Basketball On The Internet.

HOW much class did Sydney Kings import Marcus Thornton show, both when that dill sprinkled him with beer last night in Wollongong, and again in the post-game TV interview?

My opinion of Thornton went up a thousandfold with the dignity and self-discipline he showed in both instances.

Not sure the results would have been the same if that "Bad Santa" had poured some of his beer on say, an Anthony Petrie, Mark Worthington or Shawn Redhage.

Figtree Private Hospital — the company that hired the corporate box — said the 83-year-old beer sprinkler is the father of the woman sitting next to him on the Fox Sports telecast and suffers from a "cognitive impairment".

“Figtree Private Hospital has apologised to the Sydney Kings and the Illawarra Hawks for the actions of an elderly gentleman who was a guest in the hospital’s box last evening,” hospital chief executive Paul McKenna said in a statement released today.

“The 83-year-old father of a long-term, valued employee, has some cognitive impairment and does not recall the incident. His family are very regretful of the incident and have indicated they will be making a formal apology on his behalf.”

BEER O'CLOCK, APPARENTLY: Marcus cops an unusual "spray" but handles it brilliantly.

NBL General Manager Jeremy Loeliger described the incident as "unfortunate" and he is right. It shifted focus from a 96-90 Illawarra win and even drew international attention, derision and, fortunately, humour. 

"It is a shame that a brilliant game was tarnished by the actions of one individual," Loeliger said. "However the players and officials showed their professionalism by moving on quickly.

"We do not condone behaviour of this type, and will continue to implement measures to ensure that this kind of interference is dealt with appropriately."

It was Illawarra in the end which had the hops and was able to jump Sydney's hurdles, Kirk Penney with a career-high eight assists.

"I don't know how that happened," he said. 

I suspect I may. He was passing the ball?

HAWKS GO 2-0 IN RIVALRY: That's Kirk and AJ Ogilvy giving Angus Brandt a hard time the previous time they played. Courtesy: GETTY IMAGES / Picture: MARK NOLAN

Tonight: They lead the series 2-1, won by 31 at home and by 15 the last time they were in Townsville. Yet United is the team under pressure at The Swamp tonight, desperately looking to halt their losing slide and reassert themselves as the NBL's pre-eminent team. Can't wait to see this and while odds say Melbourne beats the Crocs, they did last week too. 

Last night: HAWKS 96 (Penney 24, Ogilvy 20, Lisch 17; Ogilvy 10 rebs; Penney 8 assts) d KINGS 90 (Childress 20, Thornton 18, Garlepp 17, Khazzouh 11; Childress 15 rebs; Carter 3 assts) at the Sandpit.

Online

Blow for 36ers: http://bit.ly/1TfV2JN

Yes, happy Jan: http://bit.ly/21h4UIo