2008/09 NBL off season news.

[Alex99]

Can a mod sticky this for the next few months so people can post any NBL news during the off season.

I know it not quite the off season yet but for some clubs the silly season has started already.

 

[Alex99]

Scott Fisher quits as Wildcats coach

http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,23328073-2761,00.html

SCOTT Fisher has quit as coach of the Wildcats basketball club and will return to the United States after 21 years in the national basketball league.

Fisher, who was recruited by the Perth Wildcats in the 1990s, had a decorated playing career with the WA basketball team, before taking over as coach in 2004.

The 44-year-old's sudden departure from the Perth Wildcats was reported on ABC radio this morning.

Fisher's contract was up for renewal at the end of June but he today announced he would return to the US after playing 415 NBL games, 247 of them with the Wildcats.

Fisher coached the Wildcats to the play-offs this season, but they were knocked out of the finals race at the weekend.

More to come.

 

[Brad Goodman]

Wow that is pretty big and sad news.

Fisher has been a fixture in Australian basketball for 20-odd years and was my favourite player back in the glory days of the North Melbourne Giants.

 

[Adrian Shelton]

Yeah, you dont see frontcourts in this leauge now like the NM Giants 'Wall' (Fisher, Tim 'the marshall' Dillon, Ray Borner and on occasion Cecil Exum)

 

[Arden]

Yeah, you dont see frontcourts in this leauge now like the NM Giants 'Wall' (Fisher, Tim 'the marshall' Dillon, Ray Borner and on occasion Cecil Exum)

Fisher and Dillon - The Bookends

Glory days at the Giants. But LOL at Cecil Exum.

Reported in the Gold Coast Bulletin that Heal is trying to get a gig with the Blaze. Reckons he has 5 seasons left in him By my reckoning, when he retired a while back, then he retired about 8 or 9 years too early. Good call Hammer.

 

[Adrian Shelton]

Whoops!!! maybe i meant Mark Leader Hmmm what happens to the Dragons without their 'face'

 

[Brad Goodman]

We get a real coach for the first time in franchise history!

 

[driver 8]

Scotty Ninnis the new Sixers coach

Gets the chance he deserves

First thing he should do is demand their rubbish uniforms be changed

 

[Alex99]

Scott Ninnis appointed Head Coach
5/MAR/2008 –

http://www.adelaide36ers.com/36ers/media/news/400/

The Adelaide 36ers can officially announce that they have appointed former Championship Player and Assistant Coach, Scott Ninnis, as the new Head Coach of the Club.

Ninnis won Championships with the 36ers in 1986 and 1998 as a Player and 1999 and 2002 as an Assistant Coach, which makes him the only person at the franchise to be involved in all four of the club's Championships.

He was also an Assistant Coach at the Townsville Crocodiles and the South Dragons before returning to South Australia last year.

After a short stint as an Assistant Coach with the Adelaide Lightning, Ninnis revived his passion of a concept he created a few years earlier in the "Basketball Academy", and worked with the 36ers to ensure the future stars of tomorrow were getting a taste of professional basketball.

The details of the agreement are still to be finalized for NBL approval, but the agreement should guarantee that Ninnis will hold the position for at least the next three years.

There will be a press conference at the Distinctive Homes Dome on Friday at 9.30am where owner Mal Hemmerling, Scott Ninnis and Captain Brett Maher will be in attendance.

 

[Alex99]

Ballinger signs for three years

7/MAR/2008 –

http://www.adelaide36ers.com/36ers/media/news/401/

Incoming head coach Scott Ninnis has announced at a press conference this morning that star import Adam Ballinger has signed with the Adelaide 36ers for three years.

Ballinger, one of the strongest players in the NBL, finished league MVP voting in fourth place despite the 36ers missing the finals. He was a popular choice as club MVP after a season that saw him quickly win favour with Adelaide fans and the respect of those from opposition teams.

The import averaged a career-high 22.5 points per game and added 8.1 rebounds per game in 2007/08. He averaged a career-high in assists with 1.5 per game plus hit from the field at a solid 54%.

Ballinger joins captain Brett Maher, who has confirmed he will play in 2008/09, Brad Davidson and David Cooper has the 36ers team to date.

Julius Hodge is the next top priority for Adelaide.

Good news for the Sixer

 

[Alex99]

Jawai unanimous winner of Rookie award

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 12:03 PM

http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=74561

Cairns Taipans giant Nathan Jawai has been named by the National Basketball League as the unanimous selection for the Virgin Blue Rookie of the Year award.

