AI headed down under??

Could Allen Iverson be ending his career in Australia?? I came across this article this morning and by the sounds of it, there is a chance it could actually happen. I won't believe it until I see him in an NBL uniform, but it would be a fantastic coup for the league not to mention the team that signs him.

NBA legend Allen Iverson keen for Sydney Kings finale | The Daily Telegraph

ALLEN Iverson has announced to his fans he intends to finish his illustrious basketball career playing in Sydney, presumably for the Kings.

It's all news to the only Sydney franchise in the NBL, but 'AI' - also known as 'The Answer' - responded to rumours that he wants out from his contract playing in the Turkish league.

He wrote on Twitter: 'I am very happy here in Istanbul, but if I don't return to the NBA I am considering a move to Australia after my two-year contract is up.

'I hear Sydney is a real good city to live in. my boy Rodney O asked me to come over. I am comin!'

Iverson, 35, is an 11-time NBA All-Star who topped the season scoring in the NBA four times. His 26.7 points per game ranks sixth all-time, and his playoff career scoring average of 29.7 points, second only to Michael Jordan.

Its been a while since I've worn it, but it could be time to get my Allen Iverson Georgetown singlet out again!

ANZAC day in the NBA

In a landmark day for Australian and New Zealand basketball, today saw the first NBA game with THREE ANZAC's in it. With Milwaukee playing in Portland, Andrew Bogut, Patty Mills and (Kiwi) Sean Marks all played in the same game.

It wasn't a great night for Bogut who's team was on the wrong end of a beating (80 - 106). Without his starting point guard Brandon Jennings (fractured left foot), Andrew had just 5 points 5 boards. Sean Marks had 6 points, 5 boards, 2 blocks in 24 minutes of court-time which are all good numbers for him. Patty was also solid with 8 points, 3 assists, 2 boards and 2 triples in 18 minutes.

I watched a little bit of the game tonight and it was funny to see Patty actually look tall for the first time on an NBA court ... when he was matched-up on Earl Boykins (5 foot 5). I checked Mills stats on ESPN and he's officially listed as 6 foot ... hmm, I think that's an exaggeration.

If you look very closely in the photo below you can see all three on-court at the same time. Bogut attempting the block, Marks on the left and behind him on the left is Mills.

Shawn Marion ... how not to shoot free-throws

I'm sitting here watching the replay of the Bucks vs Mavs game on OneHD ... I know the result because I was following the box-scores during the day. I've just text a friend of mine who's a Dallas fan, he's devastated that they lost this game at home (despite being up 42 - 22 in the middle of the 2nd quarter) ending their 12 game winning streak.

Anyway, I mentioned the other day about Andrew Bogut's free-throw shooting shame against the Orlando Magic and it was interesting to hear the commentators address that issue. Apparently due to the severe elbow injury that ended last season for him, he can't bend or raise his elbow to the right position to shoot free-throws properly. After seeing the fall he took, that certainly shines light on his struggles from the line this season ... apologies big fella.

But ... it wasn't long after that Shawn (the artist formerly known as The Matrix) Marion got fouled and went to the line. I know I haven't seen a lot of NBA games over the last few years pre-OneHD but I was shocked to say the least when I saw his free-throw shooting form ... or lack there of. Now, Marion has always been criticized for his general shooting technique, but I had never realised this continued at the line.

Exhibit A:



Exhibit B:



Now, I know these clips are both from a couple of years ago, but trust me ... it hasn't improved any. His "flicky" style is how I'd shoot a free-throw after not picking up a ball for over a year. Five minutes later tho, my form would be looking drastically better.

In Marion's defence, he's shooting an impressive 83% from the line this season and is 81% on his career. The average free-throw shooting percentage in the NBA is around 75% so Marion is definitely ahead of that. So I guess it really doesn't matter "how" you shoot free-throws ... as long as you make them.

Patty Mills sees serious court-time

There was talk leading in to the Portland vs Phoenix game today that Patrick Mills could be the starting point guard thanks to an injury to Andre Miller. While this didn't eventuate, Patty did see some serious court-time entering the game after just 4.5 minutes.

Here's his line from today:

BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	OREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	+/-	PTS
Andre Miller, PG	Did not play
Patrick Mills, PG	27	4-9	0-4	1-1	2	3	7	0	0	2	4	+3	9

For his first decent run, that's a good productive line from the young man.

He had 6 assists in the first half alone, but with the game on the line the ball would no doubt have been in Brandon Roy's hands. A 7 assist to 2 turnover ratio is pretty solid and if he could've knocked down a couple of those threes that he missed, it would have been a very impressive performance!

Yes, I couldn't find a decent NBA game shot of Patty yet!

Free-throw shame

The starting five for the Milwaukee Bucks should bow their heads in shame after today's performance. Sure, they got the win against Orlando ... but superstar Dwight Howard didn't play and the Bucks' starters shot a combined 14 of 34 from the free-throw line. I haven't picked up a basketball for about 2 years and I GUARANTEE you I would make at least 20!

Milwaukee Bucks
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	+/-	PTS
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, SF	34	0-3	0-0	1-2	1	5	6	1	1	0	3	0	+12	1
Larry Sanders, PF	23	2-4	0-0	0-0	1	4	5	0	0	1	1	1	+8	4
Andrew Bogut, C	39	13-20	0-0	5-16	8	10	18	1	2	2	2	4	+15	31
John Salmons, SG	36	7-15	0-1	2-6	0	4	4	1	4	1	1	4	+22	16
Brandon Jennings, PG	41	10-20	1-5	6-10	0	7	7	6	1	0	2	0	+14	27

As you can see, the worst offender was our own Andrew Bogut who at one stage was just 3 of 14 from the line. (note: the rest of his line is outstanding ... but 5 of 16 from the free-throw line is just WOEFUL)

The only saving grace for the team was that their bench combined for a perfect 9 of 9 to bring a little respectability to their overall team performance from the line (23 of 43).

The Bucks hang on to win the game by 11 in the end, but I assure you that if Howard was playing for the Magic, this woeful performance at the free-throw line would've cost Milwaukee the win.