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Post by faz on Mar 12, 2020 6:44:07 GMT
Given that this thread is supposed to be largely about Eagles and Riders I don't think we need to be chastising someone for posting here about... Eagles and Riders. Eagles have lost their way. I won't labour the point too exhaustively as it clearly upsets a few but it's high time we called a spade a spade here. Four, probably soon to be five disappointing years on the  isn't a blip and it certainly can't be explained away by the appointments of Lavandier and Newby. Yes I think the competition is tougher now than it was a few years ago, due more to the emergence of Lions as a major player than anything else. But again, that doesn't excuse the fact that Eagles have barely been relevant in the league since 2015 and have been a first round playoff casualty in three of their last four visits. Rob would have been slated on here for a run like they've had. There's no point trying to deny the blindingly obvious any longer. Big changes are needed this summer. Riders' situation is quite different. It's possible we could be en route to a disappointing season. Certainly not writing us off just yet. League and playoffs are both still winnable. But it wouldn't be a total stunner if we drew a blank, trophy-wise for the first time in five years. The thing is even if that happened, I still don't think it would be at all difficult to envision us seriously contending again next season with the same head coach pulling the strings and with a roster containing many of our existing players. I don't see how anyone could possibly feel the same way about Eagles at this point. Does the league still matter? Absolutely. Even though it didn't go brilliantly well for us last season I'm still of the opinion that Europe needs to be the goal for our top teams. It isn't ok for these clubs to be content with just repeating domestic successes ad infinitum. And if winning the league is the only guaranteed route into Europe for BBL clubs (and I'm not aware of that changing) then it remains the most important competition. Even if you don't share this view (and disappointingly many won't), making the quarter and semi-final rounds of the playoffs best of three doesn't change the landscape that dramatically. The league is still the hardest thing to win. I hadn't actually considered the Europe angle, so the league would be important for that reason, if we had a club with sufficient finances to play in a European competition. I still find a 20 game league season completely diminishes the competition but hopefully this was a one season wonder. When Lions won the league for the 1st time last season, it was an incredibly special moment, to be the best team in the league was amazing! I know it would have not felt the same in a 20 game season, it would have seriously diminished the achievement, if Wolves or Rocks win the league this season, then they'll be happy but it'll feel a slightly hollow win given the lack of games. It feels like a season split in 2 A regular season for the bbl cup Then a regular season for the play offs |
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Post by youngrocks on Mar 12, 2020 8:36:08 GMT
If rocks win it definitely wont feel hollow to me!
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padaceth
Rookie
Posts: 65 
Favourite Team: Newcastle Eagles
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Post by padaceth on Mar 12, 2020 8:55:58 GMT
I hadn't actually considered the Europe angle, so the league would be important for that reason, if we had a club with sufficient finances to play in a European competition. I still find a 20 game league season completely diminishes the competition but hopefully this was a one season wonder. When Lions won the league for the 1st time last season, it was an incredibly special moment, to be the best team in the league was amazing! I know it would have not felt the same in a 20 game season, it would have seriously diminished the achievement, if Wolves or Rocks win the league this season, then they'll be happy but it'll feel a slightly hollow win given the lack of games. Totally disagree winning the league is still a big achievement regardless of the fact that it is only a 20 game season, it shows consistency and resilience over a season unlike cup competitions which can see a team win it by just being lucky. The three game play off format gives that tournament more meaning as it should see the best teams make it to the final. |
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Post by saintpat on Mar 12, 2020 10:11:49 GMT
It took Wolves 14 games to win the Cup, I don't see anyone suggesting that makes them the best team in the BBL( although they may well be). 20 games isn't a league season, it's simply not long enough.
Worcester were the best team in the league early season & won a competition, someone will be the best team in the league later in the season & will win a competition. If Worcester win both, them they'll have proved themselves to be the best team in the league for the Whole season & will get all the plaudits, quite correctly.
But for me the league this season is simply jostling for positions in the play-offs, the play-offs become the most important thing, which is fine if that's what you want but then a European slot should really go the winners of the play-offs not the league.
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Post by saintpat on Mar 12, 2020 10:24:16 GMT
Of course, If Solent win on Sunday it could be argued that the best team in the country don't even play in the BBL!!
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Post by leamrider2 on Mar 12, 2020 12:23:52 GMT
That's not an "if"!
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Post by LTFan on Mar 12, 2020 13:01:36 GMT
But for me the league this season is simply jostling for positions in the play-offs, the play-offs become the most important thing. I guess the aim is to replicate the NBA, where winning the Eastern or Western conference is an achievement but winning the Play-Offs is the ultimate goal. In fact the whole thing feels like a mini-NBA - less teams, less league games, less play-off games. Question is, do we want the BBL to resemble and American sports format or British sports format. And I guess that's personal preference. |
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Post by leamrider2 on Mar 12, 2020 13:11:47 GMT
Given the way the BBL and its clubs operate, it's hard to say that any one of them can definitely maintain high performance and win things over a number of seasons. The fact that they essentially all rebuild the roster each season (and are lucky if they carry forward a core of four or five players) makes it hard to do. That Eagles and Riders have achieved it in recent times is credit to some coaching and back office stability. It's good to see Wolves, Lions, Flyers and Rocks appearing in finals and high in the league. Makes it a more competitive and interesting affair all round. Frankly I think it is also good that a throw-money-at-it effort like Royals failed. Tell you what, it's very hard to predict next season.
Have to say I do not like the trophy/cup/league structure of this season. Not one bit. Clubs did not seem to take the first third of the season terribly seriously; then came lots of signings; and we now have a too-short league. I'd can one of the knockout competitions for sure.
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Post by youngrocks on Mar 12, 2020 15:48:30 GMT
People making out its good for the rocks... think we've been in the most finals without a win in the last 10yrs. Always the bridesmaid
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