Hoops

Diamon Simpson

Why all the Williamson hype? He's never even played here.

I like Diamon and his game is well suited to Australia or Asia. He likes playing the 4 and over here his height isn't an issue. In the US or Europe he'd be facing much bigger,stronger guys at the 4. He could carve out a nice career for himself over here.

seriously, if Diamon isnt worth keeping who do you keep? ballinger is coming to the end of his tenure as is helliwell. You need 2 imports and based off all the imports we've had in the last 4 years, this years are by far the best. No shot hungry players but team players also.

If the sixers are going to go anywhere, you gotta have stability. Look at the breakers and perth. They have done well because they have had the same team practically each year for the last 5 or 6 years. When they started out, (not perth), they were crap but got good. Taking Diamon out and replacing him with what?

Its put up or shutup? You take out Diamon and put in? Name one? Or dont tell me, lets hire a clown like Kirk Baker. Total tossbag hoochy

Neither had done any preseason, so Clarke was giving them half a game each to try and run them into some form. Although Simpson's numbers were very good and Ballinger was struggling .
Johnson sounds unlikely here.

Ok so Balls has been club MVP consecutively and had some MVP votes, and how has the club gone in that time?

Isaac,

DJ's numbers

2011
14 games
240pts @ 17.1 per
109reb @ 7.8
20blk @ 1.4
89/173 FG @ 51.4%
54/76 FT @ 71%

2012
10 games
153pts @ 15.3
77reb @ 7.7
10blk @ 1
50/134 FG @ 37.3 %
45/56 FT @ 80%

So like Simpson, in 2012 DJ is getting some more free throws and is hitting nearly 10% more of them than in 2011. FG% has dropped over 14%. He's getting "more attention" on D and has struggled with it. He's taking an extra 3 a game over the last 10 games and hitting at a far worse % also, although I don't mind him taking 2 threes a game as he can hit them and it stretches the D. Maybe teams have worked out if you play our bigs as tight and physical as possible and don't give Ng and Warren open looks we are very defendable. The rest of our key rotation guys (Helliwell, Creek, Herbert,Weigh,Bartlett) all shoot 41% or less and are not threats from beyond 15 feet (this year at least). Also with Crossy out guys aren't getting the same looks.

I agree his Melbourne game was a good one. Took only 6 shots but got fouled 6 times and hit 75% of his free throws. Played 30 minutes, got 10 rebounds and 4 blocks. I'm not sure about Williamson, don't know where he is or what's he's been doing but I think it sounds "risky".

Anonymous,

I don't agree that Diamon has only had big games against the bad teams. 2 of his high scoring games came against Perth and NZ and he's had some good rebounding games also against the top 5. He certainly will be troubled when playing against 7 footers but generally his leap and strength is a nightmare for most bigs.

Skud,

I do think Simpson, Balls and DJ will struggle to play together. The 36ers need to workout quickly what Balls has left in the tank. All 3 can only play the 4 or 5, meaning there's 80 minutes to split between 3 guys. I don't think Balls wants to be a 6th man and I don't agree with bringing an import off the bench.

Anonymous,

If I had more time and tools available I'd be interested to look at DJ's 4th quarter numbers. I agree in some games he has racked up stats when it's too late. Against Wollongong last week for example he scored 6 of his 16pts from the foul line in garbage time. Other contributions in that last qtr

0/2 FG
1 TO
2 FL

That tells a story. I also noted on my blog a similar situation against Cairns on Jan 22.

I see a guy who has had some poor games, but who is averaging 45% on the season and 40% from the three point line. For a guy who tends to take some ill-advised shots from time to time, that's pretty damn good.

He is my favourite 6er and i think marty and radford don't treat him very well. A couple of times i have witnessed simpson being heavily berated by radford even though every time he is on the court he is giving it his all. I don't think he is as unfit as he looks ,he just goes full speed when he is on court at all times. next time you play a game go as hard as you can when ever you are on court and see how long you last before becoming tired. I dont know about you guys but if i was doing everything i could to help my team win games and kept getting told off my stats would drop to because that would sap a lot of confidence out of me and i would start second guessing myself. I really don't think he would want to come back next season if marty and radford are still in charge and although i will be disappointed i won't blame him

Frankly his fitness is the biggest issue IMO. I know that getting knocked around in the post tends to burn through the old stamina quicker than normal; but when your gameplay is based around post play and crashing the boards, stamina needs to be the top priority.

He's got the ability to be in the Davis mould, but personally I think he will turn out to be more of a Dusty Piecart type player.

Balls should be resigned, but for a one year contract at reduced pay. He really needs to have a stellar year to show that he's back to where he was. If he pulls it off, then give him another 1-2 years with pay to suit his performance.

Diamon is a big IF in my opinion. I think he has the talent, but needs to improve the cardio and the FT% in the off-season to we worth an Import slot.

Anon, what has Balls done in the last few years?

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