Hoops

Kings 16/17

Way to spoil my (forced) day off, Isaac :(

Funny that it should be mentioned... There was a post on Hoops recently that made me think of Marty Clarke or Mark Radford as Kings coach.

So from the Torrey Craig thread...

Torrey Craig to the Kings, heard they are very interested only cause i know who the coach will be.

Wouldn't be a Taipans assistant coach who used to be the Hawks longtime head coach by any chance?

Couple of points there... Torrey Craig as a potential import... Gordie as a potential coach and branching off that, if true, the pondering of whether Gordie is still in contact with Rotnei Clarke...

There's no doubting that Torrey was underused at Cairns and when he was left off the chain, performed really well... He's not a direct replacement for Chill, but if Chill DOESN'T come back, and we can grab at least one top shelf import first, then I think he could be a pretty solid addition...

And Gordie, no doubting his coaching skills, I just thought he got a bit set in his ways near the end of his time at the Hawks, but considering the crap that was going on, I'd be grumpy too... Would he bring an exciting brand of basketball to Sydney? I'm not sure... Would I rather him than Joe or another OS unknown? Yes... If we can't get Goorj, which is most likely not the case, then he's better than the other coaches we've had since the return, so if he's happy with JvG and how he's going to run the team and JvG is happy with him, then I will be ok to let better basketball minds make the calls...

Plus... It COULD improve our chances of bringing Rotnei Clarke back to the NBL and THAT would be worth it x10

hahahaha...

Don't even joke about that...

Marty Clarke?

Ok, so apparently, according to Foxsports writer...

The @SydneyKings' announcement of a new head coach is less than a week away. I'm told it's a 'done deal', and a contract is being finalised

From the conversations I've had, it's more than likely going to be a legitimate (potentially long-term) coach

So it will be really interesting to see who it is...

No doubt JvG has been pretty active in the FA market like every other team, so at least the coach is locked in and they can start working to build the coaches team...

I've watched White in the Waratah League & reckon he's good value if given the right role.
If the Kings have 4 scorers/playmakers around him, white would be good for them.

Yeah, but Luke Cooper and Graeme Dann all played well in Waratah... That's a considerable step down from even SEABL...

The problem with Knight is his minutes. He's still a 10 point player, and he's had a fantastic year in Perth but he's not a huge-minute player

That's actually a really good point, but with Gus and Jules on board, those minutes could still be managed in a similar way, I'd imagine...

It's going to be an eventful off-season, hopefully for the the best... Hanging out for a new (awesome) coaching announcement first though...

Kober, grab an atlas and lookup Poland ;-)

Why? He last played in Lebanon. Pretty sure that's not in Poland.

The PPR rules regrading some returning players are a bit silly, I guess that's why there's an appeals process. In theory DKD would be rated an 8 for playing in Brazil.
Kober, grab an atlas and lookup Poland ;-)
(Although I don't think 1 point either way is going to break the bank.)

I actually rate Garlepp. (That's not to say you wouldn't swap him if a better offer comes along.)
The problem with Knight is his minutes. He's still a 10 point player, and he's had a fantastic year in Perth but he's not a huge-minute player, and he has been injury prone in the past. With Jawai & Jervis, and 3 forwards on the bench, Perth have plenty of back-up. Plus loyalty means he's only an 8 for us.

1 question worth discussing is whether JK could move to the 4 (as Knight has done)? Allowing you to start both him and Brandt against some line-ups...

I know McRae supposedly had his issues at MU, but somebody like him in the 2 spot (assuming he's gets no more NBA chances and gets tired of the D-League.)
Or somebody like Wilbekin at point.

A healthy Chil is the best player in the NBL, but if Ennis were available and not headed back to Perth he would be a fantastic option. (Or if Perth take Ennis, that would free up Prather...)

But in saying that Wookie, you make a pretty good point & I like White being a Hawkie & don't want him to leave : )

Wouldn't mind seeing Moller in the red & White too!
Knew he was training with the Hawkies too before picking up the rookie contract with the Kings.

Won't be surprised if Bevo makes at play at him for next season... Especially with the rookie points allocation to him.

