Hoops

New Zealand v Cairns Jan 24

Bogut has kept Kings in finals contentions, Long has not.
Bogut is an MVP candidate, Long is not.
Bogut has more double doubles this season than Mr Double Double.
I don't even like Bogut and really like Long, but common sense.

Bogut has taken Sydney up the ladder from last place, Long has taken NZ no where, Long has not been that consistent and foul prown.

Remember that the way the voting works is quite different this season, so "best of a bad bunch" is far less likely to win now.
On the other hand, good form at the back end of the season is more likely to be noticed and remembered, so I think the race is still on.

The way the voting works, Long is definitely in consideration. He’s the best of a bad bunch, won’t have much competition amongst teammates except for Wesley, and there have been a few of those sorts of winners in recent years (Conklin, Rotnei, even Cotton who was the dominant player on an average team last year.)

Agreed, MACDUB, Bogut does display body language that says "better-than-thou", but then he goes out and shows that he often is. But Long No 1 for mr after last night's game. Bogut still 1st back-up, then just about anyone.

Perhaps Long gets the nod on the All-NBL team over Bogut?

Bogut's been a great player and has singlehandedly won games for Sydney through his defence and rebounding I reckon. But I haven't been a big fan of his overall body language/apparent disinterest.

I feel like Long could win MVP, been consistently good all season and had a lot of monster games

With NZ's ownership change it feels like the club has gone from being the best to the worst in the NBL from an organisational culture standpoint.

Neither side like defence to much, bit like touch football.

A few good dunks interspersed between all the free throws

Feels like I just finished watching free throw practice

Newbill not too shabby either. Just put Abercrombie on a poster.

Long as a dunker is up there with Wiley

Majok Majok -9 in 1:32 court time is pretty remarkable.

I just made a simple observation.

Didnt really make a comparison with current jobs nor was that the point that I intended to make.

Make the change like United, have Webster come off the bench, or better yet give him a DNP. It's all too little too late for NZ, Long seems to be stat chasing now too, noticed him steal a few rebounds from Wesley in their last game. Trying to live up to that name of Mr Double Double, when in fact he does not get that many double doubles. 7 DD's in 20 games.

Losing teams tend to implode. I saw Ili arguing with assistant Mike Fitchett. Illi has been playing crap so I don't see he has any reason to be crying foul. Armani Moore likewise, foul trouble, poor ball handling and acts it up each time he is subbed out.
Corey "brilliant or awful" mostly the latter, Webster is out to lunch.
Tai Wesley tries hard but there is only so much a 6'5'' power forward can do.
Jarrad Weekes has been sensational and I'm amazed he still shares time with Shea Illi.
Shaun Long is coming into his best form but again seems incapable of attracting fouls and limiting time on court.
Abercrombie takes 7-8 shots a game whether he plays 35minutes or 15 minutes. Finn Delany doubles his production in half the time.
Braswell needs to take stock of what is happening on court and get people out who are not performing, and put in people who can make it happen.
Any team can play the team card when things go well, but I would like to see that card when things are not going well.

Third game in 6 days, wow running up and down the court for 20 mins a night. I feel for them,lets pay them more!

I think Nate will give the NZ defence some match up problems if Long gets into any foul trouble.


I am tempted to go Cairns.

One of these strugglers is guaranteed a win so that's cool.

NZ by 11.

NZ glimmer is a shimmer of a glimmer. Wouldn't be surprised if they let their imports go early if they get offered opportunities elsewhere.

NZs 3rd game in 6 days (18, 21 & 24 January) with travel NZ to Wollongong to Cairns to Auckland to NP.

Almost like an NBA schedule the past week.

Cairns have had some big travel recently too/coming up.

Also had a look on Cairns Instagram their latest/upcoming travel schedule. Sheesh they must spend a bit on travel. Surely the schedule could be improved to limit these costs more?

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