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Post by blueskies99 on Jan 30, 2024 18:57:39 GMT
Take absolutely nothing away from Phx this past weekend, but I think finding the levels of motivation to play domestically when they're having some unbelievable battles in Europe may be hard to come by for Lions. Exactly this. You see it in all professional sports. And like you said, nothing against Cheshire. They have played some great basketball this season. REALLY  So you think that all the British soccer & rugby teams that participate in European competitions have problems motivating themselves for the domestic games? The £ions WBBL don’t seem to have any problems being motivated for domestic games…. |
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Post by isthaturinal on Jan 30, 2024 19:04:24 GMT
Take absolutely nothing away from Phx this past weekend, but I think finding the levels of motivation to play domestically when they're having some unbelievable battles in Europe may be hard to come by for Lions. Exactly this. You see it in all professional sports. And like you said, nothing against Cheshire. They have played some great basketball this season. They didn’t on Sunday…..Just saying |
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Post by eillo23 on Jan 31, 2024 1:55:12 GMT
Exactly this. You see it in all professional sports. And like you said, nothing against Cheshire. They have played some great basketball this season. REALLY So you think that all the British soccer & rugby teams that participate in European competitions have problems motivating themselves for the domestic games? The £ions WBBL don’t seem to have any problems being motivated for domestic games…. There’s no doubt in my mind that they are more up for a European game than a BBL game yes. And I would probably suggest a Champions league football team would be more up for playing a Real Madrid or Barcelona then playing a mid table premier league team. Anyone that has played sport at a high level will tell you that this is the case. It’s why you see upsets in all sports, boxing being a good example. FA Cup etc. Opponents get underestimated and sometimes it’s hard to find the same motivation. Also, when a high quality team plays a high quality team the style of game will be similar and suit both teams. When a higher quality team plays a lower quality team… they can get dragged into that style of play. It happens in all sports. Out of interest, have you watched any of London’s games in Europe? If you haven’t I would really urge you to try and watch one. They have been a joy to watch in the Eurocup. For example, nothing against Cheshire, but if they were to play in the Eurocup, how many wins would you expect them to have? It’s a totally different ball game. Let’s be honest, Lions women are a country mile ahead of any other team in the WBBL. They could play with 4 players on the court and still win. You have WNBA players playing against some local college students in some cases. |
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Post by baldeagle on Jan 31, 2024 7:18:27 GMT
Let’s be honest, Lions’ team budgets (men & women) are substantially more than the aggregate of the budgets for all of the other teams in their respective leagues, so they should beat all their domestic competition at a canter.
So far this season, the WBBL team have done that. The fact that the men’s’ team did not win the Trophy competition represents not only a massive achievement by Cheshire Phoenix but also a considerable under-achievement for Lions.
The extent of the funding difference between the Lions teams and the rest may begin to become clearer if they ever file their overdue accounts for the year to December 2022 at Companies House……
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Post by dandayr on Jan 31, 2024 13:53:37 GMT
REALLY So you think that all the British soccer & rugby teams that participate in European competitions have problems motivating themselves for the domestic games? The £ions WBBL don’t seem to have any problems being motivated for domestic games…. There’s no doubt in my mind that they are more up for a European game than a BBL game yes. And I would probably suggest a Champions league football team would be more up for playing a Real Madrid or Barcelona then playing a mid table premier league team. Anyone that has played sport at a high level will tell you that this is the case. It’s why you see upsets in all sports, boxing being a good example. FA Cup etc. Opponents get underestimated and sometimes it’s hard to find the same motivation. Also, when a high quality team plays a high quality team the style of game will be similar and suit both teams. When a higher quality team plays a lower quality team… they can get dragged into that style of play. It happens in all