Club-By-Club: Hooyah & Harden Up (Round 14, NBL25)

Author disclaimer: To all the players, coaches and administrators, the following opinions are mine and mine alone. It’s ALWAYS business – and NEVER personal. So, if I name you, shame you, offend you or slap you on the back and put your name up in lights, just accept it for what it is and move on.

By Damon Lowery.

Defeated by Perth 

HOOYAH – In your first game back from a hamstring injury, you showed some spirit, DJ Vasiljevic. 23 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in 25 ‘restricted’ minutes.

HARDEN UP – All of you can cop this one – AGAIN! Another embarrassing home loss. The wheels have fallen off and your car is now unroadworthy - I’m scared to look under the bonnet. You owe it to yourselves and your loyal supporters. Please, don’t go out like this.

Defeated by Illawarra & Tasmania

HOOYAH – Copy & Paste. Casey Prather is still at it. Against Illawarra you dropped 28 points at 61%, going 4/5 from 3-point land.

HARDEN UP – You picked the wrong time to turn in a 7-point performance, Keandre Cook. Down an import in James Batemon, 1/6 FG vs Illawarra cannot be on the menu moving forward.

Defeated by Melbourne

HOOYAH – With his best statistical game of the season, Tanner Groves scored nearly a third of Cairns’ total. 20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks is what your team needs from you night after night.

HARDEN UP – Being out-rebounded by 27 is one way to keep this losing streak going. Your desperation ain’t desperate enough.

Defeated Brisbane

HOOYAH – I can’t go past your double-double, Sam Froling. 15 points and 12 rebounds is grown man’s business.

HARDEN UP – It’s your fouling ways, Darius Days. That’s what’s preventing you from staying on the floor long enough to showcase your talents. Respectfully, stop hacking! You’re way better than 5 points and 2 rebounds.

Defeated Cairns

HOOYAH – You were efficient in a game that lacked a lot of efficiency, Jack White, with 14 points at 62% and 8 rebounds.

HARDEN UP – 75 total shots, and over half were 3’s. I wouldn’t have an issue if you were making them, but 7/38 from 3-point land is not up to standard.

Defeated Adelaide

HOOYAH – Dylan Windler, you were sensational all over the floor. A former 1st round NBA draft pick, you showed all your class with 24 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 blocks.

HARDEN UP – In a good road win, where your defence vastly improved, you gave up 48 PIP (Points in the Paint). Tighten that up to get a lock on a playoff position. 

Defeated Brisbane

HOOYAH – Anthony Drmic, you came into the game averaging just under 7 points and finished with a season-high 19 at 61%, and some of your trademark hard-nosed D.

HARDEN UP – You sent Brisbane to the foul line 31 times, that’s way too high. And blaming the refs is frowned upon, keep an eye on that. March on.

HOOYAH – To the referees (they’re people too) who put out multiple spot fires across the round - even putting themselves in harm’s way to de-escalate volatile situations. You don’t get enough credit for the tough job you do.

HARDEN UP – I’m gonna keep banging on about this jersey mess. First we had teams playing on Xmas Day without Xmas themed jerseys, now we have the Hawks wearing Xmas jerseys after Xmas Day! I know the Hawks like to wear jerseys that bring them luck and it’s a superstition thing, but it can get confusing.