CROSS OVER DRIBBLE

The former King Josh Childress maybe "dead" in this series but the Prince Majok Deng has arose to take his place. Photo by Zimbio

In what is shaping as one of the greatest NBL Grand Final series of all time with fast scoring, memorable (and not so) moments, scrutinising of officials, new stars emerging and ones proving they cut the cloth in the big time, fan involvement and coaches going for memorable one liners to avoid being fined.

Game three went to another level as with most of the games both teams traded buckets early and felt each other out but clearly the Sixers did miss some of the Childress punch in the first half. Enter the star Casper Ware Jnr who took the Sixers to task with a 10 point opening quarter and perhaps felt a little point to prove with Shannon Shorter’s pre game talk. May I suggest this worked in Adelaide’s favour starving the star of his three point range kind of the lesser of two evils as Ware was only one of five for the night from that area and was damaging in game one. Was this game tactics from the Sixers coaching staff???

I don’t know…

Sobey quiet offensively in the first two games launched the comeback (despite unfairly being headbutted behind the play by Tai Wesley in the first quarter) with 9 first half points and was playing with the solid head the team needed and then it happened. At the halftime break after Casey Prather had made a crucial triple to level the scores 53-53 all, he initiated head to head contact with Sobey to which Sobey pulled away. The last time I looked in the dictionary that doesn’t constitute a headbutt but as is the case with science, the reaction gets more noticed than the reactant and Sobey was ejected for the remainder of the game. Why didn’t the officials observe the tape more closely and also eject the initiator Prather and first quarter offender Wesley???

I don’t know…

The third quarter belonged to the prince in waiting as Majok Deng stepped up at both ends (when I was watching this I was sitting next to a relative of his who claimed and I believed him he’d step up in J-Chill’s absence) as he made some huge triples in third to close the margin to 77-81.

In the fourth quarter,  desperado Shorter turned up with his biggest contribution of the series as he poured in a multitude of massive shots while Deng was pulling off some defensive diamonds and Moore was spinning his opponents to the bucket as the Sixers fought the odds. It came down to the last shot with Deng getting a wonderful look to send it to OT but it rimmed and United were leading 2-1. Were the Sixers stung out of the game by elements beyond their control???

I’m not sure…

United arrived at the loudest Adelaide venue since the 1994 Grand Final series and after missing an entire half (which in hindsight resulted in a bunch of fines so all weapons were primed for game four) Sobey sizzled at both ends and Creek lifted the roof early blocking Boone on the fast break. United’s offensive guns were blanketed shooting at lower than 35 percent with the Sixers leading the contest 29-21.

Then it happened, DJ looked like after a quiet first half of game three, grabbed himself a invincibility star from a Mario game and began to run United’s bigs (and smalls) off their feet and put in a first half where if the Sixers snatch it in game five, it will be this performance that set it up in game four. It resulted in a 26-8 run in ten minutes of basketball that probably changed the momentum of the series. It was such a series changing quarter that even literally fans were putting their bodies on the line for the club as Creek bowled over a corporate that would’ve been on the DRS system three reds. By the end of the half the Sixers had a staggering 33 to 1 free throw attempts and it was all legit. The Sixers leading United 55-31 at the half but no sure thing to square it still you felt.

United launch their comeback in the third quarter slowly chipping away 16-27 through Casey Prather and a Craig Moller cameo that pushed the game back for them. If it wasn’t for Deng dropping dimes then it would’ve been much closer than the 58-71 scoreline at three quarter time, with a few nerves starting to show.

Ware then started the fourth with fire and a few of the other guns started to catch some fire and the Sixers began to miss a couple of crucial shots and those nerves were really starting to pulse as you could feel the nervous tension in the building. Some clutch plays from Ramone Moore and a procession of fouled out players including Wesley, Boone and Barlow saw the Sixers with opportunities to close the game but continued to miss a couple of free throws that could’ve closed the door. With 55 seconds left, a narrow five point lead and a barnstorming United looking to seal it, DJ dropped a dagger in front of Brendan Fevola and the United bandwagon to send it to 8 points. That sent the fans into raptures as they realised the dream was still alive.

Out of the timeout Goulding hit a rare triple for the night but then the cardinal sin was committed as Barlow for all his experience held onto the splashed ball for too long and he was pinged for the delay of game technical foul. Had David Barlow really thrown away the NBL championship with such a big time mistake???

