Hoops

Taipans vs Washington State trial game

@rohant16 - his driving to the rim opened up a lot of easy baskets for trig and hill as well as opening up some sweet open 3 screens dishing back out after sucking in 2 defenders.

There are a lot more talented players than clint who didn't get drafted. Taipans fans will take him as is LOL

Motum is legit and will be an NBA draft prospect.

Could be another Aussie contender to win a conference POTY award in the Pac-12 aongside Delly, Broekhoff, Greenwood and Drmic.

http://www.fibalivestats.com/matches/11631/02/83/45/96uCkjjPn1Y/ - Boxscore.

Young guys got a lot of minutes tonight which was good. Alex (recovery), Dusty (Hammy twinge, needed for QBL Friday) and Cam G (Back recovery) sat out the whole game - Jamar has had the flu all weekend so had limited minutes before being sent to the showers mid 2nd quarter once Shaun Bruce showed he has the ability to run the floor. IMO he out played Kerry during most of the game - Kerry finished strong with 2 big steals and layups to even the scores for Trigger and Hill to ice the game. Motum is a definite future boomer - played like an arrogant turd and got fouled out, but the man has skills (41 points from all over the court). Definite NBA/Europe prospect after college if someone kicks him in the arse and gets that chip off his shoulder.

Clint Steindl smashed it - good handle, turn of speed to get the open shot, dropping bombs (4/7), rebounding and defended really well. Had a cramp at the end but wasn't brought back on. He will be vying for rookie of the year - no doubt.

Trigger is not 100% with his hammy, but he was still deadly from close range. He is very fit, focused and he has improved his rebounding/defence under Fearne already.

Brad Hill has got his swag back and was doing whatever he wanted - big put back dunks, hitting a 3 and a few long 2's - his shooting action looks to be coming back but his athleticism has stepped up.

Matt Andronicos has potential - for a big guy he doesn't use it alot and Fearne could be heard yelling at him 'use your size, they shouldnt be moving you'. Expect him to get minutes to rest trig/loughton during the season. When he was aggressive and boxing out he was effective.

Shaun Bruce was the surprise packet of the night. Been in town since midday Monday then slips right into pg running Hill, Bobo, trigger and steindl like he has been here the last 2 months. Super impressed with his handle and he came up with a big clutch 3 with 1 second on the shot clock from a Wilson assist. Some nerves and unfamiliarity led to 4 apples (turn overs) but he came up with a few big blocks to get the ball back against bigger players. Definite future NBL PG prospect - be surprised if he isn't on the Taipans roster next season - outside chance of taking the backup PG spot still on offer.

Overall given it was the 2nd on court session (been only fitness training till now) and not the full crew, the team has picked up on last year and IMO will be even better than the GF squad 2 years ago as it goes deeper with Cam G, Loughton, Rychart and Jamar (really didn't do anything, he looked like he was going to puke at one point...)

Next preseason game is the 14th Sept vs Wildcats at home so we should see even more improvement with players coming back and the young guns settling into the system. Having guys like Clint and Cam G who hit the open 3 consistently will greatly improve the Taipans over last year and the year before. Taipans fans, get excited cause the team is looking lethal at both ends and its with 4/10 not playing.