MM's Picks - Round 20

[NZB]

Now on the NBL website.

Townsville Crocodiles vs Adelaide 36ers
Wednesday 10 February, Townsville Entertainment Centre, 7:30pm (local)
Matt’s Prediction: Crocodiles by 16

New Zealand Breakers vs Gold Coast Blaze
Thursday 11 February, North Shore Events Centre, Auckland, 7:00pm (local)
Matt’s Prediction: Breakers by 10

Wollongong Hawks vs Melbourne Tigers
Friday 12 February, WIN Entertainment Centre, 7:30pm (local)
Matt’s Prediction: Hawks by 11

Cairns Taipans vs New Zealand Breakers
Saturday 13 February, Cairns Convention Centre, 7:30pm (local)
Matt’s Prediction: Taipans by 3

Melbourne Tigers vs Gold Coast Blaze
Saturday 13 February, State Netball & Hockey Centre, 7:30pm (local)
Matt’s Prediction: Tigers by 5

Adelaide 36ers vs Wollongong Hawks
Saturday 13 February, Distinctive Homes Dome, 7:30pm (local)
Matt’s Prediction: 36ers by 8

Perth Wildcats vs Townsville Crocodiles
Sunday 14 February, Challenge Stadium, 4:00pm (local)
Matt’s Prediction: Wildcats by 9

If these results go as McQuade sees them going, then I believe this is the table:
1. Perth 17-11
2. Townsville 16-12
3. Wollongong 15-13
4. Gold Coast 15-13
5. NZ 14-14
6. Cairns 12-16
7. Melbourne 12-16
8. Adelaide 11-17

[Ricnat]

Not the greatest of results for Perth....yes they finish first, but have to play Gold Coast 1st up...who have largely owned them this season. Double road trip last round and injuries to the Blaze may soften them up a bit in this scenario.

I would think the cats would take either Wollongong or Townsville (and yes I know what happened last year - But Rillie is gone) first over the Blaze.

[DDFan]

FFS, give me media pass & I'll hand any win to the home team.
Sheesh, I'll even relinquish the car park privileges.
What a pathetic load of shit.

[Agent 15]

Not the greatest of results for Perth....yes they finish first, but have to play Gold Coast 1st up...who have largely owned them this season. Double road trip last round and injuries to the Blaze may soften them up a bit in this scenario.

I would think the cats would take either Wollongong or Townsville (and yes I know what happened last year - But Rillie is gone) first over the Blaze.

I would take 1st place and play any team than finish 2nd and play an "easier" opponent.

[SB.1]

Given the way the season has gone, home team would usually be a safe bet.

[SB.1]

Not the greatest of results for Perth....yes they finish first, but have to play Gold Coast 1st up...who have largely owned them this season. Double road trip last round and injuries to the Blaze may soften them up a bit in this scenario.

I would think the cats would take either Wollongong or Townsville (and yes I know what happened last year - But Rillie is gone) first over the Blaze.

If we can't beat the Gold Coast in the semis with home court, then we don't deserve to win the flag anyway. I'd be at peace with that. Personally I don't care who we face so long as we have home court.

[de_beers]

Not the greatest of results for Perth....yes they finish first, but have to play Gold Coast 1st up...who have largely owned them this season. Double road trip last round and injuries to the Blaze may soften them up a bit in this scenario.

I would think the cats would take either Wollongong or Townsville (and yes I know what happened last year - But Rillie is gone) first over the Blaze.

Using this logic, Wollongong must be title favourites in this scenario then. Blaze will beat Perth, and Wollongong will beat Townsville as they are already 3-1 against them. Wollongong will then have home court in the GF and beat the Blaze who they have a 2-2 record against but all games to the home team.
Can anybody see this happening?

[foxylady]

Using this logic, Wollongong must be title favourites in this scenario then. Blaze will beat Perth, and Wollongong will beat Townsville as they are already 3-1 against them. Wollongong will then have home court in the GF and beat the Blaze who they have a 2-2 record against but all games to the home team.
Can anybody see this happening?

using this logic i can't see why the nbl is even bothering with a playoff series.
sounds like you reckon its a done deal!

