If NRL clubs were NBA franchises

After comparing NRL clubs to Simpsons characters a few weeks ago, the Zero Tackle team thought we'd have some fun and do the same with NBA teams with a modern adaption. Sit back, enjoy, and let us know if our picks are a slam dunk 👍or airball 👎 Scroll down to see your NRL club's NBA comparison... Brisbane Broncos Dallas Mavericks Both clubs had some success with a title in the semi-recent past before going into a mini rebuild of sorts. Their title chances have skyrocketed once again thanks to a talented young duo. And whether you're looking at Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis or Payne Haas and David Fifita, you're looking at a pair that will dominate for the next decade. Canberra Raiders Utah Jazz Two of the best defensive teams in either code that simply haven't been able to take the extra step in recent times. Both very likeable and largely superstar teams, not teams of superstars, and management love to recruit their internationals. A little off the grid and always a tough road trip. And if Rudy Gobert isn't Josh Papalii's NBA equivalent then... Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs New York Knicks These teams can't catch a break. Once powerhouses, these clubs have truly fallen from grace in recent years, and couldn't land a big recruit to save themselves. Api Koroisau is no Kevin Durant, but both looked all but certain at landing at the respective clubs until an 11th hour change of heart. And Trent Hodkinson's 2014 season just reminds of you Jeremy Lin's 'Linsanity' in the 2011-12 season. Went from a role player to the cusp of a superstar, and then shortly faded back to normality. Cronulla Sharks San Antonio Spurs Teams built on their gritty defence. Won a mid-2010s title on the back of some superstar veterans sprinkled with young talent. And while both have featured regularly in the postseason, neither seem ready to contest as they go through a mini rebuild. Just tell Gregg Popovich to keep his men away from the peptides. Gold Coast Titans Charlotte Hornets The basement of the competition. Neither club can take a trick. Paying massive overs for young stars like Terry Rozier or Ash Taylor is the norm unfortunately, and they can't attract superstars. And if they somehow did manage to land a big fish, they're not the right fit. *cough* Jarryd Hayne *cough*. Need a miracle to even think about the postseason in the next 2-3 years. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles OKC Thunder On paper, the team doesn't look amazing. You pick it apart player by player, it doesn't appear to be a superstar roster. But yet, they win games. More than they probably should. Often reminded of their superstar rosters in the early 2010s and what could've been, both have been rebuilt and now seem ready to push back into contention. There's something about veteran playmaker Chris Paul, electric youngster Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and big man Steve Adams that resembles Daly Cherry-Evans, Tom Trbojevic and brother Jake. Underdogs, and they relish it. Melbourne Storm Miami Heat These clubs mirror each other. The long term coach, that rich culture, and the fact that players that went to the club just get better. Will be defined by the big three that delivered them titles - one harbouring LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, the other housing Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith, they have the grit and will to win that bleeds success. Newcastle Knights Boston Celtics Boston loves their basketball. And if any Australian city shares that passion for their sporting team, meet a Novocastrian. The Hunter lives and breathes for their club and have risen from the scrapheap in recent years. However, similar to Boston, Newcastle are one piece short of becoming a real title threat. But with a good young core and a veteran playmaker, the title window is wide open. North Queensland Cleveland Cavaliers Clubs defined by a superstar, one of the best to play the game in fact. Both of these teams have only basked in the glory of one title, but what a win they both were. That historic LeBron block on Golden State's Andre Iguodala in the 2016 NBA Finals is arguably the greatest finals moment in recent memory, mirroring Johnathan Thurston's premiership-winning field goal in 2015. And both sides have been absolute shambles since their respective departures. If Thurston is the NRL's LeBron, does that make Joey Johns our Michael Jordan equivalent? Parramatta Eels Chicago Bulls Sides that enjoyed great success with multiple titles at the backend of the 20th century, the 80s for Parramatta was the 90s for the Bulls. A team list with some of the greatest to play the game, unfortunately bad management and recruitment has ensured neither club has succeeded since their golden eras. They both received hope in the late 2000s in the form of Derrick Rose and Jarryd Hayne, and while both claimed MVP's, neither got the team success they wanted. Penrith Panthers Philadelphia 76ers These sides have been building for so long yet they never really look like challengers and there's always a host of clubs that are simply better. They rely heavily on the hometown support and that blue collar fanbase. Ben Simmons and Nathan Cleary are some of the best young playmakers in the game, however, both have been criticised for not taking that next step. But what would you rather - a five-year plan or to trust 'The Process'? South Sydney Rabbitohs Los Angeles Clippers Locked in a battle with a crosstown rival and considered the inferior side, these clubs do have some personality to them. Their old coaches and incredibly wealthy owners, the title window is open for both sides at the moment. They just need to figure out how to best utilise their new key pieces - Latrell Mitchell for the Souths and Kawhi Leonard and Paul George for the Clips. There's some sort of similarity between Pat Beverley and Cody Walker, the crafty, niggling playmaker that certainly doesn't lack confidence - or a good sledge. St. George Illawarra Dragons Washington Wizards Weighed down by a VERY highly paid star that has given them very little in return. The only difference between John Wall and Ben Hunt is at least Wall can blame injury. The clubs undoubtedly have talent on their roster but whether it's coaching or injuries, there's always something holding them back from being a contender. Hopefully Bradley Beal can follow in Tyson Frizell's footsteps and jump off a sinking ship before his best days are behind him. Sydney Roosters Golden State Warriors This one is obvious as they come. The recent back-to-back titles under a coach that players simply love to play for. James Tedesco is the modern day NRL star like Steph Curry is to the NBA. Have copped some flak for focusing on recruiting elite players opposed to developing their own, however, after losing one of the greatest players in the modern era, both teams face a new challenge. And the Warriors never did manage that threepeat... New Zealand Warriors Toronto Raptors This one is largely a geographical reference as two of the expansion teams in their respective codes. The entire league is based in one country, with these clubs being the only exception. Both teams also have a very bare trophy cabinet. The one difference is that the Raptors have won something recently. We'e not sure the Warriors will be winning anything anytime soon! Even if Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is as good as Kawhi Leonard... Wests Tigers Houston Rockets All attack and no defence. Two sides that know how to choke late in the season and waste their title opportunities. Benji Marshall, akin to James Harden, is a man who could work magic with the ball in hand, create and score with such slim chances, and has an outrageous highlights reel. But that highlight reel is, let's say, very attack focused...

		P	W	L	PTS	+/-
1	PEN	5	5	0	10	150
2	WST	4	3	1	8	44
3	NEW	5	4	1	8	32
4	SOU	4	3	1	8	14
5	NZW	5	3	2	6	52
6	CRO	5	3	2	6	18
7	NQL	5	3	2	6	12
8	BRI	5	3	2	6	-2

If NRL clubs were NBA franchises

We’ve compared EVERY NRL club to an NBA team 🏀👇

Penrith Panthers

Philadelphia 76ers

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