Hoops

Annual pulse check

^ great point.

It also allows more time to sell tickets for the semis, which are historically poorly attended.

I like the break. It's positive in all regards. Better awards night participation and the players get to freshen up before what is going to be a hectic period of games. One week without games is not a big deal, guys. You'll forget about it as soon as games are back on tomorrow.

Don’t forget NZ also had 3 players (plus head coach) involved during the FIBA window. To play finals would have made an impact on those teams.

Would having an all-Star weekend (I was thinking between games 1 & 2 of the grand final series but they could do lots of advertising of the game with captains from the 5th and 6th placed teams

It would have been a nice consolation prize for fans of non playoff teams to see their players in green & gold on the same weekend that the NBL playoffs were tipping off.

Why did we need a FIBA window, when he picked only non finals players?

It's always a tough time, when many fans have lost their team, and its only the big spenders left. The FIBA window has killed it dead.

From a purely forum traffic point of view I don't mind it.

It's the calm before the storm because come Thursday it's going to be a complete shitshow on here. :D

Spot on Haz, if NRL pre-season takes psyche away from NBL then there is an inherent problem in the level of psyche NBL is capable of at this time of year in its current state.

Maybe the NBL needs more of something to keep psyche levels optimal

A regular problem the NBL faces every season at this time. Fatigue plus whatever the current problem is (this year, FIBA)


But we dont want a shorter season. We want more games, a best of 5 game semi final series as well as the grand final. Didnt we? This FIBA window is very annoying but if your suggesting that the hype dies off at this time of year and the ramping up of the NRL (and AFL) season is kicking in now, then making the season longer including the playoffs isnt going to make it any better, which is what gets suggested every year, and with expansion coming will definitely be something to look at.

But then 19 weeks of NBL isnt much either, right? This year we will blame it on FIBA. Every other year we blame it on the footy codes. Next year? Expansion?

So players that are in finals are penalised going to Europe, don’t make sense, though Creek got a German div one contract late last season.

I think it's the anticipation of NRL season that gets me going too.

Anticipation of an impending season is a strong influencer

Nailed it. All the momemtum the NBL had has totally come to a halt.

Way too long in between regular season and finals. Hard not to think that a few more regular season games after the FIBA window and before the finals start would help. However that would mean players who do miss out on NBL finals would miss the signing deadlines for most European leagues to play out their season, and that means lost earning potential for players.

Yes momentum lost, all semi final sides had players available this season, should have continued.

It's not just you. 11 days is a long time between games.

*I don't like that I am this way, just can't help it

I want to know your thoughts on where the next NBL team will be from and when it will happen. I want a Brisbane team back next season.