McKee - POM & Jawai Top 10 Play

Wollongong Hawk import Ty McKee has taken out the NBL Player of the Month Award. Hawks Coach Gordie McLeod was voted Coach of the Month.

McKee gets interviewed by Hawk legend Glen Saville. Check out the interview where McKee talks about his NBA (stolen) sock collection, watching my teammates CJ Bruton and Kirk Penney play and he thinks Wollongong is like living in Hawii.



Nathan Jawai has began to see some regular minutes with the Minnesota Timberwolves. here are today's Top 10 plays from the NBA. Jawai has the block shot that leads to the buzzer beater. Thanks to NBA Mate for the tip.

Ingles Saves The Day

Joe Ingles saved the day for the Boomers tonight.

For what appeared to be a scrappy Game 1 of this Australian Boomers versus New Zealand Tall Blacks series, Joe Ingles stepped up in the fourth and saved what could have eventuated into an embarrassing lose for the Boomers.

Ingles (game high 26pts) was the man to kick start the green and gold in the first quarter, then he saved his best until the fourth, when his team really needed it. The Boomers eventually overcome a pesky Tall Blacks 84-77.

For the first three quarters of the game, it looked like most guys on the floor were trying to show their respective coaches they deserved to be on the floor. I guess that can happen when you feel this is an opportunity to impress.

As everyone would have expected, Kirk Penney (23pts) was the offensive punch for the Kiwi's early. To my surprise Penney received scoring support from 7 foot centre Alex Pledger (16pts), but most of these would have come in the first half.

It looked like this game was going to become an arm wrestle down the stretch until Ingles stepped up and showed why he has generated interest from the NBA over the past few years.

He kick started it with a stand still three and followed it up with a rhythm two along the baseline. Then Tom Abercrombie become putty in Ingles hand. The rest is history and the Boomers move on to Game 2 with a +7 advantage (two game series so points spread can come into it if it ends 1-1).

Just a few notes from the game:

- Mark Worthington was dressed in street clothes. Does anyone know why "Wortho" did not grace the court tonight?

- Tom Abercrombie was "apple crumble" tonight. If he wants to make me a believer about this hype he is receiving, he better bring something on Tuesday.

- Nathan Jawai needs to slow down in the post. "Heath" Pledger is not going to cause you any headaches down low. Slow down young fella.

- Brad Newley can still sniff out some points late in a game. Andrew Gaze was speechless during this part of the game as it brought back fond memories.

- Damien Martin was surprised to see that many people attend a basketball game at the State Sports Centre. I would still like to see what the official attendance was...and I hope they only counted Andrew Vlahov once.

- Message to Joey Wright about Mika Vukona's "smooth stroke"..that is Vukona having an offensive game.

There you have it, don't forget Game 2 is on Fox Sports Tuesday at 5pm.

"The Sport Count" on Jawai

Can Nathan Jawai expect to see more playing time in Dallas?

Anton over at The Sport Count has come up with a gem of an article about the travels of Bamaga product Nathan Jawai.

Last year Jawai left the shores of Australia to try his luck in the NBA with the Toronto Raptors but he spent most of his time parked on the bench or bouncing around the D-League scene with Idaho.

I'll leave the rest for you to read about. Great job Anton, and I love dropping by to see what the boys from Sydney have produced.

"Nathan Jawai must be accustomed to change.

As a teenager, he was plucked from serious obscurity — his hometown of Bamaga is closer to Papua New Guinea than any major Australian city, located at the remote northern tip of Australia, with a population in the low four-digits — and scored a spot at the Australian Institute of Sport, a government-funded, live-in training centre.

From there, just 19 years old, Jawai entered the National Basketball League as a teenage wrecking ball, all explosive dunks and big rebounds. He was named Rookie of the Year, putting up 17.2 points, 9.4 boards and 1.3 blocks. A big leap; from small-town kid to dominating grown professionals.

With his ridiculous size, soft (if sporadic) shooting touch, and beastly post moves, teams across the Atlantic were bound to pay attention. In Jawai, teams saw a larger Glen Davis, and a (much) smaller Shaquille O’Neal. More than that, they saw upside and size. The classic project player.
And so it was that Nathan found himself in Toronto, across the other side of the world, the first Indigenous Australian to make it to the NBA, paving the way for Patty Mills, the electric point guard taken with the 55th pick in 2009 by the Trail Blazers.

Jawai’s rookie season didn’t go smoothly, a cardiac abnormality keeping him off the court until mid-January. Even when he was cleared for play, he donned a Raptors jersey and took to the court just six times.

‘I didn’t have a good feeling at the Raptors,‘ Jawai says. The team was fine, the city great and he got along with teammates (’we’d go out, have dinner’) but he was rarely utilised, spending 10 games with the Idaho Stampede in the D-League.

