36ers at Blaze, 13/2

[Voice(s)]

Should be an interesting game. Mark Worthington now out injured possibly for the rest of the season and the Blaze bringing in Luke Kendall. For the 36ers Eddie Shannon is a chance to return for this game with injury clouds also hanging over Bruce & Carter and need to bounce back after giving up 99 points in the loss to the Kings, Sydney's highest score this season.

Blaze by 5 points.

A few little shots at Marty Clarke in a piece today by Boti:

But a key element in any Adelaide win will need to be its attention to rebounding the basketball. The 36ers were absolutely smacked 43-21 on the boards in last week's 90-99 road loss to Sydney and while coach Marty Clarke gambled on a shorter line-up harassing the Kings into error, it did not translate into victory.

Suggestions some of that "is in the players' heads" may have some merit but were not borne out by game tape.

When all is said and done, Adelaide's 21 boards was the lowest team rebounding total of any club in the league this season.

The 36ers also give up an NBL-high 38.3 rebounds every game and the 13.2 offensive rebounds they surrender in every outing also is the league high. Stats may not always tell the complete story but in this instance, they also don't lie.

For all that defensive tenacity the shorter line-up is supposed to bring, Adelaide gave up 99 points to Sydney - the highest score this season by the bomb shelter's permanent resident. (Its previous high was 91 in a loss to Gold Coast.)

Adelaide's 1-7 road record also is the worst in the NBL, hardly a cause for optimism even with Worthington sidelined tomorrow.

The fact that has not consistently translated into wins infers inflexibility in the game plan or too much time-share in the player rotation and not enough attention to the detail of who's actually going well.

For example, when Adam Ballinger has wracked up 14 straight points and 16 of the previous 18 during an "unconscious" third quarter spell in the home win over Perth, that's probably not the ideal time to sub him out of the contest.

In fact it's eerily reminiscent of the 36ers under Mike Dunlap in 1994-95 when Mike McKay might come off the bench, stick three triples and immediately be sat back down.

Defensive-minded coaches who were once defensively-oriented players, sometimes simply do not "get" the mentality of a shooter.

It can best be summed up in five words: When you're hot, you're hot.

The 36ers this season have been hot and cold but on the Gold Coast they really need to sizzle.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/sydney-kings-bring-back-purple-reign/story-e6frecj3-1226004692576

[Statman72]

Blaze win tehboards and keep Ballinger quiet they win, get complacent and think they can just breeze through and they will get a rude shock.

Ira Clark needs to dominate inside and Bubbles will need to be at the top of his game as well

Blaze by 9

[jake31]

I am curious where 7 guards are all going to fit in.

[Statman72]

I am curious where 7 guards are all going to fit in.

Id suggest so are said 7 guards!


Will be interesting to see how much court time Hudson now gets, Im sensing he may be the one who will lose out.

[jake31]

Pero Vasiljevic can't get on the court now until Hudson leaves. There have been too many oppportunities for him but the Blaze never take them up. He's obviously not to be used again this season. Lousy break. Blaze now on 68 points but no money worries with Wortho out. I'm assuming he is only on Injury Waiver.

[NZB]

No Wortho makes things really interesting. That said, Adelaide have been utter tripe all year on the road, so the Blaze should win an ugly one.

[jake31]

Harvey's 100th game for the Blaze, 301st for the NBL.
Bubbles 51st for the Blaze. Hope both might get a mention at 36'ers game.

[Mr bEn]

Has there been confirmation Majok IS suiting up? I note the Blaze fb page mentions that they are welcoming 'a few new faces' in to the team tonight, but no mention of particular names.

I think no Majok swings favour to the visitors.

In Wortho's absence I am quietly hoping we don't rely on Garlepp for extended minutes - too many touches for him is not good news.

[Cussy]

GC are playing some exciting basketball in the first.

[SB.1]

how is that not a breakaway USF against Harvey? Intention has no relevance I thought.

