2008/09 NBL off season news.

[Alex99]

Turnover tango reshapes competition for Tigers

Grantley Bernard

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23381777-11088,00.html

March 16, 2008 12:00am

THE inevitability that even the most successful teams eventually break up is something the NBL champion Melbourne Tigers and runner-up Sydney Kings are facing.

While the Tigers may be looking for two new imports, depending on the personal and professional circumstances of Dave Thomas and Sean Lampley, the Kings face the biggest upheaval, with the imminent departure of coach Brian Goorjian.

For many of those who heard Goorjian speak after losing Game 5 of the NBL championship series, it sounded very much like a farewell to the Kings after six seasons, five grand finals and three titles.

While it has been long expected Goorjian will return to Melbourne to coach the South Dragons next season, the post-game speculation swirling around the Sydney Entertainment Centre was that Goorjian was headed for the Perth Wildcats.

Either way, it seems Goorjian is done with the Kings, who endured a season of turmoil and late payments to players and coaching staff. The team now faces an uncertain future as a new owner is sort to take over and restore order.

"I've had six wonderful years, but I'll see what happens when I sit down with management," Goorjian said. "If it is finished, I'm leaving a happy man."

Also leaving a happy man is Tigers veteran guard Darryl McDonald, who retires with a third NBL championship ring.

This is one definite change Melbourne will make to its roster for next NBL season.

The departure of McDonald was flagged mid-season, so the Tigers have been ready to search for another point guard to operate with starter Nathan Crosswell. But the changes could also flow down the roster if veteran back-up big man David Stiff decides six NBL championships are enough.

The import spots occupied by Thomas, who was brilliant at both ends of the floor in the fourth quarter of the title-clinching Game 5, and Lampley, who made the winning shot in Game 3, also may open up.

Neither player gave a strong undertaking to return to the Tigers next season.

That means the Tigers could be in the market for two new imports and may look at some on the NBL free-agent list such as Rob Grizzard, Julius Hodge, Corey Williams, Cortez Groves or Dontaye Draper, while NBL leading scorer Ebi Ere could be looking to escape the ownership crisis that has enveloped the Brisbane Bullets.

The Tigers may look at Bullets guard C.J. Bruton if he were to become available.

 

[Brad Goodman]

Just on that last sentence, I was thinking the same thing re the Tigers looking at CJ. You can't really say much I suppose because they won the title but Crosswell certainly won't be able to run the point by himself from here on in.

It would be a win-win: Tigers would get cover for their now weakest position, and it will give me a reason to hate the Tigers again (I couldn't hate a team with D-Mac in it).

 

[peternorth]

6 titles to stiff?

when did he do this? i can only remember the tigers ones!

 

[High Ryder]

6 titles to stiff?

when did he do this? i can only remember the tigers ones!

won some at Kings and 36ers

 

[DoubleA]

won some at Kings and 36ers

2 with each team.

 

[Hap Hapablap]

goorjian with the wildcats? that sounds highly unlikely esecially after the semi final however if he comes to perth our premiership chances have improved for next year.

 

[larrikin]

goorjian with the wildcats? that sounds highly unlikely esecially after the semi final however if he comes to perth our premiership chances have improved for next year.

Especially if he brings Worthington with him

 

[High Ryder]

Especially if he brings Worthington with him

No chance, he's a dragon...

Anyone know how much longer until the announcement will be?

 

[Alex99]

No chance, he's a dragon...

Anyone know how much longer until the announcement will be?

A week tomorrow - minimum.

Free agency signings cannot occur until 2 week after the NBL Grand Final is complete.

 

[larrikin]

No chance, he's a dragon...

Anyone know how much longer until the announcement will be?

Really?

I'd heard during the Kings v Wildcats series that he was almost certain to come to Perth

 

[High Ryder]

Really?

I'd heard during the Kings v Wildcats series that he was almost certain to come to Perth

You heard wrong.

 

[larrikin]

You heard wrong.

Thanks

I'll expect your drafting the media release then.....

 

[High Ryder]

Thanks

I'll expect your drafting the media release then.....

As we speak.

 

[Alex99]

Goorjian quits Kings

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23423378-23769,00.html

March 24, 2008 WOODEN spoon club South Dragons are considered frontrunners to secure the most successful coach in NBL history after Brian Goorjian quit the Sydney Kings.

Following a difficult year off-court, Goorjian and the Kings agreed to part with one year of his contract still to run, ending a fabulous tenure that yielded five grand final appearances and three championship titles.

He has been linked to vacant coaching roles at the Perth Wildcats as well as Melbourne's South Dragons.

