Roar Pro
Joined January 2012
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Born Reece Jordan Hooker, I've always been a sports tragic. Whether it was wandering the pits of HRT as a toddler or being dragged from the television kicking and screaming at a Swans game, the thirst for competition has going for a solid sixteen years now. My first true love is AFL, but I've developed a relationship on the side with the beautiful game of basketball, which is the primary focus of my writing. I am currently a Year 11 student at Melbourne High School. I am an NBA writer for the FanSided network, covering the latest happenings the league for the FanSided National site and Saving the Skyhook.
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On the second half of the curious opening fixture of the 2013 home and away AFL season, the footy world was treated a host…
Last season, the New York Giants once again took the NFL by surprise en route to a surprising playoff tilt that culminated in a…
With a career average of 13 points, 7 rebounds and 1 block, you might be surprised to see Kenyon Martin still unemployed nearly 20…
James Harden and Jeremy Lin are still learning their way around the streets of Houston, but they've wasted no time finding early season form…
Jeremy Lin, who set the NBA alight in his 25 starts last season, has signed with the Houston Rockets on the three-year deal worth…
Every morning while I eat breakfast, I read the rumours report on a website called HoopsHype. Sure, it's really just a gossip rag for…
The Sydney Swans have experienced a meteoric rise back to relevance in the AFL during the 2012 season. Over halfway through the season, they…
The Los Angeles Lakers have acquired two-time MVP Steve Nash from the Phoenix Suns in a sign-and-trade deal, it was confirmed today. The eight-time…
The Houston Rockets' summer has been one of the most intriguing stories in the NBA since Miami hoisted the Larry O'Brien. After stockpiling and…
After months of speculation, the Los Angeles Lakers have finally acquired the talents of Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Ramon Sessions. The Lakers sent reserve…
The Boomers have a chance to snare the talents of Cleveland Cavaliers' point guard Kyrie Irving at the London 2012 Olympics if recent comments…
As it has become widely known, Boomers point guard Patty Mills is between clubs at the moment after a controversial departure from the Xinjiang…
As the compressed NBA season begins to take shape, we are left to regard the curious case of the Los Angeles Lakers. Following a…
If you were to look around the Portland Trail Blazers locker room, there would be a fair few faces you’d recognise from other uniforms.…
Ask any real NBA fan to name great Caucasian players and they’ll rattle of names that start with Larry Bird, finish with Steve Nash…
To say a rookie taken at the bottom of the first round could be the key to an NBA championship is a pretty audacious…
This is a really tough one. Coming into the article, I thought you were crazy but it was some excellent food for thought and one that got me thinking about the argument. Magic and MJ are two players I wasn’t around to see myself, but have watched more footage of than any current NBA player. Magic Johnson will always be my personal all-time favourite, being a Lakers fan and a fan of Showtime basketball, but I still give the edge to Michael in this debate. I don’t know whether Jordan’s superiority can be described with statistics or even fleshed out analysis – there was just something that when you watched him get the ball in the closing minutes you’d back him to make a full court shot, he was not human when the game was on the line. Magic was fantastic too, don’t get me wrong, and I do think he is second-to-one, but he didn’t have that same quality that Michael had.
Was Magic better than Michael?
I read the same article and am glad to someone else write this. The paper unfairly painted the Swans as a team of poachers who can afford to get players other teams can’t afford to keep. They even said the cost of living bonus is what lured Shane Mumford from Geelong, when in reality it was the lack of chances he got at Geelong – like most players coming from other clubs. Here’s to the Swans!
Here's to the Swans winning the flag
The Celts will be decent, but they overachieved last season – it’s hard to see them drastically improving enough to win a championship. But hey, I did say that in 2010, and again in 2011, so perhaps I should have more faith in Boston. And Sullinger is an absolute steal, so as long as Pierce and KG don’t drop off to much and stay healthy, who knows?
How the Boston Celtics can be a real title contender
Former Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson detailed the issues with playing on the road in his book ‘The Last Season’. To paraphrase the great man, he said players get bored more easily, they miss their families, their homes, different diets and it’s simply breaking out of familiarity for the players. I don’t know if the actual distance traveled makes much of a difference in this day and age, but there’s definitely something to be said about teams that have to play interstate more than others.
The AFL travel myth
I think they did what was right. I’m not as sure about the Connors situation, but I think that kind of decision can only come from within the club, I don’t think we’ve seen enough of Daniel Connors off the field to accurately judge whether or not it was time to go. In Dustin Martin’s case, it was definitely warranted. The situation sounded like a dangerous sort of environment for a young footballer, and Richmond needed to come down as hard as a hammer to ensure he curbs his behaviour before it becomes habitual. He’s been given a stern warning now, and any further disciplinary issues on his part will look terrible. Seeing Dusty out for two weeks is a big blow to my SuperCoach team, but hopefully he’ll learn from it and come back a better person.
Were Richmond right to boot Connors and Martin?
I don’t see him going to the Gold Coast, though smart money is on him going to Carlton. Perhaps North Melbourne if Brad Scott loses his job by the seasons end? He seems ready to coach, he’s obviously more than capable, it’s just a question of where he’ll be. I tip somewhere in Melbourne.
Is Malthouse headed north to the Gold Coast?
Excellent perspective on it. Also, you are 100% correct on Dragic. My bad. Last rumours I heard today, the Charlotte Bobcats were making a run at him. Poor guy. Phoenix will also be interested after dealing Nash I reckon.
I was amazed too that Scott Machado wasn’t drafted. He’s a fantastic shooter, and would have been a steal at the bottom of the second. If Houston sign him, they’ll be getting a great deal. Eric Gordon’s looking set to go to Phoenix, though Jeremy Lin is apparently high on Houston after meeting with Daryl Morey.
