Basketball On The Internet.

McDONALDS today formally backing the Townsville Crocodiles as the NBL club’s naming rights sponsor is a bigger story than most sponsorship yarns as the climate of trepidation around the league shifts to anticipation instead.

While there is a minor debate whether Maccas has been there for the Crocs for 21 years or 18, the fact remains the company’s decision to stay with the club is a huge fillip for not only Townsville but for the league in general.

In fact it is an endorsement of the direction for both. Bear in mind, the Crocs were heading toward extinction at one point in the off-season so to not only be recovering but replenishing is very positive.

“We are extremely excited to have McDonald’s with us on the court again,” Crocs CEO Pat Reidy said.

“The new McDonald’s franchise owners have played a significant role in supporting the community through continuing the sponsorship of the Townsville Crocodiles.

“George (Colbran) gave so much to our club and it’s a real sign of respect and admiration for him that the new owners have chosen to continue his and McDonald’s tradition.”

No-one should ever under-estimate or diminish how much Colbran did and has done for the Crocodiles – and even continued to do after his attempt to hand back the license to avoid trading insolvent was poorly handled by BA.

Reidy said he believed the naming rights sponsorship was the longest in national sports in Australia.

MELBOURNE signing import combo guard Stephen Dennis and big-man free agent Auryn Macmillan means half the clubs have set their lineups for next season.

If you missed the story, you can find it here: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/basketball/us-import-stephen-dennis-and-australian-auryn-macmillan-will-boost-melbourne8217s-nbl-drive-this-season/story-fnii0am9-1226688100806

The interesting thing is all four of the completed rosters look fairly solid on paper, depending on how well the various imports perform and also how well Mark Worthington bounces back from his surgeries.

Tip-off cannot come soon eough.

TAKING advice from Aaron Grabau’s famous #8 uniform, Kerry Williams has retired from the Cairns Taipans.

The 105-game NBL vet will head the Skytrans Cairns Taipans’ Indigenous engagement program for the next three years.

“Kerry has been an ambassador for the club and Cairns region and we’re delighted to have the opportunity to keep him on board in his new capacity,” Taipans CEO Mark Beecroft said.

IF you were a betting person - and remember, gamble responsibly – would you like Tess Madgen’s chances of adding a second Halls Medal to her award collection as the fairest and most brilliant player in the SBL women’s competition?

Let’s see now. She is leading the SBL in scoring (32.9ppg), rebounding (12.7), assists (8.0) – that’s about 12 points, 1.1 rebounds and three assists more than the next person.

She is scoring at 51.6 per cent, which is fourth best in the SBL and also happens to lead the league in three-point percentage with 43.9 per cent.

Only her absence on national duties can prevent her wearing the defunct soft drink-maker’s medal again this year.
 

DAVID Vanterpool appears to be a serious candidate for the Philadelphia 76ers coaching job.

The Sixers interviewed the 40-year-old Portland Trail Blazers assistant today, Doug Collins having stepped down as Sixers coach on April 18.

San Antonio Spurs assistant and former Boomers coach Brett Brown, 76ers assistant Michael Curry, a holdover from Collins' staff, and Boston Celtics assistant Jay Larranaga are the other serious contenders.

Brown has the option of interviewing last. The Sixers are not commenting on any developments in their coaching search.

IT has happened again in the SEABL, with Sandringham’s Sam Woosnam scoring a controversial basket to beat Ballarat 77-75 in a crucial women’s match on Sunday.

According to Ballarat supporters, Sam’s baseline jumpshot appeared to violate the shot clock less than a second before the buzzer sounded but no official protest was lodged post-match.

"I never second-guess referees in those circumstances," she said today.

This just in. Apparently Ben Allen swears Woosnam’s shot was completely legal.

IF Tully Bevilaqua married Matthew Dellavedova but wanted to keep old name too, would she become Tully Bevilaqua-Dellavedova?

That’s actually exactly why Uma Thurman stopped dating Baz Luhrmann. She didn’t want to become Uma Thurman-Luhrmann.

Speaking of Delly, here’s the upshot of an interview I did for NewsLtd with him today: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/basketball/australian-basketball-olympian-matthew-dellavedova-has-been-invited-to-the-cleveland-cavaliers-preseason-camp/story-fnii09gt-1226688247844