Hoops

Wildcats sign Jaron Johnson

I think they need to go BIG.

Knight has played the 5 well in the past, but was also injury prone. There's no doubt that he (and the team) benefited from having Jawai.

When you look at some of the size other teams have added, I'm hoping for big.

Be interesting to see if they go for a younger guy out of college, or somebody thats been banging around for a few years.

Any names floating about in the Twittersphere?

CHurrs

http://98five.com/player/Podcast/index.php?name=SBL2629161029.mp3

^U got a link to that podcast?

Adam Forde our assistant coach is a regular on the State Basketball League podcast. He said the cats will be announcing the signing of a 5 man import within a few days.

Yes, very surprising, and foolish IMO.
Highly doubt that'll happen. But we never really know the truth.

I hope they tell us what is happening on face value.

Pretty Sure? I'd say exactly sure.

I'd suggest that unless they land their import Centre shortly, they may even announce DKD or Redhage to fill in the dead-space.

Only possible change I would foresee to that, might be if they identify a dynamite athletic stretch 4 as their import, in which case Knight will rotate back to the 5.
Or conceivably if there is another quality (ex Europe) Aussie available.

Pretty sure this is how the 11 is going to look for the Wildcats:

1 Damian Martin / Jarrod Kenny
2. Jarrin Johnson / Dexter Kendrich-Drew
3. Casey Prather / Greg Hire
4. Matt Night / Jesse Wagstaff / Shawn Redage
5. Import / Angus Brandt

Just watched some more footage on JJ. He's definitely more than just dunks. He has a nice stroke from down town too.

Ok, let me re-phrase. LOL
"A Big Aussie centre, of the requisite quality, waiting to be snapped up."
Which would have to mean somebody ex Europe.

The Cats have clearly said that they are chasing an import for the spot, but who knows"

There was always that "rumour" about Motum.

Neville?

Unless there's a big Aussie centre waiting to be snapped up

We now have TWO imports, and the 3rd is being reserved for a BIG. Hopefully a Centre, buts its always possible they could land a 4 (or even a stretch 4) and move Knight back to the 5.

Unless there's a big Aussie centre waiting to be snapped up, they're not going to use the 3rd import slot on a bench player.

As has been mentioned elsewhere, DKD will most likely be the bench SG. Along with Redhage they are presumably just waiting on finalising that last import spot before inking their deals.

(In fact now that they have announced Prather and JJ, and parted ways with Beal, announcements regarding DKD and Shawn may follow at the opportune moment.)

I'm not hating this yet but I think I'll love it if we can sign Steve Holt and have him coming off the bench, that will give us another promote attest and another ball handler and if Prather gets in foul trouble then JJ can play some SF.

If we can't get Holt and a Gladness type then I want some beast in the post that can help Knoght or Brandt and not that Josh Smith dude

I'm a bit torn by this. I think ultimately the cats had to upgrade their roster to win it again and this move is an attempt to do so. But beal was a great player for us, a good team man and a fan favorite so you'd want to be sure about Johnson if you're swinging this move. Won two titles in three years. Whilst beal replaced another favorite in lisch, this one feels different since we're the ones cutting the ties

If you want to watch Jaron's last Summer League game, it was on July 11 for the D-league Select Vs Houston. He's wearing no. 19 for the grey team. Comes off the bench.

From what I've so far...

He's more than just dunks in traffic and threes.

He can create off the dribble and handle the rock. Well be able to create his own shot off the dribble. Quicker, stronger and longer than Beal - but not sure if he's shooting percentage will be as polished.
Stroke looks nice. Will be a match up problem. Legit 6'5 SG.

Yeah, Damo SO Boring he's off to Rio.

If you want to watch games with no defense, stick to College Ball (or highlight reels.)

I'm the opposite. I HATE watching games where teams just swap possession and trade baskets.
You have to assume that at professional level, anyone can score if unopposed. Defense is what separates the pro's from the wannabes.

True Anon above NBL was boring since going to 40mins and defensive but the Cats were the worst at it.

"Am I the only disappointed by this?"

Probably not the only one but I'd guess that you're in the minority.
I think that entertainment factor is every bit as important as wins for the Cats this coming season. Only time will tell how well JJ fits in to the team, but I think it's the right decision for the club to go for a guy like this.

Haha yeah - just having a laugh about the rings comment. We don't play the most exciting basketball. But the NBL was an unexciting league for a few years.

God, that game. Damo physically harmed that poor man's *career*.

Your last three posts have been the boring era of Hoops.

Dazz - wildcats claiming to keep the same roster was just media spin. It was to keep fans like you happy.

The reality was it was always going to be difficult to keep all the same players.

Beal was great. But his time is up.

Give this guy a chance. I think he will surprise you.

Problem is even with good flashy imports "Wildcats basketball" during Bevo and now Gleeson era has been defensive sludgerry which is unwatchable

I'd suggest giving it a better title but the Wildcats took them all...

Wah Wah Wah

*Points to all our rings*

WTF is sludgerry?

Oh Dazz...

Beal shot 36% from the field and 35% from 3 last year.

Gliddon, Randle, Penney, Abercrombie, Jett all shot better than 45% just for an example. He just wasn't as good as he was in the previous years.

Who cares what he shot at summer league. I'm sure there are some guys at summer league who shot 100% in their small court time. Should we sign them?

He shot well in D league over a whole season.

Beal had a good run but it was time to go. He hit some big shots and had the odd big game but he was far too inconsistent.

Am I the only disappointed by this?

After winning the championship, the Wildcats claimed their focus was on retaining the same team. That hasn't really worked out has it.

Beal had been inconsistent last season, but he also pulled our fat out of the fire on more than one occasion. He won two championships with us, was the finals MVP in 2014, and Cats MVP in 15.

I have always known that the Cats would replace him if a BETTER option presented. I'm just not sure they've done that. I hope to be proven wrong, but at best they have taken a huge gamble.

Who cares if this guy can dunk? We need a SG who can shoot 3's, and this guy managed only 25% at the Summer League.

Man, I'm gonna miss Dolla! I hope we don't regret this...

The casuals... they love the 'Dunk Shots' but the imports...

Perth Wildcats Facebook page going crazy!!

Thank you Dolla Beal

http://www.wildcats.com.au/featured-news/perth-wildcats-thank-jermaine-beal/

Looks like the Wildcats would have sold him on the promise to develop his three point shot and give him the opportunity to shoot the three - as that is what he'll need to do as Beal's replacement.

Great signing.

Athletic, aggressive and a strong finisher. If he makes threes when necessary he's the total package.

No doubt - still a great import choice. But we no doubt have a preference to highlight producing imports over perhaps more accomplished products.

The cats article says he will replace Beal and play the SG spot. Same height as Prather, if this guy is a good defender the Martin, Prather Johnson back court will be a nightmare defensively.

shooting just under 40 from 3 isnt just an athlete can shoot it

Man, the wildcats are super smart with their import choice. They absolutely go after guys that maybe average 2-3 points less in D leagues and NBA Summer league if they can bring some athleticism and highlights to the jungle.

The average fan values highlights over production by a mile. This is not to say this dude won't be a legit product. Just a comment on their recruiting. I'm impressed!

this guy can seriously dunk!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0kLYtIMdGo

Interesting. So I guess Beal is definitely leaving then.

The Norwood Basketball club invites expressions of interest from suitable applicants for the role head coach of the senior mens program.

Please read the full application notice here first. For more information, please call the Manager of the Senior Program, Jeff Hooley on 0417 813 585

http://linky.com.au/ibv55