Imports paid monthly and can usually be cut free by a certain point. Locals have to be paid out.

I didn't view this article, but most coaches would kill to have Wright's Australian contingent.

Who is Joey 'stuck with' (connotation being he'd here but I don't want him'?

Oh yeah I'm sure Joey is just so outraged to pick up Conger at the expense of DeLeon when the team is under pressure. I know that's missing his point a little and I'm sure it's a rev up to his team to lift as much as anything, but where has this been before regarding all the over imports he's cut/have been cut?

Yeah the usual line from Joey is that an import didn't work out. This time he's basically blamed the Aussies for it, because Deleon is his mate. But having said that, there are definitely Aussies on the team not pulling their weight. And I also agree that there should be some expectation that Australian players turn up or get turned down.

Food for thought, and replace them from where though?

Was it a decision by the front office? I thought Joey had total control. Either way they've improved the roster and given fans something to look forward to.

Ironically, DeLeon actually started to do what most hoped he'd do and that's penetrate and make plays in that game against Sydney. Couple that with the occasional scoring explosion and he is doing his role. Can't pass up Conger though.

Replace them with imports possibly. As the league grows we need to loosen import restrictions

"And I also agree that there should be some expectation that Australian players turn up or get turned down."

There is. There are only about 50 Australians in the league, not many spots for poor performers.

So Adelaide have the reigning All NBL first teamer in DJ, stud (supposedly) import in Wylie and the next Kevin Garnett in Majok Deng... its obvious that Joey is upset about having to try and find minutes for Harry Froling

The problem is once in the NBL locals do get complacent. It's human nature if you know you're untouchable during the season.

Untouchable? Please, if you're playing poorly your minutes drop and your future employment is in jeopardy. Don't drink Joey's kool aid.

Not sure why we'd split shifts watching a game. Maybe your concentration span is poor or something.

paul - sign a two/three year deal, chillax at the beginning, just do enough and turn it up in the contract year.

There are plenty of guys in the league who either shouldn't have a contract, or shouldn't have a contract at the pay rate their in, or shouldn't be playing the minutes they're playing. As the league expands the need to up import quotas to maintain and improve the standard of the league becomes paramount. You could probably make an entire team of guys in the NBL who should barely even be paid to play the game, and we're about to add another team to the league, which suggests to me there will be more of them (and yes, of course some good ones too). I think that needs to be nipped in the ass.

Joey talks about comfortable Aussies. He's created this himself. Long term deals for players of the calibre of Teys Doyle McVey send a very poor message all around. More imports is not the answer, the quality of imports is not great outside of the top few.

Look Joey is just sticking up for his boy Deleon but what I also take from this is his expected more output from deng and drimic. They had to take the next step up this season to be championship contender and they haven't.

I would have thought he is simply pointing out to the general public, what to us is obvious.
That its easy to replace imports, because there are thousands to choose from, but replacing locals of any quality if extremely difficult, especially mid season.

So Therefore, whilst (in his mind) Deleon may not have been the worst underperformer, he was the easiest to replace.

Ye, Majok Deng [to be clear] seems to have gone backwards this season, but on the flip side he's not getting much of a chance to settle into a game or role. And bringing in another forward is hardly going to help that.

On the topic of forwards, I also wonder about McVeigh [what is going on there?] and with Conger coming in I'd suggest he'll be getting even more splinters and less court time, if that is possible.

And beware looking for Sobey to become the 'go to' man. Looked to me like he tried that a couple of [home] games ago and suddenly the offence [such as it was] shut down even more and no-one else saw the ball.

These boys really need someone to control the offence [which does not mean walk the ball down the court] and to distribute the ball. Some genuine [general] on-court leadership wouldn't go astray either. Sadly I can't see where that is going to come from with this group and I don't think you can buy it mid-season, though hopefully I'm wrong.

boti just reminded me that we got hodge here mid november for 100k a month....
deleon was a patsy....

Whilst Larkins sits on our bench and travels interstate, I don't Joey has a point. He basically employed a plumber to try and do an electricians job.

Interesting Larkins mum came to the defence that basketballers need job security. Pitty it only happens in Australian basketball. Everywhere else, you don't play well, you ride pine. New player becomes available you leave.

Yeah I think people are taking what Joey said too seriously he's just pissed off that his buddy Deleon got cut and likely against his wishes and Joey probably loved how hard Deleon worked and doesn't like how a few of the locals don't work as hard as he did.

I think Joey was just sending a tough message to some of his under-performing players. Nothing more than that.

Zodiac, why do you think replacing DeLeon with Conger would have been against Joey's wishes? Surely he would have been on board with the change before management acted? I think its more likely he just respects DeLeon and wishes he didn't have to cut him, but knows he has to, save the Sixers season.

Beantown, Logically I would've thought so too but after watching that whole five minute presser when he made these comments he looked completely miserable.

Fair enough. I didn't watch the entire presser. But from what I saw he was just disappointed that DeLeon had to make way. It’s possible he’s both sad for DeLeon and in agreement with management that a new import was required.

Miserable at how bad the 36ers are playing, ie Johnson isn't firing up, Deng and Drmic aren't to be found and generally our defence is a new level of "horrific".

We get smashed down low, we get smashed up high, we get smashed everywhere on D.