Hoops

Oceania Series - NZ and AU player availability?

Horvath pulled out as his wife is pregnant and look at Jones's free throw shooting stats in the NBL

The Media are really climbing into High Performance Sport NZ at the moment about the lack of funding for the Tall Blacks.
This is great as Basketball in NZ is really popular and a heap of that comes from the Breakers success and we have some of the best talent in years coming through our junior ranks (again big thanks to Liz & Paul Blackwell).
Steven Adams profile is a big reason for this.

Jeremiah Truman has had to withdraw from the China tour with a toe injury and Bloxham with a high ankle sprain.
Trumans injury is a case of wait and see in regards to the Boomers series where Bloxham's injury has ruled him out.
Jordan Ngatai has been included in the travel squad as replacement for Truman.

Seems like its a defensive measure. Horvath is more skilful, but doesn't have the physicality like Frank to defend inside.

I like Jones because he is 6"8 and sees minutes at the 4 where necessary. Can use him as a stretch four and create mismatches all over the place.

Frank has never ever looked after the ball as a Tall Black, knows the systems yes but is too turnover prone.
I believe Braswell is still pursuing NZ Citizenship and would be a good addition especially to this team with it's inexperienced guard lineup

Casey Frank still plays basketball - Wellington Saints.

Don't get me started on that saga.

BBNZ expect a player like Adams to play. (which he isn't now - confirmed) Maybe they should start making better team selections in relation to the naturalised position.

Horvath was much better than Frank during the NBL. Vucinic must not like him or Marcel.

They didn't even invite Marcel Jones, who is miles ahead of Frank. Didn't get their act sorted when it came to Braswell (Citizenship is easy to get if your representing a country. All he needed was BBNZ to show evidence of his selection. Our biggest problem is PG!)

Aus should put Exum in, without a doubt.

I really don't believe NZ should be trying hard to get Adams anyway.

Its the TB's C team. Whats the good of hyping it all up and generating interest by getting Adams if the team is so weak.

Im not blaming BBNZ for the lack of funding..that's not their fault. Purely HPNZ'S fault.

I would love to see Adams stay in OKC and stay with his team.
It's a two game series. There's only one game in Auckland -- is that really worth 25k?
Australia isn't banking on Adams commercially. You guys can sell two guys that were NBA Finalists. (Baynes, Mills)

Cadee seems very comfortable in Green and Gold. His returns as a national representative give me the impression that international ball is more to his liking than NBL ball.

I once again look forward to seeing him bring his national play successes to the NBL competition.

and you seem to have a man crush on blanchfield! I don;t personally think he is up to standard if we are putting in a "A" Team

Good line up Paul..
I just hope Baynes isnt too busy with Training Camp trying to solidify a roster spot.

I think Ogilvy is a walkup and I would prob have Petrie as the last man out in your PF options.

Baynes is definately not a PF! a pure Centre and thats it.

"Basketball NZ have however announced that they have the cash to cover Steven Adams insurance if he is available for the 2 game series against the Boomers."

Is it really still a 2 game series based on aggregate score? Not a fan.

No neee to try raise 25k to get Adams.

Let the kid settle in.
This isnt an olympic qualifier and the team are severely understrength anyway.

Save the insurance money for when it really matters.

Wrong.
They dont have any money. They were simply given a price (25k)

We are in for a hiding. Im talking 30 pts +.

I heard the 16 y.o made it.

Sounds awfully like a hiding to me.

Couple of young guys probably going to get thrown in the deep end and have a foot on their heads for good measure going up against a Boomers B team.

AJ Ogilvy is back in Sydney. Hugh Greenwood is back in Tassie. Anthony Drmic is also in town. All apparently are set to make themselves available.
Jason Cadee anyone? He was arguably MVP for the WUG team, with Bairstow nit dar behind him.

don't you find it "strange" how the 2 biggest NBA franchises are in the NBA Finals one again ..just like Stern wanted and licking his lips over.?
This after the referee scandal, and after last year's lowest TV rated championship between Spurs - Cavs.
How do you explain give away trades like Gasol and Garnett from lowly unpopular teams to 2 most popular teams ?? hmmm

How do the refs not call foul in Game 4 of Lakers - Spurs and how to explain the big leads Spurs and
Pistons had that just disappeared ??? hmmm .... interesting ...LA v Boston ... the "Dream match for $$$$ and ratings ..in a multimillion $$$ industry ... maybe one ref isn't the only one that's shady ...hmmmm