Kings 2020-21 Season Preview
Written by Matt McQuade for Kings Media
We live in uncertain times to be sure.
The global pandemic that is Covid-19 has seen to that.
But what is certain is that one way or another, the National Basketball League season will go ahead.
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And for that we should be thankful. For it is a competition that over the past few years has improved dramatically to the point where NBL teams have been playing NBA teams in preseason games; the talent level across the board is extraordinary and the competitive nature of the league is second to none.
Even with the reduction of the import quota to two in NBL21 from three last season, the NBL remains as strong as ever. It has gained tremendous respect around the world for its standard of play, its coaching and its player development, borne out by the offseason move to the NBA by two Sydney Kings – Head Coach Will Weaver and All-NBL First Team forward Jae’Sean Tate.
Those two men, who in their short time in Sydney served the purple and gold magnificently, now wear the red of the Houston Rockets and are set for great careers in the world’s foremost basketball competition.
Further afield, you had LaMelo Ball parlaying a 12-game stint with the (Illawarra) Hawks into the overall number three pick in the 2020 NBA draft by the Charlotte Hornets, and he’s already opening eyes with his tremendous passing and basketball IQ. RJ Hampton also found himself drafted in the first round of that same NBA draft and landed in a great situation with a coming powerhouse in the Denver Nuggets. And Brisbane’s Will Magnay signed a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans.
So that’s five individuals who went directly from the NBL to the NBA in the offseason. For a small country and a league that has only nine teams, that is a significant achievement.
And this upcoming season, we could see even more movement overseas, given the incredible talent of the Next Stars program that features a pair of future NBA draftees in Adelaide’s Josh Giddey and Cairns’ Mojave King, a 2020 draft pick of the Golden State Warriors in the Hawks’ Justinian Jessup and, lest we forget, the Sydney Kings’ own Next Star, Didi Louzada, who figures to be wearing a New Orleans Pelicans uniform in the NBA 2021/22 season once he’s done tearing up the NBL.
Accordingly, no matter how this league goes down this season, whether via a Hub or home and away games, or a combination of both, it will be appointment viewing. That is to say, you don’t want to miss a second.
And as always, there are a ton of questions surrounding NBL21. Do the Perth Wildcats have what it takes to win three straight NBL titles? How will Brian Goorjian perform with his new-look Hawks after being out of the league for 11 years? Is Melbourne United a juggernaut in waiting?
Of course, as far as our own Sydney Kings are concerned, there are a few queries. How will the team perform in the post-Andrew Bogut era? Can rookie head coach Adam Forde lead his group to the playoffs? Who will step up in the long-term absence of Xavier Cooks?
All fascinating topics covering what will be a great NBL season. And to get you prepared, and hopefully provide insight into some potential answers to those many questions, here’s a detailed look at every team the Sydney Kings must overcome to win their fourth crown, in what promises to be a hyper-competitive NBL21 campaign.
ADELAIDE 36ERS
Last season: 12-16, seventh in regular season
2019/20 Points For: 95.4ppg, second
2019/20 Points Against: 99.0ppg, ninth
2019/20 Field Goal Percentage: 45.9%, sixth
2019/20 Defensive Field Goal Percentage: 47.0%, seventh
2019/20 Three Point Field Goal Percentage: 35.3%, seventh
2019/20 Defensive Three Point Field Goal Percentage: 36.4%, seventh
2019/20 Free Throw Percentage: 77.0%, fifth
2019/20 Rebounds: 37.6rpg, first
2019/20 Rebound Differential per Game: +1.6, first
2019/20 Assists: 17.1apg, seventh
2019/20 Steals: 5.7spg, sixth
2019/20 Blocked Shots: 2.7bpg, eighth
2019/20 Turnovers: 12.6tpg, eighth
2019/20 Turnovers Forced: 11.9tpg, third
2019/20 Turnover Differential per Game: -0.6, seventh
2019/20 Offensive Rating: 114.6, sixth
2019/20 Defensive Rating: 119.0, eighth
2019/20 Regular Season vs. Kings: Kings won 3-0
All-Time Record vs. Kings: 93 games played; 36ers lead 53-40
NBL Titles: 4 (1986, 1998, 1999, 2002)
NBL Playoff Appearances: 25 (last time 2018)
Homecourt: Adelaide Entertainment Centre, capacity 11,300
Head Coach: Conner Henry (1st season with Adelaide, NBL career record 17-14)
