Hoops

GF: Wildcats v Breakers - Game 3 - Sunday 2:30pm

Just enjoy the moment! Worth every dollar I have spent! Enjoyed this year the most!

Great season overall and to cap it off with the tittle is great. No one likes perth other than if you are in the red army.

No point arguing, cause we think we a right and every one is wrong are vice vecer. Got our seventh tittle!

Enjoy the off season and Perth will come back better than last. Also hats off to everyone that attended through out the season the more members your team has the better they will be.

Go cats!

I don't believe your average Wildcats Fan is "arrogant," but we do live on a different "plane" to everyone else, and that really irks some people.
We have won a lot more championships than anybody else, and we have also not missed the finals for 30 years. That creates higher expectations from us, and yeah some people see that as "arrogant."
Whilst we thought the decade between 2000 and 2010 was lean, we were still competitive and still made the finals every year.
Yet when we bombed out in the semis for the upteenth year, we moaned and groaned. And yeah, for Fans whose team was struggling just to be competitive, that was annoying.

When we won in 2010, that was awesome and I don't think many begrudged us. When we won again in 2014, our dominance again became an issue. Now we have had yet another Cats v NZ GF, and not surprisingly many people are starting to wish for something different.

It probably doesn't help to hear even the commentators gushing about Perth, what a great program we have, and how the Red Army are the "best fans in the land."
We DO have the biggest, loudest crowds in the league, and to some extent its ok to be proud of that.
The problem is that the question of "what would happen to Perth crowds if we sucked and won the wooden spoon for a few years?" has never been put to the test. There are those who contend that we would struggle like anybody else, and in the absence of empirical evidence, denying it can also be seen as "arrogant."

Just so immensely proud of what the boys achieved. They were good throughout the year, and stepped up when it counted. Considering how slowly Prather started this season, and the injuries to Damo, I never dreamt of another flag early on.
And gotta give credit to Jawai. With his issues and his injury, I assumed he would struggle to have an impact in this series, but he too stepped up when it mattered.

Back to Back Championships? I dont see Damian Martin leaving now.

We would likely erect a Statue of him outside Perth Arena if he wanted one.

Super happy- championship number 7, Damo MVP and we beat our hoodoo team the Breakers to do it!

Despite the score line, I take my hat off to New Zealand. They have done an awesome job in the finals, apart from the second half of yesterday's game. The sad thing to see was the team chemistry start to disintegrate just before half time. The Breakers are normally such a close knit unit, but was obvious things just weren't clicking right, especially between Cedric and Webster. Charles Jackson didn't have his usual 'hypeness' which was a shame as have enjoyed watching him this year. Abercrombie continues to be an absolute legend and along with Vukona really are the heart and soul to that team.

It's a shame that after a year of being one of the most consistent teams this year, that people on this forum can't actually break free from their hatred of the wildcats and actually congratulate them. I am a passionate supporter of the cats since 88 (yes 1988) and am super proud of them. I don't degrade other teams or their supporters, even in situations when it would have been well and truly called for. Yes I admit there are probably a minority few that spoil it for the rest of the RedArmy, just as much as the other teams. Claims for example how we whinge when we lose about the refs, yep whinge as much as others do about their own teams rough deals with the refs. It's also funny that other team supporters get on the bandwagon against the wildcats, and then try to claim they aren't being biased. I truly believe some people here have to get a grip on reality and stop shit kicking the wildcats organisation, the players and its supporters. They have had success because they have built on success. Just like the Breakers and in years gone past the Kings, the Tigers, the Bullets, the 36ers etc. All have built dynasties through building on success.

Anyway upwards and onwards to next season. I for one will be hoping my team manages a back to back championship year but know in my heart, we are now the hunted. Wishing all your teams an awesome off season. This year was a close one, and looking forward to next season being even more competitive.

Great win yesterday, good to see tall poppy syndrome is alive and well.

I'll be the first to admit after watching us at different times this year i wasn't sure we could win it. Too many times we looked uninterested. But we stepped up when it mattered, something others couldn't do.

Things fell our way in the finals, with United's team of individual's not being able to play as a team, giving us home court advantage, this played a huge role in yesterday's win.

And people can whine about home court calls, that happens at every venue, don't kid yourself that it doesn't.

Overall though, Cedric Jackson picked a hell of a day to produce what must be his worst ever professional game. And Webster going completely invisible scoring wise from the 1st Qtr... (seriously, 3/5 in 1st, 0/10 2nd-4th Qtrs).

