MATCH REPORT

PLC vs MK LIONS - Coach Bucknall: "We conceded 115, and that's just too many points"

LONDON Capital's first BBL match ended in a disappointing defeat at home to Milton Keynes Lions on Saturday 22nd September 2007.

Capital coach Steve Bucknall criticised his team's defence after the 115-94 reverse, and hopes more of his team will follow the example set by American import Wes Miller.

"We conceded 115, and that's just too many points," said the former LA Lakers star.

"We've been stressing since day one that defence is important, so maybe I have a problem there.

"We were forced to pick up some players just to make up numbers, and we desperately need to get a big guy.

"But we didn't give up, we kept on fighting and playing, which is a good sign as it showed that we are in decent shape. Milton Keynes played extremely well and didn't miss too many shots."

A superb 49-point performance from Miller, playing guard, was a bonus for the home side, and Bucknall was impressed with the North Carolina NCAA star's display.

"He has the pedigree and I knew he could do well, I just didn't know he could do that well," admitted Bucknall.

"But teams are going to pay plenty of attention to him now, and it's up to the other players to show up."

Bucknall started with a three guard line-up of Miller, Anthony Anderson and one-time London Capital youth star Santa Ataha, though he admitted having reservations about the decision.

"I wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do, I put them in for some pressure defence but it only partially worked," he said.

The Lions made an explosive start and, following an early 8-0 burst in the opening period, they led 25-12.

The second quarter continued in much the same vein as the first as the Lions extended their lead and held a commanding 65-43 advantage at the halfway stage.

The visitors raced to a 92-54 lead at the end of the third period and stretched out to their biggest gap of the game during the final period, at 103-68, before a late surge from the home side gave the result an degree of respectability.

Capital continue their debut BBL season with a testing journey to Newcastle tomorrow night.

The Eagles completed a clean sweep of honours in the BBL in the 2005/6 campaign before being forced to settle for the play-off crown last season.

Bucknall knows it will be a difficult trip to the north east: "It's not the best trip in the world, and we have a really tough start.

"We've played Milton Keynes, now we've got Newcastle and the following week we have Sheffield at home (at Willesden's Capital City Academy on October 6).

"That's three of the sides who will be at the top of the league at the season's end. The guys are being thrown in at the deep end as a lot of them have never played at this level. It's going to be an eye-opener for them."

The game will pit Bucknall against his former England colleague, Eagles coach Fab Flournoy, and the Capital coach is looking forward to the reunion.

"He was my room-mate in Melbourne with the England Commonwealth Games team. I know his style, and his team will play really aggressive defence. If we don't match that, they'll blow us out."

Article courtesy of Willesden and Brent Times.

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