BBL Games Saturday 4th November

[massiveridersfan]

Riders still aren't consistent enough when defending, especially in Q1. Too often we allow easy layups and don't get out to perimeter 3 point shooters, even when everyone should know who the threats are in that respect. I'm really pleased to see Walker getting more minutes because we have to have an alternative to Bridges and Idowu, especially if one of them should be unable to play because of injury. I thought he did well against Eagles. Bowman impresses with his energy and ability to drive to the basket. Asberry is rather prima donnish imo despite clearly being a very good player. Although I keep banging on about it, I think we will really need Lall back against Lions, particularly for his defensive capabilities. I love that Washington is playing so much better now. We are strong at the guard position. Mackenzie is the gold standard benchmark though. How lucky are we to have him?

[irf]

Nov 6, 2023 23:53:46 GMT spacejammer said:

Nov 6, 2023 19:10:12 GMT Stephen Abootman said:

I'd argue Riders actually looked the better 'team' for more or less the entirety of the game. Even in the first quarter I thought our offense looked far better balanced. We got some high percentage stuff inside from the big guys. Pinson was having quite a bit of success penetrating off the dribble and making plays. Eagles basically 'won' about the first five minutes of this game and that was largely a product of them making something like five of their first six threes. Once the three ball dried up it quickly became a very one sided game.

I'll give the Riders credit whilst I haven't been entirely convinced by them being as good as last season.
From the way they played this game they certainly looked like their capable of improving as the season goes on.

I suppose given now we are a few weeks into the season as well I would expect teams to have now found rhythm a little more and know one another.

And again compared to the previous game I felt the won because this time they actually played to win instead of playing for fouls and moaning to the officials which they did to much of last time against us.

As for the Eagles whilst I wouldn't say we are hopeless I do think we are inconsistent and so far are unperforming in the leagues.
It seems like some night like beginning of the season and the first Euro game we seem to do well.
And on other nights we look clueless and allow ourselves not only to be beaten but practically crushed.

Do I think this Eagles team can make the playoffs?
I would say yes simply because both Surrey and Plymouth I think are worse then us and their is still like 50% of the league we haven't yet faced.

But as the above have said if this Eagles team doesn't manage to atleast break into the top then I think coach Stetuel will be in trouble come the end of the season.

With the squad Eagles assembled anything less than top 4 should be viewed as failure

IMO

Talking about could we make playoffs with that squad is just sheer ridiculous