Dante Exum started his Partizan Belgrade tenure with a big first game! He finished with 22 points and 4 assists in a loss for Partizan but Exum came out firing dropping 11 in the first quarter. He is playing the point guard position for Partizan which I believe is the best spot for him, as he knows how to keep the ball moving and has the speed to attack the rim and make assists when he sees the opening. Now that he has a more consistent three ball he is looking great out there.
Exum had all his skills on display, splashing threes and attacking the rack putting Europe's biggest centre on a poster. Its quite unbelievable he isn't back on an NBA roster with his raw athleticism and high basketball IQ. I'm still a big fan and hopefully we can see him back in the NBA soon. Until then I'll try to post some highlights when i can.
Brisbane Bullets vs Sydney Kings round 2 game review NBL23
I picked Sydney to get the win at home this week and in an exciting game with two of the two top teams in my opinion if was a fun watch.
1st Quarter
Tim Soares opens the scoring with a 3 pointer to get the game started.
For Brisbane they go early to an Aron Baynes post up with a missed shot inside, but its great to see them go for a Baynes post play early in the game. Sobey made a midrange fade away J to open Brisbanes scoring but Sydney make another 3 from Derrick walton Jnr and they are off to a good shooting start.
Baynes imposes his size inside as he blocks a pass from Cooks to then drop the nice up and under layup on the other side to tie the score.
The big Banger then shows what he can do from outside as he drops the 3 ball and he is everywhere for Brisbane as they take the lead 8-11 at the 6:45 mark.
Walton Jnr dropped a nice bank shot, to take the lead back but Nathan Sobey brings it back for Brisbane with a 3 and Sydney call a time out 12-14.
Tyler Johnson decides to impose his will on the game and finally makes an impact with a floater inside to take the lead back 14-16, as had been a bit of a non factor for Brisbane so far.
Johnson then keeps driving to the bucket and makes 3 buckets in a row as he looks to get going offensively, but Kuot Noi drops a 3 and stops the run 16-20 with 3min left in the quarter.
Xavier Cooks made a couple of strong drives and looks to get aggressive before a 3 ball from DJ Vasiljevic closes the quarter with Sydney taking the lead 24-23.
2nd Quarter
Sydney made a steal and Derrick Walton jnr drops a nice high layup off the glass in transition to open the scoring for Sydney in the quarter, 26-23
An Aron Baynes Mid range bank shot J ,opens scoring for the Bullets to keep it close.
Baynes was playing some good d inside and pulling down rebounds imposing his size in the paint! Nathan Sobey made an inside bucket to get the lead back 30-31 with 5:45 in 2nd, 30-31 but hunter quickly takes it back off a dime from Walton Jnr.
Brisbane have a few defensive breakdowns and missed shots as Sydney start to pull away and with 3:15 left in the quarter. Xavier Cooks then shows his foot work with this great little fake, and up and under layup 40-31. Cooks really does have all the tools to be a great player in the league or the NBA.
Harry Froling dribbles the whole court and lays it in off a great screen inside by Baynes to stop the run with two min left in the half. Tyler Johnson then goes down hard hitting this head off some shoulder contact and has a split and bleeding mouth, but no foul call as the refs are letting them play. Then Baynes drops a 3 to bring the lead back down to 42-36, here comes Brisbane! A Cooks drive closes the half to hold a good lead for Sydney 46-39.
3rd Quarter
Xavier Cooks foul shots open the scoring for Sydney going 1/2 with a banked free throw! off a hard foul from Baynes Tanner Krebs made a 3 to open scoring for Brisbane off an Aron Baynes post up, with the ball finding the open shooter 47-42.
Suarez blows back to back plays for Sydney and they miss the opportunity to really push the lead, with an air ball and then off an insane Simons pass he missed the catch and Brisbane catch a break.
But Simon then got a steal and big dunk and Brisbane call a Timout, as the wheels were starting to fall off down 56-45. Jason Cadee makes his first bucket of the season off a great cut in the out of bounds play out of the timeout, and Can he get going!? Brisbane need a hot shooting Caddee and Sobey to really unlock their potential.
Sydney’s guards are so impressive! They get people great shots as Kuot Noi drops a 3 off a great drive from Walton Jnr and its 12 point lead 59-47
But a fouled three point attempt on Jason Caddee and tech on the Sydney Coach for being too animated on the call gets 4 free throws for Cadee. Just what Brisbane need to get Caddee going!.
