2010–11 NBL season

The 2010–11 NBL season was the 33rd season of competition since its establishment in 1979. A total of nine teams contested the league. The regular season was played between October 2010 and April 2011, followed by a post-season involving the top four. On 23 February 2010, it was announced that the Sydney Kings would return in 2010–11. The schedule was announced on 27 May 2010.

2010–11 NBL season
League	National Basketball League
Season	2010–11
Dates	15 October 2010 – 29 April 2011
Teams	9
TV partner(s)	Australia: Network Ten One HD New Zealand: Sky Sport
Regular season
Season champions	New Zealand Breakers
Season MVP	Gary Ervin (Wollongong)
Finals
Champions	New Zealand Breakers (1st title)
Runners-up	Cairns Taipans
Semifinalists	Townsville Crocodiles Perth Wildcats
Finals MVP	Thomas Abercrombie (New Zealand)
Statistical leaders
Points Kirk Penney (New Zealand) 20.1 Rebounds Julian Khazzouh (Sydney) 10.0 Assists Corey Williams (Melbourne) 6.1

Broadcast rights during the off-season reverted from subscription channel Fox Sports to free-to-air network Channel Ten and its digital sports sister station One HD in a five-year deal, through to the 2014–15 season. In New Zealand, Sky Sport once again provided coverage, replacing Maori TV.

On 13 September 2010, iiNet was announced as the league naming rights sponsor and Centrebet as the official sports betting partner. Spalding provide equipment including the official game ball, with AND1 supplying team apparel.

Preseason

NBL Top End Challenge, a round robin competition with a final series, involving all nine sides, will begin on 28 September in Alice Springs and continue in Darwin, Northern Territory from 30 September. Wollongong Hawks are defending pre-season champions.

Melbourne Tigers pre-season

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5 August 2010	England	55–73	Melbourne Tigers	Belfast, United Kingdom

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10 September 2010	Melbourne Tigers	105–95	Wollongong Hawks	Traralgon Sports Stadium, Traralgon

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12 September 2010	Melbourne Tigers	88–78	Wollongong Hawks	Kilsyth Sports Centre, Melbourne

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5 October 2010	Xinjiang Flying Tigers	59–75	Melbourne Tigers	China

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6 October 2010	Beijing Ducks	vs.	Melbourne Tigers	China

Belfast International Basketball Classic

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6 August 2010	Melbourne Tigers	76–92	University of Pittsburgh	Odyssey Arena, Belfast, United Kingdom
				Attendance: 3,309

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7 August 2010	Melbourne Tigers	106–74	USNI All-Stars	Odyssey Arena, Belfast, United Kingdom

Lu'An Invitational

Group stage

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10 August 2010	Melbourne Tigers	vs.	Shanghai Sharks	Changzhi, China

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11 August 2010	Liaoning Dinosaurs	87–97 (OT)	New Zealand Breakers	Changzhi, China

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12 August 2010	CB Axarquía	92–98 (OT)	Melbourne Tigers	Changzhi, China

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12 August 2010	New Zealand Breakers	87–76	TGBTG	Changzhi, China

Semi-finals

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13 August 2010	CB Axarquía	73–75	New Zealand Breakers	Changzhi, China

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13 August 2010	Melbourne Tigers	vs.	TGBTG	Changzhi, China

Third-place playoff

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14 August 2010	CB Axarquía	vs.	Melbourne Tigers	Changzhi, China

Final

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14 August 2010	New Zealand Breakers	69–67	TGBTG	Changzhi, China

New Zealand Breakers win Lu'An Invitational.

Wollongong Hawks pre-season

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20 August 2010	Wollongong Hawks	84–63	University of Hartford	Illawarra Basketball Stadium, Wollongong

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3 September 2010	Wollongong Hawks	86–80	Sydney Kings	Illawarra Basketball Stadium, Wollongong

Sydney Kings pre-season

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21 August 2010	Sydney Kings	111–60	University of Hartford	Alexandria Basketball Stadium, Sydney

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28 August 2010	Maitland Mustangs	74–82	Sydney Kings	Maitland Basketball Stadium, Maitland

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11 September 2010	Sydney Kings	111–77	Carfino All Stars	Bridgecoast Stadium, Terrigal

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23 September 2010	Hoopdreamz Jets	74–94	Sydney Kings	Kevin Betts Stadium, Mt Druitt

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28 September 2010	Sydney Kings	65–63	New Zealand Breakers	The Brickpit Sports Stadium, Hornsby

Perth Wildcats pre-season

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24 August 2010	Perth Wildcats	100–95	Lakeside Lightning	Waroona Recreation Centre, Waroona

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26 August 2010	Perth Wildcats	81–72	Lakeside Lightning	Lakeside Recreation Centre, Perth

