NBL 09/10 Discussion

[Michael]

With the following teams:
Adelaide 36ers
Cairns Taipans
Gold Coast Blaze
Melbourne Tigers
New Zealand Breakers
Perth Wildcats
Townsville Crocodiles
Wollongong Hawks

Who do you think will win?
Does anyone care?

[Unregistered]

With the following teams:
Adelaide 36ers
Cairns Taipans
Gold Coast Blaze
Melbourne Tigers
New Zealand Breakers
Perth Wildcats
Townsville Crocodiles
Wollongong Hawks

Who do you think will win?
Does anyone care?

Wouldn't know who was on most of the teams.

Is there going to be any TV coverage?

[Unregistered]

These are players currently signed by NBL teams. (No prospective signings in the list)
Adelaide 36ers - Brad Hill, Jacob Holmes, Adam Ballinger, Darren Ng.
Cairns Taipans - Phil Jones, Ian Crosswhite, Aaron Grabau, Kerry Williams, Gary Boodnikoff, Dusty Rychart.
Gold Coast Blaze - Adam Gibson, Anthony Petrie, Chris Goulding, Greg Vanderjagt, Pero Cameron, James Harvey, Tyson Demos.
Melbourne Tigers - Mark Worthington, Chris Anstey, David Barlow, Darryl Corletto, Nathan Crosswell, Luke Kendall, Ryan Bathie.
New Zealand Breakers - Thomas Abercrombie, Kirk Penney, Oscar Forman, Tony Ronaldson, Paul Henare, Dillon Boucher.
Perth Wildcats - Shawn Redhage, Stephen Weigh, Brad Robbins, Paul Rogers.
Townsville Crocodiles - Michael Cedar, Kelvin Robertson, Peter Crawford, Jeff Dowdell, Stephen Hoare, Rolan Roberts, Corey Williams, Cameron Tovey, Russell Hinder, Brad Williamson.
Wollongong Hawks - Daniel Jackson, Cameron Tragardh, Glen Saville, Matt Campbell, Tim Behrendorff.

Feel free to add any players I have missed.

[Fly]

All club signings remain subject to NBL approval.

ADELAIDE
Returning: Adam Ballinger, Jacob Holmes, Brad Hill
Free agents signed: Darren Ng (Singapore Slingers), Matt Burston (South), Nathan Herbert (South)
Undetermined: Rod Grizzard*,David Cooper, Brad Davidson, Ryan Kersten, Paora Winitana, Aaron Bruce
Departing: Brett Maher (retired), Luke Schenscher (Europe)

CIANRS
Returning: Aaron Grabau, Ian Crosswhite, Kerry Williams, Gary Boodnikoff
Free agents signed: Phill Jones (New Zealand), Dusty Rychart (Wollongong)
Undetermined: Darnell Mee, Dwayne Vale, Scott Cook, Matt Smith
Departing: Martin Catallini (Perth)

GOLD COAST
Returning: Greg Vanderjagt, Pero Cameron, Tyson Demos, James Harvey
Free agents signed: Mika Vukona (South), Adam Gibson (South), Chris Goulding (Perth), Anthony Petrie (Wollongong)
Undetermined: Scott McGregor, Casey Frank, Justin Bowen*, Luke Whitehead*
Departing: Ben Melmeth (retired), Daniel Joyce

MELBOURNE
Returning: Chris Anstey, Daryl Corletto, David Barlow, Luke Kendall, Daniel Johnson, Matt O'Hea, Sam Mackinnon, Tommy Greer, Nathan Crosswell
Free agents signed: Mark Worthington (South), Ryan Bathie# (Nicholls State University)
Undetermined:
Departing: Ebi Ere*, Dave Thomas*, Stephen Hoare (Townsville), Adrien Sturt

NEW ZEALAND
Returning: Oscar Forman, Paul Henare, Tony Ronaldson, Kirk Penney, CJ Bruton, Dillon Boucher, Tom Abercrombie, Corey Webster#
Free agents signed: Jeremiah Trueman, Alex Pledger#, Dave Thomas*
Undetermined: Adam Tanner
Departing: Phill Jones (Cairns), Rick Rickert*, Tim Behrendorff (Wollongong)

