In the end the results didn't matter for NBL owner and Executive Chairman Larry Kestelman.
The success of the league's three-game series against NBA competition wasn't to be measured by the scoreboard, rather, Kestelman was intent on showcasing the quality of the NBL.
"We've achieved what we wanted to - we want respect," Kestelman told ESPN. "I think our league deserves respect. We want to be the best league outside of the NBA, and I think we're well and truly on the way."
If NBA teams weren't aware of the NBL prior to the three games, they're much more informed now. Melbourne United came within a point of defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder, while the Sydney Kings and Brisbane Bullets both put up spirited performances after initial first-quarter jitters.
The Australians' hard-nosed approach to the first two games of the series certainly surprised many within the NBA to the point where the Phoenix Suns were scrambling to do some last minute scouting and researching on the Bullets to avoid a potentially embarrassing loss on their home floor.
"I think we've by far exceeded them [expectations]," asserted Kestelman. "They've all been very complimentary [and] pleasantly surprised. They know that every time we show up, as Australians, we will absolutely be out there giving it our all. And that's what they need. They want a proper hit out."
For the NBL, the games proved the league's desire to be mentioned among the world's best was worth the investment and effort.
"I look at the outcomes we wanted to get from these three games, and the biggest outcome we wanted was to show our fans as to where the league is currently," he said. "It's a great measuring stick to play the best teams in the world and show our fans what the comparison looks like."
Kestelman had many skeptics when he first took over the league in May 2015. One of his early statements was that he wanted to bridge the gap between the NBA and the NBL, and for NBA teams to play games on Australian shores in the not-too-distant future.
"This is what we do - myself, my son, my team, we're all so committed that not getting things done is not an option," he said. "We're saving this sport from a very, very bleak position that it was in, and if you're going to do that you really have to not take no for an answer."
As it turned out, the NBL teams made it to America first, but that doesn't mean the vision of bringing an NBA side out to Australia, where the games would surely sell out in a matter of minutes, has been put on the back burner. The NBA x NBL series has only intensified Kestelman's desire to fulfil his vision.
" I think the NBA, at the highest level, already know how great a league we are and where we're going with it," he said. "We're working with them as to what other initiatives we can do - we will get an NBA game, no doubt, it's just a question of when.
"The NBA is extraordinarily helpful because part of their mission around the world is to promote basketball, and by helping us, that's what they're doing in Australia."
While the talks with the NBA continue in regards to bringing teams Down Under, Kestelman is also confident that further Australian tours of America could become a regular occurrence, and is certainly open to further evolving the format of play to include something more than just preseason friendlies.
"We'll see what other formats we can create," Kestelman said. "If we can make this into a relatively regular occurrence - if not every year but almost every year - because what it does is, it lets everyone have a bit of a benchmark as to where they're at.
"Also, it's an incredible opportunity for the players. If you think about it, to be on the biggest stage worldwide, to be on ESPN - whether it's Australian players, whether it's imports, what it does is give our league another leg up. A reason for people to come and play in our league and to get the exposure worldwide that they want."
Kestelman has enjoyed the hype surrounding the NBA x NBL series, but now he's back in Australia, and the focus has returned to how to keep the momentum the NBL has built up over the past few weeks, months, years, going.
"For our league it's about hanging onto, and developing, our own talent," he insists. "When the league was a little bit 'absent' it was almost a given that if you were half-good you have to go college [in America] - and if you're extraordinary and really good that's still probably a good pathway - but staying here and developing with us [in the NBL] and being here with an opportunity to play an NBA team are the reasons that [a player] might go, 'I'm going to stay in Australia and develop as a basketballer and get these sorts of opportunities'"
"There's a lot of facets to these type of exhibition games that is great for our league. We'll keep on working hard to make sure that happens."
