NBL shoots off with Tivoli, Majesty matchup

Robert Bailey, Sunday Gleaner Writer

The much-anticipated start of the Flow National Basketball League (NBL) will tip off today at the National Indoor Sports Centre with a colourful opening ceremony, dress parade and double-header.

In the opening game at 6 p.m., newcomers Swift Sons will oppose Waterhouse, while the feature game will be a repeat of last year's finals matchup between defending champions Tivoli Gardens All-Stars and Majesty Gardens Legends, at 8 p.m.

The league, which should have started from August last year, will see 27 teams participating in four conferences - Southern, Western, Eastern, and Central.

Tivoli will enter today's game very confident following their 2-0 series victory over the Legends in last year's best-of-three finals.

They have also acquired the services of point guard Andy Smith from Urban Knights and forward Kwame Lawrence from Arnett Gardens Rockers.

Ted Marshall, coach of the west Kingston-based team, said they are looking to start this season on a winning note.

"We want to win this game and so we are very confident going into it," said Marshall. "I think if we play a solid defensive game and stick to our game plan, then we will win this game," he said.

Along with Smith and Lawrence, Tivoli will also rest their hopes in the hands of shooting guard Omar Barnes and centre Andre Whilby.

The Legends' coach, Marland Nattie, said he will be using today's game to evaluate his team's readiness.

"We are going to use this game to assess my team and to see where we are at now going into the season," said Nattie.

"We weren't able to do any serious preparations for this game because of the constant delays to the start of the league," Nattie said. "However, it (game) gives us a chance to look at our opponents because they are the defending champions and so this should be an exciting game."

The Legends have strengthened their team with Port Royal Bulls' trio of Paul Oliphant, Damion Young, and Elvis Pollack, along with King Thompson from St George's Slayers.

The Legends will also be relying on their star player and last season's Most Valuable Player, Kemar McLeish, as well as Baldon Todd.