Hoops

Sixers v Breakers, Feb 3

Well put Paul. Just irks me a little that he has such a good rap on him at times and I tend to over compensate with the criticism.

I think he loses composure far too often as well.

Snooch. I really don't see any fundamental improvement in DJ, Creek, Walker etc and watch every game.

My biggest disappointment though is that I don't see any development of their individual basketball IQ's. Probably reflects on the coach not being great in that department either IMO. For 3 very talented athletes they have little feel for the game.

Didn't dis-regard the challenge they face, simply placed optimism and faith in the playing group getting it done last night against a team that has been shaky this past month. It would have put fans a little more at ease had they won or at least kept the loss below 16 points.

They couldn't and looked a long way off. Have fans lost their optimism and faith? Not me, but it did take a bit of a hit last night.

I bet Melbourne and Cairns fans will be a little less optimistic too about their teams beating the Breakers (even if they won't admit it). Last night I witnessed the "Dynasty" version of the Breakers.

As a long time NBL observer let me buy into the Joey debate.

Joey is a one trick pony. His only go to is to have at least individual who can create off the cuff in his team and to roll with the/those individuals. When he has talent he just lets it loose and lives or dies but the success of that individual talent.

His only success so far is with the salary cap piss taking Bullets and I would bet that even Marty Clarke would have won a 'ship with that lot.

Look at the recent Randle article giving Joey the love and see which other players offered him support. Ira Clarke, Randle, Wilson, Ubaka. Deleon would have probably weighed in with a bit of tongue action himself if asked. Why. Because each of those are let loose by Joeys "system" (hell I could tell the payers to set picks for Randle and watch him perform and take open opportunities. Those type of players love the limelight.

Not noticing any praise in the story for roll players or players Joey turned into stars or made significantly better.

Joey gets at least one star individual scorer and a decent support cast and he is in business. Those teams will win just on talent but will lose games because he never has plan B.

Has he improved DJ, Creek or Walker for example under his tenure.

While I am on a coaching rant an observation from last nights game. 6ers are in a fouling situation toward the end of the game to try and bridge the split deficit. Breakers have the ball and pass it to Cedric....in a fouling situation...seriously....these people are paid to coach and play.

As a long time NBL observer let me buy into the Joey debate.

Joey is a one trick pony. His only go to is to have at least individual who can create off the cuff in his team and to roll with the/those individuals. When he has talent he just lets it loose and lives or dies but the success of that individual talent.

His only success so far is with the salary cap piss taking Bullets and I would bet that even Marty Clarke would have won a 'ship with that lot.

Look at the recent Randle article giving Joey the love and see which other players offered him support. Ira Clarke, Randle, Wilson, Ubaka. Deleon would have probably weighed in with a bit of tongue action himself if asked. Why. Because each of those are let loose by Joeys "system" (hell I could tell the payers to set picks for Randle and watch him perform and take open opportunities. Those type of players love the limelight.

Not noticing any praise in the story for roll players or players Joey turned into stars or made significantly better.

Joey gets at least one star individual scorer and a decent support cast and he is in business. Those teams will win just on talent but will lose games because he never has plan B.

Has he improved DJ, Creek or Walker for example under his tenure.

While I am on a coaching rant an observation from last nights game. 6ers are in a fouling situation toward the end of the game to try and bridge the split deficit. Breakers have the ball and pass it to Cedric....in a fouling situation...seriously....these people are paid to coach and play.

Certainly a good example of a game being played above the shoulders. The effort certainly appeared to be there but was it 24 of 36 foul shots? Get that up to 32 of 36 and we would stil own the series!
When Gibo, DJ, Ere and Pech are all missing free throws you know its not a lack of skill but an indication of where their head were.

It was so frustrating and disappointing watching the capitulation to New Zealand, especially knowing what is potentially at risk.

I could have understood a loss given the circumstances but to also lose the advantage of the points split, man talk about walking the tight rope with a really dodgy safety net.

I had hoped to leave last nights game knowing that at the very least the Sixers had a finals spot locked in and that the next fortnight was a case of just how high the Sixers could climb before the finals. Perhaps the players had a similar mindset going into the game.

I'm not going to doubt their intent or endeavour however the Sixer players seemed totally overwhelmed and struggled to work as a cohesive unit for 35 minutes. Credit to New Zealand they hardly missed a trick.

Didnt the 36ers just give Joey the coaching job for life?

Sobey came on when we were 8 down and closing, left the court when we were down 22. Had a period there where he shot and lost us the ball 3 times straight (including 2 times when he just jacked it up), , sandwiched by two 3's by the man he sagged off on.

Feel sorry for the bloke, all the athleticism and energy in the world and barely literate in reading the pace and stage of the game.

