Does anyone know 100% if Ant Man is playing?

Never mind Randle.

This is a minority contest here. Both teams represent the same time zone. There are only 4 possible intra- time zone tussles in the NBL currently.

Other NBL time zone fun facts:
If the Sydney Kings took a home game to Broken Hill (still in NSW) they could potentially play on their visitor's time zone (vs Adelaide, the most logical opponent). They would thus have home court advantage, with the 36ers having home time zone advantage;
If the NBL prioritised time zone expansion over market expansion when introducing new teams they could add another unique time zone by adding a team from Norfolk Island (an Australian territory so still "National"). Maybe the Tall Pines or similar. Not sure of Norfolk’s venue capacity (or existence even). Population of Norfolk Island is under 2000, so crowds may be a bit on the small side.

Another crucial question is:
how many oktaves of cloud cover are we expecting for this game?

No, it's serious.

You’d be surprised how much impact time zone changes have on business, services such as hospitals, transport and trade. Experts calculate the cost of time zone differences in multi-millions of dollars. China uses a single time zone to exert central control over a diverse population and large geographical area.

Try telling DFAT that time zones aren’t important.

Think we might have started a movement here.

No word yet on oktaves of cloud cover for game day though.

Kings will win this... my Ladbrokes account balance depends on it

I'll have to disagree with my William Hill bankroll, Manu! I'm going to have to take the Hawks by -4.5 or something to make it worthwhile, but with no mention of even needing to actually play some defence from any of the Kings this past week, Hawks will romp this in at home and no doubt see some more disorganised mess from the Kings...

Umm excuse me but Handle Randle will dismantle. Hell, he'll do it in jandals. They can't hold a candle

Wow, that was so cringeworthy. Stop trying so hard.

Gimme more, Red. What else you got?

More talent doesn't automatically result in wins and doesn't hide team culture issues!

Wow I enjoyed Jack and Manu's posts but usedahoop gave me more laughs, great post guys and Illawarra by 15 with Kay being somewhat troublesome and Tyler fouling out as he struggles with refereeing

But how many oktaves of cloud cover are expected?
Cloud cover is measured in oktaves. An octave is 1/8 of the sky (you can just look up and judge). So, full cloud cover is 8 oktaves. Nil cloud cover is zero, half is 4 oktaves etc. I think the term oktave derives from "Oct" Latin prefix meaning 8. Think “octagon” 8 sides, “octopus” 8 tentacles. In the Roman calendar (before 700 BC) there were 10 months but only 304 days. This would work about as well as a modern calendar for lunar months, but was way off fir seasons as they rely on the earth's 365.25 odd day orbit cycle. Even 365.25 days isn’t totally accurate, and every so often some big brains get together to add a bit of time to the atomic clock. Hence the saying, “where did all that time go.”

We need a full weather report from someone local.

Also cloud variety. We all know ants become more active when rain is imminent.

These things are important.

The things my mind turn to when there's no longitudinal travel involved.

Perhaps FIBA should distinguish between longitudinal travels (illegal foot movement across the floor with the ball) and latitudinal travel (vertical jump and land still with ball in hand). Obviously latitudinal travel would be much more rare, because longitudinal travel is more important.

Get back here, Red.
Where are you?

So are you saying that more octaves will favour Sydney as Illawarra live closer to the ocean and used to clearer skies or the other way around?

Will more octaves reading be as important in this game as an open air game?

Tyler's conditioning & fouling will probably limit him to 15 productive minutes in this game. The way I see it, Gaze has to figure out how to have a good defensive presence in the middle for another 25 minutes.

Garlepp has to be used for at least 10 to 15 minutes & not during garbage time to help plug the middle. He's best paired with Singh, particularly when Delvon hit the floor. Singh just have to be reminded not to follow the ball, just stick to Johnson and jam the lane.

Humphries is a massive defensive work in progress but can be treated as 5 fouls vs Ogilvy. Get this right & its a contest.

