Hoops

36ers sign Shaun Bruce as Moore replacement

Anyone know where I could buy a Shaun Bruce jersey? Loved Aaron Bruce, would like to complete my set.

Admission. Replies to my comments asked which locals are good enough to rplace 3rd imports.

Well, I had a look. Went to seasons stats and tried to find some possibilities.

Got to admit, found no-one better.

A couple who may be just about good enough, so in other words, sorry, was wrong about QBL.

Some damn good imports though who may slip into that other qualification re already playing here. Wonder why Bozeman is never spoken about.

It's Wilson and Trist's own fault for signing with a team like that. If you're dominating the SEABL why wouldn't you go to a team where you can get minutes like the Hawks or Cairns and develop yourself and become an NBL player, instead they got suckered into signing with the big market team and now get no minutes.

Grida is a great example, wasn't putting up big scores in the SEABL but now has his chance with good rookie mins at the Hawks.

Maybe a lesson for the future players.

Big call on Trist, IMO. I think he's NBL standard from glimpses I've seen, just not what United need at the moment. Throw him on the Taipans and he's scoring in double digits I think... probably giving up double digits too, sure, but not alone there.

Wilson was getting spot minutes pre-injury, but that well and truly pushed him out of the rotation. Hard to say if he's NBL standard or not but he had some decent showings pre-season.

I just don't see the reasoning behind a third import supposedly keeping good locals out of the league. As it is right now every team has 1 or 2 locals on their rosters who aren't NBL standard players.

Adelaide - Adam Doyle
Perth - Rhys Vague
Cairns - Mitch Young
Brisbane - Makoto Hiejima (replaced by import)
Sydney - Tom Wilson, Deng Acouth (replaced by import)
Illawarra - Marshall Nelson, Kevin White (possibly)
Melbourne - Dan Trist, Tohi Smith-Milner (possibly)
New Zealand - Jordan Mgatai, Majok Majok (possibly)

With the league expanding next season there will be opportunities for a further 8 locals most of which weren't deemed NBL standard by teams this season.

Wilson at the Kings is possibly an example of circumstance (Adnam) rather than import, but he had a strong off-season and I was expecting him to get solid minutes. The extra team will absolute provide more opportunities.

I've said it a few times, but I'd peg the third import to some requirement such as having played SEABL/similar in the recent off-season. Or a Next Gen/Star/whatever player uses a third import spot.

Saving $$$s on Bruce was a great first step, but if the club is really serious about tanking this season, we need to run Teys more.


Do it for the draft picks.

I'm fine with 2 imports, I'm just not sure it will have the intended effect. Isaac's point re: 3rd imports and their wages is a good one, and I think with the Shaun Bruces of the league at that spot the money will start to dry up, and I think it's more likely teams will carry development player-level guys rather than fork out more cash for a Bruce on the end of the bench, who will probably be wanting to earn more playing ball than he could get doing whatever else he is qualified to do for a living. More teams is the better solution, which we are on track for (assuming no teams fold...).

just naturalise kendle and ray turner to more aussie players

PPS. Why are "our" European based players not being offered those roles, for eg? Is it that they get even more than 3rd imports here?

If Bruce is the best "spare" Aussie around, how in the hell are the Phoenix going to find 8 Aussies?

The comments regarding whether the 3rd import spot should be axed is really worth thinking about.

Most 3rd imports could be replaced by locals IMHO. Being a banana bender, I follow the QBL closley. In all honesty, there are several players in that comp alone who could fill the few 3rd imports we are talking, 9 in all. Not saying that QBL fill those 9 spots. But you have (ex)SEABL players and, of course, the other state leagues.

I admit that I am taken by the :hoopla: round imports, but reality is that Aussies could fill those rolls adequately. The 3rd import is no longer raising the general standards ...yadda yadda! And, I am not just being all lovey dovey for Aussies. It makes sense. Certainly sensible line of thought.

PS. May even free up some $$$$ to offer Aussies chasing those same dollars O/seas.

PPS. Why are "our" European based players not being offered those roles, for eg? Is it that they get even more than 3rd imports here?

Add in Sydney not replacing Wear and Brisbane bringing in an average player. Clubs aren't spending for three stars - perhaps it's time to go back to two imports per team.

Shaun Bruce cheap
Sixers cannot afford another import .
Just like Perth can not afford to get a 3rd import.

If joey gives him some court time he will pass and have the odd 3 point play

He's not even the best point guard in his family.

Wow Brucey will have to drive his MG past Hungry Jack's wearing his First Ever gear to the Chemist Warehouse and buy some angry pills to fit into Joey's squad!

Was Aaron not available?

Lol good answer Big Sexy! I guess this ends the conspiracy theories that Moore was shut down to allow the Sixers to sign a star import point guard.

Doesn't move the needle much, but not much they can do with only a few days left to sign someone.

The positive side of this is that Drmic should get more minutes at the 2 to develop his game. Would be nice if Joey drew up a few plays to get him better looks too, but I'm not holding my breath!

2015-17, Bruce was useful for Cairns and Brisbane, but then dropped away in 2017-18. Not sure if that was on him or more coach/roster. Shooting percentages have never been great. He's never had a FG% above 40% for example.

Probably doesn't need to shoot with the roster around him, but the 36ers need too many things to go right for this to all work out. Need more from DJ, Drmic and Deng to fire in their minutes, Wiley to remember plays, etc.

First two games of this round will be interesting. By Saturday afternoon, 10-10 Adelaide will have faced 12-8 Perth and 13-7 Sydney. Could be barely out of third.

Oh look, another cheapout. Sorry Sixers fans.

Whats the difference between Adam Doyle and Shaun Bruce???

Joey would be a moron if he plays Sobey under 35 mins and give minutes to Bruce and/or Doyle. Kiss your finals chances goodbye.

I guess it stops people from clamouring for a replacement to be signed.

Underwhelming.

Bye bye finals Adelaide!

Boomers take another step towards the London games with another hit out against quality opposition early on Tuesday morning Australian time...

Action gets underway at the Rhenus Sports arena at 3:30am AEST.

Live Stats - Boomers vs France!

Spurs team mates Parker vs Mills will be interesting to catch!

Post any live video links in this thread for those who will get up early.