Forecast for Team Seaman

Veteran Captain Brad Seaman has to come into this season with something to prove. His team last year was the favorite to win it all as they coasted into the playoffs with a top seed. Things were going to plan until his squad laid an egg and lost in the first round. You know this is still on Brad's mind as he enters into this year with a giant chip on his shoulder and a total knee replacement to boot.

Captain Seaman grabbed the ever solid Chris Ridley with his first round pick. This 6'3" 220 lb big man has some of the most solid post moves in the league. I was honestly surprised that he wasn't the #1 overall pick. His basketball smarts combined with his strong frame lead to many easy scores from all over the paint. But it wasn't just post moves that led to Ridley's 19 points per game average last year. Chris isn't past putting up the three ball over four times per game making just about a third of his attempts. Did I mention that he nearly grabbed 10 Rodman's a game? Captain Brad likes his teams big and the addition of the 6'8" 275 Jeff Moeller fits his style. Accompanying Rid's on the block will be Scott "Mr. Fundamental" Brown. This 6'4" 215 lb post continues to contribute year after year. He looks long a wiry but is stronger than nearly anyone in the league not named Chris Nowak or Ted Murphy. Scott must have studied tapes of Kevin McHale as a kid because his post game is tough to stop and his 14 points and 6 boards will be huge for this huge team. And then there's the 6'3" 200 lb Marc Ialegio and the 6'3" 240 lb Andy Rogers a.k.a. "Mr. Rebound" to add even more size? I mean WOW.

Yes, this team does have a few guards. Captain Brad seems to have gone back in a time machine after his bodily repairs and can probably be expected to knock down a few more threes this year. But the real guard leaders on this team are Scott Jordan and John Taylor. Scott, who was on Team Seaman last season, is a wily veteran at the PG position and knows how to run a team. His 2.5 Nash's and over 2 swipes per contest will hold this back court down. But is there anyone in the league not named Mark Gottas who is quicker than John Taylor? This kid's mind works at 110% and his lightning fast play is fun to watch. JT drops close to 5 dimes per game (top three last year) with at least two of them being highlight real worthy. But his aggressive passing does lead to a few turnovers. Although he does try to make up for it with 2 steals per game that usually lead to all alone fast break layups.

Tom Piro will be called on to play that 'tweener role that he knows so well by being the buffer between the guards and big post men. Tom put up a solid 8 points and 6 boards last year. Jeff Perry and Alex Pfeifer are newbies to the B-League and Captain Brad is high on their potential to be contributors and possible sleepers through this long, grueling 18 game season.

OUTLOOK:
Team Seaman will do some damage. I mean, they may actually hurt a lot of people. Physically. We're talking blood, bruises and a lot of crying to the refs done by the other team. They're big, they love to rebound, and have a really nice mix of guards and big men to outclass a lot of teams in this league. But do these guys have enough wing men to be balanced enough? Do they have a consistent three point shooter who can be relied upon to hit those backbreakers? Will Scott and JT run too much and actually tire out their bigs in the Sky Gym who would probably prefer to play a half court game? I'm not sure how this team will mesh as the season begins, but it will be interesting to see. I like their look on paper, for sure, but can't put them higher than peaking as a top 3 or 4 squad until they get out on the hardwood and show what they can do.