Below is a breakdown by player of what each team needs from them in order to maximize success.
The Beastie Boys:
- Nature "Beast Incarnate" Beasley: Get busy in the trenches.
- On a guard heavy lineup, this newfound powerhouse will need to take his gains from the offseason, natural rebounding skills and quietly strong back to the basket/short corner game, and apply them in the trenches along with low post stalwarts Sticky Van Horne and Huck.
- The "Juice Mon" Godon: Use his superior motor efficiently.
- One of the most unique players in PCTI due to a motor that legitimately never stops, if Juice can apply non-stop ball pressure, sprint for easy buckets, and crash the glass on both ends it will not only help his performance, but will free things up for his teammates.
- "The Beast" Huckins: Be prepared for the weirdness of PCTI.
- There's no questioning he's a top player, but let's be real, PCTI is weird... Looking around an empty gym seeing people interviewed, others getting hyped liked it's the NBA Finals, and going through the national anthem.. Getting caught up in the hoopla is real. The Beast has a big role as the squad's big man and sole player on his team (sans The Boy) that isn't 6'2", and will need to get on the same page as his teammates early on.
- "Spotlight" Higdon: Get his mojo back.
- It's hard to debate no one (sans Austin Powers before it was stripped of him) had more mojo than Spotlight... Dude was on a steady climb up the power rankings as a do-it-all player/beloved teammate that was highly efficient. A knee sprain in 8 then a baby in 9's offseason has whispers surrounding his stock, but if he plays like he has in any of the past years, he will be a huge asset.
- "The Actor" Thompson: Make big plays but minimize big misses.
- Bold, expansive, fearless and clutch the Actor is always good for one portion of a game where he does things no one else can, and it typically puts his team in a position to win. Whether it's back breaking offensive rebounds, baiting the offense into a turnover, or drilling a 40 foot off the dribble three, the guy is going to make things happen. If he can win the risk/reward battle, it will be huge for The Beastie Boys.
- Sticky Van Horne: Build off his best PCTI.
- One of the unsung heroes of last year, Sticky took on an unsexy role but did it with flair like only he and Dennis Rodman could as lock down defender, rebounder, and inbounder for a team that played up tempo. Sticky tied for second all time in rebounds/game, which is even more impressive considering he spent a lot of the time guarding the perimeter. That work will be needed in the worst way next year, going up against one of the biggest teams in PCTI history.
- Ben: Trust his teammates.
- As skilled as it gets in PCTI, Wilson is one of the few guys that can take over a game at any time. Adding his high school teammate to a roster of "his guys" (only missing Hops) Wilson should be in line for answering his favorite offseason question, who will be the breakout candidate? If Ben trust his teammates and doesn't feel like he has to do too much, we can be talking about adding another round of 15 ppg, 8 rpg, and MVP award into his already decorated PCTI life.
- The Boy: Don't suffer a let down.
Sabin's Squad:
- Sabin: Don't play out of position.
- The classical basketball player/coach in Sabin will have to get over the fact that there won't need to be legitimate "positions" for his team, and stay focused on what he does well... Staying off the ball coming off screens and embracing his role as one of the most deadly and offensive players in PCTI will be the best thing for him, and his squad.
- BRENT Carney: Play his game.
- One of the most consistent players in PCTI history, no one is easier to analyze or predict their performance than BRENT. Never suffering a let down year, and always being at the top of the power rankings, there's no reason to change anything. BRENT will always take what the opposition gives him, so a lot of the key will be on the other squad to minimize that more than ever.
- Smo Orr: Convert easy buckets.
- His buddy Brent said it best, no matter how much he doesn't care, his basketball instincts are so good he will always end up in a position to make plays. He's going to get offensive rebounds, alter shots, and communicate no matter how little he cares... If he converts easy buckets, he's going to be a huge asset for his team.
- Abe Stephen: Come to PCTI in shape.
- A closet storyline the last few years is how little work Abe puts in during the offseason... A guy who frankly doesn't need to put the work in because he's superior physically, athletically, and in pretty much every way... However, after adding additional talent, along with everyone (somehow) getting better every year, now is a good time for him to re-dedicate himself. If he comes to PCTI9 in shape, there's no telling what kind of damage he will do.
- Hops: Convert easy buckets.
- Arguably the best instincts in PCTI, Hops has a knack for drawing fouls, timing offensive rebounds perfectly, and sliding his way through holes in defenses. If he converts the opportunities that his instincts put him in position for, he could do significant damage. If his PCTI8 and training camp performance in Nashville was indicative, Team Sabin got a steal.
- Busy Donley: Post Up.
- It's not just off the court... Busy is busy on it too... Constantly running around setting screens, cutting to the hoop, crashing full speed ahead on shots... He's always looking for something to do... That said, it sometimes takes him out of the post, which in my opinion is where he's at his best... An array of moves help him either convert or get to the line, along with wearing down the defense.
- TP: Patrol the paint.
- Locking horns with his high school teammate will be no easy task, but if anyone is up for it it will be him. With Kyle and Sticky spending their time down low, and fellow big men Abe and BRENT potentially guarding the perimeter, TP will have his hands full.
- Carmelo "Smooth" Cibotti: Find open shots.
- On a roster that is perfect for him, the attention his teammates will get (especially down low) will create opportunities for him to run around the 3 point line and find open shots. One of the most well known facts about PCTI is that rookies rarely play well as the transition to a different style and new teammates lend itself to a learning curve... Not Smooth. In his rookie campaign, he shot 53%. Not only a rookie record, but third highest % in PCTI history. They don't call him Melo for nothing, the guy exudes confidence on the court.
