Where To Now For Players

Will the Wildcats become interested in Cats instant offense?

The playoffs are just around the corner and we already know what six teams will make up the playoff picture. So, I thought it was time to breakdown the fate of the players who are on those rosters (Cairns, Sydney and Wollongong) that are 99.9% sure they will gone when the new league tips off sometime in October later this year.

I'll writing this as if there will be eight teams in the new competition.

Let's put the Cairns personnel under the microscope.

Guys that will not struggle to pick up a new contract.

Martin Cattilini has already stated that he will be pulling up stumps in the north and heading back home to the west. The question here is, will the Perth Wildcats want him?

I cannot see how they would not want him on their roster. I can see Catt coming of the bench and providing instant offence for the franchise that gave him his first dollar in pro sport.

Ian Crosswhite has been absolutely great for the Taipans (18pts and 11rebs)since their roster become depleted.

Crosswhite is a big body and there are not too many of them floating around at the moment. He is a lock for a contract, purely on size alone.

The situation will have to fit the team.

I will lump Darnell Mee, Aaron Grabau and Matt Smith into this group.

All these guys could add value to a roster but will they be happy moving to a new environment and possible role.

Mee and Grabau have been some of the better defenders in the league for their entire careers. There will be a team that will love the idea of adding a veteran defender to their playing group.

Just how many spots will be available will dictate how many of these guys get picked up.

Smith is rather intriguing for me. He is never flash but has the ability to be in the right spot at the right time. He always finds his way onto a roster. Can his knack of finding a roster spot continue?

The Youth

Kerry Williams has a bright future I believe. He has one of the best handles in the NBL and can get to the rim on anyone.

But, the kid needs to spend the off season working on his "J". Get into the gym and fire up 500 plus shots a day if you are serious kid.

Scott Cook and Dwayne Vale I feel are going to feel the pinch due to the reduced number of teams.

From my understanding both these guys work their butts off at practice and deserve all the court time they are getting rewarded with right now.

The harsh reality is, someone has to miss out.

As for Gary Boodnikoff, my understanding is he has numerous business opportunities happening around Cairns so I'm not sure if he's looking to move.

Sydney Spirit's turn under the microscope.

Guys that will not struggle to pick up a new contract.

Matt Knight has shown over the past ten games that he is a double-double guy. He has expressed interest in looking at Europe but Knight will have no problem finding a new home in Australia.

Jason Smith would get another contract but the question is, does he want to move his family around?

If Sydney gets a team Smith will remain put. Otherwise, I'm sure a team like the Dragons may become interested in the defensive minded veteran since he has shown no signs of his early season shoulder injury.

A question franchises will be asking themselves is, Smith or Grabau?

Damien Martin's phone will ring. Teams that are looking to improve would love to have this tough as nails guard on their roster.

Martin's stats are never going to blow you out of the water but this guy has a knack of coming up with the ball when it's most important. This skill will keep him on a roster for a number of years in the NBL.

These guys need to have a strong ABA season.

Former teammate Drew Williamson needs to go out and put up huge numbers with an ABA team if he is to convince someone to go with him. In truth Drew is a guy that does everything OK, but nothing great.

He needs to go and find a skill that separates him from the rest of the pack.

Greame Dann has all the natural talent under the sun but has not been able to take his game to a consistent level.

I'm sure coaches are starting to run out of patience (and hair).

Dann needs to learn to play with intensity all the time instead of when he wants. But is it too late?

The Rest

Everyone that has been a teammate of Tony Rampton says what a great guy he is. It seems that injury is catching up with the guy so I cannot see the Kiwi international in the league next year.

Clint Reed and David Gruber will become casualties of the new league.

Microscope time for the Wollongong Hawks.

Locks for a new deal.

Two time Olympian Glen Saville will have his suiters providing he wants to leave the sun and surf of the Gong.

I think Sav, like many other long serving players in the league, will have to decide whether they want to pack up and move teams or retire to the place where they want to live the rest of their life.

I'm guessing Sav would love to see a new Sydney team come into the competition.

The situation will have to fit the team.

Cameron Tragardh has shown over the last few seasons that he is more than capable of putting points on the board. He needs to find a team that requires this skill.

