Logue Down: Latest basketball news from Australia and abroad
Aussie basketball legend Chris Anstey has turned to two players across ‘The Ditch’ as his best NBA draft candidates. See who else runs out his top 10 in this week’s The Logue Down.
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Hugo Besson’s New Zealand Breakers may be sitting last on the NBL ladder with two wins, but the French guard is poised to excel in this year’s NBA draft, according to Chris Anstey.
Besson is currently ranked as low as 60th in some mock drafts, but Anstey expects this to change.
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“If I was to draft the NBA eligible young players in the NBL right now, I’d be taking Besson No.1,” Anstey said.
“He has shown an ability to shoot the lights out and that translates anywhere in the world.
“He has also shown an ability to get on the rim and throw one down and he actually has better size than I first thought when he came across.
“For me, Besson has been really impressive.”
How the GOAT’s considering a shock return
The legendary Lauren Jackson is seriously considering a comeback to play in front of her children.
That’s the good oil from multiple sources, including Boomers and NBL legend Chris Anstey.
Jackson, who retired from professional hoops in 2016, is back training and looks super fit.
The Basketball hall of famer has also had success using medicinal cannabis to assist with the well-publicised pain that ended her career.
It’s prompted 40-year-old Jackson to weigh up a return to the court, and Anstey thinks it could happen.
“I’ve heard from a few people that Lauren is considering, but more so, will be making a comeback,” Anstey said on this week’s Logue Down podcast.
“She has been working on some strategies to become pain free, she has got a young family and would love to play in front of her young family.
“If Lauren is in shape with her basketball IQ, her physicality, and her skill, then give her a month and she becomes one of the best players in the WNBL immediately – that is how good she is.
“I’ve heard that Lauren is keen to return from enough people now, who believe it is going to happen, and until it does, we can just cross our fingers and hope.”
Anstey also thinks it’s not unrealistic that we could see Jackson make a stunning return to the international stage with the Opals at this year’s World Cup in Sydney.
“If the Opals are looking for the perfect replacement for Liz Cambage, then it’s Lauren,” he said.
“Can you imagine the story bringing Lauren back into the Opals at a time when they are struggling — perhaps the worst in the history of their program.
“And they bring in the greatest Opal of all-time to steady the ship.
“Forget the Australian GOAT, Lauren could quite easily be the best female player in the history of the game — she is in that echelon.”
GIDDEY GREATNESS
Step aside Chris Hemsworth, Australia has a new God of Thunder.
Australian rookie sensation Josh Giddey — who is being dubbed the ‘Wizard of Oz’ in Oklahoma City – has left behind a path of destruction in his maiden NBA season on the back of countless brilliant performances.
Shout out to News Corp cartoonist Boo Bailey for creating this sensational picture of the 19-year-old Aussie.
Giddey is on track to become the fourth rookie in NBA history to average at least 11 points, seven rebounds and six assists per game.
This would place him in the record books alongside Oscar Robinson, Magic Johnson, and fellow Aussie Ben Simmons.
Giddey has produced a standout rookie season thus far, but where does he statistically sit compared to his other rookie rivals?
No.1 draft pick Cade Cunningham has been a standout in a struggling Detroit side, second pick Jalen Green is Houston’s second leading scorer, third pick Evan Mobley has excelled as a two-way star at Cleveland and four pick Scottie Barnes has proven to be a quality starter at Toronto.
Giddey outranks his rookie rivals in assists per game with 6.4, but he sits behind the field in points, field goal percentage, rebounds, blocks, and steals.
Stats aside, the Melbourne-born guard has proven he belongs in the NBA, and he is destined for a long and successful career.
Giddey most likely won’t win the Rookie of the Year, currently sitting fifth in the betting, but he has won over the hearts of the Australian public.
LANDALE HIGH ON TWO HAWKS
Jock Landale used the NBL as a platform to finally fulfil his NBA dream with the San Antonio Spurs, and he believes there are a cast of Australian-based players who can follow in his footsteps.
Landale, who has found his feet with the Spurs after early struggles via Covid and a stint in the G League, has been impressed with two Illawarra stars to start the season.
