Basketball news 2023: Questions raised over NBL-NBA series, Aron Baynes fight video, Dejan Vasiljevic future

NBL teams have held their own against NBA powerhouses in the past – but the format needs major surgery after a pair of absolute wipe-outs this week. This week’s Crosscourt column has all the issues covered.

No one can doubt the positivity and publicity the NBL versus NBA pre-season series brings, but is it time to tweak it?

The Cairns Taipans and New Zealand Breakers conceded a combined 251 points in big losses, raising legitimate question marks over the series.

In fairness, the Taipans were missing a number of players, but the blowout loss to the Washington Wizards wasn’t a good look.

On the same day, Spanish EuroLeague giants Real Madrid defeated a Dallas Mavericks side led by NBA superstar Luka Doncic.

NBL teams have previously held their own against NBA teams, including Adelaide defeating the Phoenix Suns last season and Melbourne United coming within one bucket of beating a loaded OKC Thunder team in 2017.

So, I’m definitely not saying scrap the series, because the positives outweigh the negatives.

Craig Randall helped inspire Adelaide to a boilover win over Phoenix last year. Picture: Getty

It’s just clear the current timing – three weeks into an NBL season – is problematic.

Granted, the NBA pre-season only started this week, but could the games be played at another time?

The other complication is that a number of the NBL’s leading teams are reluctant to play in the NBA pre-season series.

The focus is trying to win an NBL championship and they see a trip to America to play a pre-season game as a distraction to their main goal.

The biggest winners from the pre-season series is the NBL’s aspiring NBA players, which was on show during Cairns’ clash against Washington.

Taran Armstrong put on a show for the Cairns Taipans. Picture: Getty

Taipans’ rising Australian guard Taran Armstrong boosted his draft prospects with a classy display at both ends of the floor against the Wizards.

Armstrong, who is coming off a two-year stint with California Baptist University, had six points, eight assists and three steals.

Cairns has a chance to make amends for their big loss to Washington when they take on the Toronto Raptors on Monday from 9am (AEDT).

The New Zealand Breakers play the Utah Jazz on Tuesday from 12pm (AEDT).

The NBL’s pre-season series against NBA teams has merit – but conversations need to be had around the timing for everyone involved.

TRIBUNAL TRANSPARENCY

The NBL has made giant strides forward in recent years, but transparency is the next step for the game to truly advance.

This was on show during the week via the well-publicised physical altercation between Brisbane star Aron Baynes and Cairns coach Adam Forde.

Aron Baynes had to be held back by teammates in a fiery exchange. Picture: Getty

The heated halftime blow-up was referred to the NBL’s Single Member Tribunal hearing on Thursday night.

The hearing was set to be open to the media following a league-led push before the Single Member Tribunal opted to reverse the decision and block the media.

It’s understood legal sensitivities prompted the decision, however this shouldn’t stop the NBL from opening up tribunals to the media in the future.

There is support across the league for media to be invited to hearings, including veteran broadcaster John Casey.

“Of course, there is no doubt the media should be allowed into these hearings,” Casey said.

“I always start with a point of why not with these things.

“There is information that is shared during the hearing that is private, personal and confidential and the man in charge should have the ability to say that is off the record.

“It’s the only way to have transparency.”

Leaked footage of what happened in the tunnels at halftime between Cairns vs Brisbane last round 👀
via (Matt Logue/News Corp)#NBL24pic.twitter.com/wlSDTmACAH

— NBL News (@NBL_News) October 14, 2023

NBL legend Shane Heal agrees with Casey.

“10 years ago no one cared about the NBL, so it wasn’t even a big deal, but now we are becoming relevant again,” Heal said.

“People have a passion and care about these issues and speaking of transparency, the media have to be in there to be able to report it.”

WHO’S THE NBL’S BEST PLAYER?

Bryce Cotton has long been the NBL’s best player, but who would you select based on form to start the season?

According to multiple greats, including championship-winning guard Shane Heal, the answer is simple.

“Milton Doyle is the NBL’s best player,” Heal said on this week’s Basketball Show.

It’s hard to disagree with you Hammer based on Milton’s brilliant form to start NBL24.

