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).

Hoops Heaven's Basketball Hustle – #NBL25 Episode 1

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).

Hoops Heaven's Basketball Hustle – #NBL25 Episode 2

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).

Hoops Heaven's Basketball Hustle – #NBL25 Episode 3

Big NBL questions on Hoops Heaven's Basketball Hustle. Panic stations for Perth Wildcats? Should Todd Withers be a target? How far can Taran Armstrong take Cairns Taipans? How do Adelaide 36ers keep Montrezl Harrell? Who wins South East Melbourne Phoenix or Brisbane Bullets?

What stood out to Cody Ellis in Round 3 was the statement made with two wins for the Cairns Taipans but the big talking point was the two losses to Melbourne United and Tasmania JackJumpers from the Perth Wildcats.

Cody watched on for what he described as Perth's worst home performance in his memory and then while their effort was better against Tasmania, it was still a loss and now the potential of going 1-4 with a loss in Cairns this Thursday could lead to panic stations.

We also discussed the clever move of the Wildcats to have Todd Withers as an injury replacement player but also if other NBL clubs should look at signing him to their full roster for NBL25.

We then get stuck into discussing big wins for the Taipans with Taran Armstrong back as point guard to run things in impressive fashion as he continues to show why he's one of the brightest young stars in Australian basketball.

We also discuss an intriguing weekend for Melbourne United who won big in Perth with Shea Ili brilliant before they again lost a fourth straight match back home at the hands of the Taipans.

It's then time to dissect the two remaining winless teams who just happen to play each other this weekend with the South East Melbourne continuing to lack direction while the Brisbane Bullets simply need more from their imports and other experienced players.

The Adelaide 36ers were under pressure entering Round 3 but had two terrific wins with Kendric Davis showing out and then big men pair Isaac Humphries and Montrezl Harrell superb.

The Sydney Kings still have to work to do without Jaylen Adams on the floor while we get Damian Martin's Best Defensive Player votes, Simon Mitchell's Player of the Year votes and #TheGalen Best Team Man nominee from Matty Knight.

We have a full NBL25 Round 4 preview including a 450th NBL game for Chris Goulding and look at if there's a point to the current NBLxNBA tour for the New Zealand Breakers.

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

Hoops Heaven's Basketball Hustle – #NBL25 Episode 4

Mike Kelly leaving the South East Melbourne Phoenix, could Chase Buford be the quick fix, Tyrell Harrison dominates for Brisbane Bullets, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk does the same for Illawarra Hawks, inbounding the ball woes and Jason Cadee's 400th NBL game.

We open up this week's episode by looking at the major difference in the Cairns Taipans without their young gun of a point guard Taran Armstrong, and how if he hopes to realise his NBA dream he needs to stay on the court more.

The big news of the week was the South East Melbourne Phoenix sacking coach Mike Kelly after going 0-5 to start NBL25. We look at why it was unfortunately the right move, Nathan Sobey's first game up against the Brisbane Bullets and why Chase Buford might be the ideal quick fix.

As for the Bullets who scored their first win of the NBL season, Tyrell Harrison was outstanding, James Batemon stepped up and the leaders, Mitch Norton, Casey Prather and Josh Bannan all stepped up.

The Perth Wildcats snapped their losing slide with Kristian Doolittle every bit as crucial in that as Bryce Cotton while Jesse Wagstaff continues to prove his worth as he closes in on Ricky Grace's games played record.

The Adelaide 36ers might have had a tough double and it showed backing up in Melbourne but they need to be able to back up better while it's good news that Montrezl Harrell appears to be staying.

Wani Swaka Lo Buluk's defensive job for the Illawarra Hawks on Tasmania JackJumpers star Milton Doyle was remarkable while the Hawks continue to show they are the best team in the NBL right now.

The JackJumpers don't have the same depth of talent they did to win the championship last year and someone like Craig Sword might be running out of time to show that he deserves to stay for the rest of NBL25.

Nothing frustrates Cody Ellis more than teams struggling to inbound the ball at the end of games so he gives his thoughts on why it's happening so much, and what needs to happen for teams to fix it up.

We then get Damian Martin's votes in our Best Defensive Player award and Simon Mitchell's Sports Card World Player of the Year votes before previewing Round 5 and look at the 400th NBL game of Cody Ellis' former teammate Jason Cadee.

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

Hoops Heaven's Basketball Hustle – #NBL25 Episode 5

In Part 1 of this week's episode, Andrew Bogut and Mike Procopio talk the latest NBA news. Bogut goes on in this ep to chat about everything NBL and what's been happening in the league.
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00:00:20

Intro

00:01:30

Latest NBA News

00:11:12

Latest NBL News

© 2024 AMB Media

The Basketball Podcast - Episode 139 with Mike Procopio - Part 1

Simon Mitchell on all things South East Melbourne Phoenix – releasing Mike Kelly, Sam Mackinnon’s job, how they got Josh King and then he discusses loving Bul Kuol’s meanness, Trey Kell’s toughness, faith in Tasmania JackJumpers thanks to defence, admiring NZ Breakers.

