Logue Down basketball column: Josh Giddey on the NBL’s radar
One of the NBL’s greatest coaches says a modern-day star reminds him of NBA wild child Dennis Rodman. Find out why, plus all the must-know hoops news in the Logue Down.
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Legendary coach Brian Goorjian doesn’t hand out praise, so when he talks highly about a player: we should listen.
Asked who his favourite rival NBL player is, Goorjian didn’t hesitate.
“If there is one guy in the league that just touches me, and I just admire so much — it is Sydney’s Xavier Cooks,” Goorjian said.
“The Kings are the arch rival, they are public enemy No. 1, and there is nothing more you want to do than beat that team, but I have such admiration for what Xavier does on the floor.
“Every possession his activity, he is like a Dennis Rodman but with more of an offensive package.
“He just impacts the game so much and he is so fun to watch with his energy.”
Goorjian “loved” coaching Cooks during Australia’s pre-Tokyo Olympic camp in California last year.
The Kings swingman didn’t make the cut for the Boomers’ tilt at bronze, but he earnt the team’s respect through his hardworking actions at the camp.
“We had such a special group, but when he left the group, it was almost emotional,” he said.
“Every guy on the team had unbelievable admiration for him. In those warm-up games we played Team USA and we put him in at the end of the game and he was instrumental.
“He also played tremendous against Nigeria. The first import I ever coached was Xavier’s father Eric Cooks, and the fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree because Xavier is a very similar person and player.”
GIDDEY AT TOP OF NBL PRE-SEASON WISHLIST
The NBL is finalising pre-season NBA games for later this year — and reigning Rookie of the Year turned OKC Thunder star Josh Giddey is at the top of the league’s wish list.
League commissioner Jeremy Loeliger confirmed he will do everything in his power to schedule a pre-season NBL versus NBA game involving Melbourne-born Giddey’s Thunder.
“That would be a fantastic outcome for everyone in my opinion and we’ll leave no stone unturned to try and make it happen,” Loeliger said.
Bogut calls out Adelaide’s Russian dilemma
The Adelaide 36ers backed out of negotiations with championship-winning guard Casper Ware because the club morally didn’t want to send money to his Russian club to buyout his contract.
That’s the word from respected NBL commentator John Casey, who said in commentary on Saturday night that the 36ers were reluctant to engage with Ware’s Russian club Enisey due to the country’s unprovoked declaration of war on European neighbours Ukraine.
Not everyone is buying the reasoning, though, including Boomers and NBL great Andrew Bogut.
“Was it really reported the Adelaide 36ers won’t sign import Casper Ware because they couldn’t “morally” pay a Russian team a buyout,” Bogut tweeted.
“This has to go down as the greatest excuse as to why a team hasn’t signed an import I have heard in a LONGGGG time.”
Watch Every Game of the 21/22 NBL Season Live & On-Demand with ESPN on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >
Was it really reported the Adelaide 36ers wont sign import Casper Ware because they couldn’t “morally†pay a Russian team a buyout?
— Andrew Bogut (@andrewbogut) March 12, 2022
This has to go down as the greatest excuse as to why a team hasn’t signed an import I have heard in a LONGGGG time! 😂😂😂
Ware has since left Enisey to join Russian powerhouse CSKA Moscow for the rest of the season.
In the VTB United League for Enisey, he played 13 games averaging 16.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists.
Ware is looking forward to continuing his time in Russia in Moscow.
“First of all, I want to thank Enisey,” the former United and Kings guard said in a statement.
“I had a great season there, I was welcomed with open arms, teammates, front office, coaches treated me very well, and I have a lot of love for them.
“Now I am happy that I had the opportunity to play for CSKA, I am very excited to play for historic club like this. I can’t wait to get to work.”
Ware’s discussions with Adelaide were legitimate and he could still end up in the NBL next season, although I’m told the 36ers could target multiple guards in free agency, including Bullets star and former 36er Nathan Sobey.
Gaze backs play-in tournament
The NBL’s greatest player Andrew Gaze would like to see an NBA style play-in tournament introduced to the NBL.
The league has indicated its desire to extend the current four teams finals series next season, and Gaze sees merit in introducing the plan.
With tonight's win, the @PerthWildcats have jumped to 2nd on the #NBL22 ladder 👀
— The NBL (@NBL) March 10, 2022
And has anyone mentioned they end the season with 9 straight home games 😳 pic.twitter.com/HLw4yRnyPm
“You look at how close the top five is this season — a play-in tournament would be perfect,” Gaze told me.
Gazey isn’t wrong.
Imagine bitter arch rivals the Sydney Kings and Illawarra Hawks clashing in a play-in game to make the finals?
It would attract significant eyeballs and media attention to the NBL.
Loeliger open to Bronny pitch
NBL commissioner Jeremy Loeliger is open to speaking to Bronny James — the 17-year-old eldest son of NBA superstar LeBron James — about joining the league’s Next Stars program.
James junior, who has finished his senior year of high school at Sierra Canyon in California, is weighing up his next career move.
He could play college hoops or join the G League, but there is a legitimate push for James’ sibling to follow in LaMelo Ball’s footsteps and play in the NBL’s proven Next Stars program.
“Yes, of course we would entertain a chat with LBJ,” Loeliger said.
Brisbane Bullets Next Stars signing — Spanish-born small forward Tom Digbeu — recommends the NBL as a genuine pathway to the NBA.
“Yeah, for sure — I think it is a really good spot to be,” Digbeu said.
“Literally everything is good here — the basketball and the lifestyle.
“It is a really good league to come to as a Next Star. Go where you know you can play, and you’ll get minutes.”
Aussie’s close up view of Celtics star
Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum has produced Larry Bird type numbers in recent games — and an Aussie is blessed to have a front-row seat to see Tatum’s brilliance.
Experienced Australian physio Phil Coles, who has previously worked with Liverpool FC, the Socceroos, Newcastle Knights, and the San Antonio Spurs under Gregg Popovich, is in his second season as the Celtics’ Executive Director of Performance.
The Central Coast raised professional has been blessed to work with world-class athletes like Tim Cahill, Harry Kewell and Manu Ginobili and says Tatum is equally special.
LIKE
The most consistent franchise in Australian sport — the Perth Wildcats — continue to set the benchmark.
The Wildcats produced a brilliant performance to beat competition leaders Melbourne United on Thursday.
It was Perth’s 12th straight road game, but the 10-time champions didn’t miss a beat to defeat Melbourne down the stretch.
The Wildcats have won six of their 10 championships since 2010, and with the likes of Bryce Cotton and Vic Law firing, they’ll be hard to beat again this season.
🎙 | Dean Vickerman and Delly spoke to the media following tonight's loss to the Wildcats.
— Melbourne United (@MelbUnited) March 10, 2022
Catch the full interview here â¬‡ï¸ pic.twitter.com/gQab45V3Gy
DISLIKE
It was a shock to see Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman question his team’s commitment after Friday’s loss to Perth.
United have set a high benchmark when it comes to effort off the court in recent seasons, but Vickerman wasn’t happy with his side’s preparation in the lead-up to the Wildcats’ clash.
“I thought some people … didn’t take care of their own business, and that’s being as prepared as they can with their scouting,” Vickerman fired.
“Not just accepting what the coaches give them. To go home, do their homework, know what’s going to happen on the floor …”
SHOOSH
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