I've watched White in the Waratah League & reckon he's good value if given the right role.
If the Kings have 4 scorers/playmakers around him, white would be good for them.

But it will all boil down to getting the right coach & letting the coach coach! It seem liked the head coach this season didn't or wasn't getting to run the subs? Anyone else notice that?

Ellis and Weeks always had that push to be better though, and with their limited minutes, I thought did really well... I agree that having a proper coach and game plan really helps (queue the pro-Cotter camp with their "but Cotter is a really good coach!" malarkey) but White always got more than his fair share of minutes, just never did anything with them... Couldn't hit the side of a barn, and had one season of good defence (I think got Kings DPOTY?), but then went back downhill again...

I was willing to give you the benefit of the doubt with Moller, Air Delay (as it IS good to get one back, especially if he's a Hobbit!), but then you lost me with White... He had his chance and it didn't work out... He's doing passable in Wollongong because he's surrounded by nearly every other player on the court being a shooter... He might have found a fresh start at the Hawks, but he was never any good as a King and I think if he is any part of the 10 man roster, that will be a step back...

Points system wise, the Kings should snap up the dreadlocked kid Moller. He'd be worth 1pt I think? And even though he's 6'9" he plays as a 3-4 man.

Watch a few Sutherland Sharks Waratah games this season!!! The dude even plays a fair bit of point in the local div1 games at Sutho.

Home grown talent, tall, fit, has handles, unselfish, is a beast on the boards & can dunk! : )

I'd also like to see Weeks & White back, and if whoever the coach is plays them in similar roles to Bevo, then that's giving you some depth & most importantly guys that put in 100% every game!

Perhaps most importantly, need a dominant PG (like all the posts above) to run the team. Caddee had some really promising signs this year, but I think he plays (& creates) much better on the wings & off the on balls out wide.

Oh, and yeah..... Need to give the HEAD coach control of the team!

yeah, everything all comes down to the coach... Just a shame the best option is still playing Finals...

Hopefully while Chill spoke up in positivity about Joe as a coach, he spoke up more about the management and ownership getting this shit in order or he won't be back as not much else would put a fire under them I don't think...

Unless the import PG is a known, top level quantity, it would be good to try to fill as many spots as possible with top local talent, if available...

Exactly... The rules state I think that the higher rated place that a player has played gives the higher rating (ie. NBA[10] over Europe[9]) but Jules was rated as an 8 coming in to this season, so I left it at that...

It's hard to pin down exactly the biggest spots to fill and I think it all comes down to whether Chill comes back, which might not be known for some time... If he was to guarantee that he'd be back unless he gets an NBA gig, I'd take him at his word and hope he doesn't get injured playing in the off season (if he does) and build around that.

I agree that faith should be shown in Cadee to grow his PG skills, but he's still developing and shouldn't have the pressure to run the entire team AND to score... As some others have said elsewhere, if he's paired with someone like a Lisch or a Clarke, then I'd be ok with him starting, but the strength of the team will be if he comes off the bench most games...

Coach first and foremost with management stating in contract, no mucking with THE COACHES team...

If Chill is locked in, definitely PG... If Damo stays in Perth, or goes closer to home at Illawarra (who knows what sort of budget they will have after pushing the limits this season), they need to chase Rotnei, do whatever it takes... He carried an entire Hawks team on his back when he was here, but need to appeal to him culture-wise just as much as anything else...

There's not many local options for an experienced PG... Markovic won't play another game in the NBL, he wasn't even at the last Kings home game with the rest of the team, so there's obviously been a break with the team and his personal issues have been more widely known now...

So that leaves an import... If we can get Clarke (or someone REALLY screws the pooch with Lisch in Illawarra) then we could go local for another starting guard spot or even promote Cadee full time, especially if we can get someone like McCarron (who seems to be doing quite well in Spain) as the third guard, thent eh 4th could even be Indy Faithfull if we get desperate... I know McCarron is a Brissy boy, but as stated elsewhere, I doubt Lemanis will be able to use his National Coach creds for much longer, even though playing in front of family could be a drawcard, he shares an agent with Jules, so we have both a good and bad foot in the door as the agent would know the Kings rep pretty well, but if that changes, could be key... The trouble with Mitch would be what would he be rated? Returning from Europe (to get him back from Spain would be a challenge in itself, even though I'm a huge fan of Sydney, I think Spain might just be a LITTLE bit nicer?) but he's by no means a 9pt player, so hopefully could get reviewed?