Anthony Petrie has been this year's big improver through my eyes. This hard working second year forward will have to pack his bags again if he wants to continue his pro career.

I see him becoming a Mika Vukona type with more offense in his repertoire.

Looking for a strong ABA season.

Rhys Martin and Lindsay Tait do not possess true point guard skills so they will need to produce something special in the offseason to catch a coach's eye.

Tait may fair ok if the Wellington franchise joins the new league as he is playing for them in the New Zealand NBL domestic league.

Tough times ahead.

Larry Davidson and Daniel Jackson will find it hard to go around again if the number of teams are reduced.

Davidson seems to be forever struggling with injury, while Jackson has not cashed in on his limited opportunities.

Caught between a rock and a hard place.

The mayor of Wollongong, Mat Campbell. "Soupy" has played his entire career with this club so you have to really feel for this guy in a time like this.

Campbell would help out a number of teams (see Smith and Grabau) but I'm guessing he does not want to pack his bags at this stage of his life.

Both imports, Dusty Rychart and Kavossy Franklin have served this league well but will probably get caught out in a numbers game.

I believe that Rychart is trying to get Australian citizenship. If his paperwork comes through it becomes a different ball game for him as the picture becomes a little more rosy.

This is one aspect of professional sport that is never good. A reduced number of teams means less jobs to go around.

Sometimes we all have to have a little reality check, the trouble is, it is getting close for everyone.

No More Sydney Spirit?

Could all the Spirit's answers come down to what Dexter's compatibility score is?

TIM MORRISSEY (http://www.news.com.au/)
November 26, 2008 12:30am

SYDNEY'S last remaining NBL team has been heartlessly killed off by email.

Sydney Spirit owner Greg Evans informed Basketball Australia boss Scott Derwin via email late on Saturday afternoon that he was placing the team into administration this week just 10 rounds into the season.

Evans' bombshell, just five months after the death of the Sydney Kings, has thrown the NBL into chaos and put basketball's future as a professional sport in Sydney in jeopardy.

None of the Spirit players or coaching staff, who have been preparing for Saturday night's crucial clash against the South Dragons at home, had any idea Evans had pulled the pin on the team until late Monday when NBL chief executive Chuck Harmison alerted head coach Rob Beveridge.

Evans is refusing to meet Derwin or even speak to him over the telephone, instead relying on email as his only form of communication.

Derwin believes the sudden demise of the Spirit – so soon after the NBL terminated renegade Kings owner and Firepower boss Tim Johnston's licence back on June 11 after he failed to pay his players – could hurt basketball just weeks after a reform package, designed to unify the sport, was passed unanimously.

"It is Tim Johnston all over again – it's very damaging to the whole of the sport," Derwin said.
"And it's about the last thing we need right at the moment."

Derwin met yesterday with several parties who are interested in resurrecting the Kings.
But Mike Wrublewski, who helped build the Kings into an Australian sporting icon during basketball's halcyon days in the 1990s before selling out, didn't hold out much hope for the Spirit after attending the meeting.

"We can't rule out anything but we are waiting to hear from Greg Evans in order to know what's going on," Wrublewski said. "Right now it doesn't look good . . . it's way beyond just trying to buy the team."

Incredibly, Evans still hasn't contacted either Beveridge or any of the players.

"I knew nothing about this," Beveridge said. "I have to say Greg Evans is a mysterious person."

I thought it would be just easiest for me to publish the whole article so you people can get a feel for the situation.

I, on the other hand have become very worried after being alerted of this news today.

People's lives are being played with here. Mortgages, school fees and grocery bills have to be paid for and there are 15 guys (players and coaches) involved with this franchise that have no idea what their world is going to be like when they awake in the morning. That is if they even sleep at all.

Why am I worried? This is my place of employment and when something like this happens it is affects my workplace.

I'll actually leave it at this because I'm currently very emotionally charged about this whole thing. I don't want to say something now that I may regret saying when more light is shone upon the situation.

But, the NBL cannot keep allowing teams to operating like this.

News

- Julius Hodge wins the NBL POW award. Tune into the upcoming episode of "The OT" to hear my thoughts on this decision.