Incoming: Isaac Humphries (NBA G-League); Donald Sloan (import – Germany); Tony Crocker (import – Turkey); Josh Giddey (Next Star); Sunday Dech (Illawarra Hawks); Keanu Pinder (Poland); Head Coach Conner Henry
Outgoing: Eric Griffin (import – Israel); Jerome Randle (import – Spain); Ramone Moore (import); Anthony Drmic (Brisbane Bullets); Harry Froling (Brisbane Bullets); Kevin White (Perth Wildcats); Obi Kyei; Head Coach Joey Wright
Projected Starters: Donald Sloan (import); Josh Giddey (Next Star); Tony Crocker (import); Daniel Johnson; Isaac Humphries
Bench: Jack McVeigh; Sunday Dech; Brendan Teys; Keanu Pinder; Alex Mudronja; Daniel Dillon
Adelaide found itself in some postseason controversy after missing the NBL20 playoffs, with the end result forcing a roster cleanout and the end of Coach Joey Wright’s tenure at the club. But the team that finished 12-16 last season has rebuilt nicely, with former Sydney Kings centre and NBL Rookie of the Year Isaac Humphries returning from overseas to join forces in an intriguing Twin Towers alignment with offensive force Daniel Johnson (18.1ppg, 8.3rpg, 2.2apg, 49.2% FG, 44.0% 3PT FG, 81.8% FT).
Then they added a precocious talent in 6’8” Next Star guard Josh Giddey and a couple of talented imports in solid NBA veteran Donald Sloan and long-time Euroleague forward Tony Crocker, while Sunday Dech comes over from the (Illawarra) Hawks to provide toughness and defence in the backcourt. Conner Henry, who Sydney fans might remember as an assistant coach with the Kings under Ian Robilliard, returns for his second NBL head coaching stint after going 17-14 with Perth a few years back, and former Sydney GM Jeff Van Groningen is leading the 36ers’ off court team.
This is a radically different squad to what we’ve seen in recent seasons, but if Giddey is truly the prodigy many say he is and the Humphries-Johnson frontcourt combo is effective at both ends of the floor, this is a team that could make some noise in NBL21.
BRAD NEWLEY SAYS
They’ve got a lot of new faces and a new coach. Daniel Johnson is probably their number one weapon and he’s always been a handful for us so taking care of him is pretty important. Then they’ve added a young star in Josh Giddey and a former King in Isaac Humphries. So, they’ve got a different look in Adelaide but they’ll definitely cause some problems.
BRISBANE BULLETS
Last season: 15-13, fifth
2019/20 Points For: 92.0ppg, sixth
2019/20 Points Against: 91.4ppg, fifth
2019/20 Field Goal Percentage: 47.1%, third
2019/20 Defensive Field Goal Percentage: 45.2%, third
2019/20 Three Point Field Goal Percentage: 35.9%, sixth
2019/20 Defensive Three Point Field Goal Percentage: 36.0%, fourth
2019/20 Free Throw Percentage: 73.1%, seventh
2019/20 Rebounds: 36.0rpg, fifth
2019/20 Rebound Differential per Game: 0.0, fifth
2019/20 Assists: 18.4apg, fourth
2019/20 Steals: 5.1spg, eighth
2019/20 Blocked Shots: 3.4bpg, third
2019/20 Turnovers: 12.5tpg, seventh
2019/20 Turnovers Forced: 11.0tpg, eighth
2019/20 Turnover Differential per Game: -1.5, ninth
2019/20 Offensive Rating: 115.0, fifth
2019/20 Defensive Rating: 114.3, sixth
2019/20 Regular Season vs. Kings: Kings won 2-1
All Time Record vs. Kings: 78 games played; Kings lead 44-34
NBL Titles: 3 (1985, 1987, 2007)
NBL Playoff Appearances: 22 (last time 2019)
Homecourt: Queensland State Netball Centre, capacity 5,000
Head Coach: Andrej Lemanis (5th season with Brisbane, NBL career record 198-174, record with Brisbane 48-66, three NBL Championships)
Incoming: Orlando Johnson (import – Russia); Vic Law (import – NBA G-League); Anthony Drmic (Adelaide 36ers); Harry Froling (Adelaide 36ers); Tanner Krebs (St Mary’s College); Tamuri Wigness
Outgoing: Lamar Patterson (import – New Zealand Breakers); Will Magnay (NBA – New Orleans Pelicans – NBA); Cameron Gliddon (South East Melbourne Phoenix); Reuben Te Rangi (South East Melbourne Phoenix); Mika Vukona; Taylor Braun (import – Israel); EJ Singler (import – New Zealand)
Projected Starters: Nathan Sobey; Anthony Drmic; Orlando Johnson (import); Vic Law (import); Matthew Hodgson
Bench: Jason Cadee; Harry Froling; Tanner Krebs; Tyrell Harrison; Tamuri Wigness; Callum Dalton (development player); Blake Jones (development player); Kian Dennis (development player)
Brisbane is another team that has undergone a transformation heading into NBL21, but it’s their offseason departures that are the main talking points, with two-time All-NBL First Team forward Lamar Patterson headed to the New Zealand Breakers and 2020 NBL Most Improved award winner Will Magnay parlaying a sensational NBL20 campaign into a two-way contract with the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans.
