Finally See a Fox Game

Tonight was the first time this season I was able to sit in my Laz-E-Boy and watch a game from start to finish. Whether we have been playing or travelling I have not been able to utilize my Austar subscription yet. I'm sure my wife knows that means I will only make up for lost time in the coming weeks.

Back to the game. What a cracker of a game to tune into though. The Dragons were the better team for most of the game. Even without scoring machine Cortez Groves, the Dragons created plenty of open looks for each other. But the the veteran savvy Tigers turned it up in the fourth quarter.

It was picture perfect Tigers basketball. D-Mac off a high on ball. If that was not on, get it to Chris Anstey for three in the corner or on the block to create what the defense gave him. Anstey delivered on nearly every possession. Whether it was himself scoring or creating an easy open look for a teammate, he did it.

I loved watching this. Smart basketball. Getting the ball to the guy who made good decisions and the rest falls into place. Everyone knew what was going to happen so the likes of Dave Barlow and Thomas positioned themselves to knock the weak side jumper down. Pretty to watch.

I'm sure a lot of you fans are wondering what is happening with the Crocs right now. Sure our record does not please the eye, but we are close I'm telling you. Four of the five games we have lost, we have had a good lead at the half, then we fall asleep. Once we fix this problem, we will be on the road to recovery.

I know, you are going to say it better happen soon. It will, especially since we get to play a few games at home in a row now. Throw in some improvement in my own personal form, and a win is just around the corner.

Just a point of interest. Did anyone else think that in Joe Ingles interview after the game he was leaning towards Nick Horvath being on the outer? I'm curious to see if anyone else got the same vibe!

This week's boxscores:
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72447 wildcats vs 36ers
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72444 tigers vs taipans
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72459 crocs vs breakers
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72485 hawks vs pigs
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72492 tigers vs dragons
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72494 blaze vs slingers

Articles from Around the League

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22560180-11088,00.html All Star Game
http://sportal.co.nz/default.aspx/Basketball-news-display/world-cup-pain-spurs-breakers-forward-37049 Vikona on Breakers
http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=16&ContentID=42947 Oh cry my a river MacKinnon...is your knee sore!
http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=16&ContentID=42900 Crawford injury
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2007/10/10/3629_gold-coast-blaze.html

Setting the Example

If anyone has been following the NBA over the offseason, you will know that Knicks coach Isiah Thomas is in some hot water over sexual harassment charges. Whether Thomas did or did not behave like this, there are only a select few people that will ever know the truth behind what really happened.

Read this article for the result of the trail: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=adande_ja&page=KnicksTrial

This did get me thinking though and I have to agree with J.A. Adande. Players in all professional sporting arenas are put under the microscope in all facets of life. Why should the other employees or bosses of a franchise not be made to follow the same rules they preach to their players on a near daily basis. I can hear it right now. "Remember who you are representing at all times."

This phrase absolutely shits me. Teams will always say they recruit "good guys". So do these "good guys" need to be reminded how to conduct themselves in the public eye. I don't think so. Acting responsible is something I hope I will do no matter who I'm representing at whatever time of the day. Sure, I understand being an athlete you become a target in the public eye sometimes, but your profession should not determine how you behave.

Another point to come out of this Thomas ordeal is, how can these franchises expect teenagers and 20 somethings to behave properly if the leaders of the group are setting a bad example. All teams these days talk about creating a "positive culture". Whether it is on the field or in the office the culture is put to the test and all must abide by the rules. The franchise is ultimately one big team.

I know players understand that they are always going to be scrutinized a little closer than the lady that operates the photocopy machine, but when an mistake is made there can be no leniency shown.

If the NBA takes no action against the Knicks and I'm Mark Cuban, I'm asking David Stern for a huge refund. Favourites cannot be played in situations like this, otherwise your company will spiral out of control and possibly a slow death.