More than a contest. Sydney are going to win this one. They have beaten Illawarra in both games already haven't they?

Forget octaves. At best, these teams will only be competing for 2nd place as long as Trevor Gleeson is coaching in this league.

Manu, Kings-Hawks is 2-1 this season.

Kings 103, Hawks 87
Kings 99, Hawks 94
Hawks 93, Kings 83

Illawarra wouldn't be unhappy catching Kings sans-Lisch and with imports so fresh to the team. Though they'd be shitty at dropping any of these games so far.

NBL and Hawks are playing up the White-Randle thing from last year. Hope that doesn't backfire on them!

Ah righto.

This year's NBL will be even better for Randle with the 'no touching at all costs' type of refereeing.

Gaze would be smart to run sets with Randle working off the ball to get to his spot/a matchup he likes.

Hawks should clinch it

Hey 'UseTaHoop', kindly piss off

ok, I haven't been around much, but WTF is this octaves bullshit and why are we humouring it? jeez, and people say I go on with shit...

Expectations should be managed with regards to Randle and Taylor... Taylor will improve on his first game for sure, but he seems like an emotional player, which is good, but no doubt that will have an impact on how long he can stay out there...

Randle hasn't played a game in a month, so he will be rusty, and no-one can play defence other than maybe Taylor in the middle but how effective he will be is an known...

Agree with Steve for sure, Gaze needs to bite the bullet and pull his finger out at the same time, otherwise he would have maybe anoher round and if nothing changes, he needs to be gone...

Hawks by close to double figures...

It's Tyler not Taylor.

Hawks by 6.
Sydney will need time to gel together

One player doesn't change a game unless they score 30-40 points.

Good luck to him. But while they might move up the ladder, those expecting minor miracles are in for a rude shock

Oh they'll change the game, beleedat

OK. I am putting my hand up. While it has never worked out well for me before I have backed Sydney. A few dollars at $2.30 and a few at $2.50.

I have said it before but unless they win this is the last time I put money on them.

Why do I do it???

Looks like rain in the 'Gong tonight.

Ants get more active in anticipation of precipitation.

Maybe someone will be active enough to change the game.

Illawarra price keeps coming in, started $1.70 now $1.40, lots of money in the last 30mins, is someone out for Sydney???

How sure is that info?

Back to $1.53

This Syd team is going to be real good when they get some time together.

Garlepp in with Singh. Someone listened at last :).

not just randle.

Tyler is a huge upgrade on Humphries

So far so good - well, outside of 4 fouls for Tyler/Humphries.

Refs hating on the new guy yet again. Tyler, that is

According to NBL app box scores, Sydney have played more bench players and Garlepp's hit the floor in first quarter?

Can’t be right can it?

That pass by Singh was quietly spectacular.

Oh god. I have this on timeshift and Tyler just got his second. Insipid

Tyler is quality

I feel like he is the strongest player in the league, bar Jawai.

That, and the fact that he's new, probably means that the refs will try to dispose of the problem (call fouls on him) rather than learn how to officiate him

At least Tyler seems to have the common sense to avoid fouls on the other end if he has to - doing a good job defending screens and drives keeping his arms up and not giving the refs a chance to blow the whistle.

im still not used to NBL officiating. its very very soft. its not good for the game.

...and AJ shows all you need to do is put up your hands and let him miss on his own.

I think that's the first time the Kings have forced an 8 second violation since... ever?

You can tell Lisch is dying to play right now, he kept standing up.

lol @ the Hawks fan behind Randle in the interview. Keep it classy Illawarra!

Randle
Lisch
Newley
Ellis
Tyler

Cadee, Blanchfield, Humphries coming off the bench

looking good moving forward

That basket interference rule is so ambiguous. It needs to be simplified

That roster certainly looks good on paper it will be interesting to see how they work Lisch into the new set up.

Ellis 9 rebounds for the half, feels like that's about as many as he's had all season long combined.

Not this anon again. Man, you need to wise up. Tyler's moves, strength and speed is something that NBL refs won't encounter this season, and haven't seen for a long time.

