Hoops

Knight to have tests to decide future

Just a question, would it have been possible for him to wear a helmet like those in rugby/afl/other contact sports. Face masks have become common for those with facial injuries, is it legal or couldn't he fit it on due to hair(joke), but seriously could have that been an option to avoid all of the subsequent head injuries. If so would have seemed a logical precaution, wouldn't necessarily have prevented them all but may have helped. But looking at data from NFL it looks like time is up, better to have happened at tail end of career but disappointing non the less.

That's what I think to Watto. He's got a year to go on his contract so probably lining up the doctors to tell him he can't continue and maybe getting the rest of his contract paid out by the Wildcats insurance company and thus removing him from the salary cap.

It's common in the NBA Chris Bosh is going through that right now with the Heat and Luc Longley went through the same thing with the Knicks, the Knicks insurance company paid out the three years remaining on his contract but it also meant if he ever played professionally again his contract would go back on to the Knicks books which is why he didn't come back and play for the Wildcats as planned after his NBA career was done.

I meant insurance as to cover his contract payout or something like the anon just above posted

Watto, you were not very clear.
I thought you meant "he's ok, he's going to play on, just needs a doctor to sign off for insurance purposes."

Is insurance a factor?
Seems to me that insuring professional athletes against injury would be a sure way to lose money. Although I suppose there might be some kind of insurance against a career-ending injury?

From an information standpoint, I feel the problem with the Wildcats is that we will be told Knight's fate about 30 seconds after they announce his replacement. Although I suppose if he turns up to pre-season practise with a deck-chair and esky, we might get the hint.

Knight actually had discussion with teams about playing WAFL after he retires. I suppose that's not going to happen.

Orbit, walker was only a short term injury replacement for knight. Under NBL rules he could only return to the squad if there was a season ending injury to one of the cats players.

"Knight will fly to Melbourne for tests with a neuropsychologist to determine whether he is risking his health by continuing to play."

it depends on how you interpret it what it says, but I think Watto is right. Knight would surely know he can't continue, everyone can see it it doesn't take a medical professional to know he shouldn't play on.

But by going over and having a medical professional officially determining he can't play on and then 'forcing' him to retire because of it, would probably result in some sort of payout/compensation. Similar to how I think Dane Swan got a payout after his leg injury forced him into retirement. If he just retired on his own right now thinking it was best for himself I'd imagine he might not get some sort of payout from it without the advice coming from a medical professional.

Sounds like he shouldn't have played the last season to me.

It's as good as over for him, time to look forward to a new lineup next year without Redhage and Knight.

Will be interesting to see how the roster looks on opening day and where they go with the imports.

Will definitely need at least an import SF and combo guard.

Whether they go import C or PF for the 3rd is the question now that Knight's spot should be open.

Might open up Brandt to move into starting 5, not sure up for it yet. Jerv still has a year on his contract as Bris, didn't have the year expected from him though but imagine Jerv and Brandt taking turns at C.

Sounds like he shouldn't have played the last season to me.

I'm quite happy to be wrong. But Gleeson said he deliberately misled the media to Knight's condition in the lead-up to game 3 (Knight was never going to play) so it's hard to believe anything coming out of the Wildcats regarding Knight's future.

Watto's wrong.

"Knight will fly to Melbourne for tests with a neuropsychologist to determine whether he is risking his health by continuing to play."

Watto's on the money.

No, its been clearly said that he is visiting a specialist to assess his health.
I'm not saying I know what the outcome will be however the question is clear.

Although I don tend to feel that he needs to retire. For a light rap on the head to send a guy punch drunk is serious stuff.

Maybe he's just always been vulnerable and that's why he's had so many concussions? I felt physically sick when I saw him staggering around - I don't want to watch that again.

Like I said many seasons ago it was mentioned he was about done then kept on playing... now any small knock is bad, uh oh it is catching up now.

The visit to the doctor could be just for insurance purposes or something like that

If he doesn't retire he is a fool, Prather barely touched him and he got a concussion.

He's got a lot of life let to live, and has a young family, that is far more important than any basketball game.

Shouldn't even waste his time with a doc.

Walkers had a year to workout and polish his game. Expecting big things.... will we get them tho? probably not.

If Walker is going to replace Redage, might as well stay with Redage. Walker will be nearly 33 at start of next Nbl season and wasn't exceptional at either tigers or 36ers. I just don't see it happening.

It sounds to me as if it might be too late already.
The minor knock issue and its effect is certainly worrying.

Might only be a year or so early, so hopefully not as disruptive to his post-basketball plans. For the sake of his kids, he should really look at leaving the game. Would be horrible to be at risk or incapable years down the track because he pushed his luck.

"It could also mean he is luggage."
LOL

Hodgson is average, a couple of teams may be interested but I doubt he will leave adelaide.

Brandt and Hodgson play the same position, very much doubt they would want both.

Hodgson? I think he will be highly sought after this off season.

Walker was kept on as a training player and to replace Redhage next season, although he was a short term replacement for Matty this season he was never going to be a long term replacement, Matty was a 4/5, Walker a 3 and may dabble against smaller 4s. I think he will be a great replacement for Redhage but expect the cats to start looking for an Aussie big to replace Matty should he retire (highly likely).

It's a simple one he's retired. Already admitting it to himself now. Pack it in life's too short.

It could also mean he is luggage.

Lucas Walker has travelled with the team all year - what does that mean?
Is he a player or a coach?

I bet Brock Motum's agent will be getting a call soon.

I see Walker as more of a Redhage replacement than a Knight replacement.

Assuming this is why Lucas Walker hung round

He probably should have been done long before now.
Great player, great guy, but hang up the sneakers mate.
"The scary part is it wasn't that hard a knock,"

That is truly scary.

Venky Jois

Mike Dunigan!

After that last knock was such a tiny impact and took so long to recover from, I think he's done. Sad to see him go but he has been great for club and should be proud of his achievements.

Leaves a pretty big hole in the Cats line up though, who do we think they could target to replace him?

His best years are behind him now, even without the concussions other injuries have sidelined him and he hasn't been the same player. Sad to see him go but it looks like the writing is on the wall for Matty

The National Basketball League has announced that Cairns Taipans player Phill Jones will face the NBL Tribunal this week on a charge of ‘Head Butting’ arising from an alleged incident in his team’s 76-75 loss to the Sydney Kings on Friday night in their iiNet NBL Championship clash.

Jones was reported by the match officials for allegedly head butting Sydney player Ben Madgen in the closing stages of the first quarter of match at the Cairns Convention Centre.

Under NBL Rules, all reports by match officials are automatically referred to the NBL Tribunal.

Jones has until 5:00PM AEDT today (Monday 28 February) to respond to the charge and determine if he wishes it to be heard by telephone interviews or in a formal sitting of the NBL Tribunal.

Media will be notified as soon as the manner of hearing has been determined.