Hoops

36ers vs Breakers, Saturday Dec 12

Breakers used to have those kinds of issues when Henare was our #1 point guard, now with CJ we get into our offense quickly and have alot more options instead of jacking bricks on the buzzer

Perhaps the game was shortened enough by playing 10 minute quarters instead of 12 minutes. We need to take it further now and change it to 3 quarters instead of 4. We might win then.

Truly amazing that we have a team of such talent that we consistently build up match winning performances against all comers. But then we crumble under a little pressure. Truly, the only problem with this team is a little composure. Replace a Gilchrist for CJ Bruton, and I believe there is the making of a highly competitive finalist. But as others have said, no leadership and no composure.

The old full court press - secret of Sturt

It's about taking responsibility.
No one is prepared to step up.
Ball handling and decision making are poor.
It's almost as though players are too scared in case they make a mistake which they invariably do anyway.
Gilchrist atracts the double has to pass off and either can't find someone or finds someone who is content only to advance cautiously.
They need to attack and create easier scoring opportuities. Make teams pay for that back court double team.
As for breaking the full court press the inbounder needs to hold back and be available to reverse the ball to the other side of the court. Looking at the GC game the inbounder charged off down court oblivious to Gilchrist's double.
The times they did beat the press, no attack. Let's use the clock..... for what a brick. They don't have any decent 22 second options.
They need to be aggresive back their skill and take a few risks.

"He is the worst team player I have seen put on a Sixers uniform - selfish to the max"

Mate, what about "The Cane Toad"

I wish, Cats Fan! The Cats will put the Sixers to the sword.

Boti's article: http://linky.com.au/bhfvd

"Having capitalised on the pungent whiff of familiar panic in the air, the Breakers tore through the final minute on a 7-0 run, Adelaide's offence as usual impotent in a crisis, the Sixers scoreless over the final 88 seconds after Matt Burston had tied the game at 85-85."

Adelaide just cannot finish games! Horrible 4th quarters so far this season. Nobody can make a good decision when it counts.

Horror show revisited
Last Quarter stats (by my count)
Sixers Breakers
3pt 0/5 6/12
2pt 3/7 3/6
FT 5/8 9/9
TO 6 2

Not wishing to put boot in but Sixers modis operandi has become
"IS THERE ANOTHER WAY WE CAN LOSE ANOTHER GAME".
Win to Breaker saves our playoff hopes.
Two games we have pinched off Sixers (other in Auckland) that we didn't deserve.

After every home game, Ninnis comes upstairs and talks about the game. Its the same thing every time that the team trains well and looks impressive but does not translate to game night. Tonight he even talked about how they always practice press breaks. Gilchrist completely forgot how to do it tonight. As Boti has alluded to, they are not a very basketball intelligent team. They are not level headed to be able to think on the spot how to get out of a certain situation. They completely crack under pressure. They practice it but don't use it on game nights. If Ninnis has no control of this, then what is the answer? How about, if you don't perform, you don't get paid. Surely all their contracts come with a condition of always giving it their best shot. I think they give up too easily and don't have their heart in the job. One way of being able to tell this was just by looking at the NZ bench. In the last quarter when NZ was making a come back they were on their feet cheering and shouting for their team mates on court. Then you look at the Adelaide bench and not a movement was to be seen. They all just sat there with long faces and arms crossed. For heaven's sakes, atleast show you are a little bit interested in your team.

The cracks are starting to open up.

Balls needs to step down and Jacob up. Scotty might have to fall on his sword soon.

Gilly does over-dribble the ball like an U12 prodigy.

Why can someone like Rick Rickert shoot 3's?

Without a doubt the most frustrating game I've watched for a while. We played an awesome team game in the third to give ourselves a wonderful opportunity then in less than six minutes the Breakers had tied it up.

Positives tonight were Matty Burston who really gave something and set some strong picks. Ng again was solid offensively and Herbie played Penney well until the last five minutes.

Gilchrist again CHOKED when he needed to stand up, missing free throws late just as he did against the Tigers. As for Groves, well it's all been said before.

Seriously Scotty when are you going to start a Centre on the floor. Rickett had 9 points inside the first five minutes.

Starting 5 vs Blaze on Wednesday: Burston, Balls, Jacob, Gilly and Ng

It's a shame the way they changed that winning line up and didn't consolidate a comfortable 15point lead with that line up.
Lost by 7points instead. (Groves was on tooo long in the last quarter,as we all could see.)

22 point turn around - explain that Ninnis

Thanks to the Burston Ballinger Gilchrist Herbert Ng
line up.

ADL 74 NZ59 at 3qtr time

Burston Ballinger Gilchrist Herbert Ng - is easily our best line up, tonight.

A bit better with Burston on .
And Ng and Herbert.
mmmmmm

Horrible start - turnovers . Time out Ninnis.

On the court - Gilchrist-Groves, Ballinger, Holmes,Hill.

Stream was very impressive for me against the Tigers. Can't tuen in tonight as won't be home but otherwise I'd be streaming for sure.
Think the breakers will get us unless we find a way to own those boards and defend the three ball, also Vukona often gets to do what he wants against us all too often.

They've been thinking about 'tinkering with' our starting line up for a while now.
I'd be thinking about Ng for Groves and maybe Cooper or Burston starting, also.

Sixers by nine.
Breakers can't travel and apart from the Tigers we've been pretty good at home all year.
Balls due for a big one after just the 6pts on Wednesday.

Home Sweet Home

Breakers by 4.

On balance, 36ers to get up by 5-10 I'd say, but only because we're at home and not playing the Melbourne Tigers. I'm sure Oscar will torment us from outside...

I think Adelaide can get one back on NZ...

I hope NZ win but not gonna hold my breath as we suck on the road lol, and at home as of late

It's not a case of who will win, but who will lose the game.

leaning toward Breakers 78-87

"Oscar the Grouch" to fire - 6/9 from the 3P at least

Battle of who wants to lose least!!
Breakers have been playing well, just can't close it out.
Sixers haven't been playing well and don't seem to have the same strike power.
If by some miracle Sixers get up it will be a huge body blow for Breakers.
Wonder if they regret Awvee Storey decision?