[Agent 15]

using this logic i can't see why the nbl is even bothering with a playoff series.
sounds like you reckon its a done deal!

I think he was taking the piss out of the logic that Perth would rather not finish on top due to they may have to face GC in the semi's

[Ricnat]

I think he was taking the piss out of the logic that Perth would rather not finish on top due to they may have to face GC in the semi's

I dont think that I wrote in my post that Perth would rather give up top spot and play an "easier opponent". I suggested that based on MM's picks that out of possible opponents, Perth would rather play Wollongong or Townsville.
Given the general results of this year, any team would be crazy to want to give up home court throughout just to rig a certain opponent in the 1st round.

So all of you who have taken angry pills today (who misinterpreted my post) can all go cram it with walnuts.

[Soft Copy]

FFS, give me media pass & I'll hand any win to the home team.
Sheesh, I'll even relinquish the car park privileges.
What a pathetic load of shit.yep

[Alex_Traitor]

On the money with the first result (+1). Keep it up, Mighty Mouse.

Wonder what his tipping % is this season overall?

[jjj]

if petrie is out this weekend then the blaze could easily go 0-2 potentially dropping out and letting the breakers in the back door

[GordonG]

On the money with the first result (+1). Keep it up, Mighty Mouse.

Wonder what his tipping % is this season overall?

About 30% :D

[DDFan]

On the money with the first result (+1). Keep it up, Mighty Mouse.

Wonder what his tipping % is this season overall?About 30% :DI'm not sure what MM does for a living, but 30%'s a distinction for a journo.

[2sc945]

I am 71%.

[Cussy]

I am 71% retarded.

Yes, we know.

[haggard]

no need to insult retards like that...

[Wallitron]

no need to insult retards like that...

We didn't think you'd take it personally.

[haggard]

We didn't think

what a surprise

[DDFan]

I am 71%.
As amended by Cussy
I am 71% retarded.
Yes, we know.
no need to insult retards like that...
I get your point haggard, Cussy should've amended his post to read 110% retarded.

Cussy's just too nice & wasn't thinking of the bigger picture.

BTW, I was gutted by his post, but took in on the chin.

[SB.1]

BTW, I was gutted by his post, but took ing on the chin.

As in Darren ing? Shane is that you? ;)

[Daevo]

using this logic i can't see why the nbl is even bothering with a playoff series.

...or an entire season (even one with an asterisk) :p

[Cussy]

...or an entire season (even one with an asterisk) :p

Surely you aren't talking about this season?

[Silencer83]

Any season without Sydney has an asterix... [sarcasm]

[2sc945]

Yes, we know.


WTF did u forget about my powerful tipping about the finals last season? Here are my tips for this season, count on ur fingers to see whether I got 71% or not:


Super Saturday:

Tigers by 5 - 10 vs Blaze

Breakers by 2 - 5 @ Cairns

Hawks by 3 - 6 @ Adelaide (1st ever wooden spoon)


Virginity Loss Day Showdown:

Wildcats by 5 - 10 vs Crocodiles. Kevin Lisch 30pts (8/8 3pt), 10asts & 4ST, POW for Round 20. http://www.ozhoopsboards.com/images/icons/icon10.gif


Final Ladder:

(1) Perth Wildcats 17-11
(2) Wollongong Hawks 16-12 (3-1)
(3) Townsville Crocodiles 16-12 (1-3)
(4) New Zealand Breakers 15-13 (2-2, +8)
-------------------------------
(5) Gold Coast Blaze 15-13 (2-2, -8)
(6) Melbourne Tigers 12-16
(7) Cairns Taipans 11-17
(8) Adelaide 36ers 10-18


Playoffs:

Semi-Final Series One:

Crocodiles by 1 - 3 (OT) @ Wollongong
Crocodiles by 8 - 10 vs Hawks

Semi-Final Series Two:

Wildcats by 10 - 15 vs Breakers
Breakers by 6 - 10 vs Wildcats
Wildcats by 3 - 6 vs Breakers

