Hoops

Rd 2 - Bullets @ Perth - 12pm AWST

"I still feel White is too passive on the floor, I know its in his character to be a quiet guy, but he looks uninterested and doesnt assert himself enough. "

I notice one very interesting passage of play with White.

He had the ball in the corner, passed off, got the ball back and took the shot which rimmed. I was just thinking "that won't help his confidence".
On the next shot (same phase) he went in hard and got the rebound, muscled his way to the hoop, got the contact AND made the shot.

He's averaging 16 points at 52% so far, so I guess wait and see how he does against tougher opponents.

"Perth haven't looked anything special to me so far."

In some ways I'd agree, although Cotton is clearly a class above.

But the great thing is the depth. We're not cringing every time the 2nd team comes on, nor panicking every time there is a whiff of injury.

Lol, Adelaide being more 'tired' is one of the worst excuses I've heard in a while

Perth haven't looked anything special to me so far. They are 3-0 so yes their fans can crow all they like but 2 of those wins were against trash and the first one was a 50/50 game against a tired opponent. Once they play some decent teams we will get a read on what they are really made of. If they are going to live and die by Martin's 3 point shooting then all I can say is good luck.

Cotton putting terangi on skates was brilliant. Also pretty sure no one expected white to pass down to jervis. Despite homicides "3rd import" cry perth is deeper amd more balanced than they have been in years. Id say kay is on par with knight, norton a huge step up from kenny and white a better floor spacer than Prather, though prather has him for defence and slashing, playmaking tba as prather had his struggles there early on. It's a long season and there shouldn't be too many easy wins but Perth has looked very good so far.

All the dramas mostly sorted.
Game was ok, albeit a bit too comfortable for the Cats. Really liking their depth this season. Even Hire managed to hit a 3.
Not much for the highlight reels.

I am surprised that Jervis and Brandt played only 27 minutes between them, whilst we seem to be overplaying Kay.

That crowd figure can't be right, as AD said big patches of empty seats.

The 11,599 includes members who didn't attend.

Hard to estimate numbers, but I would be surprised if that 11,500 number is real. There were certainly patches of empty seats.

The 11,599 includes members who didn't attend.

I will say, that whilst I got there quite early, the bag situation seemed improved.
But I noticed they were still inspecting bags as though trying to find contraband Tic-Tacs.

Fairly lack lustre game at the Jungle today. Got to see Cotton' hops and pending Trimbles performance tomorrow, you'd say Cotton is leading MVP at this early stage. I don't feel like we got out of 2nd gear today so looking forward to see what we serve up against United. If we win, I think it cements us as the title favourite, earl days, but the way we're playing as a team is miles ahead of the other teams at this stage from watching other teams bickering with each other on the court. Biggest difference this year to last and the pressure off Cotton to score all the points, Kay has been a huge help, Terrico has been solid, and Norton is a much better back up PG than Kenny.

Woeful game to watch. Brisbane are a mess, remind me of Fearne's Taipans most years where each made FG just seems way too difficult to come by. Gee was a Kings-esque signing - a guy with NBA pedigree who is long past it - but you might be able to get away with him if your other two imports aren't Holt (who should never have been re-signed) and Egwu. I feel like they overspent on their Aussie backcourt to get two guys who are best when spotting up, without the other players on board to get them looks.

I think what makes Cotton so effective in the NBL is being able to play as an undersized SG. Having Martin alongside him allows him to avoid the toughest defensive match-ups.

Mills has developed himself as a back-up PG in the NBA and worked hard on his strength and D, so he's found a niche. Cotton isn't nearly as effective as a PG in my mind.

In his short stint in the NBL Patty had his struggles against the top teams, but that was back in the day when you could manhandle guards pretty badly, with the way it's called today, and with his development over time, Patty would be a handful now.

Yep, makes sense in an international setting.

How about pro ball wise. Would Mills be a more effective NBL player or Cotton NBA player? I view them roughly similar - what would each players strengths be over the other?

"Re Mills vs Cotton. If both were Australian who would you take?"

Mills has a huge advantage because he has so much FIBA experience. Would be very tough for Cotton to bridge that gap. That said, with playmakers like Ingles, Simmons and Delly who can guard other spots you could probably afford to go with two undersized SGs if you wanted.

Probably the biggest challenge for Cotton would be improving defensively to international standard and learning how to defend the different styles of opposition.

