MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[LAXGUY]

Werner Pulls down 26 boards in big Cobra win
Saturday, 15 March 2008
KILSYTH -- Club Kilsyth Cobras (2-0) Import Joe Werner pulled in 26 boards and finished with 29 points in a dominant display as the Cobras disposed of Albury 110-59.

Werner was impressive against former NBL player Andrew Rice (11pts, 9 rbds) having his own way in the post.  After a huge Alley-oop play in the first quarter from Gerard Leonard, Werner had two further dunks over the stunned Bandits.

The first quarter could have been mistaken for a lay-up drill as the Cobras reeled of fast break after fast break to scoot ahead 30-5 at quarter time.  The second period was much the same as Jon Lee (19 points) made two steals and converted the breaks.  The Cobras took a 51-23 lead into the main break after taking the foot of the pedal and shooting at 37%. 

After a rev up from Coach Grant Wallace the Cobras fired again in the 3rd, putting on a further 36 points to Bandits 15.  Zach Malvik (18 points) found his groove in the 3rd with some classy drives but couldn't connect from downtown.

Paul Burgess, celebrating his 200th SEABL game for the Cobras, played a cameo role as he finished with 8 points and 11 rebounds in the 51 point win.  Wallace was able to give his bench extended minutes in the contest and the bench came to play with Ryan Fooks finishing with 8 points and 10 boards.

"It was fantastic to get the win for Paul tonight, this group really enjoys playing together and it showed out on the floor.  Kilsyth celebrates milestones as well as any Club, and the boys were able to step up and make this a special night for Paul," said Wallace.

"We are pleased with how we are travelling at this stage of the season but we know we have a lot of work to do beginning with Knox Thursday night in the Cystic Fibrosis Cup."

The Cobras will look to capitalise of their two early victories with a win over arch rival Knox on Thursday Night and go into the Easter break with a 3-0 record.

[Mr. Downtown]

I think the Milwaukee Bucks should be calling...

[Greek Tragedy]

I think the Milwaukee Bucks should be calling...

Werner doesn't qualify.  He's not lazy and he actually competes, tries, and cares.

My friend and I were at a Bucks game that we went to for basically free (the tix were free, but paid some "service charges totalling $10 for both tix), and we still were asking each other, "Why are we here?"  They played the New Orleans Hornets or whatever they are called now and almost won.  It wasn't really that fun at all, even for being nearly free.

[chmarx]

I agree that NBA games can be a bit perfunctory.

[Mr. Downtown]

N o
B allers
A round

I'm on the "2009: Sending the Bucks to Kansas City!" bandwagon.

[Cody-1-Kastern]

I disagree.  I love the NBA game.  The fact is that the best athletes in the world are NBA basketball players.  When people say that college basketball players give it there all and NBA players go through the motions-that's a bunch of B.S.  NBA players are professionals that have such polished games, there skill level is so high, and they are so fluid on the court.  Players don't make as many mistakes as players in College do.

In College basketball you can hide player's weaknesses, and in the NBA you cannot.  You can't play  zone in the NBA, which forces everyone to match up and play D.  If there is a weak defender/mismatch, it will be exposed.  Unlike the college game, where you can just jump into a 2-3 zone and hide a weak defender.  It's the same thing on offense too; Most 1dimensional players don't have success in the NBA.  EXAMPLE:  J.J. Reddick-One of the best college basketball players of all time.  He has zero point guard skills, no ability or athleticism to get to the rim against bigger and more athletic defenders.  He can only catch and shoot.  There is a reason he is buried deep in the bench @ Orlando.  So when you get a defender who sticks to him like glue, how is he helping you on the court?  He's not, you go a defensive liability and someone that can't help bring the ball up under pressure. 

I'd much  rather watch 2 very athletic/talented players go head to head in an uptempo game where the score is in the 90's or 100's.  Where as in college a team can hold the ball for 35 seconds, and it's not unusual for some scores to be in the 40's or 50's.

