Hawks vs Breakers 6/1/10

[Gong4life]

This should be interesting. I would imagine the Breakers are hungry for a win as I think it has been a while between drinks for them and the Hawks are out to prove that they can win without Ty. I think, if we can contain the bigs we could afford to let some of the threes go. If Matty is ready to play D against the likes of Penny and CJ like he did against Adelaide, we might just scrap over the line. Gordie is more than aware that this is a very important game for us and that the Breakers live and die on three point shots.

I have faith that with Rhys being quick on his feet will at least contest Penny's every shot but without Ty to save the day like last time these two sides met, it could be a long nervous wait for the final buzzer.

Tip: Hawks by 1 from behind. (Only because we are at home and will hopefully have another 4000+ crowd to bring them home!)

[SB.1]

Go the Hawks. Will have to defend the three point line a bit better than they did here though.

[Gong4life]

I totally agree SB.1!

[PyroCross]

I think the Breakers season is over, so win to the Hawks.

[Melb Wildcat]

So is McKee definately out for this game/season? Whats wrong with his back?

[gangsta boo]

Hope I can get down there for the game. Midweek sucks though. Is it on Fox?

[Bring back the Bullets]

I'm really looking forward to this game. For me it comes down to a simple piece of selection news....if Mckee plays Hawks win if he doesn't they lose.

I think the Breakers know they are running out of time and will be up for this one.

I'm assuming McKee is out so my tip is Breakers by 11

[Melvin Lord Of The Boards]

Unfortunately Ty is gone for the season:(

[gangsta boo]

Unfortunately Ty is gone for the season:(

Feck! :(

[Alex_Traitor]

Holy toledo, could it be true?

[SB.1]

Damn shame, and bit of a worry for a 23 year old. Lifeline to Adelaide or NZ to make the finals, whoever wants it most.

[gangsta boo]

a reply to me from hawks twitter last night

Ty's likelihood of playing tomorrow is very slim. Club awaiting Tuesday's scan result, we should have final prognosis Wednesday

[gangsta boo]

Luke Martin to replace Ty McKee

wollongonghawks ahm Hawks sign journeyman point guard Luke Martin - as temporary replacement for injured american import Tywain McKee.

[Barnaby]

Luke Martin to replace Ty McKee

Its a good move imo... a quick decisive move...

We need for Rhys to stay fresh... proof in point against Perth we needed another option to go.... Even against Melbourne his decisions down the strech kinda of indicated that he was tired...

Has Luke played in Gordies offense b4?

[gangsta boo]

Its a good move imo... a quick decisive move...

We need for Rhys to stay fresh... proof in point against Perth we needed another option to go.... Even against Melbourne his decisions down the strech kinda of indicated that he was tired...

Has Luke played in Gordies offense b4?

He probably would have in his early days with the Razorbacks

[Agent 15]

Its a shame McKee has gone down with an injury and I think NZ will see this as their chance to make the run for the top 4 spot which is now up for grabs between 3 clubs (NZ, Hawks, Adelaide).

NZ will come out firing in this one and get the win.

[Skindog the Hawk]

Yes Luke Martin played in Gordie's 2003 Razorbacks side before joining the Kings in 2004...not sure how much he'd remember from then though.

Centrebet prices for tonight's game:
Wollongong $2.05
New Zealand $1.77

Wollongong +1.5 $1.91
New Zealand -1.5 $1.91

Total Match Points: Over 164.5 $1.93, Under 164.5 $1.87

SD.

[Cussy]

Its a shame McKee has gone down with an injury and I think NZ will see this as their chance to make the run for the top 4 spot which is now up for grabs between 3 clubs (NZ, Hawks, Adelaide).

NZ will come out firing in this one and get the win.

I think the news of McKee's injury will make the Breakers complacent, and the Hawks, with a point to prove, will get the win.

[Barnaby]

I think this game will be decided on

1) which Sav turns up - the one who took ownership of the game against the 36ers or the one who drifts through the game without really asserting himself... with Forman and Abercrombie his likely opponents he needs to step up to fill the gap for Ty...

