Paternostro guided Riders to the play-offs last season

Leicester Riders coach Rob Paternostro is confident his new-look side will have no problems gelling when the season gets under way on Saturday.

Riders face Essex Pirates in the BBL Trophy at the John Sandford Centre.

Paternostro said: "We have a lot of new players to the BBL, but we feel like they are intelligent players who should adapt well.

"We're excited to get underway, we've had a couple good weeks of practice and I've been happy with our preparations."

Riders, who finished fifth in the BBL table last season, had a pair of home friendly games last weekend, recording 40+ point wins against USA Select and EBL Division One champions Derby Trailblazers.

"It was nice to play the friendlies - it gave our guys a chance to play on our home court and we had a chance to work on a few things," Paternostro added.

"I liked the way we made the 'extra pass'. If we continue to move and share the basketball, this team can be very effective on offence."

Bradd Wierzbicki and Jason Johnson are two of the main men to have moved on over the summer, while Andrew Bennett, James Warwick, Ryan Zamroz and Rishi Kakad have all joined the roster.

Paternostro said "We have many players who have come in and played hard right from the start.

"The practices have been competitive every day which is important if we want to improve as the season progresses."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version