from BasketBloggin 23 June 2009
For NBA General Managers and die hard fans around the globe, the time is nigh, draft day is upon us!! On Thursday, Friday morning for us in Australia the suspense will build to a crescendo. So far all is quiet but expect moves to be made leading up to the draft in the form of trades. There are several rumours around with Shaq, Yao Ming, Chris Bosh and , Josh Smith being the hottest. As for what your team gets under their tree, here is my look at the notables.
Blake Griffin (PF): raw power and attitude, a pure NBA power forward, don't see the Clippers going past him, needs to develop mid range game.
Hasheem Thabeet (Goes On) (C): I have already given him the addition to his name because now that Matumbo has retired, "Thabeet goes on", get it!! Seriously though he may develop a vit more of an offensive game than Matumbo had. Along with the next few names could end up anywhere from pick 2-7. Oklahoma City widely predicted to take him at number three.
James Harden (SG): he shoots well, he handles well and he's athletic. Could be bound for New York if not taken sooner.
Ricky Rubio (PG): may continue the Spanish invasion of Memphis.
Jordan Hill (PF): another power forward of note, he may be a King for more than a day in Sacremento.
Tyreke Evans (PF): a tall athletic point guard who will cause nightmares for defenders and coaches in a few years time, could be off to mystify them in Washington.
DeJuan Blair (PF): a smallish power forward but a big dog in any fight under the basket, could be roughing them up on the Jersey Shore.
I will mention more in my next edition tomorrow as the time nears, until then, happy speculating!!
22 July 2009
Emu's announced
from BasketBloggin 19 June 2009
Basketball australia has released the Emu's squad for the upcoming FIBA Under 19 World Championships in Auckland from the 2-12 July.
The squad consists of:
Listed by player, Association played in and State.
The coaching/administration staff consists of:
Head Coach: Marty CLARKE
Assistant Coach: Tim MALLON
Assistant Coach: Damien COTTER
Manager: Bob McGUGAN
Physio: Peter SUFFOLK
Doctor: Dr Graham LEE
The emus will play in a Four Nations tournament in Melbourne on 26-28 of June along with teams from Spain, Greece and France.
If you are in the area, get out and support the Emu's in their preparation for the Championships.
Basketball australia has released the Emu's squad for the upcoming FIBA Under 19 World Championships in Auckland from the 2-12 July.
The squad consists of:
Bryce ARNOTT / Dandenong / VIC
Ryan BROEKHOFF / Frankston / VIC
Jason CADEE / Bankstown / NSW
Matthew DELLAVEDOVA / Maryborough / VIC
Cody ELLIS / Sterling / WA
Hugh GREENWOOD / Hobart / TAS
Shane HARRIS-TUNKS / Liverpool / NSW
Matthew HODGSON / Ipswich / QLD
Brock MOTUM / Brisbane / QLD
Jorden PAGE / Maroochydore / QLD
Christian SALECICH / Southern Districts / QLD
Mitchell YOUNG / Logan / QLD
Ryan BROEKHOFF / Frankston / VIC
Jason CADEE / Bankstown / NSW
Matthew DELLAVEDOVA / Maryborough / VIC
Cody ELLIS / Sterling / WA
Hugh GREENWOOD / Hobart / TAS
Shane HARRIS-TUNKS / Liverpool / NSW
Matthew HODGSON / Ipswich / QLD
Brock MOTUM / Brisbane / QLD
Jorden PAGE / Maroochydore / QLD
Christian SALECICH / Southern Districts / QLD
Mitchell YOUNG / Logan / QLD
The coaching/administration staff consists of:
Head Coach: Marty CLARKE
Assistant Coach: Tim MALLON
Assistant Coach: Damien COTTER
Manager: Bob McGUGAN
Physio: Peter SUFFOLK
Doctor: Dr Graham LEE
The emus will play in a Four Nations tournament in Melbourne on 26-28 of June along with teams from Spain, Greece and France.
If you are in the area, get out and support the Emu's in their preparation for the Championships.
Did Dwight Howard really have a terrible Finals series??
from BasketBloggin 16 June 2009
After taking time to digest my humble pie and assess what went wrong with the Magic, I went no further than young Dwight Howard initially. Some may say that his game needs more work? That he misses too many free throws? That he is not a leader?
All of the above are relevant questions, but now ask yourself, how many other 23yr olds have taken teams to this position? True Kobe Bryant went but there was the "Big Aristotle" to show him the way along with the "Zen Master" on the sidelines.
Some of the more glaring press slants are Dwight misses two free throws down the stretch in Game 4 and suddenly he is an offensive liability, Kobe misses four free throws down the stretch in Game 3 and he is considered "just tired".
In the Eastern Finals Game 6, LeBron James had a shocker, no one writes about the fact that he had a bad game, just that he needs more help. Howard still gets criticised even though he actually averaged 15.4 points and 15.2 rebounds in the finals. True he shot only 60.3% from the line but other great big men through NBA history--Bill russell and Wilt Chamberlin--have shot worse while Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was probably the best foul shooting big man in the finals over the years.
