Over the weekend the Winnipeg Sea Bears completed the first two games of their four game road trip. These first two games were against Eastern Conference opposition, both being in the Greater Toronto Area. Both games showed great signs of development from the players and the organization. The game against the Brampton Honey Badgers was a hard fought battle, in which it felt like the Sea Bears were in control of for most of the game. It was a strong performance against the defending champs, but we started to see a pattern emerge with Winnipeg not being able to close out games in Elam Time. The Honey Badgers ended up rallying late and taking the game 75-71. I will speak more about it later, but the Sea Bears were able to hold star Christian Vital to only 17 points after he has exploded for huge performances against Ottawa and Scarborough. Winnipeg did a great job in both games, but this one especially by making a more grit and grind type, instead of the run and gun the Honey Badgers want to play. They have been very good their first three games in setting the tone, and making other teams play their physical style of game and it is benefiting them. The following day, the Sea Bears took on the high powered Scarborough Shooting Stars. Winnipeg absolutely took it to the Shooting Stars, keeping up with them in the first quarter, then completely taking over in the second quarter. The momentum followed them into the third quarter, and even though they build a lead of 29 points, it only ended up being barely enough. The Sea Bears did end up winning 98-93, but not without Scarborough tying the game and making it closer than it needed to. This game continued the trend we have see through three games. Winnipeg has problems figuring out how to close out games. I understand that these league rules are new to many of the players on the roster, but they need to figure out ways to get easy buckets in Elam Time. I will give them some more time to work out the kinks, but if they don’t figure out these issues, it could cost them wins down the stretch. It would also be wrong of me to not mention the absolutely monster performance from Teddy Allen in this game. He ended the game with a double-double of 42 points and 11 rebounds. Add in that he sealed the win against his former team, and that only makes the performance more magical. There are many positives to take away from these two games, as the Sea Bears head into two more road games, now in the Western Conference. I will now break down three important keys I took from the weekends games.

Physical Defensive Wall

Through the first three games in franchise history, we have seen the identity that coach Mike Taylor wants with this team. One that does not back down, brings it to their opponent and makes it as hard as possible to score. This Sea Bears team plays with physicality, and it is very clear that they are not going to allow anyone to score easily. Their entire identity has been to make it hard on opponents, slowing down high powered offences and turning the game into chess matches. They want the game to play at their slow pace and they have been very good at making all of their opponents play their style, which does not benefit many teams in this league. There has been one player that has been instrumental to this style. For the second straight time in a game recap I am going to mention Michael Okafor. He may not get on the scoresheet very much, but he does a very important job for this squad. He has shown he is able to lockdown two of the best scorers in the league. As I mentioned above he held Christian Vital to only 17 points, shooting 33% from inside the arc and 30% from deep. For most of the contest, he kept Vital in check and even invisible at times. I would even say that he was able to throw Vital’s rhythm off. He then followed up this performance with holding Jalen Harris to 33% from the field and only one made three. The rest of the teams defense has been very solid, but Okafor essentially taking away a teams top scorer has made this defense one to fear. They have showed if you are going to try and score on this squad, it is either going to be a tough shot or are going to pay the price and shoot some free throws.

Bench Impact

Going into the inaugural season, it was very clear on who would be the starters for this Sea Bears team. The question was, who would contribute off the bench. In each of the first three games, there has been some sort of impact from one of the bench players. In the first game against Vancouver it was largely Jelani Watson-Gayle’s offence, with a little bit from Simon Hildebrandt. In the game against Brampton, it was once again Watson-Gayle. Then in the game against Scarborough it was a combination of Stephane Ingo and Hildebrandt. No matter the outcome, there has been at least one player who has been integral to either a win, or the game being somewhat close. Ironically, this team has found ways to make game changing plays, just not in Elam Time. Whether a Watson-Gayle, Hildebrandt, or A.J. Hess three, an Ingo block, or even either one of them coming down with an important rebound, this teams depth is up to the challenge. No matter what league you are playing in, your bench can be an integral part in a win or loss. This is a great sign for coach Taylor, who can feel as though he can trust any substitution he has in mind. We can only this holds up, and we see this team has some of the best and clutch depth in the league.

Shakiness in Elam Time

Where do I even start with this team. I just finished praising the bench for making important plays, now I have to completely change my tone. It seems as soon as the game turns over to a Target Score, they have no idea what they are doing anymore. They have struggled in all three of their games once the game gets under four minutes. Whether it may be inefficient offence, or less than optimal defense, this team needs to figure out how to get passed these issues. They have been lucky to escape with two wins after surrendering huge leads heading into Elam Time. Instead of 2-1, this team could be 0-3 at worst or 1-2. They need to find better ways of getting easy buckets to continue their momentum once the clock shuts off. We have seen that they have been forcing threes to try and end the game early. They need to stop going away from whatever is working at that moment and force jump shots. This approach has cost them one game, and almost two others. They seem to panic and become afraid. If I were coach Taylor, all I would tell the team is that once the Target Score is set, nothing changes. As much as the rule set benefits comebacks and the losing team, it also benefits the leading team. All you have to worry about is the shot clock, so continue to run offence, get down hill and shoot free throws. If you score a couple of times in Elam Time, it will force teams to start shooting threes like they would in normal games. If there is a open three, absolutely take it, but if you aren’t hitting, do not force it and give other teams momentum. It then leads you to now being on the backfoot and they can take their time. Do not give them that luxury.

After looking at the past two games through the entire teams perspective, let’s now break it down into how each player on the roster performed.

