Its been no secret that Dejan “DJV” Vasiljevic has been in the Sixers sights for sometime – now it seems Adelaide has landed its feature act to accompany the Flowers and Kell show. The Phoenix has it’s own big act back in town in Alan “Sauce” Williams and the greatest showman in Bryce Cotton is only days away – so with a former Beatle just gracing the arena in the last day – its bound to be for both teams this weekend a case of Live and Let Fly.
Here’s the preview of the double header for Round 4 of the NBL…
New tune to jive to - Its been no secret that Dejan "DJV" Vasiljevic has been in the Sixers sights for sometime - now it seems Adelaide has landed its feature act to accompany the Flowers and Kell show - Photo Credit to Adelaide 36ers/NBL
We are a couple of rounds into a brand new summer of basketball with NBL24 and WNBL24 just around the corner
We want to continue our work telling the stories of SA Basketball this summer and beyond with world championships, local legends, NBL and WNBL previews, reviews and NBL1 off season news and predictions – Can you PLEASE HELP US with a shotclock sub of $14 or $24 a year to help us do this?
We saw that breakout from Trentyn Flowers last week – lets go back to when Giddey put his claim on the Sixers guard position after starting behind Donald Sloan back in NBL21.
A famous second home game for the Adelaide 36ers where the next star and NBA bound rookie Josh Giddey emerged with 13 points after three quarter time and an engrossing duel between former teammates DJ and Mitch Creek.
Josh Giddey showed his first glimpse of what superstar he could be in a classic double overtime thriller vs SEM Phoenix
For something different listen to our pre-game Cluch Basketball Radio show the SA Shotclock here for our preview of the Adelaide 36ers against the South East Melbourne Phoenix and the Perth Wildcats
EP5 – Flower, Rockets and Masters of their Universe – NBL24 RD 4 Preview
THREE QUESTIONS TO SWOOP ON
How does Dejan Vasiljevic fit in this 36ers team?
The Sixers have gone for the scoring punch so you can’t see him starting on the pine what so ever – the most likely move is shifting Kell to the three where he can be that multi-faceted player (DJ Newbill was a good mention by Pick and Roll’s Jordan McCallum in his piece this week) with Dejan at the two shooting guard position.
The lineup of McCarron, Vasiljevic, Kell, Wiley and Humphries appears the most likely one we’ll see with that combo – that gives you the backup of Cadee, Marshall, Dech, Starling/Tohi-Smith Milner and Galloway. That on paper looks much better but the on court is where we want to see it lift.
This weekend features another three coaches with question marks in CJ, Mike and John – but who will be the biggest casualty of the weekend if their team drops these fixtures?
I’ll start with least regardless of result I don’t think its Mike Kelly – win or loss he’s got time to figure this out. The Perth game Saturday becomes a n intriguing one for the losing coach. The spectre of Trevor Gleeson looms for both coaches that can’t be denied but even with a Sixers loss there is an expectation from Wildcats faithful and if they fail again- Rillie will sadly have plenty of pressure on him from the weekend onwards.
If Adelaide do get both wins this week – how does that change their next few weeks?
Crazy thing is they play Perth again with New Zealand in between which looked pretty much like 0-7 a week ago. But if they were to launch on the road from a 3-4 record – then the belief could rise to make it 4-5 or even 5-5 then its home against Tassie and then Phoenix again.
After a tough start Adelaide could find itself back ay close to 500 by end of November if they play their parts and pieces right…
So who wins?
The impact of DJV will tell us much about the team and if they have the right makeup in the back court now – the question mark is still over the front court and whether another piece is needed. In terms of getting these two right now is the best time to force two wins and launch into the next quarter of the season in a much better position then maybe most were anticipating.
COD Prediction: 36ers by 7 points (Phoenix) and 5 points (Wildcats)
Catch all the action this weekend at the arena on Cluch Radio with our SA Shotclock call team whether you’re at the game or watching from home
The Sixers have shown glimpses in a tough start to NBL24 where stringing together a four quarter performance has proved the biggest challenge – however could the advent of Trey Kell III unleashing against the Kings and the recent season form of Isaac Humphries undo a chaotic but no doubt highly potent offensive Illawarra Hawks.
Here’s the preview of the “Pink Slam” today in Round 3 of the NBL…
Kell sent - Trey Kell III had a breakout game for his new club and needs to continue that upward trend against the Hawks this afternoon - Photo Credit to Adelaide 36ers/NBL
We are a couple of rounds into a brand new summer of basketball with NBL24 and WNBL24 just around the corner
We want to continue our work telling the stories of SA Basketball this summer and beyond with world championships, local legends, NBL and WNBL previews, reviews and NBL1 off season news and predictions – Can you PLEASE HELP US with a shotclock sub of $14 or $24 a year to help us do this?
