Beat writers roundtable – The BBL season in review
What were your pre-season expectations and how did they matchup to the performance?
OleDJ (Eagles) – My expectations were that Newcastle Eagles would challenge for all four trophies and my hopes were that we could win two or three. The growing belief in the Eagles camp and the lack of a genuine challenger meant that as the season progressed I grew increasingly confident that the team would complete the clean sweep.
I should have trusted Fab at the start of the campaign when he said we’d win all four! Predicting is one thing but doing is another, so we achieved far greater things than could have genuinely been expected during the pre-season. An annus mirabilis indeed!
Rob (Jets) – It had to be with a mindset of thinking anything could happen. “New” coach (John has been around the set-up but this was his time to put his own mark on the Jets), and the risk in having so many young players compared to previous seasons but by still having Matt and Colin, as well as Shawn Myers initially, experience may have helped them cope but it was a fresh and exciting challenge in my eyes. Did I expect what was to happen at the back end of the season? No way. And if anyone says they did then they are a liar. However, as the weeks went by there was no doubt that in people’s heads they started saying – well we could win the playoffs. I still believe, after having spoken with some of the guys, that they could have done so, and if it wasn’t for the 9 straight points from Joe Chapman at the Northgate, Riders would have still had a major problem on their hands considering just how much the side had changed since Kai Williams’ arrival.
Dave (Sharks) – A top three finish and a least one visit to the NIA. Didn’t want much did I? Early signings sounded promising; Justin Dobbins impressed me in a Worcester jersey, Nate Reinking is a Sharks legend and the much talked about BJ Jenkins received high billing. Obviously Jenkins didn’t appear and a greatly changed side appeared to take to some time to gel. Early results were good but something nagged away that this bunch didn’t have the fluency of the Sharks of old. Despite flashes of brilliance, my expectations were completely unfounded. Clearly this has been a difficult season at the EIS. No-one can be faulted for effort, the number of times the Sharks played with a six man rotation proved that. However, it doesn’t take a genius to realise that a seventh place finish is not a good season for one of the BBL’s better performing franchises.
Callum (Rocks) – It was tough to guess what the expectations were really, considering Davis and Harrison were the only returning players. History suggests that the Rocks are generally a top six side, so that was certainly the minimum expectation. Mychal Green came from Germany and had experience, while Gareth Murray was a steady BBL veteran. With half the roster being rookies, it was difficult to assess the team’s chances beforehand, but a fifth place finish was certainly not a major disappointment in my book.
What was the most memorable moment or game of the season?
OleDJ (Eagles) – For me it was a toss up between the BBL Cup Final and the second leg of the BBL Trophy Final. The BBL Cup was the one that the players really wanted as the club had struggled in the competition, only winning it once during the clean sweep year of 2006. Charles Smith missed out on the occasion as he started the season in Glasgow before realising the error of his ways and coming home. He went to town on Plymouth that day and it was a real party atmosphere.
The Trophy Final second leg was extra special. Coming in the aftermath of the infamous ‘code of conduct’ game in Plymouth, the roof was lifted off Sport Central and all of the pre-game cheap talk from the South Coast was washed away on a tidal wave of emotion. A basketball game for basketball fans. A ‘matinee performance’ it was not.
Rob (Jets) – It has to be away to Newcastle in the semi-final playoff. Yes, over two legs we lost it, but my word what an achievement to take away from the North East. We played the Eagles off the court, and to be sat at half time with the lead we had was just unfathomable.
OK – most knew the way Newcastle would come out in the third, and we were pegged back. However, Cheshire still kept going and held out a 10 point victory. The disappointment comes when you think “If only that performance happened EVERY week”.
Dave (Sharks) – Flashes of genius punctuated an unsatisfactory season for the Sharks, none more so than the end of season 102-99 win over Plymouth at the EIS. Pulverised by Plymouth for twenty minutes who at one stage were 21 points to the good, an astonishing second half saw General Patton driving on the troops to maximum effect. Reinking and Langhurst found their range, Babalola was in the midst of an end of season purple patch and to his credit Coach Lyons made some vital plays. On a strangely quiet night for one of our contenders for Player of the Season, Mike Tuck, it was perhaps fitting that he gave the Sharks the lead for the first time with just sixteen seconds remaining. A three point win and a standing ovation from the diehards in the Block One bleachers. Paul Williams, ex-Sharks, was stunning for the Raiders that night but ultimately the present roster was better. One to savour.
Callum (Rocks) – For me the most memorable game was the victory over the Eagles on 1st April at the Kelvin Hall. The Rocks had just got their roster fully fit for the first time in months, and had to make a statement heading into the play-offs. They played Rocks basketball, which is high intensity, high pressure defence and the Eagles couldn’t cope with it. It gave the team the confidence that they could go into the play-offs and succeed.
Which visiting team impressed you most and why?
