Hoops Heaven‘s Basketball Hustle

On Hoops Heaven Basketball Hustle from TABtouch, NBL players mic'd up, unfortunate banner ceremony, Illawarra Hawks standing out, Sydney Kings need bench production, dissecting the winless South East Melbourne Phoenix Brisbane Bullets, Adelaide 36ers.

We open up this week's episode with co-hosts Chris Pike and Cody Ellis paying tribute to Dikembe Mutombo before discussing players wearing microphones during NBL games, and who it might and might not be best suited to after Cam Oliver's blow up.

We then look at another heavyweight Tasmania JackJumpers-Melbourne United and why it's a good thing they don't play again for some time, why the banner ceremony never should have happened that way and how good Will Magnay was in the Tasmania win.

Cody Ellis says the Illawarra Hawks are the standout team two rounds in by a long way while their rivals, the Sydney Kings, look brilliant with Jaylen Adams on the floor and not so much when they go to Izayah Le'afa and Shaun Bruce which he expects to soon sort itself out.

It's then time to get stuck into talking about the three winless teams after two rounds with the South East Melbourne Phoenix, Adelaide 36ers and Brisbane Bullets desperate for a win.

While Cody knows the Phoenix can't afford to go 0-4, he sees enough to suggest they can sort it out while Adelaide just need to figure things out defensively and how to get Isaac Humphries involved while he's feeling for the Bullets who need more from James Batemon and Casey Prather.

Talk then turns to the Perth Wildcats and an out of character off night for Keanu Pinder but Elijah Pepper announcing himself to the NBL while the Cairns Taipans showed what a massive different a point guard can make in a huge home win for the Snakes.

We get votes in the Player of the Year from Simon Mitchell and Best Defensive Player from Damian Martin while look at the New Zealand Breakers and their NBLxNBA tour, full Round 3 NBL preview and get to the bottom of Craig Sword's nickname of Chicken.

All made possible thanks to the support of Hoops Heaven (www.hoopsheaven.com.au) and TABtouch (www.tabtouch.com.au).

HoopsFest is done and Cody Ellis on Hoops Heaven #BasketballHustle from TABtouch talks exciting Montrezl Harrell debut, crazy plus-minus Sydney Kings-Adelaide 36ers numbers, Perth Wildcats impress, NZ Breakers unreal, Brisbane Bullets couldn’t be worse and #NBL25 Round 2 preview.

Cody Ellis and Chris Pike are back after HoopsFest took place in Perth to open the NBL season and we look at what a great concept it is and why for the most part it was a great success, and is something that has to continue but maybe with a break from the Blitz to Round 1.

We then get stuck into the games from Round 1 including a cracking Sydney Kings-Adelaide 36ers match up where Montrezl Harrell shined for the Sixers even with being told by an over officious referee to not interact with the crowd.

There were some remarkable plus-minus numbers in that Sydney-Adelaide game too while the Perth Wildcats with Bryce Cotton and Keanu Pinder leading the way made a more than encouraging start to NBL25.

We discuss the gruelling schedule for the Tasmania JackJumpers coming into the season and also how tough of a start it is for the Cairns Taipans without the injured Taran Armstrong and Kyle Adnam, and suspended Jackson Makoi.

The Illawarra Hawks made a strong start led by big men Lachie Olbrich, Sam Froling and Darius Days along with the defence of Wani Swaka Lo Buluk.

The surprise of Round 1 was how good the New Zealand Breakers looked and how poor the Brisbane Bullets were, or pathetic in the words of coach Justin Schueller at least in the opening 34 minutes.

We then have a full preview of Round 2 including a Thursday night Throwdown between Melbourne United and the South East Melbourne Phoenix, the Perth Wildcats hosting the Sydney Kings, and then the Kings backing up on Sunday against the Hawks with a big Sydney crowd expected.

All made possible thanks to the support of Hoops Heaven (www.hoopsheaven.com.au) and TABtouch (www.tabtouch.com.au).

Cody Ellis and Chris Pike return for Hoops Heaven's Basketball Hustle thanks to TABtouch to talk off-season of NBL1, Paris 2024 and #NBL25 moves before turning attention to a full preview with predictions days out from new NBL season at HoopsFest in Perth.