Sydney’s coach Chase Buford continues to ague on the sideline after getting the tech.
Chase Buford released a statement recently regarding his animated coaching style and passion for the game and his team, which was great to see and very important discussion point for mental health in sports, but has it put a target on his back? The tech was for being too animated and walking away, not for saying anything! And also his reactions became a talking point for the commentators. The media release was great for society but might be hard for himself.
Sydney's intensity on D is upped and Brisbane can't even get the ball up the court with multiple turnovers.
Brisbane have Froling and Baynes on the court and they still aren't looking to push the ball inside the paint!? But a Caddee 3 saves them and then he drops a shot inside to get them back to only a 5 point deficit with 1:30 left in the quarter.
Sydney keep missing foul shots and Jason Cadee is doing everything! Making plays and dropping shots. Those four free throws really got him going! Caddee makes a great play to find an open Baynes who drops the bomb and the Bullets are only down 3, until Nathan Sobey closes the quarter with another 3 ball off a Devondrick Walker assist coming off a Baynes screen tie-ing it up going into the final break.
Great game so far, with physical play, techs and come backs!
4th Quarter
Xavier Cooks drives to the basket and lays it in with a soft finger roll to open the quarter and taking back the lead 69-67.
Cooks follows it up with a big block on Baynes and then drops a tasty dish to a wide open Hunter as Cooks is taking over! He trash talks Baynes after who throws out an air ball 3! Cooks then shows his touch with a soft floater over Baynes, as he has his own 7-0 run and pushes the lead for Sydney 74-67.
Sobey finally gets Brisbane going, with a layup off a nice Baynes screen inside the paint. Brisbane decide to bench Baynes and go small to stop cooks! 8min left in 4th qaurter. But cooks needs a breather and asks to be checked out just before he drives to the cup and drops the lay in!
Cooks is even better then I realised as he often has a shooting drought but his ability to get to the basket and soft touch is amazing. But he will need to be able to hit shots to take his game to the nba level.
DJ Mitchell drops a 3 and Brisbane are still in it down only 3 point game 76-73. 6:30 left in the game. Cooks comes off for a rest and its Walton Jnr's turn to take over for Sydney as he made it a 5 point lead with a nice drive to the cup. But Dj Mitchell finds form dropping another outside shot to keep it close. Walton Jnr can do everything as drops a bomb 3 with a hand in the face! 85-81 with only 4:00 left and Brisbane go back to Baynes on the court. But Walton Jnr picks him up off a screen and absolutely cooks him! Driving to the basket and pushing the lead further. Walton puts it all on display hitting shots and finding open team mates to push the Sydney lead out to 10.
Justin Simon grabs the offensive board and attacks Baynes under the hoop with a tough wrap around, up an under the hoop shot, making the basket and getting the and one, as Sydney were rolling and have so many weapons
With 2:00 left in the game and Sydney up 96-81 its over, as Brisbane empties the bench. Huge Close out quarter from Sydney to shut the door on the Bullets.
Sydney close it out for the win 100-90
One good take away for Brisbane is they got Caddee going. He had a donut in game one and this was important to have a run of shots dropping. If they can get Sobey 100% healthy and his shot dropping the bullets should be good! Could be slow start for the Bullets though. Tyler Johnson is not a star player who will carry a team. He’s an all around solid guard at the NBA level, but not a star as that’s never been he’s role. Its a lot to ask to become one this late in your career, similar to Dellavedova with Melbourne.
We have had several Aussies suit up for their prospective NBA teams already in the NBA preseason. And the the young players were those I was excited to see take their shot at a bigger role on their team, or even how they played. Dyson Daniels missed nearly all of the summer league after being drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans and Jock Landale was traded to the Phoenix suns. Josh Giddey has started hot but lets break down some of the action.
Jock Landale - Phoenix suns
The phoenix suns were blown away by the hot shooting Adelaide 36ers which you can read about in my game review. But they suited up against the Los Angeles Lakers today and Jock Landale played a bigger role this time out. The whole bench unit played better this game, and the ball moved through hands a lot better with Cameron Payne not in the lineup. The Suns walked away with the win after trailing for the majority of the game.
