Basketball On The Internet.

WAS thrilled to tune in last night to catch the inaugural episode of NBL Blitz, the league's new highlights package show on Fox 506 and was pretty satisfied for the most part.

So now, not only do we have every game live on Fox, plus a free-to-air game on NINE Network every Sunday, (plus access to games online), but we get a highlights show to take us through the best of the week's play.

This is so far beyond belief to where the NBL was a mere few months ago that you genuinely find yourself shaking your head in amazement.

As a highlights show, with the ever-smooth Dwayne Russell introducing and closing it, Blitz was fine and a marvellous new adjunct to all we have suddenly been gifted with this season.

I have two observations only, and they're more just that than criticisms.

The first is if we are going to have a highlights show, then why not more along the lines of the 30-minute NBA Action program which supplements highlights with interviews and insights we cannot otherwise get?

Unlike many, a panel show with lots of pontificating of what might or might not occur is a lot less interesting to me than what the Blitz did, which was wrap up the round and show us many of its best "bitz".

(That said, I feel your pain Jesse Wagstaff for that exceptional no-look baseline pass you threw to Matty Knight for the easy two, possibly the pass of the round and sadly, overlooked.)

My other observation is the name of the show. NBL Blitz.

Given we don't own much in the way of identifiable names on the sporting landscape, we already have a Blitz. It's our annual preseason tournament.

That's the NBL Blitz.

Now we have another NBL Blitz - a TV highlights show.

Easily confusing? Yes.

NBL Ballin' ... Time-Out ... NBL Round Rebound ... I am sure the many smart people now in the NBL offices could have put their collective thinking caps on and come up with many more unique name options for the Fox highlights show.

Calling it NBL Blitz is almost, dare I suggest it, just lazy.

That said, the show is still another great innovation for basketball fans nationwide.

WE told you yesterday at News Corp but Sydney confirmed it today, NBA veteran Al Harrington will be in a Kings uniform.

Harrington is a 1,036-game NBA veteran and confirmation of his signing on the morning the NBA tips off its 2015-16 season is entirely appropriate.

To have a superstar of his calibre, even at 35, is massive on what is a big day on which the chase for Golden State's crown begins.

Today is a good day for basketball lovers.

Player of the Week

I AM starting to suspect the WNBL is simply tuning in to B.O.T.I. on Mondays to come up with its Player of the Week after naming Perth import Sami Whitcomb its PotW this round.

This marks the third week in succession the WNBL and B.O.T.I. have been in agreement - some kind of record.

Whitcomb was the stand-out as the Lynx saw off Dandenong, with a season-best 36-point haul, joining Tess Madgen and Suzy Batkovic as WNBL (and B.O.T.I.) Players of the Week.

(Of course here, there is a weekly prize which can be claimed on any Monday, varying between a grilled cheese sandwich and a Violet Crumble, depending on how recently I was in the kitchen or at the shops.)

 

NBL RANKINGS This Wk-Prev (Record)

8 (7) KINGS 1-4 - Harrington's announcement is big and changes Sydney fortunes overnight.

7 (8) CROCODILES 2-4 - A chance to build this round or to slip. It's Townsville's call.

6 (6) TAIPANS 2-3 - So much hinges now on when Cairns pulls the trigger.

5 (3) HAWKS 2-3 - That was a bad home loss but there's an immediate chance for amends.

4 (5) 36ERS 3-2 - Randle was a big boost but this time Cairns will be prepared.

3 (2) WILDCATS 3-1 - Great road win but home loss can't be ignored. Tough double next.

2 (4) BREAKERS 2-3 - Maybe I'm being generous but the pieces are falling into place again.

1 (1) UNITED 5-0 - Haven't done much wrong but others below are building.

WNBL RANKINGS This Wk-Prev (Record)

9 (8) LIGHTNING 0-4 - Road losses stung and must be competitive at home.

8 (9) CAPITALS 0-5 - Montgomery will help but still spluttering along.

7 (7) BOOMERS 1-2 - Can get a split at worst this round which would aid recovery.

6 (3) SPIRIT 3-2 - Haven't done much wrong but others around them are moving.