Head Coach Andrej Lemanis has his work cut out to replace the production and impact of those two stars, and the Bullets are looking to a pair of versatile import forwards in Vic Law and Orlando Johnson to fill the breach, while big man Harry Froling (7.3ppg, 3.4rpg) is looking for a fresh start after a disappointing season in Adelaide and his 36er teammate Anthony Drmic (10.5ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.0spg, 43.9% FG) will be counted on to provide energy and perimeter shooting from the two spot.
The returning Jason Cadee (11.1ppg, 2.4apg, 42.4% 3PT FG) is an outstanding backup guard who won Sixth Man of the Year in the 2019/20 campaign and can play the one or two, and rookie Tanner Krebs comes in from St Mary’s College in California to provide depth on the wing. This is a team with a number of question marks, not least of which surround the effectiveness of Nathan Sobey as a full-time point guard and whether the imports are a good fit for this roster. Still, Brisbane will be a team that can’t be taken lightly.
BRAD NEWLEY SAYS
Again, a lot of changes. The loss of Patterson for one – I think he was a pretty big engine room guy for them. But him leaving will give guys like Sobey, Cadee and Drmic the chance to shine and have bigger roles. Those three guys are pretty dangerous.
CAIRNS TAIPANS
Last season: 16-12, third in regular season, lost to Perth Wildcats in semi-final
2019/20 Points For: 92.9ppg, fifth
2019/20 Points Against: 89.4ppg, fourth
2019/20 Field Goal Percentage: 48.1%, first
2019/20 Defensive Field Goal Percentage: 43.5%, second
2019/20 Three Point Field Goal Percentage: 38.2%, second
2019/20 Defensive Three Point Field Goal Percentage: 33.3%, first
2019/20 Free Throw Percentage: 79.3%, second
2019/20 Rebounds: 34.7rpg, eighth
2019/20 Rebound Differential per Game: +0.5, third
2019/20 Assists: 18.7apg, second
2019/20 Steals: 6.3spg, third
2019/20 Blocked Shots: 3.3bpg, fifth
2019/20 Turnovers: 12.8tpg, ninth
2019/20 Turnovers Forced: 11.5tpg, sixth
2019/20 Turnover Differential per Game: -1.3, eighth
2019/20 Offensive Rating: 115.9, third
2019/20 Defensive Rating: 111.4, second
2019/20 Regular Season vs. Kings: Kings won 2-1
All Time Record vs. Kings: 64 games played; Kings lead 48-16
NBL Titles: 0
NBL Playoff Appearances: 8 (last time 2020)
Homecourt: Cairns Convention Centre, capacity 5,300 / Cairns Pop-Up Venue, capacity 2,500
Head Coach: Mike Kelly (3rd season with Cairns, NBL career record 23-36)
Incoming: Mojave King (Next Star); Jordan Ngatai (New Zealand Breakers); Jordan Hunt (development player)
Outgoing: DJ Newbill (import – Japan); Anthony Fisher
Projected Starters: Scott Machado (import); Mirko Djeric; Kouat Noi; Majok Deng; Cameron Oliver (import)
Bench: Mojave King (Next Star); Nathan Jawai; Jarrod Kenny; George Blagojevic; Fabian Krslovic; Jordan Hunt (development player)
There’s no question the Taipans were one of the biggest stories in NBL20 thanks to their rise from a wooden spoon, 6-22 finish the previous season to a legitimate championship contender, a performance that garnered Mike Kelly Coach of the Year honours. And even though the team suffered a significant loss with Defensive Player of the Year DJ Newbill falling victim to the league reducing its team import quota from three to two, Cairns did a stellar job in the offseason by enticing back a pair of superstar imports in All-NBL First Team point guard Scott Machado (16.6ppg, 3.9rpg, 7.7apg, 40.3% 3PT FG) and explosive pivot Cameron Oliver (17.4ppg, 9.6rpg, 1.6bpg, 54.2% FG).
