Basketball On The Internet.

DANIEL Johnson's initial struggles to recapture his best form for Adelaide's NBL team should be a lesson to fans impatient with new import faces says Joey Wright.

At the start of last season, there were a few Perth voices baying for Jermaine Beal's head before he settled in and by season's end, was the Larry Sengstock Medallist in a Championship team.

Wright, a former NBL import at Geelong Supercats and a Championship coach at Brisbane Bullets, said Adelaide fans were prepared to be patient because they already knew what Johnson could do.

"DJ is a good lesson for fans regarding imports," Wright said.

"It's not always easy to come in and be your best straight away."

Johnson initially has struggled but no-one is in any doubt when he recaptures his best, the 36ers will be a headache.

FULL STRETCH: DJ, still reaching for his best.

 

YES, the Socceroos winning the World Cup is massive, huge, unbelievable.... Oh. Wait. It wasn't the World Cup?

Oh, it was the Asian Cup?

So, that means no-one from Europe or South America or, you know, anywhere where soccer is truly huge, was actually involved?

OK. Sorry. 

Well nonetheless, it is a great achievement and the fan support at the game, reaction around Australia, the late goals (equaliser to South Korea, then extra time winner) made for high drama and justified national pride.

They marketed it brilliantly and captured a nation's imagination. No argument.

Toupees off to the Socceroos and thumbs up to soccer fans who may be visiting this site because they also must like the other roundball "world" game, basketball.

That said and based on FIFA and FIBA world standings, the Socceroos beating South Korea is the basketball equivalent of Liberia beating Hong Kong.

Just saying.

In the words of NFL great Dick Butkus, and thanks to Pat Whalen for emailing it on to me: "If God wanted us to play soccer, he wouldn't have given us arms."

Just kidding soccer lovers. But seriously, perspective. Maybe cool it with wanting Australians to call soccer "football" too. I am happy to slouch corrected but can't you even score goals in soccer with your head?

Didn't Maradona once score a World Cup goal with his hand, the infamous "Hand of God"?

(Was Gary Ablett Snr at that game?)

Last time I looked, the ONLY form of football anywhere in the world where you could only score a GOAL with your FOOT is Aussie Rules.

Again, just saying.

 

Basketball On The Internet, Player of the Week

ADELAIDE's solitary import, Jamar Wilson, has collected his second B.O.T.I. Player of the Week gong for his 25 points at 56 per cent and four rebounds as the 36ers won their sixth straight match, beating Townsville 84-77.

Wilson's 11-point second period on 5-of-7 shooting, gave the Sixers the buffer they maintained the rest of the route and even included his first slam dunk, much to the delight of the 6,372 in attendance at Adelaide Arena.

PotW Winners

Rd1 Scottie Wilbekin
Rd2 Brian Conklin
Rd3 Scottie Wilbekin
Rd4 Adam Gibson
Rd5 Josh Childress
Rd6 Jordan McRae
Rd7 Josh Childress
Rd8 Tim Coenraad
Rd9 Brian Conklin
Rd10 Josh Childress
Rd11 Jordan McRae
Rd12 Tai Wesley
Rd13 Brian Conklin
Rd14 Jamar Wilson
Rd15 Cedric Jackson
Rd16 Torrey Craig
Rd17 Jamar Wilson

THE B.O.T.I. WNBL PotW is Bendigo's dual-championship import and Rachael Sporn Medallist Kelsey Griffin for her two big games this round.

Griffin had 15 points and 10 rebounds as Bendigo startled Sydney, then added 18 points at 67 per cent with nine rebounds as the Spirit saw off league-leading Townsville.

Those twin efforts saw her narrowly beat Dandenong's Penny Taylor whose 25 points, seven boards and six assists were huge in the narrow escape against West Coast, as was Tess Madgen's performance in Melbourne's loss.