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28 August 2010	Perth Wildcats	74–73	Lakeside Lightning	Joondalup Basketball Stadium, Perth

Gold Coast Blaze pre-season

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26 August 2010	Gold Coast Blaze	97–50	University of Hartford	Carrara Indoor Stadium, Gold Coast

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5 September 2010	Gold Coast Blaze	98–81	Anyang Kites	Logan Sports Centre, Logan

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18 September 2010	Gold Coast Blaze	58–92	Cairns Taipans	Carrara Indoor Stadium, Gold Coast

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4 October 2010	Gold Coast Blaze	53–67	New Zealand Breakers	Carrara Indoor Stadium, Gold Coast

Cairns Taipans pre-season

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5 September 2010	Cairns Taipans	76–79	Townsville Crocodiles	Bendigo Bank Basketball Stadium, Cairns

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8 October 2010	Cairns Taipans	103–67	Gold Coast Blaze	Bendigo Bank Basketball Stadium, Cairns

Adelaide 36ers pre-season

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9 September 2010	Adelaide 36ers	87–86	Townsville Crocodiles	Adelaide Arena, Adelaide
				Attendance: 2,294

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10 September 2010	Adelaide 36ers	79–82	Townsville Crocodiles	Mount Barker

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17 September 2010	Adelaide 36ers	80–79	Wollongong Hawks	Whyalla Basketball Stadium, Whyalla

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19 September 2010	Adelaide 36ers	89–84	Wollongong Hawks	STARplex Gawler, Adelaide

Townsville Crocodiles pre-season

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16 September 2010	Townsville Crocodiles	68–79	Cairns Taipans	NPA Stadium, Townsville

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23 September 2010	Townsville Crocodiles	76–79	Gold Coast Blaze	NPA Stadium, Townsville

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25 September 2010	Townsville Crocodiles	74–80	Gold Coast Blaze	Mackay Basketball Stadium, Mackay

Friendship Games

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17 September 2010	Sydney Kings	73–69	Beijing Ducks	WA Basketball Centre, Perth

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17 September 2010	Perth Wildcats	95–52	Shanghai Sharks	WA Basketball Centre, Perth

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18 September 2010	Sydney Kings	106–49	Shanghai Sharks	WA Basketball Centre, Perth

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18 September 2010	Perth Wildcats	98–56	Beijing Ducks	WA Basketball Centre, Perth

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19 September 2010	Perth Wildcats	89–80	Sydney Kings	WA Basketball Centre, Perth

NBL Top End Challenge

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28 September 2010	Adelaide 36ers	90–92	Perth Wildcats	Alice Springs Basketball Stadium, Alice Springs

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30 September 2010	Cairns Taipans	83–75	Wollongong Hawks	Marrara Indoor Stadium, Darwin

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30 September 2010	New Zealand Breakers	100–86	Townsville Crocodiles	Marrara Indoor Stadium, Darwin

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30 September 2010	Adelaide 36ers	90–99	Melbourne Tigers	Marrara Indoor Stadium, Darwin

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30 September 2010	Gold Coast Blaze	77–83	Sydney Kings	Marrara Indoor Stadium, Darwin

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1 October 2010	Sydney Kings	74–82	Townsville Crocodiles	Marrara Indoor Stadium, Darwin

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1 October 2010	Cairns Taipans	75–77	Gold Coast Blaze	Marrara Indoor Stadium, Darwin

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1 October 2010	New Zealand Breakers	82–90	Wollongong Hawks	Marrara Indoor Stadium, Darwin

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1 October 2010	Melbourne Tigers	81–97	Perth Wildcats	Marrara Indoor Stadium, Darwin

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2 October 2010	Townsville Crocodiles	74–88	Melbourne Tigers	Marrara Indoor Stadium, Darwin

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2 October 2010	Sydney Kings	80–70	Gold Coast Blaze	Marrara Indoor Stadium, Darwin

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2 October 2010	New Zealand Breakers	72–64	Wollongong Hawks	Marrara Indoor Stadium, Darwin

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2 October 2010	Adelaide 36ers	98–55	Darwin All-Stars	Marrara Indoor Stadium, Darwin

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2 October 2010	Perth Wildcats	72–52	Cairns Taipans	Marrara Indoor Stadium, Darwin

Perth Wildcats win Top End Challenge.

New Zealand Breakers pre-season

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10 October 2010	New Zealand Breakers	98–53	NZNBL Invitational	North Shore Events Centre, Auckland

Regular season

The 2010–11 regular season took place over 25 rounds between 28 October 2010 and 2 April 2011.

Round 24

Cairns vs. Perth was moved from 4 February 2011 to 26 March 2011 due to Cyclone Yasi.