Jock Landale had some great plays through the game but really came to the show in the last quarter, dropping two 3's and grabbing some offensive boards.
He finished with 14 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block in 23 minutes.
Good all round game from Jock. Hopefully we will get to see him get real minutes with the Suns when they start the regular season.
Torrey Craig also played but only for 15 minutes and pulled down 7 rebounds with 6 points.
Dyson Daniels - New Orleans Pelicans
Dyson Daniels suited up for the first time in an NBA preseason for the New Orleans Pelicans against the Chicago Bulls, and he just looks so comfortable as an NBA player. He is tall (grew two more inches last year), athletic and looks strong for his age. When he moves on defense he seems to be everywhere, stopping his player, but also being great as the help defender getting some big Blocks against the Chicago Bulls.
Late in the game Dyson had a few big plays getting steals, dropping a 3 ball and securing the game at the foul line to push the lead out to 4 points, dropping both foul shots with 11 seconds left in the game, and the Pelicans walked away with a win against the Bulls.
Daniels made some strong drives to the bucket through the game, but looked to struggle with finishing his shot close to the rim. With some more experience under him and if he increases his shooting percentage at the rim, and three point line he will be absolutely deadly. An all around solid player who can play lock down D, make the right pass and get to the rim whenever he wants. The only thing missing is the experience and finishing which will come in time. A great pickup for New Orleans in the draft! He could see some good minutes in the season with his strong defense that the Pelicans really needed last season.
Look at these plays to close out the game. That's a winner! I'm very excited to see the player he develops into, throughout the season and beyond.
Daniels finished with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 Blocks.
Josh Giddey - Oklahoma City Thunder played against Josh Green Dallas Mavericks
Josh Giddey looks to have bulked up in the offseason and is looking strong to start the new NBA season. His floater and shot are both looking better and in his first two preseason games, is putting up some good numbers.
In his first game that was not televised against Denver Giddey put up: 14 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists.
In his second game against the Dallas Mavericks where he only played 17 minutes, mostly in the first half, he had 13 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Shooting 60% from the field.
Giddey was throwing some insane passes to find open team mates as usual, but some tough shooting kept his assist numbers lower in this game.
Josh Green had some great plays and looked aggressive from the tip. He looks to enjoy playing against Giddey. Green made a couple of great plays and is just a solid piece to have on your team. He doesn't try to do too much, but can do a little of everything, and with the speed and size he still looks to have a lot potential in his game.
They might have a bit of a rivalry building after Green beat Giddey out of the last spot on the Boomers squad before the last Olympics. Thunder Vs Mavericks games will definitely be good entertainment for the aussies watching.
Josh Green in 22 minutes finished with 9 points, 4 assists and 2 steals
I missed some picks in round 1 but I think the NBL blitz may have given a bad reference for how players will perform this season. No one could hit a shot at the Blitz and if that was due to the rims, the heat or the giant fans in the arena in Darwin I don't know, but players who looked average there are looking like stars on their home courts. I think you can throw an analysis made at the blitz out the window going into the season.
Illawarra Hawks vs SE Melb Phoenix Thursday 6th Oct
The SE Melb phoenix had a great start getting a solid win over the 2nd place Tasmania Jackjumpers in round one, off the back of some phenomenal basketball from Kyle Adnam who dropped a 30 piece in the opening game!
I can not see Adnam following up that performance against the Illawarra Hawks, who suffered a tough loss to the Sydney Kings in Round 1. Mitch Creek played his all round solid game but never looked to take over as he often does. I think he is still not 100% healthy but still a good player. The Hawks looked to struggle to get their offence going at times against the Kings but I think they will turn that around and watch out for Tyler Harvey to have a big game after a quieter round 1. I am excited to see if Kyle Adnam can back up his shooting from game 1, hopefully his shoulder didn't carry any injury through to this week.
I've got Hawks by 6.
