The London Lions fell to the JBA USA team in one of the most exciting games ever played at the Copper Box Arena.
Lamelo Ball and company lead a dramatic fourth quarter comeback to beat the Londoners 151-137 on Saturday night.
Quick Pace
This game provided a real clash of styles as JBA brought a fast-paced play style implemented to get the team as many possessions on offence as possible, a vast contrast from how many of the Lions, BBL opponents play.
To their credit the Lions beat the Americans at their own game through the first three quarters. The modern ‘Pace and space’ style of offence from both team’s lead to a staggering 288 combined points.
Positives In Defeat
Despite the loss, Lions Head Coach Vince Macaulay was clearly proud of his team’s offensive performance:
“That was one heck of a game…we though that in the middle of the game we had been able to slow them (JBA USA) down but I mean we had 69 points at the half. Some teams in the BBL are scoring 69 points at end of full time.”
Coach Macaulay has every right to be proud of his team as they put up their highest points total of the season by some distance
High-octane Offence
The fans were witness to a shooting clinic as the Lions ran the floor quickly opting to take transition 3-point shots instead of open lay ups.
Floor spacing was key, allowing more open lanes for players to cut to the rim. The Lions took advantage finding big man Kervin Bristol for multiple alley oops in the second and third quarters.
The added space allowed Forwards Ladarius Tabb and Kervin Bristol to show case their insane athleticism, attacking the rack with ferocity. The Lions may look to carry this style of play into future BBL contests.
Evolving Game
This clash was a prime of example of how basketball is changing. Especially in the States, teams are getting out and running, raining down treys. Thus creating room for the ball handlers to get to the paint or kick out to a shooter.
It’s traits like this that make the NBA the most globally viewed basketball league in the world. The question now must be asked, for the BBL to continue to grow, do the teams need to adopt this American play style?
Lions Head Coach Vince Macaulay commented on what games like this are doing for the growth of the BBL and British Basketball saying: “It (the game) has raised the profile of Basketball and the BBL again and will continue to do that.” Macaulay knows the importance of putting on a show for the British fans.
Crowd Satisfaction
The Lions coach shares this view with Lavar Ball, JBA Owner and Father of Liangelo and Lamelo Ball, who is an advocate for his teams style of play and the entertainment value that it brings. Lavar commented after the game:
“That’s what all the fans in London want to see again, the Big Ballers thriving on the success of winning. The fans in London are alive. They love the style that we play. We bring that entertainment value to the game of basketball.”
You can’t argue that JBA play an exciting style of basketball, it has also proven to be effective. Putting up 151 points is no easy feat, especially against one of the country’s best teams.
New Style?
The Londoners have shown they have both the skill and perhaps more importantly the athleticism to run an American style offence. Whether the Lions choose to adopt a new play style is yet to be seen but it will certainly make the teams upcoming BBL contests very interesting.
The capital sides performance showed off their ability to not only drain the three ball but get up and rock the rim, putting the rest of the league on notice of how dangerous they can be.
