Hoops

Matt Nielsen leaves Perth Wildcats

I wonder if there was any truth to the rumour of Trev possibly leaving???

Otherwise, I can't understand why one of Sydney, Hawks, or SEM didn't offer him the Job?

His credentials as an NBL player are exceptional.
His credentials as a Senior Assistant Coach, even more so.
And unlike many "assistants" he's been actively involved in recruitment, development, and game-day coaching, and is widely credited with a decent portion of the Cats success.

Really hope he lands a good role in the US.

Sad, but not surprised, destined for bigger things.

As I've said, I don't know what happened with Sydney. I guess with JVG leaving his plans were shelved. But still stupid move by Sydney.

We've known for a while now that Matt was going to leave. He's a great coach and a great person. Sad that he's missed the opportunity to return home, but hopefully whatever role he has lined up will be a great stepping stone.

Word out east is CJ Bruton about to head to US for a coaching gig too.

All the best to Matty! We did well to have him here for this many years. It's definitely time for him to move upward now.

Why would Nielsen, or anyone else, want to leave the Wildcats to go to Adelaide?
He's going to America to further his career.

Massive blow for us, but I wish him all the best, absolute legend of Aussie basketball.

Good luck to him in the U.S.

Would sixers bring him in as lead assistant to replace Joey in long run as head coach in waiting? Replace Tracey, would piss kb off but would be great hire.
But apart from coming home, being assistant in San Antonio is a dream job, was crazy to leave that. Would give left nut to be there.

Surprised Matt didn’t stay longer with the Spurs when he was with them.

Doubt it would be an SBL coach. It will be someone already inside the program who’s willing to work cheaply. Every SBL coach mentioned so far has a career outside of basketball that pays substantially more than what they would make as an assistant.

If Parsons is the top pick then SBL sucks..

Oh Hi Etto! Why not?

Parsons, no.

LAKO! LAKO! LAKO! LAKO!

Rumour is Lackovic is the front runner for the position. I

Did he finally crack a smile?

Parson is clearly the best coach and option available if your looking within the SBL and WA.
Cats may look broader....

Not a lot of other options SBL.

Matt Parsons a shoe-in. Conrad Francis as an assistant too.

Should have got the Sydney job.

Bigs seem to improve @ Perth, eg Kay, Brandt, Jervis.

Just not Derek Cooke Jnr.

^^^^ all the best

can adam forde step up from technical assistant to lead assistant? Or do they bring in a new lead assistant?

Imo a massive loss, probably thought he was a chance at both kings and wildcats jobs. I wish him all the was great player and the times I’ve met him a great bloke and looks a coach of future.

Good luck to him. He was crucial to the 3 most recent championships, and even the 2013/14 championship as a bigs coach. Time will tell if he was the key championship ingredient.

With a growing library of basketball DVD’s, I recently got hold of Magic Johnson: Always Showtime – Special Edition 2 Disc Special Edition, and I must say that I was looking forward to revisiting the NBA’s ‘glory’ days of when Lakers featuring the likes of Magic, Kareem, Cooper and Worthy were the hottest tickets in town.

Without revealing it all, the 2-disc package commences by setting the stage, with Ervin Johnson as a young kid and then traces his amazing progress through high school, college and onto the NBA and International stage as a headline act, winning titles at every step of the way. I didn’t realise he enjoyed so much success at both high school and college! What was almost as entertaining as Magic’s amazing array of highlight reel plays on his way to becoming an NBA legend were the interesting choices of fashion throughout the late 70s, 80’s and early 90’s!

As an impressionable junior basketballer, I grew up admiring NBA superstars like Magic, Bird, and Jordan, and a host of others. Looking back now I think we were really spoilt. We may have since seen many other great basketballers since, but I would argue that none have been able to play the game, and take on any position on the court just like Magic was able to do so successfully over an illustrious career.

I didn’t realise the extent to which Magic & Bird’s career’s were so closely linked that helped enhance the storied rivalry between the Lakers and Celtics that the DVD explores in a little more detail. The amazing highlights and game-winning performances are all there for all Magic, Lakers, NBA, and heck – any basketball enthusiastic should want to see!

The DVD also covers Magic’s sudden retirement from the game due contracting the HIV virus after racking up 5 NBA titles, and then documents his inspiring return to hoops in 1992 that saw him headline the NBA All Star Game and of course take his place in arguably the greatest team ever assembled at the Barcelona Olympics.

The first DVD includes the Magic Johnson story and also the entire 1992 NBA All Star Game complete without ads! The second disc includes a further two of Magic’s most memorable games ever games in full – Magic’s first NBA game in 1979, and game 6 of the 1980 NBA finals when Magic starts at centre in place of legendary Kareem Abdul Jabbar.

It is definitely worth watching to relive “Show Time” and to experience the best of what Magic had to offer. I only wish the package included some decent footage of the ’92 Dream Team.