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The NBL and NBA announced in June that five Australian teams will be heading to the USA to play in pre-season later this year. One of those games include the Melbourne United facing the Toronto Raptors which has Aussie Hoops fans giddy at the prospect of “our” NBL champions (who lost to the NBA’s Oklahoma…
Read MoreSydney Kings guard Jerome Randle was yesterday named to the TBT 2018 All-Tournament Team. Randle represented Eberlein Drive, which after a tremendous run to the final, lost to Overseas Elite 70-58. The Basketball Tournament, or more simply “TBT”, is basketball in its most democratic form. Teams are formed and gain entrance by garnering…
Read MoreThe Southland Sharks have beaten the Wellington Saints 98-96 in New Zealand’s National Basketball League final to claim their third title in club history. The game was full of NBL talent with Alex Pledger (Melbourne United), Reuben Te Rangi (Brisbane Bullets) and Jarrad Weeks (NZ Breakers) leading the Sharks to victory and Shea Illi,…
Read MoreThe SEABL Final Four has been decided after this weekend’s games with both the men and women moving into preliminary finals next week. Games will be played across two states in Nunawading (VIC), Kilsyth (VIC), Launceston (TAS) and Hobart (TAS). Men’s Semi Final 1: Ballarat Miners 65 – 90 Geelong Supercats …
Read MoreMelbourne United have tipped off their pre-season against Chinese Taipei behind closed doors once again this season. The final result was 136 – 85 to Melbourne United. Simon Mitchell took on head coaching responsibilities whilst Dean Vickerman watched from the sidelines. With the SEABL finals and NZNBL finals still ongoing the side was missing some…
Read MoreThe Brisbane Bullets have officially signed Makoto Hiejima making him the first ever Japanese international NBL player. During the 2019 World Cup Qualifiers, the 28-year-old shooting guard played an integral role in delivering the Boomers their first loss in over two years. Hiejima scored 6 points, shooting 37.5% as well as 8 rebounds and…
Read MoreBasketball in Australia is experiencing a significant resurgence in public interest. Everyday you can now run into a Simmon’s 76ers jersey. Cubicles now include just as much talk of NBA pre season outcomes and spirited debates about whether LeBron James had made the right choice in going to LA as they do about AFL results. Casual…
Read MoreTraining camp begins and the promise of a brave new world beacons for the Kings. But the elephant in the corner hasn’t been addressed and if this elephant topples off its precarious stool, the damage to basketball in Sydney could be extensive! The question still remains can Gaze coach? Now clearly the Gaze family…
Read MoreThe presence of Sydney’s new superstar signing Andrew Bogut is already starting to pay dividends on the first day of training camp yesterday at their Qudos Bank Arena home ground in Olympic Park. Bogut was vocal all morning and expects to lead a refurbished front line that also includes sweet-shooting forward Daniel Kickert, holdover…
Read More Head to iTunes to download this episode on your phone or iPod There’s been a lot of buzz since the consortium behind the Southern Huskies released marketing material for their proposed NBL team which featured team branding, uniforms and plans for the expansion and update of the Derwent Entertainment Center. The team…
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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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