NBL’s big talking points ahead of round 15 with Matt Logue
Evergreen coaching legend Brian Goorjian doesn’t plan to step away from the sidelines any time soon and he’s revealed how he plans to “kick age’s a***”.
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1: Goorjian: ‘You want to kick age’s arse’
Six-time championship-winning NBL coach Brian Goorjian says retirement isn’t on his radar, declaring his desire to finish the job at the Illawarra Hawks and commit beyond this season.
Goorjian, 68 and off contract, has always taken his career prospects year by year, but he plans to stick around in Wollongong for at least another year.
“Right now, I totally have the energy and I’m totally into learning,” said Goorjian, who is also aiming to coach the Boomers at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“I’m in a group of some great coaches that I speak to every month, and I’ve learnt so much in coming back to Australia.
“I also learnt a lot at last year’s Olympics, and I think I’m evolving and becoming a better coach.
“I love the Clint Eastwood quote: ‘you want to kick age’s arse’ and the best way to do that is to be around the youth, staying active and wanting to learn.
“That is attractive to me, and I enjoy it.”
Goorjian has also enjoyed the NBL’s growing competitiveness between the coaches, led by a new wave of mentors in recent seasons.
“I love the two new coaches in Sydney (Chase Buford) and Perth (Scott Morrison) because they play the game differently,” he said.
“I’ve learnt a lot from those guys. Then there is Dan Shamir at the Breakers with his on-ball offensive schemes, which helped me with the national team.
“I had to learn how to guard those damn things.
“In the last two years the league has added in elements from Europe and the NBA that have changed the game, and all the teams play differently.
“The learning, the growing and the youth excites me, and I want to stay at that for as long as I can.”
Goorj ✊#NBL22@illawarrahawkspic.twitter.com/8cvkkOsXRp
— The NBL (@NBL) March 6, 2022
Goorjian, though, admits he won’t be at the Hawks forever.
His plan is to rebuild the foundation franchise into a consistent and financially sustainable force before handing the coaching keys to someone else.
“I’ve been good for the organisation, but the organisation will evolve, and I don’t want to be somewhere where I’m a hindrance,” he said about staying at the Hawks, who currently sit in fourth position.
“That is really important to me.
“I’m at a stage in my career where I want to be right for the organisation and where the organisation is headed.
“Right now, I think I’ve been a positive influence on what (Illawarra) needed at the time in setting this up.
“I think my pedigree and my name helped give this credibility and helped to attract and keep players here.”
2: Ware Adelaide deal uncertain
Casper Ware’s mooted move to the Adelaide 36ers is in doubt with his Russian club currently unwilling to release the former United and Kings guard.
The 36ers are in talks to secure Ware, who is playing for BC Enisey in Russia, although a deal remains unlikely at this point.
Eighth-placed Adelaide face an uphill battle to make the finals, posing the question: Is it worth bringing in a star guard on decent money now when the season appears over?
The 36ers’ pursuit of multiple guards, including ex-United title-winner Scotty Hopson, has sparked speculation about the immediate future of import guard Dusty Hannahs.
However, I’m told Hannahs will remain with the club until at least the end of season, before his and other contracts will be reviewed.
The American shooting guard has averaged 13.6 points, including 44 per cent from the field and added 1.6 assists and 1.8 rebounds in his maiden NBL season to date.
3: Phoenix to lock in Mitchell and circling Zhou
The South East Melbourne Phoenix are in the process of extending coach Simon Mitchell’s contract.
Mitchell has impressed at the Phoenix since taking over in the franchise’s inaugural season in 2019-20, and club officials see him as a key piece in winning an NBL championship.
South East Melbourne has improved every season under Mitchell’s reign. The Phoenix finished eighth in his first season, but moved up to fourth last season while this year they are currently in second position as a genuine contender.
Mitchell has always spoken passionately about South East Melbourne’s success in a short period of time.
“The program has come a long way,” Mitchell said last year when the Phoenix took up the team option to extend his contract for a third season.
“We were a piece of paper with an idea and now we’re on the verge of making playoffs inside two years.
“We’ve got good people here across the board which makes it a pleasurable place to be employed.”
The Phoenix are also in talks to extend Chinese import Zhou Qi for another season. Zhou has impressed in his maiden NBL season, averaging 9.67 points and 6.67 rebounds and 2.2 blocks, but has struggled defensively on the perimeter at times.
4: Cooks in high demand
Off-contract Sydney Kings swingman Xavier Cooks has sparked the interest of rival NBL teams following his standout season, but good luck luring him away from the Kings if he doesn’t secure an NBA deal.
Cooks has produced an MVP calibre season for the in-form Kings, including a tenth double-double of the season in last round’s win over Cairns, and he has tight relationships within the franchise.
Sydney officials are keen to extend Cooks’ contract, although he remains on the NBA’s radar.
KEY STAT:
Melbourne United have never won the first two games of a season against the Perth Wildcats before, which will add further incentive for United to beat the Wildcats in Thursday’s grand final rematch.
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