Hoops

Wildcats to play NBA teams

Lost by one point weak.

You can call it what you like, Melbourne had two injuries and replaced them with three players, one didn’t get on till two minutes from the end, one played two guard where Goulding and Hooley was out with Prather playing two as well and the other played in the the three with Prather and Moller and had less time than Moller.

lots of sausage sizzles. eh l9ve

Melbourne United only had temporary ring in players because they had numerous injuries. And those players actually impeded them.

Who were the other imports Melbourne United had against OKC

Wildcats will smash Denver

Angus Brandt > Nicola Jokic

Damien Martin > Garry Harris

Jesse Wagstaff > Jamal Murray + Wilson Chandler

It would be great to see the ball go through the basket on an NBA court so surely seeing that even in warm ups would be fantastic.

I do like the anon posters idea of playing an West/East affiliate team and think if it is early enough that it could help with deciding on imports if teams follow the United theory of topping up with American players to be competitive.

But I think we can't be leaving teams behind if we are serious about having working relationships with NBA teams ie if all Australian teams go over and Breakers stay home and do their own thing.

I love the idea of including NBA games in memberships potentially and even getting sponsors to pay for these trips, that could work with companies wanting to make their mark in America, whether they are Australian brands like BHP or international brands like Kia for example.

If NBL teams already have their Terrence Ferguson types then I'm guessing that these games will be a good chance to see how these players are on the big stage and that could really help with NBA scouts.

I'd like to see NBL do something about NBA scouts in encouraging more of them to come look at our league during season too, I'm not sure if giving them cheaper seats or even free seats if there can be a business arrangements between NBA and the respective NBL team or what but it's something I hope NBL teams can be proactive with

One top a player played about 15 minutes, one about 2 minutes at the end and the other same time as Moller. Hooley never played due to injury. Melbourne were very good including Adnam and Moller.

"The team also felt the need to bring in a bunch of top up players to try to make sure it didn't look bad. Two of these players played more than guys like Moller, Adnam, Hooley, Majok, Smith-Milner."

Fair call and it does point to the fact a large part of this is a marketing exercise to show the NBL is a decent quality league. However, I don't think the top up players were of a quality that was above a typical NBL roster. It wasn't like Melbourne brought in a bunch of superstars. My memory is also that the top up players didn't actually play particularly well. Finally, Melbourne did have at least a legitimate need for one replacement player as Goulding was out - a pretty big out for them.

If teams fund their own US trips, could this model work?

1. Sponsorships for the tour, with follow-up from club marketing types to sell NBL season sponsorships.
2. Supporters’ tours sold for the trips (cricket does well from rich fanatics over-paying to tour with ex-players, maybe there’d be a demand for basketball tours).
3. Trials of imports who would meet the team state-side and play in these games.
4.Packaging tickets for these games with season memberships (travel to be booked separately) if 2. doesn’t attract enough punters.

All of the above just some ideas on how NBL clubs could leverage these tours into in-season support.

I thought it was a good effort by United even if OKC weren't going all out.

There is a fair gap between the two leagues so if you're getting within a point, even in a pre season environment, it should be applauded.

Too many haters around.

I'm a bit more tentative about the whole NBA partnership/greater working relationship thing, but I do think it should happen and is potentially great for the league.

But I don't share the height of optimism as other posters here. I think the benefits are potentially huge, but probably so are the costs (and so have to decide whether those costs outweigh the benefits).

I'm not being naive but I do sometimes wonder what a game versus say Perth and Utah gives us materially and in substance above being more than just an exhibition game between NBA-NBL.

Sorry yes Early October... which makes us wonder if the season will start later to accommodate for games.

The report specified Perth would play BOTH teams but no mention about other NBL teams so it's all speculation on here to get me excited.

As for those saying Perth will get flogged, all I can respond to that is by saying that they got flogged by NBL teams last year (Sydney comes to mind) and flogged teams last year too (Melbourne in Melbourne) so it's hard to judge a team albeit vastly different to last year that was so inconsistent.

Looking forward to seeing how Cotton plays vs NBA teams

LA Clippers and Phoenix perhaps?

kings vs clippers?

Why pheonix? Clippers are playing clippers

Melbourne vs. Philadelphia and Toronto
Perth vs. Denver and Utah
Sydney vs. Phoenix (in Hawaii)

Is that it?

"Cairns will play against GSW"

Literally just laughed out loud. Very nice.

Since last preseason each of the three NBL teams only played once vs. NBA opposition do Perth get to double dip because they cried about missing out last season? Or they pulled the travel card so got two games? Whinging does work.

Cairns will play against GSW

Melbourne vs Philly and Toronto

So we have:

Melbourne vs. Philadelphia
Perth vs. Denver and/or (?) Utah
Sydney vs. Phoenix (in Hawaii)

I was at the supermarket today and surprised Greg Hire by saying to him "Playing NBA teams in the pre-season are we?" which he replied "Oh, we were invited finally?" Also his girlfriend looked quite amused that he is a celebrity.

Don't expect nothing but exposure for Perth and the nbl. Every team should have the opportunity. As long as basketball grows in all for it!

Sydney playing in Hawaii, united against 76ers I believe. Sydney against Phoenix I think.

Will Melbourne United and Sydney also play? They would be good for promoting our brand as they have stacked lineups

Yeah, it might not be pretty. Still a positive thing for the players though, given there should be no clash with the NBL season.

nuggets will demolish perth...

Nikola Jokic - Gary Harris - Jamal Murray way too good

In the USA

did he say the games would be in perth or in the USA ?

That should say Perth Wildcats sorry and no link as of yet but Lachie Read seems to know everything

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