Basketball On The Internet.

WHAT an absolutely sizzling round of NBL basketball with two overtime games, tight contests everywhere and only one "blow-out", yesterday in Adelaide.

Wollongong-Melbourne? A tightly-contested seven-point win to the visitors. Perth-Adelaide? A hard-fought six-point win in front of 10,000-plus for the home team. Sydney-New Zealand? Overtime, Breakers by a field goal, 7,000-plus attend. Townsville-Cairns? Double overtime, Crocs by a long-range field goal in front of 4,329.

Average winning margin? Just 4.5 points, with three extensions.

Good value?

Lastly, Melbourne at Adelaide? Sixers by 11 at the half, Tigers by 13 at the siren to move into third place with a 10-10 record and more than 5,000 at the game. A memorable round?

You bet. For the "NBL is dead/dying/done" crew, don't let those facts get in your way.


FURTHER to a recent rant re crazy substitution patterns and erratic court-times in the NBL and WNBL as some coaches assert their Grand Chess Master status while ignoring the relevance of momentum in basketball, it seems star players CAN play longer than 5-minute bursts.

The double-overtime nature of the Crocodiles-Taipans stoush meant Gary Ervin logged 42:53, Peter Crawford 41:37, Jacob Holmes 36:21, Jamar Wilson 47:05 (clearly he didn't need that costly third quarter rest against Melbourne), Cameron Gliddon 40:13.

In the Sydney-NZ overtimer, Corin Henry played 41:10, Ben Madgen 38:47, Darnell Lazare 34:26, Cedric Jackson 35:48, Tom Abercrombie 34:42.

Guss what? None of them needed post-game oxygen.

You don't win a prize for playing 12 players in the first quarter or for subbing out a player after he/she has made consecutive baskets to suit your master plan.

Fans pay to see the best playing. It was great to watch.
 

BENDIGO has made club history by claiming its first WNBL regular season championship.

It is a fantastic performance by the club, coach Bernie Harrower and his excellent and well-balanced team, led by the incomparable Kristi Harrower.

Yes, it would be a fairytale for the Spirit to win the championship in what could be Kristi's final season and for a club based in a country region to claim the title.

No country or regional-based team has won the WNBL championship and while you can rightly argue there's only ever been a handful, that doesn't make it any less a fact.

History is waiting to be written and Bendigo is well-placed at the keyboard.
 

AM thoroughly enjoying the blogging work of former NBL communications manager Marc Howard and his insider insights into the behind-the-scenes machinations at BA.

His review of the controversial Player Points System was illuminating and his latest venture regarding NBL expansion also is worth your time and effort. You can find it at http://thebackpick.blogspot.com.au/


PERTH Wildcats centre Matty Knight is going to play footy!

OK. Don't get too alarmed.

It's a genuine story - sort of - given Matty confirms in it he wants another three years of NBL before considering returning to a sport he (and most of us) love. That would make him 30.

Seems he played footy as a kid in Tasmania where his dad was a player. And West Perth has come sniffing around.

"Consider playing footy? You'd have to be crazy," Perth teammate Rhys Carter definitely did not say.
 

TOM Biddington is among the journos writing basketball stories for The Advertiser during my holidays and he had a good preview piece last week which, sadly, was harshly dealt with by the paper's editors. Space can be a bitch. So for those of you interested in the 36ers specifically, here it is in its full form. For those of you who are not, just jump to the next item!

THE ADVERTISER/adelaidenow.com.au: DESPITE admitting this is the most difficult season he's ever been involved in, Adam Gibson is quietly confident the Adelaide 36ers can spring an upset when they take on the Perth Wildcats tonight.

The 36ers have built a remarkable record against the Wildcats in the west, knocking them off twice last year and are the only team to beat the powerhouse at home this season - the night they opened the brand new Perth Arena in November.

Even though the two teams have gone in opposite directions since then, Gibson believes the 36ers have the edge over the Wildcats.

"I think it's just the mindset, you have a couple of teams that you've got the wood over I guess, and Perth is one for us,'' Gibson told The Advertiser.

