Anons shouldn't do game threads.
Jack Toft is better but he is probably on vacation as the game is 4 days away.

Sydney the best lol.

Best v best?

Are you talking about Perf v Melbourne game?

Sydney with 1 import will struggle against Perf.

#720101 pretty much nailed it.

Very much looking forward to this game. It's about time we were tested against a good opponent, and we should be back close to full strength so no excuses.

I agree that this will be a major test for us.
Perhaps "best vs best" would be United vs United, but this is certainly up there.
It's always been my opinion that the addition of Bogut to this league changed the way other teams looked at their front courts, and that effect was cumulative. Although it proved to be more of a swapping frenzy than actually adding much to the league. Be interesting to see whether we start Brandt or Jervis.

Need Martin back for this game.

Perth easy.

Referees cant let the team they adore and worship lose.

Dickhead ^.

Actually, I love it, because it shows the whole absurdity of the argument.
Refs favour Perth just because they love us. That's the best you can come up with?

Perth win= the Refs love Perf
Sydney win= see Perf are pretenders.

Hoping for a good game.

Anon #720101 where is my team supplied polo? I had to buy mine! Lucky I'm a cashed up bogan living off the mining boom that ended 10 years ago.

Let's go Wildcats, let's go!
(Cheap Trick playing in the background)

Just for the record, 80's Hair Metal is reserved for Heritage Round.

PS: The polos used to be Poly~Cotton, but they would shrink in the wash (or inside Challenge Stadium in Summer) giving rise to moobs,
hence the move to 100% Poly.
Now the only Cotton in Perth Arena, is Bryce.

PSS: The Boom is only dead if you let it go.
Or if you live in Baldivis.

You gotta start Jervis, he is playing only 5 minutes a game so let him cop the bad calls by overzealous refs that we get in the first minutes of the game... it's not worth putting all your good players on to start a game.

Really looking forward to this game and seeing how the Americans perform for Sydney, David Wear absolutely sucks so if he doesn't get axed before the game then I'm thinking that he had to "return to America for family reasons" due to how inept he is in this league. I'd put Deng Deng on more than Wear (maybe only for that epic dunk and his athleticism). Lisch had a shocker vs Melbourne so needs to make us forget about how he lost the game for Sydney, but will he step up ?

I'm a bit worried about this game, I think Kings can knock us off at home even if we are at full strength.

Gaze is our x-factor in this one.

"In what way?"

Deeming his probable incompetence to be the King's downfall if they lose.

I don't know about whether he is their "x-factor".

I'd prefer to use the term "achilles heal".

Kings achilles heal, Cats x-factor. Makes sense, he would break the game wide open for the Cats! :P

It's a good point about Gaze.
If (and its a big if) the Wildcats can get out to an early lead, and/or get Bogut in trouble, Gaze will fuck up.

I almost agreed with Jervis, problem is I don't want to be sending Bogut to the stripe too much too early. Plus we'd then sit Jervis.
If it were me (which it isn't) I'd start Wagstaff and Hire alongside Kay, and really go the niggle. Cop the early fouls, then tag-team Bogut for the rest of the game with Brandt & Jervis.

I really hope Martin is up for this, cos I want to see Norton relieving at the 2 when Cotton sits. Really put the niggle on Sydney's backcourt

Bogut vs Brandt/Jervis
Randle vs Martin
Lisch vs Cotton
Newley vs Terrico

Some very nice match-ups there, the edge might just go to the Cats with Kay vs Wear/Kickert. A couple of former DPoY's in Lisch and Martin both taking on the younger offensive beasts in Cotton and Randle. Bogut who will prob be the current DPoY will most likely dominate Brandt and Jervis. Very interesting game and I'm looking forward to it after a week off.

The biggest X-Factor here is Bryce Cotton's thumb injury.

"The biggest X-Factor here is Bryce Cotton's thumb injury."

Yep, game over if he isn't suiting up. :/

If Martin and Cotton are close to 100%, Perth wins.
But how much does a sore (or numb) thumb effect his shooting?

Randle's good, but he can't carry his team against a fully functioning Perth backcourt.

