Hoops

Pre-Season: 36ers vs Hawks at Pasadena

Thanks Skip. Shame if Brett does pull the plug at the end of this season. We finally (about 2 years too late) get a top notch guard in Bruce to allow Maher to play less mins, but it looks like it will now be for just one season.

At the moment, Winitana is the fittest-healthiest, quick and good at both ends.

Skip, did Maher actually say this was definitely his last season or something?

Anon, no way Davidson has more to offer than Bruce at the point. Bruce is the future, Davidson is an excellent backup if he can stay fit.

Hawkeye, who is the Hawks point guard? I thought it was Kavossy or Tait?

Bretts the Man,
I'm hoping Maher goes berserk with threes as well, but he doesn't need to start to do that.

The key thing, as you have pointed out, is whether Brett can stay healthy.

I'd say he has a LOT better chance of staying healthy if he is coming in off the bench to either guard a fatigued opposing starter, or a less accomplished backup.

I clearly remember last year, Maher got out there and went really hard defensively in one game, helping us to beat one of the top teams. Problem was, his vintage performance also got him injured and he didn't play again for quite awhile.

Maher has been my favourite Sixers player for a long time now, but unfortunately, father time is rapidly catching up with him. If he wants to keep playing a few more years and still have an impact (like a D-Mac) he has to accept a more limited role.

Based on form, so far, one would think Winitana would start and get more that 10mpg.

Based on last nights performance I can't see why you would argue that Winitana shouldn't start? He was excellent, especially early. Saville could not cope with him and I think he offers a lot more than Holmes on both ends of the floor.

I'd go with Bruce, Tyndale, Winitana, Balls and Luke as a starting lineup. Maher is just too slow these days and the better guards in the league will take advantage. Tyndale and Winitana look like they are prepared to inject the defensive effort that has been lacking from the Sixers for several years. We have the makings of a much better defensive team with those two pressuring the ball and Luke defending the basket.

Agree with the comment that Tyndale is reminiscent of Rob Rose. Being a little shorter than advertised may make him more of SG and less of a SF than is ideal, but his all around game looked excellent and I think he will make a big impact for the 36ers.

Looking forward to the season. With the above starters and Davidson, Hill, Maher, Holmes and Cooper coming in off the bench, I think we can be an excellent up tempo team this season. Hopefully it will be like old times with Maher, Bruce and Tyndale raining threes in transition all night!

Great move by the Sixers to take basketball to the 'burbs as well. You always get much more of a feel for the height and athleticism of the players at ground level. Loved being able to hear all the talk on the floor and see the expressions and body language. Reminded me of the old Apollo days!

I saw a team last night that in view of the number of new players, jelling is not going to be a problem. For the limited opportunity they have had together, they managed to look and play quite comfortably with each other. More and more games together can only improve them as a team. Hopefully Bruce won't suffer too many injuries throughout the season because I too attributed the Wollongong's come back to the fact he left the game due to injury. It was a good sign however that the set back that it caused was able to be corrected later in the game although he did not return. Its good to think that if a player is down, the others will lift. As for Winitana, I can't believe what a gem the 36ers have picked up. I have not taken a lot of notice of him in the past but what he has shown as a 36er has to be the best we've seen of him. He is pure entertainment and productivity.

Does anyone know if box scores are published anywhere?

Ballinger Fan, I agree about Jenny Screen. If anything I would have given her more acknowledgement in view of the fact that the Opals were Olympic medalists.