I recently sat down with Steve Hoare, NBL Champion, sixth man of the year winner, and all around good guy. A veteran of 465 NBL games over 17 seasons.
I asked “the Aura” about life after basketball, road trips, 90’s jams, the NBL today, the 2020 Boomers, tuxedo wearing penguins, Spice girls, and what NBL players are most likely to cheat at cards on a road trip.
Are you more of a hunter or a gatherer?
Somewhere in between.
What’s your favourite ’90s jam?
Was never a big music buff but was a fan of Pearl Jam and Nirvana.
If you could be any animal in the world, what animal would you be and why?
Something about the freedom and grace of an eagle that I have always liked.
What was the last gift you gave someone?
Endota spa voucher to my mum for her birthday. (Cue ohhhhhhhhh’s and ohhhhhhhhh’s from the crowd!)
What were you like in high school?
Quiet and unassuming. Tall but very skinny and pretty goofy looking. When your tall, skinny and with a surname like mine you don’t put yourself out there.
What’s the last thing you watched on TV and why did you choose to watch it?
Survivor Australia. Always been a big survivor fan and have watched most of the US series over the years.
You’ve had a lot of different coaches. Different styles and personalities. Who was the best coach for you and why?
I’ve been coached by some of the best coaches in Australia including Brett Brown, Gordie McLeod, Lindsey Gaze, Al Westover, Trevor Gleeson and Joey Wright. Difficult to say who was the best as they were all very different with their own strengths and weaknesses.
Joey certainly gave the greatest sprays and I was always impressed by the work ethic of Trevor Gleeson.
Best nightclub dancer you’ve played with?
Not sure about best dance moves but no one more comfortable in the club than Copes.
When did you realise basketball wasn’t going to be a forever job and one day you would have to get a real job?
Was never an issue with me as I never thought I would play as long as I did. It took me about 6 years to establish myself in the League so never took anything for granted. Used to work during the off-season and studied different things to prepare myself so mentally it wasn’t that big of an adjustment.
There is a lot more coverage and discussion today about athletes coping with life after sport. You played 465 games and 17 seasons. Did you find the transition to watching rather than playing a difficult one? How did you adjust?
The transition for me was pretty easy as I knew that both physically and mentally I was finished. It’s those players that are the stars of their sports that generally have the toughest time transitioning.
They are used to everyone wanted a piece of them and people bending over backwards to help them out. Once that finishes it can be hard to adjust as your identity relates to the sport only. I was never one of the stars and never looking for attention. For me it was easy to slip away and move on.
The biggest adjustment for me has been catching the train to work each day and wearing a shirt and tie. I do miss playing though. I miss the competition and the mix of emotions that comes with it. Don’t miss the training’s or plane travel but would love to still be playing in the NBL.
Pretend you’re our CEO of the NBL. What are the three things you are looking to improve on in season 2018/2019?
1. Free flowing games. Need to find that balance between letting the game flow by not calling too many fouls but not allowing players to grab and hold too much. It’s a fine line. NBL Refs cop a lot of heat but for the most part I think they do a pretty good job.
2. Continue to build on the momentum of the past few years through media coverage and exposure.
3. Assist Cairns and Wollongong with player retention. Not good for the league if other teams continue to take their better players because they can pay more. All teams need an equal opportunity to be successful.
Have you seen the Wolf of Wall Street? Sell me this pen. Go.
Great movie. Sign this paper and I’ll give you a ticket to the Boomers USA game.
What inspires you?
Wanting to be successful in my work life and providing an opportunity for my kids to succeed at whatever they choose to do.
What are you known for as a basketball player?
Being a team orientated guy that went about my business with minimum fuss and minimum flare. Hopefully people remember me as a guy who wasn’t great at any one aspect of the game but was pretty good at almost everything and was versatile. Was also always known for being a thinker and being able to read the game pretty well.
A penguin walks through that door right now wearing a tuxedo and a sombrero. What does he say and why is he here?
Hopefully he’s here for a party as am partial to a dress up party as long as everyone gets in the spirit of things!
How would you describe your style when playing monopoly and which figure do you use?
Not interested in the small items. Want the big properties only but have no preference on which figure.
Who was your favourite Spice Girl?
Pass!
In your 17 seasons in the NBL how many times did you make the playoffs?
In 15 of them I think. (Correct!)
Who is your all-star five that you have played with?
Dmac, Drewy, Dave Thomas, Hogey (Mark BRADTKE) and Anstey. Played with a lot of great players so my 2nd and 3rd teams would be great also.
The best and worst NBL Roommates you’ve had on road trips and why?
Can’t say I’ve had too many bad ones. As long as they are not too messy and have a reasonable level of personal hygiene then you are fine with me.
You were and still are known as a pretty easy going guy. Who was the opponent that just rubbed you the wrong way and just made you mad and why?
Shawn Redhage. Was a great player (and from all reports a great guy) but I couldn’t handle all the flopping and acting. There was a season or two in which he couldn’t get within 3 feet of him without him falling over but he continued to do it as the refs kept rewarding him. Was so frustrating. Thought it was a blight on the game and glad they are trying to stamp it out.