- Boti Nagy reviews the round just played.

- More on the Spirit crisis. And a little more.

- 36ers to mix it up with oppositions in the future.

- Taipans trying to stop the fade.

Chris Anstey Breakdown and News

Goorj, the three ball is me BABY!

The Olympics is only five days away so I better pick up the pace with my player breakdowns.

Lets take a look at the NBL's MVP Chris Anstey.

strengths: The knock on Anstey is his lack of being a consistent low post target and floating out to three point territory. I look at this as being a strength for the Boomers during international competition.

With his ability to shoot the three ball this allows Andrew Bogut or David Andersen the room they require to operate down low. I would actually look at playing Anstey with either of these guys, especially when we play against the bigger teams.

Him and Nielsen together are not so good as "Nellie" is more of a slashing power forward. You need a constant target down low so "no go" for this combo.

Anstey is a proven performer at the high end of European ball so his strengths have served him well. The Aussies need to roll with these instead of looking at his negatives.

Chris is a good rebounder and passer as well so he can be more than just a guy that will stretch the opposition defense.

Also, remember he is a legit seven foot so he can intimidate on defense when he wants to. (I'll look for Dwight Howard to monster dunk on him at least once though when they clash in the next few days.)

weakness: I believe he tends to get carried away with passing the ball at times and this leads to some very loose turnovers. Always looking for the "home run" backdoor play, it can quite often let to a fast break for the opposition.

He needs to cut down on his careless TO's. Just the other night against Argentina he had two on penetration. This stat more than any other at the international level can be a game killer.

The team that manufactures easy points usually wins.

overall: Anstey's strengths far out weigh his weaknesses. The trouble is, his mistakes can be costly to the team.

I believe he will figure heavily if the Boomers make a medal run.

News

Fast Fact: On this day in 1949 the NBA was born.

Blogger Green Bandwagon breaks down the Boomers with some interesting facts.

"This country has been built on giving everyone a fair go and Sydney and Basketball Australia haven’t given us a fair go," said Bendigo Spirit chairman Jock Clark. Courtesy of the Bendigo Advertiser.

What's wrong with the Sydney Blueys?

Julius Hodge’s agent Cervando Tejeda e-mailed HoopsHype.com to shoot down a report on the Melbourne Herald-Sun that had Hodge going to the Tigers of the Australian League.

“Neither Julius nor me have given any verbal commitment to the Melbourne Tigers organization,” Tejeda said. “Right now Julius’ focus is getting an invite to an NBA veterans camp and making the NBA.” - HoopsHype

SEABL's Ben Armstrong retires.

Cairns Taipans Martin Cattilini says, "Just think."

Team USA gets by Russia. (boxscore)

David Andersen video thanks to ESPN. (many other internationals as well)

Andreas Nocioni talks after the win over Australia

Boomers Win While China's Yi Jianlian Is Unhappy, Jackson Injuried

Yi is not giving his coach the thumbs up.

The Australian Boomers started the FIBA Diamond Ball for Men with a solid 67-55 win over hosts China.

The Boomers displayed trademark Brian Goorjian defense which disrupted the soft Chinese all too easily. China's 24 turnovers did not allow them to get into any offensive rhythm all game.

The Boomers on the other hand had a very balanced team effort. Chris Anstey was the leading scorer with 11, while David Andersen was the only other Aussie player to reach double figures with ten.

Freshly cashed up Andrew Bogut was very solid for the Boomers. His 9 points and team leading 8 rebounds do not tell the whole story. He battled Houston Rocket centre Yao Ming on all possessions and made it a long night for Yao.

Yao lead China in scoring with 14 but Bogut's constant pressure created a team high 5 turnovers from the Chinese centre.

After watching this game (http://www.justin.tv/) I feel Yao needs to get in the weightroom and shoulder press his night away. The Chinese team is expecting their NBA All Star to create a miracle on every possession. Sure it is great to have every play ran for you (ask Andrew Gaze) but you need help to ease the pressure a little. He cannot carry this team on his shoulders alone.

Yao had no help out there tonight.