You could make an argument that Machado and Oliver comprise the best import combo in the league and Cairns have done an excellent job building around them. One of the keys to the Taipans this season is that they have essentially brought the band back together, with continuity and chemistry so important in the league these days, but they have also recruited well, with Next Star Mojave King expected to have a big season and Jordan Ngatai providing good depth.
A lot will depend on whether guys like Kouat Noi, Majok Deng and Mirko Djeric take a step up with some increased responsibility and more touches in the offence, but with Machado and Oliver leading the way, you have to say that Cairns is once again a team that will be fighting for a title.
BRAD NEWLEY SAYS
Bringing back arguably two of the best imports from last season will help them and keep them in good stead. Young Mojave King has impressed early on with his play and I think Kouat Noi is a guy who flies under the radar a little bit but he’s a very dangerous player. They’ve got another year under Mike Kelly and I’d expect the Taipans to be right up there.
THE HAWKS
Last season: 5-23, ninth
2019/20 Points For: 84.1ppg, ninth
2019/20 Points Against: 94.7ppg, seventh
2019/20 Field Goal Percentage: 42.7%, ninth
2019/20 Defensive Field Goal Percentage: 47.8%, eighth
2019/20 Three Point Field Goal Percentage: 30.8%, ninth
2019/20 Defensive Three Point Field Goal Percentage: 37.9%, ninth
2019/20 Free Throw Percentage: 69.9%, ninth
2019/20 Rebounds: 36.9rpg, third
2019/20 Rebound Differential per Game: +0.7, second
2019/20 Assists: 18.7apg, third
2019/20 Steals: 6.5spg, first
2019/20 Blocked Shots: 3.1bpg, seventh
2019/20 Turnovers: 11.8tpg, fifth
2019/20 Turnovers Forced: 12.4tpg, second
2019/20 Turnover Differential per Game: +0.6, fourth
2019/20 Offensive Rating: 105.6, ninth
2019/20 Defensive Rating: 118.5, seventh
2019/20 Regular Season vs. Kings: Kings won 2-1
All Time Record vs. Kings: 97 games played; Kings lead 53-44
NBL Titles: 1 (2001)
NBL Playoff Appearances: 19 (last time 2017)
Homecourt: WIN Entertainment Centre, capacity 5,800
Head Coach: Brian Goorjian (1st season with the Hawks, NBL career record 514-221, 6 NBL championships)
Incoming: Tyler Harvey (import – Germany); Justin Simon (import – NBA G-League); Justinian Jessup (Next Star – Boise State University); Deng Adel (NBA G-League); Cameron Bairstow (Lithuania); Isaac White (Stanford University); Max Darling (Croatia); Deng Deng; Akoldah Gak (development player); Head Coach Brian Goorjian
Outgoing: LaMelo Ball (NBA – Charlotte Hornets); Josh Boone (import – Bahrain); Todd Blanchfield (Perth Wildcats); Sunday Dech (Adelaide 36ers); Angus Glover (Sydney Kings); Tim Coenraad (retired); David Andersen; Head Coach Matt Flinn
Projected Starters: Tyler Harvey (import); Justin Simon (import); Justinian Jessup (Next Star); Deng Adel (import); Sam Froling
Bench: Cameron Bairstow; AJ Ogilvy; Emmett Naar; Isaac White; Deng Deng; Max Darling; Akoldah Gak (development player); Daniel Grida (injured reserve)
The only highlights of what was a disastrous season for the (Illawarra) Hawks in NBL20 were the 12 games of NBA lottery pick LaMelo Ball and the team helping to draw an NBL record crowd of 17,514 to Qudos Bank Arena. They won just five games all year, and at one point in the offseason, it looked like we could have seen the death knell of the franchise as the organisation went into voluntary administration. Thankfully for the league, they were saved, and after a complete rebuild, both on and off the floor, the Hawks have emerged as the NBL’s most interesting team to watch (other than the Kings of course!) in NBL21.
