October 27, 2020
Dan Boyce
NBL News
0
1863 Views

The coronavirus has rocked sporting leagues around the globe, but we seem to be nearing the end in Australia, and as a result, NBL basketball is returning and fans will be able to watch live NBL competition in less than three weeks.

The first NBL practice matches will kick off in November with the Adelaide 36ers taking on the Brisbane Bullets at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

It’s a new era for the 36ers under the leadership of new coach Conner Henry, and it will be the first chance for Sixers fans to see new recruits Isaac Humphries, Keanu Pinder, Sunday Dech and 18-year-old Next Star Josh Giddey for the first time in a 36ers uniform.

The NBL regular season is currently scheduled to start January 15th. The details of the season are still to be determined by it will be a unique schedule, to say the least.

Talks continue around whether there will be a hub used during the season and various teams will travel will be impacted depending on the rules to enter in each individual Australian state.

“I wouldn’t say the bubble is out, (the NBL) needs a contingency plan, we’ve all seen the coronavirus can flare up very quickly at any time and we don’t know when a vaccine will be passed for public consumption.

“We will go through a process of establishing where a bubble will be located if we need it and hope we don’t,” said NBL commissioner Jeremy Loeliger on Fran Fraschilla’s World of Basketball podcast.

International teams like the Breakers will no doubt severely compromised as they will be expected to base themselves in Australia and play on the road for the first ten weeks of the season in current plans for the season.

“The goal is to play the first 14 games of ours in two and a half months, then by April 1, maybe we come back and play a whole bunch of home games.” said Breakers owner Matt Walsh.

While the NBL regular season is being finalised it’s a great sign to see live basketball back in front of fans and a sign we’re closing in on the tip-off to NBL season 2020-21.

Adelaide 36ers Vs Brisbane Bullets Game Details

Date: Fri 13 Nov

Time: 7.00pm tip-off

Venue: Adelaide Entertainment Centre Arena, SA

Tickets available through Ticketek

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…

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…

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…

NBL Basketball returns to Adelaide on November 13th