May 31, 2019
Drake a Lucky Charm?
The Toronto Raptors have beaten the Golden State Warriors in game 1 of the 2019 NBA Finals. Is this a Drake factor? Popular rapper Drake has been winding up opposition teams throughout the playoffs. Have Drake's antics on the sideline had a tangible effect? You've got to laugh though, only in the game of basketball could it be true.
May 30, 2019
RJ Hampton
High school US basketball star RJ Hampton has signed to play professionally with the New Zealand Breakers, a team that plays in the ANBL. The Breakers have won several titles but their fortunes have waned in recent years. What to make then of this latest move.
The basketball scene Downunder is stronger than many realise. Andrew Bogut finished his season with the ANBL's Sydney Kings and then winged his way to Golden State and will be playing at centre for the Warriors in the NBA Finals. The Sydney Kings came third in the ANBL with Bogut, so that may indicate the depth of the league. They're not bunnies.
The Breakers have new owners and they're keen to get things back on the right track. But there are potential problems with their approach; many former NBA players have played Downunder and come up short. The style of play Downunder is not the same as in the NBA. RJ Hampton has only played High School basketball and looks quite slim. He'll be up against grown men, and they're from all over the place, they don't play like Americans. This is code for - the games are much rougher than in High School basketball in the US. Players have to deal with getting beat up.
Will RJ Hampton measure up and is this league the right preparation for the NBA? If I'm going to put money on the outcome, my bet would be it will be a failed though interesting experiment.
The basketball scene Downunder is stronger than many realise. Andrew Bogut finished his season with the ANBL's Sydney Kings and then winged his way to Golden State and will be playing at centre for the Warriors in the NBA Finals. The Sydney Kings came third in the ANBL with Bogut, so that may indicate the depth of the league. They're not bunnies.
The Breakers have new owners and they're keen to get things back on the right track. But there are potential problems with their approach; many former NBA players have played Downunder and come up short. The style of play Downunder is not the same as in the NBA. RJ Hampton has only played High School basketball and looks quite slim. He'll be up against grown men, and they're from all over the place, they don't play like Americans. This is code for - the games are much rougher than in High School basketball in the US. Players have to deal with getting beat up.
Will RJ Hampton measure up and is this league the right preparation for the NBA? If I'm going to put money on the outcome, my bet would be it will be a failed though interesting experiment.
May 26, 2019
The Ugly Side of the NBA
I like this YouTube look at the cynical stat padding that occurs in the NBA:
Then below is more depth on the Russell Westbrook factor. He hurts his team by insisting on taking rebounds away from Steven Adams, who incredibly has more offensive rebounds than defensive boards. This hurts the OKC as Westbrook is not putting the team into a situation where they can get an offense going fast, Westbrook prioritises his own stats ahead of the team...
Note that I've previously posted about how regular season games are orchestrated to ensure key players get open looks.
Then below is more depth on the Russell Westbrook factor. He hurts his team by insisting on taking rebounds away from Steven Adams, who incredibly has more offensive rebounds than defensive boards. This hurts the OKC as Westbrook is not putting the team into a situation where they can get an offense going fast, Westbrook prioritises his own stats ahead of the team...
Note that I've previously posted about how regular season games are orchestrated to ensure key players get open looks.
May 24, 2019
Large Businesses For Sale Australia
Australia appears to be undergoing some changes as companies announce divestments:
Did I miss anything? It looks to be a combination of factors in play, some companies are retreating while others are moving out of basic materials and into utilities and the like.
My pick of the above would be Downer Mining at $300mil. Then apart from the above picks, Boral at their current share price are a takeover target, as well as Macmahon Holdings.
- Fulton Hogan Construction Australia is now for sale by their New Zealand parent. This takes in all of their civil engineering assets in Australia.
- Downer Mining is said to be for sale,
- Laing O'Rourke's Australian operations are also said to be on the market.
- Lendlease engineering division is reported for sale,
- BGC Contracting has been reported for sale (source: The Australian), and;
- A while back The Australian reported Holcim Australia was up for grabs, which was denied by the company, though it should be noted that it no longer fits into the LafargeHolcim framework.
Did I miss anything? It looks to be a combination of factors in play, some companies are retreating while others are moving out of basic materials and into utilities and the like.
My pick of the above would be Downer Mining at $300mil. Then apart from the above picks, Boral at their current share price are a takeover target, as well as Macmahon Holdings.
