In the last post I resisted the temptation to write about the result of our first playoff game. As of late we had not been playing particularly well and we had dropped quite of few games – enough to drop us from a 13-6 record with the number 4 seed to a 14-12 regular season finish and the number 7 seed. Of the 14 teams that comprise the SBL, the top 8 teams receive a playoff bid. The format of the playoffs is as such: quarterfinal and semifinal match winners are determined by a best of three series. The first game is played at the lower seed’s court during the first weekend and the two remaining games are played on consecutive nights the second weekend at the higher seed’s court. The grand final, however, is just a one game playoff.
In the first weekend we hosted the Willeton Tigers (the number 2 seed). With the format of the playoff system we felt it was imperative to win the first game at home. By winning the first game we would hold a one game advantage over the Tigers and just need to win 1 of the 2 games on the road; that would be much easier than trying to sweep. During the regular season we lost both games: 112-110 and 99-90.
Game 1: The game started with each team trading baskets for the first six minutes of the game. At that point the Tigers put it on us pretty good. We were contained the remaining six minutes and they stretched out a pretty comfortable margin. This continued throughout the game- they extended their lead after each quarter. We shot a miserable 31 percent from the floor compared to their 53 percent. We were simply outplayed. The final score was 101-68.
Game 2: After game 1 we spent many hours dissecting film and making adjustments to our game plan to be more successful in games 2 and 3. We were slated to play Saturday night and Sunday night, if necessary. After another long bus trip to Perth we strapped them up and hit the floor. Our shooting touch was still a bit lost, finishing with a 36 percent clip compared again to the Tigers’ 46 percent. We played far better in the second game than we did in the first, but once again we were on the short side of things. Willeton was a very solid team and were very difficult to match up with. They have very quality forwards and guards that can flat out play. Game two was closer, but still lopsided at 101-85. We played hard and left it all out there.
As a result of the loss our season was over. This was the first time in several years that the Giants had not advanced to the semi-finals. In fact, they had won 2 of the last three premierships. It was a tough loss to take and it is difficult to realize that after all these months it is over. Despite the loss there was still a season to be remembered and Monday night was the night to do just that. The team held the 2010 Giant’s MVP night at the Tower Hotel. It is an event to recap the season, present awards, share stories and to enjoy an evening together. This was also the opportunity to thank the sponsors of the club, the volunteers, the board members and all those who make having a team in Kalgoorlie possible.
During the award ceremony I was awarded the statistical leader awards for points per game, rebounds per game and blocks per game. I was presented with a beautiful frame with photos matted inside, one for each category, as a reward for being the statistical leader. It was much more than anything I would have expected. At the conclusion of the night I was presented with the team MVP award. The award is given based on a per game vote on each player’s performance. Throughout the night each game was recapped and the vote tallies for those games were revealed. It is filled with suspense as the 26 games are spread out over three periods.
The final votes came in and Matt Leske, an Australian, was second runner-up. Michael Haney, the other American import, came in second place. Each gave very nice talks after being presented with a gift from the club. I was then called up to say a few things. I was a bit nervous and I thought about preparing some things to say, but opted not to and just speak from the heart. I was overwhelmed with the gifts again. Another framed photograph, one of me missing a dunk (beside the point), that looks absolutely incredible and the Brad French gold MVP medal with the Giants’ insignia on it.
My speech, good or bad, was something of this sort: The biggest thing I learned while playing in Australia was nothing to do with basketball. It was about hospitality and taking care of people. I was overwhelmed by the amount people reach out to help others. I am thankful for the guys on the team-as different as they all are from each other they are each great in their own ways. I am thankful to the Bowler family for taking me in and looking after me. The Hulme’s, the Earle’s, the board and management team of the club, the volunteers, the sponsors who financial support the club and those that directly sponsor me by giving us brand new cars, homes and health club memberships. It truly has been an incredible time and I shared with others how special it was to have my family visit and how much it meant to me for all those that reached out and made the trip incredible. I concluded my talk by saying that although I am excited to get home and see my family and my friends, Kalgoorlie is a wonderful place with wonderful people and it will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you Kalgoorlie!
Monday night we all hung together and celebrated the season long into the evening. I had a friend from Perth in town for business – Diggers and Dealers was taking place. D&Ds brings billions of dollars to town for the mining expo. Executives from all over the world appear in Kalgoorlie to wheel and deal. Chegs was in town to do his best. We were on the town quite late and rebounded the next morning with a round of golf at the new golf course in town. It was fantastically beautiful outside! If I could have only played golf half way decent my day would have been top notch. I had a blister by the third hole but was given the rare gift of seeing kangaroos on the course. From the course we went to the pub and stayed there for a couple different meals! It was a pretty wild day.
So what is next? I will continue to work for a couple more weeks and I will be departing for Perth before heading to Bali, Indonesia with the guys on the team. I am really excited to hit the beach, sit at the pool and hike volcanoes! After that I am a drifter making my way home. When I leave Perth it does not matter which way I fly, east or west. Either way I am heading home because I cannot get any further from there!
Just came across this, John. Sounds like you're having an amazing experience. Great to hear things are going well with you and good luck!
ReplyDeleteMichael Mann.