However, The college basketball fan atmosphere is far better than the NBA's.  The atmosphere (college fans) at the Kohl Center is far better than the atmosphere @ the Bradley Center, but the quality of talent on the floor is not even close, which makes the NBA game far superior to the Collegiate game.

[Ralph Turner]

I disagree.  I love the NBA game.  The fact is that the best athletes in the world are NBA basketball players.  When people say that college basketball players give it there all and NBA players go through the motions-that's a bunch of B.S.  NBA players are professionals that have such polished games, there skill level is so high, and they are so fluid on the court.  Players don't make as many mistakes as players in College do.
...

Good post, Cody. 

My favorite time machine fantasy basketball game would be a best-of-20 series between an early 1960's Boston Celtics team, playing on the parquet floor with a set of 1960's refs calling 1960's rules versus any other team your choice from another era on their home court with referees and rules from that era.

Best-of-20...  Either better, worse or the same. 

[janesvilleflash]

Zone has been legal in the NBA for the last 2 or 3 years.

[Cody-1-Kastern]

I disagree.  I love the NBA game.  The fact is that the best athletes in the world are NBA basketball players.  When people say that college basketball players give it there all and NBA players go through the motions-that’s a bunch of B.S.  NBA players are professionals that have such polished games, there skill level is so high, and they are so fluid on the court.  Players don’t make as many mistakes as players in College do.
...

Good post, Cody. 

My favorite time machine fantasy basketball game would be a best-of-20 series between an early 1960's Boston Celtics team, playing on the parquet floor with a set of 1960's refs calling 1960's rules versus any other team your choice from another era on their home court with referees and rules from that era.

Best-of-20...  Either better, worse or the same. 

Ok, I would take any 90's Chicago Bulls championship team.  Probably the younger Mike (Early 90's) when he would attack the hoop.  Can't go wrong with Mike and Scottie.  I don't know about the 1960's rules though-no 3 point line!!!

[Cody-1-Kastern]

Zone has been legal in the NBA for the last 2 or 3 years.

The NBA has changed their 'illegal defense' rules to allow zones like international play....kind of.  You still can't camp in the lane on defense with the Defensive 3 seconds rule-which makes it hard to play zone.

[Greek Tragedy]

but the quality of talent on the floor is not even close, which makes the NBA game far superior to the Collegiate game.

All because the talent on the floor is not even close, doesn't make the NBA game far superior.  I don't think anyone said the talent at the college level is on par or better or even close to the NBA game, rather we're comparing the "game" and the attitudes of the players in the NBA to the players in college.

The attitudes in D3 (especially) are so much more positive and team oriented than in the NBA.  There are times when you can tell players don't care, when they make no effort to play defense or play "team ball".  At times, it can be a complete joke.  There are a good number of NBA players that paint a black spot on the rest of the league with their whining.  Wasn't it Latrell Sprewell that complained, "he's got a family to feed" when he turned down some multi-million dollar contract?  It's attitudes like his that make the NBA not appealing to many.

I'd much  rather watch 2 very athletic/talented players go head to head in an uptempo game where the score is in the 90s or 100s.  Where as in college a team can hold the ball for 35 seconds, and its not unusual for some scores to be in the 40s or 50s.

If you want to watch that, go to the YMCA or playground.  There are handful of teams that actually play like a team and pass and play defense and actually care about how they play.  I like watching teams share the ball, play defense, act like they care and play like a team rather than give the ball to Iverson on the wing while the other four guys stand there to see him do a couple of cross overs and try to beat him one v one, and then do it again, and then again and then again.  Wow...fun stuff.  NOT!  Part of the reason why the scores are so high is because no one plays defense (and of course, the 24 second shot clock).

[Greek Tragedy]

Looks like some of the Badger players already have plans in case of an early exit again this season......

http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080318/APC02/80318030/1892

One would think that there would be a pretty good amount of former WIAC players involved as well.

