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Post by milehigh on May 5, 2022 5:11:18 GMT
With the first full post covid season completed, and entering the close season, I thought now was a good time to start a debate about the NBL.
What is the NBL trying to achieve?
How can the structure and product be made better? How far down should there be a National League?
Would a structure of regional leagues with national play offs work better and give better value?
Is it time for a restructuring of the NBL, including moving clubs to a level that is more appropriate for their ability and resources?
Is NBL1 an "Elite" division, aiming to provide good quality on court and professional level of game presentation, or is it just another level of recreational level basketball?
Would the better programs in NBL1 be better off in a BBL2 type structure?
I look forward to reading peoples opinions,
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Post by SamH on May 5, 2022 9:02:04 GMT
For me the thing that's always bugged me about NBL is that some teams seem to be well run, professional and attract decent crowds, while others are the total opposite and get very few fans. Even in D1, but I think you can find examples of this in the lower levels too. There's definitely space for NBL basketball in the country and interest in it, but I feel some teams let the side down.
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Post by LTfan on May 5, 2022 9:58:27 GMT
Is NBL1 an "Elite" division, aiming to provide good quality on court and professional level of game presentation, or is it just another level of recreational level basketball?
Both. And that's perhaps my biggest issue with it. I'd like to see more consistency throughout the league instead of having both teams that could give some BBL organisations a run for their money and teams that look like a bunch of friends that have got together for a game at the local leisure centre. Easier said than done though of course. |
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Post by milehigh on May 5, 2022 10:48:13 GMT
I know that Rugby Union is facing similar issues with the Championship, and the lack of funding for a viable second level fully professional league.
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Post by dexter on May 5, 2022 11:28:17 GMT
I know that Rugby Union is facing similar issues with the Championship, and the lack of funding for a viable second level fully professional league. That's a very good point and should serve as a warning to other sports wanting to have a pyramid structure with elite teams at the top. Rugby union has got itself into a situation where there is now an insurmountable gap between the Premiership clubs and those below. There are only four professional clubs in the Championship and some teams literally play in a field with no stands. British basketball needs to avoid getting into that situation. I propose having standards of entry into NBL1 (or BBL2 if we ever see that). The most obvious visual impact is the venues. Loughborough for example looks great. Barking Abbey looks horrible. |
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Post by tony on May 5, 2022 15:44:24 GMT
Definitely in favour of a premier/elite league or possibly BBL2?
There are lots of decent sides outside the BBL, here at Tees Valley Mohawks we have a good set up that’s only going to get better and we hope to move up the league’s quickly,Lions have a fantastic set up on the downside there are some sides struggling with funding.
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Post by milehigh on May 5, 2022 16:21:54 GMT
Perhaps now is the time to restructure the leagues to include well run and well backed clubs like Teeside, Worcester and Birmingham into the top devision and place clubs that are struggling on or off court into a more appropriate level?
A side losing by an average of c15 points a game does nothing for that club or the others in the division.
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Post by dexter on May 5, 2022 16:54:32 GMT
Is anyone able to tell me who will be in NBL2 next season? It's not clear to me how the movement between NBL2 and NBL3 works.
