Hoops

Shane Heal points out big divide between clubs

I wouldn't say that basketball was it it's worst when Cedric was at his best, it just resembled rugby with all the holding on and pushing under the basket... and our best player in the league (Jackson) air balled free throws (I think it was 3 times if not more).

Neither are a good look

Cedric Jackson will be interesting. He looked pretty good when the league was at it's worst. Can he cut it with the current crop of talent?

Regardless Paul, my point is that for regional clubs would I be best for them to test out former champion players a few years after they have left, to get eyes on them?

As for Conklin, I was absolutely delighted when he won league MVP as he felt like a true underdog winning that accolade as he got that award from busting his arse as he wasn't the most naturally gifted player and there's no doubt about that... I'd go as far as to say that Clint Steindl is more gifted (has athleticism that people forget he has, beautiful shooting technique, long limbs etc) yet it was Conklin that willed that young team to victory in several games.

I am extremely intrigued by Cedric Jackson and Brian Conklin this season, so we have a league in which there's a divide between rich and struggling and a struggling team being in 2 league MVPs, one in Cedric that was at two big spending teams and now we wait a few years to get him back for a poor team.

Has Cedric and Conklin peaked already or could the chasing of former great players (league MVP suggests great in my mind) be the way of the future for battlers.

Surely Ervin is past it but could Rotnei return for Illawarra or even Cairns. Could the Huskies go for former league MVP types or will they go for unproven imports

LOL. Last few years have shown that spending big means nothing..... shown by Adelaide and Hawks making the finals. Comes down to good coaching and chemistry.

I don’t rate Heal as a commentator or analyst so anything he says I just ignore.

Welcome to the jungle!

I don’t rate Heal as a commentator or analyst so anything he says I just ignore.

Yep, you could make the argument that all an attempt at the illusion of parity does via salary caps or a points system is lower the overall quality of the league by pricing out top Aussie and import talent.

I don't think its a problem if there is a gap in quality in the league this season. Most sports leagues have a few teams that are legit contenders, another solid group that could be a wildcard contender, then it drops off to the bottom half and then the bottom 2-3 teams are often pretty bad.

The problem is though the long term effects of it. Due to not having any form of draft or a harder cap theres not many measures in the NBL to help equalize things long term and allow sides to rebuild. There was talk of tax money going to teams but as we know we haven't heard anything about it. A gap is fine, but what you don't want the same 2-3 teams contending each yeah, same middle of the road teams each year, and the same couple of teams at the bottom every year.

Jvg has spent massive every year he’s had control of the kings, no results yet.

People have been saying this every year. I myself have said it at times.

But the proof will be in the pudding. We'll see what happens on the court.

Sydney is the only team who has spent massively. And they've got a very old team, with an unproven coach. So it remains to be seen if they ever reach their upside.

Perth appear to have upgraded their roster but it's unlikely they'll be completely dominant.

I never write off a Bevo team. Brisbane looks to have a competitive roster. Cairns looks a real concern, but you never know.

I agree that the divide is widening and the points system kept the clubs very even. This was at a time when it was necessary to keep interest in the league as high as possible when it was struggling a bit.

The problem with such a system is that it keeps everyone close to the level of the worst financially performing team. Now with money coming in, increased interest and getting rid of salary caps etc the league as a whole is booming. This is partly at the expense of success of the smaller clubs that can't quite keep up but it does push everyone to get better and hence overall an improved product.

I agree with him on this one. The league isn't getting any closer.

AKA is right, in most sports around the world not many sides can win it, there is always two or three and normally that’s it. Sometimes a roughy gets up Lecister City in the premiere league but then back to normal. Like life most supporters live in hope that there team is next to win it.

Playing Devil's advocate here but why does a divide in competition mean a poor or disappointing league? In the NBA there is only probably 3 teams who can win it all and it is a growing league in both popularity and revenue. Granted the lower NBA teams are in a more stable financial environment than the lower NBL clubs. If Syd, Mel, Bris and Perth are battling it out could they carry the league so the lower sides don't find themselves in financial hardship? I don't necessarily agree with this but it should be given some thought.

Other sports, Golf was at it's peak when Tiger was winning everything. The premier league in the UK realistically has a handful of teams that will have legitimate claims to a title and there is no denying the strength of that league (although relegation gives some genuine interest and meaning at the foot of the ladder).

He's just pointing out the unlevel playing field this current system presents.

LOL. Last few years have shown that spending big means nothing..... shown by Adelaide and Hawks making the finals. Comes down to good coaching and chemistry.

Sydney loves the big preseason announcements, but we'll see.

Shane may be right ...... Bogut might be top heavy and slow for the NBL. LOL.

Other than Goulding and McCarron Melbourne have spent less than all, don’t have imports yet and budget has been reduced.

You don't really know until the season's over.

People have been forewarning the big divide for years but it has never really come. Money doesn't automatically correlate to success.

I remember a lot of people a few years ago thought TVL would stink it up on a terrible budget and yet they did alright and were still competitive.

Teys, Deleon, Doyle plus the Creek issues compared to the money Melbourne and Sydney are throwing around. I probably should have stated I meant in comparison. If other clubs can't keep up how will this relate to their success and financial survival?

Shane Heal

@ShaneHeal

I believe the gap between 1-8 in this years @NBL season will be the biggest we have seen in a LONG time!

with his poor form to finish the season, probably not his fault. it's probably close to definite that he is done at the Tigers, either that or he stays and Gleeson's gone.

now, assuming he is done at the Tigers, where do you guys think he'd head?

not a 36ers fan but think Adelaide can give him a look. combination of DJ (if he stays) and Trigger can be intriguing. that'd be one potent threat down there and be headache for rest of league.