Grand Final Series:

Wildcats by 5 - 8 vs Crocodiles
Crocodiles by 7 - 10 vs Wildcats
Crocodiles by 1 - 3 (2OT) @ Perth (1st ever title)


Individual Award Winners:

Most Valuable Player — Regular Season: Kirk Penney (Breakers)
Most Valuable Player — Grand Finals: Corey 'Homicide' Williams (Crocodiles)
Coach of the Year: Trevor Gleeson (Crocodiles)
Rookie of the Year: Thomas Abercrombie (Breakers)
Most Improved Player: Stephen Weigh (Wildcats)
Best Defensive Player: Glen Saville (Hawks)
Best Sixth Man: Ayinde Ubaka (Blaze)


All-NBL First Team:

PG: Corey 'Homicide' Williams (Crocodiles)
SG: Kirk Penney (Breakers)
SF: Glen Saville (Hawks)
PF: Anthony Petrie (Blaze)
C: Luke Schenscher (Wildcats)

[paul]

Wouldnt have thought Penney is a chance for MVP given all the games he missed. Will come down to Williams, Worthington, Redhage and Ballinger I think, simply because they have been pretty good - without being exceptional - over the whole season.

[fan since the old snakepit]

All-NBL First Team:


C: Luke Schenscher (Wildcats)

I guess no more needs to be said. Officially 110%

[scottgcau2]

Wouldnt have thought Penney is a chance for MVP given all the games he missed. Will come down to Williams, Worthington, Redhage and Ballinger I think, simply because they have been pretty good - without being exceptional - over the whole season.

Not counting missed games, I'd think the main group in contention for MVP would be Homicide, Penney, Gilchrist, and McKee. Ballinger gets an honourable mention as always, and Redhage has slipped a little this year to be probably in the same boat as Ballinger. Hodge would be a good chance of a mention as well.

Counting missed games, I think you're left with Homicide and Gilchrist, followed by maybe Penney as the only legit shots at the MVP. Homicide gets my nod due to team record and the lack of a legit 2nd "star" to support him.

[2sc945]

Wouldnt have thought Penney is a chance for MVP given all the games he missed. Will come down to Williams, Worthington, Redhage and Ballinger I think, simply because they have been pretty good - without being exceptional - over the whole season.

I reckon Penney will get the MVP if he can lead the Breakers to the playoffs, otherwise it will be Redhage. I don't think they will give the MVP to a player whose team failed to make the playoffs, no matter how well he performed over the whole season. Of course, Williams will be a strong contender too, but I already named him as the my GF MVP. http://www.ozhoopsboards.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[2sc945]

I guess no more needs to be said. Officially 110%


Awards are generally fairly evenly distributed (so did my picks). Yes, Anstey, Ballinger & Burston etc. did perform strongly but their teams were lagging the Main Group from the beginning till the end, therefore NO SELECTION from me. If u look at the Main Group, there aren't many quality Centres there. I'd have picked Roberts, but he's not quite a traditional Centre. Besides, I don't want to give too many awards to the Crocs (the same for Rick Rickert). I might pick Bradshaw if his team make the playoffs, but he's only a late replacement for the Blaze, he wasn't even on their official squad of 10. I might pick your team's Larry Davidson, but I can't see him being anything better than a strong role player & I believe most non-Hawks fans won't pick him ahead of Schen.


Since the Wildcats are my pick for the minor premiership, I want to reserve some awards for them. I know Schen isn't a dominant Centre & has a lot of weaknesses as a starter, but he worked hard and did his part in helping the Wildcats to the 1st spot on the ladder. In a bizarre situation, I just give it to him by some sort of 'last man standing' consequences.

[paul]

2sc, Schenscher wont make the NBL third team. As for the MVP, it is decided by voting from each game, not a selection in hindsight as per the NBA, so whether Penney leads NZ to the playoffs or not is irrelevant.

[2sc945]

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:bF1M4gm0uQ-RBM:

[jjj]

a centre who has performed well throughout the year is larry davidson and if an all nbl team is picked on performances rather than popularity he should come into consideration