He praised Hawks forward Sam Froling for his standout game against the Sydney Kings on Thursday.
Slam Froling going upstairs with two hands 💥#NBL22 on @ESPNAusNZ and @kayosports 📺 pic.twitter.com/c4uEB3XL8E
— The NBL (@NBL) January 13, 2022
Froling finished with a game-high 27 points, 10 rebounds and two assists in a 10-point win, leaving Landale impressed watching on from the US.
“I watched Sam’s game the other night, and knowing who he is as a player and having played against him last year, he is a versatile big who can do a bit of everything,” Landale said about Froling, who has NBA scouts watching him closely.
“I think that he has got some real potential and if he continues to grow and learn his game, that would be great.
“They (the Hawks) also have Duop Reath other there, who is also a real good shot of making something of himself.
“The NBL is such a great pathway for all those guys.”
DELLY’S BIG AGADA WRAP
Matthew Dellavedova doesn’t waste words, so when he speaks highly about a player or an issue, we should listen.
Dellavedova couldn’t be happier with the form of Melbourne United import guard Caleb Agada.
The Nigerian international has been a standout for United after a self-confessed slow start to the season.
👩â€ðŸ‘§â€ðŸ‘¦ðŸ€ | Caleb Agada escaped poverty in Nigeria thanks to his resilient mother. Now a star with Melbourne United, Agada sees it as his duty to inspire those who have not been so lucky.
— Herald Sun Sport (@heraldsunsport) January 3, 2022
STORY: https://t.co/MH9GVuJfhv@MickRandallHS@MelbUnited#NBL22pic.twitter.com/PagJG7UPma
Agada is averaging 17 points and six assists a game — and Dellavedova believes his back-court buddy has a high ceiling.
“Caleb has been huge for us, and I think he is only going to get better,” said Dellavedova, who scored a career-high 33 points, including seven of eleven from three, in a big win over Illawarra on Sunday.
“He has shown how much he has improved.
“I knew he was always a good player, and I think know everyone else is seeing it.
“It just took him a little bit to get used to the league and the style of play
“He is an extremely hard worker. Every single day he is in there and working on his ball handling, shooting and everything.
“He has also been huge on the defensive end for us, getting in passing lanes and going over ball screens.
“I think that aggressive mindset on the defensive end has carried over offensively and he is just attacking the hoop, getting in the paint, and putting on pressure in transition.”
Like: Josh Green’s recent run of standout form in the NBA with the Dallas Mavericks has been a joy to watch. We’ve always known Green’s potential, but he has received limited chances to showcase his skills on the NBA stage. This has changed in recent weeks, with Covid opening the door for the Sydney-born guard to play bigger minutes. Green has rewarded the Mavericks with some magnificent performances, including a career-high 18 points in a win over Chicago.
Kings import RJ Hunter was not happy with the Hawks fans tonight after he injured his knee in the first quarter.
— NBL News (@NBL_News) January 13, 2022
Let’s hope RJ recovers soon ðŸ™#NBL22pic.twitter.com/b17V9EB6z0
Dislike: The Illawarra fans who disrespected Sydney Kings import guard RJ Hunter as he left the court on Thursday night with a season-ending knee injury. I’m told a large section of fans gave Hunter a standing ovation as he was assisted off the court, but those who carried on with taunts need to pull their heads in. Hunter, who has been ruled out for the season with a torn patella, took to Instagram to vent his frustration about the fans’ poor behaviour: “When I went down with my knee injury, I heard so many disrespectful comments. While I’m in a hell of a lot of pain, I can literally hear the fans saying things and my girlfriend heard the same things in the stands. While I understand that is how basketball goes, what type of human being are you all? What type of person gets off on someone being hurt and in pain while doing their job? Shit is not cool and doesn’t sit right with me and you’re all weird for that.”
Quote of the week: Australian NBA star Patty Mills when asked about the Novak Djokovic deportation issue over his non-vaccination stance. When asked if he thought the same rules should apply to everyone, Mills said: “Yeah. I won an Olympic medal and quarantined in a hotel for two weeks.”
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Originally published as Logue Down: Latest basketball news from Australia and abroad
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