 

YEAH, NO KIDDING

THERE it was again, ABC-TV rocking the WNBL game "highlights" - a pass out of court, turnover, missed shot, coach cussing ... who picks these clips?

Had few other observations this round, beyond congratulating Brad Rosen for soldiering on commentarywise when it was clear he was unwell on Friday, healthwise.

It was still a good call in a pretty good weekend for FTA-TV.

 

REVIEWS

Breakers V Perth (M)

SHAWN Redhage has never gone 0-of-2 with two turnovers in 18 minutes before so you knew he wasn't right, about all New Zealand needed to ensure this showdown of the league's two most recent "arch rivals" would be a 90-79 home win. The Breakers led by as many as 15 during the final period, five players in double digits led by Corey Webster's 17.

 

Capitals V Lightning (W)

NO-ONE saw this coming, Canberra star Lauren Jackson out injured and Adelaide seizing its window to post a 79-71 "run against the play" road win. Lightning did it with lead scorer Laura Hodges fouling out in 16 minutes and Angela Marino, Jenni Screen and Carley Mijovic carrying this off.

 

Hawks V United (M)

WOLLONGONG's blazing 19-3 start set the Hawks on their way to a 93-82 win over Melbourne which was far worse than United's flattering final scoreline, heavily influenced by its 33-17 final period. A more accurate reflection was the fact Wollongong led by 27 with a quarter left, Oscar Forman finishing with 22 points, Gary Ervin and Rhys Martin 20 apiece.

 

Rangers V Waves (W)

POSSIBLY inspired by Adelaide's road win over Canberra, West Coast took Dandenong all the way in this before Penny Taylor (25 points, seven rebounds, six assists) and Cappie Pondexter (21 points, eight rebounds, five assists) guided the Rangers home 87-80. The Waves worked hard, with Lindsey Moore stroking five triples and Deanna Smith also prominent.

 

Flames V Spirit (W)

BENDIGO's 18-8 third period set up its 95-83 win, rocking Sydney's finals drive. Flames warrior Ro Cox ran into form with 16 points on 5-of-7 shooting but the Spirit came in waves, six players in double figures led by Gabe Richards' 21 points on 10-of-13 shooting, with 13 rebounds. Kelsey Griffin had a 15-10 points-boards double, Leilani Mitchell pacing Sydney with 11 points and 10 assists.

 

Boomers V Fire (W)

EVEN Tess Madgen's season-high six three-pointers at 60 per cent for Melbourne in her 27-point haul was insufficent to stall the Townsville juggernaut, the Fire burning brightly in an 88-69 win. Townsville's 26-10 final term was significant, The Batgirl and Cayla going for 19 points apiece, plus 12 and 16 rebounds respectively.

 

Lightning V Waves (W)

SARAH Graham (21 points) did her best to keep West Coast in this but with last place at stake and neither team wanting it, Adelaide found the ammo necessary to shoot out to a 71-58 win. Laura Hodges jumped back from Friday's foul-out with 25 points at 65 per cent and eight boards but Jess Foley set a tone early. Lindsey Moore scored eight of her 10 points in the last six minutes when the game was shot, Toni Edmondson also struggling.

 

36ers V Crocodiles (M)

JOEY Wright coached his 200th NBL win and Anthony Petrie opened his 200th game with a basket and had a dunk soon after as Adelaide held out Townsville 84-77. Jamar Wilson was in a groove with 11 second-quarter points out of his 25, including a rare fast break slam, Mickell Gladness causing the 36ers their biggest problems. The trend was Adelaide would get away, Townsville reel it in, the 36ers still slightly ahead. That's how it finished, too.

CROCODILE ROCKIN': Anthony Petrie and Brian Conklin discuss the joys of an elbow to the face.

 

Spirit V Fire (W)

BENDIGO sent a message it still is very much in the hunt for a threepeat when it pulled away from pacesetting Townsville 19-8 in the last quarter to post a heartening 66-55 home win. Townsville's 21-14-12-8 quarter-by-quarter returns reflected its steady decline, Kelsey Griffin with another top game, pairing 18 points at 67 per cent with nine rebounds.

