2022-23 NBL Season + Off-season news

[Gozu]

In a pre-season game tonight the 36ers beat SE Melbourne 101-65 in Mount Gambier. The Sixers had seven players in double figures led by Jamaal Franklin with 14 points, Trey Kell also with 14 and Alex Starling had 13 points and for the Phoenix Mitch Creek and Will Cummings each had 12 points.

Also the NBL have announced four NBLxNBA pre-season games with the Cairns Taipans playing the Washington Wizards on October 11 and the Toronto Raptors on October 16 and also the NZ Breakers will be playing the Portland Trailblazers on October 11 and the Utah Jazz on October 17.

https://nbl.com.au/news/nblxnba-games-locked-in

[MW]

Did I hear right during the World Cup commentary they said Corey “Homicide” Williams diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer

[DOC]

Yes.

[Gozu]

That is sad news for Homicide. I know a lot of people aren't big fans of him but he's a hype man and he hypes the NBL very well among a somewhat bland batch of commentators. He's not there for the diehards but to try and draw in casual viewers. One thing the NBL has in the past always had a problem with is selling itself and Homicide gets people talking on social media in a very crowded Australian sports landscape where the NBL needs all the help it can get with the media focusing on footy, rugby and cricket. I wasn't a big fan of Homicide as a player but he's been doing yeoman's work in commentary.

I was actually a bit disappointed to hear him say a year or two ago that the NBL doesn't pay him at all during the off-seasons so he has to go back home to the US and then comes back here for the start of the next season. Larry Kestelman the owner of the NBL has got about $800 million to his name and the NBL itself has a $45 million TV deal, you would think they could afford to pay Homicide all year round and use him to make in roads in the media for the next NBL season ahead. For all the good LK has done I think he might've missed a trick on that. Anyway all the best to Homicide for his big fight ahead.

In a pre-season game today the Illawarra Hawks beat the NZ Breakers 85-74 at the Snakepit. Tyler Harvey top scored for the Hawks with 19 points and Cam Gliddon had 18 points for the Breakers.

[Spargo]

That is sad news for Homicide. I know a lot of people aren't big fans of him but he's a hype man and he hypes the NBL very well among a somewhat bland batch of commentators. He's not there for the diehards but to try and draw in casual viewers. One thing the NBL has in the past always had a problem with is selling itself and Homicide gets people talking on social media in a very crowded Australian sports landscape where the NBL needs all the help it can get with the media focusing on footy, rugby and cricket. I wasn't a big fan of Homicide as a player but he's been doing yeoman's work in commentary.

I was actually a bit disappointed to hear him say a year or two ago that the NBL doesn't pay him at all during the off-seasons so he has to go back home to the US and then comes back here for the start of the next season. Larry Kestelman the owner of the NBL has got about $800 million to his name and the NBL itself has a $45 million TV deal, you would think they could afford to pay Homicide all year round and use him to make in roads in the media for the next NBL season ahead. For all the good LK has done I think he might've missed a trick on that. Anyway all the best to Homicide for his big fight ahead.

In a pre-season game today the Illawarra Hawks beat the NZ Breakers 85-74 at the Snakepit. Tyler Harvey top scored for the Hawks with 19 points and Cam Gliddon had 18 points for the Breakers.

Very well said, mate.

[Gozu]

The NZ Breakers have signed Kiwi forward Dominique Kelman-Poto as a nominated injury replacement player who has been playing in the NZ league.

https://nbl.com.au/news/breakers-secure-key-replacement

[Gozu]

In a pre-season game today the Perth Wildcats lost to the G-League Ignite team in Las Vegas 124-105. Top scorers for the Ignite were Ronald Holland with 23 points and John Jenkins had 17 and for the Wildcats Jordan Usher scored 23 points and Alexandre Sarr added 17 points.

[Gozu]

The 36ers have signed local Jacob Rigoni as a nominated injury replacement player. He's a 6'6" forward who plays for Sturt in the NBL1 Central and played his college ball at Quinnipiac University.

https://nbl.com.au/news/36ers-sign-injury-replacement

[Gozu]

The last day of the pre-Blitz pre-season games saw the Brisbane Bullets beat the 36ers 103-78 at Lightsview. Top scorers for the Bullets were Isaac White with 19 points and Tyrell Harrison, Sam McDaniel and Nathan Sobey each scored 14 points and for the Sixers Jacob Wiley scored 16 points and Trey Kell added 14.

Tonight Melbourne United beat the SE Melbourne Phoenix 89-86 in Casey. Leading the way for United were Ian Clark with 28 points and Shea Ili and Luke Travers both scored 16 points and for the Phoenix Mitch Creek had 32 points and Ben Ayre and Will Cummings each scored 18 points.

Also earlier today the Perth Wildcats beat the G-League Ignite 127-112 in Las Vegas. Top scorers for the Wildcats were Bryce Cotton with 40 points, Alexandre Sarr with 26 points and Jordan Usher with 24 points and for the Ignite Ronald Holland scored 33 points and Matas Buzelis scored 17 points.

[Gozu]

NBL owner Larry Kestelman has penned the following letter about Corey 'Homicide' Williams, on behalf of the league's staff, players and fans.

To our basketball family,

It’s been an incredibly difficult and challenging time following the news one of our favourite sons, Corey Williams, is in a fight of his life battling cancer.

We have been in close contact with Corey and his family since he was informed and we are constantly communicating with him as he undergoes treatment in New York.

Despite the toll chemotherapy is taking on him, Corey is in good spirits and is surrounded by his loved ones while receiving the best medical care available.

