Just when you thought injuries could not get any worse, players are starting to drop like flies. New Zealand Breakers point guard Wayne Turner is gone for the year. He will be going under the knife. While we are talking knives, my ex teammate Sam MacKinnon went under the knife today. This will see him out of the Bullets line up for 4-6 weeks. Hope he has a speedy recovery. We need him at the Olympics.
Also, the other Breakers import Rick Rickett has to wait to see how his back responds to rest and treatment before the franchise may have a bigger decision to ponder. Do they replace him with another import. Craig Bradshaw and his injured ankle will be sidelined for a few more games, unless the Bullets are playing "silly buggers" about his injury. Bullets also are reporting the CJ Bruton had an MRI on his ankle and is in doubt for this week. Maybe CJ just wanted the day off practice. I guess I will find out how serious this is on Thursday night.
Remember, Brett Maher is out, along with Dave Thomas, Perth has their whole roster under injury cloud, Hawks Matt Campbell and Lindsay Tait have not seen action in weeks, and Martin Cattilini is gone for the year.
As I wrote a week or so ago, the last team standing may just be hoisting the championship trophy this season.
In other news, I will be interested to see what direction the Taipans go with their vacant import spot. With Rashad Tucker released and Catt out for the season which position will they fill. Do they fell like they need to help Larry Abney and Nathan Jawai out on the boards, or will they look for a replacement at the three.
I'm interested in this move purely because I feel they have adequate people in these positions already. They have Aaron Grabau and Gary Boodnikoff to fill the three and rest Stephen Black when he needs a sub, while I have always felt Matt Smith has flown under the radar. I'm not saying he is a star, but he always produces pretty good stats in his limited minutes.
I hope to have an answer soon.
In NCAA news, Alec Maric who attends Nebraska U had another monster game. He put up 30 points in 26 minutes today. On the NBL website the have an article talking about the possible prospects that may return to Australia next year. If he keeps putting up numbers close to this, Australia will just be a place to call home for this kid.
He is playing in one of the best conferences in the country and he had a solid junior year. I'm not sure if he is NBA, but he will get try-outs for sure, so my guess is we lose another talented player to Europe.
Watch this kid, as he could be the next NBA player from Australia and he may also sneak onto the Beijing Olympic team.
Today's NBA Top Ten:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1g3fBnh7qKk&feature=user yao gets dunked on again
NBL News:
http://www.theage.com.au/news/Sport/Bullets-Bruton-battling-ankle-injury/2007/11/27/1196036868091.html
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/4/story.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10478507 kiwi injuries
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22827506-5006371,00.html dench/chappell need to rise
http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2007/11/27/8540_hpsport.html crocs article
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22831666-23210,00.html all star to boomer?
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22829104-23210,00.html breakers new import
http://sportal.com.au/default.aspx/basketball-news-display/blaze-name-three-co-captains-39454
http://sportal.com.au/default.aspx/basketball-news-display/razors-ready-for-must-win-clash-39476
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/27/2102134.htm?section=sport mackinnon's return date
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22820855-12428,00.html boti's best
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
What A Weekend Around the NBL
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Rashad Tucker...Gone..NBA ALL STAR BALLOT
Word on the street has Rashad Tucker done in the far north. Was it injury or something else that has caused the Taipans to take action?
Just last week coach Alan Black said Rashad had been playing injured all season so he just needed to rest his groin.
If it is a short term injury you would think the club would not have a "knee jerk" reaction. The team had a good win in New Zealand on Thursday, so you would not think change is needed.
My sources say the Taipans have released him due to infringement of club policy. If this is true it will be interesting to see what the truth is once the smoke has cleared.
No one (Tucker or the Taipans) have made a comment as to what the exact problem was.
I will keep a close eye on the developments of this one.
This week the ballot come out for the NBA All Star Game. China spat the dummy a little as Bucks forward Yi was not on it.
Good news for the Aussies, Andrew Bogut, also of the Bucks, made it. All good and bad Aussies should go to http://www.nba.com/ and cast your vote. It is about time an Aussie got a run in this game.
With Orlando's Dwight Howard in some great early season form, it will be interesting to see if he beats Shaq or Bogut out for the starting centre's position. Shaq has had a mortgage on this position as the fans love the big fella but could they be swayed this year?