First episode ahead of 2024/25 NBL season gets underway as Cody reflects on his 2024 NBL1 West season with the Warwick Senators before we take a look at how the Boomers and Opals went at the Paris Olympic Games.

It's then time to look on all the NBL off-season happens and we give our thoughts on the shock coaching move from the Adelaide 36ers to do something that would only happen at the Sixers before we also looking at Freddie Gillespie getting suspended for Round 1 at the NZ Breakers.

We then look at the big player moves highlighted by the departures of Jack McVeigh, Mitch Creek and Gary Clark, but there are some big name returns with Deng Adel, Jack White, Derrick Walton Jr, Xavier Cooks and Cam Oliver, and Cody is especially excited with Montrezl Harrell coming to Adelaide.

With the NBL Blitz on the Gold Coast completed and HoopsFest about to begin in Perth, we then take a team by team breakdown leading into NBL25 and give our thoughts on the moves made by everyone coming into the new season.

Cody then puts his neck on the line to give his predictions for the season ahead, we preview Round 1 with all five matches in Perth and pay tribute to the recently retired Cam Gliddon.

All made possible thanks to the support of Hoops Heaven (www.hoopsheaven.com.au) and TABtouch (www.tabtouch.com.au).

#NBL24 is done and we break it all down on Hoops Heaven's Basketball Hustle and how Tasmania JackJumpers conquered Melbourne United to make NBL history while we look at moves towards #NBL25 already and NBL1 action is underway with Cody Ellis back out there.

We give complete rundown of #NBL24 Championship Series and talk Tasmania JackJumpers as best Australian sport expansion club, greatest NBL series ever, Jack McVeigh's best ever shot and why Scott Roth could be best ever one-time championship winning coach.

We look at missed Melbourne United opportunity and where they fell short, Cody Ellis gives insight into inbounding the ball late in games and then we talk Nathan Sobey, Bul Kuol on the move, and talk Warwick Senators in NBL1 West and Mat Wundenberg's 500th game for Geraldton Buccaneers.

For all the ways to listen click here: https://linktr.ee/basketballhustle

We begin our discussion on the NBL Championship Series and why it would have been great for it to go to seven games, how huge the JackJumpers win is for Tasmania and how their even keel approached helped overcome a Melbourne United who increasingly lost their focus and cool.

Inbounding the ball late in games became a massive factor right throughout the playoffs and on the last possession of each of the final three games with Cody Ellis giving his unique insight having been in that situation and why trying to take the obvious option is often best.

We also looked at how the Tasmania JackJumpers could be the best new sporting franchise ever in Australia, why it could well be the best ever NBL Championship Series, Jack McVeigh's shot in Game 3 will go down as the best ever and Scott Roth could be the league's best ever one-time championship winning coach.

Sean Macdonald was another from the JackJumpers to play a massive role in their triumph made all the remarkable that he's a development player but showed how elite he already is at both ends of the floor.

Cody Ellis talks about how he wasn’t surprised that in the end it was the Tasmania JackJumpers who executed better when it mattered most as they kept trusting their process as we broke down the numbers of how precious little really did separate the two teams all series.

Jack McVeigh proved what an elite player he is and really there was no other option for Grand Final MVP with his performances right across five games and the variety of ways he proved he could score, and outplayed NBA draftee Luke Travers.

Jordon Crawford might have been down coming into the Championship Series but kept on getting better and his 27 points in the first half of Game 5 just illustrated his ability to hit big, tough shots when they matter most for his team.

We then reflect on how Melbourne United will look back on what has to be a great missed opportunity for them, but what it shows is that no matter how dominant you can be championships are tough to win. Matthew Dellavedova became their most ball dominant player and maybe that didn’t help them capitalise on the pieces they had.

Wrapping up the NBL24 season and Cody Ellis discusses why it was one of the best and most competitive NBL seasons he can remember and why the Next Star program is going to only help the league go from strength to strength on a global stage.

