By Stephen Black  

Every 2 weeks I will post the Power Rankings which are intended to provoke discussion, have some fun and not reflect the Standings but rather how the team has performed over the 2 week span. Please do not take them too seriously and feel free to use email to send me any suggestions you have for the upcoming themes, answers to trivia questions or how you feel your team is travelling. This week I have chosen the 90’s Bulls to sort out our teams and determine who won the off-season because who didn’t love those Bulls.

This Weeks theme: Early 90's Chicago Bulls

JORDAN
The one and only... or in this case 2

Townsville
Allen, Egan, Blanchfield, Cedar, Robertson... This is where my money is - and they actually have a bench as well! My only concern would be that they have a number of very good players but may lack the great player to stand above the rest when it matters. Here is where I put all my eggs in the Cedar basket who for mine did more for his team at the point than any other last year given the talent around him (Note: apologies to Rhys Martin who was the best player last year, not most influential)

Rockhampton
Pero will make them fascinating to watch and there will be times they are totally dominant. Jefferies will be a key though as Gohlston saved their bacon in more than 1 game last year. They undeniably have a monster squad again, even without 'hack-a-McDade' (I kid because I love) and getting home court in the playoffs could determine their fate again

PIPPEN
Still the most impressive Robin to Jordan's Batman in the league until Miami actually win something

Mackay
If a Kruger team doesn't smack you in the mouth the second you step on the court then who will? Coenraad will need to get to yet another level and Deba may struggle to be the new Fitzy but you know Martin will will be making the plays down the stretch

Ipswich
Recruiting size and outside threats will make Ipswich a very dangerous proposition. Will Benny T be comeback player of the year? Funnily enough I think the season will come down to how good a left handed point guard named Black is

Bundaberg
They can really put the ball in the hole. They will be a great offensive team to watch. They will score with anyone this year. Let's not talk about the other end... Related Trivia, last team to Zone for virtually an entire NBL season? Winner gets a Spalding Ball

Gold Coast
The Coast make you earn every win you get and thoroughly deserved to make the semis last year. If Mcgregor has anything left and Gibson plays more than half the season - look out!

Cairns
First year coach Burden will need to recruit heavily and hope Kerry is given a long run in the Marlins as part of his recovery. They will always be tough though and I can't say enough about Brebner's intangibles. Can the rookie coach entice King BoBo back to the fold?

HORACE GRANT
The sturdy role player who won them many games but was always left under-rated by a hack doing a Power Ranking column. I smell Bulletin Board material...

South West
Losing key veterans and aquatic inspiration Harding will be difficult but a very talented core remains. Teys and Carter will be crucial and certainly have potential to dominate, Broome will need to be as consistent as last year and Niesler just needs to be Niesler all year to get back to the 4 again. Bias alert

Northside
I like the upgade at point guard in Gleeson although I fear he and Bubbles both like the ball in their hands and I know who's I would rather have it in. Bottom line, unbackable to dominate the regular season and run into someone hot in the first round

Gladstone
I cannot stress how big the first 4 games are for the power. At Mackay, followed by 3 home games that culminate in a date with Townsville in Gladstone which could set the direction for the season. Whilst Borgan is legit, they will need Iwanicki to be consistent and have someone provide the all-round game they missed from 'Spider'

Brisbane
I really like Garlep with this group and the time they put into the youth last year will really pay dividends. They could mix the whole thing up and the rumour mill suggests I may be an idiot for having them this low

BILL CARTWRIGHT
Detailed in 'The Jordan Rules' that 'his airness' told players never to pass the ball into Cartwright late in games. 'Nuff said.

Maroochydore
I know from experience that you do not want to play these guys in a sudden death game, they can seriously put the ball in the hole but a small team can't lose their best big guy. Give me $5 on Meehl averaging a triple double... at home

Caboolture
They struggled last year and I'm not sure where the improvements will be made losing their 2 leading scorers. Getting Giani and Nello is a nice pickup and should at least make them tougher inside

Toowoomba
I really like where they are headed this year but when you haven't won a game in 2 years, you don't start any power rankings anywhere other than on the bottom. Have a strong feeling they won't finish here though

Share your comments with Stephen via email wrap@basketballqld.net.au

“It takes a big man to admit when he is wrong... I am not a big man”

But seriously, Thank-you for your feedback regarding me mysteriously trading Nello to Caboolture (news to him and Caboolture) and Zane Meehl may struggle to average a triple double without actually playing (I still think there’s a chance). We also have a winner of our ‘Second-Guess Blacky’ competition by Michael who correctly identified the 1994 North Melbourne Giants coached by current Boomers coach Brett Brown as the Zoning culprits. This was D-Mac’s first year in the NBL and the Giants won the NBL title by hiding him in a zone all season where he promptly lead the league in steals – Good omen for Bundy! (I’m not even going to pretend that I don’t want this team to do well)