Jeff Jones is adamant that the Manchester Giants can produce a complete performance when they take on the Birmingham Knights on Sunday despite four losses from four to begin their campaign.
The Giants have endured a sluggish and stiff start and that record was compounded by an early league cup exit at the hands of the Worcester Wolves last week.
Nevertheless Jones is convinced that his side can take a giant leap in the right direction with victory this weekend.
“Offensively we were good at times against Worcester but defensively we were just not very good,” Jones said after the 88-66 defeat against the Wolves.
“We’re not ready to compete with teams who are going to be in the top three away from home and if you don’t make your shouts you’re not going to have a chance of winning.
“This Sunday is possibly the first time we go into the game as favourites. That adds its own bit of pressure added to that the fact that we haven’t won a game yet as well.”
The Knights are also winless and Jones hopes the affair is not a scrappy one.
“This is one that we should really pencil in as a win but we just have to worry about ourselves and hopefully we can get the win,” he added.
Despite the derisory start to the campaign Jones has been happy with the performances of a few individuals.
Summer signing Rob Marsden has put in several impressive displays and scored 11 points with 12 rebounds against the unbeaten Wolves last week.
The determination shown by Marsden is something Jones hopes will filter through to the rest of the team as they seek to climb the ladder.
“Rob is a tough kid and he gets on with playing and yeah he is bothered about the results and maybe some of our guys should take a leaf out of his book,” the veteran coach said.
“Players don’t need to be worried about individual aspects. Rob brings whatever is necessary to get a win and he is always thinking what do I need to do to help us get a win.
“It’s going to be a tough year for us until we can get a few more people in.”
Giants forward David Watts insists confidence in the team remains high despite having made a calamitous start to the season.
Watts unequivocally believes that if the team continues to work hard the results will begin to turn.
“Our confidence is okay, it’s our pride that has taken a bit of a beating,” Watts said after league leaders Worcester trounced the Giants 88-66 to send his side tumbling out of the league cup.
“We’ll keep working hard and focus on what it takes to get that first win.
“Birmingham have had a rough start so far but the city has a strong basketball background and will have a great fan base with lots of support.
“To get that win we need to play solid team defence for the whole 40 minutes and execute on offence, playing smart basketball.”
Few would have anticipated a Giants victory against the Wolves but the manor in the defeat is something that has disappointed supporters.
The home side took a 24-point advantage heading into half time and despite a fight back spearheaded by Watts, Rob Marsden and David Aliu, the Wolves remained in control to compound yet more misery on the Giants.
Indeed the start has been brutal but this Sunday’s clash represents a genuine opportunity for the Giants to turn their season around.
The Knights are also pointless in the BBL without a win giving Watts’ side a prime chance to get off the mark with home advantage sure to play a key role.
For more information on how to get tickets for the game visit the Giants’ website www.manchestergiants.com.
Image courtesy of Jack Hinds, with thanks.
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