Hoops

36ers confirm Ebi Ere signing

Now I'm prepared to have people jump down my throat for not taking the time to read the article but didn't Mitch Creek just have surgery for something?? No matter how minor you wouldn't think he'd been ready to start come tip off for the season with minimal prep time playing with the complete roster???

the number plate is back...ebi-ere

Those 2007 Bullets were the epitome of run and stun basketball. They only genuine big they had was a Bradtke playing limited minutes in his final season. Even when they were wiping us off the court they were fun to watch.

Joey tried to replicate it in subsequent seasons but didn't have the cattle. Maybe that is the thinking behind stacking the team at the wings this year?

Yea, im not opposed to McNeail or even starting him, i just like the idea of the bigger more athletic line up starting both Creek and Walker with Gibbo, Ere, DJ. I just think Creek, Walker, Petrie are too good to have 2 of the 3 off the bench, but hey it gives us great depth, and McNeall may be better anyway.

I suspect Joey will start something along the lines of McNeal, Gibson, Ere, Walker or Creek, Johnson.

In 2007 with the Bullets from memory he used Mackinnon as his pf from memory, Creek is of similar height and Walker is taller so i dont think Joey will be worried about having those 2 play some minutes at PF, with Petrie obviously also in the PF/C rotations.

Anon, at 6'5 I am not sure that Creek is a full time solution at PF, small ball or not. Ok for a changeup though.

We will largely be playing small ball anyway with DJ a mobile big and Petrie/Walker each only 6'8. We will be coming up against some monster front courts.

Johno, we might need to insert Teys or Petrie into your lineup if you want McNeail on your bench for that extra pair of safe hands.

Good point, I agree we only have one real ball handler on the floor, but Gibbo is a PG imo so happy to have him shoulder that load as much as possible, there will be times when him and McNeall are on the court together anyway.

I guess id let Walker bring it up against his bigger less mobile PF opponent, he isnt a point forward but if Gibson is doubled then there should be enough room for him to quickly push it and head straight to the basket and even kick it forward to DJ or Ebi who will be in our forward half.

Fast ball movement overall will be the key and make it difficult for opponents to trap Gibbo and/or Walker without leaving a Creek, Ebi or DJ fairly open in decent positions.

I just like the look of an athletic, versatile, fast paced line up with my suggested starting 5.

I also reckon Gibbo, Creek and Walker could do a fairly good job trapping there opponents too with the length, athleticism and grunt.

Jonno, I am just concerned with that starting 5 about the lack of ball handling/play making smarts.

Gibbo is great, but is a 1/2, and can be susceptible to the trap/pressure.

Creek is not a ball handler and is not there for the skill set to create the plays.

Ere, from my recollection, is a pure wing (albeit with good length) and would not be taking ball handling roles. He is no point forward and will be best playing off the ball.

In fact, it could be said that all three play their best basketball off the ball. Will be interesting to see how that works.

Id consider bringing McNeal off the bench and starting 2 of Creek, Petrie, Walker

I reckon a starting 5 of Gibson, Ere, Creek, Walker, Johnson with McNeal backing up the pg/sg, Teys backing up sg/sf, Petrie backing up pf/c would be a really nice 8 man rotation.

Gibson / Sobey
McNeill / Teys
Ere / Creek
Petrie / Walker
Johnson / Hodgson

But probably with a depth chart as follows:

Gibson / Teys
McNeill / Gibson / Sobey / Creek
Creek / Ere / Walker
Ere / Petrie / Johnson / Walker
Johnson / Hodgson

All of the guards are pretty interchangeable and can play multiple roles, will depend on how good McNeill is. Gibson also has to go back to the main PG role, which is not always his best fit.

There is a genuine battle for minutes at the wings, with Ere, Creek and Walker all being most suited to the 3 spot. We will likely be playing a bit of small ball this year.

The big man depth is probably where we will struggle the most and where we look a little thin, particularly defensively. Really only a three big man rotation.

36ers looking good. If DJ didn't come back last year & u announced him this year your roster is as exciting as all others! If anything u get to fly under the radar a bit. U have the best coach out there so look out!

Adelaide will be very solid...

People make it sound as if he is 40 odd.

34 isn't too old.

Plenty of professionals are still productive at this age. Braswell was older and had achillies history.

He would have lost some athleticism but that skill wouldn't have diminished.