OleDJ (Eagles) – Team Mohawk in the playoff semi-final. No doubt. We lost other games at home, notably competitive league games against Worcester and Plymouth but the game plan Cheshire Jets brought to Sport Central was clinical, incisive and shocked the Eagles by doing what they usually do, dominating the opposition. Unfortunately for them the Eagles pulled themselves together for the return in Chester and the status quo was found once more, but I was both surprised and impressed.
Rob (Jets) – Riders – showed no mercy and they were clinical in my eyes when they visited. Think they may have a lot more to prove next year if they can keep everything there together…however we are talking British basketball here. Nothing lasts forever!
Dave (Sharks) – Leicester Riders. A joy to watch on both occasions I saw them at the EIS. Traditional positioning seemed irrelevant as the Riders attacked and defended as a unit no matter who took charge of the ball. Mostly it was Cam Rundles; all enthusiasm and invention. For me, Ayron Hardy went stealthily about his job; how could one guy be so effective in so many different areas of the court? Even the lesser lights, Sherlock for instance, fitted Coach Paternostro’s ethos to a tee. Have to hold my hand up, I missed Newcastle’s appearances in Sheffield this season. Leicester came and went toe to toe with us twice and yes the best team won, end of.
strong>Callum (Rocks)- The simple answer to this would have to be the Eagles. They were the most consistently impressive team throughout the season, and that was no different when they played the Rocks. Even though Glasgow were able to claim two victories at the Kelvin Hall over the Eagles, they were the toughest wins of the season for the Rocks and they certainly earned them. Plymouth also looked impressive when they trounced the Rocks in the regular season, with Rowe getting a 20-20 game, but the Rocks got their revenge in the play-offs.
Who is the team’s player of the season in your opinion and why?
OleDJ (Eagles) – There are many candidates. Charles Smith turned his back on retirement to be the Eagles saviour on many occasions, notably as MVP in both the BBL Cup and Playoff Finals. Fab Flournoy, who as well as being Coach of the Year was and inspiration and arguably the defense player of the year culminating in his shutdown of the Rider’s main weapon Cameron Rundles in the Playoff Final. Andy Thomson was a model of consistency, Paul Gause showed his huge natural talent and Darius Defoe’s continued improvement was a joy to watch.
One candidate stood out however. Joe Chapman, still playing at anywhere between 50-75% capacity due to his horrific Achilles injury last year, lit up the League winning the BBL Player of the Year, Basketball Writer’s Player of the Year and Newcastle Eagles’ Players Player of the Year. Joe is a true MVP in that he steps up in the big games, contributes when it is most needed, turns tight games on their head and inspires everyone around him. On top of that he’s one of the nicest guys you could hope to meet.
Joe has a talent that will certainly take him to bigger things, fortunately for Newcastle Eagles he has indicated that he will spend one last season with the team as he continues his recondition process before moving on to a higher level.
Rob (Jets) – This is difficult. Mainly because, and I think some of the guys would agree with me on this, nobody was stand out for the majority of the season. Peaks and troughs is how most of the starting five played until Kai Williams came in and brought that last piece of the jigsaw that have them the cohesion needed on court. Adam became a point guard from a shooting guard in his first season, impressive enough. Bill was also a surprise package that developed from the start of the season and in the end featured in the fans’ team of the year (says more than the official team of the year in my opinion). Matt had an up and down period right at the start with some rust to his game followed by injury but came up with the goods when needed. Finally is captain Colin. Never failed towards the end of the campaign and hauled the Jets out of some holes.
However, and this might cause some controversy considering the amount he actually played, but Kai pips it for me. All season Cheshire needed five players and only had four that really could do the business. Then Mr Williams jetted in and it clicked. It just clicked and it became apparent before, during and after games too.
Dave (Sharks) – Jimmy Langhurst. Originally appeared as a ‘mystery man’ in the pre-season game versus MK Lions (and subsequently didn’t get his name on his jersey until about January!). The comments even then focused on his shooting ability and boy did he go on to prove that! Audible gasps if Jimmy missed one from the line, it was his shooting from distance that kept an air of optimism in the heart of the Sharks fans. Twenty plus point hauls became the norm and the amount of coverage visiting teams afforded to him in the later stages of the season proved that the boy from Willard, Ohio was Sheffield’s number one threat. An air of an innocent abroad in his rookie season (a refusal to learn the intricacies of driving stick shift!), an engaging friendly personality and a punch of the air as another from downtown hit the net are the memories that Langhurst leaves behind in South Yorkshire. He’d be more than welcomed back!
Callum (Rocks) – Again, this is a simple one. Mychal Green carried the team on his shoulders when E.J. Harrison went down and led the team in virtually all offensive stats. The rest of the roster all had their moments, but nobody was able to play at a consistently high level, except for the Green Machine. You need look no further than the play-off ties against Plymouth to see how important he was to the team.
Outside of your team who is your Coach of the year and why?
