I would argue this is a result of a couple of major issues that have been years even decades in the making.
1) The NBL itself has no identity.
While those in charge (LK) seem to be pushing the NBA-lite model, reality is that it's horrible for the on court product. No one loves watching an NBA game for the x and os from start to finish. It's a highlight making machine built on the 0.01% of the population's most athletic men in the world.
Most clubs under private ownership become play toys for the rich. They think a club can be run like they run their corrupt businesses and it can't. Sure you'll have your short term and die hard members but you won't engage the wider basketball community that way. You won't build an identity, a brand, a connection with the community. You'll attract the non-fan to a game or two because its entertainment but price and product will ensure they don't come back.
Coaches, well what a shitshow we have in 2025/26, the over-rated, NBA CV boys club stooges, the way past their prime and the arrogant victims. Excluding Vickerman (who sooks way too much himself) the rest don't come across as good leaders, or in some cases good people.
Coaches and players think they're in the world's 2nd best basketball league and top tier sport in Australia. Neither are true. They also think they're the most educated and important person in the building. 0 from 2.
Refereeing like coaching is worse again even then recent years. The man at the top has no skills to be in that role as a leader of adults, or visionary of the style of the game. Self important, arrogant, bully but also puppet for the NBL when certain teams/clubs need protecting or help for the NBL $$$$.
The two American's are being paid to be available 24/7 but both are below standard and too arrogant to change, the 3 veterans appear to be going through the motions with little respect for the game or players and little interest while the majority of the rest are way out of their depth. None of this is the fault of the referees themselves, its the NBL and BA at fault here.
and this takes us to major point number:
2) Basketball Australia and the State Associations. (MAYBE excluding Queensland right now)
Can anyone truly point out an employee in either the National or State bodies is good at what they do? Hard working, no doubt. Over worked, sure. But educated, and best person for the role? No one. Is anyone making a real change for the better of the game. No.
The sport lacks the visionary leaders of the 80s and early 90s. Those that did it for the game not the tiny pay-packet or title. At all levels. While participation has skyrocketed the organisations don't have the money or talent to turn this into improvements to the game. Look at Europe as an example of what can be achieved.
State bodies are being run for short term profit (cutting costs/resources to bare minimums) not growth and improvement of the game. Refereeing is grossly under funded and producing less and less quality as a result. Coaching stocks similarly headed the same direction, down.
The NBL and Basketball Australia (along with the States) have no plan. No collective vision for the purpose of the NBL, WNBL, NBL1, Representative competitions, district leagues, development programs, aussie hoops, sporting schools, Kmart Fun Zone blah blah blah
Just look at the WNBL hype (written by primary school interns) vs reality compared to the WNBL of the 90s as another example this weekend.
It's all short term and self serving. And as fans of the sport and the game itself, we're left to sit by and suffer the product being produced.
Trash.