Tasmania’s gun guard has averaged 20.8 points, 6 rebounds and 4.2 assists to guide the JackJumpers to the top of the ladder with a 3-1 record.

Milton Doyle has thrown his hat into the ring as this season’s MVP. Picture: Getty

Doyle was magnificent in Tassie’s big win over Illawarra on Thursday, dropping 19 points, nine rebounds and five assists.

He backed up this display with another 14 points, four rebounds and four assists in a close loss to South East Melbourne on Saturday night.

Doyle is the NBL’s undisputed best player based on form to start the season in many people’s eyes, but here are some other players to get you thinking.

SARR THE JACKJUMPER?

French Next Star Alex Sarr could have been a Tasmania JackJumper this season if coach Scott Roth said yes to taking on the NBA draft prospect.

The Crosscourt column reveal Sarr was offered up to the JackJumpers, but coach Roth couldn’t guarantee the seven-footer minutes.

It meant the 18-year-old sensation ended up at the Perth Wildcats, where he has excelled coming off the bench.

Sarr has caught the eye of respected NBA draft analysts, including the Bleacher Report, who had the talented teen at No.2 in its most recent mock for next year’s draft.

Highly rated NBA prospect Alex Sarr could’ve ended up in Tasmania. Picture: Getty

The Frenchman looks every bit an NBA player – just ask former Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson, who is coming off an NBA assistant role with the Toronto Raptors.

According to Wildcats great Damian Martin, Gleeson couldn’t have been more impressed with Sarr.

“Trev has just spent some time in the NBA and he said this Sarr kid is a legit top five prospect and he might be at the pointy end of the top five as well,” Martin said.

“He loved what he saw and that’s off the back of coaching NBA players.

“So, Sarr is the real deal and I don’t think anyone is trying to build him up as something he isn’t.

“I can honestly say that he is as good as I’ve seen at his age.”

FLOWERS FIRES AND DJ LOOMING FOR 36ERS?

Adelaide’s Next Star Trentyn Flowers put aside a substandard start to his NBL tenure to produce a breakout performance in the 36ers’ first win of the season on Saturday.

Flowers has copped plenty of criticism since arriving in Australia – largely due to his inability to make the guard position a success.

He struggled bringing the ball up the court during the pre-season, resulting in a concerning number of turnovers.

Trentyn Flowers is turning it ON in the last quarter 🌸

Can he lead the 36ers to their first win of the year? 🤩

Fine out on ESPN via Kayo 📺 pic.twitter.com/cmSxWzWzsi

— NBL (@NBL) October 14, 2023

Adelaide coach CJ Bruton made the call to shift Flowers to the wing – where he looks more comfortable and better suited with his athleticism.

On Saturday against the Illawarra Hawks, the Next Star produced his finest NBL performance with 23 points on 8-11 shooting and 5-6 from deep.

Flowers exploded in the final frame, dropping 18 points to lift the roof of the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

He deserves praise for stick solid after a slow opening to the season.

In a further boost for Adelaide, it appears the club look set to secure the signature of championship-winning Sydney Kings guard Dejan Vasiljevic.

Former Sydney King Dejan Vasiljevic appears Adelaide 36ers bound. Photo: Getty

The man nicknamed ‘DJ’ is keen to sign with the 36ers – and just needs his former club to give him the green light.

The Kings have the first right of refusal on Vasiljevic after he opted out of his contract to pursue the NBA.

It’s unlikely Sydney will stand in the guard’s way, opening the door for him to sign with Adelaide and play as early as this weekend.

HAWKS UNDER FIRE

Consecutive losses have heaped pressure on the Illawarra Hawks – and coach Jacob Jackomas.

The Hawks promised us they would fly high in NBL24, but they haven’t lived up to the hype.

This was on show in a blowout 30-point loss to the JackJumpers in Tasmania on Thursday.

The Hawks had a chance to redeem themselves against Adelaide on Saturday, but they couldn’t hold off the desperate 36ers at home.

It doesn’t get any easier for Illawarra from here.

The Hawks host championship contenders Melbourne United on Friday night.