Mail thief update

We got him. We nabbed the bastard. It happened yesterday before the start of our baby shower slash excuse to drink with our friends. I'll ensure you that Andrea was not drinking. Anyways my cop friend who I had called the other night was on her way to the party when she came across a man that fitted the description of our mail thief. Needless to say Starsky and Hutch were onto it. Benny and I jumped in my sweet tigers car and drove over to where the suspected thief was with my friend. As we turned the corner we saw the same guy we saw the other night. His details were taken and hopefully he won't be back again. So thanks to our quick witted cop friend and Benny's ability to slide across the car bonnet so we could get to the location as quick as possible we got him. Our streets are safe again.   

Joe Ingles Q & A

Jumping Joe Ingles blasted on the NBL scene 3 years ago and the young lofty lefty from SA has elevated his game and taken it on the road over to Europe. I got to catch up with my former dragons teammate and roomate while celebrating his 22nd birthday. 

MW: Where are you and how is it going?

JI: I am playing in Spain, ACB league for a team called CB Granada. Going great so far, we are 6-1 in preseason. Had a big win last night (October 2nd) against a Russian Euroleague team. Personally going well, had 25 last night, really fitting into the team and system.

MW: What do you miss the most about Australia already?

JI: Im actually surprised that I like it here as much as I am. I have great teammates who 9/12 speak great english, which made it a lot easier. I think just being able to see friends and family on a daily basis is the hardest thing. Of course I miss my old team (Dragons) and my housemate! 

MW: What influence did goorj have on you last season?

JI: Goorj was great for me, I think it was just what I needed before heading over to Europe. He was tough on me everyday no matter what, he knew how to get me going and pull me back into line. He was a big reason I think I am playing like I am now.

I don't miss him telling the same story once a week though :)

MW: How was your Olympic experience?

JI: It was definately the highlight of my career so far. Not only representing my country which was what I grew up dreaming about but do be there is a great group of guys was unreal. Walking around the village, eating in dining hall and doing washing you are always bumping into some of the greats of their sports. Opening ceremony was unexplainable and something I hope to do again in my career.

MW: What will Joe Ingles do after basketball?

JI: Hopefully not much, I obviously want to play as long as I can hold my own and help a team. If I can invest my money correctly I would love to retire and maybe do something with young kids basketball. 

I have also spoken with close mates, yourself and Gibbo about starting or investing in something together which I would love to do with some mates. 

Until next time have a beer for me

Wortho

Jesse 4 ROY and the croc's v cats build up

Tonight I was glad to see young Jesse Wagstaff a Metro State graduate like myself play well. Jesse stepped into Metro the year that I left and it looks like Coach Brandon Hays has done a great job with this ACT kid. Jesse joins the list of Metro State players to come back and play in the NBL. Luke Kendall, Dave Barlow, Drew Williamson, Kane Oakley, Todd Gower, Lee Barlow, Daniel George and I have all walked before him and he is now the next inductee. He showed his versatility and confidence throughout the game. He didn't hesitate to shoot the rock when it was close at the start of the 4th (none of them dropped) but oozed confidence that the Wildcats thrived on. He was a big reason they beat the crocs tonight. He would have to be clear favorite for the ROY and has all the tools to be a great player in this league for sometime to come. 

It was interesting to hear the build up to the Croc's v Cats game as well. Some ill-feeling has now turned these two teams into bitter rivals. Homicide who is undoubtedly one of the premier point guards reminding the cats of last year and the feisty nugget Brad Robbins not backing down. Two things are fantastic about this, 1) The publicity that it gained this week not only for the respective teams but also the NBL was superb. 2) Two of the toughest guards in the league talking the talk but also walking the walk. Corey a great offensive weapon verse Brad a defensive pit bull. It's exciting. After it's all done throw them in the boxing ring for 8 extra minutes that you don't get in the NBL anymore and you have yourself the ultimate promotion.

Until next time have a beer for me

Wortho

 

The night before the game

Many may ask, what do you do the night before a game. For me it's pretty simple, eat, watch television and then sleep. Tonight it was a little bit different.

