Aussie Hoopla (Old Feed)

"After my second year with the Tigers Lindsay retires, Drewey retires, Copes and Bradtke went on to Brisbane and Chris Anstey had come in. I hadn't talked to anybody and nobody came and spoke to me so I signed a deal with Wollongong" - Darryl McDonald shares how he agreed to play with Wollongong Hawks prior to winning his two NBL Titles with the Melbourne Tigers In this episode of the Aussie Hoopla podcast we interview three-time NBL champion Darryl McDonald, the man legendary coach Brian Goorjian has called "the greatest American ever to play in the NBL". No matter whether you remember him winning a title for the North Melbourne Giants in his rookie NBL season, running the point for the Victoria Titans or playing alongside Andrew Gaze or Chris Anstey at the Tigers what everyone remembers is the pure entertainment D-MACK brought to every game. The man who earned the name "Mr Excitement" on the playgrounds of New York City  is open and candid about the Melbourne Tigers plans for next season, including his thoughts on; Chris Goulding's chances to make the NBA How the Tigers plan to make use of the new Marquee Player rule What players the Tigers are looking to sign to be a part of next season and his thoughts on being a potential coach of the second Melbourne team tipped to enter the league next season D-MACK is open, candid and honest, going as far to speak about his family, the trials and tribulations he faced in bringing his children into the country in 1995 and how proud he is of their individual success in life. Additional topics discussed include; His thoughts on the Bobbito Garcia film "Doin it in the Park" What it was like to play at Rucker park in its heyday Why he respects Kevin Durrant Memories of his college days playing against Duke in the NCAA tournament and against a strong Oklahoma team which starred Ricky Grace and Mookie Blaylock His attempts to make the NBA in the nineties. He discusses the greatest players he faced playing in the NBL How close he came to playing for the Wollongong Hawks and the Cairns Taipans But perhaps the most interesting story is hearing D-MACK talk about how it felt when he was cut by the Victorian Giants front office because he was too old to lead that team to a championship in the next 3-5 years and would need to retire before being signed by the Melbourne Tigers and leading them to two NBL titles in 5 years while the Victorian Giants folded the year after the released him.

"After my second year with the Tigers Lindsay retires, Drewey retires, Copes and Bradtke went on to Brisbane and Chris Anstey had come in. I hadn't talked to anybody and nobody came and spoke to me so I signed a deal with Wollongong" - Darryl McDonald shares how he agreed to play with Wollongong Hawks prior to winning his two NBL Titles with the Melbourne Tigers In this episode of the Aussie Hoopla podcast we interview three-time NBL champion Darryl McDonald, the man legendary coach Brian Goorjian has called "the greatest American ever to play in the NBL". No matter whether you remember him winning a title for the North Melbourne Giants in his rookie NBL season, running the point for the Victoria Titans or playing alongside Andrew Gaze or Chris Anstey at the Tigers what everyone remembers is the pure entertainment D-MACK brought to every game. The man who earned the name "Mr Excitement" on the playgrounds of New York City  is open and candid about the Melbourne Tigers plans for next season, including his thoughts on; Chris Goulding's chances to make the NBA How the Tigers plan to make use of the new Marquee Player rule What players the Tigers are looking to sign to be a part of next season and his thoughts on being a potential coach of the second Melbourne team tipped to enter the league next season D-MACK is open, candid and honest, going as far to speak about his family, the trials and tribulations he faced in bringing his children into the country in 1995 and how proud he is of their individual success in life. Additional topics discussed include; His thoughts on the Bobbito Garcia film "Doin it in the Park" What it was like to play at Rucker park in its heyday Why he respects Kevin Durrant Memories of his college days playing against Duke in the NCAA tournament and against a strong Oklahoma team which starred Ricky Grace and Mookie Blaylock His attempts to make the NBA in the nineties. He discusses the greatest players he faced playing in the NBL How close he came to playing for the Wollongong Hawks and the Cairns Taipans But perhaps the most interesting story is hearing D-MACK talk about how it felt when he was cut by the Victorian Giants front office because he was too old to lead that team to a championship in the next 3-5 years and would need to retire before being signed by the Melbourne Tigers and leading them to two NBL titles in 5 years while the Victorian Giants folded the year after the released him.