Back up to Chill (if we get him) I think could still be Prewster IF he's rated cheaply AND we can get a super 2nd import as well, then the pressure would be off and he could focus on D and hitting the open shots, which he got better as as the season went on... Otherwise might need to chase someone like Steindl? Not the best defender, but a much better shooter...

Bigs are tricky... I'd prefer to ditch Hill, as nice a guy as he is, and maybe try to chase Nick Kay hard, especially if Matty Knight is comfy in Perth... I know we have Gus, but Nick just seems like that tough big guy who just puts his body on the line and is a solid scorer...

Dream Team:
Damo [10] / Cadee [7?]
Clarke* [10] / McCarron [7?]
Childress* [10] / Prewster [?]
Knight [10] / Hill [3]
Khazzouh [8] / Brandt [3]
Total = 68 + Prewster

Hmm... Swapping Garlepp back in for Knight gives us maybe 2 more points, but that's not much...

Ok, so realistically, no Damo... promote Cadee, and...

Cadee [7?] / Faithful [1?]
Clarke* [10] / McCarron [7?]
Childress* [10] / Prewster [?]
Knight [10] / Hill [3]
Khazzouh [8] / Brandt [3]
Total = 59 + Prewster

So that leaves easily 5-6 for Prewster and a few more points if we can't re-rate Mitch down or Cadee goes up a stupid amount... That's three very solid guards, McCarron can spend time at the 3 if needed like Madgen did, and that's three very good bigs that can cover each other and Chill can stretch to 4 for the smaller more athletic teams...

Oh, and pray/sacrifice to the Basketball/Injury gods constantly... there's probably more than a few virgins on here that we could chuck on a pyre somewhere...

Khazzouh 8? (should be a 9, as under the rules he would be rated based on Europe, not Lebanon?)

Why would he be based on somewhere he's never played, instead of somewhere he has played?

Khazzouh 8? (should be a 9, as under the rules he would be rated based on Europe, not Lebanon?)
Garlepp, if out of contract, should come in around a 8/9, and personally I think he's well worth keeping.
Chill (or another import) is 10.
SG or PG import = 10
Cadee (If you keep him) should come in around an 8. Or a similar player, or a 3rd import @ 10.
So your starting 5 comes in at around 44~48 (which is not atypical) leaving 22~26.

Fortunately Brandt & Hill are contracted, and should both still be 3's.
Going the 3rd import (or an ex-European gun on a 1yr deal as a starter) might be a good strategy for next season, as I'd expect these two to increase significantly.
So say 16~20 to fill your remaining 3 bench spots. That's not bad for bench players, just depends on who's available, and what you want/need.

As mentioned, I'd move Prewster on, and make a backup 3 your next bench priority. I only suggested a Hire type, somebody who plays good D, can grab some boards, can be offensive when he's hot, and would cost the earth. As to who's actually available, well that's the big question isn't it.

Obviously securing your PG is a priority appointment. I rate Cadee, and think he has further potential. But that's a personal opinion, and furthermore another season or 2 as backup to import PG wouldn't hurt. I wouldn't pin any hopes on Markovic.
So an import PG, leaves you looking for either a 3rd import or a local SG. Cadee scores well enough... I don't know how well McCarron is doing in Spain, but if he's heading home Brisbane will be all over him.
Backing up your PG? Well if you can move Cadee (back) to the bench, that's sorted.

One of the issues you will face is that Brissy will be out there chasing any local talent that's not nailed down. They've got a head-start, and if they have already signed Lemanis, then they're ahead again.

sigh... kids today, ey?

Obviously Lemanis would be highly sought after, hence why I mentioned Brissy, as they would have already been out chasing a coach. If indeed he has already signed there, well that's good for them isn't it. Sydney will need to look elsewhere.

