The 2005-2006 regular season for the Australian NBL is now history.
The Sydney Kings have won their fourth straight "Minor Premiership Title" (team with the most wins in the regular season). With several big injuries on the Kings squad, the National Championship is up for grabs! More on that in subsequent blogs...
I wanted to document several different reporters' comments on Christian players in the NBL. Admittedly they are not discussing the personal faith in Jesus that both of these NBL players openly and readily espouse...but the reporters (and some of their readers?) still seem to value the character that springs from that personal relationship with Jesus.
So I am very proud of my brothers Mike Kelly (Wollongong Hawks) and Jason Smith (Sydney Kings) as a result of these newspaper articles appearing in the last couple of weeks...
Re: Mike Kelly (in regard to the search for a coach for the new NBL franchise--the Dragons).
"The search process isolated candidates who showed vision and integrity and Mike was an obvious standout." From…Dragons chairman Mark Cowan talks about the new team’s plans to interview Wollongong Hawks assistant Mike Kelly for the club’s inaugural head coach role next season.
Wow...what a statement...and what a man! I couldn't agree more. Even the “yet-to-be- Christian” world highly values men of integrity and vision.
Re: Jason Smith in an article entitled "Smith ignites Kings to victory over Bullets" From Oz Hoops...by Matt Darcy
"After an exhibition of moving without the ball to make Reggie Miller proud, Smith hit another 3-pointer from his favourite wing spot. Finally, it was Barlow again, leading the break and finding Knight all alone for the dunk. This made it 41-33 Brisbane and forced Joey Wright to call for time.Over the next 5 or so minutes, Brisbane cut Sydney's lead to 4 - 53-49 - but were rather fortunate to do so. Sydney missed a number of opportunities to extend their lead well into double figures, while Hill and Copeland kept Brisbane in the game with some unlikely (or just plain lucky) points. Smith was looking to assert his authority on this game. He is an unusual star player. Physically, he doesn't stand out and his game is not without flaw. But from the mental perspective, he is without peer in the NBL. Once he sets his mind on picking his team up and carrying them to a lead which will test the mental toughness of the opposition, he rarely fails to pull it off.
I particularly like this quote because Matt (rightly!) acknowledges Jason's character (as well as his behaviour).
Jason was rested in the last game of the season against the Taipans, but will be raring to go for the Finals series.
