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!