PERTH
Returning: Paul Rogers, Shawn Redhage, Brad Robbins, Stephen Weigh
Free agents signed: Martin Cattalini (Cairns), Jesse Wagstaff (Metro State University)
Undetermined: Darnell Hinson*, Isiah Victor*, Ben Knight, Adam Caporn, Alex Loughton
Departing: Jeff Dowdell (Townsville), Peter Crawford (Townsville), Chris Goulding (Gold Coast)

TOWNSVILLE
Returning: Brad Williamson, Russell Hinder, Michael Cedar, Kelvin Robertson, Cameron Tovey, Corey Williams*
Free agents signed: Peter Crawford (Perth), Jeff Dowdell (Perth), Rolan Roberts*, Stephen Hoare (Melbourne)
Undetermined: Brad Sheridan, Rosell Ellis*, Steven Broom
Departing: John Rillie, Daniel Egan

WOLLONGONG
Returning: Mat Campbell, Cameron Tragardh, Glen Saville, Daniel Jackson
Free agents signed: Tim Behrendorff (New Zealand)
Undetermined: Rhys Martin, Larry Davidson, Kavossy Franklin*, Lindsay Tait
Departing: Anthony Petrie (Gold Coast), Dusty Rychart (Cairns)



* Denotes Import
# Denotes development player


http://www.nbl.com.au
under transaction tracker

[Unregistered]

Looking at this whole group together (at least the top 12) one might think we are a big show to beat NZ, qualify and medal at the Worlds?
http://www.basketball.net.au/index.php?id=302&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=751&tx_ttnews[backPid]=1&cHash=c0fb63a5f1

[Mr bEn]

Wollongong Hawks played St Marys tonight.

Match reort and boxscore - http://wollongonghawks.com.au/results/standing-room-only-as-ahm-hawks-down-st-marys-gaels.html

QBL'ers Tragardh, Martin, Coenraad and Darragh all played.

[Mr bEn]

Blaze 82 d. St Mary's 74 this evening at Carina.

No Harvey, Pero, Gibbo or Mika. Joey used largely a six-man rotation of Vandy, Bubbles, Tyson, Petrie and imports Ubaka and Joiner. Development members Jeffries, Teys and Ammar got spot minutes, but nothing long enough to put anything together. Tommy got a few more minutes than the others and did ok.

Olah and Gleeson suited up but didn't see any time.

I'll call it now and say forward import Michael Joiner is a dud and will be lucky to keep his job for a full season unless he was had on the cheap. Very undersized and I can't see him fitting in too well, although that's what I've been saying about Pero.

Three St Mary's players had decent performances worth mentioning. Big Omar Samhan was solid and would appear to have a bright future. Point guard Mickey McConnell ran the team well and was solid, apart from the odd lapse where he was pressured into a turnover. Bench guard Trey Anderson had a good second half. Built like a rake but did well.

[Mr bEn]

Anybody catch Game 2 against St Mary's tonight at TSS? Result?

[Unregistered]

Anybody catch Game 2 against St Mary's tonight at TSS? Result?

Coast by a single point on the buzzer, courtesy of a Anthony Petrie tip in of a Chris Goulding miss. Crazy finish, Coast down by like 6 with 50 secs to go. Bubbles hits a triple, they trap St Mary s and get a steal, and Petrei (I think) hits a jumper to cut it to 1. St. Marys have the ball with like 27 secs to go, they shot and miss and Petrie rebounds and Bubbles gets the ball with 4 secs to go and gets on the ring and Petrie busts his arse down the court and gets the game winning tip in as time expires.

The guard from U Cal is going to be good, will be better when playing alongside Gibbo.
Joiner is out of shape, but is probably better than Benny gave him credit for, IMO. He is undersized, but that's not an issue in this league. His problem is the fact that the Blaze are realitively small and GV is not your Classic big. Plus having Pero playing the same type role may end up costing this guy his gig.
Bubbles was solid and should get quality minutes this year at the Coast.
I really like Petrie, solid role player good fit.
Vandy will be servicable.
Demos will be better after a year playing under B Palmer and should contribute.
Shaun Gleeson played a bit and looked solid.
Jefferies and Teys got spot minutes.
Amar and Olah got a DNP CD beside their names.
Pero looks pretty big..I am a fan when he is close to fit, but not sure if he is a good fit with this short team.