When he entered the Australian national league, he was effective immediately. He seemed to easily find confidence in his size, knowing he could bump defenders out of the way, or just jump over them. In the NBA, not so much. His size helps, and his strength is unquestionable. It’s just a matter of harnessing them.

Now, for his sophomore campaign, Nathan finds himself in Dallas, sent there as fodder in the complex four-team trade that landed Shawn Marion at the Mavericks, and Hedo Turkoglu at the Raptors.

Is it difficult adjusting to a new city, new teammates? ‘Yeah, because I haven’t been playing much,’ says Jawai. ‘This is just my 2nd year. It’s a new environment.‘

But, of course, he’d be accustomed to new environments; used to packing his bags and carving out an existence somewhere new and unseen. ‘I’ve got to take it as a positive. Deal with it. I’ve just to got to work hard, try to make it into the rotation at the Mavericks.‘

How likely is he to see minutes in the coming season? ‘I can’t say anything right now…I’ve only been [in Dallas] for a week.‘

With Drew Gooden recently signed, and Shawn Marion bound to spend a lot of time at the four-spot, Erick Dampier copping an injury or getting sent away in a trade – opening up minutes at centre — looks like the fastest road to game time.

But Jawai isn’t concentrating on settling in at Dallas just yet. Not right now. He’s busy.

‘Just working with the national team,’ Jawai says of his off-season. That team recently beat Argentina for the first time in 20 years. Jawai was a key piece, contributing 22 points and 7 boards and — more importantly — keeping Luis Scola (2-8) well and truly in check. His goal with the Boomers for the World Championships in 2010, and the Olympics in 2012? ‘We’re going to work together as a team to try to get a medal.’

Easier said than done, with international competition fierce, and the Boomers so young, now building around Jawai and Patty Mills. But for a man so used to wrenching success out of change, nothing seems impossible."

Under 23 Rule & Bad Promos

I feel your pain Brad (Davidson).

Last week Adelaide journalist Boti Nagy briefly touched on why the NBL holds a roster spot for an Australian who is under the age of 23.

I have had many an animated discussion with various people in the basketball fraternity, so it is time to share my thoughts on this topic.

First and the most obvious point to me is, the NBL is a professional league and has to be striving to put the best available talent on the court. By restricting one of the ten available roster spots per team, every year you are going to lose talent just to fulfill this age limit obligation.

Let's use the Adelaide 36ers as an example to highlight my point. It looks as though veteran point guard Brad Davidson is going to lose out so the 36ers can make good on filling a roster spot with a wet nose kid who has not earned his stripes.

I'll highlight this example a step further. Final game of the season and the 36ers need to win to make the playoffs. No playoff birth for the 36ers and Head Coach Scott Ninnis is out of a job because someone in the front office believes they underachieved with the roster they have put together.

Does Ninnis feel more comfortable looking down his bench and seeing Brad Davidson or some kid who has the right date of birth (that allows him to squeak a year or two out in the NBL until he turns 23..another point I will get to later) when import John Gilchrist fouls out of the game?

The answer is a no brainer.

I use the 36ers as purely an example. I can go through nearly every other roster in the NBL and make a similar case.

For now I will end this post here because I have just wound myself up just writing about this topic. Sorry, but I have a passion and desire for this game to succeed in this country. When basketball has the audacity to call it "professional" sport but we put so many restrictions on players, it really leaves me shaking my head.

If I have cooled down by tomorrow, I will express my feelings on the AIS/US college part of this argument.

News

- Australian Boomers name squad to tour South America. There are six new faces that will pull on the green and gold for the first time. Young guns Jason Cadee and St Mary's bound Matthew Dellavedova will make their debut.

Washington State grad Aron Baynes has decided green and gold is more to his liking than black and white. another win for the Aussies over the Kiwis.

Utah Ute grad Luke Nevill gets his chance to impress Head Coach Brett Brown.

New Adelaide 36ers centre Matt Burston has done well to overcome some horrific injures and get the chance to represent his country.

Last tour's captain James Harvey and Washington St bound Brock Motum were not selected due to injury.

- Former assistant coach of the South Dragons,Guy Molloy, to head to Ballarat.

- Former St Louis Billiken Kevin Lisch is bringing his defense to Perth.

If he brings more defense than offense to the west, the janitor at the Wildcats practice facility will not be changing the nets too often. Between Lisch, Brad Robbins and Damien Martin, someone will need to put points on the board.

Oops, I forgot Martin Cattilini has returned to the west.

- Look for former New Zealand Breaker import Rich Melzer to be teaming up with a fellow Minnesota native on an NBL roster this season.

- Just sniffing around You Tube and found these two Aussie NBA stars (Andrew Bogut and Nathan Jawai) shooting some interesting (low budget) commercials.

