April 25th, 2009 by Dusty Rychart

Over the past month or so the fans, players and coaches have been waiting on the NBL to announce what teams will be in the league next season.  The problem seems to be that Basketball Australia, owners and players association can not get on the same page plus the 1 million dollar bank deposit is making things even more difficult. The current problem is that the players association and the owners can’t come to terms as to how many hours per week each player should be doing clinics and promotions.  I am going to take the side of the players and say that the last thing you want to do after a hard day is go off to an hour or two clinic or promotion.  I really don’t mind doing that once or twice a week but to do that every day is a little too much.  People cry about how in the glory days players were out there doing clinics and also holding down regular jobs.  Well news flash everyone this isn’t the old days and if you want your players to perform at the optimal level they need rest. From what I can gather in my time in Wollongong is that we did a ton of clinics and promotions and it didn’t bring the people to the games.  I would like to do some market research as to how many kids came to our games just because we did a clinic with them. I think the real problem is there is no exposure of the league so these kids can watch us on tv and have dreams of one day playing in the NBL.  Free-to-air tv is the only way to go.  Most young families can’t afford foxtel and bring their kids to the game so kids will dream of being AFL or rugby stars instead of NBL stars because they can see them play games for free.  

I also hear people blaming the players for the collapse of the old NBL.  Are you serious!  Players can ask for 1 million dollars but that doesn’t mean that the club has to give it to them. The players aren’t the ones writing the checks.  each club has the right to say no and offer them what they think they are worth.  The problem is that clubs think that players are going to head overseas and play.  How many guys in this league can go overseas to Europe and make a better living?  Not many besides guys like Ingles, Newley and guys with european passports.  Get business minded people running these clubs and change will happen.  

Another thing bugging me at the moment is just  cause someone earns over 100k they should be doing 55-60 hours per week is crazy.  You think its all lime light and fun but it isn’t.  I have seen hundreds of players with more talent than me not make it past high school because they couldn’t handle the discipline needed and lacked the determination.  Just because you buy a season ticket doesn’t mean you know what it takes to make it to the elite level.  

The latest problem now is Adelaide is lacking the Million dollars to continue.  There is no way that the new NBL should not let Adelaide in the league next season.  They have the biggest crowds in the league and games look so good on tv.  In saying that the New NBL has laid out the law for what it would take to get accepted and can’t change now. If teams like Cairns and Wollongong can find the million I’m sure Adelaide will too. I think that Boti should buy the sixers. 

Now off of the NBL and to the NBA draft.  Who is Ater Majok?  I think that I heard of the kid a year ago but that quickly disappeared.  All I know is that he went to UConn, didn’t play at all and thinks he is NBA ready.  Has anyone seen this kid play? 6’10″ long and athletic is a good starting point but can the kid play?  

That’s my rant for the moment. Take it or leave it.

April 16th, 2009 by Dusty Rychart

The draft this year is considered weak compared to years before with Blake Griffin leading the way there isn’t a Kevin Garnett, Lebron or anyone that would be considered a franchise player.  Not taking anything away from the guys getting drafted as I would’ve loved to be picked anywhere in the draft but that didn’t happen so al I can do now is dream and live through the younger players.  Australians that have a chance at getting drafted are Joe Ingles, Pat Mills, Andrew Ogilvy and Luke Neville.

Pat Mills – Many experts have Mills going second round and some have him going late first round.  The thing that concerns a lot of people about Mills is his height and inconsistent jumper.  He proved himself at the Olympics and that should be good enough to get him drafted or at least a team has to give the kid a legitimate chance. He proved that he was quick enough and create at the highest level.  From my personal experience I would love to play with Mills because he can break down a defense and get you open shots all day long.  Donte (spelling?) Draper of the Kings a few seasons ago was the same kind of player. No one could contain him so the defense had to collapse creating open jumpers for all the Kings players.

Joe Ingles – I’m a big fan of Joe’s and I do believe that he could be a decent role player at the NBA level but his lack luster stats line this year may have hurt him.  Sure he won a championship and that is great but as young kid trying to prove that he is NBA ready to only average 13.21 points per game kills his chances.  NBA scouts love looking at stats and if they are down the players stock goes with it.  I never understood this because they are still the same player and he sacrificed his personal game for the team game why should that hurt a kid?  You would think it would be a positive knowing that someone is willing to put individualness  aside for the benefit of the team.  I think that Joe will go un-drafted but a team might give him a chance and pick him up as a free agent.  You can’t pass on a kid that can play “D” and is a 6’8″ guard.