That leads me to newly acquired New Jersey Net power forward, Yi Jianlian. Yi had zero points tonight on 0/3 shooting. There is no other way to sugarcoat this, he was plain miserable.

Word is, he and head coach Jonas Kazlauskas are not seeing eye to eye. This little tiff apparently started the night before in their game against Angola (maybe due to Yi being abused in the post by Angola's Olimpio Cipriano) and obviously carried over into tonight's game.

Could this be a case of a NBA player coming home and thinking he is better than what he is? I'm betting on this being the case.

He is too good a talent to have zero effect on a game and Yao needs someone to ride shotgun with him. Point guard Liu Wei is no Robin to Yao's Batman.

Enough of the Chinese. This is a solid win for the Boomers but lets not get carried away as I don't think China will advance on their side of the draw in Beijing.

Tomorrow (Thursday) at 6pm EST will see the Aussies take on Angola. This game will be a good test as the team from Africa is a very free flowing style of team. They have the ability to put a lot of points on the board in a hurry.

This game will test our perimeter defense as the Angolans are happy to penetrate and pitch for the three.

Check out www.justin.tv/antileech for a live feed of the game.

On the women's side of things, the Australian Opals defeated the Brazilian national team for the second straight game.

The Opals ran out winners by the score of 85-62, even without the world's best women's player Lauren Jackson. Jackson sat out due to and ankle injury but should be ready in time for the FIBA Diamond Ball for Women.

Suzy Batkovic led the scoring for the Opals with 17, while series MVP Belinda Snell added 13 for the home side.

All players contributed to the end total besides defensive juggernaut Tully Bevilaqua.

Boxscore

The Opals will begin action in the Diamond Ball later this week.

In other Pre Olympic action, you can catch Team USA play Turkey on Thursday night on ESPN from 10pm. This will be live coverage.

NBL News

Gold Coast Blaze get a major sponsor.

Brian Goorjian and his most talented team, EVER!

Spirit debate still going on. Check out the Sydney Spirit website. If I'm Bendigo this is my argument. How serious are they about their name chance? Not to serious if it is still the "The Official Website Of The West Sydney Razorbacks". I will give them some credit. Punch in http://www.sydneyspirit.com.au/ and you get re-directed back to the Pigs website.

NBA News

Ron Artest has been traded to the Houston Rockets. Bobby Jackson back to the Kings.

Ex-ref gets 15 months jail.

$71 million will see Deng stay in Chicago.

NBA teams to play Euro power clubs in preseason.

Emeka Okafor will stay with Bobcats.

Something a Little Different - Former PM John Howard Rolling His Arm Over

When Something Just Eats At You

I didn't agree with this at the time and still don't, but the Pigs are dead.

"The Spirit are a relatively new team to the NBL and they have had some success; however, they have never won the grand final. Being a new member to the team; what do you think needs to be done to win a championship and how are you going to help achieve that?" A question asked by Nick Thomas of http://www.nbl.com.au/ when interviewing import David Gruber.

This question has been eating away at me all day for some reason so I will be interested to see what you the reader thinks as well. (So post a comment if you wish.)

At first read I thought it was my lack of sleep over the past few days (I've been rising at 4.45am to co host a radio breakfast show. 4TO is the station if you wanted to know.) that was clouding my brain, but the more I think about it the more it eats at me.

Nick Thomas, the Sydney Spirit (and even that is questionable at the moment) are a brand new team and have absolutely no success to talk about. They have no history as a club, so how have they had success as a club?

Your right in saying they have never won a grand final but they have never been in one either, unlike the Pigs that played in two during their ten year existence.

The Razorbacks are dead and buried. The moment the Spirit was formed the history book on the Pigs was closed.

If I'm Gruber, I'm saying it is fantastic to be a foundation member of a new team and I hope the Sydney public support their team.

If you want to unite the Sydney people you cannot continue to refer back to the Razorback days. You need to move on and call it what it is.

Although I don't agree with this "merger" you have to call it a fresh start otherwise Kings fans will get sick and tired of hearing about the Pig days.

I could talk about this topic for hours but I would give you all a headache, including myself, so I will end this ranting and raving for now.

Mr Thomas and everyone else, the Pigs are dead, so we all need to move on!

