The 1997 Melboune Tigers - legendary team

Today's legendary team, the 1997 Melbourne Tigers.
http://classicbasketballtees.spreadshirt.com/legendary-teams-C159208

Having to deal with a mid-season return of Mark Bradtke from the NBA, the Melbourne Tigers started the 1997 season in very poor form with a 3–11 mark at the midpoint of the season. Marcus Timmons was brought in on a tip from former assistant coach Brett Brown. From that point, the Tigers did not lose another game until the second game of the Finals against the Magic. The Tigers would go on to defeat the Magic in Game 3 of the Finals to claim their second championship in front of their home-town fans.

The 2007 Brisbane Bullets - legendary team

Following on from the 1985 team yesterday, this morning's feature legendary team is one of the greatest ever assembled, the 2007 Brisbane Bullets.
http://classicbasketballtees.spreadshirt.com/brisbane-2007-A14751173/customize/color/4

Whether you consider them the best NBL team ever (or the best that money could buy), you can’t argue with how great the Brisbane Bullets team was that won the 2006/2007 championship. They were so good their bench players would have likely beaten most rival teams. “G-Unit” as they named themselves featured Adam Gibson, Dillon Boucher, Mark Bradtke (Dusty Rychart was the starter I believe), Mick Hill & Brad Williamson.

The Bullets won the pre-season title and then easily won the minor premiership, claiming an end of season record of 28 wins and only 5 losses. This included an all-time NBL record-breaking 21-game winning streak, marking the Bullets' most successful season since 1979. Brisbane went on to make their first NBL grand final since 1990 and took out the finals series 3-1 over defending champions the Melbourne Tigers to be crowned NBL champions for the third and last time (for now).

In The Game Tees - $10 off sale on now

Whether you’re Irish or Irish-ish… we’ve got a deal for you! To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day (next month), our partners at Spreadshirt are offering $10 off any order of $50 or more. Simply enter the coupon code POTOFGOLD at check out to receive the discount. 

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Andrew Gaze - Melbourne Tigers

The one, the only ... Andrew Gaze
(pic below, who said he couldn't jump?)

Andrew Gaze is considered the greatest player in the history of the NBL and is a seven time winner of the league's MVP award, which is now named after him.

Gaze began his career in the NBL at age 18, being named Rookie of the year in 1984. He was the top scorer in the league for a total of 14 seasons. Not an outstanding athlete, Gaze's heavy scoring was due to exceptional shooting, including from three-point range. A crowd favourite, one of Gaze's trademark plays for the Tigers was the alley-oop pass to Lanard Copeland. Playing under his father with the Tigers, Gaze played in 612 NBL matches and led the team to two titles (’93 & ’97).

One of Andrew’s best seasons was in 1987 when he averaged 44.1 points (that’s not a typo), 8.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 2.5 steals & 3.4 triples.

Check out the Andrew Gaze Legends tees here:
http://classicbasketballtees.spreadshirt.com/melbourne-C157175

Melbourne Tigers t-shirts

Gather round and let me tell you about a time when the league was booming, so much so, NBL players were household names!

Back in the 90’s when the league was booming, one of the teams to beat was the Melbourne Tigers who took out their first championship in ’93 and then won it again in ’97. Lindsay Gaze prowled the sidelines while his son Andrew was the superstar. He wasn’t alone as he was joined by two of the legends of the league, Lanard Copeland and Mark Bradtke.

Fast forward to the 2000’s when the big three had moved on, a new superstar emerged for the Tigers in the form of Chris Anstey who returned from several years in Europe. Anstey dominated the league helping Melbourne to another two titles in ’06 and ’08.    

As you can see from the pic below, we’ve come up with two different styles for this team, based on the team’s classic uniforms from back in the day.

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

NBL photo feature pic on ESPN's NBA webpage

Thanks to Jonny Flynn's time with the Melbourne Tigers, an NBL photo is the feature pic on ESPN's NBA webpage today:

The article is actually by the team from Grantland. Here's the excerpt about Jonny's time in the NBL:

Flynn spent last season with the Australian National Basketball League's Melbourne Tigers. "I really wanted to play in a place that was English-speaking," Flynn said. "That was really my main focus. I want to know what's going on around me." He showcased his burst, stood up against physical players who wanted to prove their worth against a former NBA lottery pick, and was selected as a reserve for the league's all-star game. "They don't call fouls down there," Flynn said. "In the league, you can't touch guys. Down there, you can have the ball and a guy will be almost forearm-shivering you in your side and they won't call a foul. I just think getting beat up and coming from the NBA, I had that target on me."

Flynn shared an agent, Leon Rose, with Melbourne's coach, Chris Anstey. "He would have benefited from the continuous playing time over the course of a season, and the ability to run a team for extended minutes," Anstey wrote in an e-mail. "International defensive rules were new to him, whether playing it or attacking it, and he got better as the season went on.