[Unregistered]

Anybody catch Game 2 against St Mary's tonight at TSS? Result?
Cracker of a game, much faster/cleaner than the previous. Both teams more intense and motivated. Spectacular finish with the Blaze up by a point at the very last second. 2 pretty average calls in the last 30 secs that let the home side wipe a 7 pt defecit but average execution of the last 2 clutch plays by St. Marys created the awesome finish opportunity for Blaze.
Goulding brilliant all game. Must have been feeling it and drained some unbelievable shots. Gleeson showed he's ready for the next level ability wise but with a few decision making modifications. Only pre season but the guy Petrie is going to be extremely valuable I would think. Fiercely competitive workhorse who knows what has to be done to win and follows through.
How fast is St. Marys Mickie McConnell??!!! Sean Gleeson is one of the fastest from A to B in a straight line and McConnel can dribble as fast as Sean can sprint! Clint had a much better game as his flu lifts gradually, Ben Allen looked all business, Hunter looks like he can get to the iron from any situation and Sandham is just plain GOOD. Definately worth following the Gaels in their many televised matches on ESPN this season.
Looking forward to an exciting brand of basketball from the Blaze this year if their pre season is any pointer.

[Unregistered]

Coast by a single point on the buzzer, courtesy of a Anthony Petrie tip in of a Chris Goulding miss. Crazy finish, Coast down by like 6 with 50 secs to go. Bubbles hits a triple, they trap St Mary s and get a steal, and Petrei (I think) hits a jumper to cut it to 1. St. Marys have the ball with like 27 secs to go, they shot and miss and Petrie rebounds and Bubbles gets the ball with 4 secs to go and gets on the ring and Petrie busts his arse down the court and gets the game winning tip in as time expires.

The guard from U Cal is going to be good, will be better when playing alongside Gibbo.
Joiner is out of shape, but is probably better than Benny gave him credit for, IMO. He is undersized, but that's not an issue in this league. His problem is the fact that the Blaze are realitively small and GV is not your Classic big. Plus having Pero playing the same type role may end up costing this guy his gig.
Bubbles was solid and should get quality minutes this year at the Coast.
I really like Petrie, solid role player good fit.
Vandy will be servicable.
Demos will be better after a year playing under B Palmer and should contribute.
Shaun Gleeson played a bit and looked solid.
Jefferies and Teys got spot minutes.
Amar and Olah got a DNP CD beside their names.
Pero looks pretty big..I am a fan when he is close to fit, but not sure if he is a good fit with this short team.




Mate pero is half the size he was last season and add in the other workhorse Vikona with Petrie and thats pretty decent just a lil undersized. Development spots are most likely going 2 Gleeson & Jeffries if you watched last nite.
One of the best back courts in the league - Gibson & Harvey and will see both imports prob coming off the bench!!

[Spartans NBL contract]

Drew Williamson from Brisbane Spartans picked up NBL contract with Perth Wildcats today. Well done mate.

[Unregistered]

Wouldn't know who was on most of the teams.

Is there going to be any TV coverage?

Did anyone watch 60 minutes last night about soccer in Australia? What a inspiration pity they weren't talking about basketball in Australia. Basketball is more exciting then Soccer. Thats what we need a billionaire who isn't in it for the money but for the sport and the fans.

[Mr bEn]

Soccer's not doing too well at the moment. I think they expanded the competition too quickly, Palmer will lose a squillon this year. Would work for them if they were all playing out of 10,000 capacity stadiums, but alas.

[Unregistered]

Did anyone watch 60 minutes last night about soccer in Australia? What a inspiration pity they weren't talking about basketball in Australia. Basketball is more exciting then Soccer. Thats what we need a billionaire who isn't in it for the money but for the sport and the fans.

i belive he is doing more harm than good for soccer buying a championship only turns away fans

[Unregistered]

i belive he is doing more harm than good for soccer buying a championship only turns away fans
To a point but it also helps galvanise the "lifers" to come up with ways to overthrow the silver tails. Has happened across a few sports and a bit like the age old "Brisbane Basketball" scenario (LOL!)