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Post by D44 on May 5, 2022 17:41:25 GMT
Definitely in favour of a premier/elite league or possibly BBL2? There are lots of decent sides outside the BBL, here at Tees Valley Mohawks we have a good set up that’s only going to get better and we hope to move up the league’s quickly,Lions have a fantastic set up on the downside there are some sides struggling with funding. Do Stockton and Middlesbrough really need seperate NBL teams? There like 5 miles apart? Merge and step up surely. Is there really any need for a second tier of proffesional basketball? The NBL should aim to be the top league for Uni reliant/owned teams with limits on how many paid proffesional players they can have. |
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Post by tony on May 5, 2022 17:53:28 GMT
Definitely in favour of a premier/elite league or possibly BBL2? There are lots of decent sides outside the BBL, here at Tees Valley Mohawks we have a good set up that’s only going to get better and we hope to move up the league’s quickly,Lions have a fantastic set up on the downside there are some sides struggling with funding. Do Stockton and Middlesbrough really need seperate NBL teams? There like 5 miles apart? Merge and step up surely. Is there really any need for a second tier of proffesional basketball? The NBL should aim to be the top league for Uni reliant/owned teams with limits on how many paid proffesional players they can have. Both teams are based in Middlesbrough, they will never merge….. |
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Post by rickdanger on May 5, 2022 18:09:23 GMT
I think there us a place for a BBL2 style league. Having visited several NBL clubs this season the discrepancy between venues is huge. There are lots of well supported and run NBL clubs who could thrive in a separate BBL2 style division. Hemel, Solent, Reading, Derby, Nottingham, Worthing plus another half dozen outside NBL 1 could work. Also could be an option for struggling/ smaller venue BBL teams too.
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Post by dexter on May 5, 2022 18:26:08 GMT
I think there us a place for a BBL2 style league. Having visited several NBL clubs this season the discrepancy between venues is huge. There are lots of well supported and run NBL clubs who could thrive in a separate BBL2 style division. Hemel, Solent, Reading, Derby, Nottingham, Worthing plus another half dozen outside NBL 1 could work. Also could be an option for struggling/ smaller venue BBL teams too. Hopefully Manchester Magic will be a good addition to NBL1. Two of the weakest teams (Loughborough and Essex) have the best facilities. We could really do with those teams being a lot better. |
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Post by milehigh on May 5, 2022 21:01:07 GMT
Until recently Loughboro were one of the better NBL1 sides, however, with that group of players graduating, and going on to populate many other NBL D1 sides, a new squad will take their place, and no doubt, move up the table in future seasons.
The effect of Mark Jarrom resigning from his role, to become overall head of coaching at Loughboro has had an effect on the program. Any side would have a slight decline after losing one of the best English coaches.
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Post by dexter on May 5, 2022 22:12:08 GMT
The part of the structure that doesn't fit together very well as a fan is the university game. There are a few university based teams in the NBL but then Durham were in the BUCS Championship final. They're not in NBL are they, and they're one of the best university teams. What would be really good is a basketball version of BUCS Super Rugby. The best university teams, one game streamed every Wednesday. That is, unless the standard is too low. Does anyone have any idea how many universities have a high level basketball team? If the was a BUCS Super Basketball League how many teams would be in it?
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Post by rickdanger on May 6, 2022 7:31:25 GMT
I think there us a place for a BBL2 style league. Having visited several NBL clubs this season the discrepancy between venues is huge. There are lots of well supported and run NBL clubs who could thrive in a separate BBL2 style division. Hemel, Solent, Reading, Derby, Nottingham, Worthing plus another half dozen outside NBL 1 could work. Also could be an option for struggling/ smaller venue BBL teams too. Hopefully Manchester Magic will be a good addition to NBL1. Two of the weakest teams (Loughborough and Essex) have the best facilities. We could really do with those teams being a lot better. Yes hopefully Magic will be a good addition. I went twice last season to Bradfords old venue which was quiet so hopefully Calderdale will be better which it appears on the live feeds. Loughborough is a quality venue but little home support and they are rebuilding too. Hopefully will experience Essex next season. |
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Post by dexter on May 6, 2022 8:16:40 GMT
Hopefully Manchester Magic will be a good addition to NBL1. Two of the weakest teams (Loughborough and Essex) have the best facilities. We could really do with those teams being a lot better. Yes hopefully Magic will be a good addition. I went twice last season to Bradfords old venue which was quiet so hopefully Calderdale will be better which it appears on the live feeds. Loughborough is a quality venue but little home support and they are rebuilding too. Hopefully will experience Essex next season. Are you a Derby basketball fan? Do you think Trailblazers should play a game at the Derby Arena? Maybe the home game against Nottingham Hoods. It could be a good opportunity to raise the club's profile, as long as the maths works to break even. |
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