Casper used to be a good player.

I know he'd shot like shit, but I didn’t have a problem with Casper taking the final shot.

I thought the play itself was odd though, having Casper inbounds, the get the rock back for a rushed triple. Surely other plays were available that would’ve seen someone get a set shot rather than the prayer that was put up.

I’m not a lick for a coach though. I’d be interested in reading the assessment of the final play from someone who does have coaching chops.

Ware finished 6/21 fgm yikes!

Ware looks like he's on a similar path to Rundle. Killing the league then dropping off a cliff the next.

I was fine with the play. I would have liked to see him go to the basket, but with the way the final 60 seconds were called I doubt there would have been a whistle on anything outside of a blatant foul anyway.

Less happy with the overall offense in the last Q as well as the lack of FTs for Ware on the foul right before the last play, but a 1 point loss to Cairns in Cairns is not the worst result.

Casper got an open look at a 3. Slightly off balance. But what, a 30% chance to win the game?

From 3 seconds left, not a bad play.

Casper turned 31 yesterday and is under 6 foot. Guys like him won't age too well unfortunately, as speed and agility declines whereas height always remains. Someone like a Gaze (Slow, 6'7 guard) is always going to age better than someone like Casper or Randle. Iverson in the NBA declined sharply in his early 30's for example.

Having said that, Casper is physically strong for his height, and has a good range of skills so I expect he'll remain a good NBL player for a long while yet. Just wouldn't be surprised if his all NBL days are behind him. Hope he proves me wrong though, cos he's a United championship winner- the smiling assassin!

I assume favouring levelheaded experience is part of him getting that shot. Then the idea of a cleaner look over a contested shot inside by a shorter player? Take the three if it's there or pass if not?

Once when I was coaching an U16 team, I drew up a play for my guard to take a 3 in the dying seconds off an inbound play. Ran the play perfectly, he nailed it. Meant we lost by 2 instead of 5 but the boys were on a high!

Casper's new nickname is "Automatic". No clutch
Not sure that one would really have the intended effect.

Oops.

Forde is asking the NBL for a clarification on the foul at the end of the game.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/basketball/new-sydney-kings-coach-to-approach-nbl-over-controversial-call-in-taipans-loss-20210116-p56un5.html

I think it's fine for Casper to take the shot. Who else would you draw the play for?

> Ware was hit three times before they blew the whistle, the third time it was in the act of shooting, they reviewed it was just a joke.

I missed the last quarter so I can't comment on the play or the lead up.

The NBL's Sean Gottliebsen did say it was a tough one to call but suggested the call was for a foul not in the act of shooting.

Perhaps the call was for one of the earlier grabs but by the time the call was made, the at of shooting had begun?

If it has been ratified by the league can you accept that decision?

It's an outdated tradition to call timeouts to stop runs.
Early in season it's a ploy of coaches now to get the players to manage themselves out of it. That’s what is obvious.

Did the coach think that the ball was being taken from the other side of the court? Seemed a tough ask for Ware going that way over the handoff. Maybe a 'Newley to the basket' play might have been better, but Oliver would have been waiting.

Ware has stunk for at least two seasons now.

seems all people wanna do now days is look to shoot a 3, even when not necessary!

Good coaches call timeouts to convey changes when something isn't working. Not simply to tell players what they already know.

As for Ware, two years ago he was the bes player in the league IMHO. He is their goto guy, and the Coach will back him, until such time as they decide to pay ways.

As for the play, it's a function of time and opportunity. Was the opening there for him to drive to he basket?? And did he have the time?

Go for the draw is always the best option. Then in the next 5 see what happens.

Home team overtime.
Away team go for the win.

Win on the road? What idiot ever said that. Go the 2 and get O/T. lets the cards fall after that.