Your Daily Links

Running a little late this morning so I will just provide you with a handful of links at this early hour.

Enjoy your Friday.

- Boti Nagy makes a good point about age/college. I will be expressing my thoughts on this over the weekend.

- New Zealand lose to Estonia in European tour opener.

- Cairns Taipans Head Coach Aaron Fearne starts putting in his philosophies.

- Shellharbour, NSW the next hotbed for young Aussie hoopers?

- Cleveland Daily Banner speaks to Darnell Mee about his future.

- Dallas Maverick Nathan Jawai feels extended court time with the Australian Boomers will help his NBA cause.

- Catch the latest news from the Boomers Sydney camp with Nathan Jawai and assistant coach Shane Heal.

Jonathan Thurston Kicks For Charity

This morning I was fortunate enough to hang out and kick some goals with the current world's best rugby league player Johnathan Thurston.

The North Queensland Cowboy gave up his early morning to kick goals blindfolded for charity. It was great to see Thurston give up his time as the NRL are constantly getting buried with negative stories about it's sport. Too bad a promotion such as this will not get the same attention the "bad" stories receive.

Back to the action. Local radio station 4TO uses the month of June to raise money for the Children's Ward at the Townsville Hospital.

How Thurston gets involved is local businesses pledge so many dollars per successful kick. The trick is, JT had ten kicks blindfolded from 15m out with each successful kick getting the children $100.

JT converted seven of ten, raising $700 for the 'Give Me 5 For Kids" charity.

Now, I'm the first to admit my attempt at the camera did not fair to well. I tried to get adventurous but absolutely stuffed up. I will be better for the run next time round.

To view the video, just turn your laptop or monitor sideways and all is good. Check out JT showing he is human when he "grubbers" one of the kicks off the kicking T.

Well done to JT and thanks for bringing home the bacon for the kids.

News

-I'm hearing the Townsville Crocodiles will be announcing an "import" player very soon. I'm sensing that there is still going to be a "Homicide" in town, aka Corey Williams.

- The NBL is looking at the idea of moving the season to a February to June time fame by the year 2011.

- Aaron Grabau keeps his title of "Mr Taipan".

- The far north to host an NBL pre-season tournament.

- The Australian Boomers go down 0-2 against China despite Nathan Jawai having 27 in the game. Click here to see a little footage from Game 2.

- Joe Ingles will be wearing a Golden State Warriors jersey in this year's NBA Summer League.

- NBAtipoff blog has an article where he interviewed a fellow blogger and my main man DJ Rod got his question (via twitter) answered about Brad Newley and his chances of ever suiting up for the Houston Rockets.

- Detroit Pistons fire first year coach Michael Curry.

Boomers, Emus, Birds and More Hoop Animals

Wang Zhizhi closed his eyes and dropped twenty on the Boomers.

Hope you guys are happy to know that I had a very success trip overseas (Magnetic Is) and have returned refreshed and ready to tackle another week here in sunny Townsville.

While I was away the Australian u/19 team (Emus) wrapped up an impressive three days in Melbourne with a sweep of the Four Nations Tournament. This was good preparation for all teams (Greece, Spain, France and Australia) involved as they are getting ready for the World Championships that start in New Zealand later this week.

If you missed the results from these game you can click here and browse through all the results from the tournament.

There were a few things that could my attention from this tournament.

Brock Motum (tourney MVP) will be making his new coach in waiting Ken Bone feel pretty good about his incoming class at Washington St.

Motum led the Australian team in scoring for all three games and hit the "O" glass hard all tourney. Motum will want to carry this form through the WC's before he makes tracks for Pullman, WA and the Pac-10.

Secondly, I have been a little harsh on Cody Ellis and his attitude I felt he displayed at the National u/20 titles, but Ellis may just be a "gamer". Ellis displayed a good all round game over the three games, but like Motum, this will all be forgotten if this form cannot be replicated in New Zealand later this week at the WC's.

St Louis Coach Rick Majerus will be hoping Ellis can continue to play at a high level so he can help the ever improving Billikens of the Atlantic-10 Conference. Ellis will be an incoming true freshman.

All the best to the Emus in the upcoming WC's and I will endeavour to keep you, the reader, up to date with their progress.

The Australian Boomers are currently on a two game tour of China, but the Boomers have gone down by six in Game 1.

84-78 was the end result with Toronto Raptor Nathan Jawai leading the Aussie squad with 14 points and 8 boards.

James Harvey (check out his tour blog ) was the only other Aussie to reach double figures with 12.

Coach Brett Brown praised the defense of Peter Crawford who ended the game with 9 points and 6 steals.

Leading the Chinese attack was veteran Wang Zhizhi with 20.

China was somewhat concerned pregame with how they would contain Jawai without Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian not suiting up for the home team.

