Goorjian In Awe Of Tiger Firepower
The Age
Thursday September 11, 2008
Brian Goorjian is facing a massive challenge with his new Dragons, writes Stephen Howell.
THE last time Brian Goorjian played the underdog card in the National Basketball League was after his ladder-topping Sydney Kings stormed past Melbourne Tigers to win game one of last season's grand final 95-74.This reporter was one of many who laughed at his cheek, but as it turned out Goorjian was right and Melbourne won three of the next four games to grab the championship 3-2.The new season doesn't tip off until Saturday, and already Goorjian has played the underdog ace, asking how his new team, South Dragons, could possibly "beat this thing", meaning the stacked Tigers.And he threw the rest of the league in with his club. There would be no argument there, because if the Tigers gel they have the firepower to destroy the others in what is both a depleted and a stronger competition.The Kings, Brisbane Bullets and Singapore Slingers are gone, but the 10 teams left are all stronger, having absorbed a swag of the fallen 30 players.So, while emphasising the tough task last year's wooden spooners face to challenge the top dogs and thereby adding to the merit of the job if/when it is completed, Goorjian is worth listening to when he says that, on paper, the Tigers could go through the season undefeated."Anyone who beats them, I take my hat off to that team," the coach said."I'm just back from the Olympics and this (Melbourne) is an international team - Anstey, Mackinnon, Barlow, Grizzard, Ebi (Ere), Hoare."They're big, athletic and organised. Everybody's going, 'whoa, how is this?' "Goorjian was referring to the salary and player points caps designed to even out the competition, and asking how Melbourne could become so strong. Others have similar questions, and not only about the Tigers.Clearly the issues need to be probed, but it won't happen this season because, as the points scale stands, all teams fit under the cap and, according to contracts submitted to the NBL, all teams, the Dragons included, are under the $840,000 limit.Any probing is for another season, after the sport's makeover planned for the new year.This season is about putting on the best show possible, and all teams have the personnel to do so.Goorjian said his challenge was much bigger than in the 1990s when he coached South East Melbourne Magic against Melbourne, which had "the godfather of basketball (Lindsay Gaze) and the best and most loved player (Andrew Gaze), and you (Goorjian) are a loud-mouthed Yank"."I take my hat off to what he's done," Goorjian said of Tigers' director Seamus McPeake's work for club and league, while suggesting it could be time for open slather."I'm all for strong teams, so let everybody else not worry about points and the cap. Let's take the gloves off and let's play."The Dragons' decision-maker put together a team capable of competing ... until Ere became a Tiger instead of a Dragon and the injured Jason Smith stayed in Sydney.Now there is more building to do and it is a task Goorjian relishes and is known for.His building blocks are:youth;a hard-working culture that promotes fitness;playing hard in offence and defence;being a team.Of his line-up, Goorjian said: "The guys who stayed really want to be here and the guys who've come in are all about the four points. The winning's in the picking. We want to win the championship, but we want to go through the process and tick the boxes. There's a lot more to it than just winning games."The first derby of the four between the Melbourne clubs is scheduled for October 18. Hostilities have begun already. Basketball is the winner.TOP DOG MELBOURNE TIGERS The excitement quota lifts with Sam Mackinnon, Ebie Ere and Rod Grizzard to start alongside Chris Anstey (right) and David Barlow; the experience level dips without Darryl McDonald, Dave Thomas, Sean Lampley and David Stiff. But one word sums up the reigning champion - loaded.NIPPING AT TIGERS' HEELS NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS C. J. Bruton provides the playmaker that's been missing, Dillon Boucher gives grunt and a fit Rick Rickert adds import strength.PERTH WILDCATS Connor Henry takes over from Scott Fisher as coach of a group that has brought in secondseason imports Darnell Hinson and Isiah Victor, everywhere man Ben Knight and returning collegian Steve Weigh.SOUTH DRAGONS Brian Goorjian grabs control, brings in Mark Worthington, Mika Vikuna, Adam Gibson, Rhys Carter and an almost anonymous import, Tremmell Darden, and recycles Nick Horvath and Cortez Groves. The building blocks are in place . . .CAIRNS TAIPANS Have stocked up to almost Tiger proportions with Dave Thomas and Ian Crosswhite (former Kings), provided veterans Darnell Mee and Martin Cattalini stay healthy.TOWNSVILLE CROCODILES With hard-working import Rosell Ellis fit and the arrival of Kings Russ Hinder and Cam Tovey and Bullet Brad Williamson, the Crocs will be snappy again.THE CHASING PACK ADELAIDE 36ERS Scott Ninnis replaces Phil Smyth as coach and brings in young Aussie playmaker Aaron Bruce from a US college, seven-footer Luke Schenscher and former Sixers Jacob Holmes and Brad Hill from the Dragons.GOLD COAST BLAZE Shane Heal adds age and firepower to a team that was on the cusp last season.SYDNEY SPIRIT Rob Beveridge's boys have dropped the West and the Razorbacks from their name and added Kings' captain Jason Smith to become Sydney's team. Have a way to travel.WOLLONGONG HAWKS With Glen Saville going home from Sydney, Dusty Rychart coming down from Brisbane and Lindsay Tait moving across from NZ, the Hawks are much better - but so is everyone else.ROUND ONE SATURDAY Cairns v Dragons SUNDAY Sydney v Melbourne WEDNESDAY Dragons v Perth (Hisense Arena, 7.30pm) THURSDAY New Zealand v Wollongong FRIDAY Adelaide v Townsville, Gold Coast v Cairns SATURDAY Melbourne v Gold Coast (the Cage, 7.30pm), Wollongong v Sydney SUNDAY Perth v Dragons THE FINALS ELIMINATORS single game 3 v 6, 4 v 5 SEMIS best of three, 1 v winner of 4/5, 2 v winner of 3/6 GRAND best of five
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