Basketball On The Internet.

THE NBL draw is out, the Opals suffer a blow, my brother gets his own line, and Ben Madgen shows again he is a special athlete and person – all in all, it was a pretty good day.

Not so much for Abby Bishop but then, her ankle not quite coming up didn’t happen today so she shouldn’t really count.

Better the London Olympian takes no chances and is right for World Championship selection next year than she comes back prematurely and sets herself further back.

After all, the Opals should chop down New Zealand’s Tall Ferns without too much difficulty, given the vast difference in talent available to both programs.

Opals coach Brendan Joyce said Bishop’s mobility and experience would be missed in Auckland on August 14 and Canberra on August 18.

“It's just precautionary,'' he said.

“She had some bone-bruising from an ankle she twisted severely five to six months ago.

“In three or four weeks she'll be ready.''

THE draw’s release today, and we had a couple of pieces on it today at: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/basketball/the-perth-wildcats-and-adelaide-36ers-rivalry-will-tip-off-first-round-of-new-nbl-era-as-2013-14-draw-released/story-fnii09ki-1226694037611 and http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/basketball/wollongong-hawks-and-perth-wildcats-will-be-the-first-clubs-to-break-the-nbl8217s-1000games-barrier/story-fnii0att-1226694215612  eases a lot of pressure on the clubs as they try to sell season tickets and appease sponsors.

The fact we again will be able to see every NBL game this season, even with the Ten details still being finalised, has to be a positive.

HERE in South Australia, Basketball SA has undone many years of injustice by declaring players who lost Woollacott and Halls Medals on countbacks will have those medals awarded retrospectively.

It means my brother Huba will jump from three to four Woollacott Medals won, separating him from the great Werner Linde, Ron Nunnelly and Jacob Holmes on his own line behind Mark Davis’ five medals.

It is pretty terrific news for all eight players affected, namely Mike Megins (North Adelaide) and Eddie Murtagh (West Torrens) who now get their due recognition for finishing with the same number of votes as the winner in 1970, Huba Nagy (Norwood) for his 1969 setback, Melvin Need (North Adelaide) for 1977 and Mike McKay (West Adelaide) for 1987.

In the Halls Medals, Jackie Aston (nee Tedmanson) of West Adelaide collects a medal for 1965, Cass Pujals receives a third for her 1989 loss and the great Julie Nykiel, who lost twice (1985 and 1991) suddenly not only collects an overdue Halls but immediately becomes a dual-winner.

Here was the NewsLtd story on it today: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/basketball/dual-wnbl-mvp-julie-nykiel-finally-recognised-in-sa-as-countback-award-losers-to-receive-medals/story-fnii09ki-1226694287349

YOUNG men such as Ben Madgen make being a sportswriter a joy.

His story of clinics in NT in a remote Aboriginal community, reported here: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/basketball/kings-star-ben-madgen-goes-back-to-nt-to-show-youngsters-the-joys-of-basketball/story-fnii0att-1226694331277 reflects very well on him but remember too, this also is a guy who is dealing with severely dislocating his ankle and missing out on the current Boomers team.

Very little fazes him.

“The rehab is going very well,” he told me.

“The specialist is very happy with my progress and where it sits at present.”

The Madge could not predict his exact return date for the Sydney Kings but you just know he will be doing everything in his power to make that as soon as possible.

YEAH, we had it here a while back under “Rumors” but it is all official now that Marty Clarke is on the support staff of St Mary’s College in the US as of next season.

We ran the update today at: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/basketball/ex36ers-coach-marty-clarke-lands-assistant-coaching-role-at-us-college-st-mary8217s/story-fnii09ki-1226694231428 with a little bit extra on Erik "Eze" Burdon making it onto Perth's roster.

Speaking of US coaching jobs, would be very surprised if San Antonio Spurs assistant and former Boomers coach Brett Brown did not know his fate as the potential new coach of the Philadelphia 76ers by the end of the weekend.
 

KEEN to reconnect with the glorious aspects of its chequered past, the NBL is actively urging clubs to bring back their heroes, legends and icons in various ongoing capacities.

The 36ers have struck already, as you can see here: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/basketball/adelaide-nbl-icon-brett-maher-is-back-with-the-adelaide-36ers-to-help-its-community-reconnect/story-fnii09ki-1226693369881 and, hopefully, greats who no longer have clubs - such as a Leroy Loggins (Brisbane) or Herb McEachin (Canberra) can also be re-engaged as the NBL re-emerges.

DEAR J.K. Rowling,
Your books are entirely unrealistic ... I mean, a ginger kid with two friends?
Sincerely,
Garry