I hope we don't go into more cricket or football comparisons, not even worth comparing.
Yes, the weather impacts the cricket crowds, end of story, and other sports like football have competition and other teams in Melbourne that can reduce crowd numbers, or enhance them when taking into account people who go to finals just because they love their sport.
Basketball here, like the NRL, has only one team, so the crowd may be maxed out, but we won't know unless we try something, which is why I would like to see them play in the bigger venue, regardless of what they do with ticketing (But I think bumping up prices is just stupid and short sighted), my opinion only...