Brisbane Bullets future and an NBL expansion update

I'm a bit late and most people would have seen this already, but here's the latest update from Boti Nagy on the future of the Brisbane Bullets as well as the NBL's expansion plans.

Bullets’ bid still not firing as Tassie and second Melbourne club move to join NBL

    BOTI NAGY THE ADVERTISER
    The Advertiser
    April 22, 2014 2:25PM 

A SECOND NBL team in Melbourne and a united state-representing team out of Tasmania are front-runners in league expansion plans for 2015-16. 
 
While the recent loss of WNBL club Logan Thunder, in addition to the absence of Gold Coast Blaze and Brisbane Bullets as NBL entities, leaves south-east Queensland without an elite-level presence, the other bids are further advanced.

“The second team in Melbourne and the Tasmanian bid are further along than Brisbane,” NBL chief executive officer Fraser Neill said.

“We are very keen to re-establish an NBL presence in Brisbane and we are continuing to work hard in that area.

“But that’s a very strong catchment area for basketball in the south east of Melbourne and the Tasmanian bid is travelling very well too.”

Melbourne has not had a second team since South Dragons won the 2009 championship and withdrew.

Tasmania has been without NBL representation since the Hobart Devils were dropped from the competition after the 1996 season.

Previously the state also fielded the Devonport Warriors, while Launceston Casino City was NBL champion in 1981.

The new Tasmanian bid aims to represent the entire island and garner statewide support by spreading its home matches across multiple venues.

Brisbane Bullets, which boasted iconic NBL superstar Leroy Loggins and other league MVPs such as Derek Rucker, Sam Mackinnon and Steve Woodberry, dropped out of the competition after the 2008 season. 

Adelaide 36ers coach Joey Wright, led the Bullets to their last championship in 2007.

He also was in charge of south-east Queensland’s last NBL team, Gold Coast, which was shunted out of the NBL after the 2011-12 season while Basketball Australia was running the league.

Neill said the NBL was looking to expand to 12 teams for 2015-16, the door ajar for Brisbane.

But interest also has been shown by Wellington Saints of the NZ NBL — currently being coached by former Sydney Kings coach Shane Heal — along with Newcastle and Canberra.

NBL countdown continues ... 14 days to go

The countdown continues ... 14 days until the NBL season gets underway. The # 14 is brought to you today by Hobart Devils legend Eric Bailey.
http://classicbasketballtees.spreadshirt.com/eric-bailey-ball-A13374430/customize/color/36

Paul Stanley - Hobart Devils

Our feature Hobart Tassie Devil today is Paul Stanley (no, not the guitarist from Kiss).

Paul Stanley spent 3 years in Hobart with his best season being his first in ’87. He led the NBL in scoring that year with 35.4 points per game and averaged 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game. He also made over 2 triples game hitting more than 45% of his attempts from deep.

To grab your very own Paul Stanley Hobart Devils t-shirt, follow this link:
http://classicbasketballtees.spreadshirt.com/paul-stanley-ball-A13374439/customize/color/36

Since I couldn't find any pictures of Paul on Google, check out this footage of him (as well as a young Steve Carfino).

Eric Bailey - Hobart Devils

Today our feature Hobart Devil is Eric Bailey.

Before Hurst and even Carfino, the Devils were led by Eric Bailey in ’83 and ‘84. In his second season in Hobart he averaged 29 points, 12 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game. After his years playing in the NBL, Bailey is now an author and professional speaker. 

To get your own Eric Bailey t-shirt, follow this link:
http://classicbasketballtees.spreadshirt.com/eric-bailey-ball-A13374430/customize/color/36

Steve Carfino - Hobart Tassie Devils

Today's feature Hobart Devil legend is Steve Carfino.

Long before he was the face and voice of the NBL, Steve Carfino started his playing career in the NBL with the Hobart Devils. He put up ridiculous numbers in his debut season averaging 32.7 points, 7 assists, 4.3 rebounds, 3.4 steals, shot 49% from the field and hit 2.4 triples per game. He was runner up in the MVP voting that year and named to the All-NBL first team in ’86 and ’87 before leaving for the Sydney Kings.

Here's the link to our Steve Carfino t-shirt:
http://classicbasketballtees.spreadshirt.com/steve-carfino-ball-A12695833/customize/color/36

I couldn't find any pics of Steve from his time in Hobart but here's some footage of him in action

Wayne McDaniel - Hobart Tassie Devils

Our feature Hobart Tassie Devils player today is Wayne McDaniel.

Wayne McDaniel was with the Hobart Devils for six seasons but his best years were when he first arrived. In his second season (1990) he averaged 33.9 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game while shooting almost 56% from the field.

After he retired from the NBL he returned to the US to become an actor and has appeared in a number of films (Superman Returns and The Sapphires are the best known).

http://classicbasketballtees.spreadshirt.com/wayne-mcdaniel-ball-A12695825/customize/color/36

Joe Hurst - Hobart Tassie Devils

Jumpin’ Joe Hurst was brought in by the Hobart Devils to replace Steve Carfino and did so with honours winning the MVP award in his first season. The year was 1988 and he averaged 32 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game. He was one of the first “high flyers” in the league and despite only playing three full seasons in the NBL Joe stayed in Australia playing in the SEABL for many years after.

Normally I'd include a photo of Joe for the post ... but since he played in the late 80's and early 90's, there are seemingly no photos of him online. I was going to scour through my basketball magazines but I'm pretty sure the first copy of One on One I bought was around 94/95.

http://classicbasketballtees.spreadshirt.com/joe-hurst-ball-A12695819/customize/color/36

Calvin Talford - Hobart Devils

Today our feature Hobart Devils player is 1992 college dunk champ Calvin Talford.

Calvin Talford is the Chris Jent of the Hobart Devils in that he played just one season in the NBL (’94). He shares the record for most points in a debut scoring 50... points against the Brisbane Bullets (I was at that game and was blown away by the show he put on). He was one of the most exciting players in the league and averaged 22 points, 6 rebounds and shot over 52% from the field.

http://classicbasketballtees.spreadshirt.com/calvin-talford-ball-A12695841/customize/color/36
 

Calvin in action in the '94 NBL Dunk Comp
 

 

Hobart Tassie Devils t-shirts

Gather round and let me tell you about a time when the NBL was booming and there was a team in almost every capital city … including Hobart!

This one is for the “veterans” amongst us as Tasmania hasn’t had a team in the league since 1996....

Back in the day, there was a time when the Hobart Tassie Devils attracted some great names from the US. Yes, I’m not quite sure how they did it either?!

Don’t believe it? Well representing the Devils in our “Legends” series are Steve Carfino, Wayne McDaniel, Jumpin’ Joe Hurst, Eric Bailey, Calvin Talford and Paul Stanley.

Tasmania, its time to represent, show your support for our game. Like, share and shop!

Check out our store for team 4 of the "Legends" range:
http://classicbasketballtees.spreadshirt.com/

PS. And if you don’t recognise all of the names mentioned above click on the link and find out more about them.