Hoops

Kings v Phoenix Dec 23

I don't think von Hoffe put up his own shirtless pics tbh.

Woah woah woah. Before tonight Deshon Taylor was like 5/35 from the field. He has average handles and this limits him from getting to the hoop. If 36ers have him, Moore and Griffin they would have severe scoring problems.

Yes you would think Taylor who has not been great but has showed more as he’s settled would have been a better option for the future than Randle and certainly White. His offence is starting to gel and he’s a very good defender.

Some good blocks called fouls, now.
Deshon Taylor - pretty to watch.

Cook in and Moller back and there rebounding will be fine. They are not favourites, behind Perth and United but will certainly turn up when the big games start. The minor premiership could be pivotal.

the Kings pass and share the ball better than any other team. 2 things hold them back, #1 poor rebounding, some games it is a joke. #2 they create the looks but everyone is "cold" and shots are not dropping. Maybe too many rotations does not allow players to "settle in."

They rely on Creek so much at both ends of the court, yesterday his scoring let him down after half time and Roberson was in foul trouble so sat on bench for periods of time, though Adnam stepped up offensively it still was never enough. They are still a chance and are very well coached but Pineau as good as he’s played is still not a starting five.
They should try Wesley, Creek, Madgen, Adnam, Roberson and see how it goes. Gibson, Pineau and Trist off the bench. Stevens occasionally can score but his defence is non existent.

If the kings get Lisch and Moller back healthy and a few games under their belt before finals they are very deep and while not as offensively as good as United are very good defensively.

Koberulz is an expert on tv from his long and successful tv career

Phoenix are toast. Rely so heavily on freakish shooting from Roberson to make of a token defence. Slide will continue out of top 5/6 in league.

Something specific to Benson's contract is preventing his release.

I'm amused by anyone who thinks Von Hofe could possibly have put that graphic up all by himself. That's not how TV works.

Ben,

I think that is the only thing that makes any kind of sense with Benson. He's shown this season when given enough minutes he can contribute well I think he had a 20 point game earlier in the season.

SEM obviously made a mistake not releasing him earlier during the probationary period before his contract became fully guaranteed for the rest of the season, probably due to the Wesley injury situation Tai did come back much earlier than expected he was supposed to be out until January. The Wesley/Crockett double up as mentioned likely a factor too.

But yeah they're probably trying to entice Benson to quit and forgo the rest of his money so as to stop his stock from dropping so much next season.

I feel like Benson has definitely contributed when given minutes. Don't know what the story is but it feels off to me.

Ben
If true bad result for all concerned. Phoenix are not winning it this season so short term loss but Benson could be long term job prospects become not available due to his stats and time this season.
I’m not certain he’s been given a fair shot though, he just never gets any time.

I regret mentioning the turd. Apologies. Really wish I hadn't left the TV on and saw that abomination of a post game show.

Oh, and crowd topped 10k which is great for a Monday night at this time of year.

Typical terrible refereeing with no consistency on the screens or the charge/block. Benson is a prime example, gets pinged for an illegal screen identical to pretty much every screen getting set tonight, but gets called for it because he’s both an import and a big. Entertaining game though and I liked what I saw from the more quick/youthful lineups with Cooks/Bruce/Tate/Taylor (gasp).

This von Hof narc is in love with himself - randomly shows a pic of himself shirtless for no reason, WTF. NBL on air talent (if you can call it that) is shocking.

Agree with above. SEM have effectively played with one import for the season so far. Can’t keep that up in this league.

Surely Benson has to go. I love Pineau’s heart and energy but a dominant big would take Phoenix to the next level. They’ve lost so many games by single figures and you’d think someone half as good as Long or Bogut would have made the difference. Especially because they get dominated inside and o boards are an issue. Can’t understand the logic behind keeping Benson and just not playing him.

The NBL is going to destroy all the good work it has done in the last 2 years if it doesn’t sort out the disgraceful and in acceptable level of refereeing. Everything has improved in the league but the referee standard has gone backwards. Losing interest because of the rubbish dished up and its getting worse by the week. Please NBL wake up!!

Lemanis has been dealt with accordingly based on his decisions for that World Cup.

How on Earth did Lemanis pick Cooks over Creek. That’s horrendously bad

That makes perfect sense actually.

What has happened to the defence in this league. Every team is an open sieve.

It’s getting worse lol. Casper flopped a ripper then

Sydney is being kissed by the refs so bad. It’s disgusting

As I read your post the camera angle went wide to reveal a massive purple curtain.

I don’t think Moller is back till mid January, it’s his ability to guard the pick and roll that has been missed the most. Even with out him kings should win this by a reasonable score or they are pretenders. Lisch would would be good for the kings as well.

Kings by 12 minimum.

Is Moller back?

... tips off in about an hour, live on ESPN2
Bit of a basketball smorgasbord today, but I'm definitely going to give this one a look.