That is a massive lineup . Watch them get a big point guard. They need on more scorer I would think . Isn't devendorf a 1 ? I'm liking this team .

Two Words - Slow Ball

Devendorf is a trigger-happy 1, so basically a SG. If they want a big PG, maybe Barlow? ;)

Ex-Tiger Rashad Tucker just joined an NZ NBL team. Josh Pace had 38 points against the Heat. Some NBL team is going to have to try him.

The Tigers are looking very good!

What a combo of Neveille and Helliwell

Should be good to see how this all turns our for westover

my tip for final 2 spots is homicide and demos.

The Tigers do not look that good IMO, way too top heavy. They need an experienced and very savvy point guard as Devendorff is really a shoot first guard and IMO should play SG. Slow ball will be the go at Tigerland. Look for teams to run the ball against them and play full court pressure D back to a zone. Greer can play SF or PF...for mine Tragardh is a PF but they want to play him at the 3 spot. Burston is a centre and I guess they will look to play him at PF. Far too slow.

With all these players playing out of position they are going to need an absolute general at the point. Surely they aren't planning on signing Homocide, a point who is mainly effective driving to the basket is not going to be effective with all these giants clogging the lane. Rose would be a much better fit but is he capable of running a team?

They need a PG that has fantastic handles and excellent passing abaility - oh and can shoot the three-ball to prevent teams just filling up the paint.

Homicide would be a horrible choice for the Tigers.

I had heard that Dickel was an option, but that was from Otago and there are often rumours he is heading home from there. The Tigers press release said the point guard will be an import - I dont think Rose is the right guy but the Tigers are good at signing guys who dont fit their roster.

Demos has zero chance of being in the NBL next year.

I agree, a very front-court heavy team. I am a big Tragardh fan but I can't see him as a small forward.

How the hell is Westover going to share minutes between Nevill and Helliwell?
Both of them are just too good to be coming off the bench..Kind of feel sorry for Nevill. He probably signed thinking he was going to be playing big minutes..The signing of Helliwell changes this though.

I actually think Devendorff will be the least of their issues, finding ways to fit in all those bigs and remain successful on court will be their prime issue.

Helliwell is just a limited minutes (10-15) bench guy. Very foul prone.

great lineup, but cant see the chemistry working. not enough minutes for all these "marquee signings".

C Nevill / Helliwell/Burston (in all honesty)
PF Tragardh
SF Walker
SG Devendorff / Lewis / Greer / Corletto (have to assume he is coming)
PG ?

its like they think they can trade for the players they need

Pwned..agree with your C and PF positioning, but Burston is ahead of Helliwell. Greer ahead of Walker at SF (Greer is a Forward not a Guard)
Rest is right IMO.

My first thought when I saw the signing, was that this is bad news for every other team, but the more I think about it the more unbalanced this team appears.

Nevill is a big body with good touch, but has limited quickness. Helliwell lacks speed. Burston moves ok for his size but is injury prone and getting older. Tragardh and Greer aint exactly the best movers either. Surely every other NBL team will look to punish this lineup with either an up tempo/fastbreak style of game or with perimeter shooting, because they will be very flat footed. (Gold Coast for example, could really hammer the tigers team if their shooters get going)

I agree with what the majority of you have said already, the Tigers are going to need a damn good point guard who knows how to get the ball to the big guys down low and another shooter, because if you exclude devendorf from the equation, they have little to no perimeter game and are very top heavy.

Westover has taken a few risks this year i.e. with Devendorf and the big guys and I think there is just as much chance of it backfiring as there is with it succeeding.

Slow Ball and up court pressure on them
What an exciting combo

This team is rortin the cap big time. This is insane.

I imagine 5 and 4 are similiar positions and we might see some high feeds into the key.