Well I think Joey was MIA tonight.

Perimeter shooting defined the game and its result.

NZ shot well from the perimeter, particularly for half a game with as many free and open looks as they wanted. They appreciated our generous courtesy. A late christmas gift!

Sixers were not offered open looks at all, so no one tried to push the issue and swiftly no one wanted to shoot from range. No one worked for it, no plays were set. All players who have been able to get open looks when Randle forced a more openly spread defense found their confidence lacking and regressed back to repeatedly driving into the densest areas of defense to the ring. Over and over and over and over etc, etc, and over.

Over to you Joey,time for strategy, time to coach!

Outcoached, outplayed, umpired......

There were a few moments with individual efforts that were entertaining but

Lets put it behind us, we must win in Cairns.

Come on Joey

Come on Adam. Lead this team!

Come on sixers.

Kobe24, DJ in his 200th had an opportunity to own the game like a boss. He could have made Pledge-hammer look ordinary and Ch. Jackson look like a lumbering beast. Instead, he let that opportunity slip away.

I thought at the time it might have been an offence/defence sub. The foul resulted in free throws, so there was no more D to be played and Joey went back to his offensive lineup.

how a kid gets 3 seconds and is subbed off is beyond me. wasn't even a panick stations moment.

tonight, many things went wrong but doing that shit, well respect goes out the door.

Total tools should become the new sponsor of Joey after that rubbish.

What on earth are you talking about?

I love Randle's mentality.

Heal was basically asking him do you keep with the scout and give Jackson open 3s..

Randle basically said you at least need to get up into him and stop the shot..anything else is semi disrespectful..this is professional ball. You have to treat and respect that guys can hit shots

If Randle was out there, Jackson wouldn't have done that. Gibson played to the scout yes but man..at least make it a semi open shot. Don't give the space he got tonight! He had yonks to line up some of those

Strange coaching indeed, why put a kid on for 3 seconds ?

Webster, Jackson and Pledger have played great. Gibson hit his open ones and DJ hit some but it was their failure to get stops that caused Adelaides headaches.

NZ get the win and the season split and keep their playoff hopes alive.

How's that 4th place looking now Bear? Still as confident?

Adelaide having some issues with shooting free throws lol

56 in the first half, where has this team been the past 6 or 7 weeks?
Now they gotta hold their nerve and put their foot on the Sixers throat in the section needs half.

I watched a video of NZ coming out on the court before the game and Websters body language looked 100% better than in previous games.

No Randle, no worries

yeah it's the refs fault the Sixers are travelling when open and driving into traffic

Please take Wesley off Vickerman!

Australian U17 Team
2010 FIBA U17 World Championship for Women

Name/Height/Position/Junior Association

Tessa LAVEY / 168cm / Guard / Bendigo, VIC
Aimee CLYDESDALE / 168cm / Guard / Dandenong, VIC
Aneeka SMITH / 170cm / Guard / Sturt, SA
Stephanie TALBOT / 184cm / Forward / Eastern Mavericks, SA
Olivia THOMPSON / 184cm / Forward / Forestville, SA
Sara BLICAVS / 186cm / Forward / Melbourne, VIC
Lauren NICHOLSON / 180cm / Guard / Sutherland, NSW
Alex BUNTON / 196cm / Centre / Brindabella, ACT
Gretel TIPPETT / 188cm / Forward / Gold Coast, QLD
Tayla ROBERTS / 191cm / Centre / Northern Tasmania, Trojans TAS
Carley MIJOVIC / 191cm / Centre / Dandenong, VIC
Nadeen PAYNE / 188cm / Centre / Hyats, QLD

Reserves:
Mikhaela DONNELLY / 175cm / Guard / Logan, QLD
Olivia BONTEMPELLI / 178cm / Forward / Eltham, VIC

Head coach: Peter Lonergan
Assistant coaches: Sandy Tomley, Marissa Fillipou
Physio: Rosie Molloy
Doctor: Dr. Kellie Bird
Team Manager: Donna Ironmonger

BA link: http://linky.com.au/2dum4

Like Arsenal, 4th works for me anyday however I really dont think (in theory)it will be an easy game. My heart wants a 36ers win, but mind says NZ.

Personally I want an O/T game to settle it. Whoever has the mindset in O/T wins sits well with me.

NZ by 1

Ticket sales look reasonable but still some left in the silver section. Not bad for a Wednesday.

How are the ticket sales going? Will we get another sell-out without Randle playing?

I agree that this should be a great game but am struggling to back NZ to win given how they have played of late, even in the win against Townsville they almost choked.

They do have the talent but it's a case of if they have the mentality.