Post by LTFan on May 20, 2019 8:06:07 GMT
As I prepare for my annual summer break from basketball, and the WhatsBev forums, I was thinking what my top 3 highlights of the 2018/19 season would be. And I’d be interested in hearing yours too.
So here are mine, in no particular order. Feel free to share your top 3 highlights too.
London Lions winning the BBL Championship
My most self-indulgent highlight. But what a highlight it was. I’ve been following British basketball since the 90s. During my years following London Towers I was no stranger to success… then it all fell silent. Literally.
In the absence of a prober London franchise I stopped following the game for a few years. It wasn’t until attending Team GB and Team USA games at the 2012 Olympics and MK Lions relocating to become the London Lions that I got back into the game. And now I’m loving it more than ever.
Eight seasons without winning a single thing (as much as I enjoy the event, and I really do, I’m not including the All-Stars Championship) was tough. I can only imagine what longer serving fans of the Lions mush have felt. But winning the BBL Championship was amazing. I enjoyed every minute of the journey, and it’s so nice to once again say I’ve been there, done that, and bought the t-shirt. Again, literally, they’re on sale at the Lions online shop.
Leicester Riders playing in the FIBA Europe Cup
A BBL team playing in Europe? I hadn’t seen that in a while. When I read that Riders would be playing in Europe I immediately started looking forward to it. Even though the team in question was sort of my BBL nemesis. But for this, a BBL team in Europe, I pledged my support and enjoyed watching every game. Basketball Champions League games were always going to be quite an ask, but the Europe Cup games felt more competitive. I really hope we see another BBL team in Europe next season. Riders? Eagles? Lions? I don’t really mind, whoever feels in a position to do so. Maybe we’ll even win a game this time.
London City Royals joining the BBL
The news that came out of no-where last summer. Basketball back at Crystal Palace. Some of the best British talent back in the BBL. A new London rivalry. What’s not to like? I’ll tell you what, leaky roofs and excessive ticket prices. But I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Royals addition to the BBL this season. I know they were arrogant, but they’ve actually lived up to the hype. I can’t help but give them credit for that, all in their inaugural season of existence. With the budget they clearly have there’s no doubt they’ve not made a penny profit this season. But I’d like to hope that the person/people behind this venture weren’t expecting to see a profit in year one. Hopefully they’re in it for the long game. The money they’re happy to plough into it suggests they are… short term pain for long term gain. Will they still be around in 5+ years’ time? I don’t know for sure, but I certainly hope so.
Enjoy your summers everyone, I’ll be back in September.
So here are mine, in no particular order. Feel free to share your top 3 highlights too.
London Lions winning the BBL Championship
My most self-indulgent highlight. But what a highlight it was. I’ve been following British basketball since the 90s. During my years following London Towers I was no stranger to success… then it all fell silent. Literally.
In the absence of a prober London franchise I stopped following the game for a few years. It wasn’t until attending Team GB and Team USA games at the 2012 Olympics and MK Lions relocating to become the London Lions that I got back into the game. And now I’m loving it more than ever.
Eight seasons without winning a single thing (as much as I enjoy the event, and I really do, I’m not including the All-Stars Championship) was tough. I can only imagine what longer serving fans of the Lions mush have felt. But winning the BBL Championship was amazing. I enjoyed every minute of the journey, and it’s so nice to once again say I’ve been there, done that, and bought the t-shirt. Again, literally, they’re on sale at the Lions online shop.
Leicester Riders playing in the FIBA Europe Cup
A BBL team playing in Europe? I hadn’t seen that in a while. When I read that Riders would be playing in Europe I immediately started looking forward to it. Even though the team in question was sort of my BBL nemesis. But for this, a BBL team in Europe, I pledged my support and enjoyed watching every game. Basketball Champions League games were always going to be quite an ask, but the Europe Cup games felt more competitive. I really hope we see another BBL team in Europe next season. Riders? Eagles? Lions? I don’t really mind, whoever feels in a position to do so. Maybe we’ll even win a game this time.
London City Royals joining the BBL
The news that came out of no-where last summer. Basketball back at Crystal Palace. Some of the best British talent back in the BBL. A new London rivalry. What’s not to like? I’ll tell you what, leaky roofs and excessive ticket prices. But I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Royals addition to the BBL this season. I know they were arrogant, but they’ve actually lived up to the hype. I can’t help but give them credit for that, all in their inaugural season of existence. With the budget they clearly have there’s no doubt they’ve not made a penny profit this season. But I’d like to hope that the person/people behind this venture weren’t expecting to see a profit in year one. Hopefully they’re in it for the long game. The money they’re happy to plough into it suggests they are… short term pain for long term gain. Will they still be around in 5+ years’ time? I don’t know for sure, but I certainly hope so.
Enjoy your summers everyone, I’ll be back in September.
