From history-making games to Zion-mania: Success of Pelicans pre-season sets stage for more NBA in Australia

The New Orleans Pelicans capped off a whirlwind week in Melbourne, tipping off their pre-season with two games against Melbourne United and South East Melbourne Phoenix. 

While the games were the marquee events of the week, there was a buzz in the air from Melbourne Park to Flinders Street Station and throughout the CBD. The NBA wasn't just in town. It had taken over. 

As the first NBA team to ever play on Aussie soil, the New Pelicans made the most of their historic trip, engaging with fans during open training sessions, conducting junior camps, and of course, the mandatory visit to the zoo, soaking up everything Melbourne had to offer and setting the precedent for more teams to make the trip Down Under. 

A historic first for basketball in Australia

Firstly, Larry Kestelman and the NBL deserve plenty of credit for pulling off this week seamlessly — in partnership with Visit Victoria and the NBA. 

From the complicated logistics of bringing an NBA team to Australia, to making the experience for fans one to remember, this week in Melbourne was no easy feat, but one that went off without a hitch. 

Across the two games, open training session, and Fan Night, over 60,000 fans came through the gates at Melbourne Park. From offering fan-led activations outside the arena, to bringing NBA legends Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to attend the festivities, basketball truly took centre stage in Melbourne.

"It's a dream come true, not just for me but the basketball community," Larry Kestelman said on Sunday's broadcast.

"To see all the kids and families experience these superstars, we're all in awe of them.

"The moment that stands out to me is seeing all those kids in the crowd go wild after living out their dreams, but also inspiring them to be one of those players."

Off the back of the success of the Pelicans' trip to Melbourne, Kestelman now wants to use this as a launchpad to bring more teams to Australia in the future.

"This was about proving that we can actually deliver a global-quality event and I think we've done it, I think they're happy and the rest is up to them," Kestelman said.

"We just keep growing the partnership, growing the trust and seeing where it goes."

Pelicans relish Australian adventure 

Taking NBA pre-season games abroad isn't new. The league has seen teams fly out to every corner of the globe in years past; however, Australia's sheer distance from the US has made a trip like this somewhat of a dream, until now. 

Pelicans guard Jordan Poole says the experience of competing against NBL opponents, experiencing a new culture, and reaching new fans, while bonding with new teammates on the trip, was invaluable. 

"I think it was a really good turnout, especially for the fans being able to come over here and play in front of fans that we don't normally get to play in front of," Poole said. 

"Just the interactions, good basketball, and obviously, you want to play against guys in a different league whenever you get the opportunity. I only have positive things to say, and I think it's something that we should make more routine for sure."

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Pelicans head coach Willie Green echoed those sentiments.

"Australia did an excellent job hosting us, starting with the people, everybody was extremely generous and inviting and welcoming. We had a great time visiting,” Green said."

"Just walking around the city, seeing different things, eating at different restaurants and interacting with people.

"Then the game experience was incredible, so was the practice facility, so only positive things – it was a great experience."

For Poole, a noted lover of animals, the zoo was where the action really was.

"Man, we went to go see some kangaroos and koalas. That’s all I cared about," he said. “I was pretty much good after that."