as UBC witnessed with their PG out of the lineup, they need him to win. Weiss is a feisty lead scorer who gets it all started with tough D first.

Pos: G
18 ppg
4 apg
3.8 spg

Pos: F
18.6 ppg
7.6 rpg
2.9 apg
Key Player: 


This has been one of the veteran Novosad’s best seasons. Into his 40s now, Novosad has shot a strong 38% from 3 this season on 9 3FGAs a game. If Novosad can spark his team offensively, JAM can win this.

(3) NY DYNASTY vs (6) SMASH N BOUNCE

D3 WN Playoffs (1st Rd) – Thursday, June 8, 9:45pm at Fashion HS

Team Notes Team Score Team Team Notes
Defending champs NY DYNASTY have made big roster changes, but (G) David Chu is still where the offense is coming from. (G) Caleb Lui is just as capable a setup man as former (G) Ren Hsieh, and a far better defender. In fact, he and (F) Dan Tak might be the best in D3 at their position on D. DYN should still be the favorite to win it all.
DYN
5-2

55-51


SNB
3-4
SMASH N BOUNCE is a defensive minded team that played DYN to a point 43-44 in their final reg season game. If they can muster that kind of defensive effort again, they can give themselves a chance. Their biggest weakness, however, is offense, with the team scoring just 46.9 ppg., second lowest in D3. They’ll need more than that to beat DYN.
Key Player: David Chu


Chu has long been a focal point of opposing defenses. A knock down 3-pt shooter with unlimited range, Chu will just keep coming at you on offense. Defenses simply can’t take any plays off.

Pos: G
22.3 ppg
5.9 rpg
2.9 apg

Pos: G
9.9 ppg
5.6 rpg
2.3 spg
Key Player: Andrew Tu


The veteran Tu is scored just under 10 ppg this season, which is a drop from his usual output, but his speed and active play on both sides of the ball will be key to sparking the SNB offense.