Hoops

Cairns

...or shoot a gun.

He's only just turned 24, younger than some College returnees, so he still has upside.

Mirko Djeric... BANG! BANG!

They should go after dufelmeier as a dp.

Jonathon Mines has been having a great season in the QBL. He is a Brisbane boy, played D2 College ball, and was a training player with the Bullets last season. Was tossing up between Cairns and Townsville for this QBL season, the Heat seems to be like the right decision so far. Would Cairns be looking at signing him? Young player looking for an opportunity, 2/3 year deal on the minimum?

Mirko confirmed on NBL website.

That's also anticlimactic.

It's Mirko.

Would be anti climatic if it were to be Jawai.

"Or is the Next Stars program for prospects who are genuinely going to be drafted?"

Next Stars is aimed at prospective "one & done" players. Ie kids who only go to college to complete their eligibility, basically waste a year phaffing around in a basket-weaving course they will never finish, and declare for the Draft after one season.

The attraction for them is that they get to travel, they earn some cash, being professional can get a head-start on endorsement deals, and play in a professional adult league which is actually better preparation.

The advantage for the NBL is lifting our profile in America (and elsewhere) and hopefully getting people interested in following (and maybe even watching) our league.

The advantage for the club, is that they get a free player, who whilst young is probably a bit more exciting that some of the local bench-warmers.

Realistically this means we're looking at high-profile kids from American high-schools, maybe 1st year College.

Player announcement Thursday 30/5, 11.00am.

Is it time for Fisher to be given a roster spot? Steady and reliable and knows the system. I would prefer him over the likes of Mirko Djeric.

Blagojevic is still very raw. he's getting minutes with the Marlins atm but is still finding his feet. he had a great dunk waved away on Friday.

Tommy Hamilton is shit. Terrible shot selection, out of shape and can't stay out of foul trouble. he should be dominating in the paint in a league as small as the qbl, but instead but keeps throwing up junk from outside.

I'm becoming more sold on the idea of jurlina and krsolvic riding the end of the taipans bench if they can maitian their current form for the next few months.

If we could see what Marlins import Tommy Hamilton could do when not injured, maybe he will be a potential Taipan?

OP - Blagojevic has gone up there after graduating from Hartford D1 USA and returning to Australia, I will be keen to see if he is taken on as a DP or gets a roster spot. Great kid who can play multiple positions, loads of skill and at 6'8" has good size as well, only 22 years of age.

Of course there frustrated. Don't want to send their better guys there, in bed with the big spenders and probably want Cairns to pay overs for whats left, which isn't much.

Just a thought:

Could players like Tamuri Wigness/Mojave King, who are already getting decent NBA scouting exposure, qualify for the Next Stars program? I'm thinking Wigness especially with him being from Cairns, would only make sense for the Taipans to tie him up to a contract like Mudronja. Then test NBA waters after a couple seasons? Sort of the same path as Nate Jawai?

Or is the Next Stars program for prospects who are genuinely going to be drafted?

Cairns wanted to retire Jawai didn't they?

I wonder if Cairns effectively find themselves in the reverse situation to most other clubs??

Typically, a club will line-up its local core, then go to the Import Supermarket to fill the gaps.

Whereas Cairns are basically stuck with scrubs for their local contingent, and are far more constricted when it comes to imports.

And lets face it, its hard to be proactive when you are literally stuck hiring the guys nobody else wants.

They got Jervis because he wanted to be closer to Brisbane.

My take on what Jawai said was that he wasn't re-signing with Cairns, and it was either "Perth" (unlikely) or overseas.

Some people lack a sense of humour.

^
W@nker

I understand they have already began their search for their local contingent.

Pamphlets have been printed and distributed throughout the township, and Lucas Walker has offered to hand out flyers at the Mall for a free Quarter Pounder.

So many different rumours for Jawai, he could even join Breakers with Bogues and Anthony who knows.

Jawai's back in Cairns right now. he was at the townsville game on Friday night.

Jawai has been rumoured to have signed with Perth.

I think the main reason they only have 3 players signed so far is they're still negotiating with Jawai. If he re-signs it would take up a big chunk of their salary cap if he signs with a Euro team I bet they start signing players pretty quickly.

Fox Sports 2 is showing a replay of the Perth Wildcats vs Shanghai Sharks today at 3:30pm.