Fletch: Beat the best to be best
STAR point guard Rahmon Fletcher insists Newcastle Eagles’ tough start will stand them in good stead as they look to make their mark in the BBL Cup.
Ian Macleod’s men travel to face rivals Leicester Riders today, just a week after beating a star-studded London Lions team in the Eagles’ first game of the season.
If the current crop of stars are to progress in the BBL Cup however, they are going to have to get through a group of death.
As well as Lions and Riders, the Eagles also face Sheffield Sharks, with only three spots available in the knockout round.
However, Fletcher believes that going up against such strong opposition is not necessarily a bad thing.
“You want to make it to the BBL Cup final and to be the best you’ve got to beat the best,” the American star said.
“It couldn’t be a much tougher start going down to London and now down to Leicester. It might have been different if it was [back-to-back home games] but it’s not.
“We did really well London and now it’s time to see what we’ve got with Leicester.”
Over the past decade, the Eagles and the Riders have dominated the BBL, proving themselves a level above the rest of the league until the Lions and their significant financial backing came along.
Both teams have a number of veterans who are well aware of what this clash means their respective fanbases.
Fletcher, however, said the two clubs will have to be wary of the new
in
to
additions and can’t dwell too much on the past.
He added: “There is a rivalry between the two sides but it’s kind of early to be implementing that thinking as both teams have new players and a different look.
“Yes, we’ve both got a couple of usual suspects that know what it’s about but in reality, it’s two new teams looking to win a game.”
“The likes of Drew [Lasker], Darius [Defoe] and myself know what it’s about and they have [head coach Rob] Paternostro, Conor Washington and Jamell Anderson who know likewise but you have to focus on yourself as it’s so early in the season.”
Considering the club has faced an
summer of uncertainty, the team has had to quarantine and players have only been allowed limited time to practise, the Eagles’ 89-79 overtime victory over the Lions is all the more impressive.
Now with their first game under their belts, Fletcher said the team is just glad to be back to something a bit more like normality.
“Hopefully we can focus on what we need to do,” he said.
“We’ve had a good week of practice and we’ve watched some film on them so we’re ready but I’m sure they are too. It will be a big advantage for whoever gets the win and we’re going to do what we can to make sure it’s us.
“It’s a big challenge for us having two tough road games like this but it could also set us up really well before we come home next Friday to play the return game against Leicester. As always I’m excited for the game and the challenge ahead.”
The Eagles’ 5pm tip-off is available to stream online free.
You want to make it to the BBL Cup final and to be the best you
have got to beat the best
Rahmon Fletcher