It is sort of hard to know how to feel about that game. In the first half I thought Melbourne was pretty much coasting, but we played well enough to make them fight for it in the second half.
Ng was fantastic in the first half. Some of his step-backs over the defender were brilliant. His was actually a pretty good Brett Maher impression, right down to the going off with a leg injury in the second half. It will be a disaster if Ng does not continue next year.
Ballinger was down offensively, for the fourth game in a row. 14/9 isn't a terrible night, but we'll struggle to beat anybody if he doesn't put up big numbers.
Hodge had a real purple patch in the third and fourth. He was pretty much unstoppable off the dribble, but is badly hindered by his foul shooting (7/13 or something like that). Unfortunately though, when Hodge goes on these iso-tares it cuts Ballinger out of the game.
Mottram was solid on defence and on the boards, but is a fouling machine and gives nothing whatsoever on the offensive end.
Cooper didn't play much and was pretty ordinary when he did. He doesn't get enought rebounds for his size and minutes.
Davidson was subbed in and out in short bursts and played well. He didn't allow Crosswell or McDonald any penetration. I'd like to see him taking a few more shots though.
Dench had his best game at the Dome all year. He had 13 points (with three triples), though he must have shot 4-12 or 4-13. He had about a dozen rebounds as well and was, I thought, more of a positive than a negative. I wish he'd opt more for the catch and shoot than the catch, procrastinate, up-fake, lean-in and shoot.
Jordy Dodman was the first guy off the bench tonight. He missed a couple of gettable shots after some good post moves, but he didn't look out of place, and added a hustle and toughness that has been seriously deficient. 6 points and about that many boards wasn't a bad return for his first real NBL game (garbage time appearances not included). The pick and roll, and drive and dish combination with Dodman and Hodge has some potential. He does something offensively (instinctively) that made Paul Rees a success: he gets himself in the right position.
Burdon only played the last 2.5 minutes of the third, but hit a side three. I was hoping to see more of him, but we ran with Hodge at the two for a lot of the game, and that was quite successful.
Gerlach didn't get in. I should have known that was going to happen after I read Boti's article this morning. Reminded me of a couple of years back when Todd Gower was mentioned as being the final piece in our playoff puzzle and he DIDN'T EVEN DRESS for the only finals game we had.
Matt Sutton: the writing is on the wall mate if two DEVELOPMENT players are playing and you don't.
For the Tigers:
McDonald: spent the whole time he was on the court bitching to the refs and acting like a tool (ala Jason Smith).
Stephen Hoare: I've said it before, I wish this guy played for us. He's just always so solid and rarely makes a mistake.
Stiff: got a couple of offensive boards and had 8 points including a nice dunk. He still is one of a kind.
Greer: it says a lot for the Tigers young guys that during Adelaide's best run of the game (in the third when we tied it at 79) that Tommy Greer stepped up and banged in a jumpshot.
Anstey: had 21, probably 13 boards, and stepped up with the big basket every time the Tigers needed one.
Thomas: shithouse.
Corletto: I don't know why we insist on leaving this guy open.
Lampley: a massive improvement on Muursepp. Versitale, has some range, and was a monster on the boards.
Barlow: certainly not gun-shy. That 14-14 night seems to have encouraged him to take the jumpshot first, rather than looking to put the ball on the floor. I'd like to see him taking the ball to the whole more.
Crosswell: good first step, he just needs a jumpshot to go with it.
A pretty interesting game, and not our worst loss. I think if we'd played that well against Perth and Wollongong last week we'd be 12-14, instead of 10 and GONE.