Jawai received the maximum 105 votes to take the award for the HUMMER Championship’s best first-year player, meaning that every other opposition head coach, assistant coach and captain recognised the indigenous star as the outstanding rookie in season 2007/08.

He won the award from Perth’s Alex Loughton in second place with 58 votes, and Craig Bradshaw of the Brisbane Bullets in third with 29.

The 208cm Queenslander averaged an amazing 17.7 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.0 blocks during the regular season. Jawai’s rebounding tally was good for third in the league, and he was ninth in blocked shots. He also shot the ball at an efficient 57.5% from the field, which was the fourth best rate in the HUMMER Championship.

Jawai has been touted as a likely first round NBA Draft pick in June, and it’s easy to see why given his rookie season performance. Despite his team suffering long-term injuries to starters Martin Cattalini, Darnell Mee and Aaron Grabau, Jawai helped propel the Taipans to sixth place on the ladder and a playoff berth.

“I am really happy about winning the award – it’s a great honour for me and something I will really treasure,” Jawai said from Far North Queensland after being told of his award win. “I have enjoyed every minute of my first year in the league – we have so much young talent coming through in Australia and the NBL is such a strong league.”

“I can see more and more players getting the chance at playing in the NBA in future. My year in the league has been especially helpful to me in my dream of playing in the NBA and I am looking forward to taking that next step but whatever way it goes I will always be grateful for my year in the NBL.”

This award wasn’t really unexpected as he was the clear favourite all season. Hopefully he can take the next step to the NBA.

 

[Alex99]

First thing he should do is demand their rubbish uniforms be changed

I agree the uniforms this season were simply horrible.

 

[Alex99]

We get a real coach for the first time in franchise history!

Ian Stacker isn’t close to being a real coach but.

I expect Brian Goorjian will stay in Sydney now. A week ago the deal with Mark Cowan and the Dragons was over the line but now the kings have new owners he will stay in Sydney

 

[bloodpumpsRnB]

Good thread, always a lot of movement in the NBL off-season so will be good to keep track of it in the winter as you won't be hearing about it in the news.

 

[High Ryder]

Holmes set to return home according the HS

 

[Brad Goodman]

Ian Stacker isn’t close to being a real coach but.

a) He's got the best hair in Australian basketball
b) He's 8 times the coach Mark Price was and 6.5 times the coach Heal was

 

[eathb]

Holmes set to return home according the HS

nice

Team so far:
PG - Davidson
SG - Darren Ng
SF - Holmes
PF - Ballinger
C - Cooper

Hodge is priority number 1!!!

 

[Alex99]

Wright set to leave Bullets
By Wayne Heming

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23342678-23769,00.html

March 08, 2008 TWO-time coach of the year Joey Wright is set to walk out on the Brisbane Bullets with the NBL foundation club's immediate future clouded.

It's understood businessman Eddy Groves, whose international ABC Learning Centres child care empire is fighting for its survival, is considering his ownership options.

Wright was informed of the possibility of an ownership change last week which would involve a considerable pay cut.

It's understood he told the Bullets he would look elsewhere to coach. However he will have talks with Groves early next week in a last-ditch effort to stay.

“They've asked me to coach for less than I've ever coached before,” Wright said. “I understand their financial situation and Eddy has always done the right thing by everyone in the past.

“But I was disappointed I was the only one asked to accept a pay cut. If anything, we should all be prepared to take a pay cut. I have a meeting with Eddy on Tuesday.”

With Scott Fisher resigning as Perth coach, Brian Goorjian considering leaving a trouble Sydney Kings franchise and Shane Heal quitting the South Dragons, there are coaching options open to Wright who took Brisbane to the club's first NBL championship in 20 years last season.

Groves, who last week flew to the United States to broker a deal to save his company, has owned the Bullets for 11 years.

Wright has been the coach for the past six seasons. If Groves decides to focus all his attention on his business interests the Bullets would have to find a new owner or fold.

Brisbane chief executive Jeff Van Groningen stressed Wright could have continued with the Bullets under any new ownership but only if he accepting a reduced salary package.

Players' contracts may also be reviewed if a new owner emerges. Van Groningen said while the rumour mill was working overtime, there was no panic about the club's future.

“I'm not sweating on Eddy Groves' decision,” he said. “I have a plan and a good notion what it takes to run a good club. I have great confidence in Eddy Groves.

