Hoops

2014 NBL free agents

I believe you are correct re: Pledger being on his last year of contract,Wookie.

Vickerman is quite likely on a 3 year deal. He'll stay on until Paul Henare is ready to take over the reigns. Paulie's great in time outs ;)

What sort of deal is Pledger currently on? I assume that the Breakers would have signed him for max 3yrs deal out of his rookie contract, but that was at least two seasons ago?

Without Pledger pretty much every Centre in the league had their way with Wilkinson and Abercrombie was the only rim presence.

Without Pledger clogging the paint and changing shots NZ were too easy inside especially once Vukona and Wilkinson had committed fouls.

"The breakers persistence with Pledger pains me"

So what's your solution?

Just offload a 7"1 Center who was putting up solid numbers before being injured.

He could average 15 and 10 no sweat if the offence was fine-tuned to be more inside-orientated. In fact, he could easily put up 18 & 10 over a season if he got the ball.

But Breakers basketball has always been perimeter orientated - part of that stems from the quality of perimeter players at the club over Pledger's career. It also doesn't help when you have someone like Vukona who is the go to guy in the post because of his quickness advantage and ability to pass out of the post.

Cedric Jackson has said he's not really interested in coming back and wants to continue in Europe.
Kirk Penney is expected to finish his degree in the States once the World Cup is over in Spain. After that is finished a return to NZ is expected but unfortunately it's not going to be next season.
Tom Abercrombie is expected to test the waters in Europe after the World Cup.

Pledger has been great so far in his career and can actually defend Centres unlike Wilkinson.
Pledger will also continue to get better while Wilkinson prob won't change his game much.

The breakers persistence with Pledger pains me
Yes he is tall, protects the rim. But he doesn't help other players get points. And his footwork is Just frustrating. Wilkinson is a gem , I hope he doesn't get picked up by another NBL club and kicks us in the balls like Redhage has.

I hope the Gong can retain their core group again, (which seems likely).

From my tracker on the "other place" (might not be 100% accurate with latest movements/extensions? Most signing articles are unclear on actual details):

rAdelaide
Peach has an option year
Cadee
Creek
Big Red
Ervin*
Carter
Teys


Cairns
Loughton
Trigger?
Wilson*
Bruce
McCamey*
Gliddon (I thought was on another year but I guess an option?)
Burston?


Melbourne
Balls
Walker?
Greer
Nate?
Odigie
MacMillan
Morrison*
Farrakhan*
Wortho?


New Zealand
CJ
DC
KJ*
Wilko*


Perth
Damo
Wagstaff?
Ennis*
Beal*
Burdon
Jervis


Sydney
Hill
Ellis (apparently can take up an option)
Harvey
Ogilvy
Allen
Gleeson
Young*
Sanders*


Townsville
PC
Djeric?
Conklin*
Pace*
Vandy


Wollongong
Gruber
Davidson
Martin (option to take up, not going anywhere)
Forman (option to take up, not going anywhere)
Coenraad
Rotnei*

Cam Gliddon is but hopefully not for long: http://www.cairnspost.com.au/sport/local-sport/cairns-taipans-cameron-gliddon-may-scale-the-snakes-ladder/story-fnjpuwsz-1226863218904

Gliddon has indicated he is keen to stay, if Fearne can continue to develop his game and give him increased responsibility.

Both said an agreement could be reached by the end of this week.

"We are in talks now properly and I want to stay here, I just need to agree to some terms," Gliddon said.

"I want a leadership role and to play more point guard and just keep getting better. I don't want to step on the toes of the experienced guys, but I want to be a part of it."

Fearne indicated the newly crowned MVP would get all that. "He did a lot of that (point guard duties) anyway and he's improved so much and his maturity and leadership is great and there's no question he's a priority for us," Fearne said.