2) Soup containing KP

3) Gruber/Davidson/Trigger manufacturing some points by hitting the offensive glass..

should be a tight game... looking forward to giving JR some stick tonight...

[Agent 15]

Cussy we shall discuss the results tomorrow hahaha.

I am hoping its a rough close game though, that way Perth will be facing a battered and bruised NZ team on Friday night.

NZ have not proven that they can win on the road is NZ's biggest key issue, and they give up a lot of fouls too

[Cussy]

Cussy we shall discuss the results tomorrow hahaha.



How do you know I will even be on Ozhoops tomorrow?

Wait, don't answer that ;-)

I'm not knocking your prediction - I'm just saying that it would be easy for a team like NZ to think this will be an easy win. Beware the wounder warrior, or something.

[Agent 15]

Oh yeah dont get me wrong, it wont be a walk in the park for NZ and you would imagine a half decent coach would remind them that Hawks are still a tough home team with or without McKee, but all in all NZ I believe will get over the line. I just dont see them missing the finals and this is a must win in order to make it.

[Cussy]

I like those sorts of predictions a helluva lot more than "Team A by x amount of points, after Player Y hits a three on the buzzer, with Player Z having x points and x assists"

[SB.1]

I think (and hope) that the Hawks will get the win. These head-to-head matches between 4th place contenders are effectively worth two wins - so this will be crucial.

Oh and I read somewhere that Luke Martin played for Geordie last year in NZ (NZNBL?).

[Airball Andy]

NZ have not proven that they can win on the road is NZ's biggest key issue, and they give up a lot of fouls too

Before NYE, they won three straight road games in Townsville, Adelaide and Melboune.

They are the only team to win 3 consecutive away games all season.

Only Townsville have won more away games than the Breakers this season.

[Melvin Lord Of The Boards]

a reply to me from hawks twitter last night

The results were already back before that, a team member told me it is a further 6 week lay off, which is effectively seasons end.

[Agent 15]

Before NYE, they won three straight road games in Townsville, Adelaide and Melboune.

They are the only team to win 3 consecutive away games all season.

Only Townsville have won more away games than the Breakers this season.

Im kind of going off last seasons games too, so thats my bad...

Was just talking to Damian Martin of the Cats, and like me he is hoping the NZ get battered and bruised tonight hahaha

[DDFan]

A snippet from the press:

Tickets start for a low $50 for a family of four and from just $15 for Adults and $12 for children.

For a mid-week game, to drag 2 kids & only save $4 total, isn't much of an incentive. I know it's school hollys, but Mums & Dads are probably both working. If it were me, I'd be dropp'n off the rug rats off at the laws & saving $20 ($20 that the home team doesn't get).
Would that play out be a stretch?

Not good marketing in my view.

[Julian]

I hate this non-researched commentary - according to Gaze the NYE game last week featured the largest Hawks crowd ever. It was Game 2 of the 2004/05 Grand Final Series you fuckwit!

[Alex_Traitor]

I hate this non-researched commentary - according to Gaze the NYE game last week featured the largest Hawks crowd ever. It was Game 2 of the 2004/05 Grand Final Series you fuckwit!

Maybe he meant non finals crowd.

How high did Abercrombie get up for that alley? His elbows were at ring height. Amazing.

[Dunkin' Dan]

The higher they get, the further they fall :(

[Cussy]

Aber-crumble.

[Alex_Traitor]

Just as he was taking over too. You'd have to say he'll be very doubtful for Friday night against the Cats now.

*invisible smile*

[curious]

I hate this non-researched commentary - according to Gaze the NYE game last week featured the largest Hawks crowd ever. It was Game 2 of the 2004/05 Grand Final Series you fuckwit!
Maybe it was the largets crowd THIS season?

[Julian]

Maybe it was the largets crowd THIS season?
He said *EVER*.

[GC Baller]

Yeah it was the biggest crowd of this season. They had more than that for their last game of last season so it's not even close to being their biggest crowd of all time.

In other news, despite his 4 recent points, I thought I'd weigh in on how bad Oscar Forman is. He is simply awful.

[Dunkin' Dan]

Well played, Hawks.

Would have been over sooner though if Martin had realised that those other 4 guys in red out there were his teammates. As soon as he got out of hero mode the team executed beautifully.

