Personally, at this stage, I'm just grateful there is any TV coverage at all.

Maybe wehn the NBL is a more "in demand" product, they might be able to look at boosting the commentary team.

Personally, I think Case does a pretty decent job, the only person I can think of that would be better is Clinton Grybas, but he's deep into the footy now.

Apparently Palmer co-commentated a game recently and got a mixed reaction.

Any thoughts from people who heard him?

A few people thought he was great and brought some new material beyond the faithfuls routinely employed by Carfino and Casey.

I haven't seen the NBL Wrap show as I don't have Fox. Surely the NBL could highlight some classic plays from each round in a descriptive form on their site?

I don't mind Casey and Carfino most of the time, but Carfino trying too hard or commentating with Cal Bruton is painful to hear.

Still, coverage is coverage and those two do follow the game closely and put in a lot of effort.

Palmer is terrfic for offering a technical insight into the game as well as some witty remarks here and there. You still need a solid anchor guy though (Australian preferred or the coverage has more twangs then an off key symphony) to 'fill the gaps' in the coverage.

I am not too sure it is time to 'park' Case and Steve for good. They are both very passionate about hoops, and that is a rair quality to find someone like that in TV media.

The good thing about the NBL coverage 'back in the day' (Channel 10 or 7) was the variety of commentators across the league. The local sports journos would usually be involved in the coverage of their home team along with past greats from the franchise eg 36ers - Daryl Pearce, Wildcats - Scott Fisher.

I think Foxtel should rotate the 'third' spot in their commentary team depending on the venue the game is being played at so we can have some variety and to ensure we aren't hearing too much of Case and Carfino each week. We would also get a few inner sanctum tales from the past player/coach, ( many are still very much involved in their past clubs and can offer the viewers dialogue that the others can't).

I think the best NBL commentating pair was Dean Templeton and Steven Quartermain who covered the hoops on Ten. They did some fantastic games when the S.E. Melb Magic and the N. Melb Giants where in the comp...you'll still here them everytime NBL Wrap replays segments from those old 'inter' Melbourne games.

Casey has the same hackneyed sayings he has employed from day one. his enthusiam is good and his knowledge for the game if fine and it is good that he does the main commentating and carfino adds 'comments' but Casey's diatribe does get wearing it really is the same old same old and with some of his commentary i could almost make the same just insert different players name here.

foxtel should never ever EVER employ cal bruton and putting him with Carfino it is postively embarrasing i did turn the sound off I couldn't listen to them any longer.

Andrew Gaze is good value so is Bruce Palmer although Palmers dry way of delivery might put some off. Derek Rucker isn't bad either.

I remember one game in particular that Carfino and Bruton did together... I was LMAO at the poor use of the english language. Please i hope foxtel NEVER do that again!!!

As for 'Case', what are peoples thoughts on the NBL hiring some kind of robot? It would be easy to program with a few simple sayings such as...

1) Thats his 3rd in the category.
2) He leads the game in that Category.
3) Off the window for 2.
4) Draws nothing but oxygen.
5) Short arms it.
6) Nothing but the bottom of the net.

You forgot "And he gets the user friendly roll"

what about 'off the iron'

The non-preferred left hand is the winner!

as they wind down the clock

with 2 pieces of the iron.

I have been impressed with Townsville import Rob Brown on their "in game commentaries", and thik he could do a decent job as a "colour" man.

Rucker is pretty good, but I think he is more suited to a "sidelines comments" guy, rather than actual live play commentary.

"and think he could do a decent job as a 'colour' man".

Eh?

Are you a racist yogee???

I think by "colour" man he means someone who adds some quirks, fun and less formal commentary to the presentation. i.e., Bruce Palmer (from what I've heard) would fit that bill.

Yes, thats exactly right Isaac. Most commentary teams for most sports have their main play by play commentator(s), and then a "specialist" person who does a more analytical commentary. For some reason they are referred to as "colour" commentators, I guess because they "flesh out" the commentary more.

Or because they don't just provide the black and white facts. They add some spice. Around 3,500 results for "colour commentator" and 28,000 for "color commentator" on Google, so it's legit.

"Color Commentary
As a rule of thumb, a color commentator is generally paired with a play-by-play partner. This is done so the commentators can compliment each other. The seriousness and common sense of one can be spiced up by the stupidity and lack of reason of the other."

(Source: some weird wrestling site)

Put Bruce Palmer back on

Haven't seen NBL wrap but why can't they just put some games on late at night like the old NBA days?

Money.
Legal issues.
Basketball isn't a mainstream spectator sport (ie it doesn't bring in the advertisers).

