Expect Josh Childress to emulate the feats of KB in the 1998 series - photo by The West
THE CLOCKS
#21 CASPAR WARE (MELBOURNE UNITED)
If the game against Oklahoma City Thunder was anything to go by then Ware steps up under the spotlight but he is so crucial for the momentum of United in the finals series. He is dangerous at penetrating through the lane which opens up shooters like Goulding and Prather and also can nail the long dagger from NBA territory. If United are to get through this series even to the Finals, the ghost with the moe-st must fire for the black and white.
#55 MITCH CREEK (ADELAIDE 36ERS)
It’s almost a crime to pick anyone for these categories from this years version of the Navy Blue and White. We all know however deep down who wants to lead his team to a championship after so many recent opportunities in finals, a fit and hungry Mitch Creek. This will be the first finals series where Creek has not had an interrupted preparation and the man is more than capable of lifting the entire Sixers team at any stage of the game. By the end of the series, I predict that we may be speaking about him in the same words as Hawthorn player Luke Hodge, he’s not the skipper but he’s the spiritual one.
#5 JP TOKOTO (PERTH WILDCATS)
The Wildcats depth seems to be its problem this season or is it and are one of the two past 8 champions ready to flick the switch and go again? If they are then Tokoto is the distinctive difference between this years model of the Wildcat machine and there is no reason he could not cut to shreds the opposition during the finals series. While league MVP Bryce Cotton may lose impact if the opposition lock down on his scoring ability, Tokoto can still very much influence the contest in the air and on the floor.
#4 EDGAR SOSA (NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS)
Every big moment the other machine had during the NBL season, this guy was involved in every single one of them. He’s not talked up for no reason and can single-handily drag his side out of the mire of a scoring drought. The Dominican dynamic fiery guard is ready to fire and his duel with Ware is going to go a long way to saying if the Breakers are the real deal this season.
THE CLINCHERS
#42 TAI WESLEY (MELBOURNE UNITED)
Wesley’s mission brief is about to self-destruct as this is the assignment he was chosen for by the United hierarchy. He has proven time and time again for the Breakers that he can get it done at both ends and the three ball is proving most dangerous shooting at a clip of 39 percent compared to 27 percent last season, you can’t leave him so open now in a big game.
#3 JOSH CHILDRESS (ADELAIDE 36ERS)
Who would have thought that forced to change the third import twice early in the season would reap Wright and the Sixers the “import” selection of the season. The 11 ppg and 6 rpg forward reminds us about another import plucked from the NBA well known but not a huge name in the league at the time, but he came down under and his first Finals series claimed the MVP in the Grand Final Series of 1998 and that man is now the Sixers assistant coach Kevin Brooks. I think Childress is about to repeat the dose and might be just the difference under the spotlights of the Jungle and the other opposition venues for the Sixers to get it done.
#53 DAMIAN MARTIN (PERTH WILDCATS)
I’ll say it again, do not underestimate this man when the finals come around. The six-time defensive player of the year is no joke despite the talent that surrounds him in all four teams. Martin has the ability to lock down on any key scorer while also making the crucial play or stop his team needs. You stop Martin and you stop the Wildcats but that is no easy task.
#14 MIKA VUKONA (NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS)
Similar to the above player, you can’t underestimate the influence and the ability the Breakers have to be inspired and work from the grunt work of Vukona. While many including myself thought last season might be it for him, he’s back again and his team not surprisingly are figuring in the final four again.
THE CREAM
#13 DAVE ANDERSEN (MELBOURNE UNITED)
Every championship team needs a veteran presence or contribution and whilst he hasn’t been at his absolute best in recent times, Andersen has played in so many big finals in Europe in intense environments that he is made for this situation. If Andersen can perform at that level he did in Europe then United with an already stacked roster are going to be very hard to down.
#22 ANTHONY DRMIC (ADELAIDE 36ERS)
I’ve gone for Drmic for a number of reasons. Last season’s ejection in the finals probably has burned pretty hard for him but he’s comeback this season much more prepared, mature and ready to go. The Sixers will encounter much zone defence in an effort to stop fast break basketball so it comes down to the long range shooters. Drmic is the Sixers most efficient guy dropping them at 37 percent, if he can maintain this or even raise it for finals, the Sixers won’t have a problem with the zone defences of the opposition and the Brett Maher Court will be holding those three fingers in the air many trips down the court.
#13 DEREK COOKE JNR (PERTH WILDCATS)
The missing link in the Wildcats line-up who has shown glimpses of tearing games apart but has struggled to consistently contribute. He is a monster on the glass and when it comes down to crunch time in finals, players don’t get any smaller. If Cooke Jnr can find that tenacity and beast like play, that makes him a dangerous cat, a Wildcat to be precise.
#15 ROB LOE (NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS)
The big man is an enigma and the Breakers do look seriously exposed when he’s playing the five spot when Pledger is sitting on the pine, but its worked for them so much having him there. He’s one of those players that can make the crucial bucket from long range making him a tough cover. If the Breakers are going beyond the first two weeks, they must get points out of this guy.
PREDICTIONS
Melbourne United 1-0-1 over New Zealand Breakers
Adelaide 36ers 1-0-1 over Perth Wildcats
Aka: the drought ends this year, no team has won the NBL championship apart from Perth and New Zealand since the South Dragons did in 2009-10 season…
CROSS OVER DRIBBLE 