My lineup would be:
East: Billups, LeBron, Pierce, KG, Bogut
West: Davis, Kobe, McGrady, Dirk, Yao
You can always drop me a line and let me know who your squad would be!
Friday, November 23, 2007
All Star Game Dilemma
This week Perth Wildcats coach Scott Fisher has gone public saying he wants his players to be exempt from this year's annual All Star event. Read about it here: http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=16&ContentID=47924
I can understand Fisher's coach's view here but the game has to have the best players perform in it, if it is going to be a successful event. Shaun Redage is a early MVP candidate. He has to be there. If Alex Loughton gets the call up, I'm sure the rookie would love to appear in the game.
At this time of the year I'm sure if you polled all the coaches they would want their players to stay at home. This happens, the game is erased from the calender. Please find me a player who would not like to say they are an All-Star and I may begin to change my tune.
Now, if the NBL give the Wildcats exemption from this game, Chuck Harmison better expect his phone to be ringing of the hook as soon as the decision goes public. Coaches and CEO's from all teams will be hounding him for the same treatment.
We can all fire up about the timing of the game, but it should be on the NBL calender and we as a league need to "get over it" and just play.
It just so happens that we play the Wildcats after the All Star Game. We have Corey Williams playing in the game and I will be winning the three point shoot out so we cover a few miles in those days as well. After the game, we head back to Townsville on Thursday morning, practice that day. Come Friday we head over to Perth for the clash on Saturday.
Not ideal preparation but players need to service the league so it can provide the best possible entertainment to sell the sport. We all know, a good All Star game is a exciting entertainment package.
All players love to perform in an All Star Game, so I just hope the league sticks to its guns and this event only grows into a successful annual event.
Brad Newley Highlights from Greece:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx2L0NDEv-k
NBL News:
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22804763-11088,00.html salary cap change?
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22805886-5006371,00.html homicide the new d-mac?
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22806445-23769,00.html kings wary of taipans
http://sportal.com.au/default.aspx/basketball-news-display/36ers-fired-by-tall-timber-39240
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2007/11/23/5216_gold-coast-blaze.html new rivalry
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22805883-5006371,00.html time for fresh faces?
http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,22808769-5005401,00.html fisher reflects
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22805420-10389,00.html bullets underdogs
Boxscore:
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=73170 taipans v breakers
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Mills Sets Record...And Crocs Win
Young Aussie Boomer, Patrick Mills, has set a school record for points by a freshman (1st year player) in a game. Playing for St Mary's College Mills lit up the Oregon Ducks for 37 points.http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/recap;_ylt=AsUzcLl9i7yrGwplkLm1xkLevbYF?gid=200711200538&prov=ap
Oregon are/were ranked 11th in the nation so this is quite a good start for Mills. Playing in just his 4 game in the USA, reports had 7 NBA scouts at the game. Quite a good time for Mills to put his best foot forward. Here is video footage of the game.http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3121605&categoryId=2459792&n8pe6c=2
There were two other Aussies involved in this game as well, Carlin Hughes and Lucas Walker, both for St Mary's. Australia and this college have a little history. Daniel Kickert played his college ball there as did former Crocs import, EJ Rowland. History books will also so Wollongong head coach Eric Cooks played his college ball there.
Also in action today were Andrew Ogilvy and Alec Maric. Here is a full schedule of boxscores for the day.
The Crocs had a solid win over the Tigers tonight. Once again the 107-81 win was sparked by "Homicide" Williams and his 31 points. http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=73149 I have to say though, it is our defense that has been creating a lot for us of late. Although Brad Sheridan did not trouble the scoreboard he had an influence on this game with his "D". "Rowdy" and his arms were everywhere.
We know hit the road again for our next two games, Adelaide and Brisbane. If we really want to make something of this season, we still need to prove that we can get good wins on the road, and against these teams, they would be good wins.
Boxscore:
NBL Articles:
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=73138 homicide and movember
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=73144 breakers injuries..more
http://www.bordermail.com.au/news/bm/sport/1024654.html what is andrew rice doing?
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2007/11/21/5116_gold-coast-blaze.html blaze being careful
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Last Man Standing May Win
One look at the NBL standings and you will see that it is close. (Sure, I will excuse Sydney and Melbourne for now.) The team that gets its hands on the trophy at the end of the year may be the team with the most healthy bodies remaining on its roster come season's end.
