News On NBL Rosters

There has been some signings of player over the day in the NBL, so all rosters are nearly full now.

- Cairns recall Kiwi international Tony Rampton back to the north. Trialling import Julien Mills has been signed or the season.

- Woolongong Hawks on the lookout for a point guard.

- Tasmania are looking at the NBL, as they meet with Basketball Australia's CEO Larry Sengstock.

- Adelaide 36ers are still keeping their options open for u/23 player.

- New Zealand Breakers get preseason win against Athletes in Action.

- Former Sydney King, Brisbane Bullet and Gold Coast Roller Dwayne McClain believes the sport needs to go back to winter.

Absolute Madness

JR trying to get at young Chinese punta into the "That's Gold" spirit.
Finally the fate of the Sydney Kings and the Brisbane Bullets has been decided.

Although disappointing both teams are exiting the 2008/09 NBL season, the rest of us can now get on with making the upcoming season a success. (Hopefully both these franchises can find a solid ownership group and we will see them both back next season.)

My understanding is the season's length will remain at 30 games, 15 home and 15 away. This will actually make the competition somewhat even as you will play each team three times. Unlike last year, we played some teams twice and others three times.

The next question now becomes, what happens to the playoff format?

I would suggest go back to the six team playoff scenario and make the first two rounds the best of three and keep the Grand Final at a best of five.

It would work like this; seeds 1 and 6 would play, 2 and 5 likewise, and 3 and 4 battle it out in the first round.

All winners advance to the semi-final round while the highest losing seed gets a second chance. A reward for having a good regular season.

Providing the higher seeds win through, the semis would be 1 v 4 and 2 v 3.

Winners of these series advance to the Grand Final.

I just feel there is no way the NBL can remain with an eight team playoff system. With eleven teams in the competition you cannot reward a team who had a below average season with a playoff birth.

It will interesting to see what direction the NBL front office go for this upcoming season.

NBL Related Articles
Sydney Kings collapse.
D-Train was prepared to put his money in.
NBL now 11 teams.
Hawks are the only "original" left.
Ian Crosswhite joins the Snakes.
Taipans new young talent.
Pigs close to returning to "spiritual" home.
Tall Blacks get drilled by Canada.
Ginobili to carry flag for Argentina.

NBA News: The free agency frenzy has begun. Here are the latest happenings.

Bogut sets Bucks deadline.
Baron Davis to the Clippers.
CP3 and Hornets close to deal.
Calderon and Raptors stay together.
Wizards hold onto Jamison.
LeBron preparing to become a free agent in 2010.

The Rookie - Episode 4