Smartest fans that dont go to the NBL at all.

#110612

"There are probably more people playing basketball in and around Melbourne then there are in all the other captial cities put together." Do you seriously believe that??? With all due respect that would not even be remotely close to the truth.

"I think you'll find that is the point. And look back across history in both Men's and Women's basketball in Australia and you'll see that Melbourne most definately is the Australian home of basketball." Can you back that statement up? Have you looked at the history? I'd be interested to know what history you are talking about and where it comes from.....

There always has been more basketballers coming out of Victoria and this was something I brought up in a past post as to how many vics were currently in the NBL.
There is a huge amount of difference in the amount of clubs in Victoria compared to SA and other states as well. Just click on to sporting pulse and go to Victoria and you will see that there are about 40 clubs just in the Big V conference.
Look at the current Australian team-
Barlow- Victoria
Bogut- Victoria
Bruce- Victoria
Bruton- WA
Helliwell- Victoria
Hinder-NSW
Kendall- Victoria
Kickert- Victoria
Mackinnon- Victoria
Newley- SA
Smith- Victoria
Worthington- WA
8 out of 12 come from Victoria! Then look at throwing in Anstey (VIC), Saville (VIC), I think we are starting to see a bit of a pattern!
It is the Mecca of Australian basketball...

Anon (#110612), you're right, I agree that a sport is bigger than it's national competition. I recently heard that there are more basketball participants in Melbourne than anywhere else but what I want to know is why nobody supports the NBL, the sport at its highest level in Australia. You'd think a city that has the highest participation rate could support do a much better job supporting the Tigers and the Dragons (especially the Tigers), but it seems they're not interested in the NBL. But if you love basketball how can you not love watching the elite players doing what they do.

Yeah i'm dumbfounded on it to Nick. I went to a South Dragons game not long ago and to be honest I think they put on an exceptional show, much better than Adelaide. What I did notice though was although the marketing and delivery was great, the atmosphere wasn't that good due to the stadium acoustics and the simple support the crowd gives. Adelaide do have a very knowledgable crowd who get behind their team and do get stuck into opposition and the umpires which creates a better feel. I think feeling more involved at a game will make you wanting more.
I think this is what the Dragons franchise were trying to do. They gave away free T-shirts, playing singlets, a whole heap of stuff at any interval.
It was very interesting to see the differences. I just think Adelaide have the best fans and that every other state try to immitate us.

I think the reason behind the lack of support, is the failure of the expansion of the NBL. In the old days of the NBL Nunawading spectres, Geelong, Melbourne Tigers, St Kilda Saints, Coburg Giants all had great affliation to there Junior Programs, with the rapid expansion these 'professional clubs' lost there affliation and inturn there support. Instead parents focused on the senior teams and took kids to those games ie SEABL, CBA etc. which was the future senior team for the kid etc. Its a great shame what has happended to Victorian NBL clubs. However Vic Basketball junior programs still continue to shine the best in the country as it continues produces great players for this country, also they are pretty dominant at National Championships as well. So i think the reason for the decline in crows the professional teams lost there afflition relationship with Junior Clubs and Associations!

Also what about australian born coaches in the NBL:

Lindsay Gaze (VIC),
Ian Stacker (VIC),
Alan Black (VIC),
Barry Barnes (VIC),
Brendan Joyce(VIC)
Shane Heal (VIC)
ANDREJ LEMANIS (VIC)
Mark Watkins (VIC)

Pretty amazing also that Stacker, Barnes, Watkins, Joyce, Heal, Black are all former Nunawading Spectres.

Your list is a tad out dated there DrB as there are only 4 of them left coaching currently in the NBL.

I strongly agree Panther. Adelaide has the best fans in the country, The Wildcats fans are putting up a good fight tho. We also have the best crowd numbers in the NBL (except for this year cause the sixers have been losing a lot).