National Basketball League Research Articles

STUDY ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE FREE THROW IN BASKETBALL GAMES ENDED AT THE DIFFERENCE NO GREATER THAN 2 POINTS DURING THE 2018-2019 ROMANIA’S MEN’S NATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE SEASON

Background. Basketball is one of the most popular team sports in the world. It stands out through the finesse, accuracy, fantasy of the technical and tactical exercises, athletes’ height and physical qualities, all of these merged into a competition, which requires team spirit, sacrifice, intelligence and nervous resistance. It is a team sport which demands a large array of technical skills, tactical actions from the simplest to the most complex. This research aims to highlight the importance of free-throws in the economy of basketball games played in the men’s first division through the coefficient of the made free-throws by selecting all the games ended at a difference no greater than 2 points. Objectives. The objectives of this research are: influencing the development of morpho-functional body types, the development of movement quality, the development of a wide tactical knowledge, the introduction of new technical methods, increasing the overall performance. One of the main goals of this paper is to provide a detailed analysis of games ended at a difference of no more than two points. Methods. The methods used in the following research consist of video recording, match statistics and data analysis of official games played in the 2018-2019 Men’s National Basketball League season. Results. The results of this research show that the average made shot percentage of Men’s National Basketball League is 67,9 %. Returning to the problem of developing a tactical cognitive process regarding the importance of the free-throw, we need to mention that the foundation of this process is knowing the basics of the game, on which we can build and perfect the skills acquired along the years. Conclusion. The free-throw in the basketball game it’s taken in various muscular effort conditions. Thus, the players can benefit of a free-throw after greater or lesser effort. The content of the training, its effectiveness and variability are important to achieve for this purpose. The free-throw is a test of finesse, high coordination, accuracy, in which the information received from the brain an essential role. The basketball game requires an equal development of the entire complex of motor qualities through its wide motor content and the variety of movement it requires. This is why the players need a continuous and perseverant preparation.

МОНІТОРИНГ РИНКУ ТУРИСТИЧНИХ ПОСЛУГ НА ПРИКЛАДІ СПОЛУЧЕНИХ ШТАТІВ АМЕРИКИ

The article examines the theoretical issues of the travel services market in the United States. The United States has a huge domestic tourism market and a highly developed infrastructure with a large hotel chain and transportation industry. Today it is important to determine the current state of the market of tourist services in the country in order to further be able to analyze and identify effective ways to develop the tourism sector in the region. The current state of development of the tourism sector of the United States of America, where the main types of tourism are beach, sports, sightseeing, business tourism is quite developed. The results of the study showed that revenues from international tourism reach 10-20% of total export revenues. In terms of the level of development of international tourism, the United States lags far behind Europe. It is investigated that domestic tourism, a highly developed "hospitality industry", including car service, has received a very large development. Tourism in the United States has become a powerful industry that annually serves millions of foreign and domestic tourists, whose goal is to see the wonders of nature, cities, attractions, so-called tourist and recreational resources. The main problems and patterns of development of the market of tourist services are revealed. The analysis of functioning of the market of tourist services is carried out, the factors influencing its territorial organization, in particular demographic, social and economic, natural, historical and cultural and infrastructural are analyzed. The dynamics of tourist flows of the country is analyzed. The structure of hotel and restaurant business is investigated. The tourist market of the United States of America was monitored with the help of SWOT-analysis. The results of the study showed that the United States has prospects in the development of tourism with neighboring countries, in improving the development of ecological tourism on the basis of numerous national parks, in the development of event and business tourism by organizing sports competitions in international forums. The United States is considered an important center of educational tourism. Here are prestigious universities that attract many foreign students: Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Princeton. The United States is the center of world sports. National hockey and basketball leagues, prestigious international tennis tournaments and ski slopes attract athletes and fans from many countries.

