The NBL Release their Player Choice Awards, lets have a look at them and give our initial thoughts.
Who is the best shooter in the league?
Darren Ng (21%), Andrew Warren (16%), Kevin Lisch (14%)
The Doctor with the precision hands. It’s a shame the best shooter is only getting 4 shots a game
Who is the best PG in the league?
Damian Martin (30%), Patty Mills (19%), Adam Gibson & Jamar Wilson (tied 13%)
With the Olympics coming up I wonder if Brett Brown will see like this… Doubt it.
Who is the best defender in the league?
Damian Martin (63%), Adam Gibson (11%), Mika Vukona (9%)
Explains why Lemanis uses Vukona on the full court press
Who is the best passer in the league?
Cedric Jackson (16%), Nathan Crosswell & Eddie Gill (12%)
With Gill shooting at 35% you would hope he was a good passer
Who is the best rebounder in the league?
Mika Vukona (48%), Jacob Holmes (29%), Julian Khazzouh (10%)
Ladies, take note. When your man gives you the chop, Vukona is your rebound guy
Who is the best sixth man in the league?
Dillon Boucher (16%), Daniel Dillon & Dusty Rychart & Adam Ballinger (Tied 13%)
Look at the ‘D’ our sixth men give. Dillon, Daniel and Dusty, even without ‘Balls’
Who has the deepest bench?
Perth (41%), Melbourne (32%), New Zealand (16%)
Read our comment to the Which player constantly improves themselves question. Now that is deep!
Who is the best athlete in the league?
Tom Abercrombie (44%), Lucas Walker (21%)
Let’s ask the players who the best Mathlete is next season
Who is the best dunker in the league?
Tom Abercrombie (49%), Lucas Walker (23%)
Hmmm, this might be better suited as a list of all the players who have dunked more than once
Who is the best hustler in the league?
Mika Vukona (35%), Damian Martin (32%), Dillon Boucher (13%)
Vukona hustled me out of $100 once
Who most likely will be Rookie of the Year?
Anatoly Bose (57%), Patty Mills (29%)
Wonder if Mills went through the usual ‘Rookie Hazing’ rituals?
Who is the toughest player to guard in the paint?
Julian Khazzouh (62%), Luke Schenscher & Diamon Simpson (Tied 7%)
This one wasn’t the ‘toughest’ to decide. The first 2 might also be tougher if they lifted some weights
Who is the toughest player to guard on the perimeter?
Kevin Lisch (31%), Patty Mills & Chris Warren (Tied 12%)
One of these players no longer is in the league. For that reason he is tough to guard
Which player is the most intimidating to play against?
Brad Robbins (22%), Mark Worthington (13%), Matt Knight (11%)
Wortho’s beard actually got the nod, Wortho was just attached to it
Which player is the best sportsman (fairest) in the league?
Damian Martin (26%), Mat Campbell & Stephen Hoare (Tied 11%)
Butter wouldn’t melt in these guys mouthes. To the rest of you, maybe if you didn’t use so many cuss words you might make the list. Is anyone else surprised that Robbo, and Vukona were omitted?
Which player talks the most trash of any player?
CJ Bruton (21%), Mark Worthington (11%)
Bruton must have done a lot of trash talking from the sideline this season
Which current coach (other than your own) would you most like to play for?
Gordie McLeod (44%), Joey Wright (20%), Andrej Lemanis (10%)
It’s cute to see the players think they can fix the Hawks.
Who is the most versatile player in the NBL (talented in multiple positions)?
Mark Worthington (19%), Cam Tovey (17%), Stephen Weigh (14%),
Wortho wins because he has done the beard, the moustache and the cleanly shaven look this season. Very versatile indeed.
Which current player constantly improves themselves the most, year in year out?
Daniel Johnson (10%), Cam Tovey & Mika Vukona (8%)
If time is a constant and time is the essence, then these guys are the essence of the NBL
Which is the toughest venue to play in (other than your own)?
Perth (69%), Cairns (12%), New Zealand (10%)
Wow, a one horse race. Must be a combination of the loudest and most knowledgeable fans.
Which is the best venue to play in (other than your own)?
Sydney Entertainment Centre (30%), Challenge Stadium – Perth (28%), State Netball Hockey Centre – Melbourne (15%)
I would have thought the ‘Gong would be up there given it’s the away venue you are most likely to have a win in
Which team has the most vocal fans in the league (other than your own)?
Perth (74%), Cairns (14%)
Sydney a noticeable absence where cheering or jeering isn’t the ‘Sydney’ thing to do, then again those Perth fans will complain if the beer isn’t cold enough
Which team has the most knowledgeable fans in the league (other than your own)?
Perth (34%), Adelaide (30%), Melbourne (19%)
Being Perth fans we always knew this 😉 Wonder is Carfino is going to run with this gem night in night out when calling a game.
Who is the favourite to win the championship this season?
New Zealand & Perth (tied 43%), Melbourne (10%)
Can the players vote for your own team in this one?
Who is the best referee in the league?
Michael Aylen & Scott Butler (Tied 35%)
It must be safe to assume that Paul Woolpert isn’t part of this 35%
Which team has the best mascot in the league (other than your own)?
Cairns (28%), Townsville (24%), Sydney (19%)
Sydney where included because they have a suburb called ‘Mascot’