"Sub - 9000 fans through the gate I'm thinking.

There will easily be 11000 there."

I called it. The midday start was blown out of proportion.

Re Mills vs Cotton. If both were Australian who would you take? Obviously Mills has found his place in the NBA & Cotton didn’t stick but if they switched spots would Cotton do any worse in the NBA or Mills be any more effective in NBL?

I was getting worried about the crowd right before tip off with so many empty seats still, but it filled out a fair bit after another 5-10min.

Would have obviously been bigger if it was an evening game, but still a good turn out and solid atmosphere.

"I wonder at what point Brandt starts to grumble about signing a new deal and then being recruited over and now playing 15 mins a game off the bench (probably got more mins than he would have if it wasn't a blow out too). I'm not sure why Jervis is starting over him."

Still working him back to full match fitness after injury. Played 8min in game 1, 13min game 2, 16min today. Will probably start over Jervis in the next game or two.

I think Brandt is a better fit with the second unit and if he's playing will he can finish the games with the starters.

Jervis starting has worked well.

Yeah no surprise. Perth people love a whinge. They're a dramatic lot both on and off the basketball court.

Brandt is coming back from the injury at the Blitz (I think?), I'd say they're managing his minutes until he's 100%. From memory he was starting in the pre-season.

I wonder at what point Brandt starts to grumble about signing a new deal and then being recruited over and now playing 15 mins a game off the bench (probably got more mins than he would have if it wasn't a blow out too). I'm not sure why Jervis is starting over him.

Brisbane's list of national team players is misleading,they have three who have played at Olympics or World Cup which is the real test. Around the league off top of my head:

Adelaide 0
Brisbane 3
Cairns 3
Illawarra 1
Melbourne 3
New Zealand 2
Perth 1
Sydney 4

Unfortunately for the Bullets two of theirs are past their best and the third is rusty as hell.

Crowd: 11500. Not too bad after all considering all the controversy over the start time.

Thought cotton was quiet entertaining to watch myself. Gleeson looked like he wanted something and wasn't getting it, kept the same guys in. Brisbane looked horrible, they are a terribly constructed team.

Thought cotton was quiet entertaining to watch myself. Gleeson looked like he wanted something and wasn't getting it, kept the same guys in. Brisbane looked horrible, they are a terribly constructed team.

We've already got one Patty Mills in the Boomers!

Naturalise Cotton cut Lisch from the boomers

Bit of a yawnfest, but that will happen when the opposition don't really show up.

Not every game can be a classic.

the delicious irony of this statement coming from a Perth fan:

"Pure filth from brisbane. Out here trying to hit and pummel people not play basketball... refs happy to watch"

Steindl deep in the doghouse hey

Brisbane is garbage and Perth is just slightly more effective garbage. Both the most boring teams in the league and do no favors to ratings or the 9Go NBL product. Cadee isn't a starting level point guard. Gliddon is overrated as hell. Gee has completely lost it and seems disinterested. And I don't think Lemanis is that much a better coach than Gaze, partly due to his puzzling picks for team line up.

Pure filth from brisbane. Out here trying to hit and pummel people not play basketball... refs happy to watch

Bullets thoughts from the 1st half.

- Egwu is a terrible stiff.

- Agree with others, Gee looks awful for someone of his 'standing'.

- Relying on Cadee to create offence for others or himself will not work.

As an aside, the white uniforms could do with more colour, they look fairly plain as is.

I'm genuinely surprised they haven't gotten rid of Gee yet he looks pretty rude.

Oh Gee. WtF

30 minutes in and no sign of the First Ever ad. SO GOOD.

Even when there is a long line it always moves very fast (apart from last week with the A4 bag chaos!!) but thanks for the tip about the side door.
I hope its a good game today but not too good. On paper the bullets look very strong!!

I don't understand why people sitting at doors 17-22 don't come in the side door. There is never a line.

Time will hit families and those involved in jnr basketball especially. Thank goodness for the
Clear and obvious bag reminder this time, hopefully sorts out the gate mess that was last week. In terms of the game, cats should habe too much firepower, but brisbane showed they can play very well on the road. There won't be many easy games this season, Sydney aside.... jokes.

I sit with 5 other people. 4 of them won't be able to make it until half time at the earliest.
The early tipoff time will affect a lot of families.

There will easily be 11000 there. The midday game situation has been massively blown out of proportion.

Want to plan a few road trips.