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.

Comments

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

BBP: Surrey United: "One of our strengths is United's past"

Surrey United - previously Surrey Heat - have gone through multiple changes this summer, including a change of owner, name, coach and various players. The 2012/13 season was largely a success with the team finishing in fourth place and getting to the play-off semi-finals. Now a new man is in charge; Jack Majewski, who was part of London United's BBL exploits which are confined to recent history. He is keen to dispel any fears that Surrey's stay in the BBL may be shortened by the takeover and thinks the future can be bright. He said: "I don't believe in a program which isn't run on integrity and financial transparency and at London United we were misled that the borough would pump money into basketball and we are paid for our mistakes." "The main difference between then and now will be stability, we will use local young players and we can use Surrey Sports Park and Surrey University as a base, so players can come in for three years." &quo

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

The UK Basketball Hub

Search This Blog