Hoops

who do u guys in Adel want as your coach then?

And re: my fantasy team, the Leroy Smith Superfreaks have a three year plan, so there's nothing to worry about.

Libertine - It was my first season and I picked based on ESPN's predictions... for roto. I'm near tears thinking about it :(

I don't think an import PG is the right choice. We need someone who's played in the league before, and preferably someone who won't just jack up shots and try to get into a shooting rhythm.

From the glimpses we've seen this season, Adelaide has a really effective transition game when Bruce, Hill, Creek and possibly even Johnson can run the floor. I think that should be nurtured, having young guys in the team gives you the energy to run more and you can pressure teams that are slow to get back on D.

I used to go out and watch Steve Breheney training the Adelaide 36ers and Ninnins too soft on errant players.
Clarke is a hard working coach with strict discipline
Good communication. Loves teaching.
Got the PG and SG spots wrong with 4 Imports.
Got the Centre position wrong.
Not so good on game night speaches and tactics, in his first year as a professional coach.

meant to post - no need for in import Point guard - shooting guard is just up for grabs, would love to see Creek do a Penny Taylor and go to vic seabl and use huge court time in a slightly lesser competition become an (outside) scoring demon (she uped her offensive skills by doing this when dropped from the OZ squad in 2000)

I would very much like to see what G Mcloud would do over here, if the gong ever looked like folding again I'd be on the phone soonest for his signature.

But whats the team going to be - we don';t need an inport guard unless its a homicide or a real speedster like -- ( gong guard? - but then what do we do with Herbert and Carter as Daly has shown he can do back up PG - put their contract money towards the import PG or Centre ?

got to say , we need Creek to do what Trevor Torrance and Tim Morrisey failed to do , and that's develop from a very successful junior with good rebounding and a strong drive but no outside shot , into a confident shooter with range - this can happen in the off season - but will it.

I would love to see how Johnson went as a back up to Ballinger in the PF position coupled with a mature import centre who could bang Harris into shape at training. just leave Holmes as training fodder.

read + as = adequate 25+ min NBL Player
read +- as = a 10= min NBL player
read - as = Training fodder


PG + Herbert , Carter,
+- Daly
- none

SG + spend Import$ ?
-+ NG , Creek
- none

SF + Hill
- ?

PF + Balinger
+- Holmes
- Dowdell

C + Johnsone, or spend import$
+- Harris


just realised from this list just how strange our team structure is -- V sad.

If we retain Clarke, I'd really like to see the Sixers just leave it at one import next season and work on putting together a really solid team. If Schensch isn't contracted next season, offer him the import $$$ and build around him. Hill has shown this year that he deserves his spot in the team and Clarke should get some credit for that.

Does anyone have a list of who's a free agent next season?

For those supporting Clarke - I'm curious.

It's subjective, but even if we assume Creek and Johnson are largely here due to Clarke being appointed as coach (and you can debate their influence on overall results... or their confusing court time), what has Clarke brought to the Sixers?

Offensviely, defensively, player development, team culture, intensity... that sort of thing. Why does he deserve another year given this year's performance?

Would be interesting to hear Boti , but that could be any time between 10.30 and 11.40 pm.
It's hard to follow it.
One of the ironies of Clarke telling fans that the players need to go back to Kindergarten, is that he is there teacher/instructor.
Seems he wanted to slow down the game and defend a 15point lead, in the last qtr., on Friday and the players had no idea how to play.
The crowd booed the team for first time in 29years.
Adam Ballinger coaching , next season , makes sense,
financially.

Despite my quarrels about the situation, I'd look at keeping Clarke around for another season.

The step-up in defensive work is noticable, even if that presence only lasts 2-3 quarters. I think with a healthy combo of Herbert and Carter on the court, we would be much more effective. Could even space out rotations to have at least 2 decent defenders on court all game that way.

The offense needs the work; most of that really comes from confidence in the shot. Creek needs to work on his jump shot; and considering his athleticism, I think just needs to be willing to take contact more going to the hoop, he could be a serious scorer. Even if 10-15pts comes from the line.

Marty gets another year IMO despite the criticism from me.

I would love to see Kevin Brooks get in at a assistant coaches role with Clarke. after small chats with him he is keen to get much further into coaching but he has to start somewhere and that somewhere should be with Adelaide.

$$$$$ - Goorjan.

$$$$ - Beveridge.

$$$ - Stacker.

$$ - Green.

$ - Me.

Just a question regarding Goorjian.

Everyone seems to spout the old "sends clubs broke" line, but isn't it just a correlation effect? i.e. the teams that hire Goorjian are the ones that were badly managed anyway?

Clarke.....

Has had only one year and really until 6ers get a legitamite big and some that can shoot a consistant shot the 6ers will always struggle.
I agree with Jonno with recruiting best young talent and Clarke will be the key to that.
Clarke looked and coached like "its been a long frustrating season" on Friday night.
The big question is,
who will he keep and who will they let go?
If he can get the team that can keep up with the top teams.....
Then we'll see if he can coach in the big league

I'd be keeping Clarke myself...a season now under his belt and lessons hopefully learned.

Keep Clarke. It's been a frustrating season but I still think he is the best option moving forward. Particularly if he can keep attracting young AIS recruits as he has with Creek.

Of all the names mentioned in this thread not one would make me any more at ease with the sixers situation right now. Paitience is required, rebuilding isn't fun, but once things start falling into place it will be worth it.

"You cannot make a silk purse of of a pig's ear" would be a good way to look at the players available. However, it is what the Coach does with those players is what a Coach is judged on.

If Clarke learns from his mistakes and appropriate changes are made to the roster, than he is worth one more year. However, whether or not he gets a third is up to what happend this off season.

Im happy to give Clarke at least another year, he obviously has a good reputation, recruited the best young player in Creek and is a Boomers Assistant coach. Bevo took a few bad seasons to put together his team, so i say give Clarke a few years and i reckon he will be ok, if he is able to bring in the best young talent out of college/ais as Goorj used to with guys like Wortho, Barlow, Kendall, etc, which i reckon he will be able to, he will build a strong team IMO.

I do think he is more Gorj than say Smyth with his robotic/stubborn structure on offense and defensive mindset, but like Goorj he will also be good at recruiting and developing our top talent in the NBL, which will over time lead us to having a strong team with plenty of Boomer level talent, my guess is when guys like Anthony Drmic, and most recentish ais grads, are ready for the NBL, Adelaide with Clarke would have a recruiting edge.

Thats why i'd keep him and have some patience, if he proves not to be able to bring in the top young guys and improve the players and team each year then after his 3 years i wouldnt sign him back, but id atleast give him 3 years, he did take over the bottom side and possibly re-signed too many of them, so lets give him a chance to build his team, if its the same story next year then id be a little less patient.

im still happy to keep Clarke, i just hope there are some serious changes made and that this season has opened his eyes up to realise being arrogant and too proud to admit any wrong doing is not going to help anything.

If available Michael William "Mike" Krzyzewski. Proven record with rookies and experienced professionals.