Basketball On The Internet.

THE countdown is almost over and, in the tradition of Countdown's Molly Meldrum: "Do yourself a favor..." and get to your nearest NBL venue this weekend.

There's going to be high-flying antics that will leave you breathless and a standard of basketball we haven't seen for a while, now there's been such an influx and growth of talent.

Rotnei Clarke, James Ennis, Chris Goulding gone?

That's a shame. But in their place we have Jahii Carson, DeAndre Daniels, Daniel Kickert.

And Earnest Ross. And Daequon Montreal. And Jordan McRae. And Steve Dennis. And David Barlow.

And Josh Childress. And Josh Duinker. And Angus Brandt.

And Ekene Ibekwe. And Mickell Gladness. And Scottie Wilbekin. And Torrey Craig.

And also back now for another go around are two league MVPs in Cedric Jackson and Gary Ervin, and an MVP runner-up in Jamar Wilson.

Peter Crawford is looking for a championship at Adelaide. Adam Ballinger and Brad Hill have found new welcoming homes in Wollongong.

Jason Cadee is home at Sydney. Daryl Corletto is home in Melbourne. Earnest Ross and Tai Wesley are home in Guam, apparently.

Clint Steindl and Leon Henry are making waves in Townsville. Luke Nevill has made a splash in Wollongong.

The list goes on and on so if you çall yourself an NBL fan, you  need to be in a venue cheering your team this weekend. You won't be sorry you went.

But better yet. Take a friend who has never been before.

 

GETTING off to a flying start is so important to build the foundation on which your season will stand.

Early wins and road wins can prove priceless at the season's business end.

Now I'm not hinting that there's a demarcation line across the NBL with the rich kids such as Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and New Zealand on one side of it and the rest on the other side, but take an unbiased look at the opening round.

How much "help" do they need?

Wollongong is at home AND has to travel. Townsville travels AND is at home. Adelaide is at home, THEN has to travel. Cairns is on the road for back-to-back games.

In contrast ... Perth starts its season at home and can then put its feet up. New Zealand only has one game to negotiate.

United sits back while Adelaide takes something out of Cairns before the Taipans roll into Melbourne. And similarly the Kings get the benefit of catching Wollongong after the Hawks hosted Townsville.

Fair? Equitable?

You decide.

 

IS infamous Brisbane basketball fanatic Big Joe Tertzakian the NBL's #1 fan?

Try this. Big Joe will be in Adelaide tomorrow to watch the 36ers-Taipans.

On Saturday he will be in Sydney to watch the Kings host Wollongong.

Then on Sunday, he will be up in Townsville for the Crocodiles' home opener against Adelaide.

That either is a full-on commitment ... or the most ardent protest yet about the quality of NBL.TV!!

 

IT'S not really funny that the NBL website, until yesterday, had every individual player profile of Melbourne United players as "Melbourne Tigers".

Clearly someone at the Tigers, er, UNITED saw it and (rightly) complained.

It's not really funny that until yesterday, Wollongong signing Luke Nevill was the NBL site's breaking news story ... and had been since September 30.

Or that the next big story was the Taipans signing Warrnambool stand-out Nathan Sobey to their roster ... and that went up on September 26.

The League really needs to lift, most or any pre-publicity of tomorrow's tip-offs generated by the clubs or local media.

Meanwhile the Hawks have written and performed a new club anthem and theme song which you CAN find if you go to Wollongong's site.

Incredibly, I found myself humming it soon after hearing it so it is catchy. (Or I am feeble-minded. Either works.)

If the Hawks don't fly this season, they do have alternate careers waiting!

Check it out if you're unaware of it, or go for an encore anyway at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeMhHvwekeA

 

NBL RANKINGS

8 TAIPANS – What a dreadful way to start, with road games against last season’s #2 Adelaide & #3 Melbourne.

7 HAWKS – At home to Crocs, away to Kings, the challenges without Lazza begin.

6 CROCODILES – Their Cup runneth over against Hawks away, then Sixers at home.

5 BREAKERS – Revisit venue where they won their third title to start Glory Days #2.

4 KINGS – Will unveil Josh Childress to open against their arch intrastate rival.

3 36ERS – Host Cairns, then jump a plane to Crocs. Nice. A 1-1 start would be acceptable.