Lets go down the line. Tigers are Thomasless for another month, Bullets are without the Big Mac...his return date is...well whenever Sam wants back, Adelaide are with out their inspiration...Maher, the Pigs sure wish they had Damien Martin somewhere in their sights..but he is done like pork crackling till next year, the Snakes have every body part covered on their roster, the Kiwi's have Turner out with a dicky knee, even the Hawks have been grounded with Campbell and Tait, head out west and Fisher has half his roster under an injury cloud, the Dragons even had their player/coach miss a few games, and the Crocs..well we have had our share of injuries to boot.
That leaves the Kings, Blaze and Slingers to battle with full rosters or is their turn coming.
Injuries are just part sport and the teams that handle this the best will be the ones that forge ahead as the season continues. Sure, you need to lick your wounds, but the sooner you get of the disappointment, the sooner the team will regroup and make the most of what it has.
Just two weeks ago we played with eight guys for two games. This is a players dream. The coach looks down the bench and the options are thin. A player should be licking his chops as he can play till his heart is content, and the coach has no other option but to play them. What a great situation.
It is disappointing when someone misses through injury, but opportunity is then presented to someone else to make the most of it.
The NBL champion this year may just be the team that takes that opportunity and runs with it.
NCAA News:
http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3118945&name=glockner_andy Pat Mills and Gaels http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3118221&name=ncbexperts quick word on Bruce
NBL Articles:
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22782508-5006371,00.html boti's wrap
http://www.sportsaustralia.com/articles/news.php?id=2606 POW
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4281605a12155.html bradshaw injury
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/Crocs-pumped-for-Tigers-rematch/2007/11/20/1195321775321.html
http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=16&ContentID=47665 vlahov to be boss?
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22792405-5001023,00.html done catt
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/4/story.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10477140 breakers injury
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22788332-12428,00.html luke to replace maher?
NBA Top Ten Plays:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMZLUwREHIk&feature=user No 2..rudy gay..again
Sunday, November 18, 2007
MacKinnon Misinterpretting??
Anytime the Bullets and the Kings have squared off in the last few years there has always been a little media by play pregame. Both teams are excellent at using the media to try and gain an upper hand in how they would like the game to flow, in their favour.
Brian Goorijan and Joey Wright both use the media to send a message, and it is great to watch from afar. BUT now throw in league MVP Sam Mackinnon.
After their recent clash, MacKinnon made comment on how the Kings roughed up and cheap shot the Bullets. There is room for argument with these comments, (especially the attention CJ Bruton received) but Sammy Mac must have awoken one morning and realized his comments were directed at the coach who will be selecting the Boomers team for this upcoming Olympics.
Goorijan took offense to these comments and said it was up to the refs and their evaluators and commentators to decide if they were playing within the boundaries.
You can read Sam's new comments here:http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22766458-10389,00.html Now it is the players of the King's that have just taken it upon themselves to cheap shot!
I will endeavour to contact MacKinnon this week to see if he has changed his mind again!
One thing he did have right in the article, "his old mate" will win the three point shoot out at the All Star game.
Boxscores:
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=73055 breakers v hawks
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=73071 blaze v dragons
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=73072 kings v pigs
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=73088 wildcats v hawks
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=73083 36ers v dragons
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=73084 breakers v taipans
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=73086 crocs v slingers
Thursday, November 15, 2007
All Star Game Taking Shape
The teams have been announced for the All Star game being held in Melbourne on Wednesday the 12th of December. You can find the line ups here. http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=73031
There is no denying that the NBL is a guards league, but for the World team to have so few bigs named, I cannot see how they can come away with a win. Sure, Kavossy, Cortez and Ebi could all get hot, but who is going to get a rebound for this squad.
Sure they have Muursepp and Rickett but an All Star game is not played at their pace. Although Larry Abney is having a down year to date, he is suited to this style of game. His rebounding has been there and he runs the lanes hard. That adds up to success in an All Star game. Maybe the "Birdman" will get a call up from the reserves.
The game itself could end up a real shoot out if a few of the "Seppos" catch fire. I hope so because I will be in attendance and I want a show. Homicide needs to fire his guys up, otherwise it will be a long night and an extra looong flight back to Townsville.
