NBL's greatest shooters

I came across this article (below) on the NBL website. Great to see them talking about some of the great shooters that the league has seen. One GLARING ommission tho ... where is Andrew Gaze on this list?

Click on the title below to read the full story and to see who made their list.

NBL > News

By Asa Schuster, Sportal

The master of the funky jump and shooting expert, Kevin Brooks, and the human NBL almanac, Matt McQuade, sat down to critique some of the great NBL players who devastated opponents with unique and unorthodox methods of shooting.

Shane Heal.
Brisbane Bullets 1988, 1992-1995, Geelong Supercats 1989-1991, Sydney Kings 1996-1997, 2001/02–2002/03, South Dragons 2006/07-2007/08 and Gold Coast Blaze 2008/09. 20.7 points per game and 1586 three-pointers made at 38 percent in 436 career games.

KB: Shane has got a nice jump shot, definitely not short on confidence. From what I understand, I don't know him and haven't played with him, he works his ass off from what I've heard and has a very good work ethic. His jump shot is basically when he goes to the left he can shoot with anyone in the league. When he goes to his right he doesn't shoot the jump shot the same way but he definitely has an effective jump shot with lots of range.

MM: Unbelievable ball player, he's got that great shot from way back over his head. He can't jump, he's slow, physically there's a lot of deficiencies, but he played in the NBA, you've got to give that max respect and he held the Timberwolves record for most threes in a quarter. He's a flat out gunner and great player and maybe reached his peak when he was past his prime with Sydney when they won the championship, the guy was just all-world almost.

Stephen Black.
Perth Wildcats 1998/99-2002/03, Brisbane Bullets 2003/04-2006/07 and Cairns Taipans 2007/08-2008/09. 574 three-pointers made at 40 percent in 297 career games.

KB: Yeah Blacky's got a good shot, a lefty, likes to go to his left and shoot it. He's a got a quick release and when he gets it going he's as tough as Shane Heal or anyone else in the league, very efficient shot.

MM: Absolute flat out competitor, one of these guys that physically isn't what you would call a 'blue chipper', but how many times have you seen him turn the corner on someone. He can turn the corner on just about anybody when he's healthy and I think it's a damn shame he's had all the injuries.

How does this man not make the list?

Black's back may be done

I got a text this morning from one of my inside sources with the news that Cairns Taipans guard Stephen Black may be done for the season. I then came across this article (below) and it seems it could be worse than first thought, possibly career-ending. Click on the title to read the rest of the article.

I remember Stephen from his years with the Bullets and it was sad to see him constantly struggle with the injuries and conditions that's he had. He was like a young guy in an old man's body. He looked fine on the court but he was the walking wounded off it.

Probably the highlight of his NBL career was his performance for the Brisbane Bullets in their championship winning grand final series. Stephen had struggled in the semi-finals against the Kings but stepped up against the Tigers when his team really needed him the most. Blacky is a fantastic shooter and its great to watch him in action so we wish him all the best and hope to see him back on court soon.

NBL > News

Black may not be back

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 7:35 AM
By Jamie Townsend, Sportal

The Cairns Taipans are preparing for life without Stephen Black after their star guard was unable to take the court in their thrilling 101-92 overtime win over the New Zealand Breakers on Wednesday night.

Black has battled an ongoing back injury for the past two seasons but his injury flared mid-week, ruling him out for the match and putting a big question mark over the rest of his career.

His father, Taipans coach Alan Black spoke of the challenge his son has been facing just to get on the court each week.

'He's just tried to play through the pain, but over the last two weeks he's been having two ice baths a day and taking pain killers and its just got to the point where his body has packed up,' he stated.