After a couple days rest and time to travel into southern Ontario, the Winnipeg Sea Bears split back to back games over the Brampton Honey Badgers and Niagara River Lions. Both games saw contrasting versions of the Winnipeg Sea Bears, each of which we have seen this summer already. In their first matchup against the Honey Badgers, Winnipeg struggled to score consistently, while also playing good defence. The game never got away from either team and it was a close contest throughout. The best stretch of offence for the Sea Bears was during Target Time, in which they raced out to a 89-82 lead, with the Target Score set at 91. Even with this veteran team, execution late was sup par. Many missed free throws by Chad Posthumus, a couple turnovers, and some silly fouls saw Brampton tie the game up at 90. Luckily enough, Teddy Allen came to the rescue to seal it for Winnipeg, and extend their winning streak to 3. The following night was a much different story, along with how the team played. In the game against the River Lions, neither team early on could figure out how to get stops. Then Niagara was able to force some turnovers and bad shots, which lead to their run in the second quarter to take control of the game. Teddy Allen was even ejected in the quarter, which meant it was going to be harder for Winnipeg to get back in it. While they kept it close, not being able to get stops was a big issue in the Thursday game. The Sea Bears end up falling and their win streak ends at 3. With the little recap out of the way, let’s get into the three keys from the two matchups!
Shutting Down Allen
Both the Honey Badgers and River Lions were determined to make sure that Allen had a tough night when he had the ball. Both teams tried running box and one zones, blitzing him in pick and rolls, and anything else to slow him down. When Allen had the ball in his hands for longer periods of time, it caused chaos on Sea Bears possessions. Both opponents’ game plans were to see who else could beat them. In Bramptons case, they just could not score consistently, which is what did them in, along with Allen getting hot late in the game. But both teams created turnovers and chaos off of their work to limit Allen, which is something other teams will key in on. One way I would counter this would be to have Allen more off the ball and getting actions for him that way, rather than on ball pick and rolls constantly. Coach Mike Taylor turned to that in the Honey Badger game late, but it was sporadic. This could become a problem quickly if they don’t game plan around it.
Up And Down Defence
I’d like to preface this section by saying that the overall defence against the Honey Badgers was good. They got stops and it was consistent. What I think was the difference, and what we have seen so far this year is, depending on the guard play of the opponent, could dictate how good the defence is. Against Brampton, none of their guards really did too much damage, mainly because they weren’t being dominant on the ball. This allowed Winnipeg to set up properly and do a good job of containing them. But the complete opposite happened against Niagara. Jahvon Blair did anything he wanted in any pick and roll that he pleased. He got shots if he wanted, get got to the rim if he wanted, or he hit the roll man if he felt like it. Aaryn Rai did the same thing. This is a big issue that coach Taylor needs to fix and I believe it comes down to their PnR coverage. Hedging on screens is only allowing these more ball dominant guards to crab dribble and cover off their defender and allowing them more options. Consistent paint touches are going to kill you if you allow them. With many of the teams in this league having guards that have that ability, a change must be in order.
Second Chance Opportunities
One of the other big concerns that I have doesn’t so much have to do with the rebounding battle, but how some of these rebounds are playing out. You would look at the numbers and see that it was close in both games and it would not cause too much concern. But while you watch the game, many of the rebounds that the Sea Bears gave up in both matchups were offensive boards and second chances. It hurt them in both games and might become an issue. I understand that they are without Darius Days, who has been a great rebounder for them, but one singular player gone should not cause the team rebounding to go completely haywire. Winnipeg was the best rebound team last summer, and that does not seem to be the case this year. We saw glimpses of this in other games, but not to this extent. This flaw is going to hurt them the more it flares up.
With those keys from the back to back out of the way, let’s go over individual performances.
Teddy Allen
Let’s start with the big one. While Allen still had a decent game against the Honey Badgers, there were no east buckets for him. Everything he put up he earned, and finally got hot late in that one. Same cannot he said against the River Lions. Aside from being ejected, (which I’m not going to get into because frankly, I’m as confused as the rest of us) Niagara forced the ball out of his hands and created turnovers. They did everything in their power to simply take him out of the game. All of his shots felt rushed or forced, and he never got into any sort of rhythm. I know he’s a tough shot taker, but not when you don’t even have a look at the rim. Turnovers are going to be a problem if he continues to play this way. Might really come back to bite them.
Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson
JOJ has really found his groove here in the CEBL and it is so good to see. He’s scoring at all three levels, running the offence and being a playmaker. He’s even rebounding very well for his size, making an impact on every front. Hoping this continues because Winnipeg’s gonna need it.
Byron Mullens
Mullens’ performances are a pendulum swing. One night he’s fantastic, another just can’t get going. He was great in the game against Brampton, before it looked like getting injured and not checking back in. He was hitting shots, rebounding and protecting the rim. Exactly what you hope to get from him. But then in the game against Niagara, he just could not get a bucket to fall. He still rebounded, but it felt like Chad Posthumus was making a bigger impact on the floor. He did have six blocks, which all came later in the game. Hoping he can steady out.
Shane Osayande
Solid play as always for Osayande. Couple scores, some rebounds, and good defence. Can’t ask much more for a guy just trying to replace a bigger cog.
Alex Campbell
Campbell has been a great defender in every single game I have seen the Sea Bears play. Offensively has been a different story. He went scoreless in the matchup against the Honey Badgers, then was hot to start against Niagara. He followed up a decent first quarter was suffer for the following three. While the addition of David Muenkat should allow for less offence needed from Campbell, you hope that he still can hit some jump shots.
Mason Bourcier
Great two game set for Bourcier. Backed up JOJ perfectly. Nothing felt like it changed too drastically when he was in the game. Offensively wasn’t his best against Brampton, but certainly shined against the River Lions. The momentum he built seems to keep rolling which I think is huge. Sea Bears need him to be a high level guy.
Simon Hildebrandt
Tough first game of the back to back for Hildebrandt, two early fouls saw his day essentially end. Against Niagara, he looked much more comfortable and played a better game. Hoping more of the latter going forward.
David Muenkat
Great first impressions from Muenkat on this road trip. His surprise appearance saw him do a little bit of everything in both contests. He hit some shots, got to the rim, rebounded and even showed off some good defence. My only complaint may be that he took a couple too many shots, but not going to fault him, especially for that River Lions game with Allen out. Love what I have seen already from him.
Chad Posthumus
The man who might have been the MVP from this two game set. He helped steady the ship against the Honey Badgers, and even had some good stretches against the River Lions. While he wasn’t as overall effective in Niagara, he was still solid. As I’ve mentioned, in certain matchups he is still a very good player and we certainly saw that in the first game. He did miss three out of four free throws to win that one, but I’ll let it slide for his performance earlier in the game. Not sure how much more the Sea Bears can lean on him, but that will depend on matchups. Hoping he can get back to being a spot option for coach Taylor.
All in all, the issues that I lined out in the beginning are most certainly fixable with some coaching adjustments, so I don’t feel as bad as you would if it was an issue with the roster. This is a veteran, poised team that’s going to continue to come out and compete. They have tons of talent that we know can get it done and I’m sure coach Taylor will make the appropriate adjustments, especially with the time they’ll now have. Winnipeg’s next game will now be across the country, continuing this four game road trip in Calgary against the Surge on Sunday afternoon.
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