My first game in basketball media– Adelaide 36ers vs Illawarra Hawks
Checkout this preview for my first game I did between the Adelaide 36ers and the Illawarra Hawks – pretty close to on this day a month and 7 years ago
Adelaide 36ers vs. Illawarra Hawks
When: 5:00pm (AEDT), Saturday, 12th November 2016 Where: Titanium Security Arena, Adelaide Broadcast: NBL TV, Fox Sports, Sky Sports
Last times they’ve met:
Rd 1: Illawarra Hawks 122 (Clarke 23, Harris 21, Holyfield 14) defeated Adelaide 36ers 88 (Creek 24, Randle, Deng 13) at the Wollongong Entertainment Centre.
In Adelaide 2015/16: Adelaide 36ers 104 (Ere 28, Johnson 19, Creek 15) defeated Illawarra Hawks 94 (Lisch 24, Coenraad 17, R Martin 15)
Throwback Thursday Classic Memory Match:
2001 Semi-Final Game Three: Wollongong Hawks 109 (Melvin Thomas 28, Lowery 20) defeated Adelaide 36ers 108 (Brooks 26, Maley 21)
Former 36ers player Mark Nash recalls this as being his most memorable game for all the wrong reasons and probably was the significant day that the Hawks developed a strong rivalry with the 36ers. The game ebbed and flowed the whole way through as it had during the semi-final series. It came down to a controversial call in game three on Darnell Mee fouling pesky Hawks guard Damon Lowery flailing his arms and legs in the air and gaining a crucial trip to the stripe for three shots. Lowery knocked down the first one kissing the front of the rim and dropping in. The second one did the same but the third was an agonising eight bounces and touched every part of the rim including window until like a dagger it dropped into the 36ers finals campaign. What many call the most pulsating finish to a playoff game in NBL history had sent the Hawks to what would be a Grand Final series that yielded them and the state of NSW their first NBL championship.
Key Match-Ups:
Jerome Randle vs. Mitch Norton/Kevin White
In round one in the first game of the season, Hawks coach Rob Beveridge sent his two defensive guards in Norton and White to lockdown Randle. The tactic was to niggle, play physical and see if they could disrupt Randle’s rhythm within the boundaries of the rules. Randle will need team support of screens and scoring from Sobey, Teys and Drmic to handle the one two punch from the Hawks. Joey Wright will also be wary of giving Randle some protection from the two physical guards. After 40pts against the Wildcats last Saturday, the Hawks will look to put a majority of their energy into stopping him.
Anthony Drmic vs. Tim Coenraad
Drmic received notice from coach Wright last week and it payed off with a 17pt game against the Wildcats. The sharp shooter used his body strength well against the Wildcats and will need to again against the Hawks Nick Kay and Tim Coenraad given another week on the sideline for Daniel Johnson. As much as the Hawks bigs are mobile, taking them out of the post is a bigger challenge for them to go for the perimeter shooter and definitely taking them out is better for Drmic and for the 36ers other forwards Deng, Jacobsen and Hodgson.
On the flip side, one of the 36ers weaknesses in recent years on defence has been the 6 and half foot man that can shoot the three ball such as Tim Coenraad. Coenraad loves playing in Adelaide with a solid average of 11 pts per game and will be a key feature of the contest with his all-round ability but particularly his ability to light up offensively.
Eric Jacobsen vs. AJ Ogilvy
The recruitment of Jacobsen has been crucial to freeing up the Sixers big shooting men as he has manned the paint in their place. Last time and he needs no reminding his first game against the Hawks was a shocker as Ogilvy dominated their first meeting. “For this game I’m going to be wary of staying on the floor longer,” Jacobsen said about the foul trouble he incurred early in round one.
Ogilvy hasn’t always had his best games in Adelaide and often finds it difficult to counter the perimeter shooting ability of Johnson but Jacobsen will need to look at mid-rangers to drag the Hawk giant out of the paint. “I’ll be out there supporting my team and having a good battle with Ogilvy,” Jacobsen reassured.
