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Sam Mackinnon is confident in his own playing future and that of the NBL, despite the demise of Brisbane and the Sydney Kings.
Mackinnon, voted the competition’s most valuable player in 2006-07, was struck down with blood clots on his lungs earlier this year which ruled him out of next month’s Olympics.
That came on the back of knee surgery. However Mackinnon, who this month signed with the defending champion Melbourne Tigers after financial problems caused Brisbane’s collapse, was confident of being 100 per cent by the start of the new season in September.
“I get a check-up next week so I’m hoping that will all be clear and I can get the knee right for the season come September 13,” Mackinnon said today.
The blood clots came from a virus that floored the 31-year-old and the medication he needed to take thinned his blood which meant he had to avoid all contact, ruining his Olympics dream for the second time after injury ruled him out of the 2004 Games.
“I went to two and probably thought I’d go to another two but it wasn’t to be.
“It’s harder now that they’re so close, and they’ve got a great team with all the big guys available and some exciting young guys so it would have been fantastic.”
Mackinnon, who started his career with the South East Melbourne Magic, before stints with Townsville, West Sydney and the Bullets, said he was happy to be heading home after 10 years away.
“It’s a great outcome for myself personally,” he said.
“I’ve been in Brisbane and set a base there and had some success but the financial issues enabled this to happen.
“I’m pretty lucky for it and I know the team is happy to have us back here.”
The forward believed Brisbane, who won the NBL title in 2006-07, would be resurrected in the near future.
“It’s disappointing Sydney and Brisbane for not to be involved but I think West Sydney have already changed their name to the Sydney Spirit and I’ve no doubt Brisbane will be back in next year, it was more a time issue there.”
Melbourne skipper Chris Anstey said the loss of Brisbane was the Tigers’ gain.
“Sam’s the best three-man in the country, he’s our best international player as well,” Anstey said.
“To have him in our side at the Tigers, especially losing DT (Dave Thomas), is massive.
“He’s a winner and I think we’re building a pretty tradition at the Tigers that a lot of players want to come to.”
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