Spell Check On E-Bay Please

They were some serious socks!

It has been brought to my attention by one of my regular readers, that there is a trading card of mine on E-Bay and it's going price ($1) is performing none better than former teammate and now Adelaide 36ers Head Coach Scott Ninnis' did. (The good thing is my Mum has time to fix this problem. She will as high as $5 + postage.)

But, after laying a keen eye over this stellar limited edition Coca Cola Futura NBL Future Forces card, the owner of the card has absolutely butchered my name. I know for a fact that John Aille does not possess as deadly a jumpshot as yours truly.

If the seller, "modelcarsv8", wants to get top dollar for this very sought after card he better amend the spelling of my name to John Rillie, quickly.

There is still 6 days and hours left on the bidding, but do not leave your run too late. I would hate to see you miss out on this great piece of memorabilia. Buy it and I will personally sign it for you, for free.

Happy bidding.

- The "Save The Sixers" Consortium has worked hard over the recent off season to keep the Adelaide 36ers alive.

Now they have entrusted the franchise to new CEO Ben Fitz-Simmons.

Check out this A Current Affair piece and see how this young local punter has gone from fan to top dog in his own backyard.

- Former Maryland Terrapin John Gilchrist impresses during his first practice session with the Adeliade 36ers.

- Minnesota native turned Aussie punter Dusty Rychart has arrived in snake territory. Rychart has become a journeyman in the NBL, now joining his fifth team, the Cairns Taipans.

V8's & Robbie Fowler

Sir Robbie Fowler will have a happy snap with anyone.

I have never been one to fully appreciate motor racing in any capacity but my perception has changed all thanks to the V8 Supercars. An absolute magic weekend up here in Townsville as the city hosted it's first ever V8 event.

I was fortunate enough to invited along to enjoy some corporate hospitality on Sunday. I did not know what to expect but the minute I entered the circuit and smelt a few petrol fumes, I was in.

It did not hurt that my seat was in full view of a Hair Pin Corner (not sure about the terminology), so the day was full of scrapes and nudges as the cars tried to navigate the corner at speed.

Besides the racing, I was lucky enough to meet the latest sporting legend to make his way to Townsville. English Premier League God Robbie Fowler was enjoying the same hospitality as I. As you can see he does not mind posing for a happy snap.

Like motor racing my knowledge of soccer, yes soccer, is very limited but I will make my way out to Dairy Farmers stadium to catch the North Queensland Fury in action.

If I learnt anything on the weekend it was you can appreciate something without having to totally understand the finer points.

I wish Robbie and the rest of the Fury the best of luck for this coming A-League season.

Back to the racing. I included the video footage so you could hopefully get a taste of the noise these machines produce.

Unlucky for Jason Bright (18th) and his team that the day was not a little more successful. I was lucky enough to spend some time with Bright earlier on in the week so he become "my guy" to follow. As well, he runs his own team so a few local companies come on board as sponsors so it added a local feel to it.

Maybe next year with a little more support from the north, success with find Mr Bright and his Fujitsu Team.

I was always happy for Townsville to host an event of this magnitude because it is great for the community to gain such exposure but now I cannot wait for next year to roll around so I can smell those fumes and rubber burning again.

"Homicide" Williams Is A Croc & Aussies In Vegas

Dunk you very much. Twitter confirms "Homicide" will be back in Townsville.

I'm sure if you read my latest post you may have still had a little uncertainty as to Corey "Homicide" Williams was returning to the Townsville Crocodiles this season.

Well, I'm here to tell you that "Homicide" must be a regular reader of this blog because he did drop the news of him signing with the Crocodiles via Twitter yesterday.

These two messages in succession on Corey's Twitter page are enough for me to believe that he is a Croc for next season.

Here is how "Homicide" broke the news via Twitter, so you can make up your own mind.

"it's green and yellow one more time!!!!! Da Ville here we go again" about 13 hours ago from web (@chomicide)

"I AM THE FACE OF THE NATION YOU CAN'T HAVE CROC NATION WITHOUT THE FACE OF THE NATION CROC NATION STAND UP! GREEN MACHINE LETS GO BABY" about 13 hours ago from web (@chomicide)

News

- ``I said I'd need to see (tape of) someone pretty impressive to change my mind about going (to Las Vegas) and John (Gilchrist) is that player,'' Scott Ninnis told the Adelaide Advertiser. ``He's just knocked our socks off."

