The "sauce" of inspiration: Its taken some time for fans and especially experts to appreciate WA Aussie "Dirk" but one of the quietest 400 NBL game milestones is nothing to be sneezed at for the loyal Sixer - who started as a Melbourne Tiger - Photo credit to news.com/NBL
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4-Minute Read
NBL ROUND 10
Adelaide 36ers vs Perth Wildcats
When: 7:00pm (ACDT), Friday 9 December
Where: Adelaide Entertainment Centre – The Ken Cole-seum
Broadcast: Kayo Freebies, ESPN, www.nbl.com.au
SWOOP BACK IN HISTORY
FIVE DJ MOMENTS TO DIP INTO
400 games produces plenty of highlights but here are five of my favourite from over the journey.
DJ emerges to nearly steal it from his former Tigers side – March 18 2011
The night DJ truly showed what he was capable of was the last home game of the 2010-2011 season. Johnson notched 31 points at 55 percent and 13 rebounds against the Melbourne Tigers the Sixers went down by a single basket 76-79.
But the young WA recruit from the Tigers by Marty Clarke might have still ended up being one of the best things he ever did for the Sixers.
DJ finds his love for Snake – 1 February 2014
I remember this game very clearly in my memory when thinking about DJ in home games at the Adelaide 36ers Arena. Johnson had 33 points (23 in the first half) at a staggering 77 percent along with 8 rebounds but his all-round game that night and ability to close the game out with big shots (even though he didn’t get the last one) saw his team overcome the Taipans who along with another team – he would begin to dominate.
DJ downs Melbourne United – 23 December 2015
It was huge night for the Sixers big man as Adelaide downed a rival that’d been difficult to shake – he had 31 points and 7 rebounds just prior to Christmas 2015. That included another first half blitz of 21 first-half points on 5/5 three-pointers.
DJ went toe-to-toe with Daniel Kickert and eventually won as you’ll read
https://nbl.com.au/news/r12-report-energetic-sixers-blitz-melbourne-in-tense-finish
Ultra efficient in G1 of semi-final series
It was arguably one of the great man’s most consistent matches. He grabbed 8 early first quarter points but then finished with 16 points at 54 percent and 10 rebounds which perfectly complimented the rest of the Sixers lineup against the Wildcats
https://sacrossoverdribble.com/2018/03/03/sixers-defence-declaws-wildcats/
A Penchant for Perth – December 2 2019
The WA native in 2019 became the player to have scored the most points against Perth in Perth – he did that on the back of 29 points at 68 percent and a career high 17 rebounds. The Sixers thumped the Wildcats which the scoreboard never truly reflected – incredible.
Key Matchups
Antonius Cleveland vs Bryce Cotton
Cleveland was electric against the Wildcats the last two times they’ve met. In the home loss he had 22 points and in their away win had 16 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists. He was a little quiet against the Kings with 12 points – expect him to go big against the Cats again.
The Sixers held Bryce for three quarters before he exploded for 12 points in the final term – if they can do it again they might be able to snare this one.
Daniel Johnson vs Brady Manek
There’s not much to say here but its the kind of night DJ can really get rolling – 21 against the Kings Sunday showed he’s still got plenty to offer.
Manek saved his season against the Sixers last time – 25 points with six triples. It sparked a resurgence for the import coming off 18 points against the Breakers on Saturday. He’ll need to be closely guarded this time around.
Kai Sotto vs Corey Webster
There’s a bit of pressure on the big man after being dunked on by Cooks and teams like the Taipans and Kings attacking him off the dribble. However Sotto still contributed 13 points and last time he played the Wildcats he had a solid 8 points and 3 rebounds in 12 minutes. All eyes will be on his teammate DJ but I get the feeling Sotto can be a matchup problem for the undersized Wildcats.
Webster bit back hard against the Breakers with 26 points and showed he is far from done. His recent form is solid against the Sixers too grabbing 18 points which helped him break from his slumber. Webster is awake now and that spells danger for all teams in the NBL.
THREE QUESTIONS TO SWOOP ON
The Sixers started slowly 8-21 last time – how do they avoid it?
Contrary to popular opinion, they need to play off the emotion of the night and put the ball in DJ’s hands early to put some pressure on the Wildcats front court. Then turn it up defensively against the Wildcats back court at the other end.
Why is Luke Travers not hitting his targets right now?
The lack of starts has been puzzling for the NBA draft pick so finally the move has been made that should’ve been made weeks ago for the Wildcats. Travers is now into the starting five with Blanchfield coming off the bench – it not only resulted in 4 points, rebounds and assists but better balance for his team.
Where does DJ rank amongst the greats of the 36ers?
Hindsight will tell us more at the end of DJs career and while his name doesn’t quite yet rank amongst Maher, Davis, Green and Pearce – I’ve no doubt a #21 will be hanging up there sometime in the future.
A championship is the only thing missing from his resume – and he’s still hungry to get that you can see.
So who wins?
The Wildcats were magnificent over in Perth and Adelaide were ordinary against the Kings. The form-line of these two is hard to follow but this game with the play-in positions this season in play – this series between these two could be pivotal. Its 1-1 currently and with DJs big milestone – the key is once again the rebounds and if the home-side can control the glass they should find a way to get a very important win.
COD Prediction: 36ers by 21 points
Catch all the action tonight at the arena on Cluch Radio with Tristan “TP” Prentice and our special comments guest whether you’re at the game or watching from home
CROSS OVER DRIBBLE 