Hoops

Sixers sign three from SA: Holmes, Hill, Ng

Interesting that Rickert has been let go. I guess that doesn't bode well for the likelihood of him continuing to be a top notch big man.

But if there is a chance he is capable of another season like he had two years ago, I'd love to see him here with the Sixers.

He absolutely dominated with his rebounding, post moves and aggression in the few games I saw him play (mostly against the Sixers).

I'm certainly not very enthusiastic about anyone who is available on that list Isaac gave above, other than Burston, and it seems like there is no guarantee we will get him at this stage.

Incidentally, if anyone from SOS is reading this: Please make sure you have done all you can to entice someone like Khazzouh or Matt Knight to stay in Oz, and will keep an eye on them in case they don't get a gig in Europe. Those are the kind of guys that we need to sign to make us a dominant team again.

Saucer of milk to 406! Meow!

Going by Dusty's payments in the past, he would still be commanding big money, or have added stuff included to top it up...running camps and the likes..

teams today need to think further than 1 season..abit hard when trying to get imports who might sign for 2 years but opt out after 1 if they can get a euro gig...

Dusty will be servicable, but he is not the one and all in PF's..

36ers setting up for a drive into the finals for more than 1 year is where they must be looking, and by grabbing local's who can play, they are..

Isaac, I here an echo. You are saying exactly what I said that money was the deciding factor. I don't see how you think that I can't comprehend that both Ballinger and Rychart play similar roles. I know well that they both play the same role and never suggested that Ballinger should not be signed over him. He was not competing against Ballinger, he was competing against Holmes. Regardless of whether Rychart would be playing off the bench or not, it was worth throwing money at him because of his productivity. How can anyone look past his stats and think he would not have been an asset to the team. I am not happy with last year's achievement and expect a lot better this year. Especially because the loss of 2 teams made more players available and also the fact that last year's 6th position will see you well and truly out of the finals race this year. We were 6th last year with Ballinger, Holmes, Maher and Schenscher. Without 2 exceptional imports, do you think we are going to look any better. 2 exceptional imports won't come cheap either. Why not have spent the money on Rychart and got 1 import? Atleast you knew what you were getting.

thedoctor, why would they have bothered to talk to him at all then? There must have been an interest there to start off with. Money would have been the deciding factor but less money does not necessarily mean better value.

nickyg speaks my language. A glorified ABA team we have so far. The emphasis on 2 good imports cannot be over stated. I had my problems last year with Ninnis, he has confirmed the same problems again. He belongs in the academy team if he wants to create opportunities for SA players. The Adelaide 36ers are an NBL team and need to be competitive in that league. No room for patriotism to your state if you're serious about a championship and your SA players are not up to the standard. nickyg yes the 36ers did talk to Rychart and chose Holmes over him.

Scott Ninnis interview on radio re the subject.
He asked owners whether he was expected to sign Ng and Hill. No, it was his call , as will be their number of minutes.
Burston - trying very hard to get him, but born in Perth and they are trying hard.
Rillie - probably won't get an NBL gig, purely because of age.
Ballinger, Hill and Holmes have boomers training, and trying to line up imports, spending less than previously, when over the cap. Since he left Bruce's name out of training issues - guess he's not involved.

Cue the Kemp to Adelaide thread...

Going on recruiting so far (including coaches), here is my 8.

Melb
NZ
Tv
G Coast
Perth
Adel
Cairns
Wgong

I think with Holmes and Ballinger here there is no real room for Dusty, I think most would prefer bruce but if he were to chose to leave i think crosswell with a import combo guard is a pretty good option.
I think the team is going to be looking ok
I reckon we will end up with something like

C Burston/Mottram or Horvath
PF Ballinger/Holmes
SF Import( either a 2/3 like Donta Smith or a 3/4/5 like Isiah Victor) / Hill
SG Import (combo guard)/Ng
PG Davidson/Bruce or Crosswell

not sure if that could quite fit in the points cap if not id go for a cheaper back up C like a Hoban and get Ballinger to slide into C for 10 MPG or they could start Holmes and go with 1 import, either way looks like a pretty good team to me,
giving something like
C Burston/Mottram or Horvath
PF Ballinger/Hoban or rookie
SF Holmes/Hill
SG Import/Ng
PG Bruce or Crosswell/Davidson (or they could go cheaper in this positon and replace Davidson with say Sutton or Kersten and add a cheap 2nd import??)

looks better than what Townsville, Cairns, Wollongong are likely to come up with and reasonably well on par with Perth, Gold coast, and New Zealand. Melbourne may have chemistry problems again if they are just going to be stacking there first 5, will be a interesting season ahead imo.

Anon, i think tville have recruited well & Melb got the prized signature again (bastards). How did Cairns get Dusty? Did 36ers try for him?

Isaac, when did ballinger get naturalised? Thats news to me. Does this mean they are going to recruit 2 imports as well? And by the way i think Ballinger is a very good stable player. He is meat & potatoes & gets the job done but if hen something is lacking.

What about Rillie coming off the bench in one last cameo to help the 6ers to a title? That would give your bench a savvy veteran & a touch of class!

Burston is the best defensive centre in the comp IMO, and a starting line up of him, Ballinger, two imports and Hill/Bruce is top shelf, especially if the two imports can shoot the lights out.

A bench of Mottram, Holmes, Ng, Hill/Bruce and a young player is pretty good too.

Looking forward to Neil Mottram putting some ink on paper soon as well

Granted Ballsie can play but i don't think he's the superstar some people say he is. You want him to be a dark horse in a superstars shadow. Hodge didn't work out but it was the right idea. These other SA kids are good players but not great. Your coach will be better with a years experience under his belt but once again he's not great. Brett Maher was a superstar & he's gone. Big Luke was the best BIG in it last year & he's gone. On paper at the moment i'm picking them for mediocrity. They'll win there fair share of home games but will struggle for talent when it matters. May sneak a playoff spot but won't last long. Even this is a long shot!

I agree with lockstock. In an 8 team comp 36ers are looking 5th - 8th. A very good aba side. There is no 'wortho' or 'gibbo' in your rotations. You need to pull a rabbit out or replace Ninnis with Goorgan. Looking like a long year for 6er fans!

xztatiks line up looks good to me, id sign 3 of Burdon, Kersten, Hoban, Sutton to round out the 12, aparantly you can have 12 this season on away games,
Good to see a good young core of SA players being signed!

Goorjian's interview with Cornsey, after winning the championship. He said concentrated 80% on defence, and rotating players frequently.

Good signings, still plenty of room in the salary cap for SOJ ;o

Thought Hill's form at away games, last season, warrants selection.
Ng's 36ers form when Maher didn't play -also warrants selection.
Possibly Import PG and SF
Holmes, off the bench , would warrant selection.