Milton Keynes Lions
Point Guard: Milton Keynes are very deep here, probably one of the deepest positions in the whole of the BBL. Stefan Gil, Kris Clark and Ransford Laryea are all-new additions, and whilst all three will likely see time at the shooting guard position due to the lack of capable backups, they are all natural points.
Kris Clark is a 6'2'' American who averaged an extremely impressive 6 assists per game in his final US college season. Clark played with many of the best college player in the United States and was known for his intelligent passing skills and exciting athleticism. Kris has all the skills to lead the league in assists this year.
England international Stefan Gil was the Most Valuable Player of the EBL (one level below the BBL) last year. This lightning quick 5'9'' guard could arguably have made the step-up some time ago, but instead last year he proved his dominance at the lower level one last time, earning him a call up to the national side. Gil's ability is highly transferable, and despite being undersized he will put up big numbers from his ability to score from just about anywhere on the court. No defender will be looking forward to matching up with Gil.
Ransford Laryea is a young English prospect who honed his skills in the Danish league last season. Whilst he did not play big minutes, Laryea prooved his worth as a lock down defender, and has a big role to play for the Lions.
Grade: A
Shooting Guard: One of my favourite players in the world is manning the 2-guard for the Lions. Yorick Williams has always been one of the most exciting players to watch from his aggressive and tenacious defending to his sharp-shooting three point shot.
Williams is another year older, but he is still a force in this league having averaged 16.7 ppg last season. Williams has always run hot and cold. I remember a Brighton Bears match against Leicester when in the second quarter the match commentator proudly announced "It's Leicester Riders: 20, Yorick Williams: 23". And while his ability to outscore an entire team over two quarters didn't always happen, there is always an air of excitement when Yorick is on the court, because anything can happen.
Behind Williams, however, there is not an awful lot. 6'2'' youth Ishmael Fontaine returns but he is unlikely to get decent minutes, the role is more likely to fall to the tiny Stefan Gil, who would make a thrilling partnership with the also-explosive Clark at the point.
Grade: B-
Small Forward: Jelani Gardner was once a highly rated NBA prospect. Health issues meant that this dream never came to pass, but nevertheless, Gardner has had a stellar career of professional basketball. American but with a French passport, Gardner has been succesfull at the very highest level in Europe, and whilst age and injuries appear to have caught up with him, he will be a terrific player in the BBL if he can recapture any of his former glory.
It's a Yao-Ming-sized "if", however, and should the Gardner experiment not work out, the Lions do find themselves with a bit of a weakness here too. The news that Dru Spinks would not be returning to the Lions has rocked the BBL. Spinks was the heart of the Lions, and one of the most dedicated and hard-working professionals the league has ever seen. His commitment to the Lions never faltered, and the team will certainly be missing something when they step out onto the court without him. Instead the Lions have had to look elsewhere for a back-up small forward.
6'6'' Anthony Hasse has been a British absentee from the BBL for a while now. His ability is certainly there, and it is very pleasing to see him get another shot at the top. I remember Hasse as a young guy playing for Birmingham, and if decent faith is put in him he can be good for the Lions.
Grade: C+
Power Forward: Keith Darden is the second of Lions' three new Americans. Height and athleticism is a bit unusual amongst BBL players, but the 6'10'' Darden is known for his ability to play as a big-man inside, and also out on the perimetre. He's new to the BBL and coming for a lower division NCAA school could make Darden a bit of an unknown at this point. However, he certainly has the physical tools to do a job for the Lions, and if his defending is anything as good as coach Michael New has been saying, he could be an imposing presence in the paint.
Despite what his last name suggests, Robert Youngblood will probably be the oldest player in the BBL this season. Coming up on 42, it seems Youngblood has been around the BBL forever. He certainly isn't as effective as he was in his younger days (he once had trials for an NBA team), but with Spinks gone, Youngblood's locker room presence will be worth more to the Lions than any stats he puts up.
Grade: B-
Centre: Having two starting guys above 6'10'' doesn't usually happen in the BBL, but the Lions have it with the addition of 6'11'' Travis Nelson. Nelson played at the Univerity of Wyoming, an excellent college, before moving to Minnesota State University where he put up stellar numbers. Nelson can certainly play, and his inside combination with Darden will be important to the Lions. Expect Nelson to take a prominent offensive role, whilst Darden will be crucial defensively.