"After my second year with the Tigers Lindsay retires, Drewey retires, Copes and Bradtke went on to Brisbane and Chris Anstey had come in. I hadn't talked to anybody and nobody came and spoke to me so I signed a deal with Wollongong" - Darryl McDonald shares how he agreed to play with Wollongong Hawks prior to winning his two NBL Titles with the Melbourne Tigers In this episode of the Aussie Hoopla podcast we interview three-time NBL champion Darryl McDonald, the man legendary coach Brian Goorjian has called "the greatest American ever to play in the NBL". No matter whether you remember him winning a title for the North Melbourne Giants in his rookie NBL season, running the point for the Victoria Titans or playing alongside Andrew Gaze or Chris Anstey at the Tigers what everyone remembers is the pure entertainment D-MACK brought to every game. The man who earned the name "Mr Excitement" on the playgrounds of New York City  is open and candid about the Melbourne Tigers plans for next season, including his thoughts on; Chris Goulding's chances to make the NBA How the Tigers plan to make use of the new Marquee Player rule What players the Tigers are looking to sign to be a part of next season and his thoughts on being a potential coach of the second Melbourne team tipped to enter the league next season D-MACK is open, candid and honest, going as far to speak about his family, the trials and tribulations he faced in bringing his children into the country in 1995 and how proud he is of their individual success in life. Additional topics discussed include; His thoughts on the Bobbito Garcia film "Doin it in the Park" What it was like to play at Rucker park in its heyday Why he respects Kevin Durrant Memories of his college days playing against Duke in the NCAA tournament and against a strong Oklahoma team which starred Ricky Grace and Mookie Blaylock His attempts to make the NBA in the nineties. He discusses the greatest players he faced playing in the NBL How close he came to playing for the Wollongong Hawks and the Cairns Taipans But perhaps the most interesting story is hearing D-MACK talk about how it felt when he was cut by the Victorian Giants front office because he was too old to lead that team to a championship in the next 3-5 years and would need to retire before being signed by the Melbourne Tigers and leading them to two NBL titles in 5 years while the Victorian Giants folded the year after the released him.

"He was trying to find out how much power did he have, he'd try things and no one would say no to him, I think if he had an older player or coach to guide him through those things he would have developed into a different player. He'd take off his seatbelt and run up and down a private plan during take-off but no one would say anything so of course he would think oh well I will try something else next time to see where the boundaries are" - Mark Bradtke discusses his time playing with Allen Iverson in Philadelphia. Head to iTunes to download this episode on your phone or iPod This Sunday Mark Bradtke will have his #50 raised into the rafters of the Hisense Arena where he will join Melbourne Tigers legends like Andrew Gaze, Lanard Copeland, Dave Simmons and Ray Gordon. In the days leading up to the man they call "Hoagie", Mark Bradtke receiving the honor  Hoopla host Dan Boyce sits down to briefly discuss the big man's career path and highlights before the big jersey ceremony goes down. Mark Bradtke's basketball resume is something which has never been equalled within the Australian basketball playing ranks. A three time NBL champion (1992, 1997, 2005), a ten time NBL first team member (1994, '96, '97, 1999-2005) who was  recently inducted in the the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame who also left his mark on the NBA, Spain and Greece. Additional topics discussed include; His current role within the Melbourne Tigers His debut for the Australian Boomers Memories of his time playing during the NBL's "tin shed" era and memories of playing at Apollo Stadium and the Snakepit in Wollongong and how it compares to today. Playing in the NBA and how he dealt playing in a struggling team and getting limited minutes His memories of playing alongside a young Allen Iverson The toughest players he has ever faced Biggest regrets and Proudest moments from his career

"He was trying to find out how much power did he have, he'd try things and no one would say no to him, I think if he had an older player or coach to guide him through those things he would have developed into a different player. He'd take off his seatbelt and run up and down a private plan during take-off but no one would say anything so of course he would think oh well I will try something else next time to see where the boundaries are" - Mark Bradtke discusses his time playing with Allen Iverson in Philadelphia. Head to iTunes to download this episode on your phone or iPod This Sunday Mark Bradtke will have his #50 raised into the rafters of the Hisense Arena where he will join Melbourne Tigers legends like Andrew Gaze, Lanard Copeland, Dave Simmons and Ray Gordon. In the days leading up to the man they call "Hoagie", Mark Bradtke receiving the honor  Hoopla host Dan Boyce sits down to briefly discuss the big man's career path and highlights before the big jersey ceremony goes down. Mark Bradtke's basketball resume is something which has never been equalled within the Australian basketball playing ranks. A three time NBL champion (1992, 1997, 2005), a ten time NBL first team member (1994, '96, '97, 1999-2005) who was  recently inducted in the the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame who also left his mark on the NBA, Spain and Greece. Additional topics discussed include; His current role within the Melbourne Tigers His debut for the Australian Boomers Memories of his time playing during the NBL's "tin shed" era and memories of playing at Apollo Stadium and the Snakepit in Wollongong and how it compares to today. Playing in the NBA and how he dealt playing in a struggling team and getting limited minutes His memories of playing alongside a young Allen Iverson The toughest players he has ever faced Biggest regrets and Proudest moments from his career

