Indecision In New Zealand Finally Ended

I think a little of this has been consumed in the NZNBL office of late!

This is quite an interesting story that developed over the past few days in the world of the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL).

On the eve of this year's NZNBL playoffs the Auckland Stars have been reinstated after being "kicked out" of the competition yesterday.

In the space of a day Taranaki had got the "call up" to fill the void in the playoffs that the Stars had left after their expulsion from the NZNBL competition.

So, today Taranaki travelled by bus to North Harbour and started preparing to make a fist of this unique opportunity they had been handed. This game is scheduled for tomorrow so it seemed all was settled until a few hours ago.

Somehow the Auckland Stars have won a battle of the fine print and find themselves back in the playoff picture. Thanks for coming Taranaki, get back on the bus!

Just in case you are dizzy from this, yes, no, wait scenario, the game tomorrow night will be between the Auckland Stars and North Harbour Heat, as originally planned.

Spare a thought for the Heat who are trying to prepare for a run at a championship. It may be safest for them to keep preparing for both teams as it is amazing what can happen in a 24 hour period.

Here in Australia we are having our moments with the Sydney Kings and the Brisbane Bullets, but this one has me scratching my head as to how administrators making these decisions allow themselves to have teams hanging on like a yoyo.

Some players were ready for vacation until they got the 11th hour phone call.

In the end this could become a very costly mistake by NZNBL.

On the Basketball Australia website there is a good review of what happened at the first Boomers team camp in Canberra. Bill Baxter breaks down each position and has included audio interviews of several of the players.

If you couldn't be at the camp, it is a good insight into what happened.

Just in case you are thinking the same as me after you read and listen, Brad Newley played in Greece for Panionios, not Italy. Also Mike Dunlap is an assistant coach (associate head coach - just a fancy name for head assistant coach) at Arizona. Lute Olsen holds the title of head coach.

Click here to check out the write up from Camp 1.

Wollongong Hawks fans may have something to cheer for by the end of the week. Glen Saville may be headed back down the coast if his payments are not rectified. I'm sure Hawks fans will be very happy to see their traditional enemy Kings have to see the back of one of the Hawks all time favourites.

The 'Gong is on fire right now. Youngster Brad Simpson is hoping to be playing in the American college system by this time next year.

A little life story on Celtics captain Paul Pierce.

Michael Curry to coach the Pistons, while My Cousin Vinny (Del Negro) can accept the vacant Bulls job.

It's official..Terry Porter is Suns coach.

NBA Draft Talk...Mayo on the rise!

Sam I Am (Cassell) interview.

Are the Miami Heat about to trade D-Wade?

Townsville Fire's Rohanee Cox is a step closer to the Beijing Olympics. Coach Jan Sterling axed three after the Cairns camp. Here is the team that was selected to tour Europe.

Check out Chris Bosh on Jayo Leno

It's A Day For Updates - ABA, NBA, NBL and the Women

The Celtics may be getting ready to upgrade this poster!

Although it was a long weekend for most, not all hoopers were fortunate enough to enjoy the three day break. Take a look at what happened in your favourite ABA League.

Queensland: Is Cairns Marlins Rohan Grey becoming the next Grant Keys? Can light up an ABA scoreboard but will struggle to make the jump to the NBL level. I must say though, I did enjoy watching Keys and the Landlord (Simon Dwight) battle at practice in the early Razorback days.

Waratah: The Cockroach's had the weekend off. Must be using the time to mentally get ready for a Maroon onslaught on Wednesday.

Big V: I cannot believe the home of Australian basketball took the weekend off. Lindsay Gaze, you need to have a word to these people!

Western Australia: Geraldton's Michael Lay goes for another triple double. I need a little help WA people, is he worth a look at the NBL level?

South Australia: The Croweaters had the weekend off too. We all know these guys do not need much of an excuse to have a day off!

SEABL: Another league that took the weekend off. How many off these players would even know what the long weekend was for, let alone been alive when "God Save The Queen" was our national anthem.

Jawai Update:
Suns see him as a first round sleeper.
Jawai up against guys at his position at Suns workout.

The Ultimate Nathan Jawai Highlights:


Aleks Maric fans: Mr Maric must of honoured the long weekend in his homeland as there is nothing to report on him.

NBA News:

The Boston Celtics went up 2-0 on the Los Angles Lakers in the NBA Finals.

After watching the game I have come to the conclusion that it is the Celtics "role" players that have secured them this early series lead.

In Game 1 it was PJ Brown that came up huge for the C's. Today it was Leon Powe's turn to shine. The second year power forward gave the Celtics some unexpected offense, 21 points in 16 minutes to be exact.

It was just not Powe either. Point guard Rajon Rondo controlled the tempo for the Celtics and added 16 assists to his statline.

Once again James Posey hit some timely threes and played solid defense on Kobe Bryant.

All is not lost for the Lakers though. The next three games will be played out west on the Lakers home floor. The Lakers are deadly at home and the Celtics have had their troubles on the road during the playoffs.

The Lakers need the likes of Derek Fisher, Vladimir Radmanovic and their bench to lift their productivity so they can match the Celtics in this category.

There is no doubting that the Bryant's, Odom's, Garnett's, Allen's and Pierce's of this series will have their say but right now the Celtics are getting a better contribution from everyone.

Kobe needs some friends to help in Game 3 otherwise they may be getting the brooms out in Beantown.

GAME 2 Boxscore
Daily Dime
Suns get their guy.
OJ Mayo signs with new agent...I cannot believe I didn't make the article as one of Rose's clients.
Nene will not be in Beijing.

NBL/NZNBL News:

Stephen Weigh heading west?

Miles Pierce speaks his mind..gets him fired!

NZNBL axe team on the eve of their playoffs.

Kingma puts his feet up after three.

And For The Ladies:

Opals are in Cairns for a camp. Check out what Belinda Snell and Abby Bishop have too say about it all.

Euro stars return in pursuit of gold in Beijing.

Stirling honoured!

Leon Powe's Road To The NBA