Other articles on this Topic:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&page=isiahverdictcs

NBL articles:

http://www.theage.com.au/news/Sport/Jawai-one-to-watch-in-NBL-says-Goorjian/2007/10/07/1191695735030.html

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22545499-10389,00.html Wright talks Bullets

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22546999-10914,00.html

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22547280-5006371,00.html 36ers road ahead

NBA Fantasy League

Every year myself and Greg Vanderjagt play fantasy NBA basketball. This year we thought we would invite any of you punters along who think they can match it with us. You can join our league at http://basketball.fantasysports.yahoo.com/nba The league id# is 28399 and the password is password. I hope to see a few of you guys there so we can see if you have the skills to match the trash talking that will go on with it. See you there.

Resident NBL expert journo Matt McQuade has broken down each team and rated their chances for this year. It makes for an interesting read. As we are already a few weeks into the season it is a good read to see if he is on track with his breakdowns. You can find these here: http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=featuredisplay&id=72243

Well, tomorrow is the first day we will see Corey "Homicide" Williams in a Crocs practice uniform. I just hope I make it through to tell a story. If you do not hear back from me, you know I have ended up being a chalk outline.

Rest of the Weekends Boxscores:
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72376 Kings vs Taipans
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72377 Blaze vs Tigers
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72378 Crocs vs Bullets
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72365 Hawks vs Taipans
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72366 Bullets vs Wildcats
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72348 Breakers vs Pigs

Homicide has Entered the Building

Our new import Corey "Homicide" Williams touched down in the Ville today. Sporting a mohawk surrounded by stars etched into his melon, this guy has character written all over him. Let me tell you, his fellow point guard Kelvin Robertson will be learning a lot from this guy. Off the court I'm talking about. Kelvin will be a cultured young man by the end of this season.

Homicide, (I cannot believe after all these years I will be calling a teammate "Homicide") has not hit the court yet so I cannot let you know what type of player he is. What I have done though, is gone to my good friend You Tube and found some footage of this man. Please, some of the content is for the older generation, so you have been warned.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFVDnt4nzfA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXK04eoQDQc

If this is your thing, there is plenty more of Homicide on You Tube.

NBL Boxscores from tonight:

http://www.nbl.com.au/boxscores.aspx?mid=7996 Bullets vs Wildcats

http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72365 Hawks vs taipans

Good to be Home

You always need a little luck to go your way in this profession. Right now we (the Crocs) are playing great for the first 24 minutes, then we leave our game in the change room at half time. You need luck, but you create your own.

We are not creating that for ourselves in the second half and it is amazing how it seems to effect everything else that goes on. Over the five days we spent going to and from Singapore there are many examples how this presents itself.

First we arrive in Singapore a little over an hour later than what was first expected. Our travel time over there ended up being approx 16 hours. If your winning this does not bother you, but when you lose, you seem to become very tired and testy.

We go to shoot around the day of the game and are expecting a 10 minute bus ride. All players board the bus with only their shoes but for some reason the bus driver thinks we are going to the airport. 45 minutes later we arrive for practice. Just another thing that does not go your way. Maybe the driver could see into the future and was trying to give us a message about the result of the game.

During the game Mick Cedar receives a nasty cut on his cheek from his own teammate. I'm pretty sure NBL rules say you need a doctor in the house, none were present. Instead Cedar sucks it up and plays with strapping tape used as a band aid because somehow our first aid kit ended up in London. After the game Cedar seeks medical attention and is now the proud owner of 15 stitches. This is called bad luck.

We get back to Sydney (early evening) where we have to spend the night because there are no more connecting flights to Townsville the rest of the day. The hotel has lost our dinner order so there is no food prepared for 13 starving mouths upon arrival. We finally get fed and are in bed before midnight.

A rather unadventurous but successful Thursday. Maybe it is time our luck starts to change. I sure hope so.

Why did I write about this. I remember having a conversation with Leroy Loggins back in '93. I was home for a few months from the States and playing CBA with Toowoomba. I was about to embark on a three game road trip in a 60 hour span. Leroy wished me luck and I said, "you don't need luck!"

How wrong I was, but what a great lesson I learnt. Luck is a great friend to have. I hope we find each other before Saturday.

On My Way Home

After a disappointing second half performance again, I'm on my way home. We when touch down back in Australia I will be letting you know how the trip went. Hope all is well in your basketball world.