I don’t know…

Creek made the two free throws, Ware missed the answering triple as the Sixers 90-81 forced it to game 5 and a 2-2 series. United despite getting within three points in the final quarter only led the game once in the first quarter a minute and a bit in and that is a huge stat to consider. Take this scenario imagine if the Sixers had hit the front in game three in the fourth quarter, the silverware would’ve probably been theirs.

As it turns out we head to Melbourne for the fifth of this epic Grand Final series and what a series it has been. So will United continue the “home court” trend or did the last game reveal the softer underbelly of their depth? Can the Sixers stun the competition and come from 2-1 down to create another famous chapter in the clubs championship history?

I don’t know…

But I do know this, I want to be on that plane or bus and to write my final article of the season live at this game so here’s hoping it happens and if they win…

I think I know what I might do…

GAME THREE: MELBOURNE UNITED 101 (WARE 25, PRATHER 23, GOULDING 15, BOONE 10) DEFEATED ADELAIDE 36ERS 98 (JOHNSON 20, MOORE 18, DENG 16, SHORTER 15, CREEK 14)

GAME FOUR: ADELAIDE 36ERS 90 (JOHNSON 21, SOBEY 16, SHORTER 14, DENG 13, MOORE 12, CREEK 10) DEFEATED MELBOURNE UNITED 81 (PRATHER 23, GOULDING 15, WARE 13, BOONE 10)

SERIES 2-2

NEXT GAME: GAME FIVE – SATURDAY 31 MARCH AT HISENSE ARENA

Creek called upon his team to "grow some balls" and his team responded in game two against Melbourne United, highlighted by this double block on Craig Moller from Sobey (#20) and Deng (#13). Photo by The North West Star

The first match was met with a raucous (often still having to be called upon by the announcer) Melbourne crowd. United started the better with Casper Ware Jnr drilling a triple off his first possession and looking ominous early as they got on 7-0 run. The Sixers hit back through DJ as they reversed it with a 6-1 run. It was bucket for bucket early before the key moment came halfway through the first when Ware went up for a rebound against Matt “I’m in beast mode tonight” Hodgson who then fell accidentally on Ware. Ware’s hip began to flare as he ended up sitting on the bench which brought a key player in United’s first up victory, Adelaide’s Concordia College alumni Peter Hooley.

Hooley played with the class and composure of a veteran as he made smart plays and added to United’s scoring power with an enormous appetite for team basketball. The Sixers hit back however with Ramone Moore in a mood to prove United made a mistake letting him go and Mitch Creek was kicking into NBA form halfway through the second as Sixers opened up a 38-32 lead. The game turned from there as the Sixers gave up far too many offensive rebounds which created opportunities for veteran David Andersen and boom big man Josh Boone. Casey Prather then showed some class and poise as United led 53-47.

The third quarter although marking the return of a clearly hampered Ware Jnr belonged to Chris Goulding. Goulding was allowed more space than a dog on an early morning beach walk at Brighton (my local crew you know this is true) and he put the Sixers to his sweeping sword. The three point guarding in the quarter was disgusting as the Sixers switched instead of staying with their man. Goulding took advantage dropping 15 points in the quarter including two triples including a ridiculous step back. It was still United by 6 at the end of three before Ware drained 8 straight points to blow it open and although the Sixers charged again, United took game one comfortably 107-96. Some serious headaches emerged out of the first one for Wright as he tried to explain about the lack of boxing out, energy and poor defence of the perimeter United’s strength.

In game two, Mitch Creek called on the Sixers to “grow some balls” and as the title of my article suggested, they certainly did. The Sixers came out with an aggressive mindset especially DJ who traditionally hasn’t played well at home. He attacked Boone early and wound himself up for his best home finals performance since game two of 2014 Grand Finals Series. It was again basket for basket but the Sixers were rolling with more vigour and purpose on offense. Ware got a couple early and Wright called upon Ramone “the glove” Moore to shut him down. Moore then saw Ware to the bench with early foul trouble before then taking on United’s guards and beating them handsomely, Sixers up 27-19 after one.