 

Wildcats V Kings (M)

SYDNEY did much better than expected, Tom Garlepp challenging Perth's vaunted frontline as the Kings - minus Josh Childress and Angus Brandt - battled gamely and won a lot of admirers for their effort. Of course, it never was going to be enough, Perth winning 80-61 and dominating the rebounding 45-21. Matty Knight and Greg Hire returning to the lineup would have thrilled local fans.

 

Taipans V Hawks (M)

FAIR to say a six-point quarter rarely bodes well but Cairns overcame their tepid third period to escape Wollongong's clutches 63-60 in a thriller in Cairns. Scottie Wilbekin led the way with 17 points but the Hawks played the last couple of minutes poorly, even their three-point attempt to tie a tough ask with too much time lost.

 

BIGGEST WINNERS/LOSERS

IT probably doesn't feel much like it for Wollongong but it is this round's biggest winner. The Hawks thrashed Melbourne and were desperately unlucky (or unable) to close out a road win in Cairns but left no doubt they are back as potential spoilers for all in their way to the final siren.

DROPPING on the road to Wollongong, having Daniel Kickert injure his back in the process and falling a game in arrears of Adelaide leaves Melbourne as the NBL's biggest loser this week, its finals aspirations looking very shaky.

ADELAIDE was the WNBL's biggest winner this round, travelling to Canberra and beating the Caps before returning home to beat West Coast, clinching the season-series 2-1 and jumping out of the bomb shelter, most likely avoiding it altogether now.

TOSS a coin between Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne for the biggest loser this round, the trio losing home games and harming their finals prospects. Given the Flames had Bendigo and the Boomers faced Townsville, Canberra losing to Adelaide confirms the Caps as the week's biggest losers.

 

LOOK! UP IN THE SKY: It's a bird. It's a plane. It's gonna be here any second.

 

BEEF of the WEEK

THE best athletes in sport comprehend their game, know what their team is running and understand where their best moments are likely to come.

From that point forward, it's all about instincts. Players who have to actually think during a contest are usually the ones who will foul up. Or out.

The same also should be true of officials. In Adelaide, our best current ref is Nathan Durant.

The greats such as Geoff Weeks and Michael Butler are long gone and Durant has the tools to add his name to that duo.

But he has to stop thinking, or over-thinking. He almost seems at pains to prove he is not showing any local bias. That's how it looks, at least.

When Luke Schenscher came in yesterday and became entangled with Greg Vanderjagt, Vander shoved him to the floor with two hands in his back. Check the replay.

Durant could not have seen the incident clearly because his call was, dare I say it, "automatically" a foul on Schensch.

When the ball flew out of court off Townsville with 1:14 left, it again looked as if, dare I say it the "automatic" call was Townsville ball.

Consulting the video revealed no Adelaide player was anywhere near enough to touch the ball, Durant's call rightly reversed.

The best part about the officiating from his interstate colleagues Matt Townsend and David Bull was they just called what they saw. They never appeared to have to think whether a call favoured one side or the other or how it might look.

It is a valuable lesson to learn.

Fast forward to Perth and the Wildcats-Kings clash where the flop was back in vogue, though no-one appears willing to call anyone for a flop now as the season wears towards the pointy end.

Can't wait to hear what refs boss Mal Cooper concludes from his recent video call survey.

 

Online

http://bit.ly/169sNZP

http://bit.ly/1tTghZK

http://bit.ly/1votIls

 

PS

WHAT he said.

What he really meant.

Wollongong Hawks swingman Brad Hill after leading his team's scoring with 14 points against the Taipans in Cairns.

SAID: "I enjoy coming up here."

MEANT: "There's nothing better than returning to a place you once played and sending a bit of a message."