Ways to improve the NBL

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Ways to improve the NBL

Postby Andrew on Mon Nov 03, 2003 10:13 pm

I know we already have a general NBL discussion thread, but I thought I'd create another one dedicated to a specific topic - how Australia's professional basketball league could be improved.

Greater Visibility

Get the league back on free to air, even if it's just home games in the cities that have an NBL team. I know over in the States, local television networks carry games for the home team in addition to appearances on national television. It's a shame they couldn't do the same thing over here. There has to be some coverage on FTA, because right now the league isn't popular enough for people to pay money to watch it on television.

Cater for all fans

I was watching Pirate TV last week - it's the first time I've watched it. It's not bad, shows a couple of highlights and whatnot, but it's aimed at younger fans (strange given it's shown at 11:30 PM). A weekly recap/highlight show would be nice; older fans need more serious coverage of the league.

Player Movement

Nothing generates fan interest and discussion like player movement. There are no player trades in the NBL, and coverage of free agency is pretty limited. Something similar to the NBA Draft wouldn't be bad either. It might even lead to league expansion...

League Expansion

A couple more teams might be in order. The fewer teams, the smaller the fanbase.

Some sort of All-Star event

Somehow split the league so there's two All-Star teams, or assemble two fairly equal teams consisting of the best 24 players in the league, and stage an All-Star contest. Get people interested in the names, let those 24 guys put on a show.

Acknowledge the league's history

I went to nbl.com.au, and I couldn't believe how little they had to say about the history of the league. They had lists of all-time award winners, which was nice, but no all-time statistics. They mentioned that Andrew Gaze was the all-time leader in both points and assists, but they didn't mention specific totals or lists. Career stats for individual players are also nowhere to be found.

I think there'd be much more interest in the league if we knew more about it. Respect for the game's history leaves much to be desired.

Find a good playoff format, and stick with it

Something similar to both the NBA and NCAA would be perfect. Have eight teams qualify for the playoffs, matching up as follows:

Quarter Finals
1st vs 8th
2nd vs 7th
3rd vs 6th
4th vs 5th

Semi Finals
Winner of 1st vs 8th vs Winner of 4th vs 5th
Winner of 2nd vs 7th vs Winner of 3rd vs 6th

Grand Final
Winner of 1st/8th vs 4th/5th
vs
Winner of 2nd/7th vs 3rd/6th

Games should be best of five throughout, and at the very least, the Grand Final should be best of five.

Anymore ideas? Comments on mine?
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Postby Jay-Peso on Tue Nov 04, 2003 8:38 am

I was wondering....does the NBL have a lot of good competion or no?
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Postby Tubarney on Tue Nov 04, 2003 6:57 pm

Greater Visibility

We really need this. The only time I ever see a game is when I actually go there ( like 3 times a season). WOW! they show 10 seconds of highlights on the late news at midnight when everyone is asleep. (N) I bet most australians couldn't even name 3 nbl teams, yet alone a player other than shane heal or andrew gaze.

Player Movement

the nbl needs this, it just make the league that much more exciting. Right now its almost boring. I wish it had a draft, maybe i could enter it :D .

League Expansion

League needs to get stronger before doing this i think, but it would be good anyway.

Find a good playoff format, and stick with it

I can't even remember how our playoffs are done. :(
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Postby Andrew on Tue Nov 04, 2003 9:31 pm

Tubarney wrote:I bet most australians couldn't even name 3 nbl teams, yet alone a player other than shane heal or andrew gaze.


I probably could, but I'd also have to ask "Does he still play?" :wink: And that's the problem.

Tubarney wrote:League needs to get stronger before doing this i think, but it would be good anyway.


True. You couldn't make all of the changes I suggested at once. First they'd have to increase visibility and make a couple of changes to the game and the coverage to increase the fanbase, then they could look at adding all-star events, new teams, etc.
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Postby Nick on Wed Nov 05, 2003 9:40 am

I was thinking of starting a petition to channel 10 or ABC or something to get NBL back on FTA again. Interested?
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Postby Andrew on Wed Nov 05, 2003 12:44 pm

It can't hurt. (Y)
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Postby Nick on Wed Nov 05, 2003 12:53 pm

The trouble is, i have no idea where to start. :oops:

Do ya reckon ABC or channel 10 would be most likely to show NBL? I guess we could write to both...but i am really keen to get a petition started. (Y)
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Postby Andrew on Wed Nov 05, 2003 12:59 pm

ABC is more likely.
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Postby Tubarney on Wed Nov 05, 2003 4:30 pm

Yeah the ABC is most likley to show it, I think they show some netball games, so why not basketball.
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Postby Wheels on Wed Nov 05, 2003 10:14 pm

ABC probably would be more likely, and better for me. Because Tasmania doesn't have Channel 10. Although I do have Austar, I would definitely like the NBL to be on free-to-air. The NBL needs to get more publicity, because it is a very good basketball league. There is a lot of excellent talent on show. I thoroughly enjoy watching the games on Fox Sports and can't wait until I go to Melbourne later this month and I can actually get to some matches.

