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Rankings #22 ... and that's all
TweetIF you thought Round 20 was something else, Round 21 of the NBL will sort the men from the boys - and that's before what should be an epic WNBL Grand Final re-match between Bendigo and Townsville.
But before jumping to any of that, Suzy Batkovic today stamped herself in a class of her own by winning the WNBL's MVP award for the third year in a row.
Since the league started in 1981, that's never been done before - quite the personal accolade for the great champion - who joined Kathy Foster (3) and Lauren Jackson (4) in rare air as an MVP winner on three or more occasions.
When I caught up with The Batgirl today, she was genuinely blown away to have won the award but typically more focused on helping Townsville create its own piece of history in Sunday's Grand Final against Bendigo.
“To be honest, when I found out I was a little bit speechless, which doesn’t happen very often,” Batkovic said.
Speaking on behalf of those of us who have the pleasure of knowing Suzy, that definitely doesn't happen very often.
In typical BA fashion though, the decision to present Suzy with the MVP on Sunday at the Grand Final is - while understandable now if you're going to be too cheap/lazy/indolent/indifferent to have an awards presentation dinner - a bad one.
Pre-game, she will want to have her focus on winning a Championship.
That would be no different at halftime.
And post-game?
Well, if the Fire beat Bendigo, then it would be OK. But if they lose and Batkovic is as down as you might expect in that scenario, it would be anything but joyous.
Ah BA. Can rarely think anything through.
IT'S a huge round for Melbourne if the Tigers are to be in action in the post-season.
Losing to Townsville at home last week when the Crocs were down Josh Pace (suspension), missing Mitch Norton (injured), coming in off a game against NZ, in foul trouble, then losing import Brian Conklin to a hamstring injury during the third quarter, was a slap in the face in terms of grit and determination.
Townsville has it.
Melbourne? Not so much.
If that incredible banked-three Lucas Walker hit from a mile above the 3-point line to force overtime STILL couldn't motivate the Tigers, you have to ask questions about ticker, not talent.
Now Melbourne must take out NZ and Sydney, while the Kings (11-12) must continue their dominance of the Tigers or risk slipping out of the four.
Yep. If Sydney loses to go to 11-13, and Wollongong (11-13) beats Cairns, the Hawks will be on 12-13 and in the playoff quartet.
Will the Hawks, on a league-best win streak, beat Cairns though? Cairns won last time at The Sandpit. Nothing is certain this season. Just like Melbourne being unable to win at Hisense Arena.
It doesn't really add up.
Plus Cairns is an interesting mix right now, after beating the Breakers with Jamar Wilson in the starting line-up for the first time this season.
"He had to earn it (his starting spot) and I would say that this week he had the best three trainings I've seen in a long time," Taipans coach Aaron Fearne told the Cairns Post of Wilson's performance.
He had to earn a starting spot? Two club MVP awards and one league MVP runner-up in two seasons at Cairns and Wilson has "to earn it"?
OK.
Guess that's how they roll in Orange County.
IMPRESSED with Basketball Australia's new website so far. At least we can see the monies saved on ditching a WNBL awards night was well spent. Seriously, it's worth checking out at: http://www.basketball.net.au
UNRELIABLY informed Adrian Preposterous, er, Adrian Proszenko, the "chief rugby league writer" for Fairfax Media, who magnanimously dubbed Kings' import Sam Young as "the best basketballer to step foot on to an Australian court" agrees with the ABC's Darren Boyd that Phil Brown is one of the greatest coaches in Australian history.
Apparently there are paintings of Brown panning for gold in Ballarat.
RANKINGS
WHAT a terrific round that was but this one is SO big in terms of playoff jockeying.
Can’t wait for the round’s highlight reels, top five plays, and the foul...
NBL Rankings
This Wk - Prev
8 (7) BREAKERS – Sorry, and it’s no conspiracy, but these are dark days for the Breakers.
7 (8) TAIPANS – On the road to their fave venue, Cairns can finish with a flourish.
6 (6) TIGERS – Just stuck in sixth and unless they fire this round, finals get tenuous.
5 (4) KINGS – Yes, they pushed Perth but Melbourne is the game to define the future.
4 (5) CROCODILES – Stiff to lose in NZ, great win in Melbourne but Doomsday Double ends it.
3 (3) 36ERS – Not as imposing as earlier this season but should skin Crocs at home.
2 (2) HAWKS – League-best win-streak faces a real challenge from Cairns at Sandpit.
1 (1) WILDCATS – Just keep doing what they’re doing, this round clinches the regular title.
THIS WEEK'S TIPS
CHRIS Anstey had good reason to be unhappy with his Melbourne team after the loss to Townsville because though the Tigers boasted greater talent, talent can't beat heart-and-desire. Now in NZ, it's time to see how badly the Tigers want to play in finals and I'm thinking, a lot.
THE Crocs have done amazing things this season and returning to Perth will hold no fears for former Wildcats assistant and Townsville coach Shawn Dennis. But with Brian Conklin (hamstring) out and Mitch Norton (Achilles) a question-mark, the Wildcats will wrap up the regular season crown.
CAIRNS has a tendency to win at Wollongong, while the Hawks consistently beat the Taipans in Cairns. Go figure. On a league-best five-win streak and closing on the top four, the heart says Wollongong has more to play for and will get across the line. It's just been such a weird season-series with these two teams.
IT used to be known as the "Doomsday Double" - backing up in Adelaide after playing in Perth, or vice versa - and poor old Townsville got stuck with it this round, heading in to face the 36ers. There hasn't been much between these teams but with Conklin out, Adelaide must start favorite.
SYDNEY has owned its season-series with Melbourne but right now just winning this game is more important than any wider consideration for either of these embattled top-four teams. The Hawks are gaining (and have the Kings 3-0 in their season-series) so Sydney desperately needs this. But so does Melbourne. Taking a punt on the Tigers - my last if they drop this.
TOWNSVILLE is at Bendigo for the WNBL Final. But for more on that, watch this space - plus the BOTI WNBL awards (and taking my leads from BA, I won't be holding a dinner either) - tomorrow.
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Dear Young Men Wearing Skinny Jeans,
We. Can't. Breathe.
Sincerely, Your Balls
