Starting 5: MVP battles, homecomings and hype

This six-game slate features numerous blockbusters, headlined by Saturday's exciting season-opener between Melbourne and Adelaide at John Cain Arena..

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All the action tips off on Saturday night from 7:30pm AEST, with a double-header featuring games in Melbourne and Perth.

Pete Hooley takes a look at some of the key storylines ahead of Round 1.

The full schedule

Melbourne United v Adelaide 36ers - Saturday, September 19, 7.30pm AEST - John Cain Arena
Watch: ESPN, 9Go! and 9Now | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Perth Wildcats v South East Melbourne Phoenix - September 19, 9.30pm AEST - RAC Arena
Watch: ESPN, 9Go! and 9Now, 9 in Perth | Scores and stats: Game Centre

New Zealand Breakers v Illawarra Hawks - Sunday, September 20, 3pm AEST - Spark Arena
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Sydney Kings v Cairns Taipans - Sunday, September 20, 5pm AEST - Afterpay Arena
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Tasmania JackJumpers v South East Melbourne Phoenix - Monday, September 21, 7.30pm AEST - MyState Bank Arena
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Brisbane Bullets v New Zealand Breakers - Tuesday, September 22, 7.30pm AEST - Pat Rafter Arena
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre

Talking points

1 – Bryce vs Cole

They probably won't comment on it themselves too much, but the rest of the competition is locked into the MVP battle this season and it all begins with Bryce Cotton taking on Cole Anthony.

On one side you have the six-time MVP, who is one away from joining Andrew Gaze with seven trophies and then you have one of the best young talents the League has ever seen in Anthony arriving from the NBA.

Now MVPs, like championships, aren’t won in Round 1, but that doesn’t mean we can’t sit back with some popcorn and enjoy the show.

2 – Don’t forget Doo for MVP

With all the hype around the point guard battles this season, Perth’s superstar forward Kristian Doolittle will be out to rock the boat of the MVP race.

NBL26 was another season out west in which Doolittle improved on both ends of the floor, to quickly become the most dominant two-way player in the game.

While the Wildcats wait to get their new star point guard signing in Brandon Knight, Doolittle will have to carry even more responsibility with the ball handling duties, much like he did last year.

With the majority of their main core returning, is this the season he leads them to the promised land?

3 – The band is back together

Ask anyone who has played at the top level and they’ll tell you that one of the biggest keys to success is a strong culture.

In NBL25, the Illawarra Hawks walked into pre-season with a particular swagger and cohesion that separated them from the rest of the League. Fast forward to the end of the year and they were crowned champions.

This year, Justin Tatum has his team back together and with some exciting new additions in the mix, could we see the Hawks turn back the clock?

Now that Tyler Harvey is Australian, it opened some flexibility for their roster and now the only thing left to do is put it all together on the court.

4 – Taipans to bite first?

The hype around the Cairns Taipans is arguably bigger than any other year prior and for good reason, with Keanu Pinder returning to a place where he played some of his best basketball.

The star big man lines up alongside Jack McVeigh to provide one of the more exciting front courts in the entire League and they head to Sydney to take on the champions first up.

The Kings might be unveiling their banner, but with Kendric Davis only arriving earlier in the week, they haven’t had much time on court in the pre-season.

How do the champs fare with a target on their back and a Taipans team coming into Afterpay Arena poised to strike?

5 - Homegrown star returns

Tasmania has waited a long time for their young prodigy Taran Armstrong to represent the state and lead the charge and now that time has come.

After a stint with the Golden State Warriors and in the EuroLeague, Armstrong looks ready to take the keys from Scott Roth and light it up in front of the Ant Army.

With David Johnson returning and looking fit, alongside Will Magnay re-signing in the off-season, this JackJumpers team has all the tools and leadership to make it a special year.