"I don't know what it is, it's obviously a mental thing but for some reason we step up against them and play pretty well, hopefully it can happen (tonight).''

This is Gibson's eighth season in the NBL and he's been around long enough to see the highs and lows of the sport - winning two championships while being involved with clubs that have folded.

But on the court, the guard has never been part of a team that has struggled as much as Adelaide has.

"It's definitely been the toughest year I've ever been a part of, solely for the win-loss kind of stuff,'' Gibson, who joined the 36ers before representing Australia at the London Olympics, said.

"I've never had a team that's been on this kind of streak. I've always been on winning teams so from that standpoint, it's been tough but I guess it's character building.

"It happens in professional sport, you've just got to deal with it so I'm just trying to find ways to do whatever I can to help our team win.''

After a strong start, the 36ers have lost 11 of their last 12 games and sit on the bottom of the NBL ladder.

The trip to Perth is tough enough as it is, but the players have to back it up and host the Melbourne Tigers at Adelaide Arena on Sunday afternoon.

While the playoffs look out of the question, Gibson hasn't completely given up hope.

"It's a funny thing, (coach) Marty (Clarke) kind of said 'as stupid as it is and as bad as our last 10-12 games have been, if we win the next two we're a game out of the top four'. Teams around us are still giving us a chance to make the top four,'' Gibson said.

"It's always tough to go to Perth and then back up, but I think we've done it two or three times and our Sunday games have always been good, so hopefully it's another trend for this weekend.''


REVIEWS

Fire v Rangers (W)

A 19-10 third period by Dandenong broke open its "finals-style" clash with Townsville to set up its 71-63 victory.

Another great crowd was vocal and into it but London Olympian Kath MacLeod was a force with a 21-point, 6-assist double for Dandenong. WNBA import Monica Wright - she is one helluva player - had 15 points and eight boards.

Jess Adair, Jess Foley and Jess Cocks, oops, Micaela Cocks, all had 10 points for Townsville.

 

Hawks v Tigers (M)

MELBOURNE swingman Chris Goulding had a 10-point opening quarter to be the difference as the Tigers led 26-16 after one before withstanding Wollongong's late surge to win 77-70.

The victory put the Tigers into the four and Wollongong out, the Tigers now also leading their season series 2-1, with +7 points in hand, which could yet turn out to be big.

Jonny Flynn led Melbourne with 23 points and seven assists, Adris Deleon working desperately to get the home team across the line in a thrilling final period.

Halfway through that last quarter, Deleon's triple tied it at 61-61 but down the stretch, Melbourne executed better, Wollongong's desperation marring some of its decision-making.

Oscar Forman had a 17-11 points-boards double.


Lightning v Flames (W)

NO question. When Adelaide loses one on the road, especially if it is inexplicably badly, it circles the date when it will next meet that opponent, as Sydney found out to its displeasure, 98-73.

Lightning's 29-15 second period again was some of their best work, Suzy Batkovic in MVP form with 27 points at 61 per cent (with 3-of-5 threes), eight rebounds, six assists and surrounded by willing accomplices.

Angela Marino's 19 points at 60 per cent included 4-of-6 threes to go with with six rebounds and five assists. Laura Hodges paired 17 points with nine boards before fouling out, Jo Hill hit 12 points and rookie Lauren Mansfield 10 at 75 per cent.

April Sykes and Rohanee Cox led the Flames, both on the court and to the carpark.


Wildcats v 36ers (M)

ADELAIDE continued to rise to the occasion against Perth, battling back from a 10-point deficit to trail by a basket in the last half-minute before the Wildcats steadied to win 73-67.

Perth was no more convincing against its regular nemesis this time than when it lost its opening match at Perth Arena to the 36ers, Adelaide showing great heart to resemble the team it was pre-Christmas.

Daniel Johnson gave his All Star Five chances a nudge with 22 points but the 49-29 boards disparity in Perth's favor turned out to be significant.

Greg Hire had 14 boards, Matt Knight with 21 points, all the usual suspects stepping up at the end when they were needed.


Spirit v Capitals (W)

WITH the regular season championship to be clinched, Bendigo made short work of Canberra, winning 83-46, Caps vet Michelle Cosier suffering a broken nose in the process.