I wasnt that taken with the 2 games I saw Palmer do whilst Casey was off at the swimming.

Aopparently the game he did for the 6ers was a boomer of a game, with him throwing out the one liners thick and fast.

I watched the next 2 hoping for more of the same, to be sadly disapointed.

I actually think Chris Dittmar (Channel 7) does a great job basketball commentating, shown during the recent Olympics.

Meanwhile, never ever hire Andrew Gaze to commentate ever again.

Gaze is great for the expert comments (like when he was doing the Big Wednesday games on Fox last season)...but as a play by play or "colour" guy, he would need more training.

He has an excellent basketball mind, and obviously knows the game inside out. That is what the Fox commentary team really needs, a recenlt retired player, who is still in touch with the game of today.

Let's face it, the game has changed rather significantly since Carfino retired from the game.

I'm curious to know why Basketball doesn't get more coverage also. I mean even if it were to fill gaps on Foxtel. I mean c'mon I know Poker and Darts are pretty big but you would think Basketball would rate a bit higher??? I enjoy watching Poker but I would much reather sit down to a game of NBL or NBA! The NBA has been cut in half. Last year you were guarenteed at least two games per week, now your lucky to even get one! And to not show Saturdays L.A. vs Miami game was a disgrace! Bird and Magic with the Globetrotters against MSU when Bird didn't play and Magic struggled to get into his uniform is a farce! C'mon Foxtel/ESPN get your act together!!!

I totally agree. Miami vs LA was the highest rating regular season game in 6 years. The game should be shown. Who wants to watch a globetrotters match when you have shaq v kobe?

I think in January, there will be 2 games a week on ESPN. Whether foxtel keep their promises is another thing...

Lakers V Heat was an awesome game as well!! DAMMIT

Darryl Pearce was great as commentator.

Cal is attrocious, up there with Leroy with all the 'americanisms'.

Carfino/Casey:
'got glad wrap over the rim tonight'

Libertine, agree with you on Gaze - couldn't get more of a 'sit on the fence', boring commentator who just states the obvious.

Palmer is not bad.

How about Boti to russle things up - call things as they are (or how he sees them).
Could be like Tony Greig and Bill Lawry fighting it out in the commentry box.

i am a wollongong boy and i get sick of carfino continually praising and showing his bias for the hawks.

everytime he does it they play crap, but i can't believe any of you have cited this yet. I always see carfino at the games, then he goes to the harp hotel afterwards and makes a foll of himself every now and then.

Its time to get carfino out, casey does have the same sayings all the time but he is still a good commentator when compared to others.

p.s...

i reckon adelaide suck by the way. all you know how to do is shoot 3 pointers.

carfino is right in a way that the hawks are a traditional defensive team that plays NBA style basketball to a point.

I used to hate when adelaide won it every year with their crappy pura milk log all over their old looking court with the camera focusing on their fans every time the 36ers screw the other team with another fluky 3 pointer.

i felt like personally breaking the t.v every time that chump paul rees hit a shot. He is the pin-up boy for the 36ers 'SOFT' style of play.

when wollongong won the title they did it through hard work and with lowery making the big free throws down the track against your precious team hahahaha. i am still sitting back in my chair laughing about it now.

how did all of you crappy adelaide fans like it when they kept playing clips of that moment and playing clips of the hawks holding up the trophy that could have been yours after the end credits of every game shown on fox sports for that year.

The free throws will never be forgotten though, and i hope it sits in your minds forever. to make things even worse, the player who did it (darnell mee), is playing for us now. I guess he believes in the old saying 'if you cant beat them, join them'

Dan the Man, I have forwarded your details to Paul Rees. His soft style of play will be paying you a visit next time we are in the Gong.

Fluky three pointers? Its called a Brett Maher lay-up, wanker.

Oscar is leading the L in 3 point% this year too.

"I used to hate it when Adelaide won it every year"

I loved it.

it doesn't suprise me that brett maher leads the league in three point shooting, because all he could to in the all star game is shoot three-pointers-how boring.

The dunk comp sucked hard too, brett maher could have provided more entertainment with his crappy layupps.

The best dunk ever in the NBL was cortez groves alley-ooping it al over adelaide. He has mad skillz.

You forgot to tell me in your message how you felt when damon lowery hit that last free throw???

i can picture the look of anticipation and excitement all over your face when you thought it was going to miss, and then you hanging your head down in dissapointment when you saw that free throw drop.

last time when the 36ers came to the sandpit i nearly fell asleep during the game it was so boring. We were absolutely flogging your team from the get-go and you'se were first at the time.

