Hoops

Tigers v Kings?

@Speed44 - I think that's the name of the series between the Kings & Tigers the last couple of seasons... was a cup or something, not sure if it's just metaphorical this season or not...

I really don't think many generally applicable lessons can be taken from last year's finals series - the team that Perth actually reached the GF with was a frankenstein monster. They were a fairly unique set of circumstances with two in-season immediate retirements, a new player and then a season injury. Makes it hard to extrapolate to the teams running around this year.

I'm sure this has been mentioned a million times, and I know what he is trying to say, but why does Carfino constantly call this the "Capital City Clash"?

Sure, the Big City Bash, or the Metropolis Matchup, but the Capital City Clash is just bulls**t.

I could just as easily say the same about NZ.
Don't forget the Breakers got thrashed twice last season by Perth and yet come Finals time, they swept them.
I don't think NZ will win the title this season but I'm not going to say they can't in round 9.

Aww, Wilson <3

Perth aren't playing with any real intensity at the moment and they're still beating everyone (except Adl). They'll step it up come playoffs and really show who's number one.

Perth & NZ have played once alreadythis season with Perth winning by 7, I'll have some of what you're smoking Wilson.

Would love to see that. Perth would smash NZ by 20 each game. But unfortunately NZ won't be good enough for the playoffs this year.

You don't have to be a title aspirant yourself to screw over someone else's shot at the top.

NZ have won 3 championships in a row and aren't done and dusted yet. They still may wreck some teams title aspirations.

But if i had to pick..id say Tier 3.5

Maybe Tier 3.7.

Bit better than the Crocs.

Because the Hawks are too hard to rate.

They can play well and be competitive (36ers game) or they can get a mauling and look like a SEABL team (Wildcats game).

Good observation from MACDUB though I think you're giving NZ a bit more credit than they deserve.

^ Did Wollongong steal the other tier and disappear into some kind of alternate dimension?

Still think SYD aren't capable of contending.

The competition is quite close this year, however you can break up the league into sections.


Top Tier
- Adelaide
- Perth

Second Tier
- Sydney
- New Zealand
- Cairns
- Melbourne

Fourth Tier
- Townsville


IMO, Sydney and NZ are the more superior teams in Tier Two. Cairns and Melbourne solid, but not as good. Townsville in a Tier of their own.

Perth and Adelaide still the front runners of the competition.

Why?

A: Depth. These two teams are strong at every position on the floor. Sydney, Melbourne, Townsville have no where near the same depth. New Zealand has some depth, but its not the diverse depth they once had (i.e. depth on the bench still, but not defensive stoppers, rebounders)

Young was good though, without him Sydney would have got smashed

Too bad they dont have a player of the week award anymore, but if they did i'd take Mika or Ennis over Young

Mika Vukona is a certainty for player of the week and had Ennis made his free throws and scored 40 then he would challenge him. Young um not bloody likely!

Madgen 5 assists, Garlepp 1 assist, rest of the team 0 assists.

I honestly can't understand the Sam Young hype, AJ Ogilvy dominated the league and then this hot shot import comes along and Ogilvy just seems upset when he was more placid and composed.

Coming into the season it felt like best Australian shooting guard in the league was a flip of the coin between Madgen and Goulding (Gliddon catching up) but to have Goulding shooting 19 shots more than Madgen... WOW

Ballinger and McMillan both played under 7 minutes... Wtf?

Lucas Walker had what 2 shots?

Anstey is in a huge need of getting his team behind closed doors and re-assessing where this tigers team are going as having Goulding shoot 25 times and Worthington rewarded with 37 minutes to play angry yet awful basketball. Tomlinson plays lots of minutes but I'd love to see him penetrate more and see what could come from the defense...

I seen potential in Scott Christopherson and felt he was not used in the right way, Farrakhan I'm sorry mate but I can't see what you do better than Owen Odigie as you both defend well and um what else do you do?

Game was ultimately pathetic but I loved hearing from players on the bench and the 2 coaches and I'm a massive fan of Bradtke on commentary

Against Vukona who was two assists shy of a triple-double (14p ***17*** rebounds, 8a, 3s 1b)? Or the 33p 8r 2s, block and assist of Ennis in a road win?

Sam Young player of the week over Mika Vukona or Ennis? Erm, no.

Wortho carrying that giant chip on his shoulder and trying not to trip over his big sooky bottom lip all the time would be a bit of a hindrance as well...

It's a bit disappointing that so much was made of the tin shed being "sold out" when other teams worst crowds of the season would still manage to pack it out, especially in the Mecca of Australian Basketball...

^^
Above rant made no sense ??

Looked pretty full

Apparently it was a sellout?

Statsheet Stuffer & GuesswhosBACK - I think you guys are missing the point nor don't quite understand. What I am saying is Sydney now clearly have upgraded and with time to Gel they will be a contender. Anyone who knows bball would say they are a show now. Let me be CLEAR - 36ers & Perth are top 2 then I have Sydney. Melbourne , NZ next with the rest making up numbers.

Didn't say top 2 - I have 36ers , Perth & Sydney in that order. I wouldn't be writing them off though. Their top 3 matches up very well against Perth ( Ennis , Beal & Redhage ) & 36ers ( Ervin , Johnson & Gibson )

Pure Silk - I agree that he was much better today no doubt, and im sure he'll get better as the season goes on, but overall Sydney are not on the same level as Perth & Adelaide. The 36ers do trouble the Wildcats in a way that no other team will this year. It should be an interesting GF should Perth & Adelaide get there, i think whoever has the home court advantage will win it all.

Simo - I think the 36ers have Perth's measure and match up very well against them and Sydney will be up there purely based on Sam Young , Ogilvy and Madgen. It was his 1st game last week and you saw today he was a lot better. I have those 3 teams as the only Championship hopes.

@ Pure Silk - You really think Sydney will challenge Perth for the title this year, did u see last weeks game between them ??

Young is a Beast. Sydney will really challenge Perth and us ( 36ers ) for the title I reckon.

Boom Sam Young! !!!!

One due to the golf being on ten