Backing up Nelson will be Lawrence Brown. Portsmouth native Brown is rail-thin, but at 7'2'' will likely be the tallest player in the BBL this season. 4 years at Fairleigh Dickinson have been at excellent experience for Brown, but he still has much to learn in basketball terms. However, with coach Michael New being a premier BBL big man for many years, and the presence of stalwart post player Robert Youngblood, this might be an ideal environment, because as they say, you can teach someone basketball, but you can't teach height.
Grade: B-
Key Additions: A rejuvination or the final nail; Jelani Gardner's ability to return to pro basketball will be the breaking point for the Lions.
Key Losses: Not only has club captain Dru Spinks left, but experienced point guard EJ Harrison has moved north to join Glasgow Rocks. The Lions will miss his ability to put the team on his shoulders.
Full Roster:
Ishmael Fontaine 6'2'' SG
Jelani Gardner 6'6'' SF
Stefan Gil 5'9'' PG
Ransford Laryea 6'0'' PG
Lawrence Brown 7'2'' C
Robert Youngblood 6'7'' PF
Kris Clark 6'2'' PG
Yorick Willams 6'4'' SG
Anthony Hasse 6'6'' SF
Keith Darden 6'10'' PF
Travis Nelson 6'11'' C
Tuesday, 14 September 2010
Sunday, 12 September 2010
Leicester Riders - Team Preview
I'm going to put myself out, despite the fact that I haven't seen any of the new BBL Americans yet, and begin grading the teams for the coming season. I will do a position-by-position evaluation, and give each position a grade.
I would go in alphabetical order but, such is the way in the BBL, not all the player information has so far been released. Thereofore I will complete the grading in the order that the teams release their player information.
Leicester Riders
Point Guard: Riders have signed US point guard J.R Blount who had four excellent seasons at NCAA college team Loyola-IL, averaging 14.1 points and 3.3 assists per game in his final year. Blount is a bit of an unknown quantity, however, and not just to me. He actually graduated college the season before last, and instead of playing professionally, opted to take up an assistant coaching position. Inevitably, then, it will take him some time to readjust to full time basketball. However, his time coaching may well have provided him with further technical understanding of the game, which can only help running the point in a new environment.
Backing up Blount will be Rishi Kakad, a 6'2'' combo guard. Rishi is an American with a British passport, a valuable commodity, and appears to be an excellent scorer having averaged nearly 16 points per game last year in college, albeit at a lower level than Blount. Kakad will spent some time at shooting guard too, but it is likely that Blount will play long minutes at the point.
Given that Blount and Kakad are both players that I have not seen play, it would be difficult to give a fair judgment. Having read reports on them, both playing in England and out, I feel that there is good enough potential here to award a good score.
Grade: B
Shooting Guard: Ryan Zamroz will start here. A free-scoring guard who averaged nearly 30 ppg playing in Australia last season, Zamroz is American-born with an Italian passport. At BBL level Zamrov looks to be something of a great spot-up shooter, but will need to adjust to the league. I feel we will see the best of Zamroz, only if Rider's big men do a great job of hammering the post and passing out to the open three. For that reason I can't help but feel that Zamroz will have some huge games, and some were he hardly figures.
6'6'' James Warwick is very interesting. Born in Hertfordshire, after a short spell in the American college system Warwick has played in Germany and briefly in Italy. Tall for his position in the BBL, Warwick may well play big minutes for Riders this season, especially if Zamroz doesn't quite work out. Rishi Kakad will see some minutes here too.
Grade: C+
Small Forward: LaTaryl Williams has been in the BBL a long time, having originally played for the cash-strapped Birmingham Bullets team of the 2005-06 season, as well as spells at the both-short-lived Birmingham Panthers and London United. Williams has been a steady performer for the Riders since joining them for the 2008-09 season. The 6'6'' small forward averaged 10 ppg and 5.6 rpg last year.
Behind Williams is the veteran Tony Windless, a 6'5'' former BBL Allstar who has a British passprt. Windless' best years are certainly behind him, but he is still one of the most capable back up wingmen in the league.
