As well as reporting on the NBL and the NBA, the focus of this blog is basketball shooting. Today we have two shooting related stories from the NBL. The first is from the team at the Wollongong Hawks interviewing Larry Davidson about a basketball shooting drill they use. Full credit to Asa and Joel for the video work they've been doing with the team.
And just reward for one of the best shooters in the league, CJ Bruton from the New Zealand Breakers picked up the Player of the Week award for the display he put on in the first game of the season against the Cairns Taipans. CJ was a red-hot 10 of 11 from the field and 8 of 9 from downtown on his way to 28 points. After off-season surgery I expected CJ to ease back in to form on court but he's come out with a bang!!
Bruton wins Player of the Week
New Zealand Breakers star CJ Bruton has ridden a hot shooting streak to capture the National Basketball League’s Player of the Week award for Round One.
Opening the Breaker’s quest to become the first Kiwi team ever to capture a championship in a major Australian professional league, Bruton was instrumental in guiding New Zealand to their season-opening 95-75 win over the Cairns Taipans at the North Shore Events Centre in Auckland on Thursday.
The popular point guard scored 28 points and added five rebounds, two assists and one steal but it was his sizzling shooting performance that really caught people’s attention. Bruton went 10-of-11 from the field, including an amazing 8-of-9 from three-point territory, to form a lethal one-two punch with backcourt partner Kirk Penney.
Showing posts with label Cairns Taipans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cairns Taipans. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
NBL predictions
With the NBL season kicking off tonight, its time to take that step and make predictions on the final standings of the league. There are only 8 teams in the competition so how badly can you get it wrong? (famous last words)
There's been so much change on and off-court during the off-season that its a fairly close, open competition ... or at least it would seem to be. There's no defending champions so we start this season (and the process of reform) with a relatively clean slate.
Here are the current odds fresh from Centrebet:
Championship 2009/10
MELBOURNE TIGERS 4.00
NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS 4.00
PERTH WILDCATS 5.00
TOWNSVILLE CROCODILES 5.50
ADELAIDE 36ERS 9.50
GOLD COAST BLAZE 11.00
CAIRNS TAIPANS 13.00
WOLLONGONG HAWKS 23.00
At those prices, I think the Crocs are a little over-rated and the Blaze and Hawks look good value. Sure, I don't expect the Hawks to win but I don't think they're clearly the worst.
Here's my rankings:
New Zealand Breakers
Melbourne Tigers
Perth Wildcats
Gold Coast Blaze
Townsville Crocs
Adelaide 36ers
Wollongong Hawks
Cairns Taipans
How did I go? Let me know your thoughts in the comments and what you think the final standings will look like.
There's been so much change on and off-court during the off-season that its a fairly close, open competition ... or at least it would seem to be. There's no defending champions so we start this season (and the process of reform) with a relatively clean slate.
Here are the current odds fresh from Centrebet:
Championship 2009/10
MELBOURNE TIGERS 4.00
NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS 4.00
PERTH WILDCATS 5.00
TOWNSVILLE CROCODILES 5.50
ADELAIDE 36ERS 9.50
GOLD COAST BLAZE 11.00
CAIRNS TAIPANS 13.00
WOLLONGONG HAWKS 23.00
At those prices, I think the Crocs are a little over-rated and the Blaze and Hawks look good value. Sure, I don't expect the Hawks to win but I don't think they're clearly the worst.
Here's my rankings:
New Zealand Breakers
Melbourne Tigers
Perth Wildcats
Gold Coast Blaze
Townsville Crocs
Adelaide 36ers
Wollongong Hawks
Cairns Taipans
How did I go? Let me know your thoughts in the comments and what you think the final standings will look like.
Monday, August 3, 2009
NBL update
With the NBL season just over 6 weeks away, there is starting to be some news and things happening.
