Episode 9 of "The OT"

Episode 9 of the "The OT" is ready for downloading. It is a quick one as I'm on the road at the moment. DJ Rod and myself review and preview the games, talk about some of the NBL's weekly issues and we name our Player of the Week.

We do not have a guest for this week's episode but due to popular demand we have downloaded the entire interview with Corey "Homicide" Williams.

In other news New Zealand Breaker Phill Jones pleads guilty to striking Perth Wildcat Shawn Redhage. He receives a one game suspension.

Here is the incident that led to the suspension.

Phill Jones and Shawn Redhage in the Nutcracker!

Caption Competition, Homicide Uncut & News

Breaking NBA news: Allan Iverson has been sent to the Detroit Pistons for Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess.

You can never have enough Corey "Homicide" Williams in your diet. Think of him as that extra fibre the doctor is always telling you that you require to keep you regular.

First up we have a caption competition on again. Best caption will win a couple of CD's, all thanks to HotFM here in Townsville. (I will announce the winner on next week's episode of "The OT".)

Also, due to popular demand "The OT" has released an uncut version of Homicide's interview from last week's show. Click here to enjoy.

News

- Perth coach Conner Henry was fined $1000 for comments about the refs after the Wildcats lost to the Breakers. In the same touchy, feely incident that led to Henry's fine, New Zealand's Phill Jones will front the judiciary via phone.

- Dave Thomas talks Taipans basketball.

- Boti Nagy's weekly league wrap.

- Former Bullet import Andre Moore talks about playing at the Master's Games.

- Wollongong Hawks player Rhys Martin finds his car burnt.

- Introducing Justin Bowen, the new Blaze import.

- 36ers Adam Ballinger will get the rock more if coach Scott Ninnis gets his way.

It's A Whole Lot Tighter

Not the most graceful photo I've ever been in.

Round 7 in the NBL is complete and the ladder has just got a whole lot more congested.

The big movers for the weekend where the Wollongong Hawks who have found themselves well placed in the six with their 6-5 record. Two very good wins over the slipping Cairns Taipans see the hot Hawks 4-1 over their last five games.

As for the rest of the teams, the South Dragons, New Zealand Breakers and Melbourne Tigers remain the teams to catch as they solidify their spots within the top three.

After that the rest of the teams have themselves well and truly in a dog fight for the remaining three playoff spots.

Perth, Cairns and Townsville all have .500 records, while Adelaide and Sydney are a few games behind that group of three teams.

Gold Coast Blaze remain winless, but James Harvey believes this week's game against the Crocs will help them get on track in gaining a playoff spot.

The season is only a third of the way done so none of these spots are wrapped up. There will be a lot more movement before the season comes to an end but now would be a good time to get some "W's" on the board.

It does show however when you win a few in a row, such as the Hawks, how all of a sudden your season comes alive and you start to believe in what can be achieved.

It is going to become a mad scramble for the six playoff births available so every win now is important. You don't want to have to start chasing your tail late in the season in hope of gaining a top six spot.

complete ladder

Round 7 results

Wollongong 101-93 Cairns recap
New Zealand 103-99 Perth recap
South 96-87 Sydney recap
Melbourne 123-111 Gold Coast recap
Cairns 87-89 Wollongong recap
Townsville 97-106 New Zealand recap
Adelaide 108-76 Sydney recap

Other News

- New Zealand Breaker Phill Jones to face NBL Tribunal.

- Tony Ronaldson becomes the NBL's all time games leader.

- No excuses for the Cairns Taipans.

- Gold Coast to announce new import in time for Wednesday's game.

- Back to the drawing board for the Crocs.

- ESPN's NBA Weekend Dime - Q & A with Shaq.

- Atlanta Hawks off to fast start.

- Al Harrington to be traded?

Five Good minutes with Doc Rivers

What Steve Nash Has Been Up To

Over the NBA off-season I tied up Steve Nash's free throw challenge. I was hoping he would reply to the challenge but as you can see below, he has been busy with other matters.

I have to say, it is rather funny stuff.

A Dose Of Morning News

GONE! Jauquin Hawkins is the first import to be shown the door.

