Post by BetaTested on Jul 28, 2017 16:37:29 GMT
Announcements made earlier today that England will be sending two squads to represent the nation at the next Commonwealth Games.
Scotland have managed to convince organisers that they are worthy of being represented also, but only their men's team is to make the games.
So initially this seems like good news. Chance for some UK basketball to get some airtime that it might not usually receive. BBC is likely to cover this at least on a Red Button or online service, if not on regular TV, especially if any of these three teams progress beyond their respective groups. Then I got this tweet from Rob Scott:
He also raised an eyebrow as to whether this is an appropriate (or at least the most effective) use of funds between the two sporting bodies. Not knowing how much money both bodies are spending respectively means I can't really comment, or least can only do so from a position of ignorance. I will say however that I would certainly rather see these teams at the Commonwealth Games than not.
Semi-pro players is a very worth while issue to bring up however. Being that the Commonwealth Games will take place in April, right as seasons around the globe are heading into their penultimate stages it is unlikely that the very best players will be available to represent their nations, this being especially relevant to the England teams. Add to that that it is unlikely that top tier players simply won't be affordable because of insurance commitments, we are hardly likely to see an England men's team that is a GB squad minus the "Glasgow Three". The women also are hardly likely to rope in the likes of Johannah Leedham and Temi Fagbenle being that they will be (hopefully) deep into European runs at that point.
So....what does this mean? Well pessimistically I think this will mean that none of these squads are likely to repeat the successes of 2006. So that means no bronze medals or better for England's teams (though I think England's women may have a better chance of medaling than the men), and no medal either for Scotland. I will however say that Scotland, having the benefit of the "Core Four" playing under one team banner, and having better organisation behind them at the moment (England players have spoken up about lack of communications thus far) may actually have an edge over England if England are unable to send their best team. Also add to the mix that Canada are showing up now and both the GB nations get pushed down the pecking order; Nigeria are no slouches now either.
This might be pure speculation (shocker) but the teams may well end up being made up of BBL/WBBL players only. Again, the "Core Four" at Glasgow look like a tough core to tackle, especially when you deal with the departure of Conner Washington, retirement of Drew Sullivan and (MORE SPECULATION) addition of Vigor to the Scotland squad...
Anyway, there's the monologue. Thoughts? Also, please rip me a new one if anything is wrong, out-of-date or what not. I know there are some on here who will have much more knowledge on the matter.
PS: I guess that Daryl Coreltto won't be suiting up for anyone in the BBL this year, so that kind of scuppers his Scotland ambitions.
Scotland have managed to convince organisers that they are worthy of being represented also, but only their men's team is to make the games.
So initially this seems like good news. Chance for some UK basketball to get some airtime that it might not usually receive. BBC is likely to cover this at least on a Red Button or online service, if not on regular TV, especially if any of these three teams progress beyond their respective groups. Then I got this tweet from Rob Scott:
He also raised an eyebrow as to whether this is an appropriate (or at least the most effective) use of funds between the two sporting bodies. Not knowing how much money both bodies are spending respectively means I can't really comment, or least can only do so from a position of ignorance. I will say however that I would certainly rather see these teams at the Commonwealth Games than not.
Semi-pro players is a very worth while issue to bring up however. Being that the Commonwealth Games will take place in April, right as seasons around the globe are heading into their penultimate stages it is unlikely that the very best players will be available to represent their nations, this being especially relevant to the England teams. Add to that that it is unlikely that top tier players simply won't be affordable because of insurance commitments, we are hardly likely to see an England men's team that is a GB squad minus the "Glasgow Three". The women also are hardly likely to rope in the likes of Johannah Leedham and Temi Fagbenle being that they will be (hopefully) deep into European runs at that point.
So....what does this mean? Well pessimistically I think this will mean that none of these squads are likely to repeat the successes of 2006. So that means no bronze medals or better for England's teams (though I think England's women may have a better chance of medaling than the men), and no medal either for Scotland. I will however say that Scotland, having the benefit of the "Core Four" playing under one team banner, and having better organisation behind them at the moment (England players have spoken up about lack of communications thus far) may actually have an edge over England if England are unable to send their best team. Also add to the mix that Canada are showing up now and both the GB nations get pushed down the pecking order; Nigeria are no slouches now either.
This might be pure speculation (shocker) but the teams may well end up being made up of BBL/WBBL players only. Again, the "Core Four" at Glasgow look like a tough core to tackle, especially when you deal with the departure of Conner Washington, retirement of Drew Sullivan and (MORE SPECULATION) addition of Vigor to the Scotland squad...
Anyway, there's the monologue. Thoughts? Also, please rip me a new one if anything is wrong, out-of-date or what not. I know there are some on here who will have much more knowledge on the matter.
PS: I guess that Daryl Coreltto won't be suiting up for anyone in the BBL this year, so that kind of scuppers his Scotland ambitions.
