Hoops

Kings sign Brian Bowen

When did the Next Stars program officially start? Why are the Kings the only team to sign one? Shouldn't it be fair for all teams?

so who's the three kings import

Without LK the NBL would have been dead, and you whingers would have been on a dead thread.

Whatever brings more talent and excitement to the league is a plus.

Well done LK.

Just thinking, Bowen was probably the top talent that fits into this program and if no one except the Kings were interested then they likely won't be interested in inferior players. So Bowen will probably be the only one for this year.

If you can develop young talent into NBA players then you will attract better players in the future.

The NBL is trying to pump up their image not to Americans but to Australians who consider the league a bush league

Ask yourself this: why would a lower tier club be interested in a one and done 18 y.o. who may not be ready to contribute in a big role?

It makes more sense to be on the Kings or similar, where he can learn from the other veterans rather than having to be a star

In the article it said that the Kings were the team that showed the most interest... I'm not sure if this is just a scam or whatnot, I would have thought logically, if he was on a smaller market team, he'd be able to get more play and learn from an actual good coach, so yes, some transparency would be good to see how the process worked and which teams were and weren't interested and what cases they put towards the NBL to be the one chosen...

To me, it's still a bit suss that he'd go to one of the bigger teams that is already fairly loaded with (over 30yr old) talent, and this sort of thing will always be on the nose when it's run by and decide by the NBL... Transparency will definitely fix any bad impression... But we all know how good the NBL is at transparency...

I would think its still a trail run, but I think its the teams fault this year because the NBL pay for the players

Then there is the question of who picks the next stars for each team?

Does a team who is wanting / needing a wing player get a wing player? Who gets the next 'pick'?

I don't even know if there are many candidates for this program

I think some of the new rules are atleast 2 3 yrs a hand of time, with two or three teams coming in to the league. thinking there would be more rounds and games a week and bigger squads.

Didn't the NBL say at the time these guys could be signed outside of the existing roster so effectively as a 12th man?

Yes thats what I want to know....does every team get a 'Next Star participant?

What if the team already has 11 players?

I'm sure if a next star were coming on board for free, players like Hire, Teys and Doyle may be sweating?

So ever team gets one

Good to see the program going ahead and getting what looks to be a solid prospect as the furst signing.

Gotta say though I'm pretty surprised Sydney get the first one, who looks like he could be one of the best. I thought they would sign up all 8 kids and then have discussions with clubs on who fits where best with priority given to teams who have spent the least this year.

The Kings only have two imports before Bowen. Cats also going with two imports - there might be others too?

You don't *have* to have 3 imports. If Australians can play the same role to the same ability at a similar price, they'll get the job. That's how most jobs work.

Anyone who thinks that these "Next Stars", who are looking to push their draft stocks up are going to come to the NBL and be 11th man is dreaming. They're going to get minutes whether they deserve it or not.

Deng isn't a Centre....

"3 imports + Asian Player Exception + Next Stars Exception + Tai Wesley Exception + Uncapped Spending.

Kestelman is getting closer and closer to his dream for the NBL: A league with only 5 teams, ......."


more like 3 teams

Cram is correct about Wesley.

But of course, this has nothing to do with the Kings and nothing to do with anything really, because by definition it's a once off.

The exception being made for Wesley is entirely fair, btw. I support it.

Totally agree that Next Stars players like Bowen should be counted as imports. Because, well....they are imports. Considering them an exception is just opening the door to extend the number of imports in the league. Given we already have up to 24 per season, enough is enough.

This is a quality signing for Sydney. Just reinforces them as the hot favorite this year, even despite the question marks on age, injury and coaching.

"he Next Stars is a gimmick to get more exposure for the league, it's not like they're big stars or will demand a place from a local"

Bowen will be getting minutes that would otherwise have gone to Deng or Wilson. That is holding back the development of young Aussies for a gimmick and a little buzz.

LK is exactly thirsty enough to bring the circus that is the Ball family to the NBL.

Sorry but three imports, plus potentially a Next Star player is ridiculous.

It's not like the Next Star guys are mugs, whereas leaving the Asian player rule in accounts for the fact some of them could be mugs.


Given Australia probably has more players playing in the US college system than any other non North American country indicates we do need space on rosters for these guys to develop once they finish college. Plus our second tier system and the NZ NBL can develop NBL ready guys.


Potentially having an NBL starting 5 with no Aussies would not be good and that's including the fact that Kevin Lisch is counted as an Aussie.


If the NBL wants to drum up local interest having locals actually play helps. Simple as that.

My apologies Cram, I meant more that to group that "exception" in with a cause for dramatics wasn't warranted as it was a league rule change, not favouritism towards him (or Melbourne) and some big conspiracy...

The Next Stars is a gimmick to get more exposure for the league, it's not like they're big stars or will demand a place from a local... If there are more players interested, I'm sure they can get distributed, but can't really say "only the Kings got one!" if there weren't the interest from players...

I seriously hope the NBL isn't desperate enough to get a Ball brother here... ugh...

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/basketball/melbourne-united-put-offers-to-goulding-wesley-as-free-agency-begins-20180416-p4z9x2.html

"Wesley was classed as a local player in his last contract under the now defunct “Oceania rule” which allowed the Guam international to play as a local but it’s understood the league will give him another year as a local so he can begin the process of becoming naturalised."

WookieE, so much to go over here

1. There absolutely is a Wesley Exception
2. The "next star" guys are not Australian and therefore should ABSOLUTELY count as imports. The rest of their circumstances dont matter one bit.
3. 3 Imports is already absurd

That's being a bit dramatic, Cram... Especially when the league is paying for the Next Stars players and there's no such thing as the Tai Wesley exception...

These kids are fresh out of high school that either don't want to or can't get into college, there's no way that they should count as an import... Argue the point of having three imports separately, but this is all for a different reason in bringing more eyes onto the NBL and it's already working it seems...

Whether the Kings should have gotten him or not is another story... I think it will be great experience for him to be involved in such a senior program but not sure how much he'll learn from the coach or amount of game time he'll get to show that he can shine...

The the Asian player rule differs from the Tai Wesley rule. There's some conjecture over how exactly (because the NBL isn't into accountability) but there is a specific exception for Wesley.

Firstly, I think it's great that, if for nothing else, this gives the league exposure around the world, and may become a legitimate alternate path for prep to pros players in the future

It would have been great if some of the less well to do clubs (Illawarra, Cairns) have first chance to grab some of these players, as they would get exposure to strong coaching, potentially more playing time, without the distractions of a big city. Plus it could be a potential revenue stream in transfer fees in the future, which could really help with a cash injection

Felicity, lets see if he can add 2 teams without losing any.

3 imports + Asian Player Exception + Next Stars Exception + Tai Wesley Exception + Uncapped Spending.

Kestelman is getting closer and closer to his dream for the NBL: A league with only 5 teams, all spending $10M+ on salaries and only 2 Aussies per team. And it still wouldn't get a good TV deal.