What is your BBL state of mind?

As the London Lions came back from a big third quarter deficit Tuesday to get the win over the Sharks I looked at the BBL table and thought, is this league really in a bad way?

Two teams have clearly had more troubles than the others this season, and while we wait on the fate of the Jets, the Tigers appeared to be getting stronger every gameday before they recently parted company with Etilopy.

With the loss columns as they stand of the Wolves, Rocks and Lions, the general consensus would be that even at this early stage it’s one of four for the championship, but with this season so far, I am not so sure.

As Sherrad Prezzie-Blue collects his passport and flies in to Worcester, a roster built for the starting point guard is going to be very tough to beat from here to the finish. With three games against Plymouth, two against Leicester and one against Newcastle in the championship remaining, this Worcester side aren’t out of it as they, London and Glasgow still have a lot to say with a very long way to go.

Last season Wolves would have been too far off the pace, as would possibly the Lions and Rocks, but with all of them capable of handing defeat to any of this season’s fancied four, no team is going to take this league by storm – not even the Newcastle Eagles.

The Lions have seen off the Heat this season and ran the Riders and Eagles close. The Rocks have scared the Heat and seen off Worcester and London in their last two games. The Wolves, without their star guard have had very mixed results, but the closeness of the game at the Emirates a couple of Sundays back and some big performances by young players and new recruits say they’re not done in this title race with London and Glasgow chipping away with them and with Plymouth, Leicester, Newcastle and Surrey all doing damage to each other’s hopes as we go.

I am not saying put your money on Worcester, it is still an extremely long shot, but what I am saying is that this isn’t the league the BBL naysayers are portraying it to be. This is clearly a more competitive BBL than last season, and the strength of the sides who are leading the charge this season is arguably greater. It certainly is in Plymouth and Surrey’s case, but while Paternostro and Flournoy may not feel they are stronger, both would probably tell you they are as strong. The loss of Fraley however may have dented Rob’s confidence slightly.

The Manchester Giants aren’t done either just nine games in to their campaign. As is the nature of the sport, any team can have a good night against a more fancied opponent let alone any one of six or seven sides in or around the top half of the table who I believe are all now capable of beating each other.

British ball just got exciting people. How about embracing the BBL right now?

Photo courtesy of @mtoggs at Mphotography.org.uk