"He was trying to find out how much power did he have, he'd try things and no one would say no to him, I think if he had an older player or coach to guide him through those things he would have developed into a different player. He'd take off his seatbelt and run up and down a private plan during take-off but no one would say anything so of course he would think oh well I will try something else next time to see where the boundaries are" - Mark Bradtke discusses his time playing with Allen Iverson in Philadelphia. Head to iTunes to download this episode on your phone or iPod This Sunday Mark Bradtke will have his #50 raised into the rafters of the Hisense Arena where he will join Melbourne Tigers legends like Andrew Gaze, Lanard Copeland, Dave Simmons and Ray Gordon. In the days leading up to the man they call "Hoagie", Mark Bradtke receiving the honor  Hoopla host Dan Boyce sits down to briefly discuss the big man's career path and highlights before the big jersey ceremony goes down. Mark Bradtke's basketball resume is something which has never been equalled within the Australian basketball playing ranks. A three time NBL champion (1992, 1997, 2005), a ten time NBL first team member (1994, '96, '97, 1999-2005) who was  recently inducted in the the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame who also left his mark on the NBA, Spain and Greece. Additional topics discussed include; His current role within the Melbourne Tigers His debut for the Australian Boomers Memories of his time playing during the NBL's "tin shed" era and memories of playing at Apollo Stadium and the Snakepit in Wollongong and how it compares to today. Playing in the NBA and how he dealt playing in a struggling team and getting limited minutes His memories of playing alongside a young Allen Iverson The toughest players he has ever faced Biggest regrets and Proudest moments from his career

"Youth seems to be a much bigger part of the NBL's decision making. But look at the New Zealand Breakers, they've got a wide spread age bracket and thats the reason they're back to back to back champions" - Willie Farley thinks the NBL's decision to focus on youth has hurt the talent level of the league. With the 2013/14 NBL season rapidly approaching Aussie Hoopla will be taking a look at each NBL team and discussing it with a member of the team's glory days. First up we have good friend of Aussie Hoopla Willie Farley who is 7th all-time in career points for the Adelaide 36ers talk about the experiences, the players and memorable moments he was a part of during 2001-2007 , including the 2002 NBL Championship. We ask Willie to share stories about his moments both on the court and in the locker room which included players like Brett Maher, David Stiff, Darren Ng, Oscar Forman, Jacob Holmes, Lanard Copeland, Marcus Timmons and many, many more. Currently playing for the Toowoomba Mountaineers in the QBL (Queensland Basketball League) and averaging 19 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists a game Willie is showing that even at age 37 there is still plenty of game left in those legs. Once the QBL season is finished Willie is hoping to find a coaching opportunity within Australia in order to give back to young basketball players in the country which has given so much to him. If you know of a team or organisation that would be interested in speaking to Willie Farley be sure to contact us at info@aussiehoopla.com

“Teams speak about what they’re looking forward, different teams are looking for different things. I’m 6’11, I’m a shooter so I model my game similar to a Ryan Anderson (from New Orleans)… I think that position is something the NBA are looking to bring in more of” - Brock Motum discusses where he would fit in the NBA With the NBA Draft only 19 days away Brisbane boy Brock Motum took the time to sit down with in between the many NBA work outs he’s been taking part in as part of the lead up to the 2013 NBA draft. After NBA work outs in Philadelphia, Boston and Chicago Brock takes us through what happens in an NBA work-out what teams are saying to him and what they expect him to deliver in the NBA. Brock also shares some of his successful moments from his four year career at the University of Washington State, he leaves as the school’s as the fifth highest scorer in team history and only the twelfth player in school history to finish with 1,000 points and 500 rebounds. He shares stories of his time at Washington State including; Memories of playing with current Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson. How fellow Aussies Dexter Kernich-Drew (Victoria) and James Hunter (Sydney) are settling in to life in Washington. His relationship with former coach of Washington State and former Sydney King Tony Bennett. Stepping into the shoes of Aron Baynes after his departure from Washington State and what coaches, fans expectations were of him. Brock answers the tough questions around the immediate future holds for him like; What team he would want to play for in the NBA If he doesn’t get drafted is the NBDL, Europe or a spot in the  NBL on the cards Brock shares his love for the Brisbane Bullets growing up as a kid, how he hopes to see them back in the NBL and whether he sees himself finishing up in the NBL to cap off his basketball career. And we wrap everything up by talking about being one of the last players cut from the Australian Boomers Olympic team in 2012 and his plans to make the Rio Olympic team in 2016. Check it out on AussieHoopla.com

