Exclusive NBL player poll: Hoops stars have their say on Australian basketball’s biggest issues
There are plenty of hot takes on who is Australian basketball’s best right now, but who gets the players’ tick? The NBL’s stars have had their say in our exclusive player poll. VOTE
Basketball
Don't miss out on the headlines from Basketball. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The NBL’s stars have spoken – the referees need to do a better job for the Australian league to continue its rapid rise.
51 of the 75 players and coaches polled in News Corp’s exclusive NBL survey said no when asked if the referees are doing a good job.
Inconsistency is the main concern among the players and coaches.
SCROLL DOWN FOR THE SURVEY RESULTS AND TO CAST YOUR VOTE
A host of players told me the referees have changed the way they officiate this year compared to last three years.
The players feel the officials are allowing more contact and physicality than previous seasons.
NBL legend, championship winner and league MVP Chris Anstey believes the officials are doing a decent job, but he’s concerned about the referee’s struggles when officiating big men.
Watch Every Game of the 21/22 NBL Season Live & On-Demand with ESPN on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >
Anstey says the NBL made strides forward in 2019 when NBA and Boomers centre Andrew Bogut starred for the Sydney Kings to win the MVP.
However, he fears the league has regressed when it comes to refereeing big men, as he noticed during a recent Kings versus Breakers game.
Kings guard Jaylen Adams got cross matched onto Breakers big man Yanni Wetzell and bear hugged him to prevent a scoring play.
NBL RUN HOME: HOW THE FINALS RACE IS SHAPING UP
“There was no malice, and Jaylen didn’t intend to hurt, but he intended to not allow Yanni to score,” Anstey said.
“They reviewed the play, and it was called a common foul.
“Could you imagine if Wetzell got crossed matched onto Bryce Cotton at Perth and he thought I’m in trouble here, I don’t want to give up a shot, so I’ll just hug him.
“It would be an unsportsmanlike foul and that is inconsistent.”
MAKE WAY, MARTIN IS COMING THROUGH #WeTheKings#NBL22 on @ESPNAusNZ & @kayosportspic.twitter.com/6YXdCTM6Ok
— Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) April 14, 2022
Anstey wants the officials not to penalise big men for being physically superior.
He says it’s a struggle he experienced his entire NBL career.
“As a big man, we get penalised our entire league for being too big or too strong if smaller players get cross matched onto us,” he said.
“Yet when we get cross matched onto the perimeter, we are left on an island and absolutely taken advantage of.
“But the minute we put our hand on a guard, it’s a foul.
“I’d love to see consistency and an understanding that there is supposed to be a physical advantage like there is a speed advantage for guards.
“If we want to continually get quality bigs to the league, then we need to continually improve.”
EXPOSE CLUB SPENDING
Club spending becoming public knowledge has long been a big debate in the NBL and the players and coaches agree.
45 of the 75 people who voted believe club spends should be public for transparency purposes.
Major market teams like Melbourne United and the Sydney Kings have long been accused of having an advantage over regional teams like Illawarra or Cairns, but what is the reality?
In contrast, players were strong when saying they didn’t want their wages made public, with a whopping 53 of the 75 polled saying no.
PLAYERS SPLIT ON COPYING THE NBA
The players are torn when it comes to emulating the world’s best league, the NBA.
42 of the 75 polled don’t want the NBL to introduce a play-in finals tournament like the NBA while a majority would like to see the Australian league return to the 48-minute game like the NBA.
ALL-STAR GAME RETURN?
NBL fans haven’t seen the All-Star concept since the 2012-2013 season, but the players want to see it return.
51 of the 75 players and coaches polled would love to participate in an All-Star game.
NBL home grown versus imports perhaps?
NBL PLAYERS’ POLL RESULTS
Best player
Bryce Cotton 24
Jaylen Adams 22
Tahjere McCall 10
Mitch Creek 8
Jo Lual-Acuil 8
Most underrated player
Shea Ili 29
Wani Swaka Lo Buluk 22
Yanni Wetzell 16
Kyle Adnam 4
Jason Cadee 4
Most improved player
Jo Lual-Acuil 26
Xavier Cooks 25
Keanu Pinder 16
Kyle Adnam 6
Best coach
Chase Buford 20
Brian Goorjian 18
Dean Vickerman 15
Scott Roth 14
Best sixth man
Shea Ili 33
Xavier Rathan-Mayes 19
Kyle Adnam 9
Angus Glover 8
Who will win the championship?
Kings 32
United 22
Hawks 11
Wildcats 7
Best rising talent
Bul Kuol 23
Luke Travers 14
Hugo Besson 14
Justinian Jessup 12
Ousmane Dieng 12
Which team do you most like to beat?
United 31
Perth 17
Phoenix 11
Kings 10
If you could sign a player from a rival team, who would you want?
Bryce Cotton 30
Jaylen Adams 14
Xavier Cooks 10
Mitch Creek 9
Most intimidating player
Nate Jawai 29
Bryce Cotton 24
Jo Lual-Acuil 9
Mitch Creek 8
Chris Goulding 5
Best defender
Shea Ili 35
Xavier Cooks 24
Zhou Qi 6
Jaylen Adams 5
Matthew Dellavedova 4
Best trash talker
Shaun Bruce 42
Mitch Creek 14
Nathan Sobey 12
Bryce Cotton 4
Which rival coach would you like to play for?
Brian Goorjian 28
Dean Vickerman 16
Chase Buford 13
Scott Roth 11
Best venue
John Cain Arena (Melbourne) 24
Qudos Bank Arena Sydney 22
RAC Arena Perth 22
â ð—¨ð—£ð—¡ð—˜ð—«ð—§ â@MelbUnited are 🔙 at home on Saturday night!
— John Cain Arena (@JohnCainArena) April 13, 2022
ℹ Ticketing & Event Info: https://t.co/1nsKlqTM2C#NBL22pic.twitter.com/eR6kVMChzk
Where should the next NBL team be located?
Gold Coast 37
Canberra 11
Geelong 11
Sydney 5
Darwin 5
Are the referees doing a good job?
No 51
Yes 24
Should club spends be made public?
Yes 45
No 30
Should player wages be made public?
No 53
Yes 22
Is the coach’s challenge working?
Yes 67
No 8
Should there be a transfer window?
Yes 41
No 34
Should the NBL bring back the All-Star game?
Yes 51
No 24
Should the NBL introduce a play-in finals tournament like the NBA?
No 42
Yes 33
Should the NBL move back to the 48-minute game like the NBA?
Yes 42
No 33
Should players have a six foul limit?
Yes 39
No 36
Should NBL finals games be postponed if players are ruled out due to Covid?
No 44
Yes 31
More Coverage
Originally published as Exclusive NBL player poll: Hoops stars have their say on Australian basketball’s biggest issues
Crosscourt: Phoenix mentor safe, but for how long?
South East Melbourne will stay the course with under pressure coach Mike Kelly — for now. Plus, here’s why Montrezl Harrell escaped sanction despite shoving a referee.
SuperCoach NBL fast trades, tips for Round 4
One player should be at the top of the shopping list for your SuperCoach NBL team this week. See the moves to make to get your team firing for round 4 in minutes.