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The following preview is courtesy of Sportingbet Australia:
Perth: $3.50. The Wildcats have kept the core of last year’s team that lost the Grand Final to New Zealand, they go 10 deep & have last year’s MVP Kevin Lisch returning as the team’s only import. If the key players stay healthy they are the team to beat.
New Zealand: $4. Won back to back championships last year beating Perth in the Grand Final. Have lost import Gary Wilkinson this season who was a 20 point a game player so not easily replaced, but if import Cedric Jackson & Thomas Abercrombie play to last year’s level could be only 2nd team in NBL history to 3peat.
Cairns: $7. The Taipans missed the playoffs on percentage last season. They’ve recruited Cam Tragardh from the Tigers & kept import Jamar Wilson which means scoring shouldn’t be a problem, if they can maintain the defence they have played for the last few seasons they are a definite top 4 team.
Townsville: $8. For the first time ever a team has sacked both their imports before a regular season game has been played. They have now signed Gary Ervin who was the league MVP 2 seasons ago. The loss of 7ft Luke Schenscher to Adelaide is huge but if Ervin plays at his MVP level & they bring in a decent 2nd import along with their great home court could be a threat to the top 2.
Adelaide: $8. Without doubt have recruited the best in the off season. They have been the big winners of the demise of the Gold Coast Blaze signing Gibson, Petrie & Cadee, add Schenscher from Townsville & they have a squad capable of winning the championship, but considering they did finish with the wooden spoon last season & question marks still over their defence it would be a huge turnaround.
Wollongong: $9. Have been the big surprise of the pre–season only losing once which was against Perth in the final of the tournament played in late September. Have gone with 2 import guards for this season, if they gel & the likes of Forman & Davidson aim up they could sneak a top 4 spot.
Melbourne: $13. Major changes to the Tigers in the off-season with only 1 of last year’s starting 5 still at the club. They have 2 new imports & a rookie coach in Chris Anstey, have been up & down in their matches so far which is to be expected, you would think that both imports would have to have huge seasons for them to make the playoffs.
Sydney: $ 19. Have lost their 3 top scorers from last season including Julian Khazzouh & rookie of the year Anatoly Bose. They have replaced both of last season’s imports & will be coached by Shane Heal, who coached them for the last 6 games of last season. With Heal as coach they will play hard every game but with the losses of Khazzouh & Bose hard to see them making the playoffs.
Perth: $3.50. The Wildcats have kept the core of last year’s team that lost the Grand Final to New Zealand, they go 10 deep & have last year’s MVP Kevin Lisch returning as the team’s only import. If the key players stay healthy they are the team to beat.
New Zealand: $4. Won back to back championships last year beating Perth in the Grand Final. Have lost import Gary Wilkinson this season who was a 20 point a game player so not easily replaced, but if import Cedric Jackson & Thomas Abercrombie play to last year’s level could be only 2nd team in NBL history to 3peat.
Cairns: $7. The Taipans missed the playoffs on percentage last season. They’ve recruited Cam Tragardh from the Tigers & kept import Jamar Wilson which means scoring shouldn’t be a problem, if they can maintain the defence they have played for the last few seasons they are a definite top 4 team.
Townsville: $8. For the first time ever a team has sacked both their imports before a regular season game has been played. They have now signed Gary Ervin who was the league MVP 2 seasons ago. The loss of 7ft Luke Schenscher to Adelaide is huge but if Ervin plays at his MVP level & they bring in a decent 2nd import along with their great home court could be a threat to the top 2.
Adelaide: $8. Without doubt have recruited the best in the off season. They have been the big winners of the demise of the Gold Coast Blaze signing Gibson, Petrie & Cadee, add Schenscher from Townsville & they have a squad capable of winning the championship, but considering they did finish with the wooden spoon last season & question marks still over their defence it would be a huge turnaround.
Wollongong: $9. Have been the big surprise of the pre–season only losing once which was against Perth in the final of the tournament played in late September. Have gone with 2 import guards for this season, if they gel & the likes of Forman & Davidson aim up they could sneak a top 4 spot.
Melbourne: $13. Major changes to the Tigers in the off-season with only 1 of last year’s starting 5 still at the club. They have 2 new imports & a rookie coach in Chris Anstey, have been up & down in their matches so far which is to be expected, you would think that both imports would have to have huge seasons for them to make the playoffs.
Sydney: $ 19. Have lost their 3 top scorers from last season including Julian Khazzouh & rookie of the year Anatoly Bose. They have replaced both of last season’s imports & will be coached by Shane Heal, who coached them for the last 6 games of last season. With Heal as coach they will play hard every game but with the losses of Khazzouh & Bose hard to see them making the playoffs.
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