The 8th March sees the second leg of the BBL trophy semi final between London Lions and Leicester Riders. Lions have a 17 point lead to overturn which is a huge task against a very organised and talent Riders team. Can the Lions do it?
I have been following Lions all season as part of coverage for the ELR sports show on East London Radio. There have been some huge changes over the Summer including former Rider Drew Sullivan, last seasons MVP Zaire Taylor, Makal Stibbins from Egypt and the raw Lovell Cook amongst others. Over the season I have really become fond of Vince's team and the effort they put out on the court. It is not always easy against well established teams such as Riders, Eagles and the Rocks. The do believe Lions can beat anyone on their day in this league. They have beaten the Riders at the Copper Box this season and pushed Eagles all the way at Newcastle a few weeks ago and were unlucky not to win.
I believe Rod Brown is a huge cog in the way the Lions work. The hugely experienced point guard has so much class and the battle between him and their point guard the energetic Neil Watson. |The final quarter is a problem for Lions though as they seem to at time lose the game due to poor runs and the odd lapse in concentration potentially.
Makal Stibbins is another key player and I do think Lions don't look like the same team when he sits out. Ian Salter has struggled with the pace of the game and doesn't have the same impact as Makal. Last time the Riders came to London it was a great battle between Makal and Rowe in the paint and hope to see them to at it again.
We know what to expect from Drew and Zaire today and hope they can put up big numbers both offensively and defensively. Last time I saw Lions at the Copper Zaire was in great form against the Rocks and was unlucky to be on the losing team.
I hope the see the Copper box buzzing for this afternoon and hope Lions can pull a win out of the bag!
Sunday, 8 March 2015
Saturday, 6 December 2014
London Lions - Starting to see the full package
Lions made big changes in the Summer which some big signings. Now bringing in proven players on paper works however watching these players blend in well together is a different story.
Lions have shown glimpses of what a force they could be in the BBL this year. Zaire Taylor performs week after week and continues to better the 20 point mark ever game. It does make you ponder how Zaire hasn't played at a higher level in his professional career. Drew Sullivan is more of a no thrill type of player who's stats against old club Riders show what calibre of player he is ( 19 points and 10 assists). Not to take away Sullivan's ability to get the crowd off their feet with his strong inside game at key points of the game, this has even prompted the nick name from the charismatic announcer the insurance policy always getting the Lion out of trouble.
I was at the first game of the season at Surrey where Lions saw off Surrey United by 16 points. Now Lions have and will continue to face bigger challenges then Surrey ( sorry Surrey fans!) but another signing Makal Stibbins stole the show on the night with 27 points and 12 rebounds. It has been a indifferent season for Makal since. Lacking minutes due to fouls we really have been limited in seeing what he can do. The loss to Newcastle was a frustrating one for Lions to take, Rod Brown was injured before the game which saw Zaire take the PG role. Lions were crying out for some order defensively against the best attack in the league but Makal's minutes were limited. After a hard working win against Leeds Force last Friday, it was going to be a tough game against a Riders time that only had 1 loss to their name 2 days later.
What a game for Lions fans to witness between 2 physical yet technical teams. It was neck and neck all game, however a 3rd quarter blast from Lions saw win a huge game. The loss of Rod Brown has been big for Lions, however Perry Lawson put in an intense performance on full court defence.
Lions have 2 more huge games in the next 2 weeks, tomorrow against Manchester Giants ( One I am sure Lions will win) and another go at Newcastle Eagles on the 14th December. Lions have certainly improved since the last time the Eagles came to town in October, so if you have never seen a Basketball game before be sure to get yourself down to the Copper Box on the 14th December.
Lions have shown glimpses of what a force they could be in the BBL this year. Zaire Taylor performs week after week and continues to better the 20 point mark ever game. It does make you ponder how Zaire hasn't played at a higher level in his professional career. Drew Sullivan is more of a no thrill type of player who's stats against old club Riders show what calibre of player he is ( 19 points and 10 assists). Not to take away Sullivan's ability to get the crowd off their feet with his strong inside game at key points of the game, this has even prompted the nick name from the charismatic announcer the insurance policy always getting the Lion out of trouble.
I was at the first game of the season at Surrey where Lions saw off Surrey United by 16 points. Now Lions have and will continue to face bigger challenges then Surrey ( sorry Surrey fans!) but another signing Makal Stibbins stole the show on the night with 27 points and 12 rebounds. It has been a indifferent season for Makal since. Lacking minutes due to fouls we really have been limited in seeing what he can do. The loss to Newcastle was a frustrating one for Lions to take, Rod Brown was injured before the game which saw Zaire take the PG role. Lions were crying out for some order defensively against the best attack in the league but Makal's minutes were limited. After a hard working win against Leeds Force last Friday, it was going to be a tough game against a Riders time that only had 1 loss to their name 2 days later.
