Subs in strong spot to surface
SPORTING a favourite player’s number can now be more than a declaration of faith, thanks to smart jerseys unveiled this weekend by Nike as part of its new partnership with the NBA.
A tap of a smartphone to a label on the jersey allows the wearer a real- time look at Kevin Durant’s statistics, Blake Griffin’s post- match press conference or even the music playlist an NBA star uses to get motivated before a game.
The hi- tech kit was unveiled on Friday in a show featuring rapper Travis Scott, Golden State Warriors superstar Durant and Los Angeles Clippers standout Griffin.
Frank Ntilikina, the French sensation poised to launch his first NBA campaign with the New York Knicks, was also on hand to tout the technology that will be available worldwide on September 29.
Stefan Olander, Nike vice president in charge of digital innovation, says the jerseys, embedded with a NFC ( near field communication) chip will bring customers closer to the game than ever.
“We have access to content that cannot be found elsewhere and we bring this unique added value to our customers with this jersey,” Olander said.
Nike becomes the official supplier to the NBA and its 30 teams in the 2017- 18 season, which starts on October 20, replacing Adidas.
Signed in June 2015, experts put the contract’s value in the region of $ 1 billion. SUBURBAN Parks believe they are on the way towards making amends for last weekend’s disappointing Townsville cricket season start after notching up 189 runs against Wanderers.
Daniel Gartrell ( 78) and Trent Walsh ( 33) formed a crucial 92- run partnership to guide Subs towards their strong position, which got stronger after Subs took the wicket of Wanderers opener Philip Angel on the day’s last ball to have them at 1- 6 after eight overs.
Subs got their premiership defence off to rocky beginnings after suffering an outright defeat against Norths in Round 1, with Subs unable to pass the 130- run mark in both of their innings.
“It was a bit of a rocket up the backside,” Subs captain Mark Taviani said.
“It was frustrating to start our season off like we did, considering how well we finished last season
“But we were a lot better this time and we’re definitely happy with our application.
“It was a thick outfield, which is obviously not really the case anywhere in Townsville at the moment, so to get that score was pretty good.”
Subs retained the bulk of last season’s premiershipwinning squad, with only Colby Ward and Stephen Taylor missing from their 2017- 18 side.
Taylor could be back later in the year, but Taviani said he had full faith in his squad to remain in the premiership mix.
Wanderers will still be confident of being in the hunt following their Round 1 win over grand finalists Saints, although Taviani is backing his bowlers.
“We’ve got the side to defend that total,” he said.
Wests have put themselves in prime position after making 7- 269 after batting out the full 80 overs at JCU Oval.
Saints bowlers Chris Thiele ( 2- 27), Clay Pierce ( 2- 57) and Matt Burton ( 2- 63) did their best to keep the pressure on Wests, who scored a comprehensive first- innings win against Brothers in Round 1.
Norths have given themselves every chance of continuing their winning start to the season after posting a 181run target against Brothers at John McCulloch Oval.
Coen Harker ( 63), Ty Snow ( 47) and Zac Myles ( 31) stood tall for Norths, and Brothers will start their chase this weekend at 2- 40.