Doin The Julius Stomp

Yeah, I did it. What you gonna do about it?

Here is the footage of emotional Melbourne Tiger Julius Hodge doing his version of, "if you're happy and you know it stomp your feet". (Usual villain Mark Worthington apologised to the Adelaide community for the behaviour displayed by temmate Hodge.)

The only trouble was it was on the signature of club legend Brett Maher.

It has been reported that Hodge believes it would have been his name on the court, had he of stuck around Adelaide. Big call but I like the confidence Julius.

Too bad the Tigers have visited the South Australian franchise twice this year already. That could have turned into a pay-per-view event.

Is Hodge A Good Fit?

Julius Hodge should probably be in the gym working on his jump shot instead of the beach if you ask former teamate Brad Davidson.

I've been surfing the net this morning just checking out all things basketball and this Brad Davidson blog entry is by far the most interesting read I found.

The Commonwealth Games gold medallist talks about his relationship with new Melbourne Tiger Julius Hodge during their time together as teammates at Adelaide.

I will let you decide for yourself and come to your own conclusions, but it would be interesting to here from a Melbourne Tiger (hey Wortho, in between beers, give us a blog on Hodge) to see if Hodge has painted a different picture in Melbourne, than the impression he has left in Adelaide.

Here is Davidson's words, let me know what you think.

"Since Julius Hodge last left our shores in the middle of the 2008/09 season, I have said to a few people that he was the worst teammate I’d ever had on my team throughout my basketball career.

Is Julius a bad person? No he’s not. Did Julius give you everything he had on game night? Absolutely yes during his first season here in Adelaide, but the second season hmmmm - most of the time.

Julius mark 2 came in so much fanfare that you can see why he was so self centreed and deluded and I think a big factor for his attitude was he didn’t want to be here after being so close to fulfilling his NBA dream. The tech fouls, not getting back on defence and general attitude when things were going bad really hurt him in the face of the team. When a guy that really did like you say that you were a cancer for the team you gotta start to think it’s you mate, not the rest of the world that has the problem! I think the Adelaide 36ers were at fault to start the disintegration of the relationship but Julius was at fault there after but not once has he said he wished he’d done something differently so he could’ve stayed in this place that he claims to love so much. I’m pretty sure he was getting some bad advice from his American agent too (and not the first person that has had that, Schensch?).

I think it’s sad that Julius is back. He is easily the most talented player I’ve played with, but is he the best player I’ve played with? No but he should be. Make no mistake about it Julius is going to come back to Australia and put up big numbers and be in the top 3 players in the league. Do you know how good you have to be to score 25 a game and put up the numbers he does with that ridiculously bad shooting style and flat shot? It was like Anna Kournikova - her serve was the worst in women’s tennis but she was still in the top 10 in the world because the rest of her game was so good. I could say that Julius is like Kournikova and isn’t a winner but I never got a championship, so you know what they say about people in glass houses……

Everyone knew Julius and I didn’t quite see eye to eye as we are polar opposites, yet also surprisingly similar. We are both smart arses who liked getting a rise out of people. I would shoot and hit a few threes in a row and say to Julius “if you had this shot you’d be earning five million a year right now” and he would call me ‘mini me’ and enjoyed dropping some short jokes any chance he got. But that’s where the similarities end. Julius worked harder in the gym during his second season here and did spend time shooting, but this was after sitting out the parts of practice he didn’t want to participate in. I personally didn’t want to shoot with Julius after training because I’d already had my workout and didn’t need more fitness work rebounding all his misses. Besides, I would get up more game type shots in 30 mins as he would get up standing still shooting in an hour.

I’ll be interested to see whether Julius has learnt anything since he left and whether he returns with a better attitude. It will be interesting to see if he helps the Tigers get better or whether he still thinks the world revolves around his every move. Either way it’ll be good to watch!!"

It's Back Baby, The OT

These ladies are happy to see "The OT" back.

With a Marv Albert, YESSSSS ringing through my head, I'm happy to say The OT is back.

This sites podcast has been on a hiatious for most of the off season due to some shenanigans, but I have mustered up the testosterone to give this whole process a crack myself.

My former partner in crime DJ Rod and myself have had to part ways (not our own doing) so I've jumper into the drivers seat and am learning the technical side of things on the fly.

Enough of the small talk.

On this week's episode of "The OT", I review Round 1 of the NBL as well as look forward to Round 2.

My special guest is Wollongong Hawk and dual Olympian Glen Saville. He talks about the Hawks surviving and what it meant to be able to play last Friday night at the Sandpit. Sav introduces dynomite point guard Ty McKee to the Aussie delicasy, the boiled spud.

Turn in and let me no what you think of the solo effort.

In other news, Mark Worthington and Ben Knight play Starsky and Hutch the night before their season tips off against the New Zealand Breakers, at The Cage. (Also can be viewed on Fox Sports at 7.30pm Wednesday)

On his own blog Worthington describes Knight and himself as Starsky and Hutch, but I think of this combo more as Columbo and Murdock from the A-Team.

Worthington tells us that, "We have had some trouble in my neighborhood with people opening mail, stealing credit cards (Benny Knight's) and leaving mail in different places. Tonight I found him. The thrill of the chase was on." (full story here)

I cannot wait for more on this story. so please keep us posted Wortho. I'm thinking Dukes of Hazzard style next time boys!

The Wollongong Hawks are at it again. Leading the way with "Most You Tube Footage", the Hawks Larry Davidson talks about getting "hammered", while dropping and giving Glen Saville five as he does the interview.

