STILL DREAMING
Undrafted and unsigned players who aren't ready to give up on the dream.
Excitement fills the halls of league offices around the continent, training camps only a few nights away. It is a time all can hope and dream of what might be in the coming season, it is a time when all NABL teams have filled their rosters, and have plans on how to bring that championship into their city.
However there are a group of players that don't share this excitement. In fact as most fans, players and admin staff become overwhelmed with a positive "what next" emotion, there are a group of players that are left feeling empty and dark but that exact same thought "what next"?
These are the players that couldn't find a home after the FA period closed. These are the players that still hold aspirations of playing profession ball in the NABL, these are the players that need to look in the mirror and make some decisions. Who are these players?
THE KIDS:
With two 17 year olds in the pool, 17 at 18 and even more at 19years of age, these players have time to find a place to develop and come back next year. The only problem is, none of these players project to be anything other than bench fillers, and although these players are needed in the league, many clubs look to vets to fill that role not un tried teenagers.
THE VETS:
Anyone over the age of 30 and still in the pool is in big trouble. These players are there because they should retire, or they are holding out for that one last big pay cheque. Either way, these players need to sit down with management and ask some hard questions. Maybe it's time to do a night course and prepare for life after the hard court? Unless there are some season ending injuries or massive flops in camp, it is an uphill battle for nearly all of these players to make a roster this year. The two most interesting players left in the pool are.
Robert Matson (35) - Center, looking for a one year deal and can still play, would be a perfect rental for cover for a big.
Raphael Castille (32) - Center, also now looking for a year deal, don't let age fool you, this guy can still hold his own.
I expect both of these players to get a guest stint sometime in the season.
THE REST: The rest are in the window, that means their best ball should be now. If they have not found a team, they need to a break out or they will be destined to roam the D-League or overseas.
On this list are plenty of average players, sure, players that can fill holes, but that is obviously just not enough.
One player who still holds a little interested is:
Edward Sloan, a 22 year old SF. He still has potential to be a starter in the league, his offense is a perfect small forward all round game, he has a nice 6'6" frame with high QKN, STR and STA if a team can get him before camps and work with him on D and rebounding, it could be a massive reward later on. His character is solid as well. Putting loyalty above playing for a winner means he will probably stick around if he does make it.
With a heck of a lot of names in the pool and more to be added after camps, these players need to branch out, just in case that call never comes.
PRESEASON RANKINGS
The PTS Digest staff all got together and voted on how they thought this season would go. So, here is the compilation of the staff predictions:
Northwest Division
#1 Wichita Twisters
#2 Omaha Pioneers
#3 Calgary Stallions
#4 Vancouver Whales
Southwest Division
#1 Anaheim Aztecs
#2 Austin 36ers
#3 Mesa Inferno
#4 Las Vegas Bighorns
Northeast Division
#1 Ottawa Braves
#2 Providence Pilgrims
#3 Buffalo Storm
#4 Montreal Saints
Southeast Division
#1 Nashville Rebels
#2 Tampa Tropics
#3 St Louis Pilots
#4 Virginia Admirals
Post-season:
First Round:
Western Conference:
#3 Austin 36ers over #2 Wichita Twisters
#1 Anaheim Aztecs over #4 Omaha Pioneers
Eastern Conference:
#3 Providence Pilgrims over #2 Ottawa Braves
#4 Tampa Tropics over #1 Nashville Rebels
Conference Finals:
Western Conference:
#1 Anaheim Aztecs over #3 Austin 36ers
Eastern Conference:
#4 Tampa Tropics over #3 Providence Pilgrims
NABL Championship
Tampa Tropics over Anaheim Aztecs
It will appear to be a suprise by most if not everyone, but the staff believes that the Rebels will not be able to go into the post season healthy, much like 2 seasons ago, when Apollo Pittman went down before the finals, and last season he was injured in the finals but the 36ers also had their own major injuries.
Alas, the staff thinks that the finals will be a matchup of the same teams from the 2001-2002 finals, but this time going the full 7 games with the depth of the Tropics coming out on top.
MVP: Wyatt Kincaid, Ottawa Braves
Rookie of the Year:v John Nash, Buffalo Braves
Defender of the Year: Marvin Sikes, Austin 36ers
6th Man of the Year: Wil Rathman, St Louis Pilots
Most Improved: William Munoz, Virginia Admirals
WYATT KINCAID: SILENT SUPERSTAR
Wyatt Kincaid came into the league as a 23 year old #2 overall pick in the creation draft by the Ottawa Braves. Even though he was the #3 scorer in the league with 26.7 points per game and also had 6.8 rebounds per game, 3.6 assists per game, and 1.1 steals per game, he was not mentioned among the best players in the league. He was always over shadowed by Nashville's Apollo Pittman. Even though he had a great all star game performance, scoring 30 points off the bench on 10 of 14 shooting, hitting all 3 of his shots from behind the arc, and 7 of 8 from the free throw line. He was voted to the All-League First Team. Ottawa made it to the conference finals, where Kincaid suffered a sprained knee and the team lost.
He worked hard through the summer and came back even better in 2002. He improved in nearly every category, averaging 27.2 points per game, again 3rd in the league, 7.0 rebounds per game, 4.3 assists per game, and 1.2 steals per game, while shooting 51.8% from the floor and again shot better than 90% from the free throw line.
But, the team was devastated when he was suffered a broken bone in his foot before the all star game, and was forced to miss out. The timing of this injury made it so he only had to miss 9 games. He was once again voted to the All-League First Team but like the previous season, he was injured during the playoffs and the team lost in the first round.
PTS Digest believes that this could be a huge contract season for him and he will no longer be the quiet superstar that he has been. His play on the court will be LOUD!!!
DARREL SCHOENROCK: FORCED LEADERSHIP
Austin 36ers fans were shocked when the team's leading scorer, Lucas Glass was traded to Providence, then they were shocked even more when point guard Griffin Trotter decided not to resign and moved on to Anaheim.
The team has picked up some quality players over the off season, Schoenrock has been with the team since day 1 and has been a fan favorite the entire time. Even though he didn't ask for it, team management has let him know that this is now his team.
With his new status on the team, also comes with a another change, moving him from the shooting guard position to take over Lucas Glass' spot at small forward. He is expected to help lead the offense (22.6 ppg career) with Oren Higgins (21.7 ppg career), Anderson Clark (17.1 ppg career), and Wes Savage (20.5 ppg career) and Sherwood Caskey (20.9 ppg career).
The team is loaded with talent, if they can learn to play together, this team has a great shot at a championship ring!