We look at some early player movements in the NBL prior to free agency with Nathan Sobey and Bul Kuol departing Brisbane Bullets and Cairns Taipans respectively and looking like joining South East Melbourne Phoenix and Sydney Kings.

We wrap up the show with a look at the start of the NBL1 West season with Cody Ellis back at the Warwick Senators with a spectacular start alongside Michael Harris and Todd Withers up against Sunday Dech's East Perth Eagles. We also pay tribute to Mat Wundenberg ahead of 500th game with Geraldton Buccaneers.

All made possible thanks to the support of Hoops Heaven (www.hoopsheaven.com.au) and TABtouch (www.tabtouch.com.au).

Where else but Tasmania JackJumpers' remarkable #NBL24 Championship Series Game 3 win to start on Hoops Heaven Basketball Hustle with Simon Mitchell labelling Jack McVeigh shot the greatest, most important great shot and what could be the best moment in NBL history.

We also get the best breakdown you'll find of what we've seen between Melbourne United and Tasmania JackJumpers in the first three games of NBL Championship Series with Jack McVeigh, Will Magnay, Jordon Crawford, Jo Lual-Acuil, Shea Ili and Matthew Dellavedova all dissected.

From there, we have TABtouch Preview of Game 4 of NBL24 Championship Series while we named The Galen Best Team Man thanks to Sports Card World and draw a winner along with Simon Mitchell's thoughts on plenty more in NBL and WNBL.

For all the ways to listen click here: https://linktr.ee/basketballhustle

Our Championship Series discussion begins with that amazing finish to Game 3 where the small ball line-up helped throw off Matthew Dellavedova's inbounds pass from Melbourne United setting off a dramatic chain of events.

Simon Mitchell breaks it down and gives credit to Tasmania taking away Melbourne's action, Milton Doyle for saving the ball and then for Jack McVeigh making that shot in what he is calling the greatest shot in NBL history, the most important great shot and what could be the greatest NBL moment.

There's already been some movement from the eliminated NBL teams and Simon Mitchell gives his thoughts on Brian Goorjian and Xavier Cooks being back at Sydney Kings, Alan Williams leaving South East Melbourne Phoenix and Sam Mennenga going home to the New Zealand Breakers.

We wrap up the first segment with a look back on the WNBL Grand Final series where Simon Mitchell paid tribute to the efforts of the Southside Flyers but also looked at why it will be so hard to stomach for the Perth Lynx.

It was then time to dissect the first three games of the Championship Series where Melbourne United was right on top after the first six quarters and three minutes, but then Simon Mitchell saw Jack McVeigh stand up to turn the tide in that Game 2.

From there, Simon gives great credit to a phenomenal coaching performance from Scott Roth for the JackJumpers to now be leading two games to one and he has seen a tendency for United to be losing focus and worrying about the wrong things.

JackJumpers coach Scott Roth had a big win by going with a small ball line-up with Majok Deng in the five spot in the fourth quarter of Game 3 and Simon Mitchell saw some confusion as a result from Melbourne United.

Simon has noticed that Melbourne has been aggressive in their intent to isolate Jack McVeigh on defence, but he's been impressed with how the Tasmania star has held up to that so far.

Simon Mitchell feels that United coach Dean Vickerman would reassessing the choices he made to follow with a small ball line-up in Game 3 and getting Jo Lual-Acuil's head right will be crucial to their hopes of forcing a Game 5.

Simon offers his thoughts on the Melbourne United backcourt so far and for as good as Shea Ili and Matthew Dellavedova have been, he wouldn’t mind seeing them move the ball more and ensure their teammates are staying as involved as possible.

We then talk about Jordon Crawford's contributions and why Simon Mitchell couldn't be more impressed with the attitude he's maintained even when not on the floor and staying ready to come out and contribute valuably.

Finishing up the dissection of the NBL Championship Series so far is discussing Tasmania centre Will Magnay who while he might be flopping and flailing, Simon Mitchell has actually been impressed with what he's provided and expects him to be a big factor in Game 4.

The last segment gets underway with the announcement of the winner of The Galen Best #NBL24 Team Man as voted on by our listeners and it goes to Hyrum Harris of the Perth Wildcats with the draw done to see who wins thanks to Sports Card World.