83-78 final.

[GC Baller]

Just going by the play by play here, why was Rillie substituted out for Henare with under a minute left and NZ down by 2? Surely you keep all your shooters on the floor?

[Derek]

Doesn't that give Wollongong the split over New Zealand? That's a big win for them.

DN

[Melvin Lord Of The Boards]

Doesn't that give Wollongong the split over New Zealand? That's a big win for them.

DN


Yes its 3-0

[curious]

He said *EVER*.
Gaze isn't the sharpest tool in the box when it comes to 'expert' commentary, that's a no brainer.

[Cussy]

He possibly tried to correct himself at half time, saying something about biggest crowd for "a few years". Perhaps he had read Julian's lovely advice?

Dwayne Russell sure does read this site. Each week he mentions something that is being discussed here, and alludes to what the fans are saying.

[Alex_Traitor]

hi dwain whats up ?lol

[Hoosier]

12-1 run to strat the 4th. With Macca and crowd on there feet. Great work Wollongong and great play Hawks.

[angry ant]

Apparently Abercrombie is out for the season with ankle/ligament damage.

[DDFan]

It's a real shame that Abercrombie's out, he was the real deal.

The Breakers'll be look'n down the barrel now.

[gangsta boo]

John Rillie really shouldn't have fired up Saville tonight. I think that was the most dominant (thanks Alex) he has played ....ever

Hopefully Abercrombie is going to be alright but he looked bad, and even after coming back out he didn't stay long before being helped back to the changerooms again

[Alex_Traitor]

Dominant.

Beware the wounded animal Cats. I'm predicting a sub 10 point win on Friday.

[SB.1]

Just going by the play by play here, why was Rillie substituted out for Henare with under a minute left and NZ down by 2? Surely you keep all your shooters on the floor?

I think Paulie was put on for defensive reasons, as the Breakers immediately went to a full court press.

My question is why bet the house on the three ball once again by benching Rickert for the final 6 minutes? Rickert only played 18 minutes and is probably the biggest wasted talent in the NBL this season. If you're unhappy mate, come join the Wildcats, we should have a starting centre spot to fill next season.

Great win for the Hawks, if they can go one better than Boxing Day at the Cage this weekend they will have one foot in the door for the playoffs, McKee or not.

You've really got to admire Rhys Martin for having the b@lls, but obviously a few less rushes of blood to the head would be of benefit. Still its a massive step up for a back-up point, similar to what Stephen Black did in exchange for Ricky Grace back in 2002-03. There aren't too many back-up PGs in the league who would have stepped up the way he has with such big boots to fill.

NZ are on the ropes now,and really need the win over here. Will be interesting to see how they react in Perth.

Oh and that mas a massive alley-oop from Abercrombie. I think that was the highest catch I have seen in this league ever.

[Skindog the Hawk]

Good game, below average crowd - few people sitting above the concourse, however mid-week school holiday crowd will do that I guess.

Hawks obviously will miss McKee and Rhys Martin committed way too many turnovers on passes that were telegraphed and then picked off...I'm sure Kirk Penney's 3 steals and Martin's 4 TO's are both slightly understated...seemed that Rhys liked passing to Kirk for a while there. :???:

Having said that, foul trouble early is also what didn't help the Breakers - both Oscar and Rick committed their third fouls early in the second quarter - Rick sat with about 7 minutes left and Oscar wasn't too far behind...basically meaning that the Breakers had to run with Bear & Boucher in the front court. Not exactly smart work from Lemanis there, but he's not renowned for being the sharpest tool in the shed either.

The Hawks' fourth quarter run was one of the best I've seen in a long time - they cracked down on defence and executed well offensively, however when CJ hit that massive three with a couple of minutes left I thought that we might not hold on. Thankfully he didn't hit again and Larry Davidson made the 3 from the corner to tie it up :)

Good signs for the Hawks...it'll be interesting to see whether they can shake the Tigers on Friday night though.

SD.

[Agent 15]

Cussy who is gonna win Friday & Sunday with the Perth games? haha

NZ just dont look that great do they, Penney was not really used a great deal? maybe saving him for Perth... though in saying that it says he played 33 mins and took 15 shots, didnt look like he was his usual active self.

