The new NBL season is two months away and I could not be any more excited. Fox have renewed their contract to broadcast every game live, and my Sydney Kings are under new management.
Wilson is also back on board as the official game ball supplier and Mitchell and Ness have signed on as the official merchandise manufacturer.
Kings aside, I am predicting a breakout season for the NBL in the Australian market.
The competition will commence shortly after the completion of the Rio Olympics, where the Boomers are looking to medal. It is their best chance to do so, with five current NBA players on the roster, as well David Andersen’s 103 games of NBA experience, and Cameron Bairstow’s 36 games for the Chicago Bulls.
Off the back of the Olympics, interest in basketball will be higher than normal, especially if the Boomers return triumphant with a bronze or silver medal (who knows, maybe even an historic gold medal for those optimists out there).
The NBL will launch the 2016-17 with eight teams, the same amount as last year, however the Brisbane Bullets are taking the place of the Townsville Crocs. It’s unfortunate because the Crocs were one of the most exciting teams to watch last year, with Shawn Dennis’ passion rubbing off on all the players.
But Brisbane being back is outstanding. The Bullets have great fans who will pack out the entertainment centre at every opportunity. They have also built a reputable roster in the off=season including an Olympian, Bairstow. They will be competitive from day one.
The NBL has changed its rules in regards to the salary cap from a $1 million hard cap to a $1.1 million soft cap.
This means, as per NBL.com, “Teams may exceed the soft cap provided that they pay a salary equalisation subsidy based on the extent to which they have exceeded the cap. The subsidy will be distributed to teams which may otherwise find it difficult to meet the salary cap.”
NBL general manager Jeremy Loeliger said, “In order to ensure that wealthier teams are not able to ‘stockpile’ talent on their benches when those players could or should be in the starting line-up of less wealthy teams, a talent-distribution threshold has been introduced which requires that any five of a teams’ players must, collectively, be paid no more than $400,000 (in 2016/17 and subject to adjustment thereafter). These measures have been introduced to replace the existing player points system.”
Another big change is the import rule. In previous seasons, clubs could have two roster sports allocated to overseas residents. In 2016-17, teams will be allowed to have three imports on their roster. This doesn’t take away an Australian’s spot on the roster, as the total roster players allowed has risen from ten to 11.
I love the NBL, because basketball is a high-action, end-to-end scoring game. Much like our beloved NRL and AFL codes, the NBL season consists of 19 rounds and 28 games, meaning every game matters. One loss can significantly alter table position. The result? Night-in, night-out entertainment.
An indoor sport, you can pick up a ticket for the NBL and watch the game up close, in comfort, without having to check your weather app. The match day events are child friendly and interactive for young and old.
While I was not alive for the glory days of the NBL, with the new league management into their second season in control, I see the NBL rising up and being a fan favourite in this country.
I am excited to see the league grow.
Mitchell Goldfinch
Roar Rookie
johnno, maybe this is something we have to come to grips with if we want basketball to survive long term in Australia? I am not too sure about the ins and outs of regional teams. And i certainly don't want to see them go. Seeing Townsville exit was a real shame. however i see cairns as a good base for a basketball team as they don't have another professional team up there. the NBL seems to be in position to make that a stronghold. if they got rid of cairns where else would they put a team? melbourne uniteds name suggests they arent going to put a second metro melbourne team into the comp.
Johnno
Guest
The NBL are making it clear they want to get rid of regional teams, in favor of city teams. They see no money in regional sides, and there awful scheduling for the Taipans proves they don't care if the Taipans die. Should the NBL apologize if it doesn't want regional teams in there comp, you tell me?
James Falleiro
Roar Rookie
Nice optimism and positivity. I too am looking forward to this NBL season more than most. I was around for the glory days and the rosters right now are perhaps the best they have ever been since those days. As far as your quote: "The Bullets have great fans who will pack out the entertainment centre at every opportunity" goes, however, I am yet to be convinced that the crowds will return to those levels. Must remember Brisbane Entertainment Centre seats 12-,000 to 13,000 and Id be surprised if they got that sort of buzz straight away. And I believe most games will be at the smaller Brisbane Convention Centre, apart from the season opener v Perth (which I am travelling over for haha) and perhaps one other during the season at Boondall. But overall, yes, a lot to look forward to this season.
pete bloor
Guest
“In order to ensure that wealthier teams are not able to ‘stockpile’ talent on their benches when those players could or should be in the starting line-up of less wealthy teams, a talent-distribution threshold has been introduced which requires that any five of a teams’ players must, collectively, be paid no more than $400,000 (in 2016/17 and subject to adjustment thereafter)” This doesn’t really add up to me. If it is “any 5” then it’s your top 5 guys right? Which is your starting line up. So it more means that you can’t have quality 4th or 5th starters (or a bench) if you have two 100k players in the starting 5. It seems less about stockpiling talent on the bench and more about the average quality of your starting 5. Also does this mean there is a hard cap of 1.2m (assuming 15 man rosters – I’m not sure about NBL roster sizes)
Mitchell Goldfinch
Roar Rookie
perth and melbourne just announced more imports the last couple of days. hoping the kings have some good imports lined up
Scott Pryde
Expert
Can not wait. This is gonna be some sort of season.
Fear the smell
Guest
Every olympics, and basketball world championship - Aussie fans think they'll snatch a silver or so but always fail well short. As if USA is only top nation. This isn't hockey or rugby where Australia competes against 4-5 strong teams & knows their place. Will get undone by a Serbia , brasil, Croatia , Lithuania , etc again NBL to remain locked out of public imagination
Johnno
Guest
It's gonna be a big season I haven't heard this much hype in NBL pre-season since the 90's. The imports are of a very good standard and some exciting ones. Terrance Ferguson 18 just out of high school chose the NBL over college. For me the only negative has been the grossly unfair schedule Cairns have been given. The Taipans will struggle with that schedule, but then again maybe there's some truth in it that the NBL aren't interested in regional sides, and to be honest they often are a graveyard in OZ-sports regional sides. The NBL could have helped saved Townsville by making all sorts of changes but they clearly didn't want to, and Cairns schedules indicates the NBL are willing to do an inside job on Cairns and put in place things(unfair schedule) that will lead to it's demise. The NBL think big, there thinking big Asian markets eg an Asian side, not regional aussie sides. They have no interest it seems to bring back the Newcastle's/Geelong's/Launceston's/Townbsvilles back, and it seems Cairns are there next target to get rid of. But LK is doing a good job running the league, it will take time but it's only gonna get better.
Mitchell Goldfinch
Roar Rookie
i think we have to do our part as fans and appreciate the product that the NBL is. It is never going to be the NBA. But with good fan engagement and more media coverage the game will grow. Like the A League not having the same quality of play on the pitch as the EPL or European leagues but growing each year.
smell the fear
Guest
i hope you are right but i dont think you will be