Basketball On The Internet.

THE NBL is considering moving to three imports next season, while additionally adding an Asian player to club rosters.

The Asian player would not be deemed as an import but part of the league's push into Asia.

While the mere suggestion of three imports will have some diehards screaming how much that will impact on the development of Australian players - an argument can be made having only seven Australian-based teams already has hampered that development, and it wouldn't stick - the truth is the NBL is a professional league.

It's further popularity, growth and revenue-creating opportunities may hinge on making decisions some in the basketball-purist sector will find unpalatable and that would be a shame.

But the truth is, the NBL owes almost zero to development and everything to having an attractive alternative entertainment product the masses can embrace.

When the league launched as the NIBL in 1979, it was largely to give teams across Australia tougher competition and to give national selectors the chance to pick from our elite best.

It was from those noble beginnings we have today's league, which, let's be honest, would be no-where if Larry Kestelman hadn't bought in as Executive Director.

In 1979, the league needed import restrictions - even though contrarily that year St Kilda won with the only all-Australian championship-winning team in NBL history - because it was producing players for the Boomers.

But these days, the bulk of the Boomers are playing in the NBA, European leagues and even the NCAA. The handful who qualify through the NBL will in no way be hindered by facing more quality players, even if their passport isn't stamped "Australian".

When the NBL's ideas flow into the public domain, they are sure to incite discussion and some passionate rebuttal.

But anything which helps keep the league going forward has to be given consideration over where the league was when it was going backwards.

 

QUESTION TIME

*"THE word on the street is somebody wants him". Is that Corey Williams' way of telling us Melbourne United is interested in Jerome Randle? It's not as if we're unaware Adelaide is trying to retain him. And how many interstate streets does Corey gather intell on?

*IS it just me or do you think of Wayne's World every time Melbourne United star Chris Goulding goes to the foul-line with his hair ritual?

Wayne's World. Party-Time. Excellent.

*Is Joe Connelly going to wake up at any point to the fact engaging (and inciting) opposition players such as Markel Starks and more recently Jerome Randle isn't paying off for his team?

*Is it time for Fox Sports to fire the tailors responsible for the ghastly cut of the tan trousers of its commentary teams? (Cannot watch a TV game with a woman in the vicinity because, without fail, they comment on how bad the cut is.)

*Does WNBL Life Membership mean anything tangible? Or should a WNBL Life Member attending an Australia Day eve match between her former club and its crosstown rival expect to have to pay at the door? Is this just because BA Hall of Famers similarly are dissed? Can BA or the WNBL look into making it standard for HoFs and Life Members to be granted free admission so we don't go mahering another fixture?
 

NBL RANKINGS This Wk-Prev (Record)

8 (8) KINGS 5-18 - Can try for a banana split and can get it. Just can't see which team it beats.

7 (5) BREAKERS 11-12 - Six losses in a row means it's either beat the Crocs or play golf.

6 (7) TAIPANS 10-14 - If reality has set in, will the Taipans sizzle or sink?

5 (6) CROCODILES 8-15 - Can get to double-digit wins this round but it's a tough call.

4 (2) UNITED 16-8 - Battle for the summit will reveal Melbourne's title bona fides.

3 (1) HAWKS 14-9 - No Penney will challenge if Illawarra is on the money.

2 (4) 36ERS 13-9 - Six straight wins but now comes the Illawarra double.

1 (3) WILDCATS 16-8 - Back where they belong and can end any Melbourne debate this round.

 

WNBL RANKINGS This Wk-Prev (Record)

9 (9) CAPITALS 0-19 - Last real chance to grab a home win but it's anything but a cert.

8 (7) BOOMERS 7-12 - Devastated by injuries now and facing a difficult Doomsday Double.

7 (8) LIGHTNING 6-12 - Finishing strongly and can add two more wins this week.

6 (6) STARS 10-8 - Back in the picture as they put out the Flames this round.

5 (2) RANGERS 12-7 - Lost to Lightning, limped past Boomers and need a big lift.

4 (3) FLAMES 12-7 - Season may be put to the sword if Carolyn Swords is still out.

3 (4) SPIRIT 12-7 - Sneaking up the ladder and rankings but Dandenong is a "must win".

2 (5) FIRE 12-6 - Tough road ahead without Tatham as they revamp their identity.

1 (1) LYNX 13-6 - Got the job done despite depletions and can do it again this week.