I don’t think they can construct a contending team in this offseason, but they’re making all the right moves to build a good base and build up to a championship team.
Breaking down the Houston Rockets' draft
I second mushi’s point. I don’t think Gordon is max. contract player. He’s a great scorer and could be a key part of a championship team, but you may have another Joe Johnson-like contract if you max him out and he busts. C’mon New Orleans! You have Anthony Davis! Don’t screw this up from here!
New Orleans Hornets end turbulent NBA era (part two)
All reports coming out of Denver today are saying Miller has re-signed for 3 years…it’s a shame too, I would have loved seeing him in purple and gold. Of all these signings, I only see Hinrich going to Chicago actually happening, though I do like the theme and it made for some good reading. Nice article.
Five sentimental NBA Free Agent signings you'd like to see
Well…this is funny reading the comments now we have a result…
GWS Giants will beat the Suns this weekend
Does anyone know what’s up with Mitch Morton and Tommy Walsh? All this noise was made when Sydney picked them up, but neither has played a game yet as far as I know..
Swans need more firepower for September
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the Warriors got Richard Jefferson at the deadline by trading Stephen Jackson to the Spurs. Other than that, I agree with everything else you said.
Bogut's Warriors will win NBA championship
This…works. How? Why? I don’t know. But I want it. Now.
Is the NRL-AFL hybrid game just a beautiful dream?
That’s an audacious call! I wouldn’t be so sure of it, not when there’s a group of lads called the Miami Heat in the NBA, and some kids down at the Oklahoma City Thunder making some noise. No doubt Golden State have a much improved list, and will be very potent with a healthy line-up, but having a healthy line-up is no easy task when you have Stephen Curry and Andrew Bogut on the same roster.
I would love to see the Warriors succeed, especially with Bogut at the helm, but I have the feeling that this team can’t be the very best unless they make at least a few more moves in the coming offseason.
Bogut's Warriors will win NBA championship
The thing that makes me like Lleyton is how fun it is to watch him play. With his spirit, you always have at least a sliver of hope that he’ll miraculously prevail again, and especially now there’s no such thing as a ‘certain win’ for him anymore. I don’t care for his behavior off-court though, but he’s grown up lately and seems like a real family man, which is nice.
Why does everybody hate Lleyton?
Give Lendl some time, I have faith in him. Murray’s a work in progress mentally, but once (or if?) he controls that he’ll be a real force to be reckoned with.
Murray hasn't the bottle to win a Slam
I like the theme and message behind the article, and agree with most of in principle though I feel you could have expanded a bit and clarified on some incidents that you were particularly disappointed in. Good article though!
Humility begins at home for Aussie cricketers
Great article Tom, I’m really looking forward to this one. Can’t say I’m anywhere near an expert on the NFL, only really got into it about a month ago but have been really loving it. Should be a great game, and I’m hoping your prediction about the outcome is true!
A Beginner's Guide to Super Bowl XLVI
If the multiple reports that have emerged are true, Tomic was seen doing laps of a Broadbeach restaurant strip (an alleged breach of his license conditions), and first told police he was just going to buy some strings. Three hours later, he was pulled over for a third time and when asked what he was doing, Tomic apparently told officers, ‘That’s for me to know and you to find out’. I think also what has made Tomic look stupid is pulling the race card.
Tomic a more mature player: Rafter
USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo recently said he would support Kyrie fully if he decided to play for Australia, and wouldn’t try to sway him either way, so I’m assuming the USA will release him if he desires, and of course BA want him, so it would just come down to clearing the legal details and FIBA roadblocks.
Aussie basketballers representing big in the States
The Superbowl makes the first Monday back at school even that more crushing, because I won’t be able to watch it. But at least I can record it and come 5:30 when I get home, I’m flicking it on straight away. Go Giants!
Super Bowl a rematch of one of the great deciders
As do I Mark, I’m already picturing the beauty of Irving to Bogut in London…thanks for reading and I appreciate your words!
Kyrie Irving weighs up Aussie Olympic possibility
Tomic is extremely hard to cheer for. He is an Aussie, and he is doing well – which is never a bad thing for the game down here, but his off-court persona makes me want to cringe, like Mark said. Boy, does he split my feelings.
Tomic confident umpire got it right
I’m a young fan who has never really grown up that into cricket bar a few Ashes series’ here and there. My mate, who’s a cricket die-hard, asked me if I wanted to go to the Melbourne Stars’ first game of the season at the MCG and I figured ‘Why not?’ for $10. I went and absolutely loved it. Since then, I’ve been to every BBL game (Stars and Renegades) in Melbourne, went to my first day of Test cricket and watched every other day of the Australia / India series on TV. It may be ‘hit and giggle’ cricket, but I know it’s brought me to the great game of cricket. If someone told me 12 months ago I’d have an amazing day watching Test Cricket at the MCG I might have laughed at them, but here we are.
Big Bash League or Big Cash League?
Thank you for the constructive criticism and I’m sorry you did not enjoy the article. I wasn’t intending on writing a full-blown analysis or review of the Swans’ 2012 season and I apologise if I gave that impression. As a Swans supporter, I’ve been rapt but grounded with our progress in 2012 and felt that it had been under-acknowledged. Of course, after submitting this, Andrew Sunderland then wrote a brilliant article about the Swans (http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/07/12/heres-to-the-swans-winning-the-flag/), so that’s been taken care of now, but at the time I felt it would be worth quickly touching on some of the underrated performers in the Swans 2012 outfit. But I’ll take your advice on board, it is good advice – sounds like my debating coach! 🙂
Sydney Swans: the success story of 2012