Aussies take on NBA stars

FORMER NBA star Andrew Bogut says the concept of five Australian NBL teams taking on the might of the NBA would have been laughed out of America just a few years ago, but now a win is also achievable.

An opening marquee clash between NBL champion Melbourne United and Ben Simmons’s Philadelphia 76ers highlights seven games announced yesterday between NBL teams and NBA sides over a week starting September 28.

In the second year of the innovation, it’s the most games NBA clubs will have played against teams from an international league in a single pre-season.

“The NBL is starting to get a name globally,” said Bogut, the Sydney Kings’ superstar signing, who faces a match up with old foes at the LA Clippers in Honolulu. “To even have these conversations with NBA teams probably wouldn’t have happened four or five years ago.

“To be honest they would have laughed when people called to try and arrange these games so the fact they’ve got this done two years in a row and to this capacity is great so hopefully we can keep pushing this momentum.”

The expansion of games follows the success last year, when Melbourne United excelled against Oklahoma City, falling agonisingly with a one-point loss.

The Sydney Kings also played Utah Jazz last year and Bogut looked forward to resuming his somewhat fiery relationship with the LA Clippers, which developed when he was with Golden State Warriors.

The other matches are on the US mainland and will also feature the Adelaide 36ers, New Zealand Breakers and Perth Wildcats.

United opens the series against Philadelphia on September 28 at the Wells Fargo Centre.