Teddy Allen

I was prepared to talk about Teddy Buckets first because of his absent offence, but he now deserves to be talked about here for his performance in Scarborough. Wow. That was so awesome to watch. We will excuse his first two games of the year if that was the “Welcome Back” moment we were waiting on. I’m not sure if there was anything he could have missed that night. He scored 42 points on ridiculous percentages and carried the Sea Bears to an early lead, and eventually a win. I really hope this is the performance that gets him going this year because Winnipeg needs him. The best part was this game was against his former team. I am not sure, but I think he played with a fire because there may have been some exchanging of words from former teammates. May have also been the fact that it could be seen he was replaced by Cat Barber and Allen wanted to put on a show. Either way, I am sure he had this game circled on his calendar and he did not disappoint.

E.J. Anosike

This man has showed he will be a steady source of offence as the teams secondary scorer. Anosike had what felt was a quiet game against the Honey Badgers, to only emerge and have a great game against the Shooting Stars. He is still somewhat struggling from behind the arc, but he has more than made up for it by scoring inside. I am very excited to see how he continues this progress and be an important offensive weapon for the Sea Bears.

Michael Okafor

The defensive stalwart. Okafor has been spectacular on defense and locking down the opposing teams star players. I was hoping at some point he would get going on offence, but he hasn’t seemed to. I am not too sure if it is just the lack of looks he is getting, or if there is a lack of confidence on that end. He has been shooting threes when he has gotten the ball, he may get going if he can attack the hoop a little more. I do hope that he can continue to excel on the defensive end and be a X-Factor as the season goes on.

Glen Yang

I am going to give Yang a little bit more time to settle in with the Sea Bears. He seems to find a way to make a splash play at the beginning of the game, then sort of disappear and eat up minutes. I had hoped he would have significant impact early on here in the CEBL, but just hasn’t found it yet. I love his skillset and playstyle he brings to the table, and I do this the Sea Bears are going to need him later on in the season. Let’s hope he can start to turn it around.

Chad Posthumus

Steady. That’s about all you can say about Posthumus. He’ll score a couple times around the bucket, rebound the ball well and that’s about it. Nothing flashy, but an important player on the squad that’s not afraid to mix it up down low. His low post defense hasn’t been perfect, but it has been solid enough when teams have deployed a bigger lineup. I will expect this level of play to continue as the season goes on for the veteran.

Jelani Watson-Gayle

Not exactly the same stellar play we saw from Watson-Gayle in the first game, but still very solid. The guard has been very good off the bench for the Sea Bears, providing some offensive spark and a threat from outside the arc. He has looked the most comfortable each and every time the games have reached Elam Time, and expect coach Taylor to roll him out whenever the clock turns off. If he continues his good play, don’t be surprised if he comes into the conversation for 6th Man of the Year. I really think he has shown he’s that good, and could see a similar season to last years winner Kobe McEwan.

Simon Hildebrandt

This guy keeps on impressing me. Coach Taylor said before the season began that Hildebrandt would have all the opportunities to succeed with this team and to develop and so far has he ever. He was a little quiet in the game against Brampton, and he was making me think that the first game would be the best we would see. But Hildebrandt very much bounced back in Scarborough. He looked more like himself, and even hit threes on back-to-back possessions to force a timeout. A total of three were hit on the game, but not only that he looked more confident. I have a good feeling that he will have a pretty big impact for this team as he gets more and more minutes. Do not be surprised later on in the season if he begins to start after a good stretch of games.

A.J. Hess

If I had to pick a player that has underperformed so far this year, Hess might be my pick. He has taken 21 field goals so far this year, and only four of them have fallen so far. Many of the shots he has taken are threes, not to mention tough ones. I understand as a shooter myself he is not going to get open looks often, but some of them have been off balance, off the dribble, which I don’t believe are his game. His best looks have been catch and shoot jumpers, which are the ones that are falling. If Hess can find a way to get going, I am all for him taking those shots. But when you are 3-16 from three, you have to find a better way to get open looks to get going. Last time I nagged at a player to get better looks they ended up dropping 42. I can only hope something similar happens here.

Stephane Ingo

While he has not played a huge amount so far this season, Ingo has looked solid in his first year professionally. He isn’t an offensive big, but showed his defensive prowess against the Shooting Stars. Even though he wasn’t as noticeable against the Honey Badgers, in both games he was able to come away with two blocks and pull down a handful of rebounds. He definitely seemed to have more of an impact off of the scoresheet in Scarborough, altering shots and being solid in pick and roll defense. I would assume that coach Taylor will be looking to him for more centre minutes off the bench in coming games. I will also mention that he and Hildebrandt are building chemistry, which could be a dynamite young frontcourt duo.

Tyler Sagl

While he did not play very much, Sagl showed signs that if someone were to go down, he could fill in. He didn’t make a field goal in the five minutes he played in Brampton, but looked confident and decently composed. He was on the active roster for the game against the Shooting Stars, but did not enter the action. I am sure we will see him a couple more times this season, and hopefully he can step in and make a difference. I will say that three rebounds in only five minutes is not too shabby.

Final Thoughts

Overall I would say that this road trip for the Winnipeg Sea Bears has been successful thus far. A 1-1 record after two games in your inaugural season is nothing to scoff at. With games three and four of the trip coming up in Vancouver, then prairie rival Saskatchewan, I hope to see more progress from this roster. This team is showing a lot of promise and I hope they can realize their potential. I know it has only been three games, but this could be a very good first season in the CEBL.