Hoops

Perth v Brisbane Nov 9

"Andrew Bogut
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@andrewbogut
Did Perth really just play the Friends TV show theme song during this @NBL game??"

Worst part is they didn't even play the part of the song with the clapping.

Pretty valid criticism.

Andrew Bogut
‏Verified account
@andrewbogut
Did Perth really just play the Friends TV show theme song during this @NBL game??

Oh FMD, it never ends. Now the Grand Conspiracy theory has been debunked, it must be a "Psychological" problem.
So what, all the refs are mentally unstable, and incapable of calling what they see?

time for chill pill
or three

"Maybe Perth plays more aggressively at home. And being aggressive gets rewarded with some free throws."

In Wildcats away games the average FT count is 25-27, in home games it is 24-11. So Perth get pretty much the same amount, but opposition teams have their numbers fall off a cliff.

"The refs can subconsciously favour the home team without it being an intentional conspiracy."

This. Players often play better at home or worse away. The environment affects people, including refs. In Perth you have an intimidating atmosphere and a very disciplined team, and that combination allows them to get away with a level of physicality they generally can't in other gyms.

Maybe Perth plays more aggressively at home. And being aggressive gets rewarded with some free throws.

The refs can subconsciously favour the home team without it being an intentional conspiracy.

"No they weren't. Just trotting out a bs line like that doesn't negate what the whole country just witnessed."

If the refs were infact bias towards Perth, Vague's block would not have been a foul, Norton would wouldn't have been called for a Tech, Mika would have been penalised for stepping over the line late in the game, Cotton would have gone to the free throw line after his game winner. Just to name a few...

The refs are just average and people get too one eyed over certain calls. Sure Perth get some favourable calls at home, but they get a lot of average ones too. Jesus christ this stuff gets blown way out of proportion after every game.

"As I said Perth were on the receiving end of a lot of bad calls."

No they weren't. Just trotting out a bs line like that doesn't negate what the whole country just witnessed.

It's not exactly news that Perth get the rub of the green in Perth. It happens elsewhere with home court but Perth (and previously NZ when they were a power) were the standouts because they knew how to play to capitalise on it, as Goorjian coached teams did.

This year Perth have shot 5 less FTs than their opponents in away games but 65 more in home games. That fits with the simple eye test when watching games from over there.

"Two of their players are bad defenders" is not an argument. Paul laid out his case.

Paul, open your eyes, that was most definitley not a game you could say perth was getting all the calls, in fact they were on the wrong end of some howlers. When cadee and te rangi are responsible for 9 fouls, chances are they were there, neither is a plus defender, and both were regularly oit of position.

Agree re Hodgson, Luuuc, really starting to find his feet in the league, probably better suited to Brisbane's style than Adelaide's.

I switched of at quarter time when it looked like Perth were cruising to a 30 point win. Good on the Bullets for showing some spine for a change they do seem to be mentally and physically tougher now and should be a chance to make the playoffs.

I thought it was a great game.
Brisbane have certainly improved, and you consider they are still bedding down their imports, and have a slot up their sleeve, they could really give things a shake this season. Great for the league, and for for thir potential sale.

Was great to have a Friday night game, and the Arena was packed. In this instance the official numbers would be realistic, as there were not many empty seats.

Cotton, what can I say. Not sure if it was shown on the telecast, but he received a sustained MVP chant. If you take those words literally, it's well deserved, he is carrying the team, and steps up when the game is on the line.

Overall a gutsy win by Perth, to grind it out with only two of their starters.
With so many injuries, my concerns are another poor showing by Jervis and Wagstaff.

I thought Jervis started the season well, but he gets into foul trouble so easily and gets benched. Now he just seems to have lost all confidence, he's no crashing the boards, but still commits cheap fouls on D. Gleeson needs to figure out a way to play him back into form.

Wagstaff is still great value off the bench, but he's already looking tired and shooting poorly.

I'm guessing plenty over east tuned out of that one because it was pretty scrappy early, but it came good in the 4th. I continue to be impressed with Brisbane. Te Rangi has stepped up with the extra opportunities, and Hodgson looks a different player to last season. Plenty to like with Patterson still settling in. Not in shape but he can clearly play. They had so many chances to say die own the stretch but kept executing under pressure and could easily have won that one.
Cotton though, I thought that game was every bit as impressive as his 45 considering the circumstances. Such a great finisher around the rim in addition to his pull-up game.

