Hoops

Hawks rumours

Thanks for that comment, Anon. Were you referring to Hawks or Taipans? Because you wrote, "they only brought back 3 players from last year", I suppose you are referring to Cairns. Otherwise,also fits, doesn't it?

Cairns had a shocker last year. This year,.. they're much better.

yeah, but they let their coach of 9 years go after the season ended and by the time a replacement was signed it was so deep into post season they had to sign whoever was left. they only brought back 3 players from last year again but they actually had the luxury of putting some thought into signings this year.

the hawks are lamelo + a grab bag of bad ideas.

We've all heard of rebuilding. Some of you may see comparisons between Hawks 2020 & Taipans 2019. Lots of young'ens, lots of (potential) talent and a never-before-tried new HC.

Cairns had a shocker last year. This year,.. they're much better. Let's hope that the Hawks can be compared as an improver next year. With this statement from Anon: "They are a very young team, relying on the likes of Ball, Grida, Naar, Frolling and Dech to play roles." Not a bad local core for a team in the near future, say next year.

Anon went on with, "As I mentioned they have no recognised power forward on their roster and their veterans are on the downside (Boone, Andersen, Ogilvy)." who are all due to be replaced next season, anyway,IMO.

Very sad about Brook's injury (and loved someone's comment that he, Brooks, should/could be offered a PR role with the NBL). Also thought him a terrific influence for the young guys. His presence though, and that of Lamelo, led to unrealistic expectations that they may be a winning combo. For the sake of developing for the future, and I do mean next season, not 10 years from now, Brook's replacement is a chance to go for a player to fit in with those youngsters. Add a couple of decent imps, and the hardest part, replace that front line.

They could look like this:

*Guards: Import, Naar, Grida, Dech, Blanch (as a 2/3)
*Forwards: Import, Coenraad (reckon Bairstow/Motum would be great)
*Centres: Frolling and then????? [Lansdale to team up with Naar again - see if they still have it!? Humphries. It would be a great springboard for him if he does not make the big dance. Has a good 2020 with the Hawks and he is worth anything to the other (NBL) teams in 2021 for multi-year cont.]

Don't like saying this but AJ's time, with the Hawks is up! Could still be sound value in the league, say ala Jervis, but not at the Hawks. For me, AJ epitomises what the Hawks are now. A very good team on the way down. AJ is a very good centre, on the way down. Same can be said for Boone, I think. As for Anderson, I would like for him to stay on. Firstly 'cos he just deserves it for what he has achieved over for ever! Also, he delivers what's expected. Also, will ever be a fabulous role-model for future young bigs.

Coenraad & Blanchfield are different in that they are not yet, on their way down and could even share say, a 3-guard spot on the team.

There! Now that I've fixed the Hawks for 2020/20121 season, I'd like to add that that is the role I heard Flinn describe as the Hawks role in the NBL, as a development team.

And Lamelo!? He is a God-send. [so too was Brooks but as the scriptures (apparently) say, "He giveth and He taketh away."][No, not preaching, just saying]

Yeah saw him training at the Snakepit

He ain’t learning anything playing for that coach.

Likely that the truth is in the middle of it all. Cost a lot, but bringing in a lot of attention and I imagine has paid off. Is a young, flawed player, but a solid prospect (remember that Ferguson went from doing very little with the 36ers to starting at OKC quite quickly). Might not be a net positive on court, but currently the only contributing import they have!

LaMelo's court vision and passing skills have been impressive, but his shooting and shot selection has been detrimental to the team. LaMelo plays more like a player wanting to show off his skills to scouts and play out of himself, demonstrating floaters and step-back and deep 3s, than play within himself to win. It's more of a G-league mentality. It's an interesting comparison with RJ because RJ's stats are less impressive, but he appears to be playing within the system towards a successful team.

How will Instagram and Twitter provide a sound business model to keep the team running all season?

What happens when people stop following them actively, whether thru boredom or cos of poor results?

Anon - cherry picking stats is pretty easy.

He's almost the worst shooter on the Hawks' team (effective field goal percentage of 37.8%) - almost everyone else in the team is doing better than that, yet he takes more of the team's shots (20% of them) than anyone except Brooks.

He shoots the 3 at 18% and yet takes (nearly) three 3 point shots per game.

There're some cherries.

He is in Australia atm. Not too crazy to think he might have joined in training. Gives them an extra number at practice for drills and games, probably good for melos morale having him around, and on the off chance he's secretly a complete gun (even though he's not lol) gives them a chance to have a look at him and scout him.

It wasn't.

PW wasn’t it at an airport shop?

No airport at Wollongong. The little airfield at Shellharbour doesn’t count.

LiAngelo is training with the Hawks? Shopkeepers in Wollongong to go on red alert.

Liagelo was sitting courtside with Lavar watching LaMelo in the first home game of the season v Bullets and have i havn't seen them since so i'm guessing rumours aren't true.

Not trying to win and instead playing kids who aren't ready is clearly turning Hawks fans off. While they might get a short term bump in sponsor dollars, this isn't the way to build the long term success of the club.