Up front, the question is whether Bogut is good enough to dominate the combination of Brandt/ Kay/ Jervis/ & Wagstaff? He's undoubtedly the best big man in the league, but can he carry the can for 40~45 minutes against the best 4-man frontcourt combo?
He'll get no help from Wear, and old-mate Kickert's laziness & softness will be found out against the Wildcats.

Hard to see where the Kings won't have a hard night against the Wildcats on Thursday...

Even if Damo is 50%, Randle is going to have a really hard time getting all his shots up, so he might have to register a few assists this game, even if by accident...

So someone else is going to have to step up and as AD said, the Kings can't rely on either Kickert or Wear so Bogut will have the pressure on all night with some quality bigs that can hit shots from range... I have a feeling that Bogues fouls out this game and gets stupid frustrated...

There's a good chance Newls continues his solid form and they'll definitely need both him and Lisch to be hitting their shots...

But... Defence, defence, defence... Otherwise it could get ugly at home for the Kings...

Looks like Damo will be playing, Cotton on the plane to Sydney, and Jervis will still be starting over Brandt is the current news coming out. Cotton still not confirmed to play, but good signs if they are flying him over.

Yes he does, and that's my point. He can't do it on his own, and who's going to help him?
Kickert is old, lazy, soft, and selfish, and Wear is hopeless>

But yeah, based on close games to date, at least one OT would seem a good bet.

Sydney with a real opportunity to knock off Perth this game. Despite being unable to knock off their Mel-born opponents, they seem to be getting stronger and stronger.

Perth can't seem to do anything wrong at the moment. They could knock someone off and the cops wouldn't be able to pin it on them. They could even put their onions on top of their sausages and get away with it.

I'm thinking the matchups don't seem to matter much these days, but what does matter is what Santa has in his sack. Will Christmas come early for Sydney? Are there any Christians left in Sydney?

Surely a rested, full strength Sydney could give Perth a lump of coal?

This is a game Sydney need to win if they are genuine about competing with either Perth or Melb in the playoffs.

"Looks like Damo will be playing, Cotton on the plane to Sydney, and Jervis will still be starting over Brandt is the current news coming out. Cotton still not confirmed to play, but good signs if they are flying him over."

I hope so. Need both Martin and Cotton at close to 100%. If they are, then I'd back our backcourt. If not, Randle and Lisch could get off the leash.

Damo confirmed to play, but will have limited minutes.

Kings by 8 or Perth by 14, flip a coin.

This all centres around Bryce Cotton's fitness.

No Bryce Cotton then Sydney is a good bet (to me anyway)

Martin confirmed to play but with reduced minutes.
I like the idea of him playing in bursts anyway.
Norton 25-28 mins
Martin 12-15 mins.

Perth might lose just cos they can can. If they pinch this one without cotton then .....

"This all centres around Bryce Cotton's fitness.
No Bryce Cotton then Sydney is a good bet (to me anyway)"

Yep, they're giving him til gameday, which means he's not there yet. Doesn't sound good.
Or they're foxing.

If he's out, it gets very tough for Perth, especially with Martin on reduced minutes.
I'm assuming no Cotton would mean they go with 10 players?

I would personally rest Cotton, no need to rush him back. As long as they stay competitive without him in or out.

Considering some people didn't even pick them to even make the finals they are going good atm.

Still say, they are going with 2 imports, Sydney are tough and want to prove themselves against us. But I look at it IF we make the finals can we beat a Sydney/Melbourne in a series? Not a one off game. Perth get a crack at Sydney next Friday at home and really looking forward to seeing bogut live.

As this point Perth are thinking about another ring. They've been lucky the last two times. In 2016 Melbourne crashed out giving them homecourt advantage in the GF. IN 2017, Joey's tanking gave them cairns in the SF, then Adelaide crashed out giving them HCA advantage again.
Short story: They want to finish 1st and retain HCA.

They maybe 10-1, but they've had an easy run so far, and they will want to consolidate their lead before things get tougher.
Plus they have to know that this season it won't be them pulling a Cotton out of their are and storming home

You want to win all the games you can, even when 10-1, but I agree that out of all teams, the Wildcats constantly have the end goal in mind, so they won't be risking players re-injuring themselves just for the sake of a single win... They'll try hard and will expect to get out of Sydney with a win, but they won't take unnecessary risks for the greater good...

