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TGIF, let's wrap
TweetTGIF and the national basketball action can get really rolling, with good and bad news up north today and some fun emails and tweets flying this way.
Let's start with the bad news and it's only bad for Cairns power forward Alex Loughton who today copped an official sanction and fine for speaking his mind a little too freely in the aftermath of the loss to Wollongong.
"Following a review of the post-match media conference audio and transcripts, the NBL determined that the remarks made were unwarranted and a clear breach of regulations," the league said in a statement today.
"Consequently, Alex Loughton has been found guilty and fined for his actions.
"The incident referenced was reviewed by the NBL Referee Managers, confirmed that the on-court ruling was right and the NBL is satisfied that the referees’ handling of the situation was correct.
"However, regardless of this, the NBL reiterates its stance on the code of behavior it expects from its players, coaches and administrators and does not tolerate any unprofessional behavior in connection with the game.
"Mr Loughton has been notified of the decision and has accepted the penalty imposed."
Not exactly sure why they told Alex's dad but maybe Big Al was in a corner somewhere.
Widespread speculation regarding the extent of the fine already has thrown up Loughton's extensive shoe collection - "Is there a pair there in my size," someone sounding suspiciously like Chuck Harmison apparently asked today - Dr Evils' "One. Million. Dollars" and the dry cleaning bill on Aaron Grabau's retired uniform. (Dust never sleeps)
There also has been an armored car bearing the NBL logo spotted leaving Loughton's house and allegations of a BA conspiracy, which clearly have created a stir across the Tasman.
(Thank you to Murray Wenzel, Ben Parker and King Podge for your observations and contributions. Your identities are safe with me.)
THE good news is Townsville Fire captain Rachael McCully will join fellow recent recipient and former Adelaide Lightning teammate Sam Woosnam as a WNBL Life Member this round.
McCully (nee Flanagan) has logged 283 games - glad the WNBL added them up before she retired - and while she was a Forestville gal, Townsville is truly home for her now.
“I came up here in 2004 just on a chance when there was an opening on the roster and I haven’t looked back,” she said.
“I love Townsville - I love the community spirit that’s behind this team.
“Obviously we’ve had our bumps along road, but I think it’s one of the best clubs in the WNBL.
“I’m getting towards the end of my career and there’s nothing more I want to do than to bring that first WNBL Championship to Townsville.
“It’s something that we’re working hard to do and making it to last year’s WNBL Grand Final was a huge step, but it’s still a way off where we want to be.”
Flanny started with Adelaide Lightning in 2000 and played 70 games before heading north.
In a moment of madness, she played with Dandenong in 2007-08 before the fever wore off and she headed "home".
Flanny is a back-to-back winner of the Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year award.
IT APPEARS my suggestion here recently the wanky-named BA Centre of Excellence could alternatively have been named the National Basketball Academy has some traction - at least with the Church of England folks.
"CoE is exclusively Church of England's abbreviation," Father Rodney Bauer recently informed me.
Rod isn't with the church you understand. But he is a father.
And "going to the NBA" does kinda kill "going to the CoE".
Perhaps COE should be revisited by the CEO.
RELIABLY informed Adrian Preposterous, er, Adrian Proszenko, the "chief rugby league writer" with The Age, who this week dubbed Kings' import Sam Young as "the best basketballer to step foot on to an Australian court" is, in fact, the best rugby league writer to ever step foot in a Melbourne newspaper.
That's why he should stick with that.
Kareem Abdul Jabbar just phoned but had to put him on hold to take Magic Johnson's call.
KEN Richardson was finally laid to rest last night by his Adelaide friends and family, the NBL's inaugural MVP and one of the true greats of the game no doubt raising a glass of Barcardi and Coke somewhere to the assemblage.
Steve McGugan, who shared a house with Ken, spoke eloquently of the great man's final days, along with a few other stories from Ray Wood and Peter Ali.
Who knew blue movies could be such a stimulant before playing? Ken was certainly a pioneer in his coaching methods!
But he was a great one too, his West Adelaide successes part of history but less remembered are random facts such as coaching Geelong Supercats the VBA championship.
Ken Richardson was one of a kind. We were blessed to know him.
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