CREDIT: COURT-SIDE.COM
London has dropped some known quantities, such as Raheem Singleton.

When the London Lightning lost three straight games, head coach Micheal Ray Richardson was quick to blow up the team. After all, three games was the longest any losing streak had gone for Richardson and the Lightning. This mid-season shakeup was clearly an attempt to get his team together for the stretch run.

First off, Raheem Singleton and Al'lonzo Coleman were axed for good after many trips to the inactive list. Singleton was quick, and started every game for the Lightning he played, but he only averaged 10 minutes per game — really low numbers for a starter.

Meanwhile, Al'lonzo Coleman was a victim to nagging injuries that never really had him on the court for any serious amount of time. He only played 17 minutes in a Lightning jersey, averaging 8.5 per game — I dare you to find a lower average. In closing, these players were young, bit-part players at best.

That being said, the players that are coming in to replace them are older and will look to get more minutes.

Tony Bennett has come to the team from the Rochester RazorSharks of the Premier Basketball League, notching 18 points per game in the less competitive league. Bennett has been playing as a point guard to start off, but he went .321 per cent from beyond the arch (three point shooting) in Rochester, taking over 100 attempts in 19 games.

Meanwhile Darin Mency has also come over from Rochester. He should be the guy shooting threes for the Lightning, who went 1-14 beyond the arch in their third loss to Brampton. The 6 ft. 2 in. guard drained .407 per cent of his threes with the RazorSharks. London never really replaced their big three-point shooters from last season (Adrian Moss, DeAnthony Bowden and especially Rodney Buford), so this will be an attempt to fill that gap. They've been shooting under .350 per cent all year, so having more than one shooter on the floor at once will help free space.

And finally, the Lightning hired Harouna Mutombo. Yes, that Mutombo. Nephew of NBA great Dikembe Mutombo, Harouna is a bit bigger than the other two, standing at 6 ft. 4 in. and weighing 205 pounds. It's unknown how much these guys will play, but Mutombo will probably be playing the least. He's only 23 years old. He has the potential to be something great, according to NBA scouts, because clearly it's in his family's genes.

Coach Richardson made some big changes over just a few days in December. Will it pay off?

Marty Thompson is the play-byplay voice of the London Lightning for their livestream, SportsLive24.net.