Editor's Note: Australian basketball fans are out there. We know you are. Some of you are in hibernation. Some are biding their time. But you're out there, with fond memories and hopes of a return to those heady days gone past. Jonathan Bretag is one of us. He approached me with this amazing article on the glory days of Australian basketball, with hopes that they are not gone forever. Enjoy, as I did.

I had an interesting dream this morning. That's not a good statement to begin a written article or a conversation with, but please bear with me. I dreamt that all of my teeth had fallen out and...well, that bit isn't important, let me just skip to the interesting part. The part about NBL basketball. In my dream, I was looking at a photo in a magazine of a guy rising above defenders and about to complete a nifty finger-roll. From the lithe, athletic frame, the initials "J.C." on the back of the singlet, and also the rather high shorts, I immediately recognised who it was. An anonymous voice in the background, sounding only vaguely interested, asked, "Who's that?"

Barely able to comprehend the ignorance of the anonymous voice I answered, "Who is it? It's James Crawford! You don't remember the "Alabama Slammer"? Perth Wildcats? Remember Cal Bruton, Andrew Vlahov, "Tiny" Pinder, and um.....Mike Ellis! Run, gun and have some fun! Those were some good teams they had!"

I didn't seem to be making an impression on the anonymous voice, despite my passionate recollections, but I suddenly remembered something that was undeniably impressive. "I've got this other picture of James Crawford. It's from the Australian Basketball News 1988 NBL Yearbook and his arm is seriously at the top of the backboard. That guy could leap."

"Top of the backboard? Really?" The voice was becoming more interested.

"Yeah, and it's not like a visual illusion or anything because his hand is on the ball. He's pinning the ball on a rebound or a block or something and it's literally right at the top of the backboard!"

"That's pretty cool. Who did you say he was?"

And then I woke up.

The New Zealand Breakers are doing a great thing for charity by supporting CanTeen -- assisting teens with cancer. It's clear watching this video who the seasoned vets are as opposed to those unaccustomed to being in front of the camera!

Hot on the heals of the news that Tony Ronaldson was to call it a day, another league legend in Chris Anstey has announced his retirement. It has been a tough season for the Melbourne Tigers, a season which stands out like a sore thumb in a club with a rich tradition of winning. Their overtime loss to the Perth Wildcats on Saturday night ruled out any chance of a playoff berth this season.

Daniel Eade at Gaze Hoops broke the story on the Anstey retirement -- read his article here, which chronicles Anstey's fine international career. As with any outstanding player, Anstey has had his share of detractors over the years, as he scorched teams in his final stint in the NBL after returning from overseas. But for Melbourne Tigers fans he was a franchise saviour at a time he was needed most and undoubtedly enjoyed one of the finest international careers (across various domestic leagues) of any Australian.

Word is, he may not be the only Tiger to call it quits either.

Great news for international basketball fans -- particularly those who follow the Australian and Asian leagues. FIBATV.com has announced that they are showing live coverage from the Asean Basketball League (ABL) and the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). All of these games are free to view, all you need to do is register and login to FIBATV.com.

Playing twenty years of professional basketball is an amazing feat. Managing to make the playoffs EVERY year in those twenty is awe-inspiring. That is what Tony "The Bear" Ronaldson has managed to do in the National Basketball League.

The Bear has never had the most athletic physique, on the contrary, he has been called his fair share of names for his body shape over the years. A bottom-heavy, thickly built waddling man is not what people generally think of as the stereotypical high-flying basketball player. Somehow Ronaldson has pulled it off though.