- The New Zealand Breakers overcome a half time deficit at home to defeat the Perth Wildcats, 103-99. recap The game had some controversy. Here is some video footage of how this game ends. Very interesting call in the dying seconds.

- Wednesday night, the Wollongong Hawks ran over the Cairns Taipans 101-93. recap

- Juaquin Hawkins has been released by the Gold Coast Blaze. Another article here.

- Breakers Tony Ronaldson passes Andrew Gaze for most games played. Gaze comments.

- Former players helping out with International success.

- Lindsay Gaze to coach again. This time in China.

- Former NBL player Anthony Stewart is to become a player/coach in Tassie.

- No NBL All-Star game this season.

- Crocs Russell Hinder believes Breakers CJ Bruton is the key.

- 36ers pair of Brett Maher and Paora Winitana will miss clash against the Sydney Spirit.

- Dragons import Tremmell Darden is "under the microscope".

- Kemp to revive the Bullets?

- All your NBA boxscores from yesterday.

- Knicks bench Stephon Marbury and win.

- Greg Oden out injured again. I just heard A Stern Waring's new site just crash.

- To catch up on your daily NBA news, check out The Basketball Jones podcast.

- If you need to know about NBA beards, click here.

Gaze TV - Episode 7

Best Of All Time - Breakers Shooting?

Phill Jones..Just one of the many shooters on the Breakers roster.

A good solid chunk of media attention in the NBL this season has centered on the discussion of whether or not the Melbourne Tigers will become one of the greatest teams of all time. Well, I’ve got another point for discussion.

I am going to go out on a limb and say that our opponent this week, the New Zealand Breakers, may just have assembled one of the best three point shooting line ups of all time,…and of course this is exciting for me!

Former Crocs assistant coach Andrej Lemanis has been leading the New Zealand Breakers for the last 4 seasons and has put together a team that may arguably be the deadliest group of shooters to ever to make up an NBL roster.

Let’s start with CJ Bruton. Bruton has become the premier point guard in the NBL over the past five years and his reputation for clutch play in the final minutes of a tight game is becoming legendary.

When the game is on the line Lemanis will want the ball in CJ’s hand and would be more than happy to let him take a shot at a game breaking three.

Kirk Penney is absolutely lighting it up right now. Leading the league in scoring with 28ppg, Penney accumulates most of these points from long range. Penney and Bruton make up one of the best backcourts in the NBL. If we are able to keep even one of these guys quiet, it will go a long way toward getting us a win against the Breakers.

But wait,…there’s more!

Oscar Forman isn’t afraid to take a few shots from downtown and has always been known as a good shooter. He has found consistent form recently and is currently making more than 50% of his 3-point shots. In fact, out of the 36 baskets he has made so far this season, 28 of them have been threes.

Still not done yet,…

Phill Jones may be the maddest bomber of them all. This guy can turn the game in a heartbeat and his range begins the minute he enters the building. Jones is also hitting around 50% from three so we need to shut him down the minute he enters the game.

Last but not least I have to mention Tony Ronaldson. Percentages mean nothing when you talk about “The Bear’s” shooting. Ronaldson will make the crucial three when you least expect it. This guy can be ice cold all night then drain the “big one” that lifts his team during the most crucial stages of the game. He is a veteran who has done it time and time again.

When you are talking about a team that shoots like these guys do, there is no point in discussing how you are going to stop them scoring three point baskets. The key word will be contain. The best way to do that will be to minimize their open looks at the basket. If we can get a hand in their face more often than not, it may just turn out to be the difference in the game on Saturday night.

Is New Zealand the greatest shooting team of all time? That is up for debate but if our defense is lackluster we will certainly help them lay claim to that title.

You can read my article every Wednesday in the Townsville Bulletin.

Episode 8 of "The OT" featuring 187

Corey "Homicide" Williams drops by the card table for a chat.

DJ Rod has worked tirelessly through the night to have this episode up and ready. Thanks Rod.

Our guest in the studio this week is Corey "Homicide" Williams. The "50 cent" of New York streetball gives his option on things such as; playing for Coach Goorjian and how he rules the playgrounds of New York City.

Also on the show "The OT" introduces a NBL Player of the Week prize. I'm sure players will be fighting over this award in weeks to come.

Check it out right here, right now.