Hoops

Kings v Sixers, Jan 13

Better win here than most give credit for? Kings go on to beat Perth on their home court next game...

The Sixers weren't playing better teams, they played the Kings, who were on their court, playing for pride/contracts and not backing up from a game only 2 days previous.

They won a game they were expected to win, objective achieved.

A better side would have wiped the floor with the 36ers yesterday the way we played, even with Creek, DJ and Shorter all scoring 20+.

"Hodgson was horrid and clearly needs to get back to basics which is interior D , hustle the boards and step into the gaps for the easy finish .
Post player he is not . 12-15 minutes per game is plenty . "

For some reason Hodgson has gone backwards since he returned from the Boomers series. On the other hand, DJ seems to have found more consistency....but as always he needs to get tougher on D.

I still think that the only thing that has held DJ back from being a part of the Boomers (even if only the B or C teams) is his perceived lack of a defensive game and the thought that his lack of physical toughness would see him get bullied compared to the likes of Bogut or Andersen. Which is a pity because offensively at least he has arguably been the best big man in the NBL for the past 6 or 7 years.

As for yesterday's game.....I don't think FT's were why Adelaide won. It was because Sydney have forgotten how to win. A better side would have wiped the floor with the 36ers yesterday the way we played, even with Creek, DJ and Shorter all scoring 20+.

"His body language responding to every player indiscretion on court can't go unnoticed by his players. How is that not seriously distracting?"

Not only is it distracting Isaac, it's demoralising. His players can see quite clearly that he doesn't believe in them or the team with every error written all over his face. Big reason why they drop close games and give up leads

But hey, according to Andrew it's just him being himself and he's not going to change. So feedback is useless.

He's just not cut out to be a coach

Watch out for a ramping up of whinging if Perth lose to Brisbane. It will all be Mitch Creek and the refs fault.

But if Perth start dropping games the hunt for excuses and blame is on. Hence the Creek always gets a foul but our guy doesn't comparison.

It's a terrible comparison. Tokoto uses his athleticism to avoid contact. Creek uses his to actively seek it out.

Was encouraging to see Sobey come through in the clutch despite playing poorly for 3 quarters. Takes some big kahunas to take some of the shots he did in the 4th when things haven't been going your way. He could have gone into his shell but instead he was key in getting the W for the Sixers.

Just quietly, how incredible is Mitch Creek's field goal percentage this season. 67%!! He's become so good at getting to the rack and finishing with either hand it's scary - he's such a unique player for a forward in that he hardly takes any jumpers at all unless he's wide open for the 3 like he was today.

And J, how is Tokoto a "logical" comparison to Creek when is comes to drawing fouls? Just because he's more athletic why does that mean he should get the same calls? Ever considered that Creek is just better at drawing fouls? Or is that inconceivable in the one-eyed Wildcats world you live in? James Harden gets to the line the most in the NBA - is he the most athletic player in the NBA - no. But he is the best at drawing fouls due to speed, craftiness, aggressiveness etc.

Another point for Adelaide’s free throw attempts per game - today Sydney had 5+ fouls every quarter. This adds up to minimum of 8 foul shots for the 6ers in the bonus. Maybe Adelaide’s up tempo style gets them more free throws in the bonus than every other team.

Also, I enjoyed the game today. See shorter and Randle face to face trash talking before Randles foul shot was awesome. I’m loving the toughness Shorter brings to the 6ers. I think we can go a long way this year, just gotta defend the 3 better. So many open 3’s all season for 6er opponents.

Same rules, different interpretations.

Different games, different players, different styles, different refs.

Oh so someone cites an example from the current game (context) and you assume wrongly the opinion is formed from just that one play in that one game. Your school holidays comment has so little relevance its silly.

Tokoto was an example to counter an earlier comment suggesting creek gets to the line due to his physical advantages, pretty sure tokoto is a logical comparison for physical advantages. And yes it was fresh in my mind after last nights game.

