Just watching the replay of the Canberra v bendigo game now and I had to jump online here as I was about to start a thread about this exact one here!!!! It is pathetic on Brendan Joyce carrying on about Lavey! She may be a god player of the future but there is a reason she didn't hit the court last week! I'm so over this girl being mentioned when he refuses to speak highly of other players like bishop who is more deserving of a comment! Lavey has not got the class of other payers on the court!

Brendan Joyce get a clue!

#231 I do agree with you that Tessa did play a good game today & my original post is not a sledge of her as I know personally she is a quality kid & well respected by anyone that knows her well.

It was just that the Opals Coach constant barracking & cheer leading of her today got to a point where it just become very weird & quite odd. I'm sure Tessa would be quite uncomfortable herself with the Opals Coach running commentary today on her.

Tests lavey, played a great game, her performance on the court was class. Reference Joyce, he is correct, wnbl is slow, international ball is fast. The coachs at bendigo today should have received a wake up call, ie lavey is a quality player and should be playing more. It's a joke she hasn't been played. It's clear Joyce is fan of lavey and I can see why from her minutes played against the capitals. If we want to win gold, the style the opals played at the wc was great, future looks good!

Lavey speed is the key, that's why she is in the opals, watch the games it was defensive pressure and there speed! Lavey is not at the same level yet as Phillips , she needs development and it's a joke she isn't playing 30 mins for bendigo. Bernie and kristi need to wake up, how there not playing her is a joke, lavey killed it against the caps

Joyce has proved his coaching style and ability at the worlds, the opals were impressive, much better than under graff! Embrace the new style, it's important to note team culture is important. Where did Canada finish? Top teams us, Spain are dynamic and athletic, that's the key!

Sounds like she will be the SEABL mvp

She played well, I didn't think Joyce's comments were too far off the mark, especially in relation to the International game/etc.

Little more chat about Canberra would have been nice better for him, I guess he was 'coach' on tv, when he should have been less of that and more of un-biased commentator instead.

Wonder if he's spoken to Griffin when he made that comment.

Steve - Sorry I'm not buying this great myth of the 'International Game', it makes it sound like we're playing another entire new sport. I'll concede their are some adjustments to be made but this garbage that J0yce trolls about being an 'International Player' I can't stomach.

I wonder what he'll have to say when Bishop wins the WNBL MVP this season? I bet it will be along the lines that she plays a 5 in the WNBL & her game wouldn't translate to the 'International Game' & then still select Natalie Burton.

Laveys speed!!!!!!.....Clydesdale for dandenong kills her in that department so too a couple of the other un19 gems guards who also have a better offensive game without all the extra 'development ' being put into them.
A SEABL game last season between c of e and rangers showed this
She's A handy player but not up to opals/international standards yet, and when you consider how much extra development she's had with extended stints at the institute and overseas tours, she really should be better, perhaps that's what bernie and Kristy have realised.
Joyce just has a thing for Lavey it's been plain to see since he took the reins of the opals. It's not Laveys fault, and I think he's being unfair to her singling her out the way he does.

Yeah I was just casually watching toady while chatting with friends and even I picked up on it and thought it was very strange...nearly creepy lol

Well said, SamCro.

Putting the Lavey-fest aside, I'm firmly not fan of Joyce. For someone who must know a lot about the game, he talks a lot of shit.

"I'll concede their are some adjustments to be made but this garbage that J0yce trolls about being an 'International Player' I can't stomach."

There are a couple of big differences. The obvious one is some players who are stars in club comps aren't good enough to be at international level, so can they play a role?

The other is the jump in athleticism, can a player produce what in a competition where they will face better athletes?

Paul - the biggest adjustment is defining of roles for players when competing at WC's or Olympics as there are not enough shots for everyone within the confines of the Opals offense.

As far as the better athletes scenario I'm not buying in on that theory I watched a lot of the games from the recent Women's WC's (even the USA) & I didn't see a significant athletic difference between our Opals & every other team at the WC's (including the USA).

Lavey is average at best - has had a few seasons in the wnbl and clearly should be on pace with the likes of other young players like Rebecca Allen to receive an opals spot.

No doubt there's something more to this in Joyce's opinion.

I didn't see this game but Joyce was terrible commentating on the NBL too. He makes a lot more sense talking basketball away from the microphone but turns into ramble once it's around.

It's a shame, he doesn't do himself justice, when all the girls I have spoken to who have played under him for the Opals, from LJ and PT down, have only had good things to say.