[Unregistered]

can someone send me a pic of this sean gleeson =
stretchy_24@yahoo.co.uk

in fact any of the development squad blaze are putting on

thanx

[Unregistered]

Used to coach on the Goldy when Gleeson was a junior and the biggest headache an opposition coach could have when playing Palm Beach. (Well Jessie White and the Tippets were no easy task either but at least they were a bit predictable) Gleeson however was this kid who had blinding speed and athleticism and could find a lane to the basket seemingly whenever he felt like it. Uncanny, unpredictable and exciting to watch. Coaching against him you just had to hope he'd go too far and miss the open shooter that his drives created.
Saw him play against St Marys the other night but and he's developed heaps. Guy jumps and plays about a foot higher than he should be able to , defends tenaciously and has better court vision than the younger version. Great that he's stuck with it through different "times" on the Coast and sensational that the Blaze have recognised this exciting local talent.

[phenom_54]

hi all i ve just regestered and started a private league for any one keen to join

details are

queensland league : your league code: 716930

each league is limited to 10 so its first in

here is a link

http://nbl.virtualsports.com.au/?p=index

[Unregistered]

hi all i ve just regestered and started a private league for any one keen to join

details are

queensland league : your league code: 716930

each league is limited to 10 so its first in

Sounds Fun,

What address/site is it through so I can go join up

[phenom_54]

Sounds Fun,

What address/site is it through so I can go join up

my bad

http://nbl.virtualsports.com.au/?p=index

[Unregistered]

my bad

http://nbl.virtualsports.com.au/?p=index

8 spots left

[Unregistered]

That's one tough Salary Cap on that League. You certainly couldn't put an actual NBL squad in there, especially Melbourne or New Zealand.

[phenom_54]

That's one tough Salary Cap on that League. You certainly couldn't put an actual NBL squad in there, especially Melbourne or New Zealand.

i believe it is more than the nbl cap teams have 900,000 ( i cant remember what it actulay is ) in thier cap where as you get 1 million even in this.

update 6 spots left

[Unregistered]

i believe it is more than the nbl cap teams have 900,000 ( i cant remember what it actulay is ) in thier cap where as you get 1 million even in this.

update 6 spots left

The $1,000,000 is more than the $900,000 NBL teams are allowed, but I don't know that those figures are right for what everyone would be earning. Can't see some of the guys making that much.

[phenom_54]

update:1 week left to enter

still 6 spots left

[phenom_54]

come all 5 spots dont let a kiwi show up you aussies in an nbl challenge..

5 spots left

i know im baiting but how dam hard is it to get 9 people off this site to join in

[Unregistered]

nbl closes 5pm thursday

5 spots left

[phenom_54]

comer one people last day to enter 5 spots left

what happen to the ben does experts??????

[Unregistered]

So who has any early predictions for top 4 teams, and then an early season winner?

1. New Zealand
2. Melbourne
3. Perth
4. Townsville

With winner to be NZ (and no im not a kiwi)

[Mr bEn]

Watched my first game of the season last night. Wouldn't have even known it was on if I didn't accidentally stumble across it. Here are my thoughts:

Melbourne @ Gold Coast

- I liked the actual Fox broadcast. Shane Heal and the other bloke worked well together and I really didn't mind listening to them

- Stadium looked half-empty. Fox Sports is doing basketball in QLD no favours whatsoever by forcing broadcasted games to be played an hour earlier than what they normally would. In reality, the game would've probaby been 3/4 full if it had tipped off at a more reasonable time of 7:30 or even 8pm

- I liked the coverage Goulding got before the game. Great to see a local-bred product flourishing in the media spotlight - he will become a fan favourite soon enough. Probably had his best game in the L so far last night

- Still not a fan of ten-minute quarters. Anybody know if teams are charging less for admission?

