Hoops Heaven’s Basketball Hustle – #NBL25 Episode 21

Farewell Kevin Braswell, Taran Armstrong to Golden State Warriors, Justin Schueller transitioned out of Brisbane Bullets, full TABtouch NBL Playoffs preview with Melbourne United v Perth Wildcats, Illawarra Hawks v South East Melbourne Phoenix.

Before getting stuck into the NBL Playoffs, we talk about the sad passing of 2011 NZ Breakers championship winning guard and former head coach Kevin Braswell.

We then also look at how frustrating it is to have this FIBA break before the Playoffs and talk about Taran Armstrong gong from the Cairns Taipans to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA, and why Justin Schueller appears hard done by to be let go by the Brisbane Bullets.

We then get stuck into previews of the two Playoff series starting with Melbourne United against the Perth Wildcats. History is with Melbourne and so is home court advantage, but there's so much to watch out for including if United's veterans or the Wildcats youth shine.

Then can Bryce Cotton finally break the shackles of Shea Ili, do Melbourne have an answer for the explosive Keanu Pinder and who prevailed in the battle of the two fastest paced teams in the NBL.

Then there's the Illawarra Hawks trying to shake off a three-week break when they take on the South East Melbourne Phoenix in the other series.

The Hawks look to have all the weapons with Tyler Harvey and Trey Kell III in the back court, and Sam Froling, Lachlan Olbrich and Mason Peatling up front, but the Phoenix have a big threat with Matt Hurt and also welcome back Derrick Walton Jr.

Josh King is also yet to lose to Justin Tatum and the Hawks since taking over as coach at the Phoenix while whether or not South East Melbourne can force Illawarra into turning the ball over 10-plus times will be a crucial factor.

To then wrap up this week's show we take a look at the coaching vacancies at the Cairns Taipans and Brisbane Bullets with Cody pinpointing Kerry Williams as the likely appointment at the Snakes and potentially Chase Buford returning to the NBL at the Bullets.

The Adelaide 36ers became the most fascinating story to watch in #NBL25 too and we look back on what they did and why if they can bring back the majority of that eight-man rotation that worked late in the piece they will be tough to deal with next season.

All made possible thanks to the support of Hoops Heaven (www.hoopsheaven.com.au) and TABtouch (www.tabtouch.com.au).