2010 NBL Season & Offseason discussion

[CK]

Wollongong travel to New Zealand and knock over the Breakers on their own turf: 93-91. McKee 29; Penney 22

New Zealand will NOT win the title. Will not happen. Too hot and cold and way too suspect on the road to even contemplate them. Amazing that a team with Penney, CJ Bruton, Thomas Abercombie, Rick Rickert, Dillon Boucher, Tony Ronaldson and Oscar Forman can be this inconsistent.

Suspect that Cairns, after losing last night, will drop their next one against Gold Coast tomorrow in GC, and that will put them too far back for a finals berth. Worth bearing in mind that, while they are second bottom, they have played SIX more games than bottom placed Melbourne.

If Cairns and NZ have a line through them, that leaves six realistic contenders.

Saturday night is the game many local fans have been waiting for, for a long time. Julius Hodge returns to town for the first time since "farewelling" Adelaide. Over 5,500 tickets already pre-sold to this game, so if you want to get along, be quick. Would suggest this will make the reception Mark Bradtke got in 1993 look like a whisper by comparison.

[Gozu]

Way too early to put a line through the Breakers for mine. If they sign a second import to replace Storey they would be right in the mix. Either way I'm not sure Lemanis will be back as coach next season.

[Pag]

I'm heading to the Dome tomorrow night for the first time this season, should be some sort of atmosphere.

NZ still have the best roster on paper of any team in the comp. I'm with Gozu, I'm not writing them off yet. If we're going to write them off, surely we should be writing off Melbourne considering they've only won three games, and lost to Cairns at home last week?

[CK]

Agree on NZ's roster, but their ability to string together four quarters is very questionable. It's almost like a case of too talented a lineup to work together well.

Melbourne still have a lot of games up their sleeve, but to be honest, I can't see them finishing top 3 with Hodge in the lineup. While his talent is unquestioned, his ability to be a team player is very questionable. He may well slam through 30 tomorrow night, and they could still easily lose it, if he remains reluctant to hand off.

[Pag]

After getting home from the 36ers v Tigers gameJuli, if any sports fan in South Australia had any respect at all for us Hodge before tonight, it has now disappeared. Even from tip-off, when he stood at the end of the court and refused to shake hands with anyone (except Gilchrist who walked down to him), unlike the nine other players on courtho managed to get themselves around the centre circle.

A disgrace to the game, especially in this country with what he did tonight. I feel sorry for Worthington (who saved the game for Melbourne in the last quarter, a genuine gun), Corletto, Mackinnon, Crosswell and other Tigers who also had to put up with his crap tonight.

Hopefully the NBL have something to say/do about it, and don't let imports like the tool that Hodge is, disrespect those that came before him to create the competition he currently makes a living out of playing in.

I'm not that old, and I am a South Australian, but I don't know if I've seen a worse display in a sorting arena than that.

[Gozu]

That was pretty poor form by Julius Hodge tonight to keep stamping on Brett Maher's name on the court even when his Tigers teammates were trying to pull him off of it but I don't think the NBL should fine him or anything for it but I would be surprised if the 36ers CEO doesn't get some sort of fine for going onto the court and pushing him though. Supposedly Worthington publicly apologised on behalf of the Tigers after the game.

Considering how off-side Hodge already is with new teammates like Wortho & Sam MacKinnon even before tonight's shocking display leads to me think he might even get axed by the Tigers before the end of the season.

[Gozu]

Round 11 results:

Townsville 73 (Williams 22, Hinder 12) def Cairns 64 (Mills 22, Rychart 15)

Wollongong 93 (McKee 29, Gruber 16, Davidson 13, Campbell 11) def New Zealand 91 (Penney 23, Bruton 22, Rickert 12, Ronaldson 12)

Gold Coast 69 (Ubaka 16, Maxey 12, Gibson 11) def Cairns 68 (Crosswhite 15, Mills 13, Rychart 10)

Melbourne 87 (Worthington 19, Hodge 18, Crosswell 15, Johnson 11) def Adelaide 84 (OT) (Gilchrist 22, Ballinger 19, Ng 13, Herbert 11)

Perth 94 (Schenscher 22, Martin 16, Redhage 14, Williamson 13, Wagstaff 11) def Townsville 89 (Williams 25, Hoare 19, Hinder 11, Williamson 11)

[catchisthecry]

Watched the whole game at home on RivusTV an internet streaming. Cost only $5 a game. Was awesome!
What was with Hodge stamping on Brett MAher's name - was it a crack intended directly at Brett Maher, or just the fact he had won at our home court?
Certainly lost a few fans last night J. Hodge... How bad did he play too!
36ers blew that game in last minute of regulation time, very much back in the pack now

[CK]

Amazing match all round. The Sixers, pure and simply, blew it with awful decision making, poor work on the boards defensively and bad shooting from the stripe when it counted. Golden opportunity lost. For what its worth, not sure that all of the rotations were right at certain times, particularly the start of overtime, but easy to look with hindsight.

As for the other sideshow from it.....walking into the Court, the atmosphere was simply electric. Just knew it was going to be a huge night. From the outset, he didn't disappoint with his petulance, bad manners in basic sporting courtesies (as already mentioned) and outright selfishness of his game. The Tigers could have won this by 10+ if he had been prepared to pass off to open teammates, rather than trying to barge through the crowded key and land the "highlight reel" play. Numerous times, was just plain selfish and single minded. Worthington proved his class as a player and a person during the game and post-game.

His teammate proved what sort of person he is with his antics pre, during and post-game better than anyone else ever could have. Fine line between being passionate and being a fool. After tonight, even more glad he doesn't ply his trade here anymore, on a number of levels.