Brad Newley is on fire over in Greece. This past weekend he went David Barlow on my old team AEK. He scored 32 on a perfect night. 4/4 for 2's and 8/8 from the land of plenty. His team is 3-1 but he has already been exposed to life in Europe. A fired import and coach and I'm sure a few more changes to come.
NBA Top Ten Plays: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTcWc8IaIeU&feature=user
NBL Boxscore:
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=73055 breakers vs hawks
NBL Articles:
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2007/11/15/4876_gossip-news.html blaze pair to race...I hope there is little headwind on race day, otherwise MacGregor and his melon will struggle to finish.
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22761545-5006371,00.html boti article
http://www2.skynews.com.au/sport/article.aspx?id=200922 breakers beat hawks
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22758905-5001023,00.html MVP to miss at least one game
http://www.tempo.com.ph/news.php?aid=34885 slingers news'
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
NCAA - Aussies Galore Today
I do not have the stats at my disposal, but I'm confident to say that today would have been a record day for Australians playing in NCAA Division 1 basketball.
First, there was 2008 Olympic hopeful Andrew Ogilvy of Vanderbilt putting up 20 points. Patrick Mills (St Mary's) tasted success along with his two fellow Aussies teammates. Utah has a couple of Down Under punters and Nicholls St has about five. Aaron Baynes of the No 9 Washington St Cougars and Daniel Dillon of Arizona played as well. I'm sure I have missed a few too. You can check out the boxscores here. http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/scoreboard?d=2007-11-13&refresh=60
DO NOT FORGET TO CHECK OUT THESE GUYS!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5c30weQyLY MASSIVE CROCS FANS!
NBL Boxscore:
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=73026
NBA Top Ten Plays:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBRsCxcdLsU rudy gay says welcome to the nba, luis scola
NBL Articles:
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22756042-11088,00.html dragons season in balance
http://sportal.com.au/default.aspx/Basketball-news-display/joyce-backs-harvey-for-boomers-38805
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/nelsonmail/4272954a6419.html vikona on playing in local nbl in off season
http://sportal.com.au/default.aspx/basketball-news-display/36ers-out-to-continue-streak-38797
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/articles/2007/11/13/1194766677912.html tait may be done
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=73022 gaze/carfino shoot out at all star game
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Croc Punters in the Gong
Crocs own Corey "Homicide" Williams has taken out the NBL POW award. For his troubles I can only hope Corey gets a signed, framed picture of this photo.
I know that every team has their hardcore fans that will follow them around to various away games. Well, last weekend a couple of loyal Croc fans treated themselves to a trip to Sydney and surrounding area to take in so serious hoops. If I remember correctly, the boys would take in three games during their trip to NSW.
As you can see from this footage that I filmed, these guys love their hoops and the Crocs. I hope to be present, with camera, when Galen Young gets to meet his biggest fan. Watch and enjoy as the boys joined us after the game!
NBA Top Ten Plays, Today:
NCAA boxscores from Today:
NBL Articles:
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=127396 breakers to finish strong
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=127388 turner injury update
http://www.sportsaustralia.com/articles/news.php?id=2567 homicide POW as predicted
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22751910-23210,00.html MVP on the shelf?
http://sportal.com.au/default.aspx/basketball-news-display/mvp-talk-off-the-mark-38772 wortho for MVP
http://www.starnewsgroup.com.au/story/51189 for Melbourne hoop fans
Monday, November 12, 2007
Good Weekend
Well, the Crocs returned from their weekend away with two wins. Wollongong were the first victims, then the South Dragons ran into a red hot Homicide Williams. A near triple double (31pts, 13rebs, 7ass) by Williams and his performance the night before against the Hawks should see him win POW.
I must say though, it was Kelvin Robertson's three with a minute to go that was the real game breaker in that one. Trevor Gleeson drew up an out of bounds play with six seconds left on the shotclock. The play worked that well Kelvin found himself wide open. Knocking it down opened the game up by six. A handy margin at that stage of the game so all that was left was to knock down our free throws to close out the game.
A great result this weekend so I'm hoping this is the kick start that will get us playing a consistent game, week in, week out.
