Jawai brings the 'Chocolate Thunder'

Aussie Nathan Jawai had the best game of his short NBA career, scoring 16 points when his Minnesota Timberwolves visited the Portland Trailblazers this week.

Balling against opposing centre Greg Oden, Jawai hit 7 of 11 from the field for 16 points and six rebounds.

To put it in some perspective;

He scored TWO POINTS for his ENTIRE YEAR last season with the Toronto Raptors.

That’s how much of an improvement it was.

I watched the game back to see the big man in action, and loved how the announcers went from basically giving him shit, joking about his weight and the fact that they thought he looked like Darryl "Chocolate Thunder" Dawkins, to acknowleding he has some skills, and backtracking to find some 'actual' info on him.

Before the "Bamaga Behemoth" had hit a shot the commentators were talking about how he was listed as weighing 280 lbs. / 127.0 kg.

“280 lbs on the moon”… before the other commentator added,

“Before he put the other leg on the scales."

Honestly, that made me laugh. The T'wolves uniform, doesn't make the big man look real svelte.

They went back to the Dawkins joke a few times.

Dawkins was a star during his injury plagued 14 year NBA career, known for his naming each of his powerful dunks, and shattering numerous backboards.

Dawkins famously proclaimed he hailed from a place called 'LoveTron'… (he was almost a precursor to Stephon Marbury is terms of strangeness)

Announcer: “He put LoveTron on the map.”


That also made me laugh.

But what made me smile the most was that by the end of the game they were praising the young Aussie, taking the time to look up some background info on him, and begrudgingly acknowledging after three straight Jawai baskets, “The T’Wolves have got something here…he can play.”

The last time someone not named Andrew Bogut had that much of an influence on an NBA game, was Chris Anstey way way back.

My theory is that big Nate was feeling so good, thanks to being in the hometown of best buddy, and fellow indigenous NBA baller, Patty Mills. Most likely hanging out with Patty for 24 hours prior to the game, and having that familiar face in the building would really help the shy giant.

Anyway, that’s my theory.

Good luck to the big fella.

Happy Birthday Patty

Happy Birthday to Patty Mills who turned 21 years old on Tuesday!


He was caught in the stands watching his two formers teams

The AIS and St Marys go head to head, and was interviewed on the sidelines about all things Patty...

Millions Miles from Mills

Damn.

Things were looking so good.


"You never want to see a player get injured, but it is especially heart-wrenching to see a young man go down on his first day of camp," Portland general manager Kevin Pritchard said.

"We'll do everything we can to help Patty get back on track to realise his NBA future."

After first hearing of his injury in the very first training session for his new team, nothing else was said.

He would miss the entire Summer League and his opportunity to prove all of the teams that passed on him wrong.

I have waited to comment on the tough situation for such a likable guy, until some more facts came through… and I knew they wouldn’t be pretty.

Since then, the silence has been DEAFENING. And now we know why.

It has been reported today…

Patty Mills to miss 4-6 months of action.

Damn.

Reported today in a number of places. This excerpt comes courtesy of SLAMONLINE.COM

The Aussie PG will have his work cut out for him this season if he’s to have any hopes of making an NBA roster:

“Pritchard said doctors inserted a screw to repair the foot and Mills is expected to miss four to six months. That eliminates any chance at a training camp invitation for Mills, but Pritchard refused to address his future with the team. The Blazers selected Mills with their last pick of last month’s draft, No.55 overall. ‘Feel really bad for the kid,’ Pritchard said. ‘He’s a great kid and a high-energy guy who came in looking to really make an impression on us. It was just an unfortunate accident.’”

How quickly things change.

Less than a year ago he was almost the biggest basketball story to come out of the Olympics, heaped with praise from Kobe Bryant and LeBron James to Coach K.

First he missed a chance put his team in the NCAA tournament barely recovering from a broken hand to play out his College career.


Then, last time I wrote it was about his obvious frustration and disappointment at being overlooked by so many teams in the NBA Draft.

That would seem like nothing now, compared with the uphill battle the young man has now to even make the League.

Coincidently his first Summer League game was to be played against the Toronto Raptors and his best friend Nathan Jawai (who was traded to the Dallas Mavericks that very day). He was all set, he was to wear number #8, but of course that never happened.



Back when I first heard about the injury I scribbled down some notes.

- Hopefully not stuck in Europe ala Brad Newley. Was Newley a higher pick even?
- The Curse of Sam Bowie… he’s no Greg Oden, but a blazer struck down with injury nonetheless.