5 (1) RANGERS 3-1 - Did Perth burst the bubble or was it just a temporary setback?

4 (6) LYNX 3-1 - Not doing a lot wrong and can take out Bendigo this week.

3 (4) STARS 3-1 - Took a while to shake Adelaide and will have work cut out.

2 (5) FLAMES 3-1 - Have league's best streak going and looking dangerous.

1 (2) FIRE 2-1 - Really didn't like dropping that opening game, did they? 

 

THIS WEEK'S TIPS

THE 2015 Grand Final combatants go at it tonight with Cairns hitting New Zealand and desperately needing to change its fortunes. The Breakers have the band back together, Corey Webster adds that extra dimension, and should win. Expect a great or grate performance from Taipans import Markel Starks, who could be playing his last NBL game.

TOWNSVILLE will be feeling great about life after beating the Wildcats in Perth, something Illawarra couldn't do in Wollongong. The Crocs had everyone lift to get that win while the Hawks had too many wanting to be game-winners. That said, the Hawks will have something to prove and I'm tipping they will get the road win.

SHOWING extraordinary heart and commitment, undermanned and injured Perth pulled off a terrific win over Illawarra - arguably the best win of Round 3 - but Melbourne is a different prospect altogether. The Wildcats have to make this about their superior size while United will be about athleticism. This should be a gem but Melbourne's weaponry should prove superior this time.

BACK on their customary roller-coaster, the Kings without Josh Childress again will need a performance similar to what they produced against Cairns to halt Townsville. The Crocs won a sizzler here so very recently it still will be fresh in their minds and only the fact Sydney is laying in wait while Townsville first negotiates Illawarra gives the home team a real chance. Al Harrington is sure to have a huge impact but moreso when he settles in. Heads it's Sydney.

CAIRNS comes back into Adelaide and the question is will it be with Starks or with Scottie Wilbekin? If it's the latter, expect this game to be decidedly different to last week's clash where Jerome Randle (above) held court. A Wilbekin coming off his NBA shot with Philadelphia 76ers and back in Adelaide where he starred last year would make the Taipans a value bet. But at home and rolling, the odds favour the 36ers.

IF Perth is back to full strength - that is, Damian Martin and Casey Prather are free of injury concerns and Matty Knight and Nathan Jawai aren't sore - then you have to like it at home against an Illawarra it already beat on the road. But I suspect the Hawks will be out to make a point after blowing this one last round and will play better in the clutch. That makes this a coin toss, most likely determined by whether the Wildcats have everyone on board.

AH Sydney. Beautiful one day, in-fighting the next. What the Kings need is a few more owners to come in offering opinions and picking the team. Harrington again becomes the wild card but the only way they upset Melbourne is if United goes to the wrong venue. Given this is a Melbourne home game, that seems highly unlikely.

SYDNEY heading up to Logan to face SEQ opens the WNBL round with arguably its best game. The Stars haven't done much wrong but the Flames are rolling now too and may have enough in the tank to take their win streak to four.

AT home, you have to like Perth to get Bendigo in another match which could qualify as best of the round. Gabe Richards will run into Louella Tomlinson and Nat Burton and will need others to step up, Kelsey Griffin already leading by example.

TOWNSVILLE finally packs a suitcase and will test the bona fides of Dandenong in the third game you could annoint as match of the week. With their experience and familiarity, expect the Fire to succeed in a venue which has been tricky in the past. Steph Cumming will be looking for a big game.

IF Renee Montgomery has lobbed in the capital, Canberra will have a new lease of life and will take this to incoming Melbourne. But if she hasn't, the Boomers will escape with the W.

WITH former Adelaide assistant Simon Pritchard coming home with his Bendigo crew, he will be looking for a big return at the Lighthouse. But after last week's road debacle, expect stronger resistance from the Lightning even if, ultimately, it is in vain.

THE State Basketball Centre should prove a happy hunting ground for the Fire who have the size to cause Elyse Penaluna headaches and the players to stall Tess Madgen's usual efficiency. 

 

KNOCK KNOCK

Who's there?

Wilbekin

Wilbekin who?

Will be comin' back to Cairns sooner than you think.