Remember most big men Howard's age are only one year into their NBA careers or 2-3yrs at most if they spent at least one year at college whereas Howard's has been on the job training. He will be back again and the league will have to deal with a more determined, polished young buck the next time around.
After taking time to digest my humble pie and assess what went wrong with the Magic, I went no further than young Dwight Howard initially. Some may say that his game needs more work? That he misses too many free throws? That he is not a leader?
All of the above are relevant questions, but now ask yourself, how many other 23yr olds have taken teams to this position? True Kobe Bryant went but there was the "Big Aristotle" to show him the way along with the "Zen Master" on the sidelines.
Some of the more glaring press slants are Dwight misses two free throws down the stretch in Game 4 and suddenly he is an offensive liability, Kobe misses four free throws down the stretch in Game 3 and he is considered "just tired".
In the Eastern Finals Game 6, LeBron James had a shocker, no one writes about the fact that he had a bad game, just that he needs more help. Howard still gets criticised even though he actually averaged 15.4 points and 15.2 rebounds in the finals. True he shot only 60.3% from the line but other great big men through NBA history--Bill russell and Wilt Chamberlin--have shot worse while Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was probably the best foul shooting big man in the finals over the years.
Remember most big men Howard's age are only one year into their NBA careers or 2-3yrs at most if they spent at least one year at college whereas Howard's has been on the job training. He will be back again and the league will have to deal with a more determined, polished young buck the next time around.
Fat Lady sings in Orlando!
from BasketBloggin 15 June 2009
Yes it is over! The Magic have fallen in Game 5 of the NBA Finals losing to the LA Lakers by the score of 99-86. After falling behind by nine points early the LA outfit regrouped in the second and third quarters to put the finishing touches on their 15th Championship.
The Lakers were again led by Kobe Bryant with the support of Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. Bryant can now claim ownership of a crown without the "can't do it without Shaq" hoodoo as he was also the Finals MVP. Once again the Orlando backcourt was non existent putting in another horrible shooting performance.
Finally, in conclusion, I put forward this closing statement. I am not a Laker Basher per se, I have always been an admirer of the franchise over the years. I have always appreciated the way the game was played by Magic, Jabbar, Worthy and company along with the more recent contributions from Shaq in the late 90's - 2001. Recently I feel too much of the focus/hype surrounding the team has centered on one person while the likes of Gasol, Odom, Bynum and the rest of the supporting cast went unheralded. Now all of those gentlemen can enjoy and savour the spoils of a true team effort. Congrats!!
Yes it is over! The Magic have fallen in Game 5 of the NBA Finals losing to the LA Lakers by the score of 99-86. After falling behind by nine points early the LA outfit regrouped in the second and third quarters to put the finishing touches on their 15th Championship.
The Lakers were again led by Kobe Bryant with the support of Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. Bryant can now claim ownership of a crown without the "can't do it without Shaq" hoodoo as he was also the Finals MVP. Once again the Orlando backcourt was non existent putting in another horrible shooting performance.
Finally, in conclusion, I put forward this closing statement. I am not a Laker Basher per se, I have always been an admirer of the franchise over the years. I have always appreciated the way the game was played by Magic, Jabbar, Worthy and company along with the more recent contributions from Shaq in the late 90's - 2001. Recently I feel too much of the focus/hype surrounding the team has centered on one person while the likes of Gasol, Odom, Bynum and the rest of the supporting cast went unheralded. Now all of those gentlemen can enjoy and savour the spoils of a true team effort. Congrats!!
Orlando in six prediction dead!!!
from BasketBloggin 12 June 2009
My prediction of the Orlando Magic winning the NBA title in six games fell by the wayside with todays 99-91 overtime loss to the LA Lakers. Kobe Bryamt returned to form for the Lakers who survived early foul trouble and more hot shooting by Orlando to go ahead in the third quarter and eventually pull out the win after trailing by double digits at half time. The game marked the first occaison since 1984 that two finals games have gone into overtime. Bryant finished with 32 points while Hedo Turkoglu led the Magic with 25 but missed several key free throws late in the game.
Game 5 of the series will be Sunday night (Monday Aussie time). The Magic need a win to extend the series while the Lakers can claim championship number 15 with a victory.
My prediction of the Orlando Magic winning the NBA title in six games fell by the wayside with todays 99-91 overtime loss to the LA Lakers. Kobe Bryamt returned to form for the Lakers who survived early foul trouble and more hot shooting by Orlando to go ahead in the third quarter and eventually pull out the win after trailing by double digits at half time. The game marked the first occaison since 1984 that two finals games have gone into overtime. Bryant finished with 32 points while Hedo Turkoglu led the Magic with 25 but missed several key free throws late in the game.
Game 5 of the series will be Sunday night (Monday Aussie time). The Magic need a win to extend the series while the Lakers can claim championship number 15 with a victory.
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