OleDJ (Eagles) – Tough one. I’d have to plump for Rob Paternostro at Leicester. The Riders achieved their highest ever BBL finish and reached the Playoff Final thanks to some inspirational coaching and astute recruitment in plucking Hardy and Rundles from the lists of available college graduates. No doubt assisted by a healthy budget, Sullivan doesn’t come cheap and they ran a long bench, he did more than could be expected of him and proved yet again what a talented coach he is. Riders will be hoping he stays to continue the good work but a season like that won’t go unnoticed and he may be in demand elsewhere.
Rob (Jets) – Have to say Fab – the ability to keep coming back and making his sides work hard and do what needs to be done says enough. It’s a rumbling theme over what will happen when the time comes for him to move on. Hopefully Eagles fans will say not yet, but to replace him will take a hell of a job.
Dave (Sharks) – I’m not going to do the obvious. The guy with the clean sweep can obviously coach good ball! I’m singing the praises of Rob Paternostro. Yes he can be a figure of fun. The courtside histrionics are the thing every spectator picks up on. But this year he recruited superbly and developed a team that played in his own mould; with passion. This summed it up for me. The Riders were winning by thirty in the first leg of the playoff quarter final in Sheffield. A late Sheffield rally cut the deficit to 16. Rob was fuming. That tie should have been dead and buried. Ultimately it was but given that Sheffield had chased down big deficits before, why give them that opportunity? He wanted to win and win emphatically. And finally, look him up on Twitter. He is an absolute gent and for that alone he wins my plaudits.
Callum (Rocks) – This is a tough one, because there are so many people that you could go for here. It may be slightly left field, but I’m going to go for Creon Raftopoulos for the way he was able to turn the Heat around. I saw them lose to the Rocks (to take their season record to 0-12) and, in truth, it was a very tight game. He recognised early on that he had to make roster changes, and he did so. They may only have finished 12-18, but they were over .500 in 2012. To qualify for the play-offs after losing their first seven league games was no mean achievement.
What do you think the future holds for your team in the coming weeks and months?
OleDJ (Eagles) – Doing what the Eagles do best, retaining the core of the team and adding to that with some new faces that will leave the club in good shape to challenge for honours again next season. It’s an extremely difficult task getting to the top but it’s an even bigger one staying there, but the aim will be to win as much as possible once more, particularly in what may be Chapman and Smith’s last season’s at the club.
Nothing is set in stone yet and British Basketball is a highly unstable and unpredictable environment but it would be disappointing if the majority of this year’s big names didn’t return for another crack at the whip. New challenges loom with potential additions to the BBL in the shape of London and Manchester franchises and existing BBL teams struggling financially. The Eagles have a stability that is a benchmark that most other BBL clubs need to aspire to.
Rob (Jets) – Well that all depends doesn’t it? Money is the key factor – always has been and always will be. That’s not a pop at the players or Jets organisation either. I would love to see all of the starting five who were present in the final game back. That camaraderie was immense. Even seeing them on a night out you could see they were enjoying themselves so why the hell break that up? Speaking with Matt and Kai a few days after; they wanted to still be playing – in the final!
However money dictates, and there are a few performances in the side that may have caught eyes. So whether they are back in the BBL at all is one thing, let alone Chester. But who knows?
If you are reading this though Colin, Matt, Adam, Kai and Bill – Team Mohawk still has unfinished business. You all know that…
Dave (Sharks) – Reinvention appears to be the key for the Sharks. It is no secret there have been money difficulties this season. In these austere times, sponsors aren’t queueing up to lavish money on minority sports (harsh but true I feel). Time to change tack. So kudos to Atiba Lyons and the Sharks organisation for the route they are taking. Atiba has hung up the jersey and is going to be a busy man as ‘Coach of many teams.’ Zac Gachette and Colin Sing already form part of the Sharks roster from Sheffield Hallam Uni, now firmly under Lyons’ juristiction. Back come the Junior Sharks at several age groups, all also under Atiba’s wing.Grow from within appears to be the message.
Atiba has also made no secret that he would like to see Nate Reinking as his assistant, a successful Olympics under his belt and the will-he-won’t-he retirement saga finally put to bed. As for the rest of the roster, Tuck and Langhurst would be welcomed back with open arms, both having performed admirably in 11/1 2. However, finances are king and Atiba will need to be shrewd with his budget to recruit a side that will banish the memories of a largely forgettable year. The Sharks will not be alone this, most sides will be wondering where the next pay check is coming from. British basketball as a whole needs to cash-in this Olympic year. If the national side does well, then it could be boom time for the sport. Fingers crossed, Sheffield will have a competitive team for the 12/13 season!
Callum (Rocks) – The Rocks GM has made no secret of the fact that he wants to bring back the entire roster, while key man Mychal Green has publicly stated that he wants to remain in Scotland. His guard partner, however, E.J. Harrison, appears to be contemplating retirement following a tough season both on and off the court, but the odds seem to be heavily in favour of his return too. If the Rocks can retain the entire roster, and keep them fully fit, then they will be very dangerous next season. Off the court, they are moving to the east end of the city, away from the vibrant west end, and into the Sir Chris Hoy Arena. I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t slightly apprehensive about the move, but they will certainly be playing in the premier BBL arena next season.
