Basketball On The Internet.

WE learnt plenty in Round 7, last night's classic clash between previously undefeated Melbourne and visiting Sydney ending that United streak at 9-0, but meanwhile question marks hover over teams such as Perth, Illawarra, Tasmania and New Zealand, Kings guard Kendric Davis' 34-point haul the round's single biggest.

In easily one of the hottest matches of the regular season, and despite the whining regarding blow-outs, we've also had our share of classics - remember the four one-point thrillers a round ago? - Sydney showed for the third time this season it could still be a threat come season's end.

The Kings' win in Adelaide was an exceptionally executed game plan, as was the win this round in Brisbane. Ending United's win streak makes it three times now Sydney has shown if it has its act together, it can be relevant in the post-sedason.

Those claiming Sydney has the league's best personnel are a fraction delusional. What it has is the makings of a fine TEAM, with quality coaching and support essential.

What we also learnt, or maybe had reinforced, is that for it to be at all competitive, Xavier Cooks has to be a focus of the offence, Matthew Dellavedova has to score around 10 points and Kendric Davis occassionally has to be allowed to go solo. Just not necessarily in the endgame.

But here's the big thing we learnt. For Sydney to be beyond just competitive, it requires Bul Kuol to continue remembering why he was so sought (and possibly overpaid) after his time in Cairns.

Less of the relentless fouling, nonstop complaining and this alternate identity of Bul-Krap. Against both Adelaide and again Melbourne, he was at his most focused defensive persona and also made shots when it was required. THAT'S the Bul Kuol Sydney thought it was getting and the one it needs to prosper.

What we also learnt is Jesse Edwards can trip Tim Soares with impunity, that Kyle Bowen can grab a fast-breaking opponent by the shorts and NOT be charged with an unsportmanlike foul, and that the officiating remains erratic and unpredictable, at best.

(What the hell. I think I'll call a travel, just for the hell of it.)

What else did we learn? Other than the fact free throws win games - hello Jesse Edwards, Davo Hickey ... not to mention Will Magnay, Xavier Cooks, Marcus Lee - that there will be more upsets in the coming rounds. What else?

Breakers: That New Zealand's best is very good but it simply cannot replicate it with any consistency, only Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Sam Mennenga consistently showing up.

Bullets: Early indications are Dakota Mathias is a find and Brisbane's best can be a fun watch. But like the Breakers, after Casey Prather and sometimes Tyrell Tarrison, there aren't too many doing it regularly.

Hawks: A record 42-point home loss to NZ exposed all the flaws and foibles of the defending champion's new lineup, QJ Peterson needs more time but he still won't be Trey Kell II (or III for that matter) and Davo Hickey playing with poise is a much better player than the frustrated, petulant version.

JackJumpers: Cannot win in Launceston's Silverdome, even against the NBL's most out-of-form team. We knew the first part but the second still came as a surprise. Tyger Campbell just isn't doing enough and needs to be a bigger asset for Tasmania to matter.

Kings: Losing Makuach Maluach to injury is a further blow but what we learnt is Sydney could make it to the semi finals if it could bottle Round 7's form and reproduce it for the bulk of the regular season. 

Phoenix: Always had them as a Top Six team, Nathan Sobey continuing to flourish but the possible loss now to injury of Angus Glover (ankle) will sting, as his contribution off the bench has been a key.  

Taipans: Jack McVeigh's return sparked Kyrin Galloway somewhat and snatching a road win in Tasmania didn't hurt. But having faith in this team would be akin to putting your house-and-land package on a Melbourne Cup starter.

United: Even at 9-0, it's unlikely Melbourne took Sydney lightly so yes, ofcourse, even this team is vulnerable now and then. What we learnt though is some United fans lack class. Booing Delly last night after what he gave Melbourne since returning to the NBL was definitely a throwback to Perth fans circa 1993 grand final series.

Wildcats: Still a work-in-progress but what we've learnt is Jaron Rillie is living up to expectations and for Perth to be in the race, Kristian Doolittle needs more games like the one he delivered against the Phoenix. 

36ers: Finding ways to win without as huge an input from Bryce Cotton makes this team even more dangerous. But the subbing rotations? You have to coach by feel, not by rote. That's if you understand "feel".

Officials: What we learnt is it isn't necessary to dole out technical fouls like Easter eggs, the round starting without a single tech being issued in the Tasmania-Perth Ignite Cup clash. Congrats too go to Vaughan Mayberry for his restraint in the Illawarra-NZ game when Davo Hickey probably did deserved two tech fouls but the veteran ref cut him some slack. Elsewhere, particularly last night in Melbourne, there appeared to be several blind spots for the refs at John Cain Arena, usually when violations occurred right in front of them! 

TV: The calling combo of John Casey, Brad Rosen, Jason Cadee - they've lucked into a natural there - plus Jo Healy on the sideline, is by far the best the coverage has to offer. Do we really need to slavishly copy the NBA (WNBA?) and mic up coaches IN GAME for comments? Is that much access so vitally necessary?

Rumour: Mainland NBL clubs and the Breakers are petitioning the league to have all Tasmania home games shifted from Hobart to Launceston.

Round 7 (Last Fixture): Sydney Kings 95 (Davis 34, Kuol 17, Cooks 14, Dellavedova 12; Soares 8 rebs; Dellavedova 7 assts) d Melbourne United 92 (Walker 22, Doyle 19, Delany 14, Edwards 12, Goulding 10; Walker 9 rebs; Walker 5 assts) at the UN, John Cain Arena. Crowd: 10,175