Is it just me, but doesn't it seem that injuries a coming at a record pace this year. I know the Crocs have suffered their fair share, but it just seems that some player each week is suffering a long tern injury. Eg, Razorbacks Damien Martin did his ACL and will be done for the season.
It is disappointing for the league to see players going down. When teams begin to lose players it is only a matter of time before the product becomes watered down. This is something we do not need to see. There is not much you can do to avoid these injuries that are happening, but we need them to slow just a little. I hope someone out there can help the cause, PLEASE!
I know opposition teams know that the Pigs will find it hard to replace Martin's value to the team, making them weaker, but a player never likes to see another player suffer a long term injury. I hope he has a successful recovery.
Still on Martin. I usually do not mingle too much with opposition teams but I have a little time for Martin. He allowed my three year old son to play defense on him before their team shoot around at the "Swamp" recently. It is a nice touch when a player allows a moment like this. I had finished with our shoot around and a few of the Pigs players had come early for theirs. My confident son asked if he could play D (I cannot believe my son said that, I will have to have a chat with him later.) on Martin as he began to warm up.
Martin allowed the "little tacker" the opportunity to have his moment on the "Swamp" floor. So thanks to Martin for that great gesture, and I hope he has a speedy recovery.
NBL Articles:
http://www.theage.com.au/news/Sport/NBL-tells-coaches-to-wear-schedule/2007/11/12/1194766564389.html
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22741599-10914,00.html tigers say they will beat kings next time
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22743051-5006371,00.html boti's weekend wrap
http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=16&ContentID=46609 wildcats roster...good read
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22740166-5001023,00.html sydney derby
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22740888-12428,00.html kings/bullets costly
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/Bullets-late-comeback-win-massive-Hill/2007/11/12/1194766577271.html
http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2007/11/12/8103_hpsport.html homicide sighting
http://www.thedaily.com.au/news/2007/nov/11/aap-adelaide-36ers-outgun-slingers-111-93/
Round 8 Boxscores:
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72903 kings v bullets
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72927 breakers v slingers
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72942 hawks v crocs
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72956 wildcats v bullets
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72954 pigs v blaze
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72952 dragons v crocs
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72957 taipans v hawks
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72953 tigers v kings
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72968 slingers v 36ers
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72965 blaze v breakers
Today's NBA Top Ten Plays:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa7tPv__3pM
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Crocs Win On The Road
Last night saw the Crocs win on the road in Wollongong, 101-87. Injury still haunts the Crocs as young guard Drew Williamson Dislocated his shoulder seven minutes into the game.
With only eight players left to manage the rest of the game, Trevor Gleeson had few options left by the fourth quarter. Three players fouled out, leaving only five players left to finish. It may have been interesting to see what would have happened if the game had been a little longer. Corey Williams finished on five fouls. Has thee ever been a time in the NBL when a team has only four players left on the court.
Today we travel down to Melbourne to take on the Dragons. If Ben Pepper's elbow injury has not recovered, we will only suite eight players. Sometimes this will bring a looseness to a team. knowing you will get to play will allow you to relax and play without thinking. That is what we get to do tonight. Let it fly and see what happens.
If we can get this win tonight, we are back in the mix with a plethora of home games still remaining. Things might be looking up for the Crocs, provided we can finish with five on the court.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Sponsoring Movember
It is offical. You can start sponsoring your favourite Croc player or coach if you wish to help the cause of Movember. The information below will help explain how you can go about sponsoring.
Online Sponsorship
The simplest way to get people to sponsor you is to send them an email directing them to the "Sponsor" part of the Movember website where they just enter your Mo Bro Rego Number, the sponsorship amount and their credit card details. We have emailed you some suggested wording for that email.
All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
Offline Sponsorship
Those who sponsor you in person need to be given an official receipt. To do that please use the attached book of tax deductible receipts that you will need to print.
At the end of Movember please send in cheques / money orders along with your completed Remittance Form to Movember.
If you receive cash, please bank it and send in your deposit slip with your completed Remittance Form to:
Movember Foundation PO Box 292 Prahran VIC 3181
My MO BRO REGO NUMBER is 166023. The website is http://www.movember.com.au/ Thanks for the donations!
