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Speaker 1: ESPN basketball commentator. We love him with the footy. He's very versatile. John Casey. Now, Case, is Corey Webster playing tonight?
00:00:09
Speaker 2: That is, I'm led to believe, is going to be the case, Roe. Great to be with you and Timmy G. Just before we speak basketball, can I just say what a pleasure it is to be on air with two of the finest radio linguinists in Australia. Yes.
00:00:22
Speaker 3: Hey, hey, hey, Case.
00:00:24
Speaker 1: You leave the humor to me, mate.
00:00:27
Speaker 3: What happened there?
00:00:28
Speaker 1: What happened there, Case?
00:00:32
Speaker 3: Linguinist.
00:00:34
Speaker 1: I got my tongue tied.
00:00:35
Speaker 3: I had linguine in. Oh, Johnny. That's the top of the knot. Can we close the show? That is the top of the knot.
00:00:41
Speaker 4: Well done, Case.
00:00:42
Speaker 2: Can we make a promo out of that?
00:00:44
Speaker 3: I'd like to hear it back.
00:00:45
Speaker 1: I think so.
00:00:45
Speaker 3: That was so good.
00:00:47
Speaker 2: Back to the question. Look, Corey Webb's expected to suit up tonight, but I wouldn't be expecting too much from Corey. He's more to come in and give... The 36 is a little more depth and maybe some outside shooting. And look, he can certainly provide that. He hasn't played in the NBL, though, for two and a half years. The last time he had a double-figure game in the NBL was over three years ago. But having said that, he's been playing well in the New Zealand Basketball League. And just in August, he was playing with the Tall Blacks in World Cup qualifiers and had a 22-point game against Syria in Manila. So he can certainly fill it up. But he also is foul-prone. And he also doesn't distribute the ball as much as I'd like to. I'm not sure that he's the great, perfect fit for what they need. He's coming in as an injury replacement for Flynn Cameron, who's a starting point guard. Corey can do some ball carrying, but he's not a point guard. So, look, it's going to be interesting to see how that fit is because, obviously, some other players are going to lose minutes so they can facilitate Corey into the lineup. But it's really going to be more on Bryce Cotton, as usual, and Nick Rakosevic. to try and steady the ship here. Because right now, in the distance, I can hear alarm bells, and so they should be running as well.
00:01:59
Speaker 1: Well, they simply have to win. I'll be there tonight. Is there just too many out of their starting five?
00:02:05
Speaker 2: Is that the problem? Without a doubt. You know, look, Three of their starting five, when we make the playoffs at the end of the season, are going to be Flynn Cameron running the show, Isaac Humphries in the man in the middle, and Bull Quall as your stopper to take on the opposition's best player. And those three aren't playing. So I think you take those type of... Put that scenario in any team and you're going to struggle. So... That's why it's important. They're two and three at the moment, seventh on the ladder. Particularly at home, you have to find a way to win these games when you're vulnerable, if you're going to have a presence in the playoffs. And that's what the ultimate aim is, obviously.
00:02:42
Speaker 4: I can accept that they're three very good players that aren't on the court currently, John, but what I can't accept is a lack of effort. And I did see, I thought the Illawarra game was even worse than the Breakers game, but I just thought that we were just out-muscled, out-bustled, and I didn't see a lot of fight.
00:03:04
Speaker 2: Well, and I think that was referenced by Coach Trevor Gleeson in the post-game press conference as well, where he thought that was the scenario. So clearly that's what he saw and obviously what you're seeing as well, Timmy. I didn't see that here against the Breakers on Sunday night. I just saw the Breakers were just a little bit better than them. And, you know, at halftime it was anyone's game. But... I think they're vulnerable and they know it. And so the mind games are there that if they get behind, they're like, oh, we haven't got our starting point guard or we haven't got the man in the middle or we don't have ball. And I think people start looking around and seeing what don't we have here rather than how do we make the best of what we do have here. And that's, you know... That's what they really need to work on because they've proven this year that without those players, that they can get it done. Because just over two weeks ago, they played in Melbourne against United, who they faced tonight, and they won by two. No, Humphries in that game. John Jenkins didn't play in that game. And Blaine Cameron was actually injured, rolled his ankle in that game, and that's why he's out. So they were able to beat Melbourne, you know, under man. So that's what they have to find a way tonight to do that. And I think having that win against Melbourne is, is going to help them psychologically. And I did Melbourne's last game against Cairns in Melbourne, and they surrendered a nine-point lead at three-quarter time, and they lost their way completely. So they're vulnerable as well. And given these circumstances, as you said, Rory, this is must-win. They just have to find a way tonight.
