BBL 2013/14 Preview: Glasgow Rocks
The Rocks have been a model franchise for some time. In the eleven seasons since their move to Glasgow, they have qualified for the play-offs on each occasion, with nine winning seasons and a 227-163 (.582) league record. Not to mention a play-off championship title, and six runner-up medals in BBL competitions.
They’ve been consistently very good, but they’ve never been the best. Thanks to increased revenue through their move to the Emirates Arena (attendances doubled to roughly 2,500 last season) the Rocks have been able to make moves this off-season that suggest they may finally be the bride.
Head coach Sterling Davis signed a new two-year contract that will see him stay in Glasgow until 2015 and has been able to add some impressive pieces to a team that finished in third place last season.
Donald Robinson has left for Plymouth, but last season’s PPG leader Chez Marks has replaced him and veteran E.J. Harrison has returned for a fourth season north of the border. Davis and GB international Gareth Murray will be the starting forwards while Daniel Northern makes a return to the BBL.
Two years ago, the centre was the BBL rebound leader and formed a magnificent partnership with Demarius Bolds at the Lions. Davis sees the 28-year-old as the catalyst for the Rocks and having averaged over 15 points and 12 rebounds per game with Milton Keynes the signs point to it being a winning formula.
On the bench, young Scots Jonny Bunyan and Dale Grieve have returned, although a deal to re-sign Scotland international Danny Huffor fell through and he joined Durham.
The unknown quantities for the Rocks are Croatian Fran Urli, Italian-American guard Antonio DiMaria, alongside GB born Patrick Manifold. Urli is a power forward who averaged 8.1ppg and 4.4rpg last season while playing for Eco Orebro in Sweden. DiMaria came out of Emporia State averaging 12ppg, and spent his first professional year in Spain with Recinor Ferrol CB taking 8.6ppg. The 6′ 6″ shooting guard was a 37% 3pt shooter in the States. Manifold will be making his pro debut having averaged 17.7ppg and 8.9 rpg at NCAA Div III Maine.
The Rocks may have the strongest starting five in the league this year, so a great deal will depend on how role players such as Bunyan and Urli perform as you know exactly what you’re getting from the starters. After seeing the Rocks fall short on so many occasions, I’m going to stop short of saying the Rocks WILL win some silverware this season, but I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they did.
Glasgow Rocks Roster:
Guards: Jonny Bunyan, Dale Grieve, E.J. Harrison, Chez Marks, Antonio DiMaria
Centre – Daniel Northern
Forwards – Sterling Davis, Patrick Manifold, Gareth Murray, Fran Urli
Predictions for Glasgow Rocks:
BBL Championship: Second
BBL Play-offs: Runners-up
BBL Trophy: Winners
BBL Cup: Quarter-finals