Perth's sensational start to this season has to be recognised. But, the very obvious question has to be, "peaked too soon?".

The comments through this forum have belted some of the poorer performing teams. Lately, the tone has changed towards acknowledging the improvements some of these teams have made/are making.

Adelaide minus DeLeon and adding Conger, Brisbane Gee for Patterson and looking for new import PG, NZ just have to gel. When their roster starts to produce as a team what they bring as individuals, look out.

The rest of this season should be very interesting as these teams do improve. BTW, I am not hoping Perth suffer (too much!), just looking forward to the challenges ahead. And really, the FIBA break is just like an interval. Coke and pop (neither is an euphanism) and back for the second round.

I for one am grateful that Adelaide tanked in 2017 and choked in semi finals.


Can't wait for this game as a fan you want your team to win but I feel the pressure is on Sydney especially given the congestion on the ladder.

Lisch to miss 2 right-handed lay-ups. Wear to miss 5 x 3PG.

Perth's sensational start to this season has to be recognised. But, the very obvious question has to be, "peaked too soon?".

Cotton is not playing tonight (Wildcats just confirmed on twitter)

Sydney definitely shouldn't drop this considering Cotton's absence.

If Perth lose meh so what.
7 other teams would happily take a 10-2 record.

Cotton's absence is a major issue for the Wildcats. Who knows when he'll be back, and when he'll be able to shoot and pass properly. The fact that they can't even suit him up is alarming.

I'm not interested in making excuses. Saying "we bombed out in year X because of injuries" is pointless. I want to win, but this game just got a whole lot tougher.

The saving grace is that Gaze is truly hopeless. Give him a chance to win this for us and he will. We just have to give him the opportunity.
Th great thing about basketball, is that your saviour can come from anywhere, we just need others to fire in Cotton's place.

I just wish that will all these injuries, we had somebody half-decent sitting on the end of the pine. Makes we wonder why we don't use that DP slot more effectively? I'm loving what Vague has been doing this season, but it would be better if he were doing it as a DP, and we had somebody else in the 11. OR At least if we had somebody better than Cummings.

So I guess the linup for tonight is:
Norton / Martin
White / Stiendl
Hire / Vague
Kay / Wagstaff
TJ / Brandt

If we can just stop Hire & Vague from taking 3-point shots, we could be ok.

Cotton ruled out.

"The fact that they can't even suit him up is alarming."


The fact he flew over, the fact he's putting up shots, the fact he didn't need surgery, the fact the Cats haven't started looking for a replacement import are facts enough to know this is not alarming...

How are we allowed to play Dech?

Have they changed the rules?
Don't get me wrong, I've always thought the rule was a little uptight, but this is actually what it was supposed to stop, teams effectively keeping a spare on standby.

Which is more debilitating to a team?

Cotton's Thumb Injury Vs Andrew Gaze's Coaching.

We will soon find out.

This is not a vote of confidence on Andrew but I think Cotton's thumb is worse.

Was injury replacement for damo now for cotton. No free hit, play to win. Just keep shooting, play d and you are always a chance.

First 5 min will be crucial for Perth, King's get going will be tough but hey the ref's love Perth?

76 posts and the game hasn't started yet you can't tell me that perth no one cares about the wildcats!

Realistically Sydney should win with our best player and league MVP out. Sydney at home and fresh as daisies.

Simply a BONUS if Trev masterminds a win for the good guys

Yes,
There is the rule that says we can't have Dech back, except to replace a season-ending injury.
But yes, that can be waived by the GM.

The other problem is signing ANY injury replacement for Cotton. He must be placed on a 21 day waiver.
So either he was Never going to play (already being on a waiver)
or they have waived him now for 3 weeks.

Or Dech is a DP?
Anyone know how old he is?
Only source I could find said he was born in 94, which would make him eligible.

Or yes, the rules have changed. Obviously they're not just trying to sneak him in and hope nobody notices.
I'd just like to know what the rules are.

Oh great. Shane heal again. Says no one

Give it a rest AD, nobody cares.

Norton racking up fouls is far from ideal

Sydney should be killing Perth.. look at the talent level! Having said this, let's wait and see if it happens. Gaze is definitely the Wildcats biggest strength in this game

Perth getting some home cooking here...

