Dallas (9 - 21)

Expert Pick
33% ·······><············· 67%

New York (4 - 26)

Capture the Flagg!


Capture the Flagg! In one of the more competitive seasons the NSL has ever seen it isnt only competitive at the top. There is a supposed super draft on the horizon and that means that there is just one race in the league this season, there are at least two. Some teams are getting as much win now talent in to vie for the title which inversely means there are teams loading up on the draft and future assets. This match is between a couple of teams that fall into the latter category. Two veteran Gms in Smokey with New York and LJ for Dallas they have both been around the block and know exactly what they are doing, keeping their eyes firmly on the future these GMs are scouting like its going out of fashion. Every game against another winning adverse team has extra consequences with each W pulls them further away from the most ping pong balls. This is a tough week for everyone with injuries which can lead to some unexpected results, both teams will have their fingers crossed its business as usual. Without further ado lets get to the match ups! Centre Mark Williams vs Kyle Filopowski A couple of Duke alumini that surprisingly (at least to me) never actually played together but both played two years their in the last 4. Besides both playing at Duke these players couldn’t be much more different in their play styles with one being a defensive athletic beast in Williams and the other being a less athletic, more finesse and skilled player in Flip. Historically 2k favors the more athletic archetype yet this will be the first time we see Williams this season and have no idea how he will fare this season. Flip on the other hand has played and decent amount of games yet hasn’t dominated by any means putting up 4.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and .9 blocks on 67/100/68 in 26 minutes. In 2k athletes usually finish on top. Winner: Mark Williams Power Forward Obi Toppin vs Jaden McDaniels Another two players with two very different play styles with one being an athletic play finishes that loves to finish above the rim and tries on defense but it isn't his main focus in Toppin and the other who is more of a wing (despite being taller) masquerading as a big fan that is one of the better defenders in the league even at such a young age but can still put up some points when needed. If you look at the basic stats of 8.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 0.6 blocks for Toppin in 24 minutes and 9.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 29 minutes you would be hard pressed to tell who is the better player. In the end I like a more defense orientated player and think he will get the better of the match up. Winner: Jaden McDaniels Small Forward MIles Bridges vs Austin Reaves Another athletic player that is more of a play finisher but has had seasons where he has looked like a near star and another that is very much all rounder shown by his three position eligibility. Bridges is putting up a nice 20 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists but he just isn't my cup of tea and that's all i'll be saying about that. Reaves hasn't played as well as his NBa counterpart but has been very efficient putting up 14 points, 3 rebounds and 2.4 assists on 52/40/76 shooting splits. I feel like if one these players dominate the other it will lead to a W for their side. Winner: Austin Reaves Shooting Guard Duncan Robinson vs Devin Vassell A pure shooter with height and an all round two way player that continues to blossom on the offensive end, this feels like the most lopsided match with Robinson only real advantage over Vassell is his height which can make a bit of the difference on the defensive end. Robinson is a one way player that strokes the ball like its no nobody's business, not sure he would start on any other team in the league here but is enjoying the playing time nonetheless to the tune of 12.4 points, 3.3 rebound and 3.1 assists on 49/41/85. Vassell on the other end does it on both ends but has been steady on the offensive end for the Knicks with Reaves being out 18 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists on a scintillating 51/49/81. Not much to see here. Winner: Devin Vassell Point Guard D'angelo Russell vs TJ McConnell The scorer who doesn't like defending vs the pesky defender that has to scrap for every point and is an expert at thieving the ball. Russell at times can be a scoring hub all on his own although this engine he hasn't been as dominant as has in the past whether that is the engine or by design for the GM we will never know but he is still putting up 15 points as it is quite inefficient. T.J also has been very inefficient but that isn't why he is one the floor, he is on the floor to make it as tough as he can on the other teams best perimeter which he does well even at his shorter stature. Winner: A Inefficient Russell

In one of the more competitive seasons the NSL has ever seen it isnt only competitive at the top. There is a supposed super draft on the horizon and that means that there is just one race in the league this season, there are at least two. Some teams are getting as much win now talent in to vie for the title which inversely means there are teams loading up on the draft and future assets. This match is between a couple of teams that fall into the latter category.