Uh, isn't that going on this weekend?

[ac08]

I think the moral of the story is that you can find beauty in each level of competition. Personally, I am on the fence. While the college game (all of the different divisions lumped together) is a wonderful exhibition of togetherness, perseverance, defense, and undeniable passion. I can't help but marvel at the fluency of their motion. I get a little watery-eyed thinking about how great this game is.

[sac]

All you need to know about the NBA is you can turn on a game with 5 minutes to go and you wouldn't have missed a thing.

[Cody-1-Kastern]

The attitudes in D3 (especially) are so much more positive and team oriented than in the NBA.  There are times when you can tell players don't care, when they make no effort to play defense or play "team ball".  At times, it can be a complete joke.  There are a good number of NBA players that paint a black spot on the rest of the league with their whining.  Wasn't it Latrell Sprewell that complained, "he's got a family to feed" when he turned down some multi-million dollar contract?  It's attitudes like his that make the NBA not appealing to many.

Old School, Do you live in Pleasentville?  Because that's not how things work in the real world.  I can promise you ever college team in the country has issues.  It may be issues like players being unhappy about playing time or not starting, players not getting along with coaches, players not getting along with other players.  Why do you think many college players (Especially in D3 quit, or transfer?).  When an NBA player like Sprewell says a negative comment, it's on ESPN Sportcenter the next day.  When a D3 player swears at his coach or gets kicked out of practice, or whatever he does that hurts the team, is it all over national news? NO.  It's called media.  When is the last time you turned on Sportscenter and they showed all the D3 highlights or D3 issues in the country? Never.  But that doesn't mean there is no issues....you just don't hear about them in Pleasentville.  In 2003 a University of Baylor player cut his teammates head off because they didn't get along.  ATTITUDES are better in college....PLEASE.....Anyone that really knows basketball knows that at EVERY LEVEL your going to have your players on the team that  work hard and are commited to the team concept (These players are called Gym Rats).....your going to have players on the team that are average (Show up to ever practice/team event because they have too, but do very little to improve their or the teams status on their own).....And finally you have players that probably very unhappy with playing time and do the bare minimum to stay on the team orjust go through the motions during practice (Because no matter what happens "I" wont get to play).  Every team has them, Overachievers, average players, and Underachievers.

If you want to watch that, go to the YMCA or playground.  There are handful of teams that actually play like a team and pass and play defense and actually care about how they play.  I like watching teams share the ball, play defense, act like they care and play like a team rather than give the ball to Iverson on the wing while the other four guys stand there to see him do a couple of cross overs and try to beat him one v one, and then do it again, and then again and then again.  Wow...fun stuff.  NOT!  Part of the reason why the scores are so high is because no one plays defense (and of course, the 24 second shot clock).

You don't think the reason games are high scoring are because you are taking the best players in the WORLD and they work on improving their games almost year round (Except Shaq).  Many players shoot hundreds or sometimes thousands of shots a day, and are in the weight room with personal trainers improving strength, endurance, and conditioning.  You don't thing players want to get as good as they possibly can, so they can get an NBA contract or get more money for their next contract.  NBA games are high scoring because players are that good.  Yes, your right the shot clock speeds up the game.  The 12 minute quarters  make the game 8 minutes longer than the college game as well. 

I tell you what, the next time you go to an NBA game, get there about 2 hours before tip, they will let you go stand on the side of the court while players are warming up and going through their routine.  I do this before every NBA game I go to.  I was out in Phoenix Suns game a few years ago, and counted BO OUTLAW make 28 straight  NBA  3ptrs in a row.  That's right, BO OUTLAW.  I wont even tell you how many shots I saw Casey Jacobson and Wally Sczerbiack make in a row, because it really unbelievable.    And these are average NBA players, but they are professionals who spend endless hours working on their game, that's what they are paid to do.  So the next time you go to an NBA game do this, and if your still not impressed....you must really live in Pleasentville.

(modified by GS for formatting)