Thought this was Sydney v Adelaide thread anyways

To use J Level logic, Tokoto averages more free throws per game then Creek, therefore Tokoto is favoured by the refs!1!1!1!1!1!!!!!!1 (sarcasm)

Also, based on one call in a non wildcats game Tokoto doesn’t get the calls he deserves.......

School holidays are fun : /

No just confused as most nbl fans are when it comes to refs

Oh. Now I get it. Perth have been losing so we're looking for excuses.

Never seen creek get to the line when it wasnt a foul, try lishs fifth today. I have no problem with yo saying how physical creek is etc, no one in the league can match tokoto in the air yet he was getting incredibly frustrated at not getting calls on drives last night, yet creeks physical advantages never see him in the same position. We have elite wings, call them the same. Or male them earn it. Right nkw some get the call more often some have to earn it more often

Cairns average 27.1 3PA/g. Adelaide average 18.7 3PA/g.
Adelaide average 26.5 FTA/g. Cairns average 18.6 FTA/g.

Anyway, efficient performance from Creek and strong support from DJ and Shorter. Probably more remarkable given Creek wasn't getting clean looks. Would've been a really satisfying win for the 36ers to get over there against Randle.

Gaze has obviously not got or is ignoring any feedback about how he acts on the sidelines. His body language responding to every player indiscretion on court can't go unnoticed by his players. How is that not seriously distracting?

I’m gonna bite on the anon post,

Having a look at the last two games - taipans vs Sixers on Friday night in adelaide and today’s game va Sydney.

On Friday - Adelaide at home

Adelaide FTA - 34
Cairns FTA - 18

Today - adelaide away


Adelaide FTA - 32
Sydney FTA - 30

Clearly there isn’t much difference between the FTA for the Sixers between the two games meaning they are essentially drawing as many fouls at home and away. The difference is the opposition in that Sydney shot 30 free throws while cairns only shot 18. The difference is the fouls being called on the 36ers. There are a few reasons why this is the case - firstly adelaide were pretty bad on the defensive end today compared to thursday night allowing the kings to penetrate far too easily meaning we were often out of position and fouled as a result. Secondly, and probably more significantly, Cairns shot 32 threes on Thursday compared to the Kings 23. That is potentially 9 less possessions that cairns were likely to get fouled on than Sydney, which probably indicate the style of game they were playing compared to Sydney and why they had less FTA on Thursday and is likely the reason for the differential trying to be blamed on home cooking.

This is why looking at free throw disparity tells you very little - there are so many other factors in a game which leads to a team attempting more free throws then another. But
As Brunson said, don’t let the facts get in the way of a good home cooked meal.

to compare raw FT stats is just sloppy thinking. To do it right first - you split FT calls in to ones made on contact when the ball is inside the zone, ones called on shots attempted outside the zone, and ones drawing FT due to team fouls.

I would be surprised if the 36ers were not leading the league by a considerable margin on the number of shots attempted from drives to the rim, they may or may not have more fouls per drive - but raw parity may be due to the number of drive-&-dish out attempts being more from other teams, while IMHO 36ers tend to have more rim shot attempts per drive.

Just like Perth.

Maybe the problem is no calls in away games? Like the Brisbane game.

Good on Adelaide for playing attacking ball and forcing teams into fouls. Fearne said his guys were "sticking their hands in" on Friday. That sums up how they manage to get to the line so much. It's their game plan.

FT differential means nothing by itself. Adelaide play a style (or, have players that play a style) of basketball that draws fouls. It's that simple. Home cooking might influence a shot here or there, but it's not the major factor.

DJ has been getting to the line for a long long time. It’s why he has been one of the best, if not the best offensive big man in the league over the last 7/8 Years. His quickness and mobility make it difficult for other big guys to guard him and his ability to shoot plus his good touch around the rim make it hard for shorter defenders. He has been damn good at drawing fouls for many years and it is one of good offensive skills he has. This season is no different. To say he gets to the line ‘too much for your liking’ is a rather ignorant comment.