00:04:26
Speaker 3: I heard the coach there in that grab mention about their... 20% outside threes, I actually thought it probably might be lower.
00:04:35
Speaker 4: It didn't look like nailing them where the opposition were just putting them in as if it was Steph Curry.
00:04:41
Speaker 3: We're not that bad at that, surely.
00:04:44
Speaker 2: No, and look, teams do run hot and cold with that. Every team does. But I think what the opposition have been able to do to Adelaide is take away their strength in terms of make sure it's not Bryce Cotton firing. We're happy to live with anyone else. And those other guys, you know, look, Jacob Rigoni, who started this year, he's coming off an excellent NBL one season where he shot the ball very well from outside, but he hasn't been able to get going. John Jenkins couldn't get going here against the New Zealand Breakers on Sunday. and Isaac White just hasn't been able to get it going, nor Keanu Rasmussen, you know, who's struggled from outside as well. He's one of eight from deep so far this season. So, look, and that's why they brought in Corey Webster, because he can knock down a three-point shot. And the thing is, you knock one down, and then the opposition, they have to adjust, and they have to then honour that. Whereas... keep missing and the other team's just going to keep playing their game and sag off those players until they've proven that they can knock down a shot, which means more pressure on Bryce and more pressure inside on Nick Rakosevic as well. So, look, they've certainly got their hands full and it's a real flip of a coin who wins this because I think both teams are in a very similar situation. But for anyone who's thinking about it, I think there's a few tickets left. Come down tonight because Cole Anthony, who's leading the Melbourne United team at the moment, he's worth the price of admission alone. He put up 40 there in his last game. He probably could put up 40 here tonight as well. Look, he's an NBA-quality player who makes things happen in a hurry.
00:06:14
Speaker 1: Well done, Case. You're such a linguist, mate.
00:06:16
Speaker 3: Get them up tonight.
00:06:19
Speaker 2: I look forward to seeing you down here, Rowan. That crowd's got to break sooner or later. I know you're zero on four. Zero on five might be, you know, you may not be invited back. So let's hope fingers crossed and keep those legs crossed and we get across the line.
00:06:34
Speaker 1: Well, Grant Kelly calls me Wolfie time.
00:06:36
Speaker 2: Well done, John.
00:06:37
Speaker 3: Great work. See you, Casey.
00:06:38
Speaker 1: Good on you, boys. Basketball expert and commentator, John Casey.
Speaker 1: ESPN basketball commentator. We love him with the footy. He's very versatile. John Casey. Now, Case, is Corey Webster playing tonight?
00:00:09
Speaker 2: That is, I'm led to believe, is going to be the case, Roe. Great to be with you and Timmy G. Just before we speak basketball, can I just say what a pleasure it is to be on air with two of the finest radio linguinists in Australia. Yes.
00:00:22
Speaker 3: Hey, hey, hey, Case.
00:00:24
Speaker 1: You leave the humor to me, mate.
00:00:27
Speaker 3: What happened there?
00:00:28
Speaker 1: What happened there, Case?
00:00:32
Speaker 3: Linguinist.
00:00:34
Speaker 1: I got my tongue tied.
00:00:35
Speaker 3: I had linguine in. Oh, Johnny. That's the top of the knot. Can we close the show? That is the top of the knot.
00:00:41
Speaker 4: Well done, Case.
00:00:42
Speaker 2: Can we make a promo out of that?
00:00:44
Speaker 3: I'd like to hear it back.
00:00:45
Speaker 1: I think so.
00:00:45
Speaker 3: That was so good.
00:00:47
Speaker 2: Back to the question. Look, Corey Webb's expected to suit up tonight, but I wouldn't be expecting too much from Corey. He's more to come in and give... The 36 is a little more depth and maybe some outside shooting. And look, he can certainly provide that. He hasn't played in the NBL, though, for two and a half years. The last time he had a double-figure game in the NBL was over three years ago. But having said that, he's been playing well in the New Zealand Basketball League. And just in August, he was playing with the Tall Blacks in World Cup qualifiers and had a 22-point game against Syria in Manila. So he can certainly fill it up. But he also is foul-prone. And he also doesn't distribute the ball as much as I'd like to. I'm not sure that he's the great, perfect fit for what they need. He's coming in as an injury replacement for Flynn Cameron, who's a starting point guard. Corey can do some ball carrying, but he's not a point guard. So, look, it's going to be interesting to see how that fit is because, obviously, some other players are going to lose minutes so they can facilitate Corey into the lineup. But it's really going to be more on Bryce Cotton, as usual, and Nick Rakosevic. to try and steady the ship here. Because right now, in the distance, I can hear alarm bells, and so they should be running as well.
