Sorry for snapping on martin lol

Real shame for the Wildcats and for the fans who wanted to see the 2 best teams go at it.



Breakers 2-1 #3peat

Chucked $100on NZ before the season when they were paying $4.25. Looked like good odds then, looks like great odds now

'839, I would've thought the same, but while the Breakers have talent, they looked a bit casual and sloppy against the Kings. I don't think the Wildcats really have that often in their game. Yes, they have a couple of tools, but they're focussed tools... Sometimes you get the impression that the Breakers have mentally put the trophy on the shelf already and that could work against them.

Probably won't, but could. If Martin was playing, my tip would be Perth even with the two games abroad.

Yea the cats lost martin, its perth they are playing. We got carter, lost alot on the defence but they gain on offence. Good old saying, never corner a cat.

I hope NZ Smash Perth.

Agree wth Isaac about tipping Perth had Martin been healthy. Disagree about focus though. Yes the Breakers haven't looked sharp, but in reality they weren't going to be troubled to this point either so it's only human nature that they were a bit sloppy. Same in that last regular season game at Perth Arena - nothing at stake and their play showed it, but I don't think that means anything for this series.

Just maybe, Martin being out could give them some false overconfidence.
If Carter & Bartlett can hit their shots in game 1 then things could get interesting. If they can't... the series might not even make it to game 3.

Well if they win that would be 3 in a row, so they pretty much are smashing the NBL

If Wildcats can grab the first game they will win it in 2. If not it will go to three games and whoever has the most left in the tank will take it out.

Damien Martin going out is a huge loss but I dont think enough to write off the Wildcats.

NZ paying $1.50 is very tempting to load up on.
Almost a sure thing now Martin has gone down.
Defence wins championships and that guy is a stand out!

CJ and Boucher have 8 rings between them, pretty sure that they'll both be in the other players ears about what it's going to take to get over Perth so I don't think NZ will be complacent, and especially after the hidings Perth served them in the regular season.

The power balance in the league could adjust somewhat if Lemanis got the Boomers gig and Bevo changed clubs or coached in China. I think the Breakers could carry on under Vickerman without much change, but Perth could lose a few players if the coach was out of there.

In my dream, Bevo coaches the 36ers and brings Martin with him. That'd help.

To be honest, Martin injury doesn't mean too much.

They have the luxury of bringing Carter into the starting 5.

Pretty damn good reserve PG if you ask me, considering the other reserve PGs for other teams are the likes of Kerry Williams, Croswell and Daly, Luke Martin, Tomlinson, Norton. (Though Norto and Tomlinson I really like how they play)

He is a defensive hustler. Still a better defender than most starting point guards in the league.

In fact, now that Martin is out, the Breakers can't really sag off the PG because although he is pretty inconsistent, Carter can nail a few from deep when he is 'on'.

Points cap is the problem, why would not sign bevo? He has made three grand finals in four years. Loyal? Money is a factor, only other team u would want to play for is nz to have any real chance of getting a ring. Or adelaide for a spoon

Provided all three games are needed, the NBL are possibly looking at their highest aggregate GF attendance in years. With two games at the 9,300 seat Vector Arena and one at the Perth Arena (which can hold 14,856), its possible that capacity crowds could see well over 34,000 attending.

I don't think the league has seen that sort of GF attendance since the days of the Magic v Tigers at Rod Laver Arena in the 90's when they averaged almost 15K per game. I can't recall it happening even in the 5 game series played between 2003/04 and 2008/09.

^ great point, and there are people acting like the NBL is going backwards.

Even the five-game series between Sydney & West Sydney, Melbourne & Sydney and Melbourne & South had more than that. Of course, they have to turn up for this series before we laud it too much!

Sorry, my post above was meant to say "didnt have more than that".

I don't know if Perth Arena will have the top tier above the corporate boxes open though. If they did, that will lift the capacity to 14,846 as Holden V8 said. That section has been closed all season because I was told that the view onto the court is obstructed by the scoreboard. If it's still closed off, the capacity will still be around the 12,500 mark.

I wouldn't be surprised if they did open it though for this one off as this will sell out fast, regardless of a freo afl match played at the same time.

Uranium?

Can't wait!

Game 1 is more crucial for the Breakers.

If Perth lose, they will still be confident heading home to a 12k packed out arena to save the series.

But, IF NZ lose, they will be faced with the daunting task of saving the series in front of a raucous Perth crowd, where they haven't played well in the past.

I hope Boucher punches Lisch too!

Odds out now for the championship, with Perth missing Damian Martin:

New Zealand Breakers $1.50
Perth Wildcats $2.60

Any value there either side or have they nailed it?

I'd say that's about right.
Perth still a realistic chance but NZ the clear favourite.

Call me bias or whatever, but Lisch is definitely not arrogant in any way. He does his job and his probably the most humble sportsman i've seen in a long time. Just because he is better than the woolongong players and did an incredible job of helping the wildcats kick the hawks out of the finals, it does not make him arrogant or in anyway worthy of being punched in the face.

Kevin is a clean, disciplined player who i doubt has fouled out of a game since playing in the NBL. He hasn't been fined or gotten in trouble for flopping before, and you can clearly see in all replays that he was elbowed in the chin, which was why his opponent picked up a foul and then the crowd started booing him.

Maybe, Anon, you should watch the game carefully before you make comments about Lisch being arrogant and deserving a punch to his face. You're just jealous that he doesn't play for your team who couldn't manage to win a game in the finals.

@Anon:
Nick Marvin released a statement saying that Rob Beveridge is always welcome to coach at the Wildcats. Bevo said that he would try and manage both the Boomers and the Wildcats if he could, and that he would love to stay in Perth because it is where his family is settled.

Damian Martin is unlikely to leave the Wildcats, and I don't think that Knight would leave either. Both have bought houses in Perth (which I know they would be able to sell) but it is a sign that they are settled here. They also both have girlfriends that live/come from Perth.

Lisch could possibly leave (as much as I hate that thought) because his wife is from Sydney and they are apparently offering him a huge pay rise. However, he is also settled in Perth, and he has a great relationship with Bevo. I'm hoping that he will stay-- thoughts?!

Hey Tim. I might be "bias" but...It's Wollongong.