Czech Republic vs New Zealand game notes

Sunday 22 August 2004

1) Revelation of the Olympics - Angela Marino. I hadn't heard of her before the Olympics but she's based in Adelaide (born in NZ). She has impressed at this tournament with her tenacity and aggressiveness. Marino has an unorthodox looking but effective jumpshot and she isn't afraid to penetrate - even against the tall Czech posts. She is easily the most talented player on the New Zealand and she has big things ahead of her.

She's going to the Canberra Capitals in the WNBL this season. Looks like Tom has done her some good but I don't know - I'm not sure whether he'll be good for her in the long run.

On a related note, Michele Timms revealed in the broadcast that Tully Bevilaqua would also be joining Canberra. Tough luck for Perth who look to have a solid lineup this season - except they have no point guard.

2) Beside Marino's play, Tom Maher should be pissed at NZ's efforts. Yes they stayed in the game but that was due to the Czechs' lack of intensity. NZ didn't take care of the ball (25+ turnovers and many of those were unforced) and played horrible defence.

3) Once again, unimpressed with the Czechs. They basically played their key players for the whole game - even when they were coasting. And despite having their best players on court, they could not put away the New Zealanders. The Czechs sleepwalked their way through the second half (NZ outscored them) and I don't see how it can help their team to have their best players on court in an already won game, not doing anything! They'll have to kick it up several notches against the Russians (who unlike the Czechs, *have* stepped up) and I don't think they'll be able to. Machova had a good game offensively while the Czech bigs dominated the NZ bigs when they could be bothered to (which wasn't as much as they should have).

4) Aneka Kerr has the reputation for being a "tough" player. I agree she has thuggish tendencies and she fouls and grunts a lot but is really a mediocre garbage player (when I mean garbage, I'm talking the players who tend to hustle and clean up around the basket ala Yolanda Griffith, Swin Cash).