Basketball On The Internet.

THE NBL has a new CEO with Fraser Neill today officially taking up the challenge of continuing the steady rebuild of the brand.

He was pretty pumped about it too, as is NBL Pty Ltd which had a quality list of candidates to work through before arriving at its new man.

“There's no reason why the kids who are running around in Lakers singlets, or Celtic singlets, aren't running around in Kings singlets, Wildcats singlets and Tigers singlets,” Neill said today.

“That's what we've got to drive for and have heroes of our own within this country that the kids aspire to, that they can come and see and be the next generation that come through the league.”

The NBL still lacks a naming rights sponsor but was not prepared to sell itself short, as had previously been done.

The league is financially stable enough to operate comfortably until the right deal is secured.

“I've been through the budgets with the board and we're pretty confident we've got a robust budget that we can stick to,” Neill said.

“We're not going to sell ourselves short in any way. It is about the money but it's also about getting a true partnership with someone that's going to grow and promote the game along with us.”

Neill said bringing in a ninth team out of Brisbane was a top priority for the 2014-15 season.

“Expansion into Brisbane is a big priority for us, and then beyond that, other capital cities,” he said.

“We want to be the truly national game, with a team in every city if possible.”

For the news of his appointment, hit this link: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/basketball/former-nsw-rugby-union-boss-fraser-neill-to-charter-future-of-the-new-national-basketball-league/story-fnii09gt-1226735425615   

HAD the opportunity to chat on TAB Radio today with Hall of Fame legend and four-time NBL championship coach (St Kilda 1979-80, Brisbane 1985-87) Brian Kerle and the subject of a revived Brisbane franchise naturally arose.

As discussed previously, I personally have no issue with the return of the Bullets’ name and was a little surprised Kerley took the viewpoint of the NBA when Washington Bullets changed their nickname to Wizards.

It makes sense in the US, where the ridiculous rate of gun-related crimes and gun-murders, random shootings etcetera makes a “Bullets” nickname questionable.

But it is the USA, where the country was forged from a revolutionary war with England and had its own Civil War and consequently an ingrained gun culture.

When Brisbane Bullets launched in Australia in 1979, it was more about catchy alliteration than any gun-related imagery attached to the name.

The name in Queensland now represents an established brand and three championships in a distinguished 30-year history so I do not see it as an issue at all.

By the same token, if there was strong sensitivity to its retention because, even though we do not have a bullet-riddled populous, we are a part of a world torn apart by strife driven by guns, then fine, change it.

I’d still survey the folk of Brisbane first. I had “Brisbane Bounce” thrown at me today by Justin Gorrie on Twitter and it isn’t half bad.

If Brisbane rejects “Bullets”, surely a competition would be a smart way to immediately engage the city’s potential NBL community?

TALKING about Kerley, it never ceases to amaze me that whenever talk turns to dynasties - for example New Zealand and Sydney's threepeats - Brian's legacy gets lost a little.

Back in 1979, his St Kilda Saints were the fiercest and most respected club in the nation - and by a country mile.

St Kilda won the inaugural NBL title, then backed up winning again in 1980. It was on course for the historic first threepeat when it claimed the regular season championship with a 17-5 record, three wins clear of its nearest challenger.

Basketball Australia had an invite to send our best club team to what was planned to be the first World Club Championship down in Brazil and, naturally, St Kilda was asked to be that team.

The dates, however, clashed with the NBL finals - which could have been shifted - but the league at that time was desperate to break the Saints' stranglehold and happy to see them accept the international invite.

So the Saints forfeited their place in the finals, Launceston won the title - didn't that do a lot for the game in the long term? - and St Kilda was denied a third championship.

None of us can be sure the Saints would have won it all again in 1981, of course. But it would have taken a mighty powerful club to stop them.

Instead, NBL management did!

Can you imagine that happening today?

The NBL bent over backwards to ensure Perth (1995) and Adelaide (1999) were able to represent Australia at the McDonalds World Club Championships in London and Milan respectively.

Thank goodness the league works for its clubs now.

KINGS legends Dwayne “D-Train” McClain and Leon “Flight LT 44” Trimmingham are Sydney-bound to help the club celebrate its 25th anniversary NBL season.

McClain is already back and Trim not far away, the duo flown out by Kings sponsors United Airlines, with accommodation provided by the Sydney Boulevard Hotel.

Keep an eye out for the duo in Sin City. And for the Kings' anniversary team.

