"energetic type of big guy" - Ibekwe?

Beal to 6ers confirmed

They should just find out who Sydney have rejected and go after them.

RMQ, you're joking, right?

Yes, he is

Turner is 6'9" and is beasting in Japan

If Wright was unsure whether Hooley could backup a big-minutes guard, is it likely he's going to get loads of offers superior to playing in what I presume to be his home town?

This is all based on an 11 man roster though ?

+1 for Gladness

""energetic type of big guy" - Ibekwe?"
Nate Jawai?

I don't think they can be chasing somebody like Gladness or Ibekwe.
They need somebody to replace Petri in the starting line-up. Probably more of a Conklin type.

I assume from all the talk about a combo, that Gibson is gone?

So, 3 imports is a goer then?

Energetic and Nathan Jawai aren't 2 things that go together.

;-)

Randle/Hooley
Import/Teys/Sobey
Creek/Walker
Import/Petrie
Johnson/Hodgson


Can't help but think that unless you're getting stud imports, that team isn't going to have the depth at key positions to do any better than this year.

Assuming the 3 import rule, teams are going to have class players coming off the bench (Perth, NZ, United, Hawks etc.). IMO, Teys, Sobey, Walker, Petrie, Hodgson doesn't exactly cut it under the new league (but I could be wrong). Hooley could be pretty good, but haven't seen enough of him to judge fairly.

I wouldn't keep Walker if he is unsigned, I just think he plays with a low basketball IQ. That said, I had it in the back of my mind that he is already signed for this season.

Anon, since then Boti has written an article specifically saying that Walker may not be leaving the club and that he is keen to return.

MACDUB...like any team, import choices are crucial. Take your Breakers for example, with and without Ced Jackson.

Beal wouldn't "leave" Perth. He would simply become future endevoured at the Wildcats.

Beal's value lies in becoming naturalised.

He's had a successful stint. 3 years, 2 championships.

But he's an import and can be replaced by a younger, better model with less "baggage".

That said, in his favour is that he is a known commodity, and therefore a lower risk signing.

I don't mind if Beal stays a Wildcat for another season, but wouldn't be surprised if he ends up at another club looking to take less risk with their import signing.

Tornado,

Sorry I did contradict myself there by saying that if they have good imports (hence a good starting 5) they can win it all but then saying that they don't have the necessary depth to win it anyway.

The correct point I really wanted to be made was the lack of depth IMO with that above squad.

Imports generally cancel each other out.

I think their depth is a little inexperienced but I think the talent is there. To be successful they would need improvement from Sobey and Hodgson along with greater output from Teys which we know he is capable of.

I don't think their depth is all that different to Perth or NZ talent wise, more so the experience and consistency that is lacking.

RMQ,
Without knowing what caps will remain in place, its difficult to speculate on the value of naturalisation.
If we assume caps would still aloow Cats to have their pick of 3 imports plus Beal, then yes, big value to naturalisation.
I still recall back in the late 90's when we had 3 naturalised players, and the league started to somewhat enforce the cap, requiring us to source budget imports. We did well with Lichti, whom IIRC was a friend of Vlahov, but then filled the final slot with SBL imports like Moose and Dewey Michaels.

As you say, Beal is a known quantity. He's not the best import out there, but for teams sick of rolling the dice on the likes of Thornton, he'd be a good value pickup.