2008-11-29-spirit
Fans battled through the stormy weather and a traffic log jam thanks to a legion of brainwashed Andre Rieu drones to watch what might be the last basketball game in Sydney for some time.

Over 2500 fans made it to the Olympic Sports Centre for the biggest home turnout for the Sydney Spirit this year as they steam rolled the South Dragons 103-94 in an emotionally charged win.

Backed by the boisterous crowd the Spirit took care of a bandaged Dragons squad without three starters, Derek Low and Julian Khazzouh, who signed European contracts and the injured Damien Martin.

But why is it that people in Sydney only turn out for basketball when a championship can be clinched or a team is on the verge of folding?

The 10,000 "supporters" that packed the Entertainment Centre in March couldn't save the Kings and subsequently couldn't save basketball in the entire city of Sydney.

This was the most important game in Sydney since game five of last year's Grand Final series, and in that context the turnout was weak.

The 2572 fans made a significant difference to the atmosphere, but realistically it was only about 1000 more people than the average crowd at a Spirit game this season, that's not good enough by a long way.

Sydney has massive problems with the sport of basketball, it might do some good if basketball were to have a short absence so the full impact of what is happening can be realised.

The NBL will undergo a major reform next season; the competition should go ahead with nine teams, as is now with the exception of Sydney.

Let the people and administrators in Sydney go without basketball for at least a year to fully comprehend the repercussions of their actions or lack of actions.

More importantly, give the city time to properly construct a club from the ground up without having to rush to scrape together something with a flawed and inferior business structure.

As for now; this sinking ship needs to be salvaged for the remainder of the season, people's lives are being significantly impacted by what's going on.

Jason Smith made a passionate plea in the press conference for people to get out and support the sport regardless of their prior allegiances to the Kings or Razorbacks.

Those teams don't exist anymore and as Smith said, the Spirit is the only ticket in town and they way things are looking they could be the last ticket in Sydney.

Smith urged that if people want to see quality basketball, which is what the Spirit and Rob Beveridge are providing then they should get behind the only club in the city if they're really interested in the sport and preserving its future.