Study regarding the main ways of gaining ball possession in Romanian basketball

Abstract Introduction: In basketball, ball possession can begin and end in many different ways, for example, ball possession may begin with an out-of-bounds, a stolen ball, a rebound etc, and may also end with a throw, a turnover or when the attack time has expired. Aim: Starting from the working hypothesis that the backboard rebounds represent an important factor in gaining ball possession, we have proposed to identify and analyze the game parameters recorded in the national basketball leagues. Material and methods: The theoretical documentation included explaining, based on specialized literature, terms related to ball possession. Also, in order to accomplish the purposes of this research, we have used statistical analysis (possession, arithmetic mean, amplitude) and graphical representation. This study focused on all teams participating in the 2019-2020 season of the National Basketball Leagues (16 men’s and 13 women’s teams). Results: Following the analysis and centralization of the game parameters from the 146 games played in the men’s league and 144 games in the women’s league, we have identified the main ways of gaining ball possession. Conclusions: Backboard rebounds represent the main way of gaining ball possession (which confirms the hypothesis).

Self-reported jumpers’ knee is common in elite basketball athletes – But is it all patellar tendinopathy?

ObjectivesTo describe the prevalence and pain location of self-reported patellar tendinopathy and patellar tendon abnormality in a male elite basketball population. DesignCross-sectional. SettingPre-season tournament. ParticipantsSixty male athletes from the Australian National Basketball League. Main outcome measuresSelf-reported patellar tendinopathy (PT) using the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre Overuse Questionnaire (OSTRC). Pain location using pain mapping (dichotomised: focal/diffuse) and severity during the single leg decline squat. Ultrasound tissue characterisation scans of both patellar tendons. ResultsThirteen participants (22.7%) self-reported PT. Only 3 who reported PT had localised inferior pole pain. Thirty athletes reported pain during the decline squat, 15 described focal pain; 10 diffuse pain (5 missing data). Those with diffuse pain had greater years played [Md = 21 (13–24), n = 10 than focal pain (Md = 12 (7–26), n = 15), p = 0.042, r = 0.3]. Bilateral tendon abnormality was found in 45% of athletes and 15% had unilateral tendon abnormality. ConclusionElite male basketball athletes self-reporting PT had heterogeneity in pain location. When focal pain with loading was used as a primary definition of PT, ‘jumpers’ knee’ was not common in this cohort. This study found that abnormality of the patellar tendon was common and did not correlate with symptoms.

WHAT REALLY MATTERS TO REACH THE HIGHEST LEVEL: AN APPROACH TO THE RELATIVE AGE EFFECTS ON BRAZILIAN BASKETBALL PLAYERS

In sport, the relative age effect (RAE) refers to a phenomenon that provides advantages of participation and performance to the athletes born in the first months of the year of selection in relation to the other athletes within the same age category. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relative age effect on Liga de Desenvolvimento do Basquete (LDB), Liga de Basquete Feminino (LBF) e Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB) considering the geographic region, the final classification of the teams and the career period of athletes. The study sample consisted of 831 athletes enrolled in the main Brazilian basketball leagues, 2014-2015 season. The information of the teams and the quarter of birth were obtained through the website of the Brazilian Basketball Confederation (www.cbb.com.br) and the website of the Brazilian National Basketball League (www.lnb.com.br). The RAE was found in the Southeast and South teams of the LDB, in the Southeast NBB teams and it was not related to the final classification of the teams. In addition, the relative age effect was reversed in the NBB athletes who were in the career consolidation stages. It is concluded that the RAE is present in the Brazilian basketball players of the LDB e NBB, with an inverse RAE being observed in the athletes from 25 to 34 years and absence of this phenomenon in those who are in the final phase of the sports career.

No Pain, No Gain? Prevalence, Location, Context, and Coping Strategies with Regard to Pain Among Young German Elite Basketball Players.

Pain among young athletes requires special attention given that symptoms occur during the ongoing development of the conditional, and in particular, the motor capacities, and while the musculoskeletal system is in a continuous process of growth. The purpose of this study was to evaluate prevalence, location, context, and coping strategies regarding pain among young athletes. We chose survey data of young elite athletes from the highest level national basketball leagues in Germany, as this meant that health implications may be observed earlier and in a more pronounced manner. The German ‘Adolescents’ and Children’s Health in Elite Basketball study’ (ACHE study), a quantitative survey, was conducted between April and June 2016. Analyses were based on elite basketball players between 13 and 19 years of age from 46 German teams (n = 182). Constant, and to some extent severe pain, was part of daily life of young elite basketball players: eight out of ten players in the highest German leagues suffered from pain at the time of the survey. Knee, leg, and back pain occurred most frequently. For most players, occasional or frequent consumption of analgesics was the norm, in some cases these were also taken “prophylactically”. The consumption of multiple pharmaceutical substances, especially of cyclooxygenase inhibitors such as ibuprofen and diclofenac, is widespread among adolescent elite basketball players. Physicians involved in treating these athletes should address pain and its management preemptively. Coaches, sporting organizations and parents should be involved in this process from an early stage.

