Basketball On The Internet.

THAT shot was the talk of the NBL today (and yesterday), New Zealand superstar Cedric Jackson proving yet again, it ain't over til it's over.

And that goes for games that go into overtime and/or double overtime.

It was a terrific weekend for the NBL, with its top four settled.

And it was just the same for the WNBL with its top four also determined when Sydney upset Townsville.

Canberra Capitals and Melbourne Boomers have the winter to lament where they went wrong in a season which went to the wire.

Even Adelaide finished on a winning note for retiring owner Vince Marino, surprising Dandenong in Whyalla, Marino's home town.

(The Lightning's four-game win streak actually is the league's current best as it closes its regular season!)

Dandenong bounced back with a gripping high-quality WNBL thriller against Townsville which went into overtime, the perfect launch-pad into the playoffs next week.

The KO semi sees Dandenong hosting Sydney, the double chance semi has Townsville hosting Bendigo for a change.

 

MEANWHILE back in the NBL, when Adelaide beat New Zealand it threw all the pressure on Melbourne to get a couple of road wins in north Queensland.

But the boys of Far-From couldn't get their act together against a Cairns chasing the regular season championship, then completely dropped their bundle in Townsville, their season shot.

“I don’t even know what to say. I’ll say one thing - I apologise (to the media) and Townsville for that performance because I think we’re better than that,” Darryl McDonald said, his NBL coaching career heading for a hiatus after this last round's matches with Sydney.

By no means dismiss D-Mac as an NBL-calibre coach but this group needed a more experienced and tougher hand. That's why the name "Brian Goorjian" so often has been on ownership's lips.

The Goorj has completed six years with Dongguan Leopards in China but may go one more somewhere else in the CBA while his friend and former South Dragons owner Mark Cowan gets the second Melbourne licence deal finalised.

With Far-From out of the picture, the focus shifted to the positioning within the top four and onto the Perth-New Zealand clash.

What a game!

(What officiating! Just removing the peg from my nose.)

But if it's drama we like, it's drama we got, right down to Jermaine Beal's big free throws at the end of the second overtime to pinch the game ... well, according to the commentary at least.

No-one told Cedric, so Jacko takes the inbounds pass, a few quick dribbles and a halfcourt-plus banker for the win!

Lights out!

 

Basketball On The Internet, Player of the Week

IT'S not often we here on the sundeck at B.O.T.I. decide to shift our shades and give our highly-coveted Player of the Week award to someone who went within a millisecond of a 0-2 round.

But considering most NBL followers and sports lovers today were talking about "the shot", Cedric Jackson suddenly became our only choice.

He did, after all, still deliver a triple-double of 11-11-11 in the loss to Adelaide, which was no mean feat.

Jackson had 22 points, seven defensive rebounds, six assists and four steals in the double-overtime win in Perth and was playing with four fouls, four of his teammates already fouled out.

It wasn't The Entertainer's numbers though, it was this - http://bit.ly/1Fgfgik - that made him the talk of two nations and our PotW (again).

PotW Winners

Rd1 Scottie Wilbekin
Rd2 Brian Conklin
Rd3 Scottie Wilbekin
Rd4 Adam Gibson
Rd5 Josh Childress
Rd6 Jordan McRae
Rd7 Josh Childress
Rd8 Tim Coenraad
Rd9 Brian Conklin
Rd10 Josh Childress
Rd11 Jordan McRae
Rd12 Tai Wesley
Rd13 Brian Conklin
Rd14 Jamar Wilson
Rd15 Cedric Jackson
Rd16 Torrey Craig
Rd17 Jamar Wilson
Rd18 Todd Blanchfield
Rd19 Cedric Jackson

WOW, that was some round to finish off the WNBL regular season too wasn't it?

Three teams needed to win to have any chance and all three did, serving up fourth spot for Sydney Uni Flames.

Got to say, Leilani Mitchell's tour de force of 19 points, 12 assists, seven rebounds, two steals and the big shot which staved off Townsville and put Sydney into the post-season, has to get the B.O.T.I. nod.

Until that happened, Steph Talbot's career-high 28 points at 80 per cent with 12 rebounds and four assists to briefly tantalise Canberra with a top four berth, had our vote.

And just before that, Laura Hodges' 30 points as Adelaide stunned Dandenong was up there too.

They were superb and worthy efforts. But Leilani's put Sydney into the finals.

 

YEAH, NO KIDDING

LET'S start this week's TV wrap with a reader assessment of CJ Bruton's "colour commentary" debut on the Breakers-36ers game last Thursday. Matthew Fietz wrote in, summarising what many felt.