What a game for Lions fans to witness between 2 physical yet technical teams. It was neck and neck all game, however a 3rd quarter blast from Lions saw win a huge game. The loss of Rod Brown has been big for Lions, however Perry Lawson put in an intense performance on full court defence.
Lions have 2 more huge games in the next 2 weeks, tomorrow against Manchester Giants ( One I am sure Lions will win) and another go at Newcastle Eagles on the 14th December. Lions have certainly improved since the last time the Eagles came to town in October, so if you have never seen a Basketball game before be sure to get yourself down to the Copper Box on the 14th December.
Wednesday, 8 October 2014
London Lions v Bristol Flyers 3rd October 2014
London Lions played their first home game of the season at the Copper Box on the Friday 3rd October. Lions were without Zaire Taylor who was still in the USA due to visa problems. Lovell Cook was also out due to visa problems.
There were 3,000 fans inside the Copper Box and you could sense the excitement in the crowd. Drew Sullivan's first appearance was much anticipated and he was key for the Lions in this clash. Sullivan ended the game with a team high 19 points with 3 being 3 pointers. Rod Brown who re-signed with the Lions this Summer and showed how important he is with a great performance. He put up 18 points with some key points being in the first quarter when Lions started the game.
Bristol Flyers are new to the top tier of the British basketball league. They have had a storming start to the season winning both games so far, one being away at Glasgow Rocks.
The flyers rushed into the lead with a 10 - 2 lead much to the surprise of the Lions crowd. Lions were struggling to get into their groove with a few nice moves just not dropping.
Rod Brown and Sullivan got the Lions fans off their feet with some great drives to the hoop going into the 1st break down by 2 points.
The 2nd quarter was by far the strongest for the Lions scoring 30 points in total. Sullivan hit 2 back to back 3 pointers. Adrien Strut showed his strength going to hoop as well as his shooting from downtown. Half time saw Lions up by 8 points which could have been more had Bristol not gone on a 5 point run.
Bristol looked inspired going into the 3rd quarter but the Lions showed some invaluable experience and Lions extending their lead to 13. Both teams exchanged 2 straight 3 pointers which the crowd appreciated. The Flyers looked good on the night but the new look Lions were too strong.
I spoke to coach Vince Macualley after the game:
" I think the game was won by our competitive nature, this was a team that was very well drilled and organised and we had to be patient"
"Eventually I think our size and numbers wore them out. Sullivan’s size and Ian Salter’s size as well as Rod (Brown) orchestrating everything was enough to see us home.”
Sullivan is one of a number of new faces at London Lions this season, and Macaulay is pleased with how his new-look side is gelling together.
“I think it is going very well in the right direction,” he said. “There is so much I want to do and so much I want to teach them but we can only go a day at a time.
“We are practising every day now so we will get better very quick. Once we have a full side I will be very comfortable with what we can do.”
Drew Sullivan got the fans off their feet a number of times throughout the game, leading the scoring for the home side with 19 points.
“When he played here for Great Britain at the Olympic Games he really took to it,” Macaulay said.
“Today he showed it was made for him. He is a player for the big occasion and that is exactly why we got him here.”
There were 3,000 fans inside the Copper Box and you could sense the excitement in the crowd. Drew Sullivan's first appearance was much anticipated and he was key for the Lions in this clash. Sullivan ended the game with a team high 19 points with 3 being 3 pointers. Rod Brown who re-signed with the Lions this Summer and showed how important he is with a great performance. He put up 18 points with some key points being in the first quarter when Lions started the game.
Bristol Flyers are new to the top tier of the British basketball league. They have had a storming start to the season winning both games so far, one being away at Glasgow Rocks.
The flyers rushed into the lead with a 10 - 2 lead much to the surprise of the Lions crowd. Lions were struggling to get into their groove with a few nice moves just not dropping.
Rod Brown and Sullivan got the Lions fans off their feet with some great drives to the hoop going into the 1st break down by 2 points.
The 2nd quarter was by far the strongest for the Lions scoring 30 points in total. Sullivan hit 2 back to back 3 pointers. Adrien Strut showed his strength going to hoop as well as his shooting from downtown. Half time saw Lions up by 8 points which could have been more had Bristol not gone on a 5 point run.
