Mega Thread 2022/23 Off-Season Sports Thread

[Purpletown]

I think I prefer the testing nature of a spicy wicket both teams have batted on twice in two days over the wickets that are absolute roads for three days and then become raging turners so the side who won the toss and batted first for 650/3d then rolls the opposition twice for under a total of 150.

Too flat and the toss is too critical, to much action and the toss doesn't really matter.

Realising a dream to go to an Ashes Boxing day test a few years back my dream was shattered by a wicket that was a batsman's paradise. Five days of boring cricket that was painful to watch.

For the good of test cricket all test wickets should be prepared with the idea of getting a result and hopefully the result coming on the last day.

Imo seeing wickets fall is far preferable to watching a test match become batting practice.

 

[purpleburple]

Hi all

I'm looking for an NBA team to support to help pass the off season and wondering what would be a good team for a dockers fan to support. Eg a team on the rise, exciting young talent, hasn't tasted ultimate success, good culture, passionate fan base...

Any recommendations would be most appreciated

 

[SupermanCapes]

Hi all

I'm looking for an NBA team to support to help pass the off season and wondering what would be a good team for a dockers fan to support. Eg a team on the rise, exciting young talent, hasn't tasted ultimate success, good culture, passionate fan base...

Any recommendations would be most appreciated

The NOLA Pelicans are a great hit at the moment. They're crushing it in the West, have a bunch of talented youngsters and a bit of mongrel about them (look up Zion's last play windmill dunk against the Suns recently for context). They went out first round of the playoffs last year but look every chance to go deeper. Unlikely to challenge for a ring this year but should be there or thereabouts for a while.

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

The NOLA Pelicans are a great hit at the moment. They're crushing it in the West, have a bunch of talented youngsters and a bit of mongrel about them (look up Zion's last play windmill dunk against the Suns recently for context). They went out first round of the playoffs last year but look every chance to go deeper. Unlikely to challenge for a ring this year but should be there or thereabouts for a while.

That's be my choice if starting out now. Would be like jumping on Freo in 2011/2012 purpleburple.

 

[Nothing]

Hi all

I'm looking for an NBA team to support to help pass the off season and wondering what would be a good team for a dockers fan to support. Eg a team on the rise, exciting young talent, hasn't tasted ultimate success, good culture, passionate fan base...

Any recommendations would be most appreciated

I always felt like the Clippers were a Freo team. Second team in the town to the highly paid cross-town rival. Never won a championship but have a lot of real support at the local level. Will one day win the flag and the city will burn.

 

[MadDocker]

Using Brissie as an example, I wonder if the toss had gone the other way whether the result would have? I think it was over too quickly for the toss to have determined the outcome but I'm not sure.

Dont think so.

South Africa have the bowling line up to challenge Australia but dont have batters capable to back them up. If both teams play to their capacity, bowling is nearly on par but Aus wayyyy better in the batting department. Always a chance the Aussies have a shocker and collapse and lose a test over the series but I dont see it happening. Wouldn't be surprised if we clean sweep them.

 

[Wobbly Punt]

Hi all

I'm looking for an NBA team to support to help pass the off season and wondering what would be a good team for a dockers fan to support. Eg a team on the rise, exciting young talent, hasn't tasted ultimate success, good culture, passionate fan base...

Any recommendations would be most appreciated

I'm a massive NBA fan so can maybe add something to help. I'll say from the start I am not including my team in the list so as my bias doesn't come in to it. They'd also be a poor choice right now too so its easy to do.

The Pelicans have been mentioned and I agree they're a great place to start. If you're looking long term then you'll just have to get used to not attracting big free agents and losing a few players over the years, that potentially includes the main man Zion so that's something to consider in that regard if its a long term thing. If its a "this season" thing then they're a great choice for all the reasons already mentioned.

I'd add the Grizzlies to that with the same caveats as with the Pels. The thing the Griz have over the Pels is Memphis are getting decent TV coverage so you can watch them more regularly here. New Orleans don't get the same coverage...not yet anyway.

The Clippers are very Freo in many ways but may not be in great shape in the near future. Their time is now and I just don't see them being good enough to win it now but who knows. The great thing with them is they have a super invested owner who has monster BAGS of cash and they play in a desirable location so any future down periods will likely not last long as he'll spend his way out of them. Good coach too right now which is something I like. Not the most likable current roster for me but that's by the by. You'll also get to watch them quite a bit which is great.

The Pacers are worth a look. Basketball mad City and fans but they are blue and yellow so that has it's obvious problems.