- Can't believe Pero started the match, let alone still has a playing spot. He never has played well in the NBL, and with the league becoming even quicker this season, he will never ever fit in and contribute at a decent rate

- New import Maxey impressed me. Certainly not flasy by any means, but smart and crafty enough to be a consistent scorer

- Vanderjagt did well in limited minutes, and his spurt in the third quarter helped the Blaze poke their nose ahead (ultimately for the rest of the game). Thought he deserved more time

- Ubaka was handy in coming off the bench for the Blaze, I think he is a good fit for the Blaze.

- Great unsportsmanlike call when Demos was going to the rack on a fastbreak, I think it was Greer who got him. Al Westover went off on Mayberry about it, but the call was absolutely perfect. If the refs remain consistent on that, it should open fastbreaks up to being a spectacle more frequently.

- For someone of his talent, Mackinnon was a ghost!

I am aware the Blaze have been below average, but if they play like they did last night, I certainly won't hesitate to get along and check out my fair share of action.

[Unregistered]

Ben, just to correct a couple of points. Last wks TV game was Blaze Vs Cairns, bubbles had a huge first qtr with a huge dunk of a drive, blew past Vale, drove split and eveyone expected a dish but he drained it. Finished the qtr with 8 points in like 4 minutes. The dunk was the nights highlight reel. That was probably the reason he was interviewed last night, being a local.
Just to add from that game, Phil Aherns reffed with Scotty and ?, have never been a big Phil fan as a ref, but did a great job as did the other two.
Not a fan of the 10 min qtrs at all, the rotations are crammed and guys like Teys & Amour are not even going to get junk minutes with such a rush. The only way young guys are going to get any time at all is with the 5 fouls (which I don't like either). The season has been somewhat very low key and with only 8 teams, 3 of which are in Qld also a little boring. If we don't get all the capital cities back into the comp soon, I feel the whole thing could fall and fall quickly. Lat weeks game in Cairns was also poorly attended.

[Unregistered]

Watched my first game of the season last night. Wouldn't have even known it was on if I didn't accidentally stumble across it. Here are my thoughts:

Melbourne @ Gold Coast

- I liked the actual Fox broadcast. Shane Heal and the other bloke worked well together and I really didn't mind listening to them

- Stadium looked half-empty. Fox Sports is doing basketball in QLD no favours whatsoever by forcing broadcasted games to be played an hour earlier than what they normally would. In reality, the game would've probaby been 3/4 full if it had tipped off at a more reasonable time of 7:30 or even 8pm

- I liked the coverage Goulding got before the game. Great to see a local-bred product flourishing in the media spotlight - he will become a fan favourite soon enough. Probably had his best game in the L so far last night

- Still not a fan of ten-minute quarters. Anybody know if teams are charging less for admission?

- Can't believe Pero started the match, let alone still has a playing spot. He never has played well in the NBL, and with the league becoming even quicker this season, he will never ever fit in and contribute at a decent rate

- New import Maxey impressed me. Certainly not flasy by any means, but smart and crafty enough to be a consistent scorer

- Vanderjagt did well in limited minutes, and his spurt in the third quarter helped the Blaze poke their nose ahead (ultimately for the rest of the game). Thought he deserved more time

- Ubaka was handy in coming off the bench for the Blaze, I think he is a good fit for the Blaze.

- Great unsportsmanlike call when Demos was going to the rack on a fastbreak, I think it was Greer who got him. Al Westover went off on Mayberry about it, but the call was absolutely perfect. If the refs remain consistent on that, it should open fastbreaks up to being a spectacle more frequently.

- For someone of his talent, Mackinnon was a ghost!

I am aware the Blaze have been below average, but if they play like they did last night, I certainly won't hesitate to get along and check out my fair share of action.

Iyou follow basketball enough you would know when the NBL games are being televised by going to the NBL website - the whole season's schedule for TV is there.

As for attendances, perhaps they should delay the home town coverage by a few hours, like they did (not sure if they still do) with cricket. Having said that, yes it is difficult for fans to get to Wednesday night games for the 6:30 pm start and I would also prefer 7:30 or 8pm but I guess it has to fit in with their programming.

[Unregistered]

Iyou follow basketball enough you would know when the NBL games are being televised by going to the NBL website - the whole season's schedule for TV is there.

