The 1982–83 Just Juice National Basketball League season was the eleventh season of the National Basketball League formed in 1972.[1]
The league was sponsored by Just Juice for the second consecutive year and Crystal Palace won yet another league title but Sunderland claimed the Play Off's and the Solent Stars successfully defended their National Cup crown.[2] The league received a welcome boost when a new national TV channel called Channel 4 decided to show live action every Monday evening.
Team Changes
Leicester returned to top tier action as the one new team admitted to the expanded 13 team first division which retained the previous twelve members. Team Talbot, Guildford Pirates moved to Bracknell and became the Bracknell Pirates. Sunderland Saints became Sunderland Maestros towards the end of the season following a new two year sponsorship deal with a North East car dealer.
The leagues most famous player Alton Byrd left Crystal Palace to join Murray International Edinburgh.
Fine Ceramics Bolton, West Bromwich, Crestol Halifax Hawks, Camden & Hampstead, McEwan Gateshead, Bradford Mythbreakers, Newcastle, Brunel Uxbridge Ducks, Milton Keynes, Team Telecom Colchester, Watford Royals, Ashfield Glass Nottingham
Just Juice Play Off's
Semi-Finals
venue & date
Team 1
Team 2
Score
March 18, Wembley Arena
Sunderland Saints/Maestros
Ovaltine Hemel Hempstead
76-74
March 18, Wembley Arena
Crystal Palace Supersonics
Birmingham Barrett Bullets
72-67
Final
Paul Stimpson landed a basket for the Crystal Palace Supersonics which was adjudged to be just after the buzzer. It would have won the game for Palace but the game went into overtime and Sunderland won an incredible match.
