Choosing names for the NBL’s newest franchises

It was announced this week that the NBL commission are in the final stages of approving two new teams for the league’s 2012-13 season. It’s hoped that by the end of January a new team from Melbourne and a team returning to the Brisbane market will be approved.

Despite in-depth financial and marketing planning already being done, it’s known that the Melbourne team is yet to choose a name. So lets get to the all important naming process, and while we’re at it let’s consider the Brisbane team as well.

Brisbane:

Considering the rich history associated with the Brisbane Bullets, it’s a sure thing that the returning team will take up the old name. As much fun as it would be to think of some new creative idea, I just don’t think it’s going to happen. Though I could see the Brisbane Blackhawks, Barons, Bats or Bluebottles.

Verdict: Brisbane Bullets

Melbourne:

Unlike the Bullets, the new Melbourne team has no history to speak of, save for its many failed predecessors (Not associated with the new bid).

For the first time, the secondary Melbourne team will play out of an arena other than Hisense Arena, instead at the new State Basketball Centre in Wantirna South (South Eastern Suburb, 25kms from CBD).

Set in what is undeniably Australia’s basketball homeland, the team is not likely to be short of supporters, even if the arena can’t fit more than 3,200 spectators (a good 2,000 less than should be the minimum.

In the past, Melbourne teams have sported ‘South Melbourne’ (Dragons), ‘North Melbourne’ (Giants), ‘South East Melbourne’ (Magic) and ‘Victoria’ (Titans/Giants) as their titles.

Considering the new backers, I think it unlikely that they’ll take an old name, making a straight up ‘Melbourne’ team my preferred choice for naming.  Other options could include ‘Wantirna South’ and ‘Knox’ (Suburb names) or possibly a return to ‘South East Melbourne’ or just ‘East Melbourne’.  Despite all the other choices available, a simple Melbourne title does two things.

• Opens the entire Melbourne area for a fan base, even allowing them to stake claim to the occasional marquee game played at Hisense Arena.
• It asserts their equality with the Melbourne Tigers. Anything other than a ‘Melbourne’ title would show that they are fearful of the Tigers’ brand.

With the nickname in mind, there’s no doubt that a new name is 100% necessary, to move away from the failed past’s of former franchises.

If the team adopts the ‘Melbourne’ title, options could include the Melbourne Marlins or, riding off the success of the Dallas NBA team, there would always be a market for the Melbourne Mavericks. No matter how many times I look at alternate names, I’m certain that, should the team be a ‘Melbourne’, ‘East Melbourne’ or ‘South East Melbourne’ team, then the nicknames must be ‘Mavericks’.

If however, the team opts for a suburban title (Wantirna or Knox), then the most obvious choices are the Wasps and the Knights respectively.

Verdict: Melbourne Mavericks

No matter where they’re based out of, or who’s playing for them, the return of a Brisbane franchise and a cross town competitor in Melbourne can only be good news for fans in two of Australia most basketball crazy areas. Let’s hope that the league approves the bids and we can all look forward to the Melbourne Mavericks facing off against the Brisbane Bullets in season 2012-13.

Mills leaves NBL and Tigers, heads for China

Australian Boomers point guard Patty Mills has announced that he will be terminating his contract with the Melbourne Tigers of the Australian NBL, and instead taking a lucrative offer in China. Despite leading the league in points per game (18.6) in nine appearances for the Tigers, the lure of a pay increase was too much to refuse.

Mills said via Twitter,

“Hey everyone! Just wanted to let you all know that I got an unbelievable opportunity to play in China”

He went on to thank those involved in his Tigers experience,

“Just want to thank all the basketball fans in Australia for their support while I’ve been here. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity!”

“I want to thank everyone involved with the Tigers including my teammates, the ownership & all you fans for making this an awesome experience “I certainly look forward to supporting the team from China over the coming months. Keep the hard work up!”

The news comes on the back of recent developments with the NBA lockout, after the players union disbanded last week, and hope of a 2011-12 season slowly fades.

Without out an opportunity to resign with the Portland Trailblazers this season (in the range of $600k AUD), the 23 year old St Mary’s graduate went in search of a similar contract elsewhere.

As with all Chinese Basketball Association contracts, the deal will be in place for the entire season, regardless of the outcome of the NBA lockout, meaning Mills wont have a chance to re-sign in the U.S. until free agency in July next year.

Meanwhile the Melbourne Tigers will be in search for a replacement player, with considerable salary cap and Player Points room now available.

NBA cancels first two weeks

It was announced Tuesday that NBA Commissioner David Stern has officially cancelled the first 2 weeks of the 2011-12 NBA regular season. The cancellation is a result of continued difficulties in negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement between the 30 owners and the NBA players association.

A total of 100 games have been cancelled. For each team, that means around to 6 games each, with some, like the Miami Heat, missing as many 8 key match-ups.

Sources close to the situation say there are still major differences between the two negotiating parties, so much so, that there is little optimism that even more games won’t be missed.

Among the major disagreements is the possible introduction of a ‘hard’ salary cap system, as opposed to the current ‘soft’ cap (which teams can exceed with the use of certain exceptions.)

The payers association are aggressively opposed to a new cap system, saying that it will see the end of guaranteed contracts for the majority of players.

Additionally discussed are the length of contracts, rookie salaries, annual raises and most of all, the total guaranteed split of Basketball Related Income (B.R.I). Under the last deal players would receive a total 57% annual share. The owners have pushed for a figure as low as 45% but have recently informally proposed a 50-50 split of B.R.I. The players have dropped to a 53% offer but have said that that figure will not go any lower.

Despite losing games, the majority of players will not lose any pay as a result of cancellations. The majority of layers only get their first pay check on November 15, a single day after the revised season opener. The hardest hit will be the operators and workers at arenas around the U.S., who will miss pay for games that aren’t payed.

It is the first time since 1998-99 that regular season games have been missed due to collective bargaining.

Commissioner Stern has publically stated that if no deal is signed by January 7 that the entire season, including post-season games, will be called off.

For more information on the details of the bargaining, refer to my earlier breakdown and analysis.