Body blow for Tigers
TweetLET’S not understate this. Losing Steve Dennis on the eve of the NBL season is close to a catastrophe for Melbourne Tigers.
Chris Goulding’s ankle injury at the Blitz was bad enough and Tommy Greer’s torn pectoral another severe blow.
But Bubbles will be back and so too will the captain, team disruption at their absences not discounted, devalued or under-estimated.
Truth is though, Melbourne can find an Aussie to fill the Greer breach while he is off the floor as a player. And his locker-room influence won’t diminish.
Goulding is pencilled in for a round four or round five return.
Dennis though, is a whole other story.
Getting your imports right is such an inexact science that for the Tigers to get it so VERY right with him was a huge plus.
Dennis isn’t just a sublime player. Yes, his skill set had us all impressed at the Blitz and I am among the throng that had him as a preseason tip to be league MVP this season.
(Now I’m dropping the “D” and going with James Ennis at Perth Wildcats. But I tigress.)
The joy Dennis brought as a human being is what made him an extra special pickup for Chris Anstey’s team.
Put simply, the players love him and he was not only a perfect fit on the court but also off the floor.
“It would be a shame for the NBL if it didn’t see him play,” Anstey said, his players anxious to have Dennis back next season after his surgery today for the Achilles tendon he snapped at the end of training last night.
Finding an import who suits your program is no mean feat at the best of times.
The import trail is littered with wrong choices and young men who either couldn’t cut it or just didn’t fit.
The Tigers are now back pursuing an import while rallying as a team for preseason fixtures tomorrow against the Adelaide 36ers in Millicent, then again on Thursday in Mount Gambier.
Replacing Dennis – with his Darnell Mee-esque skills and winning mindset – will take a lot.
And whoever finally gets the nod will know he does not only have to perform to import expectations, but with very large shoes to fill.
Here was today’s report at News Limited: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/basketball/nine-days-of-hell8217-for-tigers-as-import-steve-dennis-is-ruled-out-for-the-year/story-fnii0am9-1226730914945
NZ Breakers have escaped the Dongguan Leopards tonight, winning 82-81, Daryl Corletto’s 17 points including 4-of-6 threes and Kerron Johnson with 13 points and 7 assists.
Donte Greene again stood out for the Leopards with 37 points at 54 per cent.
Alex Pledger had a 10-point, 15-rebound double for the Breakers.
TORONTO will host the NBA’s 2016 All-Star Game, the first time the showcase event will be held outside the US.
“We are thrilled Toronto is hosting,” deputy-commissioner Adam Silver said.
“As the site of the first game ever in the NBA, Toronto is an ideal location for this global basketball celebration.”
The game will be on Valentine’s Day, February 14 at Air Canada Centre, home of the Raptors.
Toronto hosted the first-ever Basketball Association of America game on November 1, 1946, in which the Toronto Huskies lost to the New York Knicks at Maple Leaf Gardens.
The BAA was the forerunner of the NBA. Who knew, right?