Eagles anticipating a right Royal battle
NEW BOYS WILL BE A TEST, WARNS COACH
TONIGHT sees a huge BBL Championship clash between the two so far unbeaten teams in the league.
It is a game where the result will not define a season but could go a long way towards shaping its destiny.
The Esh Group Eagles Newcastle, who recorded their second victory from two attempts on Sunday at Glasgow, play hosts to the BBL’s newest franchise London City Royals, who themselves have impressed everyone with an excellent 3-0 start to their campaign.
The Eagles’ assistant coach Ian Macleod is happy with the start the Tyneside outfit has made but is also aware of how tough London will be at Sport Central tonight (7.30).
He said: “The home win against Cheshire was a win with an OK performance with some things we need to be better at.
“The win at the Rocks was a real pleasing one.
“Not because of the 15-point margin but because it was a product of our brand of basketball.”
“It was a good performance particularly defensively.
“The players did an incredible job of following the scouting report and it was a big step forward as to how we want to play as a team.
“There was a lot of cohesion there, a lot of guys talking to each other on court and problem-solving on court.
That was brilliant to see and hopefully we can continue that tonight against London Royals and look to go 3-0.”
Macleod added: “The Royals have started very well and have done a good job so far.
“They have assembled what I would call a dynamic roster, a lot of athletic guys and some veterans too who bring other things to the table.
“They are an interesting team and there is a lot of hype surrounding them. “
“They have people who are wellknown in UK basketball together with good connections and there seems to be a lot of investment there.
“Everyone in the BBL is interested in them and tracking how they are going to do.”
“It is important for us to keep our standards high and not get caught up in all that hype.
“It is really about us being us and executing. The opposition is really irrelevant.
“It is about us focusing on us and getting our attitude and performances where we want them to be.”
The Eagles moved quickly to fill the gap created when head coach Fab Flournoy and his coaching staff decided to cut rookie guard Ahmad Thomas and will give new shooting guard Jeremy Smith his debut in tonight’s clash.
Macleod spoke about how Smith arrived and what he can bring to the team.
He said: “It was a good situation which fell right for us.
“Everyone can make a good highlight video but to actually get Jeremy in for a few days gave us a chance to meet the person and not just the basketball player, which is important.”
“I think he will fit in very well. We loved the fact on his CV that as an import player he was re-signed by his Australian team.
“That always augurs well as it shows he must be a good guy and consistent.
“We are looking forward to having him with us, contributing for us and adding to what we already have.”
Macleod highlighted the Royals’ dangerman but was also quick to stress the Eagles are very much focused on what they will bring to the game.
He said: “Matthew Bryan-Amaning has had a great start to the season.
“Hopefully we will throw some things at him and see what effect they have. Our defence being on point is the key.”