Catching Up With The News

Is this the secret to rebounding? Find out which former NBL player may think so.

If you happened to have had a weekend like me where you did not really have a chance to scratch yourself, here are all the links to get you up to speed as you enjoy your first cuppa come Monday morning.

- The Australian Boomers remain undefeated at the Stankovic Cup in China. Just hours ago they defeated the African powers of Angola, 70-60, to go 3-0 in the touney to date.

The Boomers play China tomorrow in the final for the Cup.

For more details click here for a write up and video footage of the game.

- Basketball Australia's CEO Larry Sengstock is confident teams in Sydney and Brisbane are only a season away.

- Former Gold Coast Blaze import and part time rapper Luke Whitehead, has been arrested in Louisville, Kentucky on several drug charges.

- New Cairns Taipans import Skip "don't call me Pat" Mills should suit up for the Snakes when they take on the Melbourne Tigers Monday.

- Former Newcastle Falcon sharp shooter Michael Johnson is about to "dream" with the Singapore Slingers. Remember them? And Bob Turner, CEO of the Slingers believes they are getting closer to a good product.

- It has been a tough weekend for my former team, the Townsville Crocodiles. Playing the undermanned Melbourne Tigers in back to back games over the weekend, the Crocs came up lame on both occasions.

Game 1 was a 90-81 scoreline with Luke Kendall torching the net for 14 first quarter points and a game high 27.

Game 2 was more of the same but the Melbourne Tigers got solid contributions from many. They had everyone trouble the scorekeeper with five reaching double figures. The final score was 92-79.

- The Adelaide 36ers have won their 3 game series against the Perth Wildcats over in the west. Adelaide won the third game to take the series 2-1.

You can get the scoop on this series from Perth journo Shane Hope, Monday morning right here, and I'm sure Adelaide scribe Boti Nagy will have something to say as well.

- Watch this You Tube footage and see if you can be as creative as Shaq while playing Scrabble.

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.

"The OT" - Episode 33

"The OT" is ready for your listening pleasure.

In Episode 33 we roll with two interviews and no jibbering from the peanut gallery.

First, Rod and I do our best to hit Basketball Australia CEO Larry Sengstock with the tough questions. Larry nearly spills the beans on what the television deal with Fox Sports will entail. Also, we question him on some of the current rules that may be restricting players from gaining a contract. He also clears up some of the questions regarding the rule changes happening in this year's NBL.

Back by demand, we entice Paul Rees away from the dairy farm for a few minutes. He enlightens us on a few relationships he had with opposition players as well as teammates.

Let "The OT" know what you thought of this format, where we just had the interviews.

Hope you enjoy!

Tigers On The Prowl, Again

If my mail is any good, look for the Melbourne Tigers to hold a press conference at 2pm today.

The announcement should be a positive one about them rejoining the league.

Hopefully new Basketbll Australia CEO Larry Sengstock will also be shedding some good news about the NBL very soon as well.

Larry Sengstock Talks On "The OT"

After a few weeks break "The OT" is back.

The new saviour of basketball here in Australia joins us. Yes, Larry Sengstock saw this program as a great spot to start spreading the new message. More importantly though, Larry talks about how he actually wanted the position.

Also, we start our off season "blast from the past" segment. Former Newcastle Falcon Marty McLean joins us.

If you cannot remember the shooting guard being part of the Falcon's franchise for seven seasons, don't worry you won't be the only one.

I had never had a conversation with this bloke in my life, but he had us in stitches. A real character and entrepreneur.

Listen to find out more about McLean and why he feels he couldn't play in the NBL these days.

It Is All Beginning To Happen

Larry Sengstock (7) will have to trade in his tight shorts for running a tight ship if the NBL is to get back on course.

I jump on a plane in Los Angles and I arrive in Brisbane and the NBL has started to make some progress in the direction of the New NBL.

First, Basketball Australia announced that Larry Sengstock will take the reins of the New NBL.

From a distance I believe that this is a great hiring. Sengstock and basketball needs no explanation. He has one of the country's best resumes, both domestically and internationally.

The thing that impresses me the most and gives the sport hope is Sengstock has been entrenched in business since he hung up his Puma Luffs.

This is what the sport has been missing. Someone that knows and loves our game while also having the business acumen to woo potential sponsors to the great sport of basketball.

I know it is easier said than done, but I believe we (basketball) have given ourselves every chance to get ourselves out of this rut we have put ourselves in over the past decade.

Sengstock has all the oncourt championship experience that the league named the Finals MVP Award after him. Imagine if he succeeds in the boardroom what basketball will do for this man.

All the best Larry, you have my support.

News

- The NBL coaching carousel is beginning to heat up. The Perth Wildcats have dumped first year coach Connor Henry half way through his deal. The dust has settled and Henry speaks on the Wildcats decision and his aspirations to remain in Australia. (Was it some 48 yer old that cost him his job?)

It is expected that former Sydney Spirit head coach Rob Beveridge will be the new coach.

Also in the coaching ranks, Joey Wright is the hot mail to take over from Brendon Joyce at the Gold Coast. Some dust just needs to settle between the Blaze and Joyce before anything will become official.

My understanding was that both Wright and Beveridge were in contention for both the Wildcats and Blaze positions. Must feel good to be wanted!

- Sam Harris looking to get career going in Europe.

- Cairns Taipans have seemed to be able to do what the Wollongong Hawks have done. Meet the criteria set by the New NBL.

- Aussies Luke Nevill and Aron Baynes played in the NABC All-Star Senior Game over the Final Four Weekend. (Click on the above link to get the boxscore.)

This is where the sport needs to get back to.