The points you have made Andrew are very good.
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Postby Fresh8 on Fri Nov 07, 2003 9:14 pm

I know...this might sound gay...so don't rag me!

But to boost our domestic League's popularity...sign Chinese players! If we do, maybe more than half of China will tune in maybe, once a week or fortnight to watch them play. This would boost the league's popularity...a HELL lot! It is my opinion though! If we do that...FTA tv dudes will think, yeah...our NBL is popular overseas....let's show it and try and promote it...

And if they do that...maybe the NBL guys will go,"Yeah...people are interested, let's make this League more exciting!" Then they may include an All-Star Game! And change the Playoff Format, as you said Andrew.

My thoughts on an All-star game would to have two teams of twelve...how they are selected could be by coachs, and stuff....cause not I don't think there are too many hardcore NBL fans who would vote for there fave players! Maybe, they could split players with similar stats/ positions/size on two teams...to make them equal....

Also, the All-Star Game could be held at the END of the season....It's just a suggestion! For it to be held at the end of the season...could get fans to focus on the season, play-offs ...and then stay tuned foir the All-satr game...I dunno if mind games work...

And I agree with the point of League Expansion. Is it possible we could get at least 16-20 teams in the NBL? I'm not sure....oh well....And obviously, more news coverage of the League would definatly boost the League's Popularity...

But most changes to any sports league requires money...and the Government is really putting most of whaterver funds they have for sports- to soccer. So it won't be a while until we get a better NBL....and by that time...I'll probably be rich enough to get cable or somethin! So first...they need to get fans...then some money and leave the rest of the funds for Government Funding! :wink:
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Postby Fresh8 on Fri Nov 07, 2003 9:19 pm

Oh yeah- I forgot to mention...that since B/ball isn't "aussie" it isn't as popular as a Spectator Sport in Aus....I mean...AFL/ Rugby and Cricket all tend to force basketball out of the question of going on FTA tele!

I have to admit that not many ppl are Basketbal fans down under!
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Postby Power And Proud on Sun Dec 07, 2003 6:15 pm

Well there's no doubting I'm a huge basketball fan down here in good ol' Aussie. I've even got a website going for the NBL which is prolly better than www.nbl.com.au. Just need to get a historian to do a NBL History section on the site. Hell, Wheels has the best NBL stats available on the web, the site has a message board, which is extremely slow coz there is only 4 members. C'mon guys, come join!
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Postby Andrew on Sat Jan 03, 2004 2:58 pm

An article in Pro Basketball Today identified one of the biggest problems as being the way the league is marketed. They have a new slogan this year, something along the lines of "A great night of family entertainment with a game of basketball thrown in". Last night I saw an ad for the upcoming Pirates vs Taipans game, and the ad ended with that slogan.

The article said that this slogan is terrible, and I agree. Sure, casual fans need to know it's a great family night out. But as the writer (I believe it was Andrew Milgate) said, the basketball game should be the most important aspect of that night out.

The league is basically promoting itself as a carnival with basketball being one of the sideshows. It's very difficult to take the league seriously, which is a shame because I've been to NBL games and they have been entertaining...even if Newcastle has been beaten badly every time.
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Postby OrlandoMagic on Mon Jan 12, 2004 11:17 pm

Exactly Andrew, the game itself should be the most important aspect of the night. There needs to be a major reshuffle of how the game is promoted not only on TV but elsewhere like papers and magazines. Its needs to be promoted on non pay TV where people can see it. There needs to be programs running like in America.

A reshuffle needs to made with the rosters.

A draft needs to take place so the young talent can come through.

Possible inclusion of 2 or 3 more teams.

Split the league into divisions.

Have salary caps made aware, have contracted deals.

Make the season a little longer, teams playing more regularly.

Fix up some of the courts, damn they are ugly.

Fill the stadiums up with enthuisatic fans, make the stadiums a little bigger.
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Postby Andrew on Tue Jan 13, 2004 6:04 pm

The question is, is it possible? Do enough people care to make such moves by the NBL worthwhile? Basketball isn't given nearly enough respect in Australia, so the interest and attention isn't there.

