Hoops Heaven’s Basketball Hustle – #NBL24 Episode 9

Hoops Heaven's Basketball Hustle looks at Illawarra Hawks making their coaching change while Perth Wildcats have found their groove, Melbourne United kept winning and it's getting to make or break time for the New Zealand Breakers.

Former Illawarra Hawks forward Cody Ellis is back to dissect the coaching change at his old team with Justin Tatum stepping up to replace Jacob Jackomas while also looking at why Tyler Harvey/Justin Robinson are too similar and why the fans deserve a good product.

Other topics include Shane Heal's banner, Wagstaff/Doolittle/Harris key to Perth Wildcats, Melbourne United's system, Brisbane Bullets could be 5-0, #NBL24 Round 8 Preview and Simon Mitchell's #TheGalen headlines our awards.

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

We begin this week's show with a discussion about the Illawarra Hawks parting ways with coach Jacob Jackomas after he won just 5 of 32 games in charge. We analyse it from every angle with Cody Ellis not surprised by the decision and feels in the long run it might be the best thing for all parties. We also discussed why having Justin Robinson and Tyler Harvey is part of the problem, why it's a free hit for caretaker coach Justin Tatum and why the Hawks faithful deserve a good product to support.

We also get Cody Ellis' thoughts on his former coach Shane Heal being removed from the rafters at Qudos Bank Arena and why he was shocked by it and a little dumbfounded that the Sydney Kings organisation took things that far.

Talk then moves to Melbourne United and why it was the faith in their system, what's implemented by their coaching staff and their depth that allowed them to keep winning to beat the South East Melbourne Phoenix despite being without Luke Travers, Ian Clark and Matthew Dellavedova.

The discussion then turns to the Perth Wildcats as Cody Ellis looks at why shortening the rotation and changing things up has worked wonders for them, especially the extra faith and responsibilities for Jesse Wagstaff, Hyrum Harris and Kristian Doolittle which is allowing Bryce Cotton and Keanu Pinder to thrive.

Things aren’t looking as good with the New Zealand Breakers right now and Cody Ellis talks about if the players are playing like they are a little on edge right now and scared to make a mistake under coach Mody Maor, and why their season is hanging by a thread right now with a lot of things to fix.

Cody Ellis then dissects why there was such a difference in quality of games from Saturday to Sunday, and focuses on the Sydney Kings-Brisbane Bullets match up as a highlight of Round 7 with the Kings firing in bursts with the Bullets missing a golden opportunity despite the good signs and why they could so easily be 5-0 in the last five games.

We then look at the plights of Jacob Wiley at the Adelaide 36ers, Josh Roberts at the Cairns Taipans and Simon Mitchell selects his #TheGalen Best NBL Team Man with Matty Knight casting his Player of the Year votes and Damian Martin's giving his votes in #TheDamo Best Defensive Player before we preview Round 8 in #NBL24.

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