DALLAS, TX: The Science of Creating a Competitive Team

As usual, in the offseason several of the teams in the Dallas Athletic League take to the phones to find the additional pieces needed to put together a winning team for the next season. Sometimes this doesn't just include picking up a free agent, it includes swaying other players from existing teams to come over and make a difference with their squad. This season several of the teams really made some good choices in finding the pieces to their puzzles and already show signs of being a post season contender for the league.

The first team to be discussed is DT Angels who are positioned at the top of the league right now with a perfect 4-0 record. They are a newly created team for the location founded by Stephen Perkins also known as "The Perks". DT Angels did a great job of recruiting as they picked up 4 free agents in the off-season to put together a heck of a team. They acquired EJ Nevarez (Mr. "Make It Happen") who averages 13.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg, and 3.8 apg along with 3.0 spg. Sam Mosely is contributing 11.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg, and 2.3 apg and current leading scorer of the league, Patrick Wood is scoring 22.5 ppg, and has 4.3 rpg. EJ is a difficult matchup on offense as he is able to maneuver through the defense and get to the hole rather easily against most defenders. Pat Wood on the other hand is simply a work horse on the offensive side, getting you a bucket just about whenever you need it any way he can. Sam is a high IQ post player who identifies with his teammates when they need him to facilitate and score or simply protect the rim and grab some much needed rebounds. Alongside of Dave Little's (aka Super Dave) 11.3 ppg, these new additions are already proving to be the best acquisitions in the league and the stats show why.

The 2nd team to look at has to be the team, Left For Dead. They acquired a couple of new and old pieces that may not be showing the amount of help on the scoreboard or stats table but are showing leadership and court presence that make it easier for other team mates to score. The three additions they picked up were James Ramsey, Marek Chmielowiec, and Rock Linton. The three of them provide moreso better defensive matchups for quicker guards and slower postmen along with a good sense of court awareness, strategy and in game coaching. Marek is averaging a strong 15.0 ppg, 9.7 rpg, and 2.0 apg. He is at times a tough matchup on both sides of the ball able to break a post player down with his quickness on and off the ball. James Ramsey, also known as "The Voice", doesn't always contribute to the scoreboard but tends to take on the defensive assignments of guarding some of the best scoring guards in the game or sometimes even a big man or wing. Now he only averages 5.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, and 3.8 apg but he tends to be a good on-court coach and leader at times who figures out tricky matchups and plays that help weekly. Thirdly, Rock Linton, who averages 3.7ppg and 4.7 rpg, definitely is a much needed big man in the post. Although he is not as tall as some of our big men in the league his stature and strength with his low center of gravity helps out with box outs regardless of whether we win the rebound or not. His energy is definitely well focused and helps in several game time situations.

These are just the two teams that acquired more than 1 free agent and are proving to be contributors during the game. If you have any suggestions or comments feel free to express them below.

Article By:
James Ramsey
League Coordinator
Dallas Athletic