Every Day's a New Day: A Captain's Reflection on a Losing Season.

Being captain of any team is a significant and prestigious position. In elite sport, the captain plays a vital role in both team and organisational leadership. To date there has been minimal research investigating captaincy, and none assessing the impact of regularly losing performances. A captain of a women’s national basketball league team participated in an in-depth, semi-structured interview reflecting on her experience during a losing season. Following Schutz’s (1967) framework, a social phenomenological analysis approach was taken, with seven higher-order themes emerging: being captain; relationship with coaching staff; relationship with teammates; team development; stressors; stress management; and self. Results suggest that while poor results affect all team members, there are increased levels of stress for the captain. The captain is expected to lead by example and avoid external expression of negativity. Further strains are placed on the captain, as they are the conduit between coaching and playing groups. As a result, the captain needs to have good support networks, from a variety of sources, to cope and minimise the impact on personal performance.

Relationships between the digit ratio (2D:4D) and game-related statistics in professional and semi-professional male basketball players.

The primary aim of this study was to examine relationships between digit ratio (2D:4D) and game-related statistics in professional and semi-professional male basketball players. The secondary aim was to quantify differences in mean 2D:4Ds between starting and reserve players. Using a cross-sectional design, 93 male basketball players from the professional Australian National Basketball League and the semi-professional South Australian Premier League were measured in-season for height, mass, and 2D:4D, with game-related statistics collected end-season. Linear relationships between right and left 2D:4Ds and game-related statistics were quantified using nonparametric partial correlations, and differences in mean 2D:4Ds between starting and reserve players were quantified using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). All partial correlations and ANCOVAs were adjusted for playing experience, body size, and competitive standard. 2D:4D was a weak to moderate negative correlate of points scored and assists-to-turnovers ratio, indicating that males with lower 2D:4Ds were generally better offensively as they recorded more points and assists relative to turnovers. The difference in mean 2D:4D between starting and reserve players was negligible. 2D:4D was favorably correlated with open-skill sports performance, as evidenced by the better offensive statistics of male basketball players with lower 2D:4Ds. These results probably reflect the organizational benefits of prenatal testosterone and indicate that 2D:4D may be a useful complement to traditional physical, physiological, skill, and behavioral predictors of basketball success.

Team Statistical Determinants of Victory in Brazilian Basketball

Aim: The present study aimed to identify the team variables that better determine victory in Brazilian basketball in a variety of game dynamics (close, even and disparate games). Methods: Team statistics including: accuracy of free-throws, 2-point shots and 3-points shots, offensive and defensive rebounds, assists, steals and lost balls, violations and committed and received fouls during 182 games of the Brazilian National Basketball League were analyzed by Discriminant Analysis. Results: Variables that determined overall victory were: defensive rebounds, assists, steals, committed and received fouls and 2-point, 3-point and free-throw accuracy. For disparate games, victory was determined by: defensive rebounds, assists, steals, 2-point, 3-points and free-throw accuracy. For even games, victory was determined by defensive rebounds, received fouls, assists, 2-points and 3-point accuracy. In contrast, no variables were able to identify victory for the close games. Conclusion: The current results have identified the most important team variables for victory in a range of games.

Risk Factors for Reoperation and Performance-Based Outcomes After Operative Fixation of Foot Fractures in the Professional Athlete: A Cross-Sport Analysis.

