This should be good...adds a scoring punch.

We're a touch small.

I just hope we run

Scoring averages over the years:

2003 (Hawks) - 20.5 PPG
2006 (Hawks) - 24.1 PPG (league best, all-NBL first team, 3rd place in MVP voting)
2007 (Hawks) - 22.2 PPG (all-NBL second team)
2008 (Dragons) - 18.3 PPG (35.6 MPG)
2009 (Dragons) - 12.1 PPG (anyone know MPG for 09?)

(For some reason, the NBL doesn't show MPG in their career box score in the media guide or online - boooo!)

Set the Dragons' club scoring record in 2007/08 with a 44 point game against the Bullets, including eight three-pointers (17/27 FG overall). Has a career high of 12 assists. Scored 36 points on debut against the Crocs.

(Edit: Quickly checked six boxscores (someone really bored could do all of them) and Groves averaged 25 MPG over that period. Grow that to his 2008 minutes and it's the equivalent of 17 PPG.)

Like most Goorj teams though, last season he scoring took a hit due to the way Goorj runs his team and likes to spread the scoring load.

The season before is a better indicator where he is at I reckon...

By the sounds of things his character and attitude have been major influences in his signing and have outweighed any fears they may have had about his drop off in scoring at the Dragons.

Hopefully this team can now all get on the same page and play some up tempo exciting ball

Has the points cap details been released yet? Do we know how far under we are?

Good signing, especially with the respect Cortez has with his new teammates already after being involved with them in previous rosters.

With Gilchrist and Groves in the point for the whole 40 minutes that will most likely stop teams from pressing the 36ers.

Very quick team on paper, lets hope the skills are there to match and the team also has a half court game to combat the big zones they may come up against.

Couple of questions;
One, is who starts at small forward?
My vote would be Holmes, but Hill, Herbert or even Ng could step in to that role.

Two, who is now the target for the under 23 role?
My vote would be for a forward, a guard would not get any opportunity.

BURSTON/Cooper
BALLINGER/Under 23
HOLMES/Herbert
GROVES/Hill
GILCHRIST/Ng

I good signing. Also great post by Isaac showing Groves's figures and showing that he isn't average like most people have gotten the impression of him.

Herbert would struggle to play 3 and no way could Ng play 3!

I'm looking forward to the season!

in a preseason game in 2006, he dropped 52 effortlessly against and full strength kings outfit. completely embarrassed them... and thats why he didnt get any playing time with goorj ;)

Hill should start at SF. Beating Holmes there at trainings, someone mentioned.

As for the U23, this signing gives them the opportunity to sign the best U23 rather than someone in a specific position, IMO.

Isaac, How tall is Hill?? Some reports say he is about 197cm but looks a lot smaller.

Good signing with Groves!!

aaa, either look it up on Google or go out there with a tape measure.

I would say Hill would be 197cm. I would imagine his wing span is quite a bit longer too.

NBL.com.au has him listed at 198cm

i love the idea of signing shitty recycled imports.

and **** me wiki is fast.

Groves 2008 season, along with most Dragons that year, was tainted by Heal's inability to coach a young side.

Groves can play.

I was one of the people not happy with this signing, not because of his ability but because of his injuries and his age. But just like Cooper, now that he is a sixer I hope he is fit and ready to show us he is what he can do

Not happy about this signing. IMO needed some fresh blood, groves was poo last season, THEN he got injured.

Do you update the Sixers site Isaac? If so, just wondered if there was anything in the order the "confirmed signings" are in?

Gilchris, Groves, Hill, Ballinger, Burston - doesn't look too bad? Would Jacob starting at 3 spot instead of Hill give a bit more strength?

I hope we see more dunks like that one he threw down at the dome when he was playing for the gong.

Spinner, yeah, I update it. Only significance in the order was that I put possible starters as PG through to C, and then the benchies, potentially at a rough personal guess at what minutes they might play.

I think Hill and Holmes give the team two quite different styles they can try. But I think they might start Hill if he keeps training well.

2 reasons I think Hill should start, Number 1 he is athletic player who can run the lanes well, and 2 Jacob is really are only quality back-up big and I think a majority of his time should be played in the 4 spot. The only problem i see with Hill is going to be consistency, but they need to give him the opportunity to take his game to the next level this season

I am looking forward to the opportunity for Hill to start. He needs a clear role, and this would be perfect for him, with the two import guards, and two clearly established forwards. It also gives the coaching staff options offensively with their sets.

