What went wrong against Rocks? What went right, more like

WHAT went wrong against Scottish Rocks on Sunday?
It’s easier to start by asking, ‘What went right?’ Nothing.
Kwbana Beckles’ three-pointer gave Raiders their only lead of the game, 3-0 at the beginning of the first quarter.
After that it was one-way Rocks traffic.
For the record, it was Raiders’ heaviest home defeat since their record BBL loss – 114-66 against Rocks on October 23 2005 – and snapped a 14 game home streak in all competitions overhanging from last season.
Raiders were lax on defence and lost Rocks’ shooters, who finished 44 per cent (15/34 attempts) from the perimeter, fatally outgunning coach Gary Stronach’s squad 45-9 in three-pointers.
It was a blueprint almost of ‘How to win in Plymouth’.
Rocks’ transition defence effectively negated Raiders’ fast-break – and in the half-court Raiders’ offence looked clumsy.
Individuals went away from moving the ball and tried to force the issue, making something happen alone. It didn’t work.
If it had been a boxing fight, the referee would have stepped in, because Raiders were failing to defend themselves and had stopped throwing punches going forward.
Solutions? The Raider isn’t a tactical expert, but Raiders simply need to be better across the board.
They visibly gave Rocks less room after half-time, but the game was gone.
And is Kwbana Beckles too slow to play small-forward? On the evidence at the Pavilions so far, yes.
In pre-season at the Pavilions against Reading, David Watts had 18 points against him, and on Sunday Rocks small-forward Gareth Murray scored 20, including 4/7 three-pointers.
Going forward, if Beckles tried to beat his man off the dribble he simply ran into a wall of Rocks.
Team-mate Terrence Durham said we could expect something special from Beckles this season. If we can, we’re still waiting.
Raiders returned from the summer in better condition than ever, so they cannot blame a lack of fitness – but match-sharpness is sadly lacking.
Raiders, by all accounts, were poor in London last Saturday night, despite a narrow 86-82 victory.
Rocks were on top of their game last weekend – and it showed. It wasn’t a contest.
It doesn’t get any easier. Raiders visit Worcester this Saturday before – intake of breathe – a run of league games against Newcastle, Guildford, Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes, Newcastle, Guildford and Cheshire.
The BBL is deeper than ever this season and Raiders need to find some form in Worcester this weekend, or face falling out of title contention before they ever get in it.
Alarmist? Perhaps. But if there isn’t an edge at Raiders in training this week, I really will be.