Other Stories

Q & A with Adelaide 36ers Luke Schenscher.

The full Q & A with Sydney Spirit's David Gruber.

Hawaiian born Derrick Low is seriously looking at a contract with the Spirit. The Washington State grad would come in and run the point for the new franchise.

Scott MacGregor to be a catwalk model. I would love to see that. It is all for a good cause, the Jane McGrath Foundation.

Neil Mottram will study till Christmas, then hope a job comes up.

Matt Nielsen named captain for Beijing Games.

The (wild) cat is out of the bag. Andrew Vlahov is running the sport of basketball in Australia.

Tasmanian coach wins award.

NZNBL player admits to "blazing up".

Questions asked about Team USA.

George Hill - Spurs rookie guard ready to crack the Big Time.

RIP Sonics - Reign Man's Top 10 Dunks

Spirit Debate Continues & Other Stuff

This is what the Great Debate is over!

Who Has The Spirit

The debate over which team or teams will be able to use Spirit as their nickname continued today in Sydney.

The Bendigo Spirit who play in the Women's National Basketball League have always operated with this nickname.

Bendigo is fighting for their name as the (kind of) new franchise in the Men's National Basketball League, Sydney Spirit, is trying to swoop in on the nickname.

I like the passion that the people of Bendigo are approaching this matter with. I hope they get what they are fighting for.

Bendigo's GM Wendy James had this to say.

"We were given a good hearing and we stood up for our name and the reasons why we want it exclusively", she told the Bendigo Advertiser.

For the full article click here.

Anyone for Steak

"Jason was met at the airport by team owner Bob Turner and driven to his quarters before they proceeded to a downtown restaurant for a steak dinner. Danny said Jason was very impressed with his quarters and might ask a cousin based in Singapore to stay with him in his flat." - INQUIRER.Net

Good to see that all is going well for new Singapore Slinger Jason Castro. If all it takes to impress him is a steak dinner, look for more NBL clubs to recruit players from the Philippines.

RESPECT

"Probably not the NBL, though: people there couldn't organise the proverbial in a brewery without losing their shirts. And pants. And then blaming it on a biased media and a dodgy bloke from Perth with miracle tablets." - Sydney Morning Herald

This is a great article by the SMH's Bernard Zuel. I'm sure when many front office big wigs read this article, they had their lackey put out a press release about something they had just done.

Athens

With the first round of games nearly complete at the FIBA Athens 2008 tournament, finally we are a step closer to finding out which three countries will get the remaining three Olympics spots.

The Kiwis lost to Germany today for the fifth consecutive time, while Greece continues to dominate in front of their home fans.

For all the latest news and results click here.

Vegas in Summer

Check out the latest and greatest scores from the Vegas Summer League.

South Dragons new import signing Ebi Ere has been putting up some solid numbers over the past two games for the Memphis Grizzles.

If he keeps playing well, he may have to take a pay cut to play in the NBA next season.

A Pocket Full of Posey

"You knew this was coming -- the inevitable overreaction to a role player on a championship team in free agency. Every year there's one guy whom teams can't stop fawning over, and this year it was James Posey. Sure, he was an integral part of championship teams for both Miami and Boston, but as with a lot of players who win rings it can be hard for us to look at him rationally." - ESPN's John Hollinger.

A good article explaining how timing is everything for a solid role player in the NBA. I'm a James Posey fan, but the New Orleans Hornets have just shelled out $25 million for the best role player in the recent NBA Finals series. Is he worth it? You decide.

Yao Rusty

"Entering to huge applause from the crowd in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, Yao appeared rusty in scoring six points over seven minutes in the first half. Four of those came from free throws, helping China race to a 51-39 lead after the second quarter." - Associated Press

China's great basketballing Olympic hope Yao Ming returned to action today against Serbia.

Although it was reported he looked rusty, the confidence he brings out in the other players will see China become a much tougher opponent with him in the line up.

During my recent trip to China I was told that the other Chinese players on the squad respond positively to the presences of the big Houston Rocket centre.