As for attendances, perhaps they should delay the home town coverage by a few hours, like they did (not sure if they still do) with cricket. Having said that, yes it is difficult for fans to get to Wednesday night games for the 6:30 pm start and I would also prefer 7:30 or 8pm but I guess it has to fit in with their programming.

If you follow basketball it is hard no links available at times the idea is to bring new people who don't follow I didn't like NRL but seeing on tv all the time and nothing else to watch made learn to enjoy the game. Thats what basketball need to do. In people faces all the time.

[Unregistered]

Anyone got any predictions for this weeks games?

[Mr bEn]

I enjoy watching any beating of Melbourne, but tonight's game was even better watching the 'local' boys (Trigger, TC, Rhys) play with confidence. All three played solid parts in the Hawkies win too:

Trig - 17/3
TC - 11/6
Rhys - 5/3/9 and no turnovers

Good inspiration for other up and comers looking to breaking in the league, especially with all the rosters focused on budget options.

[Unregistered]

Iyou follow basketball enough you would know when the NBL games are being televised by going to the NBL website - the whole season's schedule for TV is there.

As for attendances, perhaps they should delay the home town coverage by a few hours, like they did (not sure if they still do) with cricket. Having said that, yes it is difficult for fans to get to Wednesday night games for the 6:30 pm start and I would also prefer 7:30 or 8pm but I guess it has to fit in with their programming.

they do it for the tv pubic in nsw and victoria whom combined have 2 teams in the comp where we in qld have to rush home then rush out for an early tip off when we have the 3 teams.

if you lived in perth the game is on at 4:30pm its time the nbl says to fox not all about sydney and melbourne and just have all games tip off at 7:30pm local. at it also a shoty tv deal when you only get selected games on when they televise every single boring a league game.

the nbl should look to have and televised a wed night game a thursday night double header ( when the breakers have a home game you can have that and an nbl show then the second game + a friday and saturday night game. even running a double header with the east coast and perth. catering to every market will increase numbers not pandering to two states who dont really support the league in its present form. disclamier pot shots at vic and nsw are not aim at the hawks and tigers more so at the other regions of theose two states.

[Mr bEn]

the nbl should look to have and televised a wed night game a thursday night double header ( when the breakers have a home game you can have that and an nbl show then the second game + a friday and saturday night game. even running a double header with the east coast and perth. catering to every market will increase numbers not pandering to two states who dont really support the league in its present form. disclamier pot shots at vic and nsw are not aim at the hawks and tigers more so at the other regions of theose two states.

Let the Breakers have their Thursday night games, but everybody else should be playing on a Fri/Sat/Sun to not only attract viewership, but bums on seats at the actual games. I loathe that they are still persisting with the horrible Wednesday schedule. Wollongong has had the last two Wednesday games. They've won both, but have conceded they've lost a great deal of $$$ through people not coming to the game because of the day it's being played.

[Unregistered]

Queensland teams have been given the option to tip off at 7:30 instead of the usual 6:30 tip off for all live foxsports games. I know Blaze have taken the offer and I think Cairns, Townsville from what I`ve heard is happy to stick with their 6:30 games.
It`s great to hear fox is trying to work with these Qld clubs that have been stressing about these early games.
So Blaze on friday 13th, saturday 21st and 9th December will be tipping off at 7:30.

[Mr bEn]

Watched the Cats and the Snakes last night. Not sure if anyone else picked up on it, but Fearne's body language was terrible to say the least - didn't look like he wanted to be there one bit.

I'm not a coach by any means, but I think the team is underdone as well - I reckon Melzer in particular could be used more effectively, he should be carving shiz up.

[Mr bEn]

Great win for the Blaze last night, coming back from 18 down at 1/2 time, to win by a few.

Taipans claimed a big upset, winning in Melbourne. Excellent win for the club, but Fearne still looked like he'd stood in a bucket of cow pats ... is he ever happy ?!?! :)

[Unregistered]

Great win for the Blaze last night, coming back from 18 down at 1/2 time, to win by a few.

