NBL & WNBL Week #1

The season is fast approaching us and both leagues have had some major and significant player and coaching changes. Its going to take a few games to see their new game plans and how well the new imports are going to play. 

The biggest off-season signing in the NBL was Casey Prather leaving Perth and then signing Melbourne. Melbourne's talent on the court is by far the best in the league but can it gel quick enough? They have Goulding, Ware and now Prather and they aren't short on big men either. If this team can gel and play as a team, they should win the league barring any injuries to their key players. In the WNBL, Liz Cambage makes a return which is a huge signing for Melbourne Boomers. Both Melbourne teams across both leagues looking very good. Unfortunately, after their amazing season last year, I do believe Perth Lynx will fall apart. Sami Whitcomb was a great player last season for them but her reason stint in the WNBA has been a bad one, not getting much court time with the Seattle Storm and her confidence level maybe down after a poor season for Seattle. Time will tell. Will post some team rosters shortly and some predictions when I get a chance to but I do see some lines for Week #1 already in the NBL so might grab a few early lines for anything I like.

BOL everyone 

This league is a very home team heavy league and with the way the 36ers ended their season last year in front of their home fans, I expect a big game from them. Yes they are missing Randle, he didn't resign with them but I am liking the looks or Ramone Moore and Ronald Roberts. Roberts has been superb in pre-season so far and the Melbourne have put together a super team so to speak for this season with Prather (formerly from Perth), Casper Ware and Chris Goulding. Joey Wright would be crazy to play his same run and gun game with these 3 on the opposite side of the court and seeing that 36ers have bought some big men, I expect them to have a different game plan this season and if that game plan is to pound the paint, then they will win this game as I do believe Melbourne are lacking inside presence. It might take a few games for Melbourne to gel with their new look line up and new coach and they also fly out after this game to travel to OKC to play OKC in a pre-season friendly (which isn't pre-season for Melbourne) and then they come back to OZ to play Adelaide again in Adelaide for week 2 so its a pretty insane schedule. Nonetheless, give me the 36ers, at home with a team that have kept a big portion of their roster from last season and the same coach. 

Very excited and can't for the new season to kick off tomorrow night now that footy season is over. 

Expect Melb United to put up a shitload of points with the amount of firepower they have on the floor. Dean Vickerman is a championship winning coach and is a serious upgrade to Dean 

'the hopeless" Demopoulous. Prather is a coup and once again I find myself shaking my head & asking how the hell Melb management can fit all that talent under the salary cap.  

I just saw the news on Roberts, 36ers have released him from his contract due to a knee injury apparently. Not sure if thats just a cover up because rumours are that he didn't get along with the team much. 

Melbourne definitely should put up a lot of points this season overall seeing they have the best team on paper. If they don't, then a massive failure for them and Vickerman. I don't see how they fit under the cap either mate. The books are loving the Kings this season like they always do but i still disagree, I think they won't be up in the top 4 for much of the season. I do however expect Brisbane to be better this season with a few good signing and respected coach.

Good luck this season and lets enjoy it buddy 

Shinvash, its been a long off-season mate.. Plenty of trades and new players in the league so will tread lightly for the first few weeks. Good to see you again mate 

Missed this mate, if I don't post a play on the game then I have no say on the game. That was a toss up game IMHO because both teams have had significant roster changes so stayed away.

Not too sure on Jarry just yet, coming back from a knee injury. She might be on limited minutes. Will let you know if I see or hear anything. 

Oohh my bad... Yeah I think he is. He is expected to suit up tonight. 

These 2 teams played 3 times last year and all 3 games went over this total. We had scores of 181, 151 and 161. Now the Flames have had to go through some changes after winning last season, they lost their PG (Leilani Mitchell) who plays in Turkey now and they have also lost Tupaea due to injury but they have brought back Ebzery who knows this system very well as she has played the Flames for over 6 seasons. They have brought back the majority of their team including Snell and a few WNBA players a well who didn't get much WNBA time so they would be looking forward to some court action. The Lightning on the other side have improved a lot since last season and I expect them to win several more games this season. Abby Bishop who was a former MVP of this league is now on their team but might be on limited mins due to coming back from injury. Either way, I dont see how these 2 teams do not go over the total given. Playing the over on a Friday night opening game in Adelaide. 

That would be the NBL game mate, this is the WNBL game tonight. Sydney Kings are playing Adelaide tomorrow night in the Men's league. 

Also unsure about the other WNBL game tonight so will just play the one game. Its opening week so will take it easy to begin with.

Yeah I haven't been too impressed though Kriscar with the NZ line-up. Webster is a big loss for them. They might find it tough against the Taipans defense but the Taipans are a bad road team so I can't back them either especially after playing 2 nights ago

The WNBL Champs from last year getting 2 buckets on the road after being -5.5 favs in Adelaide? I do not see a massive 10 point spread shift between the talent of Sydney, Perth and Adelaide. That line that Sydney were laying was based on last season's Adelaide team which has been highly upgraded and now I feel as though the Lynx's team has been downgraded from last season. The Lynx have brought in Courtney Williams who was great in the WNBA season but she only landed from the States this week so quick turn around for her. They have lost Mijovic who was great last season for them. Their bench maybe their weakness..

Nice way to start the season

Early lines are up for week two for the nbl