Hoops

Tigers Vs Breakers

I don't think too much is being made of the foul situation.

At the end of the day, they fouled and gave up a lead with 18 or so seconds in the game.


It doesn't take a basketball expert to realise that is not rational.

Make the other team beat you with a good shot, don't just hand them the lead.

NZ couldn't just let Melbourne completely control the result of the game, there was only 18 seconds left, the only two possibilities were loss or, at best, draw. Overtime on the road in the second game of a road trip after getting pantsed in the 4th quarter is not a promising proposition, when you have a chance to foul a guy shooting 1/6FT.

If Vickerman has a similar set of possible plays for that late game situation, then I suggest Johnson really needs to work on his ability to assess the situation, choose and implement. He's a good player who does a lot of things well, but that final play was sublimely bad. Boxed Vukona in and brought a second defender in for a free double-team. Assess, call the play, implement, he needs to know that sort of late-game play in his sleep.

Unless Vickerman doesn't have a fall-back set-up like that, which is a little hard to belive.

The decision to foul is a high risk, high reward strategy. If you don't foul, you rely on running the clock down, them missing a shot and it going to OT. With that game being the second for the weekend for the Breakers, they may have run out of legs.

The logic is quite valid and strong. Breakers with the timeout advance the ball and then get a shot at glory. If Tigers get 2/2, need a 3 for the game, or a FG to go to OT, or go for a FG for a 3 point play. If Tigers go 1/2, then just need a FG to win. If Tigers go 0/2, then just need a score on the final play.

The Tigers went 1/2 and Abercrombie took a jump shot for the 2. If that had gone in, then the Breakers would have got the result they want.

Perhaps the question should be was the jump shot the best shot selection?

I think they made a good decision in fouling Faracantshootfreethrowstosavehimself but then didn't actually run anything that looked remotely like working which was a shame as they had run some great sets to perfection earlier in the game.

Lemanis used to run 3 different plays in a situation like that depending on what the defense gave his team.

Fair call Paul Re: Abercrombie.

Decision to foul was interesting.

Paul Henare's statement in the paper today was concerning (regarding fouling late)

"We got the desired result [he made one of two foul-shots]"

How is giving up a lead the desired result? The desired result would have happened where he went 0-2.

That comment from Henare just screams of overconfidence.

It's one thing to trust your offense. Its another thing to have this "she"ll be right, we"ll make the last play to win it" mentality.

And what's the deal with Carfino constantly bringing up the fact that Farrakahn hasn't made a 3 pointer yet? The guys shoots 9/10 in 2 range. Who cares about the 3!

Agree with all posts about players whingeing, in particular Melb and in particular Wortho. The refereeing is quite ordinary at the moment (re. contact calls) but take a page out of Damien Martin's book and take any call like a man.

Farrakhan was great today but mainly because his shot was going in. Would like to see him back that game up. What was with Abercrombie turning up to play the first half only? Te Rangi was great, would like to see some more minutes from him. NZ should be working on him, not flogging CJ, who is obviously well past it.

Anyone else see Wortho try claim that that airball jumper he shot off the spin dribble was touched.

I watched the replay -- it was not even close.

He just complains for no reason. Its quite disgusting. Sometimes i wish NBL refs would call Techs as strict as they call normal personal fouls. Tell him to stop arguing..if he doesnt T him up

Not the first time they've run a final play that seemed to have absolutely no plan or purpose. Vickerman's fault or Johnson's?

16-11 final quarter, rather on the uninspiring side...

Goulding has bailed out Melbourne so many times this season, making their offense appear like a well-oiled machine. Luckily for the Tigers, Farrakhan was able to create space for himself 1v1 and found his shooting stroke.

Goulding, Tomlinson and especially Worthington need to learn to STFU! These dipshits really piss me off when they complain about every single call, even when it's blatantly obvious the refs were correct.

Pledger is severely underperforming given the hype surrounding his bigger role this season. Tom Jervis shut him down completely on Friday, and Morrison today.

It's no secret that all Bruton is looking to do on offense is shoot threes and draw fouls when they are in the bonus. Corletto was playing his role well today, TeRangi gave some great production in limited minutes... Why persist with CJ?

Also, what happened to Webster? He was a beast vs. the Boomers in the offseason, but can't find his feet with the Breakers so far this season.

Nathan, better get into it, bro.

Oh dear; clearly this could be a long week for me!

Hard to make a case for unlucky against Perth when they didn't hold a lead for the entire game. They came close, but got held out each time.

The big stand out about the Breakers this year for me is that with Bruton another year older and seemingly reaching the end, there is no one able to stand up and make the crucial, clutch plays. Particularly now Vukona is almost always gone by the end.

congrats to the Tigers, very frustrating as a Breakers fan but we didn't deserve to walk away from that with a win.

Morrison again had his way inside. Morrison>Pledger in that one.

Abercrombie's lack of defense hurt.

Webster didn't contribute much offensively and even less defensively.

CJ Bruton again played a lot of minutes down the stretch despite the fact that it has paid off 0 times this season.

Vukona, TeRangi & Wilkinson can hold their heads up as they put in the required effort at both ends.

Couldnt make plays down the stretch.

Still don't understand the 'play CJ to close out the game' business.

He missed shots and couldnt stay in front of Farrakhan.

Also when he is on late the offense just stalls

At least Webster dribbles and creates.

Very very bad final play from NZ, simply did not work in the slightest.

Why would you inbound to the 1/6 FT shooter..........

Bad time to leave your foot on the line, Wilko...

And again, Tigers FT shooting is a joke, this should just about be buried.

11/20 FT for Tigers, bloody oath Melbourne, get that together...

Vukona back out on the floor after CJ flopped onto his leg

Breakers very average down the stretch.

What has CJ done all game?

NZ do not deserve to win this one unfortunately

Mika done for the season?
Hopefully he hasnt done a D-Rose :(

71-68 to NZ at halftime.
Yeah Abercrombies D has been very average at best. At least he isn't on 4 fouls and not stopped anything, hopefully he can start contesting shots as well as scoring.

2mins to go in the 3rd, Melb up 67-63. Worthington with the last 5 points.

Breakers settling for the 3 way to much.

Terrible call on the USF.

Let's be honest..Abercrombie needs to work on his defence.

Its hurting us.

Breakers up 51-47 at half time.

Abercrombie shooting the lights out (5/6 from the floor and 2/2 from outside for 16 points) and Vukona cleaning everything else up.
Farakhan shooting well from just inside the arc and may heat up and show us what he is actually capable of.

Melbourne up by 6 at the end of the 1st.

Abercrombie being aggressive going to the rim early.
The Tigers shooting the ball well. Farakhan starting to find his feet with 6 points and a couple of rebounds and a steal.

Breakers with some soft turnovers.

decent game so far.

worthington with a couple of fouls already.

I'm leaning towards the Tigers for some reason. I like the way the Breakers are picking up, but Goulding won't be quiet on his home court. NZ with a few more gaps than the Tiggers.

Harder to pick than a broken nose.

Tigers by 3

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-33-239/Amare-Stoudemire--The-Suns-are-Ready.html

"I love Terry Porter," Stoudemire says to the camera. "His method. His way of coaching is going to be great for us. You know, he's extremely focused on the defensive end, something that we haven't practiced at all in the previous three years, and now we're definitely practicing and improving on the defensive end."


Thats almost as bad as Isiah "I have not playbook" Thomas or George "I'm too fat to coach this team" Karl.