Playoff potential: View from below
Having spoken with all the North West sides on their seasons so far, we at UKAmericanSportsFans.com wanted to get their views as well on those they have faced that are going into the final stage of the 2012/13 campaign.
We asked them to look back on their respective campaigns having had first hand experience of just who to look out for, and who their picks are over the next coming weeks.
MANCHESTER GIANTS
Neal Hopkins
Who is the best team you have face and which key player for that team has been central to their success?
I think for depth, talent and leadership it has to be Leicester. Drew Sullivan, he pulls all the strings when he’s on the floor; he’s a champion and knows how to get it done. I worked with Drew in my first year at the Tigers his presence in the locker room and experience helped us to three of the four titles then, I expect a repeat of that this year with Leicester.
Who are your two picks to make the playoff final?
I think it will be Leicester and Newcastle, but I wouldn’t be surprised at all if there are some upsets. Sheffield are a team no-one will want to face and Newcastle will have a tough time with them, Sharks have won 8 of their last 9 games (one loss to Newcastle) this will be a real battle. Should Leicester get past Lions they may end up with a Worcester semi-final which will be interesting, Worcester are a team who know how to beat Leicester and will fancy their chances if they get to that position. The road to the play-off final is certain to be exciting!
Who do you think will win it all in the postseason?
Riders come into the postseason in great form; they are on a 10 game win streak (if you take away their ‘nothing’ game against Worcester). They have rested guys and have rotated their younger players in. I have to credit Coach Paternostro’s for the way his guys are unified in their pursuit for silverware; I believe he has managed the team like no other this year; they deserve all the success they get.
Stefan Gill
Who was the toughest player you had to matchup against and why?
Being a guard, I spend my whole career matching up against the opposition’s [usually American] import guards. Rod Brown, Donald Robinson and Alex Owumi were probably my tougher opponents. They were versatile and could score in a variety of ways.
Which two teams do you think will make the playoff final?
Leicester and Newcastle.
Who are your pick to win the playoffs?
I’m going to go with the Riders, they provide quality players in every position.
CHESHIRE PHOENIX
Matt Lloyd
Who is the best team you have face and which key player for that team has been central to their success?
The best team we have faced this year would be Leicester although we were close to them on all occasions this season there team was well balanced, well coached and had team cohesion throughout the season which is what you need.
Leicester have had multiple talents on their team at the beginning of the year; they had John Fraley who was very destructive to all teams, then they brought in an equally talented player in Anthony Rowe. But their standout player, I think for me, is Pavol Losonsky – he has an all-round game that can spread defences, he plays within his limits and within his role on a championship winning team.
Who are your two picks to make the playoff final?
My two teams that I would like to see in the play-off final or meet in the play-offs are Worcester and Leicester. I think these two teams have some very talented players that match up well and lots of interesting battles can commence on court. I would also like Atiba to go far with his Sheffield side. They have turned their season around half way through which can be difficult to do by swapping personnel.
Who do you think will win it all in the postseason?
My pick to win the post-season would be Worcester. I like to see them do well if they are capable of playing like they did against Plymouth they will be unstoppable, however they live and die by the three which is a risky strategy to play with as sometimes it works and other times it is destructive.
Chris Pearce
Who was the toughest player you had to matchup against and why?
Chavis Holmes is a tough competitor, and can do everything well, causing us huge problems each time we played the Heat. Donald Robinson was equally as tough to match up against too
Which two teams do you think will make the playoff final?
Leicester have been by far the most consistent team this season, and i see them going all the way and winning the playoffs. I can see Newcastle making up for what has been a hugely disappointing season too, for a 1 vs. 2 playoff final.
Who are your pick to win the playoffs?
I see Leicester going all the way and winning the playoffs, Riders have been the best defensive team from start to finish, limiting teams to 50s and 60s regularly; they also had great depth too.
MERSEY TIGERS
Chris Bigley
Who was the toughest player you had to matchup against and why?
Toughest guy to match up with? There’s a lot of explosive guys around the league that we as a team had a difficult time dealing with, and I think one guy who destroyed us was Joe Chapman. He scored the ball when he felt like it, he dished it when he felt like, we didn’t get a hold on him at all and he was allowed to do what he wanted against us. Personal match ups though, Arturas Masiulis. I’ve played with and against 7 footers before, but trying to move this guy was a completely different ball game. He must eat bricks for breakfast and put a sprinkling of nails over the top for extra flavour, he’s an absolute machine. He’s got a nice touch around the ring too.
Which two teams do you think will make the playoff final?
It’s hard to see past Leicester and Newcastle to make the finals for all the obvious reasons, but this leagues been very competitive this year and I fancy a couple of dark horses. Glasgow have certainly hit their stride since the turn of the year and I think they have an excellent shot at the whole lot. They’ve got guys who understand their roles and make the most of what they have, and they’ve got experienced heads in EJ, Murray and Sterl. But then Worcester and Raiders have the talent to beat teams, as do Surrey and you can never rule them out as they play team ball as well as anyone in the league. Sheffield have also come into form and beat Leicester in the Cup final, so you can’t rule anyone out, and the question isn’t by any means as easy as it has been in previous years.
Who are your pick to win the playoffs?
I said this to their guys last Sunday, I really want Glasgow to bring it home. They have hit their stride at the right time and provided they don’t go away from what they do well, then they’re in a good position to make a good run.