I disagree.. who hold them accountable for their defence? That is the coach's job

And David Wear is an absolute fish.

Nothing wrong sith Sydney's D that half.
33 points ... yikes

I believe the 33 points in a half is more down to Perth lacking any real scorers outside of White rather than Sydney playing good defense. As a coach what you emphasise is more important than what you teach, obviously defense gets minimal emphasis

When do the refs panick and start to give everything to Perth?

It will happen.

Cotton is someone who is good enough to score even if the D is good.
Plenty of these Cats are capable players. They put up 91 last game without Cotton and with Brandt restricted.
Credit where it's due from me. Kings are defending very well IMO.

Travels all getting called one way, can't touch them without getting a foul and all the out of bounds going one way. Way to go refs hand the game to the Kings in one half of basketball.

What's happened to the NBA has real issues haha.

The travels were legitimately travels. Are you suggesting that they don't call them?

The Steindl one wasn't.

Yes.
If one team travels a lot then it is unfair to call any travels because the calls would be one-sided and good reffing needs even calls. You know it makes sense.

Steindl seemed like a travel to me

Lol Luuuc.. Kobe I thought Steindl's was as he dragged his pivot

Looks like Wear read my posts at the half

Then they call a ridiculous foul on lish...

If Sydney aren't careful the wildcats will get back into this

Perth are the best team in the comp and comfortably I might add.

You just watch them play and how they play defense and run their sets is above and beyond everyone else. A well drilled machine comes to mind as an appropriate phrase.

Teams like Sydney and Melbourne can maybe stay with them for a bit of the game/or pinch a game here or there - but teams like Sydney tend to look less secure and heavily reliant on individual brillance on a specific night;

Macdub.. I agree with all you said. Wildcats get an A+ for chemistry and teamwork

Still waiting for the day a ref finally calls Norton for carrying. It's unbelievable. I've seen worse in Under 8's.

Especially tough watch if you watched the Lakers-Spurs game on ESPN today. Not quite the same as watching Lebron in the 4th hitting 36-footers!

Those of you calling for a Sydney choke might be on the money

2nd flop, second reward.

2nd flop, second reward.

Kings looking crumblish.

2 possession game with 88 seconds left.. kings should take away the 3 ball and if they score again it should be over.

So randle doesn't need to play the ball? Two hand shove in the chest...

Wow Kings really trying to lose.

Lucky perth hasn't received any of the soft calls sydney has had all game. I would be worried if i was sydney.

Haha.. ok I'll say it, kings played good defense that last possession

Bogut vs. Gleeson!

Haha.. Bogut in Wildcat huddle.

Excellent trolling by Bogut. Trev responds the best way he knows how - by being a flog.

Gleeson should've been Teed up for pushing Bogut

Coach shoves player no call... surely terrico fouled on the 3??

Well done Kings...think Cotton is worth 5 points.

No Cotton No Wildcats simple

Ridicolous by Gleeson. Smart by Bogut.

You can't expect to not call a timeout and yet have all the benefits of a timeout. Bogut is entitled to be there if its a meeting on the floor and not a TO.

I don't actually even know why the refs allow those types of meetings during stoppages; they should be killed off - teams should have to use a TO if that want to chat or if they don't have any then tough luck.

I love you bogut, don't ever change.

Bogut gonna have a good laugh tonight.

Could have been a match winning play if Gleeson got the T. It would have been the correct call, but I think the refs saw Bogut's ploy for the shit stir that it was.

"I'm pretty sure he’s entitled to tell a player to ____ off from his huddle."

Says who? It wasn't a TO. The meeting was actually on the Court.

What is preventing Bogut from being there?

Sure it may not be in the spirit of the game; but if your the Wildcats you have to live with that if you're trying to get the benefits of a TO without calling a TO. You can't have your cake and eat it too.

Watch the replay again. Gleeson just put his hand on Bogut's chest, nothing major and I'm pretty sure he’s entitled to tell a player to fuck off from his huddle.

I don't actually even know why the refs allow those types of meetings during stoppages; they should be killed off - teams should have to use a TO if that want to chat or if they don't have any then tough luck.

