Hoops

Its a shame it has to end like this Phil

"Minx- what had you watching the TV with the sound down?

Hmmmmmmmm."

I've been studying all day and had the TV on mute due to this when I looked up and saw the report. Are you trying to imply something? ;)

You beat me to it 123abc, what did they say about hemmerling and smyth?

This actual thread was just shown on sports tonight but I had the TV muted and didn't catch what was said as i realised it was on too late. Anyone else catch the report?

"What is the answer Joe? Accepting mediocrity? Accepting a coach that doesn't seem to care if we lose? A coach that clearly rode his players to championships?"

While I think Smyth should go, that comment is a little bit inaccurate. The championship of 2002 was with one of the most lowly rated rosters ever to bring home a title - they were predicted to finish 9th of 11 teams. It was an awesome coaching performance by Phil that year all year long to constantly beat teams that had more talent than us and eventually win the title.

However, Phil's coaching style has not changed since then and he has not adapted to the way the game is now being played. He struggles with recruiting and seems to be too stubborn to adjust in the ways he needs to in order to be an effective coach nowadays. There is no way forward that he can go with this team he's gotta be gone asap so there is at least some change of salvaging this season.

"If someone is getting beaten on defence or missing defence assignments or cannot contain anyone off the dribble that the coaches fault? No one of the team can play defence."

Joe M, the best teams play defense as a team. You can have players who are not great defenders individually but as a unit, the team functions very well. It is the coaches job to put in place a defensive system that uses the players strengths and hides the players weaknesses on the defensive end. The fact our defense is so shit is because you have players like Ng and Dench (who Smyth was responsible for recruiting btw) that are huge liabilities and there is no proper defensive system in place to help out these guys. That is the coaches fault.

Look at Brisbanes team from last year - their starting 5 was CJ, Black, Ebi Ere, Dusty and Sam Mackinnon. The only player out of those 5 regarded as a decent defender is Sammy Mack. However, despite having 4/5 not so great defensive players as starters last year, Brisbane was able to disrupt so many other teams offences and this was one of the reasons they won the championship. Joey was able to put in place a system that worked to his players strengths, they played D as a Team and won a ridiculous no. of games as a result.

Why does Phil seem to have no proper defensive system? The blame for the sixers defensive shortcomings has to go largely on his shoulders and it is getting past the point of frustration for the fans.

Joe M, I don't know what planet you come from, but if only you could stop to listen to yourself, you would quickly realize who the idiot is. The following comment says it all:

"What coach will come to Adelaide knowing he could be sacked at any point because he has had 3 or 4 bad games?"

Are you saying Phil has had 3 or 4 bad games? Isn't it more like ll last season and 6 this season? Any new coach coming to Adelaide will consider himself lucky because its going to take a lot more than that to get sacked. Your ignorance is overwhelmingly obvious.

I guess the Blaze didn't need that 10 point lead down the stretch hey Phil?