Luke Neville -  I don’t know much about the big fella but we played his Utah Utes a few years back for  preseason with the Brisbane Bullets the year after we won the championship.  The kid does have skills and is a legit footer.  15 feet in he was unstoppable and I think that NBA teams have to give him a serious look. He isn’t uncordinated like a lot of footers and has great touch around the rim.  At the time we played them we had Justin Brown and I thought that JB would be able to hold his own or at the best give Luke a ass kicking but niether happened.  Luke went something like 35-18 compared to JB’s 6 or so points.  Might go in the 2nd round.

Andrew Ogilvy – Big Fella that has put up some good numbers in college.  ESPN insider have him going late 1st early 2nd.

Links -

Pat Mills – http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Patrick-Mills-1362/

Luke Nevill – http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Luke-Nevill-548/

Joe Ingles -http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Joe-Ingles-1119/

Andrew Ogilvy – http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Andrew-Ogilvy-1331/

April 11th, 2009 by Dusty Rychart

This is a huge week for basketball in Australia. The new NBL is supposed to announce the same 10 teams will be in the league that were in it last season.  With the late addition of Wollongong and Cairns finding their way to the bank adds to the strenght of the new league.  The more teams the better for players as it allows us more options to find a job.  Now the million dollar question is what will be the differences be? based on the rumors that are floating around..

• Higher salary cap
• Development player requirements changed or extended age limit.
• More exposure via Fox or free-to-air
• Shorter season
• Sydney Team to be run by New NBL
• Marketed and branded more efficiently

One of the most frustrating and embarrasing things to be asked as a player is “When does the season start? or Does Mark Davis or Leroy Logins still play?”  These questions are coming from people that claim to be sports fans and have attended basketball games obviously games from the 90′s but even i know when the footy season starts.  People have no clue because there is zero exposure.  I just hope that the NBL gets it right this time.  Both the fans and players deserve it.

I’m not expecting miracles but would like to see some changes done instead of talking about them.  Time to step it up.

April 6th, 2009 by Dusty Rychart

Lately I’ve been trying to get some new stuff for my ipod. Anyone have suggestions of any good podcast(s) or music play lists? Send an email to admin@d-rych.com with some suggestions or just leave a comment.

April 6th, 2009 by Dusty Rychart

Michigan State vs. North Carolina.

I’m hoping that Michigan State wins because they are representing the BigTen. State always plays hard “D” so if they can stop UNC’s run and gun style they will have another NCAA championship. My tip Michigan State winning by 7.

April 4th, 2009 by Dusty Rychart

Just added some pictures. More to come as I get more time. Right now I am done with this website for a week or so. It has given me way too many headaches!

If you have any suggestions on what should be on the site just let me know.

April 1st, 2009 by Dusty Rychart

So far this off-season I’ve managed not to do anything stressful except playing some golf. I’m happy to say that I only lost 1 ball today and that’s a major improvement from a month ago where 12 of my balls were victim to the bush. Needless to say I’m improving but still one of the most frustrating games to play. No matter how good you can hit the ball on the driving range it never comes into play when it means something. I guess I’m 100% a practice player when it comes to golf because when it counts I don’t deliver.

Practice makes perfect i think, maybe whoever said that didn’t play golf.

April 1st, 2009 by Dusty Rychart

Hours before the deadline the hawks found the white knight they were looking for. I put in some calls to my guys down in the gong to see where this Indian Billionaire came from. No seemed to know what,where or how or why but the guy just loves the Gong and wanted to be apart of the community. Good news for the Hawks and the supporters. I hope know with some money behind the team the community will actually come to the games. I guess you have to put a better product on the court and the people will come. Good to see that the only foundation team is still in it.

Now the new NBL is supposed to come out one of these weeks and announce the teams that are in and the teams that aren’t but by the sounds of it most the teams that are in it now are going to be in the new league. rumors floating around everywhere at the start of the season was that they new league didn’t want Wollongong, Gold Coast, New Zealand or Cairns in. Now it looks like all 10 teams will be in next season. what is going to be the difference? higher salary cap that was never enforced? Whatever is decided I just hope that the league is better exposed and televised. I think that is one of the major problems is that the NBL is on fox and not many young kids get a chance to watch the games because their families can’t afford it. I would love to see it on tenHD or something like that in the future.

Thats the blurb for today. Off to lose 20 golf balls while playing the back 9.