Basketball On The Internet.

PROTECTING the head rightly has become a priority globally in team sports so it should be no huge surprise the NBL has reacted to its duty-of-care in that area.

The facial injury Perth captain Damian Martin randomly suffered a round back could have been avoided and so too the whack to the face and concussion of Adelaide swingman Mitch Creek, according to the NBL's independent tribunal.

QC Tony Nolan therefore found against both reported players, Brian Conklin and Nathan Jawai, in hearings yesterday and frankly, I cannot say I'm unhappy with the results.

Conklin copped one game, with two others in abeyance and activated if he's on any similar charges again this season.

It's fair enough because even if both instances with Martin and Creek were accidents, they could have been avoided had he not flailed his arms recklessly and unnecessarily.

Other players have every right to feel safe on a basketball court and not at the whim of a very strong big man waving his arms about any time he's annoyed about aggressive defensive contact.

Don't get me wrong here. I don't for a second believe Brian is a malicious man or intends to hurt anyone. Quite the contrary. But he has been reckless and it has cost two other fellow professionals time out from their jobs. That's not right.

The Tribunal's decision is.

Jawai's attempted block of a shot by New Zealand's Tom Abercrombie, which resulted in Abers copping a solid whack across the head, also was deemed illegal, the Beast of Bamaga also found guilty of striking.

His good history led to the penalty of a $1,000 fine, players across the league now on notice the NBL's tolerance level for head-high hits is at zero. 

Frankly, that's as it should be.

 

A GREAT many NBL fans were wondering – some quite loudly on social media – if or when Melbourne would be beaten this regular season.

There was even a case being made that the Dr John Raschke Trophy was “Melbourne’s to lose”, such has been United’s dominance.

While Melbourne has been the league’s most impressive team without question, perspective is always handy.

It opened the season in Townsville against the club pretty much universally tipped to finish eighth.

It then had a run of six consecutive home games, which can’t help but make finding your groove a little easier.

And then, of course, there’s its two wins – over Perth and New Zealand - which were somewhat tainted, as borne out by referees in both games suffering the consequences of non-calling or inept interpretation at the crunch.

Just hypothetically then and for the sake of the exercise, subtract those two wins from Melbourne and instead of its lofty 9-1, it would be 7-3. Perth would be 7-3 as well and NZ 6-4.

Suddenly, the comp wouldn’t look lopsided at all. And it isn’t. No matter what the ladder says at present.
 

KELSEY Griffin (pictured below) will receive her Australian citizenship on Sunday in a ceremony at Bendigo Stadium after the WNBL match with Dandenong Rangers.

"The reason I chose to have the ceremony at the Bendigo Stadium is because I wanted a venue where anyone who wanted to be, could be, part of something so important to me," the 28-year-old WNBA star and dual-WNBL championship winner said.

"The people of Bendigo, the city of Bendigo, and the Bendigo Bank Spirit have done so much for me and I felt it was the least I could do to offer a place where anyone who wanted to be a part of the ceremony could.

"I want it to be my thank you to the community for supporting me in my journey of becoming an Australian."

Opals coach Brendan Joyce has to be re-um..joicing as Griffin adds another super-quality three-man to his squad for the Rio Olympics.

 

ANDREW Gaze will be back on Fox calling the 36ers-Hawks match from Titanium Security Arena.

It’s fortunate for Andrew we still have a league for him to call games in.

Still don’t understand why we can’t just have Derek Rucker calling every other game.

 

NBL RANKINGS This Wk-Prev (Record)

8 (7) CROCODILES 3-8 – No Conklin, no Schenscher, no doubt  they'll go down battling.

7 (8) KINGS 3-7 – The 36ers were ripe for the plucking but there’ll be no breaks from NZ.

6 (5) HAWKS 4-5 – First trip to Adelaide and fresh, should pinch the win.

5 (4) 36ERS 5-5 – Might get a split at best this round, symptomatic of season.

4 (6) TAIPANS 4-5 – United’s scalp was big. Perth in Perth? Maybe bigger.

3 (3) WILDCATS 6-4 – Have the talent to go 2-0 but both opponents unpredictible.

