Season So Far

It has been a while since my last update, well overdue!!

Firstly, a brief update on players as there have been a number of changes to both teams and player health situations.

Patty Mills and Ben Simmonds are both now with the Clippers and have a strong chance for the playoffs, Patty has seen a lot of the US in the past couple of seasons. Patty is getting some game time but doing a great team supporter job from the bench. Ben has been playing a lot better but is just coming back from yet another injury so one has to wonder about his longevity in the game, however he has again stated his preparedness pending fitness and health to paly in the Olympics in LA.

Josh Green is still with the Hornets and a starter in their games, his continues to work his but off in matches, manning up, screening and scoring points. He comes with a lot of energy and it is just a shame that the Hornets lack manpower and scorers, he would do better in a stronger team but perhaps they will draft and recruit strongly in the off season.

Josh Giddey with the Bulls is having a breakout season especially after the All-Star period. He has returned from an ankle injury and is playing well again and has it id felt found his home with the Bulls. Great to see he has found his three-point shot and his driving to the basket has been a standout. He has been criticized for his defense in the past but this has also seemed to have improved.

Duop Reeth and Matisse Thybulle are still with the Blazers. Duop would appear to be getting more game time recently and whilst on the court is playing well and his three-point shot is very dangerous.

Matisse has just returned from injury keeping him out for most of the season but he has come back strongly in his past two games providing a game winning block in one of them. Both players seem to be well liked by the Blazers supporters and players so how they line up next year will be interesting to watch.

Jock Landale is still with the Rockets and provides a strong support backup center for the them. He is getting a good share of game time and from appearances is playing well, the Rockets have a very good chance of making the playoffs so fingers crossed for Jock to win a championship.

Well, what can I say about the “Great Barrier Theif”, Dyson Daniels!! What a season he is having and I have never heard so many US commentators talk about him during his games, they love him and the Pelicans must surely be regretting trading him. Look where the Hawkes are placed compared to the Pelicans for potential playoffs and a championship. With his level of steals, blocks, deflections and rebounding he must be a very good chance for defensive player of the year, on top of that his driving to the basket scoring and dropping in the regular three pointer, what a season and we wish him well for the rest of the season.

Dante Exum is left with what is left of the Mavs after the trading of Luka to the Lakers and a number of players out injured. He himself has been out for the most of the season and has only just come back to be out injured again with a wrist injury. Not a good season for Dante but what we saw of him from his short return shows that he still has it on the court and we wish him well for his recovery and perhaps suiting up again this season.

Joe Ingels is still with the Wolves and getting limited game time but is still providing a strong cagy experience whilst on court. Even while on the bench he spends a lot of time on his feet supporting

the team and providing that level head in the change room. Where Joe will be next year will have to wait and see but the Wolves have a playoff chance so perhaps a ring on his finger!!

Johnny Furphy, Jack McVeigh, Luke Travers are also still flying the Aussie flag in the NBA with Luke having the better chance of playoffs with the Cavs, I need to keep a better eye out for these three to provide some better feedback.

Next, my thoughts and observations of the NBA game.

The game in the NBA has evolved into a three point shoot off, nothing new in this observation as the managers of the NBA have identified this themselves and are assessing if changes are due. What I have concluded by watching many games that on average greater that 50% of the points scored in a match come from three-point shots, approximately 30% from drives to the basket, allyoops and floater shots. The remainder of points from rebounds and shots in and around the key, before the three-point line was introduced the stat would have been very much reversed, the question is, is the game better with the three-point line. At the moment if a team does not have a number of repeatable three-point shooters that don’t have a chance.

My next observation is about the refereeing, the referees it is my opinion ate trying to be a part of the game too much, they should be seen but also not being seen if you know what I mean. They spend too much time in discussion with players and coaches over calls to the extent in a game I watched recently one referee was in deep discussion with a coach whilst the game was in play, not a great look. The NBA needs to keep the coaches and payers away from the referees and also what is the situation with the coaches actually being in the court, when I played that was a tech foul, perhaps that need to be re-introduced. The coaches have plenty of chances to review a call through the coach review system surely that is enough, and why do they take so long talk about stretching out the game allowing for more sponsor adds??

It is felt that the referees are not making good calls missing travelling, carrying the ball, half court calls and I have not seen a three second call for a long time, I know that this is the NBA but I feel the there is a lot that could benefit from how the FIBA game is called and played.

That’s all for now.

Deanie