Basketball On The Internet.

NO-ONE would have been more relieved to see Melbourne United get rolled at home than NBL Executive Director Larry Kestelman.

No, not necessarily in his United boss persona but that particular guy who loves the NBL enough to sink $6million into revitalising it.

Conspiracy theories reign supreme across the NBL regarding United's draw, the "home town" calls which helped it across the line against Perth and New Zealand, right down to Brian Conklin's suspension eliminating him from Townsville's match against ... ?

Yes, United.

Now take a deep breath and ponder the following. 

If you had sunk $6million into reviving a competition - and most of us suspect Kaiser Kestelman's investment is probably closer to double that - would your first priority be to the league or to your club?

Would you be thrilled or cringing when a referee makes a blue that favours your club?

Should it not be enough that the said ref then is dropped the following week?

Apparently not because not long after, two zebras collude to get it wrong and the owner's team wins again!

Once again, the refs in question are put out to pasture to consider their folly and, yet again, I am certain the owner of the NBL didn't want to see the game end in the manner it did.

Sure, there are some eyebrow-raisers in the draw but I cannot help feeling Kestelman's influence in such things is more imagined than real.

For example, with his investment in THE LEAGUE paramount, does anyone truly believe he was down at the offices, banging on a table saying: "Make sure United has a dream draw"?

If someone DID make that happen, I'd suggest it was someone trying to curry favour with the owner and NOT the owner trying to feather his club's nest.

Similarly, does anyone truly believe Lord Larry is in a locked room with refs boss Albert Joseph demanding special favours for his team?

It's far more likely human nature kicks in and refs calling games in Melbourne, mindful this is the league owner's team, subliminally err.

When Conklin was reported (again), it was obvious he would do time or get a fine. The fact he copped a game and Melbourne was next on Townsville's schedule was an unfortunate coincidence for the league's Executive Director.

Conspiracy theorists jumped on that, of course. But, bear in mind Townsville's next TWO games were against Melbourne so if the suspension was really to help United, why not give Conklin a two-game suspension then?

It's silly and even sillier to suggest, even though many have.

So on one level - the important league level - I am sure Kestelman was quietly pleased the Crocs came to town, where Melbourne is supposedly invincible, and got the W.

Even better, the boss had been quoted in the Townsville Bulletin about the Crocodiles' future and the need for that city to support its NBL team.

And suddenly, the Crocs beat the top team!

Wow. If you want a conspiracy theory, could Kestelman have influenced that game to make sure Melbourne tanked and Townsville won?

Holy wild theories Botman!

It gets sillier, doesn't it?

So maybe take a deep breath and wonder if you'd sunk a fortune into making a league work, whether you'd be trying to influence the minutiae and risk discrediting all you are doing?

The answer is fairly obvious.

FROM 9-0 to 0-3, Melbourne has two of the NBL's best streaks going.

Meanwhile in the WNBL, Shannon Seebohm's Sydney Uni Flames and Andy Stewart's Perth Lynx surreptitiously have climbed into joint leadership of the WNBL and are making a case they won't easily be displaced.

Coincidentally, both have a terrific two-guard in Katie-Rae Ebzery and Sami Whitcomb respectively, who can turn games on their ear.