Cheshire Phoenix head coach John Coffino believes Nix fans have only seen a fraction of what his side is capable of.
The Nix have progressed as a unit with each passing game under Coffino since beginning their campaign with a battling defeat at home to the Leicester Riders and registered a convincing 88-65 triumph over Durham Wildcats in the BBL Cup on Sunday night.
Despite a strong team performance against a solid Wildcats side, Coffino believes he has only just scratched the surface with his team, stating that they are currently operating at 40%.
“Things are coming together for us and we are improving with each game but there is a whole lot more to come from this team,” he said.
“I think we are playing at 40%. There is huge potential here and the fans are going to be in for a real treat when it all comes together.
“We are working on how to improve things constantly and we will be a tough opponent for any team in this league.
“But these things take time. We are a new team, a new coaching staff. But I feel that we are on track to where we need to be and that is pleasing. The guys are working really hard.”
Coffino praised his side following the win and said the addition of new signing Taylor King has given the club a boost.
“He is a special player,” he said.
“He was a bit rusty to start with but once he got going you got a glimpse of how much talent he has.
“After the game against Durham we spoke until the early hours of the morning on his role with the team and how he can help us win games of basketball.
“He just wants to play and be a part of this team and make a contribution to what we are trying to achieve here.
“But Taylor is just one part of the jigsaw we have here at the Nix and all the players have their roles to play and we win games as a team.”
The Nix face a tough weekend, travelling to Leicester Riders, their conquerors in the opening game of the season, in the BBL on Saturday (7.30pm) before entertaining last season’s BBL champions Newcastle Eagles at the Northgate Arena on Sunday (5.30pm).
Despite falling to defeat to a 65-59 loss to the Riders at the Northgate on the opening weekend of the season last month, Coffino believes his new-look team are already a stronger unit than than the last time the two teams met.
“We are a tougher, stronger side than we were during that first game .” he said.
“But it is all about us and what we do as a team that counts.”
