South East Melbourne Magic t-shirts

Gather round and let me tell you about a time when the NBL was booming! So much so, at one time there were five Victorian teams in the league!

The South East Melbourne Magic were formed in 1992 as the result of a merger between the South Melbourne Saints and the Eastside Spectres. The team’s home venue was the Rod Laver Arena which it shared with cross-town rivals the Melbourne Tigers and drew an NBL record 15,366 fans to a game between the two clubs in 1996.

Despite the Magic being successful on-court during its tenure in the league, making four Grand Final appearances and winning championships in 1992 and 1996, the club once again merged with a cross-town rival, the North Melbourne Giants for the 1998/99 season, forming the Victoria Titans.

Representing the Magic in our “Legends” series are Bruce Bolden, Tony Ronaldson, Sam Mackinnon, Darren Lucas, Mike Kelly and Rob Rose.

South East Melbourne fans, its time to represent and show your support for your once great team. Like, share and shop!

Check out our store for team eight of the "Legends" range:

http://classicbasketballtees.spreadshirt.com/

NBL countdown continues ... 6 days to go

The countdown continues ... just 6 days until the NBL season gets underway. The # 6 is brought to you today by West Sydney Razorbacks legend Sam Mackinnon.
http://classicbasketballtees.spreadshirt.com/sam-mackinnon-hashtag-A12595987/customize/color/17

Sam Mackinnon - West Sydney Razorbacks

Today's feature West Sydney Razorbacks legend is Slammin' Sam Mackinnon.

Sam Mackinnon signed with the West Sydney Razorbacks in 2002 joining Rillie, Rucker, Dwight and Bolden to be the final piece in the puzzle and helped them reach the finals in two of his three seasons with the team. One of his best years was 2003 when he averaged 19 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks.

Click here to check out our favourite Sam Mackinnon t-shirt: http://classicbasketballtees.spreadshirt.com/sam-mackinnon-ball-A12596019/customize/color/17

West Sydney Razorbacks t-shirts

Gather round and let me tell you about a time when the NBL was booming and there were not one but two teams from Sydney!

Growing up as a Bullets fan it was natural to hate the Sydney Kings. I wasn’t alone tho and there were plenty of bask...etball fans even in Sydney who didn’t like the Kings. So much so, they needed another team in their hometown that they could support and the West Sydney Razorbacks entered the NBL.

The Razorbacks played their first game in the NBL on October 10, 1998 defeating the Kings 103-97 and a great rivalry was born. They qualified for the playoffs in their second season and then made history in 2001/2002 as the first Sydney team in the NBL to make it to the grand finals. They had the chance to beat the Kings in the race to an NBL title but unfortunately it wasn’t to be as they fell short against the 36ers.

The Razorbacks soon built a great team that ran and were fun to watch. I’ll admit, around that time they became my team as I tired of the Bullets stinking it up post-Leroy. Depending on your favourite player, West Sydney’s nickname soon became either the Rilliebacks or Ruckerbacks.

Hate the Kings? No problem, we’ve got you covered with our tribute to the West Sydney Razorbacks. Representing them in our “Legends” series is Derek Rucker, John Rillie, Sam Mackinnon, Bruce Bolden and Simon Dwight.

Sydney, its time to represent, show your support for our game, and remind everyone that your town is not just about football! Like, share and shop!

Check out our store for team 3 of the "Legends" range:
http://classicbasketballtees.spreadshirt.com/
 

 

NBL wrap - round 10

Only 6 games on tap over the last week in the NBL, here are the numbers that matter:

Tigers 99 Taipans 98

For the Tigers:

Ebi Ere 22 points, 5 boards
Chris Anstey 17 points, 11 boards, 3 blocks
Sam Mackinnon 10 points, 7 boards, 7 assists

For the Taipans:

Dave Thomas 20 points, 8 boards, 4 assists
Martin Cattalini 18 points, 5 boards
Larry Abney 20 points

The Tigers only beat the Taipans by one point?! The Snakes must have played out of their skins (pun only partially intended). Dave Thomas with a beat of old-team rule production. Tigers dominated the boards 49 - 32 but the Taipans were a very efficient 18 of 21 from the free-throw line.

