NBA KICKS OFF TODAY

Fans of the NBA will be happy to know the season kicks off today, and you can even catch a game on FOX SPORTS today. You can actually get your fill of hoops today. NBL and NBA all in the one day. I'm starting to think we have pressed rewind and are stuck in the early 90's. Getting this much hoops on one day has not been seen since Steve Carfino had two good knees.

Back to the NBA. The Spurs are trying to win their fifth championship in a decade. Quite an achievement. All eyes will be on the Celtics to see how Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce can co-exist. Can Dirk and the Mavs rebound from their early playoff exit last year? And Pat Riley may have his toughest coaching job on his hands. D-Wade and Shaq will both miss games during the season, so will the Heat be able to win enough to remain a challenger for the championship. Will the Suns finally get to a championship series? Will Kobe remain a Laker? All the questions and more begin to be answered today.

To the NBL. This Friday night will see the Kings launch their live broadcast via the internet. Resident NBL guru Matt McQuade will team up with legendary player Bruce Bolden. If Bolden allows McQuade to get a word in, I see a Steve "Snapper" Jones/ Bill Walton combination evolving here. This will lead to an international cult following. I just hope McQuade realizes Bolden has requested they wear purple and gold Safari suites during the broadcast.

Give The Barber Credit

I have been rocking the mohawk for two games now and guess what, we are 2-0. It is here to say, maybe. This stylish cut would not be possible without my barber, Galen Young (pictured left). This guy is multi-talented. Both Homicide and myself have been taking advantage of G's free service. I have created some You Tube links to show you what goes into a hair cut like this. I can only hope a few teammates may join us in the coming days. Movember is fast approaching. Stay tuned for more.

Mohawk Links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghwPyBotSA8 "Homicide" Williams getting a fresh cut
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sZb-p-ZcoY Second edition of the Mohawk

NBL ARTICLES:
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22664404-5001023,00.html Pigs lack defense
http://www.sportsaustralia.com/articles/news.php?id=2494 dragons win
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22662510-10389,00.html errors dog bullets
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22664063-5006371,00.html adelaide anger
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22665048-12428,00.html boti weekly wrap

Boxscore:
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72741 kings vs slingers

ASK SIR CHARLES AND BABY IVERSON NOT DONE YET!

Stop the press. Rashad Phillips has released a You Tube piece. Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWtBxCWKsrs

With a few days off and the wife heading to the Justin Timberlake concert, that left me plenty of time to surf the net over the weekend. Oh boy, have I come up with some stuff for you guys to sink your teeth into.

First, the NBA kicks off this week and TNT broadcasting company is giving people a chance to ask Charles Barkley a question on November 1st, USA time. Have a good question and you might just find yourself on the big stage. Click here to find out more: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC3nK78l6jw

If you are interested and do not have a You Tube account, trust me, it is very simple so do not let that put you off. Even I figured this out over the weekend.

Something else that caught my eye were these dance moves from Wisconsin's basketball head coach Bo Ryan. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAFKGhHiLII Soulja Boy's hit single Crank Dat is causing a dance craze through out the States. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pGJCkCDK5A What I'm thinking here is half time entertainment at the All Star game. One player, one coach from each team having a dance off. I can just see it now, Homicide and Trevor Gleeson holding the trophy a loft.

Boxscores Saturday/Sunday
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72728 36ers vs blaze
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72729 tigers vs breakers
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72730 taipans vs bullets
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72733 hawks vs pigs
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72737 dragons vs breakers

Articles:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/27/2072347.htm?section=sport tigers still unbeaten
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/Franklin-pushes-Hawks-to-Razorbacks-win/2007/10/28/1193555526131.html
http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,22657783-5005401,00.html phillips not done
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22662511-23210,00.html dragons 1st win
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22659239-5001023,00.html good read on Jawai by Tim Morrissey
http://sportal.com.au/default.aspx/Basketball-news-display/taipans-belt-bullets-37882

Crocs Almost Have A Streak

I have always been told that a streak is three. Well, with our hard fought three point win over the pesky Razorbacks last night we have two wins in a row. Next will see us hit the road against an inform Sydney Kings. This is a great test for us right now. A few solid home wins starts to get you in a groove, but to really see where you are at you need a test. This is what the Kings will be. Currently they are sitting in second spot and playing with great confidence. Add their great home record and we really get to see where we are at.

