Isaac
Years ago
Funny Maher talks about the Sixers and Boomers rosters
Mark Aiston interviewed Brett Maher on 5AA on Sunday and I've got my hands on something of a transcript to summarise for those who didn't catch it.
Maher talked about the Crows and what he'd do -- talk to them as a group. He's a firm believer in positive reinforcement.
Maher talked about the 36ERS squad and said there were 7 players signed with three to come (Ed: probably 6 now if Cattalini is going?).
Maher said that a few years ago they had a pretty experienced line up and the evolution of the team meant that they are at the stage at the moment where there are a lot of young players coming through and they are all developing. Aiston asked Maher about slumps in the 36ers, and he said it was unusual and the team is not used to it. Maher said that the team gets used to winning and when they do fall into a four or five game slump, which has happened at the start of the last few seasons, he's wondered how they were going to get out of it.
Maher said he has played under seven coaches now, and in the beginning of his career he had five coaches in seven years. He outlined who they were. Aiston asked if Phil Smyth has been Maher's favourite. Maher said that he enjoys Smyth's coaching style the best because it is all about positive reinforcement and getting the best out of the players. He said it is an enjoyable style to play under because it is about going out there and enjoying the game.
Maher talked about his memories of Mark Davis (Ed: hey, he ain't dead!). He said that Davis gave a physical presence. Aiston said that he always gave 200%. Maher said that Davis gave great service to the club.
He also said that he always had ambitions to play for the Adelaide 36ers. He said that it is only in the last five or six years he has seriously considered going overseas to Europe.
Maher said that since the last Olympics it has been a huge goal of his to go to the 2004 Athens Olympics, because he did not make a huge impact in Sydney. He said there was a 'vibe' between himself and Barry Barnes after the last Olympics, because Martin Catallini and Maher got limited court time and the issue was resolved since then. Maher said that his 'beef' at the time was that in a couple of games they were down by 30 or 40 points and they did not manage to hit the court which was disappointing. He said that perhaps Barnes did not feel confident putting them on.
Maher talked about his recent back surgery, and he said it is feeling pretty good at the moment. He talked about Luke Schenscher, who was unlucky to miss out on the Boomers squad for the European-tour. He said that they are down on big men with Chris Anstey going out with ankle problems.
Maher has a big fundraiser on July 16. Maher and his wife set up the Hudson Maher Foundation in memory of their son, which is about helping families who need bone marrow transplants for their children. Maher talked about how his son's death effected his family. He said that on a basketball level the death probably ruined the first half of the previous season for him and the team but on a personal level it was very difficult for over a year.
Maher also talked about his marriage. He said that family is a huge priority and basketball took a back seat when his family went through the tragedy. He said it helped him to talk to people about it and he did not mind that the tragedy was public.
He said that the final Boomer squad will be selected on around July 9 and that he will be going over for a fitness test on July 1.
