Talking Hoops Recap!!

Talking Hoops Recap, 12 September 2006,

Hosted by Paul Bell and Brett Maher.

Maher and Bell spoke about the NBL Blitz on the weekend. Maher said it wasn't too bad, said he thinks the concept needs some work, but they get the equivalent of 2 games. He said they had a good match up with the dragons and got out to a good start, and said they have to work on there defence. There last game was against Brisbane, who have a lot of talent even missing Black and Bradtke, and they just hit a couple of extra shots. Said one problem with the blitz was there was no facilities do anything when not playing, and they said its hard to read too much into the blitz, as they are short games, Maher said Coffs Harbour is a great location. Maher said he thinks the talent in the league is just about the best ever, said Brisbane have talent to burn, mentioning Ebi Ere not sure how it fits in when Stephen Black comes back, said he was playing well, said the Tigers will be tough, big and have a lot of talent, with Crosswell coming in. Said he sees Brisbane and Melbourne being up there this season. Said he saw Singapore play, thinks Mike Helms will do well, and they will get better when Ben Melmeth comes back. Said that there are a lot of new faces into the league with a influx of imports, and guys returning from overseas, which is exciting as people will see a lot of new players in the league. Said it was nice to beat the Dragons and rub it into Scott Ninnis. Bell said other things that happened at the Blitz is coaches having meetings and referees having seminars. Said that the referees have been left with a lot of grey areas with interpretation, Maher feels that they should set the rules in Black and white so they are more consistent. They are going to get the coaches together before the game where the referees will tell them the areas they are concentrating on. Maher thinks as long as they stick to it that it will be a good thing.

Paul Baur interview, from the 36ers season ticket drive at the Dome: Each season leading up to the season they have some past and present players come in and speak to season ticket holders to get them to renew there tickets. Brett Wheeler, Graham Kubank, Rupert Sapwell, Mark Nash, David Spear where involved, Bauer said last year they had a lot of success with it last season. They are doing a season ticket drive this weekend with players handing out information at Stadiums and Westfield's Shopping Centres. Spoke about Rees's Testimonial Dinner, said it was no longer Thursday after the game, due to the change over with Hemmerling coming in and being close to the season and having a lot to do and wanting to give him a good tribute and acknowledgement at a game night during the season.

Graham Kubank interview from the ticket drive: Said he has kids playing basketball now, said they will keep trying to get people to renew, as they have a fantastic team this year and he thinks they could go all the way. He said he thinks having Wheeler back is great, who he played with. Said he will go around and speak to all the sponsors again at games this year as he did last year.

Maher and Bell spoke about the next season, they start with Singapore away, and there first home game is against Sydney. Said the Singapore game could be tough, even with Melmeth out, they have Helms who can score. He said Wheeler is coming along well, started training again today, said he was surprised how well he was able to run around, said that he thinks he would be good for some short stints at the moment whilst he regains his fitness.

C. J Bruton Interview: Said he has been very busy coming back from the US, going to the World Champs and coming back to the NBL Blitz. Said he had a good tryout with Cleveland in the NBA, they invited him to play in the Summer League and said he had a good chance of making the team and he would get 30 minutes a game in the Summer League, they ended up playing there draft picks and he got hardly any time. Said it was unfortante as at that time, he thought he wouldn't be apart of the Boomers as he wasn't at the last camp. He said he may give the NBA one more shot, said he trained at the way he wanted to, and out played many NBA players. Said he was happy with his form in the World Championships, said the team lacked experience which showed, he just wanted to be a leader, and show them how to be a very efficient player, as international basketball comes down to every shot. Said its good to be up in Brisbane and to win the Blitz, it was good to have a look at all his players, and with Bradtke, Black and Rychart still to come in the team is looking very exciting. Maher asked him about the point System when Black returns and how it will affect Ebi, he said it doesn't affect Ebi at all, he isn't sure how it will all fall inplace. Asked about Dusty, said he is back training again, he hurt his foot playing defense against the Tigers. Said he thinks the teams to beat are, The Tigers, with there experience having the same nucleus, Sydney Kings, Brisbane Bullets, Adelaide having a lot of experienced players. Said it wasn't hard decision to leave the kings he wanted to leave at the start of last season, and is glad to move on.

Maher and Bell spoke about the stacked Brisbane team, having Bruton, Black, Bradtke, Ere, Rychart, Mackinnon, Hill, Boucher, Gibson and Treghard, they said on paper the Bullets should win it all.

Dana Calls in: Thanked Maher for sending her a Maher personalised season ticket. Asked Maher about his book which Boty is writing, he said its coming along, going slowly, still waiting for some reponses from some people, and he cant move along until he gets the information. Dana said she thinks Boty has seemed subdued in the paper lately, they said he is probably just saving himself for the season. Said she looked at the Foxtel schedule, having some teams with 6 games, 6ers having 2, Kings having 5 games, said the Breakers are getting a few and don't like there commentators, spoke about how the Singapore first game isn't on. Maher said he heard a rumour that a sponsor from Singapore has pulled out.

