Hoops

36ers vs Blaze tonight, Wed Dec 16

Xz - LMAO! You know why :p

Classy post by Statman.

Burston was amazing - can't say enough. The cut's to the center of the key, flash open with back to the basket and finish was working for a long time before Joey made adjustments. Only criticism is that he was REALLY struggling cardio wise (for obvious reasons!) towards the end and could have used a breather. Thankfully, freethrows and time-outs helped him catch his breath.

Not sure what happened with about 5mins left to go in the second, but the guys came out of the huddle looking clueless re: match-ups etc?

I almost felt bad for throwing up the big "X / sub" sign when 'Tez jumped OVER a wide open Ballinger to blow a crucial defensive rebound, but I'd well and truly had enough of him trying to lose the game at that point.

I think Ng deserved more minutes, especially as Hill struggled. That needs to be the philosophy - whichever one of them is "on", let them see the greater court time.

Herbert was just great to watch - reminded me of Davidson. Just non-stop hussle and desire to win.

Jacob played his role, buy perhaps could have seen a little more time as well.

Whilst our offence looked great with some off the ball movement and fluidity, we too often lapsed back into the dribble penetration / Gilly stuffing around at the top of the key when pushed. Then again, Gilly was pretty solid last night - if not with some bad judgement / singlet tugging going on here and there.

Good win guys, and much needed.

I think your being a bit harsh skud, some of the pick and roll plays and off the ball screens to get an open layup last night were pretty to watch. Clearly the team - coach included - had worked those plays during the week and executed them brilliantly in the first half.

Sure we came back from a big deficit and had a shot to tie it all up but any team with the long range firepower we have can do that. Last night Harvey was hitting some amazing shots - he cant be guarded when he is like that.

Give your team - and coach - credit where its due, you started brilliantly and built a solid lead, weathered a fightback and steadied down the stretch to win by 10.

Isaac, I concede that a fully fit Burston has not been available to the coaching staff for the whole of the season, but I question the decision to having him come off the bench for games where he has been available. He should have started in all games when he was available to play. Set the tone for team structure and then have a rest, not come on when the team is running around like headless chooks.

I told you so. Either Burston or Ballinger on court at any one time = win. Sitting with father of Boomer at start of the game who asked "Is Boti coaching this team." With respect to starting line up.

Good win but really the only way was up after the past few weeks.

A Win is a win....

I thought the number of offensive fouls tonight was huge! There must have been around 10.

Harvey was a freak for GC.

Shame about Pero not being there - I had a battered sav for him

Tonight's game was more rounded from the Sixers. They have been working on offensive plays which worked. I liked the attempted alley-oop with 0.1sec.

A good win. But how can the 6ers let a 20 point lead vanish?

As someone else said, bittle what worked in the first half and milk it...

Well done on 2000 NBL points - I saw some tension, some turbulance on and off the court, recently. But you held a players meeting, yesterday and steadied it tonight - effective stuff.

Better still, what made the Sixers pull off a 20 point lead on a team that's won 5 in a row?
Put that in a bottle and sell it.

Steady steady - Matthew Burston and you did it..
Missed most of the season, still a little rusty, but you make a big difference on court.

God Blaze came within two and now they're out by 7.
Joey will be furious but with the Sixers agead by 20 at one stage it would be a crime for them to not come away with a win.

86 - 79 with 1 min to go. our ball

Is the scoreboard directly linked to Live Stats? lol.
Weirdness- Live Stats has been down for a little while now..

Damn you to hell Live Stats!
Down again..

Come on guys - steady, steady.

Oh no...is it happening again? With such a large half time lead, in the third the Blaze are making a run...

18point lead at half-time , down to 11 at 3mins into third qtr. Good time-out Ninnis.

He's gone from being tooo slow at subs to very,very good.

Is my Live Stats working right- it says the Sixers are up 40-28?
One minute it was refreshing itself as 0-0 and the game not having started and suddenly it says 40-28!?
LOL.

VERY good, in fact.

Rotations pretty good.

Matthew Burston starting sure makes a lotta difference

How much longer until tip off?
I hope Live Stats plays nice tonight.

Started the best five from last game.

891 is doing the cricket anyways.

There is always the ever-reliable NBL live stats...

FWIW, ABC docover Fox games as well, but they are only doing Saturday night games this year.

ABC dont do Wednesday night games.

Isaac - yeah, fair point. Probably learn more about how they'll look for the second half of the season than any other game to date.

Bringing a casual fan with me tonight (3ish games a season) to see what he thinks of it all.

Loco, I agree, not sure why but I really think the 6ers are going to get up tonight. Maybe Im just being too cautious after the last 2 seasons up here and cant quite get my head around us (Blaze) being the real deal.

This is the first game I can remember I wasn't fussed if I make it to.

I agree that the Blaze are favourites. I'm really not expecting much from the Sixers tonight to be honest... which usually means they tear the house down, celebrate a huge win and go on to lose an unlosable game the following week.

They sure could use the W as far as confidence goes. Hope Burston's 'team meeting' helped to get their heads straight.

Statman, your FB account serves you well!!!! :) Joe also indicated it was a rather fine Dessert Bar also

The Blaze arrived yesterday - and I believe Big Joe was attacking the buffet at the Casino last night!

Poblems Sixers face tonight.
1. Coping with the relentless ball pressure Blaze will aply. Gilchrist, Groves, Hill, Ng will have to limit TO's.
2. Who can mark Petrie? Ballinger can't!
3. Holding their own on glass.
4. Having the courage to push against press to create easier scoring opportunities.
5. Scoring in paint and getting to line.

And its a matter of doing all of the above to have a chance of taking the game.
Blaze have a big margin of error in this one and will only have to "not play poorly" to take this one out.
Isaac those odds are ridiculous. Should be
Blaze $1.50, Sixers $3.50.

...About getting nervous when they are under pressure, rgardless of who's on the court at the time...that part is up to the coach.

Sixers have been working hard at training. As they do falter under pressure and have been working on that mental and physical aspect. Burston adds a lot and held a players rally meeting Tuesday morning.

The Virgin problems in Melbourne related to booking in passengers. I would assume Gold Coast would fly direct from either Brisbane or Coolangatta airport to Adelaide. Should have no effect as those aircraft shuttle between adelaide and queensland