Corey will remain in New York for the time being and we are doing what we can to support him and are looking for other ways we can help. We are well aware of the outpouring of support for him on social media, and we know he is truly grateful.

‘Homicide’ as he’s affectionately known, is one of the most loved figures in the NBL and was a champion on the court winning the 2010 NBL MVP. He played the game with immense passion, intensity, and joy and matched those incredible efforts off the court when he joined our team as a commentator and analyst for our broadcast and shows.

Corey has been one of the greatest ambassadors our game has ever seen. Always positive and enthusiastic, and never short of an opinion, his smile and energy lights up every room he walks into. Corey has helped me grow the League immeasurably over several years from when I took over, and his contribution will never be underestimated. I could not have asked for a better voice or partner to spread the word about our game to all corners of the globe.

Corey attacked every obstacle on and off the court without fear or hesitation but now, he faces a challenge of a different kind and he’s going to need all the love, support and assistance we can provide.

To those wanting to know what they can do to help, we are currently working closely with Corey and his family to determine what’s needed and how we can best assist them. We encourage you to share this post and send him messages of support.

Until then, we will provide further updates as they come to hand and on behalf of Corey and the Williams family, thank you for your thoughts, care and compassion.

One thing I know: Corey is a fighter and he will never give up but he will need much more help this time around, and we all must be ready to step up for him, as he would for us.

Regards,

Larry.

https://nbl.com.au/news/corey-williams-update

Nice to see Gaze and Gleeson went and visited him in New York.

[Gozu]

The SE Melbourne Phoenix have signed import Tyler Cook as a temporary injury replacement for Alan Williams who is expected to miss at least the early part of the season. He's a 6'8" PF who has previously played in the NBA with Cleveland, Denver, Brooklyn, Detroit and Chicago and played in the G-League last season.

https://nbl.com.au/news/williams-sideli ... forward-in

[Gozu]

Former Illawarra Hawk and member of Australia's World Cup team Duop Reath is heading to the NBA signing a 1 year deal with the Portland Trailblazers after playing in China and Lebanon last season.

https://nbl.com.au/news/report-reath-signs-nba-deal

[Gozu]

The NBL's Blitz pre-season tournament begins tomorrow on the Gold Coast and all of the games will be live on Kayo Freebies.

The 36ers will play their opening game on Sunday at 12:30pm against the NZ Breakers followed by the Perth Wildcats on Tuesday at 7pm and finally against the Tasmania JackJumpers on Thursday at 4:30pm.

Blitz preview + schedule:

https://nbl.com.au/news/the-blitz-preview

36ers import Trey Kell is out of the Blitz because of a left knee injury sustained at training.

https://www.adelaide36ers.com/news/kell ... z-campaign

[Gozu]

Former Sydney Kings guard Dejan Vasiljevic has signed with the Washington Wizards.

https://nbl.com.au/news/nba-s-washingto ... vasiljevic

Day 1 of the NBL Blitz and Melbourne beat Brisbane 96-92. Top scorers for United were Matthew Dellavedova with 28 points and Shea Ili had 15 points and for the Bullets Chris Smith scored 21 points and Nathan Sobey and Isaac White each had 13 points.

In the other game Tasmania beat SE Melbourne 97-84. Top scorers for the JackJumpers were Fabijan Krslovic with 16 points and Jack McVeigh and Sean Macdonald each had 13 points and for the Phoenix fill-in import Tyler Cook had 18 points and Will Cummings and Reuben Te Rangi both scored 17 points.

[Gozu]

Day 2 at the Blitz and the NZ Breakers beat the 36ers 101-75. Top scorers for the Breakers were Cam Gliddon with 19 points and Parker Jackson-Cartwright had 17 points and for the Sixers Isaac Humphries scored 22 points and Jason Cadee added 11 points.

In the other game Perth beat Cairns 102-95. Leading the way for the Wildcats was Bryce Cotton with 31 points and Jordan Usher had 19 points and for the Taipans Lat Mayen scored 17 and Sam Waardenburg had 15 points.

[Gozu]

Day 3 at the Blitz and tonight saw SE Melbourne beat Sydney 93-86. Top scorers for the Phoenix were Tyler Cook with 29 points and Gary Browne with 26 points and for the Kings Jaylin Galloway scored 18 points and Denzel Valentine had 17 points.

In the other game Melbourne beat Illawarra 85-71. For United Matthew Dellavedova scored 20 points and Chris Goulding had 14 points and for the Hawks Mason Peatling had 13 points and Tyler Harvey added 11 points.

[Gozu]

Day 4 at the Blitz and Perth beat the 36ers tonight 112-80. Top scorers for the Wildcats were former 36er Michael Harris with 18 points and Ben Henshall and another former Sixer Keanu Pinder each had 17 points and for the Sixers Jason Cadee and Jamaal Franklin each scored 15 points and Isaac Humphries had 14 points.

In the other game Tasmania beat New Zealand 92-85. For the JackJumpers Jack McVeigh scored 19 points and Jordon Crawford had 18 points and for thr Breakers Cam Gliddon had 17 points and Parker Jackson-Cartwright scored 16 points.

[DOC]

An underwhelming start for us.

[Wedgie]

Do the 36ers have a point guard yet?

[Gozu]

Do the 36ers have a point guard yet?

Yes, allegedly

Next Star Trentyn Flowers was essentially promised the starting PG spot however he's been struggling badly to bring the ball up against pressure defence so it looks as if that experiment might be dissipating. Then we have Mitch McCarron our starting PG last season who struggles to be a PG and now Jason Cadee who is really a SG in a PG's body and we effectively have three PG's none of which are suited in the role.