Correct anon

That's the one. Like Darren (who has Marcus at Sturt too), Erik has a brother (Leif?) who plays with the Rockets also.

9-2 to the Breakers after three minutes.

I think the sixers are going to get floged in this one.

HOvarth for three wow - maybe if he go's for 40 they will get close

11-0 run to NZ since Nash checked in.

Is this game on AM radiO?

Forman 4 threes already! I'm glad, I hope he kills us. He should have been signed at this point last season. That is what happens when you let guys come out of contract.

Oscar with 12 points in the first quarter. Breakers up 34-21.

Don't worry about Horvath hitting threes - when Darragh comes on for the Breakers, that's your sign right there.

Mutley, it's interesting that you should mention that - the Breakers have already talked to Oscar about extending his contract.

Isaac, I'm glad to hear that. 7-2 Adelaide since Nash went to the bench.

Oscar coughs up a four point play (Copes) and then a three point play (Coops). Promptly benched by Lemanis!

Hasn't Lemanis learned anything from Smyth's example? He should have benched Oscar after he hit 2 threes in a row!

Down 9 at halftime. Interestingly enough we were -8 in the 6 minutes Nash played, but only -1 in the 18 he didn't. I love numbers like that.

Does anyone else wonder how the team would be doing if Copeland weren't in it?

That's one veteran signing that Smyth has got right - it's ugly when Copes is shooting cold and I don't blame anyone for being critical earlier this season, but he's bailed them out of a few situations this year. 9 points at half-time - Majstro and Nash have 0 each at SF.

The three Breakers SFs (I'd count Wethers and Powell as threes) have 41 points between them at the half.

Copeland has not been a disgrace. Those games where he has had stinkers were as much Smyth's fault for leaving him out there instead of Ng or Hill.

As for how we'd be doing, I think 2-12 without him at this point.

Small forward is where we lose most games. Majstrovich hasn't had the impact I had hoped he would, though I largely blame Smyth for this too.

Nash gives 100%. Yes hes getting too old and doesnt provide much anymore, but the fact is he is on the squad and is going to get some minutes.

plus/minus stats can be very misleading.

For example, you would not think that Johan Petro is the leading +- contributer on the Sonics. I would have thought he would have been somewhere at the bottom. But he is number 1 - above Allen and Lewis with a + rating of 35.

Nash starting the second half. Unf*cking believable!

Sorry Kwest, how can something like that be misleading? Simply put, the team is worse when he is on the floor. Oscar gives 100% too, so does Jacob Holmes. But we went with Nash...

Conversely, Adelaide is much better when Sutton is on.

I put my hand up to go out there and give 100%

Adelaide have pulled it back to within 1, thanks to Horvath and Farley.

Maher still with a solitary bucket to his name.

It can be very misleading. Just go back and read the example ive given. JOHAN FUCKING PETRO is not the best player on the Sonics.

Im not saying Adelaide plays better with Nash on the court - but the amount of points Adelaide gets outscored when he is on the court does not automatically mean Nash is the only one screwing up the team. Its more complex than that.

Are the Sonics going to bench Allen and Lewis more because the team gets outscored

Sixers up by 1!

Farley on FIRE!

Horvath just picked up his first foul.

And if the SIxers were to call you up and offer you a starting roll as small forward for good money, you would probably take it. Its not Nashs fault. He just plays when he is told. And plays at 100%. Yes hes over the hill now - but dont keep laying shit on him because Phil gives him minutes and a roster spot.

Both Weathers and Powell on the bench. You'd like to think we could dominate during this period.

Does anyone think England will be able to get Ricky Ponting out tomorrow?

Mutley-
There is an Ashes cricket thread.

Mutley-


NZ 6-0 run, up by 7

I have an eerie feeling that Maher will come good from here and win it. Farley, Maher, Copeland - all very capable of beating any deficit in the clutch.

Looks like it's not to be Isaac. Powell really has our number.

On speed dial!

Game over. Breakers 110, 36ers 101.

Breakers: Powell 31, Wethers 20, Forman 14, Behrendorff 12, Pepper 11, Olson 10.

36ers: Horvath 28, Farley 26, Maher 11, Copeland 11.

Yeah, you gotta wonder what Cattalini is going to do to us next Friday.