Given Simon is current GM of basketball at the Phoenix and the club’s inaugural coach, it’s only natural South East Melbourne dominate a lot of this week’s show including the breakthrough Throwdown win against Melbourne United.

Simon also discusses how telling Mike Kelly he would no longer be coach is one of the toughest things he’s ever done, how Josh King ended up being appointed coach despite having a job in Turkey, and why he is such a good fit for this Phoenix group and his style will be exciting for the NBL.

Simon Mitchell gives his Sports Card World Player of the Year votes topped by new leader Kendric Davis from the Adelaide 36ers with Bul Kuol getting top votes in Damian Martin’s Best Defensive Player award as Simon talks about how much he loves he imposes himself, and his meanness.

We then talk about the Perth Wildcats now having to live without Bryce Cotton in the short term and why Simon expects players on the team to relish the challenge, including Tai Webster and Ben Henshall as guards, and Izan Almanza and Keanu Pinder up front.

While Simon doesn’t expect the New Zealand Breakers to be his Phoenix in Christchurch this Thursday, he can’t help but admire how they are holding up despite now passing 51,000km travelled the past six weeks and things they deserve more respect for that.

We then look at why the Illawarra Hawks are the NBL’s best team right now and why Trey Kell III is such a key to that and Simon talks about the recent revelation that he actually had an undiagnosed leg fracture in his season at the South East Melbourne Phoenix.

Simon also talks about why others might be concerned about the Tasmania JackJumpers scoring, he is sure they will find more points and he continues to be amazed by how good their defence is anchored by the world class shot blocking of Will Magnay.

The Adelaide 36ers can now work on their massive line-up with Jarell Martin joining Isaac Humphries and Montrezl Harrell with Simon talking about how exciting and potent they are, he knows they must improve defensively.

We then wrap up this week’s show with a preview of Round 6 in the NBL, whether Shea Ili or Taran Armstrong are missed more by Melbourne United or Cairns Taipans, and Simon talks about his admiration of how Sam Mackinnon has shown leadership over the past week.

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

Hoops Heaven's Basketball Hustle – #NBL25 Episode 6

Tatum was right but deserved fine, Goulding didn't flop this time, no Adams, no Sydney Kings and doubt over Oliver future, brave Perth Wildcats & NZ Breakers, exciting Adelaide 36ers, big shoes for Josh King, smart move by Brisbane Bullets, TABtouch Preview.

We look back on Round 7 of the NBL season with Cody Ellis struggling to get too enthused about the action we're seeing on the court with team's offences seemingly falling off a cliff and he's not sure exactly why, but he hopes it soon changes.

We then get our votes from Damian Martin in the #TheDamo Best Defensive Player award and from Simon Mitchell for the Sports Card World Player of the Year award with Will Magnay and Montrezl Harrell earning top billing respectively.

We then look at two teams who had courageous and gutsy wins against the Sydney Kings in #NBL25 Round 7, the Perth Wildcats and NZ Breakers.

Keanu Pinder inspired the Wildcats to a gritty win despite horrible shooting and the absence of Bryce Cotton and Tai Webster before the Breakers shook off missing four players and travelling 51,000km already this season with Next Star Karim Lopez delivering a breakout performance.

First segments wraps up with talk about the exciting Adelaide 36ers led by Montrezl Harrell and Kendric Davis, and how good it is to see a coach like Mike Wells willing to spray his players, and for his players to respond in the right way.

It's then time to discuss the most dramatic and finishes between the Illawarra Hawks and Melbourne United where Chris Goulding was again accused of flopping, Justin Tatum received a technical for a player that never actually ended up counting, and things got even more interesting post-match.

Cody Ellis gives his thoughts that while Tatum was right in everything he said and he had every reason to be upset in the officiating, he still deserved a fine for his post-match comments.

We then look at the Sydney Kings who just look a totally disjointed line-up in the absence of former MVP Jaylen Adams while Brian Goorjian's fatigue excuse doesn't wash, and Cody Ellis has raised doubts over Cam Oliver seeing out the season if things keep tracking how they are.

Talk turns to the South East Melbourne Phoenix and why Sam Mackinnon is unlikely to have not kept the role and why Josh King has big shoes to come in and fill, but why it's going to a fun ride to watch how it unfolds.

