Or the breakers already know what the wildcats will learn in the coming weeks?

Maybe the Breakers have got a clever billboard idea and don't want to waste the opportunity

$$$ - Perth would've paid a decent buyout fee in return

Luuuc
Any ideas

I doubt it would've been much of a buyout fee if anything, aside from the ethical restraint of trade aspects NBL teams are all in this together and it's best for all concerned to let these things go through for the benefit of the comp. It's a stronger league with Tai in it than not and it's not like the Breakers wanted him back.

I agree BUT release him on Thursday NOT. Wednesday

Remember also he left the Breakers because of his anti vaccination stand not because of anything else

It's a Breakers home game yeah? They want to get people to attend the game what better than a star Kiwi player playing for the opposition.

Anyone know if Travers is fit to play tomorrow?

Tai signed a 2 year deal with the Breakers then they released Corey.

After that Tai told the Breakers he wasn't getting vaccinated so they released him but held his nbl rights.

He then got vaccinated and signed a larger deal in the Euroleague. Effectively he lied about the vaccine to get released so he could sign a larger deal.

Clever Webster to get a better deal for himself but I don't agree with it. Who cares what I think right? Dumb on Breakers allowing him to play. They could have held it back or simply said you can’t play against us. Puts an extra bit of spice into the game though

Tai suggesting he's not playing anyway:
https://thewest.com.au/sport/perth-wildcats/new-perth-wildcats-recruit-tai-webster-reveals-the-lengthy-discussions-which-got-him-back-to-the-nbl-c-9338618

It doesn't make sense for NBL teams to hold out on buyouts cos you never know when the situation might be reversed in the future. When Corey Webster returned to the Breakers, the Wildcats still had his NBL rights from 2016/17 and the Breakers had to buy him out.

In his introductory press conference, Tai says he doesn't expect to play much tomorrow night, given he's just met his teammates and is learning where he fits in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGCpR-zSDS4

Matt Walsh is AWOL and Breakers are allegedly struggling financially. A buyout would provide some cash.

Tai won't have an impact on this match up regardless of how much he plays or not. The real question is whether WMW is still out?

We've been so spoilt for action the last few weeks that I turned on Kayo last night thinking this game was on. Disappointed. Have to say that it's been awesome over the holiday period almost having a game every single evening.

I've been getting confused by the gaps as well as I thought the whole point during this time of year was to hold games daily.

Unless it's a blowout either way I don’t see Tai playing tonight. I think the kings game we’ll see him slowly play 15 minutes and start to eventually get 25 to 28 a minutes by the playoffs

"Matt Walsh is AWOL and Breakers are allegedly struggling financially. A buyout would provide some cash."

Where has Walsh gone?

Yes I've enjoyed the games continuously, been fantastic. Wnbl should have put one on last night, while I don’t mind wnbl I don’t watch it if nbl is on at same time.

So who we got winning this one. Game being played in Taranaki which is possible one of the smaller seating capacity of comp. Fans are bit rabid though v but not as intimidating as other venues.
Breakers fielding a full squad, one of the few times this year and I imagine smarting from last encounter. With Wildcats perceived weakness inside, feeling Breakers will be to tough for breakers to over come. If refs let them play breakers in double digits.

For wildcats to over come

Breakers should get this, otherwise there very good start to the season will be wasted. Thomas,Cotton, Webster, Travers been great but can't see it being enough.
NZ by eight.

Breakers don't have a full squad. WMW is still out. Hard one to pick but I feel the Breakers might just sneak home.

WMW massive loss to breakers, evens up the contest, certainly a lot closer than my original tip. One point either way.

Yes I've enjoyed the games continuously, been fantastic. Wnbl should have put one on last night, while I don't mind wnbl I don’t watch it if nbl is on at same time.

Okay, I didn't realise tonight is a NBL double header. It makes sense now.

@Perthworld.
WNBL could have played last night when no NBL games on. Truly dumb scheduling again

How is that a foul on Norton, allow some sort D.

I think the wnbl early tipoff is to make it "family friendly" but I'm not going in during peak hour on a weeknight.

Lol the Breakers coach has a point but he's pretty annoying

Will be tossed this quarter

He has a point though. Just give some consistency refs.

Leafa is no point guard, he just doesn't see passes like WMW.

35-26 Cats. If they keep playing like this it could get ugly

Agree WMW out changes my thoughts. Will be close but wildcats looking the goods at moment.

If Travers ever makes the NBA, I'll eat my hat

Rupert and Webster playing beautifully for their respective sides.

This venue is a joke! Manek slipping like that is unacceptable

Manek?

More like Mandown amitrite

What a farce. Wipe the floors again & again & agsin

Jesus wriste

That decal needs to go

Very good game, just think Perth bench not as good as NZ.

Really enjoy the NZ commentary, it's commentary not a talk athon.

