Hoops

36ers vs Cats this Sunday, Guy Sebastian pre-game

So - maybe SOS SHOULD 'write a nice letter to Goorjian' As EC suggested on here, about a month ago.

Interesting - Herbert said (on radio) that they are physically fit, and although hot - it was a MENTAL thing, in the end that lost it.
( So the team wasn't 'bonded and in a solid frame of mind , when we were down' - interesting.)
Isaac also picked up Balls and Gillys poor body language when Burston fouled out - interesting.
While ABC TV News were at Sixers training today, where David Cooper stopped the training to speak to the players about their attitiude.
"It was good" Ballinger said. "Coops has been around long enough to know when we are not training hard enough." - Interesting.

A few hundred or so walking out - 24secs to go 'Cats dribbled for about 12secs, then shaking hands with about 12secs to go - was a deflating finish.
Maybe throw those 2 on for last minute - might have held a little bit more interest. Maybe?

Aside from staying afloat (which is a very good thing and to be honest I am still very happy we are in the league regardless of finish) I still think little has been achieved in terms of team development.

I think the problems with Hill are the main part of my disappointment. I honestly believed he would be approaching Ingles type levels now. At least he could be a guy like Goulding for the Blaze, but instead he is going backwards. I just don't enjoy watching him play anymore.

Aside from the handy addition of Burston and Herbert, we are struggling to get many positives out of this year.

If we had just one developing junior, getting a few minutes in the system, I would feel much better about the future.

I just don't see any improvement in the current group into next year with a mainly veteran crew. It either has to come from within due to players or coaching, or due to recruitment.

As we have no developing juniors, all we can pin our hopes on is getting lucky with at least one good import, a new U23 and at least one really good new Aussie/Kiwi. All these stars falling into line seems a little unlikely to me, and I'm not sure how we can get into the playoffs next year if we fail this year unless significant changes are made at the top.

The question is if you give time for Ninnis to grow as a coach further, or do you cut the cord now and try to get a fresh voice to take this group to the finals. It's clear several players have just stopped listening.

Either way, with the level of dysfunction out there major changes have to be made in the offseason.

If Ninnis stays, Gilly, Groves and Hill have to go. None of these guys seem able to play to their potential in his system.

The lack of development of junior talent has made this season a complete waste of time if we don't make the playoffs.

Once again we will have to attract new players with cash, as I can't imagine playing for Ninnis being a major carrot.

If Gilly could play to his full potential with another coach, and Hill came along a bit (or went back to where he was!), big off season moves may not be required. This answer seems easier to me ...

It was probably just blowing out enough humid air to be 'legal' to play an NBL game.

I would have used HOLMES for a few mins.
But Boti and others say garlepp - his last 5mins were 0/1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .... and u23 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
So either is the same really....
So I dunno.... ? maybe seeing Young did nothing for Perth but give someone a break ????

Thought I saw redhage knock our photographer over , and ballinger wasn't impressed with that-- Camel 31.

Nothing as exciting as that. I just over-balanced as I leant back to stop the ball and pat it back with one hand (normally I'd leave it but it was close to me). Next thing I knew Shawn was trying to avoid stepping on me, with Adam behind him.

Aw - and reading Boti a bit further now. It was the rotations that lost us the game.
(Perth rolled over 10 players even Young while not doing much good- allowed players to have a spell.)
While we only used 8 players - some looked like they needed a spell EG Burston.)

Looks like we were 7 down 1st and 3rd Qtrs and by inserting Groves we hit the front - reading Boti today

Aw - and good crowd, just under 6000 - might have had something to do with the concert. 6-8point run in about 40seconds then the push and shove got the crowd revved up. It was great. ..._ Boti..

YES - Boti on radio. 42degrees,humid inside, no Holmes.Perth ran 10players.
In the 3rd qtr we were 7points down and he made some changes to go to 4 up.
Last qtr - Coach left Burston on- should have had a rest - on 4fouls missed a lay up. An active big man, you can see with his steals. Should have rested him. Coach stopped thinking. good rotations except last qtr. Cooper was doing OK Give someone a rest - Garlepp a few minutes. One that got away from them.

( Ninnis - all we can think about is Cairns - Holmes will help - 9 players)
Boti - NZ children/pathetic on the road - aw we're in Australia. Major disappointment. Accross the tasman- can't play.
Townsville around the mark with Homicide likely MVP

Fade outs are killing us - 8 points in last quarter is not good.

I believe not running the full roster is killing us.

"I wonder if Ninnis is in a position to demand and get respect from his players and lead from a position of strength?"

I agree 100%. Maybe he is trying to be too much of a "players coach" without having the motivational ability to back it up. A more rigid system is required for this current group IMO

Burston played well. Shot terribly. I thought I saw him miss his 2 F/Ts. But doesn't seem to show on box score. I was thinking I would've given Holmes a few minutes to spell Ballinger.
Anyways - feelings incoherent - I find it hard to articulate such a disappointing way to end our season.
I'll go run and hide, now. Depressed.

Air con did not work. What was with giving the Wildcat's bench a fan? Let them suffer, old Boston Garden style, with the sort of facilities "away" teams deserve.

Aw - not sure that Groves had 6 turnovers. Maybe 4.
Certainly shot 1/5 F/Ts . Started well, finished poorly. Thought I saw redhage knock our photographer over , and ballinger wasn't impressed with that.
Anyways - after following all the signings,going out to training,games, getting a little bit excited with the atmosphere there today in the first half.
I feel so very flat after that second half and poor finish.
Anyways - Perth shot well and finished strongly over our tired looking seven.

