The Logue Down: All the news, insights and whispers from across the NBL and NBA
Fallout from Andrej Lemanis’s ugly Boomers exit claims another victim, why LaMelo hates snakes, Sydney Kings’ subtle dig at old rivals - it’s all in The Logue Down.
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Fallout from Andrej Lemanis’s ugly Boomers exit claims another victim, why LaMelo hates snakes, Sydney Kings’ subtle dig at old rivals - chief basketball writer Matt Logue reveals all in The Logue Down.
LONGLEY’S BOOMERS EXIT
Boomers legend Luc Longley has seen the writing on the wall and decided to follow former coach Andrej Lemanis out the door at the national team following a seven-year tenure as assistant coach, despite having a year to run on his contract.
The three-time NBA champion said he also supported the push for Philadelphia 76ers mentor Brett Brown to coach the Boomers at next year’s Tokyo Olympics.
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“We’ve always asked the team to make sacrifices — well this is a sacrifice that I felt like I had to make for the Boomers’ next transition,” said Longley, who has missed out on a major tournament medal as a player and coach.
“I think a clean break from the previous staff is what we’re after, as opposed to a half-pregnant situation where there are echoes of stuff.
“I feel that the group deserves and needs a fresh twist leading into this golden moment in time for the Boomers with Brett coming onboard.
“It has been seven very busy years and I’m proud to have gone from 10th to third in the world rankings.
“I would have loved a medal but when the Boomers get a medal, I will still feel like it is partly mine.”
Longley also praised Lemanis for steering the Boomers through the nation’s most successful period.
“I think Andrej has been amazing,” he said.
“The only reason I was involved in the Boomers is because he stands by his word and he is a principled coach.
“We all have strengths and weaknesses, but I respect his strengths a lot.”
LAMELO BURNS TAIPANS
It is no coincidence that LaMelo Ball has carved up in his two games against the Cairns Taipans this season.
We can reveal that the Taipans were one of the clubs who knocked back Ball, opening the door the Hawks to swoop on his signature.
According to respected ESPN NBA analyst Jonathan Givony, who recently flew to Australia to watch Ball, the potential No.1 draft pick has played with a chip on his shoulder against Cairns.
In two games versus the Taipans, he has scored 56 points and amassed 22 assists and 18 rebounds.
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“From speaking to LaMelo’s camp, the Taipans were the other main candidate for his services, but they decided they weren’t interested in him,” Givony said.
“So, I think LaMelo has saved a little bit extra for them.”
Ball is destined for a long career in the NBA, but Illawarra owner Simon Stratford has left the door open for a potential return.
“We would definitely welcome LaMelo back after the NBA – he is a hell of a player,” Stratford said.
The highlights package of Ball’s triple-double against Cairns on Monday night has attracted a whopping 10 million global views.
TWITTER WAR CONTINUES
Andrew Bogut’s Twitter war with former NBL MVP now commentator Corey “Homicide” Williams shows no sign of slowing down.
Williams on Wednesday doubled down on his allegation that the Sydney Kings superstar hired a private investigator to dish up dirt on him and declared he’s not “scared” of continuing to criticise Bogut on social media.
You have a platform. So do I. That’s the difference. pic.twitter.com/OTaREaVaMS
— Corey “Homicide†Williams (@chomicide) November 28, 2019
The banter continued on Thursday when Williams posted a picture of The Daily Telegraph’s story saying: “You have a platform. So do I. That is the difference.”
Bogut tweeted on Thursday night: “Clickbait media always get Carey’d away..... #notthatimportant #moveon.”
LANDALE ON FIRE BUT COULD MISS OLYMPICS
Rising Boomers big man Jock Landale is starring for Lithuanian club, Zalgiris Kaunas this season.
Landale has excelled as a presence in the paint to help Zalgiris remain undefeated following 11 consecutive wins.
The Geelong Grammar School product was outstanding for the Boomers at this year’s World Cup in China despite suffering from a serious hip injury.
Landale deserves to be in Australia’s squad for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but he now faces a battle following Brett Brown’s appointment as coach.
Brown could go with NBA stars like Thon Maker and one of his current Philadelphia players in Jonah Bolden if they are available.
BOLDEN MUST MEND BRIDGES
Jonah Bolden’s link with Brown will aid his chances of selection but he still must mend some bridges after giving his commitment for this year’s World Cup in China and then walking out on the team only days before the tournament.
Some senior Boomers were disappointed with his actions given Australia’s team-first mentality and sacrifice to play for your country over the NBA.
Bolden is expected to play for the Boomers at Tokyo, but some tough conversations with teammates will have to be had before he returns.
SENIOR SQUABBLE
Ben Simmons wasn’t the only senior Boomers player that former Australian coach Andrej Lemanis became tired of dealing with.
Lemanis deserves praise for handling some of the player politics behind the scenes within the Australian team.
The former Boomers coach was not always at fault but often copped the burden of the blame.
That said, Lemanis isn’t without blame given some bizarre selection choices for this year’s World Cup, including selecting his Brisbane club-based players Nathan Sobey and Cameron Gliddon over the likes of proven international performer Brock Motum.
NBL SAY NO TO PUBLIC WAGES ... FOR NOW
Sydney Kings star Andrew Bogut raised a few eyebrows when he suggested in his Saturday Telegraph column that players’ wages in Australian sport should become public.
Bogut attracted mixed responses from fans and within the league but the main stumbling block for his idea remains the Players’ Association.
The implementation of public player wages in the NBL is dependant on the Players’ Association giving it the green light.
At this stage, it appears unlikely as there is enough resistance from the NBL, clubs and players to get it over the line.
Regardless, Bogut raised a fair point about public player wages, especially with transparency around the NBL’s “soft” salary cap always being hotly debated by fans and clubs.
CHOCO-AHOLIC
Which star New Zealand Breaker loves his chocolate so much that he was recently seen chowing down on a bar prior to a pre-game warm-up?
LISCH BOOST
Sydney Kings skipper Kevin Lisch is back at training and on track to return from his fractured ankle in the New Year.
Lisch hasn’t played since hurting his ankle during the Kings’ round two win over the Adelaide 36ers.
The veteran guard was expected to be sidelined for two months but he is progressing strongly to return ahead of schedule.
Lisch’s comeback will only further boost a staked Sydney side that recently added rising Boomers wing Xavier Cooks on a two-year deal.
SYDNEY’S SUBTLE MELBOURNE CRACK
Kings officials have no grand plans to respond to United’s infamous “Go hard or go to Sydney” sign when the two arch-rivals clash on Sunday.
The provocative sign that used to hang in Melbourne Arena is bitterly disliked by Sydney players and staff, but the league-leaders want to let their basketball do the talking.
The Kings have lost 13 of their past 14 games against United but the players are quietly confident they can reserve this horror run.
And while Sydney won’t hit back at Melbourne with a sign, don’t be surprised if Kings chairman and owner Paul Smith dons his ‘Hoops capital’ t-shirt as a subtle dig at their southern rivals.
Originally published as The Logue Down: All the news, insights and whispers from across the NBL and NBA