Firstly, Fox is back on board saying they "back basketball". Whether this is good news or not I can't say, but since they took back their $35 million offer, I'd much prefer to see the NBL on OneHD. By now, a lot more households would have access to OneHD than Foxtel and this would really help bring the sport back in front of the viewing/sporting public. Look at how much netball is shown, its ridiculous ... its on so often I almost find myself watching it ... almost.
Now that most teams have their rosters close to completed we're at the point where import spots are announced. Over the last week there have been a number of announcements:
Firstly, Fox is back on board saying they "back basketball". Whether this is good news or not I can't say, but since they took back their $35 million offer, I'd much prefer to see the NBL on OneHD. By now, a lot more households would have access to OneHD than Foxtel and this would really help bring the sport back in front of the viewing/sporting public. Look at how much netball is shown, its ridiculous ... its on so often I almost find myself watching it ... almost.
Now that most teams have their rosters close to completed we're at the point where import spots are announced. Over the last week there have been a number of announcements:
- The Adelaide 36ers have confirmed the signing of American point guard John Gilchrist, agreeing to terms with the exciting import after a successful two-week trial period with the club.
- The Gold Coast Blaze NBL basketball team have unveiled their first US import for the up-coming season. In a move designed to provide a bridge between the more experienced and the younger players, twenty seven-year-old 6’6” forward Michael Joiner will play in the blue and gold strip in season 2009/10.
- Skytrans Cairns Taipans fans are in for a treat with the team today announcing the signing of powerhouse American Richard Melzer for the 2009-10 National Basketball League season. Melzer, 29, a 202cm power forward, was a standout performer in his only season with the New Zealand Breakers in 2005/06 averaging 18.6 points and 7.4 rebounds an outing before heading back to the US.
- The Adelaide 36ers are excited about the arrival this Sunday of NBL excitement machine Cortez Groves. Groves will take the vacant import spot and play alongside the already secured John Gilchrist, giving Adelaide an exciting all-American starting backcourt.
- The Perth Wildcats signed St Louis University shooting guard Kevin Lisch. Lisch is a 6’2 shooting guard who will provide the team with some much needed scoring power, speed and toughness. He has just completed a four-year stint at St Louis University and comes highly recommended by legendary St Louis Head Coach Rick Majerus, who is a good friend of Rob Beveridge’s.
- American power forward David Gruber has been signed by the Wollongong Hawks for the 2009/10 NBL season. The 27 year old from Iowa, USA has spent the past several years playing in Victoria for the SEABL Frankston Blues and played his first year of NBL with the now defunct Sydney Spirit last season. He played out his college career in his home state representing the University of Northern Iowa until graduating in 2004.
Monday, March 30, 2009
The new "NBL"
I had dinner with a friend on Friday night and she mentioned that the NBL are supposed to be making a decision on the future of the league and which teams will be playing in it today.
I came across this article below about the Cairns Taipans nervously waiting to see what will happen. Should we be surprised by the last line which mentions the board may not make any final decisions today? Probably not.
I'll keep you updated on news about the new league when I hear more.
Taipans nervously await decision on future - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
The future of the Cairns Taipans could be known as early as today with basketball bosses meeting to discuss which teams will make up a new national competition.
Taipans general manager Mark Beecroft says they are also waiting to hear whether the Queensland Government will provide a $1 million funding guarantee.
He says the club is nervous.
'We've still got our fingers crossed crossed, we understand the NBL board will be meeting to make a decision on the format of the league,' he said.
'There are a few things we're yet to have in place - one being the guarantee and obviously the working capital through the pledges we've got to collect this week.'
An NBL spokesman says the board may not reach a final decision today, but the club should know within a fortnight whether it has been accepted into the new league.
I came across this article below about the Cairns Taipans nervously waiting to see what will happen. Should we be surprised by the last line which mentions the board may not make any final decisions today? Probably not.
I'll keep you updated on news about the new league when I hear more.
Taipans nervously await decision on future - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
The future of the Cairns Taipans could be known as early as today with basketball bosses meeting to discuss which teams will make up a new national competition.
