Hoops

A New Women's Team is Needed!

I noticed some of it not all of it on ABC TV today.
Lightning v Sydney.
Seemed the bad passing more than anything.
Not much D , but then the switch to zone worked, and
American WNBA Import Walker doesn't understand what Breheny is saying at time outs.

... and who would that Coach be Anon, who will provide the extra cash to fund the team and which new and good coach will apply for the position without serious money available, ie at the top of the salary cap, to recruit players.

You get what you can afford and pay for unfortunately and this season has proven that even more than in the past few.

Actually I wasnt aware that the women played a different game of basketball to the men - same court, rings are the same height and size, rules are the same, etc. They seen to also have Centres, forwards and guards as well.

Did you actually read my last sentence - "However, coaching Women is a lot different to Coaching Men's teams I will agree."

I agree with you - I have coached several womens teams at various levels over the years and it isnt the Basketball knowledge that causes issues, it is the inability of a coach to understand that each and every player in the team is an individual when relating to that person. What works for one, doesnt work for another, as well as the different emotional make up of female players.

The ability to relate is most important within a womens team. However they are professionals and if they want to be treated as such, such issues should not arise.

The bottom line is that the Lightening are not winning games as they havent got the level of talent as other teams.

Dear Anonymous '352, where in my post have I referred at all to the current players and their performance? Secondly, I have not even mentioned the coaching staff in the relationship to the current player performance.

I was a bit surprised when Steve was announced as Coach but even if Tom Maher or Carrie Graf was in charge of the current group of players, it is unlikely that the team would have had more than a few more wins. The big difference is that it is likely that the purse strings had been loosened, the Coach would have selected the players and it is likely that a few better quality players would be in the Lightening uniform this season.

In response to Anonymous '369, a Coach can only work with the player payment budget he has. In regards to "his complete lack of experience and respect or desire to recruit players to the team", have you ever bothered to find out anything about Breheny?

To quote part of an article on NBL.com.au, "Breheny, 54, has extensive experience across all areas of basketball, including the women's scene, having coached Coburg in the WNBL in 1987-88, winning the Australian Club Championship in both years.

As a player at St Kilda, Geelong and Coburg, he was instrumental in the Saints' 1979-80 NBL title-double and played for Australia at the 1980 Moscow Olympics and 1982 world championship.

As an NBL coach, he held the reins at Canberra Cannons (1989-90) and Geelong Supercats (1992-93) before turning to an assistant role and helping North Melbourne to the 1994 crown.

After his 1994-97 stint at the Giants, Breheny joined Phil Smyth at Adelaide for 11 years, winning championships in 1998-99-2002."

Yep, Anonymous, complete lack of experience.....

However, coaching Women is a lot different to Coaching Men's teams I will agree.

No one is having a go at Steve and the coaching staff, you can only work with the players you have. It is the ability to retain existing quality players and attract quality new ones that seems to be the problem. Whether or not it is the supposed "Angela Factor", lack of $$$ put into player recruitment or perhaps a lifestyle decision not to live in Adelaide, the team has gone drastically downhill since the first year of private ownership.

Something is not right - no one is canning the current coaches or players - when so many players leave and top players do not want to play here.

Missing the point Pete, no one is whinging or suggesting that these players should be obligated to play for the Lightning at all. The point made tongue in cheek by Big Ads and furthered by myself is that there are a number of team that have several South Australians or ex Lightning players that could be followed in lieu of the Lightning.

In regards to Bulleen, Dandenong and Bendigo complaining about Victorians playing in other states, name one that that would make their starting fives other than Jess Bibby and Nat Porter?

Players are actually doing as you suggest in seeking the best professional opportunity to further their Basketball career and everyone understands this. It is unfortunate since Vince Marino has bought the team, that most of the Championship winning players have left and not only aren't top players being attracted to Adelaide, but South Australian players are not interested either. However, while Mr Marino owns the Team, there is nothing anyone can do.

I suppose dandenong makes sense with 4 former Lightning players, although only Bishop is a SA born player. Perhaps Logan could be considered with Francis, Camino and Veal being either South Aussies and/or former Lightning players. Perhaps Townsville with 3 SA born former Lightning players, or Bendigo and Canberra, both with 3 SA born or former Lightning players. The current Lightning Team does have 5 SA born players in it.

Wouldnt it be nice to get a few South Aussie girls back into the Lightning - Veal, Madgen, Francis, Bishop would make a nice addition.

Don't we already have two teams to follow; the Lightning and the Rangers.