Taipans claimed a big upset, winning in Melbourne. Excellent win for the club, but Fearne still looked like he'd stood in a bucket of cow pats ... is he ever happy ?!?! :)
When Jawais writing him 6 digit "management fee" cheques apparently.

[The Joker]

Great win for the Blaze last night, coming back from 18 down at 1/2 time, to win by a few.

Taipans claimed a big upset, winning in Melbourne. Excellent win for the club, but Fearne still looked like he'd stood in a bucket of cow pats ... is he ever happy ?!?! :)

Blaze game was definitely a game of 2 different halves. First half the blaze couldnt buy a basket. They continuously put up poor shots from outside that never looked liked going in, missed vanderjagt inside. Where as perth scored with ease either inside or out. With redhage putting up 20pts in the first half.

Then it reversed itself, especially in the third where I think perth only scored 4pts. Everyone for perth went real quiet with redhage only putting up 4 pts in the second half.

[Mr bEn]

Caught my first game of live ball this afternoon when the Blaze hosted the Hawks.

Pedestrian affair for three quarters, but came alive in the last when McKee when nuts for 18 points to bring the Hawks back from an eleven-point defecit whilst Ubaka matched him with a similar haul in a scoring frenzy.

Bubbles was on song all game hitting a number of clutch shots, including a tough turnaround jumper from the top of the key when the Hawks were threatening. On the other side of the ledger fellow QLDers Trigger and Behrendorff had decent games, Timmy C was quiet-ish and Rhys had a forgettable performance.

With the great on-court product the Blaze have at the moment, it's a shame they are lacking the off-court polish. Entertainment is unimaginative and boring, and having one food/bev counter in the whole centre to cater to 2500+ doesn't cut it. At least the parking is still cheap.

Any refs catch the game? I thought Gibbo's unsportsmanlike and Campbell's charge were very rough.

[Unregistered]

Caught my first game of live ball this afternoon when the Blaze hosted the Hawks.
With the great on-court product the Blaze have at the moment, it's a shame they are lacking the off-court polish. Entertainment is unimaginative and boring, and having one food/bev counter in the whole centre to cater to 2500+ doesn't cut it. At least the parking is still cheap.
.
The on court product is a direct reflection of the excellent management team Owen and Katie have assembled and activated in key roles. Think you'll find the Blaze forming some strategic community partnerships with key groups which will further enhance the strangth of the fan base and support the on floor product even further.
Reckon the 'entertainment' is adequate though the music during the game is probably in excess of the Leagues policy...but everyones doing it, it wasnt televised and its Xmas, so what the...?!
Think everyone at the Blaze are just so happy to be putting such a good product together each week and hitting the top of the table is a timely Xmas reward for hard work.

[Mr bEn]

For anyone who wasn't fortunate enough to see the game last night on Fox, Rhys Martin put in his best NBL performance thus far in leading the Hawks to a G3 victory over the Crocs to put the Gong into the GF series vs Perth.

Team high 16pts on 7/8 shooting with 5 dimes. Trigger went 6/6 for 14pts and 5 boards.

[Unregistered]

More a true indication of those players and that teams true ability than that rather wierd display in Townsville I think.

[Cairns are in]

This is great for our sport. Can not tell you where I heard it but the gossip is usually spot on. Well done all in Cairns.

[Unregistered]

Well it would be interesting to know your source as Channel 7 local Cairns news last night said the NBL would make the announcement in two weeks' time.

[Media Release]

NBL TO REVEAL FUTURE COMPETITION FORMAT ON 18 MARCH

With the 2010 National Basketball League (NBL) Grand Final series currently in full swing and playing to sold-out crowds in Perth and Wollongong, Basketball Australia is poised to reveal the teams who will be granted a license to play in the 2010/11 season on Thursday March 18.


Basketball Australia (BA) Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock will make the announcement in Sydney, where BA’s head office is based, revealing the number of teams that will play next season and their geographic locations.


The NBL Commission is currently considering submissions from parties who have indicated they want to play in the revamped NBL competition next season and will soon make the final determination on which teams have satisfied the entry requirements.


“The Commission will now determine which of these current teams and other interested parties satisfy our entry criteria, and fit with our strategic plan for the continued growth of the NBL,” said Sengstock.


