Good Response To Fox Deal Blog

After the news that Fox Sports is wanting to inject $35 million into the sport of basketball the masses have spoken and this is what they are saying.

- Mookie said, "If I was with one of those associations I'd want to be seeing some pretty detailed plans in place on how the new umbrella organisation intended to spend the $35m to keep basketball up and running AND GROWING. This is almost a "one shot" opportunity to get this right. So let's hope that there is no rush, plenty of debate and some smart business and basketball heads involved to get the right conclusion and the result that we have been waiting on as loyal Australian basketball fans for some time."

I have to agree with a lot of what Mookie has to say. I believe it is a "one shot" opportunity for the sport to get it right. The sport needs a shot in the arm and Fox seems to trying to provide what we need for our sport to recapture the imagination of this nation, but everyone involved needs to benefit.

To read more on what Mookie has to say, click here.

- Glockers had to say this. "But we need this to work and we need this voted in. I understand the apprehension, but what options are there? Just let the sport flounder more till it slowly dies and our kids are taken by others?"

To read more of Glockers opinions go to his blogspot for the real deal.

- Kelthoctor is all over it with these words. "Everyone is talking about the $35mil and how it will help the NBL.How much of this is actual CASH.What do associations get out of it?What do teams get?How much revenue will each team lose with only 10 or 11 home games.Will less games = lower player salaries? If so will players stick around or bolt to Europe or get a real job.2-3 games a week on FTA would be better than 6 on Fox. Sure all games on FOX would be great for bball diehards that have it... but those people are already basketball fans, this does nothing to attract new fans.NBL needs new & more fans, having a FTA presence is a huge part of that. Only something like 30% of Australia has FOX."

He brings up a lot of points that I think many fans would question and want to know the answers to before they had to vote.

FTA would have to be a preference as the accessible audience is so much greater than Fox. We need FTA for the sport to come to prominence again.

- Mike has a in depth look at how this could pan out. "Going down the Fox path would be the worst thing for basketball. This is a football piece I wrote about their deal. There are lessons to be learned here. Being parked away on Fox is not conducive to consistent, nation-wide growth.I support a lot of the elements of football's reform being replicated by hoops. But we need to look at why certain measures were adopted and whether they can be considered a success.One-city, one-team was aimed at removing ethnic ties (something which does not exist in basketball). The FFA have also announced a second Melbourne team will be introduced (meaning for the long-term rivalry is important).So why on earth did this come up in all the reform talk?As for the Fox deal, well, the jury is still out on whether that benefits the game.Although the other night, Adelaide United played in an Asian Champions League final with very little coverage in the mainstream media.What more does a club have to do to get attention than prove itself on the WORLD stage?This frustration will only be echoed by basketball fans should we sign ourselves away to Fox."

If you like the cut of Mike's jib, you can find a great read here.

- Snoop Wogg had this to say, "I think this cash is a firm commitment and a lifesaver. Unless the new Ch10 HD sports channel signs up, this is surely the next best thing. My only concern would be Basketball Australia f**king up the money by not promoting the sport properly. Lets face it, why would anyone want to sponsor one of our teams at the moment? At least this Fox deal gives sponsors the chance to see their logos on a TV screen."

Snoop, I hear what you are saying about sponsors seeing their logos on the tube, but what if Fox is asking for exclusive TV rights? (Which I would do if I'm them.) This will take away any possibility of FTA and even more exposure for basketball. The sport needs to exhaust all options before inking any type of deal with anyone.

Thanks for all the comments and it's great to see how passionate the fans are about the sport.

Hopefully we all will have a clearer picture of what the future holds for the sport of basketball.

Fox To Pony Up $35M

Will Fox Sports become basketball's saviour? We will find out this weekend.

It has been reported that Fox Sports is prepared to throw $35 million into basketball if the national basketball fraternity is prepared to change its current way of operating.

At first glance this seems like a no brainer, especially when the TV network is talking about televising all national competition games. I'm hearing it would be an eight team competition, with one game per week for each team. A much better situation then what we currently have.

Will this change happen? We will know more after this weekend when it has gone to a vote. Voting includes local associations as well as NBL franchises, with 75% of the vote required for the recommended reform to take place.

If the reform is voted in, this means that basketball in this country will come under one banner, finally and Fox Sport will jump on board.

As I have said, it seems like a no brainer when 35 million is on the table. I do wonder though how associations will vote if they feel that none of the money will come their way.

I have no idea what the majority of the associations are thinking before they head to this polling booth, but it is human nature not to relinquish power. These local associations will want to feel the love before they agree to any change.

I cannot disagree with this way of thinking as it is the grass roots of basketball in this country that holds the key to the future of this sport. We need children playing this game if there is to be any future for a professional national competition.

If we are truly going to come under one banner for the first time, let's do it right this time round so this great sport can climb the food chain in the sporting jungle this country of ours has created.

News

- Adelaide 36ers defeat an undermanned New Zealand Breakers 96-86. Phill Jones missed due to suspension while CJ Bruton sat out because he suffered a back spasm during warm-up.

- Jason Smith to play his first game for the Sydney Spirit.

- Wollongong staying on track during mini-break.

- Kiwis to censor colourful language.

Bad Day On The Gold Coast For Crocs

Read below how Pat Mills successful Olympic campaign has impacted St Mary's College.

When people head to the Gold Coast they go there thinking of sun, surf and women in bikinis.