Wang a former NBAer showed that he is still more than capable of causing a matchup problem. He is a skillful 7 footer which makes him a tough cover for opposition centres. His perimeter game is his strength but he is efficient enough on the block not to allow you to go with a small on him.

Let's see how the Boomers address this matchup in Game 2.

You can catch a few highlights from Game 1 here.

Other News

- Former South Dragon guard Nathan Herbert signs with the Adelaide 36ers.

I'm sure Herbert will be looking to be the recipient of extra minutes in Adelaide.

He will battle Boomer Brad Hill (did I just say that?) and Dr Darren Ng for minutes at the two guard spot.

- What is CJ Bruton doing in Ballina?

- Martin Cattalini returns home.

- Seattle Storm's Lauren Jackson talks about teaming up with Sue Bird year round.

- Hoopfest is the largest 3-on-3 tournament in the world. Thanks Spokane,Wa.

News, Notes & New Logo

Less than twenty fours hours until we know whether Australia has once again contributed to the product we know as the NBA.

Pat Mills will be the first Aussie name we hear tomorrow. My gut is telling me if Mills goes in the first round it will be at nineteen to the Atlanta Hawks. If the Hawks roll with someone else, Mills will slip into the second round.

Joe Ingles has been very solid while on his NBA workout tour over the past six weeks. Although Eurocamp was not his best showing, Ingles has done enough to be called in the second round.

I'm trying to find out if there is any truth to the rumour that Mills and Ingles are hosting a joint Draft Party. The menu will be two items deep, vegemite sandwiches and Foster's.

Other Aussies you may hear about on the day are Aron Baynes (WSU) and Luke Nevill (Utah).

Both are interior players who will find themselves on a Summer League roster but have they done enough to sneak into the second round? I'm saying no but I still believe Nevill will find a home in the NBA.

Not since the 1997 draft has Australia had multiple players select in a draft.

News

- Big news. Shaquille O'Neil has been traded to the Cleveland LeBrons. Will the Cavs regain their old nickname back now with O'Neil relocating?

- Toronto Raptor Nathan Jawai headlines the Australian Boomers team.

As weak as the Boomers team is looking, the Chinese team will be undermanned as well. Both of their NBA players Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian will be missing during these two games against the Aussies.

Los Angles Lakers guard Sun Yue will suit up against the green and gold.

China to win 2-0 thanks to their three little helpers at home.

- The NBL is to remain as the NBL.

- Larry Sengstock hinted about the television deal on "The OT". It seems we are only days away from hearing a formal announcement.

- Hope your sitting down when you read this announcement. Glen Saville signs with the Wollongong Hawks.

- This is past rumour status if you ask me. Dave Thomas to play for the Sheep Shaggers (New Zealand Breakers).

- Ever wondered what happened to former NBA player Sam Vincent? He is coaching the Jamacian national team.

- Rogers, Cattalini and Wagstaff sign with the Perth Wildcats.

- NBA aspirant Joe Ingles is just waiting for his name to be called, now.

- Phill Jones named MVP of the NZNBL.

- Q&A with Marty Clarke.

Mills & Boomers - Not Quite A Romance Novel

James Harvey leads the way as the Boomers complete the beep test.

- The Australian Boomers have assembled in Canberra for the first time under new Head Coach Brett Brown.

It seems that Day 1 of the camp was dedicated to fitness testing and veteran James Harvey (Gold Coast Blaze) proved that experience does count. He went on to out last Adelaide 36ers Jacob Holmes to take out the beep test.

For those who do not know, the beep test is about endurance but picking up the pace every minute you run.

Having seen Harvey perform in this test before, it does not surprise me that he won this event. Plus I believe James will be on a mission to prove himself at the international level.

What scares me though is where are the young up and coming youth of Australian basketball. Holmes is no slouch in this race either but surely some "rookie" would have seen some value in performing well in this event.

Winning the beep test certainly would have captured Brett Brown's attention early in the camp.

*** This just in from Oscar Forman. Thanks Twitter.

"Boomers camp going well, body is so sore. 5 sessions down, 3 to go. Enjoying the learning and training. The AIS rooms & food, not so much."

- Ever wondered how Boomers Coach Brett Brown arrived in Australia back in the 80's? We have AT&T to thank.

- Dual Olympian Jason Smith retires.

I think this will be the first of a few of these situations to happen before the NBL's 2009/10 season begins.

It is a shame that it has come to this as there is no doubting Smith would have helped out any number of rosters around the league.

All the best at MacQuarie Bank.

- Boomer squad member Nathan Herbert is "optimistic" he will be part of the national competition next season.

- Buzzer beater sees Nelson Giants through to final in the NZNBL.

- Waikato Pistons will join the Giants in the NZNBL Final.

- "I'm just disappointed that I still had a year to go on my contract and that after nine years, nobody called me and I found out from somewhere else."

