Aussie Hoopla Nbl & Nba Podcast

We are doing everything we can to keep these podcasts going, but the costs to produce, host, and track down guests are adding up. If you enjoy the show and want to help keep it alive, you can support us in two ways: Buy a T shirt or Buy Me A Coffee Every contribution goes directly toward keeping aussiehoopla.com online and the podcast running. ---------- Former Adelaide 36ers star Julius Hodge joins the podcast to reflect on one of the most dominant short stints in NBL history, his journey from the NBA to Australia, and the impact he made during the 2007/08 season. Host Dan Boyce chats with Hodge about his incredible all-around performances, earning All-NBL Third Team honours, and what it was like adjusting to the Australian game mid-season. The episode also dives into his time playing alongside key 36ers teammates, his perspective on the league, and the circumstances around his time in Adelaide and beyond. Topics include: His coaching journey (2:00) New York basketball (8:00) Entering the NBA draft (16:00)

Support Aussie Hoopla: We are doing everything we can to keep these podcasts going, but the costs to produce, host, and track down guests are adding up. If you enjoy the show and want to help keep it alive, you can support us in two ways: Buy a T shirt or Buy Me A Coffee Every contribution goes directly toward keeping aussiehoopla.com online and the podcast running. ---------- Current head coach of the Akita Northern Happinets, Mick Downer joins the podcast to discuss the differences between coaching in Japan and the NBL, his stints with Perth, Cairns, Brisbane and Adelaide over the past 25 years, and his time with the Australian Boomers program. Host Dan Boyce chats with Downer about what he learnt stepping into the head coaching role in a non-English speaking country, as well as providing updates on NBL talent in Japan like Keanu Pinder, Yanni Wetzell, Trey Kell, Vic Law, DJ Newbill and plenty more. Topics include: Thoughts on the NBL Finals (4:00) Thoughts on the NBL Finals (4:00) Stepping into his first

Originally recorded in 2018 — this episode has been remastered and re-released following the passing of Australian basketball legend Ken Cole. Ken Cole, a championship-winning coach of the Adelaide 36ers and architect of the iconic 1986 "Invincibles" season (24–2), left a lasting impact on basketball in Australia — as a coach, leader, and later President of the Sixers. In this interview, Ken reflects on his return to the Adelaide 36ers, his battle with multiple myeloma, and shares unforgettable stories from the early days of the NBL — from the birth of the game in Australia to the evolution of imports, trash talking, and player development. This episode also captures Ken's thoughts at the time on the Adelaide 36ers roster, the Mitch Creek NBA situation, and what it takes to build a winning culture. This remastered version features improved audio quality. Vale Ken Cole. In this episode: • Why Ken returned to the Adelaide 36ers (2:00) • Battling cancer and mindset for survival (9:30) • Thoughts on the 2018 Adel

Former Sydney Kings and Illawarra Hawks owner Dorry Kordahi takes us inside his latest venture — buying into the Lebanese Basketball League and becoming president of the NSA Falcons. Host Dan Boyce chats with Kordahi on why the LBL is one of the most powerful basketball markets in the world (and why the timing to invest is right now), how the opportunity came together through long-time connections, and what he's already doing on the ground. From there, the conversation shifts back home. Kordahi addresses ongoing talk around NBL expansion — including his interest in a second Sydney franchise and his long-running push to help bring the Newcastle Falcons back into the league. He explains why stadium infrastructure is the biggest barrier, why government support is essential, and how the NBL's growth over the past decade has changed the way "small market" clubs can recruit and compete. Topics include: Kordahi's move into Lebanese basketball and why the LBL market makes sense (0:30) How the NSA Falcons deal ca