Maher spoke about the NBL launch, in Sydney, on Wednesday, all the captains are going to be sailing on a ship, where there will be announcements and interviews. Said there could be announcements of new teams, said there was strong rumours Gold coast may be back in the League next season, and rumours of a few new asian teams coming in which he thinks would be fantastic.

Peter Crawford Interview: Said his pre-season has been interrupted having off season surgery, and missed some games in Taiwan, but played in the Blitz so his pre season wasn't too bad. Spoke about some of the Wildcats new faces, only 5 guys returning, new staring point guard., Adam Caporn, from the Hawks who is a local Perth boy and Justin Brown who played at UConn and in Italy and China has come back to Perth, he said its good to have 2 local WA players come back. Steve Leven, who is a bit out there as a character, said he is talented and has the skills so if he brings it on game night he will be interesting to watch, Ben Hunt, a 27 year old rookie, who had pretty much given up on the NBL, played in the NAIA, hit the champion winning shot for his team Fort Worth, Donnie Nelson pulled him out the crowd and said if he could hit the same shot again he would be invited to the NBA try out camp, and he did all right at the camp, and really got something out of it. Spoke about the Perth Tradition of rookies having to wear a full suit and tie for there first away trip, said Brooks is going well, plays the 1,2,3 position, he is 6'2, playing the 2 spot at the moment, and is a jack of all trades. Said he wants to force his way back into the starting 5, said his ham string and knees have recovered. Spoke about there tall line up starting with Rogers, Ronaldson and Redhage and bringing Brown in off the bench, he said it was good starting Redhage at the 3 spot as he is big for the position, if you put a small on him they post him up, and he can hustle with the other big 3 men around the league. Said it will be good to play Adelaide on Thursday, as this will be there first full game against a NBL team this pre season, and said it will be interesting to play against the new look Adelaide team. Asked about Scott Fisher, said he has been there for Fishers whole coaching career, they have a new assistant in Connor Henry who played NBA, and compliments Fisher well, and Fisher is improving each year. Said Henry is very enthusiastic, and brings a lot of energy to training. Henry played for Houston, Boston and Milwaukee in the NBA.

Maher and Bell spoke about how Crawford has come along in leaps and bounds the last few years, and if he continues he may become a Saville like player in the future.

Matt Sutton Interview: Said he is finding the 36ers trainings good but tough as they are playing against better players. Said he is hoping to make the 36ers 10 in the next few years. Said his form has helped with Forestville. Said his training with the 36ers helped him at the Nationals. Said it was huge losing Dix, as he has a huge impact, being a NBL quality player for the full season, and he will be sorely missed. Said his improvement was due to his coaches at the Academy and Forestville, helping him along with a lot of work himself. Said he modelled his game on Darnell Mee, being a big fan of his. Said his height for a point guard helps him, especially at ABA level. Said he never seriously considered college. Said he didn't know of any potential replacements of Dix. Asked if Smyth and Breheny had said what they want from him, said he has mostly been working with KB, who told him to push all the guys as much as possible at training. Said the Lincoln Rookie show was the most embarrassing thing he had ever done. Said Andrew Simons is a very honest, down to earth coach and he enjoys playing under him. Said he is trying his hardest to keep under the eye of the 36ers coaches. He also works as a development officer for Basketball SA, and runs a new arrivals program, helping them find teams.

Maher and Bell spoke about Sutton, said they think he will be in the 36ers squad for years to come, especially with his size at the point guard position. Maher said he thinks he is a good chance to come into the 10 and play some minutes this season, with the way the team is structured, with Maher being the main point guard and guys like Ng, Farley, Copeland are not full time point guards, where Sutton could come on and play the point, and with his size he is big enough to go against guys like Mcdonald and Mee, Maher thinks he will be a good addition to the team this year.

David Spear interview, from the 36ers season ticket drive: said the phones are running hot and everything is going well, said the response has been pretty good, being a tough time to sell tickets with people wanting to buy Crows tickets. Said for people to call in on 8444 6444 if they are wanting tickets.

Brett Wheeler Interview, from the season ticket drive: said he is giving the ticket sales a crack, said his recovery from his injury is going well he trained today, and is excited to be back, said he is aiming to play against Singapore. Said its been frustrating having the injury, said he is happy how its been treated and recovered. Spoke about the Gold ticket options, reserved seating in the gold seatings, priority finals seats, dribblers magazine, hat, bumper sticker, discounts on merchandise and through sponsors.

Rupert Sapwell Interview, from the ticket drive: Said he is trying to sell tickets not having great success rate at the moment. Ran through the silver ticket option: $280 for adults, $635 family ticket, which equates to $10 a game which is a good price.

Great show again, looking forward to next week!!!!

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