I cant believe you have only lost one game at home, what a fluke. You have absolutely no size at all, just little softies like paul rees, brett maher and dusty rycart. the only good player on your team is an import, willie farley. The rest suck hard.

i quote from our one and only foxsports site

'The world team were in command early in the game before the Aussie All-Stars, coached by Adelaide 36ers mentor Phil Smyth, "three-pointed" themselves back into the contest.'

'The Aussies had multiple long-range bombers including John Rillie (Townsville), Stephen Black (Brisbane) and Brett Maher (Adelaide) and had 55 attempts from the perimeter, hitting 23 of them'

Adelaide fans should be ashamed of themselves, as these quotes depict perfectly the 'three pointer' culture at the 36ers.

Shame on you all, your team should be playing in europe

Yeah that Cortez Grove dunk was huge, i remember it well, coz adelaide won that game as well!!! Your boy Matt Campbell has the uglyiest game in Australia so i wouldnt be hanging on Brett Maher just yet, and Maher made the aussie team ahead of Campbell and your coach was one of the selectors, so even he knows he shit! pipe down "Dan the Woman!"

The sixers suck hard? By the sounds of it, you do a little hard sucking yourself.

This kind of blind, ignorant and inaacurate abuse only comes from a man in love.

Which one of the Hawks players makes you bite the pillow?

mat campbell has the ugliest game huh??

He can do all of what brett maher can do plus two other things: He can dunk, and play defense.

Campbell being able to dunk makes his game ugly in your eyes because adelaide fans dont like hard-nosed players like that. You like players like paul rees that live up to the 'soft' culture adelaide loves and practice.

and just remember lloyd (oh my god you must be 50 with a name like that), phil smyth had more hand than joyce and that's why campbell missed out.

hey doctor would you like to know what player makes me bite the pillow?

i know one thing for sure, it couldnt be darnell mee cause im not into your sloppy seconds.

hahahaha

i invite every sad ass fan in adelaide to bring it on and throw whatever you can at me.

I know your the city of churches, so there will be plenty of places for you all to confess when your conscious gets the better of you do-gooders.

im still thinking of when darnell mee fouled damon lowery when he had absolutely no chance of making that shot. Poor adelaide fans, i bet you thought you were going to win it with 15 seconds to go when you had the ball.

as a last thought, i ask you all to draw your attention to the NBL ladder, where the hawks are sitting pretty on top.

Our road record of 6-7 is considered poor by wollongong fans even though it is with the best in the league. Your away record of 4-8 would make you all happy.

Those records show that the 36ers are a bunch of babies that get homesick and need their mommies to comfort them

memo to Dan the Man,
you may like to do your research on the NBL over the last 10 years...or even say since 1997, when the 6ers won their first of 3 titles since then. now i dont see much of an argument from you wollongong chokers...sorry hawks.
what do you say to that??

"phil smyth had more hand than joyce and that's why campbell missed out" you twit, Joyce was an assistant, Phil had nothing to do with the boomers selection what so ever! And im sure they would have picked several guys ahead of your "red keg" campbell anyway!!!

NBL.COM- CAREER NOTES:BRETT MAHER

Finished second overall in the 2003 NBL Most Valuable Player award & finished fourth in NBL MVP voting 2002 & won the Larry Sengstock Medal for Grand Final MVP 1999, 2002 ... also played in the 1994 NBL Grand Final & named to the All-NBL First Team in 2000 and 2003 ... All-NBL Second Team 1997, 1998 ... All-NBL Third Team 1999, 2002 ... fourth in NBL three-point shooting 2000 ... NBL All-Star Game 1996, 1997 ... NBL Future Forces Games 1995 ... NBL Future Forces Game MVP 1995 ... NBL leader in three-point percentage 1997 ... NBL free-throw percentage leader 1996 ... second overall in 1992 Rookie of the Year voting ... second in NBL Most Improved Player voting 1997 ... played for Australia at the Under 23 World Championships in 1993 ... played for Australia at the Junior World Championships in 1991. Major International: Olympic Games: 1996 (Atlanta, USA); 2000 (Sydney, Australia), 2004 (Athens, Greece) World Championships: 1998 (Greece)

NBL.COM- career notes: Matt Campbell
USA College: Towson State University. Finished third in the 1999 NBL Best Defensive Player award & played in the NBL Future Forces Game in 1996 ... was a member of the Under 23 Australian squad in 1996 ... played for the Australian team during their tours to China and Europe in 2002 & played in the California Summer Pro League in 2001.

yeah Dan, he's awesome?