That’s mainly because of their new head coach, Mr Brian Goorjian, universally acknowledged as the greatest coach in NBL history and the man who led the Kings to three straight championships. The return of ‘Goorj’ is massive for Australian basketball, and the Hawks’ hierarchy have given him a lot of talent to work with in his comeback season, starting with two exciting imports in scoring machine Tyler Harvey and defensive menace Justin Simon, while Next Star Justinian Jessup is a flat-out scorer who was drafted by the NBA’s Golden State Warriors and the athletic Deng Adel is an MVP candidate looking for a way back to the NBA. Cameron Bairstow is another guy with NBA experience to bolster the frontline and Isaac White out of Stanford University will provide outside shooting off the bench.
The Hawks are a young, exciting group that will get the ball up the floor in a hurry; they will work extremely hard and play intense pressure defence. Their questions are very much in the frontcourt, where depth is a concern, but as all Kings fans well know, when it comes to any team coached by Brian Goorjian, you always have to take them very seriously. At the very least, there’s been some extra spice added to Kings-Hawks matchups this season.
BRAD NEWLEY SAYS
It’s a completely revamped roster. We’ve been lucky enough to play them twice already and Goorj has got them pushing the ball. I feel like Deng Adel is going to make a big impression on the league and both Jessup and Harvey have shown in the preseason that they’re quite explosive. They are definitely going to have their moments, and they are a young side with the ability to surprise anyone.
MELBOURNE UNITED
Last season: 15-13, fourth in regular season, lost to Sydney Kings in semi-final
2019/20 Points For: 93.5ppg, fourth
2019/20 Points Against: 91.8ppg, sixth
2019/20 Field Goal Percentage: 45.1%, seventh
2019/20 Defensive Field Goal Percentage: 45.6%, fourth
2019/20 Three Point Field Goal Percentage: 36.5%, fourth
2019/20 Defensive Three Point Field Goal Percentage: 35.0%, third
2019/20 Free Throw Percentage: 78.7%, third
2019/20 Rebounds: 36.3rpg, fourth
2019/20 Rebound Differential per Game: -0.1, sixth
2019/20 Assists: 15.9apg, ninth
2019/20 Steals: 6.5spg, second
2019/20 Blocked Shots: 3.6bpg, second
2019/20 Turnovers: 12.0tpg, sixth
2019/20 Turnovers Forced: 12.7tpg, first
2019/20 Turnover Differential per Game: +0.7, third
2019/20 Offensive Rating: 115.3, fourth
2019/20 Defensive Rating: 113.2, fourth
2019/20 Regular Season vs. Kings: Kings won 3-1
2019/20 Playoffs vs. Kings: Kings won 2-1
All Time Record vs. Kings: 29 games played, United leads 21-8
NBL Titles: One (last 2018)
NBL Playoff Appearances: 4 (last time 2020)
Homecourt: John Cain Arena, capacity 10,000
Head Coach: Dean Vickerman (4th season with Melbourne, NBL career record 113-78, record with Melbourne 62-38, two NBL championships)
Incoming: Jock Landale (Lithuania); Scotty Hopson (import – New Zealand Breakers); Jack White (Duke University); Yudai Baba (Japan); Mason Peatling (development player)
Outgoing: Melo Trimble (import – Spain); Shawn Long (import – Korea); Casey Prather (import – Israel); Tohi Smith-Milner; Venky Jois; Alex Pledger
Projected Starters: Mitch McCarron; Chris Goulding; Scotty Hopson (import); David Barlow; Jock Landale
Bench: Shae Ili; Jack White; Jo Lual-Acuil; Sam McDaniel; Yudai Baba; Sam Short (development player); Mason Peatling (development player)
After a season where their chemistry was highly questionable and they fell to the Kings in a wild three-game semi-final series, Melbourne made significant changes to their line-up, saying farewell to their three imports, Shawn Long, Melo Trimble and Casey Prather and replacing them with an incoming recruiting class that has many judges proclaiming United as the team to beat in NBL21.
Import Scotty Hopson (19.1ppg, 5.8rpg, 4.7apg) comes over from the New Zealand Breakers and is a phenomenally gifted wing, who outside Bryce Cotton might be the most talented player in the league. Australian Boomer Jock Landale is an athletic seven-footer who can run rim to rim and stretch the floor. Rookie Jack White spent four years at Duke University playing for the legendary Mike Krzyzewski and is a tough, do-everything swingman. Even Japanese standout Yudai Baba is a guy with the ability to give this team solid minutes.