Grade: B+
Power Forward: Last year 6'7'' American forward Jason Johnson was the best player in Leicester, if not the BBL. He's jetted off to Finland, leaving a large whole in the offence and defense of the Riders frontcourt. Attempting to fill that whole is Anthony Simpson. Simpson is a powerful 6'8'' big-man who averaged 9 ppg and 6 rpg in a very good American college league last season.
The Riders have better depth this season, and Simpson wont be expected to replicate Johnson's impressive stats, but he will certainly become a key player for the Riders this season.
Former Newcastle Eagles forward Tom Sherlock has joined the Riders for this season as their back-up power forward. The 6'8'' Sherlock showed flashes of his potential on Tyneside a couple of seasons back, but he has been out of the BBL for a little while and may take some time to get back into the swing of things.
Grade: B-
Centre: With 6'9'' centre Shaun Durant joining Worthing and key player Jason Johnson leaving for Europe, the Riders have an all-new set of big men this season. Coventry-born centre Andrew Bennett looks to be an excellent acquisition.
Bennett has the size at 6'10'', but also possesses excellent athleticism and strength for a big man. A succesful American college run has seem him return to England with the ability and confidence to make a big impact on the league.
Barry Lamble is something of a rarity. Born in Taunton, this 6'11'' centre has been around the BBL for a number of years and is a perfect back-up centre for the Riders. His veteran knowledge and BBL experience make him the ideal man to teach Bennett the ropes and allow him to excel. Lamble averaged 4.3 points and 3.3 rebounds per game last year.
Grade: B
Key Additions: The success of new big-men Simpson and Bennett will be the difference between Riders being a solid mid-table team, and title contenders.
Key Losses: The combined 39.4 points averaged by Jason Johnson and guard Bradd Wierzbicki will be sorely missed.
Full Roster:
LaTaryl Williams 6'6'' SF
Ryan Zamroz 6'4'' SG
Tom Sherlock 6'8'' PF
Tony Windless 6'5'' SF
Barry Lamble 6'11'' C
Anthony Simpson 6'8'' PF/C
J.R Blount 6'1'' PG
Rishi Kakad 6'2'' SG/PG
Andrew Bennett 6'10'' C
James Warwick 6'6'' SG/SF
I would go in alphabetical order but, such is the way in the BBL, not all the player information has so far been released. Thereofore I will complete the grading in the order that the teams release their player information.
Leicester Riders
Point Guard: Riders have signed US point guard J.R Blount who had four excellent seasons at NCAA college team Loyola-IL, averaging 14.1 points and 3.3 assists per game in his final year. Blount is a bit of an unknown quantity, however, and not just to me. He actually graduated college the season before last, and instead of playing professionally, opted to take up an assistant coaching position. Inevitably, then, it will take him some time to readjust to full time basketball. However, his time coaching may well have provided him with further technical understanding of the game, which can only help running the point in a new environment.
Backing up Blount will be Rishi Kakad, a 6'2'' combo guard. Rishi is an American with a British passport, a valuable commodity, and appears to be an excellent scorer having averaged nearly 16 points per game last year in college, albeit at a lower level than Blount. Kakad will spent some time at shooting guard too, but it is likely that Blount will play long minutes at the point.
Given that Blount and Kakad are both players that I have not seen play, it would be difficult to give a fair judgment. Having read reports on them, both playing in England and out, I feel that there is good enough potential here to award a good score.
Grade: B
Shooting Guard: Ryan Zamroz will start here. A free-scoring guard who averaged nearly 30 ppg playing in Australia last season, Zamroz is American-born with an Italian passport. At BBL level Zamrov looks to be something of a great spot-up shooter, but will need to adjust to the league. I feel we will see the best of Zamroz, only if Rider's big men do a great job of hammering the post and passing out to the open three. For that reason I can't help but feel that Zamroz will have some huge games, and some were he hardly figures.
6'6'' James Warwick is very interesting. Born in Hertfordshire, after a short spell in the American college system Warwick has played in Germany and briefly in Italy. Tall for his position in the BBL, Warwick may well play big minutes for Riders this season, especially if Zamroz doesn't quite work out. Rishi Kakad will see some minutes here too.
