The Final Word on the Julius Hodge sage – Boti Nagy weekly NBL round up & he wasn’t scared to call a spade a spade.

Anyone interested in Australian basketball would have heard about the fiasco that has been the Julius Hodge saga in recent time for the Adelaide 36ers but will which truth are we to believe?

Many people (me included) were ecstatic to hear that Julius was returning to Adelaide as a replacement for Mark Tyndale, as we knew Julius as an excitement machine – we saw that last year when he came in to replace Mike Chappell. There was even a facebook group created called “Julius Hodge single-handedly saved The 6ers” everyone thought he was going to be the teams saviour and take us back to the play offs and maybe even deep into the play offs.

Well there story appears to be now a little tainted. Julius posted a video on youtube about drinking the poison (link) this was the first time I started to get a feeling about Hodge and what he was on about. He sprouted about wanting to win Adelaide a championship at the same time as wanting to get back to the Show (NBA) – so which one was it, NBA or NBL Championship – money I think it was. If he plays a certain number more NBA games he will get the NBA pension (not too sure what this is about) and that is his goal.

So he was paid four days late – that is a problem – the 36ers have said he was to do with the bank, four days is excusable but what was going on around that isn’t. Before the problems existed he was turning up late and not even turning up to training according to coach Scott Ninnis (link) and Brett Maher doesn’t seem to impressed with his work ethic either.

Who do you believe, I take a person on their word – and there are two sides to every story, but I would take the word of Brett Maher over Julius any day of the week and I think there was only one thing that could be done and that was to release Julius no questions missing a game without contact is inexcusable.

I think as a player it is a great lose to the team, but at the same time team chemistry is important. We saw a team on the court Wednesday night that wanted to win – they still lack defensive intensity – and that is a key aspect they will need to continue with. A new import will be an interesting twist to the side and it is looking like Rob Grizzard may be an option – but whoever it is needs to be ready to go by next Saturday night to qualify for the finals.

More stuff to read and watch on the whole saga – still looking for some of the articles about the pay dispute
Hodge and Sixers to part ways
Ex-Tiger en route to Sixers
Sixers shade Wollongong
36ers Press Conference
Import quits Adelaide 36ers
Hodge Finally Found Pt1
Hodge Finally Found Pt2

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