Talking Hoops Recap

Talking Hoops August 8, 2006

Hosted by Paul Bell and Brett Maher.

Maher and Bell spoke about the Port Lincoln trip, Maher said they had a great time, got looked after well, they did activities such as clinics, trained once or twice a day and some extra activities such as a BBQ, quiz night, Sportsman night, with Wayne Phillips, Johnny Letts, Phil Smyth and Neil Kerley, and the game on Friday to finish it. Mahers team won, coached by Kevin Brooks, they had some of the older guys such as Farley, Maher, Copeland and Cooper, he said it was a fast moving and entertaining game, said that he couldn't pick a clear favorites for the last couple of spots on the roster.

Maher told some stories about the Rookie night, sounds like they had some funny things happen.

They said it's a really good experience for the team, and it's a great venue to have it, with all the basketball facilities being there along with the outside activities.

Bell asked Maher when Horvath was arriving, Maher said he thinks he will b arriving in the next week or so, mentioned the 15th as a possible date. Maher said Wheeler was also coming along, and Majstrovich's injury which kept him out of the game on Friday should be fine, he said he has a good shot, and rebounds well, thinks he will be a good all round player, like Nash but Nash is different and more defensive orientated. Maher said the pre season is going well, they are training, learning plays, scrimmaging, and weights, and there first pre-season game is against the Dragons in Hobart.

Kevin Owens, new Cairns Taipan's Import, Interview: Said he had heard a lot about Australia before arriving, said it was somewhere he always wanted to visit and is happy to be able to play here. Owens said Training is going very well, thinks they have a good squad, they are gelling well together and said there is a lot of good comradory within the team. Owens is from Hansfield, New Jersey just outside of Philadelphia, he played High School Basketball and then played Marmouth University, College basketball, and then in the NBDL before coming to Cairns. Maher asked him about Mee and Cattalini, he said they had both been great as the teams veteran leaders, they are good at getting it all organized and keeping things from being sloppy in practice and are great guys. He had heard of Burgess and Horvath from Duke before coming over to the NBL, which he felt seeing those names, he knew the NBL would be a good league. Asked about Allan Black, he said he has been great a real good guy, and when it comes to basketball he demands perfection, which he thinks is great and something you should demand of yourself, and Black has put together a good team and is looking forward to seeing how they go when they are in the full swing of things. Owens described himself as a legitimate 5 man, post player, who does the centre things, rebound, block shots and inside scoring he likes to play inside and use post moves. He said the Cairns community has been great and had heard the fans are amazing and thinks the perk of paying in the small town as the fans get behind you as they don't have the footy or rugby teams. He said him and his fiancé are enjoying the Cairns lifestyle. He said it should be an interesting and fun year, and they are excited about the team and hoping to improve on last year and win the title. He said it was exciting that the League is growing, and he thinks its great to be able to go to 3 different countries during a season. He said NBA is always his goal, but he said right now the most important thing for him is the Cairns Taipans.

Maher and Bell spoke about the Taipans, and they said they will probably be good again, with guys like Mee and Cattalini on the outside, and Owens on the inside, said they haven't lost many players, Crosswell being the main one (from the Australians), but his replacement Luke Martin is quick and can play.

Steve Breheny, 36ers Assistant Coach Interview: Spoke about his 6 week out back trip, and spoke about a car catching on fire and burning to the ground and other aspects of the trip. Said Horvath is due next Tuesday August 15th, which will mean his first on court training with the team will be that Thursday. Asked about the Port Lincoln Trip, said it is usually the other way around with the pre season schedule, he said the camp and game went well, Majstrovich and Copeland are playing well, and the young guys are playing well, they put the young guys on one team and the older players on the other, Brooks's team the older team won, Kevin Brooks has been with the team for a couple of weeks but hasn't been confirmed as a assistant coach yet. Breheney said that was his first loss at Port Lincoln. Said they have 10 players set and 2 development players and 2 other training spots, it will be decided by Friday, said they are all in the running except Gerlach, who has knee problems. Said they the coaches are wanting to speak to the new owner Mal Hemmerling, to see what direction he wants the team to go in. Said the changes to the pre season such as inform fitness, has been good, the players have been happy with it, said it was a new way, thinks they will have less problems such as hamstring injuries this year due to it. He said he would imagine Forrestville would be the favourites as they have been a form team all season other than the last few weeks, said it could be any of the top 4 teams. KB told him Sapwell has Norwood primed for a title run.

