Hoops

How has Week 1 changed your thoughts?

Maybe you should try watching a sport that's more your speed, then. Snakes and ladders, perhaps.

LV, As good as Majok was in the first round, I think UTD's turnaround from last season has more to do with the introduction of Goulding and Blanchfield.

My thoughts were not really changed that much after week 1, i still think the same as I did before week 1, but I am looking forward to this season more than most in the past for a number of reasons.

Obviously the TV coverage is the biggest reason, but the influx of talent is also something I have observed to be better than previous years, not so much one or two explosive players but overall the talent pool is of a higher quality.

There is still those usual things that have to sort themselves out, but overall I am pleased as much as I expected to be...

The big change I noticed from Cadee is that he played with patience on offense Saturday night. So far in his career he really rushes it when he's inside the arc and takes a lot of awkward floaters going away from the basket, but he kept his dribble alive last week, and took his time finding a good look. I imagine that is probably closer to how he plays in NZ when he puts up big scoring numbers. I liked the fact that Garlepp looked more active on defense and the boards than usual. His touches are going ot be way down this year, so it looks like he's making an effort to stay involved by focusing on other areas of his game.

Melbourne look like a handful. I think they have lapses where they stop running plays and rely a bit too much on one guy to hit a big shot, but hey, Goulding/Kickert/Blanchfield/Holt... they all seemed capable of it. And then there's Warrick... Majok Majok has been a nice surprise and is solid on the boards, but Warrick is a dunk or a foul every time he gets the ball near the basket, so I think I would be playing him ~30 mins a game.

The Hawks also caused some problems for them with the press, which was how they kept it a game whenever United would peel off a run. Hawks have shown a lot of fight, but some head-shaking play by a couple of guys and bad misses and turnovers down the stretch in both losses.

Cairns look a bit shaky so far which I expected post-Wilbekin. Starks hasn't put up numbers, but I think he looks OK. Handle is a bit shaky when pressured and his shot hasn't dropped, but he hasn't hurt them too bad by himself. I don't think the frontcourt is 'dynamic' enough for them this year, without a great import. Loughton/Burston seem to have too many nights like last Saturday where they don't really make an impact on any area of the game.

The Crocs are going to be fighting an uphill battle every game this season. The talent just isn't there. I thought Jett looked pretty good against NZ as a positive.

NZ looked better against the Crocs, but then I think everyone will look better against the Crocs this year.

Perth are Perth. They will win games with their defense and their rebounding, but Beal is going to need to have some big nights to keep them in games where the other team are knocking down their shots.

Adelaide need McNeil to heal/perform and Ebi to knock down his 3s. The rest of their roster just isn't of the same calibre as the top teams in the league.

Any idea how bad the Lisch injury is?

Both Cairns imports need to step up very quickly or they're headed for 5th or 6th place this year. I don't see where the spark is going to come from at the moment. Starks has been woeful, he doesn't seem to be fitting in at all, and TC seems to be set to continue his frustrating on-again-off-again streak from last season.

Cadee now looks like he believes he should be out there....a break out year has been building.

Don't agree with your assessment of Cadee.

He orchestrated the big run last night and was very smooth offensively against Starks and Gliddon (and Bruce momentarily) who aren't slouches on D.

I think he will have a break out year this year.

I think your Sydney comments are very generous. They had an outstanding game against Cairns including an unbelievable 3p%, but I'd say they're far from polished. I don't think Cadee has improved, he's just his usual self which is play well when the team is already in a winning position.

Melbourne were very impressive and deserve to be favourites. Look very balanced, I think it helps them not having Barlow available.

Worthington is a good fit in Cairns but it's obvious they've lost a lot with Wilbekin and Sobey gone. Starks needs to find his feet very quickly. Loughton still trying to force too much.