Former Melbourne Tiger Stephen Hoare's words to Herald Sun's Grantley Bernard.

- Hoare's former teammates in David Barlow and Luke Kendall are signed by the Melbourne Tigers.

- Shane McDonald to the Wollongong Hawks?

- St Louis Billikens bound Cody Ellis "to follow in father's footsteps".

- "I'm still trying to get as many workouts in as I can to try to prove myself to the teams and put myself in the best possible position."

Pat Mills talking to the Herald Sun about his upcoming workouts before the NBA Draft on Friday (USA time).

- AJ Price of UConn has his knockers but his agent Jeff Schwartz puts forward a compelling argument. Who gets drafted first, Price or Mills?

- Toronto Raptor Nathan Jawai returns home to see family.

- Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer has Pat Mills at 28 in his depth chart.

- Ever wondered what your boss got up to on the weekend? Well, thanks to Twitter I can let the Perth Wildcat fans know that their CEO Nick Marvin was laying an egg over his two day break.

" Spent the weekend in the garden building a chook run - here's to some organic eggs"

Good luck with the chicken business Nick. Maybe give the original "chicken farmer" John Dorge a call for some tips.

Something Here For Everyone

I have actually been somewhat busy today (I give away free stuff for a local radio station here in Townsville of a morning) so I will have installed plenty of links to service your basketball needs for now.

There are plenty of NBL updates and lots of movement in the USA regarding the upcoming NBA Draft.

Sit back, click and enjoy!

- New Orleans Hornets Head Coach Byron Scott on Pat Mills, "He's a competitor." "He can flat out put it up. He can score. He's a hell of a player."

- Everyone's favourite basketballing son, Daniel Joyce is happy to be back in Wollongong and looking forward to the Australian Boomers camp.

- "The Man" Anthony Mundine is doing his bit to help out through hoops.

- Australian Boomer squad member Cameron Tragardh is showing he is still "The King" of ABA.

- Former South Dragon Nathan Herbert is looking forward to Boomers camp.

My question is, who isn't because everyone must think they have a shot of making the team?

- Oregon State Beaver bound Angus Brandt returns home to the Blue Mountains before heading into Pac-10 battle.

- Darryl Corletto turns his back on England and re-signs with the Melbourne Tigers along with Nicholls State graduate Ryan Bathie.

- James Harvey is set to re-sign with the Gold Coast Blaze.

- Basketball Australia gets $300k from government.

- Luke Whitehead wants to keep playing on the Gold Coast, but the American import is not getting any love in return right now.

- The Perth Wildcats organisation are offering prizes to their season ticket members if they sign up early.

- Townsville Crocodile Michael Cedar is the latest to be added to the long list of Boomer squad members.

- Townsville Crocodiles re-sign Cameron Tovey and Kelvin Robertson.

- There is talk of Chicago Bull free agent Ben Gordon asking for $11 million per season. Teams are hoping that this does not become true, otherwise it will be an expensive off-season for some teams.

- Thanks to Kevin Love and his Twitter ability, he let the world know that Kevin McHale will not be coaching the Minnesota Timberwolves next season.

You can find me on Twitter @johnrillie.

- Toronto Raptor Nathan Jawai is ready to slip into the "Green and Gold".

- ESPN's Chad Ford has delivered his Mock Draft Edition 5 and there is no sign of Pat Mills in the first round. Does Ford know what he's talking about?

- Alonzo Mourning has school named after him.

- Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy beaten in prison?

- The MVP Nike Puppets are back for maybe the last time this season. This is for all the Kobe haters.

Global Coverage & News From Home

Can you help Mookie identify these Aussies?

While I have been busy draining some threes against our northern rivals, the Cairns Taipans, it has been impossible for me to keep up with everything that has been happening in our great sport.

To bring you up to speed, let's take a look at what other bloggers have found interesting.

- Mookie my man over at A Stern Warning is all over the NBA.

First he takes a look at the Los Angles Lakers and centre Andrew Bynum's injury that occurred today. How much will this hurt the Lakers chances of another title run.

Then he finds a ripper interview of Shaquille O'Neil with Stephen A Smith. As usual Shaq holds court and talks about himself and Kobe's relationship and how it's all "about the marketing baby".

Finally, there are a group of Aussie puntas (above) that Mookie is trying to track down. They have become stars on American TV. Let us know if you know any of these guys.

- The Basketball Professor takes a look at who will be filling the NBA All-Star benches.

- NBA Mate brings us up to speed with what is happening with the new Ch10 sports channel. Could it be possible we will see multiple games per week?

- With the NBA AllStar game not to far away from hitting Phoenix, The Sport Count us with their nine worst ever All Stars.

- "I was scared, man," said Nathan Jawai, the Raptors' seldom used forward. "I thought I was going to get fined [for being late]."