Creek also attacks the rim relentlessly - hence why he regularly gets to the line. He has built significant strength up over his time in the NBL making him a difficult cover for a lot of nbl defenders who can’t match it with him pound for pound. This is why he gets a number of three point plays - because where others would just go to the line for 2 and not be able to finish with heavy contact, Creek can because of his strength and he does it on a regular basis. This season he has improved his footwork and craftiness around the bucket meaning he is better at drawing fouls also.

Randle got gifted to the line multiple times in the last 5 minutes including a foul on shorter where there was ZERO contact. I just don’t get the complaining about the 6ers getting to line - they are the best in the league at getting there and their game plan is centered around getting to the rim. Instead teams and coaches should be trying to ensure their players keep their hands out and play vertical.

In general I do think the NBL is being called too tight at the moment and the offensive player does have a bit too much of an advantage with them being allowed to use the off arm to clear space far too often. However, defenders in the nbl need to adjust and they haven’t done this well so far this year. Handchecking and bumping the ball carrier is always going to get called at the moment as is the case when the defence doesn’t play vertical also. It doesn’t help with the low standard of reffing this year but I am sick of reading idiots comment on here about disparity in free throw attempts and foul counts. Depending on differing styles of play, it is quite common for there to be free throw disparities, just because your team is on the wrong side of it, it doesn’t mean the other team was favoured by the refs.

I think the game went to script and was entertaining. Almost no defence from either team and the better team won after bring pushed by the lesser team.

Lots of fouls called on drives once more, I am beginning to suspect officials have been directed to make opposition players more "Hungry" to "Jack" up foul shots.

Now, time to bring on Christmas.

Have a sook though

Because they are hard to defend because they are good players.

I've never noticed Creek getting fouls that weren't there. Players that go strong in the paint force the opposition to commit and play defence.they get calls by being proactive. He's strong and quick and just one of the many offensive threats for teams to contend with.

Johnson also gets too mamy freethrows for mine

Gaze has a 3rd year on the contract that probably pays him as well as any other coach in the league.

Surely Gaze goes by next season...

Surely tokoto is a little harder ro stop with his elevation, seems visit the line less

"Next season will be different"

Not if the "coach" continues to take money under false pretenses for the last year of his contract

Even Marty Clarke would have had his team foul in that situation.

What was Gaze thinking?

The Creek And-1 clause is now an official FIBA rule

Gleeson definitely would have had his team foul.

Then he would have drawn up a play to try to score 2 points.

I feel uncomfortable watching him.

Textbook Kings finish. Would any other coach in the league not foul there? What we saw was literally the best case outcome which was a defensive rebound followed by a prayer heave to tie the game. You foul early, hope for one FT miss, go for a quick basket, rinse and repeat. Just garbage.

About a dozen games too late to try and be a hard c&^t Andrew. Stick to being Mr Nice Guy of the NBL. You're a shit coach

Sudney fans you need to write to your club and be heartfelt about concerns for your coach. Your issues are within the club and its time to address it. Sixers called it going in to the game on what kind of reffingg would occur and they were spot. Watch the first quarter and ask yourself if that was what the Sixers serve up and have a good look at the calls both ways but mostly watch the coach and his team. And then watch your team watching them. Lindsay you are always a dad no matter the age. Time tk step in and have a chat with your son. Do it now. There is life beyond basketball.

Was that Creek's first 30 point game in the NBL? I can't recall him doing that before.

For the game yes but the Gaze timeout can stay

Yeah You're right, Kobe. Just don't like a game ending that way. But the Kings did it to themselves.

What if Randle went, "nah hold up I don't want to play on, I want a stoppage"?

Anyone got one of those mind erasing pens from Men in black? I could really use it right now...

You could see Randles heart breaking when he was sliding down the court after that turnover. He had no intention of fouling. He'd given up.

Sydney definitely could have won that game ... if only they were better at playing basketball.
Adelaide sleep-walked through a lot of it, but stood up when it mattered.
Some good signs for the Kings though, especially if Lisch can stay healthy.
If they start playing defence I could actually see them winning some games.

Ridiculous shot clock protocol (surely it's protocol because they do it every single time) by the NBL. Don't like it

I have no idea what I was just watching but it wasn't basketball