NBL Dream Team With @ChookDT – Round 1

There are few more exhilarating sights in Australian sport than that of Tom Abercrombie soaring high above the pack to stuff home a one-handed tip dunk, or Kevin Lisch splashing back-to-back triples en route to another 30-point performance. But a swash-buckling game by your favourite player can provide more than just pure entertainment – it can also earn you bragging rights at the workplace water-cooler or in the school playground with NBL Dream Team, the exciting fantasy game where your ultimate 10-player squad scores points based on their actual on-court efforts throughout the 24-round season

Selecting your team is pretty simple: just grab four guards, four forwards and two centres that fit under the $1,000,000 salary cap, with your starting five all earning full points while your bench players contribute half their score to your team’s total. You’ll need to pick a captain, too, and it pays to put some thought into who will lead your basketballing warriors into battle each week as their score is doubled. He might be hard to guard, but former Gold Coast playmaker Adris Deleon ($157,900) is also proving hard to ignore as a round-one captain choice as he and his new Wollongong teammates face a first-up meeting with Sydney, who are tipped to be among the league’s most porous defences this season.

It’s not just about putting the ball in the bucket in NBL Dream Team though – rebounds, assists, steals and blocks all count too – hence why last season’s top dime-dealer and steals leader, New Zealand’s Cedric Jackson ($191,300), starts the campaign with such a hefty price tag. If Deleon or Jackson don’t tempt you, other gold-plated guards to consider include last year’s MVP winner Lisch ($166,100) and Cairns’ all-action import Jamar Wilson ($151,000). In the budget bracket you could do worse than take a punt that former Gold Coast teammates Jason Cadee ($62,500) and Chris Goulding ($60,200) will adapt well to their new surroundings in Adelaide and Melbourne respectively, while New Zealand comeback kid Corey Webster ($49,100) is an out-and-out scorer eager to make amends.

The athletically-gifted Abercrombie ($154,000) was the highest-scoring forward last season, but an ankle injury sustained in the Breakers’ semi-final victory over Townsville could result in a slow start and more value, then, in the likes of Crocs pair Jacob Holmes ($145,200) and Peter Crawford ($129,700). Townsville players should be high on your radar anyway as, like the Kings, they play seven games in the first five weeks, while Perth has just four in the same period courtesy of a bye in round 4. For that reason alone, Sydney’s Tom Garlepp ($49,100) should come under strong consideration for a place on your forward bench.

At centre, feel free to splash the cash on Adelaide’s Daniel Johnson ($180,200), after he proved that the arrival of Luke Schenscher at the 36ers won’t dent his output with some stand-out pre-season performances. Emerging Townsville big man Ben Allen looks a steal at $43,500, while fit-again teammate Russell Hinder can be snapped up for just $41,900.

There’s nothing better than snagging a narrow win over your best mate or boss in one of the five leagues that you can join, but you can also compare your progress with players from your state or favourite club. And the player that racks up the most points overall will win a trip for two to a 2013 NBL Grand Final Series game in Australia as well as a 12-month broadband deal. It’s shaping as a thrilling season of NBL Dream Team, so head to dreamteam.nbl.com.au to register now! My top 5’s:

Top 5 Guns
Cedrick Jackson, NZ
Kevin Lisch, Perth
Daniel Johnson, Adel
Shaun Redhage, Perth
Tom Abercrombie, NZ

Bargains
Corey Webster, NZ
Ben Allen, Townsville
Tom Garlepp, Sydney
Greg Hire, Perth
Clint Steindl, Cairns

Top 5 at new team
Adris Deleon, Wollongong
Cam Tragardh, Cairns
Chris Goulding, Melb
Luke Schenscher, Adel
Adam Gibson, Adel

Cheers

@ChookDT

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