2010 NBL Season & Offseason discussion

[Gozu]

Tonight on Fox we get our first look at the top of the table Wollongong Hawks and their star import Tywain McKee when they host Cairns and tomorrow arvo we get the 36ers vs Breakers in NZ from 4:30pm. Big challenge though with Kirk Penney expected to return from injury in that game too.

[CK]

Tonight on Fox we get our first look at the top of the table Wollongong Hawks and their star import Tywain McKee when they host Cairns and tomorrow arvo we get the 36ers vs Breakers in NZ from 4:30pm. Big challenge though with Kirk Penney expected to return from injury in that game too.

Good to hear that Fox are taking this game, I assumed it would be Melbourne v Gold Coast. The Hawks would have to be happy with things so far, proving very formidable at home. McKee has exceeded most expectations so far and is combining well with Cam Tragadrh and Glen Saville. The challenge for the Taipans here will be to respond from last Saturday's drubbing at the hands of the Sixers. Cairns would reasonably be expecting to take most of their home games, so that one could be very costly.

Not sure about Penney suiting tomorrow night. Thought he was more like 30/70 for this one. If he does come in, that makes it even tougher for Adelaide. The Breakers are very formidable at home, but still yet to win on the road, so need to find a few away wins. Suspect NZ by around 6-8 in a high scoring game.

[Gozu]

I must admit I haven't kept up with Penney's injury progress over the last few days so assumed he was still locked in but would be a nice little bonus for the 36ers if he doesn't play. Regardless the Breakers are so strong at home and I'd be content with an honourable loss.

[CK]

I must admit I haven't kept up with Penney's injury progress over the last few days so assumed he was still locked in but would be a nice little bonus for the 36ers if he doesn't play. Regardless the Breakers are so strong at home and I'd be content with an honourable loss.

Might have been good for us that Penney didn't front. The game was the perfect example of the absolute best and worst of the Sixers. To put up 9/30 from the floor in the first half was deplorable. Looked like a horror night looming. That third term (35-15) was one of the best I have seen from us for years, really free flowing attack that was rewarded. To lose like that was disappointing, but we did go missing in overtime in front of one of the most passionate crowds in NBL (outside of Adelaide).

Still not sure about how Cortez Groves is going. Doing a lot of really nice things off the ball, but looks reluctant to drive to the basket. Working really hard, just not sticking for him. Would think on a night when Gilchrist and Ballinger really fire that Groves could put up 30 though.

[Gozu]

Might have been good for us that Penney didn't front. The game was the perfect example of the absolute best and worst of the Sixers. To put up 9/30 from the floor in the first half was deplorable. Looked like a horror night looming. That third term (35-15) was one of the best I have seen from us for years, really free flowing attack that was rewarded. To lose like that was disappointing, but we did go missing in overtime in front of one of the most passionate crowds in NBL (outside of Adelaide).

Still not sure about how Cortez Groves is going. Doing a lot of really nice things off the ball, but looks reluctant to drive to the basket. Working really hard, just not sticking for him. Would think on a night when Gilchrist and Ballinger really fire that Groves could put up 30 though.

Yep totally agree it was the best & worst of the Sixers on display. That blown lay up by Groves to seal the game was pretty bad though. Unfortunately I think Groves is done and the 36ers might have to think about pulling the trigger soon. Hopefully the guys will come out and show some of that fire in the second half tomorrow night at the Dome against the Taipans.

[Gozu]

Round 6 results:

Wollongong 77 (McKee 19, Davidson 14, Tragardh 11, Saville 10) def Cairns 67 (Mills 12, Melzer 11, Grabau 10)

Melbourne 94 (Johnson 20, Kendall 16, Corletto 15, Worthington 15, MacKinnon 12) def Gold Coast 88 (Harvey 23, Ubaka 21, Maxey 18, Petrie 10)

New Zealand 99 (Bruton 27, Abercrombie 20, Rickert 16, Ronaldson 16) def Adelaide 91 (OT) (Gilchrist 26, Ballinger 17, Hill 15, Holmes 13)

Townsville 94 (Williams 29, Hinder 16, Williamson 16) def Melbourne 87 (Corletto 20, MacKinnon 16, Greer 15, Johnson 12, Worthington 11)

Adelaide 87 (Ballinger 24, Gilchrist 22, Holmes 16) def Cairns 81 (OT) (Rychart 19, Boodnikoff 16, Jones 15)

Perth 87 (Lisch 16, Schenscher 14, Redhage 12, Martin 11, Robbins 10) def Wollongong 80 (McKee 19, Davidson 17, Tragardh 12, Saville 11)

[Gozu]

The 36ers John Gilchrist was named NBL player of the week for Round 6.