[angry ant]

Oh and that mas a massive alley-oop from Abercrombie. I think that was the highest catch I have seen in this league ever.
Can anyone YouTube it?

[DDFan]

Post deleted & "Breakers @ Perth 8th Jan" thread started.

[Silencer83]

I believe they will approach the Friday game like they did the Wollongong one, attempt to smash them and make a statement to end the season series. Adelaide they have all but sewn up the series and they would be happy to limp over the line.

On Friday they may try to rest Shawn a bit (mayber 20-25 minutes court time) to keep him fresh for Sunday.

[SB.1]

Can anyone YouTube it?

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,26560659-23769,00.html

watch the video, you'll have to watch the ad first though, but it's not a bad one :)

[SB.1]

I believe they will approach the Friday game like they did the Wollongong one, attempt to smash them and make a statement to end the season series. Adelaide they have all but sewn up the series and they would be happy to limp over the line.

On Friday they may try to rest Shawn a bit (mayber 20-25 minutes court time) to keep him fresh for Sunday.

I think if we try either of those two things, we will get burnt. Against Wollongong we had to win by 20, but against NZ and the Sixers we just have to NOT lose by 18 and 40 respectively. Hence we should just be focused on getting the win, before we consider resting anyone. Let's not forget we have been in pretty poor form lately with most of our wins only resulting from catching fire from outside.

[Cussy]

Cussy who is gonna win Friday & Sunday with the Perth games? haha


Perth will win comfortably over the Sixers on Sunday, due to Perth-folk being more acclimatised to temperatures above 35 degrees.

[Agent 15]

I like those odds, thank you my good man!

[Silencer83]

I think if we try either of those two things, we will get burnt. Against Wollongong we had to win by 20, but against NZ and the Sixers we just have to NOT lose by 18 and 40 respectively. Hence we should just be focused on getting the win, before we consider resting anyone. Let's not forget we have been in pretty poor form lately with most of our wins only resulting from catching fire from outside.

I have moved my discussion of this to the game thread but just one final comment.

The team has been built around three point shooting (with Schenscher a late inclusion), the team has looked at it's best when they forget about trying to throw it in to the big guys and play their natural game which is to shoot long shots. Our slump coincided with the focus moving to bringing Schenscher into the game (along with Weigh's shooting slump). During that time Drew Williamson was not seeing much court time and he is arguably our best three point shooter. When we didn't go for a big power forward I believe we committed ourselves to this path. With five legitimate three point threats and three others who are capable if not consistent threats there is no reason why we shouldn't be able to use that strategy with success.

[KEVY47]

Good game, below average crowd - few people sitting above the concourse, however mid-week school holiday crowd will do that I guess.

???????

3,353

It was the biggest Wednesday crowd we've had this season, if not longer. It was easily the biggest Wednesday LIVE on Fox Crowd we've had in ages.

Last nights crowd was larger than our average crowd for the whole of the last two seasons.

Average attendance
2,398 ( 2008/2009 )
3,293 ( 2007/2008 )

So yeah, well below average if below is more.

[Trevor]

NZ Breakers

poorly coached, too old, bad team balance...

Nothing you havent heard from me and other like Tcchoi all year long. I couldnt have written a more accurate script.

Paul. Do you still think they are looking pretty good?

How can a team with all NZ talent, with Penney and Bruton in the backcourt, not beat a team of scrubs from the gong? (no offence illawara - but on paper we should have masacred you guys).

It is just too easy to point out what Lemanis does wrong. Can anybody find anything that he does right? It would be a far more interesting discussion.

[Melvin Lord Of The Boards]

NZ Breakers

poorly coached, too old, bad team balance...

Nothing you havent heard from me and other like Tcchoi all year long. I couldnt have written a more accurate script.

Paul. Do you still think they are looking pretty good?

How can a team with all NZ talent, with Penney and Bruton in the backcourt, not beat a team of scrubs from the gong? (no offence illawara - but on paper we should have masacred you guys).