Click here to find out why Jawai felt he was going to be lighter in the pocket.

- After being stuck in Moscow for a few days early in the week, Brad Newley made it back to Greece as his team beat POAK.

- Here is a full menu of college scores from games played today. Check out how your favourite Aussie went today.

Now to NBL News

- Where have the Breakers gone? The local media is starting to ask questions about their team.

- "It was as hot as hell out there," Adelaide coach Scott Ninnis said.

Is Ninnis talking about the one time during the week he got out of his air conditioned office and tried to exercise? Find out here.

- Looking for the boxscores from the past weekend's action, click here.

- And yes, here is the ladder.

Mills Injured & "Homicide" Talks It Up

- Today saw two heavy weights of the West Coast Conference go at it in college basketball. The Aussie sprinkled St Mary's College (featuring Pat Mills) ranked 22 headed up to Spokane, Washington to take on the #20 Gonzaga Bulldogs.

The first half lived up to the game's billing with the Gaels leading at the main break 39-33. However, the turning point of this game may just have been when Mills went down with a wrist injury three minutes before the half.

The Aussie was on fire from long range dropping 6-8 threes. Mills, who ended with 18pts, did not return in the second half as it is believed he has a sprained wrist.

In the second half the Gaels could not keep pace with the Zags scoring as the final scoreline read 69-62 Gonzaga.

Other Aussies involved in the game were point guard Carlin Hughes who was down on his season averages, had 2pts, 3rebs and 3asts.

Little used Ben Allen saw nine minutes of court time.

Mackay born freshman Clint Steindl, was not shy. He got up seven shots in his sixteen minutes but could not connected on any.

Tassie boy Lucas Walker had his best game of the season to date. His nine points and three rebounds were season highs.

I wish Pat a speedy recovery.

You can catch the replay of this game on ESPN Saturday night.

- Mills loves the idea of playing in Spokane. It is an experience.
- St Mary's and it's pipeline of Aussie talent.

- Tomorrow night will probably pull down the curtain on the North Queensland Derby. (Townsville/Cairns for those of you geographically challenged.)

It seems that the Cairns Taipans franchise are pretty much running on fumes at the moment and unless a White Knight answers the call and buys the team, the Snakes become extinct in a few weeks. Quite a shame for a franchise that has been around for 10 years in the national competition and showed promise.

On with the game though. My teammate Corey "Homicide" Williams has questioned Taipans Aaron Grabau's philosophies of the game.

I will let you read the article and draw your own conclusions.

Here's Cairns Taipans coach Mark Beecroft's response.

- Sydney Sausages, anyone?

- Melbourne Tigers make it eight in a row with a workmanlike 113-104 win over the Wollongong Hawks tonight.

- An article on Nathan Jawai's NBA start.

- Is this the best Newley in the game?

1993 NBL Dunk Competition

Chris Anstey joins "The OT"

Another superb edition of "The OT" has arrived.

This week former NBA but current Melbourne Tiger player Chris Anstey joins us and discusses all facets of his career. He also feels as though the recent tinkering the Tigers did with their roster has them ready for another shot at the title.

Also in this edition Rod and I take a look at this rounds games. What an import round for most playoff bound teams?

And don't forget get we have a few competitions you can enter.

Enjoy!

Just Surfing The Net

2009 NBA All Star jersey

While I wait for DJ Rod to edit our latest installment of "The OT", I just surfed the net and this is what I came up with for my fellow hoop junkies.

- Portland Trailblazers rookie guard Rudy Fernandez won the vote to be the fourth dunker in this year's All Star Dunk Comp. The Spaniad will be joined by defending champ Dwight Howard, Knick Nate Robinson and Gudy Gay of the Memphis Grizzlies.

- Grade 7 kids are now being recruited by colleges in the USA.

- Is Colorado University becoming a hot bed for young Aussies? My tip, Cody Ellis to St Louis University.

- Nathan Jawai put on his Toronto Raptors uniform on for the first time today. He did not play.

- Shane Heal's last game in Adelaide? That's a must see.

- The boys from The Sport Count have been very creative over the festive season. Well done boys.

You need to watch this Nathan Jawai video. Classic Aussie humour.

All Turn It Around Team

Boti Nagy wants less of this and more production on the hardwood. I agree, read more below on this.

We are currently a third of the way through the season and some of us are very guilty of getting off to a slow start. So, instead of giving you my team of the week, I'm changing up and naming five guys to watch out for the rest of the way.

John Rillie - I'm not going to shy away from this. I need to lift my game if the Townsville Crocodiles are going to make some noise this season. I have been nothing short of disappointing to date so I can only hope the remaining nineteen games are much improved.