New Zealand Breakers vs Tasmania Jackjumpers Friday 7th Oct
New Zealand went down to Melbourne United by 4 points in round 1 but are looking pretty strong despite that. While the Jackjumpers suffered back to back losses in Round 1 to the SE Melb Phoenix and the Cairns Taipans. I think New Zealand should get the win in their home court but Tasmania will want to at least see it competitive after the big loss to Cairns. (22 points)
New Zealand 8 points
Sydney Kings vs Brisbane Bullets Friday 7th Oct
Sydney had a good win against the Illawarra Hawks with their new imports really stepping up to make some statement plays. I think this will be a good close game and tough to pick. Watch out for Xavier Cooks to start to find his feet and attack more often. He Started to look comfortable getting to the basket with ease late in the game in round 1. Brisbane need to find Baynes more often inside to utilise him more on offence and he needs to stay out of foul trouble for Brisbane to pull off a win. Cooks may attack him early to create that foul trouble for Baynes which will spell trouble for Brisbane. With Sobey still no where near 100% I don't think Brisbane have the fire power to keep up with Sydney.
Sydney by 5.
SE Melbourne Phoenix vs Cairns Taipans Saturday 8th Oct
Cairns Taipans had a big win over the Tasmania Jackjumpers who had a very competitive match against the Phoenix. I wasn't impressed with Cairns after the Blitz but I think round 1 has shown shooting was not realistic at the Blitz and Cairns could surprise people with the amount of shooting they have.
Along with the Phoenix playing two games this round and Creek still not 100% I've got Cairns to take the home win.
Cairns by 11
Perth Wildcats Vs Illawarra Hawks Sat 8th Oct
Second game in two days for the hawks against a well rested and at Home Perth wildcats team is a tough ask for the Hawks. Bryce Cotton looked his MVP best in game 1. I cant see them dropping this one. It really is amazing how consistent Cotton has been over his NBL career. As well scouted and known he is in the league and is still unstoppable!
Perth by 12
JackJumpers vs Brisbane Bullets Sunday 9th Oct
Both teams are on their second game of the round and both will be looking for what may be their first win. Brisbane have the roster to and the power forwards to really push Tasmania inside. Hopefully Baynes will have a big game and can carry Brisbane to a win.
Brisbane by 8
Melbourne United vs Sydney Kings Sunday 9th Oct
This is a marque match up for the weekend with two teams coming off of strong wins in the first round. Very tough to call with both teams looking like they have found some very talented imports to combine with their MVP calibre local talent. If Xavier cooks can shut down Raion Tucker and someone can slow down Chris Goulding I think Sydney should win. But with both teams being able to shoot the lights out I think whoever plays better defense will win it. Should be a barn burner of a match!
Sydney by 2
Cairns Taipans vs Perth Wildcats Monday 10th Oct
Cairns are team that will probably win or lose big. They have selected a hot shooting team where is the shots aren’t dropping it will be a long night. Perth are well rounded and may have some troubles getting buckets if Bryce Cotton isn’t carrying the team. I should probably pic Perth for the safe bet but I’ll go Cairns to shoot the lights and get the win.
NBA Preseason Game: Phoenix Suns vs Adelaide 36ers
Game Review:
With round 1 of NBL23 starting this weekend it was an NBA preseason game most people were really looking forward to seeing, and it did not disappoint!
1st quarter:
Deyondre Ayton wins the tip for the suns and he looks so big out there, which leads to Devin Booker opening the scoring with a nice drive to the basket for the Phoenix Suns.
Adelaide blow an alley oop play, and Ayton dominates inside for an easy layup.
Early on it looked like its was going to be a long night for Adelaide.
Daniel Johnson (DJ) got scoring going for the 36ers with a corner J and then followed it up with a 3 ball to take a quick lead change 5-4.
After watching the NBL this weekend, the NBA court looks so Big! There is just so much space between the players. It can't be understated how much it changes the game.
Antonius Cleveland drops another three and the 36ers have come to play 8-4. But Booker breaks the drought and swings the lead back to the Suns. It happens so quick. 8-9, 9:00 left in the quarter.
A DJ Three and the lead is back to the 36ers its a fast paced 1st quarter and DJ is on fire 3/3.
The starters for the Suns just look unstoppable, but Adelaide manage to stay right there with them. The Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton pick and roll looks unstoppable, and with the Suns leading they take the starters out for a rest at the midway point of the 1st quarter.
Adelaide make some nice plays, and Craig Randall II opens his scoring with a nice drive. Suddenly Adelaide have the lead back 29-26 with 1:00 left in the quarter.
Kai Sotto got a big dunk off an awkward Mitch Mccarron assist to close the quarter 33-28.
