NBL resumes: 2 must-watch storylines and a live game experience
The NBL is back after a week off for FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
If you thought the NBA was the only basketball league with constant storylines when no games are on, you're wrong.
Since the last round of the NBL finished, the Adelaide 36ers shockingly waived star import and leading scorer Craig Randall II.
Melbourne big man Isaac Humphries also made positive waves after coming out as gay and being the first active professional basketballer to do so.
Why you should attend an NBL game this season
While it's fantastic that you can watch every single NBL game live or on-demand with Kayo, you can't get the same experience or atmosphere on the TV as you can in person.
Thanks to the NBL and Kayo Sports, I had the opportunity to attend the Adelaide 36ers vs Perth Wildcats game at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre back in round 6.
On the night, the 36ers broke an attendance record for their largest-ever home crowd with 9,071 people.
You also don't always get an appreciation on TV of just how good these players are either.
Watching in person, you really appreciate their athleticism and shooting ability.
Those who play basketball for fun socially usually know how wide open you have to be to make a shot.
For NBL players, that's a different story. Brady Manek and Robert Franks in particular hit some ridiculous jump shots with hands right in their faces.
While courtside seats don't come cheap, the beauty of the NBL is they don't play in monstrous arenas so there isn't a bad seat in the house.
Ticket prices vary by team but come from as cheap as $20.
You can find the NBL schedule and broadcast guide here.
Which imports made the biggest impact?
As we touched on at the start, the 36ers cut Randall II who was the league's fourth-leading scorer. Given Randall's performance, fans were first shocked by the news. It has since come out that there was friction between coaches and other players on the team with Randall.
Randall II wasn't the only import who has been moved on.
Adelaide is still searching for who to pair with their 2 remaining star imports Antonius Cleveland and Robert Franks.
Melbourne United have also shown Jordan Caroline the door. That shouldn't come as much of a surprise with United coach Dean Vickerman regularly putting the spotlight on Caroline's underwhelming performances.
ESPN's Olgun Uluc was the first to report that American big man Marcus Lee is on his way to Melbourne as a replacement.
The Brisbane Bullets released Devondrick Walker. They are yet to replace Walker, but will no doubt have a new import on the way soon to help Aron Baynes and Tyler Johnson.
Over in the west, Perth Wildcat's Brady Manek made a statement in his final game before the break. Manek and the Wildcats will be hoping his game-high 25 points can become a more consistent feature.
Can anyone beat the Sydney Kings' contender status?
The Kings might not be undefeated this season, having lost games to both Adelaide and Cairns Taipans. However, the defending champs still look like the team to go through.
Xavier Cooks missed the FIBA World Cup qualifiers with an ankle injury, but outside of that, the Kings are flying.
The second and third teams on the ladder are New Zealand and Cairns respectively who look like they can contend. However, they don't have the same credentials that Sydney has over the last few seasons.
As mentioned above, some teams are shaking up their rosters with their import slots.
With new players, teams can evolve and start to elevate themselves.
Teams like Melbourne United have the history as proof they should improve while teams like Perth may finally be clicking into gear.
Want to see more NBL? See what NBL teams you're able to watch the most on free-to-air TV. Otherwise, see how to stream the NBA in Australia.
Image source: Kayo Sports website