Ladder

Pos	2010–11 NBL season
	Team	Pld	W	L	PCT	Last 5	Streak	Home	Away	PF	PA	PP
1	New Zealand Breakers	28	22	6	78.57%	4–1	W3	12–2	10–4	2463	2367	104.06%
2	Townsville Crocodiles	28	17	11	60.71%	3–2	L1	13–1	4–10	2225	2163	102.87%
3	Cairns Taipans1	28	16	12	57.14%	4–1	W4	12–2	4–10	2186	2107	103.75%
4	Perth Wildcats1	28	16	12	57.14%	3–2	L2	10–4	6–8	2380	2192	108.58%
5	Wollongong Hawks	28	15	13	53.57%	4–1	W1	10–4	5–9	2272	2209	102.85%
6	Gold Coast Blaze	28	13	15	46.43%	2–3	W1	8–6	5–9	2396	2440	98.20%
7	Melbourne Tigers	28	10	18	35.71%	1–4	L3	5–9	5–9	2209	2357	93.72%
8	Adelaide 36ers	28	9	19	32.14%	1–4	L1	7–7	2–12	2212	2362	93.65%
9	Sydney Kings	28	8	20	28.57%	2–3	L3	5–9	3–11	2171	2317	93.70%

Updated to match(es) played on 2 April 2011. Source: NBL.com.au

The NBL tie-breaker system as outlined in the NBL Rules and Regulations states that in the case of an identical win–loss record, the results in games played between the teams will determine order of seeding.

¹Cairns Taipans won Head-to-Head (3-1).

Ladder Progression

• Numbers highlighted in green indicate that the team finished the round inside the top four.
• Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the team finished first on the ladder in that round.
• Numbers highlighted in red indicates the team finished last place on the ladder in that round.

2010–11 NBL season
Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25
Adelaide 36ers	4	6	8	6	6	7	6	6	6	6	7	6	7	6	7	6	7	7	7	8	8	9	9	8	8
Cairns Taipans	8	4	7	3	3	3	3	3	3	3	2	2	2	2	3	3	2	4	3	4	4	5	4	4	4
Gold Coast Blaze	7	5	3	5	7	6	7	7	7	7	6	7	6	7	6	7	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	6
Melbourne Tigers	9	9	9	9	9	9	9	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	7	7	7	7	7	7
New Zealand Breakers	1	1	1	1	2	2	2	2	2	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
Perth Wildcats	6	7	4	4	4	4	5	4	4	4	4	3	3	3	2	2	3	3	4	3	2	2	3	3	3
Sydney Kings	5	3	6	8	8	8	8	9	9	9	9	9	9	9	9	9	9	9	9	9	9	8	8	9	9
Townsville Crocodiles	2	8	5	7	5	5	4	5	5	5	5	5	5	4	4	4	4	2	2	2	3	3	2	2	2
Wollongong Hawks	3	2	2	2	1	1	1	1	1	2	3	4	4	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	4	5	5	5

Finals

Main article: 2011 NBL Finals

The 2010–11 National Basketball League Finals will be played between 7 April 2011 and 29 April 2011, consisting of two best-of-three semi-final and final series, where the higher seed hosts the first and, if necessary, third game.

Playoff Seedings

1. New Zealand Breakers
2. Townsville Crocodiles
3. Cairns Taipans
4. Perth Wildcats

The NBL tie-breaker system as outlined in the NBL Rules and Regulations states that in the case of an identical win–loss record, the results in games played between the two teams will determine order of seeding.

Under that system, Cairns will finish third (3–1), and Perth fourth (1–3).

Playoff bracket

	Semifinals							Grand Final
	1	New Zealand Breakers	78	93	99
	4	Perth Wildcats	101	89	83
								1	New Zealand Breakers	85	81	71
								3	Cairns Taipans	67	85	53
	2	Townsville Crocodiles	76	57	83
	3	Cairns Taipans	73	74	93

Season statistics

Statistics leaders

Category	Player	Games played	Totals	Average
Points per game	Kirk Penney (New Zealand Breakers)	23	463	20.1
Rebounds per game	Julian Khazzouh (Sydney Kings)	26	271	10.0
Assists per game	Corey Williams (Melbourne Tigers)	23	140	6.1
Steals per game	Damian Martin (Perth Wildcats)	28	64	2.3
Blocks per game	Adam Ballinger (Adelaide 36ers)	26	50	1.9
Field goal percentage	Mika Vukona (New Zealand Breakers)	28	105–173	60.7%
Three-point field goal percentage	Russell Hinder (Townsville Crocodiles)	26	30–67	44.8%
Free throw percentage	Daryl Corletto (Melbourne Tigers)	28	27–28	96.4%

