On the home straight
With just three rounds left until playoffs, it’s safe to say that the 2014 season has so far delivered some of the best and most unpredictable basketball we’ve seen in the NWBL in a long time.
Gone are the days where results are predictable and as much as we liked to say otherwise, if we’re being truthful, there was always one or two standout contenders each year… But not in 2014.
From a spectator’s point of view, that level of uncertainty and close finishes only adds to all of the reasons we come out to watch in the first place. The games are fast and physical and every win has to be earned.
World Champions
We’ve had two rounds since the Aussie Rollers returned from Incheon, South Korea as World Champions. For the boys to defend their World Championship was nothing short of outstanding, and to say there are 12 current World Champions playing in the league this year is something that no other wheelchair basketball competition in the world can say.
Star Performers
Shaun Norris won the MVP award at the World Championships and if his form in the NWBL continues, he’ll likely have an NWBL MVP award to add to the trophy cabinet come seasons end. You’d be pretty hard pressed to find a weakness in Shaun’s game, but he’s been an absolute offensive beast this season, currently leading the league in scoring (34.8 per game) and assists (9.4 per game).
It been brilliant to see Bill Latham and Tristan Knowles return to the NWBL in 2014 as well. Both feature in the league’s top 4 scorers and will play key roles in their respective team’s championship hopes.
Finals
With finals just a few weeks away, this year’s championship is well and truly up for grabs.
Perth currently sit atop the NWBL Ladder and will host the 2014 finals series, but they have three quality sides that will happily pay the excess baggage and take the Charles “Chucky” Ryan trophy home with them.
Who’s going to win? The team that plays the best basketball over that finals weekend!
Key Match-Ups on the Run Home
Wollongong Rollerhawks vs RSL QLD Spinning Bullets (16-17 August)
Victoria vs Be Active Perth Wheelcats (30-31 August)
Wollongong Rollerhawks vs Victoria (6-7 September)
Finals (19-21 September)
Written by Joel Mackenzie
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