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ROUND ABOUT: NBL #24
TweetI HAVE a policy to never try to defend the indefensible and a knee to the groin – heavy contact or not – is indefensible in my book.
Yes, I realise Adelaide 36ers import Gary Ervin has been on the receiving end of a lot physically during this NBL semi final series against Melbourne and even agree the refs too often have turned a blind eye and reverted to old habits.
But provocation is part-and-parcel of pro sport, as is dealing with it appropriately.
Attempting to knee Chris Goulding in his so-called “man parts” is not dealing with it appropriately.
Given the nature of NBL baggy shorts, whether Ervin struck Goulding with any force – Lord knows Bubbles milked it for all it was worth, then got up and struck two free throws ahead of another triple – to me frankly remains largely irrelevant.
The footage clearly shows he tried and that is enough.
I have two pet hates in a sporting environment – trying to hit an opponent in the testicles and spitting on an opponent.
I just think those are acts that have no place in sport, or anywhere else for that matter, though I have been witness to both.
Was the fine of a whopping $7,500 enough in itself?
Given two teams copped suspended $5,000 fines for their roles in the Valentine’s Day Melee in Perth, then that total, plus a suspended three-match ban probably would have sufficed for Ervin.
Or a one-match ban and the standard $2,000 fine, with pending suspended sentences.
But a one-match ban, $7,500 fine, with additional suspensions hanging over him is seriously harsh because now we all know he will be receiving plenty of attention from this day forward.
That’s if Adelaide gets to play beyond tomorrow night, which is debatable. And if not, whether Ervin gets to have a sophomore season in the city of churches.
Or in the NBL.
The sad thing for Gary is his one brain fart - on national television to boot – will haunt him for as long as he laces up his boots.
Don’t think potential clubs looking to recruit him overseas won’t see that footage.
As a New Yorker, Gary might not regret his action today but pretty much everyone he knows or cares about will see that video eventually.
They will make up their own minds and those who love him will see it his way.
It’s a shame it happened at all and if this is how fiercely the NBL’s independent tribunal is going to act in future, then all well and good.
You cannot condone what occurred. Let’s hope if this is the message the NBL wanted to send out, it backs it up with similar penalties in future and also reminds its officials they have a job to do.
They failed Game Two badly.
But that still doesn't make what Gary tried to do acceptable.
GAME 3
THE 36ers will rally, of that there is no doubt. And they have played (and won) without Gary Ervin in uniform twice before, once on the road in Townsville and once pantsing NZ Breakers at The Fortress.
It’s just that this isn’t the time of the season you want to be rearranging your strategies, starting fives or player rotations.
That gives Melbourne a decided edge tomorrow night and one it must drive home to take the 36ers’ home record from a league-best 14-1 to 14-2.
That’s what looks most likely to happen, unless Adelaide’s all-locals/no-imports team pulls off a memorable upset. Wouldn’t Marty love that?
YEAH, NO KIDDING
NICE to hear Steve Carfino back and claiming during G2 of the Perth-Wollongong semi final that “Wollongong spent most of the year at the bottom of the ladder.”
Really?
They certainly tumbled there and were there for a while. But MOST of the year?
Maybe take another look at the week-by-week ladder positions.
Just check how long NZ Breakers, Cairns and Townsville spent on that last ladder rung.
It was a great effort by the Hawks to once again soar into the playoffs.
I know I wrote them off at about the two-third mark of the season.
More fool me.
But they never had time to redecorate the bomb shelter before they exited.
Reviews
36ers V Tigers (G1)
ADELAIDE shut down The Unicorn and broke away from Melbourne behind Gary Ervin’s 27-point haul. But Rhys Carter off the bench gave the 36ers the boost they needed to take a 1-0 series lead 101-85, his three-point barrage and blocked shot of Nate Tomlinson on the break inspiring stuff.
Wildcats V Hawks (G1)
PERTH was on a roll and running away after a 22-12 second quarter set up a 16-point lead against Wollongong. But Rotnei Clarke and Oscar Forman brought the Hawks rallying back to 79-82 before Perth hit the afterburners for a 9-0 finish and 91-79 home win.
Tigers V 36ers (G2)
AHEAD 34-21 and playing well, Adelaide looked headed for a sweep until Chris Goulding cut loose with a 14-point second quarter and the game flavour turned right around. He went on to score 37, Scott Morrison and Lucas Walker also big in a 98-87 series leveller.
Hawks V Wildcats (G2)
Dave Gruber started like a house on fire and Wollongong at home jumped out to 16-11 early. But Perth took the Hawks’ best shots, then Shawn Redhage got his eye in for 19 of his 26 points in the first half, Perth ahead 39-33 by halftime, then blitzing Wollongong with a 26-11 third period in an 80-61 elimination. The Wildcats’ defence was frighteningly good.
BEEF of the WEEK
AT the risk of a flood of Perth fans bombarding me with the usual rhetoric – “We get 11,000 to our games so we can do no wrong” – let me just add my baritone to those who have voiced dismay at the Wildcats dancers’ late game routine.
You know, surrounding the opposition time-out huddle for their swivelling hips action.
Yes, the home crowd loves it because it looks like fun to make life uncomfortable for those many interlopers from anywhere east of Kalgoorlie.
But it is demeaning of the opposition and belittles them.
For an organisation as ahead of the curve, as successful and as classy as the Wildcats, it is tacky.
Sure, tell me I’m a fuddy duddy if it suits and that it’s “just a bit of fun” but what message does it send?
I know. Who cares, right?
“We do everything right in Perth so until you fill your stadia, we rule man.”
Yeah, I get that whole “might = right” argument. It just looks unnecessary to me when a cashed-up, super-successful organisation such as Perth’s Wildcats has its dancers effectively ridiculing the opposition, especially when it is a classy and community-based, under-resourced and very competitive outfit such as Wollongong.
Online
BIGGEST WINNERS/LOSERS
PERTH has swept into the Grand Final, has its rival semi finalists still fighting it out, and owns home court edge through the Championship Series. Contact the trophy engravers now because the recent wait will be over, the Wildcats this week’s biggest winners.
ADELAIDE had Melbourne on the ropes, then finished up punch-drunk as Melbourne levelled the rival series. With Gary Ervin reported, then banned for a game, the 36ers look like the week’s big loser.
PS
The Australian Ballet Company is looking for a new lead male dancer for its forthcoming performances of The Nutcracker Suite. Apparently Chris Goulding has someone he wants to recommend.