Without putting my numbers under a microscope (I really do not want to know the truth) I will guess all major categories are all close to career lows. That is just plain unacceptable.

I look forward to kick starting my season this week and not looking back from there.

Darnell Mee - If the Cairns Taipans are going to make a run at the Final Four this year, Darnell Mee will play a key role in the Snakes achieving this.

Having been a former teammate of Mee's, numbers do not tell the whole story when talking about Mee's influence on a game. He makes plays when it counts. Just the other week he scored 2 points in a game against the Adelaide 36ers, but those points were the game winning points.

Currently averaging 8ppg and 3.5apg, look for these numbers to improve the rest of the way. Darnell is the master of coming on strong as the season progresses.

David Gruber - Import Gruber is in his rookie season in the NBL after making the jump from the SEABL league. He is putting up some solid numbers for the minutes he is getting (8ppg, 6rpg in 21mins) but if he is to carve out a career in the NBL he needs to get in the Spirit rotation for a little more playing time.

Gruber is trying to get Aussie citizenship so that will help his NBL cause out.

Tremmel Darden - Despite Darden playing a great role on the first place Dragons, he needs to increase his output. We all know his coach Brian Goorjian has both eyes firmly on the big prize at season's end.

If the Dragons lose a few in the near future (they play the Breakers in NZ next), look for Goorjian to get itchy fingers and pull the trigger.

Cameron Tragardh - Last year's Most Improved Player numbers have slipped but in his defense the Hawks are a much improved team.

Tragargamel averaged 17.5ppg last year but has dipped to 12 so far this year. I don't have a problem with this because the addition of Glen Saville and Dusty Rychart will eat into his offensive opportunities.

But his rebounding has dropped by four a game. Sure, both the guys mentioned above will effect this stat as well, but the big man is pulling down an anorexic 3.5rpg. Crocs back up point guard Kelvin Robertson is averaging 3!

There you have it. Look for these guys to pick up their performance the rest of the way otherwise it will be deemed a poor year for all mentioned.

Let me know what you think of my list as I'm sure I have missed someone.

News

- "By the way, the Townsville Missing Persons Bureau is looking for John Rillie if anyone knows his whereabouts this season. Love the website JR and your love for the game is a joy to behold. But you have the rest of your life for that.
Basketball careers at elite level don't last forever." These are the words of South Aussie journo Boti Nagy from his weekly wrap column.

I hear you Boti and it took you way too long to comment on my form. I can assure you my practice habits/time on court has not slipped. I just happen to spend my time off the court a little differently.

Next time you mention my blog can you just add in the blog address please (http://www.johnrillie.com/). When people see the way I write it will only make your creativity seem that much better.

- Gold Coast Blaze get some time to rest and reflect.

- Cairns need to stop the bleeding, but they have the Tigers next.

- Jeromie Hill a product of Cairns is off to the AIS to hone his skills.

- Nathan Jawai still none the wiser on his health, but he is getting to travel with the Toronto Raptors.

- Sheep Shaggers and Dragons get ready for top of the table clash.

- Darwin looking at joining the SEABL in 2010.

- Brad Newley goes perfect for the game and has a huge win over Panathinaikos.

Raptor Supastars (video ft Nathan Jawai) & "Cat" Caught Drink Driving

*** breaking news Martin Cattalini has been caught over the weekend drink driving.

Thanks to Paulie Danger at WorldHoopsBlog, I present you with the Raptors Supastars video. Do not blink or you will miss Aussie Nathan Jawai.

Where To Now For The Boomers

Pat Mills proved that he is the point guard of the future for the Boomers.

The Australian Boomers just got out of the blocks too slow at this year's Olympics.

Losing their first two games put their backs against the wall for the remainder of the tournament. To their credit the Boomers played some very good basketball for three games to get themselves into the medal round. Unfortunately they ran into a very focused USA team.

The rest is history so there is no need to ponder what might have been.

Lets look forward and in particular to the 2012 London Olympic Games.

This will be the best chance the Boomers have of winning their first ever medal at the Olympics.

Why I feel so strongly about this is we will be fielding a team that is made up of guys who should be at their peak.

Let's start with Andrew Bogut. He has made comment how he is committed to the National Team program every other year so this is good news for the program. He is the face of this team when it comes to international ball.

When 2012 rolls around he will be 27 and really hitting his prime. Barring a major injury, this guy will be considered one of the best centres in the world by then.

The name hot on everyones lips is a man named Pat Mills. The St Mary's College point guard has let the world of basketball know he has arrived and how are you going to slow him down.

It will be interesting to see where Mills is at with his career when the next Games roll around, but he has proven he is the country's next point guard.

Brad Newley had a very solid first up Olympic campaign. Whether Newley cracks the NBA will be a topic that gets answered over this period but there is no doubting that he will be a handful for anyone to guard when London arrives. He as well will be entering his most productive years as a player so with him and Mills in the backcourt, the future is looking good.

