Hoops

'Sutton' - The New Age Point Guard

master? haven't you even considered what I said earlier about Smyth giving court preference to those who train well. Hill's confidence may not increase by getting only a few minutes on court, but I imagine he would be getting many hours per week in training. If he is not proving his case in training, he will not get the court time. NBL games are not a training session for development players. Its cut throat competition and you have to win them. To win them, you get the right mix of players on the court. Each game is also different and decisions have to be made based on the situation. How could you have taken court time away from Copeland last night when he was on fire, and give them to Hill who was just fouling and turning over the ball?

Yea i would also like to see more of Hill, but Sutton is an actual Point Guard not a shooting guard trying to play point so i can see the value in playing Sutton, he is also a young SA player which is good to see. Hills position is probably the deepest in the 36ers team, with Farley, Copeland, Ng also playing it so it is hard to give him more minutes. Farley is easily ahead of Hill, and Ng and Copeland are either ahead or equal of Hill, so who do we bench for Hill thats the problem, i think the simple answer is Copeland, and that is why many people questioned his signing, but Phil didnt sign Copes to bench warm, and at 41 there is no point haiving him unless you are going to play him, and after a 20 point performance, its hard to see his minutes dropping, i personally would try giving Ng and Copeland 5 mins less each and thats 10 mins extra for Hill where he would average around 15 a game, but yea its a tough situation. I hope Hill understands this situation and hangs in with the 36ers for a few more years, as i thikn he is a potential starter and star in the nbl, and his time will come, as Copeland will only be there 1 more year tops id say, so theres more minutes for Hill if he hangs in there. And also looking at other clubs what club would Brad Hill get more significant minutes at, as alot of clubs have deep guard rotations like Brisbane have Bruton, Black, Ere and Mick Hill, the kings have Tovey barley getting on court, the tigers have Crosswell and Corletto off there bench, other to name a couple, so i think Hill is just unlucky and i hope to see him get a few more minutes, hang in there and be a 36ers starter in a few years time!!

Smyth gives game preference to those who train well. From Sutton's performance last night and the way Hill has played so far this season, it would suggest that it is evident in training as well. Sutton must have had an outstanding training week to be given so much time last night. It was one of the changes Smyth made to try and improve the team's performance but he wouldn't have made this change if he didn't feel Sutton would cope with the pressure. He looked totally in control last night and was worthy of every minute he spent on court.

Sutton is definatley a brilliant player, I've been watching him play at forestville for years and that boy's got game. The only trouble is Hill is also a good player so I'm not sure what the sixers should do. Just remember, Team Dirty Sanchez, that just because someones out of form right now doesnt mean they have to go. They'll work they're way back into form (just look @ copeland when we played the crocs).