NBL champion Damon Lowery shall be writing for Fox Sports activities Australia throughout this season — right here’s his recap of Spherical 2!
After my first instalment of Hooyah & Harden UP! final week, I obtained lots of suggestions good and unhealthy, straight and not directly. To those that reached out, referred to as, texted, DM’ed me and provided recommendation – I thanks, sincerely. To those that threw shade my method on social media and claimed I used to be a fraud or tryna be another person, I additionally thanks since you actually encourage me. Like everybody on the market, I really like a pleasant praise, however in contrast to most individuals, criticism bounces off me.
As I’ve stated 100 instances earlier than, I name it as I see it and it’s NEVER private.
Spherical 2: Right here we go!
Cotton catches fireplace at Hoopsfest | 00:49
Melbourne United (defeated Phoenix, misplaced to JackJumpers)
Hooyah – In my finest Ice Dice voice: ‘Get Matthew Dellavedova on the court docket as a result of he’s hassle, virtually messed round and received a triple double’. 18 factors, 5 rebounds and 10 dimes, with a +21 ranking in 29 minutes in opposition to the Phoenix.
Harden UP! – When CG43 is beginning to prepare dinner go away him within the kitchen, Dean Vickerman! Simply as he began to catch fireplace within the second quarter in opposition to the Phoenix with back-to-back threes, you subbed him out with greater than six-minutes left and he didn’t return for the remainder of the half! C’mon Deano, we wanna see the superstars do their factor. I’ll provide you with a go for those who inform me there was a health situation otherwise you needed to handle his minutes. I felt he was on the way in which to a 30-piece however we’ll by no means know.
South East Melbourne (misplaced to United, misplaced to the Breakers)
Hooyah – You don’t know what it feels wish to win but however Matthew Damage, you know the way it feels to contribute. You’ve had an important begin within the NBL following 16 factors & 12 boards final week, 18 factors & 7 boards in opposition to United and 20 factors & 4 boards in opposition to the Breakers.
Harden UP! – It ain’t a lot of a rivalry for those who can’t win. Thursday’s loss to United makes it six straight shedding Throwdowns and an general file of seven wins and 18 losses. I’m calling this sequence the “BeatDown” till you get a W.
Illawarra Hawks (defeated Bullets, defeated Kings)
Hooyah – A 30 piece in half-hour deserves reward and this one is for Trey Kell III. It was a career-high for you on Friday evening within the Sand Pit. You backed that up on Sunday in opposition to Sydney with one other 20.
Harden UP! – To whoever allowed Lachlan Olbrich to put on that white, long-sleeved ‘thingy’ on Sunday – what the hell? All he wanted was the masks and he would’ve been Frozone from The Incredibles. Lengthy sleeve, Lachie? Yeah, nah. Somebody wanted to cease him on the locker room door and ship him again in.
Brisbane Bullets (defeated by Hawks)
Hooyah – The highlight was on you after a poor Spherical 1 sport however Tyrell Harrison, you hit again and notched a pleasant double-double with 16 factors and 10 boards.
Harden UP! – What are we doing with younger Rocco Zikarsky? He had simply 7 minutes in Spherical 1 and solely 11 minutes in opposition to the Hawks (most of it in junk time) and he managed 10 factors and three rebounds. The dude is 7 foot 3 and that is the final 12 months you’ll coach him earlier than he jets off to the NBA. So to Justin Schueller: play the person and play him near the basket – and I don’t imply 22 toes shut!
Perth Wildcats (defeated by the Kings)
Hooyah – You got here in as a scorer from the NBA however have one other string to your bow. Dylan Windler, you place up 14 factors and picked up a staggering 16 rebounds after pulling in 10 boards in Spherical 1. That’s Wassup!
Harden UP! – 1 level, 1 rebound and 4 turnovers – Keanu Pinder, the elevator is able to take you from the Hooyah flooring, all the way down to the Harden Up stage. After final week’s sensible efficiency, I’m flabbergasted. You’ll be able to’t be dominant typically and invisible typically – don’t be sometimey! You’re method too good for that.
