How team of NBA superstars was wooed to Melbourne in massive sporting coup

THE bold plan to bring the biggest basketball series ever staged on Australian soil to Melbourne was hatched more than two years ago. This is how the secret deal was done.

Melbourne’s Ben Simmons was selected with the top pick. Picture: AP Photo/Kathy Willens

THE bold plan to bring the biggest basketball series ever staged on Australian soil to Melbourne was hatched more than two years ago.

After their requests for an NBA match Down Under were politely refused over many years, due to scheduling issues, Basketball Australia and major event chiefs had a brainwave. If Australia couldn’t attract an NBA team, why not invite a team of NBA superstars?

HOW AUSTRALIA BECAME AN NBA TALENT FACTORY

FIRED-UP SIXERS LEVEL GRAND FINAL SERIES

BOOMERS HAVE EARNED USA’S RESPECT

Basketball Australia chief executive Anthony Moore hit the phones, trying to gauge interest from US heavyweights of the sport on bringing the world’s best to Australia. When they asked him to send an email, he knew he had to meet them face to face, so he flew to Colorado to present all Australia had to offer in sport, culture and infrastructure.

Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul could be among the stars to play in Melbourne. Picture: AP Photo/Rick Bowmer

After being reminded of how successful their last visit to Australia had been at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, US executives were shown Melbourne’s sporting stadiums and briefed on the city’s major event nous and 24-hour airport access.

Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena were among venues discussed as potential options for a Team USA-Australia showdown in a glossy brochure presented to US basketball chiefs.

But when the 53,000-plus seat Etihad Stadium was mentioned in passing, a light went on in the minds of Team USA officials. They remembered the venue had hosted a record-breaking UFC bout between Ronda Rousey and Holly Holm, which attracted 56,214 and reached huge TV audiences.

Melbourne’s Ben Simmons was selected with the top pick. Picture: AP Photo/Kathy Willens

Visit Victoria, the state government’s major events arm, sent key staff to NBA All-Star matches and got the green light to go after a piece of sporting history.

With Aussie players succeeding on the international stage, including several in the best league in the world, calls for a historic first NBA match on Australian soil grew louder.

As negotiations played out, Aussie basketballers continued to announce themselves in the USA.

Maryborough’s Matthew Dellavedova fought his way to NBA glory for Cleveland Cavaliers against Melbourne’s Andrew Bogut in 2016.

Aussie export Matthew Dellavedova has made his mark on the NBA. Picture: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

The same year, Melbourne born-and-bred Ben Simmons was selected with the top pick in the NBA draft and instantly won comparisons to basketball legends LeBron James and Magic Johnson.

China’s success in securing the 2019 FIBA World Cup could also be a win for Australia, with NBA players already in the region and Melbourne being an ideal stepping stone.

OPERATION: GET SIMMONS TO AUSTRALIA

Plotting success at the World Cup in China and keen for their charges to compete against quality international opposition first, Team USA could also make history in Melbourne.

Next August, the city will be treated to two huge matches that will fill Etihad Stadium to capacity, enhance Victoria’s major event reputation, bolster grassroots basketball and be beamed around the world.

[e-mail]