The SLB Championship is beginning to take shape, with three teams separating themselves as the clear frontrunners. Here’s how the league stands in terms of net rating:
| Team | NRtg | ORtg | DRtg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leicester Riders | 12.31 | 119.81 | 107.50 |
| London Lions | 11.86 | 115.67 | 103.81 |
| B. Braun Sheffield Sharks | 6.06 | 115.54 | 109.48 |
| Surrey 89ers | -1.53 | 112.65 | 114.18 |
| Cheshire Phoenix | -1.69 | 112.99 | 114.68 |
| Manchester Basketball | -3.18 | 114.26 | 117.44 |
| Newcastle Eagles | -3.30 | 113.15 | 116.45 |
| Bristol Flyers | -4.08 | 112.84 | 116.92 |
| Caledonia Gladiators | -16.89 | 98.00 | 114.89 |
*SLB Championship games only
The three contenders—London Lions, Leicester Riders, and Sheffield Sharks—sit above the rest. But instead of one team dominating, their matchups reflect a “rock-paper-scissors” dynamic where each has an edge over another.
London vs. Sheffield: Size Matters
The first London-Sheffield game was a blowout, with London dominating Sheffield 92–68. The Lions’ superior size and inside presence were the difference-makers, reflected in a 44–32 rebounding advantage and a staggering 58–30 points-in-the-paint margin.
In the second matchup, however, Sheffield put up a much stronger fight. The addition of Donovan Clay, the return of Jacob Groves, and more minutes from Mike Ochereobia allowed the Sharks to match up with London’s size more effectively. These personnel changes helped Sheffield hold their own in the rebounding battle (33 apiece) and narrow the points-in-the-paint deficit to 46–32. Size was the key to Sheffield’s improved performance.
Despite these adjustments, Sheffield fell short, losing 80–77. The contrast between these two games highlights Sheffield’s ability to adapt to London’s size advantage and evolve tactically. While the Sharks remain winless against the Lions, the second game showcased their potential to match up more evenly in future encounters.
Championship head-to-head: London 2 – 0 Sheffield
Sheffield vs. Leicester: Battle of the Benches
Sheffield holds a 2–0 record against Leicester this season, winning both games with their superior bench depth. In the first matchup, Sheffield’s bench outscored Leicester’s 35–23. In the second, the gap widened to 25–7.
Leicester’s early-season bench struggles were reflected in the plus-minus statistics of starting guard Jaylin Hunter. In the first game, Hunter recorded a +5 in a narrow 3-point defeat, and in the second, he fell to only -1 in an 18-point loss. The data highlights Leicester’s inability to sustain performance whenever Hunter rests.
Since these matchups, Leicester have adjusted their rotation with Ethan Wright now providing offensive spark in a bench role. Whether this change can help Leicester turn the tide against Sheffield remains to be seen.
Championship head-to-head: Sheffield 2 – 0 Leicester
Leicester vs. London: Controlling the Glass
Leicester secured an 84–75 victory in their first and only championship meeting against London so far. The Riders dominated inside, with Charles Thompson and Riley Abercrombie grabbing a combined 26 rebounds. London, playing without starting centre Alen Hadzibegovic, struggled to contain Leicester on the glass, leading to a 20–7 advantage for the Riders in second-chance points.
Another key factor was London’s shooting woes. The Lions hit just 19% of their three-point attempts (4 of 21), despite generating plenty of clean looks. In a rematch, you’d expect those shots to fall at a higher rate, especially with the recent addition of Tanner Stuckman adding more shooting to their roster.
Leicester’s starting lineup carried them to victory in this game, but their bench left something to be desired. All four bench players posted negative plus-minus ratings, suggesting London could exploit this weakness in future matchups. Leicester will need to lean heavily on their starters to maintain their edge.
Looking ahead, the rematch poses intriguing questions: Can Leicester continue to dominate the interior against a full-strength London team? Will London capitalise on their shooting opportunities? And can the Lions’ depth expose Leicester’s bench?
Championship head-to-head: Leicester 1 – 0 London
Adjustments Define the Race
The “rock-paper-scissors” dynamic between London, Leicester, and Sheffield sets the stage for an enthralling SLB title race. Each team has demonstrated its ability to counter another, but the real intrigue lies in how they adapt. London’s size and athleticism give them an edge over Sheffield, Leicester’s defensive schemes have disrupted London, and Sheffield’s depth has exposed Leicester’s reliance on their starters.
With Rodney Chatman III out with injury, Sheffield’s role in this dynamic could shift. Without him, the Sharks may find it harder to maintain their edge over Leicester’s improving bench or orchestrate their half-court sets effectively against London’s defensive pressure.
As the season progresses, these three teams will continue to test each other’s limits, evolving and adjusting to gain the upper hand. The SLB Championship isn’t just about dominance—it’s about mastering the nuances of every matchup. With crucial games still ahead, the battle for playoff seeding and championship glory will hinge on which team can refine their strengths and exploit their opponents’ weaknesses at the right moments.
