Hired in August 2002, Mike Taylor guided the DG Essex Leopards Kool Kats for the 2002-2003 British Basketball League season. Based in Brentwood, England, just northwest off London's M25 orbital, coaching Leopards was an excellent experience for Mike T. Close friend and successful British coach Robbie Peers (now head coach of London Towers) was instrumental in helping Taylor land the job and was extremely supportive throughout the season. Working at Leopards was not an easy job. Owners Ed and Annie T Simon resurrected the struggling franchise in the late summer of 2002 putting together a team on the lowest budget in the league. Mike T helped keep the Leopards competitive staying in the playoff hunt the entire season before being eliminated with a loss at league champion Sheffield in the last game of the year. After taking control of the 8th and final playoff spot midseason, team turmoil and a late season losing streak proved to be too much for the Leopards to overcome. There were many excellent times: Rod Brown's buzzer beater to upset Thames Valley at home; a 20 point home win over eventual playoff champ Scottish Rocks; three good wins over the Milton Keynes Lions; training at the Reebok Sports Club London; the teams two wins over rival London Towers including winning the last Leopards home game in the BBL at the Brentwood Center. Unfortunately, after the roller coaster season, the Leopards franchise folded and did not return to the British Basketball League. On a positive note, the team was sold to the Loyal Leopard fans and returned to action in the English Basketball League (a semi professional 2nd division in England).
Leopards MVP Rod Brown starred all season for the team while center David Fisher finished the year as one of two players in the entire league to average a double double of 10 points and 10 rebounds a game --- Fisher also led the BBL in rebounding for the 2002-2003 season. Coach Taylor still stays in touch with many friends from London and considers the city one of the best in the world.
www.bbl.org.uk
Click here for Leopards 2002-2003 stats |