sports. Out of interest, have you watched any of London’s games in Europe? If you haven’t I would really urge you to try and watch one. They have been a joy to watch in the Eurocup. For example, nothing against Cheshire, but if they were to play in the Eurocup, how many wins would you expect them to have? It’s a totally different ball game. Let’s be honest, Lions women are a country mile ahead of any other team in the WBBL. They could play with 4 players on the court and still win. You have WNBA players playing against some local college students in some cases. Nothing against you  - but that's at least the 2nd post (I dont stalk back to count, so maybe more, maybe it is just 2) where you have talked about nothing against Cheshire. Given they are the standard of at least 6 other BBL teams, it comes across more of 'nothing against the BBL' - is that what you actually mean? Either way it is little phrases like that where I can understand where some fans of other clubs have made digs on twitter that some Lions fans have taken as person dislikes of Lions and some supporters. Hand on heart, i assume your answer to would you choose to leave BBL and play only Euroleague (or Euro and some other non geographic league) or stay in BBL with a lower budget closer to the other teams - you would hope Lions would leave BBL in a heartbeat? I personally have (when not out refereeing a midweek SLBA game) been watching the Lions in Europe and are supporting them in those games. Good game to watch - but I dont watch games in Euro not involving British sides. In same way that a few years ago when Vince's Lions came up against a money bags Royals in the Trophy final, I was in the arena and supported Lions - well this year I was cheering on Cheshire. That's life of the neutral and how we choose emotional involvement. As to Lions woman - i'd keep them out this discussion - as you point out the WBBL has bigger issues on what they currently accept as ok for a pro league (number of teams, quality of venue, attendance levels, mix of amatuer and top level pro). |
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Post by eillo23 on Jan 31, 2024 14:22:42 GMT
There’s no doubt in my mind that they are more up for a European game than a BBL game yes. And I would probably suggest a Champions league football team would be more up for playing a Real Madrid or Barcelona then playing a mid table premier league team. Anyone that has played sport at a high level will tell you that this is the case. It’s why you see upsets in all sports, boxing being a good example. FA Cup etc. Opponents get underestimated and sometimes it’s hard to find the same motivation. Also, when a high quality team plays a high quality team the style of game will be similar and suit both teams. When a higher quality team plays a lower quality team… they can get dragged into that style of play. It happens in all sports. Out of interest, have you watched any of London’s games in Europe? If you haven’t I would really urge you to try and watch one. They have been a joy to watch in the Eurocup. For example, nothing against Cheshire, but if they were to play in the Eurocup, how many wins would you expect them to have? It’s a totally different ball game. Let’s be honest, Lions women are a country mile ahead of any other team in the WBBL. They could play with 4 players on the court and still win. You have WNBA players playing against some local college students in some cases. Nothing against you - but that's at least the 2nd post (I dont stalk back to count, so maybe more, maybe it is just 2) where you have talked about nothing against Cheshire. Given they are the standard of at least 6 other BBL teams, it comes across more of 'nothing against the BBL' - is that what you actually mean? Either way it is little phrases like that where I can understand where some fans of other clubs have made digs on twitter that some Lions fans have taken as person dislikes of Lions and some supporters. Hand on heart, i assume your answer to would you choose to leave BBL and play only Euroleague (or Euro and some other non geographic league) or stay in BBL with a lower budget closer to the other teams - you would hope Lions would leave BBL in a heartbeat? I personally have (when not out refereeing a midweek SLBA game) been watching the Lions in Europe and are supporting them in those games. Good game to watch - but I dont watch games in Euro not involving British sides. In same way that a few years ago when Vince's Lions came up against a money bags Royals in the Trophy final, I was in the arena and supported Lions - well this year I was cheering on Cheshire. That's life of the neutral and how we choose emotional involvement. As to Lions woman - i'd keep them out this discussion - as you point out the WBBL has bigger issues on what they currently accept