Phil's scapegoat for this season? Just in case it all goes pear shaped?

Give him a few more games at least - some are adamant that he'll get there. Just a shame that it's that SF spot where they are the weakest otherwise they could cover more for a gradual return?

I think Farley was a legitimate issue for them last season rather than a scapegoat.

You sure it isn't Willie in a Mike Chappell costume?????

Another casualty of Phil's 'relaxed' environment. Has a nasty habit of creeping up on you and affecting your game when nobodys pushing you.

I am also in favour of giving him another few weeks (4 max). If he does not become the import we need by that time, he needs to be replaced. As a person, Chappell is probably one of the most wonderful people you could meet, but reality is that an import in the NBL is expected to be a quality player who adds much value to the team. Being a great player of the past is not going to help his team today.

Chappell was great when he was at NZ. However, his back looks stuffed. His posture indicated that his back would not get better quickly.

if he was playing like that for the kings, boy g would have already replaced him. Im in favour of giving him time to prove himself and turn it around, but the question is how long will that be. And will our seasons fate have already been decided by then.

unfortunately at the moment there is not much foot movement, his transition is slow, and his posture has definitely changed since his last stint in the country.

however he is a quality person, and an awesome player when fit. Give him 5 weeks to show something.

His second game was alot better then the first. He did a nice couple of drived baseline and finished one of them off nicely. the bit i noticed that was a massive improvenemt was he was actually battling down low where he couldnt in game 1. If he continues to improve week to week its all good in my opinion, we just gotta hope they can win a couple without him. You have to remember mottram has been around even less so they esentially have 2 new players not 100% fit so its going to be a struggle for a couple of weeks. Chappell has what it takes his posture is better from game 1 so heres hoping...
The thing is this, if he hit 3 or so of the 3's he put up in game 2 no one would be saying anything. Its just the entire team got pumped by a well oiled outfit and it made everyone look very poor. an obviously an import with a sore back is put under the spotlight.
lay off him until they get there grove back.

good point igotmadskills.

if the 36ers maximised their interior options against the Melbourne trap and zone defences, preventing those defenses from stretching so big, then this post probably would not have occured.

The fact still remains that this guy could not hit an open shot in two games now. It's got nothing to do with Melb's trap as all his shots came in the half court.
He cant move his feet and thus cant play and good D. Couple of time Dave Thomas went past him without even trying. let s hope he get 30 this week and the season is back on track.
PS. Don't be waiting for Phil to pull the trigger on him if he stays in this funk, becasue we all know how long it takes Phil to even call a time out to stop the rot during a game.

Isaac,

No doubt, Farley was a disappointment for you guys last season. But Phil definitely made it known as much as possible.

I'm not suggesting that he doesn't have a legitimate beef with the player, just that he's very good at pointing the focus.

Did he? I thought Boti provided more of that focus?

Ice, I don't think the decision on Chappell is going to be entirely on Phil. I would say Hemmerling will be keeping a close eye on how thing develop and will step in if necessary.

Why is it that people comment on how bad they think a player is while they are comming back from a injury. Have you never seen Chappell play before, while you sit their and comment on how he cant play maybe you should do some research on his previous numbers. Fully fit he will be great for the team, give the guy a chance.

Sorry but im sick of people who are probaly overweight commenting on a sport they probably cant or dont play. If im wrong about you, just tell me when you played for what NBL team and ill gladly give you a free dinner!

Dicko, I don't recall Smyth ever making a public statement about Farley (or any other player for that matter). What happens behind closed doors is another matter, but only what you would expect from a coach.

Not saying that Smyth doesn't make his fair share of excuses (4 to 6 weeks anyone?), but they are rarely directly aimed at any one player.

He will turn it around, and it will happen sooner than later....no worries about that.

Yes he can, is about one week away from being fit.

I said it on another post but Skud, it's not about your previous seasons anymore. It's a cut throat business and for a team to survive financially these days they have to win and put people in seats. Fact Chappell may be injured, but at the import spot you need more than 4 ppg. lets hope carlos powell gets cut from GSW and wants to play NBL

Doubt Mal would want to spend enough to get Carlos, and I don't know that he's Phil's type. Would disrupt the team IMO.

But Mike is?

Skud.
The more you write the bigger hole you dig for yourself. People only want to read intelligent comments on this site.
Your insinuation that you have to had been an NBL player to be able to comment on basketball is an absolute joke and a complete insult to some very very good ball players who have not made the NBL.

And as Jet Plane pointed out, what does it matter what Mike did previous. It's about our situation right now.