BALANCE IS STRIKING

Q You have played in over a dozen countries around the world in your playing days. What stands out about the NBL now in 2017 and what is different that we do here in Australia in comparison to other leagues? A The league is in a position right now where the teams one through eight on the ladder – it is dead even. You can lose to the lastplace team on every night. You cannot say that about some leagues I have played in before. Look at what the Bullets did the other day. Brisbane win in Cairns and Perth last week and before that they were second last on the ladder. That is almost unheard of, winning in two of the toughest venues in the league backto-back like that. There is no league that is that close. I tip my hat to the level of the competition in Australia. Another thing, the point guards on every team are tough. Any given night, you can get your ass busted if you are an import point guard, straight up. That is the same with the small forwards. Forget about having a quiet night at the office if you play the three spot – you need to bring your game every night. It is very rare that teams are that balanced talent-wise team by team from the top of the table to the bottom. I usually look at it all from an import’s point of view and the big thing for me is that you are getting paid on time. That is a luxury, knowing you have direct deposit, that the money will be there the day before you get paid. I have been in leagues where you get paid triple what you get paid in Australia but teams do not even have a practice uniform. It is a testament to the league and how well this league is run. Then you have amazing weather.