Before the start of the 2008-09 NBL season, three teams folded and the future of the league looked shaky.
Brisbane Bullets were dragged under by their owner's financial woes, Sydney Kings could no longer make payments to players and the Singapore Slingers experiment folded under the pressure of travel costs.
South Dragons won the title and then pulled out of the competition. The Sydney Spirit soon followed and there were doubts over whether a national league was viable without teams in Sydney and Brisbane.
Former Boomers star Larry Sengstock was appointed CEO of the NBL and launched an eight team competition for the 2009-10 season.
In the NBA, LA Lakers defeated Orlando Magic to capture their fourth championship of the decade, the first without Shaquille O'Neal.
Australia's Penny Taylor won a WNBA title with Phoenix Mercury.