 

NBL Rankings

This Wk

8 CROCODILES – Must start with a home win or risk locking into this rung on the ladder.

7 HAWKS – Will need to show Wollongong heart and spirit to challenge the champs.

6 KINGS – A home win would mean a quick rankings revisit.

5 36ERS – Without Frye and probably Gibson, beating Perth in Perth becomes near impossible.

4 TAIPANS – Would quickly cement preseason predictions with a road win over the Crocs.

3 BREAKERS – Nothing short of a thorough win would satisfy the reigning champs.

2 TIGERS – Showed great heart in preseason and an early road win would reinforce that quality.

1 WILDCATS –At home, at ease and at their best already – with a Knight to come riding in yet.

WNBL Rankings

This Wk ... Prev

9 (5) LIGHTNING – Terrible start and now facing the champs in Bendigo. Looking shakey.

8 (4) CAPITALS – Can jump back into the mix with Perth-Adelaide double. Or stay put.

7 (6) THUNDER – Gave a great account of themselves on the road and can move this round.

6 (9) WAVES – Won well on the road in Adelaide and can change perceptions by beating Caps.

5 (8) FLAMES – A 1-1 road start is solid but Dandenong is a big challenge.

4 (7) BOOMERS – Upset Sydney but the Qld road double could sort Melbourne out.

3 (1) SPIRIT – Lost to Fire as expected but will reset and start again at home.

2 (3) RANGERS – Scoring spree sent Logan packing but Sydney will mount a tougher assault.

1 (2) FIRE – Off and running and should be 2-0 after round’s end.

THIS WEEK'S TIPS

SO much falls onto the shoulders of Larry Davidson and Dave Gruber against the NZ frontline that without a second import to support Rotnei Clarke, it’s tough to see Wollongong escaping with a win tomorrow in Auckland. The Breakers will just have too much in the armory and the raising of the 2012-13 championship banner pre-game, along with the #24 of retired three-time championship winner Dillon Boucher will make this an emotional homecoming. That spells one plucked team of Hawks.

MIGHT have liked Adelaide for the not-entirely-unforseen upset at Perth Arena, especially after the way the 36ers pistol-whipped the Wildcats at the Blitz … but not anymore. With import Jarrid Frye – who took it up to James Ennis in Sydney – injuring an ankle and not travelling, Adam Gibson (hamstring) hamstrung, this is a Perth win.

THE Avocado Assault launches the season up north where Townsville hosting Cairns is about the only advantage it has in what should be a terrific contest. This rivalry continues to blossom and while the Taipans look likely to have the edge this season, this would be a heavy one to lose at home for the Crocs. For this night, Townsville should be Queensland’s leading NBL team.

SYDNEY would have to start favorite to beat Melbourne on Sunday at home, especially if Ayinde Ubaka is not cleared to play in time for the Tigers. Both teams play inspired basketball for their coaches, making it a marquee match-up. Wortho back in Sydney with the enemy, Ogilvy’s debut – there’s a lot of reasons to tune in and watch this. The coin flip favors the Kings at home.

BENDIGO will not allow Adelaide to seize an upset win in the champion Spirit’s first home game of their title defence, despite the desperation the Lightning must show after last week’s home loss to West Coast.

THE Waves will be feeling good too and in Perth, where last season they flipped the Caps, will expect to go to 2-0. Canberra will not allow that to happen though, especially after losing at home last week. This time the Capitals will have too much size for West Coast.

SYDNEY started with a bang – and didn’t their fans love that? – but the Flames quickly came back to Earth and will stay there. Dandenong should have too much youth and talent to be contained for four quarters.

LOGAN at home would expect to beat Melbourne and gave such a good road showing against the Rangers. The Boomers arrive full of pluck but should leave narrow losers as the Thunder says a tangible thanks to its many supporters through the previous fortnight’s dramas.

TRAVELLING and backing up against the Fire in Townsville will be no easy matter for Melbourne, who will do well to keep this game competitive to the final siren.

ONE or even both of these teams could be 0-2 in Adelaide on Sunday, making it cut-throat for both Lightning and Canberra. The Caps should come in off a win in the west though while for Adelaide, if it is 0-2, a second home loss and 0-3 might just about put it too far into the red to recover. That said, Canberra starts favorite.

DEAR Noah,
We could have sworn you said the ark wasn't leaving till 5.
Sincerely, Unicorns