NBL Rd.16: Hawks take flight as Phoenix phall
ILLAWARRA effectively put a two-game break between itself and fellow NBL Final Four aspirant South East Melbourne in Round 16, while also leaving Tasmania with no margin for error in what now looks a lost playoffs cause for the gritty JackJumpers. Duop Reath enjoyed arguably his best round in setting up the wins.
Bob's Corner: Russia violates Convention with Griner
BOB'S CORNER: In light of Russia's unprovoked war on Ukraine, it should come as no surprise the detention in Moscow of star American centre Brittney Griner is contrary to the Geneva Convention, as reported here by our USA correspondent Bob Craven, along with a great general weekend read.
B&B: Lanard on the line and ready to rock
BRAD Rosen and I have been hoping to secure this week's guest, the one and only Lanard Copeland - his #21 singlet retired by the Melbourne Tigers - for our Brad&Boti podcast since we launched, and he finally relented. Copes, the man who played NBA before creating a lifelong NBL legacy, takes us through his entire journey.
NBL Rd16: Big 3 to impact Top Four

IT'S a big round as always coming up for the NBL but three significant fixtures will go a long way toward sorting the wheat from the chaff in the run to the Final Four, South East Melbourne and Illawarra involved in two of them. One of them may well be in the doghouse before Round 16 concludes.
Why does the NBL need an "Indigenous Round"?
THE NBL's more recent innovation of an "Indigenous Round" is a step I fully understand and completely endorse, even though there is a way our league could do it better. Our sport doesn't need an Indigenous Round the way the AFL does, for example.
TOTW Rd15: I See Red, I See Red, I See Red
LOOK out doom predictors and naysayers. The Perth Wildcats are back, winning road games in Melbourne, Brisbane and Hobart, maybe even saving their best for last in that epic overtime extravaganza against New Zealand where "you-know-who" stepped up to save the day. Bryce time? Perth time.
NBL Rd.15: Wow. Wildcats back in business
THREE massive road wins including toppling the NBL leaders and defending champs and an overtime conclusion has Perth Wildcats already back in serious championship contention, and that's ahead of nine home games at The Jungle to close their regular season.
Bob's Bonus: Pop alone at the top
BOB'S BONUS: Following on from yesterday's "Bob's Corner", US correspondent Bob Craven reports today that San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich now is alone at the top of the NBA's coaching winners' tree. (And Jock Landale isn't doing too badly, either.)
Bob's Corner: Ben hears it in Philly
BOB'S CORNER: BEN Simmons made it back to Philadelphia this week, standing with his new team Brooklyn and with Patty Mills at his side, our US correspondent Bob Craven among most NBA pundits far from surprised at the reception he received from his former fans.
NBL Rd15: Triple threat for Wildcats
PERTH generally is being hailed as one of the more likely teams to contest the NBL playoffs, given its favourable run of home games to come. But at 10-6, three road games this round easily could throw Bryce Cotton's team back into the mix and on the precipice of finals spectator status.