Yes, they've been out chasing a coach, 4 months ago, back in October, when they "indeed signed" him... and CJ Bruton as his assistant...

I have no idea who is in or out of contract...

Ok, let me restate that: I know that 3 players are contracted

As I said "Based on the existing squad."
What is the point in suggesting a squad including Damian Martin, Matt Knight, or various other speculatives? ... but there's no point suggesting a dream team that isn't going to happen.

The point? That's the WHOLE POINT... The point is to improve the team, you look at who could be available, and you go "this person would make my team better"! You sort of did that with Hire, but you chose pretty much one of the only players on that team that there would be ZERO chance of leaving that side of the country... But good effort... I have to ask you though what the point is of just rehashing the same old team and suggesting that it would be good to use them again and not "throw the baby out with the bath water" just for the sake of keeping some continuity? No...

Look at the points and look at what they've been contracted for for the season just past:

Markovic [8] / Cadee [6]
Thornton [10] / Carter [5]
Childress [10] / Prewster [?]
Garlepp [7] / Hill [3]
Khazzouh [8] / Brandt [3]
Total = 60 + Prewster

So that's a lot of wiggle room moving forward... Jules, Brandt & Hill will retain the same points values as on multi-year deals... Cadee might go up to 7, Garlepp was an 8 this season but was on a multi-year deal, so it's important to get the imports right for 16/17...

With players like Damo and Knight still on 10pts for other teams, if missing out on Damo, it could be worth re-investigating Jesse Sanders as a third import, he could also be less than 10pts since he's played here before. Forget Cadee as a starting PG and suggesting Wroe and Kenny? Jesus... The Kings faltered without a proper experienced PG with Markovic out for most of the season (even with him, some will say), so NOT going with an experienced floor leader is a huge mistake. I'd hate to have to go with three import starters, I think that's a dodgy look for a local league, but Sanders could be an exception...

NO local players on the horizon and in what ever configuration the Kings turn into, there will be few true locals.

Jules and Brandt are both locals, hopefully we can keep Cadee, so a third local, what other teams overload their roster with locals other than NZ? Besides that, if Garlepp moves on, Dan Trist has been doing ok overseas, maybe he could be an option?

Kings need defensive strength and more scoring options if a star player goes out (again) as part of the faltering was that when Chill went out, we had a dud second import in Thornton who couldn't hit the side of a barn with a tractor...

Whether we get Chill back or not, the Kings still need to get another high power player to help carry the load...

Obviously Lemanis would be highly sought after, hence why I mentioned Brissy, as they would have already been out chasing a coach. If indeed he has already signed there, well that's good for them isn't it. Sydney will need to look elsewhere.
Does anyone know what Vickerman is doing? He appears to have continued the good work at the Breakers.

Ok, let me restate that: I know that 3 players are contracted, one of whom suffered a serious injury, other than that I have no idea who is contracted for the other 7 or 8 positions.

As I said "Based on the existing squad."
What is the point in suggesting a squad including Damian Martin, Matt Knight, or various other speculatives? Yes, there are better players in the NBL than what you've got, if they want to move to Sydney, grab them, but there's no point suggesting a dream team that isn't going to happen.

As it happens, my original post was going to read:
Khaza / Brandt / Vandenberg. LOL
Yes he's a damn fine player, and if he's fit then obviously he plays, but Brandt is good value also.
Yes JV is a rookie, but sometimes that's all you can fit on the bench. If you go 45~50 points for your starting five, that only leaves you 20~25 for your bench. You can't stack it with 8 pointers like Brandt.

I DID overlook the possibility of the "3rd import" speculation. If that happens, and you have the cash, then there are new possibilities.
Assuming not, where should you use your 2nd import slot? Naturally, that's a big question.
Historically, NBL teams have tended to chase high-scoring PG's, and many teams still do.
That leads into the next question, of who runs your point?
Ok, I know there are some Cadee haters amongst Sydney fans, and pity help the fool who suggests you keep him at Point. Personally I like him, and think he'll continue to improve, but that's only my opinion. You could chase an import PG, and Cadee could probably hold his spot as an SG, but he's a bit small. Again, just my opinion.
Carter is a reasonable backup PG. He's not flash, but he's experienced. If he moves on in his quest to play for every NBL team, it's not a big loss. A couple of options that might be available from the Cats are either experience in Kenny, or a rookie in Wroe.