BOXSCORE:
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72903 kings vs bullets
NBA TOP TEN PLAYS:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtFxBYPj3vA Yao gets dunked on
NBL ARTICLES:
http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,22718588-5005401,00.html fisher on wildcats
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22718748-23210,00.html harvey right to go
http://www.smh.com.au/news/basketball/allin-melee-as-kings-put-bullets-on-the-canvas/2007/11/07/1194329322274.html kings/bullets wrap
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/sport/injuries-put-bite-on-taipans/2007/11/07/1194329303210.html
http://www.smh.com.au/news/basketball/worthington-on-the-road-to-success-without-a-licence/2007/11/07/1194329317942.html
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2007/11/07/4580_gold-coast-blaze.html blaze/pigs match up
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
College Tip Off Time
There is always a good vibe in the USA around this time of the year. College football is beginning to figure itself out and everyone begins talking about who will be the National Champ. Also, college hoops kicks off over the next week.
I get excited for these kids just for the sheer fact, you never know what might transpire from the season. NCAA tournament, NIT tournament all the way down to just working yourself into some court time.
There is no doubting that I'm bias towards this system, but it granted me an opportunity that my home country could not offer. Life long memories and friendships were developed during this period for me, but nothing will ever match the basketball memories I have from my time spent in the USA.
So for the next 5 months I hope to provide you with some coverage of Aussies that you may not of heard of, but one day will be gracing the NBL courts, and you will have been introduced to them.
There are hundreds of Aussies over there plying their trade for their respective schools, but deep down they are trying to improve their game so they can excel at the next level. Someone like Paul Rogers has shown that travelling across the Pacific is worthwhile. He was a little known prospect from the streets of Adelaide, but a few years later the Los Angels Lakers saw fit to make him a second round draft pick. These are the dreams and realities these kids leave our shores with and hope to achieve.
I'm confident in saying that Andrew Bogut would not have been the number 1 over pick in the NBA had he not have gone to school (Utah) in the States.
Everyone over there will not be a future number one pick, but you will never know where you stand if you do not give it a go. Patrick Mills and Andrew Ogilvy will find out if they have what it takes to become a NBA caliber player, while someone like Alex Opacic or Calum Hughes get to work on their game so they may become a solid NBL player one day.
Please drop me a line and let me know of any Aussies that are over there playing. I wish to highlight all that are over there, no matter what division they are playing. I will endeavour to have boxscores and articles posted regularly.
Go Zags - home of Rillie, Rogers, Dench, Hendrix
NBL Articles:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4262836a1823.html new coach in NZ
http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=16&ContentID=45910 rogers speaks about wildcats
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22710291-5006371,00.html adelaide to stay with roster
Monday, November 5, 2007
MOVEMBER
After a disappointing weekend, 0-2, a few critics are asking if we are spending too much time at the beauty salon instead of on the hardwood. Take it from me, we are doing everything possible to correct our poor start (3-7).
What is going on with the Crocodile players and coaches on a positive note, is Movember. To find out more go to http://www.movember.com/ Each player had a choice. Our own twist, the Mohawk hairstyle or the traditional Movember route, a Mo. There are four of us sporting the mohawks now (look to your right), but I believe a few of the other players have said if they can raise "X" amount of dollars, they will join the Mohawks. ( I will let you know more in the future as to how you can sponsor these guys.)
I do not wish to rehash the weekend. Very disappointing, so I will just publish the boxscores below for your own viewing and analysing.
Boxscores:
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72792 pigs vs taipans
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72812 breakers vs bullets
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72825 kings vs crocs
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72834 36ers vs breakers
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72832 tigers vs crocs
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72841 dragons vs hawks
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72846 blaze vs taipans
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72848 slingers vs wildcats
NBL Articles:
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22702305-10914,00.html tigers talk kings
http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2007/11/05/7920_hpsport.html crocs tuff weekend
Friday, November 2, 2007
Kings Dust Us
Tonight the Sydney Kings handed us a good old fashion kicking. The score line 106-79 was about how we played. The result is very disappointing considering we have been playing better in recent weeks.
There is no time to rest or sulk as we suit up in less than 24 hours against the undefeated Melbourne Tigers (8-0). This type of scheduling is always a good measuring stick to see how the team responds after a bad previous night.
I will look to give a better wrap of the weekend when I return home on Sunday, hopefully after a win!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
