Basketball On The Internet.

WOLLONGONG's historic 1,000th NBL game against Townsville on Saturday in its first match at The Sandpit this season, should bring Hawks fans flocking for the occasion.

The NBL's only remaining inaugural club from its 1979 season launch is the first to crack the four-figure plateau and it is entirely fitting.

[Perth, which only joined the league in 1982, also will play its 1,000th game this season and if you're wondering how that's possible, try 27 consecutive finals appearances by the Wildcats since 1987 and those extra post-season series games quickly add up.]

Hawks coach Gordie McLeod again appears to have landed on his feet with replacement import Kevin Tiggs showing plenty of exciting signs in his Adelaide debut last round. But if he's 198cm, Scott Morrision is 220.

Not that it matters. He gives Wollongong that extra piece to the puzzle which will make the Crocs' life more difficult. Now if Larry Davidson could just maintain his game face for 40 minutes and not let his focus waver, the Hawks could be such a force.

 

NEW Zealand coach Dean Vickerman is abundantly conscious of the potential danger new Perth import James Ennis presents tonight at North Shore Events Centre.

Ennis is delivering 24.3 points and 5.6 highlights per game and Perth took an unbeaten record across the Tasman for this clash.

"As a team, I think it's important we take away his strengths,'' Vickerman said.

"He's shooting the three-ball so well and his attack on the rim is tough, but the biggest thing is that you can't turn the ball over.

"That's where he's best, out in the open court.''

Yeah, just ask James Harvey or any of the Tigers who watched him sprint end-to-end in four seconds and score to close the first half.

"You have to be competitive on the boards,'' Vickers added.

"If we don't turn up with our physicality for this game, we will battle. They are one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the league.''

 

FUN FACT: James Ennis was selected at No.50 in this year's NBA Draft by Atlanta Hawks (then traded to Miami). Adelaide 36ers coach Joey Wright was selected at No.50 in the 1991 NBA Draft by Phoenix Suns. {Hey come on now. I said it was a "Fun Fact", not an important one.}

 

WNBL Player of the Week Leilani Mitchell says her Dandenong teammates are expecting a super tough contest against Melbourne for the city's bragging rights tomorrow.

"I look forward to every game, to be honest," she said.

"But the game against the other team from the same city, plus both teams being undefeated, makes this a big one."

 

YOU gotta love that Brooklyn accent.

Interviewing 2011 league MVP Gary Ervin for a piece available at News Ltd online, I asked him about his lack of height.

"I'll take 'hot' over height," he said. At least, that's what it sounded like. Knowing Gary and that brash New Yorker attitude, being hot rather than tall made sense.

Um. Need to check my accents.

"I'll take 'heart' over height," is what he really said. (Go on. Do it yourself to compare hot and heart but don't forget the accent. Still no excuse? OK. My mistake.)

You might still find the misheard quote at this link if you're quick: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/basketball/star-36ers-import-gary-ervin-is-looking-for-citizenship-as-his-love-for-australia-grows/story-fnii09ki-1226745321553 But it will be fixed by later today.

Thank Naismith I don't have to fret about misquoting Joey. At least not til he reads everything after the season is over.

 

IT WAS lucky for dual-Olympian Brad Newley his wife Brigid had their baby daughter in the Canary Islands earlier this week.

If you missed the story, Brigid gave birth to a bouncing baby girl, Beth Rosa, but it happened during a Spanish league game for Brad's Gran Canaria team. He was at the birth.

But in trouble at halftime, the club GM sent him an SOS SMS and with Brigid's OK, he raced to the match, getting there midway through the third quarter when they were six down. A 24-2 run later, Gran Canaria finished up winning by 17 and Newley given a rousing standing ovation by the grateful Gran Canara faithful.

So why is he lucky it happened in the Canary Islands? Well, other than the obvious, if he had arrived mid-third quarter to a BSA game in Adelaide, his name would have been crossed off the scoresheet at halftime because he hadn't purchased a ticket in time and he would not have been allowed into the game!

 

NBL Rankings

This Wk - Prev

8 (6) TIGERS - Faded out against Perth and now face a "must-win" game against Adelaide.

7 (7) HAWKS - At home. At last. It is time for Wollongong's season to take off.

