BBL PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS
03/10/2010
With only have a few weeks left of the regular season I thought it was a good time to have a look at all 13 BBL teams and their Play-off chances.
Cheshire Jets
Good team whose consistent form has made them play-off certainties, I don't know if they have enough to get home court advantage though!
Prediction - Play offs
Essex Pirates
It was always going to be a difficult first season for The Pirates but they have shown enough to give me the belief that they can improve and stick around the league for a few years.
Prediction - 12th
Everton Tigers
No where near as dominant as last year but after losing stars like Andre Smith (Turkey) and GB international Richard Midgely (Retired) they where never going to be the same team, however bringing in 2 time league MVP Trey Moore midway through the season helped to make them one of the best teams in the L. Although they don't have the players they had last year I think they can still make the final 4.
Prediction - Semi Finalists
Glasgow Rocks
Another very consistent team, Star player - Rob Yanders continues to be one of the BBL's best performers. Glasgow has both, great perimeter shooters and good strong inside presence; The Rocks remain one of the toughest sides to beat.
Prediction - Semi finalists
Guildford Heat
Good deep squad and one of the season's underachievers, I still think they will make the play-offs.
Prediction - Play offs
Leicester Riders
Much improved this year after picking up some good players in the off season, unfortunately for them, star player Tack Minor left midway through the season, however, Brad Wierzbicki seems to get better all the time,
Prediction - Play offs
London Capital
It's amazing to me that our Capital can produce such a weak team, especially when you look back at former London teams, The Towers and Leopards who both dominated the BBL for a few years in the 90s, I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't a team from London in the BBL next year.
Prediction - 13th
MK Lions
Great squad with a good mixture of experience and youth, aggressive on both sides of the court and in my opinion are much better than the 6th place position they currently hold.
Prediction - Play offs
Newcastle Eagles
Not as strong as last years Eagles team after losing Tafari Toney (Sheffield) and Trey Moore (Everton) in the off-season but still continue to be the best team in the country, despite not having much depth in the squad, I don't know if this is completely down to the league being weaker this season but credit has to go to Fab Flournoy, who has continued to prove what a great coach he really is.
Prediction - Winners
Plymouth Raiders
Very streaky team, they have struggled this year, the new faces have began to settle now but unfortunately it looks like it will be too little too late and The Raiders will fail to make the play-offs.
Prediction - 10th
Sheffield Sharks
Without a doubt the BBL's most improved team this year, great recruitment in the off-season and the biggest contenders to Newcastles throne.
Prediction - Runners up
Worcester Wolves
A very up and down season for The Wolves which has seen a lot of changes in staff and personnel, It has been difficult but they now have Paul James who is a great coach and has made a lot of improvements which where clearly needed still one of the weaker teams in the L though. Expect them to be much better next year.
Prediction - 11th
Worthing Thunder
Have done well to be serious play-off contenders, especially after losing Ryan Patton (Sheffield) in the off-season. Not sure if they have enough to finish in the top 8.
Prediction - 9th
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