AUS - Millions to enjoy NBL semi finals

AUSTRALIA (NBL) - With the Melbourne Tigers and Brisbane Bullets already qualified for the final four, the dream semi-final line up for the National Basketball League (NBL) would see them face the Perth Wildcats and Sydney Kings.

With extended coverage of the finals broadcast around Australia on free to air and pay television, the involvement of teams from Australia’s four biggest cities would have been a ratings bonanza.

On Friday night the Sydney Kings certainly did their part, defeating the Townsville Crocs, 122-89, in the most emphatic fashion. Most pundits expected this game to be one of the closest of the entire playoff series, but the Kings played with the defensive intensity Brian Goorjian coached teams have been known for, and the Crocs had no answer.

Goorjian would no doubt be delighted to finally see his team, which has been a model of inconsistency this season, finally demonstrate the traits that have made his teams successful for almost two decades.

Townsville pair John Rillie and Brad Newley, both with international experience, have been deadly all year off the down screen, but Sydney’s guards continually fought over picks, forcing the dangerous duo to operate from well outside the three point line.

The result was 7 points on 3/9 shooting for Rillie, and 14 points on 36% for Newley. They had little support from their teammates, with only guard Kelvin Robertson surpassing 20 points, and 15 of those came in the last quarter when the contest was decided.

The Kings led by 9 at quarter time and 27 at half time before running out 33 point victors. The home team’s stingy defence was complemented by some outstanding perimeter shooting (57%), with Mark Worthington devastating, shooting 80% from deep on his way to 28 points.

The only concern for the Kings was that, while finals tickets were in demand elsewhere, only 3,534 fans turned up to the ‘Kingdome’. It will be hard for Sydney to claim the championship without a significant home court advantage.

The win means that Goorjian-coached teams have made the playoffs in each of the last eighteen seasons – a remarkable achievement. The Kings have won their last two games by a total of 59 points, but they will need to continue that form if they are to seriously challenge the Brisbane Bullets, who are on a league record eighteen game winning streak, in the semi-finals.

Saturday night saw Perth host Cairns in the last elimination final of the playoffs. The Wildcats have been one of the top three teams all season, having beaten Brisbane twice, but entered the post-season having lost three of their last four games.

Also of concern for the Wildcats was the strength of the Cairns frontcourt, an area the Wildcats had dominated opponents all season. And the game turned out to be the physical affair expected of the two tall, strong teams. The first period saw only 36 points scored, and only one point separated the teams at three quarter time.

Perth has been the last quarter specialists this season, and, with a raucous home crowd behind them, were expected to advance to the semi finals. But it was Cairns that executed brilliantly down the stretch, with mid-season addition Damon Thornton (12 rebounds, 5 rebounds) having one of his best games for the team. Reserve big man Matt Smith also played well above himself, collecting 6 rebounds and a brace of loose balls.

Martin Cattalini (12 points), who had a quiet night thanks largely to dual Olympian Tony Ronaldson, who shadowed the Cat and negated his strong post up game, came up with an incredible driving ‘flip’ shot over FIBA World Championship veteran Paul Rogers that finally put daylight between the two teams.

Rogers, the 2000 NBL MVP, had been a dominating force all game, accumulating 18 points and 14 rebounds, but missed two crucial lay ups down the stretch to maintain the Taipans lead. After his second miss, Gary Boodnikoff (15 points) nailed a clutch three pointer and Cairns led 79-75.

From there the usually calm Wildcats panicked, rushing contested three point shots and missing the open ones they concocted. With the Taipans, particularly the 205cm Thornton, ice cold from the foul line, Cairns caused a major upset, 82-78, to ruin the NBL’s dream semi final line up.

Regardless of Perth’s absence millions of fans will still see four skilful and desperate teams. With games being televised in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, China and the Philippines, the health of Australian basketball and the NBL cannot be questioned.

It is the second successive year that Cairns have won two elimination finals to advance to the semis. After a heartbreaking loss to Sydney in the final four last season, the Taipans will be primed for their match up with Melbourne, who have yet to reach top gear this season.

Aaron Grabau has been amazing on the defensive end for Cairns this season, and must be in consideration for the FIBA Oceania qualifying series. His backcourt partner, former Denver Nugget Darnell Mee, has been one of the competitions best defenders for many years. Their performances against league legend Darryl Macdonald and Canadian Olympian Dave Thomas will have a large impact on the series.

While they can be stopped, Tigers superstar centre Chris Anstey is another story, and with his presence I believe Melbourne will advance in a tight three game series, while Brisbane will sweep a determined Sydney outfit. Fans will then see two teams many believe are of Euroleague standard, featuring ten players with experience in FIBA international competitions, battle it out in the highest quality grand final the NBL has seen.

Am I right? Stay tuned to fiba.com to find out.

Paul Kennedy
FIBA Official Correspondent in Australia