Background:Professional athletes are predisposed to fractures of the foot due to large stresses placed on the lower extremity. These players are concerned with efficiently returning to play at a high level. Return-to-play rates after operative treatment have been previously reported, yet performance outcomes after such treatment are generally unknown in this population.Hypothesis:Overall, professional athletes sustaining a foot fracture would return to play at high rates with little impact on postoperative performance or league participation. However, National Football League (NFL) athletes would have a significantly greater decline in performance due to the high-impact nature of the sport.Study Design:Case series.Level of Evidence:Level 4.Methods:Athletes in the National Basketball League (NBA), NFL, Major League Baseball (MLB), and National Hockey League (NHL) undergoing operative fixation of a foot fracture were identified through a well-established protocol confirmed by multiple sources of the public record. Return-to-play rate and time to return were collected for each sport. League participation and game performance data were collected before and after surgery. Statistical analysis was performed, with significance accepted as P ≤ 0.05.Results:A total of 77 players undergoing 84 procedures met the inclusion criteria. Overall, 98.7% (76/77) of players were able to return to play, with a median time to return across all sports of 137 days. Players returned to preoperative performance levels within 1 season of surgery. Six players (7.8%) sustained refracture requiring reoperation, all of whom were in the NBA. Percentage of games started during the season after primary operative treatment was a predictive factor for reinjury (99% vs 40%, P = 0.001).Conclusion:Athletes returned to play at a high rate after foot fracture fixation, with excellent postoperative performance levels, regardless of sport and fracture location. NBA athletes sustaining fifth metatarsal and navicular fractures are at greater risk of reinjury compared with other athletes. Returning to high levels of athletic participation soon after surgery may predispose athletes to refracture and subsequent reoperation.Clinical Relevance:Players, coaches, and team physicians should be aware of the impact of foot fractures on career performance and longevity to best guide therapy.

Study on free throws in the romanian men’s national league of basketball

Abstract The increasingly frequent use of computers in analyzing the game of basketball, offers the advantage of a fast analysis of a player’s or a team’s performance, one free of mathematical errors. The following study focuses on analyzing the free throws in the Men’s National League of Basketball, emphasizing those features that can make the difference between the champion team and the other participants.Thus, starting from the hypothesis that the team on the first place must be the team with the lowest average of the free throws of the visiting teams, this study would like to point out the number of free throws that were given to the host teams and to the guest teams. Other aspects that have been analyzed in this paper include the percentage of scored points in free throws, the percentage of free throws for teams participating in the LNBM (Men’s National Basketball League) and the teams that have benefited from the most free throws, so that the data obtained can provide coaches with a series of useful information for future preparation.

TECHNIQUES AND TACTICS IN BASKETBALL ACCORDING TO THE INTENSITY IN OFFICIAL MATCHES

ABSTRACT Introduction: Basketball is characterized as an intermittent sport in which currently stand out the highest intensity in which the actions occur, demanding for sport performance the optimum and homogeneous development of physical, technical, tactical, psychological and intellectual components. In this sense, the understanding of the game according to the technical and tactical actions performed and the knowledge of body’s responses are important for planning, monitoring and control of the training. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the intensity of basketball tactical actions and the relationships between technical actions and intensity during the different game periods (GP). Methods: Ten athletes of the Brazilian male basketball elite participated in this study (27.60±5.54 years, 192.62±7.63 cm, 91.60±11.51 kg, 10.66±4.11% of body fat) in six official matches of the National Basketball League (LNB, Brazil). Anthropometric measures and motor tests were performed and tactical (defensive, offensive and transition), technical [shares number (SN) and efficiency ratio (ER)] and physical actions [percentage of lactate threshold heart rate (%HRthr)] were correlated. Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used between SN, ER and %HRthr. Results: The main results point to: (1) positive and significant relationship (except the 4th GP) between SN, ER and %HRthr; (2) tactical actions presented HR near the lactate threshold, being apparently the highest median for the transitions (107.4%HRthr). Conclusion: The game is intense, with moments of HRpeak, but the median is slightly above of HRthr, that it is where the best relationship between SN and ER occurs.

Risk Factors for Reoperation and Performance-based Outcomes following Surgical Fixation of Foot Fractures in the Professional Athlete: A Cross-Sport Analysis

