Hoops

Breakers sign Import Ebene Ibekwe

I'd start Wagstaff over Redhage this season, he started a couple of games last season and played well in them all I think. Redhage's game seemed to decline (just look at his dream team stats for last season dropping something like $120k in value) I like a hungrier Redhage coming off the bench.

Sounds like a good pickup for the Breakers and looking forward to season tip-off

Don't get me wrong I would want him on my team if the $ were right. Most teams would. He is one of those glue guys and is very valuable to that Perth team.

Just think he is one of those inbetween guys - not quite a starter PF and yet too good to be a bench PF.

I just wouldn't underestimate the quality of PFs we have in this league.

Different story if he was a pure SG - as it's something teams are always after.

Bastards keep points rating him like he is though... curse you NBL HQ!

Wagstaff is far from a scrub but not in the same class as Barlow, Vukona, Petrie, Redhage, Worthington etc in my opinion.

Wagstaff definitely has a lot more strings to his bow than just perimeter shooting. I don't know about starting or not, but he's very much a talented player. I think people sometimes underestimate that because they focus on some of the less sociable aspects of his play.

"He is a strong individual defender, an outstanding team defender, another ballhandling option, a capable post scorer, a good offensive rebounder, a good passer, a very good shooter and most importantly a guy who'll do anything to help his team win."

in my opinion you would pick Vukona, Petrie, Redhage or Barlow before him for the same reasons you just listed

starting PF*

"Wagstaff who would start on almost any other team and was the 6th man of the year."

Nope. No way

36ers - Petrie
NZ - Vukona
Melbourne - Barlow
Cairns - Trigger
Townsville - Conklin
Perth - Knight
Hawks - Forman

He would only start on one team - Sydney - over Garlepp. But even then a guy like Brandt or Duinker can play PF and would give him a good go.

People always throw that out there about Wagstaff - "he would start on any other team..he is sacrificing so much giving up a starting position and minutes by opting to stay with Perth".

I think the truth is not many other teams are interested in him as their starting PG and that is more than reasonable. I only see him shoot 3s

Wesley will be better than Wagstaff. Wait and see.

Abercrombie & TeRangi will play the bulk of the minutes at SF. Abercrombie is an excellent 3point shooter & TeRangi is improving

Websters defence has improved a ton though anon. If he is the weak link in the Breakers armour I'll live with that.
Offensively he has become an elite level player capable of getting his against the best.

Looking forward too seeing if Dean Vickerman can get all the pieces to work for him.

Further to my earlier post, i also like Sydney's chances.

Cotter is a bloody good coach


And although their current roster is a little weak, the 36ers are also only a stud import away from been right up there.

If the Leslie rumours are true theyl have a nice starting 5. Will lack depth but hey can't play 8 guys at once.

Wilson
Gibson
Leslie
Petrie
Schensher

Ship is in the harbour

Still hard to go by Perth (considering their home court advantage is massive).

I like United. They have a nice team.

Amazing the difference in their roster.

Offense = better
- Jackson creating which is what Johnson couldn't do
-Ibekwe can also score it seems
- Webster and his development (cue the haters)


Defense = massive improvement
-Jackson - best defender in the league last time IMO
-Cater - wow, opposing PGs are going to be up against it.

Rebounding = better
- We get Jackson's perimeter rebounding
- Ibekwe will snatch a lot given his 7"5ish wingspan
- Wesley averaged 9ish rebounds per game at College.

Anytime you get a team with 4 Tall Blacks players, 4 college D1 players, an NBL vet and a young and up and coming player you will be happy.

Sounds like a decent signing, experienced & athletic with a huge wingspan.

Breakers team looking pretty long & athletic this season.

Images from the Media Conference today at the Dome. Brett and Scott spoke about Brett's retirement from the game.

url:

http://www.yvonnemilbank.com/gallery.cfm?d=Sport/Adelaide 36ers NBL/20090206_Brett Maher Media Conference