Hoops

Durant & Brisbane

"McCarron is an example of no matter what money is offered some people will chose the life experience of playing overseas. That will not change. Even Childress chose Europe over the NBA."

Have to pull you up on the last point - Olympiacos offered JChill more money than the Atlanta Hawks.

"Why does Cram keep talking as if it is a certainty that the league is going to fall apart?"

Because his Tigers aren't in the league anymore and despises the United rebrand.

Cram if LK didn't rebrand your Tigers you wouldn't be crying. We get it.

Cram in an alternative reality where Tigers don't become United you wouldn't be complaining about the league. You're so transparent.

SaltyCram has taken his complaining to a new level now that United has won a title.

Gold.

"If LKs vision doesn't work, the league itself likely collapses and has to be built from scratch.

"

As opposed to what was going to happen anyway, the league collapsing and being built from scratch.

The league needed someone to invest and it was not going to be profitable for some time and everyone with a brain knew that.

Cram missed the memo though.

embarrassing governance of the league

Worst TV production in 20 years? Are you fucking kidding me?

"Another iron clad case.
- still the same amount of teams

Yet if he suddenly expanded the league you'd have a problem.


- fewer Australians than ever

Yeah, because I don't know what we'd do without more Kevin White and Brendan Teys level players.


- a smaller ownership pool

A much richer ownership pool, but let's cry because there is less of them.


- no fta coverage of 2 grand final games

As opposed to no FTA coverage of basically all finals games prior to this?


- still annual struggles for teams to survive

Wow, that is so out of character for the league. MUST be LK's fault.


- worst television production of games in the last 20+ years

Put down the crack pipe buddy.


- quality Australians still choosing European deals over NBL contracts

And how soon did you expect that to change?


But sure, keep thinking that because LK is pumping in millions of dollars that what he has done is somehow "succesful" and it won't fall on its arse the moment he pulls out"

Except he is actively working on ways to make it sustainable when he does pull out, such as the TV deal, you absolute fucking moron.

"

^^^^
Well said Isaac.

Cram, for the hell of it:

- still the same amount of teams
Not necessarily a negative thing.

- fewer Australians than ever
When they added the third import, they extended the rosters to 11. And there's an argument that a league with a better overall talent level has a stronger future. Subjective, anyway. Wonder if the number of Americans in the NBA in the first 10 of their respective teams has grown or shrunk. Wonder if they care too much.

- no fta coverage of 2 grand final games
I thought the overall coverage was great. I mostly watched via SBS and the app (better than past years)

- still annual struggles for teams to survive
Same same, at worst. Crowds up.

- worst television production of games in the last 20+ years
Completely disagree.

- quality Australians still choosing European deals over NBL contracts
Some in Europe, some back here: Bairstow, Andersen, Barlow, Newley, Goulding, Maric, etc. Guys who've played a bit in Europe are still here: Gliddon, Sobey, Steindl, etc.

Of the ones in Europe now, once you take out the scrubs, the guy with NBA rights, and a couple on the cusp, it's not that troubling. We're a long way off being able to compete with European money and I don't think that's disgraceful given their population. Beyond the money, if I were a 20-30 yo player, I'd want to play over there just for the experience of living abroad.

The clocks relate to the stadiums I’d imagine. They’ve always been a problem, especially in older venues.

And more owners/etc doesn’t necessarily mean it’s more successful. Has advantages but less so if you have scrappy and failing owners.

Brisbane was an after thought. He originally said Barcelona, Spain.

I think 99% of it has to do with climate. Not government

Working shot clock and game clock are fundamentals that still are not right for some reason, but other than those the tv package is very good IMO.

The rest aren't necessarily measures of success, but I can't agree with this:

- worst television production of games in the last 20+ years

Koolaid is artificially sweetened. Not to my taste.
The Haterade is salty as hell though.
I don't touch either of them.

Well it’s a damn site better than what was happening before LK took over.

Cram we know you hate what happened to your Tigers but enough with the saltiness! LK trying desperately to find buyers you can't blame him for that.

bloggg boyassss

It's smart to try and build on the NBA ties with the Breakers being owned in part by Shawn Marion & Matt Walsh as someone like Durant has plenty of money to spend.

It would be a better investment than some of the other stuff NBA players blow their money on like buying houses solely to house their shoe collections or buying a new Armani suit to wear to every game.

http://www.borderwatch.com.au/news/local/sport/basketball/pioneers-sign-import-for-2012-seabl-season/2409105.aspx

Played safe and went with Chris Warren International who has a reputation for quality people on and off the court.Be interesting to see where he goes for a big?