Derek Rucker - Brisbane Bullets

Today our feature Brisbane Bullets Legends player is Derek Rucker.

“D-Ruck” was one of the most dynamic and exciting players in the history of the NBL and won the MVP award in his debut season in 1990 with the Brisbane Bullets. Derek Rucker scored 33ppg, 6.7apg and 3.6rpg, scoring 40 or more points 10 times in that season.

Derek left the Brisbane Bullets team after the ’91 season but returned to Brisbane in 2004 for the final three seasons of his career.

Click here to check out our favourite Derek Rucker t-shirt is:
http://classicbasketballtees.spreadshirt.com/derek-rucker-classic-A12268486/customize/color/4

Sam Mackinnon - West Sydney Razorbacks

Today's feature West Sydney Razorbacks legend is Slammin' Sam Mackinnon.

Sam Mackinnon signed with the West Sydney Razorbacks in 2002 joining Rillie, Rucker, Dwight and Bolden to be the final piece in the puzzle and helped them reach the finals in two of his three seasons with the team. One of his best years was 2003 when he averaged 19 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks.

Click here to check out our favourite Sam Mackinnon t-shirt: http://classicbasketballtees.spreadshirt.com/sam-mackinnon-ball-A12596019/customize/color/17

Chris Jent - North Melbourne Giants

Our feature North Melbourne Giant today is Chris Jent.

Chris Jent was only in the NBL for one season but is still remembered as one of the top imports to come to this country. Jent averaged 26 points including 3.5 triples, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. One of the highlights of his season was a 46 point outing against the Cannons.

Here's our favourite Chris Jent t-shirt:
http://classicbasketballtees.spreadshirt.com/chris-jent-hashtag-A12378775/customize/color/231

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

Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf - TV special

Thanks to the crew from And The Foul.net for pointing out this TV special that was done a few years ago with one of my all-time favourite NBA players, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf.



Its an interesting recap on his career and his perspective many years removed from his time in the NBA.

Judging from the stats on the blog, despite the controversies that tainted his career, Mahmoud seems to be quite a popular player as many people find this blog by searching for articles about him.

Leroy Loggins - Brisbane Bullets

Today our feature Brisbane Bullets Legend is none other than Leroy Loggins.

The man, the legend, the (NBL) G.O.A.T.  Leroy Loggins, arguably the greatest player the league has ever seen.  3 titles, 3 MVP's, 21 seasons in the league and almost every Brisbane Bullets individual record.

Click here to grab your very own Leroy Loggins t-shirt:
http://classicbasketballtees.spreadshirt.com/leroy-loggins-classic-A12268542/customize/color/4

Derek Rucker - West Sydney Razorbacks

Today's West Sydney Razorbacks Legend is Derek Rucker.

Derek Rucker may not have put up the numbers in West Sydney like he did in previous years but he had better players around him and he didn’t need to single-handedly take over games.  In 2002 when the Razorbacks reached the finals, Rucker averaged 16.5 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, 2.5 triples while shooting 47% from the field.

Our favourite Derek Rucker t-shirt is:
http://classicbasketballtees.spreadshirt.com/derek-rucker-ball-A12596012/customize/color/17

Paul Rees - North Melbourne Giants

Our feature North Melbourne Giant today is the big man in the middle, Paul Rees.

Despite changing teams five times during his career, Paul Rees’ best years were with North Melbourne. Rees was the MVP of the Grand Final series when the Giants won the NBL title in ’94 and continued that strong play in to the ’95 season when he averaged almost 15 points, 8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks.

 

http://classicbasketballtees.spreadshirt.com/paul-rees-classic-A12385273/customize/color/231
 

This was the first of four championship nets that Rees would cut down in his career

 

 

 

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

Steve Woodberry - Brisbane Bullets

Today's Brisbane Bullets Legend is Steve Woodberry. 

Steve Woodberry came to the NBL in ’95 after a successful college career at Kansas and was an instant favourite for MVP averaging 24ppg, 7rpg and 7apg for the Gold Coast. Woodberry joined Brisbane in ’96 and his best year was in ’99 when he put up almost 28ppg, 8rpg, 5apg and 2spg.

http://elitehttp://classicbasketballtees.spreadshirt.com/steve-woodberry-classic-A12268442/customize/color/4

Simon Dwight - West Sydney Razorbacks

Let me tell you a story about the NBL player that turned down an offer to play in the NBA ...

Simon Dwight signed with the West Sydney Razorbacks in 1999 after he turned down an offer to play with the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA (yes, you read that right).

 

Simon led the league in blocks & blocks per game for 8 of 11 NBL seasons. Helping take West Sydney to the finals, 2004 was one of Simon’s best averaging 15 points, 9 rebounds, 4 blocks and 4 assists. Dwight's career was cut shot in 2005 due to major knee injuries.

http://classicbasketballtees.spreadshirt.com/simon-dwight-ball-A12596026/customize/color/17
 

 

 

Darryl McDonald - North Melbourne Giants

Today we feature one of the greatest point guards our league has ever seen.

Darryl McDonald made an immediate impact when he entered the league in ’94 leading the North Melbourne Giants to the title and being runner-up for the MVP (which he was again in ’97). D-Mac’s averages in ’94 were 19 points, 10 assists, 5 rebounds and almost 5 steals! Despite entering the league at the age of 30, McDonald went on to play for 14 seasons in the NBL.
 

To check out our favourite D-Mac tee, click here:
http://classicbasketballtees.spreadshirt.com/darryl-mcdonald-hashtag-A12378972/customize/color/231

 

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