Basketball On The Internet.

LOOK out! The NBL is back and even though many of us thought 2025-26 was going to be a season to remember, the potential of Season 2026-27 looms even larger with a third quality guard joining the ranks of Bryce Cotton and Kendric Davis as United unveils their NBA coup signing Cole Anthony.

Anthony runs into the league's six-time and reigning MVP Cotton in his first outing which surely will bring many more sets of eyes onto that Melbourne-Adelaide season-opening fixture.

I wouldn't be surprised if that's why the AFL scheduled its preliminary final between Hawthorn and Brisbane at the MCG as a twilight fixture, rather than risk losing further spectators to John Cain Arena!

OK, maybe that's a stretch but adding Anthony, at 26 and with an NBA season where he averaged 16ppg under his belt, only enhances the NBL's global reputation.

Brisbane suiting Lithuanian backcourt wizard Arnas Vilecka also should not go unnoticed, Perth finally addressing its own deficiencies at PG also possibly solved this week with the signing of veteran Brandon Knight.

"The guy has eyes in the back of his head," Brisbane Bullets stalwart and NBL icon Brian Kerle observed of Vilecka after attending a recent training session. "I won't be surprised if he sets some new assists records."

What an off-season it has been. No, there hasn't been a move as big or as shocking as Bryce Cotton transferring from Perth to Adelaide last year but how big a coup for the 36ers was securing Trevor Gleeson as coach?

Gordon Herbert at New Zealand is the reigning FIBA World Cup championship coach after taking Germany to the holy grail. Melbourne has taken a chance - no pun intended - on young buck Jacob Chance and the Bullets reached out to Will Weaver in a bid to alter their ongoing misfortunes.

Is this the best coaching crew of all time?

Well, no. Unquestionably it is genuinely of high quality but even a look at a random season 20 years ago sees our main coaches were Phil Smyth, Joey Wright, Adrian Hurley, Al Westover, Andrej Lemanis, Brian Goorjian, Ian Stacker, Brendan Joyce. Championship winners, national coaches - it's a pretty solid group for a random year.

Currently Chance, John Rillie at Perth, Adam Forde (Cairns), Weaver - their resumes are promising but the proof is in a pudding which has not yet tasted the ultimate.

Goorjian, Gleeson, Justin Tatum, Scott Roth and Herbert all have tasted titles and South East's Josh King is not far away.

So who is jumping out of the blocks in Round 1?

Melbourne v Adelaide - The 36ers only made one substantial on-court change, DJ Vasiljevic to NZ. (Sure, you can mention Bul Kuol but after a torn ACL, he's largely irrelevant until January.) Right now, Adelaide should be further ahead in identifying and knowing roles which should give it a slight edge. Unless Joe Ingles gets into their heads.

Perth v South East: With latest signing PG Brandon Knight unlikely to suit for the Wildcats, new Phoenix architect Skylar Mays gives them an advantage in organisation. Both clubs have some excellent pieces with SEM's commitment to defence possibly a key final factor.

New Zealand v Illawarra: It's going to take Gordon Herbert a little while to assert his imprint on this Breakers team which leaves the door ajar for a Hawks great escape. The interior battle of the Sams - Mennenga v Froling - looms largely but the late loss to injury of NZ import Josiah-James Jordan suggests an opening for the visitors.

Sydney v Cairns: Time for the Kings to roll out the championship banner and hand a couple of rings to new Taipans Shaun Bruce and Jaylin Galloway. Bruce, Sunday Dech and Jonah Bolden add to Cairns' depth but their best days are in the rearview mirror. Having Torrey Craig from Day 1 and a batch of exciting young faces implies a double Sydney celebration.

Tasmania v South East: If the Phoenix win in Perth, the JackJumpers will be primed to spoil the picnic in Hobart. Provided the bulk of Scott Roth's rotation is healthy, this could be a rude awakening for Nathan Sobey and Co.

Brisbane v New Zealand: With one game already tucked away, the Breakers will be marginally further along as they lob into Brisbane. (Do these two clubs still compete for the Andrej Lemanis Cup?) If this is the dawn of a new age for the Bullets, then it really needs to start with a home win.

*Final Six: Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Tasmania, South East Melbourne, Perth. (*Not necessarily in order)

MVP: Cole Anthony (United)

Referee of the Year: Whose turn is it?