Body language for NZB through the game was surprisingly bad, even early on. I do wonder if there was an element of 36ers in '14, home court defended, whatever happens now, happens.

Body language for NZB through the game was surprisingly bad, even early on. I do wonder if there was an element of 36ers in '14, home court defended, whatever happens now, happens.

On the other hand, I do think that this Wildcats team would rather die than lose a Game 3, and everything but winning can go hang, so that may be an intimidating attitude to run into!

Ok Im in need of some help with a birthday present I need to buy.

Ive been invited to an 18th Birthday this weekend (its been a looong time since I went to an 18th) for one of the young guys in my social bball team. This guy lives and breathes basketball and loves his NBA and in particular Dwayne Wade/ Kobe Bryant and the stars of today. Id like to grab him a book that will broaden his horizons a bit and give him a bit of an idea about players and teams from the past.
Ive got 'My Life' by Magic Johnson and would happily grab him a copy of that (but I havnt found it in any shops locally) but am interested to hear of any other recomendations from Hoops fans out there of a good book on players/teams in the 'old school' NBA.

Started watching the replay, and it's crazy to see Webster score his 7th pts before the end of the 1st quarter, and know that he never scores again. 3/5 shooting to 3/13 shooting.

Have to extend some plaudits to Tom Abercrombie and Charles Jackson. Had great games. Charles Jackson has been a great addition to the NBL this season, entertaining and effective.

Was a Lazarus-like performance for NZ to come from that long mid-season losing streak, seemingly out of contention, and then still end up in Gm 3 of a GF.

A lot of this result came down to who played who in the Semis...

I'd totally have Damos babies if I had the correct organs lol

Absolutely amazing day out. Damo, what can you say, total man-crush.

Finally we beat NZ in a finals series. Perths defence was cray cray. I feel for NZ , having to make the Perth -NZ trip in 5 days is tough. Might have played out differently if the games were further apart.

The atmosphere was awesome today, honestly didn't think we would win this.

Was always the risk of a shitty game 3 with that scheduling. Thank goodness for Abercrombie or else ... yikes ... NZ may have had a sub-50 total.

I wonder if Redhage will retire? This is his 3rd Ring, and he's 35. He's been a great player for the Cats, and his number will be deservedly retired. He may decide to go out on a high.

Yes Ced got mauled tonight. In saying that, how many times has he mauled other PGs? A: a lot.

Damos pure class though so no shame in being locked by him.

What I liked best about this final series was the way both teams look to establish their interior games, ahead of and to set up their perimeter game.

Well done to Perth, well deserved and of course well done to the Breakers who looked out of finals contention earlier in the season, huge effort.

United and Hawks relied on their shooting and it wasn't good enough, long live the post game!

Jackson has been one of the pre-eminent PGs in the league so far this decade. Whilst this hasn't been his best year, he did a great job of leading his team in game 2. I think his game today was just symptomatic of the Breakers as a whole. I think they spent everything in game 2.

In game 2, Perth committed a lot of careless reaching-in fouls, and the refs called them, I don't think you can call that home-cooking.

This time around, yes there's always a couple of contentious calls, but then the Breakers just got tired and sloppy.

Anybody who thinks you can blame a 23 point drubbing on the refs, is just twisted.

Wow. As a Cats Fan I love when a game turns out like that. It was always a (slim) chance, but just stoked to see it happen.

As I said before the game, it was a matter of players standing up.
Led by Martin, just awesome, this is HIS championship.
Jawai, despite his issues and his injuries, has stood up when needed in this final series.
Redhage, the Veteran, stood up when it counted.
Knight, not many points, but monstered the boards.
Jervis, kept out of it for two games finally got involved.
Prather, almost MIA for 2 games, just kept plugging away to lead his teams scoring.

It's nice to get one back from NZ, with the HCA that we earned through the season.
But in fairness to NZ, they just looked knackered. They competed early, but after that their shots weren't dropping, they weren't getting the boards, etc.

Well done to Perth from all us here in NZ.

Fantastic organisation in all respects andthe absolute benchmark on and off the court.

Enjoy gents!

"Lets be realistic if it wasn't for a couple of fluke shots by nz in game 2 perth would have won in 2".

Thats so illogical ive lost brain cells just reading that. No shot is a fluke unless its a 3/4 quarter heave which none of them were. How were Abercrombies and Websters 3s late in game 2 flukes? (Never mind the fact that they shoot hundreds of shots everyday).

NZ have played absolutely horrendous but the commentary has been way too harsh and way too critical of NZ. Its not in very good taste.

Massive credit to Perth. They'll win the next 5 finals..no one is beating them next season..especially if the new changes do come in.

