Peter Crawford:  coming off an injury riddled season the NBL veteran is hoping he still has legs

Daequon Montreal: SEABL star made famous by a huge 46 point effort in the SEABL Grand Final

Jamar Wilson: Underutilised at Cairns and looking to prove he still has game

Tom Daly: Fat Golfer who lost weight.. Oh.. Tom.. Fringe NBL local product

Sam Johns: exciting young prospect suits up in the NBL for the first time

Who did the 36ers lose this season?

Gary Ervin: Mighty Mouse returned ‘home’ to the Wollongong Hawks

Jason Cadee: Ran to the Kings as quick as he runs the floor

Daniel Johnson: Seeking a huge pay day in Europe

Jarrid Frye: One would question if the 36ers actually ‘lost’ him though. More like abandoned cargo at the airport.

Who will be the keys to success?

Whilst a defensive liability at times the main key for the 36ers success is filling the 16 points per game hole that Daniel Johnson leaves. Assuming Montreal is an effective player at the next level and Anthony Petrie taking on a slightly bigger load this may be a relatively easy feat to achieve.

Though the 36ers don’t look like the best team on paper they will need to learn quickly to share the load and use a bit of everything that everyone brings to the table. By playing as a team and everyone chipping in the 36ers could put up a bit of a fight. If that doesn’t work they will be relying on the three ball all season long.

Who will be the X-Factor that could elevate the 36ers if they step up? 

Each year Joey Wright gets talked about by fans as a potential coach of the year and personally I have never seen it. He won a title with maybe the most stacked team in NBL history and underachieved with the Gold Coast Blaze. It is time for Joey to put his money where his mouth is and show that he can do more than argue with refs from the side line, continually looking disappointed, and blaming Adam Tatalovich for everything;  and actually coach.

Another factor lies on their wings. Is Peter Crawford capable of playing at the level consistent with his history and will Mitch Creek show finally show the potential that is often talked about? If the answer is no to both these then the 36ers, with their weak bench will bust very early in the season.

Where will the 36ers finish on the ladder?

Last year’s grand finalists won’t see a repeat of last season. I can see the 36ers finishing outside the top 4 ending the season in 5th or 6th place on the ladder.

What reason does an average fan have to watch the 36ers this season?

1. The open break: With Jamal Wilson looking to run the floor with the option to kick it off to Creek, Crawford, Montreal, Johns, Gibson, or even Petrie will be enough to keep fans on the edge of their seats

2. Mitch Creek: We all know that Mitch Creek is capable of soaring above the ring and it is time for the dude to make it happen out there on the court. His high flying acrobatics could help put the 36ers back on the map

3. Adam Gibson: When Gibbo’s hand gets hot it is on fire. Watching an ‘en fuego’ Gibbo hit shot after shot to keep his team in the game is one thing that makes basketball great

Next: our Season Preview of Melbourne United.

The post 2014-15 NBL Season Preview – Adelaide 36ers appeared first on andrise.com.

DeAndre Daniels:  The second round NBA Draft Pick has been stashed in Australia by the Toronto Raptors

Earnest Ross: Guamanian fresh out of college and built like a linebacker

Asst Coach Jamie O’Loughlin: joins the team with recent SEABL head coaching and national youth coaching experience

Who did the Wildcats lose this season?

James Ennis: The super-skinny dunker signed with the Miami Heat.

Erik Burdon: Singing for the Animals, or playing in the SEABL. Not too sure

Mathiang Muo: Dude was in the team, then he wasn’t. Thanks, Earnest Ross

Asst Coach Andy Stewart: Highly liked Assistant Coach has moved on

Who will be the keys to success?

Whilst DeAndre Daniels’ addition to the roster adds scoring punch the key to the Wildcats is the depth and experience of this roster playing together. When you consider that there are only two player changes to the roster that annihilated the 36ers in last season’s grand final; the idea is scary.  Their commitment to the team and each other is admirable. Oh, and it is quite a luxury to sub Shawn Redhage out for Jesse Wagstaff, or Matty Knight for NBL Rookie of the Year, Tom Jervis.

Daniels is a player that has little problem with making his shots but is known to have trouble dealing with contact and passing out of double team pressure. A lot rides on how well the Wildcats can keep this guy open. A Matty Knight screen or two will do that.