as ok for a pro league (number of teams, quality of venue, attendance levels, mix of amatuer and top level pro). Appreciate the reply Dandayr. I only mentioned Cheshire as they played a great game against London on the weekend. Had it been any other BBL team I’d have said the same. They fully deserve the praise for an exceptional run on the Trophy. I guess it was more said because if I didn’t then people would assume I was hating on Cheshire. Not the case. I am actually not a London fan, nor a 777 spokesperson as other people have mentioned. I have been a fan/follower of the BBL for well over 20 years. Unfortunately the team I first supported and was involved with are no longer a thing, but are however still playing under a new branding. I still follow this team and get to games but not with the same enjoyment of the past. I am a BASKETBALL fan. And what 777 are trying to do with the BBL and Lions excites me for British basketball. I understand not everyone has the same opinion. But the league before 777 involvement was in a poor state. Maybe what they are trying to do won’t work, but if no one gives them a chance then we will never know. The spotlight on Everton has really not helped them but let’s see what happens there. The decision on that is huge. The subject talked about on here with London being miles ahead then everyone else is interesting. It wasn’t that long ago that Leicester went 25-2, 8 wins clear of 2nd place. I think this season is probably the only season I can remember for a long time where I honestly see nearly every game as a straight 50/50. More teams than ever competing in Europe. Ok the ENBL isn’t the elite standard but it is still great for British basketball. I can’t see London leaving the BBL and only playing Euroleague. No other team in the competition does this and it wouldn’t make sense. The WBBL is a far bigger issue than the BBL right now. London are completely head and shoulders above anyone else in the league. I don’t see it like that in the BBL. The talent in other teams has increased, and OK, London have signed high level players and ex NBA, but that’s not always the correct route to take. When you look at some Euroleague teams they aren’t exactly filled with NBA level talent. Until other BBL teams can find more funding and budgets, they will have to continue to be savvy with their recruitment. There are a lot of diamonds out there, which I feel we have seen this season. Be interested to know what sort of figure Teddy Allen is on? Coming off a season as MVP in the Canadian league. |
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Post by cosbyrider on Jan 31, 2024 16:54:34 GMT
Worth mentioning Allen won’t be on as much as you think given his past. It stopped him getting a visa and the approval to play in Netherlands.
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Post by docker on Jan 31, 2024 17:29:55 GMT
The commentator on TNT for tonight's match is saying Lions now have zero chance of getting 2nd and are just playing for 3rd or 4th place - is that right?
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Post by eillo23 on Jan 31, 2024 18:58:53 GMT
The commentator on TNT for tonight's match is saying Lions now have zero chance of getting 2nd and are just playing for 3rd or 4th place - is that right? As far as I am aware I believe they can. If they win this game and the next one and Tel aviv lose to besiktas then London get 2nd. |
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Post by mansfieldmike on Jan 31, 2024 19:26:21 GMT
The commentator on TNT for tonight's match is saying Lions now have zero chance of getting 2nd and are just playing for 3rd or 4th place - is that right? As far as I am aware I believe they can. If they win this game and the next one and Tel aviv lose to besiktas then London get 2nd. First part done. Fantastic stadium. |
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Post by eillo23 on Jan 31, 2024 19:43:14 GMT
As far as I am aware I believe they can. If they win this game and the next one and Tel aviv lose to besiktas then London get 2nd. First part done. Fantastic stadium. They did well to get through that one. Still seemed to be suffering from the weekend blues in the first half. Olaseni really off form at the moment which is one of the big differences for Lions. Luke Nelson was the difference maker. Really impressive. Still not 100% sure on Tarik Phillip. I don’t like him as a ball handler. |
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Post by spacejammer on Jan 31, 2024 22:17:55 GMT
I only saw bits of the game but what happened to coach Bozic?
I saw him given an interview at Halftime but when I flicked the game back on I saw it was Robert Youngblood running the coaching side of things.
Was coach ejected as the Euro commentators didn't mention where he was?
