Logue Down basketball column: All the news, insights and whispers
A respected NBL commentator has landed one right on the buzzer with a claim that the upward trajectory of the NBL is so steep that the NBA could be an interested buyer.
Basketball
Don't miss out on the headlines from Basketball. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Could the world’s best league buy the rapidly growing and improving NBL? According to NBL commentator and former league MVP Corey Homicide Williams, it’s a realistic chance of happening.
“This league is blowing up,” Williams said on SEN Radio in Melbourne.
“We’ve got a start-up company and it has started blowing up after five years. What begins to happen to the start-up company? It generates interest and people want to buy in.
Watch Every Game of the 21/22 NBL Season Live & On-Demand with ESPN on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial >
“Don’t be surprised if you hear at some point that the NBA wants to buy the NBL. That is what companies do. They eliminate the competition and buy them.”
As for concerns that the NBA might want too much control, Williams declared: “You don’t know Larry Kestelman. LK don’t play that.”
‘Spygate’: NBL derby to explode after stunning claim
The Sydney Kings have accused rivals the Illawarra Hawks of spying on a training session, a claim strongly denied by the Hawks.
Tensions between the two teams are at boiling point heading into Saturday’s local derby following claims Hawks co-owner and president Dorry Kordahi deliberately stayed in the arena to see Sydney train.
The incident occurred in late November prior to the scheduled Kings versus Hawks pre-season game in Wollongong, which was later cancelled due to Covid concerns.
Kordahi briefly entered the Wollongong Entertainment Centre while the Kings were training to check on the venue’s corporate boxes and attend to other matters.
He was asked why he was there and told to move on.
Kordahi left before returning to the court 10 minutes later when he also received a message from Sydney officials asking him to leave.
The Kings were filthy because they believe the Hawks co-owner and president crossed the line by entering the venue during training.
Sydney feel like he broke the great unwritten ethical rule of sport that says you don’t attend a rival’s training session.
The Kings were so angry they made a formal complaint to the NBL.
According to Kordahi, though, he wasn’t spying and he says Sydney’s session was running 20 minutes over the scheduled time.
When he returned to the court the second time, he said the majority of Kings players had finished their training except for a few players shooting around.
Kordahi said he was in the venue to complete commercial duties and when he realised the Kings were running over time because they opted to extend their session he happily left.
Seething Sydney officials don’t agree and believe the Hawks co-owner and president knew what he was doing and purposely disrespected the Kings.
Kordahi laughed off those claims, declaring Sydney are just jealous of the Hawks and he welcomed a rivalry between the two clubs heading into Saturday’s blockbuster clash at Qudos Bank Arena.
“It’s just the insecurities of the Kings seeing the Hawks come to life and be built into a respected force in a short period of time,” Kordahi said.
“Of course, I wouldn’t spy on the Kings and the second time I walked in they had clearly finished their training session.
“Anyway, I’m happy to talk up the rivalry and we look forward to the game against them on the weekend.”
The NBL won’t penalise the Hawks or Kordahi while there is no formal rule around entering a court while a rival team is training.
This has only further frustrated the Kings, who can’t wait to rip in against the Hawks on Saturday.
AFL eyes on the NBL
Star Collingwood midfielder Scott Pendlebury could have played professional basketball, now he can’t get enough of the NBL.
Pendlebury began his sporting career playing hoops and accepted a scholarship to the AIS in Canberra.
After three weeks at the AIS, he quit the Under 18’s team and returned to Victoria to pursue professional football with the Gippsland Power. Pendlebury’s vacated place in the AIS squad was taken by the great Patty Mills.
Today, Pendlebury doesn’t regret his decision to leave basketball, but he still has fond place in his heart for the sport.
“I like basketball and on the back of what the Boomers did winning that bronze medal, I think it has brought a lot of eyeballs to the game,” said Pendlebury, who posed for pictures with injured United small forward Jack White for Kayo this week.
“Obviously Delly coming back to the league, that only helps. I know personally I’ll be going to a few games.
“I’m just excited as a fan that basketball is back.
“I know the boys at AFL training love their hoops. When we aren’t talking footy at the club, we are talking basketball.”
Proud papa Mills
There was no one prouder of Boomers veteran guard Patty Mills when he picked up the prestigious Don Award this week than his parents.
Mills can now lay claim to being Australia’s best sportsperson after receiving the award which is given to the athlete or team who has most inspired the nation through performance and example over the past year.
In that regard, Mills is the perfect winner.
The NBA star has enjoyed a stellar 12 months, including carrying the Australian flag at the Tokyo Olympic opening ceremony and playing a major role in breaking the Boomers six-decade medal drought.
Mills’ father Benny contacted me during the week to express his excitement about his son’s latest acknowledgment.
“(It’s) very special,” Mills senior said.
Fitting words indeed.
Munford magic
It’s appropriate South East Melbourne import guard Xavier Munford wore gold Kobe Bryant sneakers in his NBL debut because he produced a gold standard performance in the Phoenix’s big win over the hapless New Zealand Breakers.
Munford was outstanding, dropping a game-high 27 points while adding seven rebounds and four assists.
The former Milwaukee Buck even overcame a cheeky on-court vomit after copping a big hit to the stomach.
Munford’s magnificent display attracted high praise from his teammates, including senior forward Mitch Creek, who jokily declared the Phoenix’s new import can do whatever he likes if he produces like he did on debut.
“He can spew every game if he plays like that,” Creek grinned.
Jokes aside, Munford is the real deal and he is capable of appearing in the end of season awards.
Sobey shocker
I’m happy to stick up for the officials if the ref bashing just becomes excuses from coaches for poor performances, but this call was inexcusable.
The Bullets were leading in overtime when star guard Nathan Sobey received a foul for making contact with JackJumpers big man Will Magnay.
Sobey was then rubbed out of the match after hurling abuse at the referee.
I’m not condoning his language, in fact I believe he should face a sanction for using such inappropriate words towards an official, but the reality is the call was wrong.
NBL legend Andrew Gaze was happy to point out the incorrect ruling during commentary.
“That is the classic example of incidental contact,” Gaze said.
“If Magnay doesn’t put his hand up, there is no contact.
“Terrible call at this stage of the game or any stage of the game.”
LIKE
Don’t mess with big Zhou Qi.
South East Melbourne’s star Chinese import was literally huge on debut, as he blocked everything that moved with his giant seven-foot one frame.
He also didn’t take a backwards step when Breakers big man Rob Loe confronted him in the second half and the pair exchanged words.
The Chinese star is going to be a sensation in the NBL this season.
I had to laugh when fellow Phoenix big man Dane Pineau joked post-game that he was glad to play alongside Zhou instead of copping block after block from him at training.
“At our first training session he blocked me with his wrist,” Pineau said.
“I’m like this guy is enormous.”
DISLIKE
Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for Dante Exum to pick up a club, but he should be in the NBA.
Instead Exum is set to sign a three-month deal with Barcelona in the Spanish League.
Here is hoping he impresses in Europe and can return to the NBA.
SHOOSH
A frustrated player contacted me about the officiating in his opening round game.
“It felt like a game from seven years ago when you could hold and hack people.”
WNBL land blockbuster sponsorship deal
The WNBL’s upward trajectory is set to reach new heights for the 2024/25 season after signing a blockbuster sponsorship deal.
‘Distracting mess’: Legends torn over Irving joining Boomers
Melbourne-born NBA star Kyrie Irving has expressed his interest in playing for the Boomers at the 2028 Olympics and while BA is open to it, some past champions aren’t so keen on the move.