In the afterglow of the NBL’s 39th season, three Downtown writers have assembled, each with something worth remembering about 2016-17. Liam Santamaria (NBL.com.au): The Adelaide 36ers were riveting When we look back, #NBL17 will be remembered for three things: Perth’s title defence, the insanely close ladder and the Adelaide 36ers. This year’s 36ers were a revelation, crushing lowly expectations by… Read more →
Wow! This morning’s 87-66 demolition of France has given the Boomers a massive opportunity to create history in Rio. The win brings about the genuine possibility of a second place finish for Australia in Group A. That would result in a favourable quarter final matchup and a legitimate shot at Australia’s first ever men’s major championship medal. The Boomers have… Read more →
No cameras. No coaches. No refs. This was basketball in its purest form. Just days before the Australian Boomers gather in Melbourne for a gruelling ten day camp, four members of Andrej Lemanis’ squad spent Friday morning scrimmaging against a group of Melbourne United reserves. Olympic preparation in the raw. Joe Ingles (Utah Jazz), Patty Mills (San Antonio Spurs), David… Read more →
The Cleveland Cavaliers are 48 minutes of vintage LeBron James away from pulling off one of the greatest comebacks in sports history. Down 3-1 against the defending champions – a historically great team – these Finals were in the refrigerator. The door was closed, the lights were out, the eggs were cooling, the butter was getting hard and the Jell-O… Read more →
Editor’s Note: On April 16, 2001, Damon Lowery sent the Wollongong Hawks to the 2001 NBL grand final series with a memorable trio of free throws against the Adelaide 36ers. To mark the anniversary, we’re reposting Liam Santamaria’s interview with Lowery, which was first published on March 20, 2014. Damon Lowery is a legend of Australian Basketball. He hooped here… Read more →
Rob Beveridge has the Illawarra Hawks soaring. Winners of six of their past seven games, the Hawks suddenly look like genuine championship contenders. Is anybody surprised? Beveridge, with his wealth of knowledge, championship experience and relationships with players far and wide, was a sensational hire by GM Kim Welch and the Illawarra ownership. His team’s exciting style and his ability… Read more →
Aussie Boomers and Lokomotiv Kuban sharpshooter Ryan Broekhoff got his creep on in Russia this week to ‘prank’ a local fan. Broekhoff, who is currently enjoying a terrific debut season in the Euroleague, disguised himself as a ‘creepy taxi driver’ to “prove that miracles do come true” around Christmas time. Lots of fun being able to do something special for a great… Read more →
The Ben Simmons hype train is officially thundering down the line and, best believe, it’s stopping all stations. Playing his freshman year at Louisiana State University, Simmons is currently averaging 19 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists while shooting 50 percent from the field. Though only eight games into his (likely) one-and-done collegiate career, Simmons already has the basketball world delirious… Read more →
Townsville Crocodiles guard Mirko Djeric has gone from zero to hero in less than a week. The vision of Djeric bouncing the ball hard into his own face circulated the nation last weekend. It was an embarrassing moment, one magnified by the instant sharing capabilities of the social media age and Australian sports fans love of the ‘falcon’. Best falcon of… Read more →
The 2014/15 MVP Award was both a blessing and a curse for Brian Conklin. That trophy, and the title that came with it, delivered Conklin due recognition and prestige. It also gave him bargaining power; leverage he used to negotiate a lucrative deal (by NBL standards) during the off-season to return to the Townsville Crocs. But it also heightened expectations…. Read more →
