by NSL Woj
The Killer Bees boast the last 4 MVPs (Matt 2019.2, 2021, 2022 & Henri 2020), but they still face many questions as the season approaches. Are they too small? Will Sam R and Kenny ever stop fighting? Will Henri and Idi show?
During NSL Free Agency, Kenny was able to hold off Max and convince Matt and Henri to join his Killer Bees, which was considered a massive win at the time since none of the other stars wanted to join his team. However, recent developments reveal that Henri Rousseau will be living in Amherst until the NSL All Star break, and Matt Rooney has been outplayed at the Y by Steven Campbell and Kyle DeWitt, raising doubts about the true ceiling of the Killer Bees this season.
Roster
Kenny Brown (C), Matt Rooney, Henri Rousseau, Idi Nsbuga, Sam Rothstein
Matt and Henri are obvious locks for the starting lineup, and my best guess would be that Idi joins them, as he offers some big man qualities - something the Killer Bees are severely lacking, leaving Kenny and Sam to come off of the bench.
Rooney is coming off an MVP year where he averaged 31.7 points, 19.9 rebounds and 7.7 assists on 65/42/77 splits, and he will need to come close to replicating that performance for the Killer Bees to be the last team standing. He is a clear step down in talent compared to players like Steven Campbell, Thomas Byrne DHS and Kyle Dewitt, but Matt usually seems to elevate his game on the NSL court.
After two averaging more than 30 points in 2020 and 2021, Henri had a bit of a down year by his standards, averaging 19.4 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists on 41/24/76 shooting, as he could never get comfortable on the Roses (this was still a really good season). If he's able to make it down from Amherst consistently, look for Henri to up his point totals and overall efficiency en route to an All-NSL type of season.
Idi (11.8 ppg, 13.2 rpg, 4.2 apg) and Kenny (9.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 0.5 apg) are coming off solid seasons where they each made big-time playoff contributions. They are going to be counted on to offer major minutes this season, and I believe that they are up for it. Finally, Sam Rothstein has played a ton of pick-up hoops at the Y and has zero expectations or pressure to perform well this season (although that's slowly changing considering all of the shit he's talking), which could lead to a potential breakout year, where he emerges as a valuable role player.
Strengths: Matt/Henri Duo, Experience, Passing
Henri and Matt make up what is arguably the best duo in the league this season (although I believe they are 2nd after Kyle and Eli - there's an argument for Thomas/Ryan and Soup/Pomper as well), and will be tasked with carrying the load for Killer Bees, especially on the offensive end. After coming up short in the NSL playoffs last season with Henri's Roses losing in the first round and Matt's Tropics losing in the second, they will both be incredibly motivated to win this season. The last time that Matt played with a teammate of Henri's caliber - Eli '21, his team won the NSL Championship. It's not a perfect pairing (Jack Pomper thinks that Matt and Henri may be a tad too similar in terms of play style, and he might have a point) but IF everything goes right, it could be special. IF not, it wouldn't surprise me to see Kenny make a trade to split up his star duo.
Henri, Matt and Idi are all original NSL members, and at this point, Kenny Brown has now been in the league for 4/5 years now, giving the Killer Bees the most NSL experience out of any team not named the Villains. Matt and Idi both have four championship appearances, which is the most all time (Idi has never not made the NSL Finals). It remains to be seen if all of this experience offers them a major advantage this year, but it can't hurt.
The final strength of the Killer Bees is their passing. Matt has led the league in assists every season, and Idi is usually close behind him. Henri can be a great passer as well, as he possesses an elite basketball IQ.
Weaknesses: Size, Bench, Availibility
Despite the fact that Matt and Idi usually play bigger than their size, height is going to be a major issue for the Killer Bees this season. Henri Rousseau is the only player taller than 5'10, and teams like the Thornes, Rogues and Blizzard will be sure to take advantage. It's looking likely that the Killer Bees will have no answer for players like Charlie Lewis, John Ross, Jack Pomper, Ryan McLaughlin and Kevin Seuch.
The majority league believes that the Killer Bees have the worst bench in the league (besides maybe the Dragons?), and based on recent pick-up, they have a solid argument. Overall, this is probably the biggest wild card for the Killer Bees - if Kenny and Rothstein can't hit shots and struggle on defense, then the Killer Bees won't be going anywhere this season. However, if they hit open threes, bring energy, compete on the defense end, and finally stop bickering with each other, the Killer Bees ceiling rises considerably. Kenny and Sam are both incredibly motivated to prove their haters wrong this year, and while Matt and Henri are confident in the bench duo, it's anyone's guess as to how Sam and KB perform this year.
Henri will be living in Amherst until June (he claims he can make all weekend games) and Idi has always struggled with attendance the past few season. If there are games (and there most likely will be) where Idi and Henri both don't show, the Killer Bees will sport a lineup of Matt Rooney, Kenny Brown and Sam Rothstein, which would REALLY struggle to beat anyone.
Regular Season Prediction: 3rd place
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