Just got back from the O2! Really enjoyed the weekend, gutted most of our starting 5 were out though.
Positives
Clark what a revelation! Looks like he is going to have a break out year. Similar player to Freeland & can go a long way.
I thought our defense was outstanding in the first 2 games, let it slip tonight though. With the additions of the big names I fear nobody.
Gave everyone a match with a hugely depleted team. The Turkey game was there for the taking (i'll get back to how we lost it)
Justin Robinson shows really good promise for a very young inexperienced guard. This guy has a bright future.
Again was mightly impressed with Boyd on Saturday. Played the point really effectively bringing up the tempo, and in on instance did a massive cross over on a Turkish player that he twisted his ankle!
Bench scoring, yes bench scoring! This bodes extemely well! In theory all our points scored over the weekend were mainly from the bench. My guess of the players that were in the squad this weekend only Reinking & Boyd will start. Over the weekend performances George might get the 3 spot over Sullivan (carring an injury though). If all players return i think we have an arsenal of attacking options on the bench.
Take 3-4 top players out of Israel, Poland & Turkey's teams, and the GB team that played this weekend batter these teams no doubt in my mind we would be just to strong defensively. I would challenge anyone to argue that.
Another positive is the offense over each game got better. Ball movement was better & cut down slightly on stupid turnovers. This was always going to be the hardset part but it did improve & like i said befor in theory it was bench scoring.
Must applaud BPB for the merchandise, it weas selling like hot cakes!! £25 for a replica vest in blue or white with Deng, Freeland, Pops, Betts, Archibald printed on. Good value in my opinion & they have took alot of money over weekend. Hundreds of shirts definately sold.
Negatives
Now this totally pi**ed me off! Free throws, an absoloute disgrace! I've not seen official stats but for the 1st 2 games it must be 45-50% max! TRULY APPALLING AND NEEDS TO DEALT WITH QUICK! I never seen a proffesional team be that poor. If it wasn't for poor free throw shooting we would've beat Turkey, no doubt about it. Again if we would've hit 20% more against Poland it would've been tighter. The Israel game we let our defence slip but our Offense definately stepped up!
Obviousley our offense wasn't great but did improve. Very understandable with the squad that was out though.
Some players who got court time did not make the most of it. Hanke, a huge guy who plays like a scared scrwany kid, missing simple lay ups not moving his feet fast enough on defense & basically lost!
Leven, again offered nothing! Poor shot selection & non existent defence. Germaynes Forbes offered zero anything. Toney a bit harsh didn't have much court time but he was called up late & doesn't look with it.
So players to be cut are Hanke, Leven, Toney, Forbes, Achara (because of how good Clark has been).
The commentator was not bad, but never mentioned Eurobasket at all till the final day late on. Or letting the crowd know about the players who were out injured. Most people watching will think were crap, well far from it!
All in all i'm quite happy. I din't think we would win any of the games with the players who were out. However I didn't think we could compete to such a level which must make the other teams think GB can do some serious damage with their big guns back.
Keep the faith because hopefully soon were about to blow some big fish out of the water!!!
"People outside the group might think we're crazy, but we're going to win it," he said. He may meant to win the tournament..LOL