Jacob will be a perfect 6th man. Oppositions are going to target a particular forward to attack, and Jacob defensively can provide depth at each spot, while our guards try to run over the top of the opposition.

Hopefully he flourishes under our system. Will be interested to see how this team does - many variables.

PS - Skip, where did you even find a Canadian Club alarm clock?!?

Not an inspired signing by any means.

Might end up being Chappell all over again.

He was a good player (hopefully still is, I doubt it though) but was never a winner.

GILCHRIST - 191cm (6'3)
GROVES - 196cm (6'5)
HILL - 198cm (6'6)
BALLINGER - 205cm (6'9)
BURSTON - 210cm (6'11)

NG - 189cm (6'2)
HERBERT 192cm (6'4)
HOLMES - 196cm (6'5)
COOPER - 206cm (6'10)

That is not that small I don't think - actually it's a great mix.
But would like the u23 player around 200cm.
Thoughts??

Solid signing, I like the versatility this team has on paper. SportingPulse has Molitor listed at 204cm, I think he would be a good fit.

Unless Holmes has shrunk he is more like 6'8

Totally agree with you Isaac, the signing gives Ninnis now the flexibility to pick the best Under 23 player available not a PG or C.

KJ, I reckon 6'7" tops.

Panther32, How is the development of that 6'10" guy in your team? I saw he had a good game the other day. I have never heard him mentioned so I assume he is very raw.

Good sign, now for U23.

Who was that lad that went to the AIS? Would he qualify?

Sorry to bother you Isaac, thought you are the guru.

Thought you had the ability to plug a name in Google to find out yourself. ;)

What i am trying to say Isaac is that i dont think he looks that tall(198cm). Though you may a better idea!! that is all.

Good signing and a very solid and versatile 8 man rotation .

Holmes off the bench is a good move , allow him to read the game and bring us leadership and different combinations .

A good under 23 big , preferably a C as a 2-3 year project and it has been a successful off-season .

aaa, no worries.

I do know that Cooper is not 205-206cm though - fraction shorter than Oscar, I think.

If Cortez can repeat this every now and then I'll be a happy man...

FIBA list Hill at 198cm. I reckon Cooper is taller than he looks, he is a stooper.

That was a massive 'oop dunk!
I must say, I am a little excited with our 8 man rotation - I guess people should realise with less game time there is less of a need to go 10-Deep. Cooper there if we get in foul trouble, and the U23 will play in blowouts.

Think we can be finals contenders...

KingJames- Which guy are you talking about? Matt Dubrich? I don't know if I would say he is raw, he has been through the state system and SASI for most of his junior career. I think more so he's starting to mature and develop as a big and realise that he is better suited to the keyway than outside. Has the size, has a very sweet shot and underestimates himself in strength. Would and could be unstoppable if he put his mind to it. Time will tell with him, but is only still 19 years of age.

Nice to hear that stat about 8 threes in a game for Groves. He was clearly an elite scorer only two years ago, and is only 31 now.

Now that I have a little more info on him, I'm starting to feel pretty good about this signing and the shape of the Sixers for this season.

Thanks for the height info Journo, and I agree, we have enough size in general. Only size issue is with our bench big men. If Burston or Balls get in foul trouble we are relying on Coops, who gets pushed around a lot, and Holmes, who is too short. I'd like to see a young guy at least 6'9 and a solid build given a shot as our emergency big behind Coops and Holmes.

I like our age profile now as well. The Sixers are no longer fielding a bunch of geriatrics! Only Groves (31) and Coops (32) are over thirty and we have a group of young Aussie players that we can expect to build a team identity around.

Am I right in thinking that we must now sign three more players (to make 12) with one required to be under 23? Since Hill is only 22, but no-one has suggested him as our under 23, I assume they must also be a rookie?

I foresee good times ahead for the Sixers, which will be nice after five years of mediocrity!

Hi is turning 23 this year so does not qualify for the u23 spot. The other 2 spots are for Development players (the spots that Hoban and Nasty took up last year)

Yeah Matt Dubrich is who I was talking about. If he is 19 and is 6'10 with no college options do you think the Sixers should be looking at him for at least a development spot?

