Hoops Heaven’s Basketball Hustle – #NBL24 Episode 12

#NBL24 returned with a bang in Round 9 and Simon Mitchell breaks it all down on Hoops Heaven Basketball Hustle including Adam Forde's masterful coaching performance, why Mody Maor was hard done by, no excuses for Adelaide 36ers and feeling for Craig Moller.

The former South East Melbourne Phoenix coach discusses why replacing Craig Moller won't be easy, why we should be thankful for Bryce Cotton and Milton Doyle, how Cairns Taipans would have left Dean Vickerman furious, and the NBL travel debate.

Before departure of CJ Bruton we discuss what's happening at Adelaide 36ers, continued growth of Izayah Le'afa at NZ Breakers, Josh Roberts at Cairns Taipans named #TheGalen Best NBL Team Man and we preview #NBL24 Round 10 thanks to TABtouch.

For all the ways to listen click here: https://linktr.ee/basketballhustle

We open up this week's show by looking back on last week's discussion about jersey retirements and Simon Mitchell gives his verdict on Darryl McDonald at Melbourne United and Eric Cooks at the Illawarra Hawks.

Before we get stuck into the hot topics, Simon Mitchell opens up the show talking about what he loved most from NBL Round 9 and it was being thankful that we have Bryce Cotton and Milton Doyle in the league doing what they do best.

The Cairns Taipans used the FIBA break to change things up and there were good signs against Brisbane, then it all came together against Melbourne with Simon Mitchell talking about Adam Forde's outstanding coaching performance, what he did so well and why Dean Vickerman would be furious with his team.

It was an eventful weekend for New Zealand Breakers coach Mody Maor and Simon Mitchell talks about why he didn't deserve to be ejected in win over Adelaide and has nothing to answer for with post-match comments, and his genuine care for the NBL needs to be embraced. He might want to send the league his own please explain letter.

The NBL travel schedule became a hot talking point after tough doubles for the New Zealand Breakers and Adelaide 36ers against fresh opponents coming out of Christchurch. While Simon Mitchell felt the Breakers could still hold their heads high, he couldn’t say the same for the Sixers.

There's plenty going on at the Adelaide 36ers on the back of two tough road losses to New Zealand and Tasmania, with the Sixers then putting the blame on the travel schedule. Simon Mitchell thinks now it's time to give the kids a go, park some guys not getting the job done and take a stance with the starting line-up.

The Brisbane Bullets shook off three tough losses from winning positions for two wins in Round 9 with Simon Mitchell sure that Justin Schueller would be thrilled but at the same time still looking for ways to close out games better moving forward.

Izayah Le'afa is playing some tremendous basketball for the New Zealand Breakers and he needs to in the absence of Will McDowell-White and Simon Mitchell is in a good position to discuss him given he gave him his first start in the NBL at the South East Melbourne Phoenix.

How could we do a show and not discuss Bryce Cotton's 41-point, seven-assist performance for the Perth Wildcats against the Sydney Kings, which Simon Mitchell marvels at thinking what the best game would be in a career for mere mortals might not even crack his top 20.

The unfortunate news out of Round 9 was the season-ending knee injury to Craig Moller and Simon Mitchell talks about his history with the South East Melbourne Phoenix forward, why he hopes for the best for him and also why he's going to be so hard for his team to replace.

Simon Mitchell selects his winner of The Galen Best NBL Team Man for this week and he stays in Cairns and it goes to import big Josh Roberts who went from virtually not playing to a starring role in the stunning win for the Snakes against Melbourne United.

We then wrap up this week's show with Simon Mitchell agreeing with Taipans coach Adam Forde on calling out why he wants his team to ignore all the opinions floating around through NBL Media and then we preview Round 10 in the NBL from Thursday through Sunday with Simon looking forward to the Taipans' two games against Sydney and Adelaide.

All made possible thanks to the support of Hoops Heaven (www.hoopsheaven.com.au) and TABtouch (www.tabtouch.com.au).