Opinion: Pointers for the Raiders

Plymouth combined their flair and grit to overcome lowly Birmingham Knights on the weekend, but should they be aiming higher than just a second win in eight?

The season is far from over, with two trips and one home fixture of the regular campaign left before the possibility of play-offs. But in the spirit of Mystic Meg, let’s take a look ahead and see how the Raiders can raise their game and reach the loftier heights of the BBL standings in the future:

• KEEP NICK GEORGE
The big no.22 deservedly picked up both a player of the month and year award prior to Sunday’s tip-off. A magnificent performer all season, George was highly influential against Birmingham – setting up numerous game changing scores, as well as stealing and running half the court to thrust down a 50-45 lead at half time. Though Gabe Hoskins stole the show with a 5-star performance, Nicholas is sure to be the main man next year so long as Plymouth can keep those greedy transfer window arms off the American.

• STOP THE SHIVERS AT THE PENALTY LINE
If there was anything missing from the Raiders’ attacking arsenal versus the Knights, it was being clinical with free-throws. Ironically the hosts seemed to find bagging 3-points from range an easier task. Around 40% of Plymouth’s penalties failed to drop through – particularly the first of double attempts. In fact basement Birmingham’s efficiency was much greater, thus how they still lost by 14 points is proof of the visitors’ weakness in open-play. But from the Plymouth perspective, bagging the easiest aspect of the game is a must if they want to challenge the big guns – it’s schoolboy stuff.

• HALT THE DANGERMEN
Or in the case of Birmingham, dangerman. Nearly half of their total fell courtesy of Brent Benson’s 14 scored and 22 assisted points. The Knights guard has averaged 23.3 per match in an otherwise dystopian season, though towards the end of Sunday’s tie he was limited to 3 successes in 15 attempts – thanks largely to a change in Raiders defence tactics that saw ‘doubling up’ to narrow Benson’s angle and options. This is exactly what’s required against the crème de la crème of the BBL’s top players.

• YIELD THE YOUTH CROP
“We’ve taken our time, you can’t develop young players overnight”, expressed Jay Marriott post match on Sunday. The likes of Tom Elliot-Smith, Tristan Hall and Jason Carr – all still in their teens – were allowed substantial game time after next to zero professional experience previously. Credit to the boss for bringing them on, not only when the win was secure but in some cases the 2nd quarter with Plymouth still trailing. 18 year old Ryan Peard also made his 8th short appearance – and yes ‘short’ is an apt description for the 5ft 10incher! But his summer with US college teams (along with Hall) seems to have paid off. Raiders fans will hope to see more of the youngsters as they begin to turn pro, one by one graduating from the academy sides.

• MARKETING MANIA
Outside the court is where much further progress can be made. Attendances have grown rapidly from a few hundred at the old Mayflower Centre in the mid 1990’s to a comfortable 1,600 at least per game. And this has been managed on a seemingly slim advertising budget. Newspaper coverage is minimal, internet reports are non-existent, and TV exposure is limited to the odd match every few months shown on the depths of channel 520 Eurosport 2. Therefore the commercial managers need to reach out to new portions of Plymouth in turn. They’ve already grabbed the students’ eyes with a name change to ‘University Raiders’ as well as reduced ticket prices. Plus the families are drawn in with child friendly atmosphere, Foxy the mascot, kids’ birthday announcements, and the half time trampoline shootout. Maybe the next step is raiding the Argyle FC’s terraces. BBL fixtures (being on Fridays and Sundays) rarely clash with the footy, and the similar green kits/logos/etc can perhaps be used to play on local loyals’ love of their city and it’s many clubs.

• THE EURO DREAM?
Okay, this one’s a bit out of PRBC’s hands and more up to EBA and the BBL to discuss, but isn’t it about time English clubs could at least qualify for the EuroCup? This could inject that extra incentive throughout the UK top tier to reach the promised land. Attractive friendlies at the Pavillions against Avignon of France and co proved an immense success. The thought of one day hosting a Champions League style night in the SouthWest is truly mouth watering, and the prospect alone provides all the more reason for investment in Brit basketball.