As I said, of the players I listed, the first player I'd be looking to move on is Prewster. I only listed him because he's an incumbent. I think getting yourself a decent 3 for the bench (or even a stretch-4) is important. I actually think that somebody like Hire would be a good fit, but it comes down to availability, points, and cash.

That side runs last again, Vandenburg is only big development player at best. Prewster and Faithful get into foul trouble to easy.

Yes, Faithful is a rookie and as raw as an egg, but players have to develop somewhere, and as mentioned you only have 20~25 points to spend on your bench. Hence the choice is between inexperience, has-beens, or crabs.
I believe that with a few tweaks, a decent coach, some good fortune injurywise, and some continuity, Sydney can be competitive. Throwing the baby out with the bathwater every year, and trying to buy in a championship team, doesn't work. Especially if you don't have huge buckets of cash.

Wow... so much wrong in that post...

I have no idea who is in or out of contract...

If you look at the third line of the original post, it says: "Jules, Jeromie and Gus are all signed for next year..."

So no PGs and you don't have our top big man in Khazzouh in your line up? Are you one of those people in real life that just talks and talks and talks and doesn't care what they're actually saying?

Coach-wise, I'm not sure who's lined up for Brissy, but I'd be talking to Lemanis.

Lemanis has signed to coach Brisbane. I don't understand how you don't know that, given the first half of that sentence.

Based on the current squad, I would be happy with something like this:

Brandt / Vandenberg
Garlepp / Hill
Childress / Prewster
Import SG / Faithfull
Cadee / Carter

That roster includes literally zero point guards.

I think Kings had some good players, just really stuffed by injury. So if you can make the appropriate sacrifices to the injury Gods, things will look up.

Priorities:
1: Identify whoever said no to Lisch and ban them for life.
2: Get a decent coach.
3: Secure Childress.
4: Get Childress to find you a shit-hot SG.
5: Find somebody to backup Chil at the 3.

Coach-wise, I'm not sure who's lined up for Brissy, but I'd be talking to Lemanis.

Based on the current squad, I would be happy with something like this:

Brandt / Vandenberg
Garlepp / Hill
Childress / Prewster
Import SG / Faithfull
Cadee / Carter

I have no idea who is in or out of contract...

I think Vandenberg & Faithfull show promise, and would obviously benefit from full seasons, and some continuity.

Pointswise, I assume Tommy will get a loyalty discount, and hopefully Brandt & Cadee can retain their 6-point ratings.

Obviously I would move Thornton on. You can do so much better in an import.

Personally I would be looking to upgrade Prewster, depending on cash and points, especially since Chil ha sthe habit of getting injured and leaving a massive hole at the 3. I'd consider bringing journeyman Brad Hill back if he's still mates with Garlepp. You'd hope there's be someone better out there, but good uncontracted local players don't grow on trees.

Why would you want Nielsen. Jawai has regressed under him.

Yeah, and Tom Jervis is awful.

Why would you want Nielsen. Jawai has regressed under him.

Not sure that Nate is the best measuring stick though... Came in out of shape, hasn't improved a hell of a lot, has he? Always been a bit casual with his attitude and he is one of the biggest sooks on the team (although he DOES get roughed up a lot that doesn't get called because he's so solid)

Heard the 1st rumblings of DV to the Kings today.

From your mouth to the Basketball Gods ears... Do they have to change over to fly to Perth for the Grand Final? Maybe Kings fans can accost him there, in a good way :)

@ D444444444 - Nielsen is the only one that gets a pass as he's been learning from the best organisations in the NBA (Spurs) and NBL... He's not the top of my list, I'd much rather experienced head coaches, 100%, but if they couldn't get them, then the next step down would be Matty, for a variety of reasons... If you can't get Vickerman or Dennis, what other options would be preferable?

