We all know that guys in expensive suits run pro sports and that’s just fine – so long as they believe in them.
Of course, some people thrive on being movers and shakers, rather than working on things that will actually improve their product.
The NBA’s idea to have player nicknames on jerseys is one such move that should shake up long-time fans.
Jerseys marked with “King James” and “The Truth” will offer another lucrative stream of income, I suppose.
Meanwhile, the NBL has also been on the move lately, with the signing of several marquee imports, a solid slate of trial games and its season launch by Sydney Harbour.
Insiders are excited but presumably most sports fan missed all this.
That’s okay and perhaps to be expected amid all the footy finals hype. Taking on footy however, is something I’d like to discuss shortly.
The NBL, which once traded in hoopla with high flyers like Dwayne McLain and Lanard Copeland, is hoping to make an impact this upcoming season. The league’s head people, including interim chief executive Steve Dunn, are starting to ask very good questions in an effort to push the comp forward.
The preseason offering has been high quality and also gave the league a chance to tinker, chiefly with the way the sport is officiated.
The NBL ran what it called “a sweeping review” of its officiating during the preseason Blitz tournament, which top ref Mal Cooper said will lead to a more attractive style of basketball this season.
Using 30 hours of footage, Cooper’s crew dissected the games like they were watching the Zapruder film.
Apparently on one play, Oscar Forman was heavily fouled, sending his head back, and to the left.
Seriously though, the point of the review – like all the other moves – was to make the league better, more attractive and consistent. It’s all a work in progress, said Cooper.
For instance, early in the tournament, foul counts were high. The NBL watched the tape, took some notes and the end result will be a greater amount of contact allowed in the paint.
It’s hands off on the perimeter though. Ball handlers will benefit from a little more space between clingy defenders.
I hope Metta World Peace (previously known as Ron Artest) wasn’t planning a late career stint Down Under.
Playing hoops during footy season is another good talking point right now. NBL legend Cal Bruton recently said the league should go back to being a winter competition, as it was in the glory days.
Nostalgia has the effect of colouring choices we have now because if I had it my way we’d go back to Carfino-length shorts.
But you know what, I think Cal’s onto something here.
“In summer people have too many options,” said Bruton. “They want to be outdoors, they want to travel. In winter, it’s cold and people want to be indoors. You can sit out in the cold at the football or you can come to the basketball. Let’s give people that choice.”
This is true of course. Some people, especially mums and dads, would love the chance to take the kids to a sporting event that’s indoors, with seats so close to the action they can actually follow it, amusing accident-prone mascots, and perhaps most importantly, just four short quarters.
Dunn called the NBL spectacular: a visually exciting product and one of the most accessible brands on the Australian sporting landscape.
I think it certainly could be those things, with a few more good moves.
JP
Guest
Some good points fellas. I think the down period in cricket is interesting, but agree the league was doing well ahead of that time. I honestly think the national scale in the 90s helped. As I've said in previous articles, they need to get teams in Brisbane and Canberra asap. The extra Melbourne teams would be secondary but I agree are also important. I like we're it's all headed, though I do think it's been a slow process and more can be done.
Samual Johnson
Guest
It was gone years before that. It peaked around 90 to 93 era and went downhill from there. There were a lot of factors. AFL and NRL became more professional and began playing at the times the NBL used to play at. People realised the standard was pretty average compared to NBA when it was shown a lot on the tele. The rationalising of clubs did not help. They had 4 teams around Melbourne plus Geelong had one. Do you honestly think they would all just follow the Tigers? The Americanised tactiness of music in play and P.A. telling the fans when to do things was cringeworthy and puts most Australians off. The sport has burnt too many bridges and they have not figured out how they burnt their old fans yet. When they get around to working that out, they might start getting us back.
Johnno
Guest
Micheal Jordan retiring was also a factor in 98.
clipper
Guest
The last time basketball had traction here was when hip hop was everywhere and the cricket team was woeful. Hip hop began to wane and Cricket went on a sustained run of winning, contributing to basketball losing that traction. Now the cricket team is in the same rut as then, there may be a chance for basketball to get some market share back.
JP
Guest
It's true Samual. It seems obvious when you think about it but this idea of being inside during summer was never going to work. My hope is this upcoming season will be more successful but at the same time not lock the league into the idea that summer is still best.
Johnno
Guest
+1 15 years wrong BA
Samual Johnson
Guest
It is ironic that ever since they move the NBL to the summer months it has been dumped of most Australians sporting radar. Surely now Foxtel is not doing it anymore, it can move back to where it was successful? Just repeating what has been said many times before. In the summer we are outdoors, at the beach, playing golf, holidaying. The last place I want to be is inside a basketball stadium. Admit you were wrong BA!
Johnno
Guest
JP, agreed and love the enthusiasm mate for the sport. When basketball is played at it's best, it's just about the best team sport in the world. Hard defence, good attack. Game 7 of the NBA this year was just about the best team sport I have watched ever. Wow the standard was frighteningly good. Agreed the sporing calander thing is key point. People do spend, no matter how clustered the calander is if it's good. And the lazy sydneysider thing is a myth. Sydneysiders will travel if the sports good. Sydneysiders watched the kings to sell out crowds at the entetainment centre. WSW, so fans will travel.
ChrisW
Guest
I hope the NBL can make an impact this season, they're making the right noise at least.
JP
Guest
Johnno I love your enthusiasm mate! Without going overboard, I do think these sorts of changes really could put basketball back on the map. It's a great sport to watch, whether you're a diehard or a casual fan, so there's absolutely no reason it should struggle the way it has. Aussies will watch a good game - of anything! Especially if it's easy to access, a well-priced ticket and entertaining. I think the NBL can tick all these boxes and a move to winter would really help it gain relevance when everyone is more focused on the sporting calendar.
Johnno
Guest
Agreed. Basketball has always been a winter sport. It's indoors and cold. And basketball was set up by the churches. And it's designed to be indoors, for the churches. After youv'e gone to church, you go and play with a ball, and shoot some. And for me I always thought basketball worked well with the footy codes. Hype breeds hype, and feeds of each other. Melbourne Park is next to the G, so if in the same season you get reminded of the other sport. And with good marquee style imports coming in, and a new tv deal after this season, and a shift in 2015 to a new season most likely, and global basketball booming, the NBL is back and has never looked better potentially. Asian champion's league is being planned stay tuned. It's gonna be the hottest ticket in town again, everyone will be slam dunking for a ticket. Go NBL your back.