Returning back-court tandem looks to be a strength for Jam
| Thursday, Nov 18 2010 04:33 PM
Last Updated Thursday, Nov 18 2010 04:33 PM
After overhauling almost the entire roster during the off season, second-year Bakersfield Jam coach Will Voigt isn't quite sure what to expect from his team as it begins the 2010-11 season by hosting the Tulsa 66ers tonight at 7 p.m.
One thing is for certain though, Voigt is opportunistic about the direction in which the Jam is headed.
"It's always hard to know where you stand amongst the other teams," Voigt said. "We didn't play any preseason games this year so this is the first time playing against somebody besides ourselves. But I know that we have a great group of guys and that our team chemistry is really good right now."
Gone are seven of the 10 players that helped Bakersfield post a winning record during the final third of last season.
They'll be replaced by several promising rookies, including top draft pick Marqus Blakely, who averaged 17.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.9 blocked shots per game in leading the University of Vermont to the 2010 NCAA tournament.
Starting alongside the 6-foot-5 Blakely at forward will be second- round draft choice Brandon Wallace, a 6-foot-9 former member of the Boston Celtics known for shot blocking and rebounding.
They'll be joined in the frontcourt by 6-foot-10 newcomer Drew Naymick.
The Jam returns one of the most impressive guard tandems in the NBA D-League with Trey Johnson and Jeremy Wise.
The pair combined to contribute 37.9 points and 6.6 assists per game last year.
Johnson, a 6-foot-5 sharpshooter with tremendous range, has NBA experience and played with the Los Angeles Lakers during the NBA preseason.
Wise began last season in a reserve role. However, by the end of the year the 6-foot-2 left-handed slasher, was arguably the Jam's best all-around player.
"Having Trey and Jeremy back gives us a pretty powerful 1-2 punch in our backcourt but other than that we have a lot of unknowns," Voigt said. "These first couple of games will kind of show us a little bit where we're at, where we need to get better."
All indications point to the new-look Jam already being improved over last year's squad, which finished 17-33.
"I think, without a doubt ,we're in much better shape heading into the beginning of the season this year then we were last year," Voigt said.
"It's just obvious to me how much better we are. How we stack up to everyone else, I don't know yet."
The Jam, which does not sell single-game or walk-up tickets, expanded its seating this season by 100 seats to 550. The team said there are season tickets available. For more information, call (661) 615-6550.