Breakers 112 Dragons 98

For the Breakers:

Kirk Penney 27 points (including 6 triples)
CJ Bruton 20 points (6 of 8 from the field, 5 of 5 from the line), 6 assists, 4 boards, 3 steals
Oscar Forman 12 points, 13 boards

For the Dragons:

Adam Gibson 16 points (including 4 triples), 3 assists
Matt Burston 14 points, 4 boards
Joe Ingles 16 points, 4 assists

The "blockbuster" didn't pan out as such as the Breakers just outplayed the Dragons. All of the Breaker's players put up good numbers while Worthington, Groves and Darden were well contained. In a very efficient game there were only 15 turnovers between the two teams.

Spirit 110 36ers 108

For the Spirit:

Derrick Low 24 points (including 5 triples) but 7 turnovers
Matthew Knight 19 points, 11 boards
Julian Khazzouh 12 points, 16 boards, 2 blocks, 2 steals

For the 36ers:

Julius Hodge 26 points, 13 boards, 4 assists
Adam Ballinger 29 points, 3 assists
Luke Schenscher 16 points, 17 boards, 4 assists, 4 blocks

The Sixers got off to a great start but the Spirit came from behind 59 - 45 in the second half to get the win. Looking at the numbers this would have been an entertaining game to watch. There was even a David Gruber sighting as he had 19 points, 7 boards (possibly his most productive game so far). Julius Hodge seems to LOVE playing for the Sixers and was outstanding in his first game back this season. With Hodge back, Jacob Holmes returns to the bench where he belongs.

Dragons 106 36ers 100

For the Dragons:

Joe Ingles 27 points (including 5 triples), 4 assists
Adam Gibson 15 points, 4 boards, 3 assists
Mark Worthington 14 points, 12 boards

For the 36ers:

Julius Hodge 27 points, 8 boards, 8 assists
Adam Ballinger 29 points, 7 boards

The Dragons bounced back well after losing to the Breakers. Hodge does what he does ... dominates. Herbert explodes off the bench for the Dragons with 21 points while Matt Burston and Luke Schenscher looked to have nullified each other.

Crocodiles 121 Hawks 113

For the Crocs:

Corey Williams 25 points, 5 assists
Rosell Ellis 14 points, 7 assists, 6 boards, 3 steals
Daniel Egan 21 points (9 of 11 from the field), 7 boards

For the Hawks:

Glen Saville 28 points, 6 boards, 4 assists
Cameron Tragardh 14 points, 7 boards
Kavossy Franklin 15 points, 4 boards

The game was a shootout from downtown with the teams combining for an impressive 25 of 54 from deep. The controversial benching of JR, Homicide and Hinder looks to have had the desired result with the Crocs flying out of the gates in the first quarter. Tovey seems to have loved the opportunity to start putting up 20 points on a good clip.

Wildcats 101 Taipans 85

For the Wildcats:

Shawn Redhage 22 points (8 of 10 from the field), 6 boards
Isiah Victor 18 points, 11 boards
Ben Knight 9 points, 13 boards

For the Taipans:

Larry Abney 20 points, 10 boards
Martin Cattalini 12 points, 10 boards

Redhage back to his efficient best. Perth controlled the game and one every quarter. Perth are quietly going about their business and putting together a solid season. They're definitely in the top 4 teams for mine.

At the end of round 10, despite losing to the Breakers, the Dragons are still on top of the NBL ladder albeit just on percentage now. The Breakers are just 3.5% points behind in second with the Tigers in 3rd. The Blaze are still last with 2 wins and the Sixers are now 2nd last with 5 wins 9 losses.

Not surprisingly, in news today Julius Hodge was named Player of the Week for his outstanding 2 games in his return to the league. The Sixers didn't get a win in either game but look for them to move up the ladder with Hodge back and look for Hodge to have a triple-double in the next few games.