THIS WEEK'S TIPS

TWO teams who match up well and who haven't always enjoyed the fruits of their labours open the round in Townsville. Sydney played a good game last round in Adelaide before Jerome Randle saw off the Kings and the Crocs played the Sixers tight too before being held out. They then clobbered New Zealand which isn't something you might expect of the Kings right now. With homecourt, leaning toward Townsville.

SO much hinges on whether Kirk Penney suits or not for Illawarra against Adelaide because his absence against Perth was pronounced. It's not just what he physically brings (NBL's #3 scorer, savvy vet etc) but also his emotional impact. Without him last week, coach Rob Beveridge labelled his charges as mentally soft as they faded out on the road. At home, that shouldn't happen, the Lisch-Randle matchup alone worth the price of admission. Kirk is the key or its Adelaide for seven straight.

JOSH AND JEROME: Josh Childress, left, key to Kings and Jerome is leading the 36ers.

NO-ONE outside the team truly knows what's going on with the reigning champs at present but they had chances to seal wins over Illawarra and Cairns and blew them, and in between were blown out by Townsville. The Breakers need wins now after chalking up six straight losses and to their advantage they have homecourt, the recent video of their loss in Townsville and the Crocs coming in off already playing this round. If those advantages aren't enough, rule a line through New Zealand.

CAIRNS' faithful will still be working their calculators as to how their team can get into the finals and at home should have the edge on Indiana Faithfull and his Kings co-conspirators. Sydney has had Cairns' number since it blemished the Taipans' season with a 24-point win in Round 1. It beat them again in Sydney by 10, split by an 18-point Taipans' home win. How different would Cairns season look right now if it had those two wins? That should fire it up sufficiently for a victory.

NEVER having been a true believer in United but always impressed by their talent, this is the game that to me and other non-believers would prove they are title contenders. Yes, Melbourne beat Perth in Melbourne on a controversial non-call, but most efficiently in the sold-out open-roof game. But in between it was hammered by the Wildcats in Perth and with top spot up for grabs between its two leading protagonists, this looks a Perth win. If United win, make room on the bandwagon.

HOW Thursday's game between the Hawks and 36ers played out will be relevant here because the rematch in Adelaide will bring the best out of the two sideline mentors Rob Beveridge and Joey Wright. One will make the necessary adjustments, the other the key tinkerings. Both teams should be at full potency for this one, giving us a genuine playoffs insight. At home, I'm favouring Adelaide but not with any real conviction until after we see Thursday's wash-up.

ADELAIDE can take Melbourne's seventh spot with a home WNBL win on Friday and with the Boomers most likely down Tess Madgen, Elyse Penaluna and Brittany Smart, the odds very much are in Lightning's favour. Melbourne went down fighting to Dandenong but the Lightning whipped those same Rangers in Dandenong so are entitled to start heavy favourites at home.

THE loss for the rest of the season of injured Canadian import Tamara Tatham sees Townsville under the pump when it hosts Sydney, the Flames needing at least a split on their trip to Queensland to stave off playoff incumbents. This could be Sydney's biggest weekend of the season but with Suzy Batkovic in super form, the Fire shoiuld prevail.

LAST round's performances by Dandenong were not that impressive - a home beating by Adelaide, a narrow escape against a depleted Melbourne - only homecourt providing any true advantage against fast-finishing Bendigo. Kelsey Griffin is in sizzling touch, Gabrielle Richards will cause inside nightmares and the Spirit should sneak a road W.

PERTH dug deep to beat Adelaide last week, down both Tessa Lavey and Louella Tomlinson. On the strength of that and the belief it also would have built for Andy Stewart's crew, expect them to add a further digit to Melbourne's loss column.

DID anyone expect Canberra to go through 2015-16 without registering a single win? Adelaide in Canberra represents arguably the last real chance for the Caps to snap their doughnut, catching the Lightning having to travel after already hosting Melbourne. The bad news for Capitals' fans is Adelaide is travelling OK at present and can put some distance between itself and the Boomers by winning here. Pretty good incentive for both clubs, an upset here as unsurprising as an Adelaide win.

SEQ can put a severe dent in Sydney's playoff hopes while enhancing its own and that's what I'm expecting now Ify Ibekwe additionally is back in the Stars' lineup. If import Carolyn Swords (hand surgery) misses the Flames' trip north, their chances suffer a further blow, especially against an SEQ team rolling again.

 

KNOCK KNOCK

Who's there?

I'm Torrey

I'm Torrey who?

I'm torry you forgot to guart me cause I can toot it in from tentre.