It was a night where you could easily forget the poor crowd in Sydney just one day earlier. It was easy to forget the NBL’s “policy of containment” when it came to promoting the game, too.
It was especially easy to forget allegations of cap rorting at the Melbourne Tigers.
Because Saturday night’s Melbourne derby had no room for negativity. (Other than the fact family commitments had me consigned elsewhere, but that’s another story…)
One neat little thing I’ve been able to take out of the Dragons’ 108-80 thumping of the Melbourne Tigers – aside from the joy of Ebi Ere losing out – is Joe Ingles’ performance.
I can recall the Boxing Day derby two years ago where he was able to turn that game on its head. That was something special.
I can also recall the “junk time” he received late in the Boomers clash with Team USA at the Olympics and how undaunted he seemed by the opposition as he was dropping in threes ad nauseam.
But it wasn’t until I opened up the Sunday paper and read how he yet again was able to step up on the big stage, undaunted, that I truly realized he is a man for the big occasion. His 26 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and sheer domination set him apart.
It's the second time this season I've had such an epiphany over Ingles. In the Dragons’ home encounter with the Crocs, with the game on the line and little over a second remaining, he had the opportunity to shoot but – that word again, undaunted – took a bounce to line up a better shot.
To me, it didn’t matter so much he missed – well, okay, I was a little peeved as it had cost us the game – the composure he showed took me back to a Pistons-Celtics game I watched last season. (Scroll to about 2:15 to see the moment.)
Facing similar time constraints to Ingles, Chauncey Billups decided to fake a shot and hope to draw the foul. He remained calm under pressure and, luckily, the gamble paid off.
Joe Ingles continues to rise to the occasion. This is a trait that will serve him well on his quest for a roster spot in the NBA.
If the signs presenting themselves in recent months continue, the gap between Ingles and the NBA may soon be bridged completely. Saturday night’s performance did nothing to sway opinions any other way.
And speaking of swaying opinions, my question of who would stand up at the Dragons – Darden or Goorjian – seems to be answered.
In the absence of Mark Worthington, it was pleasing to see Tremmel Darden make a statement two nights in a row. He led the way against the Spirit on Friday and even achieved the goal I had secretly hoped he would reach by outscoring Ebi Ere in the derby on Saturday.
Oh, and the crowd! How could I go this long without mentioning the crowd?
9,308 – Melbourne’s biggest crowd for a game of hoops in seven years. Who said basketball was dead?
Now, if only we can entice the Tigers away from that puny little home they call The Cage and put this rivalry under the spotlight it deserves, Rod Laver Arena. If game one of this series can pull as many as it did, then why not?
Saturday night’s game put on show this sport’s potential. Young talent, big crowds, more column space than the Victory game…
Let’s hope for more of the same in years to come. And not just in Melbourne, either.
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