London Lions are a basketball team based in Stratford, East London.
The Lions are currently third in the rankings and are also faring well in the BBL cup, which shows how well they are doing this season. Last season they were competing extremely well but, unfortunately, on 17th March 2020 the season for London Lions was cancelled, when the Lions were second in the standings, with no league champions declared.
The Lions’ dressing room is a bit disappointed as they couldn’t compete in the FIBA Europe Cup and didn’t win the BBL Cup, but everyone is ready to bounce back and give it their all to win all of the remaining silverware available for this season.
Dressing room morale is a vital part of Lions’ performances, as the players all come from different backgrounds and basketball upbringings. Many of the players haven’t played with each other before the start of the season, so they must keep close and remain upbeat because there is a lot of expectations on them. There are seasonal pros there in the shape of Kevin Ware and DeAndre Liggins who represent two of the most reputable players in the league, and the last thing the Lions want is those two unsettled because if the game stops growing at this rate in the UK, how many more seasoned pros is the game going to get like Liggins and Ware in the future?
When Lions’ coach Dave Greenaway was asked what the dressing room morale like, he said: “they haven’t been in a situation where they are challenged and at the moment they are focused.’’
I asked him about morale because it was intriguing to know what the dressing room in the camp is like and because of how morale effects a team’s performance.
Team spirit for a coach is important because if it’s not good, the team is more likely to perform in contrast to if it isn’t. An unhappy squad will throw your plans for a game out of the window, which is far from convenient.
In an interview, coach Greenaway gave an insight into every aspect of his role as a coach at the professional basketball team, from what he looks for in players, dealing with individuals, and the importance of morale.
Bearing in mind this interview was done in the middle of a training session he was put on the spot. Below are the questions and his answers:
He was questioned about what made him become a coach because it would be intriguing to know what made him go down that career path. His reason for going down that career path could be similar to other people who want to be a coach. What made you become a coach?
Love of the game. Throughout my playing career, I was always destined to coach when my playing career was over as it’s something I wanted to do. I want to help people achieve their goals.
Every sports team has a player who does not get anywhere enough praise in the team. Who is the most underrated on the team?
Andre Lockhart. People overlook what he provides on both ends of the floor; people don’t see the gravity that he has in terms of his offensive ability and getting guys to execute.
Disciplinary issues for a coach is important as if a player doesn’t have a good disciplinary record it will be harder to get him on the court and get the best out of him. If a player has disciplinary issues they will be harder to coach. Tell us your strategy to deal with players who have discipline issues?
Having open and honest conversations with players. Whenever they need to put an arm around their shoulders you have to figure out the main root of their issues.
Improving as a coach is vital as no coach in sporting history is perfect – whether it be Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho in football or Steve Karr and Gregg Popovich in basketball. What is your plan to improve yourself as a coach over the coming years?
The biggest thing is being able to know that you don’t know everything and having conversations with other coaches will enlighten your thinking as a coach and finding the right mechanism to change.
Who is the easiest person to coach?
They all are. They all are focused on improving. You need a common goal with coaching. You need their trust so when talking to them you can help them you can help them develop.
Who is the hardest person to coach?
Someone unwilling to be self-aware [who] feels like they know everything.