[alleyoop]

Gold Coast look as good as I've seen all season so far. The ball movement is outstanding. Even Kendall is looking like Jason Kidd out there.

[Voice(s)]

Gold Coast look as good as I've seen all season so far. The ball movement is outstanding. Even Kendall is looking like Jason Kidd out there.

The 36ers are certainly doing their part.

[Danger D]

Score check please.

[fan since the old snakepit]

Blaze 80-53 end of 3rd

[Danger D]

Thanks. Glad they put such a good game on tv.

[DDFan]

Awesome game by the Blaze, they came out on fire & the confidence over-ran the 36ers. There's no shame in going down to a team that's playing like the Blaze did, they were magnificent.
I'm proud of the boys (36ers), for playing it out right to the buzzer & of Marty for giving clear instructions during time-outs, & not balling out the guys (when a lot of coaches would've, when their team's copping a belting).
I don't want to harp on it too much, but the Blaze had every aspect of the game covered. It wasn't just the scoring, but the way they went about it. They played how real teams play, they weren't individuals, they shared it around & it was a thing of basketball beauty. Defence was tight, had hands in the passing lanes, & the majority of their passes would make it to the highlight reel. Congrats Blaze & fans, you copped a horrific run of injuries throughout the season, so I'm stoked that you guys got some payback from the basketball Gods today.

[curious]

How bad are the Sixers.
No Wortho and they still smash the 6'ers'. :(

[DDFan]

How bad are the Sixers.
No Wortho and they still smash the 6'ers'. :(Wow, thanks for posting that.

[jake31]

Never seen the Blaze so pumped up for a game. They were mighty.
It was a great team exhibition to watch. Whatever the final ladder results, they'll know they gave it everything and extra, if they can produce more of that stuff. Nobody wanted to let anyone down tonight and they didn't.
There have been some disappointments over the last 10 days with all the inner club happenings but who would have guessed. Clark was outstanding, Harvey was unselfish, sheer leadership by example, Gibbo produced some terrific efforts and chose the plays well, no signs of the injury, and "Bubbbles" produced energy, scoring success and entertainment . An unbelievable way to introduce the team and the club to Kendall and Majok. This is how it's done guys!

[Mr bEn]

36'ERS
- still think Dowdwell is one of the poorest players in the league to receive consistent minutes, despite scoring 8 or so
- thought Creek showed one or two glimpses of being someone to watch as his experience grows
- surprised Dan Johnson played so few minutes and didn't start, particularly given that the Blaze have struggled against bigs. That said, he played poorly in the time he had.
- Jacon Holmes seemed an afterthought on offense. I understand he's not a potent scorer, but felt he was under-utilised
- Hill's oop from Shannon(?) was the best play of the game in my books

BLAZE
- Garlepp should wear a shock collar which emits a shock every time he thinks about an ill-advised shot or crazy layup
- Cadee isn't up to handling the rock as a back-up to Gibson (inb4 he's only young!!)

As a Blaze watcher, was good to see them play with confidence. I was impressed with their passing more than anything. DDFan summed up the 6'ers plight - they didn't do much wrong, just got steamrolled by a team that was on fire. I think I heard someone say they were shooting 70% at the half?

I waffle on every game about it but, still baffled as to why the team is introduced 15 minutes before tip when there are no more than 50 people in the stands. Wish the music man were a little more prepared and found a program with a cross fader rather than play everything off itunes like a hack. Do some work and edit a few songs so we don't have to sit through the start of them all, and turn down the volume so we can hear the crowd announcer say something :)

[Cussy]

I was impressed with their passing more than anything.
A couple of Goulding's passes were pretty sweet, and the rest of the team seemed to have the confidence in each other to run the court, fill the lanes, and then pass, knowing there would be someone there.

Now, at the risk of sounding over-critical, could it be the loss of Wortho ( who at times is the ball-handler but only as a safe pair of hands, not as a creator)?