Note: regular season only

Top 10 Attendances

Attendance	Round	Date	Home	Score	Away	Venue
9,535	25	1/04/2011	Sydney Kings	79–96	Gold Coast Blaze	Sydney Entertainment Centre
8,533	1	16/10/2010	Sydney Kings	70–83	New Zealand Breakers	Sydney Entertainment Centre
6,132	22	13/03/2011	Sydney Kings	76–72	Adelaide 36ers	Sydney Entertainment Centre
5,586	5	13/11/2010	Sydney Kings	59–64	Townsville Crocodiles	Sydney Entertainment Centre
5,430	5	12/11/2010	Adelaide 36ers	78–82	New Zealand Breakers	Adelaide Arena
5,345	SF	9/04/2011	Cairns Taipans	74–57	Townsville Crocodiles	Cairns Convention Centre
5,300	12	31/12/2010	Cairns Taipans	60–48	Sydney Kings	Cairns Convention Centre
5,278	17	4/02/2011	Sydney Kings	99–90	Adelaide 36ers	Sydney Entertainment Centre
5,261	13	8/01/2011	Adelaide 36ers	85–90	New Zealand Breakers	Adelaide Arena
5,250	25	1/04/2011	Cairns Taipans	80–64	Townsville Crocodiles	Cairns Convention Centre

Awards

Player of the Week

Round	Player	Team
1	Julian Khazzouh	Sydney Kings
2	Gary Ervin	Wollongong Hawks
3	Luke Schenscher	Townsville Crocodiles
4	Gary Wilkinson	New Zealand Breakers
5	Shawn Redhage	Perth Wildcats
6	Oscar Forman	Wollongong Hawks
7	Michael Cedar	Townsville Crocodiles
8	Corey Williams	Melbourne Tigers
9	Kirk Penney	New Zealand Breakers
10	Kirk Penney	New Zealand Breakers
11	Luke Schenscher	Townsville Crocodiles
12	Corey Williams	Melbourne Tigers
13	Mark Worthington	Gold Coast Blaze
14	Kirk Penney	New Zealand Breakers
15	Ira Clark	Gold Coast Blaze
16	Julian Khazzouh	Sydney Kings
17	Julian Khazzouh	Sydney Kings
18	Cameron Tragardh	Melbourne Tigers
19	Kirk Penney	New Zealand Breakers
20	Peter Crawford	Townsville Crocodiles
21	Matthew Knight	Perth Wildcats
22	Damian Martin	Perth Wildcats
23	Phill Jones	Cairns Taipans
24	Gary Ervin	Wollongong Hawks
25	Thomas Abercrombie	New Zealand Breakers

Player of the Month

Round	Player	Team
October	Gary Ervin	Wollongong Hawks
November	Gary Ervin	Wollongong Hawks
December	Kirk Penney	New Zealand Breakers
January	Gary Wilkinson	New Zealand Breakers
February	Kirk Penney	New Zealand Breakers
March	Damian Martin	Perth Wildcats

Coach of the Month

Round	Player	Team
October	Gordie McLeod	Wollongong Hawks
November	Gordie McLeod	Wollongong Hawks
December	Rob Beveridge	Perth Wildcats
January	Andrej Lemanis	New Zealand Breakers
February	Darryl McDonald	Melbourne Tigers
March	Aaron Fearne	Cairns Taipans

Season

The end-of-season awards ceremony was held in the Palladium Room at Crown Casino in Melbourne on Monday, 4 April 2011.

• Most Valuable Player (Andrew Gaze Trophy): Gary Ervin, Wollongong Hawks
• Rookie of the Year: Ben Madgen, Sydney Kings
• Best Defensive Player: Damian Martin, Perth Wildcats
• Best Sixth Man: Kevin Braswell, New Zealand Breakers
• Most Improved Player: Oscar Forman, Wollongong Hawks
• Coach of the Year (Lindsay Gaze Trophy): Trevor Gleeson, Townsville Crocodiles
• Referee of the Year: Michael Aylen
• All-NBL First Team:
  • Gary Ervin – Wollongong Hawks
  • Damian Martin – Perth Wildcats
  • Kirk Penney – New Zealand Breakers
  • Gary Wilkinson – New Zealand Breakers
  • Julian Khazzouh – Sydney Kings
• All-NBL Second Team:
  • Corey Williams – Melbourne Tigers
  • Adam Gibson – Gold Coast Blaze
  • Glen Saville – Wollongong Hawks
  • Ira Clark – Gold Coast Blaze
  • Luke Schenscher – Townsville Crocodiles
• All-NBL Third Team:
  • Ayinde Ubaka – Cairns Taipans
  • Peter Crawford – Townsville Crocodiles
  • Shawn Redhage – Perth Wildcats
  • Alex Loughton – Cairns Taipans
  • Adam Ballinger – Adelaide 36ers

Finals

• Grand Final Series MVP (Larry Sengstock Medal): Thomas Abercrombie, New Zealand Breakers

External links

• Player of the week archive
• NBL news archive from April 2011