Not so new import Ramone Moore is a key fit for the 36ers - Photo by NBL
When: 7:00pm (AEDT), Thursday, 5th October
Where: Titanium Security Arena, Adelaide
Broadcast: NBL TV, Fox Sports, Sky Sports
Last time they met:
Rd 15: Adelaide 36ers 100 defeated Melbourne United 73 at Titanium Security Arena
CROSS-OVER-DRIBBLE FLASHBACK
GAME TWO 1998 GRAND FINAL SERIES: SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE MAGIC VS ADELAIDE 36ERS
With the recent AFL Grand Final featuring an Adelaide team, we take you back this week to the golden years of SA sport as the Adelaide 36ers took on the “Unbeatable” Magic team. While most expected Adelaide to maybe take game one of the Grand Final series, what was about to unfold at Melbourne Park in front of a vocal pro Victorian crowd shocked everyone. The team famously billed “The Greatest Team of all time” were taking a hard edge and endured some punishing training by master coach Brian Goorjian. Contrasting Adelaide legendary coach Phil Smyth was taking a relaxed approach as his team could see the Magic were going to wear themselves out before the crucial clash. 36ers Captain Brett Maher memorably quoted in recent documentary Title Town that he remembers watching footage of the Magic doing defensive slides and running flat out prior to the match as well.
The game MVP Kevin Brooks took charge early as the 36ers sprinted out of the blocks 19-11 in the first quarter and led the Magic much to the startled crowd’s disbelief 42-36. It was the championship quarter that the 36ers took the stranglehold through the third quarter scoring a whopping 30-15. The 36ers prevailed against all the experts opinions as all players saw court time in one of the greatest upsets in NBL history. The 36ers claiming their second championship in their history and the third title for the city of Adelaide in two years.
Adelaide 36ers 90 (Brooks 21, Cattalini 20, Maher, Mee 11, Rillie 10) defeated SE Melbourne Magic 62 (Wheeler 12, Ronaldson 11) at Melbourne Park
Key Match-Ups:
Nathan Sobey vs. Casey Prather
After an injury sabotaged Sobey’s chances of impressing in the NBA Summer League, the 36ers dynamo you feel is going to burst out of the blocks with a bang. A huge test for new coach Dean Vickermann’s men will be how they will contain the dribble penetration especially off the quick transition and cover his long-range game.
Prather is no stranger to the NBL and 36ers fans, now back at full fitness is one of the most threatening of United’s imports. His ability to penetrate with dribble, change shot mid jump and fly over the top of the sturdiest defender might see him see some time from Sobey on the defensive end as well.
Daniel Johnson vs. David Andersen
The two biggest experts of the pick and pop basket will be on display at the Arena Thursday night and how both teams utilise the tried and true method of scoring will go a long way to securing victory. Daniel Johnson for the 36ers will drop out the back off drives from new import Shannon Shorter and Sobey while David Andersen will receive them off the slicing moves of Caspar Ware Jnr.
Ramone Moore vs David Barlow
Two players with so much to prove and of course both being at the same club last season. Moore has something special about him we are yet to see but his basketball IQ is extremely high and his three-point jump shot which we saw in preseason could see him be the missing link for the 36ers.
Barlow has had to make up much ground the last few years but with a full preseason underneath him, although slightly older he is a dangerous outside shooter that could boost United’s offense even further and bring the veteran nous that Vickerman needs to take United into the top four this season.
The Last Play
Coach Joey Wright will be aware that no one will underestimate the 36ers from the get go this season. The recruits look to be the right fit early with all contributing a large amount in the preseason wins while Adam Doyle has looked after point guard majority of the time, Shorter looks like he’ll slot in quickly for the home team.
Vickerman has a team that can seriously contend for the Championship this season but given the 36ers core has been together that much longer , the 36ers are going to take the opener to kick off their pursuit of unfinished business.
36ers by 11 points
Written by Tristan Prentice
CROSS OVER DRIBBLE 