What’s even more frightening about this group is they still have an import spot up their sleeves and Chris Goulding (17.0ppg, 2.1rpg, 2.4apg) remains one of the league’s most dangerous marksmen. Well-coached by Dean Vickerman, Melbourne’s only question mark might be around the ability of Mitch McCarron to play a full-time role as the team’s lead guard, but otherwise it’s a roster with very few weaknesses, if at all. Like it or not, Melbourne is a strong title contender this season.
BRAD NEWLEY SAYS
They’ve recruited very well with Hopson and a current Australian Boomer in Jock Landale. Anytime you can bring in that kind of talent, it’s going to make you dangerous. And I expect Goulding to come out firing too after a good offseason. They’ll be very dangerous and a bit deeper than what they’ve typically been in the past.
NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS
Last season: 15-13, sixth in regular season
2019/20 Points For: 89.7ppg, eighth
2019/20 Points Against: 88.3ppg, second
2019/20 Field Goal Percentage: 46.7%, fifth
2019/20 Defensive Field Goal Percentage: 46.9%, sixth
2019/20 Three Point Field Goal Percentage: 38.9%, first
2019/20 Defensive Three Point Field Goal Percentage: 34.3%, second
2019/20 Free Throw Percentage: 75.4%, sixth
2019/20 Rebounds: 33.3rpg, ninth
2019/20 Rebound Differential per Game: -1.8, eighth
2019/20 Assists: 16.7apg, eighth
2019/20 Steals: 5.6spg, seventh
2019/20 Blocked Shots: 3.4bpg, fourth
2019/20 Turnovers: 11.1tpg, second
2019/20 Turnovers Forced: 11.9tpg, fourth
2019/20 Turnover Differential per Game: +0.8, second
2019/20 Offensive Rating: 114.5, seventh
2019/20 Defensive Rating: 113.4, fifth
2019/20 Regular Season vs. Kings: Kings won 2-1
All Time Record vs. Kings: 54 games played; Series tied 27-27
NBL Titles: 4 (2011; 2012, 2013, 2015)
NBL Playoff Appearances: 8 (last time 2018)
Homecourt: Spark Arena, capacity 8,500
Head Coach: Dan Shamir (2nd year with New Zealand, NBL career record 15-13)
Incoming: Tai Webster (Turkey); Lamar Patterson (import – Brisbane Bullets); Colton Iverson (import – Russia); Daniel Trist (South East Melbourne Phoenix); Rasmus Bach (Denmark); Kyrin Galloway (development player); Taine Murray (development player); Isaac Davidson (development player)
Outgoing: RJ Hampton (NBA – Denver Nuggets); Sek Henry (import – Turkey); Scotty Hopson (import – Melbourne United); Brandon Ashley (import – NBA G-League); Jordan Ngatai (Cairns Taipans); Ater Majok (Qatar)
Projected Starters: Tai Webster; Lamar Patterson (import); Thomas Abercrombie; Finn Delany; Colton Iverson (import)
Bench: Corey Webster; Rob Loe; Jarrad Weeks; Daniel Trist; Rasmus Bach; Finn Delany; Sek Henry (import); Thomas Abercrombie; Jarrad Weeks; Rob Loe; Jordan Ngatai; Kyrin Galloway (development player); Taine Murray (development player); Isaac Davidson (development player)
After the opening ten games of their NBL20 campaign, when it seemed like the franchise was lurching from one disaster to another, many wondered about the direction of the Breakers. But under their excellent head coach Dan Shamir, New Zealand stabilised their team and became extremely competitive in the second half of last season. And despite Corey Webster’s bizarre hand injury thanks to a recalcitrant avocado pit, the Breakers’ offseason has been outstanding as they’ve put together a team that looks very hard to beat in NBL21.
NBL fans already know about the varied skills of Lamar Patterson (21.4ppg, 6.0rpg, 4.5apg, 1.1spg) who was enticed away from Brisbane in an enormous coup, but they have yet to understand the impact that new point guard Tai Webster will make after the Tall Black standout was recruited from Europe. When his brother Corey recovers from the avocado attack, the Webster boys will tear up the competition. Colton Iverson was a savvy import addition as a seven-foot centre who doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective, while Finn Delany continues his rise to star status and veteran Tom Abercrombie is still one of the better wings in the NBL.
The unfortunate thing for New Zealand is that they will have to base themselves outside their home country for what may be a significant portion of the season thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, but how they respond to that might be the only potential issue the Breakers will face, because this is a squad that is versatile, flexible, and appears to have no weaknesses. The New Zealand Breakers are a standout championship contender.