We wrap up our seven-part deep dive into one of Aussie hoops' fiercest rivalries — Sydney vs Illawarra — as the modern era turns the heat all the way up and the Freeway Series swings wildly from season to season. Host Dan Boyce picks things up after the Hawks' rebirth under new ownership and Brian Goorjian, a fresh start that quickly turns into a brutal reality check — including the worst season in franchise history (3–25) — before the club pulls off one of the great turnarounds in recent NBL history, storming back to win their second NBL championship. From there, the rivalry doesn't cool off — it escalates. We track the on-court blowouts, the nail-biters, the flashpoints, and the personality clashes that only seem to grow when these two clubs share the same building. We also hit Goorjian's return to Sydney, and bring it right up to today, where the Kings and Hawks have traded sweeps in back-to-back seasons, and the balance of power has flipped yet again heading into the current finals series. Topics include

We continue diving deeper into one of Aussie hoops' fiercest rivalries — Sydney vs Illawarra — picking things up as LaMelo Ball and his rookie of the year season in 2019 that propelled the Hawks into the global spotlight, setting NBL viewership and attendance records, while the Kings reload under Will Weaver and push for a championship in a season that ends in chaos. Host Dan Boyce breaks down LaMelo's viral debut, his back-to-back triple-doubles, and the impact of the injury to Aaron Brooks to Illawarra playoff hopes, before diving into the record-setting 17,514 crowd that packed Qudos Bank Arena for Hawks v Kings — and the off-court collapse that followed. Then it's onto Sydney's rise to the top of the ladder, a Grand Final showdown with Perth, and how COVID ended it all. Finally, we trace the fallout in Wollongong — including liquidation, $2 million in debt, and the NBL's intervention — as Dorry Kordahi steps in to rescue the franchise and rebuild from the ground up. Featuring game and stat breakdowns fro

We continue diving deeper into one of Aussie hoops' fiercest rivalries — Sydney vs Illawarra — picking things up right after the Kings' 2005 three-peat sweep of the Hawks and tracking how the "Freeway Series" evolved through the chaos of Firepower, the Kings' disappearance, the rivalry's rebirth in 2010, and the Hawks' huge 2015/16 rebrand and recruiting spree. Host Dan Boyce breaks down the 2005/06 shootouts (and that bizarre Roland Roberts dunk contest injury), the Hawks' underrated 2006 campaign, and the Kings' near-miss 4-peat that ended at the hands of Chris Anstey and Melbourne, before shifting into the biggest off-court implosion in Sydney hoops history — the Firepower Kings era — and how Glen Saville's move north became a "kick in the guts" moment for Wollongong fans (including a young Xavier Cooks). Featuring first-hand accounts from Glen Saville, Brian Goorjian, Tim Coenraad and Greg Hubbard, this episode blends rivalry game recaps, locker-room stories, and the behind-the-scenes reality of the NBL'

We continue diving deeper dive into one of Aussie hoops' fiercest rivalries — Sydney vs Illawarra — picking things up from the Wollongong Hawks' historic 2001 championship and tracking how the Kings and Hawks battled for New South Wales bragging rights through the mid-2000s. Host Dan Boyce revisits Wollongong's underdog run to become the first NSW club to win an NBL title, then jumps into Sydney's response — the arrival of Brian Goorjian, the recruitment of Chris Williams and Kavossy Franklin, and the three-year stretch that saw the Kings finally shed the "Violet Crumbles" tag and dominate the league. Featuring first-hand accounts from Glenn Saville, Shane Heal, Bill Tomlinson and Brian Goorjian, this episode blends locker-room stories, X-and-O breakdowns and playoff memories to show how the "Freeway Series" evolved from a regional feud into a clash between genuine title contenders. Topics include: How the 2001 Hawks title changed the rivalry and put a target on Wollongong's back (02:00) Glenn Saville on

