For more Cutters news, refer to the News page
| In
such a talent deep and rich franchise such as the Diamond Cutters, this
season's fast upcoming awards' ceremony promises a cliffhanger in the race
for the highly prestigious and coveted MVP award. Who will win? The possibilities
are many, it is an open field in which either Ben, Scott, last-season's
MVP Johan, Tim, Kepler or Dave could win. Tonight we question the chances
of the on-court omnipresent Yochem. Touted for his ability to play in all positions, at any time, all this player lacks from surpassing Michael Jordan, the greatest ever to play the game of basketball, in both status and ability, is fitness and an inability to jump. It is, we know, a very bold statement to make, but equally one that can be backed up by just about any player, coach or analyst that has been surely blessed to see both play. So many times does his courage and skills help turn games around. His exceptional brilliance unequalled at his level, should easily allow him to surpass the other contenders, despite being on a team lurking in the depths of the MBAMNMSDC ladder. The statistics also support this claim. He ranked first in every category bar turnovers at the end of last season, and has repeated and even surpassed these admiral performances with astounding cool this season. The result should be a certainty, and Cutters co-coach Kepler Schumann agrees. "Yoch plays many facets of the game very well. He shoots the ball well from the outside, he blocks shots, runs the floor. He can do just about anything, even play point guard. And as a player, you love playing with him." "Yeah," echoes Cutters 2G currently on injured list Michael Kroon, "Johan's great because since he's on our team, we don't have a dress code" he says, alluding to the Yoch's everpresent work boots and Prada beanie. "Johan just has his own style. However he feels when he wakes up in the morning, you can tell when he comes in. But after getting to know him, Johan's a great family man and a good guy off the court." Friendliness aside, van Leeuwen's game has progressed to a point rarely seen: the place where highly-developed skill meets innate understanding. Knowing his full arsenal and how to consistently, perfectly utilise it is what puts van Leeuwen in the same category as Jordan, Pippen, Kidd, Garnett and Shaq. Like Jordan he can score, like Pippen he can play D, like Kidd he can pass, like Garnett he can play outside, or like Shaq, he can bang inside. "That versatility makes him unstoppable" Schumann says. "Basically, at 6-4, he can get his shot off against anyone. He can go out to the three-point line and make a jump shot, or he can run the floor on you. And if you're bigger than he is, he can get you in the post and shoot over you. He really, truly, is unstoppable, and that is what will earn him MVP honours this season." |
|
For more Cutters news, refer to the News page |