"His offensive skillset is NBA-caliber, but he needs to continue to work on his defensive game. As great as Syracuse is as a basketball program, it certainly doesn't create the best defensive man-to-man habits in its players for when they become pros."

Not many NBA players go down under. Fewer return to carve out a sustainable NBA career. Flynn, despite the summer league setback, is attempting to do just that.

To read the full story, click here.

Julius Hodge back in the NBL

Thanks to Mookie from A Stern Warning for posting it on Twitter ... it seems the most hated man in Adelaide is returning to the NBL to "save" the Melbourne Tigers. I heard a rumour about it earlier in the week but was waiting to see if it was true or not.

Considering the way Julius Hodge left the NBL last season, it'll be interesting to see how he's received by fans around the league, especially against the 36ers. Melbourne are certainly not trying to win any popularity contests with some of the most hated players in the league. The controversial Hodge joins Anstey, Worthington and Kendall ... expect them to cop plenty of "heat" on the road.

Hodge returns to NBL with Tigers

By: Melbourne Tigers

In a major coup the Melbourne Tigers have secured the signature of 25 year old exciting import Julius Hodge.

With injuries to key players Chris Anstey, Ben Knight and Nathan Crosswell, the Tigers have been forced to find a player to bolster the squad and have been lucky enough to acquire the services of Julius.

After a promising college career with North Carolina State, Hodge was selected at pick 20 in the 2005 NBA draft. Hodge went on to play the second half of the 2007/08 NBL season with the Adelaide 36ers picking up 3 consecutive NBL player of the week awards. He re-joined the 36ers for 8 games during the 2008/09 NBL season before leaving on the advice of his manager due to a pay dispute.

Gold Coast Blaze lose to Melbourne Tigers

After coming from behind at home to beat the Melbourne Tigers earlier in the month, unfortunately the Gold Coast Blaze couldn't do the same thing on the road last night.

I was out at trivia last night (which we won for the first time ever!) and since I don't have Fox, I didn't get to see the game.

Checking out the boxscore, here are my thoughts:

• The big 3 (Harvey, Ubaka & Maxey) all delivered, scoring more than 75% of the team's points
• They got virtually nothing from Goulding and Vanderjagt
• Mika Vukona had 6 turnovers but only 2 points 2 boards. The Tigers had just 6 turnovers for the entire game.
• Tigers dominated the paint outscoring the Blaze inside 52 - 30
• Tigers were led by youngster Daniel Johnson with 20 points, 6 boards
• Tigers had a balanced scoring attack with 4 players scoring 15 points or more
• Melbourne hit a very tidy 16 of 18 from the line

The Gold Coast Blaze really need to start getting some wins on the road if they're going to work their way up the NBL ladder.

Gold Coast Blaze recap

If you're following me on Twitter you may have read parts of this story already, if not, here's the trip report from the Gold Coast Blaze vs Melbourne Tigers game last night.

I've been going to basketball games for the last 20+ years and including my 5 years with the Brisbane Bullets have had some great game night experiences. Firstly, when I was 17 one of my friend's dad had a corporate box at Boondall that he gave to us for a couple of games. We were of course underage at the time but that didn't stop us enjoying the corporate drinks and generally having a great night out. Then a few years ago, there was the time that Eddy Groves chartered a plane to take all the Bullets support crew down to Melbourne to cheer on the team in game 2 of the grand final series. As well as the trip, I was lucky enough to sit at the end of the player's bench to watch the game. But last night's Blaze game was definitely right up there ...

One of my friends organised some tickets for us and mentioned they would likely be corporate seats. I was keen to get to the game so the corporate part was really just a bonus. She received confirmation from Blaze GM Dave Claxton about the tickets as well as an invite for us to the pre-game cocktail party.

We arrived at the service counter at the stadium and were advised that Katie had just taken our tickets to which my friend and I looked at each other and jokingly questioned who Katie was. One of the staff walked us to the function room and introduced us to Katie who then introduced us to a few people in the room. We grabbed a drink, something to eat and then went over to say hi to Dave Claxton who informed us we were in the owner's box tonight with Owen & Katie Tomlinson as well as Basketball Australia CEO Larry Sengstock. Katie then came back and chatted to us and it was then it dawned on me that Katie was in fact one of the Blaze owners.

After speeches from Dave & Larry we chatted to the CEO for a few minutes prior to the game and then headed to our box. As we were walking with Owen & Larry we of course walked around the edge of the court and got the chance to say hi to Joey, Ronny, Big Joe and Gibbo before taking our seats. The box was of course centre court and it was great to watch the game with the league's CEO and have the owner's passing me beers all night!

