Hoops

Sydney Kings at Cairns Taipans (Rnd 19)

If he doesn't protect his secret identity how will he protect Gotham?

Nothing wrong with a pseudonym as long as it's constant. Anonymous is not a pseudonym.

I guess while he's under contract Taipans would have to keep paying him until it was settled in court, so mute point anyway.

you wouldn't have to pay it out in full? How come? How much would they have to pay?

unless you've seen the contract or have some advanced contract knowledge - please share.

You're not Aaron Fearne trying to Troll yourself are you? You sneaky numpty! :)

Why not give Fearne the rest of the year off and let Downer run the team? I'm sure he'd be willing to get the head coach experience and if it's a complete failure then they're really no worse off than where they are now. Wouldn't cost Taipans any extra dollars (for the rest of the year, anyway). If it works out then hand Downer the head coach role for next year.

hahaha dance for us Anonymous's, dance.

Actively seeking a new coach for the final 5 games of the season?
So they'd pay out the current coach + the season left to go and hire someone to coach the last 5 games with a roster that might or might not be remarkably different next season?

next you'll tell us the way the NBL handled the 36's Vs Wildcats judiciary situation was proper.....

Sure, if the players don't perform on the court there's not much Fearne can do about that at the time. I just don't get his ill-timed substitutions (if you make more than one shot you get subbed off) and failure to call time-outs in the middle of an opposition 10 point run. Also, Loughton needs to cop some of the responsibility for turnovers, not just McCamey and Wilson. I don't understand why he keeps trying to do the backdoor hospital passes.

hahaha exactly.

Listen if Fearne gets sacked and we win a 'ship next year I'll buy you a bottle.

If we stick with Fearne and win the 'ship, well i'll just be happy saying I told you so:)

Scotch and an over active imagination - that's all it takes brother.

I will say this though, if they game was called the same it was in the pre-season I think we'd be sitting on that ladder differently.

After watching the Crocs game back last week I went and had a look at a couple pre-season games.... completely different.

haha thanks mate, good to know that someone is reading it anyways! This weeks will be a difficult one.........

look I think you make very solid points (you're right I had a number of those 'are we better without Trig discussion) - it's obvious there have been missteps this season, but early with the pre-season success I think they entered the season happy with the 2 import guard set up. Obviously in hindsight they might do it different.

As for the defensive anchor, spot on - I think our perimeter D sags sometimes because we're worried about protecting the key, which is why teams kill us from 3 and we probably lead the league in and-1's given. Add that to the fact that we dont have a lock down defend like Bobo anymore.

We'll see how this season ends, they've still got 4 home games. For the sake of membership $$ for next season they've got to go balls out.

The board have a difficult off-season that's for sure....

But i've been thru worse seasons... which helps me sleep at night.... somewhat....

1) I don’t know mate, but with the exception of maybe 3 games this season they has been plenty of effort. Sometimes trying to hard which leads to dumb turnovers or dumb fouls.
2) I’m no economic theorist but yes, and we agree that the 2 import guard situation and it hasn’t met expectations. The only thing I can place that on is perhaps there were misgivings as to Wilson’s health and Bruce’s development – I don’t know. At times it looked like a masterstroke at others (esp when McCamey goes passive) it looks terrible.
3) ? 2 seasons ago when we missed on out the semi’s by 3 points both Crossy and Alex were gimped – but I’m talking about this season hombre. Missing Trigger causes their offense dramas when it comes to spacing and missing his 14 points a game doesn’t help. Don’t forget Gliddon missed a few games with his back, Jamar came into the season injured and Clint’s got back issues too.
4) I wouldn’t say it’s a reoccurring pattern of the last 3 years, I’d say it’s a reoccurring pattern of the last 3 losses. I’m not passing it off as a 1 off.
5) It’s not so much effort but execution, Fearne shares some of the blame sure, but not all of it. Getting away wins is hard, getting home wins should be easier – if you’re going to blame him for everything you should give him credit for something.
6) Sure we’ve had the cattle to do it, but have a look at our turnover stats with the game on the line, bad passes, sloppy ball handling. Again I’m not sure if it’s them not being able to give that extra 10% or if they are trying too hard. Some turnovers that come to mind are from trying to do too much and rushing things. Also, we’ve been guilty of some of the dumbest fouls at the worst times – can’t blame the coach for that. Is it a fear of failure at home?
7) At least we agree on the knifing. I don’t think you’re right when you say we’ve got a clear deficiency – we’ve started plenty of games at home this season with a lot of energy and perfect execution – only to come out in the 2nd half and get trounced.
8) I don’t think it’s a redundant statement, on paper teams do nothing. If I look at our team on paper I see lots of potential but a lot of that potential is mixed with limited experience. I also see defensive limitations and limited rim protection.
9) I have no idea what he’s on as far as $$ goes, but I know he’s at the bottom of the league when it comes to earning. Be that as it may, paying out his final year still saps $$.