2nd Quarter:
With a surprise commentator jumping in, we get Andrew Gaze included in the commentary team to start the quarter. Great to have some Aussie input!
Randall opened the scoring in the quarter with a 3 and the NBA range doesn't look to bother Adelaide, 36-28. Randall then drops another two big 3s and its 42-31 after 1 minute in the quarter! Randall is rolling.
After only 2 minutes, the Suns coach brings the starters back on which leads to an immediate dunk from Mikal Bridges. But Robert Franks wants in on the shooting and drops back to back 3s, to hold the strong thirteen point lead 48-35.
Ayton is such a good player. He is instant offence for the Suns whenever they need a bucket. Not many centres can compete with a player of his size and skill, as the Suns start to push back. Combine a centre like him with the skills of CP3, and you've got everything you need. Another pick and roll and it looks too easy for them:
The 36ers keep pushing and Antonius Cleveland got a bucket on a strong transition play, and a 10 point lead is held with 2:00 left in the half.
Daniel Johnson looked comfortable playing his game, and it's great to see him show what he can do, and what we've seen him do for you years in the NBL.
Adelaide as a team move the ball well and find a wide open 3 from Robert Franks who bombs it in closing the half Adelaide up 71-59.
36ers were shooting the lights out! And here come the excuses from the commentators. Just a heads up, it's preseason for both teams. Those commentators were painfull as they pulled out as many excuses as they could.
3rd Quarter:
Chris Paul (CP3) opens the half with a step back longe two 71-62.
But in a huge loss for the 36ers, Daniel Johnson is injured and has to leave the game after 15 points in the first half, dropping shots from all over the court. 36ers commit a take foul to get him off the court and get a tech with the new rules coming into play in the NBA of no take fouls in transition.
Ayton can not be stopped on offence though, as the Suns bring the 36ers lead down to two points 71-69 with 9:20 left in the quarter. Big run by the Suns starters.
CP3 drops a nice pocket pass to Ayton to push the Suns offence but couple of bomb 3's from Franks and Randall from way outside keep Adelaide moving. 78-70.
The suns starters are just too good and shrink the 36ers lead to one point 82-81, with 5:00 left in the quarter.
Mitch McCarron makes an insane no look pass to Sotto for the easy dunk and the Suns bring their starters off with 4:00 left in the 3rd Quarter down 84-81.
Jock Landale makes a nice spin and layup for the Suns but with the Suns bench unit on, Craig Randall II is making plays and dropping bombs. 89-83 3:00 left in qtr.
Cameron Payne made some good shots but cant find an inside pass! Jock Landale has been open under the basket multiple times and Payne can not make the pass.
Kai Sotto gets in on the 3 points shooting, but Torrey Craig got a put back lay in off a Payne drive, and miss for the Suns, closing the quarter. Adelaide holding the lead 96-90.
4th Quarter:
Randall Drops a bomb from way outside 3 points range to open scoring for the 36ers, and then turns around to drop two more! Randall is 8/15 from 3. He follows it up with a floater and he has taken over the game. 36ers blowing the lead back out to 10, 107-97.
Antonius Cleveland makes a big block at the 9:02 mark and Torrey Craig gets fouled going up for transition dunk. 36ers aren't giving up anything easy. They want the win, they can feel the win!
Franks finds a nice layup, and dropped another big 3 nearing the half way point in the quarter 116-109.
Torrey Craig played some good defence getting a steal and dunk.
Cameron Payne keeps the suns offence going but the Suns bench unit can't move the ball. Payne can not pass!
Randall blocks Payne playing both sides of the ball, and the 36ers continue to shoot the lights out.
Franks drops a way outside the 3 line bomb, and its 132-119 with 1:30 left in the game.
Landale and Craig keep the Suns score ticking with some strong offensive rebounds and put backs off Payne misses, as he drives to the basket on every play.
With 30 seconds left in the game and the 36ers up thirteen, 134-121 they empty their bench to cruise to the win!
Adelaide 36ers win 134-124.
Adelaide 36ers shot the lights out going 24-43 from long range! 55.4% from the field and 55.8% from 3!
Mitch McCarron was dropping dimes everywhere with 16 assists.
I can not see Adelaide shooting this well again, but it certainly showed how big of a jump the NBL has made in the last few years.