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Post by docker on Jan 31, 2024 23:15:40 GMT
I only saw bits of the game but what happened to coach Bozic? I saw him given an interview at Halftime but when I flicked the game back on I saw it was Robert Youngblood running the coaching side of things. Was coach ejected as the Euro commentators didn't mention where he was? Yes he was ejected after running on to the court in protest at a bad call during Q3 - completely lost it! Everyone else seemed to step up from that point on to get the W. |
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Post by spacejammer on Feb 1, 2024 7:37:55 GMT
I only saw bits of the game but what happened to coach Bozic? I saw him given an interview at Halftime but when I flicked the game back on I saw it was Robert Youngblood running the coaching side of things. Was coach ejected as the Euro commentators didn't mention where he was? Yes he was ejected after running on to the court in protest at a bad call during Q3 - completely lost it! Everyone else seemed to step up from that point on to get the W. Wow for someone who seemed so calm and collective seems to have gone from that to irrate in the space of a few games. If he turns up like that on Friday the Eagles fans are going to have a field day mocking him. I'm gutted I missed it. |
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Post by tugger on Feb 1, 2024 8:16:52 GMT
Maybe he deliberately got himself rejected to fire up his team!
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jt
Sixth Man
Posts: 218
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Post by jt on Feb 1, 2024 9:54:15 GMT
I think we were lucky to win this one if i'm honest. The first half was abysmal and we only stayed in it because Ljubljana couldn't make a shot. We couldn't adjust to the refs and gave away far too many fouls. I can't help feeling if that was any other team in the group we would have lost by a lot.
At least Nelson + others came up clutch when we needed them without Bozic! Onto the next game
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Post by LTfan on Feb 2, 2024 11:30:56 GMT
I think we were lucky to win this one if i'm honest. The first half was abysmal and we only stayed in it because Ljubljana couldn't make a shot. We couldn't adjust to the refs and gave away far too many fouls. I can't help feeling if that was any other team in the group we would have lost by a lot. At least Nelson + others came up clutch when we needed them without Bozic! Onto the next game I agree, it felt like we only won that game because the Slovenian's gave us opportunities to, not because we played great basketball. I am intrigued/confused/concerend about Coach Bozic... he's gone from being one of the most calm coaches in the league to being really iritic - totally losing his temper with his players in the Trophy and going on to get a technical, and now getting ejected from a EuroCup game. I hope there's not some underlying issues. |
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jt
Sixth Man
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Post by jt on Feb 2, 2024 13:47:37 GMT
I think we were lucky to win this one if i'm honest. The first half was abysmal and we only stayed in it because Ljubljana couldn't make a shot. We couldn't adjust to the refs and gave away far too many fouls. I can't help feeling if that was any other team in the group we would have lost by a lot. At least Nelson + others came up clutch when we needed them without Bozic! Onto the next game I agree, it felt like we only won that game because the Slovenian's gave us opportunities to, not because we played great basketball. I am intrigued/confused/concerend about Coach Bozic... he's gone from being one of the most calm coaches in the league to being really iritic - totally losing his temper with his players in the Trophy and going on to get a technical, and now getting ejected from a EuroCup game. I hope there's not some underlying issues. I've seen him lose it at players a couple of time this season in timeouts, usually when we're playing awfully. I think we've just been fortunate to play well most of the time so it isn't necessary. It's just been three pretty poorly played games in a row now so he's probably losing patience. |
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jt
Sixth Man
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Post by jt on Feb 7, 2024 11:11:47 GMT
Another potentially big day. We need to win and for Tel Aviv to lose to Besiktas to gain 2nd place and skip the first round of the playoffs. If not we place 3rd and still get home court advantage for the first round.
Annoyingly their game is being played in Ljubljana as Israeli teams can't play in Turkey this year, effectively making it an away game for both teams.
I would imagine (hope) that Wolves will be a somewhat straightforward given they're already out of the playoff race so the game isn't as important for them.
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Post by reallyoldfeenixfan2 on Feb 7, 2024 16:30:33 GMT
I'm assuming that Lions have informed any supporters of the venue change as apparently there no mention of a BBL game on Sunday for them to watch.
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- but that's at least the 2nd post (I dont stalk back to count, so maybe more, maybe it is just 2) where you have talked about nothing against Cheshire.
