Expectations of NBL 2009

 

Less teams, less time, new faces in new places. Just a day away from the preseason tournament in Darwin and to kick off a new NBL season that has been through the spin cycle this off season. As usual there was the casualties from this off season and a few legends of our game have left us. Some to retirement, some to a YAP rule, some where just given the ass but all deserve recognition to there outstanding contribution to basketball in this country. 

I will start with Jason Smith, a great friend and a real inspiration to kids who don't quite have the talent but are willing to work hard. He will be the first to tell you that he has made a handsome career out of defense and hitting his shots. Maybe the worst ball handler the league has seen (that's right smithy) but has rose to the top of the NBL through sheer determination.

John (JR) Rillie. The best pure shooter the NBL has ever seen. If it is the last we have seen of JR I don't think anyone will forget in a hurry that 3 point shooting display that dismantled the Wildcats single handedly. He also could talk with the best of them as well, as I found out early in my career but you have to love the passion and commitment to basketball this self pro claimed basketball junky has provided us for many years.

Shane (Hammer) Heal. Hammer was and still is the best competitor I've come across. Results haven't favored him in the last 2 years but don't let that fool you. The man has a drive and look of intensity that I love. His voice and swagger announces immediately his leadership and drive and is the best point guard this country has had. (No disrespect to CJ at all here). 

Brett Maher. The quiet guy that always managed to get the job done. I remember in my younger days when he first debuted for Adelaide when Dunlap was at the helm and I was amazed at this young kid with a sling shot that didn't miss. When he retired his shot was still as deadly and you know that your a great when the club renames the court in your name. 

Last but not least, one of my favorites Brad (Rat Boy) Davidson. Rat is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet off court and definitely one of the feistiest guys on court. His ability to take it to the biggest guy on the court and constant biting of the heels of opposing point guards will be missed. Another victim of the YAP rule unfortunately.

We also had guys leave our comp for gig's in Europe. Knight, Barlow, Loughton, Khazzouh, Rush and Ingles that I can think of, will all be missed. There is no doubt about the amount of talent in that pool alone and hopefully for the NBL sake they will one day come back and apply there trade here again.

So, to the season ahead, there are 8 teams and 4 final spots to fill. Which teams are the real deal? It's too early to predict but here's what I like about each club.

Perth: Defence, Defence, Defence is what Bevo will be preaching. When you spear head that with the two point guards you can't go wrong. Damien Martin and Brad Robbins are undoubtably two of the toughest nuggets going around. Damo knows exactly what Bev likes and Bevo likes having Damo running his team. Redhage will be at his usual scoring best (The man's hard to guard) and add the scoring power of Cattalini next to him and you have two guys that can go. Lisch is the unknown import at the moment and word is that they are bringing in the big Schensher as well to back up Paul Rogers. With all that said nobody should sleep on Wagstaff and Weigh. Look for those two to give impact at unexpected times.

Blaze: Got out there brooms and swept out majority of last years team ala South Dragons (RIP) from a year ago. Talk of South Dragons they picked up two of them, Gibbo and Mika gives the Blaze automatic toughness. Gibbo has become the premiere point guard with CJ Bruton in the NBL and Vukona has obviously work on his jumper this off season as the boomers found out to add to his work horse effort on defense and the boards. James Harvey looks to be the beneficiary of this with Pero and Mika setting picks for him and Gibbo delivering. Ayinde Ubaka and Michael Joiner are the two imports and have hard man Petrie to bring the toughness and skill set that he showed last year in the gong.

Breakers: Hoping to go better on there franchise best season last year. MVP Kirk Penney is back alongside his cast of mates CJ, Oscar Forman, Rick Rickett and NBL legend Tony Ronaldson. They still maintained Henare and Boucher but bring in Pledger and Storey. Storey was a late call up after Dave Thomas pulled the pin and Pledger is coming off a great series against the Boomers where he showed he can really stoke the ball for a 7 footer.

Crocs: The Ville made some noise this off-season. Dumping JR and signing Pete Crawford, Rolan Roberts and sneaky Steven Hoare. One would imagine that Trevor Gleeson is trying tweak his club that got close to the GF last year. Homicide, Rusty Hinder and B-Rad Williamson will also be looking looking to go one better and hope M. Cedar produces a more consistant season to go with his endless shooting range. Tovey will also be more comfortable in the system and cause havoc and I hope Kelvin Robertson will be back to his best after knee ending surgery cut his season short.

36er's: Half of the team are ex-Dragon players from 07/08. Herbert, Burston, Groves, Hill and Holmes. Don't expect the same return however because Adam Ballinger is one serious player and with the help of John Gilchrist and the Dr. Darren Ng back in town this team can shoot lights out. I expect Cortez to come back with a vengeance showing why he was one of the great scorers in this league. Also Herbert and Burston coming off a championship season will be looking for continued success.  

Taipans: Cairns have brought in the sweet shooting of Phil Jones along with tough import Rich Melzer along side Dusty Rychart to help develop the progress of Kerry Willams as he steps up to a bigger point guard role this year. Big Bear Ian Crosswhite is back with lethal three point threat Boodnikoff and defensive stopper Grabau. They also bring in Skip Mills to apply his trade here in Australia for the first time.

Hawks: After surviving a long off season headed by Matt Campbell the Hawks are flying again under the tutelage of Gordie McLeod. Saville is back again alongside import Tywain McKee, Cam Tragardh. Look for Rhys Martin to have a bigger year and for the bigs to fight for minutes in Gruber, Davidson and Behrendorff. Like Cairns with the community based support I look to see many packed out games at these venues.

Tigers: Left the Tigers til last because it is my team this year. We are the first team in NBL history to start a season without an import. That been said I like a lot of the NBL are looking forward to the return of Sammy Mac. Has been the best player at training this off season and hoping all health issues are behind him. Kendall has had his best off season in years and Nathan Crosswell is like a whippet with boundless enegry. DJ Johnson, Corletto, O'hea all coming off a great Big V season and the big fella Anstey is slowly but surely winding up for the season ahead. 

Anyways I hope you enjoyed your preview of the season ahead. Til next time

Have a beer for me.

Wortho