Player Spotlight


Player Spotlight highlights the finer details and elements while supplying insight to the fans on what a player's thought process may be pertaining to a certain play, game or situation. It brings the intensity, passion, and inner most thoughts of the individual player that otherwise may not be felt or heard.

In the Player Spotlight this week is Mike Accursi of the Syracuse Smash .

PLPA correspondent Ron Macspaden interviewed Accursi after the weekend games which included matches against the Toronto Rock and the New York Saints.

Question This was a disappointing weekend of lacrosse for Syracuse Smash fans. The team dropped two games and is now unlikely to participate in the 1999 playoffs. On Friday night at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, after playing a solid 45 minutes to tie the game at 11, Syracuse was outscored 8-1 in the fourth quarter. What were your thoughts on the Rock contest?
Answer That game was disappointing for our team. We felt that we had the right game plan in place to defeat the Rock, but unfortunately we didn't execute the plan, hence the fourth period let down. Our plan was too run them and fast break them; basically make them play our game. We felt that if we did that we could take control of the game in the fourth quarter, when the bigger, older Rock team was tired. Toronto played a solid game. Its really tough to beat a team at home with a large crowd, the cheers often give them that little adrenaline rush that keeps them going.


Question The Rock set a single-game attendance record (13,300) for their franchise that evening. Are you surprised by the fan response to pro lacrosse in Toronto?
Answer I'm not really surprised at the fan base in Toronto. Ontario has a very large lacrosse community and I think alot of them want to see pro lacrosse stay in Canada. I think its great for the NLL and the OLA. It may help to increase interest in the game along with the number of kids playing lacrosse in Ontario.


Question On Saturday night back at home, the Smash lost 15-14 to New York. How tough is it to play back-to-back games in the NLL?
Answer Its tough to play back-to-back games in the NLL. With the fast-paced style and big floors (NHL rinks), the games take alot out of you. I think that often times the team in the best shape usually wins the second game of a double header.


Question Although the Smash have some great offensive weapons in players like Paul Gait and Del Halladay, the best kept secret for success in the league this season seems to be team defense. Could it be that offense is over-rated in the run-'n-shoot, last-to-score NLL?
Answer I don't think that the run-’n-shoot offense is over-rated, but I think that in order to win and be successful just like in any team sport, defense is important. Teams are starting to realize that defense is still important. Someone once told me that offense will win you games but defense will win you championships. I think in this league you need to try and balance the two to win it all.


Question On a personal note, you established yourself this season as one of the premier face-off specialists in the league. The draw might be one of the most strategic skills of indoor lacrosse. Give us some insight on the game-within-the-game that most fans never see.
Answer Face-offs are important for lots of reasons; the most obvious is ball control. The team that controls the ball more will win the game. Face-off guys are very proud of the fact that they can win alot of draws, so it becomes very competitive amongst those guys. Usually you face-off against the same guys all year, so you get to know them. Every time I take a face-off its for bragging rights after the game. To give you an example of how important face-offs are, Canada's drawman Rodney Tapp single handedly brought Canada back into the game against the U.S. in the World final. Basically it came down to ball control: Canada controlled the ball, hence the comeback.


Question What are the major differences between the summer box (OLA Major) and winter indoor (NLL) leagues?
Answer The summer game is a little slower and not as high scoring. The OLA uses a smaller net than the NLL and goalies pad up a little more, making it harder to score.


Question What specific qualities and characteristics do Canadians and Americans bring to the NLL game?
Answer I think Canadians bring alot of box lacrosse knowledge to the NLL. Not only in offense but also in defense. Canadians know the little tricks it takes to get open on offense and how to contain your man on defense. The Americans bring speed and agility to the NLL. I still haven't met an American player that is not in tremendous physical condition.


Question You play an active role in the Professional Lacrosse Players Association. What important issues are ahead for both the NLL and its players?
Answer I think expansion is definitely on everyone’s mind. We would both like to see a few more teams and, I think, a longer season. One day I hope this league gets the recognition of an NBA or the NHL, but I think both the PLPA and the owners have to work together to make this happen. If we work together more we can accomplish much more. Ultimately we both want the same thing: success for the National Lacrosse League.


Question If you could introduce one rule to improve the NLL game, what would it be?
Answer I think I would drop the shot-clock from 30 seconds to 25 seconds duration. This would speed up the game and make it that much more exciting to watch.


Question Do you have a tip you might offer NLL fans on what to watch for during a game?
Answer I think the fans should simply watch all aspects of the game. Lacrosse is a tremendous game to watch and it takes alot of skill and practice to do what players do night after night. Just sit back and enjoy the game for what it is... the fastest game on two feet.


PLPA Correspondent

Ron MacSpadyen has written on sport, technology and intellectual property for The Atlantic City Press; The Globe & Mail, The Ottawa Citizen and the Toronto Star. Ron brings his experience as a box lacrosse player and coach to reporting on the up-coming NLL season. His most recent coverage of the Mann Cup was featured in Lacrosse Talk and Lacrosse Magazine. We are enthused to have Ron onboard as a PLPA correspondent.