So Tyler will boss people and do things that referees aren't used to. So the refs will not understand what they're seeing and just take the easy route and call a foul because anything else is too hard.

Just like Isaac said in the other thread, are you new to sport? You don't know about a guy named Shaquille O'Neal and his impact on officiating. Same principle.

I'd work Lisch back in by parking Blanchfield back on the bench...

Who's ready to lock in Sydney for a playoff berth?

Singh > Humphries

Or to say it better

Humphries < Singh

Not ready to lock anything in yet. Good first half, but I'd like to see them string 4 quarters together for the first time this season.

What is happening with goaltending in this league? That particular interpretation of the call hasn't been a problem for as long as I've watched NBL

... fair enough on the rule explanation. But Ogilvy hit the rim after the ball has cleared the area

Perfect example of the problem with Singh City right there - ball watching on D.

great to have Randle back in the league.

wish he was a 36er still though

Somehow I forgot how ridiculous Randle can be at times. I reckon he could've shot on that drive just then, but to hit an open Cadee in the corner was a bit of magic.

Seriously, where is the foul Singh on Martin? Martin creates contact and gets a rubbish call. This is what irritates me about NBL reffing

i have only just joined this forum.

why is there so much hate towards Gaze around here?

Tyler could be a beast in this league, but he needs to keep his shit together.

this is great

Randle looks pooped, which isn't good.

wow

Clarke really really reminds me of early/mid 90s Shane Heal

A foul, but not an unsportsmanlike.

Cadee passing up that open look led to that Humphries turnover... Kings playing scared at the moment.

haha

this is the Randle i remember

Gaze rode Randle too much tonight. First game, and he lost his legs at half time.

Hey let's give referees credit where due.

That was a fantastic call with the blocking foul on Cadee! Well done referees.

I hate seeing players slide under other players like that and not give the player a chance to even land/move.

Frankly; don't know what Cadee was complaining about.

Great call!

agree

Again anon, you're small-minded.

Get out of the box kid!

agree with the randle call.

easy to just keep him in there but he's lost his legs.

20 points on 23 attempts lol

Man oh man oh man oh man.

I just can't believe the lack of balls in this Kings team. They were killing the zone earlier this game. Just shoot the ball pls. Shoot your shot

Yeah both Kings imports need a bit more conditioning but Randle will probably hit full speed in a few games.

wow

OT please

Odds of a Kings foul here?

unusual play call there

Sensational stuff!!!

Need to sit Randle for 2 mins here, and Blanchfield doesn't need to be anywhere near the court.

You'd back Bevo to outcoach Gaze in OT.

does Lenard Copeland do anything?

lol why would u do that

Man, dumb.

crazy game

i like this zone Illawarra run

far out. these hawks fans are feral

If this was game 1 of the season, you'd be thinking oh well, tough loss for the Kings, but hey, working in a few new imports, plenty of time, etc...

Instead, this leaves them with 6 losses remaining all season to make the playoffs.

I don't even want to look at the box score, but I'm guessing Blanchfield must be around 1/10 from the floor.

Vintage Violet Crumbles. Feels like the 90s again.

Tyler's no stud.

Good thing for JvG is he can now sack Gaze if we don't make the semis and say "well, I got you the talent, you couldn't get the wins" despite waiting about 7 rounds too long to make moves.

Well you'd expect teething problems, I reckoned the Kings did real well to make it a contest. The way the Hawks were going prior to this game pointed to a likely comfortable win.

Hot Tip for Sydney - hire imports who can shoot foul shots.

Tyler is a stud, but the refs hit their target tonight. Absolutely shut him down. He needs to be mentally stronger though

Get out of this league you useless sacks of shit! Jeremy Tyler is worse than Powell and he was a disgrace.

I'll give Tyler a few more games before I judge him - first "proper" game in the league in round 7. Disappointing stretch for him in the 1st half when he whinged about a non-call and didn't get back on D, but we'll see. FTs... well... he wasn't alone there.

