CHAT TRANSCRIPT






B365 Chat Host
Basketball 365 is proud to welcome Billy Mims, head coach of the Leicester Riders, to Chat Central this evening.

B365 Chat Host
Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule in the run up to Wembley to be here.

Billy Mims
Thanks to all the basketball fans out there for taking a bit of time to chat with us tonight

Billy Mims
As we prepare for the biggest game of the season in two days time - we thought we give you an opportunity to ask questions and find out what's goin on behind the scenes

B365 Chat Host
Okay - first question for Billy, comes from Yeah

B365 Chat Host
How do go about recruiting your players, when you build your teams where do you start? Is there any position that you get filled up first before you sign other players.

Billy Mims
In the BBL we're faced with challenging rules as to the number of national and non-national players that we can field.

Billy Mims
We are allowed 3 work permit players, 2 non-permit players and 5 English players

Billy Mims
We generally try to find the 2 non-permitted foreign players first

Billy Mims
Then build around them as they are a smaller pool to recruit from

Billy Mims
If we look strictly at positions, we would try to sign our guards first because I feel that the BBL is a guard-oriented league

B365 Chat Host
Next question is from Roger Grooms

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Do you know what the plans are regarding TV exposure for next season? I have heard rumours but I do not know if they are true. Also, any plans to see Leicester in Europe?

Billy Mims
As regards to television it is my understanding that the league will be televised in a joint venture from NTL with some input from BBC

Billy Mims
but again, I'm not really privelaged to these kind of arrangements, so I will find out if the rumors I heard are true at the same time everyone else does

Billy Mims
next part....

Billy Mims
At the Leicester Riders, we would certainly love to have an opportunity to compete in Europe

Billy Mims
After all, we did beat the London Towers 2 out of 3 times this season!

Billy Mims
The problems we face would be financial considerations to the club and facility availability and suitability

B365 Chat Host
Next question is from Jenny

B365 Chat Host
You said that the winner of the Chester-Leicester game would go on to win the final, do you still think that that is the case?

Billy Mims
So far, I still have a chance to be right!

B365 Chat Host
Good questions.... next up is Sidelines

B365 Chat Host
What is your defensive philosiphy against combating the Sharks 3 pt threat on Saturday

Billy Mims
tune into Saturday's game and watch this space!

Billy Mims
After all, Chris Finch might be looking into tonight's chat and I wouldn't want to give too much away to the Sharks two days before the game

B365 Chat Host
Okay... next we have Bears Fan

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Hi Billy, Congratulations on your achivement this year [you wouldn't fancy a change of scenery and come down to Brighton???!!!] who inspired you to become a coach, were you a player??? P.S I love the way you bring your fans into the game after all they are the 6th man!!

Billy Mims
Although Brighton is probably one of the loveliest seaaside resorts in Britain, I'm very happy here in Leicester

Billy Mims
and the wonderful fans of the Riders are a big reason why

Billy Mims
When I was a young basketball player, I was a big fan of the UCLA Bruins but instead of wanting to become like one of their great players, I wanted to become like their coach John Wooden

Billy Mims
He wrote a great book titled "They Call Me Coach" that is a great read and I thought 'wow, what a simple but wonderful way to be remembered'

Billy Mims
Later I became friends with the coach with that I admired most in the career - Jim "Jimmy V" Valvano

Billy Mims
He also wrote a great book titled "They Offered Me A Lifetime Contract And Then Pronounced Me Dead"

Billy Mims
Jimmy V coached with a passion on the sidelines that I have tried to emulate but it was his passion that really drove me to wanting to be the best coach that I could be

B365 Chat Host
Welcome to all the latecomers.... we are here with Billy Mims - please fire away any questions for Billy that you may have

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This one comes from Nick

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i can't see why larry and ralph or even purnell wasn't in the top 10 all-stars list and nate reinking and terrell myers was what are your thoughts about that\?

