Kevin Lisch says Jaylen Adams is the NBL's MVP this season

The MVP race this season has been neck and neck between three-time MVP Bryce Cotton and Kings superstar Jaylen Adams.

But two-time NBL MVP and Kings assistant coach Kevin Lisch says there is no doubt in his mind that Jaylen Adams is now the NBL’s MVP this season.

“There is no doubt in my mind that he [Adams] should be,” Lisch said.

“We’ve got a great team and he’s made us an even greater team. Look at the effect he’s had; you look at the other guys in the league and I'm not taking anything away from them, but I don’t see why Jaylen shouldn't be at the top of the list.”

The season started rocky for both Adams and the Brydens Lawyers Sydney Kings this season. The team only won three out of their first eight games, while the entire roster, including Adams, was in flux with injuries. Since Round 8 the team has won 15 out of 17 games and that has been led by Jaylen Adams tearing through the league at an MVP level.

He is averaging 19.7 points per game and leading the league in assists with 6.2 per game, along with some of the most clutch plays this season.

Either with game-winning three-pointers or superb passes.

Lisch explained how Adams’ stellar play has resolved most of the issues the team faced earlier in the season.

“I haven’t been in a season (coach or player), where there weren’t ups or downs and everything between,” he said.

“With our group, we’ve been through a bit, with injuries and all that stuff. But the effect that Jaylen is having on the court is pretty amazing.

“He is so dynamic, he can score inside, outside and from the mid-range. He’s not just a scorer, he’s not just a playmaker. He can do all those things, and he can also rebound and guard the ball.”

Adams ranks seconds in rebounds per game for point guards, averaging 5.0 per game and only behind Mitch McCarron according to RealGM.

Not only did Lisch win an MVP, but he also won Defensive Player of the Year in the same season with the Illawarra Hawks in 2016. He spoke about how being more than the best scorer on your team is key to being an elite player.

“He’s not one-dimensional,” Lisch said.

“I think there are a lot of good point guards in the backcourt that Jaylen goes up against that are tough. He’s not always guarding the best player, Swaks [Wani Swaka Lo Buluk] often does that. But we also have the ability to put Jaylen on the best guys and shut them down.

“It’s so nice to have a guy who is so talented offensively but who is equally talented and engaged defensively, it speaks volumes to the player he is.”

Adams is a good defender, but his playmaking is his standout trait other than scoring. He is leading the league in assists and has been running the engine of the Kings’ roaring offence, that is what makes his MVP case stand out most. Lisch explained what makes Adams a good point guard.

“He has a poise and patience,” Lisch said.

“The way he goes off the pick and roll, he never gets in a hurry, he plays at his rhythm. There’s always a counter with Jaylen, if the defence comes at him he’ll hit the right guy, and if they sag off he’ll hit a three. “I think his ability to see the game and with the poise and pace he plays at, it is really hard to guard.”

Lisch joked that he was speaking from expereince when it comes to how hard it is to guard Jaylen Adams.

The Andrew Gaze MVP Award will be voted on by coaches and captains on the NBL’s Awards Night after the regular season.

But if you think Adams is the MVP, fans can vote for him as the Chemist Warehouse Fans MVP here.

To see Jaylen Adams and the Kings live you can see the team in our two last home games on Sunday, April 17 the Kings will take on the Adelaide 36ers and on Sunday, April 24 the Kings will finish the season against the Illawarra Hawks. Get your tickets here.