Hoops

Brisbane v Melbourne Dec 8

Adnam is a legit NBL level player. Talented...at one end

He's a liability at the other

Hooley is serviceable. Can play 1 or 2, and no obvious weakness. Decent defender, can rebound too.

If I had to choose one, tough decision

[What happens if they make the GF, and Ware gets injured?]

It happened last year

Ware only missed a half, but Hooley proved he belongs in this league, and United won the game.

Bairstow plays quite a bit at C, then they go small with Vukona, Te Rangi and Patterson together, which has been quite good for them (on the eye test, anyway), so I think they'd be content with their frontline. For mine it's the scoring guard off the bench, be that Kendle or someone else. Get that right and they're in good nick.

Next signing?

The talk on Brisbane's next signing revolves around an import PG.

In all honesty, the Bullets guards are not really the problem here. Cadee, Gliddon, Gibson, Patterson and now, Kendle (replacing Holt). Gibson off thee bench for Cadee or Gliddon and Kendle (for short, sharp bursts as per yesterday) for Patterson.

The 4's are great. Bairstow, Vukona, TeRangi.

Now in the Centre pos, Brisbane have Hodgson, then Magnay and Harrison listed as C's. In reality, Magnay and Harrison are L platers and only Hodgson as there on-court mentor. Add a "good", veteran C as a Hodgson back up and an experienced mentor for the future centres (I don't see Hodgson in that mentor role, yet. He is also still learning).
Yes, Bris can cover for the 5 with their 4's, they have done that job very well, until we come up against Bogut (Pineau/Acouth), Boone/Pledger, Brandt/Jervis - the TOP 3 TEAMS, by the way. Are Bris looking to guarantee 4th or do they sniff a chance at the top Spot?

Patterson's inclusion Gee and Kendle's appearance for Holt seems to have been THE shot that Bris needed. Think a back-up, or even a starting C is what they now want.

Your thoughts?

The Bullet Train is starting to pick up some speed!

Thank Perth for Brisbane’s win tonight.

Brisbane clearly learnt from their loss at home to Perth and have become better because of it.

Good guy Wildcats continue to support the league.

In case you missed it, their loss to Sydney helps build a case that David Wear is a good import. The more Sydney win with him, the less likely they are going to get rid of him.

Good guy Wildcats playing the long game!

Three games tomorrow is just overkill. I can't watch three consecutive games how many people could?

This game should've been played tonight.

Not difficult for most things to be more exciting than cricket.

+/-

Cadee -14

Kendle +24

Nuff said.

Choo choo baby

Interesting game and interesting times

Brisbane flicked the switch, turned up their D, United lost confidence, took me by surprise

Bris look like a better team with Kendle and Patterson firing compared to Holt and Gee.

Looks like a decent crowd in Brisbane tonight, which is a good sign. Also, good to finally get an enjoyable game this round after a couple of duds.

Why would you compare Cotton in Perth to a Melbourne player, especially Goulding, in Brisbane? That's a reach

Damned right LV. That is a shocker.

Goulding on that last 3...if that's Bryce Cotton in Perth, he goes to the line every single time

Last few mins has been great example of how home teams get the calls in the tight finishes

It is what it is but you can't deny it's real

United living by the 3 here...will they live or die?

Kennedy has to be the worst defender going around. Is Melbourne are stuck with a dud?

Goulding got hit hard, no call

Now Patterson to the line when Kennedy got all ball.

Too many tattoos I think

... what was that unsportsmanlike for?

Bris defensive energy level went from low to intense, and the 17 point deficit has evaporated

Cadee in danger of losing his spot to Kendle.

NBL app doesn't even have Kendle listed in the box score... Top quality stuff as usual.

Wow thx PeterJohn, thanks for reminding me about that site

One of the greatest chair pulls there

Name another time Pat has flopped all season.

Live I saw it as Patterson trying to protect his face from Moller raising the elbow.

Oh and I mean slight contact on the body. No head contact ever, but Patterson throws the head back. That was soccer worthy

Craig Moller was already behind the eight ball in the looks department, but that hair is making it much worse.

Talk about flopping

Hows Patterson throwing his head back before Moller made some minor contact

See that's an interesting one. Maybe an offensive foul, but definitely a horrific flop at the same time

Yeah NOTHING. We probably couldn't even beat Qatar with him as head coach.

Brisbane are awful defensively. Patterson is great on offense, but zero effort the other way. They won't make top 4 playing like this.

Every now and then Brisbane's D just looks awful and United gets a shot that's way too open

That's the main difference here

Hooley and Kendle is uncanny

Kennedy is learning from CG, becoming one of the better floppers in the league

Shithouse reffing sees Casper get his 3rd foul before the half

Let them play and let us watch the guns please

United is an exceptional defensive team

When they're shooting like this over 4 quarters they're bound to win

But, still early days in this contest

Hooley, Casper, CG with nice scores, Barlow and Moller chipping in with 3s, if United keep shooting at this clip it'll be easy

But given how the seasons gone you just know there's plenty left in this, and it's probably going down to the wire

Does Shane Heal ever not commentate? I know he obviously doesn't, but it seems he gets the majority of games. I dont dislike him, but wouldnt mind hearing the opinions of somene else every now and again. Only problem is the rest arent that great to hear either.

CG43 wow

Where does this guy sit in the pantheon of all time great NBL outside shooters?

Here's ESPN's Draftcast and DraftExpress's Draft Headquarters.

(Australian hoops bloggers, feel free to plug your draft coverage in a reasonable manner.)