Two veteran Gms in Smokey with New York and LJ for Dallas they have both been around the block and know exactly what they are doing, keeping their eyes firmly on the future these GMs are scouting like its going out of fashion. Every game against another winning adverse team has extra consequences with each W pulls them further away from the most ping pong balls. This is a tough week for everyone with injuries which can lead to some unexpected results, both teams will have their fingers crossed its business as usual.

Without further ado lets get to the match ups!

Centre

Mark Williams vs Kyle Filopowski

A couple of Duke alumini that surprisingly (at least to me) never actually played together but both played two years their in the last 4. Besides both playing at Duke these players couldn’t be much more different in their play styles with one being a defensive athletic beast in Williams and the other being a less athletic, more finesse and skilled player in Flip. Historically 2k favors the more athletic archetype yet this will be the first time we see Williams this season and have no idea how he will fare this season. Flip on the other hand has played and decent amount of games yet hasn’t dominated by any means putting up 4.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and .9 blocks on 67/100/68 in 26 minutes. In 2k athletes usually finish on top.

Winner: Mark Williams

Power Forward

Obi Toppin vs Jaden McDaniels

Another two players with two very different play styles with one being an athletic play finishes that loves to finish above the rim and tries on defense but it isn't his main focus in Toppin and the other who is more of a wing (despite being taller) masquerading as a big fan that is one of the better defenders in the league even at such a young age but can still put up some points when needed. If you look at the basic stats of 8.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 0.6 blocks for Toppin in 24 minutes and 9.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 29 minutes you would be hard pressed to tell who is the better player. In the end I like a more defense orientated player and think he will get the better of the match up.

Winner: Jaden McDaniels

Small Forward

MIles Bridges vs Austin Reaves

Another athletic player that is more of a play finisher but has had seasons where he has looked like a near star and another that is very much all rounder shown by his three position eligibility. Bridges is putting up a nice 20 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists but he just isn't my cup of tea and that's all i'll be saying about that. Reaves hasn't played as well as his NBa counterpart but has been very efficient putting up 14 points, 3 rebounds and 2.4 assists on 52/40/76 shooting splits. I feel like if one these players dominate the other it will lead to a W for their side.

Winner: Austin Reaves

Shooting Guard

Duncan Robinson vs Devin Vassell

A pure shooter with height and an all round two way player that continues to blossom on the offensive end, this feels like the most lopsided match with Robinson only real advantage over Vassell is his height which can make a bit of the difference on the defensive end. Robinson is a one way player that strokes the ball like its no nobody's business, not sure he would start on any other team in the league here but is enjoying the playing time nonetheless to the tune of 12.4 points, 3.3 rebound and 3.1 assists on 49/41/85. Vassell on the other end does it on both ends but has been steady on the offensive end for the Knicks with Reaves being out 18 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists on a scintillating 51/49/81. Not much to see here.

Winner: Devin Vassell

Point Guard

D'angelo Russell vs TJ McConnell

The scorer who doesn't like defending vs the pesky defender that has to scrap for every point and is an expert at thieving the ball. Russell at times can be a scoring hub all on his own although this engine he hasn't been as dominant as has in the past whether that is the engine or by design for the GM we will never know but he is still putting up 15 points as it is quite inefficient. T.J also has been very inefficient but that isn't why he is one the floor, he is on the floor to make it as tough as he can on the other teams best perimeter which he does well even at his shorter stature.

Winner: A Inefficient Russell

Mavericks Star

Mark Williams
Dallas has been missing some defense all season and Mark Williams could go a long way to changing that with his defensive prowess. The long athletic centre loves nothing more than swatting away opponents shot and sending it into the second tier of the stands. Using that same length and athleticism to control the boards this could be the change that Dallas needed to settle the team and get them more wins. As long as the engine and playbook are on point, Dallas could be a new team this week and Mark Williams could be the reason.

