About this episode

This episode explores the intense rivalry between Sydney and Illawarra, highlighting LaMelo Ball's influence and the subsequent challenges faced by the Hawks.

We continue diving deeper into one of Aussie hoops' fiercest rivalries — Sydney vs Illawarra — picking things up as LaMelo Ball and his rookie of the year season in 2019 that propelled the Hawks into the global spotlight, setting NBL viewership and attendance records, while the Kings reload under Will Weaver and push for a championship in a season that ends in chaos. Host Dan Boyce breaks down LaMelo's viral debut, his back-to-back triple-doubles, and the impact of the injury to Aaron Brooks to Illawarra playoff hopes, before diving into the record-setting 17,514 crowd that packed Qudos Bank Arena for Hawks v Kings — and the off-court collapse that followed. Then it's onto Sydney's rise to the top of the ladder, a Grand Final showdown with Perth, and how COVID ended it all. Finally, we trace the fallout in Wollongong — including liquidation, $2 million in debt, and the NBL's intervention — as Dorry Kordahi steps in to rescue the franchise and rebuild from the ground up. Featuring game and stat breakdowns from across the season, this episode blends rivalry flashpoints, behind-the-scenes turmoil, and the moment the rivalry took centre stage for the entire basketball world. Topics…

People in this episode

Host: Dan Boyce

Topics covered

• Aussie basketball rivalry
• LaMelo Ball's impact
• NBL attendance records
• Sydney Kings season
• Illawarra Hawks challenges
• COVID impact on basketball
• Franchise rebuilding

Keywords

• LaMelo Ball
• Sydney Kings
• Illawarra Hawks
• NBL
• basketball rivalry
• COVID
• Dorry Kordahi
• attendance records
• Grand Final

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Sydney Kings, Illawarra Hawks, NBL

Books & works: Aussie hoops' rivalry

Places: Wollongong, Qudos Bank Arena

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