I also pictured the current Poll on my Blog, which I had not updated and was asking ‘where would you like to see Mills play next season’.

The Melbourne Tigers was an option, a joke option, but even before his injury there were rumours that Mills wouldn’t make the Trailblazers roster and would end up over in Europe or playing back Down Under for someone.

Unfortunately, that even seems a long way off at this stage.

As a basketball fan, pinning the hopes of the sport in this nation on his shoulders it’s a big blow.

Perhaps we placed too much pressure on the guy too early. We didn’t cause his injury, but it definitely raised our expectations for him and the almost saviour like aura, that many (including myself) projected onto him.

I knew that the NBA draft is extremely unpredictable. Watching Aussie after Aussie attempt to break into the league, I knew things are never as smooth as you think.

Patty Mills was always going to be borderline first round, but Alpha Magazine obviously didn’t quite understand the situation and in an attempt to sell mags, was asking questions like the one below.


As I sat down to read my first ever purchased copy, I wondered if they understood how far ahead of themselves they were getting when they asked…

Have you considered what you will do with an NBA pay packet?

Patty’s response was a fair one, but I hasten to add that it was probably edited a bit too. I believe he would have been even more humble in his full response, but that isn’t very sexy.

He Said:

"That's a bit too far ahead for me to think. I have no idea what I'll do with it. I won't know until I actually have it in my hands."

We all hope you do someday Patty, we all hope you do!

Patty Mills Drafted. But...

Congrats Patty Mills on being drafted.

But…It’s clear Patty wasn’t happy that he dropped so low in the draft.

But…He actually went to a team where he has a serious chance of getting minutes.

But…Nate Jawai and Brad Newley are prime example’s of what can happen to your career when you are a second round pick. They certainly weren’t welcomed to the league with open arms.

But…Ben Wallace and Gilbert Arenas are prime example’s of what can happen to your career when you feel like you have been underappreciated or ‘dissed’, and drafted below where evvvverrrryone is saying you should have been.

But…Who knows? Let’s hope he makes the team!

Could Zac Efron Save Our Sport?

It is possible that High School Musical movies could possibly be doing more for the sport of basketball at the grassroots level in this country than the NBL and all other organisations combined?

I have been looking outside the box for signs that basketball is still alive beyond the hard core. I’m glad to announce there is a pulse, and it’s worth not pulling the plug just yet.

I have not seen any of the movies, but it seems that there is definitely a correlation with the amount of youngsters (especially young girls) enjoying basketball. With research now showing that basketball is the ‘coolest’ sport among the Under 10’s range*, an important demographic for the future of the sport. Thanks to this movie.

Obviously the connection has been made before, as this clip aired on Fox Sports for a time. I like the effort, but it seemed a bit B Grade.



The third movie is about to be released and the cast is in the country to promote. A Zac Efron poster was the centre page pull out of the Sunday Herald Sun. It was a plain poster with nothing more than a picture of the star in plain clothes and a blank background. The only thing that differentiates this picture from a driver’s license or mug shot (well he is a celeb) is the fact that he is holding a Top Flite Basketball. Something that most people wouldn’t think anything of, but for someone like myself who looks for anyway to promote the game, having the star of the biggest kids movie franchise in years hold a basketball (one that anyone can pick up an exact replica at REBEL Sport, $69.95 for xmas) is a big deal, and it got me thinking… They look up to the superdupersportstars!

Seamus or ‘Visy Guy’ should have moved fast to get this guy an NBL appearance! I guarantee HiSense Arena would have been packed last night if Zac was there in a Dragons Jersey! They already let Harry Potter slip through their grasp when he attended a game last season and no one really knew! It had to be done!


HSM is doing what ‘One Tree Hill’ did to the 16-22 yr range for basketball awareness amongst the (predominantly female) masses. It’s made a positive association with pop culture and basketball. I’ve seen a few episodes and all I remember from them are the basketball scenes of which there were many, Chad Michael Murray shoots a brick and hears the wrath of a sarcastic cheerleader, “Nice shot.” His response, “Nice Legs.” I remember some strange things.

It’s rare that a girl would say ‘I like basketball players’, growing up in Melbourne and witnessing firsthand the nightclub/footy player scene, maybe the next generation will have basketball competing for the affections of footy chicks with aspirations of celebrity and notoriety... and money.