An interesting side note to this game will be Rowdy Sheridan playing his first ever NBL game against Brian Goorjian. Rowdy played under Goorj for his first nine seasons. He missed our early round clash against the Kings, so get your cameras ready as Rowdy may so a little emotion in this game. We all may turn "pasty" white if we witness that!

Brad Newley has his second game in the Greek league today. You can find results at www.eurobasket.com

Boxscores so far:
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72667 kings vs 36ers
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72715 hawks vs wildcats
http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72716 crocs vs pigs

NBL ARTICLES:
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22654489-11088,00.html tigers lookout for kiwis
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22656424-23209,00.html hawks swoop on cats
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22654943-5006371,00.html 36ers ready for blaze
http://www.theage.com.au/news/Sport/Kings-ready-for-Singapore-ambush/2007/10/26/1192941328682.html
http://www.theage.com.au/news/Sport/Crocs-nip-Pigs-to-get-season-on-track/2007/10/27/1192941349921.html
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/Cats-back-but-no-Mee-says-Snakes-coach/2007/10/26/1192941328343.html
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22656367-23769,00.html cj says move over black

Vote 1...JR

You guys need to go to http://www.nbl.com.au/ and vote for JR to participate in the All-Star Three Point Shoot Out. Every vote counts and only six players get to go. I am more than happy to debate any of the other shooters on the list. The worm will be looking for a breather after I have finished speaking my mind. If I get there everyone else is playing for second. If you are not registered to vote, no problem. Find a computer and log on. That's all that is needed. Vote 1...JR

Tomorrow morning I make my debut on ESPN Sportscenter Aussie style. Host Travis "40" Winks hits me with the tough questions, and I come through with a strong performance. To bad it is on at the crack of dawn. I'm sure it will rate so well it will be replayed in prime time later in the day.

Bakari Hendrix is in a race against time. The Dragons are going with him (replaced import Nick Horvath), but will he be cleared in time for this weekend's game? If he does play and the Dragons win, he becomes a hero immediately. If they lose a few more, will the Dragons make further changes? Interesting times ahead for this team.

NBL Articles:
http://www.sportsaustralia.com/articles/news.php?id=2477 3 point nominees
http://sportal.com.au/default.aspx/Basketball-news-display/dragons-unveil-new-recruit-37770 new import hendrix
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/sport/wright-wants-the-new-black/2007/10/25/1192941217691.html
http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2007/10/25/7643_hpsport.html drew williamson
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22643675-12428,00.html boti article
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22642209-5001023,00.html kings expanding???
http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,22646302-5005401,00.html fisher explains

My Weekly Column

JR's Straight Shooter (Townsville Bulletin)

24Oct07
ON Friday night the Crocs will take on this year's surprise package, the West Sydney Razorbacks. The Pigs have come out of the blocks fast, boasting a 4-2 record to date, and are trying to erase the memories of their last two seasons as wooden-spooners. So what makes this year's Razorback team different?

A new coach, a few new players and a style that has not been seen in the NBL for quite some time, if ever.You can expect to see a full-court pressing defence for 48 minutes, which in turn evolves into a fast pace offence at the other end.The coach subs at a frenetic pace, making it difficult for opponents to find a rhythm in the stop-start pace.

The high-risk, high-return philosophy is one that seems to best suit their young, bold talent and appears to be working so far. Our test will be how we handle this trapping defence. If we are successful in being aggressive in our attack, it should lead to easy baskets. However, if we take a passive approach and allow them to dictate pace, it will lead to turnovers and easy baskets for them and we will have a long night on our hands.

We opened the season with a win against the Pigs and I do not see a different result this time round, provided we attack them with a purpose and look after the ball. This will allow us to score enough points to win the game, assuming our defence stays to form. So far it has been our defence that has kept us in games.

AS many of you readers and/or Croc fans know, last week a couple of us donned our new Mohawk hairstyles. Galen Young, Corey Williams and I are comfortable enough in our skin that the Mohawk was just another haircut.