This was over by halftime with the Spirit out 52-24 and six of their players finishing with double figure scoring.

The 9-8 last quarter by Bendigo would have been an excellent tonic for insomnia for those watching but sadly Canberra is still not allowed to live-stream its games, courtesy of Big Brother at BA. Another income-stream wasted.


Kings v Breakers (M)

SYDNEY won this encounter last time in Sydney and played with no fear of the reigning champion, New Zealand needing a Cedric Jackson basket in overtime to escape 96-94.

Trailing by three with under two seconds left in regulation, Kings guard Corin Henry hit a free throw, missed his second but Darnell Lazare was there for the most important of his 11 rebounds, his putback sending the game into overtime, 82-82.

Down the stretch, a James Harvey triple tied it at 94-94 before Jackson came up with his game winning drive.

The Entertainer had 24 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and two steals to be a constant thorn in what was a terrific game.


Waves v Flames (W)

AN 8-point quarter somewhere along the way usually means you're probably going to lose. So West Coast's gals would have hit the Alice Springs changerooms at halftime knowing they were in some trouble against Sydney.

They would have been correct, the Flames winning 69-55 from there, Katie-Rae Ebzery going off for 25 points at 62 per cent and April Sykes smooth for a 19-point, 9-rebound return.

Alice Springs fans hoping to see all that is great about women's basketball - precision, execution, purist's game, long range shooting - would have come away a tad disappointed the teams shot a combined 5-of-25 from outside the arc. (Wait. This wasn't played on an outside court, was it?)
 

Crocodiles v Taipans (M)

PETER Crawford's 30 points at 63 per cent, seven rebounds and five assists to lead Townsville to a remarkable 111-108 double-overtime win over Cairns in the Pineapple Pantomime should stand the London Olympian in good stead come Player of the Week considerations.

PC was huge as the Crocs soared after Cairns looked to have control for much of regulation. In the end (well, not quite the end as it turns ouit), Taipans import Jamar Wilson tied it at 83-83 to force overtime.

There was more drama at the end of the extension when Gary Ervin was fouled on a three-point attempt, the Crocs down 93-95. Ervin made the first, missed the second and made the third to tie it 95-95 for the second overtime.

Free throws by Ervin and Todd Blanchfield down the stretch finally put Townsville beyond Cairns' reach in what was one of the great matches in this burgeoning and much-acclaimed rivalry.

(For those keeping score at home, Ben Allen played 5:42 and contributed one missed shot and two fouls.)


Boomers v Capitals (W)

IT took a play drawn up by coach Tom Maher and perfect execution by Tess Madgen for Bulleen to beat Canberra 77-75.

The Caps, already down Brigitte Ardossi (suspended) and Michelle Cosier (broken nose) were down by 22 early before Jess Bibby led an unlikley revival. It was a Bibby three-point play which tied it at 75-75, giving Maher enough time to draw up the final shot at victory.

Alice Kunek had a 28-point, 10-rebound double-double for the Boomers, Rebecca Allen with a game-high 11 boards.


36ers v Tigers (M)

DANIEL Johnson closed the first half in super fashion with steals, dunks and big plays to give Adelaide fans reason to roar into halftime, the 36ers leading Melbourne 48-37.

Apart from multiple 36ers MVP and now Tigers forward Adam Ballinger showing his old fans at Adelaide Arena just how much he still has to offer with a near flawless shooting half, Melbourne looked in deep doggy-doo.

The Tigers had Seth Scott - after throwing down one of the dunks of the year - and Jonny Flynn in foul trouble, the 36ers with all the momentum.
 
But, and not for the first time, Adelaide left its game in the locker-room, held to 11 points in the third quarter and 12 in the last as Melbourne ran away for an 84-71 victory.

Liam Rush picked up his game to join Balls, Scott, Flynn and Chris Goulding in double digits, DJ finishing with a 20-12 double-double for the home team.


Thunder v Rangers (W)

SOMEONE called this a "David and Goliath" battle but my recollection is Davey won that thing with a slingshot.

In this revisionist version, the giant Goliath simply walks over and stomps David into the ground.

