Basketball On The Internet.

THE NBL Blitz Pre-Season Tournament in Darwin is just around the corner and social media wants to debate whose was the biggest signing - Andrew Bogut for Sydney Kings a couple of years back, or Aron Baynes for Brisbane Bullets ahead of the 2022-23 season. My take? Who cares?

Both are NBA champions, both are multiple Aussie Olympians. And the NBL as a destination post-NBA career for both sends only a powerfully supportive message worldwide of what our little league has to offer.

Bogut arrived with appropriate fanfare into a Kings team ready to challenge for an NBL championship but which ultimately fell short.

Baynes' arrival - and let's be frank, the moment it was announced everyone's opinion of what the Bullets could achieve in 2022-23 changed dranatically - so it was seriously impactful.

They immediately leapt from a "bottom three" candidate to a "top four" prospect.

It is great for the NBL, as was Bogut's arrival and his subsequent continued active interest.

The Blitz will shoot off in Darwin on Friday, September 16, with Adelaide 36ers playing South East Melbourne Phoenix for the Mitch Creek Cup. It was originally going to be for the Kyle Adnam Cup but that also would involve the Hawks, United and Kings.

Actually, all the teams will be playing for the Loggins-Bruton Trophy.

Tasmania plays Sydney and Perth has Cairns on Saturday, September 17.

Then it is finally a chance to get a good look at Baynes and the Bullets against New Zealand on Sunday, September 18 before Illawarra and Melbourne check out each other.

For the full Blitz draw, hit the link. The tournament gives us all a look at every team, and all under the one roof.