The wait is almost over, the biggest and most exciting NBL season is just two weeks away!
Every club has the hope this year will their year… but there can only be one. 2018/19 is yesteryear, the league is expected to rise another level in 19/20, and with a new club entering the picture, it promises to be heated from start to finish.
Here is how the 2019/20 season will look by play-off time.
9th: Cairns Taipans
No surprises here.
The Taipans are certainly the least intimidating club in the NBL.
When adding the departure of Melo Trimble to United and the retirement of Alex Loughton, it is hard to see them making a legitimate play for the finals. Although the signing of Majok Deng from the 36ers is exciting.
Along with Deng, the Tiapans will require standout seasons from Anthony Fisher, DJ Newbill and big-man Nathan Jawai if they are to prove people wrong.
Mike Kelly has his hands full this season, Cairns to win their second consecutive wooden spoon and miss the play-offs for the fourth time in six seasons.
8th: New Zealand Breakers
A massive next-stars program signing for The Breakers over the off-season. RJ Hampton is in our league and he is sure to show some of his brilliance down under in 19/20, there is no doubt he will end up in the NBA at some point in the future.
Although, we need to keep in mind he is eighteen and has not been tested in this competition, he is in the same boat as any other player.
The Breakers lack the depth of some of the other clubs in the NBL, the likes of Corey Webster, Thomas Abercrombie and Robert Loe providing talent… the problem will arise if injury/suspension get hold of them.
7th: Illawarra Hawks
Illawarra fans have every right to be up and about for the new season, after two disappointing campaigns, they will be desperate for finals action.
The next-stars signing of Lamelo Ball will add to the expectation, he is a future star of this game and could achieve greatness very quickly.
The only knock on the Hawks is the fact their current squad have hardly played together. This can be an issue for some, but not so much for others.
Typically speaking, it is beneficial to have cohesion between every player, and that comes from working together for certain periods of time. Learning one another strengths and weaknesses is important in team sport.
Aaron Brooks, David Anderson, Josh Boone and of course Lamelo Ball are players any club would love in their roster… so if they were to miss the finals it would be devastating.
So this is one prediction that could not just be a little off, but completely wrong.
6th: Adelaide 36ers
Adelaide endured a rather disappointing season in 18/19, missing the play-offs by percentage after falling short in Grand Final game V the previous season.
Joey Wright is a very smart man with championship experience, he would have identified the problems and set the plan in the place for a resurgence.
Additions to the squad include two-time NBL Champion Daniel Dillon, Deshon Taylor and Eric Griffin which will certainly bolster their stocks that already includes Brendan Teys, Daniel Johnson, Harry Froling, Ramone Moore and co.
Although they have plenty of depth, and they will play well this season, unfortunately there will be other clubs who quite simply, will just be that little bit better.
5th: South East Melbourne Phoenix
The inaugural season for the Phoenix, it will intrigue the eyes of many.
Typically, a fresh club always fails to make the finals in their first season and the Phoenix will be no different… although they will make a serious play for it.
Simon Mitchell has a host of talent to play with. Mitch Creek returns to Australia after NBA and World Cup duties, will be keen to make a serious impression on his new club along with former teammate at Adelaide, Adam Gibson.
Throw in Kyle Adnam, next-stars signing Terry Armstrong and Tai Wesley, this is a seriously good team.
But again, there comes the possible issue of continuity between the players who have not played together often.
Time will tell, but those clashes against cross-town rivals Melbourne United will be heated!
4th: Brisbane Bullets
The Bullets sent the critics packing after making the play-offs for the first time since 2007/08 last season.
In 2019/20 though, with an improved roster they should be not just in contention to play finals, but seriously contend.
The lineup consists of Cameron Gliddon, Matthew Hodgson, Mika Vukona, Jason Cadee and now Nathan Sobey from Adelaide.
Gliddon and Sobey in particular, although playing limited World Cup minutes, will be the two Bullet fans will have their eyes on as the makeshift for their attacking plays in 19/20.
Boomers head coach Andrej Lemanis returns for his day-job of Brisbane coach and the experience and knowledge of coaching some of the countries greatest talents should put him in good stead for a successful campaign.
Watch out for the Bullets this season, this prediction could be selling them short.
3rd: Perth Wildcats
Half way through last season the critics said they were done… too old and slow and Trevor Gleeson had lost the fight.
Just months later he hoisted Perth’s ninth championship aloft.
There is no chance of a championship hangover, the last time Perth missed the finals was 1987… thirty two years ago.
Nick Kay is fresh off a superb World Cup and keen to add more silverware to the collection along with Bryce Cotton, arguable the best player in the league, and captain Damian Martin who just keeps on keeping on.
Their slingshot, faced pace, in-your-face gameplay will never falter… particularly in the big games. Perth always a danger.
2nd: Sydney Kings
Last season was a bitter disappointment for the Kings, that was their opportunity to win a championship and they blew it.
They have no choice but to restart and go again, they have taken a huge step in making that happen by snaring Caspar Ware and Craig Moller from Melbourne United, which will help out 2018/19 MVP Andrew Bogut immensely.
A bit of a question mark over how much new-coach Will Weaver may change the way they play, plus the departure of Jerome Randle is disappointing for not only the Kings, but the league.
Despite this, Sydney remain one of the best in the competition, and a finals series with no Sydney Kings just doesn’t seem… right.
1st: Melbourne United
Way too much talent to not be in contention for a minor premiership, and then a championship.
Alex Pledger, David Barlow, Casey Prather, Chris Goulding, Ili Shea, Melo Trimble, Mitch McCarron… what more can you say?
They will have the hunger in their eyes to go one better in 2019/20, failing at the final hurdle at the hands of the Wildcats.
Dean Vickerman knows how to get to the big time, winning the ultimate glory in 2017/18.
Expect United to win the minor premiership, they will lose no more than ten games… the championship is absolutely their aim.
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2 United
3 Hawks
4 Phoenix
5 Wildcats
6 JackJumpers
7 Bullets
8 Taipans
9 Breakers
10 36ers