PPG 10.6

RPG 12.8

APG 1.3

SPG 1.2

BPG 2.3

FPG 0.9

TPG 0.6

PPG 12.6

RPG 2.7

APG 2.4

SPG 0.6

BPG 0.2

FPG 1.8

TPG 1.3

Knicks Star

Austin Reaves
Having Reaves and his versatility back is HUGE for New York. He is not only a player that can get his own but also playmaker for others and spread the floor with his shooting. Reaves will need to be better than he has been most the season but with the injuries to the squad this week he will have every opportunity to shine. If he can keep his efficency and boost his points closer to the 20 mark that will go a long way in getting New York the W.

X-Factor
I think the X-Factor for this game is going to be the rebounding battle. New Yorks bigs aren’t exactly known to crash the boards while Williams will be hunting them down with reckless abandon. If the disparity goes in one teams favor than I think they will get win. In that case Williams vs Flip on the boards will alter the game. Williams will likely win the rebound battle but if Flip doesn’t hold his own and lets Dallas control the boards it is all over.

X-Factor

I think the X-Factor for this game is going to be the rebounding battle. New Yorks bigs aren’t exactly known to crash the boards while Williams will be hunting them down with reckless abandon. If the disparity goes in one teams favor than I think they will get win. In that case Williams vs Flip on the boards will alter the game. Williams will likely win the rebound battle but if Flip doesn’t hold his own and lets Dallas control the boards it is all over.

Injury Report
Injured Players: Bojan Bogdanovic (Foot) - 33 NBA Games missed this season R.J. Barrett (Shoulder/Illness) - 7 NBA Games missed this season Saddiq Bey (Knee) - 31 NBA Games missed this season Josh Giddey (Ankle) - 4 NBA Games missed this season Nikola Topic (Knee) - 33 NBA Games missed this season Returning Players: Trey Lyles (returning from Calf) - 10 NBA Games missed this season Austin Reaves (returning from Back) - 4 NBA Games missed this season	Injured Players: Kyle Kuzma (Groin/Ribs) - 17 NBA Games missed this season Naji Marshall (Illness) - 12 NBA Games missed this season Jalen Hood-Schifino (Illness/Groin/Hamstring) - 19 NBA Games missed this season Returning Players: Miles Bridges (returning from Knee) - 13 NBA Games missed this season Mark Williams (returning from Foot/Injury Management) - 21 NBA Games missed this season

Injury Report

Injured Players:
Bojan Bogdanovic (Foot) - 33 NBA Games missed this season
R.J. Barrett (Shoulder/Illness) - 7 NBA Games missed this season
Saddiq Bey (Knee) - 31 NBA Games missed this season
Josh Giddey (Ankle) - 4 NBA Games missed this season
Nikola Topic (Knee) - 33 NBA Games missed this season

Returning Players:
Trey Lyles (returning from Calf) - 10 NBA Games missed this season
Austin Reaves (returning from Back) - 4 NBA Games missed this season

Injured Players:
Kyle Kuzma (Groin/Ribs) - 17 NBA Games missed this season
Naji Marshall (Illness) - 12 NBA Games missed this season
Jalen Hood-Schifino (Illness/Groin/Hamstring) - 19 NBA Games missed this season

Returning Players:
Miles Bridges (returning from Knee) - 13 NBA Games missed this season
Mark Williams (returning from Foot/Injury Management) - 21 NBA Games missed this season

Prediction
Which team will capture the Flagg? It’s hard to say. In saying that this game could have major ramifications on the lottery odds come draft day. Only the GMs will know exactly the result they will want for their team but with Flagg on the line anything can happen. Prediction: Dallas by 4 in a game that’s hard to watch for the fans in an inefficient shoot out.

	PHI	99
	BKN	92

	CHA	109
	MIA	102

	PHO	118
	ATL	106

	DEN	118
	DAL	119

	HOU	113
	LAC	103