Now, my observations from the actual game:

• Another poor crowd in attendance
• Ben Knight will not be back anytime soon from the knee injury he suffered in the first quarter
• The Gold Coast Blaze's defence and rebounding needs work and quick
• Blaze look terrible when they go to the "no-motion offence"
• Mark Worthington was a one-man wrecking crew, killing the Blaze for most of the game (31 points, 9 boards)
  
• Erron Maxey can play and will put up some large numbers this season (29 points, 7 boards)
  
• Blaze look good when they get offensive contributions outside of their stars
• Chris Goulding is a big chance for this year's Most Improved Player award
• Sam Mackinnon is still average from the free-throw line
  

It was great to see the Blaze come good in the second half and get a much needed home win. They looked dangerous for periods of the game and will be a contendor in this league if they can do that for the entire game.

It was a fantastic night and I owe a big thank you to my friend for hooking me up in VIP fashion. A massive thank you also to Owen, Katie & Dave for their warm welcome and generous hospitality throughout the night.

The view from the corporate box ... and yes, that's the back of Basketball Australia's CEO Larry Sengstock's head sitting in front of me.

NBL predictions

With the NBL season kicking off tonight, its time to take that step and make predictions on the final standings of the league. There are only 8 teams in the competition so how badly can you get it wrong? (famous last words)

There's been so much change on and off-court during the off-season that its a fairly close, open competition ... or at least it would seem to be. There's no defending champions so we start this season (and the process of reform) with a relatively clean slate.

Here are the current odds fresh from Centrebet:

Championship 2009/10

MELBOURNE TIGERS 4.00
NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS 4.00
PERTH WILDCATS 5.00
TOWNSVILLE CROCODILES 5.50
ADELAIDE 36ERS 9.50
GOLD COAST BLAZE 11.00
CAIRNS TAIPANS 13.00
WOLLONGONG HAWKS 23.00

At those prices, I think the Crocs are a little over-rated and the Blaze and Hawks look good value. Sure, I don't expect the Hawks to win but I don't think they're clearly the worst.

Here's my rankings:

New Zealand Breakers
Melbourne Tigers
Perth Wildcats
Gold Coast Blaze
Townsville Crocs
Adelaide 36ers
Wollongong Hawks
Cairns Taipans

How did I go? Let me know your thoughts in the comments and what you think the final standings will look like.

Melbourne tigers back in the NBL

Finally some good news for the NBL and Australian basketball with the Melbourne Tigers changing their mind about the upcoming season. Here's the announcement that has just come through:


MEDIA RELEASE

28 May 2009

BASKETBALL MOVES FORWARD AS TIGERS MAKE EIGHT

Basketball Australia (BA) has announced that eight-teams will participate in its upcoming season of elite men’s basketball in 2009/10, with powerhouse club the Melbourne Tigers agreeing to join the competition.

BA recently announced its intention to move ahead with a season of elite men’s basketball in 2009/10, before launching a new national basketball competition in 2010.

Adelaide, Cairns, Gold Coast, New Zealand, Perth, Townsville and Wollongong all made submissions indicating they wished to participate in the league. On Thursday the Melbourne Tigers also formally agreed to join the other seven clubs for an eight-team competition.

Basketball Australia Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock welcomed the inclusion of the Tigers and said an eight-team competition was consistent with the recommendations of the sport’s extensive independent review process.

“We are delighted that the Melbourne Tigers have agreed to join the other seven teams and their addition ensures that there will be a strong and vibrant elite men’s basketball competition in Australia in 2009/10,” said Sengstock. “This competition will ensure fans can continue to enjoy world class basketball in Australia, and that players, coaches and referees can pursue their chosen field of professional excellence here at home.

“The 2009/10 season will also be a springboard to a brand new national league in 2010, which will include teams in Sydney and Brisbane to complete our geographic footprint,” added Sengstock. “BA is committed to moving forward with the reform of basketball and will continue to focus on setting up financially viable teams with strong connections to the basketball community in-line with the core recommendations of our independent review process.”

Melbourne Tigers CEO Seamus McPeake said the decision to participate in the NBL this season was in the best interests of the club and the sport.

“The Melbourne Tigers have committed to the 2009/10 season and support Basketball Australia’s united front as we move to achieve a sustainable national competition,” said McPeake. “After receiving a progress report from BA on Wednesday which addressed a number of our initial concerns, including the sport’s governance, the Tigers Board of Directors finalised our decision this morning.”

"The Tigers have a rich tradition and as one of the most iconic sporting brands in the country we are happy that we are able to continue at the highest level in Australia. Having an NBL team in Melbourne is paramount for the sport if it is to continue to move forward, and whilst we are in for some tough times ahead, we believe that the result in the long term will be positive.”

“The Melbourne Tigers Board were buoyed by the support and efforts of the Victorian Government and Sports Minister, Mr. James Merlino, with their assistance in helping achieve this result which allows the club to continue our commitment to the community and development of basketball.”