Billy Mims
Well, obviously I agree that the Leicester Riders certainly should have had a player in the top 10 all-stars this season

Billy Mims
All of our guys were so successful, it's difficult to pinpoint who that player or players would have been

Billy Mims
but the match-ups you propose are interesting and I think Saturday's game will give us a little insight into the answer to your question

B365 Chat Host
Next question comes from Dave

B365 Chat Host
Purnell Perry has sure been a revelation this season, do you see him in your plans for the future

Billy Mims
At this stage, we're simply focusing on the weekend

Billy Mims
We have a lot of players on this year's team that we would love to be Riders for a long time

Billy Mims
But there are a lot of factors to consider and right now we don't want any of those considerations to disrupt our focus for Saturday's final

B365 Chat Host
This one comes from Rico

B365 Chat Host
Billy, wot is the best game you have coached or seen?

Billy Mims
This season... the 21-point come from behind victory over the Birmingham Bullets at Aston Villa in the quarter finals of the NTL National Cup

Billy Mims
it certainly ranks up as one the greatest comebacks that I have been a part of

Billy Mims
As a collegiate coach in Florida, my team at Barry University, played the longest game in the NCAA in one season, and that was a 4-overtime game

Billy Mims
Can you imagine that? Players playing and coaches coaching for a game and a half on one night

Billy Mims
Fortunately, we won the game :)

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Question from Saintpat

B365 Chat Host
why is it that clubs rarely sign players on more than a year contract and why don't players many players get signed until the close season?

Billy Mims
In British basketball unfortunately players salaries are still far lower than players salaries offered on the continent

Billy Mims
Players generally wait to see if clubs on the continent will make them an offer that is financially better for their future

Billy Mims
This puts the player in a mode where he is spending the summer circulating his statistics and waiting to see what interest their might be in his services

Billy Mims
unfortunately, fans of British clubs are made to wait and coaches are generally in a year-round recruiting phase

Billy Mims
the only way that we will see players begin to commit earlier and for longer contracts is for the game in Britain to begin to generate more financial sponsorship

Billy Mims
from both corporate investment into the game, media coverage of the game and ticket sales around the country

Billy Mims
Without large crowds coming to the games sponsors don't generally flood the clubs with offers of cash investment and the media don't give sport the proper coverage it's due

Billy Mims
so I guess you could say it's a catch-22

B365 Chat Host
Hi Billy, it's mark from Plymouth wishing you and the Riders good luck in the BBl play-off final this weekend. Although i will be cheering for the Plymouth Raiders, i, along with the vast majority off the Raiders fans are going to stay on and cheer for the Riders. You must remember us!

Billy Mims
Hi Mark - I certainly do remember the Raiders and their wonderful fans from their previous appearance at Wembley

Billy Mims
I can really remember your fantastic support for me and my team on that day, and appreciate your enthusiastic support of the Riders on this occasion

Billy Mims
We received your e-mail in our office and have publicly let our fans know of your support

Billy Mims
when they arrive early, that the Riders will strongly the Raiders and hope it will be a double success on the day for the teams beginning with R!

Billy Mims
Rebels, Rockets Raiders and Riders - hey it must something to do with having a nickname beginning with R

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A question from Geordie

B365 Chat Host
Billy congratulations on a great season and good luck on Saturday. As a Towers fan I have enjoyed watching some of the best sides in Europe this season - Do you think that the UK will ever be able to compete at this level?

Billy Mims
I already that the UK can compete at this level, after all I sat courtside as the London Towers beat Real Madrid in pre season

Billy Mims
Sheffield Sharks have also previously competed very well against European opposition and the Birmingham Bullets have done extremely well in the NEBL Challenge Cup

Billy Mims
and you must remember that European clubs have a huge advantage over English clubs in the salaries that they offer their players

Billy Mims
Alexandar Djordjevic of Real Madrid makes more money than the entire BBL roster of any side

B365 Chat Host
Now, an e-mail from South Carolina.....

B365 Chat Host
Sorry we won't be there on Saturday, but we will be listening on the web. Go ahead and win the big one and bring those Grandkids to see us. Our prayers are with you. Love, Mom & Dad

Billy Mims
Thanks Mom and Dad for the prayers from South Carolina, and I'm sure I'll be saying a few courtside at Wembley as well

Billy Mims
We'll see you soon and I hope I arrive back in South Carolina as a newly crowned British champion

B365 Chat Host
This one is from Mark

B365 Chat Host
Billy, Our ten year old son has just been selected to represent England at mini-basketball level. His ambition is to study in America and try to make it into the NBA. Can you envisage in the future more British players making the leap into the NBA

Billy Mims
Absolutely

Billy Mims
Many young English players are currently working their way through the US basketball system - i.e. in High School, Junior College or at the NCAA level

Billy Mims
Basketball around the world is rapidly catching up with the Stateside version

Billy Mims
I hope the media in Britain begin to realise that basketball is no longer a US game but rather a global game

Billy Mims
Good luck to your son, and England mini-basketball, and I hope he continues to work hard to make all of his hoop dreams come true

B365 Chat Host
a question from the BBC....

