Hoops

Goorjian leaves Dongguan Leopards & Gaze slams MU

Here is full article Wookie

Basketball Australia hall of fame coach Brian Goorjian has ended his six-year stint with Chinese Basketball Association club Dongguan Leopards but hasn't ruled out taking a new job in China.

The Leopards were knocked out of the CBA playoffs in the quarter-finals to Guangdong Southern Tigers last week and Goorjian confirmed post-game that he and the Leopards would part ways.

NBL club Melbourne United has been regularly linked with attempting to lure Goorjian back to his home city.

Goorjian won six NBL championships and also coached the Australian Boomers before his move to China, he is believed to have strong job prospects in both countries so his next move is uncertain.

United is believed to be considering two candidates and interim coach Darryl McDonald for its permanent head coach position but has not said if Goorjian is one of those candidates.

Goorjian told Chinese media that he was happy with his time with the Leopards and was looking into other jobs in China, whose basketball league is rapidly growing due to the sport's soaring popularity across the country.

"As far as my time here [at Dongguan]- it has come to an end," Goorjian said. "I feel good about this but I feel like I have taken it as far as I can and now it's time for change. I'm thankful to everybody but it's time for change."

Goorjian's Leopards have made the play-offs in every season of his reign, something only the Southern Tigers have matched.

Goorjian told Chinese media he would not be retiring and would coach again next season.

"I'll be coaching somewhere next year and hopefully in China," Goorjian said.

Melbourne United has missed the NBL finals and the team's dismal showing on a Queensland road trip on the weekend earned the ire of NBL legend Andrew Gaze on Monday morning.

United lost to 84-62 to Cairns Taipans on Friday night then fell 105-68 to Townsville Crocs on Saturday night.

Gaze called the team's performance "shameful" and said the players were not "having a crack" during his breakfast radio show on SEN 1116.

"They have gone through this season where there is no question they have talent and they have beaten the top teams," Gaze said.

"It's not talent, what it is [they need is] a bit of heart, a bit of intestinal fortitude, a bit of ticker to go and have a crack.

"If you don't get along with your teammates that happens from time to time but to go out there and give up 105 points to the Townsville Crocs and then 84 points to Cairns is not good enough.

"They need to take the dummy out of their mouths, stop sooking it up and get on with the job."

Gaze added that the team's recent performances would stain the reputations of all the players on the roster.

"The way this is unfolding it is looking poor on them individually as much as it looks bad for their coaches, administration and all that," Gaze said.

"If you are going to go out there and step on the floor then go out and have a fair dinkum crack, if you come up short because you are moaning with each other well OK but have a crack.

"It's shameful the way they are going about it – shameful."

United will compete its season this weekend playing Sydney Kings at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on Friday night and then hosting the Kings in a return game at Hisense Arena on Sunday afternoon at 2pm.

The Kings look likely to be without captain Ben Madgen who dislocated his shoulder in the Kings' loss to Wollongong Hawks on Sunday adding to an injury list which already includes former NBA star Josh Childress.

The page is broken when I go to look at it, what's the Gaze stuff?

At least someone giving some credit to 36ers management for sticking to a budget. In some cases it might mean they just survive, but at the moment a few things have fallen into place and they have pieced together their most exciting team for more than 10 year.

... and just about every team that Gorjian coached went bust. Money only goes so far and last so long.

Melbourne United... "turn it up!"

AIS needs to create GO TO GUYS on crucial plays. Greece stops the Emus by pounding them with one-on-one plays on both ends of the floor.

It has reminded us many times that "team plays" will not be enough when you're playing against aggressive defense. You have to drive the ball, pound them inside to break the defense and a big chance for higher percentage baskets. Fouls will always be an insurance once inside the paint.

If we look back on our games against Redeem Team USA during Beijing Olympics, Boomers' defense was very suffocating and effectively halting USA scoring. but on the OFFENSE, the Boomers finding it hard to score. but thanks to Patty Mills who went on and on to the basket without much hesitations.

You lose, you adjust and the concluded FIBA U19 is another lesson to learn.