A New NBL, but until then...

Once again the NBL has kicked off in a more than quiet fashion. But, I assure you, it has begun. Although, any news or highlights don't seem to have filtered through to anywhere other than cyberspace. It doesn't even get news coverage on something like Sports Tonight, which will show any sporting tripe to fill it's program. Surely the NBL doesn't have to pay to be reported on? That would explain it I guess.

The common perception is that the NBL has decided to get through this season 08/09 as quickly, quietly and cheaply as possible, ready to shut it down and return as the NEW NBL in late 2009.

As I sat there, losing minutes off my life after inhaling the artifical Dragon Smoke that hovered over the court, like the ghosts of NBL past. I decided I better take in as much as I can of my surroundings, because who knows what the NBL may look like in the future? Phrases like "New NBL" make me nervous. You don't really know what you're going to get. But, at least we have people thinking about saving this sinking ship, and an independant report, which has just been released, which didn't mince words.

So here's what I can tell you about some of the characters from the Dragons v Wildcats match up on September 17th:

Ben Knight appears happy just to be "back in the NBL" so to speak after his journey on the Singpore Slingers rollercoaster.

Brad Robbins looks like he could be playing for the Auckland Warriors in the NRL, with the stocky, bearded, guard bouncing around fearlessly among the bigger guards.


Isiah (spelling) Victor could be any number of mediocore players in the NBL, but because he's american, he should be your import for the season? I don't think so.



Nick Horvath seems like a good guy, but looks pretty goofy,and a hell of a lot like Ryan Stiles from Drew Carey and "who's line is it anyway", but he doesn't excite me. You can see why he wasn't import material. You need someone more exciting than that. The Dragons learnt their lesson with Todd Fuller I suppose.



Alex Loughton has some crazy hair. I was trying to think of a way to describe it, but then came across this picture which said it all. Jackie Moon. Still I think he has a good future in the NBL, maybe he needs a headband?


Oh yeah, and the Dragons won.

GO TEAM.

NBA Collector

I've never really written about my hobby for collecting NBA Toys, figurines... dolls. I love them. The ones described today have been made by McFarlane.
I have collected the figurines since 2004, when Detriot Bad Boy Ben Wallace, was stealing the hearts of the basketball - Laker Hater world. My first purchase, I had to have him.

From then, my collection grew slowly, until it peaked with a mass influx in December 2007. Originally I would pay the jacked up prices of Kickz101, it was the only way. But soon ebay came to the rescue.


I have a specific way I select which toys I will buy, which colour uniform they will be wearing, and whether they recieve pride of place in my ever changing/rearranging display of them. The rules are not always hard and fast, but each toy must mean something to me. Whether the figure was a gift, I saw that player in a game in person, I like their character, the way the figure captures their style, or met them. There are many influences over my choices.

I simply do not have space for them all in the picture below, so if you tick me off, you're out! Kevin Garnett will never take pride of place again, Lebron is in my doghouse, and I love Yao, but his massive frame cannot support the pole to the figure. I know now how his legs often buckle so easily on the court!



Below is a video example of how a figure is made, and some of the great pictures of other types of McFarlane work.



SEE HOW AN IDEA BECOMES A TOY

I've been ridiculed by many for collecting them, some people are impressed, some not and others are scared of their life like appearance, thinking presumably that they burst to life come nightfall and wreak havoc.

One man, Rob Daly, is a believer, and his collection now rivals even mine.

Who wants to 'grow up' when playing with toys can be this much fun!

Below: Some of the different ways Todd McFarlane brings Pop Culture to life!

It's Gotta Be Red

Luke Schenscher, former NCAA and NBA player, who at 7"1' has joined his hometown Adelaide 36ers for the up coming season, is looking to join a growing list of prominent Aussie sports stars.



In what seems to be a growing trend, natural red heads are letting their hair down. They seem to be embracing the natural colour, not hiding from it like other sportsman have done in the past.


I watched a TV interview of Beijing Olympic Gold Medalist, Steve Hooker the other morning, and he was talking about how proud he was to be a Red Headed Sporting Champion, and how he was proud of himself and Cameron Ling, as now recognisable sporting success stories for red heads.

Surely you now have to add Luke Schenscher into that group, who are not just embracing it, but have it HUMMING!! He has taken the "Luc Longley" to a whole new level, and added in a pony tail for good measure.
Outstanding.

Congrats to all red heads, it truly is a great time to be red!

Only time will tell if his influence on the looks of his fellow gingers carries over to new teammate at the 36ers, Adam Ballinger.

Lets hope so.

Matt McQuade, has done a great preview article on the 2008/09 Adelaide 36ers on nbl.com.au

You've Been... Thunderstuck!