Now to the Vlade Divac Flops of the week. The runner-up goes to one time Shooter of the Week, Gary Boodnikoff for essentially not showing up for the game against the Wildcats. In 21 minutes he went 0 of 3 from the field, had 1 board, 1 steal and 1 turnover ... not very productive! The award this week however goes to Matt Burston for his 1 of 7 from the field, 1 of 4 from the line and 5 foul "effort" against the 36ers.

Our Shooter of the Week goes to none other than our current man-crush, Kirk Penney. To be a truly good shooter you have to come through in the big games and with their reputation on the line in the blockbuster against the Dragons, Kirk delivered for the Breakers. He had a game-high 27 points including a very nice 6 of 10 from downtown, 3 of 3 from the line and zero turnovers. Fittingly, Kirk is the first NBL player to win our Shooter of the Week award twice in a season.

NBL wrap - round 8

I just noticed its been 6 days since I posted last ... yes, I'm in shock too! I have a good excuse tho ... I was actually out of the office from Thursday for a wedding/long-weekend in Byron. So no laptop and I didn't get back until Sunday and work has been flat-out this week.

Anyway, enough of the excuses, let's wrap up the numbers that matter from Round 8 in the NBL:

Blaze 115 Crocs 106

For the Blaze:

Shane Heal 26 points (including 6 triples), 7 assists, 7 turnovers
Luke Whitehead 19 points, 10 boards

For the Crocs:

Rosell Ellis 23 points, 8 boards, 4 steals
Russell Hinder 18 points, 9 boards, 4 blocks
John Rillie is the devil!! 6 points, 6 boards, 6 assists ... SPOOKY

Congratulations to the Blaze on their first win, it had to happen eventually, its unfortunate the Crocs were the victim. The Crocs came out of the blocks SLOW and were down by 27 at the half. They charged home in the second half but it was too little too late. JR only had 6 shots in 34 minutes ... get him the ball people! B-Rad even jacked up 11 in his 16 minutes. Townsville shot a horrific 20 of 40 from the free-throw line and that was with Kelvin Robertson hitting 8 of 9.

36ers 96 Breakers 86

For the 36ers:

Adam Ballinger 22 points, 9 boards
Mark Tyndale 21 points, 9 boards, 4 assists
Luke Schenscher 20 points ... not much else

For the Breakers:

Kirk Penney 24 points (an unfortunate 7 off 22 from the field), 10 boards, 6 assists
Tony Ronaldson 23 points, 6 assists

With no CJ Bruton and no Phil Jones ... even the 36ers can beat the Breakers. Penney tried his best but had an off night from the field while the 36ers dominated the boards 51 to 38.

Tigers 98 Spirit 80

For the Tigers:

Chris Anstey 20 points, 17 boards, 4 assists, 4 steals
Rod Gizzard 14 points, 7 boards but 7 turnovers
David Barlow 16 points, 4 boards

For the Spirit:

Julian Khazzouh 16 points, 5 boards
Matthew Knight 12 points, 10 boards
Liam Rush 14 points, 5 boards

The game was close early but the Tigers dominated the second half 54 - 36. Is David Gruber really an import playing just 15 - 20 minutes a game??

Taipans 71 36ers 70

For the Taipans:

Ian Crosswhite 16 points, 8 boards
Aaron Grabau 17 points

For the 36ers:

Adam Ballinger 17 points, 12 boards
Jacob 15 points, 6 boards
Luke Schenscher 11 points, 9 boards

The Taipans won the game despite shooting just 33% from the field (36ers were 38%) ... UGLY! The 36ers lost the game at the line hitting just 13 of 23 and were just 3 of 17 from downtown.

Wildcats 115 Crocs 78

For the Wildcats:

Shawn Redhage 18 points, 9 boards
Isiah Victor 15 points, 6 boards

For the Crocs:

Rosell Ellis 17 points, 5 boards
Cameron Tovey 14 points, 6 boards

I can only assume the Crocs were shattered from their loss to the lowly Blaze. The score at half-time was 60 - 32 ... ouch! Perth exposed the vertically-challenged Crocs winning the boards 59 - 35. Not a good weekend for Townsville fans.

