The Tips & Last Rankings
TweetTHE Swisse NBL Finals are almost upon us yet it seems like only yesterday the Preseason Blitz was tipping off in Townsville.
I guess it's true, time flies when you're having fun and NBL Season 2015-16 has been full of fun and simply flown by.
The chance to see every game on television through Fox Sports has been a Naismithsend, giving all fans a chance to formulate opinions based on knowledge instead of hearsay.
It's made for a sensational year, with tonight's MVP awards sure to again be something very memorable and special.
CARRIE Graf may be stepping away from coaching her beloved Canberra Capitalists but needing a break to recharge batteries is different from giving the game away.
"To clarify I don't see myself retiring from coaching. I'm not renewing with Canberra and will take a decent break from coaching," she said.
So we'll get to see those white shoes again somewhere down the track.
IT was a telling but honest answer from Melbourne United centre Daniel Kickert on how his club approached its game last Sunday against *imminent semi final opponent New Zealand.
(*imminent - that means "coming up" for anyone from Basketball Australia wondering.)
"The simple way to look at it is we had a good hit-out against a really good team," Kickert said.
"We feel we didn’t play our best or put our best foot forward, so that’s something to fall back on I guess a little bit."
PLAYING FOR REAL HERE: Daniel Kickert working against the 36ers.
People ARE betting on basketball. The increase has been 400 per cent. Teams at least should present themselves as being fair dinkum, surely?
DANDENONG's Larissa Anderson and versatile Perth import Betnijah Laney have won the WNBL's Coach and Player of the Month accolades for January.
(Someone at BA must have realised the end of THIS month was imminent so they had better hurry up and give out January's awards.)
Laney averaged 18.5 points, 10.5 rebounds (4.3 offensive), 5.8 assists and 1.5 steals for the month, stepping up even more when Louella Tomlinson was injured.
Anderson was December's carry-over champion, steering the Rangers to a 5-1 month and into the playoffs.
QUESTION TIME
*In the 36ers' last home game, did Nelson Larkins see enough action to earn a three-second call?
*In a national sporting competition, where every club is mandated to pay a significant but equal sum for the running of the competition ... how is it that some clubs are allowed to escape payment of that mandatory fee (some repeatedly), only to bolster their roster with high level paid players?
*Have we just worked out who Kings assistant coach Jacob Jackomas has as a role model?
*Is BA, as the WNBL's administration, aware there is a rule not allowing teams to continue into playoffs unless all outstanding fees are paid?
*This one is for Fox Sports commentators exclusively: Item one is a basketball. Item two is a suitcase. Which one does not have a handle?
*Which win-loss record is better, 3-9 or 3-13?
NBL RANKINGS This Wk-Prev (Record)
8 (8) KINGS 6-22 - Played a great last round but overall Sydney was league's underachiever.
7 (6) TAIPANS 12-16 - One road win (& on a buzzer-beater) explains where season went awry.
6 (5) 36ERS 14-14 - Lost their 40-minute resolve when injury derailed postseason drive.
5 (7) CROCODILES 11-17 - Finished full of running and future looks much brighter now.
4 (1) UNITED 18-10 - Sure, last round was meaningless but two losses weren't thrilling.
3 (3) HAWKS 17-11 - Just one win out of first place but now the real season begins.
2 (2) WILDCATS 18-10 - Didn't understand Sydney strategy but looked good against 36ers.
1 (4) BREAKERS 16-12 - Enter finals on a five-win streak and look their old self again.
WNBL RANKINGS This Wk-Prev (Record)
9 (9) CAPITALS 1-22 - Still could give Carrie Graf and retirees a great send off.
8 (7) BOOMERS 7-16 - Can do Bendigo a favour if they beat SEQ, but it's unlikely.
7 (6) FLAMES 12-11 - Season cruelled by Swords being cut down but can upset Bendigo.
6 (8) LIGHTNING 10-13 - Finishing on a roll and sure won't be losing to Fire by 63.
5 (5) SPIRIT 12-10 - Must win and hope for favourable results, never your first choice.
4 (3) RANGERS 15-8 - A finals-type test with the double-chance possibly on the line.
3 (4) LYNX 15-8 - A win over Townsville would be a great finals springboard.
2 (2) STARS 14-8 - Twin wins could mean the double-chance. What a turnaround!
1 (1) FIRE 16-6 - Even a split means the double-chance and homecourt through the finals.
THIS WEEK'S TIPS
NEW Zealand has won four of the past five NBL Championships and is a different and difficult proposition come playoff time. Yes, the last round didn't mean squat to either team but do you really want to lose by 37 away - even with your Youth League team - and lose again at home with your A-team? The Breakers regain new father Corey Webster and while Alex Pledger (virus) is in doubt, it's a real mystery now whether United flirting with its form was a good idea. The Breakers are on a five-win streak and winning form is good form. An upset is looming.
YES we know, the Hawks haven't won in Perth since Oscar Forman was in nappies, the Wildcats sweeping this season-series 4-0 and winning the last one at The Jungle by 23. OK. It's playoffs now and how that figures to affect Perth's mindset is the interesting question. This time, previous Perth championship coach Rob Beveridge and his Larry Sengstock Medallist Kevin Lisch are fully armed and dangerous, while the Wildcats have some injury clouds. A second semi upset?
BENDIGO's WNBL finals chances have taken a beating since Kelsey Griffin (hamstring) went out injured. But if she is back this weekend as expected, the Spirit should beat Sydney. The Flames' season has been even more derailed by the injury to Carolyn Swords, opening the door for Bendigo.
IF Perth cannot beat Townsville in Perth, its finals hopes take a bit of a jolt because the Fire already are 2-0 over the Lynx this season. The result cannot effect the regular season championship but it can impact Perth's mindset. That said, Townsville is rolling and should win on the road.
LAST week it was farewell to Lauren ... and the Capitals KO'd Perth. This round Canberra sends off Carrie, Jessica and, possibly Carly so expect the Caps to be up for Bendigo's visit. The Spirit must win and hope Melbourne rocks SEQ. But taking care of business in the capital will be no easy task.
SEQ - or Melbourne's old team - should have few issues taking out the depleted Boomers, who are eyeing the end of the season with some delight. The Stars will shine.
ADELAIDE has finished the season looking like a WNBL club but still would need to do a lot right to bat Townsville. The Fire beat Lightning by 63 earlier this season and this game will not even resmble that massacre. But it's unlike Adelaide finishes on a win, either.
IT will be a playoff preview at Dandenong when SEQ hits Stud Rd. If Townsville has beaten Perth and both sides are 15-8 going into this, the winner will snatch the double chance. Reckon there's a bit riding on this? Picking Dandenong, but not sure why. Homecourt maybe.
KNOCK KNOCK
Who's there?
McLeod
McLeod who?
Make loud noise! It's playoffs time!