The second started with some baskets that you just shake your head at with last second makes and fade away jumpers with the Sixers reeking of swagger but Tai Wesley got on a 6-0 run for United before Moore re-entered the game and went back to work. The Sixers put United into foul trouble as Ware, Goulding and a few others sat with three in the first half before Moore put the freezing cold white jerseys on ice through his mixer. Sixers up 57-41 with Goulding at half-time interviewed talking about what he was having for dinner but it can’t have been too healthy as it did sound rather salty…

Sobey opened up his account in the third with a triple and although Creek picked up a third foul, Majok Deng was having the breakout final bringing it at both ends just as he needed to as the Sixers broke beyond 20 points. DJ then dropped two triples either side of the timeout as the Sixers continued to push United away leading by as many as 26 points as United struggled to keep the rotations from foul trouble. United called on their veteran duo of Andersen and Barlow who slipped back into it before the Sixers steadied to lead 82-64 at the end of three.

A Creek save resulted in Ware getting into the back of DJ which saw him sit down nice and early fouling out for the second time in the season. Goulding then sparked a mini-comeback to bring it back to 14 points before the Sixers steadied through the bash brigade down low. Barlow then caught fire to come up with his 13th point and bring it back to that margin. Leading by 17 the Sixers used the clock wisely as they ended up sealing the match with a Creek rim rattler running out and squaring the series 110-95.

The key in this series is clearly depth and this will be defined by a couple of key injury concerns in Ware, Boone and Childress. It is clear however out of the two games that the Sixers have the slightly lengthier bench and when the Sixers shut out United on the perimeter, they look a different ball club. Clearly United’s streak of 5-0 matters little now as we head to game three and four. For both teams need the win this Friday night but if the Sixers sneak that one in Hisense, it could be over by Sunday night in front of a huge homecoming crowd.

One things for sure, this one has the makings of a classic series…

GAME ONE: MELBOURNE UNITED 107 (GOULDING 26, WARE 20, BOONE 17, PRATHER 13, WESLEY 11) DEFEATED ADELAIDE 36ERS (JOHNSON 18, SHORTER 16, CREEK 14, CHILDRESS 12, HODGSON, MOORE 10)

GAME TWO: ADELAIDE 36ERS 110 (DENG 18, CREEK, MOORE 17, JOHNSON 15, SOBEY 14, CHILDRESS 13, SHORTER 10) DEFEATED MELBOURNE UNITED 95 (PRATHER 20, GOULDING 19, BARLOW 13, WESLEY 12)

It took close to 39 minutes for the Sixers to hit the front but that was all that counted in shades of the Sandpit 2001. Photo by ABC

The atmosphere at the Arkaba was electric and while many Sixers fans felt confident about getting the win that evening, the tension of having to win in a venue where so many teams have been embarrassed by this Wildcats team the last 10 years at the crunch end of the season.

Immediately from the tip, Bryce Cotton was hitting them from his backside and the Wildcats were daring some unfamiliar Sixers to shoot from the perimeter but Mitch Creek was going all Mike Whitney on the Cats with two early triples as the “spiritual” one was making his mark. Cotton however with 20 points in the first quarter was looking good for Al Green numbers early and realistically was looking like needing to drop 80 for them to win the game.

A few of the Perth passengers got on board the “home” train but as you need to at the Perth Arena the Sixers stuck with the Wildcats, but a great frustration was creeping into the supporters room. The number of grabs, hooks and pushes not picked up by the officials were let go or beginning to be called like a soft brush on a champion horse in stable. Regardless it started the usual words for both coaches on the sideline but it seemed the officials were taking an unusual step which I kind of liked but also felt it defeats the purpose of having a technical foul for coaches, they ignored it and didn’t get caught up in the emotion of the game. Despite all this the Sixers achieved the first goal to be still in the game at half-time 40-49. While others felt less confident, I knew this team were different to last years and had the maturity to make the comeback.

The “here we go again” moment came early in the third as the Wildcats pushed it back out to 16 points with plenty of their players able to apply their “Wildcat” physicality and the Sixers were getting caught matching it by the officials particularly with DJ having a rare horror night in Perth. The Sixers however began to get rolling particularly Childress who after a quiet first half began to dominate his match-ups and along with Shorter dragged them back into the contest. The fans were starting to believe but knew that we needed another few players step up. All of a sudden Cotton was benched with a cramping injury and the Wildcats were running out of rotations. Drmic was playing his best final for Adelaide atoning for his series last season nailing his triples and playing some high quality defence. Speaking of high quality defence, both Sobey and Moore played elite in that area in the final quarter and a half of this one. The Sixers stormed back into it to trail just by one at three quarter time 89-88.

