|
|
Post by johnhobbs on Apr 17, 2022 12:37:39 GMT
Saturday 23 April 1pm - Teesside Lions vs. Worcester Wolves (Division 3 men's final) 3:30pm - Manchester Mystics vs. Sheffield Hatters (Division 2 women's final) 6pm - Manchester Magic vs. Solent Kestrels II (Division 2 men's final) Sunday 24 April 1pm - CoLA Southwark Pride vs. Solent Kestrels (Division 1 women's final) 3:30pm - Solent Kestrels vs. Hemel Storm (Division 1 men's final) All games played at National Basketball Performance Centre, Manchester. Tickets: shop.basketballengland.co.uk/products/nbl-senior-playoffs-2021-22Click the link above and be there in person. Should be an incredible weekend of basketball. Already more than 100 Teesside Lions fans are rumoured to be travelling to cheer on their side in the Division 3 final, Manchester feature in two finals, so fingers crossed a big "home" crowd for their games. Hemel and Solent both bringing coach loads for the Sunday games. And for those that can't go, all games will be live on Basketball England's YouTube channel. Links will be posted during the week. Who's going? Thoughts? |
|
|
|
Post by johnhobbs on Apr 21, 2022 19:03:26 GMT
Saturday's games:
Sunday's games:
Expecting great turnouts in all games.
|
|
|
|
Post by voise on Apr 23, 2022 14:52:05 GMT
Congratulations to the Teeside Lions D3 champions. Good to see their ambition being rewarded.
|
|
|
|
Post by A tall man on Apr 23, 2022 15:52:18 GMT
Tried watching but the score and time was all over the place it annoyed me.
|
|
sm11
Bench Warmer
Posts: 87
|
Post by sm11 on Apr 23, 2022 18:17:46 GMT
I went to this today, had a great time. I could only convince my 6 year old to stay for 1 game, watched the Teesside Worcester final as it was the most intriguing of the finals and wasnt disappointed. I really enjoyed it, i was really impressed with the standard of play, loads of travelling fans for both teams who made a great atmosphere between them. I will definitely be making sure i go more often to these NBL finals events.
I have been disappointed in the past with the BBL and NBL for not playing there finals together like they used to when i was growing up (not since 2007 have they had a joint event). But today has made me change my mind on that subject. The NBPC is such a good venue, its very presentable, digital score boards with the team logos on. I used to worry that the smaller venues didnt bring the same kind of experience as the old arena finals would but I actually think that this is a fantastic way to end the season and i now hope that many more finals weekends are played there in years to come. Above all that its also so much more affordable. The tickets were £10 for an adult and £5 for a child whilst i could have got them for half of that if i had booked a bit quicker. Thats incredible value for money. Whilst a family ticket for the BBL finals are over a £100. When your a neutral like me you just want to see a hard fought meaningful final and if im being honest, in the grand scheme of world sport there isnt much more meaning in a BBL final than an NBL3 final, but i guess i am only saying that from a neutral perspective lol. I means i was wearing my fading London Towers top today lol.
While on the subject of the NBL i just want to express my disappointment that the NBL has brought back the use of branding there womens divisions as the WNBL. When the NBL rebranded as the EBL in 2003 they rightly didnt have seperate branding for the womens leagues. The leagues were called EBL Mens Division 1 and EBL Womens Division 2 and that was right. Obviously the best way to do this is the Olympic way who have the Mens 100 metres and the Womens pole vault and so on, but equally i also get why its branded the WNBA, and the FIFA Womens World Cup and even the WBBL, they are cases of an established mens competition adding a womens version later so i get why its branded that way. But in the case of the NBL they stepped away from having seperate womens branding but for no reason at all have decided to bring it back in, such a shame.
|
|
Solly
Sixth Man
NBL Wolves on Tour 2021
Posts: 104 
|
Post by Solly on Apr 24, 2022 6:12:47 GMT
Wolves couldn't quite get it done vs Lions in NBL3 Final, struggling with Teeside bulk, but have had a very creditable debut NBL season.
Must be the largest ever turnout for the lowest-level Final, illustrating that both clubs now need to move up to Div2, and maybe even Div1 after that.