Wow, Perth better be thanking their lucky stars for whoever was the mastermind to bring Cotton in, as he's earned his money 10x over! At least it wasn't just him this time, Mitch really was key there in the stretch that they came back...

Speaking of calling things consistently... How does Mitch get a tech for what he did, but Wagstaff can grab a ref and scream in his face near the end of the game and nothing?

Well done to both teams for a pretty enjoyable game as a fan of neither team last night... Up and down and a great thriller ending...

While Brisbane blew a golden chance last night, one thing I did like was the way they didn't get on the refs. They took 41 shots in the paint and only got 8 FTs, but particularly early in the game when a lot of calls were being missed on their drives they didn't fall into the trap a lot of teams do in Perth of bitching to refs and losing focus.

They stuck at their plan of trying to go inside first, played through lots of contact and almost got the win. It suggests they are developing into a pretty disciplined team.

"Just goes to show, for all those who clearly don't even watch the game, and/or don't understand the rules, and/or are blind, the foul count is meaningless."

Perth were all over the Bullets from tip-off, they did the well-proven technique of initiating contact early and often so it seems like the norm to the refs. The way they defended they should have been closer to 28 fouls than 14, but their intensity and discipline to the plan was excellent.

It was a smart strategic move from the Wildcats knowing they would probably struggle if it was a cleanly reffed game given how well Brisbane pass the ball. And once you get into a shot for shot slog, if you have Bryce Cotton on your side fair chance you will come out on top.

Perth have to be title favorites right now. They even have an extra import up their sleeve. It's just scary. I think we're looking at a Melbourne and Perth finals series.

Brilliant comment Luuuc! Classic!

No need to have a stroke over a one point mistake

Cotton is a legend great time to be a Cats fan, Bullets absolutely had us through near the end. speaking of the Bullets will Brisbane ever actually play Makoto Hiejima guy deserves some minutes at some point

Yeah good for him. He proved absolutely nothing but good for him!

Te Rangi had 30 seconds to sub out and he took all of them. Good for him. Having a tanty about that is ridiculous.

"Perth got absolutely mugged on some bad calls tonight."

AD = Alternate Dimension
Maybe in a parallel universe they got the rough end of the stick but sure as hell not in this one.

Te Rangi had no obligation to leave the court.

Bryce Cotton … hot damn … he's like the Sami Whitcomb of the MNBL

Perth grinding out a huge win. Must say lost a bit of respect for vukona tonight, appeared intent on playing the man more so then the ball.

I stand corrected on that. He was massive. He's on another level.

I'm a Perth fan and I unloaded (not really) on Brisbane when Brandt went down. Obviously I forgot about the Cotton factor

It's funny coz he won me a bit of cash with his last buzzer beater v Brisbane lel

How many more games does Andre persist with Cadee through the last quarter, whilst Gibson sits on the bench? Lots of layups past Cadee- no defensive stance.

Great game . Overtime would have been better . Cotton tooo good.

Lachy Reid said so on the TV commentary. No biggie, everyone who was following hoops.com.au during the off season already knew this.

Excellent game to watch on a Friday night as a neutral, Brisbane just had no answer for Cotton

Wildcats at home in the last 2 games have won the Free Throw count

47-11?

LOL

DO YOU LIKE APPLES, PERTH HATERZ? WELL, HOW DO YOU LIKE THOSE APPLES??

Bullets are clearly going to get the wooden spoon and then fold.

Am I doing it right?

Cotton with the (almost) buzzer beater! It's over.

Wildcats being given every opportunity to win this game, yet somehow Brisbane tie it up. I'm guessing Cotton FTs to ice it.

This game turned into a ripper in the 2nd half

Clearly.

13,132 attendance.

Ok well Cotton looks fine going off of that play. Nice.

Teen-like scrappy facial hair in a long strip huh. Creepy fetish.

Why does he persist with it? Looks disgusting.

Cotton? I like how it breathes

"Cadee's mutton chops look delicious"

Why does he persist with it? Looks disgusting.