Hoops

Am I the only one who thinks that Sydney will Crash & Burn?

"Bogut is going to be closer to 12-8 than 20-10 IMO. Which is fine"

But is it?
Is that enough

Problem is that even if he's basically set for life, and playing for the league minimum, people are going to assume that Sydney are paying him $1M.
If he doesn't smash it, there's going to be a lynch-mob.

The big question is how did United let Bogut get away?
He was always going to join United and something clearly got him into a Kings jersey.
Gaze will have less influence over his players now that Bogut is there.
Once on the floor it be the Bogie show. Gaze dont like it? Tough mate. Either way your last season.

Bogut needs to come out and absolutely smash it.
I'm sure if he can bring the same level of intensity he did in his championship days, he should dominate at NBL level. But can he do that?

And the ref question is legitimate. Bigs need to really work for their fouls in the NBL, and the refs are tough on anyone they perceive as throwing his weight around.

Sounds like a niche betting market on Bogut and Lisch.

Draw a line at 10 games missed combined.

Punters bet on over or under the line.

Good nicknames for probably Bogut and Lisch, Crash and Burn. Over or under they miss 10 games combined?

You are definitely not the only one. I'm optimistic because it will be a full season of Randle, but I'm not expecting big things from Bogut on the court, just hopefully good health and less than 4 fouls in the first half most nights.

But it could all just as easily blow up again and have us battling it out for 7th spot if history is any indication.

Bogut is a winner in the change room as much as on the court, he will help Gaze and when he speaks all will listen, even Randle. He won’t have to score 20 for them to win, just setting screens for Randle, Lisch, Newley will be enough for those two get the job done.

If Bogut doesn't show the hunger and drive in his debut nbl season by
dominating the middle and leading the kings by scoring 20+ pts & 10+ rebs
then he, gaze, jvg should be SACKED!!

All the hype of him joining the kings will mean nothing if they don't
win!!

Essentially if Bogut's at the top of his game, I expect everything else to mostly fall into place, and they should be right in the title mix.

If Bogut struggles then there's a huge chance the whole thing implodes.

The big question mark is Bogut's health and form.

He's barely played since Rio, and turns 34 in a few months.

Will this be the same Bogut who helped the Warriors win a title? Or a washed up version who's shuffling up and down the court and constantly in foul trouble?

The locker room, personality issues. Gaze's coaching, the age of the whole squad are issues. But Bogut individually is the big one. If he's healthy and brings it, those other question marks won't matter as much. Randle is replaceable- but a good Aussie group is vital, and Bogut is the cornerstone.

Am I the only one who thinks that Sydney will Crash & Burn?

1 word: history

We are all thinking they will. #violetcrumbles

It looks like this roster will struggle to fail however the rest of the league should never give up as long as Gaze is still the coach!

Centrals, Forestville, Mt Gambier & Geelong played some practice games in Millicent over the weekend. Just wondering what people thoughts were on how the teams are looking this season?

FWIW, I was impressed with Forestville, especially with Tucker back in the fold. Sully had poor weekend but think they will be good again. Mount Gambier looked good, definately have imports you would pay to see. Were they missing anyone? Centrals have a good import but will otherwise struggle and Geelong looked pretty ordinary but having said that their 2 imports werent there.