NBL Thread

[Andrew]

It certainly has its rabid followers but I don't think basketball is as big as it used to be in Australia. I'd say the Boomers getting no closer to a medal, the collapse of the NBL and lack of NBA coverage on FTA has a lot to do with that.

[Fresh8]

All of that influences each other I guess. Bball really took off in early 90s due to national team success and a 'face' you can put to basketball (ie. Andrew Gaze). But at the grassroots, there is so much more participation than 5-6 years ago... they just need a way to keep that interest going as kids get older.

[Andrew]

I'm out of the loop when it comes to local comps so I haven't really seen that firsthand. There doesn't seem to be the same enthusiasm for the professional game though, perhaps the absence of a recognisable "face" has a lot to do with that but we do have Andrew Bogut, who is extremely significant as the NBA's only Aussie and the first Aussie to be selected first overall in the Draft. There's also a plethora of young stars in the NBA right now that can draw fans the same way Michael Jordan and co did back in the 90s. I guess you need those faces locally as well though.

[Fresh8]

What did Gaze have that Bogut doesn't? But I guess we also had other players back in the day like Longley and Heal and the Boomers were consistently threatening for bronze medals at international meets from the mid 90s onwards...

[Andrew]

Gaze was widely recognised as the best player in a league, whereas Bogut is certainly a good player but can't yet be fairly considered top three at his position, let alone the entire league he plays in.

[Fresh8]

Did Gaze really lift the Boomers or was it a team effort? What's your opinion on that?

[Andrew]

I wouldn't call it a solo effort, the Boomers of the 90s did boast some of the best players to ever represent Australia in basketball but Gaze was definitely at the forefront of those efforts.

[Fresh8]

You still work in the bookstore? Have you looked at the new Brett Maher book? Looks like worth reading...

[Andrew]

Haven't worked there in over three years.

[The X]

For new teams, I'd suggest:

2 x Victoria (Tigers & Dragons)
1 x NZ (Breakers)
1 x WA (Wildcats)
1 x SA (36ers)
3 x NSW (Kings, Hawks, Newcastle/Central Coast)
2 x Qld (Bullets & Blaze/Townsville)

But I suspect they may only start with 8 teams ala NBL, which would mean Tigers, Breakers, Wildcats, 36ers, Kings & Bullets as definites....the other 2 I guess will be based on geographic regions not covered & necessary backing....

[shadowgrin]

Why is the Australian basketball team called the "Boomers" ?

[Andrew]

Why is the Australian basketball team called the "Boomers" ?

"Boomer" refers to an adult male kangaroo, which of course is a symbol of Australia which is also used in the Boomers' logos.

For new teams, I'd suggest:

2 x Victoria (Tigers & Dragons)
1 x NZ (Breakers)
1 x WA (Wildcats)
1 x SA (36ers)
3 x NSW (Kings, Hawks, Newcastle/Central Coast)
2 x Qld (Bullets & Blaze/Townsville)

But I suspect they may only start with 8 teams ala NBL, which would mean Tigers, Breakers, Wildcats, 36ers, Kings & Bullets as definites....the other 2 I guess will be based on geographic regions not covered & necessary backing....

Sounds pretty good to me, that way you're covering a fair amount of cities/regions with history in the NBL and the most populous cities in the country.

[eddieevans]

Just letting you guys know about some of the "Underground" media that the NBL has, check some of it out!


Magazines
Handle Magazine http://www.handlemag.com.au/
Hoopcity Magazine http://www.hoopcity.com.au

Stores
Kickz101 http://www.kickz101.com.au/
Swish http://www.swishonline.com.au/

TV
Fox Sports http://nbl.com.au/site/_content/document/00006180-source.pdf

Radio
http://nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=74435
891 ABC (Adelaide)
4CA-FM (Cairns)
Tigers Radio (Melbourne)
Radio Sport (New Zealand
Sport FM 91.3 (Perth)
4TO FM (Townsville)

Forums
http://www.ozhoopsboards.com/
http://www.hoops.com.au/sa/i.cfm
http://www.aussiebball.com/
http://www.freewebs.com/southdragons/
http://sportal.com.au/basketball

Youtube
http://au.youtube.com/user/nblbball
http://au.youtube.com/user/NBLonUtube
http://au.youtube.com/user/AiRcAmErOn
http://au.youtube.com/user/ryaninoz
http://au.youtube.com/user/southdragonstv

[Fresh8]

I'm quite disappointed in Julius Hodges walking out on the Sixers... apparantly there was a payment dispute but the team paid him late and he still walked out on the club. Great player but hope he never plays in the NBL again. Sounds like he was a total ass about it.

[Andrew]

I read that on RealGM. I could understand him no-showing if he hadn't been paid at all but once the dispute had been resolved and amends made, to walk out like that is quite unprofessional. I personally wouldn't go so far as to say that I hope he never plays in the NBL again, if he makes amends for it and the club is satisfied with the situation then so be it but it's not the way to do business.

[Fresh8]

He was paid because club opened a bank account in Australia for him and paid him but he still walked out. No class.

Well, the whole playing group didn't want him back so doubt he would be back. I agree with their coach who said, 'You can't turn your back on your team mates.' I can see both sides of the story but I still think Hodges should have let his agent handle the money side (or someone like a lawyer to do that) and he should have just sucked it up and kept playing.

As for not letting him play again, guys of his calibar are always welcome to the NBL but don't think he is anymore.

[Andrew]

I guess, but I'd leave it up to a team to take the risk. It doesn't seem like Adelaide wants him back and understandably so, but if someone else was willing to overlook the matter and sign him, so be it.

[AMenace]

The NBL is doomed. Lack of audience and interest just shows how basketball is like in Australia. No wonder we don't have any superstars in the NBA. And they should show games on free to air tv, i'm just lucky that I got Foxtel for Christmas so I can watch the NBA.

[Andrew]

Scouts seem pretty high up on Patrick Mills though. If he makes the NBA as many predict then that could give us two players of reasonable significance in the NBA.

[AMenace]

Patrick Mills is a good player. Scouts should look at the Aus vs USA game at the olympics. He played well, and because of who he played, there is no reason why he couldn't be big in the NBA. Thanks for reminding me Andrew.

[The X]

Paddy Mills will be a backup PG in NBA....I see him maybe a little better than a poor man's Jameer Nelson....but if he improves his shot & cuts his turnovers down, then he could have a good NBA career....

[Andrew]

Mike Krzyzewski gave him a ringing endorsement after the Olympic tournament. Here's hoping.

[The X]

Speedy Claxton might be a good NBA comparison for him....I hope he does do well though

[Matthew]

I have much higher expectations for Mills. I think he could effect a game in a similar way to how Chris Paul did before his Sampson-like performance last season. If he fine tunes his outside shooting, he could be something really special.

[The X]

I'm thinking that he's also probably more suited to the NBA style of play rather than college, which should help him....