00:01:59
Speaker 1: Well, they simply have to win. I'll be there tonight. Is there just too many out of their starting five?
00:02:05
Speaker 2: Is that the problem? Without a doubt. You know, look, Three of their starting five, when we make the playoffs at the end of the season, are going to be Flynn Cameron running the show, Isaac Humphries in the man in the middle, and Bull Quall as your stopper to take on the opposition's best player. And those three aren't playing. So I think you take those type of... Put that scenario in any team and you're going to struggle. So... That's why it's important. They're two and three at the moment, seventh on the ladder. Particularly at home, you have to find a way to win these games when you're vulnerable, if you're going to have a presence in the playoffs. And that's what the ultimate aim is, obviously.
00:02:42
Speaker 4: I can accept that they're three very good players that aren't on the court currently, John, but what I can't accept is a lack of effort. And I did see, I thought the Illawarra game was even worse than the Breakers game, but I just thought that we were just out-muscled, out-bustled, and I didn't see a lot of fight.
00:03:04
Speaker 2: Well, and I think that was referenced by Coach Trevor Gleeson in the post-game press conference as well, where he thought that was the scenario. So clearly that's what he saw and obviously what you're seeing as well, Timmy. I didn't see that here against the Breakers on Sunday night. I just saw the Breakers were just a little bit better than them. And, you know, at halftime it was anyone's game. But... I think they're vulnerable and they know it. And so the mind games are there that if they get behind, they're like, oh, we haven't got our starting point guard or we haven't got the man in the middle or we don't have ball. And I think people start looking around and seeing what don't we have here rather than how do we make the best of what we do have here. And that's, you know... That's what they really need to work on because they've proven this year that without those players, that they can get it done. Because just over two weeks ago, they played in Melbourne against United, who they faced tonight, and they won by two. No, Humphries in that game. John Jenkins didn't play in that game. And Blaine Cameron was actually injured, rolled his ankle in that game, and that's why he's out. So they were able to beat Melbourne, you know, under man. So that's what they have to find a way tonight to do that. And I think having that win against Melbourne is, is going to help them psychologically. And I did Melbourne's last game against Cairns in Melbourne, and they surrendered a nine-point lead at three-quarter time, and they lost their way completely. So they're vulnerable as well. And given these circumstances, as you said, Rory, this is must-win. They just have to find a way tonight.
00:04:26
Speaker 3: I heard the coach there in that grab mention about their... 20% outside threes, I actually thought it probably might be lower.
00:04:35
Speaker 4: It didn't look like nailing them where the opposition were just putting them in as if it was Steph Curry.
00:04:41
Speaker 3: We're not that bad at that, surely.
00:04:44
Speaker 2: No, and look, teams do run hot and cold with that. Every team does. But I think what the opposition have been able to do to Adelaide is take away their strength in terms of make sure it's not Bryce Cotton firing. We're happy to live with anyone else. And those other guys, you know, look, Jacob Rigoni, who started this year, he's coming off an excellent NBL one season where he shot the ball very well from outside, but he hasn't been able to get going. John Jenkins couldn't get going here against the New Zealand Breakers on Sunday. and Isaac White just hasn't been able to get it going, nor Keanu Rasmussen, you know, who's struggled from outside as well. He's one of eight from deep so far this season. So, look, and that's why they brought in Corey Webster, because he can knock down a three-point shot. And the thing is, you knock one down, and then the opposition, they have to adjust, and they have to then honour that. Whereas... keep missing and the other team's just going to keep playing their game and sag off those players until they've proven that they can knock down a shot, which means more pressure on Bryce and more pressure inside on Nick Rakosevic as well. So, look, they've certainly got their hands full and it's a real flip of a coin who wins this because I think both teams are in a very similar situation. But for anyone who's thinking about it, I think there's a few tickets left. Come down tonight because Cole Anthony, who's leading the Melbourne United team at the moment, he's worth the price of admission alone. He put up 40 there in his last game. He probably could put up 40 here tonight as well. Look, he's an NBA-quality player who makes things happen in a hurry.
00:06:14
Speaker 1: Well done, Case. You're such a linguist, mate.
00:06:16
Speaker 3: Get them up tonight.
00:06:19
Speaker 2: I look forward to seeing you down here, Rowan. That crowd's got to break sooner or later. I know you're zero on four. Zero on five might be, you know, you may not be invited back. So let's hope fingers crossed and keep those legs crossed and we get across the line.
00:06:34
Speaker 1: Well, Grant Kelly calls me Wolfie time.
00:06:36
Speaker 2: Well done, John.
00:06:37
Speaker 3: Great work. See you, Casey.
00:06:38
Speaker 1: Good on you, boys. Basketball expert and commentator, John Casey.
