2016–17 NBL season


The 2016–17 NBL season was the 39th season of the National Basketball League since its establishment in 1979. A total of eight teams contested the league. The regular season was played between October 2016 and February 2017, followed by a post-season featuring the top four in late February and March 2017.
During the off-season Townsville Crocodiles folded with Brisbane Bullets returning.
Australian broadcast rights to the season were held by Fox Sports, in the second year of a five-year deal, with one game per week simulcast on SBS. In New Zealand, Sky Sport are the official league broadcaster.

Pre-season

2016 NBL All-Australian Tour of China

NBL All-Australian Team won the series 2–1.

2016 Australian Basketball Challenge

A pre-season tournament featuring all eight teams and two invited CBA teams was held on 23–26 September 2016 at Brisbane Convention Centre, Brisbane. The winner will receive the fourth annual Loggins–Bruton Cup.
Illawarra Hawks are pre-season champions.

Regular season

Round 8

Round 16

Ladder

The NBL tie-breaker system as outlined in the NBL Rules and Regulations states that in the case of an identical win–loss record, the results in games played between the teams will determine order of seeding.
13-way Head-to-Head between Cairns Taipans, Perth Wildcats and Illawarra Hawks.
''2Melbourne United won Head-to-Head. ''

Finals

The 2016–17 National Basketball League finals were played in late February and March 2017, consisting of two best-of-three semi-final series and the best-of-five Grand Final series. In the semi-finals, the higher seed hosted the first and third games. In the Grand Final, the higher seed hosted the first, third and fifth games.

Playoff Seedings

  1. Adelaide 36ers
  2. Cairns Taipans
  3. Perth Wildcats
  4. Illawarra Hawks
The NBL tie-breaker system as outlined in the NBL Rules and Regulations states that in the case of an identical win–loss record, the results in games played between the teams will determine order of seeding.

Semi-finals

Adelaide 36ers vs. Illawarra Hawks
'''Cairns Taipans vs. Perth Wildcats '''

Grand final

'''Perth Wildcats vs. Illawarra Hawks '''

Awards

Pre-season

Most Valuable Player : Cameron Gliddon, Cairns Taipans

Season

Most Valuable Player : Jerome Randle, Adelaide 36ersRookie of the Year: Anthony Drmic, Adelaide 36ersBest Defensive Player: Torrey Craig, Brisbane BulletsBest Sixth Man: Rotnei Clarke, Illawarra HawksMost Improved Player: Nathan Sobey, Adelaide 36ersCoach of the Year : Joey Wright, Adelaide 36ersReferee of the Year: Vaughan MayberryAll-NBL First Team:

Finals

Grand Final Series MVP : Bryce Cotton, Perth Wildcats