Chris Anstey Breakdown and News

Goorj, the three ball is me BABY!

The Olympics is only five days away so I better pick up the pace with my player breakdowns.

Lets take a look at the NBL's MVP Chris Anstey.

strengths: The knock on Anstey is his lack of being a consistent low post target and floating out to three point territory. I look at this as being a strength for the Boomers during international competition.

With his ability to shoot the three ball this allows Andrew Bogut or David Andersen the room they require to operate down low. I would actually look at playing Anstey with either of these guys, especially when we play against the bigger teams.

Him and Nielsen together are not so good as "Nellie" is more of a slashing power forward. You need a constant target down low so "no go" for this combo.

Anstey is a proven performer at the high end of European ball so his strengths have served him well. The Aussies need to roll with these instead of looking at his negatives.

Chris is a good rebounder and passer as well so he can be more than just a guy that will stretch the opposition defense.

Also, remember he is a legit seven foot so he can intimidate on defense when he wants to. (I'll look for Dwight Howard to monster dunk on him at least once though when they clash in the next few days.)

weakness: I believe he tends to get carried away with passing the ball at times and this leads to some very loose turnovers. Always looking for the "home run" backdoor play, it can quite often let to a fast break for the opposition.

He needs to cut down on his careless TO's. Just the other night against Argentina he had two on penetration. This stat more than any other at the international level can be a game killer.

The team that manufactures easy points usually wins.

overall: Anstey's strengths far out weigh his weaknesses. The trouble is, his mistakes can be costly to the team.

I believe he will figure heavily if the Boomers make a medal run.

News

Fast Fact: On this day in 1949 the NBA was born.

Blogger Green Bandwagon breaks down the Boomers with some interesting facts.

"This country has been built on giving everyone a fair go and Sydney and Basketball Australia haven’t given us a fair go," said Bendigo Spirit chairman Jock Clark. Courtesy of the Bendigo Advertiser.

What's wrong with the Sydney Blueys?

Julius Hodge’s agent Cervando Tejeda e-mailed HoopsHype.com to shoot down a report on the Melbourne Herald-Sun that had Hodge going to the Tigers of the Australian League.

“Neither Julius nor me have given any verbal commitment to the Melbourne Tigers organization,” Tejeda said. “Right now Julius’ focus is getting an invite to an NBA veterans camp and making the NBA.” - HoopsHype

SEABL's Ben Armstrong retires.

Cairns Taipans Martin Cattilini says, "Just think."

Team USA gets by Russia. (boxscore)

David Andersen video thanks to ESPN. (many other internationals as well)

Andreas Nocioni talks after the win over Australia