This is the first ever win by an NBL club against an NBA squad! And 22 minutes from the starters was no bench squad.
For the Suns, the starters looked good and really were unstoppable when they were in. As a preseason game they were never going to go 100%. The bench needs to be looked at though. Cameron Payne can not be your bench point guard. He can score, but cannot unlock that bench unit. The point guard needs to be able to facilitate and put the ball where it needs to be, to get the most out of the team. Payne can put the ball through the basket but can't find a teammate wide open under the basket. They will have some work to do.
Hopefully Adelaide get to keep some of their players going into the NBL season, but I can see several NBA teams snapping up these NBL players after that display. Most NBL players have an NBA outclause in their contract so that roster may look very different come game one of the NBL season for Adelaide.
Tasmania JackJumpers VS South East Melbourne Phoenix
I had originally called this game as an easy win for Tasmania but who could have predicted this:
Kyle Adnam came out to make a statement, hitting the opening shot of the game and he was on fire when he walked on the court.
He dominated the first quarter to create a strong lead for the Phoenix which looked like the Jackjumpers could not get close. Milton Doyle opened scoring for the JJ's and I expected a lot from him here and it was good start driving to the basket for the layup.
Phoenix had help in multiple areas to keep the Phoenix in front, with Mitch creek and reuben Terangi playing steady consistent play but Creek still does not look 100%.
Both teams played consistent ball with Phoenix holding the JJ's at arms length most of the first 3 quarters until a crossover mid range J from Milton Doyle and then huge Dunk by Rashad Kelly off a pick and roll with Doyle and you could feel the enery shift in the game, to make it 57- 46 and this was the turning point and play of the night.
This is where the Imports for the JJ's step up. The JJ's played a ball movement offence all game trying to get everyone in the team involved, but struggled to find enough scoring to keep up with the hot shooting Phoenix. With Josh Addams gone Tasmania are without the pure scorer who could lift the side when they needed a bucket.
However the Kelly and Doyle team up looks to be an excellent pairing as the they take over the game on both sides.
Kelly and Doyle go on an 8-0 run and its a ball game 57-53 after a tip in from Kelly to open the 4th quarter.
Junior Marduk opens scoring for Phoenix and stoped the JJ's run.
But some good ball movement from Tasmania got Rashad Kelly a layup, which he immediately follows up with an interception on defence, runs the court and will not be denied getting to the cup. Kelly takes over the game as the JJ's mount their come back from 18 down to be 59-58 early in the 4th qtr.
Mitch Creek stoped the run but he looks tired making one of two, foul shots
Kelly comes off for a rest with 7:30 left in the game and the score 62-58.
Kelly and Doyle both made their case as as the offensive key plater as Doyle continues to push the JJ's offence while Kelly was on the bench, as he drops back to back floaters to die up the game 62-62 with 6:00 left in it.
Kyle Adnam checked back into the game and looks like he pops his shoulder out of place, which would have been a huge loss for Phoenix, but he pops it back in, and then follows it up with this little crossover, step back 3! Adnam will not be denied!
Mitch Creek has a couple of strong plays with an and one layup off an out of bounds play from Adnam followed by an Adnam steal and Creek three ball, and the lead is back out to 8, with 4:30 left in the game. Kyle Adnam seems to be everywhere!
Good ball movement keeps the JJ's offence ticking and staying right with Phoenix.
But this is Adnam's night and he just could not be stopped! As he drops back to back inside jumpers with a classy high off the glass fadeaway with 2:30 left and lead is back out to eight, 76-68.
Tasmania push late with a 3 ball from Kelly and Mcveigh to bring it back to a 2 point deficit, with 13 seconds left to play, but some foul shots from the cool shooting Mitch Creek extend the lead to 4 points to confirm the Phoenix win.
Adnam got fouled in the closing moments of the game and got a trip to the charity stripe to complete his 30 peice!
Phoenix win 82-79.
Who picked Kyle Adnam to have a 30 piece in the opening night of NBL23!
I still think my pick for Tasmania was the right call but I never expected 30 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists from Kyle Adnam!
Rashad Kelly, Jack McVeigh and Milton Doyle all played exceptionally to make it close in the fourth quarter, but this was Kyle Adnams game and if he can play like this consistently, maybe Phoenix will do better than I expected.
