TDL Fall 2016 First Round Playoff Preview

(3) FC 21 PEACE & LOVE vs (6) BOOMTOWN

First Round – Wednesday (11/16) 8:00pm at MLK HS

Team Notes Team Score Team Team Notes
FC 21 Peace & Love has all the parts needed to challenge for a title: experienced guards, shooters, and finishers in the paint. But what they lack is athleticism and a dominant defense. Neither of which is a huge issue to overcome vs BOO, which can cite the same deficiencies. The teams are similar, FC2 with more depth. If they make their perimeter shots they should win this game.
FC2
3-3

66-62


BOO
2-4
Never forget that Boomtown is a former champ, and they have never done it by stacking their team with talent. This is a scrappy group that is willing to do whatever it takes to win the game. And that effort is led by (G) Jack Delighter who is still a terror on the off. boards, avg 10.5 rpg as a guard. Rookie (G) OJ Samples has also been a feisty floor leader that fits their m.o.
Key Player: Morgan Blakely


Over the course of the season, the veteran Blakely has emerged as FC2’s most consistent scorer. While (F) Tyson Hartnett can explode if he gets hot from the 3-point line, Blakely can score inside and out, with his best asset being the ability to take advantage of smaller (G)s.

Pos: G
18.7 ppg
3.3 rpg
4.3 apg

Pos: F
20.4 ppg
6.2 rpg
3.2 apg
Key Player: Nate Jones


Jones is a former scoring champ and despite a couple of rough seasons, he appears to be back on track despite falling from his more prolific seasons shooting closer to 50% from the field. But if he can get it going early, and shoot efficiently, he can carry this team offensively. 

(2) TEAM SIX vs (7) NY DYNASTY

First Round – Wednesday (11/16) 9:00pm at MLK HS

Team Notes Team Score Team Team Notes
The only team Team Six played in which they weren’t the obvious favorite was MWW. Otherwise, the defending champs are expected to win every other scenario. With great depth at every position, it often depends simply on whether their 3-pt shots are falling, and they have shot consistently well this season, esp with a resurgence from veteran (G) Brett Swanson.
SIX
5-1

66-56


DYN
2-4
NY Dynasty have not played well this season, they just haven’t had the personnel with a number of injuries and new players in the mix. But they looked bad going into the summer playoffs too and made it to the title game. Defense has been inconsistent for DYN this season, which has been a past strength. The key will be whether they can put up enough points to compensate.
Key Player: Scott Weisfeld


As well as (F) Marcus Brown has been in his two games this season, Weisfeld is the catalyst for SIX. He’s only played 3 gms himself, but he is no stranger to stepping right in and making all the right plays to get a W. And he’s taken a much bigger role in the offense this season.

Pos: G
18.7 ppg
4.3 rpg
7.3 apg

Pos: G
22.7 ppg
3.7 rpg
2.3 apg
Key Player: Garrett James


James went out with a sore knee mid-season after looking like he had returned to his prime early in the season. DYN’s hopes rely on whether James is feeling good tonight. They don’t have much scoring beyond him despite the add of (F) Young Song.

(4) GUARD ME MAYBE vs (5) WE HAD GAME

First Round – Thursday (11/17) 9:00pm at MLK HS

Team Notes Team Score Team Team Notes
Much like FC2, Guard Me Maybe has had all the pieces necessary to challenge for the title, but also like FC2, they had a middling season. The difference here is that FC2 has length/athleticism, and potential for a dominant defense (if not exactly consistency). This team feeds on confidence. When they are playing well and feeling themselves, they can beat anyone.
GMM
3-3

68-67


WHG
3-3
We Had Game struggled early on but seem to have caught up to the curve now. Getting all their players on the floor certainly helps. This is yet another team with great shooting, solid finishers in the paint, and a lot of hustle on the floor. Their biggest weakness is defense, but not for lack of effort. If WHG shoots well they can score with any team. This one is a toss up.
Key Player: Landon Glover


It was the emergence of Glover that lifted DYN to the title game last season. He can do the same with an arguably more talented group in GMM. If Glover is on, he is capable of carrying GMM to a championship caliber level.

Pos: G
17 ppg
3.3 rpg
2.8 apg

Pos: G
17.2 ppg
6.8 apg
7.2 spg
Key Player: Michael Springer


Early on, (F) Jason Graffam looked like the dominant scorer, but lately Springer has emerged with his ability to create and finish inside-out. Which isn’t to say sleep on Graffam, do so at your own risk, but Springer initiates the WHG offense.