By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Even without the star-duo of Kostas Koufos – who is already released by the team – and Sam Dekker who was unavailable, the London Lions as expected got the BBL title playing in a capacity crowd at O2 Arena in London.
They prevailed 88-80 to the Leicester Riders with Jordan Taylor and Aaron Best scoring 15 points each with the former dishing out seven assists to claim the MVP award.
“It’s been amazing I think a lot of guys in our position chase NBA and EuroLeague but for me, I can honestly say this has been the most special, because you get to build something not only in the country but this is the most at home I have felt”, said Taylor after the game.
Per the press release: “The victory for the Lions Men’s team saw them complete a domestic treble and cap off a landmark season with a commanding home city performance against their fiercest rivals. Coach Ryan’s side have claimed the Championship, Cup and Play-off titles this season, in addition to their record breaking run in the EuroCup. On British basketball’s biggest stage they showed their quality as the team to beat with yet another outstanding showing.
Riders lost their Play-off crown but more than played their part in a pulsating Final that went down to the wire, following an exhilarating fourth quarter, where the sides demonstrated the immense quality on show in the League. The Final rounded off an outstanding career for Riders captain and basketball legend Dairen Nelson-Henry, who announced his retirement ahead of bowing out at The O2″.
Photo credit: British Basketball League