The Top Ten Moments of the NBL Cup

By Liam Santamaria

Well, that was fun!

The NBL’s inaugural NBL Cup is officially in the books with the Perth Wildcats claiming the $150,000 prize for taking out the top spot.

South East Melbourne picked up $100,000 for finishing second, despite playing six games without star import Keifer Sykes, while Brisbane take home $50,000 for finishing third.

What do the rest of us get? Well, nothing. But we’ll always have the memories!

In fact, in the interest of preserving those memories, here are the top ten moments of the NBL Cup.

 

10. The Slashing on Swan Street

 New Zealand’s 44-point beat-down of Adelaide in Round 7 was a nightmare for Sixers fans but served as a much-needed circuit-breaker for the Breakers.

The Kiwis had lost four games in a row – all by double-digits – and with a hectic schedule ahead of them, things were starting to look dire.

Enter the Webster Bros, who saw Adelaide star Isaac Humphries go down early and immediately went into kill mode.

The Breakers stormed out to a 26-point lead at the opening break – the biggest quarter time lead in 40-minute NBL history – and, as the massacre continued, parents in the arena started covering their children’s eyes.

When all was said and done, the Websters had combined for 58 points, New Zealand had claimed their equal biggest win in franchise history and the floor-wipers were left to clean away the blood.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">? Breakers Break the Drought ?<br><br>The <a href="https://twitter.com/NZBreakers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NZBreakers</a> get their second <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL21?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL21</a> win and it is a BIGGIE* ? taking down the <a href="https://twitter.com/Adelaide36ers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Adelaide36ers</a> 106-62<br><br>Tai Webster doubled down and snagged Bunnings Trade player of the game in the W ?<br><br>*equal biggest win in franchise history</p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1365581816539672577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


 

9. Goorjian’s 750^th

Illawarra’s victory over United in Brian Goorjian’s milestone match was a very gutsy performance.

Up against a fired-up Melbourne squad looking to bounce back, the Hawks reeled off 9 unanswered points to begin a dominant fourth quarter, delivering the GOAT an emotional win on his old home floor.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The ? got it done tonight for the <a href="https://twitter.com/illawarrahawks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@illawarrahawks</a> ?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/FDxVZ92C9D">pic.twitter.com/FDxVZ92C9D</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1370691308122083331?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

8. “Gaze alley-oop to Copeland!”

It was a Saturday night to remember in Round 7 as the NBL’s dynamic duo were reunited in the booth.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">How it started How it&#39;s going <a href="https://t.co/b9geJz6GBW">pic.twitter.com/b9geJz6GBW</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1365551397983252480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


 

7. “Bring grey/green shorts.”

South East Melbourne went into Throwdown VI last Wednesday with six rostered players, two DPs and an injury-replacement named after a 90s dance craze.

In short: they had no right winning that game.

I mean, things were looking so bleak for the Phoenix in the lead-up, their social media department sent a message to their mates in search of a fill-in.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Anyone keen to fill in for our basketball team tonight?<br><br>7:30 <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnCainArena?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JohnCainArena</a>. Bring grey/green shorts. <a href="https://t.co/6TPf19g88l">https://t.co/6TPf19g88l</a></p>&mdash; South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) <a href="https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix/status/1369492235440427010?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


In the end, however, there were no extra bodies required as Creeky scored a lift to the game, eight guys hit the court and the Phoenix pulled off a memorable overtime win.

 

6. “Mojave King has got me out my seat!”

It has taken a minute but the eye-catching NBA potential of Mojave King is finally on display in NBL21.

Fresh off back-to-back double-digit scoring games, King stepped on court on Friday night and went BANG – throwing down a powerful jam over a 6-foot-10 centre.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">KING SH!!!!!!!!!!!!!T ?<br><br>WE&#39;RE GONNA NEED MORE BLU TACK.<br><br>ANOTHER <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL21?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL21</a> POSTER ?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/9oXySrzUQP">pic.twitter.com/9oXySrzUQP</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1370299321820737538?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


I can confirm that King’s dunk did, indeed, get Corey Williams out of his seat as John Casey and I thought for a moment that ‘Homicide’ was abandoning ship.