Given the results this season this is a discussion to has to happen and everyone is entitled to their opinions – including a illiterate newspaper columnist. I’m not saying Fearne doesn’t have his flaws, I’m just saying it’s grossly inaccurate to blame him for everything.

And I disagree with any revisionist history that makes it sound like the past 3 years have been terrible (not that I’m accusing you of that), the club had a solid post saving season, a GF appearance and 2 solid seasons where we missed out on the semi’s on count back. This season the weight of expectation has exacerbated the issues and we’ve fallen short of most reasonable expectations.

i think that's a fair opinion Paul. Fight and grind isn't the greatest spectacle (and many sideline coaches criticized him for that) but winning makes up for all that.

Tragadhs got one more season, but I think Alex is off contract. Honestly i think we'd played our best when going small with either Loughton or Tragardh on the court at 5.

p.s. when Fearne was re-signed we'd just missed the playoffs by 3 points on count back and had made it to the GF the previous year. So he wasn't offered a contract for his good looks and sparkling personality - it was a decision made on merit.

Statsheet Stuffer - I stand by what I wrote mate, apart from the part of Shane Heal being a Hobbit. Take the column with a grain of salt.

I don't think the answer is in sacking everyone. Clearly having 2 import guards didn't work, clearly the injuries have affected it all, clearly Friday's game was one of the worst performance's in the last couple of seasons.

Strangely enough this season has also included a couple of the best Taipans performances I've ever seen too - especially that game against Perth. Alot of the problems i've seen are execution on court; turnovers, missing d rotations and no composure in the clutch.

The coaching issue is a subject that needs to be discussed - my opinion is that we stick with Fearne. He's got another year on his contract, sacking him means you have to pay that out and then have to find someone else to 1) do it for the money Fearne is doing it for 2) finding the money to pay them.

I'm not a fan though of knifing people mid-season. I've not seen a team sack their coach mid season and then end up with a better record than they were on track for.

Let's also remember that while the roster 'looks good on paper' it's still only using 80% of the salary cap.

"They didn't against Cairns so I thought they were saving it for the Townsville game but nope they don't have one."
They do, they're wearing it.

"Breakers also no heritage jersey vs Hawks but I expect them to wear one vs Sixers tomorrow."
They won't, it's been announced.

http://www.sportando.net/eng/world/oceania/74469/jesse-sanders-signs-back-with-sydney-kings.html

HEEEEEEE'S BAAAAAACK

Are they burning effigies of the coach yet?

I stayed but only to watch the little kid do his cool backflips. Nothing apart from a nice Sam Young dunk worth watching in the game. Even Ben Allen and Gleeson got some minutes (and points).

Also to note... About the third time since I've been watching (start of 2nd quarter) that Young hasn't bothered to join the huddle... Garlepp didn't look to happy on that last one...

Players need to adjust to the refs calling it tighter... Loughton picking up some cheapy fouls, same with Hill...

Cairns Taipans coach Alan Black has stepped into the fray over which franchises should ideally stay in the revamped NBL (which I will call NewBL from now on), saying that Cairns are a must, despite their location. In <a href="http://linky.com.au/2p0at" target="_blank">an article published on Cairns.com.au</a>, he makes the case for the Taipans:<blockquote>"If your franchise is strong enough, it shouldnt matter where the hell you are," Black said. "Certainly, it cant just go on geography. "This is a strong franchise, we have strong owners who are passionate about the sport, good media coverage and a fan base that is constantly increasing.</blockquote>Loaded with three current NBL teams and a chance for the return of the Brisbane Bullets, Queensland is looking ripe for a trim in the NewBL - we had a thread on this late last week, Boti had an article covering it, John Rillie has said that Cairns should go, Martin Cattalini responded in the media (or by losing to the Crocs?), and now it's Black's turn to defend his employer. Black also has a view on two teams in Melbourne.<blockquote>"Should there be two teams in Melbourne? If you look at the A-League model, youd say no," he said. "It would be a strong board to say one has to go," Black said.</blockquote>Realistically, it's going to come down to money. Owners, coaches and players can gibe all they want, but unless owners are going to show-up with the new license fees when it counts, history may not count for much.