We have had some trouble in my neighborhood with people opening mail, stealing credit cards (Benny Knight's) and leaving mail in different places. Tonight I found him. The thrill of the chase was on. Knighty (who is living with me) and I followed this suspicious guy on foot, creeping up our dark street and watching his every move. He was walking a lot faster than usual after he noticed us following his trail. He skipped a few houses and swooped around the corner. We crept up to the corner and noticed he was writing something down on his piece of paper. He then waltzed back around the corner as if nothing had happened only to be confronted by us. He was delivering catalogues supposedly but didn't manage to have any in his hand. He refused to answer the questions that we had asked and moved down the street quickly. Our next door neighbor came out and told us that she was going out to her car when she saw him fiddling in her letterbox and moved immediately when she opened the door. I decided to place a call to my cop mate to see if she could get someone out to the house, unfortunately something else had arisen and was a slightly bigger matter. So Knighty and I jumped in the car a in search of our letterbox thief and rolled around the streets like Starsky and Hutch. Unfortunately we couldn't find him again but our blood was pumping from the chase. Hopefully the same adrenaline will be pumping tomorrow night at the cage.

College or Home Cooking

A lot of parents and young players come up and ask me what's better, going to college or staying in Australia. Honestly everyone is different. Joe Ingles and Brad Newley have proven that you don't have to go college to be successful, while Andrew Bogut and Pat Mills have undoubtedly proved there success from going to college. 

Personally I wouldn't have changed my four years in college for anything. One thing the college system does provide is an education and the time that you are away from your family you are forced to grow up and be a man. If you find the right coach he will always challenge you and get you ready for the NBA, NBL or Europe. However if you don't find the right coach your game can go backwards. 

I find a lot of kids think that Division 1 is everything. WRONG. Fact is there are great division 2 schools and those programs are capable of destroying lower to mid division 1 schools. Look at the NBL now that is infested with Division 2 players. Luke Kendall, Bo Westover, Cameron Tovey, Russell Hinder, Jesse Wagstaff, Drew Williamson and myself to name a few. 

At the end of the day parents have to be comfortable to place the trust of their son or daughters life into the hands of a coach overseas. It's also up to the individual not to stray off the right path. If you always remember why you went to college in the first place (to become a better basketballer) you will always come out a) a better hooper b) a better person c) with an education behind you. If schooling is not for you then you have to work your way up the ranks to become the best you can in Australia. 

At the end of the day there is no right or wrong answer. I encourage young hoopers to keep working hard on there game and follow whatever path best suits you. Either way it has proven to be successful.

Until next time have a beer for me

Wortho

Don't Sleep on Sam

A lot of question marks hover over the Melbourne Tigers going into the 2009/10 season. One of the biggest questions is the health of Sammy Mac. Let me be the first to tell you that Sam has been our best player this preseason and looks to return to his MVP best that he displayed only 3 seasons ago. Many who watch Sam play knows he make things look easy what people don't realize is how deadly he becomes when he has a chip on his shoulder.

Things to look for from Sam in 09/10:

1) Slamming Sam is back. Look for Sammy to dunk in traffic and on people again.

2) Defense up the court. Sam was devastating at the Bullets with his up the court pressure and he looks to be an instigator for stops.

3) Ahead of the pack. Sam playing the 3 spot lets him get out in transition. If he gets the kick ahead pass and has someone one on one he won't be stopped.

4) Rebounding. With Knighty, DJ and I busy keeping opposition bigs off the board look for Mac to swoop on the boards with his abnormal athleticism. 

He's healthy, he is one of Australia's best and he's back. Opposition beware because captain grumpy has a chip on his shoulder.   

Q & A with Ben Knight

I thought I would break the trend by interviewing the Tigers newest recruit Ben Knight. "Swooper" has been around the block and seen a lot of things so I thought I would ask him a quick 5 questions. Hopefully I'll get a few players to take apart of this throughout the year. 

Enjoy.

MW: Welcome back to Melbourne "Swooper". You've played for nine teams now, which team has been your favorite and why?

BK: Sydney Kings, after traveling around the country side it was good to be home and win a championship in front of my friends and family. 

MW: Who is the best player you have played with?

BK: (Thinking) Tough one but Darnell Mee. Great leader and knew how to distribute the ball to the right spots and played defense so you knew he would put your team into position to win. At the end of the day he was a great competitor.

MW: Biggest changes you've seen since you've been in the NBL? 

BK: The non existent teams. I've played for the Kings, Magic, Bullets, Slingers who aren't around anymore. The talent that Australia keeps producing. Kids come in and are ready to play which is great for the league.

MW: Looking to the season ahead what are your expectations?

BK: Looking to lock up first place is the first step. Then onto a championship. The group of guys that we have will make it fun to do the grind with everyday to accomplish these goals. On a personal note I was a bit quite last year in adopting the role I took up. I look forward to stepping up this year and showing my value.

    

MW: Out of the existing clubs that you played for that are still going around, who would you like to beat most. (Wollongong, Townsville, Cairns, Perth)

BK: Wildcats, they didn't come to the party. 

Hopefully you guys enjoyed

Until next time have a beer for me 

Wortho