Scott Ninnis called in: Said that he used to own Steve Breheney in pre season games, as he heard him say that it was his first loss in pre season. Asked about the Dragons, said Fuller is a big monster who is going to give Wheeler a headache, and Anderson is a 6'5 great athlete who is starting to find his feet.

Maher and Bell spoke about the competition between the Assistant coaches, Maher said he hopes the Owner gives KB approval as an assistant as he has a good rapport with everyone and is a good fit for the team.

Maher and Bell spoke about ABL results, (See hoops site for the results and stats)

Jo Hill interview: She has been playing in Spain, in a team in Madrid, her team came 8th this season, she is moving to another team in Spain next season, Asked about womans import salarys, she said the taller you are the more you get, the bigger players 197cm and above, get between 5-7,000 Euros a month, someone in Hills position gets between 2-5,000 Euros a month she said quite a few Americans play for a few months as a warm up for the WNBA, she said playing for the Rockets has been good, has found adjusting to the ABL refs frustrating, as it is more Physical in Europe. Said that once she finishes playing overseas she will come back and play a year for the Lightning to finish her career. Said a couple of the young players Lauren Mansfield and Elle Coughlan have been the ones who have impressed her, Elle having her best year. Tipped Sturt to win the competition as they have more height in there team. Said she does reflect on her career and gives her knowledge and experience and encouragement to the younger players, and feels she is the same person as she always has been after being to things like the Olympics. Said after basketball, she is interested in massaging or working with handi capped people, playing basketball. She is doing some coaching with some handi-capped kids, and enjoys coaching kids rather than older people.

Maher and Bell spoke about Hill, being one of the first athletic players, a pre cursor to someone like Erin Phillips.

Bell and Maher spoke about the Woolacott medal. Bell tipped Darren Ng or Damien Scanlon, spoke about Darren Ng possibly losing votes to guys like Forman and Sylie.

Shane Heal Interview: In his 2nd week of Dragons coaching, with Price arriving on the weekend. Heal said Ninnis was good in the first week, and Price has been good since arriving. Asked about the 2 new Dragons Imports said Fuller is a big guy, bigger than most he's seen in the league in a while, and is mobile and has good touch around the basket, Christian Anderson, pretty mobile 3-man still trying to find his feet, said its very competitive at the 3-spot, with Holmes, Drmic, Ingles. They spoke about the many South Australians on the team, with Ninnis, Holmes, Ingles, David Rehn all being involved.
Said Ingles is very special, has amazing poise for a 18 year old, and has a exceptional talent and said he expects him to play for Australia, said Jacob looks very fit and has been aggressive and will be a good leader for the team. Heal said he has been training and working on his fitness for the past 3 months on his comeback. He said Price isn't a ranter or raver coach, said he will be a more Smyth like coach, said he has a huge passion for the game, said him talking about spacing and ball movement has been very good.
Asked about the Boomers, he watched them play against New Zealand, said it was a bit disappointing, but losing guys like Nielsen, Saville, Andersen, and Bruton also missing, means young guys who are not quite ready are been thrown into the deep end. He expects them to finish somewhere between 9th and 16th.

Maher and Bell and spoke about Paul Maley who is living in Eltham working, and has recently turned 40. Andrew Gaze was at Maleys party, and Gaze will be on Dancing with the Stars.

Bruce Sprangler Interview, Chairman of BSA commission: Said its taking shape well, it came out of the exercise with Wayne Jackson, they have representatives from BSA, Church and Country basketball Including Leanne Grant and David Spear. Said they need to represent Basketball at all levels, need to develop relationships with 36ers and Lightning, and provide coaching support in the Community and in SASI, referee development, constitution reform, and said they now have a level playing field with the fresh start without the debt. Said a lot of things are still in place from the old BASA and they hope to continue to work with those people and assist them and all the stake holders. Said it's now easier to focus on other things such as grass roots basketball, without now having to worry about the 36ers and Lightning, they are forming a group called Adelaide basketball, which will be a group the encompasses all the clubs that play in the local area, not just the division 1 comp. They hope to run all the competitions, and need to spend time with the owners of all the stadiums they play in to build and improve the relationships with them. Said they are hoping to work with the local clubs to help them out, as some are struggling, providing assistance in governance and corporate structuring. Placed an employment add and hope they get the right person as they have a lot to get done.

Maher and Bell said there is a lot of work that needs to be done, and its good to have people such as Spear involved. And they feel if they get it up and running effectively it will be very good, Maher spoke about the issue of price of tickets of parents to there kids games

Great show again look forward to next week!!

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