National Basketball League (Australia)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| National Basketball League | |
|---|---|
| Sport | Basketball |
| Founded | 1979 |
| No. of teams | 12 |
| Country(ies) |  Australia New Zealand Singapore |
| Most recent champion(s) |
Melbourne Tigers |
| Official website | www.nbl.com.au |
The National Basketball League is Australia's top-level professional basketball competition.
The league commenced in 1979, playing a winter season (April-September) and did so until the completion of the 20th season in 1998. The 1998/99 season, which commenced only months later, was the first season after the shift to the current summer season format (October-April). This shift was an attempt to avoid competing directly against Australia's various football codes.
There are currently 13 teams in the league, with teams in most capital cities (all except Canberra, Hobart and Darwin), regional centres Cairns, Townsville, Gold Coast and Wollongong, as well as New Zealand and Singapore. A second Melbourne club, the South Dragons, entered the league in season 2006/07. The NBL has also become the first Australian sporting league to field a team from Asia with the Singapore Slingers playing in the 2006/07 season. The Gold Coast Blaze joined the competition this 2007/08 season.
The league's best years were arguably in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but it has struggled recently and many teams have downsized to smaller venues to cut costs. A number of clubs have folded or ceased to compete in the competition. The previous major sponsor of the NBL was Mitsubishi Motors. Mitsubishi, which left its sponsorship when the ABC ceased televising NBL basketball games left the NBL close to folding.
Despite these issues, at the start of the 2004/05 season the league struck a new television deal with Fox Sports in Australia and a multi-year naming-rights sponsorship deal with electronics manufacturer Philips. In 2007, Philips announced they would not continuing their naming rights sponsorship after the current contract ends in June in response to the NBL wishing to increase the sponsorship deal.[1] On September 18, 2007, the NBL announced Hummer as their naming rights sponsor for the 2007/08 season.[2]
Most teams have historically featured at least one and usually two American imports; teams are limited to having two non-Australians on the roster at any one time. Some of these players have moved to Australia permanently and become Australian citizens; a few have even played for the Australian national team (under a rule that allowed one naturalized player to compete for a national team).
Contents |
[edit] Current Teams
[edit] Defunct teams
[edit] Broadcasting Details
Currently the primary broadcaster of the NBL in Australia is pay television channel Fox Sports, airing matches on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. A weekly highlights program, Starting Five (formerly NBL Wrap), airs weekly before the game of the week, on Wednesday nights.[3] The primary broadcaster of the NBL in New Zealand is free-to-air network Maori Television, after signing a deal before the 2007/08 season, who will broadcast all the home games of the New Zealand Breakers. Pay television channel Sky TV, who previously broadcast the home games of the Breakers, are expected to show replayed games and other Fox Sports coverage.[4]
In 2007, the league signed a deal with free-to-air Network Channel 9 airing a weekly highlights package of games that have aired previously on Fox Sports. The last time the NBL had been on free-to-air television was in the early 2000s, when a weekly highlights show and a game of the week were aired on the ABC. Prior to that, it had agreements with the Seven (1988-1991) and Ten (1992-1997) networks, the latter during the league's most successful period. Games were also aired on many regional stations as well, mainly Capital Television and Ten Northern NSW (now Southern Cross Ten), Seven Queensland, WIN Television and NBN Television at varying stages.
Radio coverage is limited only to local station 4TO Townsville, who cover Crocodiles matches, SEN who covers the Melbourne Tigers and South Dragons and ABC 891 who covers the Adelaide 36ers matches (usually over the internet.)
From Saturday October 27th 2007, Radio 1611 AM 3XX began broadcasting Melbourne hosted games of the Melbourne Tigers and South Dragons. Information Radio station 990AM in Perth broadcasts Wildcats home games live, usually beginning 15 minutes before tip off and wrapping up 15 minutes after the game. Former cats star Eric Watterson is part of the broadcast team
[edit] Hall of Fame
The National Basketball League celebrated 20 seasons of competition in 1998. As part of the celebrations, the NBL initiated the Hall of Fame to recognise the outstanding players, coaches, referees and contributors to the league.
In order to be eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame, candidates must have fulfilled the following criteria:
- Players must have made an outstanding contribution to the NBL, have been retired for a minimum of four seasons, and have played 100 NBL games or more.
- Coaches must have made an outstanding contribution to the NBL, have been retired for at least four seasons, and have been an NBL head coach for 10 seasons or more.
- Referees must have made an outstanding contribution to the league and have been retired for at least four seasons.
- Contributors must have made an outstanding contribution to the NBL, and may be elected at any time.