Adelaide 36ers Head Coach Scott Ninnis talking up the prospect of former Maryland Terrapin point guard John "don't call me Adam" Gilchrist.

I wonder if Ninnis was wearing the popular 1990's tube sock when he made the decision?

- While on the 36ers, former import Julius Hodge is trying his luck in the NBA again. Over the summer he will join the Chicago Bulls at various Summer Leagues.

During this recent radio (am850 the Buzz Sports Radio) interview, Hodge talks about how he is ready to rejoin the NBA.

He mentions how his "jumper" is ready.

My two cents worth on Julius' jump shot. It will be ready when my shotblocking abilities are NBA ready.

NBL fans take note, Julius believes that the French league is a little better than what Australia (NBL) has to offer.

- Brad Newley entered Day 2 of the Vegas Summer League looking to put forward a better performance from Day 1. His Houston Rockets had a win over Nathan Jawai's Dallas Mavericks.

Newley was solid in his performance with 9pts (3-6) and pulling down four boards.

Jawai did not play in this game.

- Fellow South Australian Joe Ingles was in action as well. Ingles had a quiet night shooting the ball (1-7 for 3pts) but he chipped in with 8 boards.

- North Queensland product Aron Baynes is playing for the NBA champions, LA Lakers in Vegas.

He was solid without being eye catching yesterday with 4pts and 4rebs of the bench.

- And just in case you missed it, Pat Mills will miss the entire Summer League circuit because of a broken foot.

Corey "Homicide" Williams To Make Decision Via You Tube?

No wonder "Homicide" wants to come back to Australia, he does not have to live out of the boot of his car.

It seems that New York streetball king Corey "Homicide" Williams will be bringing his NY swagger back to North Queensland for the upcoming 2009/10 NBL season.

On Friday night local television station WIN(Ch 9) hinted that Williams will be heading back across the Pacific very soon. The Townsville Crocodiles are staying mum on the topic for the time being.

I'll build on the speculation by contributing that I believe you will be able to see "Homicide" Williams make his announcement via You Tube in the near future.
If I'm making an announcement of my "franchise" player via cyber space I'm going with the new and hip microblogging forum, Twitter. Twitter is the here and now. It is now the Beyonce' of the world wide web, whereas You Tube has slowly faded to the Destiny's Child.

Here are a few examples of how Twitter has created headlines over the NBA offseason to date.

Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Kevin Love informed everyone that Kevin McHale would not be back as his head coach this upcoming NBA season.

Then Twitter junky Charlie Villanueva lets the world know he is no longer a free agent and signs with the Detroit Pistons. I wonder if new Pistons Head Coach John Kuester will mind if Charlie tweets at half time?

I know Corey is a colourful and an imaginative character, so I'm expecting something special if he is going to use the cyber world to his advantage when he makes an announcement regarding his playing future.

"The 50 Cent of Streetball" As Previously Seen On You Tube

V8's Hit The 'Ville & Newley Is Smart

How is James Harvey linked to this model? Read on to find out.

The V8 Supercars are upon us here in Townsville for the first time in history. There is a fantastic buzz around the town and I cannot wait to go out on Sunday and be a "petrol head" for a day.

So in honour of the V8's I've found the best eight links from the day.

- I was glad I was lying down when I heard Houston Rocket James White describe Brad Newley as "smart". White actually pays Newley a great complement in this interview.

- Former Michigan St championship winning teammates Dave Thomas and Adam Ballinger make the news for different reasons today.

First Ballinger. The red head has become an Aussie today. For his American friends that read this, as of today Adam will be known as "Bluey" down under.

As for Thomas, it has finally become official that he joins the New Zealand Breakers of the NBL.

This means that he rejoins CJ Bruton, an old teammate of his with the Canberra Cannons.

Do you remember them?

- The Wollongong Hawks have asked the students of the local University of Wollongong to help them sell out game one.

I'm sure if this becomes a success story, we will see more clubs follow suit.

