Hoops

NBL Hoping for Four Expansion Teams in 2015/16

NNBL is new NBL or NBL pty. Ltd. the non BA owned league.

@ Curtly. Mate that is the best idea ever to have AIS playing out of experimental stadiums such as Darwin, Geelong, Newcastle etc. as we know they will be the leagues whipping boys but also everyone's 2nd favourite team and if they are coached to play free flowing run and gun offence then the enthusiasm of 21 year olds will be infectious and fun to watch and hopefully a university will be their major sponsor and other advertisers would be aimed at that demographic.

I guess it comes down to interpretation of 'deep'. A lot of those players listed at 7 and 8 would struggle to start and play consistently if one of their star players went down with a long-term injury (eg. Greer, Ballinger, Hill, Harvey, Demos, Hinder, Norton). (note: probably being a bit harsh on Greer given he's only just come back).

Good point Mick but at the moment half the teams are already struggling to be 7 or 8 deep. Cairns, NZ Adelaide and Perth are probably the exceptions.

Would be good to see some of the assistant coaches given a chance to run as head coach too. Seems wasted having coaching talent like Mick Downer, Darryl MacDonald and Mike Kelly sitting on the bench.

@Rick There is a lot of resistance to return to the DEC. Even Stewart is pushing hard for a dedicated basketball venue. At one stage talk about one in the old city hall.

Libs have offered a carrot, see below, but Hobart already has Kingston (another old Devils haunt), Moonah and Clarence all multi court venues that don't appear to suit.


http://www.themercury.com.au/sport/local-sport/state-liberals-shoot-for-basketball-vote-with-vow-to-back-new-sports-stadium/story-fnj92b0f-1226782559108

Fastest way to grow a player and talent base is to open up the billets for it.

You can't grow players when they can't play.

The contracted A-League versus the old NSL is causing the same headache for the FFA. You have to grow your talent base with opportunities.

I would think that Brisbane, Melbourne II, and Wellington are likely to be three of the four to come in in two years. Given that talk of expansion is originating from Tassie, they'd have to be a favourite right now for the fourth spot, but that may require Launceston and Hobart to play nice, which doesn't sound like it's going to happen.

No idea who the next four could be. Newcastle is the only one that springs to mind as a particularly viable option.

I love this idea, it lets a Newcastle think that if they get their shit together then they may not be overlooked, which is far far better than nipping any chance they have in the arse because they aren't a Melbourne or Brisbane!

I really hope that Tasmania can finally unite and I couldn't give a stuff if its Davenport, Hobart or Launceston... I want the Tassie Devils back and the Tassie talent in the league (Goulding, Walker, Knight and Gibson) if im not mistaken prove that there is tremendous talent down there so anything I'm all for the NBL returning!

Is there any chance/point of having AIS Cannons in the NBL, with all our best juniors given a chance (probably too early) to compete with men. Unsure about imports but I'm guessing they would be role players that could help mentor players instead of stars wanting 20 shots a night. Is AIS arena suitable for TV presentation... Boomers/Opals played there last year.

Lastly I'd like Geelong to think they have a chance of coming back into the league, I know they are hamstrung with an undesirable court but if they can do something with Geelong Cats that can benefit both clubs for training etc. then hopefully the 4 clubs desired is a possibility.

I'm not saying I want THESE 4 clubs in this time (why not though) but I want them to be excited by this announcement and those with the ability step up and give those at NBL real excitement and if there is 5 or 6 genuine viable options then great

You don't know what "down" means, do you?

Anonymous: Adelaide's crowds aren't down, they're up significantly. Melbourne has sold out several games at the Cage, and generally get far more than the Cage's capacity at their Hisense games. And they won't be playing at the Cage after this year.

Perth are looking at 13,000 for Friday night and haven't had fewer than 10,000 since 2012, NZ is playing half their games at Vector...

I know nothing about A-League or the Wanderers. I take it they are successful on top of roaming around around around around?

^ Was involved in GWS, but also Wanderers, so both sides of the coin there.

Having a number (4) in mind seems foolish. Why bias the process from the start?
Surely franchises have to be able to meet certain criteria to be successful. Settling for "well, they're not up to scratch, but we only have 2 that are and need a couple more, so what the hell they're in" would hurt more than it helped.

This guy's involvement with the GWS Giants is possibly not the world's greatest selling point either. A team that, despite the league pumping squillions of dollars into, so far has attracted very little interest and has a record of 3-41. That's fine if your wealthy league is determined to see you succeed. Not so good if you're an NBL team though IMO.

I seriously think 4 in one year is too big a leap. Maybe 2 one year then 2 the next.

Ben Allen may start

"Project expansion consultant Graham Watson, a former test cricketer and a key figure in the establishment of the licences for the Western Sydney Wanderers (A-League) and the Greater Western Sydney Giants (AFL) has been brought in as a consultant to canvas opportunities in Australia and New Zealand."

Now that's a pretty serious range of end results.

They're aiming for four. That doesn't mean it'll be four regardless.

South Melbourne, Brisbane and Wellington seem likely.

I tell you what, if they bring in four new rosters in one hit, the teams that manage to keep their squad together from the 14/15 season will simply destroy the ladder.

i see a few other clubs have participated in pre season matches prior to the season commencing, including this weekend! why havent the lightning gone to any? have they played any practice matches?