Inductees are listed in alphabetical order.
| Name | Award | Inducted |
|---|---|---|
| Barry Barnes | Coach | 1998 |
| Ray Borner | Player | 2006 |
| Cal Bruton | Player | 1998 |
| Steve Carfino | Player | 2004 |
| Wayne Carroll | Player | 1999 |
| Eddie Crouch | Referee | 2007 |
| Ian Davies | Player | 2001 |
| Mark Davis | Player | 2006 |
| Scott Fisher | Player | 2007 |
| Al Green | Player | 1999 |
| Michael Johnson | Player | 2004 |
| Damian Keogh | Player | 2000 |
| Brian Kerle | Coach | 2006 |
| Leroy Loggins | Player | 2006 |
| Herb McEachin | Player | 1998 |
| Danny Morseu | Player | 2002 |
| Bill Palmer | Contributor | 1998 |
| Darryl Pearce | Player | 2002 |
| John Raschke | Contributor | 1998 |
| Larry Sengstock | Player | 2001 |
| Phil Smyth | Player | 2000 |
| Malcom speed | Contributor | 2000 |
| Bob Turner | Coach | 2000 |
| Andrew Vlahov | Player | 2007 |
[edit] List of Champions
| Team | W | Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perth Wildcats | 4 | 1990, 1991, 1995, 2000 | |
| Adelaide 36ers | 4 | 1986, 1998, 1999, 2002 | |
| Melbourne Tigers | 4 | 1993, 1997, 2006, 2008 | |
| Canberra Cannons | 3 | 1983, 1984, 1988 | Became Hunter Pirates in 2003 |
| Sydney Kings | 3 | 2003, 2004, 2005 | |
| Brisbane Bullets | 3 | 1985, 1987, 2007 | |
| St Kilda Saints | 2 | 1979, 1980 | Became Westside Saints in 1987 |
| North Melbourne Giants | 2 | 1989, 1994 | Merged to form Victoria Titans in 1998 |
| South East Melbourne Magic | 2 | 1992, 1996 | Merged to form Victoria Titans in 1998 |
| Launceston Casino City | 1 | 1981 | Team folded in 1983 |
| West Adelaide Bearcats | 1 | 1982 | Left NBL in 1984, now in ABA |
| Wollongong Hawks | 1 | 2001 |
Teams in bold are members of the current NBL.
[edit] NBL Finals
| Season | Champion | Result | Runners-Up | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | St Kilda Saints | 94 – 93 | Canberra Cannons | Single game final used |
| 1980 | St Kilda Saints | 113 – 88 | West Adelaide Bearcats | |
| 1981 | Launceston Casino City | 75 – 54 | Nunawading Spectres | |
| 1982 | West Adelaide Bearcats | 80 – 74 | Geelong Cats | |
| 1983 | Canberra Cannons | 75 – 73 | West Adelaide Bearcats | |
| 1984 | Canberra Cannons | 84 – 82 | Brisbane Bullets | |
| 1985 | Brisbane Bullets | 121 – 95 | Adelaide 36ers | |
| 1986 | Adelaide 36ers | 2 - 1 | Brisbane Bullets | Best of three games finals series used |
| 1987 | Brisbane Bullets | 2 - 0 | Perth Wildcats | |
| 1988 | Canberra Cannons | 2 - 1 | North Melbourne Giants | |
| 1989 | North Melbourne Giants | 2 - 1 | Canberra Cannons | |
| 1990 | Perth Wildcats | 2 - 1 | Brisbane Bullets | |
| 1991 | Perth Wildcats | 2 - 1 | Eastside Melbourne Spectres | |
| 1992 | South East Melbourne Magic | 2 - 1 | Melbourne Tigers | |
| 1993 | Melbourne Tigers | 2 - 1 | Perth Wildcats | |
| 1994 | North Melbourne Giants | 2 - 0 | Adelaide 36ers | |
| 1995 | Perth Wildcats | 2 - 1 | North Melbourne Giants | |
| 1996 | South East Melbourne Magic | 2 - 1 | Melbourne Tigers | |
| 1997 | Melbourne Tigers | 2 - 1 | South East Melbourne Magic | |
| 1998 | Adelaide 36ers | 2 - 0 | South East Melbourne Magic | |
| 1998-99 | Adelaide 36ers | 2 - 1 | Victoria Titans | |
| 1999-00 | Perth Wildcats | 2 - 0 | Victoria Titans | |
| 2000-01 | Wollongong Hawks | 2 - 1 | Townsville Crocodiles | |
| 2001-02 | Adelaide 36ers | 2 - 1 | West Sydney Razorbacks | |
| 2002-03 | Sydney Kings | 2 - 0 | Perth Wildcats | |
| 2003-04 | Sydney Kings | 3 - 2 | West Sydney Razorbacks | Best of five games finals series used |
| 2004-05 | Sydney Kings | 3 - 0 | Wollongong Hawks | |
| 2005-06 | Melbourne Tigers | 3 - 0 | Sydney Kings | |
| 2006-07 | Brisbane Bullets | 3 - 1 | Melbourne Tigers | |
| 2007-08 | Melbourne Tigers | 3 - 2 | Sydney Kings | Best of five games finals series used |
[edit] Rivalries
Adelaide 36ers vs Perth Wildcats
Both teams were perennial championship contenders in the late 80's and early 90's and had several marquee players with excellent matchups, the two most notable involving the imports: Al Green (Adelaide) vs Cal Bruton (Perth), Mark Davis (Adelaide) vs James Crawford (Perth). Games during this era were rarely blowouts and helped to fuel the rivalry. Ironically, the two teams have never played each other in the final series. As the mainstay players began to slow with age and retire, the intensity of this rivalry has declined. The two clubs remain the most successful in the NBL with 4 championships each and are 1st & 2nd on the all-time wins list, and have also matched up on more occasions (76, including 20 in the playoffs) than any other two teams in the NBL (as at November 9, 2005).
