Hoops

BIG V Teams to watch in 2014

Thanks HO, that's certainly one way to look at it, by participation.

There are of course anomalies, like Melbourne Tigers and Eltham for example...

Appreciate the post, cheers...

What is the issue with the new sides going tinto State Champ.

Do we not want the ball at the level to expand and get stronger? Sure there will be arly days where those associations may struggle but they have to start somewhere and overall the standard should be better in 5 years time.

The same reason our game is in trouble at the national level is we all want a quick fix. it takes time to do thing properly and build a long term viable league.

If in 10 years the Championship level has 10-16 stong sodes then all the movement is a great thing.

Whether or not that will be the case only time will show.

Maybe not Warrandyte, now, but the area is a growth corridoor so give it 10-15 years... :]

Luck***

Dale, I think you may be one of us "morons" as your definitely chirping up and getting involved on here champ. Seems like someone has hit a nerve with you along the way haha, poor old lad.

Although it can be sometimes frustrating when ppl babble on about nonsense to do with "lower" divisions, if it really agitates you that much you could always skip those threads/comments OR you could potentially look at it as a good thing based on the fact that people out there are so enthused and passionate about the sport. I think both options are plausible and will lead to less bitching and moaning on your behalf.

Best of lucky to you

Sunbury, not Sudbury... Bloody iPad!

Sudbury, Warrandyte and Altona in Div1 I consider as quite large Associations with potential to grow into genuine powerhouse size, especially when population and venue development are considered.

In Div 2 we have Wodonga, Shepparton and Keilor, not small by any means and room to grow too. Are these any smaller than SCM teams like Hume City, Sherbrooke, Corio Bay, Whittlesea or McKinnon?

Just making a point that various divisions are also supported by the big boys, not just there for mediocre basketball as may be perceived by some of the above posts...

Hahahaha sour pusses getting put back in their box left right and centre hahaha

Thanks anon, but that is very much a subjective argument unless you quanity how we are going to judge or compare a large Association to a small one or a medium one.

Is it through numbers of VJBL teams, is it by total participants, is it by SEABL representation, how is it that you are going to make that comparison?

Just one example would be Geelong, quite a large Association with representation in (SEABL and YOUTH LEAGUE and Big V-Div1), I am sure there are others...

Without the stats in those lower divsions and youth leagues how are coaches and people fromt he larger associations supposed to hear and scout what talent is out there.

While the key players will always get found it always helps when the league can promote the statelines and bring attention to them.

@Happy Days, while I agree with part of that, there are many D1/D2 teams from the larger Associations that make up the divisions, without whom there would be no competition.

The sport could do with improvements in many areas, agree, however what I see is that many Associations at least seem to be getting better at their overall administration (with some hick-cups of course).

In the end it usually comes down to the dollar, with respect to success in quite a few of our local basketball leagues I suspect. I wouldn't like to see moneyball though, still nice to have young local talent devloped at their home Associations, that's where the structure you have listed comes into its own IMHO...

ball is life

Dale = Naughty

Thats not what was said but. "lots of personalities to deal with in that sth pen team if they get an import haha, good luck with that"

I do agree, it is the Egos usually more so than personalities that are challenging to work with, BUT, it is still part of coaching. Good coaches need to be able to manage egos. Phil Jackson won bulk rings because he could manage egos.

Chook, personalities are easy to deal with its the egos that go with some that make it hard haha,

jeez Snowy, imagine if there was only a championship level, where would all the other players go, and why shouldn't they do stats on the other divisions, they pay just the same, and have followers just the same, plus some choose to play in a team for more reasons than than the level the team is in. Its like saying if you cant play professional take up chess, not everyone can be Michael jordans, and even he admits he's not perfect.

@Melbourne Boy, agree on your top 4 for SCM, but hardly anyone else in the bottom part of the championship division really to the standard of those 4 is there?

Waverley
Corio Bay
Bulleen
Ringwood

These 4 teams, Associations, are almost at SEABL level IMO and do a great job of recruiting, development and coaching...

When will we see some form of promotion and relagation between Championship Divisions of this standard and the SEABL, I wonder?

Oh, and it's Corio Bay, not Corio mate (Corio is actually a suburb no where near the home court), like saying Diamond in stead of Diamond Valley!

Smile once in a while Snowy.

Obviously people do care about D1 and D2 otherwise they wouldn't talk about it right?

Doesn't everyone have a personality? So wouldn't a large part of coaching be managing all of those personalities?

lots of personalities to deal with in that sth pen team if they get an import haha, good luck with that

I reckon the Shepp boys will be alright this year. I know there was a lot of hype around them last year (I think most of it was actually created by people outside of the team that had zero idea what was going on).

They obviously have the experience of having played BigV which helps but also have a few very talented local players re-joining the squad after a few years away with Uni.

I dont know if they will make finals or not as there are some solid teams running around in D2. Westernport may self combust and Wodonga is a fairly unknown.

I think Warrandyte women will be more than competitive in SCW. They have a good mix across the board and if Sthef Thomas returns they will be legit. Will be interesting to see how the change in coaching works for them.

D1M is always wide open but based on last years results you would automatically presume that Latrobe will contend, Mildura are ALWAYS going to be a contender as will Geelong. Chelsea have made some good signings and may be quiet handy also.

D1W was 1 of the toughest competitions in the league last year and it should be expected to be similar this year. For those teams coming up from D2, only Sth Pen have made any significant announcements as to signings etc. Teams may simply be keeping it quiet also though. Latrobe may struggle as they have only had 9 in their full squad last year, have lost the Pearce sisters and at least 2 other role players. Based on knowledge that has been shared publicly I would expect Geelong, Whittlesea, Mildura, Camberwell, Cragieburn and Sth Pen to be contenders.

Predictions for each Division?

http://ufc.nba.com/

its finally up.

anyone willing to create and commission a league?