"I just never really got along with him. I would love to have a conversation with him now and say what we're you thinking at that time because I was really keyed in, I was really bought in to playing for the Kings but he was too young of a coach at the time" - Acie Earl discusses about his relationship with then Sydney Kings coach Brett Brown Acie Earl only played one full season in the NBL however to this day he remains one of the highest credentialed players to ever compete in the NBL. His season averages of 22 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 blocks a game in 1999 remains one of the best statistical seasons ever in the NBL. We spoke to Acie at length about his time playing at Iowa University where he left the school as the All Time shot block leader at Iowa as well as holding over 22 game, season and career records. We listen to Acie describe what it was like to be eliminated twice by the juggernaut which was the 1990's era Duke University team which won back-to-back titles. We listen to him discuss his time in the NBA which included two years with Boston playing alongside legends the likes of Robert Parish and Dominique Wilkins, what it was like going head to head with a young Shaquille O'Neal in the 1995 NBA Playoffs and then his feelings on being taken by Toronto in the 1995 expansion draft. He admits Sydney was one of the highlights of his basketball career and recalls playing for the Sydney Kings during the time they were known as the "Violet Crumbles", his memories of young team mates like Matt Nielsen, Scott McGregor, Ben Melmeth, etc and what they were like at the beginning of their careers. Acie Earl's 40 point haul against the Boston Celtics remains the second highest single game score by any player with NBL experience. We finish of discussing his focus now which is on his junior basketball development program, his basketball coaching book which is available on iTunes and his attempt at forging a Hollywood career. Check out the podcast here http://www.aussiehoopla.com/acie-earl-iowa-university-nbl-basketball-podcast/

"I'm glad they announced me as being from the Gold Coast (Blaze) instead of UConn, I was actually more exciting to be announced from Australia because not many people have been able to represent Australia (in the NBA)" - Ater Majok takes us through what it was like being drafted by the LA Lakers. Ater Majok led the NBL in blocks during his short stint in the NBL, playing for the Perth Wildcats and the Gold Coast Blaze. Since then he has gone on to play in Turkey, Slovakia, Israel and is currently playing in Belarus. Ater also discusses his difficult college career at Connecticut. He discusses the difficulties of being ineleigible to play NCAA and how it affected his career. Majok also runs us through what it was like matching up against Hasheem Thabeet and Kemba Walker everyday at training. We discuss what role the LA Lakers have played in his career since they drafted him as the 58th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. What it was like playing in the Lakers summer league squad and competing against other Lakers hopefuls for a roster spot each year. We ask Ater Majok a number of topics like what relationship he has with fellow Sudanese professional basketballers like Luol Deng and Manute Bol, when he plans to return to the NBL as well as what his current relationship is like with the Australian National team and what areas of his game he needs to improve in order to make the next Olympics or World Championship Boomers squad. Check out the podcast here http://www.aussiehoopla.com/la-lakers-podcast-ater-majok-australian-boomers/

"It's frustrating that I've never played in an NBL game, I've never played in front of family and friends in a professional level on home soil.... hopefully in the next few years" - Daniel Kickert on his goals to play in the NBL very soon. Currently playing for Dnipro in Ukraine's Superleague Daniel Kickert is one of Australia's finest players overseas. After kick starting the Aussie Invasion with Adam Caporn at St Mary's back in 2005 and finishing as the Schools All-Time leading scorer with 1,874 points Daniel Kickert has played in Italy, Spain, Poland and Ukraine while continuing to represent the Australian National team since 2005. Aussie Hoopla's Dan Boyce took the chance to talk to him about what basketball is like in the Ukraine and discusses his experiences in playing in Europe. He shares his memories of St Mary's, his longstanding rivalry with Gonzaga Alum Ronny Turiaf and whether Matt Dellavedova can break his scoring records. Listen to Daniel also discuss what it was like squaring up against Lebron James, Chris Paul and Dwight Howard at the 2006 World Championships as well as being left off the 2012 Australian Olympic team. We also discuss what the AIS can do for a young players game, how it compares to the US College system in terms of developing your game and tips for young players looking to the next Australian Boomers squad! Check out the podcast here http://www.aussiehoopla.com/daniel-kickert-australian-boomers-basketball-podcast