O...and anon049
what a stupid stereotype u two gave us early in the post ("If Horvath is hitting 3 point shots already we are in trouble." - "HOvarth for three wow - maybe if he go's for 40 they will get close")

When was the last time u even saw Horvath TAKE a three, obviously ur just guessing that because he's a big man, he has no range, he actually is a very capable 3pt shooter, as we saw in the first few games of the season when he was hitting 3's regularly.
(I suspect the reason he hasnt been lately is Smyth tellin him to stay inside.)

my point is... DON'T MAKE STEREOTYPICAL ASSUMPTIONS WHEN U HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA!!!

Maher had a pull up 3 in transistion at 95-99. It missed, it usually would fall. His look said it all, absolutely gutted. The stage was set for another Maher match winning performance. For me game was done when that missed.

Oscar was awesome in all night. Perhaps one of his bets overall gamnes in the NBL. Why they started Horvath on him...I dont understand!

First time ive seen the sixers live all season. There record doesnt show the amount of potential they have. Id be very surprised if they dont go on a mid season surge and win 5-6 straight.

Of course Nash gives 100%, so would I and I would be totally uselss as well. For crying out loud, we are always playing one short with this guy there.
Excellent comments Mutley.

I agree with Nino, we have got some potential, even with our older players (Any one who thinks older players suck, go tell Andrew gaze and then shutup). Right now the teams just not working, we need to get Horvath the ball alot more, I'd say always goto him when we are struggling with our shots. We take to many shots under huge pressure.
Majstrovich just hasnt played to his potential, he never has with any club.
Bad luck for Brad Hill turned out to be the best thing for Matt Sutton, its just a pity it had to happen this way

1200 max

We are 1 of 4 teams that will not make the playoffs. It isn't mathematical that we can't make it yet, but come on... who can see us pulling a winning streak of 8-10 games wins together to make the playoffs. What a waste of a year! 4-6 weeks to gel my backside, how about a whole year but by then, it is over!

just finished watching the replay, powell what a player,

horvath another solid 30pt game,

damn cooper cant hit a jump shot if the ring was 2 foot a way,

i thought wheeler looked alot better and sutton looked very good for the minutes, farley looked like he was in the zone yet wasnt given the ball to shoot in the last few minutes.

i think maher to and extent is frustrating himself into a form slump

and yes i agree nash and aj were woefull tonight at times

more i see copeland more i think hes one of the better recycled recruits phil has picked up, then again its a player who really doesnt need to be coached isnt it

Yea Copeland has done well, i wouldnt mind seeing him play SF a bit more instead of Nash to be honest, i would like to see a 8 man rotation used, something like this
C Cooper/Wheeler
PF Horvath/Majstrovich
SF Copeland/Majstrovich
SG Farley/Maher/Copeland
PG Maher/Sutton
I would basically bench Nash or use him very sparingly and when Ng returns maybe put him into the guard rotation but probably wouldnt give him big minutes, put him on to hit a few shots here and there, like a Steve Kerr kind of role.

great post anon 809, completely agree, GET HORVATH THE FRICKIN BALL IN THE POST, HE CAN BEAT ANYONE!!!

and why the hell has everyone suddenly gone off the ninja, you cant honestly say that Sutton deserves more minutes... Sutton is good, but Ng is possibly the best backup PG in the league.

xztatik, please don't tell people they have no idea, then make ridiculous posts like the one you have just made.

Ng is a great shooter, not much else. He has trouble bringing the ball up in any kind of pressure, and cannot defend anybody.

Better back up PG's to name a few
- Corletto
- Luke Martin
- Caporn
- Robertson
- Carter

The NBL site shows the crowd numbers at just 1312. Is this a smaal venue, a typo, or are New Zealander's just not interested?

....and Ninja isn't playing anymore until after exams.

TP - they play Thursday nights for the corporates and it's not a great time for the crowds.

Jonno, one problem with Copes at SF is they will give up a lot of boards and inside presence to other teams who have Redhage, Tucker/Hoare, Mackinnon, etc in that spot.

Isaac is right about Copeland at the 3 against a team like Perth or Melbourne, but there is no reason why he couldn't start at the 3 against Townsville next week, who use either Rillie or Newley there.

After watching the game on Fox last night I couldn't believe that we didn't go Horvath more.

