Hoops

Wildcats vs 36ers, Feb 20

There were 100+ replies to the Adelaide v Melbourne thread and if you combine the "SOS to do list", "how far off the top 4 are the 36ers" and "Back where we belong- Thanks Clarke" and this thread you once again get some 100+ posts that generally discuss the same issues. It all gets a bit tiring after a while when you are essentially reading the same posts under different thread title.

Isaac - it certainly hasnt worked for the 36ers with imports this season so would we be any worse off spending the same money on better Aussie content?

It was weird, as he sort of checked himself as if he thought better of it, wound up and launched the ball 20 rows back.

If that had hit a kid or baby or something... how did he get off scott free?

How did none of the Sixers fire up?

We've been way too soft for far too long IMO. Started with Goorj teams beating us up. Refs were no help, so we just laid down. Disappointing.

Not Burston - not after his antics Friday night. Cheap shot artist with no class. Who throws a ball at the crowd?

That REALLY fired me up - only Holmes said anything to him afterwards... as usual.

Wish we had the sort of spine and fire we all enjoyed during the Davis era.

Only seen a few games this season on TV so can only rely on match reports and comments on this forum to have any sort of feel for this year.

What I have picked up is that there is NO compulsion to have 2 imports in your team. It would seem that it would make more sense to spend the $$ for these imports on the best available Australian talent that has proven over a number of years that they can perform at a consistently high level.

Realistically, 8 players should play the bulk of the minutes, so spend you money accordingly, the other slots are for development players or lower rated/priced back up players.

Balance the team with what is required to be competive consistently by position. It is far too obvious this season that the balance of the team is out, regardless if Johnson had a 20 ppg, 10 rpg - there is no back up centre.

Solve this problem and part of the battle is won. In theory, Schenscher or Burston at Centre backed up by Johnson, would have made a huge difference to the balance of the team and the results. It also would have been a great learning experience for Johnson to have an experienced bigman to train with.

As for the rest of the team, rate the Australian talent throughout the league by position, work out what it is going to cost to get these people and recruit accordingly.

I'm still confused as to the recruiting process.

If we had Herbet, Carter, Ng and Daly, why did we go after two more guards twice this season?

Why not get at least one big man as pretty much everyone recommended?

It's not just a 20/20 hindsight thing - this was the concern since pre-season.

Ok, I don't know why all you 36ers fans are hating on Clarke and blaming him for being married to the bottom of the ladder yet again this year. Look at what he has got to work with! Now I know he was the one who put this team together but surely he and management need to work together to get the right guys in place to win.

DJ is not a starting center in this league, for a guy his size he is an exceptionally poor rebounder, interior defender and communicator, 3 things you need from your big unit. He can score in bunches but if he isn't doing this, what is he giving you?

Holmes, always thought this guy was vastly over rated. Talks a mean game but doesn't really back it up. Says all the right things to the coaches but when it comes down to it, he is an over-utilised, undersized, unathletic 4 who hasn't improved since U/20's when he was meant to be the next big thing in Aussie Basketball.

Ballinger is a 4 and one of the top stretch 4 men in the league. He can shoot the ball and take smaller 4's to the block. He needs to be more of a presence on D but as a naturalised Aussie you can't get much better there. Quit hating on the guy playing out of position at the 5.

Your imports STINK, the first two STUNK as well. Don't know what some NBL teams do with their recruiting but wow, there are some bad ones out there this year. Pick your poison with Winder or Howard they are both bad. DeVries is great value as a local but as an import??? Shannon really is just your run of the mill PG, who I think is over the hill after his success in Europe. If he's that good why isn't he still playing over there? More research needed on guys who will suit the Australian style of game, not just whose highlight tapes look A-grade.

Aaron Bruce, Brad Hill? Dead weight, two space cadets. Bruce is overpaid and was 2 years ago as wel. The guy is a pretty boy turnover machine, who would rather prance trying to look like steve nash than Aaron Bruce. Brad Hill while athletic and has had a solid year by his standards is a spot minutes impact guy off the bench. He kid isn't the shapest tool in the shed and really struggles with team defensive concepts and keeping his man in front of him on the dribble.

Creek is a prospect but you all here thought he was the one who was going to turn around a faltering season. He's still a rookie! Name the last rookie to save a sinking ship and carry his team to the playoffs? I'll throw around Newley, Ingles etc but those guys are at another level to this kid. And while they had solid rookie campaigns both had good vets around them to guide their development.

If you get what I'm saying here, the 36ers never had the horses from the start to contend this season. Not enough size, vets, smarts, leadership. Poorly constructed roster who really don't play hard and get after people the way Clarke wants them too. They just don't have the capability to do it. Management really does need to take a long hard look at this roster over the next 6-8 weeks and blow it up for next year. Only guys who should be around are Carter, Ballinger and Creek. If you want to contend in this so called '3 year plan' cut some dead weight and the losing culture of the club.

The 3 Year Plan:-

Year 1: Finish as close to last as possible.
Year 2: ???
Years 3: Profit. I mean win the title.

Ugh.

I...


Ugh.

Got nothing. This is ridiculous. Stubborn is one thing... but damn.

Another loss and you know? I had it pencilled in!

Reading the stats I reckon youd say, BIG CHANGES next year or supporters might drop by the waist side

Skid - but what if you replace Ballinger with a 17-7 player who gives you tougher defense? Is that worth considering?

Dougys - I wondered about that but the sixes had 23turnovers, which creates a lot of situations that can result in fouls. Perth only had 8 or so turnovers.

No such luck LS. The second team is on for Perth.

6 players with a total of 75 minutes playing time for only 3 points???!!

Ballinger playing well but like most games this season the opposition big man is lighting us up.
Cant blame Ballinger or DJ their strengths are offense,we really needed to keep Burston this season to play the defensive role.

Wildcats by 30!!!

Gotta luv that LS.

I dont think 36ers would lose by that much, however given the fact that the first unit sucked on friday night, thinks perhaps you might be right.

27 points at half time they have 22 just in the paint keep them out boys

yeah its on online radio here is the link
http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/sportfm913
enjoy the game

http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/sportfm913