NBA Set to Partner With Australian NBL

[koberulz]

http://andthefoul.net/archives/8211

Sources with knowledge of the situation suggest that the NBL are set to announce a new & exciting partnership with the NBA. The opportunity will consist of the NBL staging an exposure camp for potential imports in Las Vegas during the 2014 NBA Summer League.

It is also understood that the NBL are in talks about using the 16 players that they will be sending over to play a number of exhibition games against NBA Summer League teams, allowing these players to showcase their talent against current NBA players, NBA Draft picks & other professional prospects.

[Andrew]

That's cool. It'd be nice if we could get a couple of NBA pre-season games here though, for an opportunity to attend an NBA game and get some more exposure/credibility for the NBL.

[koberulz]

There was an MLB regular-season game here a few weeks ago. It's had zero effect whatsoever on the ABL. Likewise, an NBA game would do nothing for the NBL whatsoever.

NBA vs NBL is the only way you'd even get exposure out of it, but if you win the NBA guys weren't trying and if you lose...well.

[Alpha_]

It would be cool if there's an NBA expansion team from Australia.

[koberulz]

No, it really wouldn't.

[Andrew]

There was an MLB regular-season game here a few weeks ago. It's had zero effect whatsoever on the ABL. Likewise, an NBA game would do nothing for the NBL whatsoever.

NBA vs NBL is the only way you'd even get exposure out of it, but if you win the NBA guys weren't trying and if you lose...well.

I don't have any numbers to back me up, but I'm guessing that basketball is still a little more popular in Australia than baseball, in terms of both foreign and domestic leagues.

I was indeed referring to an NBA vs NBL contest. I still think that'd be decent exposure for the NBL and something cool to see. If nothing else, I'd enjoy the opportunity to see it.

[NovU]

Irving - Exum - Bogut, this would make a nice national team core. Is Irving representing Australia though in international stages? He seems like he has a dual citizenship.

[Andrew]

No, unfortunately for the Boomers he's opted to represent the US. Patty Mills is shaping up to be a solid player though and Dellevedova has had some promising games too, so that's encouraging.

[koberulz]

http://www.nblsummerleague.com/

All eight NBL teams will be represented in the competition with their Head Coaches traveling to Las Vegas to coach their respective teams. Australian national players from the NBL will take the court alongside the registered foreign players...Teams will consist of a maximum of ten players with a minimum of two players being current Australian NBL players. The remaining eight players will be made up of players who register their participation in the draft pool.

Games will be the same as what is played currently in the NBL, with four (4) ten (10) minute quarters. Each NBL team will play five (5) games and the format will be standard pool play.

[koberulz]

Well that didn't last long

The NBL has decided to put on hold its plans to stage an off-season tournament in Las Vegas later this year. This follows a review of the progress to date, which raised concerns over the event achieving its key goals.

The summer project remains an interesting opportunity for the NBL but it is considered one that is best explored at a later date.