- Ever heard of model Siobhan Parekh? If you haven't, join the line I was standing in before I came across this article.

Gold Coast Blaze's James Harvey was the first in a long line of athletes to date the bikini model.

Boy, do I have some questions for James next time I bump into him.

- The young and the not so young in the NBL make news.

Cairns Taipans have re-signed speedy local Kerry Williams for the 2009/10 NBL season.

I'll be interested to see if Coach Aaron Fearne hands the 22 year old the keys to the team or he uses him as a spark off the bench.

On the other side of the ledger, elderly Perth businessman Jack Bendat has joined the Basketball Australia board.

- Jordan Crawford dunked on LeBron James. But as we find out, we will never see how it went down.

LeBron flexed and everyone in ear shot shivered.

WITNESS.

Emus Remain Undefeated, Artest Tribute Song To MJ

Cadee, Harris-Tunks and Hodgson cheer on their temmates as they advance to the final eight while Salecich is getting ready for a little Wiggles "HotPotato" action.

The stars of tomorrow in Australian basketball have remained undefeated at the World Championships for the u/19 men.

Let's look through the boxscore of their great win against previously undefeated Croatia. I'm concentrating on the kids heading to the USA college system next season.

Captain Matt Dellavedova who is heading to St Mary's came up big down the stretch of this one. He led all scorers with 17pts but 15 of them come in the crucial fourth quarter.

Again I will say it. He is an honest player and does a lot of things good and plays with an intensity that Head Coach Randy Bennett will love.

Cody Ellis who is suppose to be heading to Rick Majerus at St Louis had another solid performance chipping in 14pts and 4rebs.

Centre Brock Motum who is on his way to Pullman, Wa to play for the Washington St Cougars reached double figures with 10pts, but only 1reb to go with 5 to's. That will not please Head Coach Ken Bone.

Another guy heading to St Mary's is PF Mitch Young. A solid performer who is in the Diamon Simpson mold contributed 10pts and 4 offensive rebounds.

Ryan Broekhoff had a quiet one (3pts from the stripe) by his standards. Heading to Valpo I believe Broekhoff could be the sleeper of this bunch. He has a great stroke and if he has the work ethic, he will be able to add to his game.

Jordan Page (Mills II) who is heading to St Mary's has been splitting the point duties with Jason Cadee. Page was again solid with 8pts and 2 assists. The student section in Moraga is going to love this kids speed.

I know there are a few others that are attending college on this squad, but in this edition, "they did not trouble the scorekeeper".

Don't forget to check out the Emus live on Friday at 6.30pm when they take on France in a quarter final match up.

Highlights of a recent game against Argentina can be found here.

Ron Artest (Michael, Michael) has a tribute song to Michael Jackson. Interesting lyrics, especially when he says "I hope to see you next year".

Summer League & Other News

I look for Psycho T to have a huge Summer League but his stats will diminish once the regular season begins.

- The Orlando Pro Summer League started today but I'm sorry to say there are no Aussies on any of the rosters. Click here to check out the days boxscores.

- The Australian Emus moved a step closer to securing a spot in the medal round of the World u/19 Championships. The Emus defeated Argentina 76-65.

He is making me a believer these days. Cody Ellis led the Aussies again with another solid performance of 16pts and 8rebs. Point guard Jason Cadee and Brock Motum also had 16 apiece.

Next up is Croatia.

- The New Zealand Tall Blacks are targeting Cairns product Aron Baynes (via Washington State) for their national team.

If I'm Baynes and I have international aspirations, I go for it. Australia is loaded at the forward position with the likes Bogut, Andersen, Nielsen, Jawai and Schenscher.

- Ian Crosswhite has re-signed with the Cairns Taipans. Crosswhite produced some solid numbers after the Taipans lost their Coach Alan Black and several key players due to their financial troubles.

- It is now official, Stephen Hoare has signed with the Townsville Crocodiles.

This blog hinted at this happening quite some time ago.

- Thanks to Twitter the world discovers Charlie Villanueva signs with Detroit.

- Shawn Marion to the Dallas Mavericks?

Turn back the clock: Newcastle vs Geelong 1984