Logue Down: Matt Logue’s takeaways from the week in basketball
As if a 1-8 start to the season could get any worse, fan interest in the Illawarra Hawks has hit a an embarrassing new low. Read why in the Logue Down.
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The Illawarra Hawks are floundering, on and off the court, and people who matter are keeping a close eye on the unfolding situation.
The Hawks are in last position following a 1-8 start to the season. The club is also battling for interest off the court — even from their own members.
In an embarrassing turn, I’m told only 17 people showed up to the club’s post-game function, after last Saturday’s overtime loss to Melbourne United.
Where to next for the Hawks?
Illawarra lost a load of talent in the off-season, chiefly gun Aussie big Duop Reath, Defensive Player of the Year Antonius Cleveland, Canadian guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes and sharpshooter Justinian Jessup. Add to that the departure of master coach Brian Goorjian and an early season injury to import guard Justin Robinson and it’s left untried coach Jacob Jackomas on a hiding to nothing.
The challenge now, for Hawks fans and members, is to turn out in force and show support for their struggling men.
KYRGIOS CALLS OUT IMPORT
Tennis ace and passionate hoops fan Nick Kyrgios has called out Illawarra import Peyton Siva for declaring he is one of the best point guards in basketball when healthy.
Siva, who averaged 11.78 points and 4.91 assists for New Zealand last season, has joined Illawarra on a one-year deal and is confident about his ability.
“If I can stay healthy, I feel like I’m one of the best point guards, not only in the NBL, but basketball period,” Siva said via the NBL.
Kyrgios quickly jumped on Siva’s comment, saying: “Nah this is crazy”, which was liked by 262 people on the NBL’s Instagram.
BOGUT’S BIG STATEMENT ON LEBRON OVER JORDAN
Andrew Bogut is a self-confessed Michael Jordan fan, but he believes LeBron James will surpass ‘MJ’ as basketball’s best ever.
“I’m a huge MJ fan over LeBron, but I think LeBron will go down as the greatest because he is going to break the record and his longevity,” Bogut said on his Rogue Bogues podcast.
Basketball Pod Ep 79 - JJ Redick came out in support of the @Lakers this week. @andrewbogut and @HoopConsultants discuss what he said.
— Rogue Bogues (@RogueBogues) October 29, 2022
Listen to it here 👇https://t.co/XpXShdD143#LetsGetRogue#RogueBogues#NBA#Lakerspic.twitter.com/eO6l0925CZ
“LeBron’s body of work – I’m not even going to argue that.”
It’s a big statement from Bogut given Jordan won six NBA championships, including six Finals MVPs.
James has won four championships (with three different clubs) and four Finals MVPs, but his career has spanned 19 seasons to Jordan’s 14 and counting.
AUSSIE NBA ROOKIE SENSATION COMMITS TO BOOMERS
Australian NBA rookie sensation Dyson Daniels has put his hand up to play for the Boomers at next year’s World Cup, declaring he wants to win a gold medal.
Daniels, who has averaged 5.5 points and two assists in his first five games for the New Orleans Pelicans, also has one eye on donning at the green and gold at the World Cup in Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines next August 25 to September 10.
“I want to make that team,” Daniels said on this week’s Basketball Show.
“Any opportunity I get to represent Australia and the Boomers I’m going to take because it is special being a part of that team and culture.
Well hello there @DysonDaniels! Hear from our latest @NBA_AU success story as he chats with @ShaneHeal & @jogracehealy about life on the road, culture at @PelicansNBA, time with Zion & how he's looking to help his team! Thanks to @2K_ANZ!
— The Basketball Show 🇦🇺 (@BasketballAu) November 1, 2022
Full interview - https://t.co/6PRPWNVUFQpic.twitter.com/bG9amvStUQ
“Last year winning the bronze medal shows that we are one of the powerhouses in the world now.
“We’ve got great players and we’re looking to get that gold, so I’m excited for what is ahead for the Boomers.
“For me, I’m focused on the NBA right now, but after the season when the Boomers and the World Cup is coming up, that is going to be main focus.”
NBL’S GREATEST TRIO? BOLD 36ERS CLAIM SPARKS HEATED DEBATE
NBL commentator Corey “Homicide” Williams has been accused of recency bias after hailing Adelaide imports Robert Franks, Antonius Cleveland and Craig Randall the greatest trio in league history.
Williams raised eyebrows by rating 36ers stars Franks, Cleveland and Randall above all other combinations in 43 years of the competition.
“They (Adelaide) have got the best trio in the game and I’m going to go as far as to say the best trio the NBL has ever seen,” Williams said about Franks, Cleveland and Randall, who have played a combined five NBL games, winning two.
"The best trio the NBL has ever seen" 😈
— The NBL (@NBL) October 30, 2022
Can the @Adelaide36ers knock off the red-hot Phoenix?
Find out at 4:00pm live & free 📺 10 Peach & 10play | Every game live on ESPN via Kayo & Foxtel. pic.twitter.com/27NStVRt0r
NBL legend Derek Rucker, who collected the league MVP with Brisbane in 1990, doesn’t agree with Williams’ comments.
“The reality is that those three Adelaide guys haven’t done anything in this league yet,” Rucker said.
“They have to take this 36ers team on their shoulders and carry them to a deep playoff run or a championship to even be considered in that conversation.
“They’re talented, but I could probably name over the course of the NBL’s history, I could easily name seven to 10 trios who are more outstanding.”
Williams is standing firm on his statement, saying he doesn’t think there is a trio in the league’s history who could beat the Phoenix Suns and average 31, 26 and 20 points in two NBA pre-season games like Randall, Franks and Cleveland did for Adelaide last month.
“What trio can do that?,” Williams argued.
“That is the conversation that we are going to have.
“This Adelaide trio will come around and when they do, watch out.
“I believe that trio will beat the best trio in the league based on what they’ve done against those NBA teams.”
BULLETS COACHING MOVEMENT?
The Brisbane Bullets are adamant there is no movement on the coaching front with James Duncan following a 2-5 start to the season, but the name Judd Flavell keeps coming up.
Flavell, who was an assistant coach at the South East Melbourne Phoenix, was in contention for the Bullets job before Duncan was appointed in 2021.
His name continues to be mentioned despite Brisbane officials insisting that Duncan is their head coach.
LIKE
Boomers coach Brian Goorjian is being treated like a god in the hoops mad Philippines after helping Australia win a historic bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
Goorjian is coaching start-up franchise, the Bay Area Dragons in the Philippines Basketball Association, a Hong Kong team based in Manila due to Covid.
The ex-Illawarra mentor is regularly swamped by fans asking questions about the Boomers and Australian basketball.
Goorjian also keeps a close eye on the NBL action, regularly tuning into games with his coaching staff despite the time difference.
SHOOSH
A push for a second Sydney NBL team is gaining momentum and I’m told Sydney’s east is the most likely destination.
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