No way is Cortez Groves 196cm

I would have thought so. Has been listed at 6'5 all his career, and looks similar height to other 6'5 guys.

he cant play in Goorjians system, he cant play in Heal's system, maybe read between the lines and admit he cant play. He was good at the Hawks when he was mid 20's just like Chappell was. Dont like this one bit.

Heal had no system in 2008. And Groves fitted in fine in Goorj's system.

Im happy with this signing. The chances of Cortez becoming another Chapelle are very slim and his experience and talents will be priceless for our backcourt.

If Cortez can latch onto any more lobs like the one above or the one I saw against the Crocs when he was back at the 'gong (half court pass from Sav) it will bring that excitement Julius brought. Which is a nice added bonus.

Does anyone know what will happen to Hoban and more importantly EZ? Seeing EZ jogging to the scorers bench always made me excited. And i loved how the crowd rode every three through the net. It would be a shame to see such young SA talents go to waste in the ABL.

if he get his scoring back he will do just fine. My issues is has anyone seen any TV press for this or gilchrist? did they have a press conference for the signing or was it just a release.

I'll take a stab at the minutes:

Burston(32), Cooper(5), Ballinger(3)
Ballinger(32), Holmes(8)
Hill(24), Holmes(16)
Groves(20), Ng(15), Herbert(5)
Gilchrist(30), Groves(10)

(U23: junk time)

So the upside to Tez is we have a better backup PG, downside is I can only find 15mins for Ninja.

That's a damn good team though. "I don't know about you guys but I get a bit excited when I see something like that" -Bruce McAvaney

agrree, damn good team, in a league that has been demolished and then put back together again.. we are damn lucky the sixers even exist, and IMO our import combo, with balls, and an exciting young lineup, looks very promising... thank god they saved our sixers!!

Well said "Hooked". We were all worried a few months ago about no NBL, then the possibility of an NBL Comp without an Adelaide team, but the SOS group has done a fantastic job and deserve the support of our state in the "rebirth" of the new National Comp

Media - There was plenty when Gilchrist arrived at the airport and first training day (in number 5) ..
none when he signed - the media was that he was our new import , on arrival...
Groves - no media yet . I'd guess when he arrives , there will be media at the airport and/or first training day...

Is Adrien Sturt any chance of being the U/23 player? Gives us another big presence inside and someone who can knock down the 3?

I can see this U23 thing soon being raised to U25, or getting dropped like fart in a lift

Thanks Big Sexy. So if I read you right, that means that the u23 player CANNOT be a development player? Bit of an odd distinction if that is the case I would have thought? Why not just require three development players? You have to ask how many dev players are over 23 anyway?

This U23 player thing is a bit confusing. If a team has 2 development players, wouldn't one of them qualify as the U23 player provided he is U23? Why is it throwing a spanner in the works having to recruit an U23 when you normally recruit 2 DP's?

I'm not sure if its been mentioned on another post, but does anyone have any idea what Groves has been doing since his time with the Dragons? Has he been keeping in shape?

U23- designed to get rid of Davo, JR , Darnell and the like... I hate the rule..

Your u23 player has to be on the roster not a dp

I have no concerns about Cortez being another Chappell. I am more concerned that he could fill the role of a fast fading Farley c. 2005.

I wish Cortez all the best with us, and hope he brings that devastating passion he had at the Hawks to his time here.

I still have nightmares of that game at the Dome where Groves had everyone on the team try to defend him during the game. He was just blowing by all of them and, I recon, must have made about 6 baseline dunks. Totally unstoppable.

Looks like player rankings - Hill Cooper Herbert are 5
Ng 6 Burston=7. Holmes 8. Ballinger Groves Gilchrist are 10s. ( spose u23 is 1) = 67 points.

Groves only 8 on nbl.com !
(not reading it properly-late at nite.)

Camel 31, the U23 is not "designed to get rid of Davo, JR , Darnell and the like", it's designed to provide opportunities and "pathways" for young talent. Yes, it does so at the expense of those veterans, but it was not designed to get rid of them and it is unfair on the NBL to suggest that.

Isaac, let me re-phrase to . Under 23 rule and (for example Maher is a 9 now) reduces the number of vintage players on the court.

Veteran players - I meant ( not vintage)

I think you will see it perhaps raised to under 24 as if you look at kids coming out of college they are all 23 years of age.