Jonno
Years ago
Talking Hoops Recap
Talking Hoops recap, 19/9/06
Hosted by Paul Bell and David Spear
Maher was heading to Singapore for the 36ers first game, Spear said it should be a good game, and had spoken to Steve Breheney and said he thought they were confident, and they said the 36ers should beat the slingers. But things like a new environment, and the weather can make it harder.
Bell and Spear spoke about how they think the 36ers will go this year. Spear said Botys predictions were fairly good but he had Adelaide a little high, thinks they will finish 4,5,6 with Melbourne and Brisbane having the standout groups, then others like Cairns, Sydney and Wollongong, and expects New Zealand to improve and the dragons to be ok, and if Smyth can get them to 3rd he has done very well. Bell said he watched the pre-season game against perth, and said it was interesting as they now have a big inside presence in the team, in Horvath, and said he thinks it will take a while for the team to get used to that and all get in sync, Maher isn't shooting as much as he has to direct play, they think he play the point guard well, as he is smart and doesn't rattle under pressure, but they think he needs to shoot more, and is very well suited to shooting guard. Spear spoke about them not having a legitimate back up point guard, with guys like Ng, Hill, Copeland and Farley are also not really point guards. Spear said he thinks the recruitment of Horvath was good, as they needed a big centre, but it will take time for the group to gel, Phil and Steve never having had a guy like Horvath in the team, as Dusty was smaller and more of a good complimentry player, and consistant got there numbers. They spoke about the 36ers having a very deep team, being 10 deep with everyone deserving to play, said its more comfortable with 8, and the challenge is keeping everyone happy with there minutes. They also said it is good to have the deep 10, as it gives them a bit more depth if injuries occur. They said it will probably depend on match ups and who is playing well for the court time.
Dana called in: Went to the pre season game v perth, thought it was good, and was surprised with Coopers performance, getting and making more shots than in the past, Bell said he thinks he will be very well suited to coming off the bench as the back up centre, after a strong aba season. Said he is a very good help side defender, and can finish well with dunks. Spoke about Coopers long shot in the pre season game. Spear said having guys like Cooper playing well in the aba, is a very good thing, as it's a lower pressure game to help them play well and build confidence. Dana spoke about how at times last season she was disappointed that he didn't take many shots. Bell spoke about him being athletic, good shot blocker, runs the floor well, and will have a good season playing less.
Dana said she agreed with what they were saying about Maher, not taking as many shots, said she enjoyed the game with them all contributing. She remembered watching Horvath play against the 36ers in the past, and no one being able to stop him. Spoke about Majstrovich and Nash saying Nash is good at coming in and providing a defensive spark, saying that they will be very important to the team.
Bell said he is really looking forward to the season with lots of new players coming in, 2 new teams adding to the excitement, they spoke about Botys article with his jokes of players leaving, like lowery, standing on wedding cakes.
Martin Cattalini Interview: Said he is feeling good, and said it was due to having some rest in the off season. Spoke about Boodnikoffs injury, said he is probably a month to 6 weeks away from playing again, said Rose has signed for 10 games, and once Boody comes back Rose will have to step aside due to the points cap. Said ticket sales are up 30%, signed a new major sponsor, he thinks the team will be competitive right now, even with out the new import Damon Thornton. Spoke about Mee's citizenship, said it's a bit tricky as it comes when it comes, and when Darnell can play as a Australian, Damon Thornton, been there for a month, un believeable athlete, 6'8,115kg, big guy, very athletic, said he is as athletic as Leon Trimmingham was. Said the tigers look good again, being big all over, said they will be a tough matchup, said Brisbane with cj and ebi will look good, said he thikns new Zealand has improved a bit with there imports and oscar coming in, said it will be interesting to see how West Sydney, Singapore and South do. Said cairns starting line up would be, Mee, Stewart, Grabau, Cattalini and Owens. Said it has taken Owens a while to settle in but is doing well, but he isn't Burgess, and fits in well. Spoke about the Boomers, said he got itchy feet watching it, but didn't miss the training and traveling and been away from family, said he thinks they did pretty well.
Bell and Spear spoke about Cattalini, saying that they think he will have a great season, and has had a fantastic career, said the change from Dunlap to Smyth as coach , transformed his career. They said they think moving him to the 4 spot was a good move by cairns, Spear said teams are starting to get some big players, and cairns having a weekness in the 3-4 spots, being a bit small, when darnell becomes naturalized, and a line up of Mee, Boodnikoff, Cattalini, Thornton, Owens would be a very good starting 5, and they could push for the title.
Oscar Forman interview: said he is working hard in New Zealand, they go twice a day, weigths, individuals, in the morning and team training in the arfternoon. Asked if he would be a starter, said during the pre season Lemanis, was trying to chose between Forman and Olson, who couldn't split them so it will go on a game by game basis. Said Lemanis has been very good, a hands on coach, and Dorge has been fantastic. Said if Dorge coaches a NZBL team next season he will probably play for them. Spoke about the boot camp the New Zealand did. 25 hour boot camp, in scenario, searching for war heads, and find Lemanis and Dorge who they had to carry. Said it was interesting, and tested them, and they stayed together as a team. Said the toughest thing about it was they were on a 9 day road trip prior to the boot camp. Said it was better to do it now than during the season, like Townsville did last season. Asked about his impressions of the Blitz, he said he thinks it will be very close this year, Singapore being a new team still working through some things, said Cairns looked good, the kings running well with a bunch of young guys, and from other pre season games said Townsville played ok, said Cairns look really good, still with out Boodnikoff. Said he has settled into New Zealand well and enjoying the city and team mates and coaches. Asked about the Breakers expectations, said there defiantly are expectations, said that there is a bit of a negative mentalitly around Aukland of the Breakers, which they are trying to change, said things have started going well since Lemanis took over the helm. Said it will be interesting playing the Dragons in the first game. If they win first up they will go in more confident. Spoke about there imports, Brian Wethers, a absolute scoring maching, who needs to be guarded, said with Wethers, Olson, Forman they have to be respected on the out side, other import, Carlos Powell, who is 6'7, athletic and been dunking on everyone, he likes to play outside abit, but is also good inside the paint.
