Haven’t heard of passport dramas like this before. I got a bad feeling that it’s something a bit more to it, as a Kings fan I’m certainly hoping not.

What do we think? Genuine excuse or KD looking for an out?

On 23 September it will have been twenty years since the best basketball team Australia has put on the floor went undefeated through the 2006 FIBA World Championship to win gold.

Bryce Cotton is the most expensive player ... 23.7% of the total $2M salary cap

OK we are close enough to the season now the Blitz is around the corner (even if Wildcats don't have their import PG). What is everyones predictions?

1. Most underrated? - Bullets

2. Wooden spoon? - Hawks

3. Top 6? - 36ers, United, Kings, Wildcats, JJs and Phoenix

4. Champions - 36ers

Article here.

I don't like the sound of 4pt line and 3 pt dunks. Just keep Olympic rules.

Nbl play seems fine. No need for gimmicks.

Tip Off 5:00pm UTC+8 / 7:00pm AEST

Mall of Asia Arena, Manila, Philippines

Watch on ESPN (Foxtel/Kayo/Disney+/Sky)

The NBL's marquee games on free-to-air television moved from Sunday afternoon to Saturday evenings, apparently under the plan that more eyes will be on those games…

I thought Sunday arvo tv ratings would be better.

And wouldn’t you want Sunday arvo to be the marquee games, to get the young families attending?

Discuss!!!

With the new NBL season getting closer, I’m interested to see where everyone has Melbourne United sitting.

They’ve been one of the benchmark clubs for a long time, but every season brings a slightly different challenge.

What are your expectations?

• Where do they finish?
• Biggest strength?
• Biggest concern?
• Who takes the biggest step this season?
• What would you consider a successful year, playoffs, top four, Grand Final, championship?

Keen to hear some proper predictions before the season starts so we can come back to this later.

Tip Off: 5:00pm UTC+8 / 7:00pm AEST

Mall of Asia Arena, Manila, Phillipines

Watch on ESPN (Foxtel/Kayo/Disney+/Sky)

Behind a paywall, so here's the article:

A Newcastle sports powerbroker has weighed into calls to revive the city's professional basketball scene amid speculation the National Basketball League could be ready to expand.

Wests Group supremo Phil Gardner would love the Newcastle Falcons to return to the National Basketball League and believes a proposed 12,000-seat arena would make a franchise viable.

Gardner, however, said the group's priority was securing a Super Netball expansion licence before exploring the possibility of adding basketball.

NBL boss Larry Kestelman this week flagged that a $14 million commitment to fund a design phase for a new 12,000-seat indoor venue next to McDonald Jones Stadium had put Newcastle back in the spotlight for an expansion franchise.

If funding for full construction is secured - upwards of $485 million - building is expected to start in 2029.

Newcastle last competed on the national stage as the Hunter Pirates in 2005-06, before financial difficulties forced the club to withdraw.

The Newcastle Falcons were the city's basketball flagship for 20 years, from 1979-99.

Basketball at grassroots level in the region is thriving, but the resurrection of an NBL franchise hinges on the establishment of a suitable venue.

The Newcastle Entertainment Centre, built in 1992 and with a capacity of 4500, is not up to NBL standard.

Wests, who took over the Knights in 2017, first flagged an interest in reviving the Falcons in 2023.

"Credit to the state government. Yasmin Catley, the Minister for the Hunter, has been very strong on this," Gardner said.

"They have put money aside and we are going to get a 12,000 seat arena in Newcastle.

"Our conversations with government is that it will be built. I don't think they would be wasting $14 million.

"Our expectation is that it will go ahead.

"That's a fabulous thing. And with that comes a lot of opportunity.

"We had some discussions some time ago around basketball.

"Larry's done an incredible job with the basketball story in Australia.

"We were big supporters of the Falcons when they were here and we attempted to maintain the franchise.

"We would certainly have some interest and I think we have indicated that to Larry.

"A lot would have to happen with that. You would need to work with the local association.

"I'm sure there will be a few other people interested as well."

Wests have applied to enter an expanded Super Netball competition. Part of that submission is the development of a $6.7 million training hub.

"We have put our hands up for netball licence, which is ongoing," Gardner said.

"Our application was for 2028. I don't think they will expand before 2029.

"The Western Sydney licence, which we thought might come up here has been retained in Sydney by Craig Hutchinson and the Sirens. That makes some sense because Western Sydney deserves to have a team.

"We would expect to have a Super Netball licence before a basketball opportunity would arise. We would play the netball out of the existing stadium until the new one is built.

"The economics of basketball require at least 10,000 seats to make it work. Basketball is very much a marquee game sellout, so you need a big arena to get maximum tickets sales.

"Netball, you will sell out every game. It is a different supporter base.

"Basketball is also a much more expensive licence than netball.

"The economics would only make sense in a larger stadium.

"For the government to build it, they will need support locally. They need tenants for the stadium."

The NBL, at death's door in 2015 when Kestelman took a majority stake, is experiencing enormous growth.

The Tasmania JackJumpers, which are backed by the Tasmanian government, were the last expansion franchise in the 2021-22 season, taking the league to 10 teams.

As part of the agreement, the government funded a $48 million upgrade of MyState Bank Arena.

Kestelman said Newcastle was a market with an incredible NBL history.

"We congratulate the NSW Government on its commitment to delivering a world-class arena for Newcastle and the Hunter region," Kestelman said in a News Limited report.

"We are excited by the prospect of growing the NBL in the region and as we assess the opportunity, we always consider three key factors: a strong and passionate participation / support base, a sustainable commercial environment for clubs and the league, and access to modern venues capable of delivering a premium experience for fans, players and partners.

"Projects like this are incredibly encouraging because they strengthen the foundations for basketball to thrive across all levels."

Canberra, Gold Coast, Darwin and Townsville have been touted as other possible cities for expansion.

Tech entrepreneur Mark Arena completed a $39 million purchase this year of the Perth Wildcats from Craig Hutchison's Sports Entertainment Group, who initially paid about $8 million for the franchise.

Kestelman will demand a licence fee to start a new club.

"It would be an interesting discussion. Larry is a very good negotiator," Gardner said.

"He owns the league. An expanded league that could fill up a 12,000-seat arena in Newcastle every game, would add enormous value to the league.

"The fee will be important to him, but the value of a northern NSW licence is not to be underestimated from the overall value of the NBL."

I’ve been a casual fan of the league for sometime without really supporting a team

I’m Curious to know if Most NBL fans support the team in the city or region where they currently live rather than their home state

I ask this as an ex Tasmanian who lives on the mainland who’d love to get to games and amongst the action , but I don’t get back home often so supporting the Jakies wouldn’t make as much sense to me as it would support supporting my local side

Bizzare one, but I’m curious to hear people’s thoughts

Go Angus!

Good to see them prevail over a stacked United team. It's going to be a great season.

How good to have Malique back! Should get some decent minutes up in Cairns.
Will be the third import spot. Currently with the Bucks, assuming it is a stash and draft.
Feel a bit for Kobe Williamson who killed it against St Mary’s, could be in line for a DP though.

https://youtu.be/EDGlbIOU3Rw?si=bpfJmlIyUr_mIq_4

Worst kept secret is official.

Taipans roster looking decent? Possible top 6 this year provided they stay largely clear on the injury front.

Kings depth has taken a serious hit this year