Who will be the X-Factor that could elevate the Wildcats to absurdly good?

To have a reliable scorer off the bench is a highly sought after commodity in the world of hoops. If Earnest Ross can come off the bench and add the scoring punch that he seems capable of then the season could be a long one for all teams not based in Perth. Same if Tom Jervis continues to impact the game like he did last season. Jesse Wagstaff is another one that has been sitting between the cusp on solid NBL player and NBL Superstar. If the dude can make the jump to the next level then the Wildcats could be scary good.

NCAA Final Four standout, DeAndre Daniels also plays a pivotal role in the team’s success. It is evident that the guy doesn’t like passing the ball, much preferring to shoot it. A quick look at his stats tells you that the dude average 0.6 assists per forty minutes on the court. That was the worst of any of the top 100 NBA draft hopefuls. Should Daniels go into ‘star mode’ and not involve his team in a team heavy system, watch the offence dry up.

Where will the Wildcats finish on the ladder?

Though this season the NBL seems to have made huge strides in obtaining a large amount of talent, with most teams looking a lot stronger on paper, anything less than 1st place on the ladder and another NBL Championship would be considered a disappointment.

What reason does an average fan have to watch the Wildcats this season?

1. Damian Martin: Has there ever been another point guard that is capable of leading their team in steals, blocks and boards? Getting goose bumps from hearing 11,000 fans roar with excitement after a Damian Martin chase down block is an amazing feeling. He is the sort of guy you just point at and say “That is how you play defence”

2. Jermaine ‘Dolla’ Beal: In my opinion Beal was the Wildcats best player last season, at his best in the clutch. Often in the latter stages of a game Beal took over, nailing a late shot  to remove the hope from the other team or making a late play to seal the game. It is moments like these that make watching basketball one of the greatest things

3. Transition Offence: When a team executes their defence as well as the Wildcats do, you can expect quick transition baskets. We saw James Ennis last season anticipating the steal and the fast break dunk, but this season expect to see similar from Daniels, Ross and even Jesse Wagstaff who has been throwing them down in the pre-season with gusto

Next: our Season Preview of Melbourne United.

The post 2014-15 NBL Season Preview – Perth Wildcats appeared first on andrise.com.

Who did the Kings add this season?

Josh Childress:  import small forward with NBA credentials

Kendrick Perry: super-fast import point guard, straight out of college and time with the Orlando Magic Summer League team – a serious talent

Angus Brandt: Aussie big man returning from Oregon State University to his hometown

Josh Duinker: another Sydney big returning home, after time in Europe, using his duel-nationality with a Dutch passport

Jason Cadee: the speedy point guard is yet another Sydney-sider returning home after playing with the Adelaide 36ers and Gold Coast Blaze

Coach Damian Cotter: stepping up from his assistant role is the experienced state and national women’s coach

Who did the Kings lose this season?

AJ Ogilvy: the talented big man is off to Europe

Sam Young: the NBA gun for hire was never long for these shores

Jesse Sanders: the consummate team point guard

Charles Carmouche: import shooting guard

Brad Hill: swingman joins Wollongong Hawks

James Harvey: veteran shooting guard and co-captain has not resurfaced with another NBL roster

Who will be the keys to success?

Much is expected of big-name import Childress. His NBA pedigree and recognisable ‘fro will be the drawcard that pulls the fans in and gives his team that “can-win” feeling, going into battle against the NBL’s heavyweights.

However, the play of Perry may be even more important. The 6’0″ point guard with the 6’6″ wingspan and the 42″ vertical can really get to the bucket and put the pressure on defensively. Whilst being young, he has an air of maturity about him as a leader, one who will likely put in some impressive performances for the Kings this season against some formidable point guard opponents. He reminds me of a young Cedric Jackson.

In the paint, the combo of Brandt, Duinker and incumbents Tom Garlepp and Cody Ellis will rotate to provide coach Cotter with a multi-talented four-headed monster. Their ability to find at least two good performances between the four of them every time the Kings hit the floor, will be integral to success. Garlepp is clearly one of this team’s leaders – by example.

Who will be the X-Factor that could elevate the Kings if they step up?

