Defoe close to rejoining Newcastle Eagles
With Charles Smith and reigning MVP, Joe Chapman, already confirmed returnees to the Newcastle Eagles ahead of the 2012/13 BBL season, the reigning BBL Champions have made a promising start to re-signing the core of their 2011/12 quadruple winning squad.
So who is Coach Flournoy’s next priority?
Answer: Darius Defoe.
“It’s going okay,” said Flournoy on the progress of discussions with the 6’9 power forward. “I’ve had talks with him for the last couple of weeks.”
“We’re tidying things up and hopefully that’ll be settled in the next couple of days.”
Once the Eagles re-sign the core of the 2011/12 quadruple winning team (Fab’s words suggest it is likely), the search for a squad to support them, can commence.
“(When Defoe is signed), then it will be moving on to looking at the permanent spots, permanent players that we’ll be bringing in (and) which players are still available.
“We’re looking at a raft of players.”
One man who will not be rejoining the North East club, is Andy Thomson.
The 29 year old forward opted out of returning to the Eagles for a second year, choosing instead to join French third division side, La Rochelle. It’s a loss that the Eagles will feel, not just on the floor but in the locker room too.
“Obviously the loss of Andy Thomson kinda hurt us,” confessed Flournoy. “In one sense, he’s irreplaceable. The unique quality that Andy brought in: Everybody said about his on-court presence but…he was more of a glue guy. And that’s what helped with us last season.”
“Last season we had talent – and I believe everyone had talent – but I just felt our chemistry was very good compared to some. And that’s what hurts losing Andy – the chemistry.”
“I’ll be able to find some talent – somebody who can do the X’s and O’s – but will they have the right chemistry? Not the right chemistry that Andy had, the chemistry that fits in with the rest of the team.”
While Thomson’s departure was confirmed at the beginning of the off-season and Defoe’s return appears close, what of Paul Gause? What’s the status of the emotional point guard?
“Gause is still on,” said Flournoy.
