Hoops

Rod Laver Arena for Boomers qualifiers.

Yes, the NBA rules itself, but there is much that can be done to promote this and the Euro League guys, so I would be asking the question, 'where is the big promotion?'

They could sell it out if they really wanted to regardless. Use Bogut as an embassador if timing is right but he is too sore to play, just think first and promote it, should work out fine...

Some of us here.....

Some of here need to understand that the demands of an NBA season are extreme and at the end of such a long season with so many games, these guys need something called recovery...

They all want to play for Australia, why wouldn't they, but they also want to be able to play, not risk being injured from not being able to recover properly.

This is our biggest issue in the junior ranks IMHO, the fact that our top tier athletes are pushed too far and extreme loads on their body will eventually shorten their careers and limit how often we see them in the green and gold!

With the Spurs out the playoffs, do you think this might have a negative impact on ticket sales for this game?

No Spurs means less interest from an Australian point of view given the Mills/Baynes factor as far as getting playoff highlights on the news, hence drumming up interest in the game.

Its only really Andrew Bogut's Warriors that have a significant Australian in the spotlight now. You could argue the other Aussies must be counted also (Delly, Bairstow) but they probably wont make any highlights.

I think BA are morons for charging these prices at a time when basketball is very shaky (as always).

Agree with you Flinders.

It's a nice thought, Flinders.
I agree that the cheap seats should actually be cheap. A sold out arena would be a much needed boost for aussie basketball.

Here's hoping for the miracle of Bogut going the rest of the season without an injury. Him participating in the NZ series would be a great step toward it being successful from the fans' POV.

Interestingly, most of the $170-odd tickets (Cat 1) have sold already...

Plenty of Cat 2 and 3 left at the cheaper rates.

I think the expensive tickets were a mistake. Although we are seeing NBA caliber you don't want to run the risk of having an empty arena.

They will not announce such an arrangement - if it were to eventuate - until it suits them.

Form a Basketball Victoria email about ticket sales for the event:

Never in Australian history have so may current Australian NBA stars played together, with teams set to feature Aron Baynes, Andrew Bogut, Elizabeth Cambage, Matthew Dellavedova, Dante Exum, Laura Hodges and Parry Mills.

Parry Mills? Who is he?

Get in early from 9am Melb time on Monday by quoting "CAMBAGE" for tickets.

Don't know - putting 2 and 2 together - however it does not always add up.

I have a feeling any potential TV announcement may only come once the "Sold Out" sign goes up.

Nine live is a major sponsor...

Victorian Major Events Company is behind this game also. Some serious cash injected.

Channel 9 TV cameras were in attendance at the media announcement. Very little press in attendance (Roy Ward was there).

Had a great chat with Exum, Lemanis & Joyce.

A couple of additional/different quotes in my article below.

Returning NBA stars highlight Boomers and Opals double-header

Great news! Will be a real litmus test for the state of basketball in this countr beyond the NBL. Indications are that most of our NBA contingent will be back for this, what are realistic expectations for crowd numbers? Surely BA wouldn't invest in obtaining an arena of this size without some well placed optimism?