The transformed NBL has ended its first season, the Perth Wildcats winning the championship in dominating circumstances over the New Zealand Breakers.
The grand final series got what it deserved and went to three games, but the blow out that followed was completely unexpected, as the Wildcats won the decider by 22 points.
Coming into the season, it was hard to mount a case as to why the Wildcats shouldn’t have been considered one of the favourites, and they proved that on Sunday Night at the Perth Arena with a performance that was among the best of any team all season long.
After the first two games saw close contests which went down to the final minutes – or in the case of Game 2 the final seconds – Game 3 was realistically over as a contest with a quarter and a half still to go.
The Wildcats blew their lead out to 20 points during the third quarter, never looking back as they buried the Breakers under a ton of defensive pressure and offensive execution.
Damian Martin picked up the NBL grand final MVP award and it wasn’t hard to see why. His court vision throughout the series was excellent, and his defence second to none. It seemed to lift the performance of all those around him in all three games.
The Wildcats can credit big centre Nathan Jawai with a lot of tonight’s win though. He was the one who opened the flood gates at the end of the first quarter. With his size he is close, actually, he is unstoppable in the paint, and found himself at the free throw line a number of times in the first quarter and into the early second quarter as Perth started to build a lead.
After a close and nervous start to the game it was exactly what the Wildcats needed to edge away from the Breakers. It dragged defence inside, and there was a noticeable shift in New Zealand’s game on both ends of the court. That then opened up the likes of Jermaine Beal, Casey Prather, Shawn Redhage and Jesse Wagstaff to make some massive shots throughout the late second quarter and into the second half.
The home team spent much of the final quarter simply going through the motions and starting to celebrate the win, such was the overwhelming nature of their dominance.
No matter what the result in Game 3, the transformation of the NBL and the whole finals series has been a massive success. At the start of the season, the NBL was all but dead.
Eight clubs, two in voluntary administration, no presence in the media and no TV deal.
The job Larry Kestelman and his team have done has been absolutely fantastic. To get every game on TV, and have eight fully functioning clubs, increasing crowds, and the Brisbane Bullets returning next season has just been insane.
As for the Wildcats, they will try to keep most of their squad together going forward. While a championship can bring a huge popularity boost, they have consistently sold out the biggest arena in the league during the season, so that isn’t something they’re lacking.
There have been rumours all season long about certain players, Nate Jawai and Damian Martin headlining the list, who might be going elsewhere next season. The way those players reacted after winning the championship, it is hard to see them leaving a club that has made the play-offs 30 times in a row.
Jermaine Beal and Casey Prather, their imports, could also be around next season. They had fantastic performances all season long, and will want another championship.
On the other hand, a championship drives the skill points the NBL gives to each player up, as well as their asking price, which will make it hard for the Wildcats. They may have to make some tough decisions.
That will all come out in the wash in the near future though. For now, it is time to celebrate a fantastic season.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
The Sydney Kings have successfully defended their NBL crown.
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