TVs all across NZ have changed channels.

No surprise..... Cats with less fouls when in Perth.

And the sooks of Game 2 are nowhere to be found.

Point is, when the Cats do lose, their coach is a tosser who cant handle losing.
When they win, its all "hail me...Im the greatest"

#loser

Congrats to the Wildcats and their fans. I'm not even going to bother watching the rest of this embarrassment.

Reminds me of game 3 of 2014 NBL GF series when Perth beat Adelaide by 35 odd.

Same type of game

Hate that charge rule when the ball has already been passed from the hands. They just expect a guy to stop on a dime?

NZ may as well walk and catch an early flight home. This game is terrible from a breakers perspective. Rattled doesn't even begin to describe it.

Vickerman should be playing the starters into the ground not the rookies.

NZ playing die by the 3

No one even touched Martin on that drive?

3rd quarter will be telling (as always)
game is far from over

There's only one guy in the NBL who could bring the Breakers home in this situation..Mitch Norton.

I love Lisch, but Damo is STILL the best defensive player in the league.

We have to defend the pick and roll better. Abercrombie is killing us, maybe play zone for a while.

Never realised before just how disadvantageous the double-foul rule can be to the team with possession.
Not sure how you'd fix it though.
(and not complaining, the rule is what it is, and its otherwise fair.)

I just hope that that NZ don't win by 1~2 points, or that "goal tend" will be bitched about for years.

NZ don't deserve to win this. Turnovers, missed D rebounds etc. Own worst enemies.

Martin may get away with a bit, however Cedric and webster lead with an arm, which probably stops it from being called.

Pretty sloppy half from NZ. Too many turnovers and settling for the 3 ball too much.

You can't defend the post in this league. Offensive player has too much of an advantage. Jawai can bump all over the place but a small bump from Pledger and its a foul.

Thats not suggesting bias reffing BTW. Just bad policy and interpretation generally.

NZ need to regain some composure and quit the complaining.

Martin flopping all over the place. Losing a bit of my respect.

No way NZ win this.

Likewise if the Cats win NZ were bloody lucky their cards fell the way they did and they even made the playoffs after their stellar losing streak.
Perth were the more consistent team throughout the regular season an earned home court advantage which NZ have benefited from previously.
I'm just thankful both teams are at full strength but the NBL and Fox have somewhat handed the players a hospital pass with the finals schedule.

Some of the reffing always puzzles me, but at the end of the day it is what it is and teams need to adapt.
Jawai will probably be really sore, but again, he is what he is. If he were fitter & leaner he'd still be playing in Europe.
Besides, I think all players from both teams will be somewhat knackered by the end of this series.

I really think this game will come down to sheer mental toughness, and players ability to step-up and deliver in finals. That is what we have seen New Zealand do, year after year.
For the Cats, Damo is certainly doing it, and we saw signs from Redhage in game 2.

I am more than happy with the Cats season, come what may. But, at risk of sounding like the haters I dislike, I'd like to see that Cats win just so its not "NZ again."

That said, if NZ do win "again" it will be because of the strength of their program, and (as mentioned) the character of their players and ability to go the extra mile in finals. If some of that is down to "National Pride" then good on them.
I don't want to hear any more of that tripe about them being the TB's or a national team.

Agree, it has been super tense and scrappy with lots of bricks and turnovers.
Hopefully we are treated to a free flowing shootout for the decider with plenty of highlights.

May the best team win and no excuses.

I don't know if I agree that it's been a good series. Game two was seriously ugly to watch.

I found myself in the last quarter thinking that I wouldn't want the cats to win it on such a scrappy game...

Best of luck to the Wildcats and their fans.
Hopefully the refs let the players decide the game but both teams are their own worst enemies when it comes to fouling with their gambling defence and physicality.
I also hope all the travel hasn't affected the players and we are treated to an awesome game.

The interesting thing to remember is that these "odds" offered by bookies only reflect the bets the public has placed. So that means there has been a lot bet on Perth, and not much on NZ.
Which on this occasion I find weird.
Hypothetically, if I was given a free bet, at equal odds, I would tip Perth. Just. I certainly wouldn't put any of my own money on it.
(In fact if I were given a free bet at these odds, I would pick NZ, just for the better return.)

Hopefully the Cats themselves aren't fearing it, but as a fan, yes, I do feel like the Breakers have a slight psychological edge over us when it comes to big games.
There have been other circumstances at play (i.e. injuries and/or being the inferior regular season team) contributing to that history, but it's still something that would be nice to put an end to today.