Hoops

Perth's Shaky Start

Shaky start with a luxurious run home.

I reckon the thought process is “if I post one each year then when they don’t make the playoffs I can go I was right”

30 years later.....

[
NB: All that tonight showed us was that neither Melbourne or Sydney can play defense.]

Sydney's already proven they're an awesome defensive team.

As for United, well, Shaun Bruce just played the best game of his entire life and Casper Ware brought his A game. Despite the 100+ tally, United's D wasn't great but it wasn't terrible either.

White is super clutch. Replacing Hunt is much more likely.

Realistically they only have 3 options to upgrade their roster (assuming Cotton is untouchable, and Next Stars won't happen either). White going seems unlikely but it's still an option. Stranger things have happened

United will be champions.

Or, Prather another possibility too.

Fit is everything, it's a brutal business and we've seen stranger things (although did I read Prather signed on for 2? What's his contractual situation then?)

Tonight United proved they can play at a high level for 4 quarters against a likely top 4 opponent.

They also closed out a game- against a team with more experience than anyone, and one of the best closers in the business.

Perth may replace Hunt, or White, or strengthen the roster by signing an Aussie and demoting somebody. So, it's early.

And, this may sound incredibly outlandish but I'm not discounting the possibility of United replacing Trimble either. Not saying is likely, but it's interesting how Vickerman has no hesitation dragging him and is clearly concerned about his D

Some of you might wanna revisit this thread tonight

Early days, but based on observations of season to date, Sydney and United look like they will build towards a point where they have higher ceilings than Perth

You're so easy

Uh, you mean when they played at home and beat United without Prather, Goulding and Barlow, by 1 point after losing all game?

In other words they beat half of United's team?

They did win in Melbourne too. You're right

But not to worry- United had what, 5 players at the world cup? They didn't have a pre season. Perth's been running their group for over 12 months. Early days

Perth beat this same Melbourne line up twice already champ

Who am I kidding, the game tonight showed Sydney and United are at a higher level than Perth right now

And with the likes of Lisch and Prather to return and both teams still to fully settle in after having world cup absentees, new coaches, etc, you'd have to think both teams have more improvement left in them

When it's $ time I'll bet red!

Some of you might wanna revisit this thread tonight

Early days, but based on observations of season to date, Sydney and United look like they will build towards a point where they have higher ceilings than Perth

Not playing remotely close, still 6-2. Last season we had player's out left right and centre and still got w's.

People are underrating how comfortable White looks this season. He was inconsistent last year until the finals, but this year he has been pretty much equal with Cotton in terms of importance. His jump shot is gorgeous, and can shoot over anybody in the league.

I've learned not to count Perth out, that organisation seems to almost always get it right.

Few years ago they were dead last on the ladder in December, then ended up winning the Championship.

Last year they had that long slump mid-season, many casual fans and experts thought they would not make the playoffs without a third import.

Somehow they swept Brisbane and cut down the nets of United home court.

Like many other organisations they can make mistakes, DeAndre Daniels, JP Tokoto, Derek Cooke Jnr, Jaron Jackson (twice) and Andre Ingram, but it is how they recover from mistakes that is impressive.

Perth's defence has dropped off from their best, but I think their scoring has improved. Losing to Cairns and Brisbane would be considered failings but it's early season....we will have to see more to make a call.

[Take the heat off of Melbourne's poor 2-4 start]

That's the thing though, their start hasn't actually been that poor

No Prather, CG missed a couple, Barlow missed a couple and then returned whilst battling some minor ailments

Meanwhile United had encouraging wins against quality opposition SEM and NZ, and lost 4 games by <5 pts.

It's difficult to read. I haven't really decided how bad their defensive issues will ultimately be. That's what will decide their season. The other issue will be whether Vickerman benches CG again when Prather returns ( he should)

Master Coach Gleeson just needs to be calmer and the Cats will be fine :)

Let us know when this happens.

Take the heat off of Melbourne's poor 2-4 start which could be worsened to 2-5 tonight against the ladder leaders by focusing on Perth's 6-2 start seeing them sitting second on the ladder coupled with the bonus of knowing Perth fans will lose their shit.

Well played LV, well played.

Is LV wrong though?

I can't say I was surprised to see who the OP of this thread was

It's heart-warming that LV is so concerned about the Wildcats :)

Go watch last years gf, that's what they can do. Banking wins when you aren't playing well is the hardest thing, they dominated nz, yet shot poorly, cotton shot like 12%, yet they still got the win, how many teams could do that? It was also their second game on one of the longest road trips in sport. Maybe you should consider who sydney hasnt played

I agree they'll be in the playoffs

Just saying, purely based on what I've observed so far, real question marks over them at this point in a league that's obviously gotten stronger

They’re 6 and 2, the how and why doesn’t matter.
Let it go mate, they’ll be in the playoffs and challenging again as always.

Last year Perth had significant roster changes

Kay and White were upgrades on Knight and Tokoto. Tokoto good all round player but White provides the scoring they need.

This year, no such changes.

Meanwhile, Sydney clearly better than last year. And I suspect we'll be saying the same about United and NZ within a few weeks.

There were a MILLION butthurt threads like this last year, saying we couldn't make the playoffs and any win we had was fake. They all looked pretty stupid when we won the whole damn thing YET AGAIN

Not as shaky as United's.

/thread

Their bench isn't looking as strong as in previous years. Agreed probably not as much upside as a few other sides SEM and United especially. But they haven't clicked yet either and have looked scary in patches so should be happy with a 6-2 start.

Hunt is the only realistic option to upgrade but after todays game that seems unlikely. His performance was exactly the type of role glesson recruited him for.

Not this thread again

From Boti's site:

"I'm a little banged up but nothing serious," Schensch said, confirming he had the medical all-clear to suit against New Zealand this week.