Team-By-Team: Hooyah & Harden Up (Round 3, NBL26)

By Damon Lowery.

Author’s note – “HOOYAH” is the battle cry of the Navy Seals and is given out to celebrate great efforts & achievements.

A “HARDEN UP” is given out when a performance has not been at the expected level.

This is STRICTLY about basketball – it is NEVER personal.

Defeated Cairns

HOOYAH – I absolutely loved the way you guys went about it and could’ve raffled this Hooyah. But once again, Bryce Cotton, you showed and proved why you are head and shoulders above everyone in the competition. #greatness

HARDEN UP –  I couldn’t find a fault, and I looked everywhere. You get a pass.

Defeated by Tasmania

HOOYAH – With three starters out injured, I wondered where the points would come from. Taine Murray, you hit the floor and immediately started hitting shots. 17 big points at 70%, That’s “Wassup” rookie!

HARDEN UP – Jaylen Adams, your talent can never come into question and you are one of the best players in the League. I absolutely love watching an aggressive Jaylen - who had an incredible 19 points, 7 assists and 4 steals, but I don’t like seeing sloppy Jaylen – who had 7 turnovers.

Defeated by Adelaide

HOOYAH – After a glorious two wins last round the elevator took the Taipans from the penthouse to the outhouse but despite the loss, you stood out, Marcus Lee, with 18 points & 7 rebounds.

HARDEN UP – Y’all might wanna wear helmets to your next training session because your team defence was … how should I put it?GARBAGE! Giving up 110 at home will have Coach Adam Forde seething.

Defeated by Perth

HOOYAH – From Flint, Michigan … JaVale McGee, you are doing things we’ve never seen in the NBL. Sometimes it looks like you’re playing against high school kids. 26 points, 14 rebounds 4 steals, 1 block, and1 Wilt Chamberlain-like hook shot … in 28 min. That’s wild stuff.

HARDEN UP – I have a rule – that I just made: If you’re in the starting 5 and don’t score, you land here. Mason Peatling, my man, you get this one – respectfully.

Defeated by Sydney

HOOYAH – When you can produce a double-double in 24minutes, you know you were ballin’. Sam Menninga, you did just that with 14points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block. Stay aggressive my man.

HARDEN UP – The name of the game is to put the ball in the hole and you guys just aren’t doing enough of that. 6/32 from 3-point land makes me wonder if you guys even shoot from long range in practice. 75 points will not beat anyone. At 0-4 your season is slipping away, fast.

Defeated Illawarra

HOOYAH – A ‘Hurricane’ on the glass again with back-to-back double-doubles, the boy from Belmont Indiana, Dylan Windler. 16 points & 14rebounds deserves high praise.

HARDEN UP – This isn’t a Harden Up, it’s a Harden Up warning for coach John Rillie. It’s time to start your son! He’s ready to burstonto the big stage stage. In 13 minutes, he gave you 2 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist,2 steals and 1 block. I’m loving what I’m seeing.

Defeated New Zealand

HOOYAH – At his electrifying best with 28 points on 69% shooting and 0 turnovers. Kendric Davis, it was your efficiency that was most impressive and how you kept your star-studded teammates involved

HARDEN UP – There’s a 99.9% chance that seeing you go0/6 from the field for 0 points wont’ happen again, Matthew Dellavedova. But with great leadership, you still proved you can shoot badly and still play great with 6 rebounds & 7 assists.

Defeated Illawarra

HOOYAH – It’s always sweet when you go on the road and beat your former team, but it’s even sweeter when you give them the “business” with 23 points at 75% and 15 rebounds. Hooyah to you, Josh Bannan.

‍HARDENUP – Playing without three starters and your captain, and losing by two - it just wouldn’t be right to give you one today. Go get some rest and heal up.

HOOYAH – Bringing out the New Orleans Pelicans to play games in Melbourne against United and thePhoenix is something I never thought I’d see. The city was buzzing with festivities, events, and fan interaction. Even the world famous Flinders Street train station lit up in NBA colours. Hall of Famers Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett were here alongside 60,000 fans as we showcased how great the NBL is. A massiveHOOYAH!

HARDEN UP – Refs, I have a question: “What the hell is a charge?” Late in the Brisbane vs Tasmania game, you confused the basketball nation. Josh Bannan barrelled through Tohi Smith-Milner’s chest cavity and not only was it a no call, but poor ole Tohi copped a flop warning. Then in the dying seconds, Tyrell Harrison made a strong “big boy” move into Will Magnay, who took one in the chest and fell down – and it was called a charge. I know it’s a tough job calling these things in real-time with no replays available to you, but it felt inconsistent.