As odd as it may sound, captain Ben Madgen could indeed be the Kings’ X-Factor this season. Lost in the hoopla of the arrival of the flashy imports, the return of the hometown crew and the departure of Ogilvy, Young and coach Shane Heal, is the fact that Madgen is still the guy who made the 2013 All-NBL First Team and recently was part of the Australian Boomers program.

Madge can fill it up from any area on the court and remains the heart and soul of this club. His grittiness, which extends to a commitment to on the defensive end of the floor, will win games for the Kings this season, whilst the focus of the crowd (and the opponents) is on the alley-oops his teammates are throwing down. Don’t sleep on him.

Meanwhile, Cadee is the other player who will change the face of games this season. His pace and ability to nail big threes will come to the fore off the bench. There will be games where he pushes 20 points this season, pushing the Kings to victory.

Where will the Kings finish on the ladder?

This season’s NBL competition will be incredibly tight. The spread of talent is incredible. That said, we’re not here to sit on fences — it’s time to make a call.

Behind a strong second half push, as the new team gels, the Kings will scrape into the playoff race in 4th place on the ladder.

What reason does an average fan have to watch the Kings this season?

1. High-flying excitement: in a pre-season game last month I counted no less than four alley-oops with Childress and Perry throwing down on the end of them. This team is built to entertain.

2. Josh Childress: the man is a genuine NBA talent; one who the average NBA fan knows.

3. Hard work: the likes of Madgen, Garlepp, Kevin White and Daniel Joyce put in workmanlike performances whenever they hit the floor for the Kings. If you’re a purist who appreciates players going the hard yards, these guys will not disappoint.

Next: our Season Preview of the reigning champion Perth Wildcats.

The post 2014-15 NBL Season Preview – Sydney Kings appeared first on andrise.com.

So I thought I’d try my pen

And attempt to frame

When the Leopards entered the Lion’s den

====================

Intimate Alexandria was the venue

Hanging with many banners

But unfortunately for Luo and Xingyu

As hosts the Kings forgot their manners

====================

29-15 Sydney jumped out of the gate;

A margin too hard to redress.

Particularly with players as great

As debutant Josh Childress.

====================

Watching his poise and hang-time,

It has become obvious early;

(Yes, I know it doesn’t rhyme)

Kendrick Perry’s a star clearly.

====================

Despite his team’s unhappy score

It was great to see legend Brian.

The crowd gave him a roar;

One worthy of the Lion!

====================

Goorj shouts at his men,

“Box out Angus Brandt!”

As he grabs rebound ten

But they just can’t

====================

By half-time the margin was 22;

Many of them points in the paint.

Then the fouling out of Liu,

Was Brian’s next complaint.

====================

Madge’s shooting continued the deluge.

And upon Garlepp you can always rely;

His numbers weren’t huge;

But sometimes stats lie.

====================

The imports made the crowd grin;

Throwing down four alley-oops.

Final score: a 21 point win;

Man, I love the return of NBL hoops!

====================

Box Score: http://www.fibalivestats.com/matches/12275/02/96/30/9948cUx4YMO1o/

Sydney Kings TV game video (featuring commentary by Matt McQuade, Bruce Bolden and Brad Rosen):

The post Sydney Kings vs Dongguan Leopards: A Poem appeared first on andrise.com.

So with the points cap in mind and our ficitious cheque books open. These are the teams that we would build.

 Team Haggard

PG          Seth Curry (10)                  Iliadis, Trian (3)

SG          Daniel Dillon (6)                Drake U’u (4)

SF           Peter Crawford (6)          Bennie Lewis (4)

PF           Ike Diogu (10)                    Majok Majok (3)

C             Larry Davidson (7)            Adam Ballinger (7)

Obviously this line-up sweats on being able to sign an Aussie centre in Davidson, Diogu capable to play centre in the NBL signed as an import as collateral rather than sign  a more athletic import such as Devin Ebanks to cover the middle should Davidson immediately sign with the Hawks. Whether Luke Nevill wants to play in Oz might mean he could be another option. Adam Ballinger filling in inside minutes from off the bench.  Diogu adds explosiveness and strength inside with long arms and a bit of shooting from out of the key.

Ater Majok’s cousin an interesting addition coming off the bench.

Peter Crawford competently covers the wing with a succession plan of nabbing someone like Igor Hadziomerovic the season after next. With a bit of luck, Bennie Lewis has learnt a little more about basketball in his time abroad and can be a productive role player from off the bench.