It's then time for the TABtouch Preview of Game 4 of the NBL Championship Series where Simon Mitchell does expect the Tasmania JackJumpers to complete their fairytale story and win the title in what is a Disney movie just waiting to happen.

Simon then finishes off by giving some love to Fabijan Krslovic from the Tasmania JackJumpers for the crucial role in limited minutes he's playing in this series and why he's the exact unsung hero who can win you a championship.

All made possible thanks to the support of Hoops Heaven (www.hoopsheaven.com.au) and TABtouch (www.tabtouch.com.au).

Plenty to cover on Hoops Heaven's Basketball Hustle and we look back on how good Melbourne United were to open #NBL24 Championship Series, how Tasmania JackJumpers struggled and the dominance of Southside Flyers in WNBL Grand Final Game 3 against Perth Lynx.

Also big news on NBL1 front with Cody Ellis back with the Warwick Senators for NBL1 West season while he also gives his thoughts on Lauren Jackson further cementing GOAT status, how Perth Lynx can cope with another devastating ending and why WNBL needs help.

We also breakdown Xavier Cooks back at Sydney Kings, Kristian Doolittle re-signing at Perth Wildcats, Alan Williams gone from South East Melbourne Phoenix, Sam Mennenga to NZ Breakers and TABtouch Preview as NBL Championship Series continues.

For all the ways to listen click here: https://linktr.ee/basketballhustle

Big news out of the Sydney Kings with former NBL MVP and championship winning captain Xavier Cooks back to team up with new coach Brian Goorjian. Cody Ellis looks at why it's such a huge signing for the Kings and why it's a huge boost for their prospects to get back in the NBL championship hunt.

Kristian Doolittle has re-signed at the Perth Wildcats and nobody is happier about that than Cody Ellis but it does leave them with some interesting decisions to make over their third and final import spot already for next season.

There's also big news on the NBL1 West front with Cody Ellis deciding he's not yet ready to retire and he will be continuing his career in 2024 at the Warwick Senators. He talked through that decision, why his six-month break was enough and why he's so excited by his new teammates including Zac Gattorna, Michael Harris and Todd Withers.

It's time to turn our attention to Game 1 of the NBL Championship Series where Tasmania JackJumpers were as bad as they've been all season but Melbourne United deserve a lot of the credit for that.

Matthew Dellavedova led the charge for Melbourne, Chris Goulding hit some unreal shots and Jo Lual-Acuil and Ariel Hukporti dominated their big men match up with Will Magnay and Marcus Lee.

We also take a look at the struggles over the last three games now of JackJumpers import guard Jordon Crawford and how he can snap out of it but why it's going to be tough against such a deep, talented and experienced United line-up.

We look back on the deciding Game 3 of the WNBL Grand Final series with the Southside Flyers proving too good and the remarkable comeback story of Lauren Jackson complete with a sixth championship. We also discuss Anneli Maley finding peace in Perth, the future of the Perth Lynx and why the WNBL needs private ownership whether it's Larry Kestelman or somebody else.

Plenty other news around NBL clubs too and we discuss the move of Sam Mennenga from the Cairns Taipans to the New Zealand Breakers and also the decision from South East Melbourne Phoenix to release Alan Williams and whether or not he might find another NBL home.

We then wrap up this week's show with a TABtouch Preview of the next couple of games of the NBL Championship Series between Melbourne United and Tasmania JackJumpers.

All made possible thanks to the support of Hoops Heaven (www.hoopsheaven.com.au) and TABtouch (www.tabtouch.com.au).

Championship time on Hoops Heaven's Basketball Hustle as we look ahead to #NBL24 Championship Series between Melbourne United and Tasmania JackJumpers, and Game 3 of WNBL Grand Final between Southside Flyers and Perth Lynx.

Plenty more to breakdown this week with Cody Ellis reflecting on NBL Playoffs where Melbourne United and Tasmania JackJumpers prevailed but for Illawarra Hawks and Perth Wildcats, there was a lot to be proud of and we reflect on their #NBL24 campaigns.