Adelaide 36ers vs Brisbane Bullets
Both teams were perennial championship contenders in the mid 80's and faced each other in the final for 3 consecutive years between 1985 and 1987. NBL legends Al Green, Mark Davis & Darryl Pearce from Adelaide and Leroy Loggins, Larry Sengstock & Cal Bruton (who moved to Perth in 1987 as the Adelaide / Perth rivalry developed) from Brisbane were all in the prime of their careers during this period.
Adelaide 36ers vs Melbourne Tigers
This rivalry largely stems from the switch by Mark Bradtke to the Tigers (from the 36ers) at the end of the 1992 season, inciting the wrath of 36ers fans. As such, it could just as easily be referred to as the Adelaide 36ers fans vs Mark Bradtke rivalry.
Melbourne Tigers vs South East Melbourne Magic
This early 90's battle to rule Melbourne raged at a time when interest in the NBL was at an all-time high, and attracted very large crowds to the 15,000 seat National Tennis Centre (now Rod Laver Arena). Key figures in these matchups were, for the Tigers: Andrew Gaze, Lanard Copeland, Mark Bradtke, David Simmons, Warrick Giddey, Ray Gordon; for the Magic: Robert Rose, Tony Ronaldson, Bruce Bolden, Darren Lucas, John Dorge, Andrew Parkinson.
Sydney Kings vs West Sydney Razorbacks
West Sydney Razorbacks fans are generally ex-Kings fans who became disillusioned with the team during the 1990s and ceased following the NBL altogether. The Razorbacks played the Kings in their first ever game in 1998. A controversial double technical foul late in the 4th quarter by Matt Nielsen, firstly for swinging on the ring and then for an obscene hand gesture, swung the game the Razorbacks way and gave the Kings a humiliating defeat. The two teams have hated each other ever since. The two teams met in a memorable Grand Final series in 2004 and the Razorbacks led the Kings 2 game to 1 and had a chance to clinch the title at home in Game 4. Behind their home crowd the Pigs rallied to tie the game but the Kings found a way to win the thrilling Game 4 and the Kings put the series away with a come from behind Game 5 victory in Sydney.
Cairns Taipans vs Townsville Crocodiles
Despite the large geographical separation of these two cities, a local derby style rivalry has developed to determine which is the dominant North Queensland team.
Cairns and Townsville are two teams that are allegedly widely reviled by fans all around the league. Their rivalry mirrors that of South East Melbourne Magic / Victoria Titans / Victoria Giants and the Sydney Kings.
Sydney Kings vs Wollongong Hawks
Being only 90 minutes drive away from each other there was always going to be a rivalry. This rivalry has also seen a Grand Final series where the Kings swept the Hawks in 3 games in a very one sided series winning all 3 in blowouts. Whenever the Kings are playing in Wollongong, WIN Entertainment Centre is usually sold out. Wollongong fans view the Kings as spoilt cousins, and as such, hate the Kings. The signing by the Evil Stydney Kings of beloved Wollongong hero Glen Saville has taken the rivalry to a new level.
Sydney Kings vs Canberra Cannons
Melbourne Tigers vs South Dragons
In its infancy, but with all the hallmarks of being the battle of Victorian supremacy. Local derby matches typically sell out at the Tigers 3500 seat home stadium (mostly Tiger Fans), "The Cage", and attracts 7000-9000 fans to the Dragons home stadium, Vodafone Arena.