Kelvin Robertson, on the other hand, is doing a little sweating after he casually threw down a challenge that he thought Croc CEO Ian Smythe would never take him up on. Smythe was commenting on the new dos in the locker room and inevitably asked Kelvin when he would be sporting his Mohawk. Kelvin innocently replied: "When you get yours."

The locker room went into a collective gasp when we heard Smythe reply: "You're on."
Among the laughter and the "what if" banter that was already going around, there was Kelvin -his face was panic-stricken. His lips could not get the words out quickly enough to take it all back.

I'm not sure where this bet currently stands but I would love to be a fly on the wall if Kelvin gets called into the `Big Dog's' office this week.

FORMER assistant coach Scott Ninnis cannot take a trick in the coaching circles.
Upon finishing with the Crocs in 2005, Ninnis headed to the South Dragons on a two-year deal in a similar position. Less than a year after this move, Ninnis found himself out of a job and in court over a dispute with the new franchise.

This was finally settled and Ninnis moved on to a position with the Adelaide WNBL team, again as an assistant, only to re-sign last week after the club underwent some tumultuous times.
I played with Scott in Adelaide, and have to admit I was pleasantly surprised at his coaching ability and his ability to pass on knowledge of the game to his players when he was a part of the coaching staff here.

After an absolutely disheartening run, here's hoping he can find a job that puts this ability to some good use.– JOHN RILLIE

In other news, it seems the Dragons are posed to replace Nick Horvath. Starting the season so slow it was only a matter of time before Shane Heal made some changes. They have former Gonzaga University player Bakari Hendrix (no relation to Jimmy) in for a try out. If all goes well he will be suiting up this weekend.

Tonight when you tune into the Fox Sports game, Kings vs 36ers, we may get our first look at import Isiah Victor. Time will tell, but this situation must be getting frustrating for Victor. He has been in the country for over a month and has not played a game. In between doing defensive slides for coach Goorjian and visiting Bondi Beach, I'm sure he would like to get a little playing time to make his trip Down Under worthwhile.

A BIT OF EVERYTHING

Like Father, Like Son....and his "J" is coming too
Big Ben...Big Kev Excited Throwing This Down...look closely


Finally the weekend saw the Crocs join the winners circle again. A solid performance saw us beat the Adelaide 36ers by 22. Not taking away from the game, but there has been a lot of conversation about the Mohawks. Sure Homicide has been the trendsetter here for the team, but Galen has sported on before, while I am a virgin to the Mohawk.

It was not a team thing, just a few guys running their mouth that led to something. We would love it if others jumped on board, but I cannot see that happening. Maybe someone will make a liar out of me, but I think I'm very safe.

Brad Newley started his Greek experience last weekend. His team won on the road and Newley scored 9 points in 30 minutes of PT.

Interesting to see that Perth has let go of Rashad Philips and brought in Gerald Brown. I spent a few of my college years matched up on Brown. He played the two guard so I will be interested to see how the point is handled or if he has turned into a point since turning pro. He certainly has size about himself.

My personal feelings are a few other teams are beginning to get itchy fingers as far as pulling the trigger on an import. This is always a tough call. The devil you know is sometimes better than the devil you don't. Time will tell, but look for some more changes soon!

Talk about bad luck. Former championship winning teammate Scott Ninnis has not had the best run of luck when it comes to coaching. Since leaving the friendly confines of Adelaide in 2005, he has spent one year with the Crocs, suppose to be with the Dragons for a couple, but ended up in court after one year, and now the real kick to he groin. He has resigned from the Adelaide women's team. Right now I wouldn't even let him near my backyard to coach my sons!

Articles of Interest:
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22624937-10914,00.html Heal disappointed in start
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22624157-5001023,00.html Pigs Back?
http://www.torresnews.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=618&Itemid=1 Jawai article
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/22/2065579.htm?section=sport back to back for blaze
http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=16&ContentID=44286 philips goneeeee
http://www.tv3.co.nz/News/.SportsNews/BasketballThirdstraightwinforBreakers/tabid/415/articleID/37405/Default.aspx
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22625869-12428,00.html 36ers road trip
http://sportal.co.nz/default.aspx/Basketball-news-display/wildcats-oulast-taipans-37593 cats/taipans
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22626373-5006371,00.html weekend wrap from boti
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22624938-10914,00.html thomas injuried