Injuries happen at the worst times. There really is no good time for any athlete to get injured from their perspective or yours. Whether you’re a fan or a fantasy manager, it impacts your enjoyment of the game. Dwight Howard had not missed a game all season and was lost for all 3 games of the first round of Yahoo… Read more →
It was late on a Friday evening three weeks ago and the Melbourne Tigers were in a big, big hole. Chris Anstey and his troops were on the other side of the Tasman - deep within enemy territory - and, on the back of four consecutive losses, they found themselves trailing the New Zealand Breakers by 14 points with only… Read more →
Just two seasons ago NBL teams were folding and many players were unsure if the league would remain alive. The NBL’s announcement they want to add four new sides to the league for the 2015-2016 season while shortening the season and increasing the amount of games we play is basically a great move. And a second Melbourne franchise, based in… Read more →
We’ve finally made it to the NBL postseason! It’s time to say goodbye to one of the most enthralling NBL home-and-away seasons in recent memory, Sam Young’s allergy to transition defence and those wretched clappers at Hisense Arena (wait, what? They’re not going anywhere? Aaargh!). With the first round matchups settled, we can begin dissecting what seems likely to happen… Read more →
With less than a month before the playoffs, normality is beginning to take shape in the swashbuckling Western Conference. We’ve passed the semi-uneventful trade deadline, intriguing buyout stage and the Phoenix Suns’ feel-good run. We’re now deeply amid the final stretch of the season where contenders make their move and lottery-bound teams excel in the art of losing. Before the… Read more →
The Madness has begun and already the upsets have started with two #6 seeds, three #5 seeds and Duke, a #3 seed, all falling on the opening days. NBA Scouts are watching closely to see which of these kids will step up and lead their team to a deep tournament run. It’s a tough environment for both players and scouts…. Read more →
Shane Heal’s resignation from the Sydney Kings will be a loss for the NBL and for the Kings franchise but in the long run it may be best for both parties. Heal called time on his current stint with the Kings following their loss to Wollongong on Friday night, a loss which assured the Kings of missing the NBL finals…. Read more →
Damon Lowery is a legend of Australian Basketball. He hooped here for over 20 years and the free throws he hit against Adelaide in the 2001 Semi Finals will be remembered forever by those who watched them. I first met Lowery on a flight home from China in 2006. We had both been playing hoops on a tour over there… Read more →
I have not seen this level of choreography since West Side Story visited Melbourne. Once you get past the comedy of the whole situation it’s hard not to think about what the coach thinks of all these bench antics. Does he know it’s happening? Is he cool with it? Does he promote it? Fair to say any coach I have… Read more →
With only one round remaining in the NBL’s regular season, it’s time to turn our attention towards the players and coaches who deserve special recognition for their on-court efforts over the past 6 months. I have been joined by three other members of the Downtown family and one special guest analyst to present a broad view on who should walk… Read more →