Youngsters to Scrimmage Team USA

"We're looking for this select group to really compete and help prepare our senior team for Beijing," USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo said in a statement. "I'll also repeat something I said last year. Some of these players have represented USA Basketball in the past and there are others who will. This is an opportunity for them to get into the USA Basketball pipeline." - Associated Press.

To check out the full squad click here.

Marbury Gone?

The future of Stephon Marbury with his hometown New York Knicks looks bleak. The Knicks signed Anthony Roberson to a two year deal. This signing seems like it could be the death of Marbury in New York.

A Little Ol Skool NBL - 1982 All Star Game

Articles From Anywhere To Everywhere

Reggie still ranked third despite only having one year with the three point line.

Let's kick it off with an article that debates who is the best All Time College 3 Ball Shooter. The winner according to ESPN's Jay Bilas is Dennis Scott. "3D" was smooth as silk and had ridiculous range. Check out the list and take a walk down memory lane.

Which city in the USA has produced the best high school players? Scroll over New York and you will see Adelaide 36ers import Julius Hodge on the list.

Tracy McGrady remembers the dunk that put him on the map. Read what happened to the guy that got dunked on.

Announcer Billy Packer and CBS part ways after 34 years.

Day 4 TrueHoop blog from the Vegas Summer League.

Awards time from the Orlando Summer League.

Yao might be ready for Pre Olympic Tourney, the Stankovic Cup.

Charity game in Miami - DWade stars.

All the latest from the Vegas Summer League.

WNBL team the Bendigo Spirit is thinking of taking legal action against new NBL franchise the Sydney Spirit.

Andrew Bogut believes more Aussies will be in the NBA in the near future.

Proud Olympian Brad Newley believes this last camp will have them prepared for the Beijing Games.

Check out the results from Day 1 of the qualifying Olympic tournament in Greece.

Rosell Ellis - shows he is over his peck injury

Weekly ABA Wrap and Homicide Siting

Homicide vs Artest during the summer. Read below to find out how this ended.


Breaking News: New Zealand get off to a good start as they try to secure one of the remaining three Olympic Games spots up for grabs.

They defeated Cape Verde 77-50 with Kirk Penney dropping in 25pts. Next up for the Kiwi's Dirk Nowitski and Germany.

If you want to follow all the action live from this Pre Olympic Qualifying tournament click here.

Now back to our usual schedule.

It's that time of the week again to go around the nation and see what's doing in the various ABA leagues. Whether it is the free flowing QABL (Queensland) or the self proclaimed "Australia's Premier Winter Basketball League", SEABL, you can find all the boxscores right here with the click of a button or two. (click on the League to get boxscores)

Queensland: Cam Tragardh needs to hang out with me more often. Last week I coached him in a few games in China. He took the knowledge I passed on and gave Toowoomba 67 points (30/40fgs), 26 rebounds and 11 fumbles (assists). Pretty good Tragargamel, was Jimmy Wong in the building?

Waratah: Bruce Bolden dusted off his shoes, licked his fingers in preparation for a high post jumper and player/coached the Hornsby Spiders to a loss. I cannot wait for him and Butch Hays to match up against each other. Maybe those two should just go one on one for the game.

Big V: Sandringham's Simon Conn keeps putting up impressive numbers (another solid double double this week). Why can't he get a look at the NBL level?

Western Australia: I read on Geraldton's Micheal Lay's blog where he is torn about going to Germany to play and giving up the opportunity to stay with Geraldton. I will keep you posted as to his movements.

South Australia: Last week I gave Rupert Sapwell a wrap, this week his team Norwood gets dominated by Pero Vasilijevic in a top of the table clash. Talk about going from the penthouse to the outhouse for "Monkey Boy".

SEABL: I've been storing this one up all year. Best name in the league? Ballarat Miners Brett Goodgame. I will let you insert your own joke here.

During the NBL offseason Crocs import Corey "Homicide" Williams goes home to New York to work on his playground legend status. Recently he matched up against NBA wildman Ron Artest. Check out what happened when they matched up.

"We’re going to have to play very, very well together and we’re going to have to have great team camaraderie and do something special. But I think we have the ability to do that." Words from the great Spin Doctor Brian Goorjian while moonlighting as the Boomers coach. Article courtesy of The Western Australian.

