Hoops

NBL: Breakers @ Tigers (30-Sep)

Agreed Sturty, I must admit I wasnt looking forward to having BT commentate this years NBL as I normally find him bloody annoying but last night he did a great job.

Some coverage of the result in the Melbouren papers again:

The Age: http://linky.com.au/wh6pn

Herald-Sun: http://linky.com.au/ri2tr

And Wortho and Knight had an interesting lead in to the game:

"After a non-existent pre-season due to a heel injury, Worthington had an interesting game-eve preparation as he and another new Tiger, Ben Knight, tried to apprehend an alleged mail thief outside their house."

NBL Recap: http://linky.com.au/futzs

Fox Sports Recap + Video: http://linky.com.au/xcu99

The Melbourne Herald-Sun has also reported a positive start to the NBL season from Ron Reed. The link is below.

Herald-Sun: http://linky.com.au/dbi8t

"In the big picture, Sengstock says it is time the sport created a recognisable identity of its own. On the evidence of last night, so far so good."

dam you melbourne, always gonna be a tough team to beat @ home

Yeah - points on the paint, by the look of it.

Hats off to Tigers backcourt trio. Out scored us again!!!!!

Ronaldson kept us in that 2nd half.
Tigers grabbed almost as many offensive boards as we grabbed defensive.
Tight struggle with Tigers just executing the 4th quarter a little better and openning up a little cushion at right time.
Breakers got to get an inside game going if they want to knock off Tigers and Perth.

Tigers got over the line by 5 points. Wortho and the Tigers dominating the boards the difference.

Tigers have been cold all night 1 of 13 (3's) with about a min left 3rd quarter.

Awvee (Storey) to us Breaker fans! Yes, livestats.
Game has comedown to a grind, and Tigers still crashing boards and getting to line.
Breakers shooting has cooled off.

Tigers climbing back into this, despite shooting 40% and turning ball over regularly. Crashing offensive boards has kept them in it.

Breakers narrowly 43-42 at half after dominating early on. Awvee had a big first quarter. Three point barrage again.

Obviously game of the day.

One would expect an NZ win, but who knows what tricks the Tigers can come up with. "Spenda" is the man to control. Shut him down around the perimeter and Tigers may have a chance, otherwise that +12 W to breakers looks realistic.

Having played both for a club and social for many years I believe that Church basketball is by far the most organised social comp. Reasonable standard for social and although umpiring is not always the best (where is is it fantastic all the time anyway??) at least they are conscious of the need for training and support of their umpires

I forgot to add, Worthington will live at the line. Suprised if he shoots less than 15 freebies and even more surprised if he doesn't make at least 12.
Game will come down to half court battle, Breakers perimeter game vs Tigers inside/outside game.

This one has me worried. Worthington is so tough. We brought in Awvee to try and contain players like him, but Worthington is too clever. I can see Awvee getting into foul trouble.

Oscar, Rickert and Ronaldson don't have a hope of holding onto Worthington or Sammy Mac. so I expect the Tigers to have edge up front.

The Tigers backcourt I really rate. We never do a very good job on Crosswell or Kendall and Corletto always hits against us. Crosswell we never seem to mark and leave him open all of the time.
Kendall just loves trying to defend Penney and usually does a good job. Backcourts even.

This will go down to wire. Maybe Tigers by 2 at home

I am hoping the Breakers will take this one but ya can't write the Tigers chances off at home. CJ and Penney will be feeling pretty confident after their form against Cairns where the Tigers will be looking to make a statement of intent in their first match of the season.