I don't think the Dragons lasted nearly long enough for there to be much of a brand to renew. I think it was a good decision to start fresh. All pro leagues are riddled with failed franchises.

The problem is the clown who came up with the Phoenix name. Could have been so many better options.

Based on your theory the Jackjumpers should be the Tassie Devils. While we are at it let's bring back the west Adelaide bear cats. Move on. They are two seasons old. Give them a chance. I suppose you want Dmac and gaze back, along with Willy Farley and Paul Rees. Anstey and Heal should make an appearance. The world changes. How about you change with it.

" Based on your theory the Jackjumpers should be the Tassie Devils"

I don't think that’s agreeable. I don’t see a problem with the Phoenix name, but if Tasmania had the opportunity they would have absolutely jumped onto being the Devils again IMO. It would have been the right choice. Dragons? Take it or leave it, no issue with choosing the Phoenix name

Also yes bring back Farley and Maher plz

Jackjumpers- stupidest name in the history of the league unfortunately.

100% should've been Devils.

Larry should've left the Tigers as the Tigers and then brought in the Phoenix.

Instead it's Melbourne "United" and a new franchise

Jackjumpers- stupidest name in the history of the league unfortunately.

Astronauts lol.

United a stupid name. Good for Soccer.

Sounds to soccer like for me. Not a fan of the colours etc either.

Jackjumpers is growing on me more and more. Bit like the Knicks, people might say things like:

"Going to the Jacks game tonight"

Phoenix is a great name for a team. Much better than United, which is the most boring name for a team I've ever heard. It is a travesty that Melbourne has managed to lose every one of its team identities over the years. Would be hard to be a long term supporter when your team and its history has been binned and you have to start again.

Would the Dragons have even been an option? I'd assume that Cowan retained the brand?

I'm fairly sure cowan’s co-owner has been on a few NBL advisory boards and is advising the NBL on how to navigate covid. Also, didn’t Cowan say never say never on a podcast 4-5 months ago?

They tried to resurrect the dragons brand 2-3 since they left the league....

Love to see a Victoria Titans return with Teal/white/black colours covering North/West then down to Geelong areas.

Melbourne covering greater Melbourne, Phoenix South East and you've got your "zones" covered for the state

Magic wasn't an option. Current owners wanted cash for the brand and LK thought he could do it from scratch

If they could have gotten the Magic brand at a reasonable price they absolutely should have done it. There's still heaps of people with goodwill from those days who all have kids of their own now.

I actually thought the Dragons were starting to do a really good job of bringing together the fans of all the defunct teams and the rivalry with the Tigers was great. Its a shame that all went down the way it did. With United then trying to take that space its hard to see how the Dragons brand could work now, except for the people who insist that United is still just the Tigers and who would probably get on anything (like the Phoenix).

As LV said above, they should have started a second brand (whether it was united, phoenix, dragons whatever) in addition to the Tigers (the one team that had survived everything) rather than butcher that and canibalise their own product.

"Not the Tigers" is actually enough to get a lot of people to games. Without the Tigers there as an enemy, its just two made up teams. Sure if they can both survive long enough there'll be some kind of rivalry eventually, but I'd bet it never lasts long enough

I prefer Titans and Dragons over Magic

I think the Dragons could work - but they need to go toe to toe with United. I think that's where the Phoenix have gone wrong. They seem to be positioning the club as the family friendly, lower budget team based in the 'heartland’ - which is a nice monicker but doesn’t seem to have stuck.

I agree that United has made it more difficult for the second side. Most were defined by hating the Tigers. Now that they’re gone, some moved to United (not all, but enough to diminish the pool).

Having said that, Melbourne needs owners with deep pockets to cut through in a cluttered sports market. I’m surprised that there aren’t more contrived fights and slanging matches between the two clubs - would be a way of adding heat into the rivalry.

Cowan and McPeake were very good at that back in the day.

I’m a member, but not sure I can see Phoenix surviving longer term unless they change a few things. Moving full time to the state Basketball centre would be a mistake. You can’t afford a competitive team against Melbourne, Perth and Sydney playing in a 3k seater.

I thought Mark Cowan did a great job with the South Dragons brand. Mark and his team started the fun entertainment at Vodafone Area (now John Cain).

Crazy to think the Dragons were bottom in 2008 then they finished on top the next season and won the championship in absolute fashion against their then rivals (Tigers). I can't say many NBL teams have done that in their history.

Silly LK should didn’t listen to Mark’s request when they tried 2 to 3 times already?

Phoenix to me are a great family friendly club, but I see no success in their brand with teams like Perth, Melbourne and Sydney with bigger budgets. A few minor changes to their franchise could see them jump to the next level?

It’s on them now if they can make playoffs or not?

I like the idea if Victoria were going to bring in a third franchise they should consider "Victoria."

It would be an absolute dream if the NBL could bring back the Victoria Titans brand. The Black, Teal and white with the pitch fork was such a good look. Playing games in Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat would be great places for them to play at? Fans will come out and watch if they played in the country you would think.

But with LK still in charge he will never let any past NBL teams come back. He had many changes bringing teams names like Devils, Magic, Dragons etc.

Magic were very successful franchise and past NBL teams were scared of losing to them. That's a franchise the NBL should of considered but did Orlando Magic have a say?

Orlando Magic were around with Shak in the 90’s, no copyright then lol!

Phoenix should of included all of Victoria. Even though the Victoria Titans got bankrupt, they had support in their big games against the Melbourne Tigers.

Brian could of made a comeback, imagine that.

Would of been better for the league to get behind regional Victoria. I went to a few NBL games at Bendigo Stadium, great stadium and atmosphere.

Their stadium would do, then you play the bigger games at John Cain against teams like United.

" Phoenix was a massive slap in the face."

Hyperbole much.

Phoenix name and colours are fine.

Would love to see a north west team called titans return with teal black and white.

United go back to Tiges.

Grey and fluro doesn't match in my opinion. It’s only good for tradies, cyclist, work etc.

Instead of North West, the NBL should bring back the Titans. They would get enough supporters in regional Victoria.

Giants was a massive slap in the face to both Magic and Giants supporters. At least the Titans were strong. Had great games against the Melbourne Tigers. Titans seemed to always have the upper hand against them in finals.

Would love to see the Tigers back in some sort of fashion.