BRAD NEWLEY SAYS
Everyone seems to be talking them up quite a bit, although I think they have a problem chopping up avocados! But seriously, they’ve put a pretty good roster together. I spoke to Tom Vodanovich who we recruited and he says they run a pretty strict kind of system and are pretty well coached, so you’d expect them to be better a year on with the same coach. Plus, they’ve got the usual suspects like Corey Webster; they’ve brought in a couple of experienced imports and Finn Delany is getting better every year. They are good across the board and I look forward to playing against them.
PERTH WILDCATS
Last season: 19-9, second in regular season, NBL CHAMPIONS
2019/20 Points For: 90.2ppg, seventh
2019/20 Points Against: 86.3ppg, first
2019/20 Field Goal Percentage: 44.6%, eighth
2019/20 Defensive Field Goal Percentage: 46.7%, fifth
2019/20 Three Point Field Goal Percentage: 36.3%, fifth
2019/20 Defensive Three Point Field Goal Percentage: 36.2%, fifth
2019/20 Free Throw Percentage: 77.5%, fourth
2019/20 Rebounds: 35.6rpg, seventh
2019/20 Rebound Differential per Game: +0.5, fourth
2019/20 Assists: 18.1apg, fifth
2019/20 Steals: 6.1spg, fifth
2019/20 Blocked Shots: 2.3bpg, ninth
2019/20 Turnovers: 9.6tpg, first
2019/20 Turnovers Forced: 11.6tpg, fifth
2019/20 Turnover Differential per Game: +2.0, first
2019/20 Offensive Rating: 118.3, first
2019/20 Defensive Rating: 113.2, third
2019/20 Regular Season games vs. Kings: Wildcats won 3-1
2019/20 Playoff games vs. Kings: Wildcats won 2-1
All Time Record vs. Kings: 97 games played; Wildcats lead 58-39
NBL Titles: 10 (1990, 1991, 1995, 2000, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020)
NBL Playoff Appearances: 34 (last time 2020)
Homecourt: Perth Arena, capacity 14,000
Head Coach: Trevor Gleeson (8th season with Perth, NBL career record 247-171, career record with Wildcats 144-83, four NBL championships)
Incoming: John Mooney (import – Notre Dame University); Todd Blanchfield (Illawarra Hawks); Kevin White (Illawarra Hawks); Andrew Ferguson (development player), Corey Shervill (development player)
Outgoing: Nicholas Kay (Spain); Terrico White (import – Puerto Rico); Miles Plumlee (import); Damian Martin (retired); Rhys Vague (Japan)
Projected Starters: Bryce Cotton (import); Mitch Norton; Clint Steindl; Todd Blanchfield; John Mooney (import)
Bench: Jesse Wagstaff; Luke Travers (development player); Kevin White; Wani So Lo Buluk; Jarrod Bairstow; Taylor Britt (development player); Andrew Ferguson (development player), Corey Shervill (development player); Majok Majok (injured reserve)
Perth won their tenth NBL crown last season in a completely unsatisfying way thanks to the five game Grand Final series with the Kings being called off early due to the impact of Covid-19 – albeit Wildcat fans probably don’t feel that way. Nonetheless, the league awarded them the trophy and in NBL21 they now have an opportunity to join Sydney and New Zealand as teams to have won three straight championships.
However, this might be their sternest challenge yet – not just to defend their title, but even to continue their 34-season streak of making the playoffs. Despite the return of league MVP Bryce Cotton (22.9ppg, 4.0rpg, 4.0apg, 1.6spg), Perth have taken some enormous hits in the offseason, losing All-NBL first-teamer Nicholas Kay to Spain and the greatest leader and defender in NBL history Damian Martin to retirement, not to mention import Terrico White, who was a casualty of the NBL’s new two-import rule.
The Perth strategy hinges on Cotton being naturalised, allowing them to add another import, but that hasn’t happened at time of writing. The current second import is power forward John Mooney, who led the NCAA in double-doubles in his senior season at Notre Dame University but is a downgrade on Kay, while new recruit Todd Blanchfield (13.3ppg, 3.9rpg with the Hawks) has had an inconsistent NBL career and Kevin White, as hard as he plays, is no Damian Martin. Ultimately, what Perth accomplish this season will have a lot to do with Cotton’s situation, but for right now, their roster doesn’t look as strong as others in the league. That said, it’s fools’ gold to write off a well-coached group with such a proud history.