Plenty of drama too and we look back on unnecessary Marcus Lee Tasmania JackJumpers suspension and react to focus on Keanu Pinder and John Rillie's defence of Perth Wildcats and preview NBL and WNBL deciders thanks to TABtouch.

For all the ways to listen click here: https://linktr.ee/basketballhustle

We begin this week's show with a reaction to the two NBL Playoffs Series where Melbourne United and Tasmania JackJumpers won in three games to set up their Championship Series match up having just managed to overcome the Illawarra Hawks and Perth Wildcats.

A lot of the drama was in the Tasmania-Perth series beginning with Marcus Lee's eventual suspension for Game 2. We give our reaction to everything surrounding that as well as the focus on the handling of Keanu Pinder and John Rillie's reaction to the attention and defence of the Wildcats.

The Melbourne United-Illawarra Hawks series was a fascinating one with the first two games going to overtime before Melbourne took charge in Game 3 with Matthew Dellavedova and Luke Travers the standouts while Sam Froling, Gary Clark and Davo Hickey were brilliant for the Hawks.

We look back on the remarkable performance of the Illawarra Hawks this season since Justin Tatum took and why everyone involved should be proud, why they connected with the Wollongong community and why their future looks bright.

The other series between the Perth Wildcats and Tasmania JackJumpers saw Keanu Pinder lead the 'Cats to a big Game 1 win. They then started Game 2 well, but the JackJumpers took control the rest of the series led by Milton Doyle, Jack McVeigh and Will Magnay. Sean Macdonald came up huge as well not only with his offence punch but tremendous defence on four-time MVP Bryce Cotton.

To sum things up, we look back on how the Wildcats should reflect back on the season where they might be rightfully disappointed to come up short, at the same time they can take a lot of heart out of their turnaround and pride in what they did to get their season on track.

We then turn our focus to the WNBL Grand Final Series which is going to a Game 3 in Melbourne on Sunday between the Southside Flyers and Perth Lynx. We look at the remarkable similarities for the Lynx to two years ago, how Anneli Maley can bounce back and why it will continue to be a fascinating clash of styles.

We finish off by looking at Game 1 of the NBL Championship Series between Melbourne United and Tasmania JackJumpers, and Cody's prediction of a JackJumpers win and Will Magnay being Grand Final MVP.

All made possible thanks to the support of Hoops Heaven (www.hoopsheaven.com.au) and TABtouch (www.tabtouch.com.au).

Massive Hoops Heaven's Basketball Hustle with NBL Play-In Tournament done, #NBL24 Playoffs set and Brian Goorjian confirmed at Sydney Kings, Jaylin Galloway to Milwaukee Bucks and plenty to breakdown thanks to TABtouch.

This week Cody Ellis is back to discuss Brian Goorjian back at Sydney Kings and looking at that from every angle, why Mahmoud Abdelfattah's departure was inevitable and why the way Angus Glover was treated just wasn’t right.

After #NBL24 Play-In Tournament Cody Ellis couldn’t be more impressed by Davo Hickey/Wani Swaka Lo Buluk at Illawarra Hawks, Will Magnay at Tasmania JackJumpers, we pay tribute to New Zealand Breakers and Tom Abercrombie, and provide TABtouch Preview of NBL Playoffs.

For all the ways to listen click here: https://linktr.ee/basketballhustle

While the Sydney Kings championship defence is over, all the news surrounds them and we breakdown the departure of Mahmoud Abdelfattah as coach and why that was a no-brainer given the way things never clicked between him and his playing group.

We then breakdown the appointment of the legendary Brian Goorjian to return to the Sydney Kings and look at why it appears the perfect fit for both parties, why it's the ideal job for him to end his NBL career and also how he will go juggling that with attempting to win a medal at Paris Olympics with the Australian Boomers.

Also from the Sydney Kings, Jaylin Galloway has joined the Milwaukee Bucks of the NBA and we discuss his prospects and also why this pathway might be better for future prospects rather than the NBA Draft if you won't be a first round pick with Will Magnay the likely next candidate.