[CK]

The Hawks are the great story early on this year. After not looking like making it to round one, their opening six rounds have been fantastic. To travel to Perth and only go down by seven is real character. Not sure how long they can keep going, and bear in mind they have had a lot of home games to start, but full credit to the NBL's last foundation club.

[Gozu]

Yeah it's been great for the Hawks and when you look at that roster on paper it's hard to think they could be doing so well but like you said they have had a lot of games at home early in the season. They're on the road tonight though against Melbourne from 7pm on Fox.

Edit: Or so I thought when in fact the game was in Wollongong. Anyway the Blaze @ Breakers is on Fox tomorrow from 4:30pm for those interested.

[Thiele]

Someone called Julius Hodge has Signed with the Melbourne Tigers.

[CK]

Someone called Julius Hodge has Signed with the Melbourne Tigers.

This one has been heavily rumoured for a while, but still a little surprising to see it bear fruit.

Already looking forward to December 5, when Melbourne play Adelaide at Brett Maher Court. Suspect the noise will be deafening that night.

Whatever you do, Melbourne, make sure you track his payments carefully, and triple check they go in on time.

[Gozu]

I too thought it unlikely we would see Hodge back in the NBL again. There goes the Tigers supposed plans of having an all-aussie team this season. He'll get his numbers but I'm not sure he's going to fit well in their structure given how demanding Westover can be but the potential fireworks will be worth watching especially at the Dome if he manages to turn up of course! Hopefully all the Sixers faithful really give it to him for the stunts he pulled here last season.

[CK]

Good win by the Sixers to both come from behind and apply lockdown in the last term against a team that smashed New Zealand on their home turf Thursday. Great character building win.

Either we have all really overestimated Townsville, or really underestimated Wollongong. To roll the Crocs by 24 points on home turf last night was stunning for the Hawks . Nearly fell off my chair watching that one unfold. While it was a horror night for Hurricane Williams for Townsville, that is still an amazing result.

[aceman]

I too thought it unlikely we would see Hodge back in the NBL again. There goes the Tigers supposed plans of having an all-aussie team this season. He'll get his numbers but I'm not sure he's going to fit well in their structure given how demanding Westover can be but the potential fireworks will be worth watching especially at the Dome if he manages to turn up of course! Hopefully all the Sixers faithful really give it to him for the stunts he pulled here last season.

Be worth the entrance fee alone to listen to the crowd give it to him, which I hope they do, in stereo!

[Swooper16]

NBL is in dire need of players of Julius Hodge talent. Despite whatever happened with the sixers it is a boost to the NBL he is back.

[Gozu]

That it is the NBL needs villains (who also happen to be pretty good players) like Hodge and it seems John Rillie is also back in the NBL on a short term contract with New Zealand until they find a new import to replace the axed Awvee Storey.

Edit: Still a rumour at this stage even though it was said to be fact, Storey is still with the Breakers.

[Gozu]

This is supposedly from Julius Hodge's Facebook page:

"hi ADELAIDE IM BAAAACCCCKKKKKK!! f**kin wankers! lmao!"

Can you bring tomatoes into the Dome?

[aceman]

NBL is in dire need of players of Julius Hodge talent. Despite whatever happened with the sixers it is a boost to the NBL he is back.

Nothing more than a Yank with an oversized ego, we don't need clowns like him!

[Gozu]

Round 7 results:

Wollongong 92 (Tragardh 17, Campbell 16, Davidson 13, Gruber 12, Coenraad 11, Saville 11) def Melbourne 80 (Worthington 22, Kendall 14, MacKinnon 10)

Gold Coast 110 (Gibson 26, Harvey 19, Ubaka 19, Goulding 17, Petrie 14) def New Zealand 96 (Bruton 17, Ronaldson 16, Abercrombie 13, Storey 10)

Cairns 89 (Mills 19, Rychart 16, Melzer 15) def Wollongong 78 (McKee 18, Campbell 15, Tragardh 14, Saville 13)

Adelaide 80 (Ballinger 36, Gilchrist 10) def Gold Coast 77 (Maxey 23, Goulding 12, Ubaka 11)

Wollongong 93 (McKee 28, Tragardh 23, Davidson 14) def Townsville 69 (Robertson 10, Williams 10)

Perth 94 (Redhage 22, Weigh 14, Wagstaff 13, Schenscher 11, Lisch 10) def New Zealand 74 (Rickert 13, Ronaldson 13, Boucher 10, Bruton 10, Webster 10)

[Gozu]

Congrats to Adam Ballinger on being named NBL player of the week for Round 7 making it consecutive weeks a 36er has won the award.

Also four NBL games on Fox this week starting with Townsville @ Cairns tonight, Perth @ New Zealand on tomorrow afternoon, Townsville @ Gold Coast on Friday night and Cairns @ Perth on Saturday night