Lol Benno. Apparently the Kings are the team to beat, but at home against a team without its MVP and best defensive player on limited minutes still only got the job done by 5.

Yet they only lost by 2

I think Gleeson has the right to put a hand on Boguts chest,

It was just Bogut trolling, I mean what reaction did he expect

The same thing that prevents opponents walking into on-court huddles during breaks in play.

The Wildcat huddle was not a "legal huddle" in a duly designated break in the game (time out or such) but an informal gathering in an attempt to give last minute instructions without using a time out.

As such the “huddle” doesn't have the status to be protected from an intruder, and Bogut had no obligation to be in his team’s “huddle”. He had just as much right to be there as if he were wearing a red uniform.

Cheeky. Stirring. Attempting to goad a T from the wildcats. Almost worked.

"Well done Kings...think Cotton is worth 5 points."

On the injury announcement the line moved by 4 points so the bookies agreee.

I think it was well handled by the refs to be honest, Bogut trying to annoy and Gleeson reacted. If they had T'd up Gleeson every player will try to do the same thing at every huddle trying to draw a reaction. Refs dont want it and league would get annoyed at all the scuffles that would result.

"The same thing that prevents opponents walking into on-court huddles during breaks in play. Its a dick move and designed to aggravate....with Bogut then following up with yanking Gleeson's arm away."

So you're basically conceding that there is no rule preventing Bogut from being there - because you intimating that the only thing preventing Bogut from doing that is that its not in the spirit of the game (which I agree with) - but then again is trying to have a TO when you don't call a TO in the spirit of the game either?

Wildcats demonstrated their ability to hang around and keep things interesting, and so did Bogut.

Anyone else surprised the whistle happy refs didn't T anyone up for the huddle incident? Oh wait Gleeson was the shover. Carry on.

An opposition player standing in on your huddle in a spot on the court he's legally allowed to occupy

"The same thing that prevents opponents walking into on-court huddles during breaks in play."

He only walked to the edge of the huddle, not into it or into anyone. Sort of “hi guys. What are we talking about?”

Gleeson should have been more composed, and should know not to touch an opposition player (especially when he has illegally entered the court).

Bogut 1 Gleeson 0.

Gleeson contacted Bogut first, maybe even with two touches to the chest, before Bogut took Gleeson's arm away.

God... wanker Wildcats. Such pricks man

Damo is the only Wildcat I can cop

Agreed 100% with MacDub and Kobe on the Bogut/ Gleeson scenario. There is no rule against Bogut standing there, it wasn't a timeout.

Now.. if Bogut took a dive when Gleeson shoves him would he have been called for a flop? Lol

A loss that was always going to happen.
Cairns are next and that will be a cruisy win for Perth.

So koberulz, your only response is going to be, because Bogut had a legal right to be there, anything that happened to him from then on is everyone else's fault?

all I'm saying is what reaction do people expect from Gleeson/Perth.

"all I'm saying is what reaction do people expect from Gleeson/Perth. "

Either one of the following reasonable reactions would have sufficed perfectly mate:

(A) Actually call a timeout so he can't be there;

(B) Don't have player meetings on the Court outside of a TO; or

(C) Have player meetings on the Court but suck it up if a player wants to stand on the Court too and listen in if he wishes - and accept that as the quid pro quo of the potential benefit of such meetings.


It's not very hard.

I think Bogut may well have started a trend here.. I'm sure we will see more of it from here onwards. The refs probably didn’t know what to do or were otherwise engaged. I’m sure the league will direct them to T up anyone who does what Gleeson did in the future. A coach cannot touch an opposition player on the floor intentionally period.

Huddlegate:

My instinctive thought was that Bogut was trying to score a T to ice the game, hence why he reacted to Gleeson's touch. )Could Gleeson really affect Bogut physically with a touch or shove?)

Some here think he was just trying to stop tactical discussions.

Sydney were looking shaky. Some poor turnovers in bringing the ball up when Randle was pressed. Score the T. Seal the win. Almost worked.

Happy to get the W in an ugly game. As usual we did all we could to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Boguts huddle trolling is almost as old as basketball itself. I thought it was hilarious.

I wonder if Gaze noticed that White likes to pull up from the elbow, too. Didn't seem to be any attempt to take it away from him.