"By evolving into the Sydney Spirit, we believe we are offering all basketball fans in this city a team to call their own." Sydney Spirit chief Steve Aquilina speaking. Article courtesy of the Sydney Morning Herald.

As predicted here a month ago, Ebi Ere signs with Dragons. I wonder if Smith being released had anything to do with this?

Check out the Vegas Summer League action. It is free to sign up (only takes a minute), then you will be able to watch Aussie Nathan Jawai live in action. He makes his Toronro Raptors debut Tuesday morning (Aussie time) at 8.00am.

Self Proclaimed Australian League Superstar, Corey "Homicide" Williams!

Pigs Turn To Spirit

RIP. Sydney now has the Spirit?

The West Sydney Razorbacks have traded in the bacon for bucket loads of spirit after a decade in the NBL.

That's right, no longer will the team from the western suburbs of Sydney be referred to as the Pigs. From today on, the Razorbacks franchise will be known as the Sydney Spirit.

Being an original team member for this franchise I will always have a soft spot for the Pigs, but this will not be so for the new look Spirit.

I can kind of understand what the owners of this franchise are trying to do here by trying to offer the people of Sydney a fresh start for their new basketball team.

But could this move backfire?

Will the Sydney Kings faithful all of a sudden want to jump in bed with the cross town rival, especially if they're still trying to get a new franchise happening themselves for next season?

I don't think the new franchise can bank on all the Kings members supporting the new franchise. Even by signing Jason Smith, there are many a Kings sponsor and fan who has been left with a dirty taste in their mouth.

No doubt you will always have your odd fanatical hoop lover that will go anywhere to watch a game, particularly if there is only one team in town. Hell I used to go into the city to all the Kings games, and they were my least favourite team.

I just cannot see all of those 3500 Kings fans (very generous number) automatically becoming Spirit fans.

The biggest risk I see happening here is alienating your current sponsorship and supporter base. (Yes, insert your own supporter base joke here.)

There have been a core group of fans and sponsors that have been with the Razorback franchise from day one, now they are expected to support the Spirit.

The Razorbacks have spent the last ten years trying to brand themselves in the tough Sydney market but now they want to switch direction and pump up the Spirit.

Pigs fans loved playing up the Silvertails vs Fibros rivalry with their cross town foes, now they are trying to get in bed with each other.

Although this is not a full on merger, merging is what the Spirit hierarchy is trying to do with the fans and sponsors. Take a leaf out of the NRL's history books with mergers, they do not work.

The Pigs should have believed in their product and keep soldiering on as the Fibros from the west. This is what the past ten years has been spent on doing.

Once the emotion of the Kings fans and sponsors had settled they would have no other choice then to get in their cars and head out the Hume Highway to catch a game.

Once at the charismatic Whitlam Centre and knowing there are no more "Violet Crumbles " to support, they will become fans and friends of the Pigs just as they were with the Kings.

Instead Sydneysiders now need to be re-educated as to who the Sydney Spirit are.

I'm not sure (please prove me wrong) but I do not think too much money was being tipped into the marketing budget of the Pigs. Now the Spirit on the same budget has to re brand a team that has been in the market for 10 years.

I confess I have no marketing degree but it just doesn't make sense to me how this will work on the same budget. Remember this is the same ownership group of the Razorbacks, now just operating under a new name.

As I previously mentioned, I have a soft spot for my former team and I wished the franchise nothing but good times.

In my mind the Razorbacks franchise is history.

I hope the Spirit captures the imagination of Sydneysiders and all games can be considered marquee games played in front of 10 000 fans at the Entertainment Centre.

Trouble is, there is part of me that sees this attempt to unify Sydney basketball fans backfiring.

Other News
Vegas Summer League - Day 2 (Oriene Green & Ebi Ere in action.)
NBA rumours getting around the bleachers in Vegas.
TrueHoop blogs from Vegas.
Clippers dirty on Brand's agent.
A report on 50 Rookies at Summer League.
Jawai article.
Warriors sign Maggette.
Another Barry in Houston.

OJ Mayo throws it down on (Paris) Hilton Armstrong!