BBL Playoffs 2014 – 15 preview The regular season has come to an end and all eyes are looking forward to the playoffs this weekend. We have seen some great basketball this season from some great teams.
We look at all 8 teams who will be competing for the playoffs this season and what players who we feel will be key for them.
Previous winners (Last 10 seasons)– 2013-14 – Worcester Wolves 2012 -13 – Leicester Riders 2011-12 – Newcastle Eagles 2010-11 – Mersey Tigers 2009-10 – Everton Tigers 2008-09 – Newcastle Eagles 2007-08 – Guildford Heat 2006-07 – Newcastle Eagles 2005-06 – Newcastle Eagles Zaire Taylor with last seasons MVP award 2004 - 05 – Newcastle Eagles Photo credit BBL website.
Round 1 match ups Newcastle Eagles (1st)
v
(8th) Bristol Flyers
Newcastle have beaten Flyers on all 3 occasions this season and have averaged 101 points in these games. Bristol have made club history by making it to the playoffs so will do everything they can to go that step further. Leicester Riders (2nd)
(7th) Sheffield Sharks
v
Riders will be boosted after seeing off Newcastle and Worcester in recent weeks. They have won all 3 ties against the Sharks this season. Sharks have been in fine form as of late including a recent 8 game winning streak and also have Mike Cook back in the fold. Worcester Wolves (3rd) v (6th) London Lions Worcester Wolves would be disappointed not to get that 2nd position after missing out to the Riders. Arguably the most intriguing match up at this stage as Lions have beaten Wolves twice this season. Cheshire Phoenix (4th)
v
(5th) Glasgow Rocks
Phoenix completed the all important top 4 positions after a great few months. Having already beaten Glasgow 3 times this season they will be confidence in the camp. Rocks forced their way into 5th slot after a string of impressive performances and will not be in any hurry to finish their season this weekend. Achara and Watt is also a battle worth watching too!
Newcastle are closing in on one of their most successful seasons, not just in their history but also the entire BBL with only 5 losses so far ( 3 of these from Worcester Wolves). They already have 3 trophies in the bag (beating Glasgow in the BBL cup and Leicester in the BBL Trophy) and are top bet for winning the full sweep.
Key Player– Charles Smith
With coach Fab out for the season, Eagles have lost their leader for the playoff run in. Smith has been as reliable as they come for the Eagles during his career with the club which spans back to 2000. Smith has been in the BBL team of the week 6 times and has put in a number of fantastic performances ( averaged 17.3 points), such as the BBL cup final and his 27 points against London Lions at the Copper Box back in November. Eagles will look to the veteran for inspiration when times get tough.
Riders finished 2nd in the BBL and have been the team in form. They just missed out on the BBL Trophy after losing to the Eagles last month. Coach Paternostro showed his loyalty to the Riders set up by reportedly turning down American college jobs in the summer. Riders have only lost 5 times and finished off the season with a thumping win against Newcastle.
Player to watch – Neil Watson
Watson has shone in his first season at the Riders and has averaged 14.1 points and 7.7 assists to make him a fan favourite. Riders have some big scorers in their team and Watson fits in well by running the show in the point guard position. Watson has it in is locker to win games on his own and he will be key for them in their run in.
Last seasons winners have continued to entertain fans with a exciting brand of Basketball. Finishing 3rd in the league, the Wolves will look to push on and defend their playoff title from last season. It was a tough Summer with the losses of Will Creekmore to the French league as well as losing last season’s MVP Zaire Taylor to London Lions. They have beaten Eagles 3 times already this season too!
Key Player– Robert Thurman
The big American centre has excelled since being in Worcester with his no nonsense style in the paint. He has averaged 11.2 rebounds per game, which is only bettered by Demond Watt from Cheshire Phoenix as well as a 16 points. Arguably the best centre in the league, Wolves will be looking to him in the post season.
The Phoenix have had a lot of media attention this season with the appointment of Coach John Coffino. The season includes a public spat with former player Julius Hodge as well of the signing of the tallest Basketball player Paul Sturgess. On the court the Phoenix have turned heads and finished 4th in the BBL standings which is one place better than last season.
Key Player – Demond Watt
Watt has put in some spectacular performances and leads the league in points. He has also won the player of the month 4 times as well as been in the team of the week 12 times and counting. Phoenix will struggle to keep Watt next season but will be determined to get the most out of him this post season.
Sterling Davis has done a great job at the Rocks and they look set for a playoff match up with Cheshire. Rocks have already been in a final this year, missing out on the BBL Cup after a spirited performance against the dominant Newcastle Eagles. A relatively young team they had a huge boost when GB star Kieron Achara decided to come back to Scotland with the Rocks for a 3rd time. They lost a good player in Jajun Smith however Middleton was brought in a proved to be a great replacement.
Player to watch – Kieron Achara
Achara brings bags of experience to the Rocks set up and is enjoying being home (check out our interview with him in our issue 2!) and the team have benefitted. He has averaged 15.5 points so far this season as well as 8 rebounds. He has been in the spotlight after winning November’s player of the month, and not to forget 2 buzzer beaters. Rocks will look to Coach Davies as well as Achara for experience in the playoffs.
It has been a transitional season for the Lions after a huge overhaul of players in the Summer. Last season’s MVP Zaire Taylor joined as well as local player Drew Sullivan signing a 2 year deal. Coach Macualay also was busy in the annual Las Vegas camp and signed Ian Salter, Makal Stibbins and Lovell Cook. Lions have struggled against to beat the top sides but have been competitive and with Sullivan excelling in recent weeks they could be in for an outside shout. The absence of influential captain Rod Brown has affected the way the Lions play at times which has played a part in big games. The Copper Box has proved to be a tough place for teams this season so this will be key in the first round.
Player to watch – Drew Sullivan
GB captain Sullivan brings huge experience to this Lions team. Having had great success at rivals Leicester rivals, he knows what it takes it win and the Lions will be relying on his leadership skills as we as his all round play. Drew is on a mission to provide his hometown team a trophy so watch this space!
The last 2 months the Sharks have been in great form and played some great team Basketball. Lead by Mike Cook and the lively BJ Homes, they hit form at the right time. They had a tough time in November which included losses to new boys and local rivals Leeds Force. They lost 3 games by a combined 5 points which was a tough one to take for the Sharks. Coach Atiba Lyons made some brave decisions including releasing Allen Payne and turning to former Shark and BBL MVP Mike Cook to shake things up.
Key player – BJ Holmes
The Texan point guard is in his third season with the Sharks and was in the team for last season’s semi-final loss. The 2 time BBL team of the week entrant really has been the glue within the team at the point position. Sharks were delighted when former league MVP and fan favourite Mike Cook was brought back in.
What a fairy tale story for Bristol Flyers so far this season. It is there first season in the BBL and have qualified for the post season. They have caused a few shocks throughout the season, including wins in Glasgow as well as beating Worcester Wolves in the BBL Cup back in October. Coach Kapoulas has kept the core of the team together for the season and can be very happy with their efforts so far. The Flyers have been a breath of fresh air to the BBL with their free flowing style of Basketball as well as their great media team.
Key Player – Alif Bland
The Flyers do have 2 or 3 very good shooters such as Bree Perine and Greg Streete. We believe that Alif Bland will have to be on top form if Flyers were to progress. Bland has averaged over 13 points per game but the most impressive stat has to be his average 8 rebounds per game.