May 22, 2019
NZ: Deal with the White Supremacists
The white supremacists in New Zealand are getting bolder following the mosque attacks in Christchurch. Now death threats from these types means NZ Green MP, Golriz Ghahraman has had to have permanent protection put in place:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/112882626/security-escort-for-green-mp-golrizghahraman-after-acts-david-seymour-called-her-a-menace
The Labour government have got to take immediate action.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/112882626/security-escort-for-green-mp-golrizghahraman-after-acts-david-seymour-called-her-a-menace
The Labour government have got to take immediate action.
May 17, 2019
New Christian Party for New Zealand
It has been reported in New Zealand that a new Christian political party may be formed to contest the next general election. It would be led by Alfred Ngaro, who is currently a National member of parliament.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12231733
This has been tried in the past and failed, so what's different now? Ngaro is a sitting MP and likely National will step aside to allow him to win a seat. Previous Christian parties had no sitting members. In 1996 the Christian Coalition gained 4.33% of the vote and had they managed to do a deal with an MP they may well have held the balance of power in that parliament. Then Christian Heritage followed in 1999, receiving 2.38%. That would have meant several seats in parliament.
National doing a deal with one of their existing MP's and setting up a Christian broad spectrum party may entice voters away from Labour. It is no secret that Labour gets heavy support from Pacific Islanders and Catholics. They're socially conservative communities but socialists when it comes to unions and worker rights. Many of these voters are uncomfortable with Labour's one size fits all diversity policies. National need to gain ground from the centre left and this could be the way to do it.
Another option they could add, is doing a deal with Vernon Tava's Sustainable New Zealand party. That would gather up those Green voters who are not socialists. There are a lot of them and the Port Hills electorate in Christchurch is a good example of this phenomenon. It is an electorate with affluent voters proud to drive a hybrid car and buy organic food, but they enjoy their many trips overseas and putting their children through private schools. In 2011 Greens gained 19.60% of the party vote in Port Hills. Across the whole country they only gained 6.72%.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12231733
This has been tried in the past and failed, so what's different now? Ngaro is a sitting MP and likely National will step aside to allow him to win a seat. Previous Christian parties had no sitting members. In 1996 the Christian Coalition gained 4.33% of the vote and had they managed to do a deal with an MP they may well have held the balance of power in that parliament. Then Christian Heritage followed in 1999, receiving 2.38%. That would have meant several seats in parliament.
National doing a deal with one of their existing MP's and setting up a Christian broad spectrum party may entice voters away from Labour. It is no secret that Labour gets heavy support from Pacific Islanders and Catholics. They're socially conservative communities but socialists when it comes to unions and worker rights. Many of these voters are uncomfortable with Labour's one size fits all diversity policies. National need to gain ground from the centre left and this could be the way to do it.
Another option they could add, is doing a deal with Vernon Tava's Sustainable New Zealand party. That would gather up those Green voters who are not socialists. There are a lot of them and the Port Hills electorate in Christchurch is a good example of this phenomenon. It is an electorate with affluent voters proud to drive a hybrid car and buy organic food, but they enjoy their many trips overseas and putting their children through private schools. In 2011 Greens gained 19.60% of the party vote in Port Hills. Across the whole country they only gained 6.72%.
May 12, 2019
NBA Playoffs 2019
It's looking more like it will be the Warriors against the Bucks in the NBA finals. It'll be interesting to see if either the Nuggets or the Blazers can knock the Warriors out. If either does, then I'm picking the Bucks to take the prize.
May 09, 2019
Oh No, Archie?
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have named their baby boy, Archie. Was this inspired by the famous cartoon strip of the same name? Will the Duchess call a daughter, Veronica? Is this the stupidest name you've ever heard?
May 05, 2019
Prediction: Ardern Leaving in 2019
That's right, last year I said New Zealand's PM Jacinda Ardern must leave in 2019 and head overseas. That's because the only way for her now is down in NZ Politics. She's peaked and she relies on unstable tiny parties to stay in office.
But recently I've been observing how Andrew Little has been behaving. He was leader of NZ Labour before Ardern took over in the run-up to the 2017 General Election. I think he knows she's going and that he will take over her role and become Prime Minister. Remember, you heard it here first.
But recently I've been observing how Andrew Little has been behaving. He was leader of NZ Labour before Ardern took over in the run-up to the 2017 General Election. I think he knows she's going and that he will take over her role and become Prime Minister. Remember, you heard it here first.