A raucous, fiery atmosphere at the O2 Arena welcomed the two best teams in the country - the European trailblazers of London taking on the dominant domestic dynasty in Leciester. This is British basketball in 2022.
Sure, there were dunk contests, kiss cams and dance troupes to help make the game carry a prominent American air to it. Don’t be fooled though, the 15,824 in attendance were certainly there to see basketball - and they got it with an enthralling match filled with exceptional players and extraordinary moments that will undoubtedly go down in British basketball history.
London’s Dirk Williams almost set the crowd alight with a nasty step back three, and the American would have blown the roof off the O2 Arena had he connected on an alley-oop moments later. One Chris Tawiah dunk and an Isaiah Reese fadeaway later, and the 15,000 packed into the venue hit fever pitch.
While the Lions hit the early big plays, the Riders were never out of reach. Zach Jackson hit a tough contested lay-up only for Reese to strike back with a huge three to send the crowd wild. It was clear which team the crowd were behind, with Riders free throws being heavily jeered throughout to give London something of a home court advantage.
Tough defence from Josh Ward-Hibbert frustrated BBL MVP Geno Crandall early, while Reese continued his hot streak as the Lions opened up an eight-point lead in the first. The guard, who led the BBL in scoring with 19.3 points per contest, dropped 11 points in the first quarter alone to make an early claim for Finals MVP.
It was a pulsating, captivating opening quarter to set the tone for the occasion. The Lions went into the second quarter holding a slender 29-23 lead - but the Riders, who ended the season with a stellar 25-2 record, came back.
Leicester guard Conner Washington hit an uncontested three to open the second quarter only for Lorenzo Cugini to hit back with one of his own. Moments later, Darien Nelson-Henry did his best Hakeem Olajuwon impression in the paint, showing off sensational post moves to score the basket with the foul. He celebrated by counting the points on his fingers as he fed off the tremendous energy within the arena.
To the frustration of the partisan crowd, the Riders - led by iconic coach Rob Paternostro - rode momentum in the second quarter and threatened to pull away but Reese was having none of it as he sunk another deep three. After Crandall secured his second successive BBL MVP award, Reese was perhaps frustrated the honour didn’t go his way - and he was certainly playing like a man on a mission under the bright lights of the O2.
Reese needed offensive help from his teammates. Despite his 19 points - with a stunning 71% rate from three - the Lions passed the halfway mark down 46-39 as Crandall and the Riders began to heat up.
However, the former NBA G League star picked up in the third quarter where he left off, driving through the contact to score a big lay-up. He then threw a perfect alley-oop for Tawiah to finish after several fine buckets from Cugini.
Williams got in on the act too, scoring an unbelievable lay-up after driving right at Crandall to draw the foul, converting the free throw to a tremendous cheers that could perhaps have been heard from the Lions’ home arena, the Copper Box. Washington moved to silent the crowd, but it was short-lived as Reese once again struck to give the Lions a 65-57 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Washington hit a big three to open the final period as the Riders looked to kickstart a fourth quarter comeback, and Kimbal Mackenzie converted a pair of free throws to go with a Mo Walker dunk to help the cause. Tempers began to flare as Reese and Mackenzie went at it after the foul, and everyone in the arena could sense a fascinating end was brewing.
Perhaps what was sensed - or expected - was Crandall to take over, and the two-time MVP did just that. A smooth stepback was followed by a sensational lay-up through traffic, with the latter particularly enjoyed by Crandall as he beat his chest and motioned towards the crowd.
The gripping battle between Reese and Crandall continued as the two teams traded buckets with their all-star guards at the centre of the action. Reese pulled up with a three that bounced agonisingly off the rim, and Crandall drove down court to score a brilliantly taken lay-up.
With two minutes to play, the Riders led 74-71 before Reese scored again - only for Crandall to tee up Nelson-Henry. Reese and Crandall exchanged brilliant bucket after brilliant bucket, trading blows like the very best heavyweight boxing contests.
Do you think the Leicester Riders can compete in Europe as well as the BBL next season? Let us know in the comments section.
A dramatic final sequence saw Crandall miss the title-securing basket and give London a chance to snatch the championship - but it wasn't to be. However, the in-bound pass was intercepted by the Riders, allowing Crandall to burst downcourt as time expired. Leicester were champions, completing their treble.
The 2021/22 BBL Play-off Final was a sensational advert for British basketball. Despite the sheer disappointment clearly etched across his face, London coach Nikhil Lawry admirably battled through disappointment to describe the match best: "This was a win for the BBL.”
Lawry was right - Leicester may have left as champions with the silverware intact, but over 15,000 spectators went home thoroughly entertained and satisfied after watching a high quality game of basketball. This was ultimately a win for the BBL and British basketball as a whole. Long may it continue.