Dan the Man, I reckon you would go for someone like Matt Zauner. He looks like your type of guy.

He had crazy game too.

I bet you and Troy Pillon play 'hide the salami' too.

Can't wait til January 29. Hawks v Sixers.

Dan the Man can't wait til Feb 14th. Valentines' Day. I'm sure Troy has something big lined up for ya..

lloyd, that was nice!!...i think Dan may have gone into hiding just like the Hawks seem to do every year when the clutch games come.

Don't you love it when dip shits come on here and say things like, "I used to hate when adelaide won it every year...", "...the 36ers 'SOFT' style of play." How do you put those two sentences together Dan the Man? I guess when your on the end of an arse spanking year in and year out you tend to start to hate it. How many championships have Wollongong won in the past, is it 1 in 26 years???
"...the 36ers screw the other team with another fluky 3 pointer."
Do you hear what your saying you idiot? "ANOTHER" fluky three pointer, if they continue to make them how can they be a fluke?
Go back to your own website in Wollongong pal, your not up to Adelaide standards!

firstly listen to what you are quoting from brett maher. He is always coming second in something, does he ever come first in anything other than something small like percentages.

You all keep saying the wollongong hawks choke, so how do you explain when we won the championship the fact that we won something like 11/12 games decided by 7 points of less (don't quote me on that exact figure but it is around 7 points).

that point alone puts all your arguments to rest, then to add to it: in the same year we had that record damon lowery put YOUR adelaide 36er choker team away in the dying seconds, so i think you all need to get your facts straight.

Your team is so short on talent that you have to source out university medical students to fill your roster. How unprofessional, at least we are a full-time team.

The reason you get blown out in games is cause the 36ers rely on three pointers, and when they don't stick look out!! just like what happened last time in wollongong.

To the doctor: i will gladly watch the hawks flog the 36ers on january 29th just like they did when your no-show team rocked up to the snakpit to get beaten last time. The best road team in history will come to your joint to give your home record a serving.

When that happens i will be straight on this forum to stick it to you all.

lol, best post ever. Isaac, set up a 'hall of fame' for posts!

That Hawks championship was how many years ago? And what happened the very next year. Adelaide 2-0 over Wollongong in the playoffs. Sixers win he Title.

Don't worry Dan, if you're still alive in 26 years you will be pleased to know the Hawks will be due for their second Chamionship.

You're a funny guy Dan, I'll give you credit, your trolling is at least entertaining.

How are the Hawks "the best road team in history" Dan?

Fact One they have a losing record on the road.

They have the second best road record this year and when they won the title they only lost one game on the road, they are road warriors.

Have a look at the sportstab, they got youse at fourth and we are a close second behind the kings for the title. Gone are the days when NSW was a no-show in the NBL!.

Although i hate the kings, cause they only know how to buy themselves a title. Look at campbell and savell, they have been playing with the hawks since 95' or something, when they were both only development players. That is how it should be done, through hard work and development.

Do we see your team developing any players. Look at adam ballinger, he was a bust at victoria, then he came to wollongong and now he's frontrunner for most improved player.

Phil smyth, what a crap coach, he should be ashamed of himself coaching an outfit that lost to new zealand. bring on gorge, he's an awesome coach.

I will give you one thing about wollongong, brendan joyce is an absolute wanker and everyone in the gong knows it.

im sure you could add yourself to that list Dan!

Development players - try Maher, Forman and Holmes. Maher is an MVP candidate, and Oscar will win Most Improved.

Matt Campbell will win Ugliest Shot, just beating Stephen Black

Glenn 'Savell' will win the 'I Wish I was Martin Cattalini' Award for the 6th straight year.

Dan the Man. Wins the 'I Choke on Dick' Award by a landslide. Special award given to Troy Pillon for the vital role he played in Dan winning this award yet again...

someone suggested in another post that phil smyth should be the coach. he is the biggest joke of a coach in history.

Hi im phil smyth and all i do is sit on my tush, dont move a bone in my body, and keep silent at the same time my team is getting its ass kicked. what sort of coach does that!

you all know nothing about the NBA, cause lebron james will not equal nor better michael jordan's milestones

Hi, I'm Phil Smyth and I won 3 Championships.

The only reason Dan the Man wants Phil Smyth to get off his ass is so he can look at it.

look another one that cant spell. Except doctor you take the cake, because in the process you were trying to bag me out about spelling it 'savell" when you spelt glen wrong (glenn). so who looks like the fool now??