You were awarded the “Players Player” award in 2010 in Townsville, and then again in 2011 and 2012 at the Gold Coast. What makes a “Players Player?”
Someone who has the best interests of the team at heart. Lot of players say the right thing but their actions don’t support their words. Always tried to be a leader and voice for the bench guys.
Name the years you finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the NBL Sixth Man award. No googling!
1st in 05/06 and 06/07. 2nd in 02/03 3rd in 01/02 and 3rd another time as well. I think 07/08. (Correct!)
Your first game as a West Sydney Razorback, and the franchise’s first game – who did you play and what was the score and result?
Remember it well. Played against the Kings at the Kingdome and we were without our Captain Derek Rucker. Were given no chance to win but came back from 20 down in the second qtr. to win. Not sure of score but I had 13,9 and 5 which were all were career highs at that stage of my career and it was my first ever NBL start.
Razorbacks made a poster from that game (with a box score) which is still on display at my parents place. Tore a tendon in my foot the following week and missed over half of that year with a stress fracture in my foot. Peaked too early.
You played for the Melbourne Tigers from 2000-2009 and almost left to join the Breakers in 2005. You ended up staying but left under somewhat acrimonious circumstances at the end of 2009.
Can you tell me a bit about what happened and how it made you feel?
I’m not the type to hold a grudge but that the way that was handled took a long time to get over. I still had a few years to run on a contract with the Tigers but the NBL was going through a rough stage and due to a change in structure of the League, all contracts were voided. Most teams honored their players existing contracts but not mine.
I received a call from the club to inform me that we would arrange a meeting in the next few days to discuss contracts and that was the last thing I heard from them. They basically tried to avoid me and I had to hear through other players that they weren’t going to offer me a contract. After 9 years at the club I was pretty disappointed that nobody at the club had the balls to tell me face to face.
I certainly don’t believe they owed me a contract just because I had been there a long time but I do believe I had earned the right for them to show me some respect and be honest with me. I was almost forced into retirement but luckily the (Townsville) Crocs offered me a lifeline and I was able to move on.
Here’s some quick ones, best athlete you’ve played with?
My first year of SEABL back in 1994 with Bulleen Boomers I played with a guy called Eric Atkins who was a freak. Had the best combination of strength and athleticism that I ever played with.
Best shooter?
Drewy. Special mentions, Copes, John Rillie, Derek Rucker, Brad Williamson, James Harvey, Chris Goulding.
Best basketball IQ?
Me!
Most likely to cheat at cards on a road trip?
Copes….
Toughest guy you’ve played with?
I would put Bradtke on top just because he was so big and strong. You always walked taller with him in your team. He was one guy that I always made sure I called my fouls on during training.
Best eater?
Rookies at a buffet is always a sight to behold
Best drinker?
Copes (common theme here)
You have to fight Joey Wright in the Octagon. You can pick one player you’ve played with to help. Who do you pick and why?
James Harvey – can handle himself pretty well and he and Joey never really got along so I think both would enjoy it.
If college players start getting paid will that effect more people going to college instead of NBL?
No. Hasn’t so far so I doubt much will change just because it’s out in the open rather than behind closed doors. It will only be the elite guys who are getting paid anyway.
You played with D Mac, Chris Anstey, Dave Thomas, Andrew Gaze and co at the Tigers. What’s the secret to meshing all those personalities and making it about the TEAM rather than the individual?
It’s not easy but I think it really comes down to the personality of the players. Played on some great teams with great players who said all the right things but unfortunately their actions told a different story.
The best teams I played on (which didn’t necessarily win a championship but played above expectations) had players who genuinely enjoyed seeing their teammates succeed even if they had quiet games themselves.
The 4 position in the NBL – last year there were so many 35+ year old PF’s, it’s a position which is very unusual compared to every other spot.
Why do you think it has evolved like that and what is the future of that position?
Good question. The four spot has evolved more than any other position in recent years. Being able to stretch the floor is now almost the most important asset. With so many on ball screens these days, many of these older 4 men are generally good shooters who play pick and pop and force teams into long rotations.
Guys who play into mid 30’s also tend to be the smartest guys on the court who aren’t as fast as they used to be but can still have a positive influence on games. The declining physical abilities don’t get shown up as much on a 4 man as they do for guards who rely on speed and quickness.
The Boomers are an exciting prospect and 2020 will see arguably our best credentialed team to ever play on the Olympic stage.
Can they win a medal? Who is your Olympic team and do they need a Coach with NBA experience moving forward?
Don’t believe they need an NBA coach as the NBA game is so different to the International game. Definitely believe they can win a medal but they are a great unknown as there are so many key young players that haven’t played together before.
My team would be;
Guards – Simmons, Mills, Delly, Exum,
Forwards –Ingles, Bolden, Broekoff,
Bigs – Baynes, Bogut, Maker,
That leaves two spots up for grabs.
Think there will be 1 or 2 young guys step forward to take these spots. We will be very competitive that’s for sure.