"I presume you watched the game last night?  Does CJ Bruton usually commentate?

"Honestly, when he tried to be insightful, he was boastful.

"When he tried to be funny, he was annoying.

"And when he tried to be impartial, actually, he never tried that one.

"The main reason I wanted the Sixers to win was so that he would have to say something positive about them."

As a big personal fan of CJ's, I can only presume he was nervous because his natural personality and charm were, sadly, rarely evident.

So on to Saturday's WNBL match on ABC-TV and we get the bonus of user-friendly Opals coach Brendan Joyce joining the commentary team.

Oh my God BJ. Ninety minutes of driving home why Tessa Lavey was selected for the World Championship. She could do no wrong!

Yes, Lavey had her best game of the season but describing a one-hand wrap-around pass an "international play" made me wonder why manhandling Kristen Veal at the other end was not equally an exceptional "international foul".

Thank heavens it wasn't a Bendigo-Melbourne game or Nat Burton would have been given the same red carpet treatment for her ability to "internationally run the floor".

(Pity about the missed shot at the end of it.)

Kudos to the ABC for bringing Brendan onto the call, even if we did get a wee bit too much commentary generated by his "non-preferred hand".

Fast-forward to Sunday and again, got to say Brad Rosen is making terrific strides commentarywise. Thought the call of the Sydney-Wollongong game was very good, insightfulnesswise and explanationwise.

That was after a very good call on the Cairns-Melbourne clash too.

But can't leave the ONE-Ten coverage without pointing out the absolute absurdity of this week's TV games. On Friday, it is the meaningless Sydney-Melbourne game and on Sunday, it's the even more meaningless Melbourne-Sydney game.

Yeah. You read that right.

This is exactly where you need someone who actually gives a flying flick to say: "No, on Friday we will change the nationally televised FTA game to Adelaide v Perth and on Sunday we will show New Zealand versus Cairns."

Of course, that doesn't happen and it's why when NBL execs do something as nauseating as declare in the Financial Review they are keen to renegotiate with Ten, you want to scream.

 

THEN AGAIN...

ON the one hand, had the negatives about CJ Bruton's commentary effort. Then on the other, received this from Southern District Spartans club official Allen Ladewig the same day regarding Bruton:

"He is an amazing worker and very professional. The Brisbane Spartans do not have the funds to be competitive with our opposition in SEABL but the team will do us and Queensland proud.

"His style (coaching) of game is a return to the old days where the fans saw offence from defence with an exciting open game. You may be bigger but we will be faster.

"He has taken the time to visit our history room so he is aware of who helped make us what we are. He is in NZ this weekend but after he found out I have an NBL store room, is keen to get inside that as well. I am pretty sure I have more than one game program with his dad on a cover.

"If we can keep him, we will be a model club for everyone to aspire to be, whether big or small.

"His work in juniors and at the "PR" level also makes our sport look a hell of a lot better than it has for a long time. Schools are waiting for him to make contact so our future is bright. A good man attracting good people is the best way to sum up his time here so far.

"I have no idea who will be the next NBL management but I would seriously put him up as the face of our sport."

Just not calling TV basketball...

 

CONGRATS TO "SA GREAT" LINDSAY GAZE

ACTUALLY, congratulations ARE in order, with our seven-time Olympian and dual-NBL Championship winning coach Lindsay Gaze to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

But still had a giggle when in the official statement at the website Lindsay, 78 and that most Victorian of Victorians, was named as a "native of Adelaide, South Australia".

(That even made Tony Ronaldson smirk.)

 

REVIEWS

Breakers V 36ers (M)

THE 36ers looked to have this in the bag, ahead by 11 with a period to play. But Corey Webster - who was terrific despite foul troubles - Tom Abercrombie and Ced Jackson hits threes to take New Zealand ahead by three inside the final minute. An 8-0 run and 28 points from Jamar Wilson ensured Adelaide's eighth straight win, 93-88.

Capitals V Spirit (W)

A 28-18 second quarter gave Canberra the impetus to post a sizzling 85-75 upset over reigning champion Bendigo, Caps guard Stephanie Talbot with a career-high 28 points at 80 per cent, with 3-of-3 threes and 9-of-10 free throws, plus 12 rebounds and four assists! The win put Canberra into the four for 24 hours.

Taipans V United (M)

CAIRNS had an important prior engagement with a club awards night to get ready for so progressively took care of Melbourne, its 22-9 third setting up the 84-62 cruise. Torrey Craig had some monster slams in a 21-point, nine-rebound return and Scottie Wilbekin's 17 points came at 70 per cent. United's main concern appeared to be racing to the bus for good seats on the trek to Townsville.

