Hoops

Bye Bye Season

Why is there the argument of not being able to afford Ballinger plus Worthington plus 2 imports. If we got Worthington, why is it essential to get 2 imports? Worthington is better than most of the imports that have ever graced our league so what is to say we would do better with an import instead of Worthington?

Thank you Mrs Schench

Isaac, re Townsville: How many championships have they won?

I could end up eating my words, but I expect this team will go the way of other overacheiving Townsville teams, and bow out after a competitive semi-finals series.

Isaac, whatever happens, you cannot win championships with only one marquee Aussie, which is all this team has at the moment (Ballinger). Hence the suggestion of Worthington. I don't think Wortho would clash with Balls, and you could always have Holmes coming off the bench to spell both.

This season was always likely to be a building season after the loss that was Maher's retirement. I don't think that our current crop of youth (Ng, Hill, Burdon, Molitor, Garlepp) are going to be the ones to step up and give us that next marquee player, and Holmes certainly is not marquee. Those signings should not be priorities

Assuming that a championship is the goal, another marquee local is a must. You then get the best complimentary players you can to fill around those marquee signings, with imports filling the gaps in Aussie talent.

Also worth pursuing the return of Brad Newley or Joe Ingles, or luring a pure PG to sure up our faltering back court like Adam Gibson (I know we have previously tried this without success). Also worth keeping in touch with Matt Dellevadova, but we have buckleys chance of getting him here.

Isaac, I probably used the wrong term in saying 'clean house'. Certain players were kept by both Monson and Dunlap. What I meant was really just a fresh set of eyes who would evaluate all our players and make the tough decisions about who is worth persevering with and who is not. That might mean dumping a lot players or it might mean only two or three.

I hope we can keep guys like Hill and Ng and they do finally 'get it' and become quality starters for the Sixers, but its got to the stage where they need to become consistent soon or someone might need to take the tough decision to go in a different direction.

TR, I agree that we should look for a new coaching staff next season. Earlier in the season I had hoped that there would be enough growth in this team to maintain a good deal of continuity, but I'm just not seeing it. If I were ownership, I wouldn't be giving Ninnis any messages until the season finishes though. If you do that, there is no incentive for the coaching staff to do their best for the remaining games and its not fair on Sixers fans or the league for the team to just mail it in.

As to who you bring in to coach, that is a tough question. Isaac has pointed out that some of the available Aussie coaches have their flaws too. Goorjian would be worth considering, but I suspect he will ask too much.

I just wonder if we need to repeat history? Bring in an ambitious young American coach with no preconceptions about/ connections to, any of the players around the club? Someone who will clean house, handpick new talent and drill it effectively for a couple of seasons. Someone who will create a new culture around the club that has basically been moribund for the best part of the last decade.

Also, just wondering why you think Ng and Hill can't coexist together? I agree there is a problem at the moment, because neither has proven they can consistently win their position as a starter. But I think if we could get a coaching staff that would DEVELOP both players, they could work together very well - Hill at SF and Ng at SG. Ng is your classic SG and Hill can shoot from range and slash quite effectively/ create his own shot when he has some confidence (which I have seen precious little of this season).

With the season now essentially shot, I really hope Ng and Hill both get a lot more court time. The Sixers HAVE to get enough information to decide once and for all if one or both or neither has a future as a starter. Import choices can then be made next season accordingly and the club will know what Aussie talent needs to be pursued as well. Not saying any of these guys could be had, but for example, do we pursue a Liam Rush, or a Chris Goulding, or a Damian Martin?

Seems Goorjian's ballpark is outta our ballpark.
Not quite sure that it is.
I'd think a Lewis-Fuss consortium would have the bucks and I think we get a few more dollars for home finals.
Anyways - He does things a little differently.
80% defence. 10players rotating, doesn't like a player sitting on the bench for much more than 2mins.
(Aw - that's what I used to do when I coached.)
Coach asked owners was he expected to sign Ng-Hill.
"No." They said " It's YOUR call. "
I'd guess new coach should call our signings. Might have some players he wants and doesn't want.
Seems a long time ago we played home finals.

I would be looking to add one more quality Aussie to the line-up, and I would be targeting Mark Worthington. I would like to see a line up like this:

PG: Import pass-first PG, Luke Martin/Luke Kendall
SG: Import SG/SF, Ng
SF: Worthington, Herbert
PF: Ballinger, Under 23
C: Burston, Cooper

Worthington can slide to cover Ballinger, and gives us better height across the team.

The biggest problem is I can't see how we can fix up the backcourt unless we find two imports who fit what we need and work well together.

Whatever the changes for next season; the priority for me would be to hang onto Ballinger for as long as possible (preferably do a Davis/Maher and keep him for the rest of his career).

