Hoops

Can Cairns win this title?

GordonG why not?

Pre-season Cairns were in the $30-$50 range depending on the bookmaker.

However due to their slow start to the season the odds went up to three figures at times, i.e. $101, $251 before entering the top four for the first time in early November after two wins in Round 10.

Here's a piece graph history from Betfair exchange although it isn't reflective of all the odds movements throughout the season due to low liquidity (max odds traded of $100, min $4.40:

I think at one stage Sportsbet had us at around the $400 mark or something like that. Pity I'm not allowed to bet...

Also re the travel - Taipans leave Tuesday morning for Perth, same scenario as game 1, leave 1 day earlier than for a regular season game.

Does anyone know what odds Cairns were paying at the start of the season to win it all

If the team stays healthy, depth won’t be too much of a concern.

I think gradually over the past 15 years, basketball fans have come to accept this idea that depth is crucial.

But it’s not necessarily the case. I remember the Tigers winning championships with essentially a 7 man rotation in the 90’s. Then in 2006 with an 8 man rotation.

3 of the 4 remaining teams rely very heavily on their stars producing to win matches. This is just how basketball typically works. We’ve seen this with Cotton against Cairns this year- when Cotton doesn’t fire, Perth gets beaten. The exception is Sydney- Ware had a shocker, Bogut was continually benched and couldn’t defend Long, and Sydney still won.

Sydney has greater depth and a greater spread of contributors than any other team. It doesn’t mean Sydney will win the championship, it just means they’re still a real chance of winning even if their guns don’t fire. I don’t think the same is true of Cairns. But it’s also not true of Perth and United.

Not sure they have the depth to see off Perth and then back up. There's a lot riding on the import trio and they're playing a lot of minutes.

But otherwise, sure. Took overtime for Perth to get them in Perth. Meanwhile, Sydney needed Melbourne tripping over themselves to win in Sydney.

Bloody oath they can! They almost beat the cats in regulation in perth and dominated at home. They have a greater spread of scoring threats and everyone is in form and playing with confidence.

The cats are carrying a couple of passengers right now and wouldn't be surprised if they get rolled. If Cairns get past them they will go all the way IMO

Agree re: the best 3rd seed. The bookmarked an otherwise great season with a poor beginning and end to the year, otherwise they could easily have been #1 or #2 seed.

They can

I don't think they will.

But they're absolutely a serious chance. They might be the best 3rd seed in many years.

They can, but personally don't think it will happen.

Going to be a big ask to beat Perth at home then go on to win a 5 game series against Sydney(?).

As a Perth fan though I'll be rooting for them if they advance to the grand final.

Everyone talking like the series is over, they have played out of their skin to game's in a row in Perth.

If they win then they deserve to be there and any one bar Melbourne can win.

they have a better chance against Perth in Perth than any other team in the competition right now..

We're working on it...

:)

They could, but an elimination game in Perth usually ends just 1 way. Their best shot was to finish 2nd and get the homecourt advantage, but as it is Cotton has perfectly paved teh way to respond with another big night and get the Cats into the finals.

Best import trio in the league means they can beat anyone. Oliver is a match-up nightmare for every single team.

Yes. No other team stands a chance.

Does anyone know what the realistic chances are of Joey Wright coaching the sixers next year and is he interested?

To me this seems like a perfect fit with the talent we could keep with Joey on board in his ex Gold Coast running partners and his hard nosed style which has proven results is just what we need to bring some personality back to our team.

Also is Deleon a free agent next year?

Cheers.