I was coaching years ago and had an opposition player do the same to me, I spoke the names of the plays only in a language that my team would understand and the opponent wouldn't. Then I wished the opposition good luck with understanding that.
As a coach you cannot touch a player on the floor

FFS do we really care about Gleeson or Bogut?

That was a rather ordinary game. Wildcats spudded it in the 2nd, and Kings tried to keep em in it. Just rather ordinary allround. Sure only 5 points but I don't think either team can take a lot of pride from that.
Although, that said, in an 8 point game, Sydney came away with the win.

Really not impressed with White again tonight. Throws up too many bricks, and definitely not a clutch shooter.
Wagstaff just looking old.

Stiendl continues to impress, and Hire was useful.

Huddlegate:

Gleeson might still be cited. A fine reduced (halved?) for early guilty plea. Bogut should offer evidence that he wasn't hurt by Gleeson.

What if Gleeson was coaching women or juniors? Coaches cannot step on the court and touch opposition players, aside from pre or post game handshakes.

Tribunal for Gleeson? Really? What would that achieve except for a suspension that would make Perth stronger

The Gleeson/ Bogut thing did bring some excitement to a game that was as boring as bat excrement. Interesting Bogut said in the interview at the end that their defense was lacking at times.

Of course Bogut was trolling or stirring. He's been around long enough to know that the Kings were getting wobbly. It almost worked.

Gleeson needs some sanction so the NBL can show that they aren’t condoning it.

Junior coaches should tell their players not to "do a bogut" in coming weeks. Sportsmanship not gamesmanship for juniors.

No, no, by all means, lets just keep rehashing the same two sentences over and over again. After all, that's far more interesting than talking about the game.
I'm surprised nobody has thought to mention Gleeson's moobs? Surely they factor in?
Does Bogut have moobs? Did Gleeson touch them?

"yes? Gleeson shouldn't have been on the court, and shouldn't have touched him. It's not rocket science.".

That isn't relevant to the question I asked.

Exactly, he got a reaction, then decided he didn't like the reaction. That is the dick move. Don't go looking for a reaction then complain when you get one.

It is the only valid point.

Gleeson walked onto the court and put his hands on an opposition player in a confrontational manner. That's all that's relevant here.

Piss poor from a nba championship player. Can do it, if the role was reversed how would have he reacted?

What KR says is correct, the point he makes is the only relevant point. Why Bogut was there is totally irrelevant. That is why they have rules.

When you get a speeding fine, the cops don't ask why you were speeding do they? You were speeding so you were in the wrong.

Good point made re: Gleeson standing illegally on the court when no timeout was called. These refs are horrendous. Also stupid reaction by Gleeson which probably should've given the Kings free throws and possession. Dumb behaviour by coach but bailed out by dumber refs. So Gleeson avoided two techs - floor violation plus later making contact with Bogut. They may be our team but at least kr and I et al. can be impartial.

You missed out Gleeson being on the floor when no timeout was called.

You cop the fine irrespective of what you may answer.. so no not a terrible analogy. Bogut was entitled to be there, why he was there is not an issue.

And I have never heard a speed camera ask why

Anyway enough said I'm done here

Funnily enough I got pulled over once and the cop asked me "why speeding?" I reply with "late for work" (the truth) and he let me go. Win.

Re: Bogut/Gleeson.

I'm kinda glad the refs didn’t blow it out of proportion. It was hardly going to escalate beyond a couple of drongos playing silly buggers. This isn’t Manila. Although, maybe if a Perth assistant coach had been involved...

I guess it was a rather non-descript game so these silly things become important. Sydney still don’t convince me. Their lack of outside shooting against Perth’s zone is something I’d worry about if I were Gaze and I had a brain that hadn’t exploded.

A quick thought, is Wild Kyle Beach Bum Adnam the consistent version of Shane Heal’s fave player Jason STUDEE Cadee?

What i miss?

212 posts and counting! Is it just me or is it just Perth games get everyone hyped?

Shayno - stoppage with last 0:29 left of the game is when all the action starts.

2 Techs to Gleeson. One for being on court. Two for squeezing manboobs.

"212 posts and counting! Is it just me or is it just Perth games get everyone hyped?"