Bristol looked inspired going into the 3rd quarter but the Lions showed some invaluable experience and Lions extending their lead to 13. Both teams exchanged 2 straight 3 pointers which the crowd appreciated. The Flyers looked good on the night but the new look Lions were too strong.
I spoke to coach Vince Macualley after the game:
" I think the game was won by our competitive nature, this was a team that was very well drilled and organised and we had to be patient"
"Eventually I think our size and numbers wore them out. Sullivan’s size and Ian Salter’s size as well as Rod (Brown) orchestrating everything was enough to see us home.”
Sullivan is one of a number of new faces at London Lions this season, and Macaulay is pleased with how his new-look side is gelling together.
“I think it is going very well in the right direction,” he said. “There is so much I want to do and so much I want to teach them but we can only go a day at a time.
“We are practising every day now so we will get better very quick. Once we have a full side I will be very comfortable with what we can do.”
Drew Sullivan got the fans off their feet a number of times throughout the game, leading the scoring for the home side with 19 points.
“When he played here for Great Britain at the Olympic Games he really took to it,” Macaulay said.
“Today he showed it was made for him. He is a player for the big occasion and that is exactly why we got him here.”
Sunday, 28 September 2014
Surrey United v London Lions 26th September 2014
Friday 26th September saw London Lions play their
first game of the season against Surrey United at Surrey Sports Park. Surrey
United didn’t make the playoffs last year so were looking to improve on their
finish last season. They started with former Lion Kramer Knutson who was a
determined character throughout the game. There was bad news for Lions prior to
the game as new signing Zaire Taylor who was last year’s league MVP was unable
to play as he was back in the states with visa problems.
Lions started the
game brightly taking a 7 – 3 lead with some good Basketball from another new
signing Mark Stibbins. Stibbins certainly made a good impression with 27 points
and 12 rebounds leading both boards for the Lions. Drew Sullivan had a quiet
game offensively but defensively was impressive keeping Surrey livewire Trevor
Setty quiet when he was marking him.
Lions looked in control of the game throughout against a
hard working Surrey side. Guard Rod Brown was given a tough test against a
physical opposition. You did sense the first half although the Lions were
leading by 10 points there could go up a gear.
Stibbins was too much for the Surrey defence as everything
he was trying seem to be working for him and the Lions. The Surrey Sports Park
crammed in 550 fans for this game and they were making a lot of noise trying to
get their team back into it. Lions were far too strong and at the end of the
game they ended with 60 points in the paint alone. Ian Salter was impressive
when he was on the court.
Lions finished the game with a 89 – 73 win with Stibbins
stealing the show on his league debut. I spoke to Drew Sullivan after the game
who was disappointed with his contribution offensively but done a good job on
Setty defensively.
Friday 3rd October is Lions first home game so
expecting a good atmosphere at the Copper Box.
Sunday, 21 September 2014
London Lions - Big season ahead
Friday the 26th September sees the start of the BBL season. London Lions travel to Surrey to take on Surrey United in their first fixture.
There have been a lot of changes this off season for the Lions with new signings being announced on a regular basis. I interviewed coach Vince Macualay a few weeks back about the start of the season and what the Lions fans can expect. He said the Lions will play "full court" Basketball for longer periods of the games this season.
The inclusion of Zaire Taylor for me is the biggest signing. He gives the Lions the cutting edge and can put up big points as well as create openings for the other guys. I was at the press conference for the signing of Drew Sullivan and could see how much it meant to the club Drew is very experienced and after his success at Leicester and Newcastle, it will give the Lions a big presence in the changing room as well as the court.
I will be reporting on the Lions games for East London Radio as well as doing some articles for London 24. Keep in the loop by following my blog on the Lions for what we hope it a successful season!
There have been a lot of changes this off season for the Lions with new signings being announced on a regular basis. I interviewed coach Vince Macualay a few weeks back about the start of the season and what the Lions fans can expect. He said the Lions will play "full court" Basketball for longer periods of the games this season.
The inclusion of Zaire Taylor for me is the biggest signing. He gives the Lions the cutting edge and can put up big points as well as create openings for the other guys. I was at the press conference for the signing of Drew Sullivan and could see how much it meant to the club Drew is very experienced and after his success at Leicester and Newcastle, it will give the Lions a big presence in the changing room as well as the court.
I will be reporting on the Lions games for East London Radio as well as doing some articles for London 24. Keep in the loop by following my blog on the Lions for what we hope it a successful season!
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