NBL EXPERIENCE

Luke Mcmillan made his NBL debut with the Melbourne Tigers at 19 years of age. He scored two points in his first game.

This season, Melbourne would lose Blair Smith (to West Sydney) and import Marcus Timmons (to Perth), replacing them with athletic young big man Pero Vasiljevic (from Canberra) and Bennett Davison, who would arrive injured and be unable to join the team until six games in. The retirement of Tigers legend Ray Gordon also opened up another roster spot, which Lindsey Gaze would use to sign rookie Luke McMillan. Although Davison (19.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.6 steals, and 2.4 blocks) would fill the hole left by Timmons quite capably, the aging core of the Tigers, including the 30-year-old Mark Bradtke (17.9 points, 14.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.6 blocks) and Lanard Copeland (21.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals) and Andrew Gaze (29.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.8 assists), who both celebrated their 34th birthdays this season struggled against the league’s best team’s. Melbourne finished in fifth place this season and scraped into the playoffs despite not having a winning record (14-14), the team’s worst record since they last failed to make the playoffs in 1988. Melbourne then lost to the Victoria Titans in the Quarterfinals (1-2). Gaze would be selected to the All-NBL first team for a record fifteenth time, the last time he was recognised for the award. This season cemented the decline of the Gaze led Tigers, with the team never finishing higher than fifth again until after the retirement of both Andrew and Lindsey Gaze.

At the end of the season, Gaze and Bradtke also guided the Australian Boomers to a equal best fourth-place finish in Sydney before both retiring from international play.

McMillan would see limited playing time as a rookie, averaging 1.8 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 0.2 assists across 10 games.

2001/02
McMillan wasn’t offered a contract to return to the Tigers in 2000, but he was able to crack the roster again in 2001. This season, This season, Marcus Timmons would return to play for the Tigers, replacing the outgoing Phil Handy (to West Sydney). Timmons (16.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.0 blocks) would slot right back into the team, his presence catapulting the Tigers back to the top of the ladder. Lanard Copeland (25.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.1 steals) was also in amazing form this season, hoping to earn selection to the Boomers squad after being recently naturalised.

With Melburne sitting on 9 wins and 5 losses, they would lose Gaze after he succumbed to a ankle injury three minutes into a game against Townsville. The Tigers would then lose this game by two points (98-100) and Gaze (19.1 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) would miss twelve games with an ankle injury. This saw Melbourne drop from top of the ladder to fifth spot, recording 7 wins and 9 losses in Gaze’s absence. Mark Bradtke (22.6 points, 13.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.3 blocks) would step up during this time, leading the league in rebounding for a sixth time and being selected as the NBL MVP at the end of the season.

Although not fully healed, Gaze would return to the court to help the Tigers (16-14) in their Qualifying Final matchup against crosstown rivals, the Victoria Titans (21-9).

Victoria had finished the season in first place and entered the series as clear favourites. However, after the Titans secured game one (107-113), the Tigers would bounce back with Copeland (41 points, 5 assists and 2 steals), who shot a impressive 14 from 27 shots (52%), and Timmons (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) having big games to deliver a Tigers win in game two (107-105). Copeland (37 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists) and Timmons (21 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 blocks) backed that performance in game three (103-97) to move onto the semi finals and face West Sydney. Gaze struggled through the series, playing in all three games but scoring total of 11 points.

Melbourne would face the fifth placed West Sydney Razorbacks (16-14) at home and behind Timmons (36 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals) and Bradtke (21 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals), come away victorious (114-93). Once the series moved to Sydney the Tigers lost games two (109-125) and three (103-115) with Gaze still not back to full health.

This season marked the first time Gaze failed to lead the Tigers in scoring since they entered the league in 1984, yet he still managed to lead the league in free throw shooting (88.4%). McMillan would continue to see minimal opportunities to play, appearing in 10 games and averaging 1.8 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 0.2 assists.

2002/03
2002/03
After coming close to a NBL Grand Final berth the prior season, which many feel they would have if not for a ankle injury that derailed Andrew Gaze for the playoffs, the Tigers underwent some small roster changes in 2002. Moving on were Daniel Egan (to Brisbane) and Warrick Giddey (retired), while Neil Mottram (via Perth), Greg Blake and import Matt Rueter, who had both been playing in the state league, were also added to the roster.

Tigers started off slowly (2-4) before findng their groove and recording a four winning streak to improve to return to the top six by round 10 (6-4). Melbourne would lose Gaze (22.1 points, 4 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.1 steals) to a knee infection that saw him miss four games (one win, three losses) with David Smith (5.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists) inserted into the starting lineup. When Gaze returned to the lineup he was visibly unfit and several kilograms lighter. The Tigers had also dropped out of the playoffs picture again (9-11) after losing the NBL’s leading rebounder, Mark Bradtke (17.4 points, 12.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 blocks) for six games with back and hamstring issues.

In addition to Gaze and Bradtke, the Tigers would rely on Lanard Copeland (18.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.4 steals) and Marcus Timmons (13.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3 assists 1.4 steals) to provide the offensive punch, with Neil Mottram (10.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.0 assists) and Stephen Hoare (9.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists) also stepping up in Bradtke’s absence.

