The pointed critique stung, Marcus Ware acknowledges, but last weekend’s dressing down in the locker room from Glasgow Rocks chairman Ian Reid has only spurred the club’s players to strive even harder to break out of their current malaise, the American confirms.
With Sterling Davis’ men visiting Cheshire Phoenix tomorrow, not even the ugliest of victories over Surrey last weekend could mask the dip in form that has pushed the Scots even further in the unsatisfying mid-table hinterland of the British Basketball League since 2016 began. Yet Ware believes the Rocks can still salvage their season with the harshest analysis of their regression coming from within.
“The message was already there, quite honestly,” he admitted. “On the long road trip home after we lost to Leeds, we all talked about finding a solution. And it comes down to looking at ourselves first and then bringing that back on to the court and into games. It’s been tough. We’ve been battling injuries for the last month and that’s hindered us. But we’re trying really hard to get back into our normal flow.”
Meanwhile, Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant will make his 18th and final appearance in the NBA All Star Game in tomorrow night’s showpiece in Toronto. At 37, the twice-Olympic gold medallist is fading towards retirement rather than shining brightly. But having led the fan voting for the event, he might yet pull out one final memorable flourish, his former team-mate Shaquille O’Neal claims.
“Knowing Kobe as well as I do, I’m sure if he gets going, and the guys get him going, you know the crowd’s going to want it to happen,” O’Neal said. “If he can find his stroke and get it going a little bit, I can guarantee you he’s going to go for the Most Valuable Player award. It’s his last one, why not go out with a bang?
“My last one in Phoenix, Kobe and I split the MVP. I kind of knew that would be my last one… Kobe kept feeding me and guys kept feeding me. Knowing Kobe, if he gets it going, especially early, he’s definitely going to go for it.”
FIXTURES
Sunday
BBL. Cheshire Phoenix v Glasgow Rocks (5.30), Surrey Scorchers v Plymouth Raiders (3pm).
BBL Trophy, semi-finals. 2nd leg,Worcester Wolves v Newcastle Eagles (3pm). 1st leg, Leicester Riders v Sheffield Sharks (4pm)
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