I'd definitely add Cleveland to the mix. Despite a reasonably recent Lebron driven Title, they're a success starved team with a great fan base. Shitty owner but he's not afraid to spend so he doesn't hurt the team much. He's clearly just a bit of a dick which isn't a massive issue. Great young roster which is complimented really well by a proven star (Mitchell) who plays a good balance of me first and a team first game. Really positive outlook for now and the future with them.

The Suns are a good option and keep a bit of purple in your life with the bonus they are a win now candidate for sure. Fun as hell to watch and just about to be bought by a sports MAD and another UBER rich guy so they'll be fun right now and any down times when the stars they currently have start to diminish will be shorter if their owner is what most expect him to be - aggressive.

The final one is also purple heavy and I'd add the Kings. Snake bitten team and fans with a current crew that seems to be finding their way. Less sure about these guys than the others but they could be lots of fun to follow. They could also suck a real lot do it soon and for ages. High risk high rewards here. Good young team but they have had trouble retaining guys previously and have had so little success it's kind of hard to imagine them ever having it.

Other than those all I'll add is some to avoid - Brooklyn, Orlando, Philly, Lakers and Portland. I won't go in to why here but I don't see much fun in supporting any of them now or in the future.

Have fun with whoever you choose, I'd finally suggest to not get too attached to any team based on a player. This league moves guys around more than any other and for the worst reasons sometimes too. Pick and then follow a team, not a guy. That would be my biggest piece of advice unless you're just looking at this season.

Enjoy and good luck.

 

[purpleburple]

Thanks heaps for the advice everyone. Really appreciate it. About to watch a replay of clipper vs suns now to get myself started!

 

[estibador]

That was some innings from the Scorchers! Two pretty special knocks from Faf and Ingles.

Faf is certainly earning his contract so far.

 

[Taylor]

Cameron Green just spent the afternoon watching his Scorchers team tear the Stars apart, then enjoyed an after dinner text from his manager that he just made $3m in the IPL and will line up for Australia on Boxing Day.

Nice little window for him

 

[Piggy Smalls]

Cameron Green just spent the afternoon watching his Scorchers team tear the Stars apart, then enjoyed an after dinner text from his manager that he just made $3m in the IPL and will line up for Australia on Boxing Day.

Nice little window for him

That’s more than 95% of AFL players will make in their careers. For a few weeks’ work too. Good for him, he’s got a big future ahead of him.

 

[Kram]

Seriously why chose to bat first here.

 

[CakeEater]

Seriously why chose to bat first here.

So it goes 5 days?

 

[Beak_A]

So it goes 5 days?

According to the diagram


My Buddy is NOD

 

[Beak_A]

Pretty disappointing crowd really. I remember when a boxing day test against the number 2 side in the world would be a sell out. Perhaps we should play it somewhere else


My Buddy is NOD

 

[King Huskii]

Pretty disappointing crowd really. I remember when a boxing day test against the number 2 side in the world would be a sell out. Perhaps we should play it somewhere else


My Buddy is NOD

South Africa aren't the same side anymore. No fear in the bowlers and batters with poor technique and concentration skills.

 

[theGav56]

South Africa aren't the same side anymore. No fear in the bowlers and batters with poor technique and concentration skills.

I'm looking forward to seeing their bowlers.

 

[Kram]

Warne's young bloke speaks pretty well.

 

[Piggy Smalls]

This week just keeps getting better for Cam Green. 5/27 on Boxing Day!

 

[MadDocker]

South Africa aren't the same side anymore. No fear in the bowlers and batters with poor technique and concentration skills.

Reckon their bowling attack is up there. Young too they will be a force for years. Need to fix this batting line up if they're going to be genuine contenders though, can't rely on bowlers defending under 200 constantly.

 

[theGav56]

Pretty disappointing crowd really. I remember when a boxing day test against the number 2 side in the world would be a sell out. Perhaps we should play it somewhere else


My Buddy is NOD

68,000?

More than the Ashes.

 

[Beak_A]

Either of those Should be 100,000 given the occasion. Disappointing.


My Buddy is NOD

 

[theGav56]

Either of those Should be 100,000 given the occasion. Disappointing.


My Buddy is NOD

Ok. So where are you thinking it should be played to get better numbers?

 

[Beak_A]

Ok. So where are you thinking it should be played to get better numbers?

You’re right, if it does get above 60k there’s not really another option. But with all the boxing day hype, it actually not raining, playing the No2 side and it being a tribute day for Shane Warne only filling 2/3 of the stadium it’s a bit underwhelming from a crowd perspective


My Buddy is NOD

 

[King Huskii]

Ok. So where are you thinking it should be played to get better numbers?

Hobart