Blogging from DOWN TOWN!

NBL Star John 'the real deal' Rillie is a blogger.



I had known this for a while, but hadnt checked back on his site for quite a while. Let me tell you, it's impressive. It gives some cred to Aussie ballers and provides a missing link between fans hearing about life in the US/Euro world of bball or nothing at all. Some NBL sites (Tigers, Dragons) have tried to get players to write for their sites, but although it is often amusing, it lacks substance and the passion which is clearly evident the moment this site loads before your eyes!

I have put a link to the site on my BLOG LIST on the side of my page, and I will be checking in throughout the course of the upcoming season. I haven't been this impressed since Chris Anstey routinely answered all sorts of questions (almost daily) on his official site! (Until he almost had to shut it down completely due to over-interest!)

I have always been a fan of Rillie, and I'll never forget some of the awesome "On Fire" displays he put forth, particularly for those great West Sydney Razorbacks playoff teams!

Kevin Garnett punches Rick Rickert.

I've been holding onto this one for a while. Rickert has a cool name, and a cool game. He was great fun to watch last season for the Breakers until his injury, and was one of the top NBL Dream Team Scorers. I read this about him last year, but only found it in my files again today. It's always good to know something more about a player... this is a great little story. Especially because (as people are begginning to learn) I DON'T LIKE KEVIN GARNETT!

NBA most valuable player Kevin Garnett punched a former University of Minnesota player during a pickup game last week at Target Center, cutting the man's face and chipping his tooth.

Garnett punched Rick Rickert, a second-round draft pick of the Timberwolves last season, according to several sources with knowledge of the event. Seven stitches were required to close the cut on Rickert's chin, said Susan Rickert, the player's mother, during a phone interview yesterday.

Rickert, 21, scored several times with the 6-foot-11 Garnett guarding him. Several other players began to "tease" Garnett about being outplayed, according to a source. When Rickert scored again, Garnett struck him without warning.

Garnett punched teammate Wally Szczerbiak in the head following an argument, in 2000.

Rudy Rudy Rudy Rudy!

Can't say I like all of the Spanish team, and I have a hard time liking ANYONE from the Greece or Litho teams. But I like this guy. Even before this play, which was great because Dwight Howard was hating getting pushed around like this all game, with that "Don't they know who I am? How dare they!" look on his face. Fernandez is only 21 and is headed to the NBA this coming season to pair with big Greg Oden as the most exciting Rookie pairing ever in Portland!

What are your thoughts on the blogging phenomenon?

I was recently asked to help out a friend with a university assignment regarding this blog. Below are the question and answers that took place.

What is the name of your blog? The name of my blog is "One Man Weave". It's name comes from the sporting "weave" training drill, used commonly in Basketball and other sports. My blog is predominantly comment on basketball, but it also incorporates other aspects of my life 'weaved' in.

What is your blog about? My blog as I stated above is predominantly about basketball, but is also a platform for my other interests such as creative writing and story telling. I have included articles penned by other authors if I find them relevant, and also I include pictures and video from others websites. There is no real set 'topic' or reason for the blog other than a great platform for me to get my thoughts and ideas out there.

How long have you been blogging for? I started this site in 2006, but have been recording my thoughts on things since around 2001, things that one day may be reshaped and used on the blog. Depending on time constraints I can put more and more time into the blog. I aim to have it grow significantly in the next few months.

How did you get in to blogging? My obsession with basketball and my creative nature led to the beginning of the blog. I have aspirations of running a larger website, or having work published and this seemed like a great place to 'cut my teeth' as they say in the business.

Do you have any formal journalism training? I don't have any formal journalism training, although I am planning to study media and/or communications shortly, as my interest in these areas in only increasing as time goes by. I completed a short course in Creative Writing in 2007 which helped immensely with my development and further confirmed my interest.

Have you received any feedback about your blog? I have received various feedback from my writings, and the occasional feedback regarding my blog. It doesn't receive wide attention, but a satisfying day came last year when someone unknown to me left encouraging comments on a piece I had written.

What are your thoughts on the blogging phenomenon? I really think it's great. It's a great tool for creative types who aspire to be heard and do not necessarily have the platform or employment backing to be noticed. It can incorporate so many different types of media, similar to a website, where people can be creative. Hopefully things continue to develop in the world of blogging and I can ride this thing till the wheels fall off!

Praise for Patty Mills

Just a few quotes about Patty Mills from some well respected sources, following his first Olympic campaign.



Just a few quotes about Patty Mills from some well respected sources, following his first Olympic campaign.

"He's good. Man, he's fast. I read something that says he's faster than me. They're probably right. He can move."
-- Chris Paul, USA point guard

"I thought we had one avenue to be successful in this game. That's saying a lot, and that's Patrick Mills. He put on a hell of a show for a young kid playing in his first Olympics with no background in this."
-- Brian Goorijian, Boomers Head Coach

"It's nothing new to anyone on our team, Patty Mills, he's the future of Australian basketball."
-- C.J. Bruton – Starting point guard for Australia

"I'm just glad my Duke team doesn't have to play Saint Mary's. He'll be an NBA guard."
-- Mike Krzyewski, USA Head Coach

"If I was Saint Mary's, I'd be happy to have him right now, because he's a big-time player. He'll be heavily scouted."
-- Tony Ronzone, U.S. Scout and Detroit Pistons player personnel director.


The Aussie to watch is the 5-11 Mills, a speed burner who scorched the U.S. guards, slashing to the hoop and once, after they got serious, splitting a double-team.

Here's how fast he is. Kobe Bryant, who guards the best opposing backcourt player, says he isn't taking Mills.

"Too quick," Bryant said.

Taking Shots

This is the first time I have posted for a long time. The Olympics is almost over. But here is a quick comment on the Exit of the Boomers, at the hands of the conquering USA Redeem Team last night in the Quarter Finals.

I looked through the pics of the game last night, and decided I liked this one the best. Glenn Saville had just drilled a 3 in Wade's face the play before, so next time he comes down again Wade gives him one in the nuts, as Sav nails the three again. And 1.

I have heard first hand some of the great sprays the boy from Bendigo can dish out on the NBL court, bit of a 'Gordon Ramsay' fan you might say. I would give anything to know what he said to Wade afterwards, he sprayed him during and well after the bonus free throw. That was nice.

In a night of overall disapointment, you can at least say most of the Boomers never backed down, and with Channel 7 choosing to show womens softball (last Olympics ever, thank goodness) instead of the first half of the bball game, this was a true highlight for me.

And you know the Aussies never back down...

Mobs