It is just too easy to point out what Lemanis does wrong. Can anybody find anything that he does right? It would be a far more interesting discussion.

I am totally offended that you didn't spell Illawarra correctly.

[thcchoi]

They shouldn't have let Storey go if he was never to be replaced.

Here is a 40-yr-old guy named Andre with a j.
One day he went out and bought a nintendo wii console at $400 and found that wasn't to his liking.
So he sold it at a half price and spent all those money on buying a second-hand super nintendo console on eBay because it used to be his favourite console when he was a kid.

The problem is now he finds that this super nintendo is nowhere as fun as he thought it wud be. Its graphics, sounds, etc are all too generic, unrealistic and feel old-fashioned.

Now he is trying to sell the console but there is no one out there wanting to buy...
He wants to get xbox360 or ps3 but he is out of money...
He regrets selling his nintendo wii ever so hastily...
His friends are telling him that he shouldn't have sold his nintendo wii if it wasn't to be replaced by next-gen consoles such as ps3 or xbox 360..

Poor Andrej...

[Melb Wildcat]

Must agree getting rid of Storey was a big mistake unless they were going to replace him. I think with Penney back that Storey would have gotten a bit better than the games he played here. You dont sack an import who has NBA experience (some anyway). I agreed Storey was below par and struggled a bit but I always thought he would be replaced.

Penney must be due for a big game soon as well. Has struggled with his shooting lately.

[GC Baller]

This team will struggle without Abercrombie as they don't have anyone who can slash. This, combined with the fact that Lemanis doesn't feel passing the ball to Rickert is a smart idea, means that opposing teams can go after their backcourt on D leading to even less space for CJ and Penney.

You have no one who can get to the basket without the ball. Forman just want to launch bombs, Bear is still solid from the post but that's it, and Boucher isn't an offensive threat.

I'm not sure when the 'import deadline' is but they need an athletic slasher who can rebound. I would even be tempted to go with someone like Justin Bowen as he can get out and run the floor and can crash the offensive glass. This will make Penney and CJ much more effective. Bowen isn't the greatest defender but he knows the league and would be cheap.

[thcchoi]

This team will struggle without Abercrombie as they don't have anyone who can slash. This, combined with the fact that Lemanis doesn't feel passing the ball to Rickert is a smart idea, means that opposing teams can go after their backcourt on D leading to even less space for CJ and Penney.

You have no one who can get to the basket without the ball. Forman just want to launch bombs, Bear is still solid from the post but that's it, and Boucher isn't an offensive threat.

I'm not sure when the 'import deadline' is but they need an athletic slasher who can rebound. I would even be tempted to go with someone like Justin Bowen as he can get out and run the floor and can crash the offensive glass. This will make Penney and CJ much more effective. Bowen isn't the greatest defender but he knows the league and would be cheap.

110% agreed.

[Melb Wildcat]

Even an ABA import like Fernandez Lockett would be valuable to them as he has both an outside and inside game. He would also have his visa just about ready so could play instantly. That and also probably pretty cheap.

[thcchoi]

Must agree getting rid of Storey was a big mistake unless they were going to replace him. I think with Penney back that Storey would have gotten a bit better than the games he played here. You dont sack an import who has NBA experience (some anyway). I agreed Storey was below par and struggled a bit but I always thought he would be replaced.

I think so. totally agreed. That was just a huge mistake by Lemanis. He should take a full responsibility and it could well cost his future as a coach of the Breakers after the season.

Penney must be due for a big game soon as well. Has struggled with his shooting lately.

I hope so

[thcchoi]

Even an ABA import like Fernandez Lockett would be valuable to them as he has both an outside and inside game. He would also have his visa just about ready so could play instantly. That and also probably pretty cheap.

Indeed. I've been always saying that any quality NZNBL or ABA import should help the team more than JR ever will be able to.

Btw, Aberchrombie is out for the season (he will be there for the playoffs but the thing is whether his team will be there)

[curious]

Lemanis must be close to the end at the Breakers?
How long on his contract?

[thcchoi]

Lemanis must be close to the end at the Breakers?
How long on his contract?

If my memory serves me correctly, he was on a 3yr contract initially but got a 2yr extension during 2007-08 season.