“He's never walked away from a challenge before and he's always done the right thing by this club.

“There's been some panic because of rumours in the last 24 hours and there'll be more (panic) when more reports appear. But I can tell you, reports of the departure of Eddy Groves are premature.”

With Eddie Groves looking at consolidating his loan and financial portfolio; it wouldn’t surprise me if CJ, Sammy Mac, Dusty and Ebi Ere are asked to take pay cuts as well and then leave the franchise.

 

[High Ryder]

Dragons should sign him up if Goorj doesn't come over.

 

[stmookeyj]

Wright set to leave Bullets
By Wayne Heming

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23342678-23769,00.html



With Eddie Groves looking at consolidating his loan and financial portfolio; it wouldn’t surprise me if CJ, Sammy Mac, Dusty and Ebi Ere are asked to take pay cuts as well and then leave the franchise.

Unless a buyer is found then there's a good chance there will be no franchise.

 

[driver 8]

Future of the NBL in doubt

Following teams with questions marks hanging over them:

Brisbane
Sydney
Adelaide
West Sydney
Wollongong

Thats a real worry

 

[High Ryder]

Future of the NBL in doubt

Following teams with questions marks hanging over them:

Brisbane
Sydney
Adelaide
West Sydney
Wollongong

Thats a real worry

Dragons are far from turning a profit also.

 

[ClintDogg]

Dragons are far from turning a profit also.

This is why the League and certain teams r in doubt.

Ya see, every year, most teams just survive from year to year.

The price is TOO HIGH for everything from the food at the games, to listing a development player on your team sheet (this cost $1000 per player, even if he does not even get on the court, this is just to suit up).

The prices at the venues is ridiculous.

$20 to $30 a ticket per person.

$4 for a drink (330 ml too)
$4 for a meat pie
$3-50 Ice Creams
$40 to park ya car at the parking stations
$30 in fuel

nearly $100 just 4 1 person to go to a game.

p.s. GREAT THREAD TOO.

 

[DoubleA]

http://www.nba.com/dleague/news/week_ahead_080310.html
Julius Hodge dominating

 

[Alex99]

Bullets for sale

WAYNE HEMING and JIM MORTON
March 14, 2008 11:25am

THE Brisbane Bullets are up for sale after Eddy Groves today announced he was ending his ownership of the 2006-07 NBL champions.

And Brisbane's players have offered to take across-the-board pay cuts to keep the NBL foundation club from folding.

Groves made the announcement via a media release today after a private meeting with the players last night.

After nine years of ownership, he said his business interests with his ABC Learning Centre child care empire had forced him to relinquish the Bullets.

"The Brisbane Bullets has been a significant part of my life for almost a decade and has given me some incredible experiences," Groves said.

"Owning a professional basketball team presents you with all the drama that only professional sport can conjure up - ups, downs, and amazing times."

Groves called the players together last night to explain his financial situation and his reasons for selling the team.

It's understood Groves want the Bullets to continue and could offload the licence at a bargain price.

The only players missing from last night's meeting were Ebi Ere, Craig Bradshaw and Dillon Boucher.

Groves will honour outstanding player payments for the season just completed.

Subsequent arrangements would be the responsibility of any new owner.

It's believed a group of businessmen have already made inquiries about securing the licence but it would involve the coaching staff and players being prepared to take pay cuts.

"The guys e-mailed the club today with what they believed they could play for so any new owners would have an idea what it will cost to put a team on the floor," said Brisbane guard Mick Hill.

"It depends how we do it, whether we all agree to a 10-15 per cent cut across the board or whether some players can handle bigger cuts than others.

"It's massive. It shows how much we love playing for the Bullets together and love Brisbane.

"The players want to be united to show we all want to stay and continue playing for the Bullets."

Wright is understood to have already spoken to a private group interested in taking over the licence.

When the Adelaide 36ers were sold last year there was some talk within the basketball community that Eddie Groves allegedly bought the club and he is using Mal Hemmerling as a surrogate owner to get around the NBL ownership laws. At the same time he purchased the Distinctive Homes Dome.

With today’s news that the Brisbane Bullets licence is up for sale, it would not surprise me to see the ownership of the Distinctive Homes Dome and full ownership of the Adelaide 36ers sold to a new investment group with in a few weeks or even days.

I truly believe Basketball in this country is almost on life-support and we need a white knight to save us. It’s not looking good.