Not gonna be as exciting as watching Melbourne in prev years

yeah I agree. They will be boring to watch. I saw helliwell play here a few years ago and hes rubbish.

mutley you say demos wont be in nbl next year. what about as an 11th man though? he would be a great option for that spot. shores up depth, can cover injuries and come on when needed as a defensive specialist who can draw the foul as well as putting down the odd 3 pointer.

a team will be keen on him there surely, what sort of $$ would an 11th man get?

Too top heavy IMO.

We only play 40 mins game and to effectively sign 3 quality centres (Burston, Neville and Helliwell) does not make to much sense especially after signing Tragarth.

You'd think at least a couple of those guys will get frustrated with the amount of minutes.

Does anyone konw what the points are for the Tigers roster to date?

Perhaps with Burston being injury prone, the Tigers are covering for that eventuallity

Tigers not a contender for mine.

Yeah Im not banking on the Tigers being much of a threat in a 40min game with a team full of bigs

Neither am I. Perth still the ones to beat IMO.

I doubt this team is over the cap. If they signed a good import and, for example, Barlow with the two remaining spots I would start to get suspicious.

But Walker, Lewis and Greer would not be on a big wage, Helliwell wouldnt be on a massive wage due to lack of genuine interest from other clubs, Burston would be middle of the road money wise. Only Nevill ($150-$200K) and Tragardh ($130-$150?)of their local guys would be on decent money, and Devendorf wouldnt be the most expensive import going around due to his rep and lack of pro experience.

I imagine they would have around $200-$250K left for the last two spots - enough for Corletto and a decent import.

I would say watch out for New Zealand too, dependent on them signing a decent import big who can control the glass.

I wonder if NZ haven't moved on 1-2 too many three point shooters? Jones, Forman, Ronaldson. Ronaldson got them out of a few situations last season.

This year, they'll have Bruton and Penney still, but Henare, Boucher and Vukona aren't really going to spread the floor and Abercrombie is a bit streaky.

Certainly if they dont adjust their offence they will look a bit ugly, but with all their veterans I think they will be fine. I think playing 3 guards and small forwards at the 4 spot will mean NZ are very quick and able to get shots where they want them.

Bruton and Penney can flat out shoot it, Braswell and Webster are streaky but very good when on. Abercrombie might struggle from the new line, but is good mid range, as is Pledger.

Last year Bruton and Penney were hobbled at times, their second import situation was pretty poor, and they finished two games off top - they will be up there this year.

yeah breakers have enough youth and experience to mix it with anyone provided the 2 Import slots pan out. Braswell is a keeper I believe and then get a big guy

Luke Nevill 9
Bennie Lewis 1
CAMERON Tragardh 9
Matthew Burston 8
Eric Devendorf ??? (10)
Tommy Greer 6
Lucas Walker 2
Wade Helliwell 8

43 + Eric D if 10 = 53 points - so 17 points remaining for last 2 spots

Once again, Al going with his I'll try and beat you with my big tall dopey shuffle system that hasnt won him too many championships even though he has arguably had the best players for the past 5-6 years. He is a useless coach who abuses not inspires players and any coach that has all but 2 of his players walk out on him and play for other teams in the off-season shows that Al is a one trick pony who will get burnt this year cuz they have no dribblers, not penetraters and highly reliant on tall passers and shooters.

Teams are smarter than that now and the shuffle gets screwed when it takes too long to bring the ball up. One decent point guard for an import will not be enough and watch the tigers be streaky and miss out on the finals again... Something I look forward to again!

Everyone is very quick to ridicule the recruiting that the Tigers have done so far this year, yet they still havent filled their roster.
Helliwell is a brilliant acquisition. He has represented his country, played 9 seasons in leagues faster and more physcial than the NBL will ever be and has many good years ahead of him. Dont think there is another centre in the league that can boast those credentials
The Tigers will physically dominate opposition, and when they pick up a quick front court to fill their roster I believe they will be the team to beat.
Just wish Sydney the best on opening night... think they may need it

meant to say quick back court... give me a break its Friday afternoon!!