Heading into the last round, the Tigers (14-14) needed to a extra win to avoid losing the sixth spot on the ladder to West Sydney (12-16), who had the head to head advantage against Melbourne. They would defeat Illawarra (108-99) locking in a playoff spot, but then lose to Townsville (104-106) to end the regular season (15-15).

Melbourne faced the first seed Sydney (22-8) in the Qualifying Finals and lost the opening game (89-101) thanks to big games from Kings stars Shane Heal (25 points), Kavossy Franklin (19 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists) and David Stiff (18 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks).

In game two, Bradtke (21 points, 20 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals) and Kings star import Chris Williams (32 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals and 4 blocks) would battle inside in one of the greatest head to head battles of all-time. Although Williams would do it all that night, the Tigers locked down the Kings backcourt of Heal (14 points) and Franklin (16 points) and thanks to big games from Gaze (25 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists) and Copeland (22 points and 5 assists), came away victors in game two (108-104).

With the series returning to Sydney, the Kings simply outclassed the Tigers in game three (114-89), with Williams (25 points, 13 rebounds, 9 assists, 5 steals, and 2 blocks) continuing his unstoppable form and the Kings winning by 25 points. The Kings locked down Melbourne’s ‘Big Three’ of Gaze, Copeland and Bradtke who in rare fashion were limited to only 34 points combined. Stephen Hoare (15 points and 12 rebounds) top scoring for the Tigers.

Mcmillan would play in only 14 games, averaging 1.2 points, 0.5 rebounds, and 0.4 assists.

2003/04
During the 2003/04 season, Mcmillan averaged 3 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 0.4 assists and was a part of the Tigers squad which finished in fifth place with a record of 20-13.

WEST SYDNEY RAZORBACKS
2004/05
After making a run to the 2004 NBL Grand Final, the Razorbacks faced a season of transition. Longtime head coach Gordie McLeod was let go after six years in charge, with Mark Watkins promoted to the head coaching role following player endorsement. At the same time, financial instability surrounding the club’s owners, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, played a key role in shaping the offseason. The Bulldogs were fined $500,000 and stripped of all 37 NRL premiership points due to serious salary cap breaches, adding further uncertainty to the Razorbacks’ future.

West Sydney saw significant departures in the offseason, with leading scorer John Rillie (to Townsville), Russell Hinder (to Hunter), and David Pennisi (to Europe) all moving on, while Brad Williams retired. These exits left the team scrambling to rebuild ahead of the new campaign.

Returning to the lineup was Scott McGregor, who had missed the previous season with a serious injury. His return provided much-needed frontcourt depth and leadership. Meanwhile, reigning NBL Rookie of the Year Steven Markovic was primed for a bigger role, stepping up in the backcourt to help offset the loss of Rillie. To fill the scoring void left by Rillie, the team brought in Nick Horvath (via Duke University), who was expected to be the team’s new offensive leader.

Horvath (20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks) quickly became West Sydney’s primary scoring option, while Simon Dwight (15.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 3.2 blocks) continued to dominate defensively. Captain Sam MacKinnon (14.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.2 blocks) maintained his role as the team’s all-around leader, while McGregor (12.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists) provided additional versatility upon his return. Markovic, now a key part of the rotation, continued to develop as a playmaker and perimeter scoring option.

West Sydney’s season began with a 97–120 loss to Perth on October 2, 2004, as the team struggled to adjust to their new lineup. However, they bounced back in Round 2 with a 106–75 home win over Brisbane on October 10. Shortly after, they secured a 113–111 road victory over Brisbane, with Horvath (23 points, 17 rebounds) and McGregor (26 points) leading the way.

Despite the early wins, the Razorbacks’ momentum was short-lived as they suffered a four-game losing streak, falling to Melbourne (97–105), Adelaide (85–102), and Perth (90–101). The absence of Rillie’s perimeter shooting was evident, as the team lacked a consistent outside scoring threat.

In Round 8, West Sydney found success with a 96–82 win over Wollongong, led by Horvath (29 points, 14 rebounds) and MacKinnon (22 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists). Another narrow victory came against Cairns (87–84), where Markovic (18 points, 6 assists) showcased his growing importance in the backcourt. Despite these flashes of promise, inconsistency plagued the team as they struggled to put together consecutive wins.

The season took a turn for the worse with a seven-game losing streak from January 2 to January 29, 2005. This included a 123–89 blowout loss to Sydney and a 112–85 defeat to Sydney on February 19, effectively ending the team’s playoff hopes. Defensive struggles and a lack of reliable scoring options beyond Horvath remained persistent issues.

West Sydney managed to pick up some late-season wins, snapping their losing streak with a 103–76 home win over Hunter on February 2, where McGregor (21 points, 7 rebounds) played a key role. Another highlight came on February 11, when the team defeated the Hawks 117–95, showcasing one of their best offensive performances of the season. Markovic continued to contribute, demonstrating his ability to step up in big moments. However, these late-season efforts were not enough to turn things around.

The Razorbacks finished the season in ninth place with an 11–21 record, missing the playoffs just one year after making the Grand Final.