Grade: C+
Small Forward: LaTaryl Williams has been in the BBL a long time, having originally played for the cash-strapped Birmingham Bullets team of the 2005-06 season, as well as spells at the both-short-lived Birmingham Panthers and London United. Williams has been a steady performer for the Riders since joining them for the 2008-09 season. The 6'6'' small forward averaged 10 ppg and 5.6 rpg last year.
Behind Williams is the veteran Tony Windless, a 6'5'' former BBL Allstar who has a British passprt. Windless' best years are certainly behind him, but he is still one of the most capable back up wingmen in the league.
Grade: B+
Power Forward: Last year 6'7'' American forward Jason Johnson was the best player in Leicester, if not the BBL. He's jetted off to Finland, leaving a large whole in the offence and defense of the Riders frontcourt. Attempting to fill that whole is Anthony Simpson. Simpson is a powerful 6'8'' big-man who averaged 9 ppg and 6 rpg in a very good American college league last season.
The Riders have better depth this season, and Simpson wont be expected to replicate Johnson's impressive stats, but he will certainly become a key player for the Riders this season.
Former Newcastle Eagles forward Tom Sherlock has joined the Riders for this season as their back-up power forward. The 6'8'' Sherlock showed flashes of his potential on Tyneside a couple of seasons back, but he has been out of the BBL for a little while and may take some time to get back into the swing of things.
Grade: B-
Centre: With 6'9'' centre Shaun Durant joining Worthing and key player Jason Johnson leaving for Europe, the Riders have an all-new set of big men this season. Coventry-born centre Andrew Bennett looks to be an excellent acquisition.
Bennett has the size at 6'10'', but also possesses excellent athleticism and strength for a big man. A succesful American college run has seem him return to England with the ability and confidence to make a big impact on the league.
Barry Lamble is something of a rarity. Born in Taunton, this 6'11'' centre has been around the BBL for a number of years and is a perfect back-up centre for the Riders. His veteran knowledge and BBL experience make him the ideal man to teach Bennett the ropes and allow him to excel. Lamble averaged 4.3 points and 3.3 rebounds per game last year.
Grade: B
Key Additions: The success of new big-men Simpson and Bennett will be the difference between Riders being a solid mid-table team, and title contenders.
Key Losses: The combined 39.4 points averaged by Jason Johnson and guard Bradd Wierzbicki will be sorely missed.
Full Roster:
LaTaryl Williams 6'6'' SF
Ryan Zamroz 6'4'' SG
Tom Sherlock 6'8'' PF
Tony Windless 6'5'' SF
Barry Lamble 6'11'' C
Anthony Simpson 6'8'' PF/C
J.R Blount 6'1'' PG
Rishi Kakad 6'2'' SG/PG
Andrew Bennett 6'10'' C
James Warwick 6'6'' SG/SF
Saturday, 11 September 2010
Welcome!
I was quite surprised to find that the worthingthunder.blogspot.com address was available. I mean, I know there is not really a good reason for Worthing Thunder to have an official blog but just I would have imagined that some Worthing Thunder fan would have grabbed it by now.
Well, now I have.
I should first say that I am not affiliated with the Worthing Thunder, I am just a highly dedicated fan planning to blog all my thoughts about the Thunder and the BBL in general throughout the season.
Worthing Thunder have been my team ever since the Brighton Bears sadly ceased to exist. I haven't followed them as much as I would have liked due to having been away at university throughout the previous three seasons. But now I'm back, and supporting basketball is what I do, so let's just get on with it.
This blog will be a chronicle of not only game reports, news and team analysis regarding the Worthing Thunder, but also an overview of the British Basketball League, a look forward to Team GB hopefully playing in the 2012 Olympics, and all other aspects of basketball in England.
Well, now I have.
I should first say that I am not affiliated with the Worthing Thunder, I am just a highly dedicated fan planning to blog all my thoughts about the Thunder and the BBL in general throughout the season.
Worthing Thunder have been my team ever since the Brighton Bears sadly ceased to exist. I haven't followed them as much as I would have liked due to having been away at university throughout the previous three seasons. But now I'm back, and supporting basketball is what I do, so let's just get on with it.
This blog will be a chronicle of not only game reports, news and team analysis regarding the Worthing Thunder, but also an overview of the British Basketball League, a look forward to Team GB hopefully playing in the 2012 Olympics, and all other aspects of basketball in England.
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