Casey Frank has to be the least biased commentator in the biz

Real high tech isn't it. Kids on the ground wiping up sweat with towels. Seriously that’s the best we can do

How is that not a charge???

Brown jr with a massive flop, what is Manek meant to do? Jumps straight up.

Really obvious illegal screen, brown had already gone before the screen was set, how does Frank not know this??

Norton...total liability

What will Tai do, less Norton and Blanchfield might just be amazing with their current form

Carn Cats you bums

Rupert is holding Travers shirt, same crap Webster did but instead of not an offensive foul it's a defensive foul and 1... ref's losing this game completely. Dead set swinging the game

Kicks it to himself then slides... violation then travel.... but hey they are tough calls... in fairness the turnover was absolute dog shit by perth

I can't believe Rilke has brought Norton back on...hope he proves me wrong

Another dog shit call, same as Thomas only this time a charge not a block...

Leafa horizontal on notlrtons back, no over th back call... again simple call that would be fts

Just refusalbto call fouls on nz, blatant reach in, cotton should be at the line

I know they represent all of NZ, but if they can't provide an NBL quality venue then they shouldn't play there. I'm not really a fan of teams taking so many of their home games to regional venues. If their regional supporters want to see the Breakers - then they should travel to Auckland and watch them. Controversial, but this isn't a bush league anymore.

Entertaining game. Just waiting for Jacket to try and shoot it down in some obscure way.

@WC95. 100% correct. The venue is a joke. What's the crowd, 2000? Get to a decent venue to play professional sport

So Norton can't get the ball in....and there is the game

Bit late subbing him out now

Spread the game to the people, not certain why wouldn't.

Was that game played in a high school gymnasium? It looked like it.

Norton and to a lesser extent wagstaff are just horrific atm. Exciting close game tho no complaints as a fan

Absolute cracking game
NZ just slightly better
Rillie doing fine with his playing list, yes travers probably should play more but been very inconsistent.
Cotton still mvp
Webster been fantastic since settling into the system.
NZ very solid, certainly deep bench.
Maor very good coach
Did I say how enjoyable that was.

It was only close because NZ were undermanned.

There has to be a massive clearout of personnel next season for Perth.

Travers, Blanchfield, Wagstaff, Majok all 0 points.
Harris 0 minutes which is lunacy.

@PW, who you cutting and any ideas on who you bring in ? Let's assume that Cotton is an Australian.

When's Bowen graduating

Fun game to watch, CWeb & Cotton certainly kept it interesting down the stretch doing what they do best, getting buckets.

Travers was playing on an injured ankle tonight. Did well to get out there.

Rupert made a mockery of Travers and his defence is outstanding. He seems to have enormous upside but for some reason the mock picks aren't reflecting it... sitting 20+

A couple more games like that and he's locked in for rookie of the year though

If Travers injury made his movement on the court limited it would have been better to keep him out and put Blanchfield or Harris out there instead rather than him having not 1 bit of impact out there.

So if LT was injured why didn't Harris, whose shown heaps of energy and promise, play any minutes?

@PW, who you cutting and any ideas on who you bring in ? Let's assume that Cotton is an Australian.

and if it's too hard for Danny boy to recruit locals bring in three legit imports.

No excuses after this season.

Considering how much of the load was carried by just a few, Perth did pretty well to hang in there.
We didn't deserve to win with that many passengers though.

Rupert vs Travers was pretty brutal. Respect.

Rupert's decision making with the ball was outstanding and defensively he has so much potential.
1st game back after a 2 month lay off with a broken wrist and he performs like that, he will move up the mock draft boards for sure.

"and if it's too hard for Danny boy to recruit locals bring in three legit imports"

Yep, they need three imports who can provide more than the 66 points at 67% those pretenders did last night!

Okay but I'm basing it on our entire abysmal season not just one game.

I love your passion, but it is blinding. Your team had a down patch early this season after a fast start, but they're 5-2 from their past seven games with an OT loss and a one-basket loss on the road to a top 2 team.

More like frustration.

Yes, based on Last 10 form they are equal 4th right now (by a few points on difference) and 5th on Last 5 form but it belies the reality which is that the SoS has been weak at the same time.

Speaking of SoS the opponents coming up, sorted by current ladder position, are as follows:

1. SYD x 3 (!)
2. NZB
3. CNS
4. TAS
5. SEM (although they are horrible right now so you could lump them in with the group below)

The other two being ADL (tied with PER on 10-9) and ILL.

Oh my.

They're 4-4 this season against the teams you've mentioned, and that includes the period where they weren't playing as well as now.

0-0 vs SYD, those are going to be three interesting games.

If our Points % (currently 101.06) hasn't taken a pummeling after the next 5 games I'll be very surprised.

It was basically one bad stretch in the third quarter that cost Perth the game. That's all it takes against quality competition to cost you a game that