In a league defined by parity, a clear identity can be a competitive edge. Cheshire have leaned into theirs more than anyone—playing faster, shooting more, and living with the consequences. But as the season has unfolded, that commitment has begun to look more like a limitation than a strength.
They still play with breakneck pace and offensive freedom. They still force turnovers and push the tempo. But without a defence to hold it all together, their high-variance style has unravelled. What once felt dangerous now looks inflexible.
Pace as Their Foundation
Cheshire are the SLB’s fastest team by some margin. Their 78.34 possessions per game lead the league, and they also top the charts in steals per possession. Their tempo isn’t just about offensive aggression—it starts on defence, where they hunt turnovers to fuel transition opportunities.
| Team | Possessions Per Game |
|---|---|
| Cheshire Phoenix | 78.34 |
| Manchester Basketball | 75.48 |
| Caledonia Gladiators | 74.95 |
| London Lions | 74.43 |
| Newcastle Eagles | 74.02 |
| Surrey 89ers | 73.35 |
| Bristol Flyers | 73.06 |
| B. Braun Sheffield Sharks | 72.46 |
| Leicester Riders | 71.46 |
* Possessions are estimated from box score data using this formula which will result in variation from tracking statistics.
Their transition offence is sharp. When they force turnovers, they convert with pace and confidence. Even in the half-court, they maintain tempo with quick-hitting actions and an eagerness to shoot early in the clock.
Offence Built on High Variance
Cheshire’s offensive strategy is simple and extreme. They attempt threes at one of the highest rates in the league and lead the SLB in fast-break scoring per possession.
This scatter plot captures their identity. Positioned at the top right, Cheshire are one of the league’s most aggressive teams in both transition and perimeter offence on a per possession basis. Their attack is built on pace and high-variance shot selection—designed to overwhelm, not outlast. When shots fall, they can blitz anyone. When they don’t, there’s little room for course correction.
A Defence That Can No Longer Hold Up
This is where the cracks really began to show. Cheshire’s aggressive defence was once enough to tip the balance in their favour—but over time, that edge has faded.
Cheshire still generate steals, but their overall defensive rating has been trending the wrong way for months. The turning point came around the departure of Cam Christon and Tahjai Teague. Since then, their defence hasn’t just declined—it’s fallen well below league average. Opponents are scoring more efficiently, and Cheshire are finding it harder to dictate games when their defence doesn’t deliver disruption.
A Team Defined by Its Identity
This is a team that knows exactly what it wants to be. Head coach Ben Thomas has a clear vision, and everyone in the organisation has bought into it. According to agent Tom Politi, Ben Thomas “always knows exactly what he wants. If a player doesn’t fit his vision, he won’t take them.”
That clarity is rare—and it’s what made Cheshire so dangerous earlier in the year. But the season has shifted, and the margins have tightened. The Phoenix remain committed to their high-variance, high-pace identity. But with the stakes rising, the question is whether that same identity can still carry them.
Links
- The SLB Show Interview with Tom Politi: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2lb4oibchI83Od0SCW4iTj?si=a52b5668ef7f4d8d&nd=1&dlsi=867c0a15a2e84e4a
- In The Nix Podcast Pilot Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1LcRJ2YdZJ0ulFUjBdqrhC?si=747529ace58546ca
