Pelicans praise Australian tour as NBL push for more NBA visits to Australia

NBL owner Larry Kestelman dreams of bringing NBA teams to Australia on a regular basis and the first team to make the trip have given their visit a glowing review.

A little under 30,000 fans attended the two games from the New Orleans Pelicans at Rod Laver Arena over the weekend with their visit ending with a 127-92 win over the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Sunday.

Some fans called the experience a “once in a lifetime opportunity” as the Pels were the first side to come to Australia and now those fans who couldn’t get tickets will have to see if Kestelman and the NBL can convince another team to visit but he already has interest from other outfits.

Kestelman believes it will cost too much to bring two teams to Australia and that the NBA would more likely send those games to bigger markets but thinks visits like the Pelicans made could work both in Victoria and other states.

Pelicans superstar Zion Williamson continued his impressive return from injury with eight points, nine rebounds and three steals in 15 minutes before sitting in the second half.

Williamson’s steal and behind the back pass was the highlight of the game on Sunday as it ended with a dunk from rookie Jeremiah Fears who was also impressive in his second game.

Pelicans coach Willie Green gave Australia a glowing review although the prospective NBA teams will also be watching to see if the Pels players show any signs of fatigue once they come home.

“Australia did an excellent job hosting us, starting with the people, everybody was extremely generous and inviting and welcoming. We had a great time visiting,” Green said.

“Just walking around the city, seeing different things, eating at different restaurants and the interacting with people.

“Then the game experience was incredible, so was the practice facility, so only positive things – it was a great experience.”

When asked if he could see a regular season game in Australia, Green said he could see it happening due to the growing reach of the NBA.

The only downside for the Pelicans was an injury to Jose Alvarado who went down after hyperextending his right knee.

The team flew out of Melbourne soon after the game. Alvarado will be re-evaluated back home.

Pelicans guard Jordan Poole put his Australian experience in simpler terms.

“Man, we went to go see some kangaroos and koalas. That’s all I cared about,” Poole said.

“I was pretty much good after that.”

The Phoenix struggled with their shooting and with their nerves on Sunday but big man Akech Aliir, brother of AFL star Aliir Aliir, had his best game for the club with 16 points off the bench.

Getting to see an NBA team in Australia was a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” for Richard Hurst, who attended the game with his son Tristan.

“I’ve got friends and family living interstate and they are very jealous of me living in Melbourne,” Hurst said.

As a Phoenix member Hurst was hoping for a competitive game but admitted the skills and athleticism of the Pelicans stood out on the court.

“Playing against the top calibre of the league is different.”

Hurst and thousands of other fans will hope this experience will happen again.

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