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Fryeday and we are ahead of the game!
TweetDON’T think low-scoring, ugly “winning” basketball is symptomatic of Australia’s NBL.
In fact, we are ahead of the game around the globe, it seems.
Basketball Australia boss Kristina Keneally has just returned from the US – expect her to tweet about this in December – and the NCAA and WNBA also are being confronted with the same dour game-style.
But wait. It doesn’t end there.
It’s hit Europe too!
Eurobasket reports: “With the start of the Turkish Airlines Euroleague and Eurocup regular seasons this week, a series of rule changes designed to make the game faster, clearer, fairer and more spectacular for participants and fans will take effect in both competitions.”
Yes, that’s right. Mal Cooper, Bill Mildenhall, Ray Hunt and NBL Pty Ltd were ahead of their time, albeit only by a few weeks.
“Another change will restore jump balls in place of alternating possessions in held ball situations,” Eurobasket reports.
“Additionally, the team that wins the game's opening tip will have the first possession to start the fourth quarter, while the other team will start the second and third quarters with the ball. All overtime periods will now begin with a jump ball.
“In taking the initiative to look for ways to make the game stop less often and for shorter times, Euroleague Basketball continues to work closely with FIBA and their Technical Commission. The majority of the modifications will be incorporated into the official rules of basketball and applied to FIBA competitions starting in the 2014-15 season.”
Over to you Aaron.
YES 36ers fans. Jarrid Frye and Adam Gibson will be lining up against Wollongong Hawks tomorrow at Adelaide Arena.
Not so sure yet about new Hawks' import Kevin Tiggs but he is with the team in Adelaide and does have a uniform for the Hawks' historic 999th NBL game.
CHRIS Goulding apparently has been seeing the same ankle witch doctor who put Ben Madgen back on the hardwood two months early and is a bona fide chance to play on Sunday against Perth.
The 2012-13 All Star Game MVP and Melbourne Tigers’ club MVP last season seriously buckled his ankle at the Blitz against Townsville and was not expected back until December.
“Chris is obviously a big part of our team and will boost our group no matter how limited his contribution if he plays,” Tigers coach Chris Anstey said.
“He's been diligent in his rehab and is certainly ahead of schedule, but we are not going to risk his long-term health for the sake of getting him back a game or two early if he's not ready.”
Yeah. That’s almost word perfect to the comment Kings’ coach Shane Heal gave me regarding Madgen at the Blitz.
Expect Bubbles to be bubbling against the Wildcats at The Cage.
OPALS co-captain for this year’s Oceania series, Jenni Screen is looking forward to her 150th WNBL game tomorrow night when Adelaide Lightning host Logan Thunder in the first WNBL-NBL double-header of the season.
“I used to love the double-headers back in the day when we’d play and the 36ers would be on after us,” she said.
So what exactly does #150 mean?
“As I've gotten older, I'm grateful for every one of them regardless of the results,” Screeny said.
“Each basketball game has driven me to work harder, learn more from great coaches and players and not only attempt to become a better athlete but more importantly a good team mate.
“The game of basketball has taught me so many life lessons and skills and given me beautiful friends like Laura, Jae, Sporny and for that I am truly forever indebted to such a great game that I've been lucky enough to make a career from.
“I'm lucky, so very lucky. Yeah I've worked hard but I've crossed paths at the right moments in my journey with amazing people that have helped and given me opportunities to do something I love.”
At News Ltd, we reported Jenni’s milstone here: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/basketball/opals-cocaptain-jenni-screen-looking-forward-to-150th-wnbl-game-and-saturday8217s-doubleheader-with-the-36ers/story-fnii09ki-1226741624550
MELBOURNE will celebrate a key piece of its history as a club tonight and this weekend, reuniting the members of its inaugural NBL Championship team – the Tigers of 1993.
Yes, they beat Perth Wildcats in a classic three-game series which came down to Andrew Vlahov’s last shot for the win going so tantalisingly close before rolling out.
Yes, you should remember the Andrew Gaze head-hug on his somewhat bemused father and coach Lindsay and you can re-live that day again tonight and on Sunday.
Tonight the Tiggeys celebrate their season launch at Hilton on the Park in Melbourne by bringing back the members of that historic championship.
Those 20th Anniversary celebrations continue on into Sunday’s game against the Wildcats, with the current Tigers wearing replicas of the 1993 uniform.
Players and coaches from 1993 will be courtside and presented to the crowd at halftime.
“Sunday is going to be a landmark day for the Tigers,” general manager Vince Crivelli said.
“Seeing the 1993 Tigers will be a thrill for all our members and fans, and this season's roster has the ability to capture the hearts and minds of those same fans and members.”
Go to the Tigers’ website if you want to grab tickets for tonight or for Sunday’s TV game.
My (e)mail is that Mark Worthington will be looking forward to reacquainting himself with Perth’s Shawn Redhage and vice versa.
JOEY Wright gave me one of the year's best quotes in a terrific interview.
See if you can guess which one it is at: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/new-36ers-coach-joey-wright-brings-back-the-fun-to-go-handinhand-with-an-nbl-title-drive/story-fnia3gmi-1226742485106