Yea Copes will probably give up boards to those guys, but if Newley can play there i reckon its worth a shot,

Jonno, have a look at where the Crocs are on the ladder.

Mutley, I suspect that Horvath was limited to 33 minutes because of his bruised foot. Really can only blame himself for not alerting the club to his orthotics issue.

I was a bit surprised about that myself. Would have expected a professional sports person to have something like orthotics under control - and not just keep playing when they are worn down.

very true about the Crocs, but with this team i think Copes is just about the best option for the spot, as Nash and Majstro are not performing. SF is obviously the main issue we need to adress as it looks like we need to recruit decent stating SF for next season, which may be tough depending on who is available, and if we intend on keeping Farley and Horvath,which i hope we do as they are both top class imports, it will have to be a Aussie which makes it even harder.

Kwest, reminded me of that photo of Jason Williams' feet in The Advertiser a few years ago. Anyone else remember that?

There's nothing like seeing a player skimming calloused skin from their feet with a blade!

Jonno, they have to go after a big name - at least give it a shot. Even Hoare might give them a bit more at that spot.

One time a year or two ago, I was meeting with Seamus McPeake at the Tigers' office in Melbourne. Straight after the meeting, Seamus and Westover (he'd just taken over as head coach) were flying out to try and snatch a player or two from another team (Hawks, I think). From memory, they were names like Mee, Saville, etc. Even if players are entrenched where they are, it doesn't hurt to get out there and show interest.

Yep i agree, i think we need to go after all quality free agent SFs for next season, and hopefully with the new ownership situation we may be able to throw some decent money at them, and as Isaac said it doesnt hurt to ask the question even if they dont end up accepting it! i think we have a good core group and if we can add a top class SF to Maher, Farley, Horvath and our bench is solid, we will have a good team again next season

haha.. The sad thing is it was probably the only time Jason Williams got his photo in the paper.

I only saw the last 5mins of the game. It was painful to watch Brett look so frustrated out there.

I agree that Horvarth needs more shots and we need to be shooting less 3pters. Maher and Copes 2/12 combined yuck!

Agree (#108134). No urgency in their defence at all from the start of the season. I'd like to know what they are doing at training to rectify this. If nothing then surely that is the definition of insanity....you know the saying, doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome!

Does anyone work for immigration, or work for them. Farley wants to become an aussie, lets get that through this year, wham another import!
I see that as a good way to get us back up there so pull up your old mates and lets get him him permanently

Whether it's a lay up or a dunk - it's still the same to stats...2 points, field goal made :P

anon #10824, there's so much talk about imports gaining Australian citizenship and the the benefit to the team as an option to fit another import in. Has anyone stopped to think that just because an import gains citizenship and can then play as an Australian, it doesn't automatically mean they will play for less money. How does a team under a salary cap afford Farley's income as an Australian, plus 2 imports?

Well the tigers can afford D-Mac, Anstey and 2 top class imports and a stacked bench so im sure we can fit Farley, Maher, Horvath and another import in

EC, Smyth is looking to use 'outside employment' to get around the cap.

Also, role-playing imports who come here on a budget would be an option. Redhage, Rychart, etc started here cheap.

EC, Farley has said he wants to finish his playing career in Adelaide, if we can look after him enough other than his Salary I reckon he will stick around, he loves our crowd and city so we are in for a chance.

Erik Burdon - a natural basketball mind. He comes from a basketball pedigree (you should see his dad shoot the rock).
I've been involved with "Eze" over the last few years and I definitely think this kid has the talent, the mental toughness and the desire to crack the 10 in an NBL team.
I know he's working real hard in the gym, and will bulk up in due time.
He's a top defensive player, brings intensity and a quick set of hands.
Keep in mind, he's a winner throughtout ALL his juniors - and MVPed U20s in 2004.
I think Phil should keep this lad on the roster for a while, as he has plenty to contribute. I'm sure ANY ABA, Reserves or Div 1 opponent of Eze would agree.

THEDOCTOR... YOU have no idea, u cant honestly say that the ninja isnt in that bracket u just mentioned. "Ng is a great shooter, not much else" and then u go out and mention Corletto's name HELLO! and he's not even a frickin point guard u dumb mutha#$%&*@^!