The NBL Play-In Tournament is done and we begin our discussion with the JackJumpers beating the Hawks to lock in their semi-final spot on the back of the dominance of Will Magnay, all-round brilliance of Milton Doyle and showing their championship credentials.

We then saw the Sydney Kings' season summed up with their implosion against the New Zealand Breakers. Parker Jackson-Cartwright came up huge for New Zealand, but as good as they were Sydney was equally as bad in a performance summing up their season.

The Hawks and Breakers then played out a stunning Play-In Game where they went blow for blow, but in the end it was Justin Robinson standing up, Davo Hickey bringing the energy and the defence of Wani Swaka Lo Buluk that was massive in Illawarra prevailing.

We reflect on the season of the New Zealand Breakers where they overcame an enormous amount to almost make the final four and while upset to be eliminate deserve to be enormously proud as we also pay tribute to retiring captain and all-time break Tom Abercrombie.

It's then time for our TABtouch Preview of the Playoffs as Cody Ellis gives his thoughts on Melbourne United v Illawarra Hawks, and Perth Wildcats v Tasmania JackJumpers. He expects both series to go to three games but ultimately is expecting a Melbourne v Tasmania Championship Series.

We wrap up this week's show with Cody Ellis talking about if this might finally be time for the Perth Lynx to end their WNBL championship drought that dates back to 1992.

All made possible thanks to the support of Hoops Heaven (www.hoopsheaven.com.au) and TABtouch (www.tabtouch.com.au).

We're gearing up for #NBL24 Finals on Hoops Heaven's Basketball Hustle with Simon Mitchell on deck to see who will make Playoffs out of Tasmania JackJumpers, Illawarra Hawks, Sydney Kings and New Zealand Breakers, and why FIBA break is tough on Melbourne United and Perth Wildcats.

We look back on #NBL24 Awards and why Simon Mitchell wouldn't mind tweaking to a couple from NBL moving forward while we reflect on seasons of Cairns Taipans, Brisbane Bullets and South East Melbourne Phoenix.

We dive into TABtouch Preview of start of #NBL24 Finals while Simon Mitchell is delighted for Scott Ninnis and Justin Tatum to be locked in at Adelaide 36ers and Illawarra Hawks, and ponders what's next for Brian Goorjian after Olympics Boomers campaign in Paris.

For all the ways to listen click here: https://linktr.ee/basketballhustle

We open up this week's show by wrapping up a dramatic finish to the NBL24 regular season with the New Zealand Breakers making it but missing out on a home final or top four spot, the Sydney Kings getting a soft kill to knock out the Brisbane Bullets, and the Illawarra Hawks winning again over the Perth Wildcats.

The two interim coaches are now no more with Scott Ninnis locked in at the Adelaide 36ers and the Illawarra Hawks signing up Justin Tatum before the NBL finals. It also rules out Brian Goorjian out of those two jobs and we discuss where his coaching future might be after the Paris Olympics with the Boomers.

With the Finals in the NBL having to wait to begin until after the FIBA break, we talk about the frustrations that cause while also unavoidable and why it creates an especially tough situations for the top two teams Melbourne United and Perth Wildcats to deal with.

The Cairns Taipans finished their season with a third win over ladder leading Melbourne United as Simon Mitchell reflects on their season that just never quite going as they perhaps were given more respect by the rest of the league and couldn't fly under the radar anymore.

Simon Mitchell looks back on the season of the Brisbane Bullets with mixed feelings but considering how far back they were coming from last year, he can only see it as a positive and that they are heading in the right direction just with a couple of issues to iron out.

It was a rough end to the season for South East Melbourne Phoenix and Simon Mitchell doesn't want them to just write it off due to injury. He wants them to look back on why they didn’t always compete as hard as they perhaps could have and to have honest discussions before moving forward.

The New Zealand Breakers might have had a lot to deal with this season whether it's injury or a rough schedule with back-to-back games after their international travel, but Simon Mitchell doesn’t think they need sympathy and certainly their coach Mody Maor doesn’t want any.

