"Where were the crowds this season in Townsville?"
I think the Crocs were a victim of the schedule. Without confirming it, I think about 4 of their first home games were on a Wed or Thurs which makes it hard to get the crowds excited as mid-week crowds are always down.

"and a final big 1 or 2 years from a healthy Schenscher"

two thoughts -

when were the first years ?

this can and has been hoiped for every year in the last 6.

RE Jack: That certainly didn't help. I'd also add that the rapid decline in crowds at the crocs almost perfectly correlates to losing the bloody-great dirt carpark area over to the left of the stadium - https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Townsville+Entertainment+%26+Convention+Centre/@-19.2507216,146.825497,1021m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x6bd5f8cbadd118f5:0x1d1ebb1537fa24b4!6m1!1e1

Ever since that got closed off it is now a huge pain in the ass to get to games - no parking and public transport in Townsville is awful. I don't think there's any fixing this without a change of venue.

RE: Caps Fan. Agree. I was being too nice and he's contracted for next season I believe? If not, a young centre would be great, but they're almost impossible to find as they all head off to the USA for college. If we could get an Australian like Samhan as a backup centre that would be ideal... one can hope.

The Crocs were great this season and were one of my favourite teams to watch. Hopefully they can stick around for the long-term.

Is there any guarantee that the crocs will be in the NBL next season? LK probably doesn't want any "another NBL team goes bankrupt" stories so they should be ok?

Both the Crocs and the Hawks were given financial assistance last season.

If they needed the financial assistance, its better to give it than have teams go bust midway through the season. The issue I have is that the NBL was building something on the back of a profitable year two seasons ago, had to forgo those profits, but were then criticised for not continuing to grow.

Not sure why nobody is mentioning Mirko Djeric, that kid is a flat out shooter and he is what 21?

I just hope he stays in the NBL and we see his game flourish...

Love the Crocs and Steindl needs to work on his ball handling and then he will be the player he should.

Really love Mitch Young's work ethic and hopefully he can widen up and stay on court longer!

Maynard is great fun to watch, so much heart and doesn't take a backward step and I think he has more tricks than what we have seen.

As for them being bailed out, I'm glad they have been but I wonder how much the league is sharing amongst each of the teams in terms of game night e terrain meant and advertising and ways of cutting costs that could help Townsville stay aflpat

Thought the Crocs developed into a great team to watch. A group of guys who always looked like they would have a go at anything their coach asked them to do. They looked like they were really playing for each other, the classic underdog. Even Jett became a power for them and a very unique look. Gotta hope their comunity can buy into what they are doing.

The league expanding looks much better than just a big city team replacing a regional team. The teams are all in this together and need to support each other to keep a viable comp that can capture the imagination of the public, the corporate sector and of cause the media.

Proud, 100% agree with everything you just said.

RE Steindl: needs to work on his handles - fire up a Steph Curry drills video series on youtube and work on it all damn off-season! Passing and decision making needs some coaching as well. He has all the tools, just needs to work on some fundamentals and basketball IQ and we could see a future marquee player.

Crocs should approach the Florida Gators college program for a joint partnership and development program by offering pre season games between both programs and look at Aussie kids going there for college, also seeking out players coming down here through North Queensland perhaps?

Like the Melbourne City - Manchester City arrangement, but obviously suited to hoops...

Commerical agreement with an NCAA team. Yeah cause that would be allowed.

NBL has been good this year, with Sydney the only easy-beats. Crocs managed to stitch up the Cats 3 times.
Still I think the league needs sustainable expansion. 8 teams is ok, but not considering the regularity with which NBL franchises go bust. I am not opposed to minor financial assistance to regional teams. (After-all, the Cats aren't much without a league to compete in.) I just think such assistance should be consistent, and done in such a way as to encourage excellence.
One idea I have mooted before, is that the Marquee tax paid by teams that exceed the salary cap, be used to subsidise better quality imports for the teams that can't afford them.

As to your squad, it's hard to speculate when we expect that they're a bit short on cash, but here goes:
I actually like Jett and Samhan. As far as what they do on the court, I think they're good value.
That said, I feel you really need to boost your starting line-up.
You need a bit more from your imports, a few more minutes at the same productivity. And whilst Steindl, Kay, and Norton are good young players, they're not THAT good.
The other issue is, as always, structure:
1. Since you're apparently stuck Shens for another two years, you're probably better off leaving Samhan and chasing another PF. (Preferably somebody who can venture outside the arc on occasions.) And having Kay back them both up.
2. Where is Clint better suited? 2 or 3? I'm old skool, I prefer the old way of 3 in the front, 2 in the back. But I accept that the modern games is usually a smaller outside player, or even swingman as the SF.
3. Who can run your point? Historically NBL teams have chased PGs as one of their imports, and most still do. But I'm not sold on the idea of stuffing your roster with wannabe PGs, then bringing in an import. So can Norton run the point (backed up by say Maynard?? If so, leave Clint at the 3, and get yourself an import SG who can shoot the lights out and rack up big points.

One idea I have mooted before, is that the Marquee tax paid by teams that exceed the salary cap, be used to subsidise better quality imports for the teams that can't afford them."

That's pretty much what happens already, money from those over the cap goes to those who are under.

There's a tax (25% IIRC) on marquee payments that exceed the salary cap. That goes to tne NBL. As far as I am aware there is no redistribution of that tax as such, although we do understand there is some assistance handed out to some teams.