The Cheshire Phoenix have arguably been the biggest surprise of the 2023/24 British Basketball League season, but their style of play is revolutionising the League.
Starting
the 2023/24 British Basketball League season with a record of 8-4 after 12
games, not many people were expecting the Cheshire Phoenix to be as good as
they’ve been.
Sweeping
the September Coach and Player of the Month awards and already looking like
favourites for the month of November, the British Basketball League delved deep
into why the Phoenix are showing the league the secrets to success.
Next Man Up
With September
Player of the Month, Aaryn Rai, only starting to play significant minutes once
again after sustaining an injury at the start of October, the Phoenix, of
course, took a hit, but not as much as people expected.
This could
arguably be down to LaQuincy Rideau’s incredible performances throughout. The
point guard has been on a tear since Rai went down, leading the League in
assists and being the consummate floor general for the Phoenix.
Putting all
the respect on Rideau would also be a disservice to the other Phoenix players.
Maceo Jack has consistently stayed in the top three of the scoring charts this
season, currently only second behind London Lions’ Matt Morgan, Jack has been a
top-notch scorer.
Even though
head coach Ben Thomas said at the start of the season that this team does not
have star players, we are witnessing stars being born in the British Basketball
League, with Rideau and Jack topping the charts.
Then again,
Thomas may have a point with six players with double-digit scoring averages for
the season; this team has weapons all around the floor. This brings us to the
next point.
Find the Best Shot
At the
start of the season, the Cheshire Phoenix seemed to the casual viewer to be a
team that lives and dies by the three-point shot. Little did we know it was
more that the Phoenix’s offence was built on finding the best shot.
As
previously stated, LaQuincy Rideau’s passing has been on another level, however
so has the rest of the Phoenix. Rai has easily been the best passing forward in
the League, but their ball movement has been an incredible sight to see.
Only behind
the London Lions in assists but also second in least turnovers, the Phoenix
have been showing the League how to handle the ball well and pass the ball
cleanly. Their third in the League points scored also clearly shows their
scoring tendencies.
Their
selfless play and offence being run impeccably well is a good sign to come for
Phoenix fans, who will only expect to see better with the team gelling faster
than expected but also with Rai getting back to full fitness.
Rai with the euro-step 👀🔥 @CheshireNix
Join the action here👇
📺https://t.co/wBrjNB4H7e#UNBEATABLE #BritishBasketballLeague pic.twitter.com/MEhsXCL8Qn— British Basketball League (@britishbasketm) November 12, 2023
Never Give Up
Even though
you can attribute their remarkable offence or the Phoenix players’ abilities to
step up when it matters, a lot of this can be down to the team mentality
instilled into them by head coach Ben Thomas.
This team
rarely plays with true big men. With Skyler White predominantly playing the
centre position for the Phoenix, the big man only averages 4.2 rebounds per
game.
However,
with the lack of a true rebounding big man, the Phoenix currently sit second in
the League for rebounds. The reason they sit second in the rebounding standings
is remarkably on the offensive boards, and with White normally on the perimeter
shooting threes, it’s a true testament to the team’s mentality to gang rebound.
Outside of
these rebounding numbers, the previously stated philosophy of next man up is so
prevalent in the Phoenix side that we now see a team that was predicted to
finish in the lower-end of the playoffs positions to now being second in the League.
With the London Lions only ahead of them currently, the Phoenix definitely aren’t done there and are showing the British Basketball League and every team in it what the keys to success are.
With the new season here, you can still get your British
Basketball fix by following the League on social media or heading to our YouTube
channel to relive all of the best moments from the current
season.