Emmett Naar has now joined the Brisbane Bullets replacing Sam McDaniel and Cody Ellis is a big fan of the move before we wrap up this week with a full preview of Round 7 in the NBL.

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

Hoops Heaven's Basketball Hustle – #NBL25 Episode 7

NZ Breakers and South East Melbourne Phoenix demand respect, Parker Jackson-Cartwright is the NBL's best, coaches must be put back in their box, Jaylen Adams' impact at Sydney Kings, TABtouch #NBL25 Preview and Mitch Norton's 350th milestone.

We begin this week's show with Cody Ellis reflecting on one of his great opponents from his NBL career, Jesse Wagstaff, who has now overtaken Ricky Grace to be the games record holder at the club his dad is such a legend at, the Perth Wildcats.

The votes are then in from Damian Martin in the Best Defensive Player and from Simon Mitchell in the Sports Card World Player of the Year, and both couldn't go past performances from NZ Breakers and South East Melbourne Phoenix players.

We then get stuck into talking about just how impressive it is what the New Zealand Breakers are doing right now and how it all starts with the man who is the best player in the NBL, Parker Jackson-Cartwright.

We also discuss why Sam Mennenga is the Kiwi local to build around and why it's super impressive what the Breakers are doing despite having all the excuses in the world they could fall back on.

The South East Melbourne Phoenix have spectacularly turned their season around firstly under Sam Mackinnon and now Josh King, and it's all coming from the defensive end and if they keep it up, there's no reason they can't be a contender.

The Tasmania JackJumpers are still struggling to score and with so much pressure for Milton Doyle and Jordon Crawford to carry the scoring load, Cody Ellis feels it's time they get them some help before it's too late.

The Sydney Kings had a better weekend and it's no coincidence it went hand in hand with the return of Jaylen Adams even if he's still well short of 100 per cent while Melbourne United had a shocker at home to the Breakers, and it was a wildly contrasting round for the Perth Wildcats.

It was more like the Sunshine Slog in Cairns but the Taipans showed heart despite being so shorthanded while the Brisbane Bullets won a game they needed to ahead of captain Mitch Norton now celebrating his 350th NBL game with a former teammate paying tribute to him.

We then preview Round 8 thanks to TABtouch highlighted by the Adelaide 36ers-Illawarra Hawks Sunday match up before we discuss why it's time the referees put the NBL coaches back in their box, and why celebrating a dunk when your team is down 30 is a bad idea.

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

Hoops Heaven's Basketball Hustle – #NBL25 Episode 8

Horrors of social media exposed with Cody Ellis adding insights as an NBL player along with Chris Goulding's 46, Rob Loe's 30, Melbourne United's offence, South East Melbourne Phoenix's defence, can Adelaide 36ers hit the road, Jaylen Adams/Cam Oliver at Sydney Kings and TABtouch Preview.

The unfortunate dark side of social media was brought to light by both Scott Roth and Keanu Pinder last week. Clearly something needs to be done but there are no easy answers as to how to put the worst of society back in the hole they crawled out of, and Cody Ellis draws on his own experiences as a player on social media.

Melbourne United dominated the Sports Card World Player of the Year votes this week from Simon Mitchell with Cody Ellis offering insights as to why he wanted Chris Goulding to get to 50 and then what made him so happy to see Rob Loe put up 30 to set a career high.

Melbourne United's offence was mighty impressive with 226 in wins against the Brisbane Bullets and the Perth Wildcats, but conceding 200 at the same time means that despite sitting in top spot, they have plenty of work to do at that end of the floor.

The Adelaide 36ers continue to play almost unstoppable and insatiable basketball at home but now their big test is to take that energy with them especially defensively onto the road and Cody sees no reason why they can't do it.

The Cairns Taipans continue to have a horror injury run, but have self-inflected wounds too after both Rob Edwards and Jonah Antonio have lost their cool with the officials to end up costing their team.

The South East Melbourne Phoenix defence again gave up 74 points in both their Round 8 games and with their full court pressure, they are doing it in a very different way that has Cody super excited for along with the impressive Josh King even if some questioned his instructions to not foul in the dying seconds when down five.

The Sydney Kings look so much better with Jaylen Adams as their point guard and he makes everyone around him better, but things don't seem to be working out with Cam Oliver with Cody thinking he's either given a clearly defined role or maybe it's time to move on.

The Tasmania JackJumpers had an emotional week, but rediscovered some freedom offensively and it all came down to loosening up and now they can look forward to continuing to rise with the pending returns of Will Magnay and Sean Macdonald.

We wrap up the show with the TABtouch Preview that includes Cody's two former teams the Illawarra Hawks and Sydney Kings locking horns and then including a fascinating Sunday battle between Melbourne United and the Adelaide 36ers.

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

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