Objectives:Professional athletes are predisposed to fractures of the foot due to large stresses placed on the lower extremity; these players are concerned with efficiently returning to play at a high level. Return to play rates following operative treatment have been previously reported, yet performance outcomes following such treatment are generally unknown in this population. The purpose of this study was to assess and compare performance-based outcomes following foot fracture fixation among professional athletes of the 4 major North American sports.Methods:Athletes in the National Basketball League (NBA), National Football League (NFL), (Major League Baseball) MLB, and National Hockey League (NHL) undergoing operative fixation of a foot fracture were identified through a well-established protocol confirmed by multiple sources of the public record. Return-to-play rate and time to return were collected for each sport. League participation and game performance were collected before and after surgery. Statistical analysis was performed with significance accepted as P ≤ .05.Results:A total of 77 players undergoing 84 procedures met the inclusion criteria. Overall, 98.7% of players were able to return to play with an average time to return across all sports of 172 ± 22 days. Players returned to preoperative performance levels within one season of surgery. Six players (7.8%) sustained re-fracture requiring reoperation, all of whom were in the NBA. Percentage of games started during the season after primary surgical treatment was a predictive factor for re-injury (99% vs 40%, p = .001).Conclusion:Athletes returned to play following foot fracture fixation at a high rate with excellent postoperative performance levels, regardless of sport and fracture location. NBA athletes sustaining fifth metatarsal and navicular fractures are at a higher risk of re-injury compared to other athletes. Returning to high levels of athletic participation soon after surgery may predispose athletes to re-fracture and subsequent reoperation.

Análisis de la participación directa e indirecta en las acciones de juego de baloncesto de acuerdo con la intensidad

<p>El propósito de este estudio fue analizar la intensidad de las participaciones directas (PD) o indirectas (PI) en las acciones del juego de baloncesto. Participaron de este estudio siete jugadores, en un juego adulto masculino de la Liga Nacional de Baloncesto (Brasil). Para el partido fue utilizada una filmadora, posicionada en el punto más alto de la gradería y siete transmisores de FC, sincronizados con el tiempo de un cronómetro digital y posteriormente, por análisis de video, con las acciones del juego. Fue considerado PD cuando el jugador participó o se movió para participar efectivamente de la acción; y PI cuando el jugador no participó o no se movió. Fue observado decrécimo >5% en el %FC entre la PD y la PI. La PI en las acciones del juego atiende las situaciones tácticas, puede permitir mayor recuperación y contribuir con el desarrollo en elevada intensidad en las acciones del juego. </p>

Relationships between digit ratio (2D:4D) and basketball performance in Australian men.

To investigate relationships between the digit ratio (2D:4D) and competitive basketball performance in Australian men. Using an observational cross-sectional design a total of 221 Australian basketball players who competed in the Olympic Games, International Basketball Federation World Championships/Cup, Australian National Basketball League, Central Australian Basketball League or socially had their 2D:4Ds measured. Analysis of variance was used to assess differences in mean 2D:4Ds between men playing at different competitive standards, with relationships between 2D:4Ds and basketball game-related statistics assessed using Pearson's product moment correlations in men playing at a single competitive standard. There were significant differences between competitive standards for the left 2D:4D following Bonferroni correction, but not for the right 2D:4D, with basketballers who achieved higher competitive standards tending to have lower left 2D:4Ds. No important correlations between 2D:4D and basketball game-related statistics were found, with correlations typically negligible. This study indicated that the 2D:4D can discriminate between basketballers competing at different standards, but not between basketballers within a single competitive standard using objective game-related statistics.

The Attitude of Lithuanian Coaches towards Social and Professional Skills of Basketball Referees

How basketball coaches asses referees, who not only manage basketball matches but also develop athletes, remains a topical object in the field of sports science. Therefore, there emerges a scientific question: how to assess the opinion of Lithuanian basketball coaches about referees and their work? Based on this question, a pilot research was performed. The aim of this research was to determine how coaches view the work and social skills of Lithuanian basketball referees. The research was performed during offseason, when there are no official matches. Only coaches who have licenses issued by the Association of Lithuanian Basketball Coaches (AoLBC) and who have obtained coach qualification participated in the research (n = 68). Mean age of research subjects was 37.5 ± 11 (X ± S) years, and their work experience was 14.6 ± 10 years. Research methods that were used in this research include a questionnaire with closed-ended questions, statistical data analysis and generalization. The research was performed with the approval of the Association of Lithuanian Basketball Referees (ALBR). Only referees who work in Lithuanian Basketball League (LBL), National Basketball League (NBL), Regional Basketball League (RBL), Lithuanian Womens‘ Basketball League (LWBL) and Lithuanian Students‘ Basketball League (LSBL) were included in the research. After classifying the answers of coaches according to frequency – “Often”, “Sometimes”, “Rarely” and “Never” – it occurred that 39.5 percent of coaches feel referees‘ respect, and 28.9 percent of respondents have never felt it. Communication between basketball coaches and referees can be assigned to situational social skills, which are needed to create good professional relationships. Emotional background during basketball game can be considered as a special situation when true feelings of coaches are revealed. 57.4 percent of coaches claim that referees are too assertive when they make their decisions. Decision making skills reveal an individual‘s ability to predict the outcome of their behaviour in various situations and take responsibility, therefore, when making a decision it is important to predict positive and negative outcome of each possible decision. 45 percent of coaches claim that referees know how to get out of a predicament. Such opinion of the respondents shows that not only referees lack certain skills, but there‘s also a poor two-way communication. However, coaches also show the lack of will to communicate and adhere to rules that help control athletes in the court and their relationship during matches. It is also important for coaches and referees to find a mutually agreeable way to interpret certain situations during matches. In summary, according to Lithuanian basketball coaches, basketball referees are prone to show exaggerated strictness, tend not to acknowledge their mistakes and are too self-confident. However, they behave politely and properly and have a sense of humor. The majority of basketball coaches think that referees perform their duties objectively, know how to get out of a predicament and look athletic and fit. However, the majority of coaches think that referees have little knowledge on game tactics and players‘ psychology. Keywords: basketball game, professional qualification, relationship, communication, cooperation. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15823/sm.2016.7

