Photo 714? Isn’t that how many home runs Babe Ruth hit? (Fall 2013)

Observations and calculations, Week Four.

The league by the numbers:

League percentages, games of Week Four (and previous weeks):

Three pointers: Wk4: 20/82 = 24.4%
                           Wk3: 33/113 = 29.2%
                           Wk2: 17/96 = 17.7%
                           Wk1: 28/96 = 29.2%

FG: Wk4: 137/390 = 35.1%
Wk3: 141/401= 35.2%
Wk2: 145/439 = 33.0%
Wk1: 143/404 = 35.4%)

FT: Wk4: 56/112 = 50%
Wk3: 54/80 = 67.5%
Wk2: 30/64 = 46.9%
Wk1: 33/63 = 52.4%)

Observation:

Fewer three pointers taken then any week thus far. Theories? Better understanding of the odds and maybe self-reflection? Other than that, I have none. After 4 weeks, we know what kind of league it is: about a 1 in 4 chance of it going in when shot from the high school or NCAA women’s 3 point arc; just over 1 in 3 chance of making any shot; slightly better than 50/50 – or a coin toss – on a free throw. The NTL Individual Skills Clinic that starts Monday, Jan 6 will include lots of shooting practice, focusing on form and understanding how to get the shots you’ve practiced. It will also include 100 FT practices throughout the 10 week session. ($40 discount for PFL players.)

Gotta be impressed with Mike (Mikan) Earley of the Taipans. “Old school” doesn’t do justice to his game. The things he does are the good things that good players have employed for basketball generations: footwork, understanding the angles, vision, playing within himself. A joy to watch, like a Bogart film.

Question: Why don’t more PFL teams press, pick up full court? Who said you need to drop back? To me the game is played baseline to baseline. It would be fun to see more teams and more players have that mentality. Consider: 1) it would force players to play under duress, requiring greater skill and composure; 2) be a better workout; 3) be more fun and fill up the stat sheet; 4) could take advantage of natural physical advantages for some teams. Try a “soft” press to start; get the feel for it and then extend and apply greater pressure when ready and comfortable.

Week Four, November 23, 2013

G1: How does a team (MT) have only one assist (out of 15 baskets) and win a game, especially against a team that came in 3-0? I’m also wondering about that team and their shot distribution: 6 players took either 5, 6, or 7 shots. Normally you’d think: “wow, they’re sharing the ball”. But with just 1 assist I think they are taking turns NOT sharing the ball; they are sharing the shots! But they are 4-0, so who is to argue. (Still, I see it as a weakness, a chink in the armor.) The Tigers are ferocious on defense and they rebound and they run. Hence, the record. TC went 2-20 2nd half. The Crocs were in the swamp and couldn’t get out. “Brick” Wall was efficient with nice finishes. (Did the Tigers rub the Crocodile bellies before the game?)

Game One / Melbourne Tigers (4-0) 46 – Townsville Crocodiles (3-1) 31
(Players missing: MT: Lida Mullendore; TC: Megan Ladd)

Box Score Game One

G2: Tyler Carruthers hit “the shot heard round the world” as the horn went off (and the gym exploded)! Three pointer from beyond the top of the key wins the game! Amidst the mayhem, we heard Tyler whisper “glass”. Haven’t even seen dad do that 3 point buzzer beater trick. Nice game by both teams. NB: don’t leave any valuables around; Keith “The Thief” Reitman will strip you clean.

Game Two /Cairns Taipans (3-1) 60 – Sydney Kings (3-1) 58
(All Taipans present; Kings deposed for the week: David Duane, Jim Duane, Barath Sankaran)

Box Score Game Two

G3: The Breakers broke into a smile, a smile that we haven’t seen in a while, after Erik Morales (“77”) snatched his first loud rebound and laid the ball back in. Erik, a former Thursday night NTL “Advanced Skills & Scrimmage” participant, got to the ball, got to the rim, got to the FT line and helped NZB get the win. Want to see some good passing? Watch point forward Chris Railey. For the Hawks: Kratka gave life to his flat-line FG%; Larry “Laimbeer” Bavis kept up his string of impressive TO column numbers. Hawks are still building their nest.

Game Three /New Zealand Breakers (1-3) 43 – Wollongong Hawks (1-3) 32
(Absent players: NZB: Jason “JJ” Jaroszewski, Lo-o-o-o-o-u Wang; Hawk Hunter of the Moonless Night: Nat Rink)

Box Score Game Three

G4: All hail A36! 7 steals, 12 assists, Tam & Tam go 7 for 10. 45.5% from the field!!! Undersized – but not their hearts! – they out rebound the Wildcats by a wide margin. Rebound is desire. Wildcats prowling and growling. Pinchook only 4 FG attempts? Is he going Kobe on us? Siobhan heard muttering about extra shooting practice. (Whither “Pearl”?)

Game Four /Adelaide 36ers (1-3) 49 – Perth Wildcats (0-4) 31
(Out and about: all 36 A36ers contributing; PW could have used “Pearl” Bogarty and Mina Makarious)

Box Score Game Four