Funny Talking Hoops Recap

Talking Hoops Recap 1/8/06

Hosted by Paul Bell, Liam Flynn and Corlette Brown

Spoke about Bells last game for West Adelaide, played for 15 years, he would like to stay involved as a assistant coach or something, sees a bit of a changing of the guard at West Adelaide. Spoke about how every club goes through the rebuilding phase.

Spoke about the 36ers in Port Lincoln, how they do training as well as community things such as sportsman's nights. Spoke about with some of the new players whether they will change there structure with them, and spoke about how it would be interesting to see Nash and Majstrovich this year.

Spoke about the ABL finals, Bell said he thinks Sturt and Forrestville will play off for the title, and said the Forman and Smylie are apparently flying back for the finals, Bell ended up tipping Sturt by 6. Flynn spoke about how well Forestville have been playing and they have many contributors.

Mentioned other ABL retirees Ben Hodges, Jason Baylis and Scott Thur, and Paul Bauer retired from playing mid-season, they are going to go through this more next week.

Spoke about Woolacott Medal, Bell tipped Damian Scanlon or Darren Ng.

Jarrod called in: asked how they think the Boomers will go. Bell said he agreed with Botys article about how they have gone with a lot of young guys from college, and the style of camps which does put some guys like Maher and Cattalini off, and saying that it may mean the team could lack experience, as even Bogut is young. Jarred spoke about the need for a guy with experience mentioned Ronaldson as the young guys struggled to hit shots in the New Zealand series. Bell said it would be interested to see what Basketball Australia do with Goorjian if they don't do well, mentioned the Smyth sacking after his loss to New Zealand. Flynn said it would be interested to see Boguts opinion on the wear and tear of the camps as he has just gone through a NBA season and is still managing, and was interested to hear his thoughts. They then spoke about New Zealand having been together for a long time, and how that gives them a big advantage and are able to beat teams that on paper have more talent than them, mentioned the recent New Zealand and Brazil game, said them playing together was like what the Argentinean team that won gold at the Olympics is, they had played juniors together which helps with knowing how to play together as its not just talent that wins games.
Mentioned the 1997 Aussie U22 team with guys like Mackinnon, Saville, Nielsen, Melmeth, and how people would have thought that would have been looked at as the nucleus of the future, but only Mackinnon is in the current side. Spoke about the current team could form the future nucleus, but its also about getting the right mix now both veterans and juniors. Jared spoke about Smyth getting some of the young guys such as melmeth in his squad to form the nucleus but he hasn't gone on with the Boomers so you never know who is going to or not. Bell spoke about how due to many retirements of guys like Gaze, Bradtke, Heal, Longley, etc. Smyth was forced to try some guys like Melmeth, as Maher was the only Olympian left. Spoke about how they got rid of Smyth very quickly, Jarrod doesn't think that was the right move, as Phil lets them play more freely than Goorj. They spoke about how Smyth is better with Veterans and letting them play freely and Goorj is more suited to young more college guys who have a more robotic style of play, but both are obviously good coaches. Flynn said he believes the team will be a lot better with an experienced point guard in CJ Bruton, with Bruce being the back up, which he is more suited to at the moment.

Todd Fuller Interview: Said he finds Melbourne the most livable city he has played in. He said things such as basketball, livability are high priorities when choosing a team. Said its exciting to be in a new team, said they are working hard to organize it and market it properly. Asked Todd about his NBA career , he has played for Pat Riley, said he was happy for the Heat, as they have been working hard for a long time, he said Rileys knowledge of Basketball was very impressive. Said Riley was a very interesting and creative motivator, some of the most impressive players he played against were Shaq and Olajuwon, he started his NBA career in 96 against Olajuwon, Ewing, Robinson, etc, he played guys like that in his first few games of his career, and played against Jordans Bulls teams, he played with Mark Price with the Warriors in his first season, and he got to know Mark well and they were good friends until Price was traded to the Magic. He was a lottery pick in 96 with guys like Kobe, Iverson, Nash, Stojakovic, etc. Said draft night was a impressive experience, asked about how he found the NBA life style, he is a simple guy who doesn't get into the cars, houses, bling, etc. His team mates called him plain cracker, vanilla. Said its very high end in the NBA, for things like road trips that was good, he said he was blessed to be apart of it for 5 years as the treatment of players was phenomenal, spoke about Fuller having a Pilots license, he said he started it as a hobby but has been busy with basketball so he hasn't flown much lately.
Asked how he had found Scott Ninnis as a coach, as he is taking practice at the moment, he said he is a good level headed coach, and doesn't over coach. Asked about Ingles, said he is doing well and has a lot of potential, lots of natural ability and said it will be exciting to see how far he will go, and with young players it's a question on how they mature and how well they handle the low points, asked about Christian Anderson, he hasn't played with him before, met him on the flight, said he is a level headed guy with incredible athleticism.

Flynn and Bell spoke about Christian Anderson, Ninnis told Bell that he was one of the most athletic players he has ever seen. Bell said it would be good to get Anderson on the show, they spoke about it will be interesting to see how the Dragons go in there first season, see if they will be like the Breakers or contend straight away. Bell said he thinks the Breakers have put a good squad together this season if they can get a good replacement for Melzer.

Brett Maher interview from Port Lincoln: Maher said its going well, the rookies have to do a rookie night for the veterans on Friday night. Spoke about the poker night said it was good fun, and some sponsors also play. Said trainings is going well with lots of young guys trying to break into the team, and the game at the end of the week where guys compete with spots, they are also learning the offense and defenses, he thinks the young guys will do very well. Spoke about how it is very competitive for the last few spots, which keeps the competitiveness and standard of the training up.

