Canberra Cannons
| Canberra Cannons | |
|---|---|
| Leagues | NBL |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Dissolved | 2003 |
| History |
Canberra Cannons 1979–2003 |
| Arena | AIS Arena |
| Capacity | 5,200 |
| Location | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory |
| Team colors | White, Red and Blue |
| Championships | 3 (1983, 1984, 1988) |
The Canberra Cannons is a defunct basketball team that competed in Australia's National Basketball League (NBL). They went into financial administration in 2003 and were relocated to Newcastle, where they became the Hunter Pirates. After this venture also folded the team was relocated to Singapore for the 2006/07 season.
The Cannons have always been considered as the team of the 1980s, as it won three championships (1983, 1984 and 1988) and was runner-up once more (1989). The Brisbane Bullets could also claim this title after appearing in four Grand finals in a row (1984-1987), but only winning two (1985, 1987).
The Cannons were one of the original ten NBL clubs, competing in the league's very first season in 1979. They reached the championship game with a 13-5 record, but fell at the final hurdle, losing to the St Kilda Saints 94-93 in the final.
Canberra failed to make the playoffs over the next few seasons, but in 1983 they won their first NBL championship, downing the defending champions the West Adelaide Bearcats 75-73 in the Grand Final. Adelaide born Guard Phil Smyth joined the team in 1983 and led the NBL in steals and assists as well as being selected at Point guard in the All-NBL Team.
The Cannons repeated as champions in 1984, this time beating the Brisbane Bullets 84-82 in the big game. Smyth again had a big season, being named to the All-NBL Team.
Canberra made the playoffs for the next three seasons but would fall to the Bullets in the Semi-finals each time. Championship glory eluded the Cannons until 1988, when swept the minor premiers the Adelaide 36ers in the Semi-finals then beat the North Melbourne Giants 2-1 in a best-of-three championship series. Smyth again was named to the All-NBL Team after leading the league in three-point percentage, free-throw percentage and steals, and was also named Best Defensive Player. Smyth also won the Grand Final MVP after averaging 23.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists over the series. 7'0" (213 cm) import centre Willie Simmons also led the league in blocks, averaging 3.6 per game.
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