36ers by 6pts Written by Tristan Prentice
Key Matchups
Trey Kell III vs Tyler Harvey
Are we starting to see the real Kell that Trey can deliver? 28 points against the Kings shows he is capable of being a week in and week out scorer – here’s hoping its an upward trend
For something different listen to this part of the interview during this week’s SA Shotclock here from the 12:10 minute mark
Isaac Humphries vs Sam Froling
With the Sixers situation they are in this season – “Ice” has become very important in the context of the season. He has a very good record against the Hawks with 15.5 points at 57 percent the last three seasons. He’s a big problem in the paint with the Hawks already down one of their bigs in Mason Peatling (cheekbone)
More responsibility comes to the Australian Boomer squad member for the initial World Cup squad in Froling. Froling averages 10.5 points at 47.5 percent with 8 rebounds against the Sixers the last three years. He will need to lift if the Hawks are to gain ascendancy in the paint.
Kyrin Galloway vs Lachlan Olbrich
Both are tracking similar paths already in NBL24 with Galloway having a career best start to his year statistically. Although a few years older than his matchup in Olbrich – Galloway is already averaging 4.5 points shooting it at a healthy 35 percent, five rebounds and is in the top five for blocks in the league with seven already in four matches. Having said that I’d love to see him get inside more this match and really take advantage of the Hawks lack of size.
But it wouldn’t be the first time an SA born player returns to wreck vengeance on the home state and Olbrich has the opportunity to show his former club how much he could’ve been well used by them. The MVP of the NBL1 Central Grand Final is already starting to turn heads with his 5.5 points at 63 percent, six rebounds. I’m worried about this player for the Sixers as I feel he’s ready to have a big one on the “home” floor.
THREE QUESTIONS TO SWOOP ON
Hang on! The Sixers traditionally go to sleep in the third quarter – why the reverse trend in NBL24?
Something unusual compared to previous seasons is the Sixers ability to find momentum after half-time – after following their previous trend of past seasons the Sixers have won their past two third quarters 20-29 and 18-24. That possibly tells you a couple of things. The locker-room is a happier place and that the team are responding and rallying to CJ and his coaching staff when they are down.
Its small at the moment but another third quarter win today and you’d have to suggest there has been some changes that might be worth asking him post game about…
Do the Hawks have enough continuity to get Jackomas defensive sets run?
It seems at the moment its the biggest challenge for the Hawks and after giving up another 103 points Thursday night against the Jackjumpers – its a worrying sign however it is early in the season. With a few new guys and the combo of Justin Robinson and Harvey still adjusting to each others games – If the Hawks win they’ll probably hit the 100s again and be lethal from beyond the arc.
Out of Adelaide’s imports who needs the bigger game Kell or Wiley?
It has to be Kell – if he can drop two big ones in a row it’ll alleviate much of the Sixers fans anxiety of their team and show he can be the go to guy down the stretch in future contests.
It will also tell us a lot more about what the Sixers need for their third import spot or the equivalent of another local player -another DJ perhaps???
So who wins?
The Sixers are showing some upward trending across key parts of their last two contests and on paper hold some key strengths over their opponents. However you can’t underestimate this Hawks team that has some significant offensive power. While they are adjusting defensively – so are the Sixers.
Considering what’s ahead and a missing piece still to be added – this is an early take care of business at home and get off to a good start in a three game home streak where hopefully by the end of next Saturday we’ll see the Sixers balance out their WL record.
COD Prediction: 36ers by 11 points
Catch all the action today at the arena on Cluch Radio with Tristan “TP” Prentice and our special comments guests Scott Freer whether you’re at the game or watching from home
The clock has already started ticking according to most pundits before even the first home game of the season – with already many lobbing for this Sixers team to finish last in NBL24, a stark reminder needs to be issued as to what happened the last time this club was predicted for the bottom…
Let’s see what holds for today’s match against Melbourne United – a team that has a stranglehold over the Sixers the past half a decade.
It's been a Wiley - The Adelaide 36ers will welcome back fan favourite Jacob Wiley for the first time since 2019 but can he have the same impact and a bit more in NBL24
We are at the start of a brand new summer of basketball with NBL24 and WNBL24 just around the corner
We want to continue our work telling the stories of SA Basketball this summer and beyond with world championships, local legends, NBL and WNBL previews, reviews and NBL1 off season news and predictions – Can you PLEASE HELP US with a shotclock sub of $14 or $24 a year to help us do this?
After a controversial game three in Melbourne, Game four of the series was one of the most memorable games seen at the Adelaide 36ers Arena
Key Matchups
Trey Kell III vs Chris Goulding
Started in Sixers colours on fire before fading late in the game – but already looks like a piece missing from previous seasons. That kind of outside scoring threat is what the Sixers have lacked in recent seasons. The Sixers were ranked ninth in three point makes in NBL23 and the former South East Melbourne Phoenix import fills a huge need for Adelaide no question.
