Five things to know for new Lightning season …

There are some familiar faces, but there’s a sense of renewal in London as the Lightning embark on a new season. With a new coach and several new players, is a new era upon us? What to expect in 2024-25 …

(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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The London Lightning open a new BSL season Saturday night when they travel to Sudbury to take on The Five at Sudbury Community Arena. With a new head coach at the helm, a roster that underwent significant transformation, and a league brimming with competition, there’s no shortage of intrigue.

Here are five things to know ahead of the Bolts’ opener:

1 | The Williams Era begins. The Jerry Williams era officially tips off in London, marking a distinct shift in philosophy and approach for the Lightning. While Williams brings his own unique coaching style and player development ideas, he also inherits the complex legacy of Doug Plumb. 

Plumb, while undeniably successful in bringing championships to London, also presided over periods of internal strife and occasional clashes with players. His departure left some lingering questions about team chemistry and player management.

Williams now faces the challenge of not only establishing his own authority and building a winning culture but also addressing any residual issues from the previous regime. He must forge a new path while learning from the past, a delicate balancing act that will be crucial to the Lightning’s success.

Can Williams bring the same level of on-court success while fostering a more harmonious and unified team environment? That will be one of the most compelling storylines of the season. His ability to connect with players, manage egos, and create a positive locker room atmosphere will be just as important as his x’s and o’s prowess.

London’s new head coach, Jerry Williams. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

2 | Churn, baby, churn. Last season, the Lightning roster was a revolving door – with more churn than an Amish weekend. This constant turnover made it nearly impossible for fans to connect with the team. Stability is key this year.

What’s the Seinfeld joke? Fans are basically standing and cheering for your city’s clothes to beat the clothes from another city.

That’s true, in a sense, but when it comes to this level of professional sports, fans invest in players. They crave those connections that transform a team into their team. Look at the enduring bond between the London Knights and their fans, or the legendary status of London Majors star Cleveland Brownlee – that’s the power of familiarity and consistent performance. Even as I covered the Lightning last year, I struggled to keep track of who was playing on any given night. While fan favourite Chris Jones provides one such connection, the Lightning need to cultivate more recognizable personalities and give them the time to truly resonate with the city.

A stable roster breeds familiarity, and familiarity breeds loyalty.

3 | Attitude adjustment. Despite a championship finish, this team was in turmoil most of last season. Injuries. Inconsistent on-the-court play. Annoying behind-the-scenes drama. It was a year that weighed on the franchise and fans alike – despite the title hardware.

Much of that drama was self-inflicted, as the team and its head coach not only led the league in technical fouls, but also in on-court dramatics. Billy White crumbling to the hardwood. Chris Jones jawing at referees, opponents, and fans alike. Jermaine Haley Jr. begging and pleading for an extra foul. Some games featured more action in the tunnel than while the clock was running.

That made this team exhausting to play, to coach, to watch, and to officiate.

Fast forward to this season. While there are familiar faces on the roster, there’s also a sense of renewal with a new head coach and a largely revamped supporting cast. But will this fresh start lead to a reset in attitude? Fans should have a few questions.

Can the new coach establish discipline and reduce the unnecessary drama? A calmer, more focused approach could make this team easier to manage while helping players channel their energy into winning games, not arguments.

Will the new additions to the roster bring a steadier influence? Fresh talent can mean fresh attitudes, and it’ll be critical to see if they complement or clash with the team’s remaining core.

Can the veterans lead by positive example? Players like Jones and White are undeniable talents, but will they temper their antics and step up as leaders to help foster a more unified locker room?

Last season’s chaos may have ended in a confetti shower, but it came at a cost. This season offers a chance for redemption – not in wins but in how this team carries itself on and off the court.

Veteran Billy White, one of four returnees in 2024-25, will be key to the Lightning finding success — both on and off the court. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

4 | One for the ages. The Lightning roster features a wealth of experience, with an average age of 30.1 years — one of the oldest in the Basketball Super League. This maturity could become both a strength and a challenge as the season unfolds.

Veterans like Billy White (35) and Paul Parks (34) bring seasoned perspectives and a steadying influence for the team. For their head coach, this experience is invaluable. Players who have been through the grind know what it takes to survive the grind. Veteran rosters also tend to have better court awareness, making fewer mental mistakes and excelling in late-game execution. Their physicality and toughness can give the Lightning an edge in close games and playoff scenarios.

While experience is a key asset, it does come with inevitable questions about durability and endurance. Basketball is a fast-paced, physically demanding sport, and a team with an older roster is more susceptible to wear and tear. Injuries could become a concern, especially over the course of a long season. With a roster sitting at 12, there is a bit more flexibility, but if the team attempts to play with a shorter bench, as it did many times last season, that could be risky.

The coaching staff will need to balance playing time carefully, finding ways to keep their veterans fresh without compromising team chemistry or momentum.

5 | Home sweeter home. Canada Life Place is the league’s best arena – period – and has the potential to once again be a true fortress for the London Lightning. However, last season saw the once-intimidating atmosphere became less of a factor. The team won, but did so in the most uninteresting way, with a roster that was, well, super whiny at times.

This season, the challenge is to re-establish London’s arena as a place opponents fear.

“Our home court is going to be vital. It’s so important,” Williams said. “We have some long stretches playing at home. That’s bigger than many people realize. The guys get worn out on long road trips. It wears on you.”

Yes, downtown London is a pain – parking can be a nightmare and expensive; constant construction creates more ill-advised detours than my career path; and the more, shall we say, colourful aspects of downtown give some parents pause at bringing kids down at night.

The Lightning aren’t solving those.

But that means the focus must be on putting a product on the floor that excites fans and packs the stands. The Lightning need to bring back the thunder, if you will.

Winning, of course, is the key ingredient. Exciting, fast-paced basketball, highlight-reel plays, and a team that plays with passion and grit will draw fans back and reignite the energy in the arena. Building a strong connection with the community through outreach programs and fan engagement initiatives will also be crucial. The front office understands and are making renewed inroads into building a gameday experience that goes beyond the final score.

If the Lightning can recapture the magic and make their home arena a buzzing hive of electricity once again, their home court advantage could become the X-factor that propels them back to the top of the BSL.