Logue Down: Players push for return of All-Star Weekend, Australians vs. Imports clash

A return of the NBL All-Star weekend has won a ringing endorsement, but what would it look like — and who would make it? The Logue Down picks teams.

The NBL’s biggest names, including MVP contender Xavier Cooks, want the All-Star Weekend to return, headlined by an Australasians versus imports clash.

The league hasn’t held an All-Star event since the 2012/2013 season in Adelaide, but there is a push for the concept to come back.

NBL owner Larry Kestelman confirmed he is planning to reintroduce the All-Star event to the competition’s schedule in the coming seasons.

Kestelman says the current obstacle is a lack of space in a loaded 10-team draw, with two FIBA windows this season.

“But as soon as we look to expand our season, the All-Star is something that we’d absolutely love to do,” Kestelman said.

“Our season will go longer as we look to bring in new clubs and as soon as that happens, we will look to introduce the All-Star Weekend because it’s something that is a lot of fun and people like to watch.”

Kestelman’s vision for the All-Star Weekend has strong player support from across the league.

Who would make the NBL All-Star team?

Cooks, the reigning grand final MVP, is particularly excited about the prospect of playing in a local versus import All-Star clash.

“Then you are playing for pride,” Cooks said.

“I know I’d be playing seriously, and that is a better concept than just playing east versus west.

“It (the All-Star Weekend) is an awesome idea. The more basketball, the better.

“You could add in a three-point and dunk contest, and it would be a cool celebration.”

Phoenix swingman Ryan Broekhoff is a big believer in the All-Star concept from his time in the NBA and playing throughout Europe.

“It is always a fun weekend and with basketball growing, an event like that would go down really well,” said Broekhoff, who has played in Turkey, Russia and 59 NBA games for the Dallas Mavericks.

“It could be a really big spectacle and something that is unique. Rugby league has the State of Origin, which is huge.

“The AFL used to have the Victoria versus the other states, which doesn’t happen anymore.

“I think it would be really unique for basketball to have an All-Star game and weekend to showcase the game and the players.”

Kings guard Angus Glover grew up watching the NBL All-Star Weekend and found the event aspirational as a budding basketball.

Are the nation's best backyard dunkers on board?@ChrisAnstey13 wants the #NBL All-Star weekend to return with a bang.

🏀🏀 https://t.co/yQu2P3hAm8 🏀🏀 pic.twitter.com/DYpIJ0bxZ8

— CodeSports (@codesportsau) March 3, 2022

Glover believes the weekend could also involve an emerging stars game.

“It could become our NRL Magic Round,” Glover said.

“You could also bring in a couple of other teams, like a younger group, to make a weekend out of it as a real celebration of basketball.”

BROEKHOFF LEAVES BOOMERS DOOR OPEN

South East Melbourne Phoenix swingman Ryan Broekhoff knows it won’t be easy to crack the Boomers squad for next year’s World Cup, but he wants to give it a go.

Broekhoff, 32, hasn’t played for Australia since the 2016 Rio Olympics.

He pulled out of the Tokyo Olympic campaign due to mental health.

Ryan Broekhoff has been impressive for the South East Melbourne Phoenix this season. Photo: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images.

Over a year on, Broekhoff is fit, in-form and keen to play for Australia on the international stage again.

“Putting on the green and gold one more time, or a couple more times, would be a perfect bow on the end of my career,” said Broekhoff, who has averaged 10.67 points and 4.42 rebounds for the Phoenix this season.

“Even if it is a goal, it’s going to be extremely challenging with all the young talent coming through and all the young wings and guards making a splash in the NBA and here in the NBL.

“It is going to be a very competitive team just to make the squad, but it’s exciting for basketball here in Australia.”

Broekhoff is off-contract at season’s end and says he’ll deal with his future once the season is finished.

For now, he is focused on winning an NBL championship with the Phoenix, who are perfectly placed in third position.

“A championship is the one thing as a professional that has eluded me, so that is my No.1 focus and drive,” he said ahead of Thursday’s clash against local rivals Melbourne United.

LIKE

The NBL has received an unprecedented amount of expansion interest.

From Darwin, Sydney, Melbourne, Western Australia, Canberra and the Gold Coast, there is no shortage of cities wanting to be a part of the booming Australian basketball league.

NBL owner Larry Kestelman is in no rush to introduce another franchise. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

NBL owner Larry Kestelman, though, is no rush to add an 11th NBL team.

“I’m going to make sure that we do it at the right time and the right way, so I don’t feel any pressure whatsoever that we need more teams,” he said.

“We are in a great place, but it’s good that the NBL is a hot topic and it’s a hot sport.

“But I’m not going to be rushing out with any new licences until I’m very confident that it will be a sustainable success.”

DISLIKE

Basketball in Australia deserves more respect when it comes to funding to help support a proven national and international sport.

Aussies are carving up the NBA and WNBA.

The Boomers and Opals have won bronze medals, the Sydney Kings are reigning NBL champions and kids are flocking to basketball courts, yet some state governments are all but ignoring the boom.

This is particularly the case in NSW, where the state government spent $6 million on trampolining in the 2022/2023 Centre of Excellence Fund while basketball received nothing.

As Kings chairman and owner Paul Smith rightly pointed out last week, it’s not about comparing basketball to other sports, it’s about fairness for a game that is significantly contributing to Australia’s sporting success.

Originally published as Logue Down: Players push for return of All-Star Weekend, Australians vs. Imports clash