It's because we are the centre of the universe. #RedArmy

"Gleeson walked onto the court and put his hands on an opposition player in a confrontational manner."

Now you're being ridiculous

Gleeson pushing him (let's be honest there was no force in it, was more of a back off) and telling him to go away (even though Bogut is legally able to be there), nothing wrong.

Don't antagonise an opponent then complain when you get the expected reaction.

Nearly snatch defeat from the Jaws of Victory. Very ugly. Unconvincing against a team without Cotton.

218 to be exact

In the majority of games when there is a review both coaches step on the edge of the court and have a free timeout, happens in the nba too. For all the rule sticklers how can you penalise it this time when you have allowed it all the time. There is clearly an acceptance that teams can huddle with the coach at this time. Bogut was trolling, ffs get over it, as he said they were reminiscing about the olympics. Get over it. My ref rants are a better read then this back and forth... and that's a scary thought.

For all the rule sticklers how can you penalise it this time when you have allowed it all the time.

What timestamp do I need to look up for all the good stuff?

Honestly, only highlights were Randle's last shot of the 1st half and the last minute of the 4th Q.

TBH I don't care about Gleeson on the court, or the little grabby stuff with Bogut. Glad nothing was called. Bogut was trolling, and Gleeson should've let one of his players go for Bogut, but eh, would've been a shame to have a whistle blown. It was never going to escalate beyond that.

Just shows that Bogut is bigger than his coach in terms of status because while Gaze was writing a play up for the King's Bogut was no where in sight.

Pretty sure Bogut is familiar with the "guys next possession lets run 3 ineffective dribble hand offs followed by an iso drive by Lisch or contested Newley 3" play.

Not a convincing win for Sydney but a win nonetheless.
Hope Cotton is back for rematch next Friday.

Just shows that Bogut is bigger than his coach in terms of status because while Gaze was writing a play up for the King's Bogut was no where in sight.

Seems they get on pretty good (bogut gleeson) bitta byplay ...neither worried about it...pretty good to watch at the time...

At least it woke everyone up after what was, let's be honest, not the most entertaining or inspiring game of basketball.

Musta missed something!

How come no-one seems to have missed Cadee in this one?

Guess that made up for Cotton's absence!

That was so gold he got Gleeson to bite, should have been a tech.

It's worth mentioning again that the Wildcats have been pretty lucky with the scheduling during their injuries. A double-header versus Melbourne in the last couple of weeks instead of NZ and the conversation re: a 3rd import would be heating up most likely.

A third import is not necessary for Perth. They're 10-2 despite having 4 regulars missing games with injuries.
If Perth do grab third import imagine the saltiness from non Perth fans saying they're buying a championship lol.

The 10 wins for Perth:

Adelaide: 1
Illawarra: 2
Brisbane: 2
Melbourne: 1
NZ: 3
Cairns: 1

Melbourne game could have (should have) been a loss, and NZ are a mess but still should have taken 1 of those games. Otherwise it's feasting on Brisbane and Illawarra with a side serving of Cairns, which is not overly impressive. 10-2 is great and all, but I just don't think it's as dominant as it looks given the opponents, or that it means Perth shouldn't look at a 3rd import. I mean, I *hope* they don't, don't get me wrong...

So they've only beaten six of the seven opposition teams in the NBL despite being without key starters?

It's worth mentioning again that the Wildcats have been pretty lucky with the scheduling during their injuries. A double-header versus Melbourne in the last couple of weeks instead of NZ and the conversation re: a 3rd import would be heating up most likely.

I'm not worried, almost stole another game if it wasn't for some poor shooting and bad decisions at the end. I'd be more worried if I was a Kings supporter and was impressed by that win.

The Melbourne and Adelaide wins were (I believe - memory might be failing me) while healthy?

Not taking away from what they've done, especially the NZ games with the injuries they have, just saying that they have had a lucky schedule re: timing with the injuries.

And agree that Kings fans should definitely not be impressed with that game... Certainly the Kings fans in our section of the arena weren't. It belies belief that a team with the talent we have can make it so hard on themselves to generate offense.

The biggest thing that stood out to me was they kept guarding Terrico with Randle or Adnam?! The size difference was huge, if Terrico was hitting his shots and Wildcats abused this matchup more often it could've been a Cats blowout.

