LET’S BACK BLITZ
Tassie NBL team hopes depend on it, says star
TASMANIAN basketball star Adam Gibson has seen firsthand the importance of the local community supporting the NBL Blitz and is urging his home state to follow suit next month.
The 2012 Olympian was part of Brisbane’s roster when the team was reinstated in the league four years ago, with the pre-season competition held in the city leading into the 2016-17 season.
It led to a wave of momentum for the reborn Bullets and Gibson has no doubt if Tasmanians vote with their feet when the nine clubs hit town for the September 19-22 event it will only further enhance the state’s push for the 10th NBL licence.
League owner Larry Kestelman — who is in discussions with both the Glenorchy City Council to purchase the Derwent Entertainment Centre and Wilkinsons Point, as well as the State Government for ongoing support — is almost certain to use fan support of the Blitz as an indicator for a desire for a fully fledged team based in the state. The government has forked out $300,000 to bring the tournament to town, and Gibson said basketball fans must now embrace it.
“This is by far the closest Tassie has been since they left back in the day, I would be quietly confident there is a chance a team will be down there,” Gibson told the Mercury.
“Obviously a lot depends on the Blitz and hopefully all Tasmanians, basketball fans and just general fans can come and watch and get behind it.
“Because if there is a good showing at the Blitz it is only going to help Larry push this thing forward.
“Anyone who knows Larry knows he’s not doing anything just for the sake of doing it, he’s got a plan and a process to go about it and the Blitz is the next step.
“With Brisbane coming back in three years ago we had the Blitz in Brisbane for a couple of years to see how it all panned out and the crowds and what not. It is awesome for Tassie with the NBL wanting to take the Blitz there, it is only positive signs for a potential team moving forward.
“I am super excited, I can’t remember the last time I played a game in Tassie so just the chance to come back and play a couple of games for the weekend and do all that stuff will be a lot of fun.”
The 32-year-old veteran, who has been a part of two different franchises during their respective inaugural seasons, joined another newcomer in South East Melbourne on a two-year deal ahead of the 2019-20 campaign.
He sits second on the most NBL games (414) played by a Tasmanian, only behind Southern Huskies coach Anthony Stewart (489).
Tickets for the Blitz start, which start from just $5 for children, $7.50 for adults and $20 for families, are on sale.