Breakers 86 Tigers 84

For the Breakers:

Kirk Penney 25 points (including 4 triples)
Tony Ronaldson 13 points, 5 boards, 4 assists
Oscar Forman 12 points, 9 boards

For the Tigers:

Chris Anstey 19 points, 11 boards
Sam Mackinnon 12 points, 11 boards, 4 assists

CJ back in the line-up for the Breakers and despite losing to the 36ers they turn it around to knock off the Tigers. Bruton obviously helps Penney get better looks (than Henare) with a much improved shooting performance in this game. Ebi was just 2 of 11 from the field and Barlow was 0 of 7.

Dragons 95 Blaze 83

For the Dragons:

Mark Worthington 18 points, 8 boards, 5 steals
Matt Burston 11 points, 10 boards

For the Blaze:

Justin Bowen 26 points, 8 boards
Shane Heal 13 points, 5 boards

The Blaze started the game well after their win against the Crocs but lost every quarter after that. A nice introduction to the NBL for new-import Justin Bowen.

After Round 7, the Dragons continue to lead the league with 9 games 2 losses. One game behind are the Breakers and one behind them are the Tigers. Despite their first win of the season, the Blaze are still on the bottom of the ladder 3 games behind the Spirit.

Announced yesterday was that one of our favourites, Kirk Penney was named Player of the Week. Its not as prestigous as our Shooter of the Month award but I'm sure Kirk was pleased all the same. Penney is the first player this season to win the award for a second time and had averages over the 2 games of 24.5 points, 7 boards and 3.5 assists.

Now to the Vlade Divac Flops of the week. The runners-up are the Townsville Crocodiles for being the first team to lose to the Blaze and then getting spanked by the Wildcats and Kelvin Robertson (from the Crocs) for shooting 1 of 9 in the Perth loss. But the winner this week is almost everybody's pick for Rookie of the Year, Aaron Bruce of Adelaide for his woeful game against the Taipans. Bruce was 0 of 9 from the field with 5 turnovers ... the only positive for him was the 8 assists.

Shooter of the Week goes to Shane Heal (below) of the Blaze for his 26 points including 6 triples that led his team to their first victory of the season. Love him or hate him (and most choose to hate him), he still demands attention from opposing defenders.

NBL wrap - round 7

Here are the results and the numbers that matter from round 6 in the NBL:

Hawks 101 Taipans 93

For the Hawks:

Kavossy Franklin 23 points (10 of 14 shooting, including 3 triples)
Glenn Saville 19 points (including 5 triples), 8 boards, 5 assists
Anthony Petrie 16 points, 6 boards

For the Taipans:

Larry Abney 22 points, 10 boards, 3 blocks
Gary Boodnikoff 23 points (including 6 triples)

Hawks had a massive last quarter (35 - 18) in this come from behind win. Hawks won the boards 48 - 36 and shot better from downtown (48%) than they did from the field (47%)

Breakers 103 Wildcats 99

For the Breakers:

Kirk Penney 24 points (8 of 12 from the field, including 4 triples) ... an unfortunate 6 turnovers
CJ Bruton 17 points, 6 steals
Rick Rickert 12 points, 10 boards

For the Wildcats:

Peter Crawford 22 points, 6 assists, 3 steals
Darnell Hinson 18 points, 7 assists
Shawn Redhage 14 points, 9 boards

Breakers came from behind in the 4th quarter to get the win. They shot well from downtown, no surprise ... and made almost twice as many free-throws as the Wildcats. Redhage was contained (for him) and Luke Kendall had 9 points but 6 costly turnovers.

Breakers 106 Crocodiles 97

For the Breakers:

CJ Bruton 21 points, 8 assists, 5 boards
Kirk Penney 18 points, 7 boards, 5 assists
Tony Ronaldson 16 points, 7 boards, 5 assists

For the Crocs:

Homicide Williams 22 points, 4 boards
John Rillie 19 points, 4 boards
Rosell Ellis 18 points, 8 boards, 3 steals

Breakers get their first real win on the road (that one against the Blaze didn't really count). The Crocs knew they had to stop CJ Bruton but they couldn't get it done.

