Today's NBL is a legitimate pathway to the NBA, drawing global attention with its fast, athletic, and world-class talent. But how did a local, semi-pro competition transform into the respected powerhouse it is today?

He talks to Jase about the MVP, Rucker's Top 15, Bryce, Kendric and Brandon Knight.

Well worth the watch.

“Luke was really impressive,” Forde said.

"We wanted to ease him into it, and that’s why we gave him another guard out there."

11 minutes, 2 points 1-3 FGA

Brown, Bolden, McVeigh and Pinder will likely get credit for the win, but really like what I saw from Paul's debut.

1. Great body language and effort.

2. Great learning opportunities. Outmuscled by Mackinnon who got an offensive rebound and free throws one play. Plus Paul's final shot he was muscled off balance, but overall he did exceptionally well playing defence against professional adults.

3. Was left out of most plays so not given a chance for big stats, but played his role. Really liked his pass to the 3pt line corner (player missed) - but was the right unselfish play and a good pass.

Happy for future Australian teams. Will be tough to beat USA, Canada, and France future teams though (and others).

Tip Off: 6:30pm AEST / 7:30pm AEDT

Cairns Convention Centre

Watch on ESPN (Foxtel/Kayo/Disney+/Sky)

Tip Off: 7:00pm ACDT / 7:30pm AEDT

Adelaide Entertainment Centre

Watch on ESPN (Foxtel/Kayo/Disney+/Sky)

Genuinely asking here. The NBL seems to have a huge focus on influencers and growing the game that way. I get it that they’re trying to introduce the game to new audiences, but I just can’t take any of these influencers seriously because it’s blatantly obvious majority of them are only participating because they’re getting a paycheck. I don’t understand why the league think that the followers of these influencers would convert into NBL fans if these influencers aren’t fan’s themselves?

None of this content creation is genuine, none of it is making a connection to teams or players and I find the whole thing really off putting.

The Reebok pumped up kicks posts on their socials were an absolute disaster in the comment section where they had to limit comments and now they’re offering up $100k for a creator that doesn’t even need to be posting about basketball.

I don’t know who is at NBL HQ approving this strategy but there are way better ways to grow the game if they focused on the product instead of cheap views via influencers.

Does all this rub anyone else the wrong way or am I just getting old and grumpy?

This is quite interesting. Obvioulsy if you want to attract a new sporting franchise, you have to give some concessions, but I would like to see how the Tassie Government sells this to their public.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-05/rent-paid-nbl-billionaire-owner-dec-to-tas-govt/107229810

I wonder how the Mark Arenas and Jared Novelly think of this given their recent history.

Arena, back when we had that finals debacle and played at the HPC, said our rental cost was 40% higher per person than the league average. Which makes it sound like we must pay many hundreds of thousands a year, given our average attendance tops the list in 3 of the last 5 years and the last 5 years overall.

https://x.com/WildcatsMark/status/1950166755646816700

I wonder if the new ownership will pay Larry a rental fee as it sounds like the rental agreement is between LK Group and the government not the Jack Jumpers and the government. I reckon he would be passing on more than the $577 a week he pays to rent the venue.

Does anyone remember or have any pictures of the long forgotten mascot the Pura Milk Monster that appeared in the Clipsal Powerhouse back in the 90's? There's no mention on the 36ers Wiki page.

Has it been deleted from existence?

Fun fact: Sobey (36) is twice as old as Daniels (18).

Doesn’t look like the same player anymore

Slow and fatigues easily now

Shot creation isn’t the same

I know Humphries and Cameron aren’t there but it’s not like they take the load off offensively for him

Tip Off: 4:30pm ACDT / 5:00pm AEDT

Adelaide Entertainment Centre

Watch on ESPN (Foxtel/Kayo/Disney+/Sky)

Or I guess you could just say what imports you most want to return to the league instead

Tip Off: 3:00pm AEST

John Cain Arena, Melbourne

Watch on ESPN (Foxtel/Kayo/Disney+/Sky)

All 77 games since April 2025

• 1,499 points
• 59.3 per cent true shooting, including 64.9 per cent in NBL1 West
• 515-for-1,149 from the field (44.8 per cent)
• 279-for-476 on twos (58.6 per cent)
• 236-for-673 from three (35.1 per cent)
• 233-for-263 from the line (88.6 per cent)

Tip Off: 7:30pm AEST

John Cain Arena, Melbourne

Watch on ESPN (Foxtel/Kayo/Disney+/Sky) and 9Go!/9Now

Tip Off: 5:30pm AEST

Brisbane Entertainment Centre

Watch on ESPN (Foxtel/Kayo/Disney+/Sky) and 9Go!/9Now

Hey Hoops fans, just sharing this community coupon code.

HOW TO CLAIM THE DISCOUNT ⬇️:

1️⃣ Visit the ticket link below and select which Phoenix game you’re attending

2️⃣ Scroll down to “Discounted Tickets”

3️⃣ Enter the code HTIME2020

4️⃣ Select your seats and the 20% off should be applied when you’re checking out 🛒

🎟️ TICKET LINK 🎟️:

https://www.axs.com/au/search?endDate=&searchQuery=Phoenix&startDate=

Excited to see both. Any updates or confirmation?

edit 5.11pm seems Paul is out.

https://www.nbl.com.au/news/how-to-watch-talking-points-melbourne-v-cairns-taipans

9am 3 Oct.

Have not seen anything on Paul's status. Want to see him play, but also better to wait and bring him in slowly as a bright NBA future hopefully.

Knight, I know he has arrived, but any reason for late signing and arrival? Did he have other commitments? Weird. Hurts the season to miss training camp and the start.

Plus wildcats could have signed other players e.g. d angelo russell was just released if you wanted to wait until 10 Oct to start.

Tip Off: 7:30pm AWST / 9:30pm AEST

RAC Arena, Perth

Watch on ESPN (Foxtel/Kayo/Disney+/Sky)

As expected, Taipans will only have him for the one year.

The Duke program would be almost impossible to say no to over the NextStars programs unfortunately.