Then only thing worse than our coaching panel were the three blind mice. Are Billy & Raoul paving the way for the Tigers last gasp for a final spot?

I didn't realise that Burston dropped the ball on Redhage that started the push and shove from all players - 'til I just saw it on the news.
How was the crowd support for our team in the first half LOUD.
It's funny how things never turn out the way you had 'em planned , for at half time we thought we were in for a ride for a great,close rough house game.
After half time we looked a little lost, perhaps other than Cooper and Ballinger we shot poorly and Burston terribly. I didn't think we we were in it in the second half - looks like I might've been wrong, perhaps Cooper kept us in the game. Then Burston fouled out and down to 7 tired looking players, finishing terribly.

The Ninnis coaching decisions are getting worse every game.

This is a game we could have won, yet looked no chance to do so despite being close in the fourth quarter.

The lack of any form of organization on offense is a reflection on the coach, not on the playing group. The Wildcat's defense is not that good, just physical. They overplay the ball all the time.

Hasn't anyone heard of a backdoor play against these guys?

Ninnis must take the blame for this one. Several puzzling decision remain...

Why was Gilly benched with 5 minutes to play in a must win game? The next play, Groves fires an ill-advised 3 after dribbling down the clock. Enough said

When you are 10 points down, with 2 and a half minutes to go, why isn't the best 3 point shooter on the team in the game? Darren was subbed in way too late to make a difference. Could have spaced the floor and thrown the ball into the post ..... then again .....

Why isn't the ball going into the post for Balls for all the big plays down the stretch? The wildcats are guarding him one-out with a guy on 4 fouls (Redhage) or a lumbering centre (Schenscher). Failing that, a 2 man game on the wing would be good. I'm not sure why other teams can grasp these simple concepts and we can't?

We are also missing 2 for 1 opportunities on a weekly basis. Clearly this is not a play Ninnis believes in, or he just keeps forgetting. We rush a lot of shots anyway, except when there is 40 seconds left in the quarter!

Finally, the lack of intensity from all the players today was a disgrace. When its one or two guys, it may just be their attitude. When its the whole team with their heads down, its the coach. If Ninnis can't motivate the guys, or coach the X and Os, then what is his function?

What's Voldemort doing at the moment?

Guy was great.

Season over for Sixers. Decision time now. Look to next season IMO

Today's game was lost when we ran out of legs and also 3points. We ran with 8, cats with 10 on a hot day. Either give Molly a run, or get another u23. Why bring in Garlepp to warm the bench ? Once again "tricky dicky" seemed to be the one making the big calls. What's going on?

According to nbl.com.au - Attendance 5,627

If that's accurate, that's pretty good for such a hot day, looks like the concert might have helped a fair bit..

Lastly for me, where is the D half the time? Perth were in our faces all day, and yet Cortez and John are standing 6 feet away. We dont get to advance with pressure but they do and half the time, they were open for 3's. What exactly do we do at training Scott and how do we preapre for wednesday nights last foxtel home game? Bet the post match interview was all roses and chocolates!!!

I cant understand why we persist continually with imports. Dorothy Gail from Kansas with red shoes was woeful today and for a lot of the games even when we won. Johnny cries for fouls and then loses out altogether. While I am a fan of Brad Hill, um..... all I can say is there are players worse than you mate but I wonder, i really do. Herbie, gotta love the brad davidson tenacity. Thats why the Geelong Supercats won so many years in a row down there. Next year, go after Mark Leader for coach, SOS. Save yourself the worry and strain and the fans anxiety.

My hands were sweaty and I wasn't even playing.
Still , a wonderfull first half. Had a bit of everything. Except the refs who soon lost all control.
Groves came out firing - and 10 players had a bit of biffo. Catt tunneled Groves while Schenscher fouled hin, so he threw one. Plenty of singlet strechtes. While Schenscher was allowed to jump up and down with the ball, and that used to be travel.
Don't know what happened at half time, for I don't think we scored for 5mins, then we couldn't shoot standing under the basket or control the ball and the refs called every little touch. A terrible second half. Maybe Ballinger is a better player than Redhage is about all I can say now, after having a great time in the first half and a lousy time in the second half.

It can get worse if the 6ers miss out on a place in the finals...

Sums up season!
Full of promise for 3/4, only to capitulate in 1 dreadful period.
Can it get any worse?

6ers have thrown away a good chance at a win yet again...

has adelaide got a good internet connection?? seems everytime we get rivus for adelaide games it doesnt work properly. i'll be sure to send rivus an email and let them know my frustrations. didnt even get to see the last few minutes of the second quarter.

ours isnt either

My son was watching the first slowdown on tv as I was getting some tea ready and he was about 5 or 6. I dis-remember the exact year. "Dad" he called out . "Port have got 22 players on the ground and one of them is a girl!" I didn't believe him,of course. But when I went to have a look, he was right and Erin sure played great.

That's good if he's a Sixers fan. Give him a few shots. He was pretty good at Slowdowns. Can he dunk?
Anyways - In our favour is Perth played a tough game on Friday night and travelled Saturday.
I'd have Holmes on the bench and he have 5 or 6 mins , as u23 garlepp are not lighting up the League

Wonder if Guy is still charging $10,000/song appearance fees.

Apparently Guy has been a bit of a 36rs fan growing up. Mark Nash remembers him before Oz Idol days...Nashy said he played some pick up ball out the back of your Entertainment Centre at an event they were both performing/speaking at & apparently the young Guy was chuffed to meet a 36r.

I'd rather poke my eyes out with a spoon than listen to Guy Sebastion, his name says it all, I don't even need to insult him

I'll make sure I turn up at the right time...


...5 minutes before tip-off.