"We're working really hard right now on developing a champions league between their top two teams and our top two teams... and it could happen as early as next season" - Chuck Harmison on the NBL's plans to expand into Asia We were lucky enough to get the chance to chat with the NBL General Manager Chuck Harmison who discusses his memories of the early days of the NBL playing in front of non-existent crowds for $1,000 a year to the heyday of the 1990's and now today. We ask Chuck for answers to our the questions we received from the fans, when can we expect to see NBL teams in Brisbane, Newcastle and Wellington (New Zealand), What things the NBL are planning for the 2012 NBL All-Star Game, what plans do the NBL have regarding developing the game in Asia and what really led to the demise of Sydney and Brisbane in 2009 as well as the Gold Coast Blaze in 2012. In what was the rare chance for NBL fans to get answers from one of the people calling the shots for the game down under. Chuck also shares his thoughts on the NBL Hall of Fame, loud music during the games and whether the NBL points system restricts trades and stops NBL players getting jobs in our league. Listen to the podcast here http://www.aussiehoopla.com/chuck-harmison-nbl-basketball-podcast/

"If myself, Reggie Miller and Ray Allen could go at it that would be interesting (anybody on an NBL level) Nah Shit NO!" - John Rillie on what players would put pressure on him in a three-point shoot out He's played at Gonzaga University, in Greece and in 368 games in the NBL. In the second part of our interview with John Rillie we listen to him discuss why he thinks he was "snubbed" by the Australian Boomers, What playing in Greece was like, memories of playing against Steve Nash in college and if he ever responded to his free throw shooting challenge. We put him on the spot with some "rapid fire" questions asking him who could beat him in a three-point shoot out, which NBL players during his playing time were players he would "pay to watch" and ask him whether his 45 points in a NBL semi-final (highest ever by an Australian) is his greatest game ever.

"I think we waste so much negative energy on what can't happen instead of what is and where we can take it" - John Rillie regarding the current state of the NBL John Rillie is no doubt one of the greatest shooters in NBL history. With 1323 three-pointers made and shooting 47% from the field, 40% from downtown and 86% from the charity stripe, the numbers certainly back that up. We got the chance to speak with the current assistant coach of the Boise State Bronco's men's basketball team and ask him about making history as taking the Gonzaga Bulldogs to their first NCAA tournament, what to expect from Boise State's Aussie tandem Anthony Drmic and Igor Hadziomerovic now and in the future, his thoughts on the NBL of today, how young Aussie Basketballers are viewed by US College coaches and how he fared against John Stockton during his time at Gonzaga we also get him to share stories on NBL Legends Leon Trimmingham, Rick Brunson, Wayne Larkins, Paul Rogers and talk about winning the 1998 NBL Championship with Adelaide and how he thinks that team would fare in the NBL today. "The Real Deal" John Rillie... as candid and entertaining as ever! Listen to the podcast here http://www.aussiehoopla.com/john-rillie-nbl-basketball-podcast-1/ Aussie Hoopla - The Best Basketball Podcast in Australia

"Gary would say I'mma get 70 steals off you, but Jordan used to say little things to you like... The coach must be mad at you coz he put you on me, or I might go for my career high tonight" – Sedale Threatt sharing trash talking tales of Gary Payton and Michael Jordan Listen to the second part of our interview with Sedale Threatt, a legend of NBA basketball whose played with Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Dr J, Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon to name a mere few. Known as "The Thief" he currently ranks 49th in NBA History for total steals. Sedale has lived in Australia for the past few years and currently runs the Australian Basketball College which operates out of the Waverley basketball stadium in Victoria. We continue the interview with Sedale Threatt leaving the city of Chicago, arriving in Seattle playing alongside Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp. get the inside story on the choas which erupted around the world after Magic Johnson's announcement that he had the HIV virus. What it was like playing with Magic before and after he retired. As well as what it was like playing in Houston with Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler and Charles Barkley all screaming for the ball! We also ask some random fire questions like Whose the best dunker in NBA history, Who was a better trash talking Michael Jordan or Gary Payton and who he would have around him in his ultimate NBA squad and what he thinks of the NBL and the Australian Basketball scene. Listen to the podcast here http://www.aussiehoopla.com/sedale-threatt-la-lakers-basketball-podcast/