12 APRIL 2001
Thursday Thoughts
by DEREK NIELSEN

I’m glad I managed to get an early night last night- unfortunately, I still have a real job in addition to my NBL Live duties, so I’ll take all the nights off I can get…

However, we’re back into it this weekend, with possibly six straight nights of basketball action. On Tuesday night Fox Sports announced their schedule for the semi-final series, which I’ll add to our online TV Guide shortly- in the meantime, here it is:

The first semi-final sees Victoria take on Townsville, with game one in Melbourne Friday night (8:30, Fox Sports One). Game two is in Townsville on Sunday (3:30, Fox Sports One), with game three if needed at the Swamp on Tuesday (7:30, Fox Sports Two).

In the other semi-final series, Adelaide face Wollongong. Game one is at the Clipsal Powerhouse in Adelaide on Thursday (8:30, Fox Sports One), with game two in Wollongong on Saturday (8pm, Fox Sports One) and the decider in Wollongong if they need it (Monday 3:30pm, Fox Sports Two).

As far as Hawks/Sixers goes, it’s going to be tough to forecast the winner. You’ll notice I haven’t been posting my usual predictions during the playoff series; that’s partly cowardice on my part, but I suspect a lot of tipsters (or bettors) have crashed and burned in the past week.

Wollongong won the regular season series against Adelaide 2-1, but none of those games could be called particularly decisive- two of them were decided by 3 points (both times Wollongong won), and the Adelaide win was by 6 points. The playoffs just get better and better, and the fun continues tonight.

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Over the past two weeks, Pro Basketball Today has been asking the writers covering the NBL for their end-of-season award winners. In addition to asking respected journalists, managers and correspondents, they also asked me.

You can buy this week’s PBT and see what others thought (including PBT’s own award winners for the year), but here’s My Own Damn Opinion, with Honourable Mentions in brackets:

Most Valuable: Robert Rose (Shane Heal)

Shane Heal has made a big difference to that Kings team this year, but there’s no way the Crocs would be where they are without the contribution of Rose. The Magician embodies the spirit the Crocs have on their playoff shirts this year: “Whatever It Takes, No Regrets”.

Most Improved: Ben Knight (James Harvey)

Hey, I like Ben Knight, so sue me. Knight has doubled his court time this season and moved into a starting position with the Taipans- even more remarkable is that his scoring and rebounding have doubled with him. Harvey is exciting to watch and will probably win the real award when it’s announced- however, he was pipped at the post for Worst Dye Job by Scott Fisher.

Sixth Man: Damon Lowery (Chris Anstey)

I’d like to nominate Brad Davidson for this one, but he’s probably started too many games in the absence of Sam Mackinnon. Lowery gets my vote- I think I’ve made my opinion of him clear on a few occasions in my column. The guy just wins games, despite the protestations of the Uni Loonies at the weekend…

Rookie Of The Year: Axel Dench (Geordie Cullen)

Does anyone else have a problem giving Rookie of the Year to someone who already has a championship ring? I mean, he didn’t play any games for the 1996 Magic, but still…

I don’t think there are that many rookies that really made their mark on the NBL this season, although Dench and Cullen both took over starting roles on their clubs. There are a few interesting prospects coming through the ranks, though, including Brisbane’s Wade Helliwell and the Perth duo of Carmie Olowoyo and Neil Mottram.

(Dench was named Rookie of the Year by the NBL as this article went to press- if you don’t believe I picked it beforehand, it’s in this morning’s PBT. So there.)

Defensive Player of the Year: Mike Kelly (Jason Smith)

I always find this award the hardest to pick- I think good defence isn’t as visible as good offence, so you don’t see it unless you’re really looking for it, or if you see the same players week in, week out. Maybe it’s just a case of this particular fan looking for different things in different games.

Coach Of The Year: Brendan Joyce (Ian Stacker)

Anyone who took a look at Wollongong’s line-up at the start of the year would NEVER have picked this team in the Final Four. But Joyce has them playing like a team, and they’ve accomplished a hell of a lot together over the course of the season. Stacker gets runner-up for keeping the Crocs winning despite the departure of Mackinnon.

All-NBL First Team: Shane Heal, Robert Rose, Jayson Wells, Matt Nielsen, Mark Bradtke

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There is one more bit of news to pass on today- the Cairns Taipans have given New Zealand forward Tony Rampton a vote of confidence, signing him to a two-year deal.

The NBL is considering allowing New Zealand nationals to play as locals in the 2001/2002 competition, with the rule to be implemented once it receives FIBA approval.

But the Taipans want the 213cm Rampton even if the rule doesn’t come in, with assistant coach John Dorge comparing him to a younger Chris Anstey.

“When Chris (Anstey) came in, he was very athletic and wasn’t carrying a lot of weight,” Dorge told the Cairns Post. “If you look at him now five years down the track he’s been to the NBA. There’s no reason why Tony can’t achieve those sort of goals.”

Rampton joined the team in February, and his first game in Taipans colours was their shock victory over Perth.

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I’ll be here all weekend updating scores and news- it might be a religious holiday, but my own religion is basketball. And if you’re not hanging around at home this weekend, take it easy on the roads and have a happy/holy Easter!

Deep Thoughts
3 FEBRUARY, 2001
Miscellaneous notes about the state of the league- some even positive!
Gone Troppo
25 JAN 2001
It's okay to rev up your home crowds, but eventually you reap what you sow.
Shades of Grey
17 JAN 2001
The referees under fire?  Surely not!  Whatever next?