Don't agree, the NBL Elite league starts next year, not this year's temporary version. Time to shine on the big stage and give it to these teams @ the Stankovic.
The Boomers squad comes first, same for any other sport, ie: soccer. Teams have to deal with it, imports do all the scoring in this league anyway.

Bit rough calling this year temporary when the owners are still pouring in money, staff are still doing their usual work, and fans are still putting up their hard-earned to go to the games...

Imports do all the scoring yet MVP and leading points scorer was Kirk Penny?

If Basketball Australia did this they'd be lampooned for not sending a decent Australian outfit and start hearing cries (again) of why we haven't yet won a mens medal in Olympic or World Championship competition.

I remember reading in the BA report months back that it was identified that a strong showing by the Boomers will have positive impacts on the local league just like the socceroos have done for the A League.

I wonder if the doubters will call it a temporary season when 36ers win?

Boti has a point I guess - the NBL should be supporting the NBL given the troubles it has experienced. However on the other hand, we need the Boomers playing more on the International stage. Timing is bad in this instance, but if there is a chance of fielding stronger players, then they should be in the Boomers team.
Alternatively, should the Boomers not be sending any team at all to the Stankovic Cup? I think the kids getting a chance is a good thing for the future - whether it is London 2012 or the World Champs in 2014.

maybe the nbl clubs could look at it as a chance to really test out their imports and 8,9,10 ers early in the season.

Actually, I'm more interested in the first half of this article, where Boti compares the response to this Kiwi defeat to the one that Smyth copped in 2001.

He makes some good points. Nice to see everyone is so reasonable these days and aren't trying to lynch Brown after half a dozen games in charge!

Good points anon. Perhaps leave it to each player/coach to decide.

Beantown,

Boti....you have been caught out on all three of your points...

1.To say the nation were 'earnestly' interested as it was a year after the Olympics is totally misleading. That series decided who was going to the World championships (which is why we were earnestly interested!), Smyth lost and the Boomers didn't go..Boti conveniently left his out of his article.

Boti said this time nobody cared or knew it was on. How true so why didn't you write about it more?? and it was played over 2 games and not three like in 2001.

2. The saner, rational folk of 2009 would react the same way if the Boomers were beaten twice, with a full team and didn't qualify for the World championships by getting pantsed by N.Z over three games.
Ever hear of the saying comparing apples for apples Boti? Your comparing apples and Vili's Gourmet pies

3. You said BOTH N.Z and Australia qualified for the 2002 World Cahmpionships. WRONG!!! What are you smoking Boti!!
Australia didn't get there...N.Z beat us...remember!!

Your article is putter gutter sports propaganda based on fiction, we all understand how fond you are of Phil, I mean seriously the last 2 years at the Sixers you gave him the J Edgar Hoover golden ride.
One day I hope you become sane and rational when you write about Phil as he isn't the coach you dream him to be, he's certainly not an Olympic coach.
He's great at crossing his legs, but developing players or working hard at training, sorry Boti but you have gourmet Pie over your rose coloured glasses and porno mo.

Hey Boti how come you get all shitty that the Boomers are playing in the intenationally acclaimed Stankovic Cup, where the new Aussie coach is getting to work with player for the first time, and in your artcile you say this is ridiculous as the nBL season is approaching??? YET in todays paper Cooper is missing the Sixers game to play with norwood in a shitty state league final? and you say nothing? You can't have it both ways...

Your an average journalist Boti which is quite evident from the article you wrote on Thursday, you are part of the old regime, you don't have right attitude and I think its time to move on.

How about someone new who isn't cynical, jealous of the eastern states, is willing to report fairly on the Sixers and who wants Australian BVasketball to succeed. Boti your part of the problem , time to go....

Worthwhile going and winning as we did - I'd say.