Manchester Basketball’s season in the SLB has been defined by an offence that makes life unnecessarily hard for itself. While their ability to capitalise on opponent turnovers is a genuine strength, it highlights a broader imbalance: they rely heavily on fast-break opportunities but struggle in the half-court. Coupled with poor free-throw generation and conversion, Manchester’s offence remains a work in progress, even as signs of improvement begin to emerge.
Turnovers: A Double-Edged Sword
Manchester leads the league in points per turnover forced (1.17) and percentage of total points from turnovers (19.01%). These numbers reflect a team that thrives in transition, turning opponent mistakes into quick scoring opportunities.
| Team | PTS Per Opp TO | % PTS from TO |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester Basketball | 1.170 | 19.01% |
| Newcastle Eagles | 1.082 | 18.97% |
| B. Braun Sheffield Sharks | 1.063 | 17.45% |
| Leicester Riders | 1.017 | 15.72% |
| Cheshire Phoenix | 0.957 | 15.56% |
| London Lions | 0.955 | 17.87% |
| Bristol Flyers | 0.885 | 13.95% |
| Caledonia Gladiators | 0.848 | 14.53% |
| Surrey 89ers | 0.844 | 12.60% |
However, this strength masks their struggles elsewhere. When the game slows down, Manchester’s reliance on turnovers fails to carry their offence. Their lack of cohesion in the half-court makes generating points far more challenging, as evidenced by their free-throw struggles and assist percentage.
A Struggle to Create Easy Points
Where Manchester truly falls short is at the free-throw line. They rank last in the SLB in both free throw rate (0.20) and free throw percentage (67.4%). This inability to get to the line and convert consistently leaves critical points on the table.
The chart below illustrates their position relative to the rest of the league:
Sitting alone in the bottom-left corner, Manchester Basketball struggles both to get to the line and to make free throws when they do.
Ball Movement: Improvement Needed
Manchester also makes life harder for itself by failing to move the ball effectively. They rank seventh in the league in assist percentage at 55.9%, reflecting an offence that struggles to create high-quality opportunities through ball movement.
| Team | AST% |
|---|---|
| Leicester Riders | 67.7% |
| Caledonia Gladiators | 64.2% |
| London Lions | 62.3% |
| Surrey 89ers | 60.1% |
| Bristol Flyers | 58.3% |
| Newcastle Eagles | 57.8% |
| Manchester Basketball | 55.9% |
| B. Braun Sheffield Sharks | 54.1% |
| Cheshire Phoenix | 49.1% |
While they have players with the ability to make outstanding individual plays, the lack of fluid ball movement hampers their ability to generate consistent scoring opportunities. The contrast between their fast-break success and half-court struggles is stark—when forced to slow down, Manchester’s offence loses its edge.
Signs of Progress
The recent 100-88 win over Caledonia Gladiators offered Manchester fans a reason for optimism. It was their highest-scoring game of the season and featured several encouraging signs:
- 21 free-throw attempts, tied for their season-high, highlighting greater aggression in attacking the rim.
- 25 assists, their second-highest total of the year, showing improved ball movement.
- They maintained their strength in capitalising on turnovers, scoring 20 points from opponent mistakes.
New signings Ian DuBose, Eric Williams Jr, and Elijah Ifejeh appear to be injecting much-needed energy into the team. DuBose and Ifejeh, in particular, made their presence felt at the line against Caledonia, signalling Manchester’s intent to address one of their biggest weaknesses.
Looking Ahead
Manchester Basketball’s reliance on turnovers has defined their season, but their struggles in the half-court and at the free-throw line are holding them back. Signs of progress are emerging, but they must build on their recent success to develop a more balanced offensive identity.
If they can continue improving their ball movement and aggression at the rim, Manchester has the tools to climb out of the league’s basement. The path to improvement is starting to take shape—now it’s about turning potential into progress.
