You probably already realize that I am sports nut. If not, take note: I am a sports nut!
I still follow my favorite teams from back home, including the West Coast Eagles (Aussie Rules Football), Perth Wildcats (Basketball), Perth Glory (soccer/football), and the Western Warriors (Cricket).
I was just reading about the sinking fortunes of the Perth Wildcats, when I came across this:
They are not pressing it yet but for the first time this season, the panic button is within reach of the Perth Wildcats.And with their 2004-05 NBL championship campaign seemingly slipping away with every game, the club has taken the drastic step of approaching former guard James Harvey to return to the fold.—-Harvey, a member of the Wildcats line-up last season, parted ways with the club during the winter to play in Israel. He returned to Perth last month. Fisher spoke to Harvey about joining the team for the rest of the season but the WA product decided not to take up the offer.
How could I have allowed this to slip through the radar?
In any event, I have conducted a quick search and came up with this:
2003-2004: Perth Wildcats (NBL,1T): 33games: 20.7ppg, 3.4rpg, 3.5apg, played also shortly at Maccabi Rishon le Zion (ISR) 1g 26pts 4rebs 1ass
2004: Summer League in Treviso (Italy)2004-2005: Maccabi Rishon Le-Zion (ISR-Premier L.): released in Nov.’04: 5g 6.6ppg 1.8rpg 1.2apg
It looks like James started off very well with Israeli side Rishon Le-Zion (a 26-point game), but was released late last year after averaging only a few baskets a game. Indeed, this JPost article describes James as “disappointing.”
I wonder if James was lacking in fitness, or found it hard to acclimatize to the different style of play here. In any event, I would have thought that Rishon could have persevered with him longer. I have seen him in action, and have no doubt he would be an asset to most teams.
I wish James the best of luck, and hope that the Wildcats do manage to secure his services.
