Perth are trying to sign Diop Reath but given he can get more oversees it will be hard

Overseas

Anyone know if the games at 9am WST tomorrow and Saturday are deffo being shown on NBL tv or similar? NBL website says yes but Wildcats HQ hasn't confirmed anything as yet from what I can see

Details released

https://www.wildcats.com.au/news/how-to-stream-wildcats-take-on-g-league-ignite?fbclid=IwAR1_dtqWgHMNNGzrKO16hbE_uZMski0BuNxTmXUrzqq-iUbHXyIHUGZUY2A

2 more imports?! So they confident Cotton will get his citizenship this season??

The thread was posted before Usher was signed.

Cotton can't even apply for citizenship for another two years.

yeah I thought as much! Big blow for the Boomers too!

https://www.nba.com/watch/event/game-nba-g-league-fall-invitational-ignite-vs-perth

Good start

Still no Pinder

Cant watch it but was wondering if there is a stat tracker anywhere?

Cats seem to be struggling with the ball, a lot of shots dropping short.
But offensively looking more mobile than last year

They're shooting from a longer three=point line so that's probably why

They are looking a bit sloppy out there

Yes very sloppy.

A lot of the bench getting a run, your typical pre season game. Geeze Pinder is a concern though, still no appearance and the season just three weeks away?

Who talks trash and gets T'd up in a preseason game? :)

I don't want to see the shooting percentages... couldn't hit the side of a barn right now.

Alex Sarr looks the goods though. Three dunks and 4 blocks in the first half.

Looks like Rillie is going to need to figure out how to play Sarr and Pinder together. Sarr is too good to play 10 mins a night.

C - Sarr
PF - Pinder
SF - Usher
SG - Cotton
PG - Webster

can this work Bored?

It would be an exciting s5

Looks good to me BF!

Box Score

https://gleague.nba.com/game/per-vs-gli-2012300001?view=box-score

Ignite 124 - Perth 105

Import PF or Reath to come as well

Reath would walk in to the role as best big on the team but hes not really needed at this stage. The $ best spent elsewhere.

If Sarr is going to be as good as he has looked so far then Bored is right, money could be spent on a PG.

Saar is going to lead the league in block shots . He is a monster already on the defensive end. If I'm the Cats I would start him at the 5 and Pinder at the four. That Kiwi dude is as atrocious his ponytail Perth should look at getting an upper who can play the 4/5 to and Pinder. Wagstaff is to old to be a reliable backup.

Perth looking like
Webster/Zunic/Russo-Nance
Cotton/Webster/Harris
Usher/Henshall/Harris
Import/Wagstaff/Okwera
Pinder/Sarr/Andrew

I like Benny's swagger, this kids could be legit if he gets some court time.

Going to be a heavy reliance on Usher to guard basically everyone on the perimeter, but if it all clicks on the other end they might score enough points to make up for it, and having a rim protector like Sarr will help.

Pinder playing today. Cats off to a good start.

Stream Link

Yeah looking a lot more polished. Saar looks starting 5 calibre. Usher good shooting touch. Cats looking good for NBL season.

Cotton showing why he needs to be on the olympic squad.

That Sarr rim protection is such a game-changer for our D

Pinder not playing all of the third quarter and sitting at the end of the bench in his warmup top has me warned... hopefully just getting managed, not another injury.

has me worried**

Bryce is killing it this game

Sarr is legit. Will be a lottery pick.

Wildcats 127 - Ignite 112
Boxscore

Pinder's 2023 so far
Ankle
Eye
Shoulder (Spain)
Lower back
Groin
More?

No idea why the Cats re-signed Tai. Absolutely useless.

Cotton is exactly what boomers need.

Cotton is something else

Hopefully cotton won't have to wait 2 more years.

Cats need an import guard to start and bench the Websters. Corey can have some minutes off the bench. Tai to DNP-CD every game.

Alex Saar is going to be a huge weapon for Perth. A seven foot two giant who can move like he does is a rare commodity. He is a monster on the defensive end and versatile on offense with a jump shot and a three point shot

I'm excited about this youth movement but at the same time worried about the attitude of the Webster brothers.

I wouldn't be surprised if we see Ben Henshall and Michael Harris take a lot of Tai and Corey's minutes in the backcourt as the season progress.

Though to be fair, Corey was shocking last pre-season and at the start of the season, and finished up with one of his best seasons of his NBL career. And in Tai's last full season in the NBL he averaged 17pt/6ast

I agree Henshall and Harris will be fighting for minutes. Rillie has shown he's not afraid to take someone out of rotation regardless of their reputation (Blanchfield and Norton).

Here's a full replay of Game 2:
https://youtu.be/_fl2i6vToTM?si=hutcgkQLtwYurmhV

Thanks for the game 2 link, Andrew!

Anybody worry that if Sarr performs really well that he will get shut down as he prepares for the draft?

Big Fudge. I was going to post the same thoughts.

Big Fudge. I was going to post the same thoughts.

Yes it's a distinct possibility given his skills but fingers crossed it doesn't happen, he appears to be the answer to a lot of last few seasons issues! Hopefully not a situation like when Balls foot injury in 2019 turned into a decision to sit out the rest of the season for the Hawks and the rest is history.

My original thoughts have been to pick up an import PG with the remaining spot, but my worries of Sarr being shut down then makes me think if we need insurance.

Saar will be a top 20 pick at worst. Given his insane agility for his size and ability to cover virtually every spot on the defensive end he will be a hot commodity. For Perth fans they better enjoy young Henshall for the few years he is in the NBL
because he is another potentially NBAplayer or will go to Europe for much bigger money. He is going to be a gun

Things will change as new prospects emerge through college etc. but honestly based on these two games I'd be surprised if Sarr doesn't end up being a top 5 guy. His ability to defend the perimeter and protect the rim scream modern NBA 5 man. Not sure what his impact will be in the NBL, my guess is pretty positive if he can stay out of foul trouble.

He shall ain't going no where unless he improves on defense. The ignite drive around through him and over him.

Saar will lead the NBL in block shots and if given enough minutes which I assume he will be the defensive player of the year is realistic

He has some great defensive instincts, but some average defensive fundamentals. He needs to fix those so he can stay on the court, I suspect that will be his challenge early in the season as smart players work out they can get him out of position and initiate contact.