Lightning V Rangers (W)

A completely unexpected 19-7 third period by Adelaide against Dandenong set this up for a stunning 89-71 upset, Laura Hodges delivering a season-best 30 points and ably supported by teammates keen to end this particular Lightning era on a high. Jenni Screen and Jess Foley head happily into retirement, Adelaide closing the season on a four-win streak and with two wins apiece over finals-bound Dandenong and Sydney.

THEY GOT UP: Jess Foley, Jenni Screen and Laura Hodges celebrate the win.

Crocodiles V United (M)

IT was Valentine's Day and Townsville gave Melbourne a right royal rout, winning 105-68. It was the Crocs' biggest win since downing Singapore Slingers by 40 in 2007 and their biggest over any Melbourne-based NBL team since slaying the Dragons by 35. Mitch Norton had a career-best 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting while Brian Conklin had a triple-double with 23 points on 10-of-11, 10 boards and 14 stolen glances of "where is his beard?" from distracted United personnel.

Flames V Fire (W)

THIS was a "must win" for Sydney if it was going to contest the playoffs and the Flames extinguished the Fire 82-80. Leilani Mitchell was sensational and hit the big shot when Townsville made its move with a 20-11 final period, to pull the lead back to five. Cayla Francis' three created the final scoreline, Mitchell with 19 points, 12 assists, seven boards and two steals.

Waves V Boomers (W)

KNOWING their finals drive was shot, Melbourne did well to stave off the disappointment and survive West Coast's challenge 64-61 in Perth. The Waves' big three - Lindsey Moore (16), Louella Tomlinson (15) and Deanna Smith (14) - all stepped up but Tess Madgen (23 points) willed her Boomers over the line in a virtuoso performance.

Kings V Hawks (M)

AS if losing Josh Childress isn't bad enough, Ben Madgen dislocated his shoulder having a whack at the ball as Brad Hill, his former Eastern Mavericks teammate in SA, drove to the hoop. For the Kings to hang in for as long as they did was a tremendous testament to their heart and desire. But ultimately, two huge last minute threes by Wollongong captain Oscar Forman led to a 75-73 Hawks escape.

Rangers V Fire (W)

TOWNVILLE had to battle back to save this in regulation, Steph Cumming's free throws sending it to overtime at 71-71. A Cayla Francis triple which she backed with another big basket gave Townsville a five-point extension buffer which Dandenong could not overcome, the Fire winning 80-77. Cayla and Penny Taylor had a game-high 20 points apiece, The Batgirl with a 19-12 double-double.

Wildcats V Breakers (M)

JERMAINE Beal made a great jumpshot to force a second overtime for Perth, then seemingly sealed the win from the stripe at 87-86 with heartbeats only left in the second o/t. But Cedric Jackson threw up THAT shot and it was the Breakers creating mayhem with the historic first-ever four-game regular season sweep of the Wildcats.

 

BIGGEST WINNERS/LOSERS

REGARDLESS of how Friday's showdown with Perth goes, Adelaide cemented its own spot in the playoffs with its win streak which extended to eight with a quality victory against the Breakers in New Zealand. The 36ers were the round's biggest winners.

UNITED did nothing to allay doubts about disunity and disharmony within the ranks, cobbling together two of the club's worst consecutive road performances, belted by Cairns, humiliated by Townsville.

SYDNEY was the WNBL's biggest winner, clawing its way back into the top four for the finals with a terrific victory over Townsville and, with any luck, securing a "Coach of the Year" gong for rookie Shannon Seebohm.

CANBERRA and Melbourne were the round's joint biggest losers, finishing the season with big wins to press their top-four ambitions but beaten out of it by Sydney's success. If only the Caps could have those losses to West Coast and Adelaide back, or Melbourne those recent losses to the Caps and Sydney...

 

BEEF of the WEEK

SAY no more.

NBL.TV during the Perth-NZ Breakers thriller.

Fortunately, it only regularly occurred in all the key moments.

Such BS.

 

Online

http://bit.ly/1AsPE0D

http://bit.ly/1v1TPOw

http://bit.ly/1Jkfkkj

http://bit.ly/1DX3N5G

 

PS

WHAT he said.

What he really meant.

Townsville coach Shawn Dennis after his Crocs routed Melbourne.

SAID - “We felt that given what occurred to them last night (in Cairns) and the long bus ride here last night, that if we could turn the game into that up-tempo (style), then eventually they’d run out of legs and the scoreline sort of proves that.” 

MEANT - “We've known all year we can take these guys after coming back from 19 down at halftime in the preseason to beat 'em.”