Sydney Kings (defeated the Wildcats, defeated by the Hawks)
Hooyah – Jaylen Adams was on fireplace in opposition to Perth with 27 factors at 53%, 6 dimes and 6 steals!
Harden UP! – 9/39 as a staff from three-point territory in opposition to the Hawks? Certainly one of them days huh? Properly that ain’t gonna reduce it.
Kings win two straight to begin season | 01:21
Tasmania JackJumpers (defeated United)
Hooyah – They had been 5 of the nastiest, meanest, cruellest blocks you’ll ever see – particularly that one in your previous teammate, Marcus Lee. Will Magnay, you threw a block get together and everybody was invited. You’re defending the rim like Heimdall protected the bridge in Asgard (Thor film reference), and it saved the day on an enormous evening to your membership.
Harden UP! – I do know it’s tighter than seven beers in a six-pack in My State Financial institution Enviornment, however whoever determined to put the championship banner in opposition to a wall like a random portray within the foyer of a health care provider’s workplace get this Harden Up. That higher not be its everlasting residence!
Adelaide 36ers (defeated by Taipans)
Hooyah – Simply two video games in, and there’s real hype round Montrezl Harrell. Off the bench you got here in like a wrecking ball (Miley Cyrus voice) and dunked the whole lot in your method to 20 factors – oh, and throw in that 3ball from long-range too. We simply have to determine these rotations and get you on the court docket extra as a result of half a sport (21 minutes) is simply LUDICROUS!
Harden UP! – Isaac Humphries has had a foul begin to the season, nevertheless it ain’t all on him. There’s one thing fallacious with the priorities on this staff, for somebody like “Ice” to have simply 10 subject objective makes an attempt up to now two video games. Why received’t you go him the ball? Why? He units 50 screens a sport, and will get others open however you received’t return the favour? (I’m truly gonna rely his screens subsequent sport). Assist him out please! He averaged 15 and seven final season, so we all know he can get it completed.
Cairns Taipans (defeated 36ers)
Hooyah – The Taipans confirmed some true grit to notch their first win behind a 31-point sport from Rob Edwards (from the nice state of Michigan). A message to opposition groups: don’t come to Cairns with an perspective downside, or you’ll go away with a L.
Harden UP! – Tanner Groves, I pumped you up final week however 2 factors and three rebounds in 7 minutes leaves me scratching my head. I really like your sport! I do know you bought into foul hassle early, and your expertise shouldn’t be up for debate, however don’t make me provide you with one other one in every of these. Not less than you bought the W.
New Zealand Breakers (defeated Phoenix)
Hooyah – Many specialists had you on the backside of the ladder, however you head to the USA to your NBA video games undefeated, with two hard-nosed wins. No staff does it more durable and that’s why your “unbreakable” motto suits like a glove. I’ll take an unpleasant win over a reasonably loss any day.
Harden UP! – Two video games in a row, you guys have tried to grab defeat out of the jaws of victory. These late sport capitulations are gonna chunk you within the ass ultimately. You fell over the road in opposition to Brisbane final week, and virtually gave Phoenix the win on Sunday while you had full management of the sport late. Stop enjoying round.
The NBL
Hooyah – I had the pleasure of commentating on Sunday with New Zealand Breakers’ residing legend, Tom Abercrombie. It was Tom’s first time on a broadcast and he was a pure. I feel he’ll add a lot for the followers this season and we’re fortunate to have him be part of the “darkish facet”. PS: I might have made the rookie fetch me a drink, however he was out of the country.
Harden UP! – To the referees within the assessment centre who upgraded the Joe Wieskamp cost on Chris Goulding on Thursday evening to an unsportsmanlike foul. Everyone knows CG43 might have received quite a few Finest Actor awards on the Oscars and now, he is perhaps nominated once more after wanting like he was shot out of a cannon when he collided with Joe. Yeah, it was a foul however I’ve seen more durable hits on the blackjack desk on the on line casino.