Logan hit just 6-of-22 threes - should have tried using a slingshot - as Dandenong stomped it into the ground 100-62.

Jenna O'Hea had 19 points, six rebounds and nine assists, Monica Wright - have I mentioned anywhere she is a serious player? - had 15 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, Kath MacLeod and Tegan Cunningham with 18 points apiece.

This just in. Next week Logan hosts Townsville, its defence expecting to part like the Red Sea for Moses....


BEEF of the WEEK

IT'S just a little thing but it rankles when our own leagues keep getting it wrong.

I'm referring to terminology. At the start of every season, our NBL and/or WNBL officials announce the season is about to "kick off".

Really?

Soccer "kicks off" to start a game/season. Because we have AFL and NRL firmly entrenched as our No#1 sports, they too use "kick off" even if it is technically incorrect. Being "footy" codes though, it makes perfect sense to use the term.

But for basketball?

Isn't it just laziness that has league folk, PR churners and journos talking about our "kick off" when it would be so much easier and more appropriate to say "tip off"?

Is "the season tips off on Friday" so very challenging and arduous?

That said, we now fast are approaching the business end of the year and already there are stories appearing re New Zealand about to win the "minor premiership" or Bendigo winning its first "minor premiership".

Say what?

Since when does basketball have a minor round and a major round? That's football again.

If you want the correct terminology, look to the US which gave us the game (no emails please, we all know James Naismith was Canadian) for what the term should be and you will find it.

There's the regular season and the post-(regular)-season. So when you finish in first place at the end of the regular season, you become the regular season champion. And when you clinch the Grand Final series, you become the championship team, NOT the premiership team.

(Technically again, you may well be the "premier" or No.1 team, but this rant is about terminology, not semantics)

Now I know many of you will be thinking: "That's nothing to get excited about, it's no big deal, storm in a teacup, have another daiquiri" etcetera. Fair enough. But if we want our sport to be unique, shouldn't we at least TRY to use our own specific terminology?

It should rankle football is stealing our terms all the time - goal assist, zones, shot clock (when guys are lining up for goal!), steals ... the list goes on. On an AFL call last season, Leigh Matthews spoke about one team going into "the backcourt" too often. Really?

Aussie Rules may be way more than 100 years old and one of THE great sports. It has survived and thrived without having to pinch basketball's terminology so if the new breed of commentators want to start modifying and using our specifics to describe their sport, it is probably a win for basketball.

Basketball not recognising a game "tips off" or the success of a "regular season champion" is a win for football. How many does it need?

 
Biggest Winners/Losers

MELBOURNE was the round's biggest winner, taking out the depleted and debilitated Hawks in Wollongong, then turning back a double-digit halftime deficit and foul woes for imports Seth Scott and Jonny Flynn to beat the 36ers in Adelaide. The twin successes have moved the Tigers into third place.

Cairns claims back-to-back biggest loser crowns after surrendering a nine-point lead inside the last six minutes of regulation against Mango Mash derby rival Townsville, to lose in double overtime. Any Taipans' shot at the playoffs now will require an almost flawless run to the end of the regular season. Don't see it.

DANDENONG was the biggest WNBL winner of the round after reinforcing to the Fire in Townsville they still have a lot of work to do if they plan to be alive beyond the first round of the playoffs. The Rangers then backed up by belting Logan by 38 at Logan. They did it without import Krista Phillips (injured, apparently) too. In Bart Simpson's words: Ay Caramba!

It's tempting to go with Canberra as the round's biggest loser after they were clobbered by Bendigo and pipped by Bulleen. But, given the Caps went down fighting and last week suspended their most consistent player Brigitte Ardossi, the nod instead has to go to Townsville. The Fire are in the top four, they had champion Dandenong at home and with the Rangers minus Phillips, yet still they had to settle for an honorable loss. The scenario for their KO semi final looks much the same.


PS

ADELAIDE 36ers icon Brett Maher, who before the NBL season tipped-off said the 2012-13 line-up was the best Adelaide team since the 1998-99 champion, has had to amend that again to the 2010-11 Adelaide team.