Sengstock said the number of teams who will play in season 2010/11 was still to be determined but that only teams that could prove their long-term financial viability to the satisfaction of the NBL Commission would be included.


“Ultimately it’s up to the NBL Commission to decide on whether, based on the merits of their submission, an application measures up to our criteria or if the inclusion of a team is in the best interests of the competition,” said Sengstock. “As a result, we don’t know if we will have eight teams next season, nine or ten until we have had the chance to analyse all submissions in detail and perform our due diligence.


“What is assured however is that we will only issue licenses to teams who can satisfy the NBL Commission that they are financially viable in the long-term,” Sengstock added. “That is absolutely critical for maintaining the stability of the league so that we can continue to grow.”


Eight teams competed in the NBL this season – the Hood Sweeney Adelaide 36ers, Skytrans Cairns Taipans, Gold Coast Blaze, OAMPS Melbourne Tigers, Burger King New Zealand Breakers, Perth Wildcats, Townsville McDonald’s Crocodiles and Wollongong ahm Hawks.


The NBL Commission has also announced that it will release the initial free agents list for 2010/11 fourteen days after the announcement of the teams, on 1 April. All current teams will have until that date to sign their existing contracted players at their current 2009/10 season Player Points Rankings for up to a three-year term. After 1 April all unsigned players will be declared free agents.


The 2010/11 NBL Season will tip-off in October 2010.



For more information:



Marc Howard

Basketball Australia

Manager - Media Communications & Internet

[CRACK]

courier mail says not this season due to finance!

[The Joker]

courier mail says not this season due to finance!

Crack could you please post a link for that story?

Thanks

[darkjedi]

NBL signs deal with Network Ten
March 26, 2010, 03:47 PM AEST

By: NBL
ONE and TEN the new home of Australian basketball

Following a thrilling 2009/10 National Basketball League season that marked a renaissance for the NBL and just days after announcing the rebirth of the Sydney Kings, Basketball Australia have unveiled a new broadcast deal with Network Ten and its digital sports channel ONE.

In a move that is set to offer a wide array of commercial opportunities for the NBL, BA has signed a five-year deal to show games live on both ONE and TEN nationally through to the end of the 2014/15 NBL season.

Basketball Australia Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock said the new deal was a great opportunity for future growth of the NBL.

“As a league the NBL has undertaken to reshape itself over the past two years in order to allow us to reform the sport commercially,” said Sengstock. “This commitment from ONE and TEN is a massive vote of confidence in the advances we have made recently.

“Coming on top of the success of the 2009/10 season with its 5% increase in attendance and sold-out Grand Final series as well as the recent announcement of the return of the Sydney Kings to the competition for 2010/11, this deal is fantastic news for the NBL and basketball in general.”

“Partnering with ONE and TEN will provide the NBL with significant and valuable cross-promotional opportunities and will be very attractive to sponsors and other prospective commercial partners,” Sengstock added.

Network Ten General Manager - Sport David White added: “We are very pleased to be partnering with basketball in Australia and we recognise all the hard work that has been going into the reformation of the NBL. Of course the NBL provides ONE and TEN with great sports content we can showcase throughout the summer months.”

Live coverage of the NBL will grow over the term of the agreement, starting with a minimum of two live games a week on either ONE or TEN in 20010/11 and increasing to five games per round in the final year of the contract.

As per standard Basketball Australia practice the financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

HELL YES!

[Mr bEn]

That is great. When I heard that games would be broadcast on ONE, I thought it was just be re-hashed Fox games from the previous day.

If this doesn't pump up our chances of getting Brisbane back into the comp in 2011/12, then nothing will.

[Unregistered]

That is great. When I heard that games would be broadcast on ONE, I thought it was just be re-hashed Fox games from the previous day.

If this doesn't pump up our chances of getting Brisbane back into the comp in 2011/12, then nothing will.


That should be true Ben, but until some besides BQ looks at the Bullets, nothing will ever happen, well nothing but a poor excuse should I say.

[Unregistered]

Are the Tigers really that bad? Will they improve as the season goes on?