You can’t blame him though. That was a statement throwdown by the young Next Star that was punched in with a whole heap of authority.

The best part: it came on the back of a series of hammer dunks delivered throughout the Cup.

Space Cam and Isaac Humphries got things started in Round 6, Orlando Johnson flew past Cairns in Round 7, Jordan Hunter and Matt Hodgson went above the rim in Round 8 (more on ‘Hodgy’ in a minute) and, this week, Sunday Dech got involved with a ferocious one-hand throwdown of his own.

 

5. “It’s a privilege to have facial hair.”

Yes, Vic Law. Yes it is. 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Facial hair, the real MVP.<br><br>The <a href="https://twitter.com/BrisbaneBullets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BrisbaneBullets</a> followed Vic Law&#39;s lead with the mo and got the dub <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLCup</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Followthe_LAW?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Followthe_LAW</a> <a href="https://t.co/8XsWJIOdjQ">pic.twitter.com/8XsWJIOdjQ</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1365208597227970565?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

4. “At forward, my little brother…”

Perth’s pre-game introductions for the final game of the NBL Cup was a beautiful touch by the classiest of organisations.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Friends and family of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLCup</a> winning <a href="https://twitter.com/PerthWildcats?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PerthWildcats</a> welcome them to the court at <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnCainArena?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JohnCainArena</a> ?? <a href="https://t.co/7sJTd7AShz">pic.twitter.com/7sJTd7AShz</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1370972596221607942?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


Maybe it was the emotions stirring in the Wildcats but they came out flat following those intros. It’s all good though, as Bryce Cotton sparked Perth’s biggest comeback victory since 2004.

As if that wasn’t enough, after the game this happened…

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Coming home with the NBL Cup! ? <a href="https://t.co/R8Lv6ednhR">pic.twitter.com/R8Lv6ednhR</a></p>&mdash; Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) <a href="https://twitter.com/PerthWildcats/status/1371001231204741121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


 

3. “New Zealand through and through!”

One of the great buzzer-beating game-winners from one of the greatest Kiwi ballers of all time.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">MADNESS ? TOM ABERCROMBIE WINS IT AT THE BUZZER FOR THE BREAKERS! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLCup</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL21?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL21</a> <a href="https://t.co/LJdS9kcWo3">pic.twitter.com/LJdS9kcWo3</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1369558771173781504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

2. Ware vs Cotton

This epic battle between two of the greats would probably be in the number one spot if it was entirely up to me but, seeing as this piece is for the people, let’s keep it here at number two.

Round 6. Sydney vs Perth. Grand Final Rematch. Highlighted by the greatest individual rivalry currently in the league.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">? This ? matchup ? though ?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLCup</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL21?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL21</a> <a href="https://t.co/bfwZhdeNYz">pic.twitter.com/bfwZhdeNYz</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1364127470220320769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


In case you’ve forgotten, this was Cotton’s very own ‘Flu Game’; with the reigning MVP rolling out of his sick bed just hours before the game to lead his team to victory.

Casper had 34 and Cotton had 30 & 9 as the pair went toe-to-toe throughout the night, jawing at each other every step of the way. They especially shone in crunch time when the two stars combined for 27 fourth-quarter points.

Stay tuned: the next chapter in the story of this epic rivalry will be written on March 28 at Qudos Bank Arena.

 

1. Hodgson on Peatling

Thank you to everyone involved in this dunk. Matt Hodgson, of course, for throwing it down, Jason Cadee for the set-up, photographer Graham Denholm for capturing the moment and finally, poor ol’ Mason Peatling for elevating a regulation tuck-in to the number one moment of the NBL Cup.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WITH ZERO REGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE. MATTHEW HODGSON.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLCup</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL21?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL21</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BrisbaneBullets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BrisbaneBullets</a> <a href="https://t.co/i7FmnCyVYH">pic.twitter.com/i7FmnCyVYH</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1368424055087407111?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


 

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