Melbourne United to face Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers among seven NBA v NBL preseason games
MELBOURNE United’s clash with Aussie NBA Rookie of the Year Ben Simmons’ Philadelphia 76ers headlines a slate of seven games between NBL and NBA teams in a “momentous day for basketball” in Australia.
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MELBOURNE United’s clash with Aussie NBA Rookie of the Year Ben Simmons’ Philadelphia 76ers headlines a slate of seven games between NBL and NBA teams in a “momentous day for basketball” in Australia.
The reigning champions will open an expanded preseason series, starting in Philadelphia on September 28, joining five other NBL clubs on a trip to the US in September and October that will feature seven games in six cities across eight days. United will play twice, closing the series against the Toronto Raptors on October 5.
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Ben Simmons will lead Philadelphia against Melbourne United. Picture: Getty Image
The NBL made a strong impression last year when United, Sydney Kings and Brisbane Bullets pushed NBA rivals Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns to the brink in historic fixtures.
And league owner Larry Kestelman says they’ve only “just begun”, building on the three games played between NBA and NBL teams in last year.
“We’ve taken this up a notch,” Kestelman said.
The opportunity to coach against my former coach Brett Brown & NBA ROTY @BenSimmons25 will be a true honor. Both have had a great impact on Basketball in this country and especially in Melb!!Thank you @NBL. #NBLxNBA #United https://t.co/Azt7WkrBrq
— Dean Vickerman (@DeanVickerman) June 27, 2018
Massive news for @nbl today. 7 Games between NBL and NBA teams announced. Perth Wildcats have two games including ones vs Aussie stars @joeingles7 and @daanteee of @utahjazz .… https://t.co/cG2mbJDJ2q
— Damian martin (@damianmartin53) June 27, 2018
Little run against the @sixers and @Raptors during the preseason!!!!! ðŸ€ðŸ€ðŸ€ lets goooooooo @MelbUnitedHQ @nbl
— Alex Pledger 🦠(@Alex_Pledger) June 27, 2018
“I knew that we could repeat it and hoping to make it an annual event, but I think this even exceeded our hopes and expectations to be able to announce the fact that we will be playing no less than seven games.”
In order to get the expanded series off the ground, Kestelman had to push the start date for the domestic season back a week to allow for the hectic travel schedule.
The schedule is as follows:
■ September 28 — Philadelphia 76ers vs Melbourne United - Wells Fargo Centre, Philadelphia
■ September 29 — Utah Jazz vs Perth Wildcats - Vivint Smart Home Arena, Utah
■ September 30 — LA Clippers vs Sydney Kings - Stan Sheriff Centre, Honolulu
■ October 3 — Phoenix Suns vs New Zealand Breakers - Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix
■ October 5 — Denver Nuggets vs Perth Wildcats - Pepsi Centre, Denver
■ October 5 — Toronto Raptors vs Melbourne United - Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
■ October 5 — Utah Jazz vs Adelaide 36ers - Vivint Smart Home Arena, Utah
Kestelman NBL clubs were up for the challenge, having tasted the NBA standard last year, where United pushed Russell Westbrook’s Oklahoma City Thunder all the way to the buzzer.
“I will not lie, I was a little bit nervous last year and how we would perform on the world stage and I feel now very, very confident that our teams will account for our performances and we will make our country very very proud,” he said.
“Basketball in general is not just on the rise, but it’s on a stampede.
“Be proud, everyone that plays basketball. Every kid, every family, this is your product, on the global stage and we do it for you, so thank you very much.”
Ex-NBA star and Melbourne-born Sydney recruit Andrew Bogut — whose Kings will play the LA Clippers on Honolulu on Septemeber 30 — says the NBL is taking quantum leaps on the world stage.
“It’s starting to get a name globally, it’s very well respected,” Bogut said.
He says the league has come a long way to gain the credibility and respect of the NBA.
“Even to have these conversations with NBA teams, they probably wouldn’t have happened four or five years ago,” the 2015 NBA champion said.
“They probably, to be quite honest, would’ve laughed when people called to try and even arrange these games, so the fact that everyone involved has got this done two years in a row, and done it to this capacity, is great.”
The former No.1 draft pick said an NBL win in one of the games was not unrealistic.
“It’s doable,” he declared.
“There’s no reason why we can’t. European teams have done it, there’s no reason why an NBL team can’t.”
And Aussie basketball icon, Andrew Gaze, agrees.
“The margin is becoming really, really small and although we go over there as the underdogs, I think, not only the NBL, but other leagues that have had these opportunies, have shown that they can beat (NBA teams),” Gaze said.
“We have an expectation that we can go over there and be very competitive and we have a realistic chance to get a win.”
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