The only non-HC experienced option I'd go with is Nielsen, but as bowtie suggests above, he could be well settled in Perth, but we've seen that before, and with Trev getting an extension and if the right approach was made, you never know... He would be a great drawcard and I still have hope, but otherwise, Vickerman and Dennis would be great options... Vickerman has the runs on the board and getting more as we speak, and Dennis is a proven no-nonsense coach who knows talent and how to get the most out of it...

With Vickerman being a Melbourne boy, and DD not getting his team a championship that was well paid for, I wonder if DV will slot straight into there?

Like any other coach, the ownership/management needs to get the hell out of their way, without question...

sigh... getting pity from Hawks fans? Kings fans have hit a new low... lol

I'd disagree with Warrick, but definitely with James... not a good thing at all...

I wasn't saying Warrick was a bad thing, just that I hadn't heard anything indicating Childress was involved.

Love your optimism Wookie but I think you'll struggle to get Martin, yes he is from NSW but if he's heading home (which i doubt) he's going to Bevo in the Gong.

Yeah, I agree for sure... But you never know with budgets and which players will be returning... I'm not sure how they're set to be able to spend as much as they did this season next season... Like I said, you don't get if you don't ask, and if I was the Kings, I'd be making my intentions very much known as soon as (legally) possible... If not even sooner...

Knight is the Cat to chase, if Jawai returns and Beal naturalizes Knight may be the one who gets forced out as Jervis is starting to demand more minutes.

Yeah, you'd think something would have to give in that situation, surely... Knight is still at a top level that he'd be able to dominate on a different team, but also, depends on how comfy he is, if he's still got that drive to do whatever it takes to get that win, of he's ok with being a cog in the machine...

the biggest change that needs to happen next season needs to be in the game night entertainment department

Gonna have to agree to disagree, the biggest change needs to be management/owners, then coach then defensive mentality, but agree that the EC seemed like a dead space a lot of the time... But the positive at least for moving out to Homebush has been that the vibe has been a LOT better during games and the players have noticed and have been responding that the atmosphere is so much better, but agree that more needs to be done outside the arena to make it more of an event... I proposed getting a bunch of food trucks out there (there's apparently a decent food truck culture in Sydney?) on a fan page, but things to do for kids is pretty light on... Face painting, more of those shooting games for kids, getting companies out to give free stuff away, kids don't care whose name is on a balloon or a pencil case, they just want free stuff!

More work definitely needs to be done getting families in the door, they do good community work with the players, but that needs to translate to bums on seats... School night games will definitely have an impact on that though, We got our early bird pricing for tickets already and there's no decrease from last season where they split the venues, so I'd like to know their thinking behind that, maybe with near capacity crowds to end the season at the current venue they think they'll get the walk up numbers to make up for lower memberships?

Childress in or out doesn't bother me but you have to have a quality backup to cover his inevitable injury.

Like I said above, if we had have chosen Lisch instead of Thornton, that would have provided a lot more cover when he went down... I know, I need to Elsa the whole Lisch thing...

Next season, we need a good import PG, so someone like Clarke, Randle, Holt or even Sanders would fit the role.

Yeah, I was a fan of Sanders when he was here, he was like Damo-lite, but like with Damo, we'd need to have the scorers around him to make up for his deficiencies in that area... And the downside of Sanders over Damo is that you're using an import spot, however this is much less of an impact if the 3 import rule comes in... But that's another mess all together...

I like the Wortho idea and would really love to see him see out his career where it all started, he still looks to have a lot of ties to the people here when he plays here, but I would wager that like bowtie says above, too settled up there (plus one year on his contract?)

As for the coach, if Dennis is available I'd be going hard for him. I'm sure we can offer him more money then the Crocs can.

He'd be my first choice tbh... Like most other options though, I don't think that the main sticking point would be about the money, it would be a guarantee of no interference from above...

Citation needed on Warrick, and James...was not a good thing.

I'd disagree with Warrick, but definitely with James... not a good thing at all...

