Hoops

Get two top Aussie guards together?

FROM GAZE.COM.AU - HODGE REFUSES TO PLAY, AXED? IS GRIZZARD IN LINE? In one of the most bizarre happenings in NBL history, or should that be non-happenings, Adelaide 36ers import Julius Hodge refused to play last night against the Wollongong Hawks and has not made any contact with the club. A three week battle with the club over a financial dispute. in which Hodge claims he has not been paid for his services, apparently was the reason for Hodges decision to be a no show at last nights game. On advice from his agent, Hodge had been told to sit out the teams previous two games, against the Melbourne Tigers and the Gold Coast Blaze, until payment was made but in both instances the matter was resolved on the day of the game and Hodge suited up. The Sixers believe the matter had all been fixed and Hodge was paid, including an advance on last nights game payment. Adelaide head coach Scott Ninnis found it all unfathomable after the game, Of all the scenarios you could imagine, if you told me a player had been paid in advance and then just wouldnt turn up, its just staggering. The whereabouts of Hodge put a shadow over the 36ers home win over the Hawks, a 106-99 decision that kept Adelaide (11-11) in the top six. One must question the reasoning behind Hodges decision to not turn up last night, and I wonder out aloud that is he hoping to be axed so he can pursue a few European deals that are believed to have come his way in the past few weeks. How Adelaide handle this matter will determine their whole season, after already axing Mark Tyndale (13ppg, 6rpg, 3.9apg) eleven games into the season, how is Ninnis going to get around this outrage? Hodge (26.3ppg 8rpg, 6apg) has played in nine games this season and his arrival has seen the Sixers push up into the playoff stratosphere, but has Hodge crossed the boundary with the team, the club, the players, coaches? Will he be cut? Everyone will of course have their own opinion, but if the Sixers team feel that the Hodge situation has now gone out of control and decide to axe him, they need look no further than finding a replacement then asking Rod Grizzard. Grizzard who was cut my Melbourne less than two weeks ago, after scoring 25 points in the Tigers loss to Adelaide, is close by. But for this to happen, Grizzard would need to be cleared and suited up for the Sixers next game, a home date with the Cairns Taipans on Saturday night, so he can qualify for the playoffs - should the Sixers made the top six at seasons end. Stay tuned for what is set to be a big few days for the Adelaide 36ers.