Hoops

Kevin Lisch an Aussie citizen

So you're thinking ..

Bogut/baynes at centre ?
And
Anderson/bairstow/Simmons at pf?
Motum out?

I have watched a bit of the Boomers world cup campaign again recently and I am not sure about Motum at that level. He is a little slow and unco, but has a nice shot and nose for the ball. He is sitting just outside of my 12 right now and has made way for Bairstow.

Starters
Pg/Sg Delly 6'4
Sg/pg Mills 6'0
Sf/Sg Broekhoff 6'7
Pf Motum 6'10
C Bogut 7'0


If Motum starts we are cooked.

The way I see it, Lisch doesn't have the size to play 2 guard alongside a small PG, but he's more than capable of playing the PG role himself for an international team so I think he'll have no trouble slotting into the Boomers 12. Kev + Delly should work just fine. Kev + Patty has the potential of being undersized, but you play that one by ear on the night.

Lisch can hit an outside shot better than most, he can pull up, he's a solid passer, and at the other end he can be a pest. In the past we've had a choice between Gibbo & Damo, with either pick coming with some deficiencies. Lisch is a very nice mix of what both those guys bring.

Starters
Pg/Sg Delly 6'4
Sg/pg Mills 6'0
Sf/Sg Broekhoff 6'7
Pf Motum 6'10
C Bogut 7'0

2nd unit
Pg/sg Lisch 6'2
Sg/sf Newley 6'7
Sf/Sg Ingles 6'8
Pf/c Anderson 7'0
C/pf Baynes 6'10

Extras
Sg Goulding 6'4 (pg/Sg 6'6 exum if available)
Pf/c Bairstow 6'9 (pf/sf 6'10 Simmons if available)

It's funny how some right off Lisch because "pfft he's only playing in the NBL" but immediately assume others are certainties because they're playing in Eurocup...
Which is exactly where Lisch was until he came back for family reasons.
Not to say that he's better or worse than anyone, but you can't right him off just because he's in the NBL.

Obviously it will come down to Lemanis' preferences, and Positions. Yes there are other guys who can play the 2 spot, but are they all better in THAT role than Lisch?

Lisch will be a significant factor for the Boomers, how could he not be at his level? I think he and Delly would make a great combo, they can both play both guard spots at both ends. I would bring them off the bench together with a high energy unit, those two leading the D will be a pain to oppo guards.

Bogut/Baynes
Andersen/Motum
Broekhoff/Newley
Ingles/Lisch
Mills/Dellavedova

My other two would probably be Bairstow and Goulding, although if Simmons is available he has to go whether a contributor or not.

I agree that Lisch wont be starting 5, or in the main 8-9 man rotation. He might be put on for specialist reasons at points, but Delly and Mills are both superior to him fairly easily.

Lisch will not be on the boomers

I would classify Lisch predominately as a SG, with an exceptional defensive side, who can also run the point. I'm not 100% sure, but I think he spent some of his time in Europe playing PG, plus it was not unusual to see him running the point for the Hawks.

His potential to play for the Boomers is probably the biggest aspect of this story. With the 3-import rule seeming likely, and Hawks only running with one anyway.

I am surprised Hawks didn't sign him to a longer contract. I would expect Sydney's new owners to be chasing him in a big way.

RMQ,
Yes, it remains an intriguing concept.
I have no inside knowledge one way or the other, but my guess is as follows:
Lisch loved Perth and the Wildcats and would be happy to return. However he has also demonstrated that as a professional athlete he is happy to move around, so the lure of returning to the Cats is not that strong. Furthermore Rachel's family is in NSW, and being close to them is important. Assuming he can get a decent, comparable offer from the Hawks or Kings, I would guess they would prefer to stay there.

lisch and delly for defense.
Mills and Lisch for offense.
Delly and mills for balance.

Patty has improved his PG skills a lot in the last year, but is probably still best off the ball as a gunner for Australia.

Delly's improved his handle a lot, I expect him to be a lock for PG. He's also a good compliment to Patty as Patty can cover the waterbug quick PG's that Delly struggles with, whilst Delly can handle the larger more physical guards that Patty has more problems with.

Delly has a couple of inches in height (and probably wingspan) on Lisch, probably at least a couple of kg's as well.

Don't get me wrong, I want Lisch on the team and think he's a good addition. I just don't think he cracks the starting 5.

Pg Lisch. Sg Mills for me.

Re Hawks or Cats could get down to $$$$$. Good to see the Hawks do well but nowhere near the money of the Cats.

Best combo?
Pg Delly and sg mills
Pg Delly and sg lisch
Pg Mills and sg delly
Pg Mills and sg lisch
Pg Lisch and sg delly
Pg Lisch and sg mills

Yep there is a good history between him and Gleeson by all reports and they known each other for a while but him returning to Perth all depends on his wife and family. I think he will stay with the Hawks.

Is Lisch a PG or SG?

Either way, he would make any sane man's Boomers 12, but I am not sure how many minutes he will warrant.

It's nice to think that we can have someone as good as he is yet he might be buried deep on the bench and only used against someone like China. That is the depth of Australian basketball these days.

And I do agree, he would probably take Gibson's usual spot or maybe Goulding (although I'd like to have both Lisch and Goulding)

@RMQ - From what I've heard Kevins first choice club was and still is Perth so we could very well see him back in a cats uniform.

I agree. Lock him in for Rio. Best guard we have after Patty & Delly.

Great news. Congrats Kevin & congrats Australia :)

Wicked! I can't wait to see him in a Boomers jersey.

Has to go to Rio.

Is a lock IMO.

Martin/Kenny
Lisch/Import
Ennis/Prather/Hire
Import/Redhage/Wagstaff
Knight/Jervis

?????

That is my Boomers 12 too

Delly/(lisch!)
Mills/Newley/Goulding
Broekhoff/ingles
Motum/Anderson/bairstow
Bogut/baynes

Unfortunately I doubt exum and Simmons will make it.
I'd take out Goulding and bairstow if available though.

He should be taken over Martin and Gibson (Exum unlikely to play)

You can pencil him in for the Boomers but who does he replace?

Flanked by the Hawks assistant coaches to make sure opposing teams weren't waiting outside to poach him ;)

Sorry, I mean they were there to support him... *cough*

Great to have Aussie Kev on board...

Need more citizens like him in this country, not even to do with basketball, but a stand up guy. Congratulations.

On the Illawarra Hawks Facebook page

it's true just been confirmed by Illawarra twitter account. Lock him in for Rio

Awesome news if this is true. He will look great in a boomers jersey :)

Tomatoe or BBQ ?

Sauce?