Skip to main content

BBP: London Lions: 'Copper Box increases everything!'

The London Lions are perhaps the most intriguing of all of the BBL clubs with the arrival at the Olympic Copper Box.

The massive arena will be one of the premium basketball venues in the BBL and is the home to the capital's largest club.

One person whose job will be made slightly more difficult in a larger stadium will be commentator Steven Edwards, who thinks last season can be a building block.

He said: "I think it was very much a success [last season], gradually as the season went on the crowds got bigger and bigger as word got around."

"London did extremely well in their home games and now it is a spring board into this season, can they now in a bigger arena, go to that next level to try and get past the first round of the play-offs."

"If you can have a successful home team, the crowd can feed off it and make it a fortress, I think people will be looking at that trip to London and be a bit more weary."

"The biggest challenge will be selling out the arena, we sold out a pre-season game which shows there is a thirst for the product, the games are very reasonably priced."

There have been a few departures from the Lions and a few new faces, with Orlan Jackman - who was called up to Joe Prunty's original GB squad - and Tayo Ogedengbe departing, but Steven believes that it's a new age for the team.

"It's very hard as the Lions have lost their top two scorers from last season, but the good thing is we've retained Rod Brown who made an impact when he signed mid-season and we've got Adrien Sturt back and the additions of Nick Freer, Ben Smith and Jo Ikhinmwin."

"These players will help the Lions get to a good level in this country, and Vince has spoken highly of the new players."

"Anytime you've got a coach who has [Vince's] level of experience he will teach the new guys coming in and help them adjust to the system."

"The belief has now got to be to get past that play-off quarter-final round and do well in the Cup and Trophy and attract a consistent home crowd."

The Lions kick off their home campaign on September 27th with Manchester Giants visiting the Copper Box.

You can buy tickets for Lions game via Ticketmaster or visit their website.

Two of the first four BBL TV games are featuring the London Lions, click here for more info.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ROUTLEDGE: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it"

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it
I’m Daniel Routledge and for as long as I can remember I’ve been watching British basketball. I’m not quite as old as the league, but its close enough we could be siblings. We pretty much grew up together, I’ve seen the highs and the lows, the false dawns and the unnoticed successes. 
Much has been made in recent days about the future of the game in this country, so much so it’s got me thinking about the past.
Whatever your views about the road from here, allow me ten minutes of your time to re-live how we got here.
In the beginning
The first national league of basketball was formed in 1972, in those early days it was a largely amateur pursuit, played out in small sports halls. It was before I was born, but I’ve seen minutes of AGMs where players were reprimanded for not personally selling enough tickets!
By the end of the decade, the structure became a bit more professional and as the 1980s began,the popularity started to boom. …
Post a Comment
Read more

Worcester Wolves Coach praises British basketball legend Sullivan

Worcester Wolves head coach Paul James has praised former GB captain Drew Sullivan following his retirement from the game.

Sullivan - who made over 100 appearances for his country - announced his decision earlier this year.

He led a team to victory one more time yesterday with London beating the World 89-84 in his testimonial.

Paul James coach of the Worcester Wolves, has come up against Sullivan as a coach a number of times over the years and says he has a lasting legacy on the British game.

James said: "I think he has been phenomenal for the British game, the ultimate professional. I haven't really had the pleasure to work with Drew, but to see the way he handled himself on and off the court, you could see he was very serious about his basketball and his success has happened because of that.

"He's won many championships and for sure he has been a real leader on and off the court, for anybody that has worked with him.

"It's sad to see such a talent like th…
Post a Comment
Read more

Kendal Johnson wants to ball in the BBL

Kendal Johnson is an American who wants to play in England in a busy week where he is likely to find out where he will be playing and when.

Johnson is the cousin of NBA star Marcus Camby and is looking to be a player/coach in the British Basketball League or English Basketball League.

He admits he doesn't know too much about the current state of British basketball but has heard good things.

He said: 'I've always wanted to go to England but I don't know a lot about the basketball league, I have a friend at the Worcester Wolves and he has told me there is lot's of positives.'

'I've played basketball since I was little obviously having Marcus Camby as a cousin I was always in that sort of environment.'

Johnson revealed he had been in talks with various BBL and EBL clubs and is hoping a move can be agreed in the coming days.

He also thinks that it is important to get young people involved in sport.

He added: 'One thing I would like to say to kids is…
Post a Comment
Read more