Promoting a "fun night with a game of basketball thrown in" isn't necessarily a bad way to get casual fans to come, but it's no way to build a fanbase of rabid basketball enthusiasts. If you can afford pay TV, you might as well watch the NBA. The NBL cannot and should not compete with the NBA; the goal should be to make Australian basketball fans want to watch both.
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Postby Wheels on Tue Jan 13, 2004 7:30 pm

Andrew wrote:If you can afford pay TV, you might as well watch the NBA. The NBL cannot and should not compete with the NBA; the goal should be to make Australian basketball fans want to watch both.

In some ways I prefer watching the NBL than the NBA. The quality of the NBL is very high, but there is basically no promotion. Something does need to be done to attract more supporters.
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Postby OrlandoMagic on Tue Jan 13, 2004 10:19 pm

I think thr NBL has to promote the game Australian Wide, start up some NBL Basketball Programs, development programs, run sessions for kids around the states. It could work, i mean i know we have footy and rugby, but hey i still go to both Footy and NBL games, it doesnt bother me, the game (NBL) lacks atomosphere, we need bigger crowds. Promoting the game properly, with the right respect the league deserves to be successful and i still believe it will become big in Australia one day.
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Postby Dan's Brain on Tue Jan 13, 2004 11:15 pm

I think the best thing that's going to happen to the NBL will be when Andrew Bogut gets drafted in the NBA in the next couple of years. From what i've heard, he's doing a great job for the Utah Utes. He was MVP of the Under 21s tournament or something last year (the fact that i dont know what it's actually called has really proved our points)

A bit off topic, but i've got a bit of a claim on Bogut. He was in my year level at high school from years 7-10, and my locker was next to his in year 9. Year 10, he was only 6'4" (i use the word "only" very loosely). If he's 6'11" now, that's a lot he's grown in 4 years. After that, he went to the A.I.S.

He's a bit of a prick, but i definitely wish him all the best for his NBA aspirations.

Just looking for my old yearbook from that year. when i find it, i'll post a screenshot.
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Postby Andrew on Wed Jan 14, 2004 11:58 am

Wheels wrote:
Andrew wrote:If you can afford pay TV, you might as well watch the NBA. The NBL cannot and should not compete with the NBA; the goal should be to make Australian basketball fans want to watch both.

In some ways I prefer watching the NBL than the NBA. The quality of the NBL is very high, but there is basically no promotion. Something does need to be done to attract more supporters.


The best move would be to bring games back to free to air television. There isn't enough interest in the NBL for people to consider getting pay TV just so they can see the games. Once they get the interest, they can start doing the things that keep hardcore hoops fans hooked; the merchandise, the special events (like an All-Star Game) and league expansion.
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Postby Nick on Wed Jan 14, 2004 12:47 pm

Yep, i think televising it on FTA is definetly the first step.

Wow Tyson_03... that's really cool. :o You know an NBA prospect!!
(Y)
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Postby renegade on Fri Jan 16, 2004 7:51 pm

personally i want the nbl to become something great. it has soo much potential but just the brains behind it all can't produce the goods. they need to re think the whole league. and i agree with everything andrew said. But the thing is the nbl doesn't draw the crowds it used to and i rekon its going under fast. For example the Sydney kings being reignin champs you'd expect a pretty full house every game but they struggle to get the crowds in. anyhow nbl can improve if they market it more. :cool:
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Postby Andrew on Sat Jan 17, 2004 5:11 pm

Yes, that pretty much sums up the NBL's popularity; the reigning champs are having problems attracting fans to the games (and they're not the only club). It's going to be tough, but even the NBA was a relatively small operation to begin with. Exposure and sustained interest; the two things any professional sports league needs to survive.
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Postby Dan's Brain on Sun Jan 18, 2004 10:32 pm

Andrew wrote:Yes, that pretty much sums up the NBL's popularity; the reigning champs are having problems attracting fans to the games (and they're not the only club). It's going to be tough, but even the NBA was a relatively small operation to begin with. Exposure and sustained interest; the two things any professional sports league needs to survive.


I'm sure a few of you guys are PBT readers. Such is the state of the NBL's popularity in my area, that all of my surrounding newsagents have stopped stocking the magazine.

PBT is the best source of basketball info that this country has. The league needs exposure and advertising, and now we can't even get that exposure in the printed media.
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Postby Andrew on Mon Jan 19, 2004 4:27 pm

Basketball magazines are scarce these days. I only ever see PBT and Slam at my local newsagency. A few years ago there was a much wider selection. But that's bad news about your local newsagencies. Have you considered a subscription?
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