2 (2) BREAKERS 5-4 – Can’t overlook Kings while revving for United re-match.

1 (1) UNITED 9-1 – Crocs will be a tune up but NZ a playoff preview.

 

WNBL RANKINGS This Wk-Prev (Record)

9 (9) CAPITALS 0-8 – There’s really no end in sight to the W doughnut.

8 (8) LIGHTNING 2-6 – On their way but Lynx rolling on confidence.

7 (7) BOOMERS 3-6 – Must get Bendigo or the season is virtually done.

6 (5) SPIRIT 5-4 – If they claim Melbourne rivals, playoffs may be a chance.

5 (3) RANGERS 4-3 – Oh dear. Tamed out west again so must beat Bendigo.

4 (4) FIRE 4-3 – Queensland derby will be a gem, with a Caps consolation.

3 (6) LYNX 6-2 – Should handle Adelaide but it won’t be easy.

2 (2) FLAMES 6-6 – Lost in o/time previously, odds now in their favour.

1 (1) STARS 6-2 – Tough double against genuine contenders. Big test.

 

THIS WEEK’S TIPS

ADELAIDE has been the epitome of erratic and it’s hard to see that settling when it hosts Perth. The Wildcats will be feeling good after winning here earlier this season and it’s tough to see what will stop them going 2-0 over the 36ers.

ROLLING now and settling into a groove with Abers back to his best and Charles J finding his niche, New Zealand should get past Sydney. The Kings looked good against Adelaide but the Breakers are deeper and more focused.

IT’S been another tough week for Townsville and with Melbourne suffering its first loss last round, it will be itching to bounce right back. Expect a Chris Goulding offensive blast as the depleted Crocs work to avoid the inevitable.

ILLAWARRA hasn’t seen the 36ers so far this season and will be up for this game, both sides enjoying a running style, both coaches less-than-complimentary after losses last round. At home, still leaning to Sixers, just.

AFTER what happened at Nonsense Arena, New Zealand will have the guns blazing for Melbourne’s visit in what, again, should be a classic. The Breakers have found their mojo though and this time there won’t be any calls to bail United.

CAIRNS has shown in the past it can lift for big road games and if Adelaide has given the Wildcats enough of a work-out, an upset in Perth isn’t out of the question by any means. Much depends on how well the Taipans handle Perth’s bigs but at this point in the week, I’m thinking she’ll be oranges.

THE first Queensland derby in the WNBL pits two finals favourites and gives Townsville a chance to show something against SEQ which it hasn’t yet – consistency. It’s a challenge, the duel of the bigs to be a highlight. Time to Fire up.

SECURING Kayla Standish has been a big help for Adelaide but since it last saw Perth, the Lynx have taken out Dandenong and Bendigo while finding form for another big in Carley Mijovic. This will be tighter than expected but Lynx at home.

IT was overtime at Logan when last SEQ-Sydney met and a classic battle, the teacher (Heal) winning the test over his pupil (Seebohm). That dynamic will be relevant, as will the Bec Allen factor but at home, this has to be a Sydney win.

ON the ropes with its season teetering, Melbourne has to find something to end its losing skid and Bendigo is certainly “gettable”. Knowing it and doing it remain two separate issues but I’m leaning slightly to the Boomers’ desperation.

CAPS SEASON A FLOP: Steph Talbot takes a dive and apparently is looking for the ref to bail her out, which wasn't what she learnt at Forestville juniors alongside Lightning's Alex Ciabattoni.

NOT sure what can be done to stem the tide in Canberra but Townsville’s arrival won’t be the solution. Renee Montgomery will ensure this result isn’t as bad as the one in Townsville but the outcome won’t be any different.

KELSEY Griffin getting her Aussie citizenship – will this emotional day help or hinder as Bendigo hosts Dandenong? The Rangers didn’t get it done in Perth but then the Spirit couldn’t stop the Lynx either. This is a coin toss that’s come up just Dandy.

KNOCK KNOCK

Who’s there?

Kelsey.

Kelsey who?

Kel's seen the light and become an Aussie.