Aussies Abroad
The National Basketball League (NBL) may not be well-known to the masses just yet. However, as far as Australian basketball is concerned, this quest for expanded exposure and popularity isn’t all that far away. Or has it just begun? With the most Australians ever playing in the NBA right now, plus many more being invited to summer tryouts, the NBL and Australian basketball can hold their heads high in accomplishment. But…
Read MoreJoe Ingles transition from the final guy cut from the LA Clippers roster in 2014 to one of the league’s deadliest perimeter scorers in 2017-18 has been nothing short of extraordinary. When Utah lost it’s franchise player Gordon Hayward last season, many pencilled in a rebuilding phase for the Jazz. The emergence of “Jingling”…
Read MoreEntering his fifth season, Melbourne’s Dante Exum faces a critical juncture within his NBA career. Originally drafted fifth by the Utah Jazz in 2014, Exum’s NBA journey so far has been heavily interrupted to say the least. Now a year removed from overcoming multiple knee and shoulder injuries, 2018 provided us a glimpse of…
Read MoreI recently sat down with Steve Hoare, NBL Champion, sixth man of the year winner, and all around good guy. A veteran of 465 NBL games over 17 seasons. I asked “the Aura” about life after basketball, road trips, 90’s jams, the NBL today, the 2020 Boomers, tuxedo wearing penguins, Spice girls, and what…
Read MoreAfter a season which would likely be his worst at NBA level, the pressure is on Matthew Dellavedova to return to the form that first resulted in signing a $38 million, four-year contract with the Milwaukee Bucks. Having seemed bulletproof previously, ‘Delly’ was hampered by troublesome injuries with both knee and ankles issues limiting…
Read MoreJosh Green, the latest exciting Australian basketball talent has committed to play with the University of Arizona. He will become a Wildcat next year and move to Tucson, about a two hour drive south of Phoenix where he lived with his family and attended high school at the IMG Academy in Florida. THE…
Read MoreHaving been a mainstay in the Boomers squad for a number of years, 28 year-old Ryan Broekhoff finally gets his first opportunity at NBA level. The six foot seven swing-man signed a two-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks back in August having spent his entire professional career plying his trade in Europe. Although going…
Read MoreEntering his first season in the NBA, many Australians will be keeping a keen focus on 22 year-old Jonah Bolden. Having been drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 36th pick in the 2017 draft, Bolden spent the entirety of last season playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv. Helping his team to a title in the…
Read MoreEighty-eight contracted players will suit up for NBL teams in the opening round of the 2017/18 season, but there is one player who stands out above the rest to be the most average guy in the league. Going by the numbers he is not taller, shorter, lighter, heavier, younger or older than the average…
Read MoreThe 6 foot 10 big man enjoyed a breakout campaign in the NBA last season, starting in 67 regular season games for coach Brad Stevens at the Boston Celtics. Baynes proved even more valuable during the playoffs as his minutes further improved from the regular season, starting 12 of a possible 19 games as the…
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Which NBL Teams Spent the Most?
Over the past three NBL seasons, clubs have spent almost $97 million assembling their rosters, but how much of that money has translated into wins, and which teams have delivered the best value for money? These figures represent cash spend, not salary cap spend. Cash spending includes player salaries and additional costs such as agent fees, bonuses, import related expenses and luxury tax, rather than simply the amounts counted against the league's salary cap. How much have NBL teams spent over the past three seasons?…
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ARE THE HAWKS “TIRED” OF TATUM’S VOICE?
Larry Bird believed players began tuning out coaches after three years. Pat Riley reportedly put the limit at five, while Steve Kerr admitted his Golden State players were tired of hearing him in his fourth season. Now Justin Tatum is in his fourth season with Illawarra, and the Hawks have gone from NBL champions to the bottom of the ladder. Could they be experiencing the same problem? Justin Tatum transformed Illawarra from one of the NBL's worst teams into champions. But ahead of today's clash…
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COULD BRIAN GOORJIAN HAVE SAVED THE MELBOURNE TIGERS?
In 2002, the Melbourne Tigers were fighting for survival when they identified an opportunity to attract supporters from their biggest rivals. Their plan to honour Brian Goorjian was blocked by the Victoria Giants, potentially changing the course of Melbourne basketball history. In 2002, the Melbourne Tigers devised a plan that could have changed the future of their club. The Tigers were emerging from financial administration, crowds were falling and the club had been forced to abandon its home at Vodafone Arena, now known as John…
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GOLD COAST NBL EXPANSION SET TO BECOME A REALITY?
A new funding proposal, a crucial November meeting and renewed interest from the NBL could finally provide a pathway for professional basketball to return to the Gold Coast. The Gold Coast's long-running push to return to the NBL has reached another critical stage, with Mayor Tom Tate preparing to meet Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie in November to discuss the future of the proposed $1 billion Gold Coast Arena. After years of negotiations, changing timelines and funding setbacks, the city's hopes of securing an NBL…
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Paul Rees on NBL titles, battles with Brian Goorjian and small town success
Four-time NBL champion and 1994 Grand Final MVP Paul Rees joins the podcast to reflect on his journey from small-town basketball to a 17-season NBL career with the Brisbane Bullets, North Melbourne Giants and Adelaide 36ers. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Host Dan Boyce chats with Rees about winning championships with North Melbourne and Adelaide, playing under Brett Brown and Phil Smyth, representing Australia at the 1994 World Championship, and battling Brian Goorjian and some of the NBL’s best teams throughout…
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MELBOURNE UNITED NEEDS TO DECIDE: Are they the Tigers or not?
Jensen Bradtke wearing his father Mark’s famous No. 50 should be one of the great stories of NBL27. Instead, it has again exposed a question Melbourne United has never properly answered: when does Melbourne Tigers history belong to United, and when doesn’t it? Seeing BRADTKE and No. 50 together on a Melbourne basketball jersey again should be nothing other than a celebration. Jensen Bradtke is beginning his first season with Melbourne United, wearing the same number his father Mark wore through one of the great…
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The Next Step: Breakout player candidates for NBL27
Every NBL pre-season, there is plenty of attention on players around the league who could take the next step in their professional basketball journey. A breakout can happen in different ways. For some players, it’s getting more opportunity. For an established player, it can mean building on what they have already achieved and elevating their game to another level. For others, it may simply take a new home where their skills can be maximised. Below are four players who I think are ready to break…
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Mario Donaldson on THAT 1994 NBL Dunk Contest and his time playing with Sydney & Canberra
Former Sydney Kings and Canberra Cannons import Mario Donaldson joins the podcast to revisit his time in the NBL, including competing in the famous 1994 NBL Dunk Contest, the highs and lows of his seasons in Sydney and Canberra, and the success he found playing around the world. Host Dan Boyce chats with Donaldson about arriving in Sydney in 1994 and playing alongside Leon Trimmingham, helping the Kings return to the playoffs and establishing himself as one of the league’s best outside shooters. Visit dunk.com.au…
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