Who needs the comedy channel when you have these JESTERS bringing their hilarious bumbling poopball to our screens on the reg? They have NO idea what winning basketball culture looks like. As a wildcats fan, I find them funny but if I was a Kings fan I would be kicking out Gaze, Blanchfield and Newley. Delay of game violation? You MORON NEWLEY!

They can all go play social basketball with Jeff Van Wrongagain washing their uniforms and cheering them on from the sidelines.

Yeah I'm chalking that one up to Gaze's inability to get his team to exploit the Hawks zone. Like, they had no answers for the entire fourth quarter. He did say 'attack the rim', but draw up something to help make that happen

Blanchfield now the all-time leader in 3pt attempts with no makes in the 40 minute era. What a time to be alive.

Tyler will definitely polarise fans and refs alike. Even on this thread after one game we've got calls of bust and a tenuous reference to Shaq. He'll have some big games for sure, but from this small sample size, he's no leader and definitely not a "winner" in the championship sense of the word.

Crowd 2396

Tyler is going to be easy to take out of games. Get in his head and he is useless! The guy is what 26 and acts like a 12 year old kid

Read the rules. It's really not complicated, and all involved should know better.

"Not certain anyone's body language would be good when your most highly paid players can't make free throws"

Paul Henare seems to be coping with that ok ;-)

"Read the rules. It's really not complicated."

31.2.4. Interference occurs when:
• After a shot for a field goal or the last or only free throw a player touches the basket or the backboard while the ball is in contact with the ring.

Eddie palubinskas to come down to the kings training this week and teach free throws?

I thoroughly enjoyed this game, it was really fascinating with all the elements coming together on display.

Does Mick still come into these forums as he was from Townsville, maybe someone can politely ask Mick if he can find Blanchfield's form and match winning ability as we haven't seen it since he played in Townsville.

Hard to understand the goings on, we had commentators talking up AJ and on here people bagging him, I thought he played a great role today and made sure he stayed out of foul trouble whilst still stuffing the stat sheet.

Now Jeremy Tyler, you'll be so much fun to watch this season but which club are you going to completely destroy... I think it may be Adelaide on Saturday... Jeremy in beast mode will be awesome.

Copeland seems to act more like a therapist for Gaze and tells him to not be so emotive with his body language and facial expressions, he does not much else.

As for the Kings, I think they will next bring in Ray Gordon and Warwick Guiddy on how to play with mongrel and get under everyone's skin... heck bring in Tim Morrissey too and he can add to the 'how to be an arsehole and have everyone hate you' class

Jerry Tarkanian to come down to Sydney kings practise to teach Gaze to hide his emotions by biting a towel?

Gaze is entertaining for non-Kings fans. One pivotal moment was when he had his head in his hands for an extended period and Kendall had to bump him to pay attention and realise there was a coaching decision to be made.

Randle's still a great player. Offered non-flattering thoughts on Tyler in the other thread.

I found that Hawks zone intriguing, especially Conger's role at the top of the arc limiting the Kings switching the play. It was bizarrely effective.

Any news on their Wi-Fi situation?

I found that Hawks zone intriguing, especially Conger's role at the top of the arc limiting the Kings switching the play. It was bizarrely effective.

Cairns run a similar zone, will be interesting to see how much they both pull it out against each other on the weekend.

Looks like the old Michigan 131, long athlete at the top who's jos is to stop or slow ball reversal, and the 5 man around the ft line and elbows so the guards force penetration into the wall.

... if only Blanchfield didn't have a shocker. Even if he made at least 2 totally open 3pt in that 4th, they would've won.

Randel's chucking goes in Kings look good. Randles chucking misses Kings shite.

He is a great offensive player but Ellis was killing it in the first half and Randle just continued to chuck in the second with Ellis not receiving enough ball.

Doubt Randle will shoot 50% ish on threes too often and take that away his 2 pt % was ordinary.

Good player for a shit coach to have because he will win you some games on his own.