Taipans general manager Mark Beecroft says they are also waiting to hear whether the Queensland Government will provide a $1 million funding guarantee.
He says the club is nervous.
'We've still got our fingers crossed crossed, we understand the NBL board will be meeting to make a decision on the format of the league,' he said.
'There are a few things we're yet to have in place - one being the guarantee and obviously the working capital through the pledges we've got to collect this week.'
An NBL spokesman says the board may not reach a final decision today, but the club should know within a fortnight whether it has been accepted into the new league.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Nathan Jawai update
After some garbage minutes for the Toronto Raptors last month, I hadn't noticed former NBL player Nathan Jawai's name on the boxscore lately. I then saw this article below on the NBL's website saying that Nathan is now playing down a level in the NBDL, probably to get him court-time and get him back in game shape.
While looking for a picture of Nathan, I came across a quick interview (second article) with him that was done a few weeks ago. Click on the titles below to read the full stories.
NBL > News
Australian Nathan Jawai scored a game-high 21 points as his NBDL team, the Idaho Stampede, defeated the Utah Flash 99-92 on Monday at the McKay Events Center.
Jawai, who is on assignment to the Stampede from his NBA team the Toronto Raptors, paced Idaho, going 6-of-11 from the field and a perfect 9-of-9 at the free-throw line.
In 34 minutes of court time, the former Cairns Taipans player and NBL Rookie of the Year also added five rebounds, three assist, two blocked shots and one steal.
It was Jawai's highest score in seven games since joining the Stampede. He is currently averaging 11.0 points and 6.8 rebounds.
One-On-One With Nathan Jawai | Hoops Addict
Published by Ryan McNeill on February 22, 2009
When I first met Nathan Jawai during media day back in October the rookie forward had a grin that stretched from ear-to-ear. And why not, he was living out the dream of going from playing basketball in Australia to the biggest stage in the world in the NBA.
That smile didn’t last long because back in November he was ordered to stay off the court until doctors could determine if his enlarged heart would force him to retire from playing basketball. He has since been given the green light to return but the time away from basketball has affected his conditioning and his confidence. Being a rookie in the NBA is tough, having to endure something like this just makes the burdens of being a rookie while getting used to a new country that much harder.
While looking for a picture of Nathan, I came across a quick interview (second article) with him that was done a few weeks ago. Click on the titles below to read the full stories.
NBL > News
Australian Nathan Jawai scored a game-high 21 points as his NBDL team, the Idaho Stampede, defeated the Utah Flash 99-92 on Monday at the McKay Events Center.
Jawai, who is on assignment to the Stampede from his NBA team the Toronto Raptors, paced Idaho, going 6-of-11 from the field and a perfect 9-of-9 at the free-throw line.
In 34 minutes of court time, the former Cairns Taipans player and NBL Rookie of the Year also added five rebounds, three assist, two blocked shots and one steal.
It was Jawai's highest score in seven games since joining the Stampede. He is currently averaging 11.0 points and 6.8 rebounds.
One-On-One With Nathan Jawai | Hoops Addict
Published by Ryan McNeill on February 22, 2009
When I first met Nathan Jawai during media day back in October the rookie forward had a grin that stretched from ear-to-ear. And why not, he was living out the dream of going from playing basketball in Australia to the biggest stage in the world in the NBA.
That smile didn’t last long because back in November he was ordered to stay off the court until doctors could determine if his enlarged heart would force him to retire from playing basketball. He has since been given the green light to return but the time away from basketball has affected his conditioning and his confidence. Being a rookie in the NBA is tough, having to endure something like this just makes the burdens of being a rookie while getting used to a new country that much harder.
Hoops Addict recently sat down with Jawai to chat about his rookie season, how his conditioning is improving, what it feels like to have the Australian media following his career so closely and whether he has any plans to play for the national team this summer.
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