Daniel Dillon brings some energy to the floor. Dillon was the ability to change the context of the game in a few short minutes and Drake U’u coming off the bench proficient of playing either guard position and Trian Iliadis, a talented and quick guard making his NBL debut after tearing up WA’s SBL

Team Haggard is looking to fill the starting point guard slot and finish the team off with an exciting point guard. In this case enticing a fringe NBA player or dominant NBA-D leaguer with a few extra dollars in Seth Curry.  Curry is a savy prospect that can excite and shoot the lights out.

 Team Mookie

PG          Rhys Martin (8)                  Everard Bartlett (3)

SG          Leandro Barbosa (10)     Peter Crawford (6)

SF           Bennie Lewis (4)                Brad Hill (5)

PF           Gary Wilkinson (10)         Adam Ballinger (7)

C             Auryn MacMillan (4)          Greg Vanderjagt (5)

Whilst putting together a team from scratch to enter the NBL right now is certainly a challenge, this squad could certainly be a winner if marketed as the team of Sydney’s Northern Beaches. With the central promise of excitement and passionate play, the Northern Beaches Blur will market themselves to both the long-term Northern Beaches locals, as well as the transplanted Brazilian community which has made the area their home.

The first key marquee signing would be that of NBA veteran Leandro Barbosa. The “Brazilian Blur” would embody the spirit of this new team and provide the razzle dazzle that the fans expect. Despite a lengthy NBA career, the speedy guard proved during this past NBA season that he still has it, scoring in double figures on five occasions, with a high of 21 points in a support role for the Phoenix Suns. As a free agent, a move downunder to an adoring Brazilian and Aussie fanbase would make for a nice final few years of Leandrinho’s career.

Partnering with Barbosa in the starting lineup in the excitement stakes will be both Gary Wilkinson and Bennie Lewis. The duo, who both show dynamic offensive play, could be lured back to Australia with the salary cap room, and relaxed beach lifestyle that the new club could offer. Rhys Martin is the perfect set-the-table point guard to get these offensive players the ball.

The centre position will be manned by two of the most potential-filled Aussie free agent big men on the market, in Auryn MacMillan and Greg Vanderjagt. Both have shown their glimpses of promise, and as a duo, they’d find a good game between them on a weekly basis. Backing up both frontcourt positions is Adam Ballinger. “Balls” has the experience to provide offence off the bench and to also teach the younger bigs some new tricks. He is the perfect player to spell Wilkinson.

Peter Crawford still has plenty in the tank, and a dynamic bench role as the scoring punch injection could prolong his career. Brad Hill and Everard Bartlett — both underused by their previous teams — have proven in recent years that if given decent minutes, they can be impactful contributors in this league. They are both the type of players that add to the fast-paced razzamatazz that is the Northern Beaches Blur

This task wasn’t as easy as we first thought. There isn’t a lot of talent with proven NBL experience available. We are taking our chances on players who are yet to cut their teeth in the league

So, this is how we would sign our own NBL teams. What spots did we get right? What did we get wrong? How and who would you sign your team? Who isn’t looking forward to the NBL season?

The post NBL Free Agency – Build your team appeared first on andrise.com.

Darryl McDonald in his college days at Texas A&M

Darryl “D-Mac” McDonald started his basketball career as many do, as a streetballer from Harlem, taking scalps in Summer tournaments at courts like Rucker Park. He parlayed that start into a pro career in various leagues, culminating in nigh on 500 games of National Basketball League hoops in Australia, followed by a coaching career.

D-Mac first brought his smooth style to Australia in the 1994 NBL season, immediately taking the North Melbourne Giants to the title that year — the first of three in his career downunder. To give you an idea of the impact he has had in Australia, the final playing contract he signed took him through his 44th birthday.

The D-Mac story coming up is an interesting one and full credit must be given to the Melbourne Tigers here, along with Tommy Greer and of course above all else to D-Mac himself, for embracing social media and releasing the interview below. The comparison made in McDonald’s story is to television series The Wire — and it certainly sounds like a fair parallel.

Have a listen to this compelling interview with D-Mac, conducted by his former teammate and current Melbourne Tiger, Greer.

The post D-Mac: from streetball to pro stardom appeared first on andrise.com.