You may have heard the NBA has a new Franchise.

The team was moved from the city of Seattle after a new stadium deal (among many other intricate complications) couldn't be reached.

The move is particularly heartbreaking for the fans of the Sonics, and the city of Seattle, who feel that team owner Clay Bennett only purchased the team, so that he could hijack it, and move it to his home town of Oklahoma City.



Throughout last season as the uncertainty surrounding the Sonics developed and ultimately came to a head, an organisation was formed by locals to help keep the team in Seattly. "S.O.S" or Save Our Sonics, unfortunatley couldn't compete with the big guys.



The Sonics have been on a continual downward spiral since their "Payton to Kemp, Alley Oop!" glory days of the mid nineties, when kids all over the world knew the team well!
Today, the team from Oklahoma City announced it's team nickname, colours and logo.


After months of speculation, and continued annomosity from the Seattle area, the OKC Thunder was born.

Already it has been widely condemned for it's choice of name, colours and logo, which many suggest are well below professional sports standards. I don't disagree, although I like the name Thunder. I think I'll call my next horse Thunder. Done.

The biggest complaint has come from the Golden State Warriors who, feature a mascot on their logo named 'Thunder', and who also wear very similar colours to the ones chosen by OKC.


If you are having trouble seeing the pictures, simply click on the link to my blog below.

Dragonflies, D-Boys and "The Toaster"!

On Saturday I saw an NBL preseason game. Boring right? WRONG!

It was the perfect way to start my NBL Season. Melbourne Tigers v Crazy John South Dragons.
Although it was a preseason game, and very, very scrappy. I loved it.

If you have seen 'The Perfect Catch', you'll know what I'm talking about. I'm THAT into it.


Here are a few observations and comments from the afternoon:

Firstly Vodaphone Arena or "The Phone Box" is no more. It is now the HiSense Arena, of which I'm yet to hear the new nickname.

They have made their mark at the Stadium in a number of ways, the most notable painting the outside area of the court and other surrounding areas in what I assume is "HiSense Aqua" colour. For a second I thought it was '95 again and I half expected Pat Reidy, Paul "the Mailman" Maley and the "Booze Less, Be Your Best" Giants run out.

Unfortunately, my plea to have the Dragons announcer sacked last season obviously fell on deaf ears, as he's back again, with his ability to get the crowd so pumped up we nearly broke into a 'Mexican Yawn'. Although credit to the Dragons, after losing Glenn Manton as his sidekick from last year, they introduced Andrew "The Toaster" Parkinson, as the new guy. He did a great first up job. Although it's funny how 'the Rattler' (the Tigers Announcer) can handle it all himself just fine over at the Cage?

Another pre game extravaganza from the Dragons Cheerleaders. They still haven't quite figured this all out yet. The 'DragonFlies' (girls) and the 'D-Boys' (guys), both bring something different to the table. The girls are more like a caberet show than cheerleaders, and the guys are very impressive break dancers, but don't really get the crowd pumped up. Once again, I can't help but think the Tigers Dancers can provide the same fun, dancing, cheering and the athletic side of things on their own. The Dragons have gone for a different style, and that's fine too.


The game itself didn't really sustain my interest for the whole 4 quarters, but there were some great signs for NBL in Victoria this season.

For the Tigers:
Chris Anstey - just toyed with the Dragons for a half, and then put the Q in the rack for the second. 20pts on 5/6 Three Point shots in the FIRST quarter alone, pretty much summed up his intentions.

Rod Grizzard - played every minute for his new side and impressed with some huge dunks.

Sammy Mac - played his first minutes as a Tiger, and had me pumped when he overpowered Nick Horvath for the And 1 on his very first play. But from then on he seemed to be moving slower and looking older than Andrew Gaze right now.

Dmac - who came out of retirement to help the undermanned Tigers was even grumpier than ever.


For the Dragons:

Things didn't start well. Guy Molloy was doing the coaching as Goorj sat back on the bench and just observed.
Not sure if he appreciated the heckle heard through the stadium at an early interval "Take a seat Guy Molloy, we have a real coach this year!"

New import Tremmell Darden started well, and looks to be a bit of a Dave Thomas style player.

Reece Carter caught fire from 3 in the third quarter and finished very strongly. He'll be great off the bench this season. I like his game.

Overall, I think the signs are pretty great for both teams with the Tigers core for 08/09 looking like this:

Anstey, Mackinnon, Barlow, Grizzard, Hoare, Crosswell, Corletto (and possibly Ebi Ere!)

and the Dragons core looking like this:

Horvath, Worthington, Ingles, Darden, Groves, Gibson, Carter and Burston - Quack Quack!


Feel free to post any comments.

Ryan Mobilia.