The basis for the team should be the likes of Ng, Ballinger and Herbert; personally I think Schensher was a better pairing for Balls instead of Burston (despite Burston's skill - taking nothing away from him). So I'd look at getting him back next season if possible.

I think Hill needs to go. Not that he can't develop into a great player, but I think it would be better he develop with another team and free up his place on the Roster. Yes, he can hit shots; yes, he can rebound; but also YES, he can do a Julius and turnover the ball when he tries to get fancy.

Ng needs to start more and get a few more 15+ppg games under his belt. Definately worth starting at the 2 if he can maintain that standard.

TR, I have always agreed with your assessment of Ng/Hill. I also agree on the outcome. Both are essentially spot up shooters, Ng the better shooter, Hill with more potential to be a half competent slasher.

Problem is both are the sons of members of the ownership group. Whilst it would be nice to think that nepotism doesn't come into these things, how does a coach tell the owner who pays his bills, 'no, I don't want your son?' Even more so when one of those parents is the assistant coach.

For the Sixers to gain any cred this off season, Hill needs to step down as assistant coach, and the coaching group then have to be given free reign on all re-siginings.

ariel 70, this is the same argument we have been having at this stage of the season for the last 4 seasons. I am sick to death of looking to make improvements for the next season that don't eventuate. Its about bloody time we started singing the praises of a good season had rather than continuously look at how it can be improved next season. Sure there are players that have to go but no matter how well you recruit, nothing good is going to come out of it if you have a useless coach. As far as I am concerned his use by date has well and truly expired. By the way, a loss is a loss no matter how well they played and how close the score, especially against the Tigers who had already won all the games they had played against us.

Great effort to be in it the whole way. Came back a couple of times. Pity couldn't have made last play and pulled off the upset.
Tech was costly. Next time, pick it up when they have possession.
I don't think you can fault the performance. Should be a good game v Breakers next week.

The season isn't over until the fat lady sings IMO.

YES I TOTALLY AGREE THAT LOSING TO MELBOURNE TONIGHT MIGHT BE THE END FOR US FOR THIS SEASON BUT VERY GLAD TO SEE THAT WE PUT UP A FIGHT AT LEAST AND ONLY LOST BY 2PTS
AS FOR NEXT SEASON I DO THINK BOTH GILCHRIST AND GROVES HAVE TO GO AND REALLY GET 2 IMPORTS WITH AN ALL ROUND GAME AND IF NINNIS STAYS AS COACH THEN AT LEAST GET 2 ASSISTANT COACHES WITH A LOT MORE BASKETBALL EXPERIENCE THAN THE 2 WE HAVE NOW
OUR RECRUITING FOR NEXT SEASON HAS TO BE SPOT ON JUST LOOK AT MELBOURNE TIGERS FROM BOTTOM OF THE LADDER TO MAKING THE FINALS WE MIGHT NOT LIKE JULIUS HODGE ANYMORE BUT THEY WERE RIGHT IN BRINGING HIM IN TO THEIR TEAM FOR THIS SEASON
BUT MIRACLES DO HAPPEN AND 6ERS STILL HAVE CHANCE TO MAKE THE TOP FOUR AND I FOR ONE WONT GIVE UP HOPE

A, you have a point around imports v australian players however imports are always going to be the first to cop the flak when things go wrong. I think from the people sitting in our block, the issues are Johnny G sooking and being somewhat unsportsmanlike and Cortez just taking wild shots. These guys are accomplished players but just dont fit with the team. Last nights figures suggest BIG change is required.
SOS have done many great things for this club in their tenure ship but perhaps spending $ is the key rather than opting for average to good players.

Statman you were right again.

(my apologies sixers fans for being criptic)

I wouldn't sack Groves because what I saw on Wednesday night was not just 1 good game from him but evidence of confidence gained. By giving him the responsibility of being part of the starting lineup saw him shine in that role. I would be nurturing that situation rather than saying he only had 1 good game and should go. Gilchrist is a different matter. I have never seen total control of the team from him as a PG. He does not bring good chemistry to the team and this late in the season, the team still look totally lost as to what he is trying to achieve. I felt a lot more comfortable on Wednesday when Groves assumed the PG role. He looked more controlled and looked to have purpose on court. There are only 2 players I would replace next season and that is Gilchrist and Hill. Hill has had enough experience in the NBL to be playing at a higher level and yet he looks like he is going backwards instead of progressing forwards. Not sure if it is an attitude problem with him now that his father is a part owner of the team. He may think that this guarantees a spot for him without having to work for it.

Shano, I think you have hit the nail right on the head. Agreed and seconded. Perhaps its time to seek out other coaches like Mark Leader who has game experience and knows basketball.