Hoops

Daily Telegraph's sub-par Sydney Kings preview

Spot the old people.

Adelaide Advertiser pretty good . I'll keep it with mine .

What's a newspaper? What's tall poppy syndrome?

The size and growth of the Kings' crowds last season befuddled me. They were dreadful for a good chunk of the competition, yet were getting a solid 7-8,000 toward the end. I assume people just have the awareness of them and parents figure it a better day out than a just as expensive movie. I'm no fan of the Sunday games, but they work with crowds. The Saturday this season may prove to be a large step back for the league.

They did have one last year and it was better. My point is that the key to basketball getting back to anywhere near the 1990's level is win back mainstream news. Newspaper support along with scores on radio and television news is critical.

True, regarding newspapers. They are still a very important media stream for exposure and theres a big audience there (probably from the older markets that only follow football and cricket), so its still very important the NBL have a presence in print media.

However, the growth of the league's popularity and its main source of media coverage is digital now. Most of its traction is online. If the league relied soley on newspapers and a couple of football loving tv stations like they had to in the past, you would still have a hard time knowing about the NBL. Which is how it used to be.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1969/43399396170_9f503457ed_o.jpg

They gave the Kings 5 pages, in the 1st 3rd and 2nd 3rd of the paper. I'll take that advertising and the quick, interesting read with it anyday.

The Daily Telegraph is also a strong sponsor for the Kings and gives them good space in the paper. The fact they give season ticket holders a full year access to all News Limited publications throughout the country is a huge carrot, close to $200 worth.

Exactly. The OP had me when he said he opened a newspaper.

It's a newspaper preview. People barely even read newspapers anymore. Calm down lol.

Did they even have one last year at all?

As a long time Basketball observer, tho never a player, I have been astounded to see the new coaching Philosophy at the Mavs.

The Mavs dynamic (sic) coaching duo (of the Lightening worse result ever fame) have implemented a ‘social basketball’ philosophy in that all 12 players get to play, and usually before ½ time. Just as a player finds his touch and makes a few baskets he is subbed (however does not seem to apply to the player who gave the club the royal finger and ‘walked out’ last season, but has the right surname). Make a few/many turnovers, take no defensive responsibility, shoot air balls, have no idea of the offense…doesn’t matter you will get your minutes.

Opposing coaches get a rest day as the Mavs implement their ‘social basketball’ philosophy. Hard to watch as a times they have 5 bigs out there, no capable ball handler and they make turn over after turn over.

At the ABL, NBL, College and NBA level coaches rarely go past 8 in their roster. Something I have never seen before, other than in U/10 or U12, is a 5 on 5 off NFL style platoon substitution. Maybe this is designed to confuse the opposition but usually it seems to leave the Mavs squad completely flummoxed.

The look on the Managers face is priceless when the assistant/head coach gets up to make a sub…there is a real chance he may be part of the platoon, he should shirt up.

Meanwhile it is amusing watching the (complete lack off) vibrancy, enthusiasm, dynamism of the dynamic duo translating to the teams persona. It has been noted that the coaches take their coffees to the bench, to stay awake I guess.

I understand that this ‘malaise’ has also been implemented at U/23 level where the goal appears to be not to win but give everybody an equitable run.

It used to be that in all elite sport competition and survival of the fittest was the ‘way,’ the Mavs seem to be bucking that trend and going for the participation award……….MEDIOCRITY IS GOOD, perhaps that reflects the whole club.

Roll on the Mavs and their long suffering fans.