The three spot is looking good too. David Barlow needs to keep working on and improving his game so he becomes a consistent performer at this level.

Also the Aussies have the developing Joe Ingles at small forward. If Ingles can develop a reliable perimeter game he will become a tough cover for anyone at the international level. Hopefully Ingles has had a few years in the NBA or Europe by this time so his game will just naturally mature.

David Andersen and Matt Neilsen will still be in the mix as far as interior players go, but we have a wealth of potential at this position as well.

Nathan Jawai has found himself with a two year deal with the Toronto Raptors so he will be testing himself against the best. He can do nothing but improve in this environment. (I bumped into Jawai earlier this week in Cairns. The big fella looks like he has slimmed down nicely.) If he stays on track he will be a lock for this team.

AJ Ogilvy will also come into contention. This promising sophomore who is honing his game at Vanderbilt already is rated highly by NBA scouts. With further development on his game he too will keep everyone honest and the team selection process tough for the coach.

One who is flying under the radar right now is Aleks Maric. He will ply his trade in Europe this season. Maric is a wide body who eats up space down low and has the knack of just getting the job done. He will only help ease the load in the big man department, especially when brute force is required.

I'm sure there are a few other names I have forgotten but the future is looking bright for the Boomers as well as their medal possibilities.

There is no reason we cannot start talking about being a medal winner at London. It is time for the Boomers to taste success at the Olympics and this group should be the one.

Bits and Pieces

A Brad Newley look-a-like has been thrown a life line. Cam Tovey has been working as an accountant in Perth until the Townsville Crocs sent out the SOS.

The former Perth Wildcat and Sydney King swingman's opportunity has come at the expense of NBL veteran Brad Sheridan. Sheridan has lost his battle with a achilles injury.

Adelaide 36ers loss preseason battle with Melbourne Tigers.

Pat Mills gets physically and mentally attacked by USA.

It is official - Mark Tyndale is a 36er.

Lauren Jackson is the best says Maher.

What is former Minnesota coach Clem Haskins up to? Not coaching.

Check out A Stern Warning for a good wrap on the Boomers loss to USA.

Want to know how his favourite Aussies went at the Olympics? Best Off Ground looks back at how his guys performed in Beijing.

My American friend at World Hoops Blogs has a crack (I had a laugh) at my word choice. You can find all types of hoops news here and he like Aussies, I think!

Charles Barkley to have televised colonoscopy - JE Skeets of Ball Don't Lie

NBL Buzzer Beaters from 2000 - thanks NBLBBALL

Boomers Disappointing...Day 1 of Men's Olympic Basketball

All eyes are on Aussie Andrew Bogut, but is he carrying an ankle injury still?

The Australian Boomers kicked off their Olympic campaign tonight against Croatia, and it was nothing but disappointing. Croatia ran out winners 97-82.

From start to finish the Europeans led. They won every quarter except the last, but the horse had bolted so they could afford to cruise to a first up win.
It was the hot three point shooting (12/16) that saw the Croatian team continue to built momentum throughout the game.

The "blink and you miss it" coverage from ch7 showed great ball movement from the Croatians that created wide open shots, while the Aussies struggled to generate any offense what so ever.

Not much else you can say about the game than it was a good old fashion butt kicking.

There is no time to dwell on this performance because Argentina is waiting for the Boomers next. They suffered a defeat at the hands of Lithuania today, so they will come out ready to get their medal chances back on track.

Whichever team slips to 0-2 after this game is going to find it hard to advance to the quarter final round.

boxscore recap Boomers a Bust Bogut's Boomers

Notes From the Game:

- Is Andrew Bogut's ankle anywhere close to 100%? I'm guessing no.

- Playing the USA team in a warm up game, followed by the Opening Ceremony, were the guys mentally done by the time tipoff for this one come around? The players would have expended a lot of mental energy for both these events. It is hard to be on that level three consecutive times.

- Croatia's biggest lead was 29.

- Coach Brian Goorjian is finding it hard to get enough minutes for both Matt Nielsen and David Andersen.

Lithuania's Linas Kleiza nailed a three with 2.1sec remaining to sink Argentina.

Today kicked off the start of Men's Basketball at the Beijing Games. Already there has been an upset of sorts with Lithuania sneaking past Argentina. Below are all the results to date.

Russia 71 defeated Iran 49 boxscore recap

Germany 95 defeated Angola 66 boxscore recap

Spain 81 defeated Greece 66 boxscore recap

Lithuania 79 defeated Argentina 75 boxscore recap



Other News

Sydney Spirit announce import signing.

Gaze on Sabonis.

Cairns defeat Perth.

Rogers goes under the knife.

Jawai's little helper.

NBA prospects at the Olympics.