ABL 2019-20: Preview Analysis of Hong Kong Eastern against KL Dragons

Ahead of our fifth game of the season against Hong Kong Eastern, we take a look at the team from Hong Kong.

Established in 2015, Hong Kong Eastern quickly earned promotion into Hong Kong’s A1 Division and became Hong Kong’s first fully professional basketball team in 2016. 

Making their ABL debut in the 2016/2017 season, Hong Kong Eastern immediately stamped their authority by finishing first in the regular season. Eastern would go on to secure the championship with a 3-1 finals series win over the Singapore Slingers, led by the efforts of their two MVPs, Marcus Elliott (World) and Tyler Lamb (Heritage). 

Eastern were not able to regain their championship in the next two seasons, but were able to qualify for the playoffs semi finals both times.

Coming into their fourth season, Hong Kong Eastern come in with a revamped line up with a new head coach in Jordan Brady. For the first time as well, Eastern are without Marcus Elliott in their roster.

The Hong Kongers are having a tough start to their season, losing all three of their games so far by double digits. 

The team has also replaced two of their initial imports, American guards TJ Price and Trey Kell. Kell was their most impressive player by far, averaging 31.3 points per game before he had to leave the team due to injury.

Kell’s replacement is 32 year old 6 ft 3 American guard, Brandis Raley Ross. Ross will make his debut against us and has built himself an eight year playing career with several teams across Eastern Europe. He recently helped Mornar Bar earn a Montenegrin League Championship in 2018. 

TJ Price was replaced by 32 year old 6 ft 9 American forward, Brandon Costner. Costner comes in with vast basketball experience, having played in the NBA G League, China, Belgium, France, Puerto Rico, Lebanon and most recently Japan. Costner had 19 points and 12 rebounds in his season debut against Mono Vampire.

Completing their import line up is their returning 27 year old American center, Mike Holyfield who is known for his rebounding and tough defense. Holyfield is currently averaging 14 points and 11.7 rebounds.

Their key locals, Lee Ki, Chan Siu Wing, French Taiwanese Steven Guinchard and Lau Tsz Lai are all potent outside shooters and were part of their 2016/2017 Championship team. 

Over the past three seasons, we’ve struggled against Hong Kong Eastern and have yet to beat them in eight encounters.

The closest we came to victory was a 85-88 loss in the 2016/2017 season where we led with eight seconds remaining before a basket by former NBA player, Josh Boone sent us to defeat.

Coming up against a team hungry for their first victory will not be easy. With an impressive new addition in Brandis Raley Ross, we will need to click on all gears to leave Hong Kong with the win.

The game will take place on the 8th of January 2020, 8.00 PM at Southorn Stadium, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

Fans can catch the game on ASEAN Basketball League’s YouTube and Facebook as well as Astro Arena.

猛龙的第五场赛事对上香港东方，让我们一同瞧瞧香港东方为何方神圣。

香港东方初建立于2015年，东方也很快地晋级到了甲1级，也在2016年成为了香港第一支全职业篮球队。

香港东方初次与16/17年赛季亮相，也立马宣誓自己的主权拿下常规赛第一。不仅如此，东方也分别在两个MVP马吉斯·艾利诺 (Marcus Elliott) 和林泰乐 (Tyler. Lamb)   的带领下，以3比1的成绩击败新加坡腾飞之狮拿下当季的总冠军。

但东方未能在接下来的两个赛季重返荣耀，仅止步于季后赛的半决赛。

踏入第四个赛季的香港东方可说是球员大换血，也迎来新总教练—乔丹·布雷迪 (Jordon Brady)。这也是马吉斯第一次不在东方的球员名单内。

东方开季坎坷，至今的的三场比赛全负，且分差都是双位数。

东方裁了他们起初的两位美国外援，迎来了 TJ·普林斯 (TJ Price)  和特睿· 凯尔 (Trey Kell)。目前凯尔是东方最令人印象深刻的球员，在他伤退前他可是缴31.3的场均得分。

而目前取代凯尔的是来自美国32岁的控卫——布兰迪斯·赖利·罗斯。罗斯将首次亮相于与猛龙的交战。打了八年职篮的罗斯曾效力于数支东欧的球队而他2018年时在蒙特内哥罗联赛 (Montenegrin League) 中替莫纳尔酒馆 (Mornar Bar)夺冠。

TJ则由来着美国32岁205公分的前锋，布兰顿·考斯尼尔取代。考斯尼尔拥有丰富的职篮经验，他曾呆过NBA G联盟，以及效力于许多国家如中国、比利时、法国、波多黎各、黎巴嫩和近期的日本。考斯尼尔首次亮相时对垒了泰国的莫诺吸血鬼，缴出19分12篮板的数据。

27岁的美国中锋——迈克·霍利菲尔德的归来完成了东方的外援阵容。迈克因他的的篮板能力和强悍的防守闻名，而他目前场均14分和11.7篮板。

东方的关键本土球员，李琪 (Lee Ki) 、陈兆荣 (Chan Siu Wing) 、台法混血儿张文平 (Steven Guinchard) 和刘子礼(Lau Tsz Lai) 分别都是16/17年冠军队中的一员，他们都是东方有力的外围火力。

三个赛季下来，猛龙与香港东方共交战八次，但都全吞败仗。

最可惜的莫过于16/17年时85比88的比赛。当时在最后8秒的时间被前NBA球员乔西·布恩 (Josh Boone) 给终结。

于渴望首胜的球队交手并不是件易事。加上东方新到来的罗斯，猛龙必须全力以赴才能锁定胜局。

比赛将在2020年1月8号，晚上8点整在香港湾仔的修顿体育馆开战。

粉丝们能到ABL的YouTube和面子书以及Astro Arena收看比赛。