[bloods08]

One of the most disgraceful things I have ever seen on any sporting field. I couldn't believe what I was seeing to be honest.

The funny thing is he has come out in the media today and complained that he was concerned for his safety and the CEO was inciting the crowd by going on the court and pushing him off the signature. Hang on a minute......... I think you were inciting the crowd in the first place by doing that despicable act.

I must add that I do not condone the throwing of beer (why waste it on that thing) or anything of that order also but to be honest he deserved it the way he carried on post-game.

I really feel sorry for his teammates (and I rarely feel sorry for any Melbourne team) who have to put up with this poor excuse of a human being.

Can't wait til Jan 16 in Melbourne when I'll be there.

[whufc]

One of the most disgraceful things I have ever seen on any sporting field. I couldn't believe what I was seeing to be honest.

The funny thing is he has come out in the media today and complained that he was concerned for his safety and the CEO was inciting the crowd by going on the court and pushing him off the signature. Hang on a minute......... I think you were inciting the crowd in the first place by doing that despicable act.

I must add that I do not condone the throwing of beer (why waste it on that thing) or anything of that order also but to be honest he deserved it the way he carried on post-game.

I really feel sorry for his teammates (and I rarely feel sorry for any Melbourne team) who have to put up with this poor excuse of a human being.

Can't wait til Jan 16 in Melbourne when I'll be there.

Very disgarceful by Hodges, BUT these kind of players gets bums on seats, can you imagine the size of the crowd if these two sides happen to meet in the playoffs in Adelaide, it will be massive, the NBL currently needs anyone who can help increase crowd numbers.

[bloods08]

One of the most disgraceful things I have ever seen on any sporting field. I couldn't believe what I was seeing to be honest.

The funny thing is he has come out in the media today and complained that he was concerned for his safety and the CEO was inciting the crowd by going on the court and pushing him off the signature. Hang on a minute......... I think you were inciting the crowd in the first place by doing that despicable act.

I must add that I do not condone the throwing of beer (why waste it on that thing) or anything of that order also but to be honest he deserved it the way he carried on post-game.

I really feel sorry for his teammates (and I rarely feel sorry for any Melbourne team) who have to put up with this poor excuse of a human being.

Can't wait til Jan 16 in Melbourne when I'll be there.

Very disgarceful by Hodges, BUT these kind of players gets bums on seats, can you imagine the size of the crowd if these two sides happen to meet in the playoffs in Adelaide, it will be massive, the NBL currently needs anyone who can help increase crowd numbers.

Yes agree. Any publicity is good publicity. Thats what this sport desperately craves.

[Gozu]

Watched the whole game at home on RivusTV an internet streaming. Cost only $5 a game. Was awesome!
What was with Hodge stamping on Brett MAher's name - was it a crack intended directly at Brett Maher, or just the fact he had won at our home court?
Certainly lost a few fans last night J. Hodge... How bad did he play too!
36ers blew that game in last minute of regulation time, very much back in the pack now

Bit of both I think, he probably did it both because he clearly has a problem with Maher (Hodge refused to be interviewed by him on Maher and KB's online show last friday night) but also knowing it would really stir up everyone in the building. Him playing the poor widdle victim today though is pathetic. As contemptous as Hodge is it's good publicity for the game though, I'm sure Maher wouldn't care too much about him stamping on the logo.

I agree the Sixers blew that game, huge choke job and it should never have gone to overtime much like the game in NZ a month or so ago.

[CK]

He called a media conference today to state that he had been spat on, had missiles thrown at him and was racially abused by the crowd after the match.

I was on the opposite side to their race and can't vouch for being spat on or being racially abused, but there certainly were empty plastic cups thrown in his direction as he left the court.

Suspect there will be a bit more to this as time passes.

[bloods08]

He called a media conference today to state that he had been spat on, had missiles thrown at him and was racially abused by the crowd after the match.

I was on the opposite side to their race and can't vouch for being spat on or being racially abused, but there certainly were empty plastic cups thrown in his direction as he left the court.

Suspect there will be a bit more to this as time passes.

The poor innocent boy

[Magpiespower]

Very disgarceful by Hodges, BUT these kind of players gets bums on seats, can you imagine the size of the crowd if these two sides happen to meet in the playoffs in Adelaide, it will be massive, the NBL currently needs anyone who can help increase crowd numbers.

Poor form.

But yeah, this is one of the few times I've even heard of the NBL this summer...

[bloods08]

No fine for Julius apparently.

[Gozu]

For mine it was hard to see how the NBL could fine Hodge but the NBL's choice of words in the press release will probably have the desired effect on his future employment. Future employers probably wouldn't take too much attention of a small fine or something but essentially being branded an immature brat by the league's GM might concern a few overseas clubs.

Anyway the 36ers are on Fox tomorrow night from 8pm against the Blaze on the Gold Coast

[CK]

For mine it was hard to see how the NBL could fine Hodge but the NBL's choice of words in the press release will probably have the desired effect on his future employment. Future employers probably wouldn't take too much attention of a small fine or something but essentially being branded an immature brat by the league's GM might concern a few overseas clubs.

Anyway the 36ers are on Fox tomorrow night from 8pm against the Blaze on the Gold Coast

Can see both teams shooting the lights out in this one - 90+ each is right in the equation here, should be a very entertaining, high octane match that the Sixers could sneak home in.

[Gozu]

Can see both teams shooting the lights out in this one - 90+ each is right in the equation here, should be a very entertaining, high octane match that the Sixers could sneak home in.

Some of the Wednesday games on Fox so far this season have been shockers so hopefully it will be a good one but I reckon the Blaze will be too good for the Sixers up there. Hope I'm wrong