We continue our deep dive into one of Australian basketball's greatest rivalries... Sydney versus Illawarra. This episode we continue on through the late 1990s and into the Hawks' historic 2001 championship run. Host Dan Boyce picks up the rivalry from 1995 onward, exploring the coaching swaps, player defections, and the rise of a new generation of stars — from Shane Heal's move to Sydney and Marcus Timmons' breakout in Illawarra, to the emergence of Glen Saville, who would soon become the face of the Hawks. Featuring first-hand accounts from Bob Turner, Shane Heal, Gordie McLeod, Greg Hubbard, Bill Tomlinson, Stephen Jackson, and Glen Saville, this episode covers a turbulent era for both clubs — the Kings' struggles to live up to their star power, and the Hawks' transformation from underdog to champion under Brendan Joyce. Topics include: Alan Black's move from Illawarra to Sydney and the fallout that followed (06:00) Shane Heal on leaving Brisbane, joining Sydney, and facing the "Violet Crumbles" stigm

We continue our deep dive into one of Aussie hoops’ fiercest rivalries — Sydney vs Illawarra — looking at the success of both teams during the 1990s. Host Dan Boyce picks up where Episode 1 left off, bringing in Hawks legend Gordie McLeod to get his throughts on whether his move to Sydney in 1983 was the starting point of the Kings v Hawks rivalry, before moving their the success of both teams during the 1990s Featuring first-hand accounts from Gordie McLeod, Greg Hubbard, Dwayne McClain, and Bob Turner, this episode continues to blends personal stories of the NBL's boom period, while continuing to flesh out the history of the Hawks v Kings rivalry season by season. Topics include: McLeod on how the feud predates the Kings: state-league roots and the Snakepit lore (02:00) The early Snakepit atmosphere and crowd legends (24:00) 1988–89 Kings v Hawks: Norman Taylor’s 41-point explosion as told by Greg Hubbard (33:30) Dwayne McClain and Bob Turner discuss how they helped turn Sydney into a contender (41:30) Th

We crack open one of Aussie hoops’ spiciest grudge matches: Sydney vs Illawarra. Host Dan Boyce traces the rivalry back before the Kings even existed—into state-league days at the Snakepit—then follows it through the 1986 replay controversy, the Kings’ 1988 merger and rise, and the big-city v small-town energy that’s fuelled decades of heat. Featuring first-hand stories from Bob Turner, Greg Hubbard and Chuck Harmison, this episode blends history, on-court flashpoints, and off-court theatre to show how the “Freeway Series” became must-watch basketball. Topics include: What this series is and why the rivalry matters (02:00) How the feud predates the Kings: state-league roots and the Snakepit lore (04:00) The 1986 “replay game” drama and why it still stings (12:00) Remembering Robert Scrigni and the emotion of 1987 (20:00) The Snakepit as a sixth man: noise, power cuts, and balcony bar tales (23:00) Birth of the Kings (’88): merger, marketing, and turning Sydney into a show (37:00) Early flashpoi

Brian Wethers shares his journey from a standout NCAA career at Cal and NBA aspirations, to becoming one of the most explosive imports in Australian basketball during the mid-2000s. He breaks down the Pirates’ underdog rise in 2004 under Adrian Hurley, his dynamic partnership with Kavossy Franklin, and the unforgettable playoff push that followed. We also revisit his return to the league with New Zealand, a blistering run of form that included multiple 30-point nights before injury struck. Wethers opens up about how the game has evolved since then, what came next after his playing days, and the legacy he hopes to leave in Australian basketball circles. Topics include:

Fabijan Krslovic joins the podcast to reflect on his NBL journey so far, a 2024 championship run with the Tasmania JackJumpers, and what lies ahead in his new chapter with Melbourne United. Krslovic shares stories from his Boomers debut, his time as a junior alongside Ben Simmons and Dante Exum, and how he’s consistently earned his place in the league through grit, defence, and leadership. We also dive into his college days in Montana, his first pro stint in Europe with Phoenix Hagen, and his role in building the JackJumpers’ winning culture from day one. Topics include:

Jordan Hunter joins the podcast to reflect on his first season with South East Melbourne, his time with the Boomers, and how he’s building a voice off the court through podcasting, filmmaking, and comedy. Hunter opens up about navigating the ups and downs of the Phoenix’s 2024/25 campaign, how the team evolved under new leadership, and the real impact of Mike Kelly’s mid-season departure. We also explore his off-season stint in Puerto Rico, international experience with the Boomers, and his passion for storytelling—both on stage and on screen. Topics include:

Andrew Svaldenis joins the podcast to reflect on a 13-year NBL career that took him from Bankstown to Sydney, Hobart, Adelaide, and Geelong—appearing in 299 games and carving out a legacy as one of the league's most consistent frontcourt battlers across the '80s and '90s. Svaldenis opens up about debuting as a teenager under Robbie Cadee, his breakout years in Hobart under Cal Bruton, and what it was like to be part of the original Sydney Kings merger. We also dig into some of his biggest games, toughest matchups, and the evolution of the NBL through the lens of a blue-collar big man who saw it all. Topics include:

Brad Newley joins the podcast to reflect on a remarkable career that spanned over two decades, three NBL clubs, countless international tournaments, and a stint with the NBA’s Houston Rockets. From his breakout rookie season with Townsville to Olympic campaigns with the Boomers and his late-career leadership role at Melbourne United, Newley shares the highs, challenges, and defining moments that shaped his journey. We dig into his development at the AIS, becoming the first player to ever win NBL Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man in the same season, and his MVP performance at the 2005 NBL All-Star Game. Newley also opens up about his four-year run with Gran Canaria, international battles against Team USA, and the evolution of the Sydney Kings under Andrew Gaze and Will Weaver. Topics include:

Lamar Patterson joins the podcast to talk through the highs, lows, and wild turns of a pro career that’s taken him from Pittsburgh to the NBA, NBL, China, Puerto Rico, and most recently, India. Patterson opens up about his time in India’s pro league, his rollercoaster ride with the Brisbane Bullets, and why things unravelled during his stint with the New Zealand Breakers. He also shares how close he came to signing NBL deals in each of the past two seasons, what’s kept him motivated off the radar, and why he still hopes to return to the league that made him a fan favourite.       Topics include:

Nick Horvath joins the podcast to reflect on a one-of-a-kind basketball journey—from Duke University to NBL champion and beyond. Horvath opens up about writing his debut novel Sledge Vs, the highs and lows of his pro career, and what it was really like playing under legends like Mike Krzyzewski and Brian Goorjian. He shares stories from the heated South Dragons vs. Melbourne Tigers Grand Final, overcoming serious injury setbacks, and making the transition from import to local player in the NBL. Topics include:

Newly appointed Australian Boomers head coach Adam Caporn joins the podcast to discuss his journey to the role, his coaching philosophy, and his vision for the national team’s future. Caporn opens up about what it meant to be offered the job, the lessons he’s taken from legendary coach Brian Goorjian, and the key changes he plans to implement as he leads the Boomers toward their next major tournament. He also dives into roster considerations, the role of Matisse Thybulle, and his partnership with newly appointed associate coach Dean Vickerman. Topics include:

Former NBL player and current Casey Cavaliers head coach Luke Kendall joins the podcast to discuss his journey from junior basketball to professional success and now coaching. Kendall’s path saw him develop under renowned coach Mike Dunlap at Metro State, where he won a national championship before heading to the NBL. He played for the Sydney Kings, Melbourne Tigers, Perth Wildcats, and Gold Coast Blaze, winning a championship with the Kings and battling injuries that ultimately forced an early retirement. Now, he’s making his mark as a coach, recently leading the Gujarat Stallions to the INBL championship and taking over as head coach at Casey for the 2025 NBL1 season. Kendall opens up about the highs and lows of his career, his relationship with Brian Goorjian and his transition into coaching. He also discusses the role Aussie Hoops in the growth of basketball in India and what excites him most about his coaching future. Topics include: His experiance coaching in India with the Gujarat Stallion