2 UNITED – Gets Cairns on back-end of road double for a potential dream start.

1 WILDCATS – At home to NZ and … oh, that’s all this round. Tough draw for the favorites.

 

THIS WEEK’S TIPS

WHEN in doubt, a good rule of thumb is go with the home team and there is always a lot of doubt around Round 1. That said…

THE season tips off in Wollongong where the Hawks – who looked small and vulnerable at the Blitz – add 218cm Luke Nevill for their opener against Loggins-Bruton Cup-holders Townsville. Crocs import Mickell Gladness collected the Ray Borner Medal and will give Nevill a hellish opening night match-up, Mirko Djeric also keen to do well where he started his NBL journey. The Crocs backcourt will have their work cut out against Ervin-Carson and “The Vowel” – Tim Coenraad – has looked ready to rock. I’m narrowly favoring Wollongong at home but Townsville winning would be no surprise.

LOVED Cairns’ line-up last year and again this season, imports Scottie Wilbekin and Torrey Craig bring so much talent, athleticism and good decision-making. Adelaide hid the welcome mat and rebuilt its Arena back into a Fortress last season. Jamar Wilson against his former team should be special in itself. The Taipans have the tools for an upset – as they will every game – but the 36ers have much to prove and will get across the line.

PERTH-New Zealand grew into THE active rivalry in the league over the past six years and this match will only add to its growing stature. The Breakers have added some great pieces with Jacko backo, Ekene keen, Wesley, Wynyard, Carter and Co but then the champion Wildcats hardly were idle with Daniels and Ross new faces. The absence through injuries of Abercrombie and Pledger will help long-term as players now see extra action and responsibility. But against Perth IN Perth, not so much as the Wildcats take Game 1 of the newly-inaugurated four-match “Guam Invitational”.

SYDNEY’S big advantage this round is lying in wait for the Hawks who first negotiate the Crocs before heading for Sin City endeavoring to back up a 2013-14 regular season which saw Wollongong sweep the Kings 4-0 for the first time in like, you know, ever. This is big for the home team with Damian Cotter making his coaching debut, Josh Childress his playing debut and Angus Brandt, Josh Duinker and Jason Cadee all returning to their Sydney roots. Let’s not forget Tom Garlepp, Ben Madgen or Cody Ellis either, a lot of disparate elements for Cotter to juggle. But he has been in the Sydney circus for a while now so won’t drop the ball.

STEVE Dennis is unlikely to suit, if not opening the door for Cairns, certainly leaving it slightly ajar. United will be anxious to make a statement – new name, new face, new attitude – and that alone adds pressure to their preparation and build-up. How the players and coaching staff respond will be important. If they react like Turkey playing for a medal at home against the Opals, they will be chasing all afternoon. If they react like the Opals, then it will be Cairns left in hot pursuit. Either way, some huge talents will be on show making this a hot ticket and a must-win for Melbourne which I am expecting it to get.

FINALLY in front of their adoring crowd at their new digs in Townsville - is the new place The Swamp still or now The Marsh? I like “The Bog” myself but whatever - expect the Crocodiles to be fired up for Adelaide, an opponent The Marksman blasted off the floor in the corresponding game last season. Amazing as it may be, with Peter Crawford and Luke Schenscher, the 36ers will come in boasting more members of Townsville’s 20th Anniversary team than the Crocs. Both teams will be travelling after playing on Friday so there’s no advantage there. This is a case where the home venue might be the biggest key, the key the domain where Gladness and Conklin threaten to reign.

 

IMPORTS WRAP

THE Age’s Roy Ward, bringing you up-to-speed on this year’s NBL import crop at: http://www.theage.com.au/sport/basketball/nbl-attracting-nbalevel-imports-for-new-season-20141003-10ppv3.html

 

PETE'S BAR LUNCHEON

YES the annual gala fundraiser for basketball, featuring some of the best guests assembled, is coming up again in Melbourne on Friday, October 24.

That's right, just a mere fortnight away.

And this year the man with the gift of the gab - and game to back it up - Hall of Famer Cal Bruton will be guest speaker at the Lakeside Events and Function Centre, Level 1, 31 Aughtie Dve, Albert Park.

MC is that lovable scamp Nigel Purchase and you will have the chance to mingle with basketball's best known celebrities and catch up with many of your friends in the sport.

Trust me, this event is one of the gems on our sport's social calendar and if you can get along, it is always a lot of fun.

Download the booking form or email petesbarlunch@optusnet.com.au for more details.

 

WHY did the chicken cross the road?

He'd heard there were a lot of fouls over in Vector Arena.