Bring Homicide back!

Published on June 6, 2012 by Nat Where You At · No Comments

The Twitter world is a buzz this week after news broke that former NBL MVP Corey ‘Homicide’ Williams is currently in Australia.

Corey is currently in Victoria as a special guest for the FIBA 3 on 3 World Qualifier, happening in Geelong this long weekend. The event will be spread over three venues – Geelong waterfront, Geelong Arena and Corio Leisuretime Centre from June 9 – 11.

But fans have been going crazy over the possibility that Williams may return to the NBL after a one year break from the league where he played in Lebanon for Byblos (Stats: 24ppg, 6.3rpg, 2.0spg and 7.1apg).
I must admit, i’m one of those crazy people, I tweeted that if Corey signed with the Wollongong Hawks.. I will get a Corey Williams tattoo. But this is not to say I don’t think it will happen (Like when i tweeted that if Trigger signs with the 36ers i’ll get a 36ers tattoo), it’s possible.. In saying that i have not heard anything that says the Hawks have even made contact with him this year. I just really want him to come to Wollongong!!

The main thing (besides better TV coverage, phone app etc) the NBL needs is a star player. A player fans either love or they hate, and that is Homicide. No disrespect to Kevin Lisch, last seasons MVP, but he is not that kind of player. Neither is Cedric Jackson or even Tom Abercrombie. They’re just not disliked enough, where as Williams would have to be the most hated & loved player to play in the NBL since Andrew Gaze! You could also argue that he would be in the top 3 most memorable imports to play in the league over the past 10 – 12 years. If you are trying to raise the public profile of your team and the game, why not go with a known commodity on and off the court? Makes sense..

The only real concern some GMs may have is the fact that Corey is 35 this year, but if you look at his last NBL stats (2010/11) He put up 17.3ppg, 6.1apg and 6.8rpg for the Melbourne Tigers. That would mean that compared to last seasons league leaders.. he would have finished 2nd in scoring, 2nd in the league in assists per game and 7th in rebounds per game (He’s a guard.. mind you).

Who can sign him?

You would rule out Perth & NZ for obvious reasons. No chance of Sydney seeing as though their back court is all wrapped up. Cairns Taipans have Jamar Wilson. Wollongong would be great (for my own selfish reasons..) but highly doubtful because of budget reasons. So that leaves the 36ers, who are an outside chance because of Marty Clarke’s coaching style & they will likely give the team to Jason Cadee. Gold Coast are still in limbo until their financial issues are sorted, but if they don’t bring back Adris Deleon, Corey Williams would slot right in. Townsville are also a outside chance mainly because Woolpert would prefer to bring in a ex NBA player or NBDL player. So the last team on the list?

The Melbourne Tigers.

Without Gleeson (who got rid of Williams in Townsville & apparently did the same when he arrived in Melbourne) the Tigers make the most sense. They are moving some games to Hisense, which is a much larger venue so they need to man a good side to fill up some of those seats. Williams is known throughout Melbourne, is a proven talent & would bring some credibility back to the Club.
Williams played for assistant coach Darryl McDonald in 2010/11 and most fans think that the Dmac – Homicide combo should have been given another shot, but Gleeson was hired and the team changed up before the 2011/12 season.

So what’s the chances of him returning to the NBL? I wouldn’t say great, seeing as though his options are fairly limited. But if you should feel the need to tweet him or the Tigers on Twitter…
Tigers Twitter:
@MelbTigersHQ

Corey’s Twitter
@chomicide

Hash Tag
#BringCoreyBack

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Nat Where You At

Basketball Junkie

Basketball junkie originally from Alice Springs but currently living in Wollongong. I talk too much about basketball, eat too much bacon and reminisce about the Seattle SuperSonics almost everyday.