Strap in for an all-timer episode of Ballerz Baffle, as host Lachlan sits down with NBL royalty — Lanard Copeland. From his early days ballin’ in the NBA alongside Charles Barkley, to soaring through Aussie stadiums in the 90s with Andrew Gaze and the Melbourne Tigers, Lanard has seen it all.
This isn’t just a trip down memory lane though. Lanard drops fresh takes on today’s NBL, the rising stars, and the biggest questions around the league — including JaVale McGee’s MVP buzz, Bryce Cotton’s citizenship drama, and why Tasmania, United and Illawarra are all in the title race.
We cover:
🏀 What made the Gaze–Copeland duo so deadly
🎯 JaVale McGee’s massive impact on the league
🇦🇺 Should Kyrie Irving play for the Boomers?
🗣️ Why Bryce Cotton's move to Adelaide was deeper than hoops
📺 The difference between playing and coaching
🔥 Trash Talk: Steph vs Ray Allen, LeBron vs MJ
🧠 Advice for hoopers, coaches, and future commentators
👀 Behind-the-scenes NBA stories from the 90s
🍽️ His honest take on Vegemite (spoiler: it’s a no)
💰 Why today’s NBL players have it sweet compared to the "peanut money" days
Lanard also talks about his commentary work on ESPN's "Nothing But Net", life after coaching, and why he’s still getting buckets on the golf course with Gaze every Tuesday morning.
This is more than just an interview — it’s a front-row seat to decades of basketball insight, Aussie hoops culture, and pure storytelling gold.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro & Career Snapshot
03:00 – Playing with Gaze, the Tigers era
06:30 – NBL 2025 breakdown: teams to watch
09:30 – MVP race: JaVale, Bryce, and the rest
13:00 – Coaching vs Commentating
16:00 – Lanard's NBA journey (Philly & Clippers)
20:00 – Fun chat: Vegemite, LeBron vs MJ, Steph vs Ray
25:00 – Advice for players & coaches
30:00 – Reflections on legacy, Hall of Fame & future of the game
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