I think that they will target James
Harvey as their "franchise" player or perhaps Damien Ryan, as for imports they should be fine as long as they don't go punching door windows reinforced with steel mesh in them like a certain old roller's import did.

Whatever happened to that NBL mandate that all teams had to be playing in stadiums of at least 5000 capacity which was given as one of the reasons for teams being culled from the NBL

Philnaldo, I think they'll be playing out of a new venue, but I'm not sure of its capacity.

Philnaldo,

The new Gold Coast convention centre seats 6,500.

Slambour would look good scoring 30 for Adelaide in it.

What about Gold Coast Meter Maids. Oh, that's already taken. Gold Coast Yakuza.
They could recruit both James's.
Harvey and Pennington. At least Harvey would fit in, I don't think Pennington is old enough to have tattoos yet!

Papers up here are expecting an announcement this week - apparently the NBL met last week and this topic was discussed. In the past I have been told it would be an expansion team - but it would make sense to move the Pigs - as they suck at the moment! - This would also make sense of the Cal Bruton appointment as I wouldnt have thought he was not a long tern coachiing prospect - rather a fill in till seasons end.

As for a roster - I would see the initial emphasis on ready made players who will get immediate results. May be able to poach some Bullets who are a bit starved for court time (Mick Hill) and Im sure a few players would be able to be poached for some good $$ and the GC Lifestyle. As for a coach - free flowing, high scoring, attractive to watch style would seem to be the requirement here - someone who can coach established players - Smyth would be the perfect fit but that will depend on what happens with Adelaide.

Ive also heard whispers that they may be looking to align themselves with the new NRL team (Titans) - No concrete discussions on that one as far as I know but it would make sense to have a joint venture and share some resources.

Names.....if they get together with the Titans then thatwould make sense - I would hope not to have the Rollers - thats an old idea that already has died once. Heat would be interesting as well. The NRL side chose their name by fan poll after an initial shortlist was decided upon so that could be how they do it.

Playing out of the new GC Entertainment centre would be fantastic - much better than poor old Cararra stadium!

What about coaching wise? Names Ive heard floating about are Claxton, Dunlap, Stacker and even Smyth.

They should only sign Claxton if they want to lose. I don't know much abour his record pre Sixers, but when he was here, he stunk.

Claxton is the guy in charge of the whole GC bid. I dont think he would be coaching - rather he would be in charge of the actual running of the club (as far as I know)

Yes he can not play Cat again and his team will miss the playoffs.

I would think that Titans would be a name that a) the league want's to avoid and b) any club serious about being successful wants to avoid.

I don't know if it is Razorbacks moving, the GC team has been in the pipeline for 2 years at least, and only just missed out being active for this season with some of their timings.

The Rollers is a great name and should be brought back to life.

As for coach Stacker?

Players - Ben Knight (Sick of living in Singapore), Peter Crawford (unusal role and minutes this season), Steven Hoare (Is he sick of playing 6th man?), Mick Hill (rate himself higher than what he is?), maybe the return of a Matthew Nielsen...

West Sydney are not locating and the Gold Coast franchise will be a new franchise. In reference to coaching the team Stacker no go. I think it will be an existing coach of an NBL team.

Anon - Singapore will not fold - the NBL has put way too much into the Asian expansion to let their first Asian club fold after a season.

Eevery new club in the league has always struggled the first couple of years since the Titans, so pretty premature call.

It is offical, stops talk of rellocation for West Syd and Slingers: This is sydney newspaper:

The Gold Coast will host a National Basketball League team in 2007, ending a 10-year battle for consortium chief Dave Claxton.

NBL commissioner Rick Burton and general manager Chuck Harmison will be at the Gold Coast Convention Centre on Tuesday to announce the decision to expand the competition to 13 teams from the 2007/08 season.

Claxton has been fighting for a Gold Coast NBL team since the demise of the Rollers in 1996.

Reference coaching: clue NOT STACKER

Go for the Gold coast Bling or GC Breast enhancements! If they go as the GC Porn, sign Tomlinson as coach and the pre - game music should fit the name.

Seriously, has there ever been a successful national sporting side that's ever come out of the G.C?
Players kick back wat too much. Will be a team that the pigs could beat!

yogee&Most new clubs do struggle, however the Slingers are unique, there isn't really anything to compare it to in NBL history. What I think is of biggest concern for the club's future is the lack of local talent on the team. Many have suggested that the reason the 36ers are not supported as much anymore is the lack of local talent. However, at least the majority of the players on the 36ers are Australian. The Slingers not hardly any national players.

Would you support an Adelaide club of any sport that played in a non-Australian competition and whose almost entire roster was non-Australian? I wouldn't. It would be an Adelaide club in name only. This needs to be sorted out if the Slingers are going to even have a chance of surviving.

Unless I'm mistaken, there are no Singaporeans who are quite good enough. Some that are close to being bench players, but that's about it.

I wonder how much thought or emphasis was put on this during the planning stages, or whether they just looked at the big (freebie) crowds from the Wildcats exhibition matches staged there previously?

I was going to say the same as Isaac.

Singapore took a major step 2 years ago when they signed Tracey York (ex Woodville, ex Boomer assistant coach) as their national development officer (I think that's her title).

Singapore is obviously very keen to develop their local players to a good standard, and hopefully will start to blood some through the Slingers club.

As I have said before, the NBL has placed way too much importance on the Asian expansion to let it all fold after just 1 season.