Wherever he goes, Goorjian, who also coaches the national men's team the Boomers, has a long history to suggest he'll attract top players and conjure success.

He has not failed to get his team to at least the semi-final stage of the play-offs in the last 18 seasons, having spent most of the time in Melbourne with the Eastside Spectres who became the South East Melbourne Magic then Victoria Titans.

Perth Wildcats are looking for a coach after Scott Fisher decided to return to the US recently and would love to secure Goorjian but Wildcats chief executive Nick Marvin fears he may head back to Melbourne and to the Dragons.

“We're very interested, we understand it's between us and the Dragons but if I were to bet I would say he may have signed with the Dragons,” Marvin said.

“We are looking for a coach and he's a super coach, he's the number one choice and we hope to talk to him (soon).”

Second year club, the Dragons won only five games in finishing last in the recently completed season, having sacked Shane Heal as coach in mid-season.

Goorjian was coy about his club future, saying his immediate concern was the Beijing Olympics with the Boomers but said he intended to continue in the NBL.

The immediate future for the Sydney Kings is less clear.

Despite losing just three regular season games and narrowly losing a thrilling grand final series this year to the Melbourne Tigers, the Kings have struggled financially, with rumours Goorjian would leave circulating for months.

Off-court dramas reached a head when a memo was leaked to the media last week with owner Tim Johnston threatening to fine or suspend players who spoke out about the behind-the-scenes problems the Kings were facing.

“The operating environment and how it works now didn't really suit me, it's not for me,” Goorjian said. “It's just been a really hard year off the floor.”

A circumspect Goorjian said he was unable to accept the methods the club employed to promote itself and deal with the players, since new owners took control at the end of last season.

“It was a real tough year for everybody - it was a different way of operating off the court and it was uncomfortable for me,” he said.

“I'm hoping a new coach comes in and is comfortable with everything and they build a new deal and move it forward.”

 

[High Ryder]

Old news...

Goorj to the Dragons announcement shouldn't be long now.

 

[celtic_pride]

Tommorow a dawn of a new era begins at the Dragons, with Mark Cowan set to announce the signing of Brian Goorjian as the head coach of the South Dragons ..

This is going to be a boon, I'm back now on board with the Dragons, and hopefully it can help unite and bring more disenfranchised ex Spectres/Magic/Titans fans on board.

 

[peternorth]

Tommorow a dawn of a new era begins at the Dragons, with Mark Cowan set to announce the signing of Brian Goorjian as the head coach of the South Dragons ..

This is going to be a boon, I'm back now on board with the Dragons, and hopefully it can help unite and bring more disenfranchised ex Spectres/Magic/Titans fans on board.

ill think about it

 

[Alex99]

Tommorow a dawn of a new era begins at the Dragons, with Mark Cowan set to announce the signing of Brian Goorjian as the head coach of the South Dragons ..

This is going to be a boon, I'm back now on board with the Dragons, and hopefully it can help unite and bring more disenfranchised ex Spectres/Magic/Titans fans on board.

How huge will the first derbies be now?

The Tiger and Dragons should go half’s in booking the Rod Laver Arena for all 3 Victorian derbies because they could easily get 12,000 – 13,000.

Especially if the Dragons can sign a big named import and a big named Aussie to make them competitive.

 

[Joey Bungle]

just spoke to chuck on the "hotline" as my source is on maternity leave.
foxtel still negotiating, despite yesterdays rumour.
sydney has 12 interested investors.
brisbane at least 2.

 

[Alex99]

Anyone heard the rumour of Gorgjian being recruited by a major US college? That’s why there was no word today on his South Dragons coaching gig

 

[High Ryder]

Anyone heard the rumour of Gorgjian being recruited by a major US college? That’s why there was no word today on his South Dragons coaching gig

Nope.... Expect Goorj deal to be announced Monday.

 

[Shaucob_Burjan]

Darren Ng to Singapore.

terrible loss by the 36ers... someone who had a lot of potential and had a break out season.

 

[driver 8]

How bad are the 36ers at keeping young talent!!

 

[triplejdude]

Article in the West this morning about CJ Bruton and Mark Worthington having interviews with the Wildcats. Apparently they impressed, which good players will always do. Would be an excellent addition to the 'Cats lineup, however I can't see Bruton leaving the East.

Come on Worthington!

 

[Alex99]

How bad are the 36ers at keeping young talent!!

Nearly as bad as Collingwood are at winning Grand Finals.

Keeping or having young player on an NBL list isn’t as important as it is in the AFL as the free agency rules are very different and a club can recruit 3 or 4 very good player in one off season and go from a bottom side to a GF side.