Basketball On The Internet.

OCCASIONALLY I get asked why I love basketball so much and what I see in it and then something like what the Melbourne Tigers did this week for Blair Robinson occurs and the answer is so very crystal clear.

Blair, 11, has been suffering with cancer since he was diagnosed at the age of 9 after a game which he struggled to get through.

His wish with the Make-A-Wish Foundation was to travel with his beloved Tigers on an NBL road trip.

Last week these "hardened pros" of our NBL took the little guy with them to Townsville. Check this out from The Project on Channel 10:

http://tenplay.com.au/channel-ten/the-project/extra/season-5/blair-and-the-tigers

The people behind Pete's Bar Lunch, the Free Throw Foundation, our myriad of tireless volunteers - apart from the spectacular action basketball brings on a daily basis (anyone see Kyrie Irving and Damian Lillard exchanging NBA buzzer-beaters yesterday for example?) - the degree of basketball's ability to uplift should never be under-estimated.

It is Christmas. I doff my toupee yet again to the Tigers and to the pantheon of people who make our sport such a great place to inhabit.

 

ABBY Bishop had a great weekend on the road for Canberra last round and was rewarded for her performances in Townsville and Logan with the WNBL's Player of the Week accolade.

Averaging 23.5 points and 16 boards is a pretty special road double and PotW the appropriate accolade for Abs who has had some great games this season.

And if there were points for typing, she'd get a few for that too, her work on The Advertiser's Live Blogs back in her Queen B days with last week's PotW Suzy Batkovic, something to behold.

 

RELIABLY informed Adrian Preposterous, er, Adrian Proszenko, the "chief rugby league writer" for Fairfax Media, who recently magnanimously dubbed Kings' import Sam Young as "the best basketballer to step foot on to an Australian court" agrees with the ABC's Darren Boyd that Phil Brown is one of the greatest coaches in Australian history.

Brown's work at the Eureka Stockade was epic stuff.

 

NBL Rankings

This Wk - Prev

8 (8) BREAKERS - Yeah, you scoffed when I had them here last week and now?

7 (3) CROCODILES - It doesn't take much to tumble but a 0-2 round will do that to you.

6 (7) TAIPANS - Took a step forward. Don't read too much into the 24-point loss to 36ers.

5 (4) KINGS - Lost again to Hawks and must really review the point guard issues.

4 (6) HAWKS - Here they come. Gordie's got the mojo going and Big Laz is back.

3 (5) TIGERS - Very important road win but the upcoming double will be telling.

2 (2) 36ERS - Made a bold statement last round and still have improvement in them.

1 (1) WILDCATS - 13th game wasn't unlucky after all. Omens are all good.

 

WNBL Rankings

This Wk - Prev

9 (9) WAVES - Had another 4-point quarter last round. Seriously, is that acceptable?

8 (8) THUNDER - Great win over the Caps but this round will show if it was for real.

7 (5) LIGHTNING - Unconvincing again. Seems to be an alternate round thing now!

6 (7) CAPITALS - Putting out the Fire was big and redemption against Logan sweet.

5 (6) FLAMES - Two losses and Sydney went up? Yes, because Adelaide cannot be trusted.

4 (4) BOOMERS - Took care of business in WA and SA and can enjoy the holidays.

3 (3) FIRE - Sheets happen in summer. Now the challenge is to sweep on the road.

2 (2) RANGERS - Back rolling again but the ultimate challenge is still Bendigo.

1 (1) SPIRIT - A great insight-game to title-retention hopes to close out a wonderful 2013.

 

THIS WEEK'S TIPS

CANBERRA very quickly has the chance to avenge last round's loss to the Thunder when it hosts Logan and I expect the Capitals to seize the day and go into Christmas on a high.

BENDIGO is chasing its 13th straight win (cue "Twilight Zone" theme music) and who better to challenge the streak than #2 ranked Dandenong? What a great game to go into the New Year's recess on but on what was shown last week against Sydney, the Spirit still seem to hold the aces.

WASTE Coats came unbuttoned again last round and after Townsville lost at home to the Caps, there is no way the Fire will even toy with the Waves. This could get ugly unless the Fire take the foot off the pedal, looking forward to their game in Adelaide.

SYDNEY's aspirations took a serious downgrade last round but Logan is no Dandenong or Bendigo. Expect the Flames to light up, then light some sparklers and celebrate Christmas.

RICHARD Dickel made his Lightning coaching debut with a one-point win over Townsville but this time the team known as "Adelaide Lite" will not be as generous. With Adelaide's rotations all over the shop, expect this to be a gift for the Fire.

 

DEAR Mary,

Just admit you slept with someone else.

This is getting out of hand.

Sincerely, Joseph