MLP Salt Lake City Day 2 Recap: As Major League Pickleball’s Salt Lake City event progressed, Day Two delivered its share of unexpected outcomes and critical observations. Here are the details of the day’s misses and shifting dynamics among the teams.
Low Energy from Ben Johns?
Ben Johns, often hailed as one of the pickleball’s premier players, had a challenging day with Carolina losing both of its matches. Despite securing one team point in a Dreambreaker against Los Angeles, Johns faced significant criticism on social media for his seemingly low-energy play. Television commentators echoed these sentiments, repeatedly suggesting that Johns appeared disengaged.
However, the broader issue for Carolina extends beyond Johns’ performance. The team’s construction has been questionable from the start. A recent trade brought Brooke Buckner into the fold, yet their women’s roster remains a glaring weakness. Buckner and Jessie Irvine suffered heavy defeats in their women’s doubles matches, losing 25-13 and 25-14. Both players currently rank among the bottom three in performance metrics.
Reflecting on the draft, it’s evident that Carolina missed key opportunities. They bypassed talents like Augie Ge and Mari Humberg and opted against investing in a seasoned player like Tina Pisnik, leaving over $100,000 unused in their budget. A team comprising Ben Johns, Ge, Humberg, and Pisnik would likely be championship contenders. As it stands, Carolina’s playoff hopes appear slim.
Tough Day for Todd and Rane
For Orlando, Milan Rane stepped in once again for Vivienne David. While Rane showed promise on Thursday, Friday proved more challenging. Parris Todd and Rane suffered defeats in their two women’s doubles matches, with scores of 25-11 and 25-16. Major League Pickleball emphasizes team balance, and when one segment falters, it significantly hampers the team’s chances of victory. The uneven performance highlights the difficulties teams face in maintaining consistency across all matchups.
AZ Drive’s Momentum Stalls
AZ Drive experienced a momentum shift after a successful Thursday, encountering two 3-1 losses on Friday. Dylan Frazier, in particular, struggled. The MLP format often forces Dylan Frazier to play on the left side in mixed doubles, a position where he appears less comfortable. Frazier’s game thrives on steadiness, yet the left-side role demands a more aggressive playstyle, covering more court and executing power shots. Drafting a player of Frazier’s right-side strengths for such a role raises questions about team strategy and draft decisions.
As MLP Salt Lake City continues on Saturday, the action promises to be intense with nine more matches scheduled. St. Louis emerges as a team to watch, facing tough opponents in New Jersey and Dallas. A strong performance, netting four or more points, would mark a successful day for St. Louis, solidifying their position in the standings.
Friday’s matches drew packed stands, reflecting the growing enthusiasm and support for Major League Pickleball. The event’s atmosphere shows the sport’s rising popularity and the passionate following it commands. As the competition unfolds, teams and players will need to handle these pressures and deliver their best to stay in the hunt for the championship.
News in Brief: MLP Salt Lake City Day 2 Recap
Day Two of Major League Pickleball’s Salt Lake City event brought surprises and critical observations. Ben Johns faced criticism for low-energy play as Carolina lost both matches, despite securing a Dreambreaker point against Los Angeles. Carolina’s team construction remains problematic, with weaknesses in their women’s roster despite recent trades.
Orlando also struggled, with Parris Todd and Milan Rane losing two women’s doubles matches, highlighting the challenge of maintaining team balance. AZ Drive, after a strong start, faltered with two 3-1 losses, questioning their drafting strategy with Dylan Frazier playing uncomfortably on the left side.
As the event continues, St. Louis Shock stands out, needing strong performances against New Jersey 5s and Dallas Flash. Friday’s packed stands reflected the sport’s growing popularity, setting the stage for an intense Saturday with nine matches scheduled.
Also Read:Â Introducing the APP UTR Sports Pickleball Leagues: A New Era of Competitive Play