I find with fantasy teams most people know the guns in the NBL, and if not their are plenty of sites with the tips. You've got your Bryce Cotton, Tyler Harvey, Chris Goulding, Rayjon Tucker. Players you know will drop big points night in and night out.
But here are some tips for players on the cheap (>$1M) that I think may have a big upside to build on the bench.
1. Isaac Humphries C Melbourne United $687K
If Isaac Humphries is not on your roster go get him now! Ice was putting up good numbers at the blitz and looked energised on both sides of the ball. He was blocking shots, picking up boards and making buckets. He looked good off the bench, and with Ariel Huckporti going down with that Archilles injury, which was a huge loss for the team and the league, Ice's fantasy stock shot through the roof. His role on the team will be a lot bigger, and if he can find that form he had alongside Josh Giddey where he was playing MVP calibre ball, he could be a steal at $687K
2. Harry Froling SF Brisbane $475K
Harry Froling played some starter minutes alongside Aron Baynes in the NBL Blitz and looks to be in some great form. Apparently they plan to run the two power towers of Baynes and Frolling together at different times this season, and even as a bench player I think he will be a big part of the scoring load for Brisbane this season. At $475K a steal!
3. Tanner Krebs SG/SF Brisbane $360K
Tanner Krebs looks to have come into the Season off some impressive form and confidence from his NBL1 season. In the last Brisbane NBL Blitz game he had an immediate impact as a starter and carried Brisbanes offence in the first quarter. He could be a surprise breakout player this season and im excited to have him as part of my fantasy squad.
4. Cory Webster SG Perth $500K
From the games I saw of Perths preseason, a lot of their offence looks to run through Bryce Cotton as it should being the best player in the league, but if opposing defences manage to lock Cotton down, where is the scoring coming from? Luke Travers is not a scorer. He is a defensive menace and a play maker. Cory Webster has to have an impact off the bench. They need the scoring and I can see them running him with Bryce Cotton at times to have more shooting. Pretty solid at $500K
5. Bul Kuol Cairns SG $723K
Bul Kuol in the Blitz was everywhere. He pushed that Cairns team in ways no other player was able. He got to the basket and made big shots. His price tag is on the upper for this bargain basement list, but he has a huge upside and could be a key player for Cairns this season.
6. Rayan Rupert SF New Zealand $850K
Rayan Rupert is a star in the making. When you watch him play, you can see the player he can become with some experience under him. His playmaking and skill at getting to the bucket is elite. He may need to increase the speed of his shot but at this stage of his career, making it consistent is more important. If NZ give him the keys to run, and the confidence to be creative with the ball he could put up some insane numbers.
7. Reuben Terangi S.E. Melbourne SF $472K
Terangi needs a big season. This could be his last shot to stand up as the player he has the potential to be. The Phoenix will need his scoring punch off the bench and at $472K he could be solid piece, at least until we see how far he wants to push his game.
8. Jared Weeks Tasmania PG $343K
Jared Weeks has always been a streaky shooter and with his low price tag, he can be an end of the bench player who ticks up the scoreboard on any given night. Ive seen him drop back to back 3's in multiple quarters, and I've got him on the end of my bench. Tasmania distribute the ball so well that any player could drop a big number on any given night.
9. Jared Bairstow PF Tasmania $292
Jared Bairstow is a great cheap pick up. He pulls down plenty of boards and gets some buckets off offensive rebounds. At $292 a steal.
10. Gojak Gak C Brisbane $500K
Gorjak Gak is an unknown that has the tools to be very good! He could be a come from nowhere break out player this season. He is so tall and so quick. He really rounds out Brisbanes roster with the other two centres on the team being so bulky, Gak allows Brisbane to stay tall when other teams go small.
11. Tom Vodanovich PF New Zealand $343K
Vodanovich looks like he has great touch around the basket, and can step out to the three point line. With Tom Abercrombie out of the roster for the foreseeable period after that freak eye injury, Vodanovich could be a good player to fill that gap for NZ and a good pick up for $343K
12. Jack Mcveigh SF/PF Tasmania $882K
Jack McVeigh broke out last season. He is a constant threat on offence. He just knows how to get buckets and im surprised he is so cheap! He will continue to get buckets this season and should be a good pick, but I feel like after last seasons finals, people know who he is, so he is not as high on the list as he should be.
