Basketball On The Internet.

IDIOTS. Those eastern states scribes who every year want to write off Perth need to understand they're talking about the most professional organisation in NBL history. I know it was a numbskull who once said it, but organisations win championships. It is true. Down three potential starters but for the Wildcats? No worries.

Missing starting PG Mitch Norton, small forward Todd Blanchfield and import Michael Frazier - that's potentially three starters though mostly likely two - Perth smacked Adelaide by 12 and Cairns by 23.

First Vic Law made a 37-point Wildcats debut which even one of the club's all-time greatest superstars - Andrew Vlahov - described as the best first-up game he ever had seen by anyone in Perth colours.

Then Bryce Cotton reminded everyone he's a three-time league MVP, not that any of us had forgotten. (OK, other than maybe a few people east of the SA border.)

Our Round One "Team of the Week" award then should have been easy, right?

Wrong.

Did you see what South East Melbourne did to New Zealand?

That was impressive but no less so than what the Illawarra Hawks did to the 36ers in Adelaide.

It may only have finished as a 10-point margin but the Hawks were in far greater control than that suggests.

So, in the final analysis, who did our team of hairdressers, tradies and used car salesmen settle on?

The Tasmania JackJumpers!

Come on now. You'd have to own a heart of granite not to appreciate what NBL basketball returning to Tasmania meant for the state.

A record attendance showed up and the fans certainly received their money's worth when the match against Brisbane went in to overtime!

Agreed, the contest itself may have left a little to be desired as it unfolded but that's the great thing about our sport. When it provides you with a classic finish, all that has gone before can be forgiven and forgotten.

Huge baskets by Sam McDaniel and Jack McVeigh down the straight, after that great lob from Josh Magette for the dunk had fans literally out of their seats with unabashed joy.

This was the result we - other than Brisbane Bullets fans of course - wanted. A full house, a memorable finish, a win for the (new) home team after 25 years without an NBL presence since the demise of the Hobart Tassie Devils.

A team for all the state and our Team of the Week for Round One.

BASKETBALL ON THE INTERNET TEAM OF THE WEEK
Round 1 Tasmania JackJumpers