"The Tigers look forward to developing a strong partnership with Basketball Victoria and State associations to help bridge the gap between all levels of the sport. We are now calling on the Victorian community, fans, sponsors and supporters to get behind the club and help us continue to build our sport. We hope to see basketball and sport lovers alike in Melbourne cheering us on at The Cage,” McPeake added.

Sengstock also unveiled the finals format for 2009/10, which was determined by the newly formed League Commission. The top four teams will advance to the post-season, with the number one ranked team playing the fourth seed and number three playing number two in the best-of-three Semi-Finals. The winner of each series will then face off in the best-of-three Grand Final series.

The Commission also has determined that a $1million salary cap will be in place for 2009/10, as well as a points cap which will be announced shortly. The season schedule will feature 28 games (14-home and 14-away with each team playing each other four times) and will be released in June.

For more information:

Marc Howard
National Basketball League
Manager – Media, Communications & Internet
Mobile: 0419 512 139

NBL update

It has not been a good weekend for professional basketball in Australia. With the fans, players, owners, etc waiting for news to come from Basketball Australia about the new NBL, it all started to fall apart.

First there was this (click on the title below for the full story):

South Dragons > News

An Open letter from Raphael Geminder, Co-Owner of the South Dragons To our sponsors, players, staff, members and supporters, The 2009 championship team, the Crazy Johns South Dragons have always been about aspiration. Our vision is about an exciting professional league, connecting with a thriving grass roots basketball community and in turn delivering a new level of excitement, to a sport that has lost its way. We have achieved great things in a short period of time, the highlight being an opportunity to reform our league. The Dragons have remained committed and at the forefront of that process, in an attempt to achieving a meaningful reform. Reform is never an easy process, its charter was to deliver financial stability, broadcasting of all games, government funding, a new governance and leadership group, a viable budget to connect with community and market the game, adequate player salaries to attract the best talent and finally playing a different period in the year. Sadly this basketball reform has run out of time and failed to deliver on any of its promises.

Followed shortly after by this (click on the title for the full story):

Tigers 'next' NBL casualty - Basketball - Fox Sports

By Scott Walsh and James Dampney May 10, 2009 Basketball's national revamp is in danger of unravelling amid claims Melbourne Tigers had pulled out of the 'new' National Basketball League. Tigers owner Seamus McPeake told Channel 9 News the club would sit out the 2009-2010 season, which is scheduled to begin in October, because of fears about the way the league was being run. The claims were immediately rejected by the NBL, which said McPeake could not speak on behalf of the Tigers.

And so now we find ourselves here:

AdelaideNow... D-Day today for basketball future

BOTI NAGY
May 11, 2009 12:30am

ELITE level basketball in Australia is not dead yet but today is most definitely D-Day for the future with three clubs determining their commitment this morning. Rarely if ever has Basketball Australia's stance in adopting reforms which divest private ownership of the major decision-making been more clearly vindicated than the events of the past three days. Friday's stunning decision by management of reigning NBL champion South Dragons to go against the strong public stand of club chairman Mark Cowan and instead withdraw from a planned new league sent shockwaves across the sport. Then on Saturday, former Melbourne Tigers director and minority shareholder Seamus McPeake announced his club also would withdraw leaving existing clubs and potential investors reconsidering their positions. But McPeake, who quit a BA Board position and last week also quit the Tigers after teaming with Cowan to represent the owners to BA, is not empowered to speak on Melbourne's behalf.

The club's shareholders and board is holding a meeting today to determine whether they do, in fact, continue as they previously had indicated before McPeake's very public outburst.

In Townsville, the Crocodiles' board has scheduled a meeting after the Tigers' to consider its position, contingent on what comes out of Melbourne's meeting.

In Adelaide, a consortium hoping to take over the 36ers from owner-in-absentia Mal Hemmerling - currently on holidays - also will meet this morning to consider its position.

So basically there are a lot of meetings going on around the country this morning to discuss where team's stand regarding the new league and the upcoming season.

To see what the die-hard basketball fans are saying about what's going on, click here.

Will we have a new league? Will there be a new season this year? We will have to wait and see, I'll keep you updated ...

Just two days to go

Only 2 days left now until the NBL (Australian basketball league) season gets underway. After 5 years working with the Brisbane Bullets its going to be a very strange season without them in the league ... or the Sydney Kings.

Without a home team to support, I'll likely jump on-board the Townsville Crocodiles band wagon. After all, they have my favourite NBL player (John Rillie) not to mention 5 or 6 others that have played for the Bullets.

The favourites going in to the season are definitely the defending champion Melbourne Tigers. They lost a couple of players but recruited/bought extremely well and could be even better than the squad they had on the floor last year. Its hard to go past a team with Anstey, Ere, Mackinnon, Barlow, Gizzard and Hoare.