[edit] The NBL in the future
The NBL experienced its golden age in the early to mid-1990s[5], but its popularity, media attention, attendance and corporate support deteriorated and plateaued in the decade afterward. Australian NBA player Andrew Bogut suggested the NBL try to adopt a model similar to the Australian Football League (AFL) whereby there are the same 10 or 15 teams over a 10 year period[1]. Disgruntled Australian basketball enthusiasts have suggested expansion to 16 teams, most importantly locating a team in the city of Darwin making the Singapore road-trip less drawn-out, however Darwin currently does not have the support for a national domestic team of any sort. Since the inception of the Singapore Slingers in 2006, both Asia and Oceania are represented in the National Basketball league, however Asian players are not considered local players unless they are from Singapore and play for the Slingers.
[edit] Notable NBL Figures
- Ray Borner
- Cal Bruton
- Shane Heal
- Steve Carfino
- James Crawford
- Mark Davis
- Andrew Gaze
- Lindsay Gaze
- Brian Goorjian
- Ricky Grace
- Leroy Loggins
- Larry Sengstock
- Phil Smyth
- Andrew Vlahov
- Brett Maher
- Chris Anstey
- CJ Bruton
- Sam Mackinnon
[edit] Award Winners
- 25th Anniversary Team (2003)
- 20th Anniversary Team (1998)
- Most Valuable Player
- Most Valuable Player - Grand Final
- Coach of the Year
- Rookie of the Year
- Most Improved Player
- Best Defensive Player
- Best Sixth Man
- Good Hands Award (defunct)
- Most Efficient Player (defunct)
- All NBL teams
[edit] Statistical Leaders
- Points per game
- Rebounds per game
- Assists per game
- Steals per game
- Blocks per game
- Field goal %
- Free throw %
[edit] All-Star Game
The All-Star game is an annual event in the NBL. It was once contested between the East and West but was now contested by the locals (Aussie All-Stars) and imports (World All-Star).
[edit] All-Star Games by Season
| Year | Result | (Arena), City | MVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | North 127, South 122 | (The Glass House), Melbourne, VIC | Leroy Loggins, Brisbane Bullets |
| 1989 | North 141, South 143 | ?? | Andrew Gaze, Melbourne Tigers |
| 1990 | North 139, World 119 | (Perth Entertainment Centre), Perth, WA | Derek Rucker, Brisbane Bullets |
| 1991 | North 168, South 154 | ?? | Mark Davis, Adelaide 36ers |
| 1992 | Australia 149, USA Stars 132 | ?? | Andrew Gaze, Melbourne Tigers |
| 1993 | NBL Stars 124, Australia 119 | (Rod Laver Arena), Melbourne, VIC | Terry Dozier, Newcastle Falcons |
| 1994 | NBL Stars 101, Australia 133 | (Sydney Entertainment Centre), Sydney, NSW | Tony Ronaldson, South East Melbourne Magic |
| 1995 | South Stars 138, North Stars 140 | (Clipsal Powerhouse), Adelaide, SA | Robert Rose, Adelaide 36ers |
| 1996 | South Stars 132, North Stars 146 | ?? | Darryl McDonald, North Melbourne Giants |
| 1997 | North Stars 151, South Stars 142 | ?? | Derek Rucker, Brisbane Bullets |
| 2003/04 | West 126, East 129 | (State Netball and Hockey Centre), Melbourne, VIC | Ebi Ere, Sydney Kings |
| 2004/05 | Aussies 156, World 140 | (Townsville Entertainment Centre), Townsville, QLD | Brad Newley, Townsville Crocodiles |
| 2005/06 | Aussies 151, World 116 | (Sydney Entertainment Centre), Sydney, NSW | Darryl McDonald, Melbourne Tigers |
| 2006/07 | Aussies 133, World 136 | (Distinctive Homes Dome), Adelaide, SA | Rashad Tucker, Melbourne Tigers |
| 2007/08 | Aussies 146, World 141 | (State Netball and Hockey Centre), Melbourne, VIC | Nathan Jawai. Cairns Taipans |
[edit] References
- ^ Howell, Stephen (2007). Sponsorship hike forces out Philips. The Age. Retrieved on 2007-02-27.
- ^ Hummer joins NBL as Naming Rights Sponsor. NBL (2007). Retrieved on 2007-09-18.
- ^ Fox Sports 2007/08 schedule. NBL (2007).
- ^ Breakers games on free-to-air TV. NBL (2007).
- ^ Morrisey, Tim (2008). NBL needs to start from scratch if it is to survive. Herald Sun. Retrieved on 2008-06-12.
[edit] See also
- All-time Records
- List of sports attendance figures — the NBL in a worldwide context
- List of National Basketball League (Australia) venues
[edit] External links
- Official NBL website
- Basketball Australia
- Aussie BBall
- NBLStats
- FOX Sports Australia Basketball section
- SportsAustralia.com Basketball
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