We look back on the NBL Awards that were handed out and give our reaction to how they shaped up to our predictions. While Simon Mitchell agreed with most of the awards handed out, it's the Next Generation and Most Improved awards who wouldn’t mind seeing being tinkered with a little moving forward.

We wrap up the show with our TABtouch Preview of the start of the NBL Finals with Simon Mitchell breaking down what he's expecting in the Seeding Qualifier between the Tasmania JackJumpers and Illawarra Hawks, and the Play-In Qualifier featuring the Sydney Kings and New Zealand Breakers, and then the resulting Play-In Game.

All made possible thanks to the support of Hoops Heaven (www.hoopsheaven.com.au) and TABtouch (www.tabtouch.com.au).

Final #NBL24 Round preview on Hoops Heaven's Basketball Hustle with Cody Ellis back on deck and he's expecting Illawarra Hawks, Brisbane Bullets, Sydney Kings to make it but genuinely can't see anyone but Melbourne United, Perth Wildcats, Tasmania JackJumpers winning NBL championship.

Plenty to dissect in #NBL24 and Cody Ellis baffled by 'worst ever NBL coach ejection' of Mike Kelly for South East Melbourne Phoenix, the happenings at Cairns Taipans with Tahjere McCall discontent likely to lead to mass turnover, and thoughts on Illawarra Hawks, Brisbane Bullets prospects.

#TheGalen Best NBL Team Man by Simon Mitchell, impressed by explosive Perth Wildcats, why Sydney Kings can still be a threat despite obvious disconnect, where Brian Goorjian will end up in #NBL25 and full Round 20 #NBL24 TABtouch Preview.

For all the ways to listen click here: https://linktr.ee/basketballhustle

This week's show opens up with discussion about Melbourne, Perth and Tasmania the only genuine championship threats while the other four teams battle over the three other Finals spot while there's the disconnect at the Sydney Kings and things unravelling at the Cairns Taipans.

We might well have seen the worst ever NBL coach ejection with Mike Kelly from the South East Melbourne Phoenix and Cody Ellis was baffled by it. For him, it just proves the inconsistencies within the refereeing this season and why it's infuriating to see a coach ejected for virtually nothing and others not even receive a tech.

It's absolutely no longer the same old Illawarra Hawks under coach Justin Tatum. Cody Ellis can't understand why he hasn't been signed up yet, but either way loves the way they move the ball under him, loves their buy-in defensively and how he's a coach the players get behind with Gary Clark the second best player in the NBL right now.

The Brisbane Bullets inched closer to a return to the Finals but it was through their NBL veterans Nathan Sobey, Sam McDaniel and Mitch Norton leading the charge and not so much struggling imports Shannon Scott and Chris Smith with Casey Prather still working his way back.

The Perth Wildcats showed their explosiveness in the last seven minutes in the win against the Cairns Taipans with Cody Ellis believing that sort of offensive arsenal could very well take them all the way to a championship, provided they buy in defensively at the same time.

The Finals hopes might be over for the Cairns Taipans but there's plenty of fascination surrounding them including what appears a fallout between coach Adam Forde and captain Tahjere McCall. We discuss that as well as Sam Mennenga's role disappearing and why there's going to likely be another mass turnover this off-season for the Snakes.

Talk then talks to the Sydney Kings and the clear disconnect there is between the coaching staff and playing group which is denying them the chance to realise their potential. Cody Ellis sees this Kings group as one that needs a motivational coach which isn't necessarily Mahmoud Abdelfattah's strength but he still sees them as the only team capable of challenging the top three.

Where Brian Goorjian ends up coaching in the NBL next season has become a major talking point and with Cody Ellis expecting Scott Ninnis to remain in charge at the Adelaide 36ers, he expects the legendary coach to return to the Sydney Kings to replace Mahmoud Abdelfattah for #NBL25.

We wrap up the show with a preview of the last round of #NBL24 with Cody Ellis expecting it to come down to the very last game to determine the final top six position, and he expects the Adelaide 36ers to eliminate the New Zealand Breakers and allow the Brisbane Bullets to make it.

All made possible thanks to the support of Hoops Heaven (www.hoopsheaven.com.au) and TABtouch (www.tabtouch.com.au).