Also, if you think maher is an MVP candidate then you are pulling your pudd, because he is no chance. Chris Burgess, Brian Wethers, Darnell Mee(mr triple double, too bad he does'nt play for you anymore)or Casey Calvary are my picks for MVP. Brett Maher only makes the top 10 in two catagories, which is the same as Mee but at least he gets triple doubles.

what about Matt Campbell?

someone who thinks 'youse' is a word shouldn't be giving spelling lessons.

I'm tired of making you look bad Dan. I've got work to do. I have to earn a wage, pay some taxes so your mum can collect her dole cheque every fortnight.

How many titles have you won again Dan?

How many current or Ex Hawks are in the Boomers squad?

How many Hawks were in the all star game?

What is Wollongong's best record for a season?

Dan, care to make any bets on those names winning MVP?

Looked at the ladder recently??

yeah it's me, and im back, so you can all take a step back and breath a sigh of relief.

What happened to your crappy 36ers last week, they gave up leads in both games and lived up to their choker status. Plus i told you that you were a bunch of babies that can't to shit on the road, when will you all listen to me.

i got the biggest satisfaction reading about your little precious brett maher missing that fade away to beat the bullets.

I can just imagine if that game was at your crappy home court, and brett maher making the last shot to screw the beloved kings, and then the fox sports camera focusing on all your fat fans sitting in their chairs clapping and screaming. i am so glad i didn't have to see that sight.

yeah i know the hawks lost, that's cause they under estimated the tigers and all the tigers were saying leading up to the match is that we have the wood on them and they would have to put up something special.

And that loss to the kings totally squanders all your arguments that you should have had more players in the boomers squad than the kings.

isn't it funny what happens when two teams that can't do nothing except shoot three pointers clash?

my mummy doesn't love me. :(

Hey Dan, love your work...keep it up...

As long as you keep posting here, I dont wear the biggest wanker tag :)

Dan the Man,

Your mamma doesn't love you cause she can't believe what a wanker she gave birth to, and your father is still unknown.

Keep cashing those dole checks as your sit on the beach, hand in hand with Pilon talking about pole smoking, and wondering if you will ever move out of the trailer park.

Wake up to yourself, you Sydney wanna be, and have a little look at history...... oh, how are your development players going, hmmm, two hacks since 1995.... the only thing you have developed is bigger forearms from the amount of pud pulling.

Dan the Man,

I'll also take your quote as saying the sixers should be playing in Europe as a compliment, best leagues in the world after the NBA...

Sorry Dan. Baleeted!

Good on you dan

The 36ers are soft and some of the comments by their supporters on this site are a joke

Dan the Man,

It's good to hear a different point of view and you have some interesting if not amusing ideas.

"Gone are the days when NSW was a no show in the NBL."

"i hate the kings, because they only know how to buy themselves a title."

All NSW teams in the NBL have to buy themselves a title.

How many of your champinship winning team came from Wollongong.
You know played junior ball in your shitty little town. Any?

Most 36'ers actually grew up playing ball in Adelaide. This is a feat NO NSW team will EVER achieve.

You should be embarrased that you come from a state with NO basketball culture whatsoever.

Not Arrogant because you've won ONE title on the back of imports and ex-Victorian players.

ps I do rate your coach
but is he an import too?

I just found this message board. Let me just say. The best dunk i ever saw in the nba was back in 1988. Andrew Gaze on a fast break one on one situation drove to the hoop and dunked it over some shitty white man. Steve Quartermain was the commentator and it was one of the best pieces of single commentry ive ever heard. Mainly due to the fact that truer words have never been spoken. "here comes gaze. OHHHHHHHH GAZE OUTTTTTTTTTTRAGEOUS!!"

Probably the only dunk Drewie ever made in his life and it was a freakin massive Poster-izer.

Long live Drewie the king.
Ps. If anyone bags Drewie Gaze they should die.....

Best dunk in the NBA by Drewie Gaze.......bahahahahahhahah

Post #632240 is a keeper!!!

Please tell me you mean NBL, and you have mistaken Gaze for Jumpin Joe Hurst.....

Flashback to 1988:

MVP: Joe Hurst
ROY: Shane 'The Tool' Heal
COY: Bruce Palmer
Defensive Player: Phil Smyth
Most Improved: Darren Lucas

"You should be embarrased that you come from a state with NO basketball culture whatsoever."

Thats cold man, im from Queensland, we have decent basketball culture, well, more than NSW anyway. Im from the Gold Coast(we dont even have a team *cries*). Its pretty sad that theres like 10 Adelaide 36ers' smartasses and that moron from the place he so lovingly calls "the 'gong". I mean, it started off a topic of NBL Wrap, calm down guys.