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Week #10 Rankings: Happy birthday Chris
TweetGOOD news. The NBL will be sending Melbourne United's Chris Patton a birthday card for November 22 next year.
So the three "birthdates" that were available to anyone who went searching - at the NBL, AUSTRALIABASKET and United's roster - were in fact, ALL incorrect.
So Chris Patton friends and family planning surprise birthday parties for February 11, November 2 and/or November 11... um, you need to coordinate them into November 22 next year.
Even the Queen doesn't have this many different birthday celebrations!
Now if you have no idea what this lead item is even about, maybe check back a couple of days ago here at the site for the full breakdown.
That said, United's burgeoning back-up centre will miss tomorrow night's Adelaide game due to a foot problem, but he should be fine to suit-up against the Breakers at Hisense Arena on Sunday.
Which is a bit of a nuisance for 36ers fans who had planned to surprise him with belated birthday gifts of frankincense and myrrh.
SCREEN SAVIOUR
ADELAIDE Lightning have regained warrior guard-forward Jennifer Screen for the rest of their WNBL campaign to offset their perceived inexperience and resiliency deficiencies.
Screen, 32, was a free agent after the 2013-14 WNBL season and signed to play in Poland when Adelaide did not show great interest in retaining her.
The Lightning still need her release from Poland before they can suit her but it should be no issue considering the 180cm dual-Olympian and 2006 World Champion with the Opals did not make it to Europe.
A minor knee injury required surgery and kept her in Adelaide.
The Lightning are hoping to have her in uniform for the clash with Melbourne tomorrow.
GREEN IS A GO
HALL of Famer Al Green has returned to Adelaide after his first Tri-Stars basketball tour which took a team of 16-18 year-olds to San Diego and Oklahoma for matches against high school teams.
The Tri-Stars went 4-4 in eight games but had the pleasure of meeting and being entertained by NBA MVP Kevin Durant (pictured below with a team member).
ABC Challenge
REALLY enjoyed the last quarter and overtime of the Melbourne-West Coast WNBL game on ABC-TV last Saturday.
But part of me was keen for it to go to a second overtime and past the end of the timeslot to once again see just how genuine ABC's commitment is to the WNBL.
WNBL PotW
THE WNBL got it completely correct, no argument whatsoever, with Belinda Snell as its Player of the Week.
And while I am happy for Cairns import Torrey Craig winning the NBL PotW popularity contest, I still think his game runs second to Brian Conklin's two-match return for Townsville.
That said, always happy to see a player of Craig's talent showing it off, and, perhaps more importantly, being given the opportunity to showcase it.
Tough to do sometimes when you're anchored to the bench.
NBL Rankings
This Wk-Prev (Record)
8 (8) HAWKS 2-12 - The Sydney rivalry suggests Wollongong could finally beat a team not named Townsville.
7 (7) 36ERS 3-9 - If the run is going to come, there's no time like the present against a pair of powerhouses.
6 (6) CROCODILES 5-8 - Townsville has the weaponry to make it 1-1 in the Nth-Qld derbies though consistency is an issue.
5 (5) TAIPANS 9-4 - Can push their way up the rankings and realistically, if Cairns wants post-season play, this is a must win.
4 (3) BREAKERS 9-4 - Challenging double but a split or better allays fears New Zealand is talented but brittle.
3 (4) KINGS 6-5 - Have been going well but the NSW derby is always a challenge, regardless of standings.
2 (1) UNITED 7-5 - Regain Jordan McRae and can make a statement this week.
1 (2) WILDCATS 9-3 - Back on the perch Perth most enjoys but this is not an easy weekend to consolidate.
WNBL Rankings
This Wk-Prev (Record)
8 (8) LIGHTNING 2-9 - Slipping into "spoiler territory" unless they can pull off an upset soon.
7 (7) RANGERS 4-7 - Have talented individuals but rarely putting it together as a unit.
6 (6) WAVES 4-6 - There are games that must be won and Dandenong in Perth definitely is one.
5 (5) CAPITALS 4-6 - Need to keep in touch until LJ gets back but Townsville is a nightmare.
4 (3) FLAMES 6-4 - Capable of pulling off an upset but Townsville is on a monster roll.
3 (4) BOOMERS 7-5 - On the road to Adelaide before hosting a gnarly Bendigo. Tough double.
2 (2) SPIRIT 8-3 - Have Boomers in their sights after losing last time. Ouch.
1 (1) FIRE 7-2 - A tougher trip south than it appears but the Fire are rolling and hot.
This Week's Tips
IF the Breakers are to a) Be involved in the post-season and; b) Have any post-season impact; then c) They have to beat a team such as Perth. And beating the Wildcats at home is just what the doctor ordered, if the doctor was a Breakers fan. Look for a home upset across the Tasman.
MELBOURNE already is 2-0 on Adelaide including that 118-79 humiliation at Adelaide Arena last month. The 36ers currently are about where United was during the preseason - still sorting out roles and talent - and that difference in where they sit today gives Melbourne favoritism.
THERE wasn't much in the last Reptile Rumble and if the refs allow these teams to play, it again should go down to the wire. Cairns has reason to be feeling good about life but Townsville's win over Adelaide and narrow loss to Melbourne may give it just the slightest of edges.
IT was a historic sweep for Wollongong last year but the odds in 2015-16 favor the Kings returning the favor. The Hawks are looking better as the season progresses but Sydney last week downed New Zealand and is looking the more talented and composed team right now.
THIS one in Melbourne on Sunday will be big in terms of gauging both United and the Breakers' bona fides as finals-bound clubs, and both already with a game under their belt this round. This is one of those games where homecourt looks to be a factor so in this instance, Melbourne wins.
ADELAIDE gave Perth a good run for its money when the two locked horns in Adelaide but back at Perth Arena - scene of the Wildcats' 2014 Championship triumph over the 36ers - it is tough to see anything but a win for the home team.
THE heart says Adelaide Lightning will take a major step forward in the WNBL and upset incoming Melbourne but the head says the Boomers, on a five-game winning streak which started by thumping Lightning, will leave town with the W.
WEST Coast's season isn't exactly on the skids but it sure isn't flourishing right now either and it definitely needs to grab Dandenong's scalp in Perth. If the Rangers are to make any sort of run at the four, it has to start here, making this a key game of the round. West Coast to win.
THE Fire are rolling and Sydney has been rocking since losing Rohanee Cox. Again the head says Townsville because it is moving along quite smoothly but the heart likes the Flames to jump up and catch the Fire flickering. Will go with the head, as always. But an upset would not surprise.
FIRED up after losing unexpectedly to Melbourne, Bendigo will square the ledger with the Boomers this round. The added disadvantage for Melbourne of having to play in Adelaide and travel home also will play into Bendigo's hands and the champs will make no mistake this time.
TOWNSVILLE has just too much firepower for Canberra in a match which will see November's two stand-outs - Caps centre Abby Bishop Player of the Month and Fire boss Chris Lucas Coach of the Month - in the same venue. The Fire has the bigs to curb Bish and to win this well.
Online
WHY did the chicken cross the road?
To deliver Chris Patton his birthday card.