Agree that the NBPC have done a great job in hosting the weekend. Welcoming, efficient and none of the up-themselvesness that we often find at the NIA and the O2.
|
|
sm11
Bench Warmer
Posts: 87
|
Post by sm11 on Apr 24, 2022 8:59:43 GMT
Oh I just thought of one more gripe I have with the NBL (as a whole, not just yesterdays fantastic event). This last season was NBLs 50th (1972/73 to 2021/22). Was anybody even aware of the milestone. Shame a song and dance wasnt put on for it yesterday or any part of the season, if there was i didnt notice it. The BBL could have took the reigns on that one as well because they were basically born out of it. But hey there is still time. They could have the 50th anniversary celebrations at the start of next season for example. They could have a big feature on the web published on the anniversary of the opening fixtures on October the 'what ever it was' to celebrate 50 years.
Yeah Solly that was such a good game and i thought exactly the same that i doubt many NBL finals have had that much of an atmosphere before. I thought Worcester were fantastic at times and reckon both will be near the top of Div 2 next season. I agree with your assessment that Teesside inside presence felt like the difference because you guys really did have some quick guards in 23, 1 and a nice driving big in 33, who each had there moments but were at times neutralised by Teessides organised defence. I really liked Worcesters number 1 (Sanchez was it) who really led the 4th quarter comeback and almost won it. But I am glad Teesside won because I think they needed it more to kick start there British Basketballing legacy as opposed to Worcester who have done it all before. Its crazy that Teesside now has two very presentable very supportable basketball clubs now in Lions and Mohawks, on one hand its a shame that they couldnt work together but on another hand as long as they both stay healthy as clubs then maybe the two of them competing could be a better thing all round. I guess we will see over time but so far so good.
|
|
Solly
Sixth Man
NBL Wolves on Tour 2021
Posts: 104
|
Post by Solly on Apr 24, 2022 17:58:07 GMT
sm11 - thanks for nice words about the Worcester guys, but having been at every match this season, my assessment is that realistically few of them will be of the required standard for Div2 if Wolves are serious about making an impact. No.33 Rodriguez &, at a push, no.23 McGregor and no.7 Santhe off the bench perhaps.
And it will be interesting to see how Div2 clubs compare in their setups to Div3. Several of my visits this year where embarrassing in terms of trying to locate venues and then often finding barely double-digits fans despite no entrance fee.
Will other Div2 clubs charge for attendance, will they even publicize their matches? Must be a lot of public money being spent because I can't otherwise see how many clubs survive.
You are so right about a 50 years anniversary needing to be celebrated. Might be apathy on the part of Basketball England, but more likely it is sheer unawareness/lack of willingness on their part.
|
|
|
|
Post by hayesboy on Apr 25, 2022 7:40:35 GMT
I think the challenge for Mohawks is how they compete for local fans, sponsorship, talent and publicity with a bigger more successful rival right on their doorstep.
It is not inconceivable that it could get "worse" for Mohawks with Teesside quickly progressing to D1.
Mohawks have a great history. I hope they can find a niche to continue their good work. Teesides stunning success somewhat overshadowed a great season for them as well.
|
|
|
|
Post by tony on Apr 25, 2022 17:41:40 GMT
I think the challenge for Mohawks is how they compete for local fans, sponsorship, talent and publicity with a bigger more successful rival right on their doorstep. It is not inconceivable that it could get "worse" for Mohawks with Teesside quickly progressing to D1. Mohawks have a great history. I hope they can find a niche to continue their good work. Teesides stunning success somewhat overshadowed a great season for them as well. There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes at the Mohawks so watch this space 😀 |
|
|
|
Post by SamH on Apr 25, 2022 17:57:12 GMT
Whatever happened to the Sheffield/Derbyshire Arrows team? I only ask because having moved to the area now I just remember they used to be a really good NBL team but now seem to be a permanent fixture in the D2 realm. For a team that at one time went unbeaten in winning D2 then had loads of success in D1, this is a surprise. Anyone know why they dropped off like this?
|
|
|
|
Post by dexter on Apr 25, 2022 18:21:05 GMT
Do we know what teams will be in NBL D2 North and NBL D2 South next season? Do teams from Bristol ever get moved between north and south divisions to even up the two divisions?
|
|