B365 Chat Host
How does it feel to have come so far in such a short time against all odds? You have worked so hard, provided us with so much exciting basketball and provided so many historic firsts. Nobody deserves a win at Wembley more than you.

B365 Chat Host
"I believe".... Martin

Billy Mims
This season has truly been a fairytale - for the organisation, our fans and my family

Billy Mims
Kevin Routledge gave me the opportunity to continue coaching basketball in the BBL and that's something I really love

Billy Mims
I'm very thankful for that opportunity and hope that our silverware in the National Cup and our appearance at Wembley is in some small way a repayment for his faith in me

Billy Mims
Thanks for believing and I'm sure that with the thousands of Riders fans on their feet shouting at the top of their lungs and all believing together, the Riders just might make Wembley "Leicester South" for a day

B365 Chat Host
Another e-mail question... from Rob Crump

B365 Chat Host
hey billy i would like to play basketball when im older but i cant find a club at the moment! im 16 years and i practise everyday! what advice would you give to me to achieve my goal?

Billy Mims
Rob, I'm glad you love the game enough to practise every day

Billy Mims
That's the first step in achieving your goal

Billy Mims
It's certainly not too late for you. Remember even Michael Jordan was cut from his High School basketball team at the age of 15

Billy Mims
The next thing you must do is check with the EBBA to find out who has a competitive club for your age group somewhere in a commutable distance for you

Billy Mims
Phone that club. Annoy them. Keep telephoning the club, until they give you an opportunity to come and work out with them

Billy Mims
When they do, make them want to keep you.

Billy Mims
It's important at this stage, that you begin to play competitive basketball in an organised team environment

Billy Mims
Finally, work to become the best within that club. Go on and attempt to represent your county, to be noticed there and then attempt to represent the region and ultimately England within your age group

Billy Mims
Believe me if you can achieve success at all these levels, you will soon be head hunted by BBL clubs as well

B365 Chat Host
Final Question for this evening for Coach Mims comes from lil boy ryde

B365 Chat Host
HOW MANY RIDERS FANS ARE EXPECTD TO BE AT WEMBLEY?

Billy Mims
Just how many seats are there at Wembley?

Billy Mims
I was under the impression that every seat at Wembley will have a Riders fan sitting in it :)

Billy Mims
Seriously though, we have sold our clubs entire allocation of tickets for the final

Billy Mims
We have 5 coachloads of fans leaving from Saffron Lane in Leicester on Saturday morning

Billy Mims
We have two London hotels fully booked with Leicester supporters

Billy Mims
So I believe that the Riders sixth man "the Blue and White army" will be in full force in Wembley on Saturday afternoon

B365 Chat Host
Billy, we appreciate you taking the time to come on to Chat Central this evening and wish you all the very best for Saturday at Wembley

Billy Mims
It's been my pleasure to spend this evening chatting with some of the great fans of British basketball

Billy Mims
Myself and our team are certainly looking forward to this weekend at Wembley

Billy Mims
No matter what the result is on Saturday afternoon we are going to try and play an entertaining brand of basketball, to make it a great game

Billy Mims
So that the ultimate winner on the day will be the game of British basketball

Billy Mims
Personally for the Riders fans - I, for one, hope that this fairytale season has a happy ending

Billy Mims
Thanks again and hope to see you all courtside sometime soon supporting your personal favourite basketball team in the future

B365 Chat Host
Thanks Billy

B365 Chat Host
Just a quick note...

B365 Chat Host
Billy will be running some basketball camps during this summer and we will bring you details of those via the site in the coming weeks

B365 Chat Host
Thanks to everyone who joined in with tonight's chat on Chat Central with Billy Mims and we look forward to bringing you more guest chats in the very near future.