We need to upgrade our backcourt, bring in an import PG with professional experience, a legit 2-man (Madgen?), and have Cadee as first guard off the bench.

The strength of the backcourt will be determined if Cadee starts or comes off the bench... Having him first off the bench to provide that kick would be great... I think it's too soon that Madgen would come back (keep your dirty mitts off him, SA fans!) after only one year overseas... Would love it if he did though, and hope he's true to his word that once he's done overseas he'll come back and chase that championship with the Kings...

Might be controversial, but I let Tommy walk if he's a FA I think...

You make all good points, really, and I think very valid if we're needing him as a starter, but if we can have him off the bench (same as Cadee) then I think that would be good... I know he might be able to get more ppg elsewhere, but it's those sacrifices that players make that make a team stronger and contenders...

I am a Cats fan and think Childress is great for the league. For better or worse he got the NBL some coverage and attention (His elbow made SportCentre).

Love your optimism Wookie but I think you'll struggle to get Martin, yes he is from NSW but if he's heading home (which i doubt) he's going to Bevo in the Gong.

Knight is the Cat to chase, if Jawai returns and Beal naturalizes Knight may be the one who gets forced out as Jervis is starting to demand more minutes.

After living in Sydney for 2 years and seeing the Cats vs the Kings and the Hawks everytime the biggest change that needs to happen next season needs to be in the game night entertainment department. olympic park or entertainment centre, it didnt matter the crowd was flat. The announcer is crap, saying 'who's ball' 30 times a night and coming up with nicknames like J Chill is just sad and the crowd seems bored. With the move to olympic park the kings nned to start owning western sydney and get the young familys in the Hills and Penrith areas involved.

Brought in Warrick, Harrington and James.

Citation needed on Warrick, and James...was not a good thing.

Has basically become the face of the league.

Really?

As for the coach, if Dennis is available I'd be going hard for him. I'm sure we can offer him more money then the Crocs can.

Can you offer him enough to make up for the fact that he's coaching the Kings, though?

If you're going to group a few tweets in with his actual incidents of note, then you're not being rational...

After getting the wooden spoon the Kings can rebuild slowly through the draft.

#tankforsimmons ?

I doubt his criticism would have much impact, especially when he's right... I think you're making a huge deal about nothing, especially if it was only once or twice...

If we can avoid the nonsense of Bring Back Brian as I think that has been done to death, yes?

I agree that management screwed Cotter over, but it's not like he had a whole team of chumps, he still didn't have the best effort during games and couldn't or wouldn't fire his team up... His key players (before getting injured) weren't used properly and they started off the season absolutely crap on D and it didn't get better... The only positives that I can think of are the rumours that he wanted to cut Thornton pre-season, but was overruled...

It doesn't change the fact that the Kings need a significantly more qualified head coach to make any headway... The only acception I'd make would be if we can tempt Nielsen back if Trev's multi-year offer comes good... He's been learning under some really good organisations, is probably the most identifiable local Kings player and could actually be a drawcard for fans and players...

Supernintendo Chalmers, I think you're using "numerous" incorrectly... Two incidents (the latter re: refs was justified and happened in the same round as Cedric Jackson's F-bomb on live tv as he screamed at the refs wasn't it and he didn't even get called on it?) and I can't remember him ever tweeting shit about the league. He's not alone in tweeting about the refs, NUMEROUS players have done that numerous times, and he's done it a LOT less than Unitard players, so that shouldn't make him stand out... Randle had a bitch about the refs and no calls on him in his farewell letter, didn't he? Have you been saying that he's not good for the league as well?

He's brought some ex-NBA credibility to the league and has helped with the recruitment of Hakim Warrick, which I think you'll agree has turned out ok? Getting Al Harrington in was a big boost as well, and even if not all of them have been huge successes, it still gives the league some extra credibility... Not saying that he's the be all and end all saviour, but it's helped...

Pretty impressive near miss from Shannon Brown yesterday. Saw a tweet on twitter that read <blockquote>Shannon Brown plays Slamball on a non-slamball court. WOW!</blockquote> <object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6cItICUhGNc&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6cItICUhGNc&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>