Anonymous
Years ago
So this game will be pretty interesting based on the absences.
For NZB, Shamir is out so loud man Maor will coach. Abercrombie is out, and Wetzell is game time due to COVID. Also one more starter could be out tonight too.
For SEM, Thomas is out in quarantine, and Zhou Qi is under an injury cloud.
Is this going to be a five guard vs five guard lineup?
Mystro
Years ago
If Wetzell is out NZ will start Loe and Timmins will come off the bench
To be honest, that one game Timmins got time he looked more menacing than Loe. I wouldn't be surprised if Timmins is this year’s Le’afa and plays himself into the rotation.
4 real
Years ago
Despite the NBL HQ's sensitivity, it probably wouldn’t stop them from using such incidents in promo material.
Loe has been horrible for a few seasons, can't see nz anywhere near good enough.
Hope my Breakers can make it across the line tonight, gonna need a huge shift from the big men with Yanni on the mend.
But there's a reason everyone has the Phoenix in their top 4.
I suspect there will be periods of competitiveness but think the Phoenix will pull away here. Just the better team on paper.
If SEM are without Qi and Wetzell plays, I think Breakers have the edge.
Twitter says that Qi is playing and that Wetzell is a game time decision, Wetzell sounds healthy but hasn't played basketball or trained with the team for 2 weeks.
Speaking of horrible, The Crossover.
Lowery is trying to be a Homicide 2.0. Whoever the other two dudes are, they're as interesting as cardboard. Ugh.
Also special shouts to Von Hofe who last night said Brisbane were shaping up as favourites with CJ at the helm in his first game as head coach.
koberulz
Years ago
We start with Creek, then move to Dwayne and Homicide.
It's like they're determined to get people not to watch.
I was hopeful that Homicide wasn't going to commentate in 2021-22... it’s going to be a long season
Don't know about you guys, but I’m suddenly keen to go play some pickup basketball then order some fast food as soon as the game ends.
Crackers65
Years ago
Just tuned, in heard the idiot homocide and tuned out.
LV
Years ago
With these lineups SEM should win easily
Big Jo handling them inside.
Pineau with 5 boards inside the first 5 minutes showing what SEM missed last year.
Pending a better look at Munford, SEM definitely in my early top 4 prediction alongside Perth.
Plus probably Illawarra who I haven't seen yet. And then someone else.
LV
Years ago
Pineau 7 boards, including 5 O boards in his first 7 minutes
Where are all those people who were saying he wasn't a big out for SEM last year?
Hoopie
Years ago
Interesting game, enjoying the Phoenix game, but it's made excruciating by the poor choice of commentators. I TRIED to tune them out and concentrate on the game but ... as soon as I hear Homicide I have to press the Mute button.
Bullets
Years ago
Wow, the Breakers look completely outmatched.
They haven't come ready to play.
In fairness, the COVID in their camp was a massive disruption. Still without Wetzell and Shamir isn't even courtside.
Breakers can't chuck it in the ocean. I hope it’s because of the disruptive week. There defence is also woeful, Galoway can dunk it but can’t defend a lamp post, Delany and WMW look out of sorts, I’ve seen nothing from the rest either.
SEM look unstoppable at this stage all over court.
LV
Years ago
Getting very ugly for NZ
Loving Munford and Zhou Qi- SEM looks to have added some good pieces
Last year- Big Jock leads United to the title
This year- Big Jo(Zhou) leads SEM to the title? Real chance
Didn't think it was possible, but the Doordash ad is equally as bad as the infamous First Ever ad with the crying goat.
Bullets
Years ago
Peyton Siva better get himself going or he'll be sent home. He’s not been impressive at all
AussiePride
Years ago
Does anyone know the age of the young French guy playing for the Breakers? The commentators have neglected to mention it.
The only thing worse tonight than the Breakers offence is Dwayne Russel.
I too am wondering about the age of the young French guy on the Breakers. I thought I would have heard it at least once for every two times he's touched the ball but I’m sadly mistaken.
Xavier Mumford is legit. Martin is no slouch defensively.
AngusH
Years ago
Breakers just woeful defensively tonight. Effort really lacking.
there are two young french guys with the breakers, the forward is 18 and the guard is 20
Hopefully nz were so bad due to Covid going through there camp or it's going to be another long season.
Russell started the commentary telling us Santamaria was a former nbl star, lmao, it went even further downhill from there.
Munford looks very good, excellent signing. Not sold on Qi some great interior defense work and some great switch work, but seemed to get caught out on second chance plays, think players like Jarrel Martin will be a big problem from him.
LV
Years ago
Big Zhou blocked several shots and impacted plenty of others
Last year SEMs weakness was interior D, size and rim protection. Landale made them his bunny. They could score but in a half court game against a good big man, they could get exposed.
SEM have solved that problem in emphatic fashion, without losing any of the things that took them to a 17 point lead in the deciding semi final game.
So I'm not the only one who did a double take when Russell referred to Santa as a 'former NBL star' - massive lol.
FSTOS
Years ago
Didn't one of them during the game also refer to Rupert Sapwell as an "NBL legend" when talking about his son.
ME
(he/kangaroo)
Years ago
Yeah, I laughed at "NBL Legend Rupert Sapwell". I mean the guy used to bank free throws off the backboard...
Hoopie
Years ago
It seemed to me like the commentators were trying too hard to put some excitement and hype into their commentary - and did a lame job of it. Made me feel like I was on a Contiki tour bus.
If they toned down the hype and stuck to facts, then maybe I'd pay attention to what they’re saying; last night’s effort went to mute early at my place.
AngusH
Years ago
In defense of the commentary team, hard to put excitement into this game. Breakers were DOA.
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