Already there have been whispers around the league wondering if the Hawks can be stayers. Same must be said about their "underground" journos.

All that said, I love your work Wollongong. Keep it going.

Early Morning Quick Hitter

Ricky Rubio is hungry for the NBA but his Spanish club team is not feeling so charitable.

- It seems that potential top five NBA draft pick Ricky Rubio and his Spanish club DKV Joventut cannot come to an amicable buyout. I'm sure we will hear more about this as the NBA Draft draws closer.

- Expect to see both Chris Anstey and former villain Mark Worthington officially sign with the Melbourne Tigers today.

- Swingman Brad Williamson has re-signed with the Townsville Crocodiles.

- It's official, the Adelaide 36ers have changed ownership.

- Brock Motum in line for award.

1989 @ It's Best

Mills Needs Help Via A Beveridge But LeBron Is High

Is LeBron talking to Pat Mills?

Pat Mills has declared that he is in the 2009 NBA Draft but it could come down to fellow Aussie, new Perth Wildcats Head Coach Rob Beveridge as to whether Mills will be a first round pick.

If all else fails, it is good to have NBA MVP LeBron James singing your praises.

Thanks to thewest.com.au he can read how this scenario may just unfold.

Patrick Mills could soon be feeding the ball to NBA superstar LeBron James after the Cleveland Cavaliers commissioned new Perth Wildcats coach Rob Beveridge to provide a comprehensive background report on the exciting Australian point-guard.

James has raved about Mills, especially to the Cavaliers’ front office, since the 20-year-old Boomer scored 20 points against the mighty Team USA during last year’s Beijing Olympics.

The Cavaliers wanted a background check on Mills and sought the advice of Beveridge, considered one of the game’s best development coaches who last April steered the World under-age team to victory over the US at the Nike Hoops Summit in Oregon.

Cleveland have also invited Beveridge to be a visiting coach at their NBA draftees and free agents camp, starting the day after the competition’s annual player lottery on June 25.

The Cavaliers don’t have a pick in the draft until No. 30 — the last in the first round that will guarantee a million dollar contract — but Mills has been linked to teams with selections around that mark.

“I love Patty,” Beveridge said. “And timing is everything in the NBA. There is the marketing aspect that has to be considered as well. He is a good story — a kid from Australia who played at the Olympics and did exceptionally well against the USA.

“But I spoke to his dad recently and he said if Patty doesn’t get that firstround guarantee he will probably go back to college for another year.”

Working with one of the NBA super clubs will boost Beveridge’s search for two new imports for the revamped 2009-10 NBL season. He also hoped the link would encourage NBA organisations to send NBDL players here for career development.

With Alex Loughton departing Perth and WA-produced captain of the defunct South Dragons, Mark Worthington, expected to sign with Cairns, Beveridge might be looking for a power forward among his import options.

Shawn Redhage, Brad Robbins and Stephen Weigh will have existing contracts honoured next season, Paul Rogers is believed to be close to signing a new deal while Beveridge has contacted the remaining local players from last summer’s team — Peter Crawford, Tom Garlepp, Jeff Dowdell, Ben Knight and Adam Caporn — over the past week.

Perth’s development player last season, Chris Goulding, will play for Gold Coast next season.

Other News

- Australian Boomer Mark Worthington is set to join the Melbourne Tigers. It seems the Tigers will roll with an all Aussie line up.

- NBA Draft hopeful Joe Ingles talks about the possibility of playing in the D-League.

- Darwin Basketball is looking at joining the South Austrailan ABA ranks.

- Perth Wildcats Coach Rob Beveridge feels Europe is a mistake for players.

- Russell Hinder finally gets some sleep.

Boomers Squad Announced

Thanks to Twitter I found out why Mark Worthington was not included in the Boomers squad. Read below to find out more.

- Brett Brown has announced his first ever Boomers squad.

When first reading the names on the list I was left scratching my head. I understand and believe it is a great idea to have the likes of future stars Jason Cadee, Cody Ellis and Brock Motum attend the camp. I have no problem with youth at the camp.

But, I'm going to track Brett Brown down though before I comment on some of the other names on the list. There has to be some method in his madness as to why certain players appear on this National Team squad.

I fear that I will say something dumb before I do some homework on this topic, so I will get back to you with my thoughts soon.

So stay tuned for more, but please feel free to leave your comments about the squad.

Thanks to Twitter, here is why Mark Worthington's name does not appear on the Boomers list. "taking the offseason off to rest the body.....been going for 4 yrs non stop....brett was good about it."

- Andrew Vlahov has a great idea to paint the new competition "Green".

After reading the article, Basketball Australia would be mad not to take a look at this. Good to see Vlahov put his Stanford education to good use finally.

- The Perth Wildcats get paid $100k to play a game in Darwin.

While talking about the Wildcats finances, things are looking up.

Via Twitter, CEO Nick Marvin said,"Signs of support emerge for the Wildcats as first white knight steps up."

All is looking good for the league as the Sandgropers start showing their financial support for their Wildcats.

Who is this mystery White Knight though?

- The Wollongong Hawks have named Gordie McLeod as their coach for the upcoming season.

It is the old "local boy returns home" story but this is a great appointment by the new Hawks front office.

Whatever roster the Hawks put together, the fans will know McLeod will get the best out of them. He has proven this at both West Sydney and Singapore.

- Q & A with Andrew Bogut.

If you are a fan of Bogut's and wish to get up close and personal with him, he has retooled his web address to http://www.andrewbogut.com/