He closed it up brilliantly for us, ” Taipans coach Adam Forde said about McCall, who sat out vital minutes in the third quarter with four fouls. Cairns looked determined to make the contest a lopsided affair by racing out to an 18-4 lead but a spirited fightback from Illawarra saw the rank outsiders take a 24-23 lead by the end of the first period. DJ Hogg provided the Taipans with some separation at halftime with a pair of late baskets as the home side took a 45-40 edge into the main break. And after giving up 32 points in the paint through the first half, the Taipans’ interior defence lifted in the third stanza to halt Illawarra’s dominance under the rim.
Friday’s announcement is the first play the American sports executive has made since flagging his intention to be more hands-on at the battling Bullets, of which the NBL still owns 25 per cent. It follows Wednesday’s 49-point loss at home to Sydney, with Brisbane now 5-16 for a season in which head coach James Duncan has been axed and interim coach Sam Mackinnon replaced by Greg Vanderjagt – another temproary appointment – four games later. Lash worked at the Memphis Grizzlies in player development while Levien was in charge of basketball and business operations at the club, until both were released in 2014.
“I love the vision he shared with me, and my team and I are really impressed with the organisation’s accomplishments in a short period of time. I know there is plenty that I can contribute towards the growth of the franchise and I’m especially looking forward to getting down to South East Melbourne and meeting the team and fans and working together with the youth in the city. ”Phoenix CEO Tommy Greer was thrilled to have someone of Kyrgios’ profile getting involved. “Adding one of the most talented and biggest names in a global sport such as tennis is exciting for the club, especially given the fact that he’s Australian, loves the game of basketball, and enjoyed undertaking this venture with Romie, ” Greer said.
He previously worked for Levien’s sports agency and before that spent five seasons with the Denver Nuggets working with the front office and coaching staff, including serving as the scouting and video co-ordinator. Lash will act a conduit between the ownership group that includes several current NBA players, staff on the ground in Brisbane and a playing group searching for answers. “We’re trying to find who we are and what we are, and right now we have no idea, ” veteran guard Jason Cadee said after their latest loss.
But Cairns made a pair of vital defensive stops and kept their cool at the free-throw line to secure their fifth win on the trot and maintain their hold on second spot with a 15-7 record. Tahjere McCall (24 points, 11 rebounds and four steals) stepped up for the Snakes in the closing stages with a clutch basket to level scores at 82-82 then secured a match-sealing steal from a Hawks defensive rebound to deny Illawarra an opportunity to tie the game with a three-pointer in the dying seconds. “His capability of being able to play through (foul trouble) and most games we would have said yeah, let it ride but with the game on such a knife’s edge balance I knew I needed him more to close it out rather than maintain the momentum that was happening in the third (quarter).
“I think it was just a great fit for both parties. Kyrgios will join an ownership group managed by Romie Chaudhari that includes LA Clippers star guard John Wall and former NBA players Al Harrington, Josh Childress, Dante Exum, and Zach Randolph. “I am thrilled to be coming on board with the Phoenix and my mate, Romie, ” Kyrgios said.
“Getting a person like Nick to join our ownership is a testament to the club’s vision and how much we have been able to achieve over our first few seasons, two of which were severely impacted by the Covid pandemic. ”???? King @NickKyrgios set to join???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? More ⤵️— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) January 12, 2023 Misfiring Bullets reload with new executiveBrisbane co-owner Jason Levien has moved to address the NBL club’s horror season, appointing long-time sidekick Stu Lash as an advisor.
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