Lisch and Newley saved the Kings by scoring precisely when they needed it.

Whilst I dont think Cats need a third import I do think that they can/should be getting someone better than White. He is too passive on the court and extremely hot and cold with his shooting... I cant stand the mid range jump shot in basketball and he seems to take too many of those instead of putting pressure on the D and driving to the hoop.

Gleeson v Bogut - who cares, give Gleeson a fine which he deserves and admit that Bogut is a douche... that isnt exactly breaking news, he has acted like a turd the whole time he has been in the league.

The minutes were an even spread for Perth last night too, maybe keeping some in the reserve tank for Cairns on Sunday? with exceptions to White and Kay I think nobody else played much more than half a game?

Also remember Norton got injured in the Boomers game so only played limited minutes too.

Also remember Norton got injured in the Boomers game so only played limited minutes too.

"getting someone better than White. He is too passive on the court and extremely hot and cold with his shooting... I cant stand the mid range jump shot in basketball and he seems to take too many of those instead of putting pressure on the D and driving to the hoop"

Recently watched some footage from when he was with Detroit and he was throwing down Vince Carter like reverse 360 between the legs dunks, but that was circa 2011 and then he broke his foot, so obviously the injury and being an ageing vet he has had to adjust his game hence the barrage of mid rage jumpers. I think he he is well suited to the Cats and his personality fits well too. We'd be singing his praises if he had hit a higher percentage of his shots. I'd rather have him taking shots than Steindl constantly thinking he needs to shoot unbalanced turn around fadeaways from the 3pt line...

Senator - I think you might be right if Cotton is playing (can be more passive and let Cotton be the aggressor). But with Cotton out he needs to step up and play aggressive basketball. Analytics show that the mid range jump shot is the worst shot to take, rather him shoot the 3 ball than a mid range 2. And if his broken foot / age is the reason behind it, then lets sign someone who hasnt broken his foot and isnt his age haha.

My wanting a better import goes well beyond his last game in Sydney, I have been thinking it most of the season. I think he is an upgrade on Tokoto but think given we are settling with 2 imports, we could have found someone better? Maybe im being too greedy I dont know.

Rightly or wrongly Perth went for somebody with supposedly more of an outside game. Personally, watching games unfold, I think they went the wrong way (although in a perfect world you'd have both.)
And unfortunately White just isn't that good. He looks good when he attacks the basket, but doesn't do it anywhere near enough for a SF. And otherwise his shooting is shit. People look at his points tally and applaud, without considering how expensive he is. Plus, he doesn't step up when needed, and he's unreliable when the game is on the line.

It's all very well to joke about his passive demeanour, but sometimes you need somebody to get fired up and apply some pressure.

Given how ell they have started, and what they have invested in this season, I can't see the Wildcats being content.

I don't see a 3rd import happening unless somebody cops a serious import. In retrospect I would love to have seen Vague playing as the DP, and a 3rd import into the mix, but that horse has bolted. Even if they retired somebody, they'd only be able to get a cheap import, and that's not going to fix the White issue.

Exactly right AD, that is why id much rather see them replace White with a better fit (shooting is still a must for the Cats).

"People look at his points tally and applaud, without considering how expensive he is."

Most people probably don't know how expensive he is so they can't consider it. Me included.
How expensive is he?

I see the negative points about White, I've thought them myself at times too. Sometimes I think, "tokoto would have contested that shot" etc. As long as Cotton is around I'm happy, his peripheral stats aren't great, but we wanted a scorer and that's what we needed as the other players do the other stuff, so don't see the point stressing about that. Tokoto did all that stuff, but couldn't score when we needed it. White has done that for us a number of times now, and yes the mid range is not high % but if he's not hitting the 3 ball then I'm happy with him creating siace to get that shit.

*shot

You were right the first time.

I guess really my gripe with White is that he is unreliable.
On average, he's good. Scores well and at a decent clip.
But when he's off, he's shit. And worse he keeps shooting the same shit

I read "expensive" to refer to his stats. This game he was 7 of 24 @ 29% from the field incl 2 of 11 from 3, in 37 mins. Like you, I have no idea how many $$$'s that is.