Basketball On The Internet.

YOU'VE heard it before, for sure, but this NBL season is going to be the first since the *Reformation where every team is exceptional and every team is beatable.

It will be a tipsters' nightmare - why I don't join tipping competitions (there's enough aggravation in my life already) - and a promoter's dream.

It was all there on show at Dandenong during the PSST (PreSeaSon Tournament) which, I would be remiss if I didn't add was the best idea the NBL-WNBL-BA has had for a single great promotion of the sport in as long as I can remember.

Frankly, it MUST become a staple, regardless of where it is played annually, and, perhaps, become a little more kids-interactive if anything, a la NBA Jam back in the day. Or night.

But this event has such great potential.

Sure, it can just be a preseason tournament for all the elite teams, but it can become a great deal more for fans.

(*Reformation: noun 1.a) the act of reforming - the NBL enjoyed a REFORMATION in 2009 when all hope appeared lost.)

THE WNBL section of the PSST ended dramatically on Sunday when Tess Madgen, in her new role as point guard for Bulleen, had the shot for victory but didn't connect, preserving a 61-59 Bendigo win in the Final.

I was tempted to call it "upset" but can you truly have upsets in preseason?

Sometimes you just get some peculiar or unexpected results, e.g Bendigo belting Townsville, Townsville bouncing back to beat China and Sydney, Lightning losing to China, then bouncing back to go 24-4 in the last quarter of their win over Dandenong.

Or Dandenong just cruising. Or Bulleen showing its consistency despite hardly any team trainings.

Gotta say, Logan looked a little light-on, finishing 10th after losing to the Rangers 66-78 but then, it is hard to call because everyone had so many key people missing.

Canberra had its shot to beat China but came up short, Jess Bibby having a sizzling PSST regardless.

I like China's chances of challenging for the top four this season.

TOWNSVILLE put away Sydney in a well-constructed four-quarter win, and Deanna Smith showed she is going to have a super season with 16 points in less than half the comprehensive win over Adelaide, later claiming the PSST MVP.

Well done to Toni Edmondson too, sinking two free throws in her first trip to the line for the Waves against Adelaide. Nice to see she's done some work in that area.

WHAT we noticed.

1) That Krista Phillips isn't my niece, even if she did wear Sara's uniform.

2) Jess Bibby is in for a great season and should thrive even more when LJ arrives.

3) I still love Carly Wilson.

4) Tess Madgen will be a hit as a point guard.

5) Max Bennett at BA loves Deanna Smith.

6) West Coast has unearthed a couple of surprising players (Nat Burton, Kaye Tucker, Shani Amos) and is much better coached now.

7) Lightning teammates need to be careful when encouraging Nadeen Payne with loud renditions of "Go Nads".

8) Olivia Thompson should have an impact this season.

9) Tegan Cunningham needs to focus on her finishing after making the great move.

10) Sam Woosnam looks fitter now than before she retired.

11) Some of the bitching and moaning was incessant ...but enough about Flames time-outs.

12) This has the potential to be the tightest WNBL season anyone has seen.

And .. we still have Lauren Jackson, Jenna O'Hea and a bunch of other missing PSST faces to come back yet.

ANOTHER of our great NBL champions, Derek Rucker, is living in Los Angeles now.

The former Brisbane bomber, Newcastle nucleon, Townsville tornado and West Sydney wizard has put together a great package tour for late November.

The man who set new standards in point-guard play is setting new standards in tours of this nature and has worked overtime to ensure this first one is dynamite.

After all, word of mouth after a great first one is of inestimable value. Go check it out at www.facebook.com/pages/D-Rucks-Dream-USA-Sports-Getaway/368493306552502?ref=hl and see for yourself.

QUICKLY now Crocs fans. Hurry down to Fairfield Waters McDonalds between 12.30 and 1.30 today to say g'day or grab an autograph from Rusty Hinder, Jason Forte or Curtis Withers.

You do need to rush though because autographs from Jason and Curtis may quickly become highly-coveted collectors' items.

A SQUIRREL, a skunk and a raccoon walk into a bar.

The barman looks up from where he is cleaning glasses, stares at them and says: "What is this? Some kind of joke?"