When the Crocs got to town it was all about rain, clouds and allowing their NBL team their first win of the season. That's right the Blaze have finally joined the winners list eleven games into the season.

They absolutely dominated us in the first half. We limped into the lockerroom down by 27 at the half. The second half was much better from our point of view but the mountain was too great for us to climb. I think the closest we got to them was 7 in the second half.

The final score was 115-106.

This was Greg Vanderjagt's last game for the Blaze tonight. He will be dropped from the roster to make room for their new import signing, Justin Bowen.

This comes as a little surprising because Vanderjagt has been one of the best for the Blaze so far this season.

The question I have for you the readers, will some other team sign Vaderjagt for the rest of the season? He has season's averages of 10ppg and a team leading 6.5 rebounds/game.

This is just another example of how the rules the NBL has in place can really hurt a players livelihood.

News

- South Australian Bruce Spangler has been added to Interim Board of Basketball in Australia.

- Cairns Taipan Dwayne Vale is getting into a groove.

- 'The Bear' will celebrate at home against the 36ers.

- Singapore Slingers to play Malaysia All-Stars.

- Breakers bench as spark, especially Dillon Boucher.

- ESPN's Andy Katz catches up with Aussie Pat Mills. Katz also ranks his Top 25 college teams. Good to see he has my Zags at #7. I'm sensing a huge year for the Zags.

- NBA scores from today.

Episode 9 of "The OT"

Episode 9 of the "The OT" is ready for downloading. It is a quick one as I'm on the road at the moment. DJ Rod and myself review and preview the games, talk about some of the NBL's weekly issues and we name our Player of the Week.

We do not have a guest for this week's episode but due to popular demand we have downloaded the entire interview with Corey "Homicide" Williams.

In other news New Zealand Breaker Phill Jones pleads guilty to striking Perth Wildcat Shawn Redhage. He receives a one game suspension.

Here is the incident that led to the suspension.

Phill Jones and Shawn Redhage in the Nutcracker!

Caption Competition, Homicide Uncut & News

Breaking NBA news: Allan Iverson has been sent to the Detroit Pistons for Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess.

You can never have enough Corey "Homicide" Williams in your diet. Think of him as that extra fibre the doctor is always telling you that you require to keep you regular.

First up we have a caption competition on again. Best caption will win a couple of CD's, all thanks to HotFM here in Townsville. (I will announce the winner on next week's episode of "The OT".)

Also, due to popular demand "The OT" has released an uncut version of Homicide's interview from last week's show. Click here to enjoy.

News

- Perth coach Conner Henry was fined $1000 for comments about the refs after the Wildcats lost to the Breakers. In the same touchy, feely incident that led to Henry's fine, New Zealand's Phill Jones will front the judiciary via phone.

- Dave Thomas talks Taipans basketball.

- Boti Nagy's weekly league wrap.

- Former Bullet import Andre Moore talks about playing at the Master's Games.

- Wollongong Hawks player Rhys Martin finds his car burnt.

- Introducing Justin Bowen, the new Blaze import.

- 36ers Adam Ballinger will get the rock more if coach Scott Ninnis gets his way.

It's A Whole Lot Tighter

Not the most graceful photo I've ever been in.

Round 7 in the NBL is complete and the ladder has just got a whole lot more congested.

The big movers for the weekend where the Wollongong Hawks who have found themselves well placed in the six with their 6-5 record. Two very good wins over the slipping Cairns Taipans see the hot Hawks 4-1 over their last five games.

As for the rest of the teams, the South Dragons, New Zealand Breakers and Melbourne Tigers remain the teams to catch as they solidify their spots within the top three.

After that the rest of the teams have themselves well and truly in a dog fight for the remaining three playoff spots.

Perth, Cairns and Townsville all have .500 records, while Adelaide and Sydney are a few games behind that group of three teams.

Gold Coast Blaze remain winless, but James Harvey believes this week's game against the Crocs will help them get on track in gaining a playoff spot.

The season is only a third of the way done so none of these spots are wrapped up. There will be a lot more movement before the season comes to an end but now would be a good time to get some "W's" on the board.

It does show however when you win a few in a row, such as the Hawks, how all of a sudden your season comes alive and you start to believe in what can be achieved.

It is going to become a mad scramble for the six playoff births available so every win now is important. You don't want to have to start chasing your tail late in the season in hope of gaining a top six spot.

complete ladder

Round 7 results

Wollongong 101-93 Cairns recap
New Zealand 103-99 Perth recap
South 96-87 Sydney recap
Melbourne 123-111 Gold Coast recap
Cairns 87-89 Wollongong recap
Townsville 97-106 New Zealand recap
Adelaide 108-76 Sydney recap

Other News

- New Zealand Breaker Phill Jones to face NBL Tribunal.

- Tony Ronaldson becomes the NBL's all time games leader.

- No excuses for the Cairns Taipans.

- Gold Coast to announce new import in time for Wednesday's game.

- Back to the drawing board for the Crocs.

- ESPN's NBA Weekend Dime - Q & A with Shaq.

- Atlanta Hawks off to fast start.

- Al Harrington to be traded?

Five Good minutes with Doc Rivers

What Steve Nash Has Been Up To

Over the NBA off-season I tied up Steve Nash's free throw challenge. I was hoping he would reply to the challenge but as you can see below, he has been busy with other matters.

I have to say, it is rather funny stuff.