This is more than Declan making the AFL in Neighbours. The AFL doesn’t really need much help. If only one of the locals shows would have a likable star that plays basketball… But let’s face it, who are the kids watching. Aussie shows or US shows. It really is no comparison.


Turtle from Entourage is wearing Jordan Brand all the time. And everywhere I look around the city Asian dudes are too. But you never see them at ‘The Cage’, or Vodaphone Arena, unless And 1 is in town! It really alls comes down to money, and how it’s spent to get this game going here.

With the new league starting in 09, and NBL wallets finally being reopened, things could get very interesting.

Andrew Bogut has failed to attract the masses to the sport. That is not necessarily his fault. (Although this hair cut certainly set him back a ways). Patrick Mills on the other hand has the potential to do something that no other Aussie Basketballer in memory has achieved. There aren’t many six foot eight and above models. Something about the lanky loping giants intimidates. Patty Mills has the charisma to really be the Michael Jordan for this country that Andrew Gaze could never really be. Sure everyone saw how good of a player he was, and certainly a great guy, but Mills could sell things ala Jordan. And that is really what is needed.



Kids will buy Patrick Mills Merchandise, they will come to see him play, he is exciting. He is cool. He is the Real Life Aussie CMM & Zac Effron. Get him in a movie.

Trust me.


*Statistics collected after consultation with two cousins and one Primary School Teacher sister who quotes “They all love it. Every second kid has HSM bag, pencil case or drink bottle!”

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.

Boomers eyeing the next big hit!

Stephen Howell wrote a great article today...

Boomers eyeing the next big hit

Wednesday, August 22, 2007 - 10:24 AM
Stephen Howell - The Age

Debutant Patrick Mills was a quick hit with fans in the Boomers' Olympic qualifier against New Zealand in Melbourne this week, and by the Beijing Games next year, there could be a second indigenous player in the team who is built to be an even bigger hit.

The player being eyed by coach Brian Goorjian to come into the 12 with 181-centimetre Mills is his 20-year-old mate, Nathan Jawai — all 203 centimetres and 130 kilograms of him.

In fact, if Jawai had not been recovering from a knee injury and getting his weight down after it ballooned to 140 kilograms, he might have been in the team alongside the explosive Mills already, as the first indigenous members of the national senior side since Mills' uncle, Danny Morseu, in the 1980s.

That is the view of Goorjian and former Boomers assistant Alan Black, who will coach Jawai in his National Basketball League debut with Cairns Taipans in the season starting next month.


"I wanted Patrick involved in the program now," Goorjian said.

"I saw him as maybe No. 11 or No. 12 (the likely learner spots in Beijing), as I did Nathan Jawai. Succession planning is important and we need two or three young ones in there for the following games (the world championships in 2010)."

Mills had a third season at the Australian Institute of Sport in his home town, Canberra, last year, whereas Jawai, who came to Cairns from Barnaga in far north Queensland as a 15-year-old identified by Australian football scouts, left the institute for the US.

He came home at Christmas, 14 games into his rookie season with Midland College, a junior school in Texas, after injuring his knee. He signed for two seasons with the Taipans. His knee is better now, but he has had to fight back to fitness after letting his weight go.

Black said he would wait until Jawai produced on court in the NBL before labelling him a future league star and national team player, but said he had the potential to reach those lofty levels.

"He's still learning," Black said. "He wasn't a basketball kid … when he came down here (to Cairns), all the basketball people said come and play a real game, and he did.

"He's big and powerful, but he's quite a bit different to anything we've seen in Australia — he's got quick feet and he's got good hands."

Goorjian had a comparison to draw on. "He looks like Shaq," he said, putting up American giant Shaquille O'Neal as Jawai's type.

"He's powerful, he's a beast. I think that kid's gonna draw more attention (than Mills). People will come out just to look at him.

"Those are the two I wanted. I wanted Jawai before I wanted him (Mills), but he's matured real quick in the past 12 months."

For now, the focus is on Mills as he already is a Boomer.

The hope is Jawai is a boomer, too.



I took the opportunity to introduce myself to Nathan late last year when he'd travelled to Melbourne to see his mate Joe Ingles play live for the South Dragons. He was very courteous and seemed a little surprised I knew who he was. Now, add these two prospects, with Joe Ingles and there you have the three players that should make the Olympic squad next year that Goorjian speaks of. All three have experience playing together at the AIS, and from what I can tell (and Myspace can be accurately relied on) are the best of friends...

Things look very exciting for the Boomers 2008 and Beyond!