BRAD NEWLEY SAYS
It’s a different roster. Losing Nick Kay is a big piece for them. They kind of have a culture though of next man up which is something we’re trying to bring into the Kings. Cotton is always going to be 25 to 30 points a night so he’s going to be a problem. Blanchfield gives them another threat on the perimeter and he and Clint Steindl will be dangerous there. And they’ve brought in John Mooney as a big and he steps into Kay’s role. I’m looking forward to seeing what they can do.
SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX
Last season: 9-19, eighth
2019/20 Points For: 96.1ppg, first
2019/20 Points Against: 98.5ppg, eighth
2019/20 Field Goal Percentage: 46.7%, fourth
2019/20 Defensive Field Goal Percentage: 48.6%, ninth
2019/20 Three Point Field Goal Percentage: 37.7%, third
2019/20 Defensive Three Point Field Goal Percentage: 37.7%, eighth
2019/20 Free Throw Percentage: 80.6%, first
2019/20 Rebounds: 36.0rpg, sixth
2019/20 Rebound Differential per Game: -0.3, seventh
2019/20 Assists: 19.0apg, first
2019/20 Steals: 6.2spg, fourth
2019/20 Blocked Shots: 3.2bpg, sixth
2019/20 Turnovers: 11.5tpg, third
2019/20 Turnovers Forced: 11.4tpg, seventh
2019/20 Turnover Differential per Game: -0.1, fifth
2019/20 Offensive Rating: 116.8, second
2019/20 Defensive Rating: 119.7, ninth
2019/20 Regular Season games vs. Kings: Kings won 4-0
All Time Record vs. Kings: 4 games played; Kings lead 4-0
NBL Titles: 0
NBL Playoff Appearances: 0
Homecourt: John Cain Arena, capacity 10,000
Head Coach: Simon Mitchell (2nd season with South East Melbourne, NBL career record 9-19)
Incoming: Keifer Sykes (import – Greece); Ben Moore (import – NBA G-League); Cameron Gliddon (Brisbane Bullets); Yanni Wetzel (San Diego State University); Reuben Te Rangi (Brisbane Bullets); Izayah Mauriohooho-Le'afa (development player), Tristan Forsyth (development player)
Outgoing: John Roberson (import – Spain); Keith Benson (import – Lithuania); Tai Wesley (import – retired); Ben Madgen (retired); Daniel Trist (New Zealand Breakers); Terry Armstrong; Deng Acuoth
Projected Starters: Keifer Sykes (import); Cameron Gliddon; Reuben Te Rangi; Mitch Creek; Ben Moore
Bench: Dane Pineau; Kyle Adnam; Adam Gibson; Kendall Stephens; Yanni Wetzell; Izayah Mauriohooho-Le'afa (development player), Tristan Forsyth (development player)
Under the circumstances, the Phoenix had a solid debut season in the National Basketball League, getting a memorable opening win over Melbourne United and emerging as a surprise playoff contender in the first half of their campaign. They faded in the second half of NBL20, but did a fine job in establishing a new franchise, both on and off the court.
The team lost long-range gunner John Roberson and the retiring Tai Wesley and Ben Madgen in the offseason, but they look to have recruited well, with new import point guard Keifer Sykes an athletic baller who plays above the rim, while Cameron Gliddon and Reuben Te Rangi come across from Brisbane to provide experience and strength from the perimeter and Ben Moore will be expected to provide big numbers as an import power forward.
They do have a concern with a lingering back injury to Dane Pineau and a couple of question marks around their overall depth, but they are well-coached by Simon Mitchell and already seem to have established a positive culture. Of course, as their captain Mitch Creek (20.2ppg, 7.3rpg, 3.2apg, 1.2spg, 47.9% FG) goes, so go the Phoenix, and if he stays injury-free and has a big season, there’s no reason that South East Melbourne can’t make a playoff push when all is said and done.
BRAD NEWLEY SAYS
They are much talked about and the NBL seems to give them a ton of love! They’ve got a couple of new recruits with Gliddon and Te Rangi coming over, and I’d expect Gliddon to have a bit more freedom in offence, probably more than he had in Brisbane, so he’ll thrive a little bit with more attempts per game. Creek will be back and he’s always very strong. Kyle Adnam is a good mate of mine and he tells me he’s going pretty well. So, they’ve got a lot of weapons across the board, but I haven’t seen much of their imports so those two guys could go a long way to determining how good they are going to be.
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