Then at the other end is the man that has hurt Adelaide consistently especially in more recent years. According to spatial jam, Goulding has averaged 16 points and three triples made the past half a decade – but its the big moments when he’s hurt the Sixers in the past as we know. He’ll be a key to lock down in this one given his history of finding points when it counts against Adelaide.
Jacob Wiley vs Luke Travers
It was solid opening night for Wiley in his return to the Sixers with a near double double of 15 points and nine rebounds. Has had plenty of experience in recent seasons overseas with Gran Canaria, Panathinaikos, Basket Zaragoza, Shiga Lakes and most recently Vaqueros de Bayamon. These are very familiar clubs to the worlds players with Wiley averaging 12 points and five rebounds. Since then across various leagues he’s averaged 14 points, four rebounds and his efficiency continued to grow averaging 12 per match. The pressure without Franklin now and an import hole is squarely on him in the opening round as the Sixers fans will be expecting him to be at the better level than his NBL19 stint.
Luke has Travers”ed” his way to Melbourne as a man on a mission and taking out player of the game on opening night with 20 points at 46 percent and eight rebounds. What was notable compared to his role at Perth was his outward attack on the rim – scoring ten of his points within eight feet. He’s that mid-sized dynamic player Adelaide have always had trouble guarding.
Jason Cadee vs Tanner Krebs
They needed some stable and perimeter presence and thats what Jason Cadee provides for the Sixers on his return. Cadee I feel has been highly underused in recent seasons averaging just 10 points per game – it’s a long distance from his Kings days in 2015-2016 where he was up around the 14 points mark. He’s coming off another dominant Gold Coast Rollers season in NBL1 North where he took out MVP and averaged 26.1 points, 12.2 assists. He enjoyed his time in Adelaide when he was last here with Brisbane scoring 18 points in the Ken Cole-seum so he knows the venue well and can get his eye in early in front of the Sixers fans.
It’s a case of same departure lounge but different destinations with Krebs looking to further his career in Melbourne. He comes off a career average of 5.86 points and 2.5 rebounds after three seasons with the Bullets – he started with 8 points and four rebounds on Thursday night against the Phoenix. His impact off the bench for United in the absence of Ian Clark will be key to the backup unit’s contribution.
THREE QUESTIONS TO SWOOP ON
How much do we read into the happenings during the blitz?
Clearly not that much given the Sixers have won the last two and finished outside the playoffs. Maybe this time around its a case of the slow build and while yes Franklin is another import cut joining a long list of imports released early in the season the past half a decade including Deleon, Deshon Taylor, Donald Sloan and Craig Randall II – at least they have given themselves time to turn things around before it became a bigger issue.
Maybe they should have something “cooking” behind the scenes just in case anyway.
How do you unsettle United?
It’s a tough one as defensively they are very tough under Vickermann. In NBL23 United were number one in the league for points conceded with 98 points which was incredible strange. Roll it back to NBL22 and they were number one with 79.4. They started by holding the Phoenix to 67 points which included 20 points of their own from turnover. The Sixers looked their best on the turn off their rebounds straight into transition offence so perhaps where they can get United is pushing the ball hard up the floor and attacking the rim early in offence with Hukporti the only genuine big in this team currently minus JLA.
Is it a point guard or a forward centre Adelaide need as a third import?
I’m not sure even the club knows right now – if we look at the small sample size its not even that clear. Averaging around 20 turnovers during the blitz but only conceding 12 on Friday night shows maybe its not a point guard. After a 28 point opening quarter they scored 12 and 13 in consecutive quarters so perhaps a scoring guard. Lastly it was 62-47 on the glass and Humphries (17 points and seven rebounds) as good as he was perhaps needs the extra help.
Today will tell us more about the Sixers needs and more pressing desires.
So who wins?
The Sixers showed some good signs early on Friday night but clearly are still a work in progress with missing pieces. After Sobey and Smith managed to hit the scoreboard for the Bullets I’m not sure the Sixers are quite ready yet.
United has also won eight of the last ten against Adelaide since 2021 – their recent record is too good to go against with so much uncertainty – but I hope I’m wrong.
COD Prediction: United by 11 points
Catch all the action today at the arena on Cluch Radio with Tristan “TP” Prentice and our special comments guests Scott Freer and Louis McKenna whether you’re at the game or watching from home
CROSS OVER DRIBBLE 