Bell and Flynn spoke about the young guys who are also apart of the Academy getting the opportunity to train with the 36ers, with Breheny being Academy coach, and they all seem to do well and add intensity to the practice.

Carla Boyd interview: They are in Brume, said she is looking forward to playing for the Lightning hasn't played since July last year. Said she has sorta kept in touch with the team, has watch games when possible, she is rehabbing her knee, cant start running until the middle of October, She has been playing in France for the past 4 years, which she really enjoyed where she was living, said it was a different experience, her not having to be a top scorer in her team as a import, mentioned players such as Kristi Harrower and Jo Hill as others playing in Europe, said a lot of the teams like Aussies for there attitude as apposed to some Americans, as they are not seen as arrogant as some Americans are, Bell said it sounded like a good way to travel, she said it is, but you don't always get to see a lot of some of the places, but sometimes you do get a chance to look around which is good, she is now after stability now with a young daughter, who started school in France, she said she wants to go back to Europe, she is aiming to play in the next Olympics, and is hoping her Lightning form will help her, she said she has known Chris Lucas for years and gets along well with him, said Cari Graf spoke to her about playing in Canberra but she wanted to stay home in Adelaide and play with Woosnam and the team.
Bell asked her about the terms and conditions of playing in Europe, she said in Russia some were getting $200,000 US a season, but she didn't want to live in Russia, spoke about a bad experience of a friend playing there, and some girls would want to play there and cash in, said Europe isn't too bad, and in some places like Spain and Italy you don't have to pay income tax, and said the clubs are set up differently and have more financial backing in the clubs in Europe. Spoke about Korea, where Lauren Jackson is going to play, Boyd said she would consider it next year instead of WNBA as she doesn't enjoy that league. Asked about her WNBA experience, she said it was unbelievable, having big crowds and she found that some coaches wouldn't be honest with the players, and didn't like how some Americans would think they are better, she spoke about a time when an American player said to the coach that she was better than Boyd and the coach just said ok and she lost her court time, spoke about a time, when she was put in a game for 3 seconds to make a pass then benched again. Which she didn't like, and found it a negative environment. But said others really enjoy it in the WNBA.

Rupert Sapwell Interview : Now coaching Norwood Flames, coaching in the Finals starting next week, he said that he is nervous, and coaching is harder than playing as your not totally in control of your own destiny, and said he is always analyzing his coaching. It came down to the last game to make the finals. Norwood had the beat West and North had to beat Woodville. Flynn asked about bets with KB (Kevin Brooks) about which side would get the last play off spot, he said they are great mates, but extrememly competitive, back from the playing days, he said they sometimes don't talk for days to try and beat each other, wished both teams could of made it as he has a lot of time for KB's coaching. He joked that KB winning the championship last year took 10 years off his life.
They are playing North, sapwell said they are playing really well and have lots of juniors coming through and playing hard, with there strength being transition, mentioned Zorich running the point, and sees him doing well at Lincoln, Sapwell said he is happy to get to the finals and is hoping to get all his players back. Spoke about Coopers form for the Flames, Sapwell said he has produced exactly what he expected, they have based there defence around well, and he gives them very good interior defence, he said he has been more than his stats with his leadership and being a good role model. Asked about who they would like to play, he said its all about who is playing well at the moment not previous form, and some teams have changed due to 36ers commitments, etc. said that Forestville and Sturt deserve to be favourites, he said its about who hits the form at the right time during the formals. Spoke about Todd Matthews, who he said was a tremendous player, who they have been flying in for games and he has turned out to be a real spark for the team.

Andrew Bogut Interview: he said training camp has been good, very physical and intense, asked if it was easy to shift focus from club to boomers, said it hasn't been to bad. Asked about the New Zealand series, said they had not been together very long and he is happy to be the under dog. Asked about the decision to come back and play for the Boomers, as many NBA players don't, he said his body was fine so he decided to play. Said his Bucks coaches came out to a camp and have been keeping in close contact with him. Asked about his role with the Bucks, he said he will have more confidence in himself, and knowing the coach has more confidence in him so he can come in more relaxed and confident in his and his teams abilities. Said the NBA experience is very crazy, lots of trainings trips meeting lots of new people, and said he wouldn't change it for the world. Asked about last pre seasons mind set, with the Bucks bringing in Magloire, and he said it was a shock with Mason being traded, and said Magloire actually helped him, asked about the Villenova trade, said it should be good as Villenova is a better shooter and allows him to play centre, said it will now take a few years for them to gel together, Spoke about his charity work in Milwaukee, said he did some stuff around Christmas time, said he will be able to focus on it more on the years without World Champs and Olympics. Asked about representing Australia in the NBA, he said he hopes to be successful which could lead to more tv rights and having kids looking upto him so they play basketball and not just football or soccer. Said he keeps up with his mates, he has friends in most NBL teams along with guys playing In College and in Europe and it is interesting to see how some guys in Europe deal with the seasons ups and downs. Asked about his natural game being a facilitator, he said he gets a kick out of setting others up with a pass up, he would rather get 10pts and 10assists than 30 points, an \d helps make him a honest player. Asked about any NBL players making NBA, he said he doesn't think anyone other than Maybe Newley being able to do so and it is a big jump to play NBL. Asked about his best coaches, said his personal coach in Melbourne was one of the best skill developers, and said Goorj is one of the best coaches in games and doesn't think any others can bring what he does to every practice, said Terry Stotts in Milwaukee is a young coach still learning and working hard, and was flattered that he came all the way to Australia to see him.

Bell and Flynn spoke about how they hope the boomers rally around Bogut and do well in the world champs, and his big raps on Goorjian.

Great Show again, looking forward to next Tuesday.

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