Hawks 89 Taipans 87

For the Hawks:

Cameron Tragardh 18 points, 6 boards
Dusty Rychart 13 points, 11 boards
Anthony Petrie 12 points, 10 boards

For the Taipans:

Dave Thomas 17 points, 8 boards, 3 steals
Larry Abney 16 points, 7 boards
Scott Cook 13 points, 5 assists

No, this isn't a typo, the two teams met each other last Wednesday in the Gong and then again in Cairns on Saturday night. Surprisingly, the Taipans took out both games. Possibly the worst free-throw shooting game you'll see, the teams combined for a horrible 31/57 (54%) from the stripe. The Taipans shot just 4 of 20 from downtown.

Tigers 123 Blaze 111

For the Tigers:

Sam Mackinnon 23 points (9 of 13 shooting), 10 assists, 7 boards
Chris Anstey 25 points, 8 boards
Ebi Ere 24 points, 7 boards, 4 assists

For the Blaze:

James Harvey 27 points (including 5 triples)
Shane Heal 22 points, 7 assists
Luke Whitehead 19 points, 9 boards, 5 assists

Sam Mac showed that he still has it and was probably fired up for the re-match with old foe Shane Heal. Casey Frank 4 points, 6 boards ... not nearly good enough for a starting import.

Dragons 96 Spirit 87

For the Dragons:

Mark Worthington 21 points, 10 boards
Nathan Herbert 19 points, 8 boards
Adam Gibson 9 points, 6 boards, 5 assists

For the Spirit:

Julian Khazzouh 19 points, 14 boards, 4 blocks, 4 steals
Liam Rush 16 points, 5 boards, 4 blocks

It was a BLOCK party at Hisense with 16 in total for the game. Youngster Julian Khazzouh had an outstanding line and is having a great year so far! Close for most of the game, Dragons stepped it up in the 4th (26 - 15) to get the win.

36ers 108 Spirit 76

For the 36ers:

Luke Schenscher 19 points, 18 boards, 3 blocks
Adam Ballinger 24 points, 8 boards
Brad Davidson 14 points, 8 boards, 5 assists

For the Spirit:

Liam Rush 16 points
Julian Khazzouh 13 points, 5 boards

Things started well for the Spirit but they were outscored 54 - 25 in the second half and shot just 24% from the field in that time. Playing the Dragons the night before they look to have hit a wall ... hard. Tough weekend for import Derrick Low shooting just 7 of 29 (24%) over the two games. John Rillie snubbed Schenscher when he got player of the week because his team didn't win but has to give him a start in his team of the week this time!

At the end of round 7 in the NBL the Dragons are out in front 8 wins from 10 including 6 in a row now. The Breakers are 2nd with 7 wins and 3 in a row. Blaze still at the bottom with 10 losses in a row ... hopefully that becomes 11 tomorrow night when the Crocs come to town.

In news just to hand, Sam Mackinnon was named player of the week for his almost triple-double against Shane Heal and the Blaze. Ex-Bullet Sam Mackinnon was in vintage form, dominating the game like it was 2007!!

Now to the Vlade Divac Flops of the week ... again there are two. From penthouse to doghouse, one time Shooter of the Week Derrick Low gets the nod this week for his dismal shooting display (24% over 2 games). The other is one of last week's recipients ... Cameron Tovey for shooting 1 of 4 from the line. Sure he's not alone in missing free-throws but when you have only hit 5 of your last 20 attempts from the line we will name and shame you!

Shooter of the Week goes to Gary Boodnikoff (pictured below) of the Cairns Taipans for his 23 points in just 25 minutes off the bench in their first game against the Hawks. He shot 7 off 11 from the field including 6 of 9 from downtown. He scored 11 points in the final quarter in a shooting duel with Glenn Saville.