So this season should be the final year of his contract and is likely to be his final stint with the Breakers. No wonder why young guys on the Breakers team such as Pledger, Trueman and Corey Webster aren't getting much playing time.

Lemanis is probably going back to Townsville with his partner JR after this season.

[Skindog the Hawk]

???????

3,353

It was the biggest Wednesday crowd we've had this season, if not longer. It was easily the biggest Wednesday LIVE on Fox Crowd we've had in ages.

Last nights crowd was larger than our average crowd for the whole of the last two seasons.

Average attendance
2,398 ( 2008/2009 )
3,293 ( 2007/2008 )

So yeah, well below average if below is more.

3353?? Geez, I don't know how many barcodes they scanned twice at the entry, but 3353 is pushing it - 2800 is probably more like it. Agreed it probably was a better crowd than previous Wednesday games, however it was nowhere near a decent crowd. Yes, they made shitloads of noise, but when you've got entire sections near empty (look at the 4 corner sections) and both ends weren't too full, I'd call that a below average crowd.

SD.

[gangsta boo]

I thought it was a decent crowd myself

[foxylady]

me too. and the hawks front office was happy too and they would be grumbling if it was sub par.

[KEVY47]

3353?? Geez, I don't know how many barcodes they scanned twice at the entry, but 3353 is pushing it - 2800 is probably more like it. Agreed it probably was a better crowd than previous Wednesday games, however it was nowhere near a decent crowd. Yes, they made shitloads of noise, but when you've got entire sections near empty (look at the 4 corner sections) and both ends weren't too full, I'd call that a below average crowd.

SD.

Yeah, but you have no idea.

Check GB's pics of Abercrombies dunk to see how "empty" the bench side of the stadium was... Sold right to the back row.
Great pic btw.

http://jronfire.blogspot.com/2010/01/nbl-dunk-of-year.html
(http://jronfire.blogspot.com/2010/01/nbl-dunk-of-year.html)

[Skindog the Hawk]

Yeah, but you have no idea.

Check GB's pics of Abercrombies dunk to see how "empty" the bench side of the stadium was... Sold right to the back row.
Great pic btw.

http://jronfire.blogspot.com/2010/01/nbl-dunk-of-year.html
(http://jronfire.blogspot.com/2010/01/nbl-dunk-of-year.html)

Oh for the love of Mitchy! One section, sold to the back row - woop-de-frikkin-do!! Sorry if your expectations have been blunted by the previous few season's ineptitude and Chocko-fuelled crap, but you, me and blind Freddy know that 3353 (and we all know it's probably closer to 2800 but let's not argue the facts here) is not a decent crowd! For crying out loud, the Hawks regularly got crowds of 4000+ several seasons ago and to be honest, probably need to be getting crowds of 4000 if they want to be seriously financially viable going forward.

Saying that I have no idea is like saying that you have game KEVY - both of us know that's not true.

SD.

[KEVY47]

Oh for the love of Mitchy! One section, sold to the back row - woop-de-frikkin-do!! Sorry if your expectations have been blunted by the previous few season's ineptitude and Chocko-fuelled crap, but you, me and blind Freddy know that 3353 (and we all know it's probably closer to 2800 but let's not argue the facts here) is not a decent crowd! For crying out loud, the Hawks regularly got crowds of 4000+ several seasons ago and to be honest, probably need to be getting crowds of 4000 if they want to be seriously financially viable going forward.

Saying that I have no idea is like saying that you have game KEVY - both of us know that's not true.

SD.

2800!! How about you call the WEC or the Hawks office to ask what the crowd was. Maybe you can offer to fix the Ticketek bar code scanners?

You really think you have some intimate knowledge and expertise of all things Hawks and NBL. When really you're nothing but a laughing stock.

Clint Dogg has more credentials.

As for on court performance, if your team was given a 15 point headstart you're 1W-20L in comp games against us, without that headstart 0-21* (at a guess) - Even if you were the dominant player on the court top scoring and giving your team a sniff (but you're not as you come off the bench) 0-21 is still a disgrace.

[Cussy]

Buuuuuuuuuurrrrrrnnnnnn!!!