Hoops

R5: Hawks v Kings

"What is your opinion of a better solution to get Martin?"
Sack Nevill.
Sack Ballinger.
Sack Carson.

There's three options. Apparently it had to be Gruber for points reasons, but Gruber's worth two fewer points than Ballinger. No idea what Nevill's worth, but it's surely more than five. Carson is obviously a 10.

it's really clear now that Rotnei saved Gordie's ass last season

For me Ervin is the problem.

Anon's scathing attack of Carson is harsh for a guy putting up 18.2 ppg.

Ervin's been good but he has been found out in the league now.

I don't know what you've been watching but Carson is an elite PG defender.

Sure he can't defend SGs but neither can Ervin so what is your point?

Wow the guys a bust cos he cant dunk!!!

Make an offer to Gordie right now. Sacked he may be but walk into a new franchise where ever that may be.

Wollongong haven't been playing a bad game, but last night they brought a pointed stick, actually a blunt stick, to a gun fight.

The team does look unbalanced and that may be the key. Cutting Gruber got the Illawarra Mercury fired up (let's face it, they are the Media Watch favourite)

Maybe having two import guards has stuffed the mix up.

Their starting 5 last night: Irvin; Carson; Hill; Forman; Nevill. Coennraad normally starts so whether him missing has stuffed up the mix as well.

If there's going to be a shuffling of deck chairs, you would expect Nevill to stay. As HoldenV8 notes, he's a Boomer and the tallest dude in the NBL. That has to be something. The deficiency is in scoring.

Irvin (14.1 ppg @ 40.7%) & Carson (18.5 @ 45.2%) are the leading scorers, but it drops away after that. Martin (6.5 ppg @ 30.8%) and Demos (1 ppg @ 13%) round out the guards, then Forman (9.3) and Hill (5.9) are the 3 men. Coennraad (8.8), Ballinger (6.6) and Davidson (4.6). Nevill (8.3).

Cutting the leading scorer in Carson would be risky. Cutting Irvin the same, but if they are similar styles, then you would think one should go. You wouldn't cut Forman or Coennraad, so if there is a sacrifice to be placed on the basketball alter, it would have to be Hill, Ballinger, Davidson, or Demos. Demos is the obvious one, but if his role is to give the imports a rest, then he might be doing his job.

Time to go into the room of mirrors naked for a good hard look. Maybe its the rotations that need to be tweaked

Hawks have a shit season and the crowds will walk if not already walking.

It may be time they started growing Stacker beards.

So the man who is investing his money as the owner is decision making, can't he do that?
If it means coaches and or players walk so be it. Maybe Brisbane and Tassie need to be talking to Gordie now ;)
Gruber and Gordie. Hmmmm.

Not sure what is more annoying... someone who would have a SW nick and not spell it properly, or the constant misspelling of Nevill...

Anyways...

Gordie can only do so much... The new owner is playing fantasy basketball with his very own live team... Apparently made choices on at least one of the imports, and Nevill and cutting Gruber as well... All this really looks like it has demoralised the team, which is a key factor in where effort comes from... As a Kings fan I have no love for the Hawks and while I did take some joy over seeing them fall over last night, I've always still sort of respected their effort and fighting ability... That just wasn't there last night...

The Hawks didn't do themselves any favours, but that's not to take away from the bright spots from the Kings... A confidence game for Perry against lesser competition will hopefully do him the world of good, Childress while not shooting well, showed what he was capable of when he puts his mind to it, plus a great game for Brandt which will hopefully get him on the right foot for some much tougher competition in Petrie and Motum... Will be good to see him go up against these two, the latter his Boomers Sino teammate, hopefully it's a good match up...

Players have to take some responsibility though. Can't all be on Gordie.

Ervin's performance was horrible end of.

If you want to put blame on anyone for the Gruber incident blame the new owner. He seems to be exerting a lot of control over personnel decisions.

I don't believe Gordie would ever want Gruber to be cut.

Too late to sack imports - may as well save money now

The local paper in the Gong savages the hawks.
"Clueless might be too harsh a description"
"Wollongong have lost eight straight - one of the longest losing streaks in the club’s 35-year history - and need a miracle to turn their season around."
"Based on their inept performance against Sydney, losses will continue to pile up."

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/2682259/hawks-cop-humiliating-drubbing-against-kings/?cs=302

Sack Gruber, and now an import. Maybe sack the coach may be a better solution unfortunately.

Hawks look un-Hawk-like right now.

Kings confine Hawks, edge closer to top-four

Perry starting to find his feet in this league which is a good sign for Sydney.

Ervin needs to go not Carson plus the hawks needed to use Neville they don't give him the ball enough down low especially when Ervin who is ment to be a great point guard and gets into the key as much as he does he should be looking for him especially against the kings who the centres are not in Nevilles class. Carson is a great player but is not a 2 guard as where they are playing him

The Hawks play this season providing further justification of Rotnei's selection as league MVP last year.

Hawks were woeful. They don't look like a Gordie coached team.

Didn't feel like a Wollongong performance - very little intensity from the Hawks. Sydney could have won by 40 if they'd shot well.

Perry was much better and Brandt is finding some confidence.

Neville. 8 rbs, 8 points. crap.

It was a bit farcical watching the Hawks get murdered on the boards and they had Martin, Carson and Ervin on the courr at the same time. 5"9, 5"9 and 6"1.

The offloading of Gruber was not only out of tune with the cultural fabric of the club, but it has left the roster terribly unbalanced.

Gordie now under the pump. Many suggested not. Wrong. Gruber now out of a job. Terrible.

Think this will be Ervin's last game.

One of the imports has to go and Carson has been putting up nice numbers.

Ervin playing horrible tonight.

Would love to see Tiggs back. I really liked him and he knows the systems.

Carson
Martin
Tiggs
Forman
Davidson

I too think the Hawks can earn the win in this one, even with a fired up Childress returning from suspension. Should be an interesting game to watch in any case as the intensity is sure to be very high.

Odds: Hawks – $1.67, Kings – $2.10

I reckon the Hawks by 1 in a thriller.

Preview: King’s welcome back Childress in must-win game in the ‘Gong’

Does anyone think people from BA get on forums like this one and defend our mostly negative views of the NBL and basketball in Australia, but pose as fans - not revealing their association with BA?

It happens on political forums all the time. My mate who works for labor goes on liberal sites and suggestively bags out their policies, but makes out he's a liberal voter who has simply become disenchanted.

It wouldn't surprise me if it happened here.