COACH KANNEMEYER'S 3 KEYS VS. OBJ - MAY 25

More questions than keys this week as the Fraser Valley Bandits look to make a statement versus the Ottawa BlackJacks on Wednesday night.

What’s the style of play?

The 2022 version of the 2022 Fraser Valley Bandits will have some familiar faces, Malcolm Duvivier, Chris McLaughlin, and Alex Campbell. The team will also feature some new faces to the Bandits but some familiar faces to the CEBL in Murphy Burnatowski and Kadre Gray. 

Import Kyle Adnam from Australia is a pace setter, a point guard who can push tempo, shoot in transition and make split second decisions at breakneck pace. Adnam, Duvivier, Campbell, Gray and fellow new import Shane Gibson all have the ability to get out and run, handle, shoot and pass with any guard grouping in the league.

This year’s incarnation of the Bandits will look to rely on this plethora of guards to push the pace on both sides of the ball.

The bigs can easily play this way as well. McLaughlin, although built like a semi truck, has great hands and running ability to run rim-to-rim with the best of them. Maxie Esho, the team's third import is a tremendous shooter at all three levels, coupled with great length for a modern four-man, should have no problem playing in space and taking advantage of closeouts against defenders in recovery.

Burnatowski, a great athlete in his own right can sub in for both Esho and McLaughlin and maintain the style of play.

Who are the starters?

Predicting here, but a fun exercise nevertheless. If the Bandits plan to open up the season with versatility defensively I can see them starting the three headed guard attack of Gray, with veterans Alex Campbell and Malcolm Duvivier. It would prove to be a “switch-heavy” trifecta of guards, which is perfect to open the season against a team where defensive concepts will prevail over advanced scouting.

Starting Esho with this group will keep the versatility train going and allow the Bandits to counter any BlackJacks deception in the opening game of the season.

McLaughlin will round out the five and provide rim protection and rebounding and is expected to provide a scoring punch, as well. I also wouldn’t be shocked if the team started Kyle Adnam, although not as switchable as the team's projected starters, he is a great floor general that can contribute to a group full of offensive punch.

Who’s our go-to isolation scorer in Elam “crunch” time? Who’s our pick and roll duo?

Last year's team relied on scoring by committee, but I do think there could be a pecking order for how the team looks to attack down the stretch. Both Duvivier and Campbell have proved in the past that they can give the team scoring punch during the first three quarters, but are best suited to play off the ball in Elam time.

Due to the team's ability to shoot one through four, McLaughlin’s rolling ability will be a pick your poison scenario. How much help will teams dedicate and which shooter can you leave open? Only time will tell.

The trigger man behind those pick and rolls will likely be Gray. An all-around scorer from his time at Laurentian University, Gray has the instincts and confidence to manufacture buckets with defenders draped on him. With McLaughlin screening for Gray, the Bandits have a terrific one, two scoring punch. 

Maxie Esho could also be a closer for the Bandits this season. Standing 6’9”, Esho can see over top of the defence in clear-out isolation scenarios and can most certainly shoot over them as well. A versatile big with a guard’s skillset, the Bandits could look to run the two-man pick and roll with Esho and Gray to close out games depending on the match up.