Leicester Riders Sign...

Re the Nassjo game, a video interview with Rob P says that Walker will not play as he's nursing an injury. Chuku also unlikely. Gawd. Will we ever go into a season with a fully available roster?

Massive sense of deja vu. De-press-ing!

Good news the club's signed Lindsey, which should tide us over a bit to help cover for Chuku and Walker while they regain fitness. Somewhat reassuring.

Jalen Lyndsey confirmed at Riders - Effectively a replacement for Holder, and a former team mate of Cartright's at Providence. I'm sure he will be good and looks a decent 3 point threat.

But doesn't look like he changes the complexion of the team. Riders look good to me, but not unbeatable unless they have another Brit/EU showstopper to unveil. Time will tell.

BTW, the usually excellent Riders press machine is clearly not functioning well (holidays maybe?). Whilst Lindsey may be in the local rag, he hasn't yet made it to the club's website. INF will be having words.

Our press releases are consistently terrible... Much like every other team in the BBL. Advertising a game as being on the wrong date then changing it to a different wrong date is pretty specialist though. We've really outdone ourselves there.

Not brimming with confidence about tonight. If this was a mid-season game and we were full strength I'd fully expect a win. But first game of the season, playing short-handed with a lot of new faces, I think it might be tough. With no Walker and Chuku on a probably fairly modest minutes restriction, we're gonna have to play with some very small lineups. And if that preview piece is to be believed this lot are 12 deep and have returned their leading rebounder and three of their top four scorers from last season. Don't look like world beaters but it certainly seems they're going to have a significant edge in depth and continuity.

As hard as it will be for some, I think what's important is that we avoid colossal overreactions. If we win convincingly it doesn't mean we're doing the sweep. If we lose badly it doesn't mean we're getting relegated.

Hospitality Bar - now that really does sound like the sort of player Newcastle should sign.........

58-57 after the third quarter. The clean sweep is back on.

I thought this was the most exciting line-up for a pre-season friendly in several years. Loved the run and gun style and the second half showed what we are capable of doing to a pretty tough, physical outfit. No Mo Walker and limited minutes from Chuku still resulted in a comfortable win. There was some flair and sequences of play that showed our potential to put points on the board through inventive and athletic teamwork. Once Walker and Chuku are fit then we will be a team to be reckoned with.  The American PG looked very useful and Scott was a hell of a defender.  Lascelles, Ward-Hibbert, Anderson and Thomson all played well, but especially JWH who looked even better than his excellent playoff performance at the O2.

Cartwright, Scott and Wright all acquitted themselves well imo.  Cartwright is VERY fast and always looking to deliver that killer pass, which impressed me.  We have a lot of good 3 point shooters now throughout the roster.  Bit rusty shooting wise in the first 2 quarters but all that improved in the 3rd & 4th.  That's to be expected at this stage with most teams.  Defence however was very sound as usual and that was what prevented the Swedish side from capitalising in the second half.  

83-69 - clearly it's way too early to get carried away but if we can somehow beat USA Select when we play them then we are nailed on to win everything in BBL this season including the copper box 3 a side ish tournament

I don't think USA Select will pose as many problems as the team tonight. They are usually beaten by Ridèrs and confidence will have increased after the victory this evening. Some good understanding witnessed on court between players.

Cartwright, Wright and Scott look like excellent acquisitions. Add a fully fit Chuku and Walker and it looks like a formidable team. Most excited I have been about the start of a season for two or three years.