Hoops

Gems & Emus secure berth at 2011 World Champs

Interesting take on Aldridge...he has verbally committed to Butler as well for 2011!

Aldridge had a terrible series. Watching him on the weekend, I don't think he is as good as what he has been hyped up to be. I think he is a good PG in that he controls things, doesn't turn the ball over much and organises the O and D.
However, his shooting, playmaking ability and overall potential and versatility is lacking.
In the NZ series, he was 6.6 ppg..6/24 FG, 1/8 3point total.
His shot mechanics is relatively slow and he releases the ball from his chest almost. He will struggle against quicker US guards to get his shot off. Also, he lacks the size and vertical explosiveness to take it to the rack in the half-court set.

IMO, he isnt anywhere near the level of previous AIS PG's Cadee, Dellavedova and Mills.
Mitchell Creek however has amazing potential. Has freakish athleticism and now that he is developing his skill set, no league is out of sight.

Thanks...I was thinking along similar lines to myself when I was looking at the results!

I don't think there will be any issues with the female player depth through t the 2012 Olympics, and for the 2014 WC's for that matter, however after that could our golden run (mainly silver) be nearing its end for the Opals? I just don't know.

Wenhave Liz Cambage breaking into the Opals squad and she could be around for another 10 or more years. Abby Bishop is there, and the likes of Alison Lacey is yet to break through from the WNBA to the Opals. We have Tippett coming through as well not to forget and a few very talented girls with the current junior crop around her - maybe not as deeply talented as before, but talebnted nonetheless. But we still have plenty of talent coming through to blend in with our more senior players. Intsead of a massive transition, the Opals may just 'evolve' over a number of years give or take a few players at a time and not lose much at all - if any.

Will we blessed to have so many 'superstar' women players like LJ, Penny and co we have had recently at the same time, I guess time will only tell. I still see a very bright future for the Opals, as with the guy's side of things, junior talent and success does not always translate to senior level success.

Although I love some of the boys talent coming through - Mitchell Creek should be kept an eye on as he could be absolutely anything!

LC, I like the way you stay tuned to the full BA spectrum, nice work, keep it up.

Of interest for me is the differences between the genders and how this may be starting to showing up in FIBA rankings. The Emu's shellacked the Kiwis with one of the smallest teams to ever put on the Green n' Gold. Great kudos to the coaching staff, but also the kids, such as Greenwood, Creek and Drmic. Not only getting 50 point wins but a great spread of minutes in that.

The girls results may be an indicator of more concern. That or the Kiwis are better than we thought. I look at these results, yes good we get 3 wins, and say is this why we are under-performing in the latest FIBA rankings. Yes, the Opals are top 2 but no mention of the girls (U17 through to U19) in the top 10 from FIBA: http://www.fiba.com/ranking, in fact you'll find them a lowly (in our lofty standards) 14th.

What's the secret, when the boys ranks are pillaged by football as equally as the girls are by netball. Is there something we should be doing now before the retirement of many 30 plus athletes at the London olympics, hopefully with a Gold Medal around their necks. Other's opinion pls?

http://sportspagemagazine.com/images/WNBA/2006/2006-07-25-sun-mystic/IMG_0155.html

see if you can see mr & mrs phillips in the crowd