The NBL season has been up and running for a couple of months now. Time to take a look at what's working and what isn't.

Pass

Wollongong Hawks:

Proving that last year's Grand Final appearance wasn't a fluke, the Hawks are currently in first place and are playing a great brand of team ball.

Fail

Teams in big markets:

Sydney's Kings and Melbourne's Tigers are bringing up the rear.

Pass

Improving Aussie talent:

We saw how much Damian Martin improved last season. This year, Chris Goulding, Tim Coenraad and Daniel Dillon have all been solid contributors to their teams.

Pass

One HD's coverage:

It's been solid and professional.

Fail

One HD's courtside reporters:

A couple are decent and occasionally informative. One or two have no idea what they're talking about.

Pass

Gary Ervin:

Currently leading the NBL in scoring, Ervin is a spark plug who can get his team going via the pass or the shot. Has made some incredibly clutch baskets.

Fail

A number of imports not named Gary Ervin:

It's been a bad year for Americans in the NBL. Maybe it's the budgetary cutbacks, maybe it's the longer three-point line, but whatever the case, the import revolving door seems to be spinning faster than ever.

Fail

Stocking your team with giants:

Sounds like a reality show: pair up three seven-footers with a couple of midgets and see what happens. The Melbourne Tigers ‘brains trust' finally got smart and brought in Corey ‘Homicide' Williams, but it might be too late.

Pass

Casey Frank:

The ex-NBL player has been a superb addition to the New Zealand commentary team. Honest, opinionated and funny, Frank makes watching games on that dark brown floor palatable.

Pass

The NBL's refreshed website:

Granted, anything would have been an improvement, but the league's website is now informative and user-friendly. Bonus points for pushing the social media side of things as well.

Fail

Sydney Kings' general manager Bob Turner's comments:

When asked about bringing in a new import, Turner said, "We have to make a move because this is Sydney. This is not Wollongong, this is not Cairns where you are just a community team." I get what he's saying, but a shot - even if unintended - at two hard-working, budget-conscious NBL clubs is classless.

Fail

My pre-season picks:

I overrated Melbourne and Gold Coast, and underrated Wollongong and Cairns.