Unless you are a die hard NBL fan, you would have had no idea that the Perth Wildcats are trying to even up the three-game grand final series tonight against the New Zealand Breakers. You probably had no idea the season had even begun!
However, I’m one of those fans that wish the series would last a little longer than the current three games (or two if New Zealand win tonight).
I say bring back the five game series. It lets the fans see the best of the best going at it.
The NBL would be kicking themselves right now. They could have had five sellout games, which would have been great for the newspapers and the delayed telecast. Instead, Perth sell their game out in no time and the fans who missed out don’t get another chance to see their team in the big one.
This is a little disappointing if you ask me. The NBL are always claiming that attendance has grown over the last few years, so why not add a few extra games to a superb final series. I don’t think too many people will complain.
Tonight Perth have to hold home court to send this series into a deciding game back in NZ. The way Perth played the GC at home over the last couple of weeks was incredible.
If they can replicate that style of play, there will be a third game. I think they will be a little disappointed in not bringing home the win last week, especially with Thomas Abercrombie missing the game.
You can never be too confident with Perth, no matter where they have played this season. The Wildcats have squandered many a lead over the last six months. In the end, this tendency cost them top spot.
It looks like Abercrombie will rest in this game and will play in the third. If that’s the case, I believe will Perth win and take lots of confidence back across the Tasman.
Even if you aren’t the biggest NBL fan, who wants to see the trophy back in New Zealand again? I certainly do not, and will be cheering for a Perth victory.
Johnno
Guest
stillmattic1, I do actually as a matter of fat prefer less is more in rugby union too. I preferred the super 12 or 14, or 15 when it was a shorter season. With wallaby tests i am happy with the amount they go on a uK tour which is about 4 tests, plus about 8-10 home tests per year. That is fine with me. I wish the NRL season was only 20-22 rounds. 20 would be perfect. NFL is quite short about 16-18.
stillmatic1
Guest
how come you never have this same theory for rugby union, johnno? less is more remember!!
Luc
Guest
It's great to see so many informed opinions about our league. I agree, it is a shame the series is getting lost in the rush of pre-Origin hysteria and the usual Collingwood melodramas etc. But like a lot of old-time basketball fans, I'm just happy to see it slowly building and staying in TV. It's been a great year and, from what I have seen, Game 1 was a corker. Not sure if I would go to 5 games, but it can't hurt to try it down the track. Multiple finals games is a unique facet of basketball and maybe something we should be seeking to take advantage of. I think there are more fundamental issues the NBL eneds to address to stake a claim for credibility on the Australian sporting landscape. It has done so well to re-build after the league's decline a few years back and now is the time to address issues to ensure long-term fans are retained and new fans are drawn in. But that is a much bigger article...
James
Guest
The final should be a one off game not a series however if the NBL plans to stick with a series format 3 is plenty. I can assure you that if this was a 5 game series games one and two and possibly even three would have all got dissapointing crowds. We need do or die basketball.
Marc Goodwin
Guest
First of all I am pumped as for the finals and have an inkling that it will go to a decider in NZ as Perth didn't do much in the first game and they're too good a team to play like that at home in the finals. Plus, defence wins championships. As far as whether the finals should be a 5 game series; I think there are valid points on both sides of the argument. I think it builds up so much more when teams are 2 games a piece instead of 1 game each. Almost as if because it has been going for longer and because it has been more grueling it is worth more and more important. I think it makes for a better story when a team is down 2 games and somehow fights back to win rather than simply lost the first game. In saying that, previously when the NBL has done 5 game series it can drag on a bit, especially if it is an uneven series although the NBL is very equal these days. We're not the NBA we don't have the supporter base to be able to play 48mins and 82 games a season, it is a lot to ask of supporters to go to up to 3 games in a 2 week space. Although it is a bit unfair for big clubs that could easily fill their stadium for 2 or 3 games to only get one game at home. It would provide a lot more revenue for these clubs that they have not budgeted for. Overall, if the league continues to increase in popularity and they start to show more live games and the finals could be shown live then I think it would be worth the NBL trialing the 5 game series again.
Johnno
Guest
3 is a much better it keeps the tension up.. and reasons why Best of 5 or 7 rewards mediocrity -You can afford more slip ups , and failures, and if you get injured too you can even afford too miss a game. -Best of 3 every game every play is tense, you have to step up , you don't have time to slip up which is what you get over 5 or 7 games. It rewards player fatigue and mediocrity, a 5 or best of 7 series. -Keep it tense. And best of 3 provides that edge of your seat cut throat tension for fans and players -Same with the NBA , 82 regular season so long. Too many chances to have poor form. Baseball,basketball, ice hockey all have too long regular seasons and long playoff series. -Sport is about putting the elite athletes under as mush pressure as possible and creating tension , and forcing someone into human error. Long regular seasons and long play off series make it too easy, and also kill off fans tension. -Less is more theory. NBL was great in the 90's why. The NBL regular season wa sonly about 25-28 games long max. Perfecr for basketball. None of this 82 regular season NBA schedule. Plus the massively long play off series. Which can last up to 28 games for theplay offs to decide the winner, incredible. -The reasons why one play offs and long regular season is money. The belief that more games, means more revenue. Yes and no. I would always assume less games, and shorter play off series promote higher tv ratings per match. -But obviously the tv executives have calculated that despite this cumalitivly a long season and play off series in some sports will still guarantee the revenue despite lower tv ratings per match. -NFL gridiron works so well becoz the regular season is short and play off series short. -The NFL fan leaves feeling excited and can't wait for the next season to start.
thegoldenbear
Guest
I used to be a die hard fan until they killed the Magic (but that's another story) and had no idea the NBL season had reached the Grand Final series. NBL is at the cross roads - the *cough* "resignation" of Larry Senstock, a new TV deal and the continual joke the A-League is becoming - gives the NBL a chance to re-invent itself and capture the hearts and minds of the public over Summer.
Lachiegaff
Guest
I agree that the Grand Final should be over 5 games. I do not agree with "Even if you aren’t the biggest NBL fan, who wants to see the trophy back in New Zealand again?" As much as I don't like to see a NZ team winning on Aus comp, it's much better than having Perth win - the team that is easy to hate. I'm a Brisbane Bullets fan so I'm hoping CJ Bruton can once again have a big game and finish this series in the jungle!
Adam_JJV
Guest
Even if the Breakers lose tonight its only delaying the Inevitable. In front of their huge home crowd the Breakers will defend their title.