Spear and Bell, said it will be fascinating to see how Forman goes as a Breaker. Spear said this is a massive year for the breakers, as they must be expecting to make the play offs this year, having finished off well, having big guys like pepper, and out side fire power.
Scott Ninnis called in: joked about the boot camp, he said the Dragons will beat them as the boot camp is a monster. Spoke about the coaches pole for awards, he gave Cattalini a vote for MVP and said he looks unstoppable and likened Cattalini moving to the 4-spot to what the Dragons are trying to do with Frank Drmic. Said its been going well working with Mark Price, they played the tigers today and had a good hit out.
Joe Ingles interview: he is living with Mark Cowan in Melbourne, said he is fitting into the life style in Mlebourne well, and really enjoying it, Said he thinks the team chemistry and harmony is been great, everyone is getting along well on and off the court. Asked about the transition of SEABL to NBL, said its a lot more physical and up and down, and everyone on the court can do anything, in SEABL you can get away with short cuts, found the first month hard on his body, but is getting used to it, said the Blitz was a great experience, played the tigers and did well this morning, said he has to work on his body and strength, and has been in the gym abit, and more precise movements on the court, its quicker than in SEABL. Tigers games were closed to public, they had 4 15 minute games, every game was within 8 points, they won 2 each, said it was good to be able to keep up with one of the best teams in the comp, they were without Burston and Franklin, said he isn't sure what spot Price will play him in, he has played a fair bit of minutes in pre season expects to be around 7th or 8th in the rotation, said he is getting to know Price well, and learning a lot from him, said he is more on the quiet side, but when he speaks everyone listens. During the games Price, he is sort of between Smyth and Goorjian in style, wants them to get out and run, not the up and down the court kind of coach.
Bell and Spear spoke about Ingles, apparently Ingles is one of the teams best defenders. Spear said they may surprise a few teams, and thinks they will be around the mark but may miss the play offs, be around 7,8,9. They tipped Singapore to finish last, West Sydney also to miss the play offs, don't think Townsville will be a top side, relying heavily on Rillie, Newly and Abney, said New Zealand may scrape in this year.
Kriss called in: Asked about some players who will have some break out seasons, for his fantasy team, they suggested CJ Bruton, Cattalini. Said they will speak more about fantasy league later in the show
Dusty Rychart Interview: He was at the Bullets season launch, said Brisbane is a lot different to Adelaide, and is still enjoying it, and still adjusting. Hurt his foot and has been out for a couple of weeks, which caused him to lose some fitness, played 10 minutes against the Tigers, and is hoping to get his fitness back, got 37 points against Cairns recently. Spoke about the chemistry in the group, said from his point of view the chemistry has been great. Guys get along and they are starting to gel on the court, with different guys been able to score in any given game. Hasn't had the chance to play with Bradtke yet, still 3 weeks away. Spoke about the difference between Smyth and Wright, Phil is free flowing, Wright is more of a X's and O's guy and a bit more vocal, said he is looking forward to playing under Wright. Asked if he is worried about guys like Bruton and Mackinnon burning out, said he always wonders about it, but is confident about there young guys who can fill in for them if it happens.
Spear and Bell spoke about the Fantasy teams, said players such as Rychart, Peter Crawford, Tony Ronaldson and Rogers, said if you are looking for a smoko from Adelaide Majstrovich, Depth from Melbourne, Stiff, Corletto or any of them, Kings apart from Smith, Worthington. They spoke about how it works, said Horvath is cheap, Groves is a player who can score a lot, Caporn and Crosswell are other guys who come off the bench, Forman good value from New Zealand, Wethers will score a lot aswell, also mentioned guys like Holmes and Ingles also.
Jason Smith Interview: said the body is feeling good after playing lots of basketball. Asked about the Kings, he said wasn't great pre season, as many players were away, said since they have been together they have been good, and hopes talent will keep them going until they gel properly, Spoke about Rodney Elliott who has come over for the 2nd import spot, hoping he will be cleared to play against Townsville, said he is a big body, 6'8, plays inside well and can shoot well. Said Goorjian is a basketball nut and has come back well, and was eager to get into the nbl and didn't need a break after the boomers. Spoke about about how people think the kings have slipped down abit with Melbourne and Brisbane, Smith said its warranted, still thinks they will be a top 4 team, very versatile, quick, and can create havoc in defense, said one of there downfalls is they don't have the big dominant centre, said it was a downfall last years finals, after losing Roberts, said it will be there Achilles heal competing on the boards and defending the bigger teams. Asked about the World Champs, about how they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, said it was dispaointing, they knew they were a good team, being up in the final minutes of the game, they knew the Greeks were capable of anything, said it affected the team, said he was proud of how the players played, said Newley and Worthington were out standing. Hoped the experiences would help them in the future.
Bell and Spear spoke about Smith, said they thought he was a great player, led the team well, and never gives up and plays ferocious defence.