Análise do desempenho do basquetebol brasileiro ao longo de três temporadas do Novo Basquete Brasil

The study examined the evolution of Brazilian basketball from the performance index (ID) teams in three seasons of Novo BasqueteBrasil (2009 to 2012), and determined reference values (percentiles) of the main ID. Data were collected on the website of the Brazilian National Basketball League. The most frequently ID in the analysis of the game of basketball were analyzed in 726 games by one‐way ANOVA (post hoc Tukey). The 2011/12 season had less three‐point and more two‐points shots, showed an improvement on free‐throws and a reduction in offensive rebounds. Percentiles indicate a high level demand for performance of teams among the ID analyzed. There was a tendency to change the game style of the teams over the past three seasons.

Vliv změny pravidel v roce 2010 na střelbu hráčů Národní basketbalové ligy

The aim of our study is to identify and evaluate the impact of rules changes in 2010 on success of two-point shooting and three-point shooting between selected Czech and foreign players taking part in National Basketball League- top male competition in the Czech Republic who have met with our specifi ed conditions in examined seasons 2009/10 and 2010/11. There are following methods used in the very research in the empirical part: Student’s paired t-test, Two-sample F-test, Student’s unpaired t-test of equality of variances and Size of eff ect. The results of these tests has statistically confi rmed our hypotheses H1 and H2 – it means decreasing of two-point shooting success in season 2010/11 for all examined players and reducing of success at three-point throws between players with Czech nationality. On the contrary, it has not confi rmed the hypothesis H3, thus increasing of three-point shooting success in season 2010/11 between foreign players. Substantively, we consider as an essential result the 20.1% negative impact of the rules changes on success of three-point shooting for players of Czech nationality.

PROFESSIONAL SPORT AND MARKET RESTRICTIONS: IS THE PLAYER POINTS SYSTEM IN THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE AN UNFAIR RESTRAINT OF TRADE?

This article analyses the Australian National Basketball League’s ‘Player Points System’ to ascertain the real impact of the system on the sport, clubs and athletes. It argues that the system works against the best interests of the sport and is an unreasonable restraint on the trade of the athletes. Ultimately, this article calls for the Player Points System to be abandoned and replaced by a more effective system such as the Restricted Free Agency labour market restraint model that is used in the Australian Football League and American National Basketball Association. It concludes that this system could more adequately promote the best interests of the National Basketball League and the players without constituting an unreasonable restraint of trade.

THE FUTURE OF THE NBL: REVIEWING THE PLAYER POINTS SYSTEM AND THE OVERALL SUSTAINABILITY OF THE LEAGUE

This article reviews and responds to the analysis completed by Jacob Holmes in the primary article ‘Professional Sport and Market Restrictions: Is the Player Points System in the Australian National Basketball League an Unfair Restraint of Trade?’. It adopts the position that until such time as the NBL is able to sustain its current format and competition, no change should be made. It also argues that it is unlikely that the courts will in fact hold that the NBL’s Player Points System does amount to a restraint of trade, given its reasonable nature and overall objectives of developing an equal and level playing field for the entire sport.