Too many threads, why have 5 threads when we could have 1?

Keep it simple

Round 1 thread:

https://www.hoops.com.au/forum/52278-nbl-round-1-5-games-19-9-22-9/

The Taipans have made a habit of being a lot better than pre-season predictions, let's see if they can do it again. I don't really know much about their roster, but hopefully they play with the same energy Forde's teams have the past couple of years.

Hawks should win this easily. Days and Froling and Olbrich should have a night out against the Cairns front line.

For Cairns Bradshaw has thrown up plenty in the Blitz without much success. If tonight is the night they drop it might keep them in the hunt. Wardenburg still looks a shadow of what he showed in his promising rookie season.

Hawks by 10+

Hawks should win by 15-20 at least.

Groves has been solid but he'll have his hands full, with Olbrich one of the stars of the Blitz, and Days now acclimated. And Froling of course.

But, biggest problem for Cairns is Edwards and Bradshaw forced to play out of position. Hard to see them winning any games with their undermanned current roster. Hope I'm wrong, but it's a talent deficit combined with a balance problem, and that inevitably spells trouble.

Hawks need to win this well to set a standard for the their season.

Adnam back for Cairns will help, but still well undermanned with injuries/suspension.

That said, we need to show lot more than we have so far in the Blitz. I rate our imports, think the potential is there and won't write us off, but some blokes are going to really have to step up.



As for the topics/posts, I like the "Round" topic for all the discussions leading in, but I doubt it will work for the games as well. The games need their own topics I'd say.

Cairns continue to have the best kits in the league.

Hawks jersey looks great, no major sponsor yet though.

They can tell me how good Froling is but I take Olbrich every time.

Groves is a beauty. Hawks just to deep.

I was surprised Dufelmeier fell out of the league. Certainly looks like he belongs in a backup PG role

Dorris Day looking very good for hawks as well.

Froling 13 & 6 in a half of basketball. That's impressive. Snakes hanging in though.

Edward's not the answer for Cairns, iso and poor defensively.

Olbrich 20 min, 12p, 11r, 3a and plus 27. Now that's a quality game, better than any of the commentators favourites. Long season coming for taipans, Waardenburg limping off not helping.

Illawarra look top 3 to me. Maybe even 2nd.

Cairns desperately need Armstrong. Edwards and Bradshaw combined for 6 from 28 but they'll look better with Armstrong running the offense.

Waardenburg, Gak and Galloway combined for 53 minutes and 4 rebounds. Get ready for a bake from Fordey boys.

Olbrich +27, Hickey +25. They were playing mostly against a very average Taipans bench. While it's fun to read the +/- column, it's important to know how to use that stat.

do Illawarra have the best frontcourt in the league? a conversation worth having if they turn up like that most nights

It's very good. How well can Froling and Olbrich work together against the best teams, because they are both very good and only going to get better, if they can combine well look out. It's early days for Darius but he looks very nice indeed, gives them three different types of talent rolling through there.

Olbrich played a lot of minutes with the starters, Tatum also brought him on every time taipans made a bit of a run. It's a very important stat but you also have to watch the match.

The hawks are certainly in the mix with best front court, two of them being locals certainly helps.

Illawarra has a quality frontcourt if Olbrich keeps this up. Doris can stroke it and Froling is a proven quantity who'll only improve.

Biggest risk for Hawks is an injury to any of their main backcourt 3.

They've got good depth everywhere else. Even Peatling in his 5th season, was a starter on a championship team.

But an injury to Kell or Harvey, or even Hickey would hurt them. Who else can handle the ball OT play guard? Only Zac Triplett?

If it's Kell or Harvey injured at least they can get a replacement, albeit that can be hit and miss.