Strength: History: The Dynamic Duo of Lindsey Wincek and Anna Stowell have been playing together since they have been in diapers. The Legion of Doom composed of Pat O'hara, Mike Hoffmann, and Jeff Kustusch have playing well with each other since their youth. Jodi Delheimer is a very underrated offensive player who has blended well with her teammates. Lastly, Daniel Pan is a very underrated writer, I mean an overall basketball player. Everyone is talented in their own way and will bring something different to the table. Team chemistry and ability to play together are usually overlooked by the audience for pure talent; these players together are definitely more than the sum of their parts. If nothing else, Dan's questionable taste in clothing can be distracting enough for opposing players.
Weaknesses: Size/Bulk: Back in the 1940s, this team would be fine, but since then, every team has gotten bigger, tougher, and quicker. Though Mike, and Jeff are capable interior defenders they lack a tall physical presence inside to "man" the middle of the offense and defense. Dan and Pat will be asked to play physical down low also to keep the male opponents from scoring at will, allowing their female companions to get easy baskets and grab rebounds. They will have to gut it out, especially against bigger, more physical teams. Their interior defense and rebounding will be tested week in and week out.
Weaknesses: Reliable 1st and 2nd option: With the absense of some key members from the team last year, there are many candidates for the 1st and 2nd option on offense but the team must figure out who they will be for this team to taste playoff sweetness.
Theresa and Jennifer are definitely sleepers. They might be asked to carry the offense with their sweet stroke but its nothing new for these veterans who have more high school basketball awards than most people have shoes.
Watch out for: Individually this team has average players but together they will give many people problems with their overall play and knowledge of how to play together as a team. No one can be overlooked on this team. The keys for this team will be
1) Mike and Jeff's effectiveness down load. Look for these guys to pound the ball inside and hit the boards like its the last piece of pizza in a dorm room.
2) Lindsey and Anna's effectiveness down low to score and rebound. If the Dynamic Duo are shut down, then the team loses a large chunk of their female interior scoring and will have yet another disappointing season. Can Jodi Delheimer take some of the burden of them and insert herself as a force down in the paint? Stay tuned.
3) Theresa and Jennifer's abilty to mesh in with the team. They are the newest members on the team. Both can fill up the stat sheet like Dan's fills up his plate at a Chinese buffet. If they fit in well with their teammates, this team is will be difficult to beat.
4) Can Ingrid Kraus play? Ingrid might not be on the team this year because of prior obligations. She was a vital part of the team last year, providing the team with baskets, rebounds, and assists. Without her, will Theresa and Jennifer be able to reproduce the same magic with the other members of the team?
5) Dan's hustle: Like John Havlicek, Dan is known to be everywhere on the court with his tenacity and intensity, usually frustrating his opponents. Dan is usually found glued to his opponent, playing suffocating defense or on the ground fighting for loose balls, which usually results in him getting a Nike Swoosh stomped on his forehead. If Dan accidently inhales any phenol chloroform or acetic acid during work, can he wake up from the blackout and draw up the same intensity and tenacity he usually plays with?
6) Who will actually run this team? This team has the potential to go far but only if the issue of point guard duties are solved, and solved early on. Will they be able to establish an effective half court offense? Look for the Pat O'hara and an out-of-shape (who can also lose about 15 pounds) captain, Daniel Pan to run the show but Lindsey Wincek, Anna Stowell, Jeniffer Kosatka, Jodi Delheimer, and Thersea Kissane to fill up the stats.
