Hoops

Fiddes suggests 20 teams, reduced cap

20 teams with a salary cap of $400K? No thanks, we have the ABA if that's the quality league we want in this country.

Ah well,
scrap the NBL on the grounds it's doesn't benefit the national team

Jack Toft Wrote:

If we want our national team to be competitive, then we need to ensure we have top level players developing themselves. Having a national team spread across the globe in a number of competitions develops those players individually, but fails to develop the teamwork and loyalty required for a national team.


It doesnt seem to affect Argentina or Spain when it comes to international basketball. Well over half their players play either in the NBA, Euroleague or just the plain old Spanish league. Both teams are totally competitive internationally so your statement is floored.

Both teams are exceptional because of their teamwork. That's what makes them great teams. That's why Spain came within 8 points of the USA in the Gold Medal game.

Peter,
The need for an NBL is quite clear in my mind.

The sport of basketball is an international sport and Australia seeks to be competitive in this sport. Therefore, you would expect that candidates for the national team squad should be playing at a high level and certainly playing either along side their teammates, or against their teammates.

If we want our national team to be competitive, then we need to ensure we have top level players developing themselves. Having a national team spread across the globe in a number of competitions develops those players individually, but fails to develop the teamwork and loyalty required for a national team.

And yes, the salary cap/ticket price is a catch 22 situation. The salary cap must be paid for by the fans/sponsors through ticket prices (or some other means) The salary cap ensures a stable competition by preventing finances from getting out of control. What annoys me with the salary cap is that it appears as though clubs shake hands, agree to the limit, and then pull their left hand out from behind their back and say "look, my fingers were crossed when I shaked, therefore it doesn't apply to me!"

Australia needs a top level competition in basketball. That is a given.

We currently have the various state leagues and then there is nothing beyond that without the NBL. Therefore, we need to NBL to be the next level up from the ABL competition, just as the AFL is the next level up from the SANFL/WAFL/VFL, or the Trans-tasman is from the SNL.

There needs to be a skill gap between these competitions, just as there is a skill gap between AFL and SANFL. Having the skill level of the NBL too close to the ABL will not attract much interest in it.

With too few teams in the NBL, we run the risk of it being too boring with each team playing the same wek in week out, but with too many teams in the NBL we run the risk of the skill level of the NBL being too close to the ABL.

I would like to see around 10 to 14 teams in the NBL, but with all teams being solid teams. I believe that 20 teams is too many to have in one competition as the skill base will be spread thinly. Further, with 20 teams, the teams making finals will be determined sooner and so that will make the competition boring as once a fan realises their team is done for the season, attendances drop. The only way it would work would be a conference type system.

The current salary cap is a joke as it is not policed and all clubs appear to be paying over the cap. They have to as if they don't, the other teams will poach their players. This is un-sustainable in the long term as we have seen in the past. The NBL salary cap needs to be agreed upon by NBL clubs, then adhered to - no crossed fingers while shaking hands boys!

Yes, we need a strong NBL will a good number of teams, but no, 20 teams is just too many in one competition.