Double Clutch
Years ago
Funny Ultimate 36ers recruitment thread
There has been a lot of talk about which players to keep, and who to let go on the current 36ers roster recently, with most agreeing that the team needs to be totally re-built. It then surprises me that people then goes on to suggest we keep 6 or 7 of the current roster and then chase guys like Luke S, who is such a long shot to play here its quite hopeless. Not only that, but people are totally ignoring potential $$ that players are asking, and the points cap when putting forward these hypothetical line-ups.
In the mean-time I hear rumours about a guy like Kane Oakley, who is shooting 33% on the season being an off-season recruitment target. Already I am getting very nervous about how potentially poor next season's roster will be. I can see Smyth, if he stays, try to recruit a Scott McGregor over a Liam Rush
So I'd like to put forward my suggestions, as ignored as they will be, and then as trashed as they will be, forward, if I had the power to be in control of the 36ers off-season destiny.
First up: who to keep
- Brett Maher. Quite clear really. The guy is averaging 19, 7 and 5 at 45%, and is still one of the best Australians in the league, although his hustle and defence has fallen off a fair bit in the second half of the season. Not only that but he is worth only a 5 in the points cap, making him incredibly good value. I would sign him to play his more natural 2 position, and try to take the work-load off him on both ends of the court. Needed to keep fans coming in the door.
- Brad Hill. Will be hard to sign if Smyth is still here I suspect, but the club should do everything in it's power to keep him. The problem with Brad in the past is he was being played out of position. Move Brad to the 2 as Maher's back-up and gradually increase his minutes over Maher's 2 year contract. Brad could keep his internal rating of 1 I assume if signed quick enough. Otherwise he would be rated a 4.
That's it for signings to keep. The rest I would take my chances on them being picked up on the free agent market, and if they are still on the shelf when the club has signed some big signings I would look at them then. I would talk to Horvath but I wouldn't chase him with big dollars for a few reasons. The guy has the talent to get 25 and 12, but plays dumb. He loses his head in big moments (example the Townsville game) fouls way too much and is often soft. Not only that but he is only dangerous on one part of the floor and only going right, and desperately needs to get a good mid-range game going if he wants to play the 4 spot. I'd try to sign him but if he gets too expensive I'd leave him on the shelf.
With crowds getting bored of the same old players this year the first thing I would do is try to inject some youth and fresh energised players into the team for next year. To do this I would look at college recruits.
Potential college targets
- Ryan Kersten. A no-brainer. Sign the guy right now as a back-up for two years if possible and have him groomed for a starting PG spot at the end of his 2 years.
- Matthew Knight. The guy is a big 6-8 body who could play the 5 spot in the NBL.
- Stephen Weigh, a 2/3 NBL player who was a stand-out in Under 20s and was an AIS grad. Currently playing for Bogut's former team Utah. Could potentially start and help us in our weakest position, small forward. Weigh is only a freshman now however.
- Ben Allen, a 6-11 centre currently playing for Indiana.
There is plenty of college prospects I would be keeping in touch with, even if we don't get them this off-season they may come eventually. All college players would be rated a 3 if my memory serves me correctly. Certainly throw the net wide and try to catch 1 or 2.
Now to look for Australians from over-seas. There wouldn't be many in Adelaide's reach. It's amusing to see posts where people say we should go sign Luke S or Matthew Nielson like someone can snap their fingers and make it happen. While it would be good there has to be some kind of plan B. I don't see much out there for Adelaide, one that I would have in mind if we could get him for the right price is Steven Markovic. After what happened in West Sydney he may be a little cheaper than expected due to clubs steering clear of him. I would at least call him to see if he is sick of sitting on a European bench in Serbia. Steven would be rated a 10, same as an import PG, if bought back to Australia.
Now for free agents around the league. If Adelaide can get a couple of good imports they don't have to fork out huge money for stars here, rather I'd go for good young players with plenty of room to improve, unlike Smyth who targets old injury prone players who are sliding.
Free agent targets
- Right now I would be picking up the phone trying to pick at the bleeding to death West Sydney Razorbacks. I would look firstly to pick up Liam Rush to shore up our weakest position of small forward. Unfortunately Mark Nash is already signed as the back-up at this position but Rush is a great prospect, averaging 15, 6 and 2 at 48% from the field and 47% from beyond the arc. He's only 25 with plenty of room to improve. Additionally he can is a athlete who can get people excited about coming to the ball again. We should be in with a shot with both playing time and increased $$ to offer him. Rush is currently rated a 5 but my guess is he will go up to an 8 or so after this year.
- Julian Khazzouh. Don't laugh, Khazzouh has a lot of promise, averaging 9, 5 and 1 at 50% while still only 21 years old. Could be a good back-up option and if both are signed you could run Horvath at the 4 and Khazzouh at the 5 at certain parts of the game. I'm not sure what his rating is but it wouldn't be huge.
- Glen Saville. He's on the free agent list. Give him a call and see what he wants. He would transfer his internal rating of 5 to the club.
- Damien Ryan. Ok he's not really a 1, but if other targets fall thru a Ryan-Maher back-court would be ok. Rated a 10.
- David Barlow, to play the 3. Up for a new rating if he signs elsewhere.
- Daniel Egan, would be a much better back-up Power Forward than Oakley. Only a 5 point player right now as well.
- Brad Newley of course, if I was him if I didn't make the NBA I'd go to Europe, but I'd still chase him if I was Mal. Would be a 10.
Now for the imports. This really depends on what Australians you can sign but I would be looking for a point guard to play alongside Maher. David Bailey comes to mind, a fan favourite that I would chase despite his off the court problems. If I managed to sign an Aus point guard I would go after a 4 man, or if I got an Aus centre I would look for a 4 man as well.
As for the coach, obviously Smyth should go for reasons I have said before, but if the club can't afford to pay out his contract he will stay. Better to have a good team with a poor coach that a good coach with a poor team. Smyth would have a very short leash however and wouldn't have final word in recruiting.
Then once you see who you have signed from the above you re-sign the players you have from this season. I'd re-sign Darren if Hill doesn't sign, Sutton if we can't get a back-up point and Cooper if need be. Timmons, Wheeler and Majstrovich wouldn't be back under any circumstances if I was in charge. Copeland could potentially sign on as a 10th man on minimum but if would be a long shot.
Anyway, I'm going to play poker now and chase my dream of winning enough money to buy an NBL team. Thanks to Hoop Addict helping me with this.
P.S. Yes I know the title is terrible but what else was I going to call this thread?
