Episodes
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
Hoops Heaven's Basketball Hustle – #NBL24 Episode 22
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
Final #NBL24 Round preview on Hoops Heaven's Basketball Hustle with Cody Ellis back on deck and he's expecting Illawarra Hawks, Brisbane Bullets, Sydney Kings to make it but genuinely can't see anyone but Melbourne United, Perth Wildcats, Tasmania JackJumpers winning NBL championship.
Plenty to dissect in #NBL24 and Cody Ellis baffled by 'worst ever NBL coach ejection' of Mike Kelly for South East Melbourne Phoenix, the happenings at Cairns Taipans with Tahjere McCall discontent likely to lead to mass turnover, and thoughts on Illawarra Hawks, Brisbane Bullets prospects.
#TheGalen Best NBL Team Man by Simon Mitchell, impressed by explosive Perth Wildcats, why Sydney Kings can still be a threat despite obvious disconnect, where Brian Goorjian will end up in #NBL25 and full Round 20 #NBL24 TABtouch Preview.
For all the ways to listen click here: https://linktr.ee/basketballhustle
This week's show opens up with discussion about Melbourne, Perth and Tasmania the only genuine championship threats while the other four teams battle over the three other Finals spot while there's the disconnect at the Sydney Kings and things unravelling at the Cairns Taipans.
We might well have seen the worst ever NBL coach ejection with Mike Kelly from the South East Melbourne Phoenix and Cody Ellis was baffled by it. For him, it just proves the inconsistencies within the refereeing this season and why it's infuriating to see a coach ejected for virtually nothing and others not even receive a tech.
It's absolutely no longer the same old Illawarra Hawks under coach Justin Tatum. Cody Ellis can't understand why he hasn't been signed up yet, but either way loves the way they move the ball under him, loves their buy-in defensively and how he's a coach the players get behind with Gary Clark the second best player in the NBL right now.
The Brisbane Bullets inched closer to a return to the Finals but it was through their NBL veterans Nathan Sobey, Sam McDaniel and Mitch Norton leading the charge and not so much struggling imports Shannon Scott and Chris Smith with Casey Prather still working his way back.
The Perth Wildcats showed their explosiveness in the last seven minutes in the win against the Cairns Taipans with Cody Ellis believing that sort of offensive arsenal could very well take them all the way to a championship, provided they buy in defensively at the same time.
The Finals hopes might be over for the Cairns Taipans but there's plenty of fascination surrounding them including what appears a fallout between coach Adam Forde and captain Tahjere McCall. We discuss that as well as Sam Mennenga's role disappearing and why there's going to likely be another mass turnover this off-season for the Snakes.
Talk then talks to the Sydney Kings and the clear disconnect there is between the coaching staff and playing group which is denying them the chance to realise their potential. Cody Ellis sees this Kings group as one that needs a motivational coach which isn't necessarily Mahmoud Abdelfattah's strength but he still sees them as the only team capable of challenging the top three.
Where Brian Goorjian ends up coaching in the NBL next season has become a major talking point and with Cody Ellis expecting Scott Ninnis to remain in charge at the Adelaide 36ers, he expects the legendary coach to return to the Sydney Kings to replace Mahmoud Abdelfattah for #NBL25.
We wrap up the show with a preview of the last round of #NBL24 with Cody Ellis expecting it to come down to the very last game to determine the final top six position, and he expects the Adelaide 36ers to eliminate the New Zealand Breakers and allow the Brisbane Bullets to make it.
All made possible thanks to the support of Hoops Heaven (www.hoopsheaven.com.au) and TABtouch (www.tabtouch.com.au).