Manchester Giants’ Stefan Gill believes that his side can compete with anyone as they look set to start their BBL Cup campaign on Friday night.
Giants face a visit to Sheffield Sharks in the cup, before having another away game in the league against Leicester Riders on Saturday.
Gill, who has netted 36 points so far this season, remains content with how the Giants have started their campaign however, despite losing their last three games after winning the first two.
“The season so far has gone as expected,” he stressed.
“We had the mind-set that we can compete with anyone in the league – we have a new team so early hiccups are expected as we are all learning from each other.
“We need to fine tune a few things offensively, believe in each other defensively and continue to enjoy playing.
“We put enough work in on the practice floor every day to be successful.”
The Giants will be hoping that Friday’s game ends a run of falling in the first round of the cup which has occurred in each of the last three years since their return to the BBL.
Sheffield Sharks are winless so far this season however, but they will be hoping to repeat their 96-87 win which occurred in the last meeting between the sides in the Giants’ penultimate game of last season.
Saturday’s league game against Leicester Riders looks to be an even tougher test, with Rob Paternostro’s men away at Leeds Force on Friday where they will aim to extend a perfect start before returning home for this one.
Giants forward Ryan Lewis firmly believes however that if they stay disciplined Yorick Williams’ side can break their three-game losing run.
“I feel the main thing we need to do is stick to our strengths,” he said.
“Leicester will once again be very well structured and disciplined. They have key core players returning who know what they need to do individually to help the team.
“There isn’t a team in the league who we don’t feel we can win against, we just have to keep to our plan for the whole game and put ourselves in the best position with one or two minutes left in the fourth quarter.”
Image courtesy of Manchester Giants via YouTube, with thanks.