6 (2) BREAKERS - Twin road losses was expensive for NZ and Perth won't be any picnic.

5 (8) CROCODILES - Giving NZ a whack has restored the faith but a Hawks' ambush awaits.

4 (5) KINGS - Only played about four bad minutes against Perth. Change that, change the season.

3 (4) 36ERS - Now comes the real challenge with a Cairns-Melbourne road double. A split?

2 (1) TAIPANS - Got the win but a lucky escape over NZ and need to win here for cred.

1 (3) WILDCATS - Last five against Sydney, and their Melbourne finish were impressive.

 

WNBL Rankings

This Wk - Prev

9 (8) WAVES - This ranking rung's welcome mat is out and only road wins changes that.

8 (7) CAPITALS - Can someone grab a rebound please? Otherwise the slump continues.

7 (9) THUNDER - Took a jump up but Townsville ready to shove them back down.

6 (5) FLAMES - Catch Adelaide in an impossible challenge and should take advantage.

5 (4) FIRE - Townsville had two road wins within grasp but like sands through the hourglass...

4 (6) LIGHTNING - Starting to gel but a very tough road ask most likely to yield a split.

3 (3) SPIRIT - Steady as she goes there me hearties. Smooth sailing on those Waves ahead.

2 (2) RANGERS - Crosstown rivalry will determine first place making this extra special.

1 (1) BOOMERS - Melbourne has done little wrong but all it needs is a little to go wrong.

 

THIS WEEK'S TIPS

NEW Zealand took two surprise road beatings last round and, even at home, cannot be brimming with confidence for the showdown with Perth. This is a red-hot rivalry now but two points are worth noting. 1: The Breakers haven't lost at either of their Auckland venues for more than a year. 2: Well, not since Perth smacked them in the opening round last season. Wildcats, again.

CAIRNS hosting the 36ers might be the match of the round, the Taipans at home where their record is very positive against Adelaide and playing with some confidence. The Sixers started to cement their identity last round and this should go to the wire. Adelaide, just.

CELEBRATING their 1,000th game will be just the final touch Wollongong needs to shake its losing blues. Kevin Tiggs will be better again after another week and while the Crocs will hit the Gong feeling quietly confident, the occasion should prove the difference. Hawks, by a feather.

MELBOURNE's people have spent a lot of this week making a very public case for the NBL which everyone across the league should appreciate. But ultimately it won't be as meaningful as a Tigers win. The 36ers travelling from Queensland adds to the degree of difficulty. Tigers, on the prowl.

IT'S always tough to make a call on a team in its second game of the round, especially when travelling, without knowing how the first game went and what that result's possible implications may be. That established, Sydney did enough right last round against Perth and if they can just get a little more correct and with the Wildcats travelling ...? Kings, for a day.

A FORTNIGHT back Adelaide took out Canberra in Adelaide with the Caps on the second-leg of their "doomsday double". Rebounding has been a case of Capital-punishment and unless the home team can rectify that, Lightning's resurgence should continue.

EXPECT a severe splashdown for the Waves in landlocked Bendigo where the Spirit will be largely unmoved by the best the West can offer. All you need is a chilled glass for these Spirits to spill all over the Coasters, with Gab Richards ready to wreak havoc. No matching these Spirit levels.

GAME of the round sees Melbourne hosting Dandenong for bragging rights and retention of the league's only remaining winning streak. The Boomers are slower and more dour, the Rangers upbeat and running. It's another week back for Rachel Jarry too but the Boomers may get bounced here.

AFTER running out of lighter fluid, the Flames have had a chance to recharge, always a good time to catch a team midway through the day after a game and particularly when they've had to travel. The odds are stacked for Sydney against Adelaide - Lorraine? You still there? - and only a fool bets against the house.

LOGAN made its move up the rankings this week just as Townsville started its descent. But expect that to stall in Townsville where the Fire's superior, um, firepower, should see it survive another feisty Thunder challenge. Townsville is a good game away from bouncing back and this should be the one.

REGARDLESS of Friday's game against Melbourne, Dandenong looks too professional and deep to be unduly troubled by West Coast. The Waves also will be in their second game of the round so neither has an advantage there. But with O'Hea, Kunek, Mitchell etc, Dandenong doesn't need one.

 

DEAR Batman,
What was your power again?
Sincerely,
Superman