The final quarter was one for the ages as the Wildcats looked to have it forced to game three several times through a ghost foul on Cotton (clearly he went backwards because he landed on his cramping leg and not because of Moore’s defence), Walker draining one of those triples that just made everyone go “well he hits that one doesn’t he” and Brandt allowed to shove and grab his opponent then put in his deuce to give them an 8 point lead with 3 minutes to go, you thought it was done. As the Sixers have done out of the timeout pretty much 100 percent all season (and almost missed by the broadcaster) setup Creek who hit his fourth triple of the night then Sobey forced Martin into an unlikely turnover. Childress then scored off a mismatch before Brandt traded. Walker was fouled and DJ although “well positioned” went for his fifth and did well along with the other players to contain their emotion over the call. Then came one of the gutsiest subs for the night as Wright brought in Hodgson at the defensive end then opted for the smaller lineup with Drmic into the five back the other way.

Both teams began to miss one of their two free throws except for Creek who stepped up and whilst there was enough delay between both to drive a truck between them he cut it to three points and “Miracle on Swan River” was on. Perth made the play and Cotton got an easy cut on a Sixers breakdown and sent it 5 points and you thought this one was done but the missed free throw was rebounded and Sobey then pulled thanks to a “Damon Lowery-esque” call the and1. He missed the crucial free throw but whoever said rebounds win you games of basketball only need watch the final minute of this classic. Childress grabbed the ball bobbling from JP Tokoto normally solid mits and finished with a clumsy Walker foul. With the made free throw scores were level and the Arkaba and every Sixers fan was going off their nut!!!

The Wildcats went to Brandt one, twice and the third time, Moore probably produced the biggest block of his career (Who was it again Joey???) which was to the advantage of Childress and with a clear path to the basket and only one defender, he could not be fouled and rolled in for the easiest layup to give the Sixers the lead for the first time in the night with 24 seconds left. Cotton on one leg then made the play as Creek got pinged and again held his emotion. The nightmare that’ll live with Cotton is the first missed one as it kept the Sixers in front. Out of the timeout, the Sixers ran the most perfect game of keeping’s off played this season eventually the aforementioned fouling Childress. He stepped up-to the stripe and after missing the first then executed the perfect miss as it hit the front of the rim and bobbled up as Drmic rose from the ashes of 2016-17 to clamp the biggest rebound of the night and with a pass to Sobey the Sixers had completed the “Miracle on Swan River.”

The fans at the Arkaba were going ballistic with fist pumps, cheering, clapping, high fives and a couple of guys getting up on a table and chanting “Let’s go Sixers, let’s go.” Spectators had their phones out filming the celebrations with the overall consensus being while we didn’t play our best we were in the game when the whips were cracking and our new found finals maturity lead us to the sweep over the long time rival. It was most satisfying to savour a series win over our rivals in a semi-final for the first time since 1999 and to end the drought of the Wildcat/Breaker dynasty. Now within the next few weeks a new champion will be crowned a top the NBL tree, the first since 2010.

So here we are again back in 1998-99 with the mighty Victorians of Melbourne United with a stacked roster and the advantage of at least two home games in front of no doubt sell-out crowds against long time rivals of South Australia, the team orientated Adelaide 36ers. Across the border and interstate they’ll favour the United group after they waltzed over the Sixers 4-0 this season but that was pre-Christmas. Both teams are vastly different post and the state is hungry for success with only a womens AFL team, T20 franchise and one-day cricket team tasting the ultimate in the last 14 years. With our two AFL clubs falling on the last day in their last Grand Finals to the enemy and this club not savouring the spoils since 2003, the whole state will be bleeding blue, white and red for the next few weeks and if its anything like the 1998-99 series, this will be one of the highlights of the sporting year for the piping shrike state.

Adelaide 36ers 89 (Childress 25, Creek 22, Sobey 13) defeated Perth Wildcats 88 (Cotton 31, Kenny, Brandt 14).

*Adelaide won the series 2-0